Such is the Forme of Trade considered in the Strict Use or Abuse of Government, by way of Monopoly. It now remaineth briefly to shew the Too Loose Use thereof, by Ungoverned Trade.
It is a Maxime in the Mathematiques, that Rectum est Index sui & obliqui. And the want of Government, cannot better be demonstrated,then by the benefit of Government it selfe. For thereby the Common-wealth hath beene much advantaged, both in the encrease of the native Commodities of the Kingdome, and the advancement of their use and price in Forreine parts: and also in keeping the forreine wares at a moderate rate within this Kingdome. This will be yet more perspicuous, if we cast our eye first upon the several Societies of Merchants which trade under Government: and then on those which trade without Government. For Contraria juxta se posita, magis elucescunt.
In the first place therefore consider we that Ancient and heretofore famous fellowship of the Merchants-Adventurers of England. Hath it not by their politique rule and order, eaten out the Societie of the Hans-townes of Germanie and the Merchants of the Entercourse of the Low Countries, in those trades, which a long time they enjoyed in this land? And whereas those of the Hans, vented in Germany, only a matter of sixe thousand of our Clothes yeerely and at low prices: and held this Realme as it were beholding unto them for their shipping: yea upon some discontent for denying of them priviledges, durst offer some hostilitie in the time of Edward the fourth. Whereas the Merchants-Adventurers by their Charters, granted from time to time by the Princes of this Realme, and favoured by Parliaments successively; by their orderly mannaging of their trade, have supplanted the trade of the Hanses in Germany: and brought the said Six thousand vented by them in Germany, unto Thirtie thousand Clothes yeerely & at great prises. And it is worthy to be remembred to their Honour, that service which the Merchants-Adventurers did to the State in Anno 88 when they supplied the Navie Royall with a whole ships lading of Powder and Shot from Hamburgh: which came luckily even in articulo temporis, when there was a very great want thereof. These also have from time to time employed and bred up many worthy Masters of ships and Mariners; and built many Tall, warlike and Serviceable shippes: which as they themselves also, are at all times ready to doe service to the King & State upon all occasions. None of all which they had ever beene able to have done as particular men, in a loose, distracted, and disorderly trade.
Great benefit also hath arisen from the East-land Company: who have wonne like ground of the Hanses of the Baltique Sea: and doe employ in that trade a great number of proper Shippes and Men.
The Levant Company likewise by their trade under Government, hath built a great strength of warlike, Tall & Lusty Shipping, which they employ in that trade: and by their industry have wonne from the Italians the trade of the Levant: the Commodities whereof were before brought into this Realme by Argosies to the encrease of forreine shipping, and at deare rates: and is now reduced to the Natives of this Kingdome, to the encrease of Shipping, and the benefit of the Publike. Which without Government and good order, had been impossible for them to have done.
The French Company also, though but lately reduced to Order, have reformed many abuses in that trade, in maintaining the Native Commodities of this Kingdome in much better estimation, and in keeping the Forreine at moderate prices: and in employing greater shipping, then at any time before. Which were impossible for them to effect Singly, without Societie.
Lastly, for the East-India Company, whereof I am prevented to say what I might, by two severall discourses published in print, the one by that worthy and rarely qualified Gentleman Sir Dudley Digges Knight, the other by that discreete Merchant Mr. Thomas Mun: yet this I say, that this Great and Noble Societie by the benefite of Government, hath set on foot a bery mightie Trade, farre beyond any other Company of this Kingdome: and accordingly hath excelled in greatnesse of shipping, and making Mariners of land-men, beyond the example of any other Corporation: & had not Envie thought that Trade too great a Treasure for this Kingdome doubtlesse they had in Encrease of trade, excelled all the Companies of Merchants in this Common-wealth.
But here the ordinary objection encountereth me, that in Germany, Spaine, France, Italie, and the Netherlands, there are no such Companies, nor restrains of Merchants, as here in England: and yet that those Countries thrive better in their trades, than we in ours. I answer, that if it be granted, that they have no such Companies nor restraints of any, and that they thrive better in their trades then we; yet it will not follow, that this their better thriving is because every man is at libertie to be a Merchant at his pleasure. This is the fallacy which the Logicians call {Greek phrase omitted}, Non causa pro causa. For if that were the cause, why then should not our Spanish Trade, that hath no Company nor restraint, prosper better then the other Trades which are Governed in Companies; whereas to speak as the truth is, This Trade & These Merchants, are the most miserable of all the other Trades and Tradesmen of this Kingdome, and all through want of Government: thorough whose sides the Common-wealth suffereth, and hath already lost many Millions in value of the wealth of the Weale-publique, as I shall shew anone.
