Letter – John Blackett to John Kelly – 6 Sep 1709

Mr J Kelley                                                    Rotterdm  6 Sept 1709



Sr	Since my last am favod wth yours of 9 & 16 Augt, you order to make Insurance upon Goods in Swanston from the Downs or Noare the broker told me was willing to make Insurance as I thought fit but thought it a great hazard, if Swanston by chance met wth Convoy before came to the Noare or Downs & Should be taken afterwards, the Insurers would not pay one farthing of the Loss because the Police run from the Downs or Noare, & another reason the broaker gave was, if the Master came Safe into the Downs or Noare & by Misfortune Should afterwards be lost & all the Men drowned how could we make it appear that he ever came into the Downs, for you know very the Insurers uppon a Loss will make a dispute if possible, therefore thought it most convenient to Insure f1600 upon Goods in Swanston from Newcastle to Bridges or Ostend 3 <pc?> with &6 <pc?> without, Raisbeek I got for 2 3/4 with & 6 without, this evening Shall write to Amsterdm to know why the Insurance is risen, we have not one Good Insurer in this plaice, & though the Insurance is made at Amsterdm is no more charge than if made here, if Rainsbeek & Swanston Sails from the Downs or any other place wth Convoy & arrives Safe at Oostend, though Sailed from Newcastle without Convoy, they may Send me a Note Signed by Master & Mate that Sailed with Convoy, & will do my best to get the money returned as if Sailed wth Convoy, this Evening Shall write to Bridges to know if either of Sd Masters are arrived, when you Send any Ships to Ostend or Bridges let me know who you consigne them too, & then Shall know how to write to the Masters our Butter proves pritty good & has made a begin to Sell them yesterday Sold 75 at 10 1/2gl but I hope to make f10:5 & 11gl in 14 days time upon receipt of your letter went to most of the glasiers in towne to buy their broaken glass if could get it for 12 Stl may it could have had it for 13 or 14 Stl Should have ventured to have given it, but would not take anything under 22 Stl, Indeed by 2 or 3 glasiers could have had 4 or 5 barrels for 20 Stl but durst not bestow So much, your order not being 12 Stl the glasiers has seldom above 1 or 2 barrels at a time, & than brings it to a Dutchman who gives them 22 Stl a barrel & when has a good quantity Sends it to france, if you would have me do So Shall buy what can, the barrels must returne againe, the glass is put in the bottom of the Ship for ballast, when harrison arrives Shall get the Silk & Send 4 or 5 qts for a triall & be ½ concerned when J Frost comes back to this place Shall give him 2 qts but must direct them for my Sisters he Says he will carry any thing over for them, Rape Seed is 74£ & will be more if can get any as good as last for 20 or 24£ will be concerned to the value of 100£ my Share, if you have none about you, may write to Mr Witton but must be better than the Small parcel he Sent for his own Acct if can get no Seed will be concerned in anything you See any advantage In, Mr Whaley did not do well to write his friend yet Barley was Scarce & likely to be very Dear you may See here to the contrary

W Wheat  270 to 310gl

R ditto      260 to 300

Rye          180 to 200gl

Barley        17 19 to 23gl

Coales        14 1/2gl

Grind Stones  17gl

Exchange  34 <B> 11 <.>