When starting a new colony name it “Charlotte”. This will allow you to see all maps instantly, other European ports, check other county’s statistics, and gives you $50,000. When you access the other countries European ports you can spend all their money. I did this by recruiting loads of people, but you can buy anything.

If you rename your colony to some thing else you can then start another colony called Charlotte and get another $50,000. I started a colony, got $50,000 then abandoned it lot’s of times and started the game with $500,000.