B. II.
Swedilh bottoms; and confequently in fuch quan-tities only as the company Ihould be pleafed tofurnilh. This hardthip moved the parliament togive a bounty for pitch and tar made in our owncolonies. And, if we be not already, we fhallfoon be altogether independent of Sweden . TheDutch , excited by the profitable trade of Portu.gal with the Eaft-Indies , attempted a north -eaftpaffage to China ; and that proving abortive , theyfet on foot a trade with Lifbon for Eaft - India com-modities. Portugal was at that time fubjetft tothe King of Spain; and the Dutch , though at warwith Spain , did not doubt of their being well re-ceived in Portugal , with which kingdom theyhad no caufe of quarrel. But the King of Spain ,overlooking not only the law of nations, but evenhis own intereft as King of Portugal , confifcatedat Ihort-hand the Dutch Ihips and their cargoes %in the harbour of Lifbon. That unjuft and impo-litic treatment provoked the Dutch to attempt anEaft -India trade , which probably they would nototherwife have thought of; and they were fo fuc-cefsful, as to fupplant the Portuguefe in everyquarter. Thus the King of Spain , by a grofs errorin policy, exalted his enemies to be a powerfulmaritime ftate. Had he encouraged the Dutch totrade with Lifbon, other nations muft have refort-ed to the fame market. Portugal would have beenraifed to fuch a height of maritime power as to beafraid of no rival: the Dutch would not havethought of coping \yith it, nor, would any otherstation.