Fugitivesfoundthereaplaceofsafety。Itwasnecessarythattheyshouldsubsist；theydrew，therefore，theirsubsistencefromallpartsoftheworld。
6。SomeEffectsofanextensiveNavigation。Itsometimeshappensthatanation，whenengagedinaneconomicalcommerce，havingneedofthemerchandiseofonecountry，whichservesasacapitalorstockforprocuringthecommoditiesofanother，issatisfiedwithmakingverylittleprofit，andfrequentlynoneatall，intradingwiththeformer，inexpectationofgaininggreatlybythelatter。Thus，whentheDutchwerealmosttheonlynationthatcarriedonthetradefromthesouthtothenorthofEurope；theFrenchwineswhichtheyimportedtothenorthwereinsomemeasureonlyacapitalorstockforconductingtheircommerceinthatpartoftheworld。
ItisaknownfactthattherearesomekindsofmerchandiseinHollandwhich，thoughimportedfromafar，sellforverylittlemorethantheycostuponthespot。Theyaccountforitthus：acaptainwhohasoccasiontoballasthisshipwillloaditwithmarble；ifhewantswoodforstowage，hewillbuyit；and，providedhelosesnothingbythebargain，hewillthinkhimselfagainer。ThusitisthatHollandhasitsquarriesanditsforests。
Further，itmayhappensothatnotonlyacommercewhichbringsinnothingshallbeuseful，butevenalosingtradeshallbebeneficial。I
havehearditaffirmedinHollandthatthewhalefisheryingeneraldoesnotanswertheexpense；butitmustbeobservedthatthepersonsemployedinbuildingtheships，asalsothosewhofurnishtheriggingandprovisions，arejointlyconcernedinthefishery。Shouldtheyhappentoloseinthevoyage，theyhavehadaprofitinfittingoutthevessel。
Thiscommerce，inshort，isakindoflottery，andeveryoneisalluredwiththehopesofaprize。Mankindaregenerallyfondofgaming；andeventhemostprudenthavenoaversiontoit，whenthedisagreeablecircumstancesattendingit，suchasdissipation，anxiety，passion，lossoftime，andevenoflifeandfortune，areconcealedfromtheirview。
7。TheSpiritofEnglandwithrespecttoCommerce。ThetarifforcustomsofEnglandareveryunsettledwithrespecttoothernations；theyarechanged，insomemeasure，witheveryparliament，eitherbytakingoffparticularduties，orbyimposingnewones。Theyendeavourbythesemeansstilltopreservetheirindependence。Supremelyjealouswithrespecttotrade，theybindthemselvesbutlittlebytreaties，anddependonlyontheirownlaws。
Othernationshavemadetheinterestsofcommerceyieldtothoseofpolitics；theEnglish，onthecontrary，haveevermadetheirpoliticalinterestsgivewaytothoseofcommerce。Theyknowbetterthananyotherpeopleuponearthhowtovalue，atthesametime，thesethreegreatadvantages——religion，commerce，andliberty。
8。InwhatMannereconomicalCommercehasbeensometimesrestrained。Inseveralkingdomslawshavebeenmadeextremelypropertohumblethestatesthathaveenteredintoeconomicalcommerce。Theyhaveforbiddentheirimportinganymerchandise，excepttheproductoftheirrespectivecountries；andhavepermittedthemtotrafficonlyinvesselsbuiltinthekingdomtowhichtheybroughttheircommodities。
Itisnecessarythatthekingdomwhichimposestheselawsshoulditselfbeableeasilytoengageincommerce；otherwiseitwill，atleast，beanequalsufferer。Itismuchmoreadvantageoustotradewithacommercialnation，whoseprofitsaremoderate，andwhoarerenderedinsomesortdependentbytheaffairsofcommerce；withanationwhoselargerviewsandwhoseextendedtradeenablesthemtodisposeoftheirsuperfluousmerchandise；withawealthynation，whocantakeoffmanyoftheircommodities，andmakethemaquickerreturninspecie；withanationunderakindofnecessitytobefaithful，pacificfromprinciple，andthatseekstogain，andnottoconquer：itismuchbetter，Isay，totradewithsuchanotionthanwithothers，theirconstantrivals，whowillnevergrantsuchgreatadvantages。
9。OftheProhibitionofCommerce。Itisatruemaximthatonenationshouldneverexcludeanotherfromtradingwithit，exceptforverygreatreasons。TheJapanesetradeonlywithtwonations，theChineseandtheDutch。TheChinese[7]gainathousandpercentuponsugars，andsometimesasmuchbythegoodstheytakeinexchange。TheDutchmakenearlythesameprofits。EverynationthatactsuponJapaneseprinciplesmustnecessarilybedeceived；foritiscompetitionwhichsetsajustvalueonmerchandise，andestablishestherelationbetweenthem。
Muchlessoughtastatetolayitselfunderanobligationofsellingitsmanufacturesonlytoasinglenation，underapretenceoftheirtakingallatacertainprice。ThePoles，inthismanner，disposeoftheircorntothecityofDanzig；andseveralIndianprinceshavemadealikecontractfortheirspiceswiththeDutch。[8]Theseagreementsareproperonlyforapoornation，whoseinhabitantsaresatisfiedtoforegothehopesofenrichingthemselves，providedtheycanbesecureofacertainsubsistence；orfornationswhoseslaveryconsistseitherinrenouncingtheuseofthosethingswhichnaturehasgiventhem，orinbeingobligedtosubmittoadisadvantageouscommerce。
10。AnInstitutionadaptedtoeconomicalCommerce。Instatesthatcarryonaneconomicalcommerce，theyhaveluckilyestablishedbanks，whichbytheircredithaveformedanewspeciesofwealth：butitwouldbequitewrongtointroducethemintogovernmentswhosecommerceisfoundedonlyonluxury。Theerectingofbanksincountriesgovernedbyanabsolutemonarchsupposesmoneyontheoneside，andontheotherpower：thatis，ontheonehand，themeansofprocuringeverything，withoutanypower；
andontheother，thepower，withoutanymeansofprocuringatall。Inagovernmentofthiskind，nonebuttheprinceeverhad，orcanhave，atreasure；andwhereverthereisone，itnosoonerbecomesgreatthanitbecomesthetreasureoftheprince。
Forthesamereason，allassociationsofmerchants，inordertocarryonaparticularcommerce，areseldomproperinabsolutegovernments。Thedesignofthesecompaniesistogivetothewealthofprivatepersonstheweightofpublicriches。Butinthosegovernmentsthisweightcanbefoundonlyintheprince。Nay，theyarenotevenalwaysproperinstatesengagedineconomicalcommerce；for，ifthetradebenotsogreatastosurpassthemanagementofparticularpersons，itismuchbettertoleaveitopenthan，byexclusiveprivileges，torestrainthelibertyofcommerce。
11。ThesameSubjectcontinued。Afreeportmaybeestablishedinthedominionsofstateswhosecommerceiseconomical。Thateconomyinthegovernmentwhichalwaysattendsthefrugalityofindividualsis，ifI
maysoexpressmyself，thesoulofitseconomicalcommerce。Thelossitsustainswithrespecttocustomsitcanrepairbydrawingfromthewealthandindustryoftherepublic。Butinamonarchyastepofthiskindmustbeoppositetoreason；foritcouldhavenoothereffectthantoeaseluxuryoftheweightoftaxes。Thiswouldbedeprivingitselfoftheonlyadvantagethatluxurycanprocure，andoftheonlycurbwhich，inaconstitutionlikethis，itiscapableofreceiving。
12。OftheFreedomofCommerce。Thefreedomofcommerceisnotapowergrantedtothemerchantstodowhattheyplease：thiswouldbemoreproperlyitsslavery。Theconstraintofthemerchantisnottheconstraintofcommerce。Itisinthefreestcountriesthatthemerchantfindsinnumerableobstacles；andheisneverlesscrossedbylawsthaninacountryofslaves。
Englandprohibitstheexportationofherwool；coalsmustbebroughtbyseatothecapital；nohorses，exceptgeldings，areallowedtobeexported；andthevesselsofhercoloniestradingtoEuropemusttakeinwaterinEngland。[9]TheEnglishconstrainthemerchant，butitisinfavourofcommerce。
13。WhatitisthatdestroysthisLiberty。Wherevercommercesubsists，customsareestablished。Commerceistheexportationandimportationofmerchandise，withaviewtotheadvantageofthestate：customsareacertainrightoverthissameexportationandimportation，foundedalsoontheadvantageofthestate。Henceitbecomesnecessarythatthestateshouldbeneutralbetweenitscustomsanditscommerce，thatneitherofthesetwointerferewitheachother，andthentheinhabitantsenjoyafreecommerce。
Thefarmingofthecustomsdestroyscommercebyitsinjusticeandvexations，aswellasbytheexcessoftheimposts：butindependentofthis，itdestroysitevenmorebythedifficultiesthatarisefromit，andbytheformalitiesitexacts。InEngland，wherethecustomsaremanagedbytheking’sofficers，businessisnegotiatedwithasingulardexterity：onewordofwritingaccomplishesthegreatestaffairs。Themerchantneedsnotloseaninfinitedealoftime；hehasnooccasionforaparticularcommissioner，eithertoobviateallthedifficultiesofthefarmers，ortosubmittothem。
14。TheLawsofCommerceconcerningtheConfiscationofMerchandise。TheMagnaChartaofEnglandforbidstheseizingandconfiscating，incaseofwar，theeffectsofforeignmerchants，exceptbywayofreprisals。ItisanhonourtotheEnglishnationthattheyhavemadethisoneofthearticlesoftheirliberty。
InthelatewarbetweenSpainandEngland，theformermadealawwhichpunishedwithdeaththosewhobroughtEnglishmerchandiseintothedominionsofSpain；andthesamepenaltyonthosewhocarriedSpanishmerchandiseintoEngland。[10]Anordinancelikethiscannot，Ibelieve，findaprecedentinanylawsbutthoseofJapan。Itequallyshockshumanity，thespiritofcommerce，andtheharmonywhichoughttosubsistintheproportionofpenalties；itconfoundsallourideas，makingthatacrimeagainstthestatewhichisonlyaviolationofcivilpolity。
15。OfseizingthePersonsofMerchants。SolonmadealawthattheAtheniansshouldnolongerseizethebodyforcivildebts。[11]ThislawhereceivedfromEgypt。IthadbeenmadebyBoccoris，andrenewedbySesostris。[12]
Thislawisextremelygoodwithrespecttothegeneralityofcivilaffairs；butthereissufficientreasonforitsnotbeingobservedinthoseofcommerce。[13]Forasmerchantsareobligedtoentrustlargesums，frequentlyforaveryshorttime，andtopaymoneyaswellastoreceiveit，thereisanecessitythatthedebtorshouldconstantlyfulfilhisengagementsatthetimeprefixed；andhenceitbecomesnecessarytolayaconstraintonhisperson。
Inaffairsrelatingtocommoncivilcontracts，thelawoughtnottopermittheseizureoftheperson；becausethelibertyofonecitizenisofgreaterimportancetothepublicthantheeaseorprosperityofanother。Butinconventionsderivedfromcommerce，thelawoughttoconsiderthepublicprosperityasofgreaterimportancethanthelibertyofacitizen；which，however，doesnothindertherestrictionsandlimitationsthathumanityandgoodpolicydemand。
16。AnexcellentLaw。AdmirableisthatlawofGenevawhichexcludesfromthemagistracy，andevenfromtheadmittanceintothegreatcouncil，thechildrenofthosewhohavelivedordiedinsolvent，excepttheyhavedischargedtheirfather’sdebts。Ithasthiseffect：itcreatesaconfidenceinthemerchants，inthemagistrates，andinthecityitself。Therethecreditoftheindividualhasstillalltheweightofpubliccredit。
17。ALawofRhodes。[14]TheinhabitantsofRhodeswentfurther。SextusEmpiricusobservesthatamongthosepeopleasoncouldnotbeexcusedfrompayinghisfather’sdebtsbyrenouncingthesuccession。ThislawofRhodeswascalculatedforarepublicfoundedoncommerce。NowIaminclinedtothinkthatreasonsdrawnfromcommerceitselfshouldmakethislimitation，thatthedebtscontractedbythefathersincetheson’senteringintocommerceshouldnotaffecttheestateorpropertyacquiredbythelatter。Amerchantoughtalwaystoknowhisobligations，andtosquarehisconductbyhiscircumstancesandpresentfortune。
18。OftheJudgesofCommerce。Xenophon，inhisbookofRevenues，wouldhaverewardsgiventothoseoverseersofcommercewhodespatchedthecausesbroughtbeforethemwiththegreatestexpedition。Hewassensibleoftheneedofourmodernjurisdictionofaconsul。
Theaffairsofcommercearebutlittlesusceptibleofformalities。Theyaretheactionsofaday，andareeverydayfollowedbyothersofthesamenature。Henceitbecomesnecessarythateverydaytheyshouldbedecided。Itisotherwisewiththoseactionsoflifewhichhaveaprincipalinfluenceonfuturity，butrarelyhappen。Weseldommarrymorethanonce；deedsandwillsarenottheworkofeveryday；wearebutonceofage。
Plato[15]saysthatinacitywherethereisnomaritimecommercethereoughtnottobeabovehalfthenumberofcivillaws：thisisverytrue。
Commercebringsintothesamecountrydifferentkindsofpeople；itintroducesalsoagreatnumberofcontractsandspeciesofwealth，withvariouswaysofacquiringit。
Thusinatradingcitytherearefewerjudges，andmorelaws。
19。ThataPrinceoughtnottoengagehimselfinCommerce。
Theophilus，[16]seeingavesselladenwithmerchandiseforhiswifeTheodora，orderedittobeburned。"Iamemperor，"saidhe，"andyoumakemethemasterofagalley。Bywhatmeansshallthesepoormengainalivelihoodifwetaketheirtradeoutoftheirhands？"Hemighthaveadded。Whoshallsetboundstousifwemonopoliseallourselves？Whoshallobligeustofulfilourengagements？Ourcourtierswillfollowourexample；theywillbemoregreedyandmoreunjustthanwe：thepeoplehavesomeconfidenceinourjustice，theywillhavenoneinouropulence：allthesenumerousduties，thecauseoftheirwants，arecertainproofsofours。
20。ThesameSubjectcontinued。WhenthePortugueseandCastiliansboreswayintheEastIndies，commercehadsuchopulentbranchesthattheirprincesdidnotfailtoseizethem。Thisruinedtheirsettlementsinthosepartsoftheworld。
TheviceroyofGoagrantedexclusiveprivilegestoparticularpersons。
Thepeoplehadnoconfidenceinthesemen；andthecommercedeclined，bytheperpetualchangeofthosetowhomitwasentrusted；nobodytookcaretoimproveit，ortoleaveitentiretohissuccessor。Inshort，theprofitcentredinafewhands，andwasnotsufficientlyextended。
21。OftheCommerceoftheNobilityinaMonarchy。Inamonarchicalgovernment，itiscontrarytothespiritofcommercethatanyofthenobilityshouldbemerchants。"This，"saidtheEmperorsHonoriusandTheodosius，[17]"wouldbepernicioustocities；andwouldremovethefacilityofbuyingandsellingbetweenthemerchantsandtheplebeians。"
Itiscontrarytothespiritofmonarchytoadmitthenobilityintocommerce。ThecustomofsufferingthenobilityofEnglandtotradeisoneofthosethingswhichhastheremostlycontributedtoweakenthemonarchicalgovernment。
22。AsingularReflection。PersonsstruckwiththepracticeofsomestatesimaginethatinFrancetheyoughttomakelawstoengagethenobilitytoenterintocommerce。Buttheselawswouldbethemeansofdestroyingthenobility，withoutbeingofanyadvantagetotrade。Thepracticeofthiscountryisextremelywise；merchantsarenotnobles，thoughtheymaybecomeso。Theyhavethehopesofobtainingadegreeofnobility，unattendedwithitsactualinconveniences。Thereisnosurerwayofbeingadvancedabovetheirprofessionthantomanageitwell，orwithsuccess；theconsequenceofwhichisgenerallyanaffluentfortune。
Lawswhichobligeeveryonetocontinueinhisprofession，andtodevolveituponhischildren，neitherarenorcanbeofuseinanybutdespotickingdoms；wherenobodyeithercanoroughttohaveemulation。[18]
Letnonesaythateveryonewillsucceedbetterinhisprofessionwhenhecannotchangeitforanother：Isaythatapersonwillsucceedbestwhenthosewhohaveexcelledhopetorisetoanother。
Thepossibilityofpurchasinghonourwithgoldencouragesmanymerchantstoputthemselvesincircumstancesbywhichtheymayattainit。Idonottakeituponmetoexaminethejusticeofthusbarteringformoneythepriceofvirtue。Therearegovernmentswherethismaybeveryuseful。
InFrancethedignityofthelongrobe，whichplacesthosewhowearitbetweenthegreatnobilityandthepeople，andwithouthavingsuchshininghonoursastheformer，hasalltheirprivileges；adignitywhich，whilethisbody，thedepositaryofthelaws，isencircledwithglory，leavestheprivatemembersinamediocrityoffortune；adignityinwhichtherearenoothermeansofdistinctionbutbyasuperiorcapacityandvirtue，yetwhichstillleavesinviewonemuchmoreillustrious：thewarlikenobility，likewise，whoconceivethat，whateverdegreeofwealththeyarepossessedof，theymaystillincreasetheirfortunes；whoareashamedofaugmenting，iftheybeginnotwithdissipating，theirestates；whoalwaysservetheirprincewiththeirwholecapitalstock，andwhenthatissunkmakeroomforothers，whofollowtheirexample；whotakethefieldthattheymayneverbereproachedwithnothavingbeenthere；who，whentheycannolongerhopeforriches，liveinexpectationofhonours；andwhentheyhavenotobtainedthelatter，enjoytheconsolationofhavingacquiredglory：allthesethingstogetherhavenecessarilycontributedtoaugmentthegrandeurofthiskingdom；andiffortwoorthreecenturiesithasbeenincessantlyincreasinginpower，thismustbeattributednottoFortune，whowasneverfamedforconstancy，buttothegoodnessofitslaws。
23。TowhatNationsCommerceisprejudicial。Richesconsisteitherinlandsorinmovableeffects。Thesoilofeverycountryiscommonlypossessedbythenatives。Thelawsofmoststatesrenderforeignersunwillingtopurchasetheirlands；andnothingbutthepresenceoftheownerimprovesthem：thiskindofriches，therefore，belongstoeverystateinparticular；butmovableeffects，asmoney，notes，billsofexchange，stocksincompanies，vessels，and，infine，allmerchandise，belongtothewholeworldingeneral；inthisrespect，itiscomposedofbutonesinglestate，ofwhichallthesocietiesuponeartharemembers。
Thepeoplewhopossessmoreofthesemovableeffectsthananyotherontheglobearethemostopulent。Somestateshaveanimmensequantityacquiredbytheircommodities，bythelabouroftheirmechanics，bytheirindustry，bytheirdiscoveries，andevenbychance。Theavariceofnationsmakesthemquarrelforthemovablesofthewholeuniverse。Ifwecouldfindastatesounhappyastobedeprivedoftheeffectsofothercountries，andatthesametimeofalmostallitsown，theproprietorsofthelandswouldbeonlyplanterstoforeigners。Thisstate，wantingall，couldacquirenothing；therefore，itwouldbemuchbetterfortheinhabitantsnottohavetheleastcommercewithanynationuponearth，forcommerceinthesecircumstancesmustnecessarilyleadthemtopoverty。
Acountrythatconstantlyexportsfewermanufacturesorcommoditiesthanitreceiveswillsoonfindthebalancesinking；itwillreceivelessandless，until，fallingintoextremepoverty，itwillreceivenothingatall。
Intradingcountriesthespecie，whichsuddenlyvanishes，quicklyreturns；becausethosenationsthathavereceiveditareitsdebtors。
Butitneverreturnsintothosestatesofwhichwehavejustbeenspeaking，becausethosewhohavereceiveditowethemnothing。
Polandwillserveusforanexample。Ithasscarcelyanyofthosethingswhichwecallthemovableeffectsoftheuniverse，exceptcorn，theproduceofitslands。Someofthelordspossessentireprovinces；theyoppressthehusbandmen，inordertohavegreaterquantitiesofcorn，whichtheysendtostrangers，toprocurethesuperfluousdemandsofluxury。IfPolandhadnoforeigntrade，itsinhabitantswouldbehappier。Thegrandees，whowouldhaveonlytheircorn，wouldgiveittotheirpeasantsforsubsistence；astheirtooextensiveestateswouldbecomeburdensome，theywoulddividethemamongtheirpeasants；everyonewouldfindskinsorwoolintheirherdsorflocks，sothattheywouldnolongerbeatanimmenseexpenseinprovidingclothes；thegreat，whoareeverfondofluxury，notbeingabletofinditbutintheirowncountry，wouldencouragethelabourofthepoor。Thisnation，Iaffirm，wouldthenbecomemoreflourishing，atleastifitdidnotbecomebarbarous；andthisthelawsmighteasilyprevent。
LetusnextconsiderJapan。Thevastquantityofwhattheyreceiveisthecauseofthevastquantityofmerchandisetheysendabroad。Thingsarethusinasniceanequilibriumasiftheimportationandexportationwerebutsmall。Besides，thiskindofexuberanceinthestateisproductiveofathousandadvantages；thereisagreaterconsumption，agreaterquantityofthosethingsonwhichtheartsareexercised；moremenemployed，andmorenumerousmeansofacquiringpower；exigenciesmayalsohappenthatrequireaspeedyassistance，whichsoopulentastatecanbetteraffordthananyother。Itisdifficultforacountrytoavoidhavingsuperfluities；butitisthenatureofcommercetorenderthesuperfluoususeful，andtheusefulnecessary。Thestatewillbe，therefore，abletoaffordnecessariestoamuchgreaternumberofsubjects。
Letussay，then，thatitisnotthosenationswhohaveneedofnothingthatmustlosebytrade；itisthosewhohaveneedofeverything。Itisnotsuchpeopleashaveasufficiencywithinthemselves，butthosewhoaremostinwant，thatwillfindanadvantageinputtingastoptoallcommercialintercourse。
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1。C？sarsaidoftheGaulsthattheywerespoiledbytheneighbourhoodandcommerceofMarseilles；insomuchthattheywhoformerlyalwaysconqueredtheGermanshadnowbecomeinferiortothem。——DeBelloGall。，vi。23。
2。Holland。
3。Etquimodohospesfuerat，monstratorhospitii。——DeMoribusGermanorum，21。SeeC？sar，DeBelloGall。vi。21。
4。Tit。38。
5。Cicero，DeRep。，iv。
6。Justin，xliii。3。
7。FatherDuHalde，ii，p。170。
8。ThiswasfirstestablishedbythePortuguese。——Pirard，Voyages，partII，15。
9。ActsofNavigation，1660。ItisonlyintimeofwarthatthemerchantsofBostonandPhiladelphiasendtheirvesselsdirectlytotheMediterranean。
10。PublishedinCadizinMarch，1740。
11。Plutarch，AgainstLendingUponUsury，4。
12。Diodorus，i，partII，79。
13。TheGreeklegislatorsweretoblameinpreventingthearmsandploughofanymanfrombeingtakeninpledge，andyetpermittingthetakingofthemanhimself。——Ibid。
14。Hypotiposes，i。14。
15。Laws，viii。
16。Zonaras。
17。Leg。，Nobiliores，Cod。deComm。；Leg。ult。derescind，vendit。
18。Thisisactuallyveryoftenthecaseinsuchgovernments。
BookXXI。OfLawsinrelationtoCommerce，consideredintheRevolutionsithasmetwithintheWorld1。SomegeneralConsiderations。Thoughcommercebesubjecttogreatrevolutions，yetitispossiblethatcertainphysicalcauses，asthequalityofthesoil，ortheclimate，mayfixitsnatureforever。
WeatpresentcarryonthetradeoftheIndiesmerelybymeansofthesilverwhichwesendthither。TheRomanscarriedannuallythitheraboutfiftymillionsofsesterces；[1]andthissilver，asoursisatpresent，wasexchangedformerchandise，whichwasbroughttothewest。EverynationthatevertradedtotheIndieshasconstantlycarriedbullionandbroughtmerchandiseinreturn。
Itisnatureitselfthatproducesthiseffect。TheIndianshavetheirheartsadaptedtotheirmannerofliving。Ourluxurycannotbetheirs；
northeirsourwants。Theirclimatedemandsandpermitshardlyanythingwhichcomesfromours。Theygoinagreatmeasurenaked；suchclothesastheyhavethecountryitselffurnishes；andtheirreligion，whichisdeeplyrooted，givesthemanaversionforthosethingsthatserveforournourishment。Theywant，therefore，nothingbutourbulliontoserveasthemediumofvalue；andforthistheygiveusmerchandiseinreturn，withwhichthefrugalityofthepeopleandthenatureofthecountryfurnishthemingreatabundance。ThoseancientauthorswhohavementionedtheIndiesdescribethemjustaswenowfindthem，astotheirpolicy，customs，andmanners。[2]TheIndieshaveeverbeenthesameIndiestheyareatpresent；andineveryperiodoftimethosewhotradedwiththatcountrycarriedspeciethitherandbroughtnoneinreturn。
2。OfthePeopleofAfrica。ThegreatestpartofthepeopleonthecoastofAfricaaresavagesandbarbarians。Theprincipalreason，Ibelieve，ofthisis，becausethesmallcountriescapableofbeinginhabitedareseparatedfromeachotherbylargeandalmostuninhabitabletractsofland。Theyarewithoutindustryorarts。Theyhavegoldinabundance，whichtheyreceiveimmediatelyfromthehandofnature。Everycivilisedstateisthereforeinaconditiontotrafficwiththemtoadvantage，byraisingtheiresteemforthingsofnovalue，andreceivingaveryhighpriceinreturn。