The _Spaniards_ are a Stately People, not much given to Trade or Manufactures themselves, therefore the first they drive on such Chargeable and Dilatory terms both for their Ships and Ways of Navigation, that other trading Nations, such as the _English_, _French_, _Dutch_, and _Genoese_, take advantage thereby, only that to the _West-Indies_ is on strict Penalties reserved to themselves, but having no Manufactures of their own, the Profit thereof Returns very much to those who furnish them; indeed of late they have made a small beginning on _Bayes_, but will not be able to hold it when the War is ended; Nor have they so well secured the _West-Indies_ but that it is very plentifully supply'd by us with Manufactures, and many other things from _Jamaica_, which is accompanied with greater Advantage than when sent first to _Cadiz_; for whereas we generally sold them there at Twenty _per Cent_ advance, we do by this Means make at least _Cent per Cent_, all paid for in Bullion, which adds to the Wealth of the Nation; this I take to be the true Reason why our Vent for them at _Cadiz_ is lessened, because we supply _New-Spain_ direct with those things they used to have thence before. By _Biscay_ I mean all that part under the _Spanish_ Government which lies in the _Bay_ of that Name; the Commodities we send thither are generally the same; likewise formerly great Quantities of Refined Sugars, till we gave the _French_ and _Dutch_ leave to undermine us, partly by the Advantages they had by the late Imposition on _Muscovadoes_, and partly by the Imprudence and ill Management of our _Sugar-Bakers_, who would not take Pains to comply with the humours of that People as the others did; but I hope if due care be taken, that profitable Trade may be recovered again. The Commodities we have thence are very advantageous, such as Sheeps Wool, Iron, and Bullion, whereof the first is the best, as being the subject Matter of a great Manufacture, which could we secure wholly to our selves (tho' it cost all Bullion) 'twould be of great Advantage to the Nation, but both the _Dutch_ and _French_ come in for their Shares. The third part of our _Spanish_ Trade is that to _Flanders_, whereby I mean all that part of the low Countrys now under its Government; whither we send Commodities much of the same nature with those we send to the other Parts, tho' not in so great Quantities; and among our Woollen Manufactures more course Medlys; also Coals from _Newcastle_; but not so much Leather, being supplied freely with raw Hides from _Ireland_, which are tann'd there; This might be prevented were that Kingdom reduced to the State of a Colony, and the Profit thereof would then return hither; We have thence Linnens, Thread, and other things, which are used at home, and shipp'd off to the Plantations. [Sidenote: Portugal.]