Letter – Edward Blackett to John Blackett – 19 May 1709

D[ea]r Jack                           						May 1709

      I am very sorry to perceive by yrs of the 17th that you have been so very ill of late, and should be very glad to hear of yr full Recovery

      All our Great Men at Court are being positive that there will most certainly be a Speedy Peace, and I hope by this come to your hand you’ll be fully Satisfyed that it will be So and then we may Expect a Good trade, Little or[e] or Lead is Sold any where by Reason they Expect a Peace and then a good advance will be upon that Comodity , as Lasts of Corn are Extravagantly Dear here.  I have not known the like in any time  New wheat was sold in our Market last week at 8s 6d pr <bushl> Beans 6 .6 and all other Grain proportionalle Tis thought Rape will be at 3s a last, last winter has destroyed the most of it.  Mr Kelly and Mr Pemberton was here 5 or 6 days, what trade they have to or from Rotterdam I’m Sure you’ll have <their> Commissions tho’ I doubt they do not deal for very much   Mr Wilkinson has promised again that he’ll be mindful to send you Some Lead as soon as he thinks he can get anything by it.

      In case you Receive any Letr. From yr Sister Nancy be Sure you inclose them to her back again and consider tis my positive Command, for She has quite a great affront upon my Selfe & family by Marrying a Scoundrel fellow an Attorneys Son in Ripon without the knowledge of any Relation she had in the World and for her undutifulness am positively resolved never to give her one farthing to her portion, nor never See her Face more.   All here give you their kind Remembrance with my blessing to you I am D[ea]r Jack            Yr most Affect Father 

                                                                     Upon Rect. of this Give me a Line

Mr Jno. Blackett  Merct In Rotterdam