Letter – John Blackett to Matthew Featherstone – 1 Feb 1709

Messrs Featherstone & Reay                                                           Rotterdm the 1 Feby 1709



Yesterday I Recd of the 7 Janny we have had a very great frost for these 3 months that not one Ship has been able to get ancher In the Maese or Hellevoet Sluys, we had 7 mails at once from England, am mighty glad the flax proved as good as that wch my neighbours Sent, & will Endeavour to Send Some wch is not <fals> packt, here is a Ship wch belongs to your place, if he will bind himself to go wth Convoy Shall be Sure to Ship the goods you order, as likewise the paper wch you ordered in your last, if two Ships lays on for your place will Ship ½ in one & ½ in the other, I have this day drawn on you at 2 usance a bill at £95 at <35..> & the reason I did not draw on you before was because the Exchange has been very low all the frost the Exchange was 2 post agoe at 35 <Bst> Some people would have made their advantage at Such a time but I will never do any thing wch is a prejudice to any correspondent if it lays in my power to be help’d, the bill is payable to Mr John Kelley, Since the frost no merchandise is Sturring therefore no alteration in the price of goods I make you debit for 95£ a 35 & 2 f1002:5>