Letter – John Blackett to Matthew Featherstone – 7 Dec 1708

Mr Featherstone & Reay                                                    Rotterdm   7 Decembr 1708



My last to you was of the 30th past, Since has not been favoured wth yours, here inclosed I Send you Invoice & bill of loading of 6 Matts flax 20 Matts Rynsbs Tow 2 Matts Twine 3 Matts Bostle Tow & 3 Matt Paper, On board Robt Bulman; I hope you will find them all to Content, [struck out: ‘I believe you will’] wth much difficulty I found 20 Matts Rynsbr Tow at 121/2gl but Bostle is very scarce  [struck out: ‘therefore has Sent you but 3 Matts’] I could but find 3 Matts in the city  Papers here is a great quantity but the Merchant where I bought this Mat tells me he Could only give me these 20 Reams upon his word, & if the Ship was not gone in 5 or 6 days he would Sent to the Mills for that wch is good,  I do not question but you will find the charges very Reasonable I Saved as much as possible of the Customs, & always will do what lay’s in my Power for my friends,  [struck out: ‘Shoemakers Thread pays 4 times as much duty as Twine’], Robt Bulman went to Joyne the fleet at the Briel Yesterday, & was to Saile this day wth two Men of War for London, the Wind is very fair & a fresh gaile Therefore hopes he will get Safe, Mr Allan has now made an End wth the Customs house Officers, he paid f2200gl Bulman will tell you the particulars he was the man that had the Lead aboard, I have Sent per Bulman 2 Small baggs of chestnuts I desire Mrs Featherstone will be So kind as to accept of one & Mrs Reay the other  my Service to all friends I am 

                                                               Your Very humbe Servt



per Next Ship will Send you the Remainder of the paper

Exchange   2 u[suance] 35:1 a 35:1 1/2gl or 35 <B 2 .>

Lead  21 <B/ 13?>        Coales  18gl