Bursia

Sources from old books:

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Of BURSIA in BITHINIA, and the Trade thereof.

BURSIA seated in the bottome of a Bay knowne to the Turke by the name of the Gulph of Bursia, being a faire City and antiently the seate of the Mahumetane Kings, is now inhabited by Turkes, Jewes and Greekes; who by reason of their neighbourhood, and in the way from Smyrna to Constantinople for land travellers is found to have some Merchants of quality, and affordeth quantity of Persia commodities, as brought hither from Eusdrom and other bordering Townes of Armenia and Persia, principally occasioned by the immunities that have beene granted by severall Princes that have here resided, to the inhabitants thereof: but because the Venetians are found at present to be the prime traders hither, it will not be amisse that for the weights and measures of the place we should be ruled by their observations which thence may easily be reduced to ours.

Their commodities afforded to forraine Countries are the same as Constantinople, onely some fabriques I have seen to have beene in my time there made of silks by Moores that have been banished out of Spaine, and come hither to reside, as damaskes, taffetas and stript stuffes, and such like; also commodities which the earth hath produced, as aniseeds, galles and sugars.

Their coynes are the same currant in Constantinople.

100 Rotolos makes Venice sotile 176 li. and Venice grosse 112 li.

The Ocha of Bursia is Venice sotile 4 li.

The Rot. of Bursia is Venice sotile 9 ounc. and grosse 1 li. 1 o•…. 1½ li.

The 100 drams makes sotile Venetia 1 li. which is 72 metalichi.

The 100 Kilats of Turkey makes in Venetia 87¼ Kill. gold weight 7 metalich make oun. 1 gold weight in Venetia.

And by the English the same is observed to be within 2 per cent. to agree with the weight of Constantinople, as shalbe shewed hereafter.

There are found here severall picos which with the brace of Venetia is found thus to agree.

Braces 100 of cloth▪ scarlet and fine cloth makes 108 picoes cloth here.

Braces 100 of course cloth common makes 114 picos in Bursia.

Braces 100 of cloth of gold makes in Bursia 102 picos.

Braces 1000 of linens is found to make in Bursia 772 picos.

And this is noted to be a greater pico than the rest: but by the observation of some English they find onely 2 picoes, one for cloth and the other for grograms, and do agree with those of Constantinople.

There is no custome due upon goods in Bursia, it being accounted an Inland Towne; but if sent thence to Smyrna or to Constantinople, and exported out of the grand signior's dominions, it is liaable to a custome, according to the capitulations or priviledge granted to that Nation that transporteth the same: but if those commodities bought in Bursia being carryed to Smyrna or Constantinople and there sold, it payeth no customes but a small duety for registering, and quitting at the custome-houses of both the said places, as hath beene practised by divers Merchants. In this Towne of late yeeres some English have resided, and doe find a faire and friendly quarter with the inhabitants; but they are accounted as subfactors to those resident in Constantinople and Smyrna, therefore I shall not need to say further of this place.