20.20. 20. The same Subject continued.
When the Portuguese and Castilians
bore sway in the East Indies, commerce had such opulent branches that
their princes did not fail to seize them. This ruined their settlements
in those parts of the world.
The viceroy of Goa granted exclusive privileges to particular
persons. The people had no confidence in these men; and the commerce
declined, by the perpetual change of those to whom it was entrusted;
nobody took care to improve it, or to leave it entire to his successor.
In short, the profit centred in a few hands, and was not sufficiently
extended.
