A Discourse of Trade
by Roger Coke
1670

A Discourse of Trade.
In two Parts.
The first treats of The Reason of the Decay of the Strength,
Wealth, and Trade of England.
The latter, Of the Growth and Increase of the Dutch Trade above
the English
by ROGER COKE
LONDON
Printed for H. Brome, at the Gun near the West-End of St. Pauls:
and R. Horne at the South Entrance of the Royal Exchange,
Cornhill, 1670

To the great Example of Virtue
Sir CHARLES HARBORD.

Sir,
If I could describe Trade in all its excellencies so well as Ben
Johnson does the mind, and were to present it to him who I
thought did know best how to value it, I would prefer Sir Charles
Harbord: For in him besides a well weighed understanding, it will
meet with an open and free access (which are the principles from
whence Trade is best generated, preserved, and increased)
conjoyned with so even a temper, that he is never moved to judge,
or act, but from causes before understood by him.
     This Sir, is one reason why this Treatise implores your
Patronage; and I wish that the same method of reasoning were
observed in Geometry, Numbers, Divinity, Physick, and Natural
Philosophy, as in this Discourse, viz. first to establish the
principles, and by a certain rule to reason under them. The
principles from which all Learning and Reasoning are generated
are three (though Aristotle is pleased to restrain them to two)
viz. Definitions, or sensible things or actions before known,
which cannot be defined; Petitions, and Axioms or Common Notions.
Here you may be pleased to take notice how by not right
understanding the nature of these Principles, and cofounding
them, all Learning and Reasoning in these studies is rendered
perplexed, difficult, and uncertain, and without any Order or
Method; which I may avoid, I think fit to here declare the nature
of them, and how they differ from one another.
     A definition is the explaining the name of some intelligible
thing or act, which may be understood, but cannot be the object
of sence, nor can be taken for a Proposition, Sensible things and
actions may be alike know to sensitive Creatures, who have like
fences: but definitions are only understood by intelligent
Creatures, never to sensitive. For example, a Man, a Tree, a
Horse, or any sensible thing may be alike perceived ball
sensitive Creatures, who have like senses. But Father, Merchant,
Lawyer, Point-line, etc. may be defined and understood by
intellegent Creatures, but can never be perceived by sensitive.
By no power of the understanding can any man, negatively void of
any sence, be made to perceive any thing which is subject to that
sence. A man negatively blind, cannot be made to perceive things
which are only visible; and so it is of the other senses. And as
in Things, so in Actions; carnal copulation, killing another, and
taking from another, are sensible Actions, and cannot be defined:
but Murder, Justice, Adultery, Theft etc. may be defined and
understood by intelligent creatures, but can never be perceived
by the sences or sensitive Creatures. How much time is lost, and
confusion caused in defining sensible things by Aristotle, Plato,
and our Schools, which every ignorant man knows as much as the
most learned; and a thousand times better than all these
Sophisters by their contention in them, I leave to you Sir to
judge.
     To this loss of time in defining sensible things, Aristotle
and our Schools from him, do not only confound definitions with
propositions; sometimes giving a definition the power of a
particular proposition, other times of an universal; but he makes
a man to be an universal proposition, and the man Callias to be a
particular: Nor is Euclid wholly free from mistaking herein; for
he oftentimes confounds difinitions with propositions, as
hereafter shall be shewed. So as Clavius following the Authority
of Aristotle and Euclid,and attempting to Analyse the
Propositions of Euclid in a rational method, not only makes the
Comment more perplexed and tedious, but not otherways to be done;
which is the reason he says in his Scholium upon the first
Proposition of the first Book of Euclid, that you must take the
way he is forced to do, as well as others before him.
     2. Petitions are immediate Proprositions, wherein is
propounded some certain knowledge, which is either understood to
be necessary in one r more of the definitions, or some sensible
thing or act before know; or 2dly you require that one or more of
the definitions, or acts may be expressed, done by every learner;
or lastly fact or defect may be propounded in one or more of
them, which must be unquestionably true, as it is propounded:
These are frequently confounded by commentators upon Euclid, with
Axioms and common Notions. So, Sir, as it is no wonder that no
method or rule of reasoning is observed in Geometry, where the
principles of it are so perplexed and confounded; whereby Urania,
so far and lovely in it, is so clouded, and all ways of
approaching her so obstructed; that of ingenious men, who desire
to pay their Oblations at her Altars, not one of twenty can find
the passage to her.
     3. But these principles are so sterile, that without the
conjunction of a superior and nobler cause they are never
imprgnated with any new generation of knowledge. Nor an this
knowledge be begotten from any less power than that which is
eternal and necessary in all things or actions, as they are
propounded. These principles from their excellency are stiled
Axioms, Dignities, Universals, and Common Notions; and though
every acquired proposition hath the authority of a Petition, yet
by no learning or reason can any Proposition have the authority
of an Axiom.
     The principles thus established, men begin to learn and
reason, whereby knowledge may be infinitely improved by reason,
but never the principles; for as Aristotle in very many places
affirms, they are indemonstrable, and the intellect without
reason, is of them, and reason is of conclusions deduced form
them. Here Sir, I cannot pass over the first stumble which is
laid before every learner in out vulgar Logick, which in the
first page affirms Logick to prove (not the consequences but) the
Principles in its own Science and others too: which is all one,
as if one says the consequences (which must be proved by the
premisses) go before the principles, and the principles and
premises come after the consequences and conclusions. So as not
only all rules of reasoning are hereby inverted and destroyed,
but the authority of Aristotle contemned, who as I remember, in
16 places of his Analyticks, and frequently in his Physicks,
Metaphysicks, Topicks, and Ethicks, affirms the principle of
Science to indemonstrable; and that reason is of Science, and
demonstrable: And sure it is great pity none of the Rabbines
correct it: though from no learning or authority of Aristotle or
our vulgar Logick was ever any progress of knowledge in any one
proposition acquired or heard of, I am sure not by me.
     These principles thus established, this metho or rule must
be observed in the generation of knowledge. One or more of the
definitions, or things, or actions before know (which are termed
the subjects of the proposition) must be assumed in every
scientifical proposition, either simply or conditionally, wherein
either some thing or act is propounded to be done (which is
termed a Problem) which was not before known in any of the
petitions or demonstrated propositions, or some new knowledge in
the Subjects propounded (which is termed a Theorem) which was not
before known & in the demonstration of this thing to be done or
knowledge to be understood (which are termed the Questions of the
Proposition). the major proposition must be an Axiom, the minor
proposition so made up of the Petitions, and before demonstrated
propositions, and the Hypothesis, if the Subjects be
conditionally assumed, conformable in all parts to the major
proposition, that the affirmation or question of the proposition,
or the contradiction, if the demonstration be negative, may flow
into the conclusion.
     Here, Sir, be pleased to stay a little, and behold rational
knowledge thus begotten, how fair and lovely she is in her pure
and simple nakedness! how pleasant and easie her ways? and how
excellent and noble her extraction? descended from eternal
causes: begotten by a mind so pure, as partakes not any affection
of any sensual appetite or passion: Her ways all plain and before
known, and may be apprehended as well by youth of both Sexes as
men of riper years. Nor does knowledge thus begotten by the mind
die with the body: but though she be the daughter of time,
remains an eternal monument of the minds excellency, being
subject to no alteration, wrimple, or decay by any power of time
or fate. Oh Divine knowledge! how is thy excellency imposed upon
by Pride, Affectation, Vain glory, and hard Words? How are thy
ways obstructed by Faction, Prejudice, and Self-interest? Whilst
thy glorious beauty is never conspicuous, but by denying these,
and frequenting the humblest paths.
     If Sir, I have more than becomes me insisted upon your
patience, I am so far from excusing my self herein, that I
acknowledge I have often before done it, with this advantage to
my self, that as well in this as many other things I have had the
honour to be confirmed by your more discerning Judgment. This
Treatise therefore presumes to inscribe your Name, whereby it
well hopes to be enlivened when its own little worth shall find
no other Monument: so, Sir, I desire you to entertain a belief of
me, that no man more truly honours you, or wishes you more
happiness than,
                    SIR,
                         Your most devoted and
                              obedient Servant

                              ROGER COKE.


PREFACE TO THE READER.

     God hath endued other Creatures besides man with Sense,
Appetite and Fear; so as excited by their Appetite, and directed
by their Senses, without any subordination of one to another,
they pursue and attain those things, which Nature had before
provided for their subsistence; and prompted by their innate
impulse of fear, they avoid and flee from those Creatures and
things, which are Enemies and hurtful to them. But the case is
otherwise with Man, for God hath endued him with a Higher and
Nobler Faculty of Soul, in giving him understanding, which by
Reason, not Love, Hatred, Fear, or Desire, Governs all his
Actions: for where these or any of them prevail, those men never
understand, judg, or act aright. And Men, not as other creatures,
live in Society and Subordination. so that under the Laws of God,
and their Superiors, men eat their bread, in the sweat of their
brows. Nature of her own accord hath ordained subsistence
necessary for other creatures: Whereas though God hath made all
things for the use of Man, yet nothing is useful to Man (pure
Water, Milk, and some of the fruits of the earth in their seasons
excepted) but as is it is prepared by Humane Art and Industry.
While other creatures live free and Independent from one another,
only Man stands in need and help of another: And therefore where
things are best prepared for Humane necessities and convenience,
there men most resort, from whence Humane Society, Industry and
Civility, is improved above those places where these are not, and
men but few.
     And this is so well understood, that Trade is now become,the
Lady, which in this present Age is more Courted and Celebrated
than in any former by all the Princes and Potentates of the
World, and that deservedly too; For she acquires not her Dominion
by the Horrid and Rueful face of Warr, whose footsteps leave ever
behind them deep impressions of misery, devastation, and poverty,
but with the pleasant aspect of wealth and plenty of all things
conducing to the benefit of Humane life and Society, accompanied
with strength to defend her, in case any shall attempt to Ravish
or Invade her.
     Take an Instance or two herein. When the United Netherlands
made their defection from the Crown of Spain, Spain was in its
greatest height and riches; after some Commosions, ten of the
Provinces did either return or were subdued to the Crown of
Spain, yet the other seven for neer 40 years together, by Warr
and Policy maintained themselves against all the Power of Spain,
until the charge became so insupportable to the Crown of Spain,
that Philip the Second, about the year 1607, was forced to seek a
Truce from the States, and afterward in the year 1648, Philip the
Fourth a Peace. Yet all this Warr was maintained by these States
purely upon the account of Trade, and that Forein: for other
means all the World knows they had none: And though they were
constantly assisted by Queen Elizabeth and the French Kings
successively, yet were all the Forces of England and France as
constantly paid by the States. In our late Warrs with them,
notwithstanding the extraordinary supplyes imployed upon that
occasion, and the losses susteined by the Dutch incomparably more
than were the English, yet this Nation by experience found, that
the Dutch upon the Account of their Trade supported the Charge of
Warr against all difficulties. The Bounds set by Warr are Towns,
Forts and Castles, whereas neither Land nor Ocean put any period
to the Jurisdiction of Trade.
     The English and Dutch have of late by a furious Warr
contended who should enjoy her, but whilest these Covetous
Combatants contend so fiercely for her, the French King by all
the Modes of France Courts here for himself; yet this, though
Covertly carryed was perceived by the jealous Combantants, who
had rather enjoy her, neither can tell how, than wholly lose her
to their Powerful and Courtly Neighbour.
     But Warr is not the Mean by which this Lady may be won; for
though she be pleased to be Guarded by Arms, yet will she never
admit to be governed by them; therefore if either English or
Dutch had subdued other; yet should not Trade have longer
continued with either, than men observe the Rules and Method by
which it may be advanced more than in any other Place, which hath
equal conveniences.
     If this Lady were to choose an habitation in all the known
World, she could not find any so capable of here reception as
England (I had almost said and Ireland) whether it be in regard
of the Multitude, Excellency, and Conveniency of our Ports:
Abundance of Wool better than in any other place of the World,
but Segovia, and from us they had it: Cattle of all sorts equal,
if not superior to any other place: More Horses, and more
serviceable in Trade any where else: Timber for shipping the best
in the World: Lead, Tin, Seacoal, and Fullers Earth, not to be
found out of England, so much, or so Good and capable of all
other things but Wines(and we are better without them) which may
anyways conduce to the supplying the necessities, or adorning the
convenience of Humane life, equal with any other place. The Coast
enriched with a share more worth than the King of Spains West-
Indies: The Inhabitants stout and valiant, accompanied with a
lively wit and healthful constitution, and generally disposed to
her service.
     One would thing it strange (I might say montrous) that the
Dutch Nation, who are denied these advantages, and are of a more
dull and heavy constitution than the English, should out-wit us
in that wherein God and Nature have given us all the Prerogatives
we ourselves can desire. But we undo our selves by banishing this
Lady we so desire and content for: she is already so farr
withdrawn, that we neither know where to find her, nor much
better how to recover her.
     Though this beloved Lady is become very Coy to us by Land;
yet in reason we hope to prevail upon her by Sea. In our
application we tell her, the Swelling Ocean every day beats round
about our Shores, to invite us to the enjoyment of her; and that
by a long and uninterrupted series of Ages we have been possessed
of her before the Dutch Government was formed into States.
     We have moreover in the year 1662, contributed several
considerable sums of Money toward the Advancement of the Fishing
Trade; but how the Monies ahve been disposed of, and whether the
Monies Collected be not yet in the Collectors hands unaccounted
for, may be worthy of consideration; especially considering how
great a discouragement it will be to all Publique undertakings,
when such benevolences ae diverted from their designed end.
     Many men now understanding the Reason of this Ladies
Strangeness to us of late, have ascribed it to two causes, viz.
that we Import more than we Export; and that men generally live
above their Estate, but neither of those, though true, are
Reasons for the decay of Trade, and the Irish Export eight times
more than they Import, yet grow poorer. And Trade if it be well
managed, no where thrives better than where men spend above the
ordinary means of living.
     We have lost the Trade upon the matter by Sea and Land at
home; but before we demonstrate from what causes, or propound any
Expedients by which we may be relieved, let us see how it stands
abroad: we have lost the Trade to Muscovy, and so have that to
Greonland, the Trade to Norway possessed by the Norwegians, and
the Reasons given in to the Parliament last Sessions: The Trade
to Guinney driven by a few, and exclussive to other men: The
Spanish and Turkey Trades abated, and in danger: So that unless
it be in the French and Canary Trades, wherein we undo our
selves, we are making hast to betake our selves to our
Plantations only, yet shall not be long able to continue that
Trade for want of Shipping.
     It is true indeed, that England of late under King James,
but more especially under King Charles did flourish by Trade, and
was more Rich than any other Kingdom in these Western Parts of
the World; but this was by an Accident of the Times, not to be
again hoped for: For the Austrian Family under Maximilian the
Second, and Philip the Second, attained to that Power and Riches,
when the Netherlands made their defection from the Crown of
Spain, that it was not only formidable to the Great Turk, but to
all the Christian Princes of Europe: Queen Elizabeth therefore,
and the French Kings successively openly assisted them in their
defection: But Philip the Second dying, and Queen Elizabeth soon
after, King James and Philip the Third, in the beginning of their
Reigns made Peace, which continued neer 40 years with little
Interruption. During which the Warrs continued between the United
Netherlands and Spain, with little Intermission; whereby the
English became Proprietor of the Trade with Spain, and by
consequence great sharers in the Wealth of the West-Indies, that
the Merchant supplied the Spanish Netherlands with Commodities;
and both Spanish and United Netherlands were supplied with
Souldiers from England, whereby many of them on both sides,
especially Officers acquired much Wealth.
     But the Nation, not content to enjoy Peace, Riches and
Plenty above any other Nation, brought upon itself all the
miseries and Calamities incident to a Civil Warr, so that Regal
Power, as to the exercise of it, for neer 20 years together was
suspended; during which, in the year 1648 the Dutch made Peace
with Spain, and Oliver in the year 1654 brake with it (which was
a folly never to be forgiven in his Politicks, nor the losses
this Nation sustained thereby, ever again to be repaired) whereby
the Condition of the English and Dutch in reference to the Trade
with Spain became quite inverted; and this continuing neer seven
years, the Dutch are so good Masters of Trade, that little hopes
is left the English of Enjoying it as before.
     From hence it is, which being past cannot be helped; and for
the Reasons in this Discours which may be helped, and for other
Causes which only God in his goodness can help: From hence it is,
I say, that this Kingdom becomes decayed in Trade, and must every
day degenerate into worst, unless some such Reformation be made,
with Gods great blessing upon it, as may uphold the Riches and
Glory of it.


REASONS OF THE DECAY OF THE ENGLISH-TRADE

Part I.

Definitions.

What is Trade?
     Def. 1. Trade is an Art of Getting, Preparing and Exchanging
things Commodious for Humane Necessities and Convenience.
     Annot. So as Trade happens three ways. 1. By acquiring, or
getting things commodious, which are called Growths. 2ly. By
Preparing them, which are called Manufactures. 3ly. By Exchangin
these Growth and Manufactures for Mony or other Growths and
Manufactures.
     And Trade is twofold, viz. Native and Forein, 1, Native when
the Growths or Manufactures are got, Prepared, and Exchanged upon
the place. 2ly, Forein, when Growths and Manufactures are
exchanged in Forein Places.

What is Mony?
     2. Mony, is the Standard by which all things in Trade are
valued.

What is Navigation?
     3. Navigation is an Art of Conveying things upon the Body of
Waters from one place to another.

Who are the Dutch, intended in this Discourse?
     4. Those who are subject to the States of the United
Netherlands.

Who are the English?
     5. Those who are born in Subjection to the Crown of England.

Who is a Dutch Merchant?
     6. One who Trades under the Protection of the States of the
United Netherlands.

Who is an English Merchant?
     7. One who Trades under the Protection of the English, and
born in Subjection to its Crown.

Who are the Dutch States?
     8. They who govern Trade in the United Netherlands, and all
places subject to them.

Who are the Council of State in England?
     9. They are those Persons with whom the King pleases to
Advise and Consult in State Affairs, where no Provision is made
by Municipal Laws.

What are Corporations in Trade?
     10. They are men, who in Trades where they are incorporated
by Civil Power, exercise those Trades excluding all others.

Memorand. It is lawful to assume all things and places in Trade,
under those names, by which they are usually called.

          Petitions.

     Pet. 1. The Dutch freely entertain men of all Nations in
Trade, and grant them equal Priviledges with the Natural Dutch.
     Pet. 2. The English Nation consumes all the Commodities of
France imported into it.
     Pet. 3. The French Commodities Imported into England do
Exceed in Value the English Commodities Exported into France.
     Annot. Mr Fortrey, a Gentleman of the Kings Privy Chamber,
in his Treatise of England's Interest and Improvement, pag. 22,
says, That the excess is above 1,600,000 l. a year, which did
appear to the now King of France upon a design he had to forbid
Trade between England and France; and gives the Particulars, pag.
22, 23, 24, whereupon the King of France finding how much it
would prove to his loss, to forbid the Trade, laid it by, but
raised the Customs of some of our English Commodities, whereby
the vent of them is much hindred.
     Pet. 4. England, before it had the accession of our American
Plantations, wanted men to Improve the Growths and Manufactures
of it; and also the Fishing Trade.
     Annot. Sir Walter Rawleigh takes notice in his observations
upon Trade, which he dedicated to King James, that, this Kingdom,
in 55 years lost above 25 Millions of Pounds, besides other
incredible advantages, which would have accrued to this Kingdom
in Strength and Trade by the Dutch Dressing and Dying our White
Clothes. I will not dispute, whether it had been good policy to
have restrained the Exportation of our White and Undrest
Cloathes: I only affirm that England could have beter and cheaper
Maintained and Imployed those men in Dressing and Dying them,
than Holland and Amsterdam, having no excise upon our
Commodities, and Fullers Earth better and cheaper than in the
United Netherlands. Besides England could than better and cheaper
have maintained all those men, who in the United Netherlands so
much desired our Wooll, Lead, and Tin, in their Manufactures.
     Sir Walter Rawleigh further takes notice that in four Towns
in the East Countries, whithin the Sound, Queensborough, Elbing,
Statten and Dantzick, were yearly vented, between 30 and 40000
last of Herring by the Dutch, at 15 or 16 l. the last, which
amounted to 620000 l. and by us none.
     To Denmark, Sweden, Lifeland, Rivel, Narne, and other Ports
within the Sound, there are Carried and vented by the Dutch above
10000 Last of Herrings at above 15 or 16 l. the Last, which
amounts to about 170000 l.
     Into Russia the Dutch sent about 1500 Last of Herrings, sold
at 30 s. the Barrel, which amounted to 27000 l. and we about 20
or 30: I am sure we send none now.
     To Stoad, Hamborough, Bream, Embden upon the River Elb,
Weaser, and Embs, were carryed and vented of fish and Herring
6000 Last, which at 15 or 16 l. by the Last amounted to 100000 l.
by us none.
     To Clevleand, Gulickland, and to Germany up the Rhine and
Maine, were vented by the Dutch 2200 Last of Fish and Herring
sold at 20 l. the Last, which comes to 44000 l. by us none.
     Up the River Muze, Leigh, Mastrick, Vendlow, Zutphen,
Daventer, Campen, Swell, and all over Lukeland, is carried and
vented 7000 Last of Herring by the Dutch at 140000 l. by us none.
     To Roan were carried 5000 Last of Herring by the Dutch, and
sold at 20 l. the Last, which came to 100000 l. by us not 100
Last.
     To Gelderland, Artois, Heualt, Brabant, Flanders, were
carried between 8 and 9000 sold at 18 l. the Last, which came to
171000 l. by us none.
     Sir Walter Rawleigh left out Spain, and France, except Roan,
and the Dutch Trade of Fish into the Streights, and what they
consumed among themselves, which Questionless was is now very
considerable; yet were all these Fish caught upon our Coast, and
no question, if we had, had the Hands, we might much better and
cheaper have maintained them, and caught, and cured them, having
many more, and much better and more convenient Ports than they.
     Pet. 5. Mony is a convenient mean to improve Trade.
     Pet. 6. Forein Trade is only mean to Inrich this Kingdom.
     Pet. 7. Multitude, and Concourse of People, Advance Trade.
     Pet. 8. Scarcity of People Diminish Trade.
     Pet. 9. The Law against Naturalization permits no man of
other Nation to have equal Freedom and Priviledge in Trade, with
the natural English.
     Pet. 10. The Law of Navigation Intitled, Shipping and
Navigation Encouraged, made 12. Car. 2, 18. and continued, 13.
Car. 2, 12. restreins the English in Navigation to Ships English
built, and to be sailed by 1/4 English; and Forein Commodities to
be Imported by English in Shipping so built and sailed, and to
the Natives of the Place.
     Pet. 11. The rents of Lands are valuable, as the Trade of
the Place is.
     Pet. 12. Stock is a convenient mean to advance Trade.
     Pet. 13. Men are necessary to improve Trade.
     Pet. 14. Timber is a necessary mean to build Ships.
     Pet. 15. Ships are necessary means in Navigation.
     Pet. 16. The Timber of England was wanting even before the
Act of Navigation, made 12, Car. 2. 18, and confirmed 13 Car. 2.
14. this appears by the Acts of 35. H. 8. 17, and 35 El. 11.
     Pet. 17. The means ordained by the 1. Eliz. 13. and 35. El.
11 so supply the Timber of England before wanting and decaied is
interrupted by the Act of Navigation.
     Pet. 18. Before the Act of Navigation, we wanted Shipping:
this appears by the title of the Act, which is an Act for the
encouraging and encrease of Shipping and Navigation; for if we
had not wanted Shipping, the encouraging and encreasing thereof,
had been vain and superfluous.
     Pet. 19. The loss and decay of the Ships of England must not
in Navigation be supplied by acquiring any Forein built Ships;
for by the Act of Navigation, if any English man Trades in any
Forein built Ship to any of our Plantations, or to any Port of
England, or Ireland, it is Forfeit, Ship, Goods, Guns, Tackle,
and Ammunition.
     Pet. 20. Navigation is the only mean of vending our Growths
and Manufactures, in Forein Trade unless it be into Scotland.
     Pet. 21. The Act against the Importation of Irish Cartel
made, 18 and 20 Car. 2, cap 1. hath abated the Trade of England;
with Ireland for Beer, Hops,and Bills of Exchange, for Money,all
sorts of Hats, and Stockings, Cloth, and Stuffs of all sorts,
Victualing Ships of all, as well Forein as English etc.
     Pet. 22. All the Canary Wines Imported into England are
consumed in it.
     Pet. 23. The Canary Wines Imported do exceed in value the
English Commodities Exported into the Canaries. I cannot exactly
compute the excess; but have it from good hinads, that the Canary
Wines yearly Imported are about 12000 Pipes, which are valued at
20 l. the Pipe, which amounts to 200000 l. yearly; and that our
Commodities Exported do not neer amount to 1/4 so much in value:
before we did exceed so much in drinking them, we Imported them
at 10 l. the Pipe, and Traded to the Canaries only upon the
account of our Commodities in Barter for the Wines.

Actions or Common Notions.

     1. Where the means of Improving any business are wanting,
that business will be so much diminished, as the means by which
it might have been supplied are diverted.
     2. Where any thing is wanting and decaied, that thing will
be so much diminished, as the means of supplying it are
interrupted.
     3. If the means of doing any thing be wanting, that thing
will be so much hindred, as the means are diminished.
     4. The doing of things will be so much hindred, as the means
of doing them are hindred.
     5. Every thing will be so much diminished, as is abated of
it.
     6. Any business will be so much hindred, by how much the
means of improving it are excluded.
     7. Where the consumption of things imported, does exceed in
value the things Exported, the loss will be as the excess is.

Prop. 1. Theorem 1.

     The Trade of England, and the Fishing Trade, are so much
diminished, by how much they might have been supplied by those
men who are diverted in our American Plantations.

     Subjects. The Trade of England, and the Fishing Trade.

     Question. Whether they be so much diminished by how much
they might have been supplyed? etc. I say they are.

     Ax. 1. For where the means of improving any business are
wanting, that business will be so much diminished, by how much
the means, by which it might have been supplied, are diverted.
     Pet. 24. But men are necessary to improve Trade.
     Pet. 25. And before we had our American Plantations, we
wanted men to improve the Trade of England, and the Fishing
Trade.
     Therefore the Trade of England, and the Fishing Trade, are
so much diminished, by how much they might have been supplyed, by
those men who are diverted in our American Plantations. Which was
to be demonstrated.

Corollary 1.

     By the same reason the Trade of England, and the Fishing
Trade, are so much more diminished, by how many men are diverted
from supplying them in Repeopling Ireland, since the Late
Massacre and War there.

Corollary 2.

     By the same reason the Trade of England, and the Fishing
Trade are yet so much more diminished, by so many men, as
extraordinarily died in the late great Plague, 1665.

Annotations upon this Proposition and the Two Corrollaries

Before we had our American Plantations, the Coasts of England
were in a convenient manner Planted; and the Multitudes of
Inhabitants in England such, that in the 2. and 3. Ph. and Mary
3. the Parliament taking notice that a great number of persons
within the Realm, had laid their Lands, Farmes, and Pastures, to
Feeding of Sheep, Oxen, Runts, Schrubbes, Steers, and Heifers,
and such like Cattel, having no regard to breed and rear up young
Beasts and Cattel, whereby was grown great scarcity of Cattel,
and necessary victual for sustenance of divers sorts of People
within the Realm, and more likely to be if speedy remedy were not
provided, therefore several provisions were made for breeding and
rearing of Cattel.
     Before the Dutch became States, or when at least they were
but The Poor Distressed States, besides our staple at Antwerp we
had the sole Trade into Muscovy, Turkey, and up the Elb whereby
Germany, Denmark, Jutland, Holstein, etc. were supplyed with our
Cloth and Wollen Manufactures. We did moreover supply Muscovy
with Fish, and in a considerable measure, France, Spain, Italy,
and several parts of the World within the Streights.
     And for the further encouragment of the Fishing Trade, and
for the prservation of the breeding of Cattel: In the 5. Eliz. 5.
It was ordained that Wednesday, as well as Friday and Saturday,
should be observed as a Fish day within this Realm, upon pain
that every person offending, should for every time he or they
should offend, forfeit 3 l. or suffer three Months Imprisonment
without Bail or Mainprize, and every person, who was knowing
thereof, and conceled it, for every each offence should forfeit
forty shillings, which Act yet continues in force, but only the
Penalty of eating Flesh upon Fridaies, Saturdaies, and
Wednesdaies is reduced by the 35 Elix. 7 to twenty shillings, and
the concealing of it by any Person, knowing it, to ten shillings.

Consequences of this Proposition and the two Corollaries

     After our American Plantations became peopled by us, the
Dutch began to partake with us in the Turky and Moscovy Trades;
out Staple at Antwerp diminished in a very great measure, to
intend the Trades to our Plantations, we neglected  the Fishing
Trade, whereby (except the Trade of red Herrings, which cannot be
cured by the Dutch) the Dutch in a manner became solely in a
short time possessed of it, and thereby have acquired this
incomparable advantage above us in the Trade of our Plantations;
that as we imploy only our ablest men in trading to them, who in
the diversity of Clime and Diet are very subject to Diseases and
Mortality; and leave the impotent Women and Children at home
without imployment; they imploy three times more men in the
Fishing trade, and four times more to the benefit of their State,
and also all manner of impotent People, Women and Children; and
have this advantage above us in time of War as well as Peace,
that all hands imployed in the Fishing Trade are at home, and
serviceable when they are at War; whereas the Inhabitants in our
Plantations are of no use or benefit to us in War, which was very
apparent in our late War with them.
     The Coast of England (which should be the Glory, Strength
and Ornament of an Island) in peopling of them, and loss of the
Fishing Trade, soon became decaid; nor was there, or nor is
there, as the case stands, any possible relief herein; for
necessarily so much as is taken from any thing, so much less will
be left; and the law against Naturalization debarring a future
supply, The Addition of our Miseries in the Massacre of Ireland
and the late great Plague, the supplying Ireland hath not only
rendered the Coast desolate; but the Country too becomes thin and
uninhabited: From whence notwithstanding we observe none of the
Fish-daies (which were above half a year) enjoyned by the 5 Eliz.
5. nor the several Laws made by King Philip and Mary, Queen
Elizabeth, and King James, for breeding of Cattel, and have
excluded the Kingdom of Ireland from trading with us in Cattel,
yet our Markets are plentifully enough supplied with them; nay,
the Graziers are so overstocked, that they want Markets for them.
This Mischief moreover attends this Nation, That as Necessity is
the Mother of Ingenuity, so the Law against Naturalizaiton
debarrs all Ingenuous men to plant with us; and Ireland and our
Plantations are open Gates, for all necessitous and ingenuous men
to run out from us, and settle in them; where, but especially in
Ireland, for little they may lead an idle and lazy life.
     In this condition I leave to thee, Reader, to judg, whether
it will not be yet so much more pernicious to the Trade of this
Nation to endeavour a further discovery of new Plantations; and
that if the Project of Peopling Carolina from the Residue of the
men we have left in England, if it succeeds, will not so much
more enfeeble this Nation, and reduce the Trade thereof to so
much a less proportion by how many men shall be withdrawn from
it?
     We see in some sort the Influence the Law against
Naturalization hath upon our Trade: Let us consider the influence
it hat upon the Strength and Welfare of it, now we have peopled
our Plantations, and repeopled Ireland, since the late War and
Massacre there, and compare it with the Kingdom of Spain.
     Spain in old time, if Credit may be given to Livy and
Plutarch was the most warlike, and continued longest and sharpest
Wars against the Romans, though it were subject to many little
Kings; and it is scarce credible, with what huge Armies they did
maintain it. And as in old times, so in this later Age, when
Spain was divided into the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon, Arragon,
Portugal, Navarr, and Granado, in the Reigns of Fernando and
Isabella the War against the Moors was prosecuted purely by the
Kingdom of Castile and Leon; for Arragon refused to contribute to
it, and Navarr and Portugal stood neuters, and were not concerned
in it. Yet it is admirable to read with what huge Armies for 10
years together (for so long the War lasted) Fernand and Isabella
continued those wars; and it was in their Reigns, that Columbus
made his Discovery and Attempts upon the West Indies: whereas all
the Spains now are united (except Portugal) under one Monarchy,
and have moreover, for ought is know, accession of greater
Dominions than any Kingdom of the Western or perhaps the Eastern
World, it is become so weak and feeble, as it is a Question
whether it be in the power of Christendom to support it against
the power of France; and the King of Spain, though Lord of all
the Treasure of the West-Indies, of the greatest and richest is
fallen to be the poorest and weakest Prince of Christendom; nor
can any other reason be given hereof (at least that I understand)
but removing the Moors out of Granado, the transporting so many
Spaniards into the West Indies, and the Inquisition which barrs
out any future Supply.
     Let us take notice of the weakness of Spain, both at home
and in his West Indies. In some particulars, when Portugal made
Defection from the Crown of Spain; Spain without any sucess for
neer 20 years maintained War against it, chiefly by Souldiers
brought out of Milan, Naples, Sicily, and such Forces as it hired
out of Germany and Switzerland; (for few could be raised out of
Spain). But this proving insuccessful, trusting to the Gallick
faith in the Treaty at Bayonne, 1659, the King of Spain brought
the Marquess Carace, and the greatest part of the Army in the
Netherlands, to continue the War against Portugal; but this Army
being broken by the joint force of the English, French and
Portuguez, Spain was ever after forced to continue upon a
defensive posture, until it was necessary to seek a peace by the
loss of the Kingdom of Portugal; and what the consequences of the
loss of the Army under the Marquess of Caracen have been to the
Spanish Netherlands in the year, 1667, is understood very well by
the English, Dutch and Switz, and the consequences yet further
feared by them.
     And as the weakness of Spain is such at home, so it is more
in his Indies, from whence his Wealth and Riches flow, and for
ought is known they are greater than any Prince in the World
hath; yet being but thinly planted, how easily do they every year
receive the impulsion, devastation and plunder of a few Jamaican
Capers?
     But sure it were worthy consideration how to prevent this
for the future: for if the vast exhausting of the Treasure of the
English and Dutch in their French, East Indy, Turky and and other
Eastern Trades, were not supplied out of the Spanish West-Indies,
these Trades must either be discontinued, or these Western parts
of the World, in a short time, would be utterly impoverished by
them: so as it is evident both English and Dutch must necessarily
suffer so much, by how much these Jamaicans impoverish or
interrupt the King of Spain or his Subjects in the returns of his
Plate-Fleets, and I may safely say the English Nation looses ten
times more than the Jamaicans get by every Quicksilver Ship they
take from the King of Spain or his Subjects.
     Let us compare the State of England with that of Spain, and
see if from not unlike causes it does not necessarily degenerate
into the Condition of it. First, Ireland and our Plantations, do
in proportion to England more exhaust it of men, that the West
Indies do Spain; and if no provision be made will in less time,
than since the West Indies came to be subject to the Crown of
Spain, leave it less peopled. Secondly, the Massacre in Ireland,
wherein is said 300000 Protestants were murthered, and probably
as many of the Rebels suffered, the late Plague wherein neer
200000 persons died, and our late Civil and Forein Wars do more
than equalize the transplanting the Moors out of Granado; and
lastly, the Law against Naturalization, is a greater Bar to a
future Supply in England, than the Inquisition is in Spain.
     We have compared the Condition of England and Spain, now I
will instance wherein the Condition of England is worse by our
Plantations, than Spain is by theirs. First, in that the Crown of
Spain in the West Indies acquires new Subjects; whereas we in our
Plantations, wholly people them from our selves: And the King of
Spain being head of the House of Austria, besides the supplies,
which he draws out of Milan, Naples, Sicily, and Switzerland,
hath upon all occasions large supplies of men out of Germany.
     Before we had our Plantations, England, when it was not
troubled with Civil Wars, did usually in their offensive Wars
prevail against France and Scotland. I cannot tell whether the
Coasts of England be better planted than the Coasts of the King
of Spain's West Indies: I am sure the French King and Dutch are
more able to attempt the invading of them, than the Jamaicans
those of the West Indies.
     By this Law against Naturalization we bid defiance to all
the World to continue our Adversaries, and deny the Assistance of
all Proselytes, who otherwise might be of use, and assist us.
Whereas the Prudence and Practice of the Romans and greatest and
wisest Princes and Potentates of the World, for which they have
been and now are celebrated famous, have proceeded otherwise: and
this may be more fully understood in Sir Walter Rawleigh's Safety
and Defence of People, etc. And God himself would not permit the
Jews to continue in the Land he had given them, unless they did
not oppress the Stranger. Jer. 7.7,7.
     1. As the Law of Naturalization debarrs us of any future
Supply for all the Strength and Trade, which this Nation loses in
peopling our Plantations, and repeopling Ireland; so it was the
Reason that before we had our Plantations, this Nation lost to
the Dutch above 48000 pounds per An. in dying and dressing our
Manufactures; and above 1646000 pounds per An. in the Fishing
Trade; for this Nation could have better and by half cheaper have
maintained the Managers, if this Law had permitted.
     2. This Law is the Reason that those Multitudes of hands
which are imployed abroad in our Woollen Manufactures, are not
imployed here. So that by the severity of many Laws against the
Exportation of Wool, we restrain our Wool from forein Trade, and
by this Law we exclude the World from working it here; whereby
our Wool becomes a drug and of no esteem, being neither well
wrought at home, and not permitted n forein Trade.
     3. This Law is the Reason that in our Tin and Lead we are
the only Drudges to work it out of the Mines, whilst all parts of
the World but our selves, improve Trade, and grow rich by
Manufactures thereon.

Corollary. 3

     By the same Reason the Trade of England, and the Fishing
Trade are so much more diminished by how much they might be
supplied by those hands, and so much Money as is diverted from
them in relief of idle persons by the Statute of the 43 of Eliz.
intit. Who shall be Overseers for the Poor, their Office, Duty,
and Accounts.

Annotations.

     Reader, That the Mischief and Inconviences which have ensued
this Law may better appear, take with thee these Considerations.
First, That God hath made Man to eat his bread in the cares of
Mind, and sweat of his brows; that man therefore who neither
cares nor labours, hath no reason to expect that he shall have
any thing to care for. Secondly, Consider that the nation was
much more inhabited when this Law was made, than now. From hence
then, Reader, take a Prospect of the Inconveniences, which have
ensued this Law.
     1. That where pure Necessity does not require, it inverts
the end which God hath by Nature made, viz. That where Man does
not care for and govern, he should eat his bread by Labour and
Industry.
     2. That notwithstanding our great loss and want of men, for
the reasons beforehand, these idle persons provided for by this
Act, are so more a loss to the Nation than if they had never
been, by how much the Nation loses in maintaining, and providing
for them: and this is encreased to such a height that
notwithstanding the want of men, more now than when this Law was
made, yet the charge of maintaining poor people in very many
Places is 6, 7, 8, 9 fold more than before: and what the further
consequences hereof will be, if not prevented, is most worthy the
consideration of the Parliament.
     3. It is a discouragement to all industrious and labouring
people, when lazy and idle people shall be maintained in their
idleness from the fruits of their Labour and Industry.
     4. It encourages wilful and evil disposed persons to impose
what wages they please upon their labours; and herein they are so
refractory to Reason and the benefit of the Nation, that when
Corn and Provisions are cheap, they will not work for less wages
than when they were dearer, so as it often happens that one days
indifferent labour, shall maintain these persons three or four
days after in Idleness; which if this Law had not been, might
have been for a reserve to support themselves and families in
adversity and sickness.
     5. As sundry Laws provided against wandring Beggers and
Vagabonds, so this Law provides for, and relieves stationary
Beggers.
     6. This Law is the principal, if not the only reason of the
excessive wages of servants as well as labourers; in making
Provision for such, who will neither serve, nor labour.
     7. From this Law therefore it is principaly (and for the
want of good education of the governing part of the Trade of the
Nation, of which we shall treat hereafter) that as Mr Mun
observes in his excellent treatise of England's Treasure by
Forein Trade, cap. 19. that the English Nation is reproached
commonly among strangers for the multitude of People which in
England Cheat, Roar, Rob, Hang, Beg, Cant, Pine and Perish; which
otherwise might help to encrease and maintain the Wealth and
strength of these Kingdoms, especially by Sea, for our own safety
and terrour of our enemies.
     8. the charity which might be imployed in the reliefe of
truely impotent and aged people is heerby abated and diminished.

Corollary 4.

     By the same reason the Trade of England and the Fishing
Trade are so much more diminished, by how much they might be
supplyed by those lazy and idle persons, who are diverted from
them, by living upon Wasts, Commons, Chases and Forests.

Annotations

     So as this difference is between these ersons, and those
maintained by the 43 El. 2. that as those are maintained by the
loss of the Nation; so these are maintained to no benefit of it:
but are dangerous as well to the Nation, as Government of it.
This appears by the Riots and Tumults, nothwithstanding
compensation are mad edouble and treble to the value of what they
reaped thereby. The number therefore of these kind of persons
encreasing, which daily does, as well by a succession of those
who are born upon such places, as otherwise, and being at liberty
to work or not, the Government will be so much more endangered by
how much they are encreased; and so much more by how much less
these Commons, Chases, Wasts, and Forest can maintain them; to
supply which, breaking Hedges, cutting Woods, and stealing Fowl,
etc. are the usual means by which they make up their living.
     How advantageous it would be to the Trade of the Nation, if
all these idle hands were imployed in it: and how great a Revenue
might be raised out of these Wasts, if they were improved and
imployed in Trade, and binding out Prentices, and in defraying
Publique charges, were most worthy Consideration of the
Parliament.

Corollary 5.

     By the same reason, the Trade of England, and he Fishing
Trade are so much more diminished, by how much they might be
supplyed by those persons, who are diverted from them in being
hanged.

Apology

     I do not dispute the Authority of any Law in this Corollary,
or in any Corollary or Proposition in this discourse; I only
contend that the ends designed by Legislators, are not always
attained; and therefore Anciently our Ancestors were so careful
of preparing Laws, that they usually made them not longer lived
than the end of the next Sessio of Parliament; so that, if the
end designed by them were not attained, the Laws themselves shuld
expire. The endo fo punishing Malefactors is twofold, viz. to
deter others from Committing Crimes, and for the Offender to make
Restitution so far as he is able. But I do not understand that
the end of punishment is to destroy, where murder or a higher
Crime is not the offence. Nor is Hanging, which is transient, so
Permanent a Terror to offenders, as a constant inflicting
extraordinary duties upon Offendors, whereby they might, or in a
great measure might expiate their Crimes by satisfying the
persons Offended. Nothing in nature but by some means or other
might b made beneficial, sure therefore much more man; nor does
man distroy in any thing else, but on the life of Man, where any
other means can be found to preserve, and the end, in making
restitution, is holy lost.

Corollary 6

     By the same reason, the Trade of England, and he Fishing
Trade, are yet so much more diminished, by how much hey might be
supplyed by those men, who are diverted from them, in being
imprisoned for debt.

Annotations.

     Herein moreover is the end designed in Punishing Offendors
inverted, for in being commited prisoners, the means which is
thereby spent in paying Fees to Jaylors, is inverted from that
end to which it might have been imployed towards the Payment of
his Debts; and the persons of the Prisoners made useless any ways
by labour or industry to contribute to the satisfaction thereof.

Corollary 7

     By the same reason the Trade of England, and Fishing Trade
are so much diminished, by how much mony and so many men as are
diverted from suplying them in buying and morgaging Land.

     Pet 5. For mony is a convenient mean to improve Trade.

Annotations upon this Corollary

     Before we contended that the Law against Naturalization,
makes the Kingdom weak and unable to improve the Trade thereof;
in this Corollary we complain of a practice against Law and
Consecience too. For by the Statute of Westminster, 2, made the
13. Edw. I, c. 4. it was provided that Estates in Tail should
remain to the Donee, and his Heirs according to the form of the
gift of the Donor, and for want of issue of the Donee, to revert
to the Donor and his Heirs: And that Fines levied upon such
claimes be void. Yet by what practice or usage Fines come to Barr
Heirs in Tail; and recovery of those in remainder I cannot tell.
I am sure the Will of the Donor, (which in Conscience ought
religiously to be observed,) is hereby violated: And all that
mony which is expended in Buying and Morgaging such Lands, is
diverted from the good use by which it might be imployed in
Trade; besides the multitudes of mischiefs, which arise in
vexatious Suits between Vendor and Vendee, Morgager and Morgagee,
to the utter undoing one another; whereby multitudes of
Solicitors, Bankers, Usurers, and Scriveners, (who no ways
advance the Trade of the Nation) become vastly rich, whilest the
TRade of the Nation hereby becomes starved and neglected, and by
consequence the Nation so much poorer. By reason hereof the Stock
of this Nation supposing it double to the Dutch; yet do I not
believe one fixt part so much is imploied by us in Trades
beneficial to the Nation, as by them; and I wish this Quere were
determined. Whether from this cause the Bankers and Scriveners of
London cannot raise more Money, in one week, than the Parliament
of England can in two years?

How many ways this Kingdom might be enriched, and the Trades
thereof increased, if the Statue of Westminster. 2. made 13. Edw.
I. c. 1 were observed.

     1. The Will of the Donor (which by all Laws of Religion and
Gratitude ought religiously to be observed) would not be
violated, for which we may justly fear the Judgments and
Vengeance of God.
     2. The vast and wild Prodigality of vain men and women,
would be restrained within the bounds of their Estates: And the
impoverishment, which they bring upon the Kingdom by their Pride,
Vanity and Luxury, in a very great measure would be abated.
     3. The Families of the Nobility and Gentry, would hereby be
preserved and continued.
     4. The multitude of Solicitors, Bankers, Scriveners and
usurers, who now swarm more than ever, and devour all the good of
the Nation, but no ways do any good to it, would diminish, and
these very men be necessitated, to seek some better means of
subsistence, whereby the Kingdom might receive benefit, now we so
much want hands to advance the Trade of the Nation:
     5. The Supernumary Pages, Lacquies, and Waiting Women, who
are Moths to fret and consume their Masters and Ladies Estates,
might be imploied in ways beneficial to the Kingdom.
     6. The Stock of the Nation to be imploied in beneficial
Trades would be tenfold more imploied in them.
     7. The Riches acquired by Trade; would continually be
imploied in it, as well as in the United Netherlands.
     8. The Interest of Mony without a Law, would fall to be as
low, as in the United Netherlands.
     9. Men would be more intent to improve their Estates, when
they know what they must betake themselves to; and may more
securely follow their business, than when they are engaged in Law
Suits about Morgages and Titles of Land.
     Reader thou mayst add many more, but if any man shall give
me one for not observing this Law, I will give him all my nine.

Proposition 2. Theorem 2.

     The Timber of England is diminished, and is in danger to be
destroyed, by the Act of the 12. Car. 2. 18. and confirmed 13.
Car. 2. 18. Entituled An Act for Encouraging and encrease of
Shipping and Navigation; and commonly called the Act of
Navigation.
     Subject, Is the Timber of England.
     Question. Whether it be diminished by the Act of Navigation?
I say it is.
     Ax. For where any thing is wanting and decayed that thing
will be more diminished, if the means of suppyling be
interrupted.
     Pet. 4. But the Timber of England was wanting and decayed
before the Act of Navigation.
     Pet. 17. And the means of supplying the Timber of England,
is interrupted by the Act of Navigation.
     Therefore the Timber of England, is diminished by the Act of
Navigation. Which was to be demonstrated.

Annotations upon this Proposition.

     It is now above 120 years since the making of the Act of 35.
of H. 8. 17. when without all question the Timber of England, was
above five times more than now it is; yet notwithstanding the
heat and distemper of those times, so vigilant were our Ancestors
in the preservation of the Timber of this Nation (the best For
Shipping in the world) that though they did not foresee all ways
for preserving and encreasing it; yet they saw that the great
decay of it, was universally such in England, that unless speedy
remedy in that behalf were provided, great and manifest
likelyhood of scarcity, and lack of Timber for building, making,
repairing, and maintaining Houses and Ships would be; for
prevention whereof several provisions were made; but never put
(or at least not in my memory) in execution. Queen Elizabeth, a
Lady of incomparable Prudence and Foresight, and more jealous of
the Honour and Safety of this Nation, than any of her Ancestors
or predecessors) as one of her chiefest cares, in the first yer
of her Reign, for the Preservation of the Timber of England, gave
free liberty to all men, as well Subjects as Strangers, freely to
Import Masts and Raff. Notwithstanding this provision, this
vigilant Queen, taking notice of the great decay of Timber
occasioned by converting the same into cloven board, did, in the
35 of her Reign, cap. 21. Ordain, that every stranger which
shoulc ship, carry, or Transport Bere, or Fish (except Herring)
in Cask, should before such Transportation; and every Subject
which should Transport Beer or Fish before, or within four Months
after, for every six tuns of Beer or Fish, should import from
part beyond the Seas, 200 of clapboard fit to make Cask to
contain threefoot and two inches in length at least, upon penalty
of forfeiture of such Fish, Beer and Cast. Yet though both these
laws stand now in force, and the good and safety of the Nation be
so much concerned in them; the Act of Navigation make it
forfeiture of Ship, Goods, and Guns to import any Raff, Masts,
Timber, or Clapboard, unless by English ships (though the English
since the Rumps first institution of the Law have not built one
ship for this Trade, nor ever will so long as it stands in force)
and sayled by 1/4 English, and the Natives of the place, whether
the Natives have ships or not. So that if an English man, Dutch
man, Hamburger, or any Easterling Trade for beer or fish, and doe
not import the clapboard prescribed by the 35 Eliz. 11. the goods
and cask are forfeit: But if they do import clapboard, the ship
and goods and guns are forfeit by the Act of Navigation.
     I have often heard my Father complain of the vast
destruction of our Timber by converting the same into Clapboard,
whereby all the best of our Timber is consumed; for when any Oak
will rend, or so far a the ground end will rend, Rift bearing
about a third penny more price then if it were sawn into planck,
the converter intending his profit converts it into Rift; and
that if he could ever see a Parliament wherein he could ever hope
to do any good, he would bring in a Bill to prevent the
destruction of our Timber hereby.
     Old Oliver entertain'd this Law, but coldly, but however he
were otherwise more careful of his own Interest than of the
Nations; yet he permitted the English Merchants to trade in
Forein Bottoms for Timber, whereby he was not only better and
cheaper supplied than the Nation hath since been, but he enforced
the King of Denmarks Subjects to sell their ships built for that
Trade, and wherewith they used to impose what terms they pleased
upon the English, being better and cheaper supplyed than they
could.

Consequences of this Proposition

     Besides the mischiefs and inconveniences which have come
upon this Nation by not observing the Law made the 35 of Eliz.
11. these inconveniences have ensued the Act of Navigation, in
reference to the Trade of Timber, which were proved before a
Committee of the House of Commons last Session of Parliament.
     1. Before the Rump made this Law, the Trade to Norway for
Timber, was generally driven by the English in barter of our
growths and Manufactures; whereas now it is driven in Dollars and
the Treasure of the Nation; and those Growths and Manufactures of
England which are exported into Norway are rarely exported but by
Norwegians.
     2. That the prizes of Norway timber were bcome near double.
     3. That our own Timber was much wasted by reason of the
dearness of Norway.
     4. That we had not built one ship for that Trade since the
Law, nor could ever hope to do so long as it stood in force,
because a forein ship may be built for half the price, and be
more free for Trade; whereas the Norwegians had doubled their
shipping; and built them twice as bigg; and from 600 Mariners,
encreased them to 6000; whereby the English in a short time must
necessarily be excluded the Trade of Norway, unless he drive it
by Norwegians, and in Norway bottoms.
     5. That the English are now almost wholly laid aside; the
Trade of Norway being generally driven in Norway bottoms and
those sayled by Norwegians.
     6. That the English are wholly left to the King of Denmarkes
disposing, whenever he pleases to impose any further abuses upon
them than were complained of; which were that the English ever
since 1646 and by the treaty made with his Majesty 1660, paid 4/5
of a Rixdollar per Last for the growths of Norway (except the
Town of Bergen) but since the late war with them, they paid
custome for Timber a Rixdollar and a half per Last, for other
growth, a Rixdollar and 4/5, others a Rixdollars and 2/5, and
others 3 Rixdollars, and in measuring the Lastage, the same ships
which before the War had their measures adjusted were raised some
35 others 40 Lasts.
     7. That it was the Interest of the King of Denmark to make
the Trade of Norway insupportable to the English, for thereby as
the case stood his Subjects would monopolize the Trade, yet could
no redress hereof be had, untill in the years 1667, 1668 his
Majesty permitted his Subjects to Trade in Forein Vessels, and
strangers to import Timber; and this reduced the Exorbitant
Impositions of the King of Denmark to the Treaty of 1660, or
otherwise he would have undone his own Subjects in that Trade, as
they were in the time of Oliver.
     I must insist more particularly hereon, because that by the
scarcity and waste of our Timber by reason of this Law, and which
must be in a vast measure increased in rebuilding the City of
London, the French and Dane will have in their own Dominions, and
the Dutch may have down the Rhine, Maze, and Scheld out of
Germany, Liege, and Lorrain, such Quantities of Timber, as
between any of them and us will be to this Nation, if no care or
provision be had, I almost tremble to consider.

Proposition 3. Theorem 3.

     The Building Ships in England is hindred by the Act of
Navigation.
     Subject, is the Building Ships in England.
     Quest. Whether it be diminished by the Act of Navigation?
     I say it is.
     Ax. 3. For if the means of doing any thing be wanting that
thing will be so much hindred, as the means of supplying it are
diminished.
     Pet. 16. But the Timber of England before the Act of
Navigation was wanting for Building Ships in England.
     Pet. 14. And Timber is a necessary mean to build Ships.
     Prop. 2. The Timber of England is diminished by the Act of
Navigation.
     Therefore the Building Ships in England is hindred by the
Act of Navigation. Which was to be demonstrated.

Annotations upon this Proposition

     It is agreed upon by all men that the Timber of England is
of all other the best for Building Ships; but then it must be
understood, that like choice may be had in England, as in our
English Timber, as the Dutch, Dane, and French, we built better
Men of War, and stronger and more durable Merchants Ships, than
any of them: But now all the choice Timber of England is wasted
and consumed; the Dutch, Dane, and French have equal choice as
before, it is much to be feared that for the future we shall not
long enjoy this Advantage, but not be able without excessive
charge to build so good Ships as any of them.

Proposition 4. Theorem 4.

     The Ships of England are diminished by the Act of
Navigation?
     Subject, is the Ships of England.
     Question, Whether they be diminished by the Act of
Navigation?
     I say they are.
     Ax. 3. For where the doing things are hindered, and the loss
and decay of thse things not otherwise supplied, these things
will be diminished.
     Prop. 3. But the building Ships in England is hindred by the
Act of Navigation.
     Pet. 19. And the loss and decay of Ships of England must not
be supplied in acquiring any Forein Ships by the Act of
Navigation.
     Therefore the Ships of England are diminished by the Act of
Navigation. Which was to be demonstrated.

Annotation.

     I do not understand how this Law makes good the title of it;
For I am confident at this day is not one half of the Shipping in
England, take prize ships into the reckoning, (which I guess to
be above 4 times more than the English lost in both the late
Dutch wars) In Ispwich are somewhat above one third of what were,
when the Rump instituted this Law; At Woodbridg not one third;
and at Alborough, Dunwitch, Walderswick and sould not one fourth,
as were before this Law. And I with some man would take pains to
make further inspection herein to prove me mistaken.

Proposition 5. Theorem 5.

     The Navigation of England is hindred by the Act of
Navigation.
     Subject. The Navigation of England.
     Question, Whether it be hindered by the Act of Navigation?
     I say it is.
     Ax. 2. For the doing things will be so much hindred, as the
necessary means of Doing them is Diminished.
     Prop 4. But the Ships of England are diminished by the Act
of Navigation.
     Pet. 3. And ships are necessary in Navigation.
     Therefore the Navigation of England is hindred by the Act of
Navigation. Which was to be demonstrated. So as we can neither
build ships, nor can we buy;

Annotations.

     Nor must any English man navigate any English built ship to
trade to any part of England, Ireland, or any of our Plantations,
unless she be sailed by 1/4 English at least, under no less
penalty than loss of Ship, Goods, Guns, Ammunition, and Tackle;
though it be evident the Coast of England be desolate and almost
uninhabited: and the Country as well as Coast is so thin of
People, that it is not half peopled. By the Act of I Eliz. 13. It
was free for all men as well as Strangers as Natives to import
Pitch and Tar, which Law stands yet in force; yet if by the Act
of Navigation any English man, unless in English built ships, and
sailed by 1/4 English import any; or any Stranger not Natives,
whether the Natives have Ships or not, import any, the Ship,
Goods, Guns, Tackle and Ammunition are all forfeit. So by the I
Eliz. 13. All men might import hemp and cordage paying strangers
duties. Now if any English ship import any hemp or cordage and be
not sailed by 1/4 English as least she is forfeit etc. nor must
any stranger not Native upon any less penalty: Yet it is evident
that the Inhabitants of Leifland; from whence the best hemp (if
not all) is to be had, trade not with us at all.

Consequencies.

     From whence it came to pass that in two years after the
Rump, making his Law, the building of ships became one third
penny dearer; and Sea-mens wages so execessive that we have
wholly lost the Trades to Muscovy and Greenland thereby: and from
hence it is, that all Forein Commodities; imported into England
(except the Turkey Trade, and some Trifles from Guiney and the
East Indies) are consumed in England; whilst thereby we give the
Dutch and other Nations a power of driving the Trade of the
World, where the Commodities are not English or subject to the
Crown of England.

Proposition 6. Theorem 6.

     The Trade of England and of Fishing into Forein Parts is
hindred by the Act of Navigation.
     Subject, The Trade of England and of Fishing into Forein
parts.
     Question, Whether it be hindred by the Act of Navigation?
     I say it is.
     Ax. 4. For the doing things will be hindred so much, as the
necessary means of doing them are hindred.
     Pet. 20. But Navigation is the only means of vending the
Growths and Manufactures of England, and Fishing in Forein Trade,
unless it be in Scotland.
     Prop. 5. And the Navigation of England is hindred by the Act
of Navigation.
     Therefore the Trade of England and of Fishing into forein
parts is hindred by it. Which was to be demonstrated.

Annotations.

     Nor must any Forein ship or vessel trade to England with any
forein Commodities, unless in ships or vessels of that place or
Country, and Navigated by the Mr and 1/4 Mariners of the place at
least, whether they have ships or not; So as now we have neither
ships nor Mariners sufficient for our Trade, we upon the Matter
exclude the Trading Part of the World from Trading with us, from
whence these Consequences follow.

Consequences.

     1. That the Growths and Manufactures of England to be
exported in Forein Trade, are reduced to a few English Merchants,
who may take what they please, and at what terms they please; and
leave the rest upon the poor Natives hands, without any other
possible means of Relief. So as our Native Commodities are not
valuable as if Trade were free, but as a few Merchants please to
set a price upon them.
     2. As in our Native Commodities, so in Forein, the Merchant
and Natives of the place may impose what rates they please; and
in the mean time, we exclude multitudes and concourse of men and
Traders, which would infinitely advance our Trade thereby; and
now we complain for want of Trade, when as by this Law it seems
impossible to be otherwise.
     3. As this Law makes a few Merchants Masters of all the
Trade of England; so it makes Mariners the Merchants Masters; for
being but few, and the Merchant being restrained to them, if he
gives not them what wages they please, he must not trade at all.

Annotations upon the Act of Navigation in general

     1. The Title of this Act is an Act for encouraging and
encrease of shipping, yet it restrains the Navigation of England
to English built ships, upon no less penalty than confiscation;
whereas for above 120 years the want and decay of Timber hath
been complained of in Parliament: and how then this can be a
means to increase shipping, especially when we have so few
builders; I shall be glad to be informed. But the consequences of
Laws of like nature have been observed and reflected upon. For by
the 4 H. 7. 10. No Gascoyn wine, or Tholouse woad was to be
imported into England, but in Ships, English, Irish, Welch, or of
the men of Barwick or Callice, and the Mr and greater part of the
Mariners to be Subjects of the Realm of England, upon pain to
forfeit the said Wine and Woads; which was supposed to be made
for the maintenance of the Navy of this Realm; and that the said
Wines and Woads might be had at more easie prizes. The experience
whereof has ever since appeared to the contrary; for that the
said Wines and Woad were sold at such excessive rates as had not
been before seen within this Realm, and the Navy thereby never
the better maintained, and therefore the Stat. of 4 H. 7. 10 was
repealed by the 5 and 6 Ed. 6. 18. And liberty for all strangers
in Amity with the King, as well as Subjects, to import the said
Wine and Woad.
     By the 5 R. 2.3. None of the Kings Subjects might carry
forth or bring in any Merchandize but only in ships of the Kings
Allegiance; this was repealed by the 1 Eliz. 13. because that by
reason of there hath not only grown great displeasure betwixt
Forein Princes and the Kings of this Realm, but also the
Merchants have been fore grieved and damaged.
     Though the 5 of R. 2.3. did not permit the Kings subjects to
trade but in ships of the Kings Allegiance; yet by the 6. Rich.
2. 8. where no English ships were to be had, English men might
trade in strangers; ships and though by the 4 H. 7. 10 Gascoin
Wine, and Tholouse Woad, might not be brought in an English or
Den'zens Ships, the might fraught a Strangers; whereas by the Act
of Navigation; though we have not built one Ship for the Trades
of Greenland, Norway, nor Muscovy, since the Act of Navigation.
Yet if we buy any, or Fraught any Strangers Ship for any of the
Trades, it is forfeit with all her Goods, Guns, Lading, Tackle,
and Ammunition. So that though we may possibly have some Trade to
Norway for Timber, when our Prize Ships are spent, upon such
terms as the Norwegians please and not otherwise; yet it will be
impossible to have any Trade to Muscovy or Gronland; for the
Muscovite Trades not with us, and the Whales have no Shipping at
all.

Other MIschiefs and Inconveniences which have ensued the Act of
Navigation

     The 17 Car. 28 complains, that the Importation of Gun-powder
from Forein Parts, was against Law prohibed, and the making
thereof within this Realm ingrossed, whereby the price of
Gunpowder was excessively raised, many Powder Mills decayed, the
Kingdom very much weakened and indangered, the Merchants thereof
much damnified, many Mariners and others taken Prisoners, and
brought into miserable Captivity and Slavery: Many Ships taken by
Turkish and other Pirates, and many other inconveniences have
from thence ensued, and more are likely to ensue, if they be not
timely prevented; and therefore this Law permits the Trade free
to Strangers, ans well as English to import Gunpowder: and though
this Law stands yet in force, yet against it and all the reasons
in it, the Act of Navigation makes it no less than confiscation
of Ship, Goods, Guns, Tackle, and Ammunition for any English man
to import any unless in an English build Ship, and Sailed by 1/4
English at least, or for any Stranger, not Native of the making
it, to import any, whether he hath Ships or not.

Prop. 7. Theorem 7.

     The Trade of England is diminished by the Acts made 18. and
20. Car. 2; against the Importation of Irish Cattle,
     Subject, Is the Trade of England.
     Question, Whether it be diminished by the Act against the
Importation of Irish Cattel?
     I say it is.
     Ax. 5 For every thing will be so much diminished, as is
abated of it.
     Pet. 21. But the Act against Importation of Irish Cattel,
hath abated the Trade of England; with Ireland for Hops and Beer,
and in Returns of Mony by Bills of Exchange, Cloth, Stuffs of all
sorts, Hats and Stockings of all sorts, Victualling Ships, etc.
     Therefore the Act against Importation of Irish Cattel hath
diminished the Trade of England. Which was to be demonstrated.

Annotations upon this Proposition

     The reason of this Act, is by the Preamble expressed to be
the lowness of the Rents of England, caused by the multitudes of
Irish Cattel imported into England. It is true, the Evidence of
Fact, is ever resolved by the testimony of Witness; but this is
ever done without reason, and therefore for strengthening the
Authority of him who testifies, the Name of God is usually
invoked, that what is affirmed, is true; but the reasoning the
Testimony of no man is more than another, but as the Question in
reason, is resolved by antecedent Causes; nor herein is any man
allowed to out-sware another, who gives a better reason, by the
7. Pet. multitudes and concourse of people advance Trade, and
scarcity of people diminish Trade: and therefore if all men
should affirm that a great Trade should be made where people are
scarce and thin, this should never prevail with me, since it is
against the nature of Trade; but on the contrary where people are
scarce and thin they are rude, Flat, Heathenish, idle, and ever
poor; and when they take great pains, which is very rare, for
want of Education it is to little purpose. By the first
Proposition The multitudes of the English diverted into our
Plantations, hath diminished as well the Fishing Trade as the
Trade of our Native Growths and Manufactures; which is more
diminished by our re-peopling Ireland, since late War and
Massacre there; and so much more diminished by how many
extraordinarly died of the late great Plague; and by the 6
Proposition, the Growths and Manufactures of England in Forein
Trade are diminished by the Act of Navigation, and multitudes and
entercourse of Foreiners are excluded by it; whereby the Trade of
England is every way interrupted and diminished: And since the
Rents of Land are valuable, as the Trade of the place is; It is
from hence that the Rent of Land is so abated and fallen all over
England, but much more since the Act against Importation of Irish
Cattel; so as the end designed by the Law, which ws the raising
the Rents of Land, is so far from being attained, that from these
Reasons the Trade of England being more diminished by this Law,
the quite contrary hath ensued.
     One of the Reasons alledged by the Act intituled, An Act for
the Encouraging of Trade, made the 14 Car. 2. for the excluding
Foreiners to Trade to our Plantations, is, to hold a greater
kindness and nearer Correspondency between the English Nation and
them, which reason of mutual kindness I as sure will hold
stronger between the English Nation and Ireland; for if we lose
them, or any of them, we lose no more than the Subjects in them,
who unless it be in reference to Trade, are of no use to England;
where as if by reason of this Act, we lose Ireland, or any part
of it, the safety of this Nation will be endangered thereby.
     If the Importation of Irish Cattel had abated the Rents of
England one half, and thereby the Commodities of England had been
reduced to half the price; the Nation had not been poorer
thereby, however the Nobility and Country Gentlemen who were in
Debt, and the Poor Tenants who had Leases of their Farms, would
have been damnified and undone thereby; but in General,
Navigation and the Trade of the Nation would have been advantaged
by it.
     The Reasons in the Act of Navigation are good for England
against Foreiners Tradeing into our Plantations; and so is the
restraining them from the Trade of Ireland; for otherwise other
Nations, especially the Dutch, would have reaped more benefit by
them than we should have done; but without question our
Plantations and Ireland too would have been much increased and
inriched by a Free Trade, more than by this restraint; and by
like Reason the Trade of England too would have been much more,
and the Nation much more enriched, than now, if no restraint had
been put upon the Trade by the Act of Navigation. For by the Act
of Navigation the greater Trading part of the World are excluded
the Trade of Ireland; and by the Act against Importation of Irish
Cattel, upon the matter the Trade between England and Ireland is
interrupted and destroyed and here let us see the Consequences
hereof.

Consequences

     The Imaginary Reason that the Importation of Irish Cattel
caused the abatement of the Rents of England is truly caused by
the Act in the Southern and Eastern parts of England; for the
Norther People, Welch, and Scots taking advantage of this Law,
have raised the price of lean Cattel so excessively, that very
small or no profit arises to the Graziers, when they are Fatted.
So as before the Act, we bought cheap and sold cheap, which was
but reasonable whereas now we buy dearer and sell cheaper, which
is intolerable.
     2. Before the Act we could Victual Ships with good and
substantial Food cheaper than the Dutch, and upon all occasions
the Dutch and French, and other Nations when they were in our
Harbours, did take a very considerable quantity of our Provision;
whereas since the Act the Dutch and French Victual much cheaper
in Ireland, than we can do in England; and in Holland and Zealand
Irish Beef I am told by Traders thither is sold for a peny a
pound; so as having, as the case stood, but one advantage above
the Dutch, (besides the excellency and conveniencies of our
Harbours) in Navigation; by this Law we have given the Dutch a
greater advantage over us than we had over them.
     3. Before this Act, the Eastern and Southern parts of
England did in a very considerable manner supply Flanders,
France, Portugal, and Spain with Butter, which now we have
interrupted the intercourse between England and Ireland, we have
thereby put the Irish upon necessities of making Butter, which
they do so much cheaper than is possible to be done in England,
notwithstanding the abatement of our Rents, that they supply
Flanders and France much cheaper than the English can; whereby
our Trade for Butter and Cheese is become much worse that that of
Grasing of Cattel: and now the Irish have established these
Trades, much more advantageous to them than their Trade was to us
with their lean Cattel: I understand no remedy hereof, but they
will increase their advantages, and we must yet more continue
losers.
     4. Besides the abatement of our Native Growths and
Manufactures, caused by the Act against the Importation of Irish
Cattel, as England was the Storehouse for all sorts of
Commodities coming from our Plantations, and other Foreing Goods,
as all sorts of Dying stuffs, Hides, Fruit, Sugars, Tobacco's,
and all sorts of Silks as well wrought as unwrought, Ribbands,
Gold, Silver, and Silk-Lace; so the Trade with Ireland was driven
by Commutation of the Product of the mony for their Lean Cattel;
which being now interrupted, this Trade of England with Ireland
for these becomes proportionably lessened and diminished. Whereas
now they transport their Beef into France, Holland, Zealand and
Flanders, they make returns in the Growths and Manufactures of
those Countries; whereby the Irish Trade is become as beneficial
to them, as it was formerly to us.
     5. His Majesties Custom for the Lean Cattel is quite
extinguished.
     6. The Shipping and Mariners imployed and built for this
Trade, are by this Act neglected, and made useless, about 100
Ships being before imployed in this Trade only.
     7. That as before English Shipping was generally imployed in
the Trade with Ireland, so the returns out of Ireland in Hides,
Tallow, Wools, and Yarn into Forein parts was in English
Shipping; whereas now we have not only lost the Profitable
Returns of these Commodities, but Forein Ships are only imployed
in these Trades.

Proposition 8. Theorem 8.

     The Trade of England, and the Fishing Trade are so much
hindred, by how many men, and so much mony and stocks as are
excluded by Corporations.
     Subject, The Trade of England, and the Fishing Trade.
     Question, Whether they be so much hindered, by how many men,
and so much mony and stock, as is excluded by Corporations?
     I say they are.
     Ax. 6. For any business will be so much hindered, by how
much the means of improving are excluded.
     Pet. 13. But men are necessary to improve Trade, and Pet. 5.
mony is a convenient mean to improve Trade; and Pet. 12. Stock is
a convenient mean to improve Trade.
     Therefore the Trade of England, and the Fishing Trade are so
much hindered by how many men and so much mony and stock as are
excluded by Corporations. Which was to be demonstrated.

Annotations.

     So as the Trade of England, and the Fishing Trade are
diminished by our American Plantation, by there-peopling Ireland,
and the late great Plague, and our late Forein and Intestine
Wars: It is hindered by the Act of Navigation in Forein Trade
abroad, and the greater Trading part of the world are excluded
from Trading with us at home; and the greater part of the Nation
excluded from Trading at all, unless it be upon such terms as
they cannot be any ways encouraged in it; whereas in the mean
time Supernumeraries of Solicitors, Bankers, Scriveners, and
Userers, who instead of Trading, divert all the means of
improving Trade, and engros (I am confident) above six times as
much mony as is imployed in Trades beneficial to the Nation; and
I believe are more than the free Trading part of the Nation.
     For my part as I desire the good of the Nation in what I
have said, free from any passion or affection to any party or
person; so do not I intend the prejudice, but good of every
Corporation: for if men, mony, and stock be the only means to
enrich and strength any place, then every Corporation is so much
more capable of Riches and Strength, by how many more men, and so
much more mony and stock is imployed in Trade. The Dutch (who of
all the world are the most considerable, and richest, and most
mighty by Trade) understand this; and therefore Amsterdam (of all
other places the most famous for Trade) is now designed to be
enlarge 2/3 with free liberty for all the world to Plant and
Trade with them. In or about the years 1636 and 37, about 140
Families out of the Counties of Norfolk, and Suffolk, forsook us
and went into Holland, where the Dutch did not only entertain
them, but in Leyden, Alkmere, and other places, planted them
Rent-free, and Excise-free for seven years.

Corollary.

     By the same reason Foreing Trade will be so much hindered,
by how much the means of Transporting mony in it are excluded.
     Pet. 13. For mony is a convenient mean to improve Trade.

Annotations.

     The Dutch, Venetians, and Florentines, who understand this,
and have no mony of their own, freely permit the Exportation of
mony in Trade, and grow rich thereby, and the King of Spain, who
hath all the Treasure of the West Indies, upon the penalty of
Death, etc. forbids the Exportation of it, grows poorer, and can
keep none. Mr Mun (a man of excellent knowledge and experience in
Trade) affirms, he knew a Prince in Italy (of famous memory)
Ferdinando the First, great Duke of Tuscany, who being very rich,
endeavoured thereby to enlarge his Trade by issuing out to his
Merchants great summes of mony for very small profits: He himself
had of the Duke 40000 Crowns gratis for a whole year, although
the Duke knew it would be sent away in specie for the parts of
Turkey, to be imployed in Wares for his Country. Afterwards Mr
Mun affirms he knew Legorn so much increased, that of a poor
little Town it was become a fair and strong City, being one of
the most famous places for Trade in all Christendom. And yet it
is worthy observation that the multitude of Ships and Wares,
which come from England, the Low-Countries, and other places,
have little or no means to make returns from thence but only
ready mony. See more herein in the said Chapter. Though Trade may
be maintained by barter of Commodities, yet he who Trades in mony
and barter, shall have a vast advantage.

Proposition 9. Theorem 9.

     In the Trade of England with France, the English Nation
loses so much as the value of the French Commodities imported
exceed the English exported, which Mr Fortry affirms to be above
1600000 l. yearly:
     Subject is, The English Nation.
     Question, Whether it loses so much by the Trade with France,
as the value of the French Commodities Imported exceed the
English Exported?
     I say it does.
     Ax. 7. For where the consumption of things Imported, does
exceed in value the things Exported, the loss will be as the
excess is.
     Pet. 2. But the English Nation consumes all the Commodities
of France imported.
     Pet. 3. And they exceed the Commodities of England Exported
1600000 l. a year, if Mr Fortry hath truly computed it.
     Therefore the English Nation loses so much as the excess is.
Which was to be demonstrated.

Annotations upon this Proposition.

     Nor is all the loss the English Nation sustains by the Trade
with France; for Trading for French Wines in the perillous Months
for Navigation of September, October, November, and December, we
lose more Shipping and Sea-men in acquiring of them, than in all
our other Trades besides; and in our immoderate drinking of them,
we more than ordinarily dispose our bodies to the Strangury,
Fevers, Gout, and Stone, when they are pure: and to so many more
Diseases as when they are so many ways sophisticated and
adulterated by Vintners; so that instead of drinking Health to
the King of England, we drink Sickness to our selves, and Wealth
to the French King.
     So that Reader thou mayst understand, what vast Revenues the
English, and the Dutch much more than the English, yearly bring
into France by their Trade with it. For though the Dutch Trade,
(for Reasons hereafter specified) be not managed to the loss of
the Dutch, as the English is; yet I am confident, and have it by
good Authority, that if a true estimate were made of it, it would
appear to be above six-fold more beneficial to France than the
English Trade is. Sir Walter Rawleigh takes notice that the Dutch
Trade into all Ports and Creeks of France, we chiefly into 5 or
6, and in those the Dutch have 4 times the Trade we have. So that
if the French King can establish a Spice Trade, wherein he is
wonderously industrious, being King of a Flourishing Country, he
will have but little occasion to Export any Treasure, nor need he
fear but the English and Dutch will still continue carriers of
all the Wealth they get by Spain, and other places, into France.

Consequences.

     From hence it is that the French King becomes so rich above
any other Prince or State in Christendom; and being Prince of a
noble and brave Kingdom, which abounds with most things conducing
to the benefit of Humane Life, and very fruitful of men, as well
as other things; and having few considerable Plantations to
exhaust his men; he becomes not less Potent and formidable to all
Christendom, than Rich and Glorious. Nor can I ever hope (the
Pride and Luxury of the English, and the necessities of the Dutch
are such) to see this vast increase of Wealth by the English and
Dutch Trade with France to be abated; and what the further
consequences hereof will be in time, it is more than time to be
considered both by the English and Dutch.

Corollary

     By the same Reason the English Nation loses so much as the
Canary Wines Imported exceed in value the English Commodities
Exported into the Canaries; which if the value consumed be 260000
l. yearly, and our Commodities do not amount to near 65000 l.
yearly, we lose above 195000 l. by this Trade.
     Pet. 22. For we consume all the Canary Wines imported.
     Pet. 23. And the Canary Wines imported, do exceed in value,
the English Commodities Exported.

Annonations upon this Corollary.

     So as having lost those gainful and beneficial Trades to
Muscovy, Groenland, and Norway too upon the matter, which is not
longer lived if things must stand as now they do, than our Prizes
taken in the late War last; having lost our Fishing Trade, more
worth than all our Trades besides; and the Turkey, Spanish, and
Guiny Trades, and up the Elb, are now no longer ours: the Dutch,
unless in the Turkey Trade, and up the Elb, are more Masters than
we, and so in a short time are like to be in these too. We
flourish in the French Trade, and are so solely possessed of the
Canary Trade, as we admit of no competitor.

Consequences

     From this wild and vast expence by the English in the French
and Canary Trades, does follow a neglect and comtempt of all our
Native Cloth, Stuff, and other Manufactures, and our Liquors; the
French Silks, Fine Linnen, and Lace are preferred in all our
Debaucheries: he is esteemed a Clown, if the excess be not in
Sack and Claret, etc. And what now can the poor Country man
expect in reward of all his labours, especially if he hath a
Lease, but to ruine himself and Family, by his labour and pains,
for others who by their Prodigality and Luxury, undo themselves
and the Nation as well as the poor men?

Lemma.

     So as Reader thou mayst understand; (as Master Mun observes)
that the Kings Customs, and particular men may grow rich by a
Trade, whereby the Nation is improverished: for Merchants,
Vintners, Drawers, Exchange people, etc. grow Rich, and live
higher than other men; but the Nation droops, and in a very short
time will be beggered by them. Nor must you, Reader, take your
Measures of our Trade, by the rise and fall of the Kings Customs;
for unless Trade be freer here than in other places, and the
greatness of the Customs arises from the greatness of the Trade,
not the greatness of the Impositions, the higher the Customs the
worse the Trade; for all must be consumed in the place: and
though the Customs be now eight times more than in Queen
Elizabeths Reign; yet being upon Tobacco's, Sugars, Wine, and
French Toys, the Nation is so far from being enriched thereby,
that it is so much the poorer by how much men debauch themselves
by excess in them.

Apology

     I do not desire to be understood, as if I did intend any
diminution to this Majesties Revenue by what is said of the
height of Customs in this Lemma; and therefore, though the
influence, which height of Custom has upon Trade and the
advantages, which the Dutch States reap by the lowness of their
Customs be the subject of another Proposition: Yet that I be not
mis-apprehended, I say, That if the Imposition, which are now
paid in Customs were paid by way of Excise, as they are in the
United Netherlands, these benefits, his Majesty as well as the
Merchant would have. 1. His Majesties Revenue, as the case
stands, would be as much as now, unless in Exportation by
Certificate, which is not much considerable. 2. As the Trade and
Traders by the lowness of Customs would increase, so would his
Majesties Revenue proportionably; whereas Trade diminishing by
the height of Customs, so much his Majesties Revenue. 3. The
Duties imposed upon Customs, when they are high, excite men to
use all means to steal them, whereby they get so much as they
conceal; whereas if the Customs be low, men would not run like
hazard to get little or nothing thereby. 4. The Merchant would be
free to imploy his mony he pays in Customs, in his Trade upon
occasions, as they are offered. But if so much as is imposed upon
Exportation by Certificate, were imposed upon the Customs, and
the Customs as they stand were collected by Excise, the Kings
Revenue would be the same, and improvable as Trade would thereby
improve; and the Merchant have the benefit of imploying all the
mony he pays in Customs in his Trade.
     From the lowness of Customs and height of Excise it is, that
though the English Nation be capable of a ten-fold greater Trade
than the United Netherlands, yet the Revenue the Dutch States
acquire hereby, is above three-fold more than the Kings Revenue
by Excise and Customs.

Epilogue.

     Thus Reader thou mayest understand, that though England be
the most excellent and convenient place for Trade of all others,
yet our practice and ordering it, is contrary to the nature of
it; which ever flourishes most in convenient places, where it is
more free, and people more abound. The abundance of our people
(beisdes those which the hand of God hath taken away) are
diminished in peopling our Plantations, and in re-peopling
Ireland since the late War and Massacre there: So as thereby the
strength as well as Trade of the Nation is abated proportionably:
and yet as matters stand, we have interrupted our Trade with
Ireland: Nor can we for the future expect any great benefit from
the Trade to our Plantations for Tobacco's and Sugars. For the
Dutch by the late Treaty of Breda being possessed of Surinam,
which yields better Sugars than our Barbados, and may do in a
mcuh more inexhaustible manner, being upon the Continent, and as
good Tobacco's as our Virginia; and being better Masters of Trade
than we are, and having no Laws of Naturalization, to retrain
them from peopling it, and supplying themselves at home; we for
the future can expect little comfort from our Plantations than to
supply our selves with Sugars and Tobacco's, but must leave the
Dutch to enrich themselves with supplying the world thereby.
Already the Dutch, upon expectation of supplying themselves with
great quantities of Sugar and Tobacco's from Surinam, decline
buying the Sugars of our Plantations; whereby they are become a
Drug, and fallen from 42 s. a hundred, to 26. This puts the Sugar
Bakers on new projects, viz., the boiling up of Panellis Sugar to
supply and serve instead of loose Lisbon Sugar, which was the
principal Commodity returned in lieu of our Bays, Sayes, Searges,
and Perpetuanoes, there vended in great quantities, and for want
of returns by exchange not be be there obtained, the value
principally returned in Lisbon Sugar; so as our Native
Commodities in the Lisbon Trade too must in a short time not fall
only, but want vent.
     As Ireland and our Plantations have exhausted our men
whereby our Trade and strength is abated and diminished, so the
Law against Natrualization debars any future supply of other men
from Planting with us; and the Law of Navigation excluded much
the greater Trading part of the world from Trading with us from
abroad, and out Corporations restrain our Trade to as few at
home: so as Trade, which ever flourishes in multitude and
freedom, is by us, by all imaginable ways circumscribed, taxed,
and reduced to a few.
     While we are contriving newer and more severe Laws against
the Exportation of Wool, and neglect the careful inspection and
management of our Woollen Manufactures, whereby they have lost
their Reputation abroad; we put the world upon necessities of
supplying themselves elsewhere, and expecially from Ireland:
whereby the Dutch not only partake with us in our Turkey Trade,
and up the Elb; but the Dutch and French in our own Markets in
England have a free and open Trade in Woolen Cloths and Stuffs;
and in the mean while our Wool becomes a Drug, and of no price or
esteem at home; whereby, notwithstanding the severity of all our
Laws against the Exportation thereof, great quantities are
exported; and so will be until we establish such a Trade in our
Woollen Manufactures, that men shall be better encouraged to work
them here than elsewhere; for all men will rather venture their
lives than lose their means of living.
     We neglect to give any encouragment in assisting Ingenuous
and Industrious men in any undertaking for the Publick good. I
give one instance in the County of Suffolk, and here in
Clerknwel: The English during the late Dutch and French War, did
betake themselves to Weaving Poldavies, or Buck, which they did
make into double Buck, being two threds spun together, and made
of our English Hemp, (which Ipswich and Woodbridge men affirm to
be better than any East Country Hemp for this use) which made
better Sails than any other, and did manage a considerable Trade
thereby, to the great benefit of Suffolk: but now the Dutch and
French Buck is sold somewhat cheaper (The English not being as
yet so much Masters of the Trade as the Dutch and French). This
Trade begins to decline again, and to be neglected for want of
some small Encouragement, which might be done by some small
Imposition, for some time upon the French and Dutch Buck, until
we should be enabled to work it as cheap, as it is in France and
Holland.
     As we give no encouragment to our industrious Natives, so we
utterly discourage all industrious Foreiners from improving and
increasing Trade. I need not here repeat the discouragment upon
the Silk-throwers by the Corporation and Company of London,
wherein near 2000 people are imployed; though the first
introduction of Silk-throwing was by a Foreiner, the worthy
Father of Sir Thomas Chamberlain, now a worthy Citizen of London,
because the Wisdom of Parliament hath provided security for the
Silk-throwers.
     But though the Weaving Silk be as much or more advantageous
to the Nation, yet certain ingenous and industrious French
Artificers, who endeavoured to exercise their Trades last Summer
in the Suburbs of London, were Indicted at Hicks-Hall, by certain
of the Yeomanry of the Company of Weavers, Commissionated by the
Bailiff, Warden, and Assistants of the said Company, and
committed to the New-Prison in Clerkenwel; though the difference
between the said Company and the Protestant Strangers using
manual Occupation was upon the Address of the French and Dutch
Churches, depending before his Majesty and Council. Nor could any
relief herein be had, though his Majesty in Council the 29 of
October last referred the business to the Lords of the Committe
of Trade, until his Majesty in Council the 10th of November last,
was pleased to discharge them.
     I need not here recite the benefits the Nation at this day
reaps by the permitting the Walloons to establish their Trades at
Canterbury, Norwich, Colchester, and other places: the Nation (at
least the Southern and Eastern parts) know they are the best
Trades we have now left: Yet I cannot but take notice that within
the memory of man, the returns of Maidstone Market did not amount
to weekly above 30 l. whereas since admitting about 60 Families
of Foreiners in the thred Trade, the retuns are weekly now above
1000 l. to the incredible benefit of the hands, as well as all
sorts of people adjoyning.
     How pernicious this practice of excluding Foreiners must
needs be to he Nation, as it now stands, if it be continued, it
understood by his Majesty. And the French King so well
understands how much it will conduce to the advantage of France
to encourage the freedom of Trade, by entertaining all sorts of
Forein Artificers, that in contradiction to all the
Ecclesiastical Powers opposing it, he hath gratned free liberty
to all sorts of Forein Artificers and Merchants to exercise their
Consciences in all Ports and places in his Dominion, and to have
Churches allowed them with equal or more Priviledges than his
natural Subjects. Sure now it will be no ways prudent in us so to
discourage any herein, as to be entertained by the French King,
as well as Dutch.
     So that all the good beneficial ends designed by Trade, viz.
of imploying all sorts of Impotent People, Women and Children; of
Strengthening, and enriching our selves by Trade are quite
inverted by us. For the Fishing Trade, and the Trades of Making
Dying and Dressing our Cloaths and Stuffs, wherein all sorts of
poor people might have been employed, is lost and neglected by
us, whilst we intend the Newcastle Trade, the French, Canary,
Turkey, East India Trade, and to our Plantations, wherein only
lusty men are imployed, and the Impotent People, Women, and
Children are exposed to beggery, and the publick charge.
Secondly, Ireland and our Plantations Rob us of all the growing
Youth and Industry of the Nation, whereby it becomes week and
feeble, and the Strength, as well as Trade, becomes decayed and
diminished, I, and the Law against Naturalization Bars us of any
future supply: And thirdly, Our Affluence, Luxury, and irregular
management of Trade, renders us poorer, and in a worse condition,
than if we had no Traade at all.
     So as here, Reader, thou mayest understand the reason of the
decay and falls of the Rents of Lands in England; for by the 11
Petitions, the Rents of Lands are valuable as the Trade of the
place is: the Trade of England therefore being diminished, the
Rents of the Lands in England are consequently fallen and
diminished in proportion to it.


Reasons of the Increase of the Dutch-Trade.

Part II.

Wherein is Demonstrated from what causes the Dutch govern and
manage Trade better than the English, whereby they have so far
improved their Trade above the English.

Petitions.

     1. Men labour more industriously in Trade, and upon easier
terms in the United Netherlands than in England.
     2. The Dutch have down the Rhine, Marz, and Scheld, out of
Germany, France, Lorrain, Flanders, and other Spanish Provinces,
greater quantities of Timber, more choice, and upon less terms
than can be had in England, but more since the Timber of England
is so much diminished by the Act of Navigation, and much more
when the City of London is rebuilt.
     3. The Dutch have Pitch, Tar, Hemp for Cordage, Tackle, and
Iron, in greater quantities, and for less terms than the English
can, out of Norway, Denmark, and other Kingdoms within the Sound.
     4. Pitch, Tar, Cordage, Tackle, and Iron are necessary means
in fitting up ships for Navigation.
     5. The Dutch build Ships for Navigation more conveniently
than the English.
     6. The Dutch acquire more Forein Commodities in Trade out of
German cheaper and with more convenience, than the English do out
of Scotland.
     7. The whole world is Water and Land.
     8. The Dutch pay less Customs for Forein Commodities at home
than the English.
     9. The Dutch pay less Customs for Forein Commodities in
Forein Trade, than the English do.
     10. The Dutch pay less interest for mony, than the English.
     11. The Dutch States are more conversant in Trade than the
Council of State in England, or any other.
     12. The Dutch generally breed their youth of both Sexes in
the Studies of Geometry and Numbers, especially more than the
English do.
     13. The Study of Geometry and Numbers, is the best Education
for understanding Trade.
     14. The Dutch States have equal or more means in Trade, than
the Council of State in England, or any other.
     15. A Dutch Statesman is more interested in Trade than a
Counsellor of State in England, or any else.
     16. Dutch Merchants and their Wives are generally more
conversant in Trade than the English.
     17. Dutch Merchants have fewer impediments in Trade than
English, and have their Controversies in Trade sooner determined,
and with less charge and trouble.
     18. The Dutch pay less Customs for their Domestick
Manufactures in Forein Trade, than the English do.

Axioms or Common Notions.

     3. Where men labour more industriously upon less terms upon
any thing, this thing is cheaper managed.
     9. Any business which is more freely managed may be greater
managed than if it were more restrained.
     10. More business is done by more means, and cheap, if the
means be had upo easier terms.
     11. More business may be done by more means, and cheap, and
more conveniently, if the means be more convenient and cheaper.
     12. Who buyes cheaper than another, and more conveniently,
may sell cheaper, and with much more gain, if the charge be
otherways less.
     13. All things are either Forein or Domestick.
     14. They who are more conversant in any business, and better
Educated in it, may understand it better than another.
     15. They who may understand any business better than
another, may govern it better than that other.
     16. Where men are more interested in any business, they are
less subject to be corrupted to the prejudice of it.
     17. They who have fewer impediments in any business, and
less charge and trouble in it, may improve it better than another
who hath mre.
     18. The whole is equal it all parts.


Treatise II.

Proposition I. Problem I.

     How the Dutch manage a greater Trade at home than the
English.
     Subjects, Are the Dutch and English.
     Question. How the Dutch manage a greater Trade at home?

Annotations.

     From hence it is that the Dutch States without the danger of
War, or putting themselves into the power of fickle and
unconstant Fortune, and by destruction and devastation of other
Countries, killing and making men miserable by poverty and
slavery, from no principles form within themselves, but by
acquiring men and means from other places, have attained the
means (though all the United Netherlands do not in bigness exceed
the County of York, nor have half the conveniencies of that
Country, except in numbers of people) to manage a greater Trade
at home than any other Country of the world. It is true, the
times since they became States have concurred much to their
advantage herein; for entertaining all sorts of persons, who,
upon the account of either Religion or Faction, forsook their
Countries, they have been much more enable to do this. But the
Province of Holland above all other, for no sort of people was
denyed admission there; whereby Holland, as it is of more
strength than all other Provinces, so it contributes 11/14 to all
Publick Taxes.
     Whereas this Nation does not only lye under the restraint of
the Bar of Naturalization, and Ireland and our Plantations are
always open to exhaust us of our men: but besides the multitudes
of English which are dispersed in other places of the
Netherlands, Rotterdam, Middleborough, and Flushing, are about
1/4 English, and of English Extraction. About the Years 1636, and
37 about 140 Families out of Norfolk and Suffolk forsook us, and
Planted themselves in Leyden, Alkmen, and other places of the
United Netherlands, and there established the Woollen
Manufacturers of those places, which at this day is as much
advantageous to the Dutch, and prejudicial to us, as Queen Eliz.
(after the example of K. Edward 3) entertaining the Walloons,
persecuted by the Duke of Alva, and planting them in Colcester,
Norwich, Canterbury, etc. was advantageous to us, and prejudicial
to the King of Spain: And sure it is worthy the consideration of
the Parliament how this may be prevented for the future.
     One Thomas Tilham born at Martley in the County of
Worcester, and formerly a Chirurgeon in Warwick, treated with the
Elector Palatine of Rhine about 6 years since to bring in a
Colony to Inhabit, and establish Woollen Manufacturers in the
Palatinate; which the Prince allowing, the said Tilham hath
brought in a Colony of, its believ'd, between 2000 and 3000 men,
who now manage a Trade upon Woollen Manufactures; and for Tilhams
Reward herein, the Prince hath made him Commander of them. Many
of these people came to Tilham out of Essex and Suffolk: One Skip
of Herefordshire is gone to him with some people; so are several
others out of those parts.
     So that, though all Princes as well as States almost
understood the wealth and strength which attends a Domestick
Trade, as well as the Dutch; Yet we only of almost all the world
are so careless herein, that we neither care fo encreasing our
Domestick Trade, nor to restrain out Artificiers from betraying
the mystery of ours; though the free admission of People of all
Nations was the first Principle of the Greatness of the Dutch
Domestick Trade, and the restreining our Domestick Trade to the
English only, is the first Principle of the Decay of ours.

Prop. 2, Theorem 1.

     The Dutch manage Trade cheaper in the United Netherlands
than the English do in Engl.
     Subject, are the Dutch and English Nation.
     Question, Whether the Dutch manage Trade cheaper?
     I say the Dutch manage Trade cheaper.
     Ax. 3. For where men labour more industriously and upon
easier terms upon any thing, this thing is cheap managed.

Pet. i. Lib. 2.

     But Men in the United Netherlands labour in Trade more
industriously and upon easier Terms, than in Engl.
     Therefore the Dutch manage Trade cheaper in the United
Netherlands, than the English doe in England. Which was to be
done.

Annot.

     As the Law against Naturalization is the reason, why the
Dutch in the United Netherlands, manage a greater trade, than the
English do in England, so is it the reason, that Trade is cheaper
managed there than in England. For if the Trade of England being
managed by reason of this Law by English men only, who by reason
of our Plantations, the Repeopling Ireland, the late great
Plague, and our late Wars are thin and very few, if you will have
any work in Trade done, you must do it as the imployed English
please; or you must have no work done: whereas if the Trade of
England were as freely managed as in the United Netherlands, the
English man then must work and be as industrious as other men, or
he must not work at all: This freedome of managing Trade in the
United Netherlands, as it increases the hands there, so it makes
men more industrious in Trade; for the multitudes of people
concurring in Trade an emulation of excelling on another is
excited, whereby every man endeavours to excell the other in some
way or other; whereas in England, Trade being circumscribed by
the few English in it; they not only work dearer, but are
careless in working. Nor will I ever believe that Industry is
restreined to English, exclusive to other Nations. I cannot pass
over how much the Trade of England is at this day bettered by
Queen Eliz. prudent Entertaining the Dutch and Fleming, against
the Law of Naturalization; who not being able to indure the
insupportable Tyranny of the Duke of Alva, sought refuge in this
Nation; where in Colcester, Norwich and Canterbury, they were
planted, and there they brought in those Trades, where at this
day are the best we have left in England.

Prop 3. Problem 12.

     How the Dutch may and do build more Ships for Navigation,
and cheaper than the English.
     Subjects, are the Dutch and the English.
     Question, How the Dutch may and doe build more Ships for
Navigation and cheaper than the English?
     Construction, The Dutch have down the Rhine, Maez, and Sceld
out of Germany, France, Lorain, Flanders and other Spanish
Provinces greater quantities of Timber, more choise and upon less
terms than can be had in Engl; but much more since it is so much
diminished by the Act of Navigation, and must be yet much more in
rebuilding the City of London. I say the Dutch may build more
Ships, etc.
     Ax. 10. For more business is done by more means, and cheaper
if the means may be had upon easier terms.
     But Timber is a necessary mean in building Ships, and the
Dutch have more Timber, more choise, and upon easier terms than
the English.
     Therefore the Dutch may and doe build more for Navigation,
and cheaper then the English. Which was to be done.

Annotations.

     It was proved before a Committee of the House of Commons
last Session of Parliament, that the Dutch build ships of equal
dimensions for one half the English can; It is true that the
goodness of our Timber heretofore when we had sufficient, and
choise, did in a great measure compenste the charge in building
Ships; in regard that Ships built of English timber were much
more Durable and strong: but now all our best Timber, is wasted
and destroyed, and must be more in rebuilding the City of London,
our Timber not coming to perfection in less then 150 years
growth, if care were taken for the Preservation and increase
thereof, which I never hope to see; I doe not understand for the
future how we shall possibly build so good Ships as either Dutch,
Dane, or French, for three times the prices: And so Reader I
leave to thee to consider the fatall consequences like to ensue,
upon this poor Nation in this thing only.

Prop. 4. Probl. 3.

     How the Dutch may and do fit up more Ships for Navigation,
and cheaper than the English.
     Subjects, are the Dutch and English.
     Question, How the Dutch fit up more Ships for Navigation and
cheaper.
     The Dutch have Pitch, Tar, Hemp, for Cordage, and Tackle,
and Iron in greater quantities, and for less terms than the
English can out of Norway, Denmark, and other Kingdoms within the
Sound. I say the Dutch may fit up more Ships for Navigation
cheaper than the English.

     Ax. 10. For more business may be done by more means and
cheaper, if the means may be had upon easier terms.
     But Pitch, Tar, Cordage, Tackle and Iron, are necessary
means in fitting up Ships for Navigation.
     And the Dutch have more or great Quantities of Pitch, Tar,
Cordage, Tackle, and Iron than the English, and upon easier
Terms.
     Therefore the Dutch fit and one up more Ships for
Navigation, and cheaper than the English. Which was to be done.

Annotations.

     Here must I take notice that since the Rumps institution of
the Act of Navigation the condition of fitting up ships for
Navigation in England is as bad as the building of Ships, and
that against the Act of the 1 Eliz. 13. which stands yet in
force. For by the 1 Eliz. 13. It is free for all men to import
PItch and Tar in any Vessels; whereas by the Act of Navigation;
if any English man imports any Pitch, or Tar unless in an English
built Ship, and sailed by 1/4 English at least, now we have
neither men nor Ships to do it, the Ship is forfeit, Goods, Guns,
Ammunition, and Tackle: and so it is in a strangers Ship who is
not a Native of the place, whereby he may impose what terms he
please, or otherwise we must not have either Pitch or Tar at all:
And our Condition for Cordage and Tackle is much worse, for
though we may have Pitch and Tar, upon such Terms as Dane and
Swede please; yet it will be impossible in a short time to have
and Cordage or Tackle at all. For it must be imported by either
English men in English Ships; when we have neither men nor Ships
to do it; or by the Natives of the place, when the Inhabitants of
Riga, Revell, Narve and other places of Leifland, from whence all
the best hemp (if not all) for Cordage and Tackle comes, trade
not with us at all.

Prop. 5. Problem 4.

     How the Dutch may and do acquire more Forein Commodities by
Navigation, cheaper and more conveniently than the English.
     Subjects, are the Dutch and English.
     Quest. How the Dutch, ut supr.
     Construction. By the 3 Prop. 2. the Dutch may and doe build
more ships and cheaper than the English, and by the 4 Prop. 1.2
they may fit up more ships and cheap, and by the 5 Pet. 2. they
build Ships more conveniently: I say the Dutch etc.

     Ax. 11. For more business may be done by more means and
cheaper, and more conveniently, if the means be more convenient
and cheaper.

     Const. But the Dutch may, and do build and fit up more
ships, more conveniently and cheaper than the English.
     And Ships are necessary means in Navigation.
     Therefore the Dutch may and doe acquire more Forein
Commodities by Navigation cheaper and more conveniently than the
English. Which was to be done.

Annotations.

     So that as the Dutch build and fit out Ships cheaper than
the English, so they build them more conveniently for Trade. For
every Trade they build Ships, whereas in England unless it be in
the Island Trade (wherein I do affirm are not one fourth part of
the shipping in England, as was when the Act of Navigation had
its first birth) all Ships serve for all Trades, the Dutch herein
so far excell the English and all other Nations; that truly upon
this account, they can, notwithstanding the Impositions of the
King of Denmark in the Trade of Norway for Timber, supply any
part of the world cheaper than the King of Denmarks own Subjects,
notwithstanding the Aboundance of Timber and Pitch and Tar, which
so much abounds in Norway. This appeared in the time of Oliver,
who permitted the English to Trade for Timber, Pitch and Tar in
Dutch bottoms, forced the Norwegians to sell the Ships they had
built to Trade with the English for want of Employment; so in the
years 1667, and 1668, the Kings permitting the English to trade
in Dutch bottoms for Timber to Norway, and the Dutch to import
it; reduced all the excessive Impositions which the King of
Denmark had imposed upon the English before in that Trade, or
otherwise he had undone his own Subjects.
     And as in this Trade, so in all others, they so excell in
the convenient building of Shipping; that Sir Walter Rawleigh in
his observation on Trade, which he dedicated to King James near
60 years since, affirms, if an English Ship of 200 Tuns, and a
Holland Ship of like burden be at Danske or any other place
beyond the Seas, they serve the Merchant cheaper by a 100 l. by
reason the Hollands Ship is sayl'd by 9 or 10 Mariners, and ours
with near 30. Notwithstanding we yet continue our old way of
building Ships, and so must so long as the Law against
Naturalization stands in force; for the English know no other:
and if the English Merchant will not build as the English
Carpenter pleases, and his way, he must not Trade at all; for if
he buyes and Trades in any Forein Ship, she is forfeit, Goods,
Guns, Ammunition and Tackle by the Act of Navigation. So as the
Dutch build Ships for half the price the English do, and Navigate
for half the price. From when it follows,

Consequences.

     That though the Dutch much more than double abound in
Mariners above the English, yet navigation with much less than
half the hands, they may drive above 4 times the Trade by
Navigation: than the English doe; and building and fitting up
their Ships for half the terms do navigate fo half the price?
from whence it is that though the Herrings (except red Herrings
cannot be cured by them) and other Fish, be taken upon our Coast,
the exportation of them as free, as in the United Netherlands,
yet cannot we supply any part of the World so cheap as they;
whereby they have only left us the Trade of red Herrings, and to
supply our selves by excluding them, from trading with us, with
white Herring.

Probl. 6. Theorem 12:

     The Dutch may and ot acquire more Forein Commodities in
Trade cheaper and with more convenience than the English, in all
the world.
     Subject, The Dutch.
     Question, Whether they may acquire? etc.
     I say they may.

     Ax. 18. For the whole is equal to all the parts.
     Pet. 7. 2. But the whole world is Land and Water.
     Prop. 5. 2. The Dutch acquire more Forein Commodities by
water cheaper, and with more convenience.
     Pet. 6. 2. And so do by Land.
     Therefore the Dutch may and do acquire more Forein
Commodities in Trade cheaper and with more convenience than the
English, Which was to be demonstrated.

Prop. 7. Prob. 4.

     How the Dutch may and do sell more Forein Commodities at
home and in Forein Trade, cheaper, more conveniently and with
much more Gain than the English.
     Subjects. Are the Dutch and English.
     Quest. How the Dutch? etc.
     Construction By the 6. Prop. lib. 2. they acquire more
Forein Commodities in Trade, cheaper, and with more convenience;
And Pet. 1. lib. 2. the Dutch pay less Customs for Forein
Commodities at home and in Forein Trade, and 10. Pet. 2. they pay
less interest for mony.
     I say the Dutch, sell, etc.

     Ax. 12. Who buyes cheaper than another and more
conveniently, may sell cheaper, and with much more Gain, if the
charge be otherwaies less.
     Construction, But the Dutch buy more Forein Commodities
cheaper, and more conveniently; and their charge is otherwise
less in paying less customs and less interest for mony.
     Therefore the Dutch may and do sell more Forein Commodities
cheaper, more conveniently, and with much more Gain then the
English. Which was to be done.


     Annotations.

     Pay less Customes. By reason whereof principally the Dutch
doe not only thrive by the Trade with France, but upon the matter
their whole Trade is founded in it: For without the Salt of
France the Dtuch could not Fish: and by the Fishing Trade, the
Wine, Salt, and Brandies of France, they drive their Trades into
Germany, the Northern, and North-east Countires; from whence they
draw those Commodities, whereby they are enabled to drive their
Trades to Spain, into the Streights; and to the East and West
Indies; whereas by the benefit of our Mony and Commodities we are
only enabled to lose about 1600000 l. a year, if Mr Fortry hath
truly computed it.
     Nor is this all the Benefit the Dutch receive by the
smallness of their Customs, which Sir Walter Rawleigh affirms not
to be the 19 part so much as the English, (though in truth they
are much less0 yet by this means they draw all Nations to
Traffick with them; and though the Duties they receive be but
small; yet the multitudes of all sorts of Commodities brought in
by themselves and others, and carried out by themselves and
others, is so great that, they receive more Customs and duties to
their State in one year by the Greatness of their Commerce than
England does in two by the greatness of their customs.
     And as this Monarcy by reason hereof hath lost the Trade to
a Common-wealth, so by reason hereof a Commonwealth in Italy hath
lost their Trade to a Monararchy. For the State of Genoa imposing
Customs upon 16 per cent upon all Commodities imported, the Duke
of Florence taking the advantage thereof by making Legorn a Free
Port; whereby it is become one of the most famous and flourishing
Towns in Europe: And the Genoans are forced to turn Usurers, upon
what they had got before. And this year the King of France in
probability hath laid a foundation to undo Legorn by making
Marselles a free Port.
     The King of Sweden, within the memory of man, made
Gottenburg a Free Port for 7 years, which at this day hath
established such a Trade there, that of a poor and unregarded
Village, it is become the most flourishing Town of Trade in the
North, or North-East. Here Reader let me desire thee to partake
some part of my Grief, in beholding such unsafe and barred Ports
as Gottenburg, and all those of the United Netherlands to be by
means of their freedom so Rich and Flourishing; whereas our most
excellent, noble, and safe Harbours, but especially Falmouth
(which Cambden prefers before Brundusium, or any other) and for
its excellency and convenience, yet hath scarce a Cock-boat
belonging to it) are all neglected and passed by, by reason of
the height of our Customs, the Laws of Naturalization and
Navigation.
     Pay less Interest for mony. By reason whereof the Dutch may
preserve stores of all sorts of Commodities, and at any time sell
them cheaper than the English, who pay more Interest for mony.
Sir Walter Rawleigh affirms that Amsterdam is never without
700000 Quarters of Corn, besides the Pleny they daily vent: And
that a Dearth of Corn in England, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal,
or other places enriches it, when cheap, to the not benefit of
England, and to buy it when dear, to the improverishing of us.
Besides, it is impossible, when two or more Ships are imployed in
any voyage, the one paying after the rate of 4 per cent the other
6, if otherwise their charge be equal, that upon equal terms they
can sell their Commodities, upon equal profit.
     So that though the height of Customs and Interest of mony,
do both prejudice Trade, where it relates to any other place
where either are less or lower; yet the height of Interest is
more insupportable, in that it every day increases; whether it be
in preserving Stores, or in reference to the length of Voyages in
Forein Trade. And whereas the publick Revenue is augmented by the
height of Customs, yet to the prejudice of Trade; so Trade is
more prejudiced by the height of interest, without any advantage
to the publick Revenue. Nor does the mischief of height of
Interest mony end here, but it hath a like bad influence upon
building, and fitting out Ships, where no Custom is paid: So as a
Dutch Ship of equal Dimensions, may be built and fitted out to
Sea for half the terms an English Ship can: and this Ship thus
built and fitted for half the terms, is sailed with half the
hands; so as this charge being both ways double to the English,
and the English paying 1/2 interest more, the English merchant
labours from hence, in a three-fold charge more than the Dutch
Merchant does, and this not to be at one time discharged as
Customs are, but ever to be imposed upon the Ship so long as the
lasts: from whence it will necessarily follow, that if our
Customs were lower than the Dutch, yet if the Interest of mony be
in proportion higher, the Dutch may and will hereby only maintain
the Trade of the world exclusive to the English.

Corollary.

     By the same reason the Dutch may sell more Domestick
Manufactures at home, and in Forein Trade cheaper, and more
conveniently than the English, and with much more gain.
     For by the 2 Prob. lib. 2. Trade is cheaper managed in the
United Netherlands than in England: and Prop. 1. lib. 2. It is
more managed there than in England: And 13 Pet. 2. The Dutch pay
less Customs for their Domestick Commodities in Forein Trade.

Prop. 8. Theorem 3.

     The Dutch may sell more Commodities in Trade, than the
English, cheaper, more conveniently, and with much more gain.
     Subjects, Are the Dutch and English.
     Question, Whether the Dutch may and do sell, ut supra?
     I say they may.
     Ax. 13. For all things are either Forein or Domestick.
     Proposition 7.2. But the Dutch may sell more Forein
Commodities at home and abroad, cheaper, more conveniently, and
with much more gain than the English.

Corollary.

     And may sell more Domestick Manufactures at home, and in
Forein Trade, cheaper, more conveniently, and with much more
gain.
     Therefore the Dutch may and do sell more Commodities in
Trade, cheaper, more conveniently, and with much more gain than
the English. Which was to be demonstrated.

Annotations.

     They do it, and have done it, and are thereby become the
greatest Prodigy that ever the world brought forth. For let any
consider them in their first principles, being inconsiderable
either for Number or Quality from their first rise, to be opposed
by the most powerful Monarach in Christendom for near 80 years
together! and from no principles of Trade from within themselves,
nor having scarce a piece of Ground to build one house upon, nor
one stick of Timber, or scarce on handful of Hemp, Pitch, Tar or
Iron, to build or fit out a Ship; and notwithstanding their
constant Wars with Spain, to ingage and undertake so many Wars
against the Swede, Dane, Portugal, and in the East and West
Indies? To build so many fair and stately Cities beyond any other
part of the World, and all this in less than 100 years; and at
this day to manage a greater and more gainful Trade than all the
world: whereby their Wealth is inestimable, and all this in
contradiction to seeming impossibilities. Nor is their strength
and power at Sea less terrible, than their wealth inestimable;
and at this day all the Affairs almost of Christendom are
transacted at the Hague: Queen Eliz. a Princess of most excellent
Prudence and foresight, though she were careless in hindering
them in the progress of their Trade, yet was very vigilant in
restraining their strength by Sea: nor would she permit them to
build many Men of War, and those not considerable; whereby
without any controul she kept them in perfect subjection at Sea.
After King James loved peace, and his Book so well, that he did
not restrain their rising power by Sea. K. Charles (of Sacred
memory) foresaw the danger of it, and would have restrained it,
but it pleased God he reigned in such perverse times, that he
either was not, or, which was worse, could not be understood by
his Subjects: so as now their power at Sea is swelled to such a
prodigious greatness, as it is a question whether it can be
controuled by all the power in the world; and what the
consequences hereof will be, only God knows. I do not believe the
Dutch intend us any good by it.

Prop. 9. Problem 6.

     How the Dutch States may and do understand Trade better than
the Council of State in England, or any other.
     Subjects, Are the Dutch States, and the Council of State in
England, or any other.
     Question. How the Dutch States? etc.
     Construction, By the 11 Pet. 2. The Dutch States are more
conversant in Trade, and by the 12 Pet. 2, The Dutch generally
breed their Youth of both Sexes more in the Studies of Geometry,
and Numbers especially than the English. I say the Dutch, ut
supra.
     Ax. 14. For they who are more conversant and better Educated
in any business may understand it better than another.
     Construction. But the Dutch States are more conversant in
Trade than the Council of State in England: and the Dutch
generally breed their Youth of both Sexes better for
understanding Trade.
     Therefore the Dutch States may and do understand Trade
better than the Council of State in England, or any other.

          Apology

     I am so far from intending any diminution by this
Proposition to the Regal Authority in this Nation, or any oblique
aspersion upon his Majesties Privy Council; that I do affirm no
one thing could conduce more to the grandeur of his Majesty and
the publick Interest of the Nation, than to have a constant
Council of Trade established by Act of Parliament, which might
not only inspect and regulate as well our Native and Forein
Trade; but also be advising and assisting to his Majesty in such
Treaties with other Princes and States, wherein Trade is
concerned. And how much more this is to be desired, wherein the
particular good of every individual person in the Kingdom is
concerned, than Corporations, which are advance to the prejudice
of the rest of the Nation, I submit to any indifferent man. And
if it me no aspersion upon a Privy Counsellor, who is not a
Lawyer, to say in the knowledge of the Laws, the Lawyer may be
more understanding; I do not understand how it can be any to say
a Merchant better Educated, and more conversant in Trade, may
better understand it, than a Privy Counsellor, who is not so
Educated, and less conversant in it.
     I say moreover, if all which I have complained of in the
former, and this Treatise were regulated, wherein in point of
liberty, we were equal with the Dutch; yet if the Dutch shall
better Govern and Regulate Trade than we, thereby only the Dutch
may and will drive the Trade of the World exclusive to the
English.

Prop. 10. Theorem 3.

     The Dutch States govern Trade better than the Council of
State in England, or any other.
     Subjects, Are the Dutch States, and the Council of State in
England, or any other.
     Question, Whether the Dutch States govern Trade better?
     I say they may.
     Ax. 15. For they who may understand any business better than
anther, may govern it better.
     Prop. 7.2. But the Dutch States may and do govern Trade
better than the Council of State in England, or any other. Which
was to be demonstrated.

Annotations

     From hence it is that the Trade of England is managed
confusedly, distractedly, and sharkingly by the Traders: neither
is there any extablished Power by which it may be better
Regulated: And to this great Wisdom and understanding of the
Dutch in governing Trade, may be justly added so great a
staidness and prudence in all Treaties with Forrein Princes and
States in reference to Trade, that thereby they have advanced
their Trade with all Forein Princes and States: And to this they
conjoyn power, by which they, upon all occasions, improve their
Trade above what they had before got by Treaty; which whoso reads
Leon ab Alzma, one of the States easily observe.

Prop. 11. Theorem 4.

     A Dutch States-man is less subject to be corrupted to the
prejudice of Trade than a Council of States-men in England. 
     Subjects, Are a Dutch States-man, and a Counsellor of State
in England.
     Question, Whether the Dutch States-man be less Subject to be
corrupted to the prejudice of Trade?
     I say he is.
     Ax. 16. For where men are more interested in any Business,
they are less Subject to be corrupted to the prejudice of it.
     15 Pet. 2. But a Dutch States-man is more interested in
Trade than any English Council of States-men.
     Therefore less subject to be corrupted to the prejudice of
Trade. Which was to be demonstrated.

Annotations.

     So as to the great wisdom and power of the States in
governing, is conjoyned Interest, whereby their Counsels are
established in greatest security, not only safe hereby from all
possible bribery or corruption from any Power from abroad or at
home: but this moreover creates a diligence in them all to
inspect the management of all Forein, as well as Domestick Trade,
whereby as well in the Fishing Trade, as in all their Domestick
Manufactures, their Fish and Manufactures have a reputation
incomparably above ours Whilst our Aulnage, etc.

Prop. 12. Theorem 5.

     Dutch Merchants may and do improve their Trades better than
English.
     Subjects, Are Dutch and English Merchants:
     Question, Whether the Dutch improve their Trades better?
     I say they may.
     Ax. 17. For they who have fewer Impediments in any business,
and less charge and trouble in it, may improve it better than
others, who have more.
     Pet. 17. 2. But Dutch Merchants have fewer impediments and
less trouble and charge than English, and have Controversies in
Trade sooner determined, and with less charge.
     Therefore with less charge Dutch Merchants may and do
improve their Trade better than English. Which was to be done.

Annotations

     When Controversies in Trade arise in England, it will be
first a very probable question, whether the conusance of them
belong to the Common Law or Admiralty: Here the Merchant must
wait and intend this business, whatsoever his concernments are
otherways; if after God know when the Jurisdiction be determined,
than it may be they are removed into the Chancery, where after a
tedious delay they may be decreed, and upon a motion, a new Order
for re-hearing; or it may be returned to the Common Law, or
perhaps brought into Parliament: and after all this flux and re-
flux of vexation and charge to the certain undoing of one or both
parties, these Controversies resolve in the determination of men,
who it is impossible, should understand them: for all Judgment is
from antecedent Knowledge; and therefore if the nature of Trade,
Bills of Exchange, and accounts in Trade, etc. and all the
particularities which lead to the Controversies in question, be
not before understood, which it is impossible the Judges in
Chancery, Common Law, or Admiralty should do, their Education and
Breeding having been otherways, it is impossible they should
judge aright.

     Proposition 13. Problem 7.

     How Dutch Merchants and their Wifes generally understand
Trade better than English.
     Subjects, Dutch Merchants and their Wives, and English.
     Question, How Dutch Merchants and their Wives generally may
understand Trade better?
     Construction. By the 16 Pet. 2. Dutch Merchants and their
Wives are more conversant in Trade, and 12 Pet. 2. The Dutch
generally breed Youth of both Sexes more in the studies of
Geometry and Numbers especially. I say Dutch Merchants, etc. may
understand Trade better.
     Ax. 14. For they who are better Educated and more conversant
in any business may understand it better.
     13 Pet. 2. But Dutch Merchants and their Wives are generally
better educated to understand Trade.
     16 Pet. 2. And are more conversant in Trade.
     Therefore Dutch Merchants and their Wives generally may
understand Trade better than English, which was to be done.

Annotations

     In all rational designs men first consider the end. 2. From
what principles they may attain the end: And thirdly, so to order
these principles, that the end be attained by fewest means and
shortest ways. The end designed by education of Youth is to live
justly, to be assisting in Government, and to be helpful to other
men. The first principle to do this by education is, that God
hath given every Youth understanding, as well as sense, to govern
all his Actions by reason, not love, hatred, fear, or desire. 2.
That it is in the power of every learner to do somethig which is
required of him, whereby he may improve his knowledge by
practice. And 3. The means by which Youth is instructed is Speech
and Method, both which must be before understood.
     To live justly is not founded in the principle of Geometry
and Numbers, yet this I say, that by these men are better enabled
to live justly than others who are more ignorant in them; for God
and Nature hath made all things to consist in Number and
Quantity: that man therefore who is ignorant herein, though he
means justly, yet does not understand in his dealings, whether he
does justly or not: And in so high an esteem were most noble
Sciences among the Grecians, when Learning flourished so among
thme that they esteemed all the world Barbarous but themselves,
that the greatest Philosophers of them, would have all Justice
and Government to consist in Arithmetical and Geometrical
proportion. Plato (who would have all Gods works to be done in
Geometrical Proportion, and excluded every one his School, who
was ignorant in Geometry) though bred in a Democratical State,
would have Justice and Government to consist in Geometrical
Proportion, Xenophon, though bred in an Aristocratical, would
have Justice to be founded in Arithmetical proportion.
     Afterwards Aristotle, that he might not be less a
Philosopher than Plato, or Xenophon herein, divides Justice into
Corrective and Distributive Justice; corrective to be in
Arithmetical Proportion; and Distributive in Geometrical: though
for my part I believe he never understood one Prop. either in
Geometry or Numbers.
     1. The ends designed by Education in Geometry and Numbers,
are such, that every man by knowledge in them, is better able to
deal in any business relating to Humane Conversation, not in
Trade only.
     2. All fortification is founded in these studies, especially
in Geometry: so is encamping and approaches, and defences against
them. Achimedes so excelled herein, that when Marcellus besieged
Syracuse, he alone twice beat back the Roman Army, nor (its
believed) had the Romans take it, if Archimedes had not been
surprized.
     3. Architecture, Surveying and Measuring all Bodies and
Superficies, is wholly founded in them.
     4. Astronomy is founded in Geometry and Numbers, so is
measuring the distance of places, 'whereby Navigation is better
to be improved.
     5. History (which so enobles the minds of men) is rude and
imperfect without knowledge of these Studies, for no man without
understanding Numbers can compare Era's, Epocha's, and periods of
times, when Actions were done; nor how they were done in place
without Geography, which is founded in Geometry.
     6. Youth by education in these Studies, where a method of
Reasoning is observed, does not only acquire by every Proposition
a new and certain knowledge, which at some time or other may be
beneficial, but gets a habit of right reasoning, whereby he is
enabled to judg of any Proposition in any other Science or
faculty, and to judge of the reasons in them.

     2ndly. The Principles of Geometry and Numbers, as of all
Sciences are three, viz. Definitions, Petitions, and Axioms,
which as I understand, are not rightly understood by Euclid, nor
any Commentator upon him: but Aristotle is os far from
understanding the Principles aright, that he does not understand
the Number of them: For he says Anal. Post. that the Principles
of Science are two, Proper, and Common, Proper, as a Line:
Common, as if equals be taken from equals, what is left will be
equal; and the Logick taught in our Schools establishes no
Principles at all.

     3dly. The Means by which Youth is instructed in Geometry and
Numbers, and in all other Learning, is Speech and Method. Speech
is the instrument or mean by which men converse and instruct; our
English Tongue therefore being copious enough to instruct Youth
in Education, it is vain and superfluous to do it in any other,
where men are not necessitated to speak different Languages: The
Greek and Latin Tongues being the Language of no place, I know no
necessity of them, unless men desire to multiply Gods Curse in
the Confusion of Tongues, by retaining these now there is no
necessary of them. Yet the better sort of the Youth of England is
condemned to the learning of these tongues, which they at last
understand so imperfectly, that not one of a hundred can speak or
know in either so well as his own: and whether this is the
nearest way to Instruction, I leave to any man to judge. The
Antient Egyptians, Syrians, Caldeani, Grecians, and Romans
instructed their Youth in their Mother Tongue, whereby they
become so eminent in Learning, that this present Age enjoyes much
benefit from them.
     The Africans before the Reign of Mansor Emperour of Affick,
and all the Spains, who reigned, as Pedro Mexico says, about the
year 1105 were accounted barbarous. This Emperour, being a great
lover of Learning, caused all Books written in Greek, either
concerning Philosophy, Physick, or History to be translated into
the Arabian Tongue, and founded many Colledges in the Cities of
FEx, Morocco, Affrica, Trevissin, Tunis, Argier, Hippona, etc.
and endewed them with great Revenues for reading these Studies in
the Arabian Tongue: whereby not men only, but women so profited
in Learning, that as Leo Affricannus affirms, the women of Lybia
in those days were very learned, and above all things else,
sooner busied in good Books, than medling with Cloth and
Garments. And it ws in this Emperours Reign, or soon after, that
those famours Philosophers, Averroes, Mesues, Rafit, Rabbi Moses,
and many other flourished. Nor do I know any reason, but if
Learning were taught Youth in the English Tongue, whereby the
English might be as learned as the Romans, and Grecians, but the
English Tongue would be in as much esteem as the Greek, and
Latin.
     The Method of Learning in Geometry and Numbers, and in all
other Learning, is by disposing the knowledge in the Petitions
and Propositions before known; so the knowledge what was before
understood to be eternal and necessary in the Axiom, that the
question of every Proposition not known before, may necessarily
be known in the conclusion of the Syllogism. But this is
impossible to be done by any Authority of Aristotle, where are no
Petitions or mean knowledge in the Subject: and those Principles
which he establishes are so confounded, that as he makes a Line
to be a Proposition Principle, so he makes a man Anal. Post. to
be a Universal, yet a Line is as much a Universal as a man: From
whence, as it is impossible any progress of Learning or Rational
Knowledge can follow; so such knowledge as this will. Universals
are every where and cannot be perceived by sense, Ana. Post. l.
x. c. 31. tit. 1.
     A Man is a Universal.
     Therefore a man is every where, and cannot be perceived by
sense.
     If it be impossible from Principles thus established to
learn or know; then must it be more impossible to learn by the
vulgar Logick, where no Principles at all, and all Rules of
Learning inverted in the first Definition (as it is called) which
sayes Logick proves (not the Consequences but) Principles in its
own and other Sciences.

Consequences.

     From hence then it it, that in Germany, is no method
observed in Reasoning, whereby the study of it is rendred
perplexed and difficult, which is of all others the most natural
and easie: The construction of the fourth Proposition, lib. 1, is
from no antecedent knowledge; and if the negative part of that
triangualr demonstration be true, which makes two triangle lines
to comprehend no space then is all the doctrine of Triangles
false; for if a right lined Angle be not space, it is nothing;
yet nothing but two right lines comprehend it: And in the vulgar
Arithmetick is no reason at all taught; but the learners without
understanding any reason are required to divide the Product of
the second and third, by the first, and the Quotient will give a
fourth proportional number, etc. But how this comes to pass is
not understood, whereby learners take no pleasure in learning,
and soon forget what was told, without any possible means of
improving knowledge in any other Proposition: So as it is from
hence that the nobler and better sort of the Youth of England
being bred up in these vain and fruitless Studies of Grammar,
Logick, and Arist. and, being thereby fitted for no Business or
Conversations, are disposed to lead idle and debauched lives: and
the Female Sex, though it be of mankinde as well as the Male, and
endued with a rational soul, and therefore accountable to God and
their Superiours for their Actions, are less bred ingenuously in
England, than in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the United
Netherlands, whereby they may be enabled to govern themselves
when Virgins and Widows, and to be assisting to their Husbands
and Families, when Wives.
     I have before often treated by Apology, as well become me,
because the King and Laws to which I am Subject were concerned. I
need none if what is said upon this Proposition: I have equal
right here with any man, and any man with me. The method
prescribed is not four lines, whereby in Geometry as well as
Numbers I will, by Gods leave, from causes before know,
demonstrate the question of every Proposition not known before:
whereas by twenty years learning of Grammar, Logick, and
Aristotle this was never done, nor possible to be done.

Proposition 14. Theorem 7.

     How Dutch Merchants and their Wives generally may govern
Trade better than English Merchants and their Wives.
     Subjects, Dutch and English Merchants and their Wives.
     Question, Whether the Dutch govern Trade better than the
English?
     I say they may, and do.
     Ax. 15. For they who understand any business better may
govern it better.
     Prop. 12. 2. But Dutch Merchants and their Wives generally
understand Trade better than the English.
     Therefore may govern Trade better. Which was to be
demonstrated.

Annotations.

     From hence it is that Dutch Merchants Wives frequently, when
their Husbands are abroad in Trade, or any other business, order
and govern their Trades as diligently and discreetly as if they
were at home; which is a very great advantage both to the State
and their Husbands, and Families, and might be of as much, or
more to the King and Merchants here in England, if their Wives
were so educated, as to be enabled to do so.

Epilogue

     So as Reader thou mayest understand, and that by
demonstration, in the former Treatise from what causes, and by
what means the English Nation is become so degenerate in
Strength, Wealth, and Trade. In this thou mayest understand by
what means and degrees the Dutch in less than 100 years have
attained such prodigious Riches and Strength by Trade (wherein we
undo our selves) and the Trade of our Manufactures and
Plantations. And in these two the Dutch may out do the English in
Forein Trade, if their charge in acquiring them does not exceed
their charge otherways. And herein they may clearly out-do the
English, if it be true; which is said, that in them English
Factors Trade in their own names, yet upon the account of Dutch
Merchants; whereby it much more comes to pass, which Sir Walter
Rawleigh long ago observed, that our Sea and Land Commodities
serve only to enrich and strengthen other Countries against our
own.
     If we lose the Trade of England, we must lose Navigation; if
we lose Navigation we lose the Sovereignty of the Seas; if the
Sovereignty of the Seas, then read the condition of the Nation in
the Danish Invasion, and remember it not long since.
Notwithstanding the Nation is in this condition, yet are we so
ingaged in Factions and Dissentions, that neither the continued
series of Gods manifold Judgments these many years upon it by
Wars Intestine and Forein, Plagues, Fires, and Hyrricanoes, nor
the growing greatness of our Neighbours the French and Dutch,
does any ways alarm or awaken it.
     I might here Reader proceed to a third Treatise, by
observing the same method, and demonstrate that England is
capable of greater Wealth, and strength than the United
Netherlands (or perhaps any Country else) and that from thos
natural prerogatives wherewith God hath endued it, the Nation may
manage a greater, better, and more valuable Trade upon much less
terms than the Dutch can a less, worse, and les valuable Trade:
But it will be to no purpose to proceed herein, until Trade be
relieved, wherein we shewed cause.

          THE END.