INTRODUCTION. 



xiii 



a number of merchants to have conceivedj as they think, 

 juft grounds for believing they fhall meet w^ith a good market 

 for European goods at fome port or other in the IFeft Indies^ 

 they draw up a petition in the clearefl: and ilrongeft manner 

 they are able, fetting forth their reafons thereupon, and lay it 

 before the council of the /W/W. The purport of the petition is 

 to this effed : That they may obtain leave to fend a fliip of 

 three hundred tons burthen, or lefs, to the port therein fpeciii- 

 ed : this permiflion is granted, upon payment of a large fum to 

 the crown, generally not lefs than 30000 pieces of eight, not to 

 mention prefents to all the king's officers without exception. But 

 to obviate any fufpicions that might arife herefrom, they regiiler 

 their fhips and cargo, in order to preferve a conliftency betv/een 

 their petition and licence : but alas ! what poffibility is there of 

 guarding againft cuftom-houfe venality? The ftiip entered as of 

 only 300 tons burthen, not only carries above 300 tons more, 

 but likewife affords accommodation for palfengers befide. The 

 governor and officers at the port whereunto the regiiler lliip is 

 bound, receive copies from the regiiler, relative to the affair ; 

 and notwithftanding all the diligence and iniegrity of the faid 

 gentlemen, and though they make a mofl minute enquiry into 

 the circumftances, very feldom any fraud is difcovered, and the 

 veffel of 6 or 700 tons returns back to Etirope with a certili^ 

 cate, authenticated by all the king's officers, that fhe fcarcely 

 carries 300, together with a bill of lading in the fame accurate rale 



