I shall presently tell you of the great value of these things, when
carried to their own countries; I am now proceeding with my account
from the proposition that the greatest source of gain in the world
lies in these islands. All the nations know well that they need not
go to Nueva Espana to conquer it, or to plunder the silver in the
mountain of Potosi, or to the islands of Salomon--which, although
they were at one time famed for riches of gold, have proved to be
enchanted. [36] Florida, that it cost the French so dear to enter,
is already deserted as useless; from Brasil no profits are obtained;
from the wars of Flandes men gain nothing but bullets and glory. You
may turn the needle to every point on the globe, and you will find
that there is no place capable of so much profit as are these islands.
In order to reach them the foreigners have throughout all Yndia the
ports of the heathen kings, which are more numerous than our own. The
Dutch have factories in Currate [_i.e._, Surat], in Paliacate on
the coast of Malavar, in the Jabas, and in Sunda, Achen, Macasar,
and Maluco, where they are establishing themselves and obtaining a
foothold. Above all, they have one in Japon, where they find all the
supplies necessary for their voyages.
I shall tell you now of the culmination and result of their commerce. A
single ship that arrives from these islands with cloves, mace, drugs,
silks, etc., yields an immense amount of money; for they carry the
goods that are shipped from these islands and from Eastern India
through all the northern countries, and the kings give them free
passage for their goods and remit duties.
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