Volume 4

The works of Sir Walter Ralegh, kt. political, commercial, and philosophical; together with his letters and poems. The whole never before collected together, and some never yet printed. To which is prefix'd, a new account of his life / by Tho. Birch ... Volume the first [-second].

  • Raleigh, Walter, Sir, 1552?-1618.
Date:
1751
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The works of Sir Walter Ralegh, kt. political, commercial, and philosophical; together with his letters and poems. The whole never before collected together, and some never yet printed. To which is prefix'd, a new account of his life / by Tho. Birch ... Volume the first [-second]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/414 (page 5)
    It is certain, the Netherlands are able to furnifh more Ships of War, and Mariners, than all England and Scotland can do, with greater Facility, and in fnorter Time : What Advantages your Majefty hath by the powerfulnefs of your own Ships, the lame Advantages are anfwer’d by the Netherlands in their Numbers : Who by reafon of their long Wars with Spain, and di¬ ligent Search over the World for Trade, are become the mod orderly, and bell difciplin’d Men of War by Sea in all Europe. This great Strength of Shipping is not fo much to be accounted of, if it were not in thefe two Refpeds. The one, becaufe it is fo exceeding near us. The other, becaufe Holland and Zealand are fituate between us and our bed Trades, which are all Eaft- ward. For our Mufcovia Fleets, our Merchant Adven¬ turers, our Companies of Eaftland, and all which trade through the Sounds from whence we have our Mate- rials for Shipping, mud pad by Holland. And if thofe Trades were impeach’d, all Sorts of People would Puffer together, and the Commonwealth fall into extream Poverty and Decay. And whereas it may be objeded, that our Mufcovia Fleet, and our Merchant Adventurers are of fufficient Strength to make their own PaPfage, and need not fear the Force of the Netherlands : I confefs, that, as they may pafr, fo they may perifh. Hut this is a general, and infallible Rule, in all the Courfe of Merchandize, That wherefoever the Adven¬ ture is great, and the Profit little, the Adventurer will foon give up. But if the EngliJIo Merchants final] be driven to dou¬ ble Man their Ships, and furnifh them with double Munition, and pay double Wages, then the Charge will be double to that which now it is ; the Flazard will alfo be manifelf, for the Reafons before alledg’d. B 3 And