to North- America. 255 



take in a Cargoe of Pit-Coal, which they carry to 

 the Iflands of Martinko or Guardaloupa, where the 

 refining of Sugars occafions a great confumption of 

 Coals. But thofe Ships which either belong, or are 

 recommended to the topping Merchants of the Co- 

 lony, are fraughted with Skins, which turns to a 

 great account. I have feen fome Ships unload at 

 Quebec, and then fteer to Vlacentia, to take in Cod- 

 filh which they purchased with ready Mony ; but 

 generally fpeaking, there's more loft than got by that 

 way of trading. The Merchant that has carried 

 on the greateft trade in Canada, is the Sieur Samuel 

 Bernon of Rochel, who has great Ware-Houfes at 

 Quebec, from which the Inhabitants of the other 

 Towns arefupplied wichfuch Commodities as they 

 want. "Tis true, there are fome Merchants at Que- 

 bec, who are indifferent rich, and fit out Ships upon 

 their own bottom, that ply to and again between 

 France and Canada ; and thefe Merchants have their 

 Correfpondents at Rochel, who fend out and take in 

 every year the Cargoes of their Ships, 



There's no difference between the Pyrates that 

 fcowr the Seas, and the Canada Merchants ; unlefs 

 it be this, that the former fometimes inrich 'emfelves 

 all of a fuddqn by a good Prize; and that the lat- 

 ter can't make their fortune without trading for five 

 or fix years, and that without running the hazard 

 of their Lives. I have known twenty little Ped- 

 lars that had not above a thoufand Crowns ftock 

 when I arriv'd at Quebec, in the year 1683 ; and 

 when I left that place, had got to the tune of 

 twelve thoufand Crowns. 'Tis an unqueftion'd truth, 

 that they get fifty per Cent upon all the Goods they 

 deal in, whether they buy "em .up upon the arrival 

 of the Ships at Quebec, or have'ern from France by 

 way of Commiflion ; but over and above that, 

 there are fome ^ little gaudy Trinkets, fuch as Rib- 

 bands, Laces, Embroideries, Tobacco-Boxes, Watch- 

 es, 



