weather, in such sort as the one cannot haue sight of the other, then and
in such case the Admiral shall make sound and noise by drumme, trumpet,
horne, gunne or otherwise or meanes, that the ships may come as nigh
together, as by safetie and good order they may.
6 It is also to be obserued, that euery day once the other three shippes
shall send and come aboord the Admirall, and there consult and determine of
such matter and things as shall be for the assurance of their Nauigation,
and most expedition of the same.
7 Item, that notes and entries be daily made of their Nauigations put in
writing and memory, and that the yong Mariners and apprentices may be
taught and caused to learne and obserue the same.
8 It is accorded that the said Captaine shall haue the principall rule and
gouernement of the apprentices: And that not onely they, but also all the
other sailers, shalbe attendant and obedient to him, as of duetie and
reason appertaineth.
9 Also that no beere nor broth, or other liquor be spilt vpon the balast,
or other place of the ship, whereby any anoyance, stinke, or other
vnsauorinesse shall growe in the shippe to the infection or hurt of the
persons in the same.
10 Item, that the Captaine by discretion shall from time to time disship
any artificer or English seruingman or apprentice out of the Primrose into
any other of the three ships, and in lieu of him or them, take any such
apprentice as he shall thinke conuenient and most meete to serue the
benefite of the companie.
11 Item, that great respect be had to the Gunners and Cookes roomes, that
all danger and perill of powder and fire may be eschewed and auoyded.
12 Item, that singular care and respect be had to the ports of the ship,
aswell in Nauigation as in harborow, and especially in lading and vnlading
of the shippes, that nothing be lacking or surcharged: and that the bookes
may oftentimes be conferred and made to agree in eschuement of such losses,
as may ensue.
13 Special foresight is to be had, that at the Wardhouse no trecherie,
inuasion, or ether peril of molestation be done or procured to be attempted
to our ships by any kings, princes, or companies, that do mislike this new
found trade by seas to Russia, or would let and hinder the same, where of
no small boast hath bene made; which giueth occasion of more circumspection
and diligence.
14 If the winde and weather will serue, it is thought good rather to goe by
the Wardhouse then to come in and ancre there, lest any male engine, or
danger may be the rather attempted against vs, our goods and ships as
aboue.
15 It is thought good that Richard Iohnson, late seruant to M. Chanceler,
shall be sent home in this next returne to instruct the company of the
state of the Countrey, and of such questions as may be demanded of him, for
our better aduertisements and resolutions, in such doubts as shall arise
here: and that he shall haue the roome of the Captaine in such sort as
Master Ienkinson is in this present cocket assigned vnto. And if Iohnson
can not, may not, nor will not returne and occupie the said place, then any
other person to be preferred thereunto, as by the discretion of our said
Captaine, with consent of our Agents, shall be thought meete and apt to
supply the same.
16 Prouided alway, that the ships returning be not disfurnished of one such
able man, as shall occupie the Captainship in like order, as is, and hath
bene in such case appoynted, as reason and good order requireth.
17 Item that all other former orders, rules, and deuises, made and prouided
for the good order of our ships, wares, and goods, being not repugnant,
contrary or diuerse to these articles, and the contents of the same, shall
be, and stand in full force and effect to be in all respects obserued and
kept of all and euery person and persons, whom the same doth or shall touch
or concerne.
In witnesse of the premisses faithfully to be obserued and kept, the owners
and Masters of the said foure ships, together with the said Captaine, to
these seuenteene articles, contained in two sheetes of paper, haue
subscribed their hands. Given in London the third of May, in the yeere of
our Lord God 1557.
Owners, of the Primerose
Andrewe Iudde,
William Chester,
Anthony Hickman,
Edward Casteline.
Owners of the Iohn Euangelist
Andrew Iudde,
William Chester.
Owner of the Anne
Iohn Dimocke.
Owner of the Trinitie
R. T.
* * * * *
A letter of the Company of the Marchants aduenturers to Russia vnto George
Killingworth, Richard Gray, and Henry Lane their Agents there, to be
deliuered in Colmogro or els where: sent in the Iohn Euangclist.
After our heartie commendations vnto 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 wares there with you, we
receiued about the ende of Nouember out of the Edward, with heauie newes of
the losse of the sayde good shippe and goods at Petslego in Scotland, with
the death of Richard Chancelor and his Boy, with certaine of the
Embassadours seruants, and he himselfe with nine of his seruants escaped
very hardly onely by the power of God: but all his goods and ours in maner
were lost and pilfred away by the Scots, and that that is saued is not yet
come to our hands, but we looke for it daily, and it will skant pay the
charges for the recouering of it. No remedy but patience: and to pray to
God to send vs better fortune hereafter. As touching the receiuing and
entertaining of the Embssadour and his retinewe since his comming to
England at the king and Queenes Maiesties hands, with the Counsell and
Lords of this Realme, and the Marchants that be free in Russia with
feasting and beneuolence giuen him, wee referre it to his report and
others. The like we thinke haue not bene seene nor shewed here of a long
time to any Ambassadour. The Philip and Marie arriued here tenne dayes
past: she wintered in Norway. The Confidence is lost there. And as for the
Bona Esperanza, as yet we haue no newes of her. We feare it is wrong with
her. By your billes of lading receiued in your generall letters we perceiue
what wares are laden in them both. Your letters haue 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 vnderstand we haue fraighted for the parts of
Russia foure good shippes to be laden by you and your order: That is to
say, The Primerose of the burthen of 240. Tunnes, Master vnder God Iohn
Buckland: The Iohn Euangelist of 170. Tunnes, Master vnder God Laurence
Roundal: The Anne of London of the burthen of 160. tunnes. Master vnder God
Dauid Philly, and the Trinitie of London of the burthen of 140. Tunnes
Master vnder God Iohn Robins, as by their Charter parties may appeare:
which you may require to see for diuerse causes. You shall receiue, God
willing, out of the said good ships, God sending them in safety for the vse
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 Hampshire kersies, that is 400. watchets, 43. blewes, 53.
reds, 15. greenes, 5. ginger colours, and 2. yelowes which cost the first
penny 4. li. 6. s. the packe, and 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 Inuoyce in euery Shippe more plainly
may appear. So that when it shall please God to send the said good ships to
you in safetie, you are to receiue our said goods, and to procure the sales
to our most aduantage either by ready money, time or barter: hauing
consideration that you doe make good debts, and giue 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 waxe, tallowe, traine oyle, hempe and flax. Of furres we
desire no great plentie, becuase 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 aduise is, that in no wise you
send any of them hither vnwrought, because our fraight is 4. li a tunne or
little lesse which is so deare as it would not beare the charges: and
therefore we haue sent you 7. ropemakers, as by the copies of their
covenants here inclosed shall appeare. Whom we wil you set to work with al
expedition in making of cables and 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 deliuerie of the stuffe vnwrought, as
also to take charge of the stuffe wrought, and 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 esteme it a principal commoditie, and that the
Counsel of England doth well allowe. Let all diligence be vsed, that at the
returne of these shippes we may see samples of all ropes and cables if it
be possible, and so after to continue in worke, that we may haue good store
against the next yeere. [Sidenote: Danske the old chiefe place for Cables.]
Therefore they haue neede to haue a place to worke in, in the winter: and
at any hand let them haue helpe enough to spinne their stuffe: for seeing
you haue great plentie of hempe there, and at a reasonable price, we trust
we shallbe able to bring as good stuffe from thence, and better cheape then
out of Danske: if it be diligently vsed; and haue a good ouerseer. Let the
chiefest lading of these foure shippes be principally in wexe, flaxe,
tallowe, and traine oyle. And if there be any more wares than these ships
be able to take in, then leaue that which is least in valew and grossest in
stouage vntill the next shipping: for wee doe purpose to ground our selues
chiefly vpon these commodities, as wexe, cables and ropes, traine oyle,
flaxe and some linen yarne. [Sidenote: Commodities not bearing the charges
of long fraight.] As for Masts, Tarre, Hempe, Feathers, or any such other
like, they would not beare the charges to haue any, considering our deere
fraight. We haue 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 neuerthelesse, that you shall charge your selues with
many, except those which bee most vendible, as good marterns, miniuers,
otherwise called Lettis and Mynkes. Of these you may send vs plentie,
finding them good and at a reasonable price. As for Sables and other rich
Furres, they bee not euery mans money: therefore you may send the fewer,
vsing 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 vs 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 he certified of it what plentie there is, and whether it be in
plates or in round flat cakes, and send vs some for an example. Also we
would haue you to certifie vs what kinde of wollen cloth the men of Rie and
Reuel, and the Holes and Lettoes doe bring to Russia, and send the
skantlings of them with part of the lists and a full aduise of the lengths
and breadths, colours and prices, and whether they be strained or not: and
what number of them may be vttered in a yeere, to the intent we may make
prouision for them for the like sortes, and all other Flemish wares which
they bring thither and be most vendible there. And to certifie vs whether
our set clothes be vendible there or not: and whether they be rowed and
shorne: because ofttimes they goe vndrest. Moreouer, we will you send vs of
euery commoditie in that Countrey part, but no great quantitie other then
such as is before declared. And likewise euery kinde of Lether, whereof wee
bee informed there is great store bought yeerely by the Esterlings and
Duches for hie Almaigne and Germaine.
More, that you doe send vs for proofe a quantity of such earth, hearbes, or
what thing soeuer 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
vsed in dying and colouring. Moreouer, that you haue 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 and consume.
Also that you certifie vs the trueth of the waights and measures, and howe
they doe answere with ours, and to send vs 3. robles in money, that we may
trie the iust value of them.
Also we doe send you in these ships ten young men that be bound Prentises
to the Companie, whom we will you to appoynt euery 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 vnderstanding and knowledge. And we will you
send vs aduertisement from time to time as well as 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 themselues and will not be ruled, and then you doe send him home,
and the cause why.
And because we doe perceiue the Countrey to be large, and that you haue
three housholds, we doe appoynt Henry Lane to be one of our Agents, and to
ioin with you in all your doings, and to haue like authoritie and power as
you George Killingworth and Rich and Gray haue: not doubting but you three
will so conferre together, as both our Prentises and others may be
appoynted and diuided euery of them to his office, and to that he can best
skill of: and you also so diuide your selues euery of you to an house, as
by aduertisement one from another, our businesse and trafficke may take
good successe. And for diuers considerations, to auoyde many troubles and
businesse that might happen, wee haue appoynted that hee which shall abide
at Colmogro (which we doe think to bee most meetest Henry Lane) shall haue
with him there such of our young 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 Inuoyces. 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 immediately 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 vs 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 vnto Henry
Lane a whole, perfit, and iust accompt firmed with your owne hands of all
the goods you haue solde and bought vntill that time, and what remaineth
vnsolde: and also the accompt of all maner costs of wares, and charges of
you and the yong men vnder 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 euery voyage by it selfe,
and not minde one voyage with another at no hand. And as we will haue you
to keepe accompt of euery voyage by it selfe, euen so wee would haue all
the whole costes and charges of euery 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 euill 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 euery kinde of wares by it selfe, to the
intent wee may perceiue 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 said wares vnto
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 vntill 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 Iune euery yeere our whole accompt of the voyage in that yeere
passed: in such sort that wee may receiue the same by our shippes: and that
wee may plainely perceiue what sales are made, and what remaineth of the
first, second, third, and fourth voyage, and what charges haue been layde
out for the sayd voyages, and what wares bee bought, and laden, and what
they cost, and for what voyage euery parcell thereof is: and to send vs a
copie of the same accompt in euery shippe. And also forasmuch as at this
time we haue sent you but small store of wares in comparison of that we
haue hope will bee vttered in short space, and yet neuerthelesse much more
then you wrote for, whereby there shall not be sufficient to make any ample
returne: and vnderstandinig that there is great quantitie of goods stayed
for our trade there by the Emperour, wee haue mooued the Embassador that
you may haue credite for such quantitie as shall seeme good to you to
prouide for our benefite. Which credite if you may by his means obtaine, or
otherwise haue, 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 haue: for hauing that
wholly in our hands, we may serue 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 Reuel and Poland as they haue done,
but bee reserued for vs: therefore we must so lay for it, that it may not
ly upon their hands that haue it to sell, always hauing consideration in
the price and time as our next dispatch may correspond. Whereof you may
send a certaine aduise, as well what you shall receiue of credit, and to
what quantite, as also what wares are remaining in your hands: which
together well considered, you may aduertise vs as well for how many
hundreth tonnes we must prouide 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 aduenture after. Of this
we would be answered largely. For we trust by this time you are able to
giue 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 haue
most vtterance there, and what prices will be given for them there: and all
other things requisite and necessary to be knowen.
Also we doe vnderstand that in the Countrey of Permia or about the river of
Pechora, is great quantitie of Yewe, and likewise in the Countrey of Vgory,
which we be desirous to haue knowledge of because it is a special
commoditie for our Realme. [Sidenote: Leonard Brian sent to search out Yewe
in the North parts of Russia.] Thereon wee haue sent you a yong man, whose
name is Leonard Brian, that hath some knowledge in the wood, to show you in
what sorte it must be cut and clouen. So our minde is if there be any
store, and that it bee found to be good, that there you doe prouide a good
quantitie against the next yeere for the comming of our shippes and if
there can bee found none that will serue for our purpose then you may set
the sayd Leonard Brian to any other businesse that you shall finde most
fittest for him, vntill 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 seruice there. For hee hath good knowledge of wares of that
Countrey for his bringing vp hath bene most in Danske, and hath good
vnderstanding in making of Ropes and Cables. Also we doe send you two
Coopers to remaine there with you at our finding hogmeat 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 Leoonard
Brian to cut and cleue such Yewe as he shall like there. And because we be
not sure what timber they shall finde there to make Caske, we haue laden in
these ships 140. tunnes emptie Caske, that is 94. tunnes shaken Caske and
46. tunnes whole, and ten thousand hoopes, and 480. wrethes of twigs: they
may be doing with that till they can prouide other timber, which we would
be glad to heare of. They haue an example with them of the bigness of the
Caske they shall make. Neuerthelesse, all such Buttes and Hoggesheads as
may be found to serue we will shalbe filled with Traine Oyle.
Also we charge you that you suffer no goods nor marchandise 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 Ambassadour minde to send any thing to the King and Queenes
Maiesties, 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 and
Apothecaries, and others that he hath with him, who carie no Marchandise.
And because our ships be freighted by the great, it shalbe very needful
that you do appoynt certaine to see the romaging of the ships, and to giue
the master or Boatswaine, or him that will take vpon him to romage, a good
reward for his labour to see the goods well romaged. If it be iii d. or
iiii d. the tunne, it shall not be amisse. For if it be not substantially
well looked into, it may bee a great deale of money [illegible] of our
wayes.