Letter – John Blackett to Matthew Featherstone – 28 Jun 1709

Mr R Featherstone & Reay                           Rotterdm  28 June 1709



	I Recd yours of the 20 May wth the bill of £86 accepted, am mighty Sorry the flax I Sent last proves So bad indeed I must confess the best goods are much the cheapest considering the goodness the Reason I Sent of So low prises was because Mr Allen Shipt a good quantity wch Cost 19 & 20 Stl, Shall take care next time to Send of the middling Sort, we Expect in a day or two to hear of a Battle the french are very Strongly Intrenched but the D of Malborough & prince Eugenins are resolved to deliver them Battle, Some Say they are retired under the guns of Valeniyne, corne yet very Dear in france and if they get none from france it will yet be dearer, the last Winters frost has ruined all the Vineyards wch makes wyn & brandy rise Considerably, about one Month ago brandy was Sold for 24 Stivers a Stoop & now is got to 40 Stivers, Mr Shadforth told me had bought Some odd things for Mr Featherstone to the value of about f100 & had orders to take it of me, wch has paid him & has his Receipt for the money