acquaintance with vs, being glad to further vs in that they may, and haue
spoken in our fauours to the chiefest of this Countrey: one being a noble
man, with whom your Agent and I are entred into friendship, who is at this
time in great fauour with the Shaugh. [Sidenote: Cozamomet a noble man that
fauoured our nation.] He hath here and in other places of these parts set a
good stay in things since the kings death: he is well knowen to M.
Ienkinson, his name is Cozamomet. Also another Duke named Ameddin-beck is
our great friend. And his sister is the Shaughes wife. These two haue
promised your Agent by their lawe, not onely to procure to get the Shaughes
priuiledge but also that I shall haue the debts paied me of those that went
from hence to Casbin, if we would send one with them. In consideration
whereof, I was vpon short warning (for want of a better) appointed by your
agent, M. Richard Iohnson, all excuses laied apart, presently to put my
selfe in readinesse, and to depart in company with these noblemen: with
charge, when God should send me to Casbin, to vse my discretion with their
aduise, for the recouering of your debts and priuiledge. I shall haue with
mee one interpreter and two bought seruants: one of which partly
vnderstandeth this tongue, and may be put in trust whatsoeuer should become
of me. [Sidenote: The value of a tumen.] I, haue receuied 6. tumens in
ready money, 200. shaughs is a tumen, reckoning euery shaugh for sixe pence
Russe. I haue further receiued two timbers of Sables, one to be sold, the
other to bee giuen to Thomas the Shaugh: and haue order further to giue as
I shall see good to those that shall further my suite, and as occasion
serueth. And forasmuch as I am commanded to go, I shall willingly do my
best, putting my trust in God that he will send me well to speed in this
iourney.
For all kind of wares bought or sold, you shal throughly be aduertised by
your Agent Richard Iohnson, whose reckonings or accompts at no hands I
might see or be priuie vnto. Your karseis were good and well sorted, they
are and will be sold from 150. shaughs, to 160. the piece. Two hundred
pieces were sold vnder, that needed not: one 100. pieces at 146. and 147.
the piece but more would haue bene giuen, if circumspection had bene vsed.
They were sold to those noble men aforesayd, which as yet it was not knowen
that I should haue gone with them. They may stand vs much in stead, as they
haue promised vs their good wils in that they may doe. [Sidenote: What a
batman is.] Here is at this time bought for England 11. packes of rawe
silke, 25. and 26. batmans being in euery packe: The batman being 7. pound,
which may be 6. pound and a halfe of English waight, being bought here from
66. to 70. shaughes the batman. It is fine and good, litle course at this
time was to be had. And where course silke might be had being at Grosin, we
could not send thither: for that time was neglected at the first. When wee
shall haue lidgers here to remaine in Sommer, we may buy it at the first
hand of the countrey people that bring it to sell hither, and to other
places. I would to God the Companie could find the meanes to haue a vent to
make sales for the one halfe that we may buy here. The Companie may haue
for 30. or 40. thousand pounds yeerely. [Sidenote: Varas a great mart for
silke.] And as appeareth by your Agents wordes being at Varas, he and
others sawe there so great abundance, that by report of diuers, you may
bestow (if it were not for the Turkes) for a two hundred thousand pounds:
besides silke of all colours died in graine, bound vp in pound waights, I
thinke 15. of our ounces to their pound waight, and here sold for 23.
shaughs, at 6. d. the shaugh, may be 11. s. 6. pence.
[Sidenote: Gilan 7. dayes sailing from Astracan.] From Astracan in 7. or 8.
dayes, wee may saile with our barke to a place named Gilan: the which place
in time to come, (I thinke) shall serue our purpose best to goe vnto. Alom
is there good cheape, being brought from thence hither to Shamaki, and sold
here for two bists their batman, which may be 5. pence in our money: and so
I haue bought to bee sent home 223. batmans for example. And at Gilan there
is rawe silke enough for the companies stocke. [Sidenote: Gilan 4. dayes
iourney from Casbin.] I beleeue, if any great store of wares be sent from
you, that must be the place: and from thence a man may trauell in 4. dayes
to Casbin, and there make quicke and better sales, at which place your
commodities are to be sold. For there be the chiefe and best merchants, and
diuers other cities round about, to wit, Teueris, Ardouil, and Caishan,
being the heart of the countrey, where there is more ciuilitie and
merchants are better vsed. Concerning this point I haue inquired of diuers
merchants both Russes and others that haue bene in those parts and found
them all agreeing in one tale, and perceiue the same to be true, and that
all kind of wares come from thence into these parts. [Sidenote: From Casbin
to Ormus a moneths trauel with camels.] And from Casbin to Ormus is about
30. daies trauelling with camels. I haue written the prices of wares in my
letter to the gouernour both for spices and some drugs which I do know.
Also you shall vnderstand here is plentie of yew for bowstaues. I caused
three horse loades to be bought vs for to know the trueth: but they were
cut out of season this moneth of April, the sap being in them. Three
moneths I neuer left speaking to the Countrey men to bring some. Your Agent
will send some home for example.
This day being the 26. of Aprill I departed towards Casbin: God giue me a
good houre and well to speed, with a mery heart in returning againe, as my
hope is I shall. I haue written my mind to M. Glouer your Agent, what
Russian wares I thinke best to be brought for this Countrey, and to send
some one hither that hath the Russe tongue, for we haue need. [Sidenote:
The secret doings of the Moscouie company.] And the companie shall do well
hereafter in taking of seruants to be sent hither, to see that they be such
as haue discretion, and be something broken in the world, and seene in the
trade of merchandise, and one (if they can get some such) as can speake the
Portingall tongue, may do them as good seruice, as those that shall be here
two yeeres before him: for then we may buy a slaue that can speake this
language and the Portingal tongue also, which shall then interprete vnto vs
in all your secret doings, not making the Russes priuy: for they are sory
that we doe trade into these partes for we are better beloued then they
are: because they are giuen to be drunkards, they are much hated of these
people. It is to be wished that none should serue your worships in these
parts that be giuen to that kind of vice: And that your chiefe Agent and
Factor should be able to rule and gouerne himselfe, that no dishonestie
should be imputed to him and vs. By his euill vsage he paied here 24
rubbles, being in this Countrey 4. tumens for a boy, that he was charged to
haue conueied away from a Tesicke one of this countrey men, who willed him
to sweare that he knew not where the boy was become, and he should not pay
it. If he were honest he might do your worships good seruice because of his
Russian tongue.
Your London reds are not to be sent hither, for they will not giue aboue
18. shaughes their arshine. [Sidenote: Orient reds of Venice die.] Here be
reds of more orient colour, being Venice die. The people are giuen much to
weare cloth: the common peoples pecially weare karseis, and the merchants
of more wealth weare broad cloth. You shall doe well to send fiue or sixe
broad clothes, some blackes, pukes, or other sad colours, that maybe
affoorded at 20. shaughes the arshine, and not aboue. It is here reported
that King Philip hath giuen the Turkes a great ouerthrow at Malta, and
taken 70. or 80. of his chiefe captains.
Thus wishing I had more time to write, I pray you to beare with this my
scribled letter, and after you haue red it, that M. Nicols may haue a sight
thereof,
By your seruant to command,
Arthur Edwards.
* * * * *
Commodities to be caried out of England into Persia, with their prizes
there.
1 Karseis are sold there for 180. Shaughes: [Sidenote: A shaugh is 6d.
English.] so that a karsey is sold there in Persia for foure pound ten
shillings: for euery shaugh is sixe pence English, and euery Bist is two
pence halfepeny English, and in Russe money three pence.
2 Tinne is sold in Persia for 14. and 18. shaughes the batman. The batman
containing as I haue mentioned before.
3 Brasil is at 10. and 12. shaughes the batman.
4 Red cloth fine, at 25. and 30. shaughes the yard.
5 Copper at 20. and 25. shaughes the batman.
Commodities to be brought out of Persia for England.
1 Raw silke at 60 shaughs the batman.
2 Pepper at 32. shaughs the batman,
3 Ginger at 18. and 20. shaughs the batman.
4 Nutmegs at 30. shaughs the batman.
5 Brimstone at 4. shaughs the great batman.
The great batman is 12. li. English.
6 Allom at 2. bists and a halfe the batman and lesse.
7 Rice at halfe a bist the batman.
8 Gals at halfe a bist the batman,
9 Cloues at 40. shaughs the batman
10 Yew for bow staues, at [Transcriber's note: blank in original.]
* * * * *
A letter of M. Arthur Edwards, written the 8. of August 1566. from the
towne of Shamaki in Media, to the right worshipfull the Gouernours,
Consuls, Assistants and generalitie of the Companie of Russia, &c.
Shewing his accesse vnto the Emperour of Persia, his conference with him,
his obtaining of a priuiledge, with diuers other good obseruations.
Right worshipfull Sirs, my bounden dutie remembered, with most humble
commendations and like request to God for the preseruation of your good
healths, with the rest of the companie, &c. [Sidenote: His arrival at
Casbin the 25. of May.] It may please you to vnderstand, that the last
letter which I sent you from hence was of the 26. of April of this present
yeere by Richard Iohnson at my departure towards Casbin: to which citie I
came the 25. of May folowing, not slacking any day, houre, nor moment, to
procure and make friends for the speedie bringing me before the presence of
the Shaugh, being the 29. day of the same moneth brought before him, with,
whose maiestie I was in talke (as 1 thinke) two houres. He willed me twise
to come neerer him, demanding what were my requests: and hauing heard them,
he promised me his gracious letters. [Sidenote: Conference and demands of
the Shaugh.] Afterwards he called me twise againe to come neerer him, and
talked with me of our Queenes maiestie and Countrey, and what commodities
we had, and what other commodities we desired: and then of other countries
adioining to vs and their commodities, as also of king Philip, what
ouerthrow he gaue the Turks at the siege of Malta. And how long we had
traded into Russeland and Moscouia, and in what space we might saile out of
England into Russeland, and how many weekes trauell it is from Comolgro to
Astracan: and then came to discourse of Russeland, and what townes the
Emperour had wonne, declaring vnto me himselfe most of our commodities.
[Sidenote: All sorts of cloth to be spent, specially Westerne dozens died
into scarlet.] In the end he willed that your worships should send him of
all sorts of clothes, but of one especially which maidens do make (as he
sayd:) He named it Karengi, I thinke it is Westerne dozens died into
scarlets. Time will not permit mee to write at large the conference which I
had with his maiesty. It was strange to his people (knowing our religion)
to see me so long in talke with him, willing his Secretarie before mee to
write what he was desirous of: to wit, of London clothes, three or foure of
all sorts for example, being well shorne and drest. Violets in graine and
fine reds be most worne, but other good colours will away, when they shall
see them. I wore a garment of London russet, being much esteemed. You shall
doe well lo send such sorts as be liuely to the sight, and some blacks for
womens garments, with some Orenge colours and tawneis. Here is much broad
cloth worne. [Sidenote: London clothes much talked of in Persia.] They
talke much of London clothes, and they that know the wearing, are desirous
of them before the cloth of the womens making, for they find it nothing
durable. For when it commeth to weare on the threed, it renteth like paper.
[Sidenote: Much Venice clothe worn in Persia.] Here is much Venice cloth
worne, being cromplisted a yard and a halfe broad, and sold here from 24.
to 30. shaughes their arshine, being longer by two inches then the Russe
arshine is; I wish also that you send some good chamlets and veluets died
in graine, with purple colours and fine reds: because these are most worne.
Also some blacks with other colours: some cloth of gold, tissue and bocky,
some veluets wrought with gold, with sattins and damaskes, most purple, and
reds of all sorts. You may not forget to send some Western karseis, to wit,
dozens, which be thicked well, and close shut in the weauing, being died
into fine reds, and some skarlets: for I thinke there is no such cloth for
their caps.
[Sidenote: The second admission to the Shaughs presence, the 29. of Iune
1566. at which time he reciued the priuiledge. The Shaughs promise to
increase the priuiledge.] Your worships shall vnderstand, that after my
first departure from the presence of the Prince, I neglected no time in
daily attendance on them, who had my priuiledge in writing, that I might
haue it in readinesse at such time as I should againe bee called before the
presence of the Shaugh, which was the 29. of Iune last. I was in apparell
that he gaue vnto me, with other garments to mine interpreter, and one of
your seruants, and then I receiued your letters or privilege, according to
my desire, sealed and firmed with the Shaughs owne hand. Praysed bee God
who hath wrought with me, and for me, in all my doings.
The 29. of Iune is one of their chiefe festiuall daies, so that all his
nobilitie was there present, with two Ambassadors in companie with his
maiestie, who sayd vnto me that if my letters were not to my mind, in time
to come they should be mended. Whereupon I made my reuerence, and gaue his
highnesse most humble and heartie thanks, saying, that with as much speed
as might bee, our Queenes Maiestie should vnderstand of his goodnesse
towardes her Merchants, which I thought would write their letters of
request vnto his Highnes, in such forme and order as by them should be
thought meete and requisite for their good assurance in the trade of
merchandizes: who replied with these wordes: when wee shall see their
reasonable requests, we will shew them our farther good will, and so I
departed.
Since the receiuing of the Shaughs letters, I haue eaten in company of good
Dukes and others, who before would not come neere me. And euery day some
would come to my Shop, and eate and drinke with me out of mine owne dish.
Likewise in riding from Casbin hither, on the way when I sate downe to
dinner, they would come and eate with mee vnbidden, when I wished them
further off: for I spared them that, which gladly I would haue eaten my
selfe. I doubt not but we shall liue here from hencefoorth in quietnes: for
now in all places where I come, I am friendly vsed with the best.
I was asked by the Shaugh if you were able to bring him yeerly one hundred
thousand pieces of kersies, and clothes. And I answered him, saying, your
worships were able to furnish his countrey with two hundred thousand.
Whereat his Highnesse reioyced: for the Turkes Ambassador the last yere, as
diuers haue told me, did put the Shaugh in despaire, saying, that the,
Turke would not permit any cloth to be brought into his countrey.
[Sidenote: Aleppo a citie of great trade.] There is a citie in Syria named
Aleppo, wherein coninually are many Venetians dwelling, besides other that
come yeerely and there buy wools, gals, tallow, saffron, skins, cotton
wooll, and other wares, and great store of spices. [Sidenote: Armenians
barter with the Venetians.] Also the Armenians yeerly receeiue at the
Venetians hands, karsies in barter for rawe silks, giuing sometimes 60.
pieces of karsies for 70. batmans of silke of this countrey, and 40. pieces
for Grosin silke. And karsies sold commonly for ready money in Aleppo, at
11. and 12. duckets the piece, (the ducket being here woorth 12. shillings)
may cost the first peny 132. and 144. Shaughs a karsie. [Sidenote: The
distance from Shamaky to Alappo.] By report it is one moneths trauel from
this towne of Shamaky to Aleppo, and from thence to Tripolis, six dayes
iourney: and from Tripolis to Venice by water, a moneth or fiue weekes
sailing. As I learne, from hence to Venice may easily be trauelled in lesse
then three moneths. Therefore I wish your worships to procure some trustie
and assured friend there, to whom from hence letters may be sent For I can
haue them here to put in suerties to deliuer my letters, and to bring
answere. If I had any other here with me, I would nothing haue doubted to
haue brought you the Shaughs letters that way.
[Sidenote: Armenians and others desirous to barter silke and spices for
karsies.] The Armenians and other are desirous to barter with vs, giuing
silke for katsies, and also will seme vs of all kind of Spices, we giuing
them sufficient warning to fetch it in the Indies, and will deliuer it vs
in Shamaky at these prizes.
Pepper this townes batman for 18. Shaughs, euery Shaugh is sixepence.
Maces large for 40. Shaughs, and 45. the batman.
Cloues for 40. Shaughs the batman.
Nutmegs for 16. and 18. Shaughs the batman.
Sinamon for 40. Shaughs the batman. I doubt not but there will be profile
and good done in spices, with drugs and other like in time.
From Casbin to Ormus is six weeks trauel, and from hence to Casbin is 16.
dayes with camels laden: but if one trauell with a good Mule vnladen, it
may be gone in seuen or eight dayes. And I thinke to Ormus and other
places, may be trauelled in like order and proportion, with cattel vnladen.
But here in all places as men may trauel, they must carie their owne
prouision on horses, which they are to buy, and thus they, uauel but a
footepasse.
[Sidenote: The Shaugh desirous to bargaine for our commodities.] The Shaugh
himselfe is desirous to bargaine with you who will giue money, silke, and
other wares as we will, and take our wares as we may affoord them, willing
me himselfe to bring such wares as we might gaine by him. The Armenians by
report, and as I perceiue, bring from Aleppo yeerely, foure, fiue, and six
thousand pieces of karsies, and clothes, besides those which other men
bring. If your Worships might procure and find vent or sales for rawe
silke, and silke died in graine, besides other silkes wrought and made
here, by which, profile may be made: then you might send a great substance
of wares hither. But I feare you shall be hindered by the Venetians if they
may: for I know it will grieue them that you doe trade into these partes:
for in short time it shall cleane alter their trade, and hinder the sales
of their clothes in Aleppo and other places adioyning. You shall understand
that 60. batmans of silke is a Mules lading: and as it is reported, one
village of the Armenians yerely carieth 400. and 500. Mules lading of silke
to Aleppo, and bringeth thence 800. or a thousand Mules laden with karsies
and Venice clothes. And 18. pieces of karsies are a Mules lading.
[Sidenote: 2000. pieces of karsies to be sent into Persia.] But I wish you
not to send aboue 2000. pieces of karseis, although I haue bene willed to
write for more. If I might haue had any vnderstanding what your Worships
had written for in your letters sent this yeere, I should in this my letter
haue bene better able to haue answered you. They which be now in Astracan,
might haue written some thing vnto me hither, if it had pleased them, or
else haue sent me such letters of mine, as I hope some of my friends haue
written to me: for here are arriued eight weekes past, two boates with
wares and Russes, by whom they might haue written, had it bene but 3. or 4.
lines. They promised the Russes to write, but promise was not kept. I would
be sory that any boat should depart out of these partes, and not write vnto
them, waying how all things stand. I heare they haue bought a boat, which
coast 40. rubbles, and shipped certaine wares to come hither. God send them
in safetie. I do tarie their comming, or els I had thought to haue come to
Astraean in those boates which departed hence lately.