WHen I first heard of an Inuectiue publisht by some vnknowne busie Person , against the East-Indian Trade : I must confesse , I held it , In eorum genere quae vilescunt spreta , worthy only of that Companies contempt , whose blest indeuour , with good seruice to the State , hath surely freed them from the poyson . Why should they then regard the hissing of those lurking Serpents , that when the Itching humour takes them , will be doing breuibus & carcere dignum , euen with the State it selfe ?

But hauing since pervsed the Pamphlet , I finde vnder the pleasing title of Increase of Trade , and gilded ouer with that Commendable Proposition of the Herring-fishing , a sort of Pills are put to swallowing , that perhaps may worke weake stomacks to distaste our Course of Traffick by societies in London , especially that now of greatest hope and profit to the East-Indies . And though the Author handle the particulars with such confused Contradictions , as assure mee hee conceiued not what he writ : Yet sure , some Ape hath put the Cats foot in the fire , some cunning and malitious persons , for priuate ends , or lewder purposes infused the Quicksiluer that set that running head a work . Remembring therefore that a wiseman should not onely keep himselfe from hurt of the Brute Beast , but feed and clothe , that is as Plutarch notes , make profitable vse of enemies : out of my loue to you that spend so much of your Time , for the good of the worthie Marchants liberall Aduentures , to aduance the reputation and reuenue of the Common-wealth , I wish some one of our Committies best experienced in that businesse , would take this oportunitie to shew how wrongfully they are traduced , whose voluntarie hazards in such long and costly voyages , for such euen by their enemies confession , dangerous and slow returnes were rather thankefully to be commended .

Good men , well-minded Marchants , while the idle Drone and greedie Catterpillers prey vpon the substance of the Subiect here at home , with eating vsurie and harmefull arts , while such a Spider in a corner spends his fruitlesse dayes perhaps in weauing weake obiections against them , from furthest parts abroad , they fetch and bring the hony to the Hiue , laborious Bees , they clothe and feede the poore , and giue the willing man imployment to gaine with them , and with the Common wealth , the honour , and the riches that Venice first enioyed by their Trade ouer land , along the Mediterran , and then the Portingals ( poore Portingals till then ) procured by their more aduantagious farre Sea-trafficke with those Easterne Countries .

This was the first intention , this is still the endeauour of that famous fellowship , best knowne to you that were their first , and are by well deseruing , still their Gouernour ; and if it please Almightie God to continue his wonderfull blessing , and our good King his gracious countenancing of their industrie , I make no doubt , but by discouery of some neerer passage , or if the worst fall , through the Aduantage of our multitude of able bodies , and most commodious Sea-situation , euen the way wee haue that rich Trade may receiue yet our turne more , and in few yeares a Staple of Commerce for all the World be setled in these Northerne parts with as much life and quickning to the nauigation and affaires of this whole Iland , as London and all sorts of Marchants in it found by one returne from thence last sommer , Quae nobis placet experientia veri .

But Sir , this honourable enterprise , like Hercules yet in the Cradle , in the infancie hath beene assailed by Serpents slie aspersions , which * * Natiua generi humano pestis quae vepres nunquam desinit in alienis agris licet purgatissimi sint quaeritare . Pet. Mart. Enuie long since whispered in the eares of ignorance , of killing Marriners and carrying out the treasure of the land , in answere whereunto had the East India Marchant then but told a truth like Martials , Bella , Diues , Puella , Fabulla , hee might haue beene ( it may bee iudged ) neyther faire nor rich , nor chast , but only forward to commend himselfe : but now when as the poore Snake Enuie growes to be a Monster , Malice , when the pratler late a creeping Worme is waxt a winged Goose , a setter forth in print of slanders . Now ( me thinkes ) you are , if not inforst , at least inuited happily to shew the world the well deseruing of that worthie Companie , whose innocence will shine more gloriously euen to the eye obscur'd of him that dwels farthest from London , by passing through those vapours of an idle or corrupted braine these forst or forged imputations .

A worke for truths sake worthie of a feruent spirits carefull handling : but were it recommended to my weaknesse ; though I dislike as much as any man , to see one , by transcribing only in effect , an honest Gentlemans good * * Quae non vult sic laudari-Nec tali auxilio nec defensoribus istis — Eget , &c. Fishing-Proiect , steale occasion to censure all our Trades , and giue intelligence what Shippes of ours , how manned , and at what seasons yearely passe from place to place , with such particulars of our Sea-states decay , as must be eyther true , and so the secrets , or false , and so the slanders of our Countrie .

Though I condemne his folly , that proclaimes such weakenesse and such want of Marriners and Shipping in our Ports from fond reports of idle fellowes , Informations certainly as false in these particulars , as we know they are in our East-India matters , especially at this time , when cleane contrarie , the power and greatnesse of our Royall Mr. and the reputation of his strength by Sea and Land , is for the good of Christendome , composing of those stormes which Armies both in Italy , and Germanie doe threaten .

Though I detest the hollow-hearted cunning , that doth looke on Holland , but yet roues for other Countries , girding still and glancing at our Neighbours of the vnited Prouinces , those in reason of state , and through band of Religion , best assured friends , with ouer sedulous insinuating into euery eare , their eating vp of our prosperitie , their supplanting of vs in our Trades , and such like seedes of Disaffection , preiudiciall to vs both . Whereas an honest subiect , well disposed in Religion , well affected to the State , would rather rest content with this assurance , that our King hath power enough , when it shall please his wisdome to curbe insolence . Our State may when it will , meet with vnthankfulnesse , and they that made the * * Their word was , Si collidimur frangimur . Embleme , for their owne good , must be carefull to keepe the Pots from knocking one vpon another .

Though more particularly , out of many Touches , I obserue such inclination , such a secret variation in the Compasse of that Pamphletors discourse , as makes me very iealous , for all his faire conclusion that hee framed his Almanacke for the Meridian of Toledo rather then our Ilands good fortune : witnesse his willingnes to haue vs Trade into those Countries , where wee must bee euer vnder the Lee , in awe and subiect to much inconuenience , rather then make double the profit to our selues and to the Common-wealth by fetching from the wel-head , from the Indies , rather then weaken them , their wealth and shipping , that in all their Moderne Treaties with all Nations shew , how much account they make of that sweet Trafficke .

Though last of all that Pamphletors malignant raking vp all sorts of rayling arguments , and spleenefull vrging euery thing against the East-India Marchant , might very well prouoke from one of that Societie , the lashes which his often fond excursions fit him for ; yet surely I should leaue him to the Riuall-free fruition of those errors , and apply my penne to satisfie an honest minde , rather then make him smart or carelesse Readers smile . And as a ground-worke of Integritie , first I would set downe what hee sayes euen in his owne Apparell , Scarfe , and Feather too , As thus .

Now followeth the consideration of the East Indie Trade , East Indies . into whose Seas , not onely the Riuer of Volga , as before you heard , disemboqueth it selfe , but euen the bottome of the Straights is emptied to fill vp those gulfes , and not to onely , but besides that many of our best Marchants haue transported their Staples thither ; it hath also begot out of all Callings , Professions , and Trades , many more new Marchants . Then where there is increase of Marchants , there is increase of Trade ; where Trade increaseth , there is increase of Shipping ; where increase of Shipping , there increase of Mariners likewise : so then rich and large East Indies . The report that went of the pleasing notes of the Swannes in Meander floud , farre surpassing the records of any other Birdes in any other places whatsoeuer , drew thither all sorts of people in great confluence , and with great expectation to heare , and enioy their sweet singing . When they came thither , they found in stead of faire white Swannes , greedie Rauens , and deuouring Crowes ; and heard instead of melodious harmonie , vntuneable and loathsome croaking . In indignation that they were so receiued and deceiued , in stead of applauding , they hissed ; and of staying , fled away . You are now braue East Indies Meander floud , your Trade is the singing of Swannes , which so many iourney so farre to enioy . God forbid you should bee found so discoloured , and wee so ill satisfied . And howsoeuer that I may bee sure to auoide any detraction , whereby my nature might haue any imputation , or by calling vp more Spirits into the circle then I can put downe againe , I might incurre some danger , and be taxed likewise of indiscretion , for that we onely hitherto haue complained of the want of shipping ; we desire now but herein to suruey the store , and sée how you helpe the increase . You haue built more Shippes in your time , and greater farre then any other Marchants Ships ; besides what you haue bought out of other trades , and all those wholly belonging to you ; there hath béene entertained by you since you first aduentured , one and twentie Ships , besides the now intended Uoyage of one new Ship of seuen hundred Tunne , and happily some two more of increase . The least of all your Shipping is of fourescore Tunne : all the rest are goodly Ships , of such burthen as neuer were formerly vsed in Marchandize ; the least and meanest of these last is of some hundred and twentie Tunne , and so goe vpward euen to eleuen hundred Tunne . You haue set forth some thirteene Uoyages , in which time you haue built of these , eight new Ships , and almost as good as built the most of the residue , as the Dragon , the Hector , &c. So that at the first appearance you haue added both strength and glorie to the Kingdome by this your accession to the Nauie . But where I pray you are all these Ships ? foure of these are call away , of the which one was of three hundred Tunne , another of foure hundred , the third of thrée hundred , and the fourth of eleuen hundred ; two more are docked vp there as Pinaces to Trade vp and downe : the rest are either employed in the Trade in the Indies , or at home out of reparations ; which if true , if the Kingdome should haue néede of them on any occasion , it shall surely want their seruice ; and so then there is not onely no supply to the Nauie this way , but hurt euen to the whole Kingdome , the Woods being cut downe , and the Ships eyther lost , on not seruiceable . Surely Stories can shew vs , which we may reade in the courses of Common-weales , how tolerable , nay how laudable it is in all States , to enlarge Commerce . Marchants , whome wée should respect , can tell vs of the casualties which not onely the Shippes , but their Estates are subiect to by aduentures . Mariners , whom we must pittie , can teach vs of the ordinary dangers not onely that Shippes and goods , but their liues are subiect to by Sea . I must not then exprobrate that to them which is to be imputed to the Sea ; nor are they to bee blamed out of reason for that which deserueth in humanitie , commiseration ; nor is England bounded by our Horizon , to goe no further then wée sée . Wee haue learned long since , that Mercatura si tenuis sordida , si magna , splendida ; the Stranger the Countrie , the greater the aduenture ; the more famous our Nation , the more worthie the Marchant . Before wee were , euen Horace Writ , Currit Mercator ad Indos . Loath then am I to borrow that saying of Demosthenes on his courting of Lais , to pay it to the Indian Trade , by alleaging , that Non tanti Emam poenitentiam , only hauing now in common that Roman Prouiso , Ne quid detrimenti Respub . capiat . Let vs examine that which may mooue patience , that our Woods are cut downe , and the Ships either lost or not seruiceable : Our Woods I saie , cut downe in extraordinarie manner , neither doe the Ships die the ordinarie death of Shippes . Our Woods , extraordinarily cut downe , in regard of the greatnesse of the Shipping , which doth as it were deuoure our Timber . I am able out of sufficient testimonie to affirme , that since the Indian Trade , and méerely through their building of their Ships of so great burthen , and their repairing , ( the building notwithstanding beganne but fiue yeares since ) that Timber is raised in the Land fiue shillings , and more , in the load , nay , almost not to bee had for monie , which the Companie ( no question ) being sensible of , very wisely séeke to helpe themselues in , by building of Ships in Ireland for their seruice : yet it seemeth their incouragement that way , is but necessitous , in regard by their owne saying , besides the hazard , the charges are little lesse ; and which is worse , that kind of Timber is but vntoward for that vse , being so extreame heauie , that a Ship of a small burden draweth much Water . In fiue yeares space their building , together with their repairing of Ships almost equall to building , beget such a scarcitie , what will a little continuance bring forth ? Bring forth I cannot say ought , but a priuation will follow euen of all our Timber Wood. The Kings Nauie must be maintained , other Merchants of lower ranke must haue shipping , and the Sea trade may increase , and then eyther we must Trade without shipping , or make Shippes , without Timber .

When the Norman Conqueror hauing subdued the most part of the Kingdome , passed from Essex into Kent , which then made head against him , the Kents , hauing by the aduice of their politike Bishoppe and their stout Abbot , cut downe great boughes , and with them in their armes marched towards the Conqueror ; whereby , besides the noueltie of the sight , the Armie appeared double as bigge : William himselfe so conceiuing it , as also amazed to sée Woods walke ; more feared and discontented with that sight , then otherwise assured with his former successe , condescended to what demands soeuer were made by those people , to haue such weapons laid downe , and to gaine such ingenious Subiects ; whereby , to their eternall benefit , and credit , their persons were neuer in bondage , no their Lawes altered . In this their Land-Stratageme , I sée our Sea-Arts , in that and these Woods being the fatall instrument of our fortunes , Boughes of Trees kept the Kentish-men out of seruitude , when they held them in their hands , and but for shew ; their bodies will kéepe vs in libertie when they containe vs , and are for seruice , and by their mouing on the water they will amaze both French and Spanish , and whomsoeuer , and kéep them , and all others , from comming néere vs : Out of which prouident fore-sight , our most worthy Princes formerly raigning , haue made diuers Lawes in fauour of Timber Trees : 35. Hen. 8. 17. 13 Elizabeth . 25. and our most noble King hath prouided thereto with new accessions for the preseruing and increasing of them ; but that a parricide of Woods should thus be committed by building of Shippes , Forbidding by proclamation the building with Timber it was neuer thought on by any of our Royall Solons , and therefore there was no prouiso for it : Nay , this inconuenience was to little suspected , that our said famous Princes haue prouided cleane contrarie , with great bountie and indulgence haue encouraged by reward out of their owne purses the builders of great Ships ; as bestowing on the builders fiue shillings on the Tunne for euery Tunne that is builded aboue one hundred Tunne in a Ship ; so necessary did the Prince thinke his maintenance of shipping , the accession thereof consisting much in their greatnesse , to the honour and safetie of the Kingdome ; and such vse he made account he should haue of them . Whereas now this waie he contributeth , to the spoile of his Woods , to the losse of the Shippes , and to the hurt of the Kingdome . I heard a Shippe-wright say on the losse of the Trades Increase , that if you ride fortie miles from about London , you could not find sufficient Timber to build such another . It was a Ship of eleuen hundred Tunne : for beautie , burthen , strength , and sufficiencie , surpassing all Marchants Ships whatsoeuer . But alas ! shée was but shewne , out of a cruell destinie shée was ouertaken with an vntimely death in her youth and strength , being deuoured by those Iron Wormes of that Countrie , that pierced her heart , and brake many a mans withal memorable in her misfortune , onely redounding to the Common-wealthes losse . For as for the Marchants , though I pittie their aduentures with all my heart , yet in this their part of losse was least ; for all their goods were on shore ; and shée had brought aboundance out of the Mecha Fléete , which shée did both tithe and toll : And thanks be to God , they are more then serues by what is returned from her , and more then that often , by the grace of God , will come from her to the Marchants gaine .

The like vntimely fall had the other thrée of great burthen , gallant Ships , neuer hauing had the fortune to see their nature soile againe , or the honour to doe their Countrie any seruice , in respect of all other ships that wander ordinarily to other Countries , therefore I may iustly say that they die not the ordinary death of shippes , who commonly haue some rest , and after long seruice die full of yeares , and at home , much of their timber seruing againe to the same vse , besides their Iron-worke , and the rest otherwise seruiceable , and not in this bloudie and vnseasonable fashion , rather indéed as coffins full of liue bodies , then otherwise as comfortable ships . For the rest that liue , Our Ships are fain to take in the natiues of the Indian Countries to supply the wants of our dead Sea-men to bring home their Ship . they come home so crazed and broken , so maimed and vnmanned , that whereas they went out strong , they returne most feeble : and whereas they were carried forth with Christians , they are brought home with Heathen . What the profits are to the Marchants , for so great an aduenture , I know not . I am sure amends can not easily be made for so great losse , euen in this point which is our speciall subiect , for wast of Woods , and spoile of shipping .

The last consistance of shipping propounded , was that of the East Indies : which though yongest , was found in shew and state to haue ouer-topped all the rest ; as a Bird that maketh her selfe gay with the feathers of all other Foules ; hauing borrowed , nay , hauing bought the best ships out of other Trades to honour their Uoyage , and plumed euen Constantinople her self , of her shipping : therefore that men are entertained extraordinarily in this Uoyage , it is apparant out of the greatnesse of the shipping ; the entertainment of them increasing , if should be a consequent that Sea-men increase this way : But that we may not by ambages triumph in their losse , or our calamities , we sée this way that our shippes perish , and therefore our men they shrinke , Nay , though ships come home , yet then leaue the men behind : so in this Uoyage , there is a two-fold way towards our want of Marmers .

In that Ships , nay great ships , are extraordinarily subiect to be cast away , and then there must be lest likewise of men ; In that though they come home emptied of their men .

By the losse of foure ships , we haue lost at the least foure hundred and fiftie men : and in the aduenture of some thrée thousand that haue beene imployed since that Uoyage beganne , wée haue lost many aboue two thousand .

Dauid refused to drinke of the Well of Bethelem , which the strong men had fetched , when hee thirsted and longed , because it was the price of bloud . This Trade , their commodities are at a farre dearer rate , being bought with so many mens liues .

But happily some will say , that the greatest losse of these men was at the beginning , when as all thinges are difficult : but since our men framed to a better composition of themselues , to the varietie of this Climate , and heartned to the tediousnesse of this Uoyage , haue better endured and ouercome those difficulties , and returned more comfortably . Heerein the latest Uoyages will informe vs best , and wée will instance in the thrée last that haue made returnes .

The first was vnder Sir Henrie Middleton , The Trades Increase . whose former gouernment in that kind of Uoyage , had approoued his wisdome and moderation . His ship was that famous and infortunate Uessell of eleuen hundred Tun ; his company in that ship some two hundred and twentie men . After foure yeares errors vp and downe the Sea , wherein he vnder-went many constructions at home , and ouercame strange difficulties abroad ; hauing , to his eternall reputation of policie and courage , out-gone the perfidious Turke , and reuenged their barbarous wrongs , Captaine Pemerton that escaping imprisonment at Moha , iourneying in that vnknown Countrie 15. miles by night , got to the Sea-side and finding a small Canow , made a saile of his shirt , and a mast of a stick , and so recouered the Ships . to the Marchants gaine , and the Kingdomes repute : After He , and his , had , I say , béene accompanied with many sorrowes ; with labor , hunger , heate , sicknesse , and perill ; That worthie Commander , with many a sufficient Marmer , with the whole number ( ten excepted ) of his li●e Cargazon , perished in that Acheldama , in that bloudy field of Bantam .

Nicholas Dounton , the Uice-admirall of that Fléete returned , and of seuentie be carried forth , brought home some twentie ; the rest , their labors and liues were sacrificed to that implacable East Indian Neptune : the Darling of that Uoyage is yet there , nor neuer will the master , and approoued sea-man , returne , with diuers others .

The second was that of Captaine Saris , and Captaine Towerson , men formerly exercised in those iournies , and therefore thought méet to command . Whether they were short of the opinion conceiued of them or no , I know not ; it they were , I should attribute part of the losse of their men to their insufficiencie , but that the destinie of that Countrie challengeth all to it selfe . Captaine Towerson , who first returned hauing left behind him of some hundred and twentie carried forth , fourescore and fiue ; and Captaine Saris of 90. & odde not hauing brought home aboue two or thrée and twentie : the Thomas of that voyage , which went forth with some 60. men , was brought home by way of a wreck , you know the destruction of men that name importeth .

The third , that of Captaine Thomas Best , By staying an Armenian ship , wherin at least were some 400 men bound to the Indies , and commanding the Port , hee drew from ther plaine dealing and made honorable conditions for the Marchants . He encountered foure gallions , wherein might be some two thousand men . Admirall of the Fléet , a man , whose former behauiour in sea-affaires drew into that iourny with great expectation , and which is very seldome and hard , his carriage in this employment went beyond that great expectation of a reposed demeanor indulgent to his men , vigilant in his charge , his courage like on his carriage , and his fortune aboue all , hee checked the Indians , he mated the Portugals : those honor our King , these feare his forces , he setled a trade in Cambaya , reduced things in order in Bantam , brought riches home for the Marchants , and kept reputation for himselfe ; yet for all this had he , Nemesin in do●se , the Indian vengeance haunted his ship euen to our Coasts ; of some hundred and eightie men vnder him when he went forth , depriuing him of one hundred and odde men for euer . Some foure or fiue and twentie of the remainder are left , on the desperate account of men , for the Countries Facteridge , onely thirtie are returned . In two great Sea-fights with the Portugals and their Gallions , which continued foure whole dayes , he lost not foure men . It was not then the fortune of war ; neyther out of want of ought that victuals and good gouernment could affoord ; imputations to some other Uoyages : Nor had the length of time any fault , part of others bane ; he hauing made the voyage in shorter space then any other ordinarily ▪ the dogged Starre of those Climates , the ●●ench of those Countries were his fatalitie .