When the Portuguese and the Castilians dominated the East Indies, trade had such rich branches that their princes did not fail to seize them. That ruined their settlements in those parts.

The viceroy of Goa granted exclusive privileges to private citizens. No one has confidence in such people : trade is interrupted by the constant change of those to whom it is entrusted ; no one maintains this trade or cares about leaving it to his successor in ruins ; in short, the profit remains in private hands and is not widely enough shared.