Letter – John Blackett to John Kelly – 1 Feb 1709

Mr John Kelley                                                                      Rotterdm the 1 Feby 1709



Sr	yesterday I Recd yours of the 31 Decembr as likewise one from Mr Witton he writes me that a parcell of mixt Kerseys was gone for Hull and so for <Tergow> he Says the charges will be Less, but I believe he will find that will but differ very little, this post I designe to answer his letter, I will write you the Exact price here under, you may be very well assured I will do my best for my friends but particularly for my best friend Mr Kelley am glad you have bought 12 or 14 last Rape Seed, I wish you could find any oppertunity of Sending it, I think the best way will be to get a Ship, & what She wants besides the Rape Seed to load wth coales I will take ½ wth you, it is impossible to get a Ship at present from hence, because it will be So long before a Ship can get to Blith after it begins to Thaw, therefore will leave it wholely to your management, I do here Remit you for my Acct a bill at 2 usance of £95 upon Mr Featherstone & Reay, I hope you are not to pay ready money for the Seed, I do not know the Custom about you, pray let me know in the next & Shall always mind to have money ready hereafter, at London and Looses 10 pC by the measure, but at Stockton the measure is as large as ours, I cannot advise you the price of coals or hardly any thing Else, our Rivers has been frozen So hard & long time that no Merchendising in the least is Sturring, you write me that you have had a great Consult, the Effects of wch hope may afford me a pair of the best Gloves, really I cannot tell what to think, I desire you would explaine yr Self a little more in your next, when you Ship the Seed there must be great care taken that it is put on board very dry, & if it chance to be long aboard the men must toss it about, & keep it from being hot wch Seed is very apt to be, Since the frost no manner of business is Sturring therefore no alteration in the price of Goods Severall people are of opinion that coales will Rise when the Ice is gone & others are of opinion another, therefore cannot tell how to advise my friend, but I would by all means have you to get a Ship to load the Rape Seed, & what is wanting to put coales or some other thing aboard, if it comes Safe & proves good I hope to make 43 or 44£ wch is the price at present, you must Ship it for this place it was a Amsterdm Broaker wch told me it was higher in price their than this place, but Since have made enquiry & finds it is always dearer here, I would not have you to buy any more Seed, till you hear further I do here inclosed Send you for my Acct a bill of 13£ 15 Shill on B Clayton