22.  Dependent upon this principle, nature has formed the different degrees of genius, and the characters of nations, which are seldom known to change.  Hence the negroes are slaves to other men, and are purchased on the coast of Africa like beasts, for a sum of money; and the vast multitudes of negroes transplanted into our American colonies, serve as slaves under a very inconsiderable number of Europeans.  Experience has likewise taught us how great a superiority the Europeans have over the Americans, who are every where easily overcome, and have not dared to attempt a revolution, though a thousand to one superior in numbers.

23.  This part of America was also remarkable on account of its animals and plants, which are not to be found in the other three parts of the world, and which are of so great use to us.  Horses, corn of all kinds, and iron, were not wanting in Mexico and Peru, and among the many valuable commodities unknown to the old world, cochineal was the principal, and was brought us from this country.  Its use in dying has now made us forget the scarlet, which for time immemorial had been the only thing known for giving a fine red colour.

24.  The importation of cochineal was soon succeeded by that of indigo, cocoa, vanille, and those woods which serve for ornament and medicinal purposes, particularly the quinquina, or Jesuit’s bark, which is the only specific against intermitting fevers.  Nature has placed this remedy in the mountains of Peru, whilst she had dispersed the disease it cured through all the rest of the world.  This new continent likewise furnished pearls; coloured stones, and diamonds.

25.  It is certain, that America at present furnishes the meanest citizen of Europe with his conveniences and pleasures.  The gold and silver mines, at their first discovery, were of service only to the kings of Spain and the merchants; the rest of the world was impoverished by them; for the great multitudes who did not follow business, found themselves possessed of a very small quantity of specie, in comparison with the immense sums accumulated by those who had the advantage of the first discoveries.  But, by degrees, the great quantity of gold and silver which was sent from America, was dispersed throughout all Europe, and by passing into a number of hands, the distribution is become more equal.  The price of commodities is likewise increased in Europe, in proportion to the increase of specie.

26.  To comprehend how the treasures of America passed from the possession of the Spaniards into that of other nations, it will be sufficient to consider these two things:  The use which Charles V. and Philip II. made of their money; and the manner in which other nations acquired a share in the mines of Peru.

37.  The emperor Charles V. who was always travelling, and always at war, necessarily dispersed a great quantity of that specie which he received from Mexico and Peru, through Germany and Italy.  When he sent his son Philip over to England, to marry queen Mary, and take upon bun the title of king of England, that prince deposited in the tower of London, twenty-seven large chests of silver, in bars, and an hundred horse-loads of gold and silver coin.  The troubles in Flanders, and the intrigues of the league in France, cost this Philip, according to his own confession, above three thousand millions of livres of our money.