A Letter of Master Thomas Hawtrey to the worshipfull Master Henrie Lane Agent at Colmogro, written in Vologda the 31. of Januarie 1557.
WORSHIPFULL Sir, heartie commendations premised.
These may bee to advertise you, that yesterday the
thirtieth of this present came hither Robert Best, and
brought with him two hundred robles, that is, one hundred
for this place, and one hundred for you at Colmogro.
As for hempe which is here at two robles and a halfe
the bercovite, master Gray hath written to buy no more
at that price: for John Sedgewicke hath bought for sixe
or seven hundred robles worth at Novogrode for one roble
and a halfe the bercovite, and better cheape: and white
Novogrode flaxe is there at three robles the bercovite. I
trust hee will doe much good by his going thither. As
I doe understand, Richard Johnson is gone to Novogrode
with money to him, I doubt not but Master Gray hath
advertised you of all their doings, both at the Mosco and
at Novogrod. And touching our doings heere, you shall
perceive that wee have solde wares of this fourth voyage
for one hundred and fourtie robles, besides fiftie robles
of the second and third voyage since the giving up of
my last account, and for wares of the Countrey, you shall
understand that I have bought tried and untried for 77.
robles foure hundred podes of tried tallowe, besides foure
hundred podes that I have given out money for, whereof
God graunt good receipt when the time commeth, which
is in Lent. And in browne flaxe and hempe I have bought
seventeene bercovites, sixe podes and sixteene pound,
which cost 28. robles, eleven altines two pence. And as
for other kindes of wares I have bought none as yet.
And for mastes to bee provided, you shall understand
that I wrote a letter to Totma the 28. of this present for
fiftie mastes, to wit, for 25. of fifteene fathoms, and 25.
of foureteene fathoms, to be an arshine and a halfe at
the small ende. And more, I have written for 30. great
trees to be two arshines and a halfe at the small end,
and for the other that were provided the last yeere, I
trust they shall be sent downe in the spring of the yeere.
And as concerning the Ropemakers, you shall understand
that their abiding place shall bee with you at Colmogro,
as I doe thinke Master Gray hath advertised you. For,
as Roger Bontinge Master of the woorkes doeth say, there
is no place more meete for their purpose then with you:
and there it will be made with lesser cost, considering
that the pale is the one halfe of it: which is to set one
pale more to that, and so for to cover it over, which as
they say, will be but little cost. They doe pray that it
may bee made sixeteene foote broade, and one hundred
and eightie fathoms long: and that in the middle way
twentie foote from the pale towarde the water side there
may be a house made to tarre in, standing alone by it
selfe for danger of fire. The Tarre house that they
woulde have made, is to bee fifteene fathoms long, and
ten fathoms broade, and they would that house should
be made first: for I thinke they will not tarre before
they come there. And farther they desire that you will
provide for as much tarre as you may, for heere wee have
small store, but when the time commeth that it shoulde
be made, I will provide as much as I can here, that it
may bee sent downe when the Nasade commeth. The
stuffe that they have readie spunne is about five thousand
waight, and they say that they trust to have by that time
they come downe yarne ynough to make 20. cables. As
concerning a copie of the Alphabet in ciphers Master Gray
hath written hither that Robert Austen had one, which
be willed that he shoulde deliver to you. Thus I surcease,
beseeching God to preserve you in health, and to send
you your hearts desire.
By yours to command to his power,
Thomas Hawtrey.
Thomas Hawtrey.
