Letters – William Forster to John Ord – 2 Sep 1707

      Wheras an agreement was made virbaly &c about Christmas last past by Mr Samuel Turner on the behalf of Chas Montague, and Wm Forster on the behalf of Mr John Wilkinson one of the Trustees for the Collierys of Sr Wm Blackett Bart deceased and self to allow and pay into the Coale buyers wch are Lightermen 3d pr London Cha[ldron] under the Consideration of giving their true & best assistance they could for enlargeing the vend of the above gentlemens Coales, Notwithstanding wch, contrary to the promise they have not given the best assistance as doth and will appear to us; many of the Coale buyers having contrary to the true intent & meaning of the <aforesd> agreement acted otherwise; by wch they have forfeited that Covinent; so that it is in the pleasure of the foresd gentlemen not to allow them any thing for wt they have vended, but are so farr from doing that, that they are willing to give them <such> assurances that they will pay it or cause it to be pd to the her under subscribers. Under the condition & following wch is but a mean Acknowledgemt: for the great loss the above sd Coale owners have Sustained by the Coale buyers neglect of the duty to serve them: But on the Contrary have taken money for vending Coales from seaverall ordinary Collierys wch have been a great hinderance to the vend of the above sd gentlemns coals and many others that have good coals and an <abuis> to Many of the inhabitants of the Citty and Subberbs of London &c: By encourageing bad coals coming to this port and is likewise a discouragement to the Coaleowners who have good Coales, and great quantitys of them to continue their favours for years to come. If these Eregular proceedings, as before mentioned, be not timely prevented and every one give their hearty & helping hand to send ships for the above gentlemens coals, for the remaining part of this year who are much behind in their quantity that they use to have vended by this time in other years, wch is the true reason that obliges us to make these Just complaints to the coale buyers and of many of them.

	For <voindy> whereof intended the abovesd coale owners do expect to have 3d p. London cha[ldron] to be deducted out of the money that may be due to the buyers for buying or loading the aforesd gentlemens coals for this year of all such coals as they have bo.t or loaded contrary to the true intent and meaning of the aforesd agreements: wch will now be  incerted in a list, to be emeadiately given to every buyer concerned that he may be satisfied that he is and have been fairly delt wth. It is farther agreed that every buyer from and after the signing these, do pay 6d p cha[ldron] out of the allowance aforesd for what coals he or they shall load wch are not in the list that is given to the coalebuyers. It is also agreed for encouragemt of the coale buyers that wt ship or ships soever he or they send to load of the coals aforesd shall have 3d p cha[ldron] besides the 3d for vending allowed them to be deducted to the buyers out of the forfeitures provided they are such ships as have not loaded most of them <bulke> this year of the above sd gentlemens coals. The aforesd forfeitures if any happen to be shall be pd into the hands of Mr Samuell Turner to be Employed to such use as he shall think fit.



London 2d 7ber 1707



Sr,

The above is a Coppy of what I find the Oldners has put Mr Horton upon offering to the Lightermen, tho I must think it will do you no harm yet I fear it will do not good, for I find their whole vend is for Hutton & Benwell, ever & anon saying they are much behind hand, however, this year is almost at an end and it is but trying what they will do when you agree to every things they desire, so that no fault can be found in your and they may <before>: as I told them this might if they take no more care of us than they have done, I shall never pretend to court them more, and don’t doubt vending any coals, for as yet they have don us little service. I have yours of 29th Inst. Stephen Fox has sold his coales to Capt Oldner for 27 ½. <Y B/K> is a pretty fellow to use us at this rate, to keep my money & crys out for a fair acct to pleae the <.ru.y> I pd the whole Ball. Of Mr Montagues acct wch he Employd me in notwithstanding £3 was due to me for Commiss.n because he desired & drew upon me for it, and now would he have my hearts blood or what dose he aims at? He surely shall pay that £3 odd money. I think all the world are become cheats and Knaves. I am Sr your most faithfull Humble servant

	Wm Forster