The merchants map of commerce wherein the universal manner and matter relating to trade and merchandize are fully treated of, the standard and current coins of most princes and republicks observ'd, the real and imaginary coins of accounts and exchanges express'd, the natural products and artificial commodities and manufactures for transportation declar'd, the weights and measures of all eminent cities and towns of traffick in the universe, collected one into another, and all reduc'd to the meridian of commerce practis'd in the famous city of London / by Lewis Roberts, merchant.

CHAP. CCLXIV. Of Dublin, and the Trade thereof.

* 1.1DUblin is seated on the Liffe, being the Metropolis of Ireland, and the residence of the Lord Deputy for the King of England, who is Sovereign here, it being also an Arch∣bishoprick and an University. * 1.2The Commodities the Country doth afford for Merchandise, are these: first, the Country abounds in Cattle, each affords Tallow and Hides in great abun∣dance, which is hence exported to Spain, France, and Italy; also Salmon is here caught good store in July, August, and September, which is salted and exported, and in Summer the quan∣tity is so great in some parts of this Island, that the Servants do covenant with their Masters, they must not feed thereon but certain days in the week. Herrings are here also caught, and accounted the best; as also Pilchards in August, September, and October, and thence vented to Spain, France, and into the Streights of Gibraltar; here is also some Butter, Cheese, Pipe-staves, Calves-skins, and other Commodities of late days prohibited to be exported by the Laws of the Kingdom.

* 1.3The Coins of this Kingdom in the standard, carrieth a concurrence with those of England, which also here are current for the value, as being subject to one and the same Scepter, yet in distinction of the true and real worth, are found thus entitled.

The pound of Ireland consisteth of 20 shillings Irish, yet in sterling is accounted but 15 shillings

The shillings by this account is but 9 d. sterling, and the 6 d. Irish is 4½ d. sterling.

* 1.4Here is also an Exchange found and practised, but not for any foreign part, saving England, and principally London and Bristol, commonly running at 8 d. upon the pound, and when most at 12 d. per l. which is 5 per cent.

* 1.5Dublin, and in general all Ireland, hath the Measures and Weights of England in use in their Traffick, and agreeing therewith in all particulars, I need not insist further therein.

Now a word of the Trade in general of Ireland, as it is found observable in these days.

* 1.6The daily conversation of the English Nation, and the late impartial and found admini∣stration of justice in this Country, hath redeemed this Island from the jaws of Barbarism, wherein it was ready to fall and suffer a ruin, and since by little and little peace being firmly established, hath brought the Inhabitants to a desire of inriching themselves, and this desire hath so well been seconded by their industry, that I may say it hath brought store and plenty into their dwellings, which hath hitherto met with so good a success, that whereas few years past this Country was with all necessaries supplied out of Englands and Scotlands abundance, it now returneth that courtesie, and contributeth some years not only to the wants of both, but to the wants of Spain, France, and some other adjoyning Countries; for now it is found that the Earth and Seas add to the Inhabitants labour and pains; as first, the Seas and Rivers in their season afford them great plenty of Cod-fish, Hake fish, Pitchards, Herrings, and these of both the largest, best, and in abundance, which they take, kill, and salt, and so disperse as a Merchandise into France, Spain, England, Scotland, and other Countries.

Then the Earth yeilds them a good breed of Cattel, especially Sheep and Oxen, in such store, that they have thereof in great abundance, as also of Hides, Woolls, Tallow, Butter, Cheese, and Beef; and the Wool, they by Manufactures convert into Cloth, Mantles, Ruggs, Frises, and Yarn, whereof it is reported that there cometh yearly to the Town of Manchester in Lancashire, to be there woven into Stuffs, at least two hundred thousand weight fine and coarse: besides which, the bowels of the Earth yeild them Lead, Iron, and Tin, and by their own industry they have many other Manufactures, as also Pipe-staves, Wax, Honey, Furs, Hemp, Linen Cloth, Salt, and some others: all this considered, what should want here to make them eminent Merchants, but shipping and skill in the Art of Navigation, and a de∣sire to imploy their Talents in foreign Countries, which yet is not seen to be perfected amongst them: Nature having to this end fitted them with many goodly Ports and navigable Rivers, and will in time I hope fit them with an inclination to second by their endeavours, what is so plentifully bestowed by her upon them, which by little and little may be brought to pass by the conversation and direction of the civiliz?d English, that daily are seen to come and reside amongst them: and thus leaving Ireland, and my good wishes to the increase of her Traffick, I hence pass over to Scotland (a part of Britain) and view the present Trade thereof.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of Dublin, and the Trade thereof.
• * 1.2

  Commodities of Ireland.
• * 1.3

  Coins of Ire∣land.
• * 1.4

  Exchanges of Ireland.
• * 1.5

  Weights and Measures as in England.
• * 1.6

  Of the Trade in general of Ireland.