Note 17 — AND ADVANTAGES WHICH THEY CAN YIELD TO HIS MAJESTY CARLOS III

People will say, “Where would we consume so much pepper?” Then where does Olanda consume it, I would like to know? “[And there are] Francia and Inglaterra; do they bring much less [to Europa]?” Do not those who ask such questions know how much the king is paying to Norbega [i.e., Norway] and the northern countries for lumber, cordage, etc., for the construction in his royal navy? and that, if it happens that care is not given in time to the planting of oak groves, he will need much more [from those countries]?—At present these commodities are paid for in ready money, which would not be the case if we could give the merchants there the pepper, etc., so cheaply (or at less expense than [if purchased from] another country), on account of the great consumption of pepper which there is in those countries, and because this would be a [form of] trade that is mutually advantageous, as I have already said, for the day-laborer and the shepherd. It would be permanent, and many millions of reals which now leave España would remain here, to the greatest advantage not only of his Majesty, but of his vassals. I say, then, that no one is able to deny these two propositions, of which his Majesty will be best able to judge. Have I heard some one argue that España has17 need of preventing thus the exportation of silver? Such arguments are foolish, and one should laugh at them.