Letter – Ralph Grey to Hayward – 11 Apr 1674

      New[castle]  Aprill the 11 1674

Mr Hayward,

Yrs of the 4th Aprill came to saife  hand whearin you desired to be informed in the coale traide. Coles is sould for nine shill[ing]s wch last wint[e]r was bought for 6s; but those that follow the traide make there p[ro]visions in the winter from the ii of No; till the 2d of febr; for then the colyers is nessessitated but is there now ; the charge is as followeth; for coles is nine shill per chald[ron] & eight chald will maike out 15 chald at London; [coustom] one shill per chald & towne dewty 3d per chald & kele dewty one shill per chald, lightidge 2d per chald and fright 20 [d] per chald heare; wch I have bene <concernd> have maid out two for one at Coleburne and others as the goodness of the coles; the best way is to fright ships there to load <hear..> to wch I refar you; but for present thar is none will take frights hear; [change of handwriting from this point] I have ships there to loade heare; to wch I prefer you; but for present there is none will take frait heare. I have shipet in the Prudence of Newcastl Mr Edwarde Carre; 200 ps of lead £9-5s-11d per your perticulirs I shall send you; I pray honner me so much as to furnish my cossen Mrs Catherine Briggs wt money she hath occation for; and wt is above the balance shall be paide thrwith maiy then be ether upon bill here or I shall order you it up with my servts. Your humble servant , Ralph Grey.