320 INTERCOLONIAL COMMERCE. that the Portuguese annually exported gold, in the most flourishing period of their trade, to the extent of two millions and a half sterling. This enormous amount, far greater than the mines of the New World afforded at the same period, is probably much exaggerated. The sums exported in later years may, however, be relied on. In 163G, they export- ed 2350 chests of silver, amounting to L.783,SS33- sterling; in 1637, L. 714,1213- sterling; and in 1638, L. 419|6743- sterling. These large sums, although they may be considered as evidences of the abundance of the precious metals in Japan, cannot perhaps be justly considered as averages of the annual exports of the Portuguese, who were at the moment in a state of alarm from the perse- cution against their religion, and, therefore, mak- ing efforts to remove their property. While the Portuguese were exporting these sums, and the Chinese were driving a great commerce also, the Dutch are described as exporting no less than 60 tons of gold a-year, or about half a million Sterling. After the expulsion of the Portuguese, the Dutch exports increased, and in 1641, they are described as remitting in gold 80 tons, or L. 700,000 sterling. The export of the precious metals from Japan, or the increased difficulty of working the mines, or the prohibition of working them, rendered, in process of time, their price to 12
