SUndry propositions have beene made for redemption of our Captives in Algier; Some take it to be a worke of Charity to Ransome them, and questionlesse it were so, but that their ran­somes will so much more encourage and enable those Pyrates to take them slaves againe, and twice as many more; Others conceive a Fleete of twenty Ships at Sea for about five yeares together, would be their utter ruine, by making prize of them if they stirr'd out, or rot and perish if they keepe at home: but how doubtfull the successe here­of [Page 2]may be, will appeare by sundry reasons.

First, because our Fleet cannot alwayes so ride be­fore Algier, but their ships (observing all advantages) will passe both out and in, though with some haz­zard.

Secondly, being once but out of reach, they doe not onely out-saile us, but at Sea, worse than in a wood, are hardly to be met withall.

Thirdly, it would be a long and chargeable peece of worke, for what if we should take five or ten of them in a yeare? the rest would likely take some of ours in lieu thereof; and being above a hundred saile at present, to take but ten a yeare, and more we are not likely, would prove a ten yeares taske and charge unto us.

Fourthly, the leave we have of the Grand Seignior, is onely to take Pyrates of Algier, but how shall we distinguish the Pyrates from others of Algier? For scarce ever a ship of them, but is both Merchant, and a Pyrate, many times in the selfe-same voyage: I ve­rily beleeve not one of them but desires to be so, and wants onely opportunity: Now since every ship seekes for conveniency to play the Pyrate, and yet unlesse taken in the fact, may still pretend to be a Merchant-man, what good can our Fleet effect in so milde a way? To hinder them from comming out of Port, you may not, as contrary to our Articles of Peace with them, since they will all, though never so many, pretend a Merchants voyage, without giving you leave to search their Cockets, meet with them where or when you can at Sea, they are still Marchant-men, unlesse they have taken a prize, and then too, for how can we hinder them in a Merchants voyage, to take their enemies, whether Italians, French, Spaniards, Dutch, or any Nation else, but English? So that the case stands thus; keepe as many Fleetes as you will [Page 3]abroad, you may not keepe the Pyrates from com­ming out of Port: meete with them as often as you can at Sea, unlesse you light upon those very ships, which have first prey'd upon the English, three fourthes whereof will likely scape you, our labour is all in vaine; Nor can much be replyed to this Objection, for though the Grand Seignior give us leave to take the Algier Pyrates, it is not because he meanes really we shall take them, that may so much stead him in all attempts, as hereafter appeares more plainely, but because he thinkes we cannot; and if we could, and did, what ere our Capitulations be, his exposition will be such as shall make us pay deere for taking them: So that whilst we have estate in Turkie, every Pyrate taken, will be a Merchant-man, the taking whereof, much more a number of them, would doubtlesse prove a breach of Peace, especially being his owne Interpreter, as is well knowne to the Mer­chants cost, upon all occasions, and Ambassador, Na­tion, and whole effects, endangered no lesse than if we had sacked Constantinople it selfe.

Fifthly, grant we might and could ruine at last this nest of Robbers, which in likelihood, by reason of their Situation, we cannot be able for one or two yeares space, to damnifie so much, as we might the Imperiall seate it selfe, and whole Territories besides on the Mediterranean Coast; Yet if after many yeares charge and trouble it were effected, the rooting out this one Nation might chance bring in Dominion of severall others into those parts, and prove more pestiferous to us in matter of our commerce for the future: So that unlesse the Grand Seignior will give us leave to assault them all, Men of Warre and Mer­chants, both by Sea and Land, as they doe us at plea­sure, whereby to force them to a friendship, it may prove necessary for us to make open warre against [Page 4]him, and how by this course it may not onely be ef­fected, but that this course is the most probable (sub­mitting my selfe notwithstanding, to better judge­ments) likelyest to be more beneficiall in the end, and of lesse charge and detriment in the atchieving, may happily thus be made appeare.

The most considerable benefit redounding to this Kingdome by the Turkie Trade, is the annuall expor­tation of above twenty thousand Broad cloath, dyed and dressed in their full manufacture for these latter yeares, what we bring home in returne thereof, is not so materiall, as Silke, Cotton wooll, Cotton yarne, Galls, Grograines, Grograine yarne, &c. all or most whereof we can have else where, or be without in case of necessity, and for the most part, to further these re­turnes, about fifty thousand pounds per annum, used to be sent from Legorne unto Aleppo, in Spanish Reals of eight, which otherwise might perhaps have beene brought for England in specie, and at worst by ex­change, or in some commodities or other; and it is worth notice, that though the Turkie company have of late thus exported above twenty thousand col­lour'd clothes per annum, yet it is certaine, they can­not, as the case stands, continue the trade to profit for above halfe that quantity in the future, unlesse the Ve­netian, and French Cloath be yet farther beaten out, which (by the way) may very likely take effect, if abstaining from sending false-made cloath, the Cu­stomes and charges were taken off here in England, and we thereby enabled to under-sell them.

This I conceive, is the true state of the Turkie trade; together with the utmost benefit, (except the venting of a little Tin) to be put into the ballance against the inconveniencies we suffer for this Trades sake, to the dishonour of God, and the King, and prejudice of the Common weale, which is by suffering some foure [Page 5]or five thousand of his Majesties loving Subjects to remaine in chaines, and leaving the rest liable to be carried away Captives at these Pyrates pleasure, haz­zarding the losse of their very Soules as well as bo­dies; wherewith, questionlesse, God is much offend­ed, and will one day take account thereof, and the Kings Majesty no little dishonour'd by keeping Peace with Infidels, upon such dis-advantages, and suffe­ring his Subjects, not onely to give Merchandize for Merchandize, and money to boote, to our Countries common prejudice, but when we shall have carryed them our Commodities, and monies to their owne houses, (a great conveniency to those effeminate la­zy people) and laden with their Country Commo­dities for our returnes, to suffer both us, our Ships, and returnes, as soone as we are out of Port, to be taken Captive by Subjects of the same Prince; which, it is true, he therefore calls Pyrates, but onely the better to delude Christians, for he can command them if he please, and if he could not, might at least give us leave to right our selves; the latter is unquesti­onable, and the other is proved since nothing ap­peares, but that he may as well hereafter, in that he did command them heretofore, and they in obedi­ence kept the Peace some yeares together, and pretend even to this day, not to continue it, because we broke it first; which perhaps may in part be true, but was in way of Pyracy, not countenanced by our State, and in such cases Justice, and equity require onely that restitution be made, which we may proffer now on our part, and demand the like from them, that cannot be declin'd, if they meane really: and this will yet appeare more plainely, even on the Grand Seigni­ors part too, in that he, or his Ministers by him, e­very three yeares substituted, have the Hull or tenths of every Ship or English prize is taken; And how [Page 6]prejudiciall it is to this Commonwealth, to lose so many Ships, the strength and safety of the Kingdome, so much money and Merchandize, the wealth and riches of the Kingdome, and so many men all Mar­riners, able to winne and keepe a Kingdome, were it but lawfull for them, needes no Rhetorique to ex­presse.

And since we speake of the Turkie trade, so famous not onely over England, but all parts of the knowne world besides, insomuch that the worthy Society hath rather reap'd envy thereby than otherwise, be­ing accused as Monopolizing so rich and large a ju­risdiction, it many not be amisse to rectifie many mens understandings, how they for the most part have showne themselves truer Common-wealths-men than Brethren of their owne Society, or respectors of pri­vate profit.

Concerning Companies, and Corporations of Mer­chants, Trading for one place or Country, and the necessity thereof in generall, I have already beene for­ward in publishing my opinion, which for most part may be applyed to this in particular; but whereas it may well be expected that a Trade would not be long continued without both gaine unto the Merchants, and honour to the Kingdome, I verily beleive, it may easily be made appeare, that this great Trade which sets so many Manufactors aworke, maintaines so many Marriners and Warlike Ships, if a medium of the whole stocke imployed therein for these ten yeares past be calculated, it will not prove to have produced five pound per centum profit unto the Interessed, who yet never lost ship, either going or comming, through Gods particular Patronage and Providence; But for the dishonor our King and Country suffers, through­out those Territories of the Grand Seignior, where we Traffique, nay, at the Imperiall Seat it selfe, is both [Page 7]infamous and intolerable, as the violating our Capi­tulations and Articles of Peace and Commerce with them, infinite injustices done us, importing ten or twenty thousand pounds sterling at a time, vilifying and injuring our Nation, dis-respecting the Person of our Ambassador, who representing Soveraignety, by Law of Nations is held as Sacred, and in fine, so scandalously intreating us, as more honourable it is for us to have it lye concealed than published.

Thus then I hope it will be granted, our Trade with Turkie, upon these termes, will not countervaile the disadvantages, and how it may be remedyed fol­lowes now.

I thinke it will be confessed by most experienced men in Martiall and Maritine affaires, who are like­wise well enformed of ours, and the Grand Seigniors strength at Sea, that we are able to send a Fleet into those parts, (and yet not be disarm'd at home) which by Gods assistance all the force of Turkie neither will or can encounter and it will seeme so much more probable by relation of a fight made in the Ar­chi-Pelago, anno 1633. betweene the Hector, and Wil­liam, and Ralph, two English Merchants ships, and at least fifty Turkish gallies, the two ships it is true were sunke at last, and most of the men slaine, but first the ships were becalm'd, and could not stirre, and yet kill'd above a thousand men upon the gallies, and so ruin'd the whole Fleete, as made it altogether unser­viceable: For the Algier Pyrates, and those of Tunnis, both men of warre, sundry Merchants single ships have happened in midst of Fleetes, and Squadrons, and to my knowledge, by relation of those very Mar­riners of best repute, about the same yeare 1633. the shippes Rainebow and Samuel, each of them single in a Merchants voyage, light unawares in midst of se­venteene [Page 8] Turkish men of warre, which had not the resolution to assault them; yet doe I know the time, when two or three, nay one Turkes ship, hath taken an English of better strength, and surely may doe it oftner, if God doe but permit, and we forbeare to renue againe the credit, which a long time we enjoy­ed by force, and vertue of ancient acts and enterpri­zes of puissance and valour: yet why they should thus single assault one of our ships, and at other times let a single ship passe by ten or twenty of theirs, with­out the least offence, this may serve for another rea­son, in that they direct their fights and whole voya­ges by a kind of sorcery, in putting two arrowes together, whereby are meant the Christians and the Turkes, at certaine times and places, which of them­selves, fight and vanquish one another; and so give omen to the Turkes, for their future government and good, or bad successe accordingly.

But for this enterprize against the Turkes, I con­ceive forty ships will doe the feate, and that perhaps within a yeare or two, and happily, not onely get restitution of our present Captives, but compell the Grand Seignior himselfe to make a Peace with us up­on better termes than ever: These forty sale of ships may Ride at the Castle of Constantinople, all windes and weathers, interdicting all Commerce betwixt that City, and all the Turkes dominions in the white Sea, which Coasting is above a thousand miles voy­age Eastward, and neere a thousand Westward, and out of this Sea comes a great proportion of that Ci­ties provision, as Corne, Rice, and all manner of Pulse, Raisins, Lemmons, Pepper, Cinnamon, Sugar, and all other Spices, Woollen cloath, Coffe, Flax, Turbants, Indico, with all manner of Drugges, and other India Commodities: Now although perhaps we are not so fully informed as we might be, how [Page 9]considerable these provisions are to the reliefe of Con­stantinople, yet surely by the experience we have of o­ther parts in Europe, better knowen unto us, it will sound consonant unto reason, that a City, so seated, and so populous as that, cannot subsist, if the inter­course of the white Sea, from whence it may with most convenience be furnished, should be suspended: yet I will seeke to prove it by another, or rather the same argument, though differently fram'd, which will come as home, and perhaps be sooner granted, and that is this: All people, especially multitudes, provide themselves of necessaries from such parts as are neerest, and can furnish them with the best, best cheape; now that the white Sea is able to minister to Constantinople a large quantity upon these termes, by reason of its owne fruitfulnesse, and that Cities situ­ation, will not be much controverted, or easily be made appeare to reason, so that since the Inhabitants of the white Sea coast, both have and doe still plow and plant for maintenance of that City, although it were possible, and that there were ground enough upon the blacke Sea Coast, to yeeld sufficient provisi­ons for Constantinople, and people enough to manure that ground, both which are most improbable, (for in such case that ground must have before laine waste, and those people had no employment) yet this can­not be brought to passe, nor setled in a yeare or two: so that though the cutting off the white Sea, doe not quite starve Constantinople, yet doubtlesse, it will bring them to a great straite, and in a short time raise the price of all provisions and Merchandize, which us'd to come from thence, so much as will easily cause a tumultuous and rude multitude to rebell, and render themselves lyable to become a booty, or else impor­tune the Grand Seignior to a Peace with us, especially when they understand, and see we desire nothing but [Page 10]justice for the injuries we received, and will then be as willing to entertaine any honorable composition, and termes of friendship as they themselves can wish.

Now though this should not fully take effect, I be­lieve it will quickly be acknowledged by men of rea­son, that to hinder the intercourse and commerce of so many Kingdomes by Sea, for some thousand miles circuit, cannot be so inconsiderable a thing as not to make them weary of it in a short time, and that ex­cept the Castles of Costantinople, there is scarce any Towne or Fort upon the Turkish Coast, which this Fleet, with Gods assistance, were not able to batter downe to ground, and sacke at pleasure; where, if they found no other riches, may lade themselves with slaves, and sell for ready money in Italy and Spaine. The Towne of Algier it selfe is very strong, yet with assistance of those Moores, which are alwaies at grea­test enmity with them, is not thought able long to withstand a parcell of this force, especially when they shall consider the hazzard in contracting with us, when making and keeping Peace, they may prey upon all the world besides: And even at selfe-same time, when once it shall appeare, as in likeli-hood it will, that fewer ships can doe the service at Constantinople, the rest may for Algier, and rove amongst the Islands, and Turkish shore, where they cannot want bread and meate to furnish the whole Fleet, and slaves to make money of, defraying their other charges.

And whereas it will be objected, how both the French and Venetians will be glad to see, and continue us in this variance with the Grand Seigniour, endea­vouring to keepe us from ever being reconciled againe for advantagement of their owne Trade, although I conceive as afore, that we had better never have Peace with him upon such disadvantage and dishonour, yet I hope it may appeare by other arguments, how [Page 11]it is very probable the Turkie Trade will not be lost for ever by these proceedings. For first, Marseils is worne out of shipping, and almost all that little trade they drave of late, hath beene in English Vessels. The use of the Venetian cloath is likewise much decreased, but we must prevaile with them to forbeare the Trade so long as this enterprize is a foote, which they may well condescend unto, in recompence of the benefit they receive by our alliance, since of themselves they cannot put ten ships to Sea, and most of the Woolls wherewith they make their Cloath is brought to them from Spaine in English Bottomes: Besides the trade and friendship of Venice, unlesse they be also as desirous to continue it, doth lesse import us, than that of any other Christian state of note; for most e­vident it is, we are not onely not beholding to them for any trade, but that little we have by importati­on of their Currants, may chance be found dammage­able to this Kingdome, in that the quantity we bring from thence, costs yearely seventy thousand pounds sterling, paid all in ready money, which for this cause we send from Legorne thither, and otherwise perhaps might bring in specie into England.

And in case the Turke should never be reconciled to us againe, which his owne interest in commerce, need of our cloath, and dammages we can doe him, will likely urge to, the State of Venice will questionlesse be willing to grant us a Staple in their Gulph, from whence our cloath might be transported, as in for­mer times it was, to greater profit, by Turkes, Jewes, and Italians, to all parts of Turkie: The like may most commodiously be done from Legorne, which out of some experience had in those parts, I know is pra­ctised at present, and make no scruple, but may be perfected hereafter in such ample manner, as we shall stand in need of.

[Page 12] But since this enterprize will not onely be a matter of great expence, but that by the Law of Nations, a Warre should not be made without preceding inti­mation, it may be requisite that the Captives be first demanded by an extraordinary Ambassador, or some Gentleman, sent expresse to the Grand Seignior; which one way or other will be a notable advantage to us, for if it take effect, it will prevent the charge and trouble of so great an expedition; if not, the Mer­chants in the meane time, may in a faire way with­draw their estates, which at present are above 300. thousand pounds, and the Ambassador with the whole Nation retire themselves for England: in both which perhaps we may come short, not only if we go on over-hastily, but also if we should omit requiring restitution first in a faire way, for they questionlesse will have notice, and even upon suspicion seek to keepe beforehand by intercepting our Ambassador, Nation, and whole Estates; Which considerations how ever weake, I am bold humbly to present to their deepe wisdomes that can best refine them.