Letter – John Blackett to John Kelly – 12 Mar 1709

Mr John Kelley                                                                         Rotterdm 12 March 1709



Sr	last Sunday I Recd both yours of the 5th & 14 feby yr Stile, there was five mails delivered out at once, & I have got 2 Mails due, it freezes here as hard as ever, I hope by this time you have got a Ship for the Seed, it I think it will be as well if you Send for the Seed to Newcastle by land & then Ship it for this place, it will not be very hard to get Insurance made from Blyth, the Broaker tells me I need not be uneasy though the Seed does not come this Month, it is his opinion that it will keep its price, when Capt John Binkes arrives I will Sell the Coales the highest price possible  I cannot next write you the price [struck out: ‘of Coales’] The Maese has been froze for these 2 months & none has been Sold, if no great quantity comes I hope to make 22gl a hood if not more, but if maney Ships comes the price will be about 20gl, we have delivered a Request to the States that all French Coales may be counter Band & not Suffered to be brought into Flanders, this is the reason that coales has been So low all this Winter, Ryssel Gent Bridges etc has all been Supplied from france, but if our Request takes Effect Coales will be 24 & 25gl all Summer, I Recd a letter last post from Mr Wilton wth bills loading as likewise Samples of the Mixt Kerseys, at their arrival will Sell them to your most advantage, I wish the mixt Kerseys had come before the Winter, the country people are now mostly provided, I cannot tell how to advise you whether to Inssure or not, the Insurance at present is 39 <st? f10 ...> the Ships where your goods are loaden are all goods Ships & the Masters has used this place maney Years, but you know very well we have generally very blowing Weather this Month the last letters brought advice of Severall Ships being Stranded In Yarmouth Roades, [struck out: ‘one of them’] is Oliver Wall is from Newcastle, therefore Shall waite your further orders whether I Shall make Insurance or not, Indeed I do not hear that maney Privateers are out, but when the Ice is gone I fancy we Shall of Severall putting to Sea, The french always knows as well as our Selves when the fleet is expected, I will dispose of your goods assoon as can find a good Market, because I perceive you designe to Send a Ship for the East Country, when your friends draws on me their bills Shall be duly honoured, I am very glad my father has writ you a letter wth an Invitation to Newby, I hope you will be So kind as to go & Stay 14 days, am Sure you will be heartly welcome, if it was but onely upon my Account, am Sure I am more obliged to you than any one in Newcastle, am Sorry to hear that your Mother is out of order, the house is mighty Damp & certainly that is the Reason my Sisters will have a mighty great loss, by the first Ships will Send you what you write for there is no proffit to be had in butter, but if you could Send hides they would turn to good Acct but must first inquire if they are allowed to be brought out of England, the best comes from Sheilds

Hides 55 & 60 <ll> 131/2 & 141/2gl

           65 & 70 <ll> 143/4 & 16gl

Lead  22 <Bst?>

The Broakers cannot tell me the price White & Mixt Kerseys till the See them

there are all Sort of prices