Good Work for a Good Magistrate, Part 3
For the Sailing of the SHIP.
1. That an able fit Captain bee choſen, and the Ship commended to his care, whilſt hee is worthie.
2. That the ſaid Captain bee in conſtant paie.
3. That hee rig, man, victual, and take the whole care of the ſhip himſelf, with a Muster-Maſter upon everie ſhip, or Squadron.
4. That the Captain's accounts bee given up to the Committee aforeſaid, as often as they pleaſ.
5. That upon anie miſcarriage of his, hee bee made verie exemplarie.
6. Seamen to bee paid everie ſix moneths, in the ſeveral places, where they com in to winter.
7. That Ships bee as well kept at other places as at Chattam.
By which you ſave the charge of Commiſsioners, Victuallers, Purſers, Stewards, Docks, &c.
By which means you need not preſs men; everie Captain knowing how to get his own gang: and certainly hee that is truſted with a ſhip worth 10000 l. may well bee trusted with all the reſt: hee know's his Officers and men, whereby hee may give a better account then now, when the ſhip is man'd by ſtrangers; and then a Captain choſen for ſix moneths, not knowing the men hee is to join with in his work, nor to ſee them more when hee leav's them.
3 Special care muſt bee had to ſecure Merchants, and their goods on Land as well as by Sea, from danger by fire, by water, by Souldiers, Injuſtice of Courts, or anie other waie: the means for theſe ends are plain.Ezek, 26. 10. 12.
4 To take of all incumbrance from Merchandiſe, as Cuſtom, Exciſe, Paſports, &c. by all which Merchants are extremely troubled, vexed, and hindered; and if men might ſhip, and unſhip their goods at all times, and in all places; and that without anie toll or Cuſtom, how would it increaſ trade? how would all the world make England their packhouſ, as now they do the Low-Countries, where ſmall Cuſtoms are paid: much more would it bee here, if no Cuſtom were paid▪ beſides the great riches to your Inhabitants, by factorage, packhouſes, Porters and all trades would feel the benefit thereof, to the marvellous increaſ of the Common wealth, &c.1 King. 12. 4.
5 To increaſ ſhipping and Marriners for the cheap tranſporting of Merchandiſe: for which divers things would bee don; 'tis ſtrange that in the Low Countries, though they have neither wood, Iron, hemp, &c. of their own, but muſt fetch all things to make ſhips (by ſhips) from other Countries, yet that they will tranſport Merchandiſe at a cheaper rate then anie other Nation, and have got to this height in the midſt of a moſt coſtlie, dangerous war.Ezek. 27. 3. 9. Ezek. 27. 25. 27.
6 To take ſuch a courſ which may bee eaſily don, if there bee a will thereto; as all differences, debts, and quarrels amongſt Merchants and Marriners about ſhipping, fraits, &c. may bee both ſpeedily and juſtly ended, and without anie charge to him that hath the juſt cauſ; and a mulct upon him that doth or ſeek's to do wrong to his Neighbour. Let forreiners and all ſtrangers, Jew, and heathen, have full as juſt, ſpeedie and cheap Juſtice as anie, ſo ſhall all Nations tell what the Lord hath don for you; how will Riches flow in?1 Cor. 6▪ 1. 5.
7 But one of the greateſt things in the world, to increaſ Merchandiſe, is to have monie cheap at intereſt, as in the Low-Countries, where at three 3▪ and four per cent. a year, anie Merchant, or anie other that hath credit, may take up as much monie as is incredible, upon his bare, private obligation, without anie Notarie or witneſs, which is of ſuch concernment for the State it ſelf, and all ſorts of people therein as is incredible: and can bee effected as well in England, as anie where, for 'tis the meer fruits of Juſtice and Righteouſneſs, and a ſecure State; by reaſon wherof all Nations in wars, or troubles, or in ſecuritie, make over their treaſures to that Countrie, where there is leſt fear to loſe it; which bring's treaſures from all parts, and they at length beeing wearie to have it ſtill, give it out at intereſt at the beſt price they can get, which at laſt ſo manie will do, that monie com's to bee ſo cheap as you have heard, and make's Merchants of other parts alſo ſend their goods to that Countrie, to lie ſtill for a better market; when their loſs is ſo little as three or four per cent. for a whole year, which alſo bring in great riches.Ezek. 27. 12. to 27. v.
8 Upon which ſecure, and good ſtate of things, a bank may bee ſet up, as at Amſterdam, where lie's a great deal of the Merchants, (and other) treaſure; for 'tis in vain to ſet up a bank, if Merchants think not their monie would bee as ſecure there as in their own hands or ſurer.Luk. 19. 23.
1. The advantage of this bank is verie great to the Citie, who ſtand's for ſecuritie, and whoſe Deputies (three of them, yearly two choſen) are truſted with the whole ſtock of the bank, which they keep in ſellers, made with plaſter of Paris, and iron doors with three locks; the advantage to the town, Laws and orders thereof would bee too large here to rehearſ. 2. The advantage to the State is alſo great at ſom ſtrait, where they may orderly borrow Eccleſ. 9. 10. The advantage by letting out monie is great, alſo ſelling and minting of monie.a great ſumme at low intereſt, giving good ſecuritie for it: but if the State uſe anie force, though but once, and neceſſitate, or force the bank to lend, then is the bank ſpoiled for twentie years, or an age, as the caſe may ſtand. 3. The advantage to merchants The advantage by lying one hundred years, and alwayes keeping the best kinde of monie, is unſpeakeable in a manner.is great, eſpecially to great ones, to have all their monie receiv'd, and paid for nothing, and moſt paid by bills, without ſtirring anie monie, onelyonly ſet from one man's account to another's.
9 For ſaving of time, and that Merchants may keep a man the leſs, and that the Bank may alſo receiv, and paie their monie the eaſier; there muſt alſo bee minted or coined ſo manie hundred thouſand pounds in five ſhilling peeces, as that all great ſummes may bee received, and paid in great monie, the commoditie whereof is great to Merchants, though there were no bank.Epheſ. 5. 17. Eccleſ. 9. 10.
10 Tis alſo a thing of great concernment to make currant, at a true value the monie of other Countries, by a wiſe Government whereof, ſuitable to the exchange, and other conſiderations, the riches of other Countries may by an unſenſible ſubtletie bee drawn into yours, as in the Low-Countries.Gen. 23. 16. Luke 20. 24.
11 And great care is to bee taken about the Mint, and falſ Coiners, and not to mint too much or too little monie of one kinde; for Merchants, and all Inhabitants are accommodated, or diſaccommodated greatly hereby.Prov. 30. 8.
12 A common weigh-houſ (two or three in great Cities) with four or eight ſeveral great and ſmall ballances, in everie weigh-houſ regulated with brave and juſt orders, is of very great uſe to Merchants; the ſeller to deliver his goods into the ballance, and the buyer to receiv it as ſoon as 'tis weighed, the laborers about it to bee ſworn, and well ordered, and other things here about would bee too large.Levit. 19. 36. Prov. 11. 1.
13 Let there bee as manie ſworn Brokers (who may not buy or ſell anie thing for themſelvs) as will deſire the office for accommodations of Merchants regulated with good Laws, and to bee put out of office upon anie falſ dealing between man and man, and a rate ſet what they may take for brokerage of each commoditie, &c. let them have the office gratis, and let them have Officers to decide all Controverſies between two Brokers, that concern's their office, and to maintein their own poor, if you will amongſt themſelvs, …Levit. 19. 13. Gen. 29. 15.
14 If a Court were …ed to aſſure all Merchants goods, from Pirates, and Enemies, and fully to paie for what ever is loſt that waie (yet everie man to bee left free, whether hee will inſure or no) yea if the ſame Court did alſo inſure againſt dangers by ſtorms, or what is otherwiſe loſt at Sea alſo; I conceiv the State, or Citie that ſtood the venture for ſo much in the hundred might make great profit thereby, and alſo further, and incourage Merchants to venture, of which much might bee ſaid.Acts 27. 10. and 38. 40. 2 Chro. 20. 37.
15 A verie great plague and hinderance of Merchants are Bankrupts; and certainly Merchandiſe would bee much increaſed; if the fear of Bankrupts were but in part remedied, which might bee by good Laws well executed; as that, whoſoever truſt anie one man, with all, or more then hee is worth; or venture ſo much in one or divers ſhips upon the Sea, or laie ſo much in one houſ, and looſ it by fire, and by anie of theſe means turn Bankrupt, ſhall bee ſo and ſo puniſhed.2 Kings 4. 1. and 7. v.
16 That they that know, (or may know if they pleaſ) they are behinde hand, and yet buy wares, or borrow monies of other men, (under pretence of hope to get before hand again) and yet plaie Bankrupts, bee alſo more puniſhed then the former, eſpecially, if upon examination it doth appear, they knew they muſt plaie Bankrupts, when they bought thoſe wares, or borrowed that monie; for then they differ not from thievs, onelyonly in circumſtance, and to bee the more puniſhed, if when they had nothing, yet they wer… coſtly in apparel, and other expenſes, and knew they ſpent of other men's, &c.Mat. 18. 25. and 30. v.
17 That they, who under pretence of able men, under color of Merchandiſe, get other men's goods into their hands, and yet, when they need not, bankrupt themſelvs on purpoſe to deceiv others, and inrich themſelvs, bee ſorely puniſhed, as verie great thievs.Luke 16. 1.
18 That no Bankrupt may ever after com into anie office, or bear anie Rule in Church or State, &c.Mat. 25. 21. 23. and 28. 29. v.
19 That if the Bankrupt bee taken, and no friends will paie his debts, let him and his bee ſet to work as a thief, and what they can earn, over beſides their own poor living, to bee given to the Creditors.2 Kings 4. 1. Mat. 18. 25. 34.
Theſe, or the like penalties well limited, and ordered, and executed, would prevent thouſands of Bankrupts, which are like Cankers to the Common-wealth. And what with great and little Bankrupts, it is abundance that plaie Bankrupt everie year.
No week paſſeth without ſom Bankrupt in great Cities, and ſom week divers; and one Bankrupt doth more hurt then twentie thievs that are put to death, or ſorely puniſhed for it.
BUt for London in particular, theſe things following would bee reformed, for the increaſ, eaſ, pleaſure, and benefit of Merchants, and all other Inhabitants beſides, and above manie of the former things, that London want's.
1. For landing of goods, &c. that a brave large Key bee made into the Thames, from London Bridg to Wappin, or lower, and above the Bridg alſo, that ſhips may lie there ſafe all the waie, to lade and unlade their goods with roomth and pleaſure, and with much leſs charge then now; and there may bee Pack-houſes and Sellers made all along by the Keie, to the great eaſ and accommodation of Merchants, and of great pleaſure to Merchants, Marriners, and all ſorts of people, to have ſuch a large brave Keye, of fortie or fiftie foot broad to walk upon, and diſpatch their affairs at pleaſure; and all this may bee don without charge to anie.Ezek. 27. 25. and 2…. 27.
2. That Thames-ſtreet, for a mile or two long, bee made as broad, or broader then anie ſtreet in London; large, fair, and the houſes light and pleaſant; the ſtreet to bee paved with …ch flat four-ſquare ſtones, as in Holland, and high in the middeſt with the gutters on both ſides, and bricks on both ſides next the houſes, as in Holland; the profit, pleaſure, and eaſ to the whole Inhabitants would bee verie great. The difficultie ſeem's to bee in pulling down, and new building of houſes, or removing them on ſcrews, as at Amſterdam: But things may bee ſo ordered, as the profit to bee made, by convenient building; and the value, houſes, and ground will bee at, by bettering the ſtreet and the Key, will fully countervail the charge of all this whole work; though it ſhould bee ſix, eight or ten years in doing, it might bee made one of the braveſt places in the world, where one thouſand or two thouſand ſhips may lie with ſafetie all weathers &c.Nehem. 7. 4.
3. The next thing ſom remedie muſt bee found for, is the Paſſage up hill from Thames-ſtreet to London; for which Thames-ſtreet, it may bee, will permit to bee heightned a foot or two all along, which will much eaſ the paſſage upward; and beſides, right againſt anie ſtreet that goe's into the Citie, Thames-ſtreet may bee heightned ſix or eight foot, like a bridg; and Thames-ſtreet on each ſide for a hundred foot or more, to go ſloping downward by an eaſie deſcent; and beeing againſt that place of aſcent into the Citie rais'd eight foot, the aſcent into the Citie will alſo fall eaſie by a ſmall aſcent; and if anie inconvenience ſhould bee found in this, there are other inventions to remedie this great inconvenience for tranſportation of goods, &c. which is of good concernment, beſides the delight and cleanlineſs of this manner of accommodation.
4. But I would have no Carts uſed in the wole Citie; for they are verie uneaſie to lade, and unlade goods, and beſides, do ſo peſter the ſtreets, as Merchants, and others cannot paſs the ſtreets for quick diſpatch of their affairs, to their great hurt and loſs, of half a quarter of an hour, and thereby an opportunitie is oft great loſs to manie.
Now for remedie▪ let ſleads bee onelyonly uſed as at Amſterdam, that can draw an half, and a whole tun weight, as the horſ is in ſtrength: and beſides the ſlead men alone ordinarily, can lade and unlade his ſlead, without other help, unleſs for verie heavie things hee deſire's to lend a hand of one or other that ſtand's by; tis a neat waie, and of quick diſpatch, &c.
Som courſ muſt alſo bee taken to leſſen the number of Coaches, which too much peſter the ſtreets, and hinder men in paſſing too and fro: which may eaſily bee don.
5. Next wee com up into the Citie, where wee ſee moſt beaſtly durtie ſtreets, the hurt of which is ſo great, as is ſtrange; and what a world of work is daily made by the durt and wet, in rotting of ſhoes and ſtockins, womens coats, fouling of houſes, making clean of ſhoes, clothes, &c. as is ſtrange and not poſſible for Merchants to live cleanly, and neatly, as in Holland without cleaner ſtreets; which may in a verie great meaſure bee helped by paving the ſtreets, with brave ſlate four-ſquare ſtones, the ſtreets higheſt in the middeſt, gutters on each ſide next the houſes, as in Holland, and bricks on each ſide next the houſes, eaſie and clean for people to walk on, which, beſides the great pleaſure to all, would ten times paie the charge in ſaving ſhoes, ſtockins, &c. from wet and rotting, beſides, all houſes might bee kept more cleanly, and Merchants live more neatly, &c.
6. All wooden houſes in London muſt down; and not anie part bee of wood, onelyonly windows and doors, as faſt as they rot away: no reparations, or verie little to bee permitted, and no new houſes to bee built, but with brick or ſtone, to prevent fire, for ſecuritie of Merchants and others; and it would make Merchants of other Countries the more willing to truſt their goods in your Citie, when there is leſs danger of fire.
7. Alſo divers means muſt bee uſed for prevention of fire, more water muſt bee provided at hand by Pumps, bored into the ground fiftie, or one hundred foot, if water may bee ſo had by orders of Clappermen, going about all night, as in Holland: then a Captain, and officers of fire in everie Ward, to ſet good orders about quenching fire, alſo leather Buckets in everie houſ, and in all publick places, and leathers at hand in everie ward alwaies readie, and divers the like things are needful.
8. As faſt as the Citie is paved with new brave ſtones, to take the old ſtones and pave the high waies, everie waie out of the Citie, and to make the high waies ſo round and high in the midſt, that they may bee clean Winter and Sommer, and to uſe all means, that all high waies may bee well mended and kept, which will bee great delight to Merchants and other Inbabitants, &c.
9. Alſo a large Keie may bee made on Southwark ſide, all along the lanes, and Rivers cut out of the Thames with Keies on both ſides; and Pack-houſes built, where all courſ commodities, as Pitch, Tar, Iron, Milſtones, wood of all ſorts, as Maſts, Timber, Planks, Deals, ſpars, Clapboards, and manie others Commodities may bee brought, and there bee kept at ſmall charge; and landed out of the Ships, at the doors of the the Pack houſes, as at Rotterdam, and other places, to the great accommodation of Merchants, and furtherance of merchandiſe; and if theſe plain, and juſt Rules of God's word were obſerved; there would bee no need of anie deceitful, baſe, and Machevilian courſes, to keep a Common-wealth, in peace and obedience, as may bee ſeen in the Low-Countries, where no people have more libertie then they, nor paie ſuch great taxations, nor ſo little ſtate anie where uſed to preſerv Autoritie; and yet the people of ſo manie Nations, and Religions live in the greateſt peace, and plentie of the world, meerly by good Juſtice, MercieMercy and Religion, and yet manie things com ſhort, of what they ought; and might bee.