Proposed
notice on
commerce.
Origin of
trade.
Its progress
notwithstanding
all
impediments.
settle in Constantinople.—Rapid progress of Venetian Trade. Genoa
becomes a mercantile Republic.—Trade of this P o rt with India through
the Black Sea.—Colonies established on the Shores of the Euxine.
Trade of the Genoese with Europeans.—England shares indirectly in
Eastern Commerce.—A Company called the Merchant Adventurers
established in England.—Scale of Duties fixed for foreign Trade.—
Exports from England to Flanders, &c.—The Venetian Trade opened
with India through the Red Sea. Bruges becomes a mercantile Dépôt.—
Prosperity of Commerce in France.—Discovery of the Western Coast of
Africa.—Discovery of America.—Rise of Antwerp.—Trade drawn to
Lisbon.—Various routes to India.—The River Euphrates becomes the
principal line.—Voyages of Rauwolf, Balbi, and Newberrie.—Patent of
Queen Elizabeth for Trade by this Route.—Application of the Merchants
for a Loan.—Voyages of Fitch and Newberrie along the Euphrates —
Queen Elizabeth keeps a fleet of Boats on the Euphrates.—Consequent
cheapness of Goods from India.—Establishment of the East India Company.—
Colonial Trade of England, and its advantages.—Increase of
Exports and Imports during Five Centuries.—The Turkey or Levant
Companies of England and France.—State of the Trade of the Levant, of
Eoypt, Syria, Asia Minor, Persia, and Mesopotamia.—Trade of the
Arabian and Persian Gulfs.—Partial and proposed Navigation of the
Euphrates.—Facilities and advantages of opening the River Euphrates.
Openings for commercial enterprise on the Rivers of Mesopotamia.
P a s s in g f r o m t h e s u b j e c t s c o n t a in e d i n t h e p r e c e d i n g p a g e s , i t
i s in t e n d e d t o d e v o t e t h e p r e s e n t c h a p t e r t o a b r i e f v iew o f t h e
c o m m e r c i a l i n t e r c o u r s e b y w h i c h t h e n a t io n s o f t h e e a r t h h a v e
b e e n b o u n d t o g e t h e r f o r t h e i r m u t u a l a d v a n t a g e .
The exchange of the simple necessaries of life for the supply
of wants common to all, was speedily extended to that of
articles of luxury; and the wants gradually created became, in
time, such necessaries, that, in order to obtain them, every impediment,
whether arising from physical causes or religious
prejudices, was overcome : thus the merchandise imported at
the present day into Asia continues to pass to its various destinations,
notwithstanding the hostility of the Arabs, the fierce
spirit of the warlike Turkomans, and the still greater difficulties
presented by the exclusive systems of the Coreans and
Japanese.
From the earliest period of history, Asia and its products
have been the great attraction of the western hemisphere, and
its eastern and middle portions have consequently been the seat
of an enriching trade ; to which the resources of Hindustan,
l i s