A REPORT OF THE SPANISH GRIEVANCES. 209 



in many things they were authors of their own 

 miseries. For since the dissolving of the company, 

 which was termed the monopoly, and was set free 

 by the special instance of this house, there hath 

 followed such a confusion and relaxation in order 

 and government amongst them, as they do not only 

 incur many inconveniences, and commit many errors, 

 but in the pursuits of their own remedies and suits 

 they do it so impoliticly, and after such a fashion, 

 as, except lieger ambassadors, which are the eyes 

 of kings in foreign parts, should leave their centinel, 

 and become merchants factors, and solicitors, their 

 causes can hardly prosper. And, which is more, such 

 is now the confusion in the trade, as shop-keepers 

 and handy-craftsmen become merchants there ; who 

 being bound to no orders, seek base means, by gifts 

 and bribery, to procure favours at the hands of 

 officers there. So as the honest merchant, that 

 trades like a substantial merchant, and loves not to 

 take servile courses to buy the right clue to him 

 by the amity of the princes, can have no justice 

 without treading in their steps. 



Secondly, His lordship did observe some impro 

 bability that the wrongs should be so great, con 

 sidering trading into those parts was never greater ; 

 whereas if the wrongs and griefs were so intolerable 

 and continual, as they propound them and voiced 

 them, it would work rather a general discourage 

 ment and coldness of trade in fact, than an earnest 

 and hot complaint in words. 



Thirdly, His lordship did observe, that it is a 

 VOL. v. p 



