conueyance of letters to vs by land: our minde is that from time to time as
occasion shall serue, our Agents shall write to him that shall lie at Mosco
of all things that shall passe, that hee may giue vs large instructions, as
well what is solde and bought as also what lading we shall take, and what
quantitie and kinde of goodes we shall send. For hitherto we haue had but a
slender aduise, more like a bill to serue a Chapman, then for quantitie of
wares to serue a kingdom. For we must procure to vtter good quantities of
wares, especially the commodities of our Realme, although we affoord a good
penyworth, to the intent to make other that haue traded thither, wearie,
and so to bring our selues and our commodities in estimation, and likewise
to procure to haue the chiefe commodities of that countrey in our hand, as
waxe and such others, that other nations may be serued by vs and at our
hands. For wee doe vnderstand 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 little 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: always
taking good heede in placing of your letters and cyphers, that wee may
vnderstand them by the same booke heere, and to send them in such sort that
we may haue them here by Christmas or Candlemas, if it be possible. And
because you cannot so certainly aduertise vs 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 vs home one such yong man as is
most expert in knowledge of that countrey, and can best certifie vs in such
questions as may be demanded, whome we will remit vnto you again in the
next ships. We thinke Arthur Edwards wilbe fittest for that purpose:
neuerthelesse vse your discretion in that matter.
As touching our goods that were robbed and pilfred 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 euil president. Moreouer, we doe perceiue 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 Steuen
Burrow is returned from his discouere with the Serchthrift and wintereth at
Colmogro, and is minded to set forth in the beginning of Iune next to seeke
the riuer of Ob. We pray God to speede him well, and trust to haue him here
in England this yeere to bring vs good newes.
We doe perceiue there is a riuer found about the mouth of S. Nicholas Bay
that hath thirteen foot vpon the barre at a lowe water, and is as neere
Colmogro as S. Nicholas: which will be a great pleasure vnto vs. We will
that Steuen Burrowe doe proceed on his voiage to discouer. [Sidenote: M.
Anthonie Ienkinson his first trauaile intended for Cathay by the Caspian
sea and Beghar.] Also we haue sent you one Anthonie Ienkinson Gentleman, a
man well trauelled, whom we mind to vse in further travelling, according to
a Commission deliuered him, subscribed by master Antonie Huse and others.
Wherefore we will you deliuer 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 haue 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 haue 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 sixteen shillings the
hundred, cables and ropes very deare: as yet there are no shippes come out
of Danske.
Kept vntill the tenth day of this present. As this day came the goods, out
of Scotland that were recouered out of the Edward Bonauenture: and nowe we
doe preceiue 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 biggest sort as you laded in the Edward, and no
long barrels nor small. And that caske that wee haue sent may serue for the
Tallowe or anie other ware that is not leakage. Neuerthelesse this voyage
you must take such as you can get.
Also if the Emperour bee minded to deliuer 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
aduenture, and hee to bee payed at the return of the Shippes in Veluets,
Sattens, or any other kinde of silk, or cloth of golde, cloth of tissue, or
according as his Commission shall bee that hee shall sende vs 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 euery man will
beguile him. Therefore you had neede to take heede howe you haue 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 themselues. Therefore
we would haue none of them to send any goods in our shippes at any time,
nor none to come for passengers, vnless the Emperour doe make 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 wiues or friends in any of our ships; but to take their money there
to be paid heere by the companie and not otherwise: and to haue
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. Moreouer, 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 vs a perfect note of all the
goodes which you receiued the last voyage out of the Edward, and heerein
not to faile.
Andrew Iudde.
George Barne.
Anthonie Huse.
William Garrand.
William Chester.
* * * * *
A Letter of Master Thomas Hawtrey to the worshipfull Master Henrie Lane
Agent at Colmogro, written in Vologda the 31. of Ianuarie 1557.
Worshipfull Sir, heartie commendations premised. These may bee to aduertise
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 bercouite, Master Gray hath written to buy no
more at that price: for Iohn Sedgewicke hath bought for sixe or seuen
hundred robles worth at Nouogrode for one roble and a halfe the bercouite,
and better cheape: and white Nouogrode flaxe is there at three robles the
bercouite. I trust hee will doe much good by his going thither. As I doe
vnderstand, Richard Iohnson is gone to Nouogrode with money to him, I doubt
not but Master Gray hath aduertised you of all their doings, both at the
Mosco and the Nouogrod. And touching our doings heere, you shall perceiue
that wee haue solde wares of this fourth voyage for one hundred and fourtie
robles, besides fiftie robles of the second and third voyage since the
giuing vp of my last account, and for wares of the Countrey, you shall
vnderstand that I haue bought tried and vntried for 77. robles foure
hundred podes of tried tallowe, beside foure hundred podes that I haue
giuen out money for, whereof God graunt good receipt when the time commeth,
which is in lent. And in browne flaxe and hempe I haue bought seuenteene
bercouites, sixe podes and sixteene pound, which cost 28. robles, eleuen
altines two pence. And as for other kindes of wares I haue bought none as
yet And for mastes to bee prouided, you shall vnderstand 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. [Sidenote: An Arshine is 3. quarters of a yard or
more.] And more, I haue written for 30. great trees to be two arshines and
a halfe at the small ende, and for the other that were prouided the last
yeere, I trust they will be sent downe in the spring of the yeere.
[Sidenote: A rope house erected by Colmogro.]And as concerning the
Ropemakers, you shall vnderstand that their abiding place shall bee with
you at Colmogro, as I doe thinke Master Gray has aduertised you. For, as
Roger Bontigne 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 couer it ouer, which as they say,
will be but little cost. They doe pray that it may bee made sixteene foote
broade, and one hundred and eightie fathoms long: and that in the midde 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 haue 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 prouide for as much tarre as you may, for heere wee haue
small store, but when the time commeth that it shoulde be made, I will
prouide as much as I can here, that it may bee sent downe when the Nasade
commeth. The stuffe that they haue readie spunne is about fiue thousand
waight, and they say that they trust to haue 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
he willed that he shoulde deliuer to you. Thus I surcease, beseeching God
to preserue you in health, and to send you your hearts desire.
By yours to command to his power,
Thomas Hawtrey.
* * * * *
A letter of master Richard Gray one of the first Agents of the Moscouie
companie to Master Henrie Lane at Mosco, written in Colmogro the 19. of
Februarie 1558.
[Sidenote: Lampas a great mart for the Samoeds in the North.] Worshipfull
Sir, after heartie commendations &e. You shall vnderstand that this Lent
commeth to Lampas such a number of men of diuers nations with wares, as
hath not bene seene these ten yeeres. Thither came many out of Vgori:
therefore I would haue bene there my selfe, and also haue receiued such
money as is owning vs in wares by Kerill his brother and Osep Boscouo. For
as you well know, thence they will go with their wares to the Mosco, and
make vs payment with delayes, as they haue done these other yeeres past.
Colobone and his partner be departed towards Lampas with seuen sleddes
laden with victuals. Others also are gone to that Mart. As touching the
bringing of money with you, it will bee good, for I assure you since our
comming to this countrey haue not so many persons gone to the Sea, as will
doe this yeere. Trusting that God will send good store of traine oyle, I
will cause as much caske to bee in a readinesse as I can, if you shall
think it meete to send some money before. All our old hempe is spunne and
wrought in tenne cables from fifteene ynches to ten the least, and
thirteene Hausers from six ynches to three ynches: and all may weigh white
eight and twenty thousand pound weight and vpwarde. There is in hempe ockam
fiue thousand pound two hundred weight in twelue sackes at the least: the
flaxe that came downe in the Nassadaes with those seuen podes that came
last is all spunne with a good part of that hempe that came last. God send
more shortly, for all that is here and that is comming in the three other
sleddes will bee dispatched by the fourth weeke in Lent. Within these few
dayes I bought thirteen podes, seuen pound of hempe that cost two robles,
twenty eight altines, foure pence, which together with that that was bought
before, shall bee laide in dipping and sounding lines, for it is very good.
There are spent aboue fiftie barrels of tarre alreadie: you shall
vnderstand that these eight workemen will spinne and lay aboue fourescore
and tenne thousand pound of hempe, so it bee dressed readie to their hands,
hauing two to turne the wheeles, and two to winde vp. Therefore I haue
agreed with these two boyes to serue the worshipfull companie foure yeeres
a piece. One of them windeth vp and is very apt to spinne: therefore I will
haue two other young men Russes to spinne, if they can finde good sureties
for their trueth. I haue bene in hand with these two yong men that came put
of the Trinitie, and they with me, but vnder seuen pound a year they will
not serue, nor Thomas Bunting that was Roger Bunting his seruant. Therefore
I would haue three Russes at the least to spinne, fiue of them will be as
good as these three, and will not be so chargeable all, as one of these
would be. I thinke it were good that our Nassada were somewhat strengthened
in her floore on both sides with plankes of fiue or sixe ynches thicke,
from the stemme to the sterne, as I haue written to Thomas Hawtrey at
Vologda. Also if you shall so thinke meet, your waxe and tallowe shall be
laden in two Dosnickes, for they bee meete to goe aboord the shippes: I doe
intend to set vp an house at Boroseua ouer against the place whereat the
shippes shall ride, your aduise therein I expect it shall not cost aboue
three robles, and yet if we will, there shall be two warme roomes in it. As
for other matter at this present I haue not to trouble you withall, and if
it would please yow I would be glad to heare some good newes of Master
Ienkinson. Thus Iesus be with you and be his guide.
Postscriptum.
[Sidenote: White hawks and white beares prohibited without licence.] As for
these our Hawkes they bee not white, but white and mayled, but indeede be
Iarfawkons. These dayes past our Olen died. So this yeere our Masters of
the companie are like to haue none, nor any white beares. Neither may any
passe out of the realme without a special licence from the Emperour.
I intend God willing to goe to Lampas, if I doe I will take foure or fiue
kerseys with me, but as for money there is small store here to carie.
Yours, Richard Gray.
* * * * *
A letter of Thomas Alcocke to the worshipfull Richard Gray, and Henrie Lane
Agents in Moscouia from Tirwill in Polonia, written in Tirwill the 26. of
Aprill 1558.
My duety premised vnto your worships, with commendations &c. It may please
you to be aduertised, that my last I sent from Smolensco, which I trust you
haue receiued with other letters to diuers of our Englishmen, wherein I
certified you of my long retayning there, as also of my departure from
thence, and howe that I had hired a Totar to bring mee to Danske. We came
to a certaine village on Satterday the sixe and twentieth of Februarie, and
there remained that night and Sunday to refresh our horses, intending to
haue gone away on Munday earely. But on Saterday at night one of his
neighbours departed to Tirwill, and there declared to the Captaine howe
that at such a place there was a Dutch man that was come from the Mosco,
and woulde ride to Danske, saying, for the one, I cannot tell what he is.
The Captaine incontinent ridde to the King to shewe him thereof, so that
without any delay there was sent out for mee one of the Gentlemen of the
Kings house, and one of the Mesnickes of the Towne with sixe Officers to
take mee. They came thither in the night about midnight, and there
apprehended mee and tooke all that I had from me: they left me nothing but
my clothes to put on my backe, and so brought mee to Tirwill to the
Captaines house, where before I dyned, I had a payre of fetters clapped on
my legges, wherewithall I sate vntill it was Munday in the Easter-weeke. On
which day, after long and earnest calling to the Captaine as he ridde by
the windowe, he commaunded the Marshall that mine yrons shoulde be taken
off, but no worde I could heare when I should be deliuered out of
captiuitie till it was Saint George his day: on which day I was had before
the Marshall, who declared vnto me that the Kings Maiestie had shewed his
mercie and goodnesse towardes mee: for his pleasure was that I should be
deliuered out of prison to depart into England, but no way else. So after I
had giuen thankes for the Kings Maiesties goodnesse shewed vnto me, I
desired him that he woulde be a meane that I might haue the remaynder of
such thinges as were taken from me restored vnto me againe. Hee made me
answere, that I might thanke God that I escaped with my head, and that if
euer there came any more of vs through the land, they should not so doe.
The weeke before Easter they deliuered mee my Corobia againe with all
thinges that were therein. They tooke from mee in money nine Hungers
gylderns in golde, fiue shillings foure pence in Lettoes money, fourtie
Altines in Russe money, whereof twentie and more were for tokens, halfe an
angell and a quarter of Master Doctour Standishes, with his golde
ring.[Sidenote: Doctor Standish the Emperours Phisition.] Your two pieces
of money (Master Gray) that you sent to your wife and daughter, with my two
pieces of Boghary money. Of all this I had eight Hungers gilderns deliuered
mee the thirde weeke of mine imprisonment to paye for my charges, which
stoode mee in a Doller a weeke. So that at the day of my deliuerie I had
but three gyldernes left me. For the rest I made a supplication to the
Captaine and had the like answere giuen mee as the Marshall gaue me. So
that all the rest of the thinges before written are lost, and no recouerie
to bee had, which grieueth me more for the tokens sake then doeth mine
eight weeks imprisonment. They haue also my sword, my bootes, my bowe and
arrowes that I bought at Smolensco, which cost me foure marks, my sled, my
felt, the comhold, a booke of the Flowres of godly prayers, and my booke
wherein my charges were written. Of all these I can get nothing againe, not
so much as my two bookes.
After I had remayned there fiue and thirtie dayes, I was had before the
Captaine vp into a great chamber to bee examined for letters and of the
cause of my comming through the Countrey. In the Captaines companie was one
of the Lordes of Danske. They demaunded of mee where my letters were, I
declared vnto them that I had none: your Officers (sayd I) tooke me when I
was in my bedde, they searched mee and tooke all that I had from mee, if
there be any they shall finde them among my stuffe which they haue. They
asked mee then, for what cause I went home ouer lande? I declared vnto
them, that the Winter beeing a warme season, and hauing intelligence that
the frozen Sea was not much frozen, and supposing this Sommer it would be
nauigable, I was onely sent to prouide a Shippe to be sent to passe the
sayde Seas to discouer Cataia: which if God graunted wee might doe, it
woulde not onely bee a commoditie to the Realme of Englande, but vnto all
Christian landes, by the riches that might be brought from thence, if the
histories bee true that are written thereof. Much other communication I had
with them concerning the same voyage. Then he demaunded of mee what wares
wee brought into Russia, and what we carried from thence. I declared the
same vnto them. Then they burdened mee, that wee brought thither thousandes
of ordinance, as also of harneis, swordes, with other munitions of warre,
artificers, copper, with many other things; I made them answere, that wee
had brought thither about one hundred shirtes of mayle, such olde thinges
newe scowred as no man in Englande woulde weare. Other talke they had with
mee concerning the trade of Moscouia too long to commit to writing.
[Sidenote: An attempt to hinder our trade to Mosvouia by the Hans townes
and Easterlings.] At my comming hither heere were Ambassadours from the
townes of Danske, Lubeck, and Hamburgh, as also out of Liefland to desire
this King to bee their Captaine and head their intended voyage, which was
to stoppe all such shippes as shoulde goe out of England for Mocouia.
Whereunto the King graunted, and immediately they departed to prepare their
shippes. So that I am afraide that either these our enemies, or the great
warres that we haue with France and Scotland will be an occasion that you
shall haue no shippes at Colmogro this yeere.
To conclude, although I haue no tokens to deliuer them, that the tokens
taken from me were sent vnto, yet I will declare vnto them that I had
tokens for them, with the mischance. And thus I commit you to Almightie God
with the rest of the companie who keepe you in health to his holy will and
pleasure.
By yours to commaund
THOMAS ALCOCKE.
* * * * *
A Letter of Master Anthonie Ienkinson vpon his returne from Boghar to the
worshipful Master Henrie Lane Agent for the Moscouie compante resident in
Vologda, written in the Mosco the 18. of September, 1559.
Worshipfull Sir, after my heartie commendations premised with most desire
to God of your welfare and prosperous successe in all your affaires. It may
please you to bee aduertised that the fourth of this present I arriued with
Richard Iohnson and Robert Iohnson all in health, thankes bee to God. Wee
haue bene as farre as Boghar, [Footnote: Bokhara.] and had proceeded
farther on our voyage toward the lande of Cathay, had it not bene for the
vncessant any continuall warres, which are in all these brutall and wilde
countrey, that it is at this present impossible to passe, neither went
there any Carauan of people from Boghar that way these three yeere. And
although our iourney hath bene so miserable, dangerous, and chargeable with
losses, charges and expenses, as my penne is not able to expresse the same:
yet shall wee bee able to satisfie the woorshipfull Companies mindes, as
touching the discouerie of The Caspian Sea, with the trade of merchandise
to bee had in such landes and countreyes as bee thereabout adiacent, and,
haue brought of the wares and commodities of those Countries able to
answere the principall with profite: wishing that there were vtterance for
as great a quantitie of kersies and other wares as there is profile to bee
had in the sales of a small quantitie, (all such euill fortunes beeing
escaped as to vs haue chaunced this present voyage,) for then it woulde be
a trade woorthie to bee followed. Sir, for that I trust you will be here
shortly (which I much desire) I will deferre the discourse with you at
large vntill your comming, as well touching my trauel, as of other things.
Sir, Iohn Lucke departed from hence toward England the seuenth of this
present, and intendeth to passe by the way of Sweden, by whom I sent a
letter to the worshipfull Companie, and haue written that I intend to come
downe vnto Colmogoro to be readie there at the next shipping to imbarke my
selfe for England, declaring that my seruice shal not be needful here, for
that you are a man able to serne their worships in greater affaires then
they haue heere to doe, so farre as I perceiue. As touching the Companies
affaires heere, I referre you to Christopher Hudsons letters, for that I am
but newly arriued. Hauing heere but litle businesse to doe, I send you
Richard Iohnson to helpe you there in your affaires. Thus giuing you most
heartie thanks for my wench Aura Soltana, I commend you to the tuition of
God, who send you health with hearts desire. [Sidenote: This was a yong
Tartar girle which he gaue to the Queene afterwards.]
Your assured to command,
Anthonie Ienkinson.
* * * * *
A Letter of the Moscouie companie to their Agents in Russia, Master Henrie
Lane, Christopher Hudson, and Thomas Glouer sent in their seuenth voyage
to Saint Nicholas with three ships, the Swallowe, the Philip and Marie,
and the Iesus the fifth of May, 1560.