It is now to be further considered what wealth these, our ships, have brought into this country. First: omitting what has been imported these previous years in course of trade in gold, elephants' teeth, pepper, hides, peltries, timber, salt and such like; the silver, coined and in bars, received in the beginning of this year, in consequence of the capture of the fleet from New Spain, amounted to so great a treasure, that never did any fleet bring such a prize to this, or any other country. Vol. T. 6

42 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. Secondly: we have now, during some consecutive years, plundered the enemy and enriched this country with many large parcels of Indigo, so that over 4000 cases have been received at the close of the last, and the beginning of this year. Thirdly : a large quantity of Sugar, so that we have brought in, this year alone, three thousand chests. Fourthly : a wonderful large quantity of Raw hides, and have taken 36™ principally this year from the enemy. Fifthly : the handsomest lot of Cochineal that was ever brought into this country. Sixthly : a considerable quantity of Tobacco, which is now an important article of commerce. And finally, a vast amount of wealth in all sorts of precious stones, silk and silk goods, musk, amber, all sorts of drugs, Brazil and Log Wood and other wares, too numerous to mention here; so that we have already brought several millions into this country. All which wares, sold and distributed among the good inhabitants, were consumed here and conveyed elsewhere, and therefore enriched your High Mightinesses' subjects, and increased the revenue- The damage done thereby to our enemies, is easily estimated. We have, moreover, captured some even of the King of Spain's galeons, hitherto considered invincible, besides some other of his men of War, exclusive of more than two hundred ships and barks which we have taken from his subjects, and partly appropriated to our own use, and partly destroyed.