The opinion of Master William Burrough sent to a friend,
requiring his judgement for the fittest time of the
departure of our ships towards S. Nicholas in Russia
.
WHEREAS you request me to perswade the company not to
send their shippes from hence before the fine of May, I
do not thinke the same so good a course for them to
observe: for you know that the sooner wee sende them
hence, the sooner we may looke for their returne. If wee
sende them in the beginning of May, then may they be at
Saint Nicholas by the fine of the same moneth: and by
that time the greatest parte of your lading of necessitie
must bee come downe, especially the flaxe: but if it
should fall out so lateward a breaking up of the river of
Duyna, that by the ende of May the goods cannot be
brought to Saint Nicholas, yet this is alwayes to be
accounted for certaine, that before our ships can come
thither, the goods may be brought downe to that place:
and if through ice the shippes be kept backe any time, the
losse and charge of that time toucheth not the companie
at all, but the owners of the shippes, and yet will the
Owners put that in adventure, rather then tarie longer
time before their going hence.
Now seeing by sending our shippes hence in the begin
ning of May, their arrivall at S. Nicholas may be at the
ende of the same moneth, and remaining thirtie dayes
there, they may bee laden and come thence by the last of
June, and returne home hither by the 10 of August with
commodities to serve the market then, it cannot bee denied
but we should reape thereby great commoditie.
But it may be objected, that if all our shippes be sent
then to returne as aforesaid, you shall not be able to send
us in so much cordage, Waxe and Oyles, as otherwise
you should doe if they remained a moneth longer, neither
could you by that time perfect your accounts to be sent
in them as you would doe.
For answere thereunto this is my meaning: though I
wish the greatest part of our shipping to go as aforesaid,
yet would I have one good ship or two at the most well
furnished in al points that should depart alwaies from
hence, betweene the beginning and the 10 day of June:
and the same to be conditioned withall to remaine at S.
Nicholas from the first arrivall there untill the middest of
August, or to be dispatched thence sooner, at the will and
liking of our factors for the same: by this order these
commodities following may ensue.
- You may have our commodities there timely to send
up the river before it waxe shallow, to be dispersed in the
countrey at your pleasure.
- The greatest part of our goods may be returned
hither timely to serve the first markets.
- Our late ships remaining so long here may serve to
good purpose, for returning answere of such letters as
may be sent over land, and received here before their
departure.
- Their remaining so late with you shal satisfie your
desire for perfecting your accounts, and may bring such
cordage, Waxe, Oile, & other commodities, as you can
provide before that time: and chiefly may serve us in
stead to bring home our goods that may be sent us from
Persia.
Now seeing it may be so many wayes commodious to
the company to observe this order, without any charge
unto them, I wish that you put to your helping hand to
further the same.
