(_State Paper Office, Colonial Papers_, vol. VI, art. 53.)
XXIX, n. 1.
May it please your Lordshipps.
As I was comaunded by your Lordshipps order of the Five and
twentieth of July last I have heard Captaine Man and Mr. Tomson
traders about Canada, and not taking upon mee to examin whether
the Traders offended against the priviledge granted by his
Majestie or not, or whither they comitted any Contempt for that
I conceived I was but to enforme myselfe what damages the
Adventurers have susteyned and what profitt the other parties
have made wherein I find that Captaine Kirke conceiveth
himselfe damnified principally by the traders trucking for
Bevers of which Captaine Man retorned 700 £. worth of Bever and
some Elkes skynnes and Mr. Tomson retorned about 1200 £. worth
of Bever, all which Captaine Kirke would have had allowed unto
him besides amends for damages that may happen in the trade
hereafter, but upon consideration of the Charge and expence the
traders weare at in setting forth their shipps and it was but
casuall whether those Bevers should ever have come to the
handes of Captaine Kirke in case the Traders had not bought
them, of the natives and although by their trading and giveing
more to the natives for Bevers then was used there hath growen
damage to the future trade, yett I find noe certainty that this
shall fall uppon Captaine Kirke, and for that I cannot find
that Mr. Tomsons voyage was profitable and the gaine of
Captaine Mans voyage was not much, I proposed that for a finall
end of those Controversies betweene them Captaine Man should
pay 200 £. and that M. Tomson should pay 400 markes without
expecting any of their assentes. All which I humbly leave to
your honors judgement.