Eastland

Sources from old books

1700. The merchants map of commerce by Roberts, Lewes. CHAP. CCXXXIII. Of the Trade in general of Poland and Eastland.

Having thus surveyed the Trade of this Country in some particulars, it will not be amise to look upon it in the general. The Revenues both of the King and Gentlemen is here esteemed but moderate, and scarce sufficient to maintain a plentiful Table, and to exchange with Merchants for Wines and Spices, which they yet much covet, as also they do forein Stuffs of Silks and Cloth: I have noted, that this Kingdom aboundeth with Beasts as well wild as tame, and yieldeth excellent Horses, not great but quick, nimble and stirring; it aboundeth also in Flesh, Fowl, and Water-Fish, and in all kind of Pulse and Grain; it is found also towards the Carpathian Mountains of Hungary to have some Mines of Gold and Silver, of Iron and Brimstone; it yieldeth also in abundance plenty of Honey found in hollow Trees, besides the Husband-man's Hives: it yieldeth moreover, Wax, Flax, and Linen Cloths made thereof, Hemp, Pitch of both kinds, Masts for Ships, Boards and Timber, rich Furs, Salt digged out of the Earth, Amber, Soap-ashes, and Rice in abundance, which hath made Dantzick famous throughout Europe. No marvel then if Merchants bring unto them Silks from Italy, Cloth from England, Wines from France and Spain, and the very Spices and Drugs from India, since they not only sell then at good prices, but also bring thence such precious and staple Commodities. Poland it self is found within land, and Prussia with their immunities subject to this Kingdom, is sound to have the principal Traders therein inhabiting, yet have they but few Ships, using Strangers to export their Commodities. For the rest of the Polanders they are observed to live content with their own, and not by way of Merchandizing to stir much abroad; yet are they not rich, because they want the abovesaid Commodities, which the proud Gentlemen and Nobility of these Countries buy dear, and will have, though brought from far unto them, and they are noted to have so little Gold and Silver, as despising all in respect of it; they sell the rich Commodities of their Country at a low rate, especially those which are for daily Food, and thereby made unfit to be exported. The People themselves are not much addicted to Traffick into remote Regions, nor to travel far out of their own Countries; yet in imitation of other their Neighbours, they sometimes Trade with their rich Furs into other Countries, of whom I have observed some to come to Constantinople, rather making a ranging Voyage, than coming with intent to Trade and Reside. Wherein they cannot be much blamed, in regard that they have in plenty all things that naturally are wanting to mankind, if they can be contented therewith: but the Inhabitants of Pomerland, East Country, &c. are observed to be more ingenious, and far more addict to Traffick and Commerce, and have some Vessels sitter for transport and carriage than for warfare, but yet most proper for their gross Commodities and large Stowage, however their Winter-colds depriving them of almost half the years Traffick: the other half wherein their Seas are navigable, cannot make them any competent amends, and their Merchandize being altogether gross, cannot give them therefore the attribute of Eminent Merchants.