A letter of the Company of the Marchants adventurers to Russia
unto George Killingworth, Richard Gray, and Henry Lane their Agents there, to be delivered in Colmogro or els where: sent in the John Evangelist.
AFTER our heartie commendations unto you and to either
of you: your generall letter and other particular letters
with two bookes of the sale and remainders of our goods,
and the buying of ware there with you, we received about
the ende of November out of the Edward, with heavie
newes of the losse of the sayde good shippe and goods at
Petslego in Scotland
, with the death of Richard Chanceler
and his Boy, with certaine of the Embassadours servants,
and he himselfe with nine of his servants escaped very
hardly onely by the power of God: but all his goods and
ours in maner were lost and pilfered away by the Scots,
and that that is saved is not yet come to our hands, but
we looke for it daily, and it will skant pay the charges for
the recovering of it. No remedy but patience: and to
pray to God to send us better fortune hereafter. As
touching the receiving and entertaining of the Embassadour and his retinewe since his comming to England at
the king and Queenes Majesties hands, with the Counsell
& Lords of this Realme, and the Marchants that be free
in Russia
with feasting and benevolence given him, wee
referre it to his report and others. The like we thinke
have not bene seene nor shewed here of a long time to any
Ambassadour. The Philip and Marie arrived here tenne
dayes past: shee wintered in Norway
. The Confidence is
lost there. And as for the Bona Esperanza, as yet we
have no newes of her. We feare it is wrong with her.
By your billes of lading received in your generall letters
we perceive what wares are laden in them both. Your
letters have no date nor mention where they were made,
which were written by
Henry Lane, and firmed by you
George Killingworth, and Richard Gray: both it and the
other Letters and Bookes came so sore spoyled and broken
with water that we cannot make our reckoning by them.
You shall understand we have fraighted for the parts of
Russia
foure good shippes to be laden there by you &
your order: That is to say, The Primerose of the burthen
of 240. Tunnes, Master under God John Buckland: The
John Evangelist of 170. Tunnes, Master under God Laurence Roundal: The Anne of London of the burthen
of 160 tunnes, Master under God David Philly, and the
Trinitie of London of the burthen of 140. Tunnes, Master
under God John Robins, as by their Charter parties may
appeare: which you may require to see for divers causes.
You shall receive, God willing, out of the said good ships,
God sending them in safety for the use of the Company,
these kinds of wares following, all marked with the
general marke of the Company as followeth. 25. fardels
containing 207. sorting clothes, one fine violet in graine,
and one skarlet, and 40. cottons for wrappers, beginning
with number 1. and ending with number 52. The sorting
clothes may cost the first peny 5.li. 9.s. the cloth, one with
the other. The fine violet 18.li. 6.s. 6.d. The skarlet
17.li. 13.s. 6.d. the cottons at 9.li. 10.s. the packe,
accompting 7. cottons for a packe. more 500. pieces of
pshire kersies, that is 400. watchets, 43. blewes,
53. reds, 15. greenes, 5. ginger colours, and 2. yelowes
which cost the first penny 4.11. 6.s. the piece, & 3. packes
containing 21 cottons at 9.li. 10.s. the packe: and part of
the clothes is measured by Arshines. More 9. barrels of
Pewter of Thomas Hasels making, &c. Also the wares
bee packed and laden as is aforesayde, as by an Invoyce
in every Shippe more plainely may appeare. So that
when it shall please God to send the said good ships to you
in safetie, you are to receive our said goods, and to
procure the sales to our most advantage either for ready
money, time or barter: having consideration that you doe
make good debts, and give such time, if you give any, as
you may employ and returne the same against the next
voyage; and also foreseeing that you barter to a profit,
and for such wares as be here most vendible, as wexe,
tallowe, traine oyle, hempe and flaxe. Of furres we desire
no great plentie, because they be dead wares. And as for
Felts, we will in no wise you send any. And whereas you
have provided tarre, and as we suppose, some hempe
ready bought, our advise is, that in no wise you send any
of them hither unwrought, because our fraight is 4.11. a
tunne or little lesse: which is so deare, as it would not
beare the charges: and therefore we have sent you 7.
ropemakers, as by the copies of their covenants here
inclosed shall appeare. Whom we wil you set to worke
with al expedition in making of cables & ropes of al sorts,
from the smallest rope to xii. inches: And that such tarre
and hempe as is already brought to the water side, they
may there make it out, and after that you settle their
worke in Vologhda or Colmogro as you shall thinke good,
where their stuffe may be neerest to them: at which place
and places you doe assigne them a principall overseer
aswell to see the deliverie of the stuffe unwrought, as also
to take charge of the stuffe wrought, & to foresee that
neither the yarne be burnt in tarring, nor the hempe rotted
in the watering; and also to furnish them so with
labourers, workemen and stuffe, as hereafter when these
workmen shall come away, we be not destitute of good
workmen, and that these may dispatch as much as possibly they may, doing it substancially: for we esteeme it
a principal commoditie, and that the Counsel of England
doth well allowe. Let all diligence be used, that at the
returne of these shippes we may see samples of all ropes
& cables if it be possible, and so after to continue in
worke, that we may have good store against the next
yeere. Therefore they have neede to have a place to
worke in, in the winter: and at any hand let them have
helpe ynough to spinne their stuffe: for seeing you have
great plentie of hempe there, and at a reasonable price,
we trust we shalbe able to bring as good stuffe from
thence, and better cheape then out of Danske: if it be
diligently used, and have a good overseer.
Let the chiefest lading of these foure shippes be principally in wexe, flaxe, tallowe and traine oyle. And if
there be any more wares then these ships be able to take
in, then leave that which is least in valew and grossest
in stouage untill the next shipping: for wee doe purpose
to ground our selves chiefly upon these commodities, as
wexe, cables and ropes, traine oyle, flaxe and some linen
yarne. As for Masts, Tarre, Hempe, Feathers, or any
such other like, they would not beare the charges to have
any, considering our deere fraight. We have sent you a
Skinner to be there at our charges for meate, drinke and
lodging, to viewe and see such furres as you shall cheape
or buye, not minding neverthelesse, that you shall charge
your selves with many, except those which bee most
vendible, as good marterns, minivers, otherwise called
Lettis and Mynkes. Of these you may send us plentie,
finding them good and at a reasonable price. As for
Sables and other rich Furres, they bee not every mans
money: therefore you may send the fewer, using partly
the discretion of the skinner in that behalfe.
Wee heare that there is great plentie of steele in Russia
and Tartarie, whereof wee would you sent us part for an
example, and to write your mindes in it what store is to be
had: for we heare say there is great plentie, and that the
Tartars steele is better then that in Russia
. And likewise
we be informed that there is great plentie of Copper in the
Emperours Dominions: we would be certified of it what
plentie there is, and whether it be in plates or in round flat
cakes, and send us some for an example. Also we would
have you to certifie us what kinde of wollen cloth the men
of Rie and Revel, and the Poles and Lettoes doe bring to
Russia
, and send the skantlings of them with part of the
lists, and a full advise of the lengths and breadths, colours
and prices, and whether they be strained or not: and what
number of them may be uttered in a yeere, to the intent
we may make provision for them for the like sortes, and
all other Flemish wares which they bring thither and be
most vendible there. And to certifie us whether our set
clothes be vendible there or not: and whether they be
rowed and shorne: because ofttimes they goe undrest.
Moreover, we will you send us of every commoditie in that
Countrey part, but no great quantitie other then such as
is before declared. And likewise every kinde of Lether,
whereof wee bee informed there is great store bought
yeerely by the Esterlings and Duches for hie Almaigne and
Germanie.
More, that you doe send us for proofe a quantity of such
earth, hearbes, or what thing soever it be, that the Russes
do die and colour any kinde of cloth linen or wollen,
Lether or any other thing withall: and also part of that
which the Tartars and Turkes doe bring thither, and how
it must be used in dying and colouring. Moreover, that
you have a speciall foresight in the chusing of your
Tallowe, and that it may be well purified and tried, or els
it will in one yeere putrifie & consume.
Also that you certifie us the trueth of the waights and
measures, and howe they doe answere with ours, and to
send us 3. robles in money, that we may trie the just value
of them.
Also we doe send you in these ships ten yong men that
be bound Prentises to the Companie, whom we will you to
appoynt every of them as you shall there finde most apt
and meete, some to keepe accompts, some to buy and sell
by your order and Commission, and some to send abroad
into the notable
Cities of the Countrey for understanding
and knowledge. And we will you send us advertisement
from time to time as well of the demeanours of our
Prentises which we doe send now, as also of such other
as bee already there with you. And if you finde any of
them remisse, negligent, or otherwise misuse themselves
and will not be ruled, that then you doe send him home,
and the cause why.
And because we doe perceive the Countrey to be large,
and that you have three housholds, we doe appoynt
Henry
Lane to be one of our Agents, and to joyne with you in
all your doings, and to have like authoritie and power
as you George Killingworth and Richard Gray have: not
doubting but you three will so conferre together, as both
our Prentises and others may be appoynted and divided
every of them to his office, and to that he can best skill
of: and you also so divide your selves every of you to
an house, as by advertisement one from another, our
businesse and trafficke may take good successe. And for
divers considerations, to avoyde many troubles and businesse that might happen, wee have appoynted that hee
which shall abide at Colmogro (which we doe thinke to
bee most meetest
Henry Lane) shall have with him there
such of our yong men, as can best skill in keeping of
accompts after the maner of Marchants, that is, by
Debitor and Creditor: And that there shall be the place,
where our bookes shalbe kept: because it is nearer the
sea side, where our goods shalbe discharged and our
ships laden. And the said
Henry Lane to be charged
with all such goods as we shall discharge there out of
our ships, according to our Invoyces. Which goods are
to be sent from Colmogro to Vologhda or to Mosco, or
to any other place where you three or two of you do
appoynt them to be sold, so that
Henry Lane be one.
And so from time to time immediatly as any thing is
sold, doe you certifie the same to
Henry Lane, that he
may enter it into the Bookes as appertaineth: otherwise
he should be too farre behinde in his Bookes at the
comming of our ships, when he should send us the
accompt of the whole yeere passed. And we will also
that you George Killingworth and Richard Gray doe in
the fine of April next send either of you unto
Henry Lane
a whole, perfit, & just accompt firmed with your owne
hands of all the goods you have solde and bought untill
that time, and what remaineth unsolde: and also the
accompt of all maner costs of wares, and charges of you
and the yong men under you particularly in such sort as
the said accompt may bee with him in Colmogro at the
fine of May at the furthest: to the intent that hee may
make all our accompts perfite against the comming of
our ships: and in any wise to keepe accompt of every
voyage by it selfe, and not mingle one voyage with another
at no hand. And as we will have you to keepe accompt
of every voyage by it selfe, even so wee would have all
the whole costes and charges of every yeere put into the
voyage of that yeere. As the charges of all the last yeere
must be put to the accompt of the third voyage: and
the charges of this yeere present, must in the fine of
April next, be put to the fourth voyage. Not doubting
but your wisedome is such, that you will not take it in
evill part, that wee doe appoynt
Henry Lane to take the
accompt of the rest. For we doe it for none other cause,
but to keepe a good order in our bookes, that his bookes
and ours may by this meanes agree: and hee being the
yonger man, may best take paines: and that you doe
keepe accompt of every kinde of wares by it selfe, to the
intent wee may perceive wherein is our most gaine. And
also in the making of your returne, in any wise name in
your billes of lading, letters, and accompts, what wares
doe appertaine to the first, second, and third voyage:
and that wee may knowe the same by the numbers or
otherwise as you shall thinke good by your wisedomes,
putting the charges of the saide wares unto them, as
nigh as you can. And all such money as shall bee made
of your goods in any place, wee referre that to your
discretion, where it shall remaine untill it bee employed,
either at Vologhda, Mosco, or els where. And likewise
wee will that
Henry Lane doe make in a readinesse about
the beginning of June every yeere our whole accompt of
the voyage in that yeere passed: in such sort that wee
may receive the same by our shippes: and that wee may
plainely perceive what sales are made, and what remaineth
of the first, second, third, and fourth voyage, and what
charges have bene layde out for the sayd voyages, and
what wares bee bought, and laden, and what they cost,
and for what voyage every parcell thereof is: and to
send us a copie of the same accompt in every shippe.
And also forasmuch as at this time we have sent you but
small store of wares in comparison of that we have hope
will bee uttered in short space, and yet neverthelesse
much more then you wrote for, whereby there shall not
be sufficient to make any ample returne: and understanding that there is great quantitie of goods stayed
for our trade there by the Emperour, wee have mooved
the Embassador that you may have credite for such
quantitie as shall seeme good to you to provide for our
benefite. Which credite if you may by his meanes obtaine,
or otherwise have, we would you bought as much Wexe
principally as you may get. For if there be in that
countrey so great quantitie, as we be informed there is,
it will be the best commoditie we may have: for having
that wholly in our hands, we may serve our owne
countrey and others. Therefore seeing the Emperour
doth minde, that such commodities as bee in his dominions
shall not passe to Rie and Revel and Poland
as they have
done, but bee reserved for us: therefore we must so lay
for it, that it may not ly upon their hands that have it
to sell, alwayes having consideration in the price and
time as our next dispatch may correspond. Whereof
you may send a certaine advise, as well what you shall
receive of credit, and to what quantitie, as also what wares
are remaining in your hands: which together well considered, you may advertise us as well for how many
hundreth tonnes we must provide fraight against the next
yeere, as also what sortes, quantities and qualities of
wares we shall send you, as well to pay your credite,
as also to furnish the next adventure after. Of this we
would be answered largely. For we trust by this time
you are able to give full instructions of the state of the
countrey: according to the articles of your first Commissions, and what commodities doe principally abound
there with their prices: and likewise what of our commodities have most utterance there, and what prices will
be given for them there: and all other things requisite
and necessary to be knowen.
Also we doe understand that in the
Countrey of Permia
or about the river of Pechora is great quantitie of Yewe,
and likewise in the
Countrey of Ugory, which we be
desirous to have knowledge of, because it is a speciall
commoditie for our Realme. Therefore wee have sent
you a yong man, whose name is Leonard Brian, that
hath some knowledge in the wood, to shew you in what
sorte it must be cut and cloven. So our minde is if there
be any store, and that it bee found to be good, that there
you doe provide a good quantitie against the next yeere
for the comming of our shippes: and if there can bee
found none that will serve for our purpose, then you may
set the sayd Leonard Brian to any other businesse that
you shall finde most fittest for him, untill the returne of
our ships the next yeere. For he is hired by the yeere
onely for that purpose. We doubt not but that hee
shall doe you good service there. For hee hath good
knowledge of wares of that Countrey: for his bringing
up hath bene most in
Danske, and hath good understanding in making of Ropes and Cables. Also we doe
send you two Coopers to remaine there with you at our
finding for meate and drinke and lodging to make in a
readinesse all such caske as shalbe needfull for traine
oyle, tallowe, or any thing else. One of them may goe
with Leonard Brian to cut and cleve such Yewe as he
shall like there. And because we be not sure what timber
they shall finde there to make Caske, we have laden in
these ships 140. tunnes emptie Caske, that is 94. tunnes
shaken Caske and 46. tunnes whole, and ten thousand
hoopes, & 480. wrethes of twigs: they may be doing
with that till they can provide other timber, which we
would be glad to heare of. They have an example with
them of the bignesse of the Caske they shall make.
Neverthelesse, all such Buttes and Hoggesheads as may
be found to serve we will shalbe filled with Traine Oyle.
Also we charge you that you suffer no goods nor
marchandies of any persons being not free of the Company, and of the accompt of the Company to be laden
in any wise in our ships either now or at any time
hereafter: except the Emperour or Embassadour minde
to send any thing to the King and Queenes Majesties,
or to any noble man, or to the Marchants of the Companie: Nor likewise that you suffer any goods that goe
in these ships to be brought on land there, except the
Ambassadours goods, and the Physitions & Apothecaries,
and others that hee hath with him, who carie no Marchandise. And because our ships be freighted by the great, it
shalbe very needefull that you do appoynt certaine to see
the romaging of the ships, and to give the master or
Boatswaine, or him that will take upon him to romage,
a good reward for his labour to see the goods well
romaged. If it bee iii.d. or iiii.d. the tunne, it shall not
be amisse. For if it be not substantially well looked
unto, it may bee a great deale of money out of our wayes.
Also because we reckon that from the Mosco will bee
alwayes better conveyance of letters to us by land: our
minde is that from time to time as occasion shall serve,
our Agents shall write to him that shall lie at Mosco of
all things that shall passe, that hee may give us large
instructions, aswell what is solde and bought, as also
what lading we shall take, and what quantitie and kinde
of goods we shall send. For hitherto we have had but
a slender advise, more like a bill to serve a Chapman
,
then for quantitie of wares to serve a kingdome. For
we must procure to utter good quantitie of wares,
especially the commodities of our Realme, although we
affoord a good penyworth, to the intent to make other
that have traded thither, wearie, and so to bring our
selves and our commodities in estimation, and likewise
to procure to have the chiefe commodities of that countrey
in our hands, as waxe and such others, that other nations
may bee served by us and at our hands. For wee doe
understand that the greatest quantitie of waxe that
commeth to Danske, Lubeck
, and Hambourgh, commeth
out of Russia
. Therefore if wee should buy part, and
they also buy, it would raise the price there, and would
bee litle woorth here. And all such letters of importance
and secrecie as you doe send by land for any wares or
otherwise, you must write them in
Cyphers, after the
order of a booke sent you in the shippes: alwayes taking
good heede in placing of your letters and cyphers, that
wee may understand them by the same booke heere, and
to send them in such sort, that we may have them here
by Christmas or Candlemas, if it be possible. And
because you cannot so certainly advertise us by letters
of your doings, but some doubt may arise, whereof we
would most gladly be certified: our mind is therefore that
with these ships you send us home one such yong man
as is most expert in knowledge of that countrey, and
can best certifie us in such questions as may be demanded,
whome we will remit unto you againe in the next ships.
We thinke Arthur Edwards wilbe fittest for that purpose:
neverthelesse use your discretion in that matter.
As touching our goods that were robbed and pilfered
out of our ships at Colmogro and Vologda we trust by
this time they are restored againe, and the malefactors
so punished that other may take example for doing the
like, otherwise it will be an evill president. Moreover,
wee doe perceive that Richard Gray doeth buy mastes
to send into England, they will not quit the costes, except
we had a ship of purpose for them. And likewise that
Steven Burrow is returned from his discoverie with the
Serchthrift, and wintereth at Colmogro, and is minded
to set forth in the beginning of June next to seeke the
river of Ob. We pray God to speede him well, and trust
to have him here in England this yeere to bring us good
newes.
We doe perceive there is a river found about the mouth
of S. Nicholas Bay that hath thirteen foot upon the barre
at a lowe water, and is as neere Colmogro as S. Nicholas:
which will bee a great pleasure unto us. We will that
Steven Burrowe doe proceed on his voiage to discover.
Also we have sent you one Anthonie Jenkinson Gentle
man, a man well travelled, whom we mind to use in
further travelling, according to a Commission delivered
him, subscribed by master Anthonie Huse and others.
Wherefore we will you deliver him one or more of such
painfull young men as he shal thinke meetest for his
purpose: and likewise such money and wares as he shal
think best to take with him. He must have fourty pounds
a yeere for foure yeeres, to be paid him by the halfe
yeere, or as he wil demaund it of you, so let him have
it from Easter last. Also the prices of wares here at
this present are, bale flaxe twenty pound the packe and
better, towe flaxe twentie eight pound the hundred, traine
oyle at nine pound the tunne, waxe at foure pound the
hundred, tallow at sixteene shillings the hundred, cables
and ropes very deare: as yet there are no shippes come
out of Danske.
Kept untill the tenth day of this present. As this day
came the goods out of Scotland
that were recovered out
of the Edward Bonaventure: and nowe we doe perceive
that the caske that the trayne oyle came in, is verie good,
and much better then ours. Therefore our minde is, that
you shall lade it all in such barrels of the bigger sort as
you laded in the Edward, and no long barrels nor small.
And that caske that wee have sent may serve for the
Tallowe or anie other ware that is not leakage. Neverthelesse, this voyage you must take such as you can get.
Also if the Emperour bee minded to deliver you any
summe of money, or good Waxe at as reasonable a price
as you may buye for readie money, wee will that you
shall take it and lade it for our accomptes, and to come
at our adventure, and hee to bee payed at the returne
of the shippes in Velvets, Sattens, or any other kinde
of silke, or cloth of golde, cloth of tissue, or according
as his Commission shall bee that hee shall sende us in
the shippes, and according to such paternes as hee shall
send. Wee doe not finde the Ambassadour nowe at the
last so conformable to reason as wee had thought wee
shoulde. Hee is very mistrustfull, and thinketh everie
man will beguile him. Therefore you had neede to take
heede howe you have to doe with him or with any such,
and to make your bargaines plaine, and to set them downe
in writing. For they bee subtill people, and doe not
alwaies speake the trueth, and thinke other men to bee
like themselves. Therefore we would have none of them
to send any goods in our shippes at any time, nor none
to come for passengers, unlesse the Emperour doe make
a bargaine with you, as is aforesaid, for his owne person.
Also we charge you not to suffer any of our nation to
send any wares to their wives or friends in any of our
ships; but to take their money there to be paied heere
by the companie and not otherwise: and to have consideration how you doe take the roble. For although we
doe rate it after sixteene shillings eight pence of our
money, yet it is not worth past 12. or 13. shillings sterling.
Moreover, you had neede to sende newe accomptes, for
them that came in the Edward bee marred and torne, so
that we can make no reckoning by them: and likewise to
write us a perfect note of all the goodes which you received
the last voyage out of the Edward, and heerein not to
faile.
Andrew Judde.
George Barne.
Anthonie Huse.
William Garrard.
William Chester.
