re what commodities would grow thereby
if all these things were as we have heretofore presupposed and thought
them to be; which next adjoining are briefly declared.

CHAPTER X.
WHAT COMMODITIES WOULD ENSUE, THIS PASSAGE ONCE DISCOVERED.

1. It were the only way for our princes to possess the wealth of all the
east parts (as they term them) of the world, which is infinite; as
appeareth by the experience of Alexander the Great in the time of his
conquest of India and the east parts of the world, alleged by Quintus
Curtius, which would be a great advancement to our country, wonderful
enriching to our prince, and unspeakable commodities to all the
inhabitants of Europe.

2. For, through the shortness of the voyage, we should be able to sell
all manner of merchandise brought from thence far better cheap than
either the Portuguese or Spaniard doth or may do. And, further, share
with the Portuguese in the east and the Spaniard in the west by trading
to any part of America through Mare del Sur, where they can no manner of
way offend us.

3. Also we sailed to divers marvellous rich countries, both civil and
others, out of both their jurisdictions, trades and traffics, where there
is to be found great abundance of gold, silver, precious stones, cloth of
gold, silks, all manner of spices, grocery wares, and other kinds of
merchandise of an inestimable price, which both the Spaniard and
Portuguese, through the length of their journeys, cannot well attain
unto.

4. Also, we might inhabit some part of those countries, and settle there
such needy people of our country which now trouble the commonwealth, and
through want here at home are enforced to commit outrageous offences,
whereby they are daily consumed with the gallows.

5. Moreover, we might from all the aforesaid places have a yearly
return, inhabiting for our staple some convenient place of America, about
Sierra Nevada or some other part, whereas it shall seem best for the
shortening of the voyage.

6. Beside the exporting of our country commodities, which the Indians,
etc., much esteem, as appeareth in Esther, where the pomp is expressed of
the great King of India, Ahasuerus, who matched the coloured clothes
wherewith his houses and tents were apparelled with gold and silver, as
part of his greatest treasure, not mentioning velvets, silks, cloth of
gold, cloth of silver, or such like, being in those countries most
plentiful, whereby it plainly appeareth