Letter – Michael Blackett to John Strother – 14 Dec 1675

Newcastle xber the 14th 1675

Mr Jno Strother

Sr

I suppose you have heard of ere this how that my father and I was in compa[ny] and alsoe that the sd Compa[ny] is seperated occation[e]d by his marrying againe so that for future I am to act for my se[l]fe and Intending by Gods Grace to use the Stockholme trade for ould acquaintance I thinke in Civility I ought rather to make bould with you then any other not doubting but you will accept of my Commission and Study my advantidge as much as any other can doe I have freighted m[aste]r Wm Lecke whose vessell is aboute 100 Last to goe from hence to Rotchell and so for your place in the Spring and I verily believe with the very first you may expect him with his Loading of the best french salt which I hope will find Ready vent who by Charter partie <is> bound to take in <3>0 last of Iron 20 last of pitch and the rest Tarr <w[hi]ch> this winter season take your owne time as you shall thinke most for my advantidge and buy as followeth for the winter time I suppose they are to be Got Cheapest 30 Last of Iron I suppose will be 400 shipp <ll> so let me have 200 shipp <ll> of fine narrow flatt

80 shipp <ll> of Inch square

20 shipp <ll> of 2 <.>  inch square

50 shipp <ll> of 2 ¾  Inch flatt

40 shipp <ll> of 3 ¼ Inch flatt

60 shipp <ll> of pan plates

450 sh[ipp] <ll>  in all of the very finest & best mettle but sr for stowidge I am Confident the m[aste]r will have a mind to Take in 550 sh[ipp] <ll> which is left to him so if he resolve Thereupon let me have 300 shipp <ll> of fine narrow flatt and of all other sorts as above

for the 20 Last of pitch pray let it be of the very best & ouldest & for the tarr I must Intreate your care to se[e] that I have if possible w[hi]ch hath stood In the Tarr <hoss> all winter and filled up with the same if you doe not this for me I shall Loose a great deale by it so pray be Carefull in this and let all be Good Casks strong and well hooped be sure I hope you & <foxhall> be better acquainted hereafter not doubting but in the Loading for a tryall you will Give me all satisfaction Immaginable I am Intreated to make use of Urban Hall but will not medle with him untill you say me noe for ould acquaintance sake all this time I desire you to buy but never tells you where to Get <mo[ney]> Mr Peter Wattson & Mr fran: Townley being in Compa[ny] from whome you will have a letter with this will accept you<r> bills for w[ha]t you shall draw upon my acct or if you thinke it more for my advantidge may draw upon Mr Nicho: Verlaen of Amsterdam who hath the needfull order for Honnouring your Bills now sr because I suppose my salt will find Ready vent I would desire you not to draw more then w[ha]t you thinke the Loading will come to more than the proceed of the salt rather than you should I would willingly allow you Interest till the salt arrived butt if you find this winter time an opertunity of buying the above Goods Cheape & cannot disburse the mo[ney] for me for so long time do not let that hinder the buying thereof butt do itt & draw your mo[ney] as above I shall Go<d> willing write you every weke but at present am In hast[e] so with my respects to your selfe and Lady I remaine MB