A. D. 1670. 549 



2) In our rcmofe out ports and creeks, the like is often true even of 

 more bulky wares. 



3) The true quantities and qualities are not in many cafes exaclly 

 entered ; more efpecially with relped: to woollen goods exported ; be- 

 caufe many traders, to get a great name, and perhaps fometimes for 

 worfe reafons, do enter greater quantities than they really export ; they 

 paying little or no duty. > • .. •.. 



4) As the rates of the cuftoms are in no kind proportionable on ex— 

 portations ; fome of our own commodities being rated very low, as our 

 drapery, fdk-wares, haberdafliery,. and iron-ware ; others high, as lead 

 and tin ; and firti, in Englifli fhips, nothing at all : and the rates of fo- 

 reign commodities imported are yet more unequal : befides, that fo- 

 reign commodities, imported in Englifh lliips, ihould be valued only at.^ 

 prime cofi: and charges till onboard; and thole in foreign fhips with 

 the addition of the homeward freight. 



Moreover, by accidents in trade, fuch as lofTes at fea, bad markets, 

 bankruptcies beyond fea, feizures, &c. the original flock may be leiTen- 

 ed, and the value of the commodities imported in return may be con- 

 fiderably lefs than the value of the commodities exported, and yet may 

 be the full returns ; and fo the nation no gainer, though the exports 

 were more in value than the impoits. On the other hand, it may 

 chance that the ftock exported may meet with a very lucky fale, where- 

 by the returns may be of a much greater value, though really but the 

 bare returns of the exports ; and fo the nation no loler, but in faft a 

 gainer thereby, although the imports may exceed the exports. 



Sir Jofiali Child alleges the examples of Ireland, Virginia, and Bar- 

 bados, to fiiew the great uncertainty, in fome cafes, of the notion of 

 truely flating the general balance of a nation's commerce : ' For (fays. 

 ' he) thole three countries do, without doubt, export annually a far 



* greater value of the commodities of their native growth, than is im- 

 ' ported to them from hence, or from any foreign country, and yet 



* they are not fuch great gainers, but continue poor.' With refpect to 

 Virginia and Barbados, it mav be remarked on this able author, that 

 even in his time thofe plantations, and efpecially the later, were grow- 

 ing rich ; for even then we find fome of their overgrown planters com- 

 ing home to fettle with their fortunts. As to Irehuid, it has been en- 

 tirely the people's own fault in not being rich then, through the lazmefs 

 and floth of the poorer fort, and the luxury of their landed gentry, who 

 afTecl to indulge themfelves with foreign wines, manufadures, &c. and 

 many of them ipend their incomes out of their own country ; yet, not- 

 with Handing, Ireland in our days is well knovvm to be more rich and 

 profperous than ever before ; and has much more commerce and manu- 

 factures than forn.erly, more el'pecially that immenfely-increafed one of ■ 

 the linen and cambric manufacture ; giving jealoufy not only to Scot- 



