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The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques,

R >> Richard Hakluyt >> The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques,




Postscriptum.

[Sidenote: White hawks and white beares prohibited without licence.] As for
these our Hawkes they bee not white, but white and mayled, but indeede be
Iarfawkons. These dayes past our Olen died. So this yeere our Masters of
the companie are like to haue none, nor any white beares. Neither may any
passe out of the realme without a special licence from the Emperour.

I intend God willing to goe to Lampas, if I doe I will take foure or fiue
kerseys with me, but as for money there is small store here to carie.

Yours, Richard Gray.

* * * * *

A letter of Thomas Alcocke to the worshipfull Richard Gray, and Henrie Lane
Agents in Moscouia from Tirwill in Polonia, written in Tirwill the 26. of
Aprill 1558.

My duety premised vnto your worships, with commendations &c. It may please
you to be aduertised, that my last I sent from Smolensco, which I trust you
haue receiued with other letters to diuers of our Englishmen, wherein I
certified you of my long retayning there, as also of my departure from
thence, and howe that I had hired a Totar to bring mee to Danske. We came
to a certaine village on Satterday the sixe and twentieth of Februarie, and
there remained that night and Sunday to refresh our horses, intending to
haue gone away on Munday earely. But on Saterday at night one of his
neighbours departed to Tirwill, and there declared to the Captaine howe
that at such a place there was a Dutch man that was come from the Mosco,
and woulde ride to Danske, saying, for the one, I cannot tell what he is.
The Captaine incontinent ridde to the King to shewe him thereof, so that
without any delay there was sent out for mee one of the Gentlemen of the
Kings house, and one of the Mesnickes of the Towne with sixe Officers to
take mee. They came thither in the night about midnight, and there
apprehended mee and tooke all that I had from me: they left me nothing but
my clothes to put on my backe, and so brought mee to Tirwill to the
Captaines house, where before I dyned, I had a payre of fetters clapped on
my legges, wherewithall I sate vntill it was Munday in the Easter-weeke. On
which day, after long and earnest calling to the Captaine as he ridde by
the windowe, he commaunded the Marshall that mine yrons shoulde be taken
off, but no worde I could heare when I should be deliuered out of
captiuitie till it was Saint George his day: on which day I was had before
the Marshall, who declared vnto me that the Kings Maiestie had shewed his
mercie and goodnesse towardes mee: for his pleasure was that I should be
deliuered out of prison to depart into England, but no way else. So after I
had giuen thankes for the Kings Maiesties goodnesse shewed vnto me, I
desired him that he woulde be a meane that I might haue the remaynder of
such thinges as were taken from me restored vnto me againe. Hee made me
answere, that I might thanke God that I escaped with my head, and that if
euer there came any more of vs through the land, they should not so doe.
The weeke before Easter they deliuered mee my Corobia againe with all
thinges that were therein. They tooke from mee in money nine Hungers
gylderns in golde, fiue shillings foure pence in Lettoes money, fourtie
Altines in Russe money, whereof twentie and more were for tokens, halfe an
angell and a quarter of Master Doctour Standishes, with his golde
ring.[Sidenote: Doctor Standish the Emperours Phisition.] Your two pieces
of money (Master Gray) that you sent to your wife and daughter, with my two
pieces of Boghary money. Of all this I had eight Hungers gilderns deliuered
mee the thirde weeke of mine imprisonment to paye for my charges, which
stoode mee in a Doller a weeke. So that at the day of my deliuerie I had
but three gyldernes left me. For the rest I made a supplication to the
Captaine and had the like answere giuen mee as the Marshall gaue me. So
that all the rest of the thinges before written are lost, and no recouerie
to bee had, which grieueth me more for the tokens sake then doeth mine
eight weeks imprisonment. They haue also my sword, my bootes, my bowe and
arrowes that I bought at Smolensco, which cost me foure marks, my sled, my
felt, the comhold, a booke of the Flowres of godly prayers, and my booke
wherein my charges were written. Of all these I can get nothing againe, not
so much as my two bookes.

After I had remayned there fiue and thirtie dayes, I was had before the
Captaine vp into a great chamber to bee examined for letters and of the
cause of my comming through the Countrey. In the Captaines companie was one
of the Lordes of Danske. They demaunded of mee where my letters were, I
declared vnto them that I had none: your Officers (sayd I) tooke me when I
was in my bedde, they searched mee and tooke all that I had from mee, if
there be any they shall finde them among my stuffe which they haue. They
asked mee then, for what cause I went home ouer lande? I declared vnto
them, that the Winter beeing a warme season, and hauing intelligence that
the frozen Sea was not much frozen, and supposing this Sommer it would be
nauigable, I was onely sent to prouide a Shippe to be sent to passe the
sayde Seas to discouer Cataia: which if God graunted wee might doe, it
woulde not onely bee a commoditie to the Realme of Englande, but vnto all
Christian landes, by the riches that might be brought from thence, if the
histories bee true that are written thereof. Much other communication I had
with them concerning the same voyage. Then he demaunded of mee what wares
wee brought into Russia, and what we carried from thence. I declared the
same vnto them. Then they burdened mee, that wee brought thither thousandes
of ordinance, as also of harneis, swordes, with other munitions of warre,
artificers, copper, with many other things; I made them answere, that wee
had brought thither about one hundred shirtes of mayle, such olde thinges
newe scowred as no man in Englande woulde weare. Other talke they had with
mee concerning the trade of Moscouia too long to commit to writing.

[Sidenote: An attempt to hinder our trade to Mosvouia by the Hans townes
and Easterlings.] At my comming hither heere were Ambassadours from the
townes of Danske, Lubeck, and Hamburgh, as also out of Liefland to desire
this King to bee their Captaine and head their intended voyage, which was
to stoppe all such shippes as shoulde goe out of England for Mocouia.
Whereunto the King graunted, and immediately they departed to prepare their
shippes. So that I am afraide that either these our enemies, or the great
warres that we haue with France and Scotland will be an occasion that you
shall haue no shippes at Colmogro this yeere.

To conclude, although I haue no tokens to deliuer them, that the tokens
taken from me were sent vnto, yet I will declare vnto them that I had
tokens for them, with the mischance. And thus I commit you to Almightie God
with the rest of the companie who keepe you in health to his holy will and
pleasure.

By yours to commaund

THOMAS ALCOCKE.

* * * * *

A Letter of Master Anthonie Ienkinson vpon his returne from Boghar to the
worshipful Master Henrie Lane Agent for the Moscouie compante resident in
Vologda, written in the Mosco the 18. of September, 1559.

Worshipfull Sir, after my heartie commendations premised with most desire
to God of your welfare and prosperous successe in all your affaires. It may
please you to bee aduertised that the fourth of this present I arriued with
Richard Iohnson and Robert Iohnson all in health, thankes bee to God. Wee
haue bene as farre as Boghar, [Footnote: Bokhara.] and had proceeded
farther on our voyage toward the lande of Cathay, had it not bene for the
vncessant any continuall warres, which are in all these brutall and wilde
countrey, that it is at this present impossible to passe, neither went
there any Carauan of people from Boghar that way these three yeere. And
although our iourney hath bene so miserable, dangerous, and chargeable with
losses, charges and expenses, as my penne is not able to expresse the same:
yet shall wee bee able to satisfie the woorshipfull Companies mindes, as
touching the discouerie of The Caspian Sea, with the trade of merchandise
to bee had in such landes and countreyes as bee thereabout adiacent, and,
haue brought of the wares and commodities of those Countries able to
answere the principall with profite: wishing that there were vtterance for
as great a quantitie of kersies and other wares as there is profile to bee
had in the sales of a small quantitie, (all such euill fortunes beeing
escaped as to vs haue chaunced this present voyage,) for then it woulde be
a trade woorthie to bee followed. Sir, for that I trust you will be here
shortly (which I much desire) I will deferre the discourse with you at
large vntill your comming, as well touching my trauel, as of other things.
Sir, Iohn Lucke departed from hence toward England the seuenth of this
present, and intendeth to passe by the way of Sweden, by whom I sent a
letter to the worshipfull Companie, and haue written that I intend to come
downe vnto Colmogoro to be readie there at the next shipping to imbarke my
selfe for England, declaring that my seruice shal not be needful here, for
that you are a man able to serne their worships in greater affaires then
they haue heere to doe, so farre as I perceiue. As touching the Companies
affaires heere, I referre you to Christopher Hudsons letters, for that I am
but newly arriued. Hauing heere but litle businesse to doe, I send you
Richard Iohnson to helpe you there in your affaires. Thus giuing you most
heartie thanks for my wench Aura Soltana, I commend you to the tuition of
God, who send you health with hearts desire. [Sidenote: This was a yong
Tartar girle which he gaue to the Queene afterwards.]

Your assured to command,

Anthonie Ienkinson.

* * * * *

A Letter of the Moscouie companie to their Agents in Russia, Master Henrie
Lane, Christopher Hudson, and Thomas Glouer sent in their seuenth voyage
to Saint Nicholas with three ships, the Swallowe, the Philip and Marie,
and the Iesus the fifth of May, 1560.

After our heartie commendations to you. The twelfth day of the last moneth
here arriued in safety, thanks be to God, our two ships, and by them we
receiued your letters and inuoices very well perceiuing what you haue laden
in them. The tallowe came euill conditioned and broken, by reason it came
in Corrobias, wee lose and spoyle more then the Caske will cost, and much
of this tallowe is verie euill, blacke, soft and putrified. Touching the
Waxe, as yet wee knowe not howe the weight will rise, by reason that some
of it was lost in the barkes. The weight of the last yeeres waxe did not
rise so well as the other yeeres before it did. There had neede good heede
bee taken in the weighing. Also much of this Waxe had a great foote, and is
not so faire waxe as in times past wee baue had. You must cause the foote
to bee taken off before you doe weigh it, or else you must seeke to haue a
good allowance for it. The traine Oyles which you laded this yeere came
well conditioned, and the caske was good and of a good sise. But if they
were made a little bigger, it were the better, for they be not hogsheads.
You haue written to vs to send you caske which is not heere to be had,
neither doe wee thinke it so best if it were heere, considering it must goe
either shaken and bounde vp, or else emptie, which will bee pesterable, and
likewise will shrinke and drie, and not be fitte to lade oyles in.
Therefore our minde is, you shall cause so much caske to bee made there of
the sise of hogsheads as will serue both for; your oyles and tallowe, and
let them be well trimmed with pitch on the heads and seames, and stand full
of water three or foure dayes before you put Oyles in them; Your Cowper may
bee ouerseer to them that make them, that they be well hooped and cleere
tymber without knottes, the woorst caske you may put the tallowe in. Hee
that seeth the filling of the oyles had neede to looke well to it, for
there was much water in this that, came nowe. Wee perceiue you haue bought
and haue in a readinesse one hundred and fourtie tunnes of oyles, and that
if neede bee you may haue more store. Wherefore we doe minde to send, you
shipping for three hundred tunnes and vpwards, because we would haue this
next Summer as great a returne as you can of the commodities of that
Countrey, as also such of our wares as you haue that are not vendible, or
will not be solde or bartered, because we would haue a ful knowledge and
state of our accounts. The Sables which you sent this yeere be very base,
among them all we could not make one principall timber: wee haue alwayes
written vnto you to send them that bee good or else none. The Woluerings
were indifferent, and some of the wolues, the rest verie base, the Lusernes
but meane, the Lettes not so large skinnes as we hane had: the best is,
they were of a new death. As for the Ermines, they cost more there with
you, then we can sell them for here. Therefore buy no more of them, nor of
Squirels, for wee lost the one halfe in the other. The wares that we would
haue you prouide against the comming of the shippes are, Waxe, Tallowe,
trayne Oyles, Flaxe, Cables and Ropes, and Furres, such as we haue written
to you for in our last letters by the shippes: and from hencefoorth not to
make any great prouision of any rich Furres except principall Sables and
Lettes: for now there is a Proclamation made that no furres shall be worne
here, but such as the like is growing here within this our Realme. Also we
perceiue that there might be a great deale of tallowe more prouided in a
yeere than you send. Therefore our minde is, you should enlarge somewhat
more in the price, and to send vs if you can three thousand podes a yeere:
for we doe most good in it. And likewise the Russes, if you would giue them
a reasonable price for their wares, woulde be the willinger to buy and sell
with you, and not to carie so much to Nouogrode as they doe, but woulde
rather bring it to Vologda to you, both Waxe, Tallowe, Flaxe, Hempe, and
all kinde of other wares fitte for our Countrey. Our minde is you should
prouide for the next ships fiue hundred Losh hides, of them that be large
and faire, and thickest in hand, and to be circumspect in the choosing,
that you buy them that bee killed in season and well dryed and whole. If
they be good we may sell them here for sixteene shillings and better the
piece, wee would haue the whole skinnes that is, the necke and legges
withal, for these that you sent now lacke their neckes and legges.
Neuerthelesse for this time you must sende them as you may get them: if you
coulde finde the meanes that the haire might bee clipped off them, they
woulde not take so much roome in the shippes as they doe. We perceiue by
your letters that the prices of Waxe doe rise there with you, by reason
that the Poles and Lifelanders doe trade into Russia by licence: which, if
there shoulde bee peace betweene them, would be an occasion that all other
commodities in Russia woulde rise to a bigger price, and not be sufficient
to serue them and vs too, and likewise woulde bring downe there the price
of our commodities. Therefore we thinke it good you shoulde make a
supplication to the Emperour in the name of The Companie to returne the
trade from Rye and Reuel to vs, especially for such wares as wee doe buy:
promising that wee will bee bounde to take them at a reasonable price, as
wee haue bought them in times past: and likewise that wee will bring to
them such wares of ours, as are thought fitte for the Countrey, and so sell
them at such reasonable prices as wee haue done. If this shoulde not come
to passe, wee might be out of hope of doing any good by the trade there:
but that we haue a further hope of some good trade to be found out by
Master Antonie Ienkinson: by reason we doe perceiue by your letters, that
raw silke is as plentifull in Persia, as flaxe is in Russia: beside other
commodities that may come from thence. Wee vnderstand by your letters that
you be at a point with the Russe for the Waxe, Tallow, and traine oyles
that he shipped the last yere for 311 robles 20 altines, which is well:
although much be not gotten by it, but because they should not vnderstand
our reckonings. We much maruel what you mean to buy Seale skins and tanne
them. All that you haue sent in times past lie here vnsold, and will yeelde
no money. If you send 100 of them tawed with the haire on, they will bee
solde, or else not. In our shippe we will send you such things as you write
to haue for the ropers: and wee would they should make more store of small
cables and ropes, as cables of 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. inches. For these great
cables be not for euery man; and the greatest cables bee not best laded:
and likewise small ropes for shroudes, sholes, and other small tackeling:
and that you looke better to the spinning of their yarne that it be euen
and well tarred. The sables that you doe mind to send vs let them be
principall and fayre, and not past foure or fine timbars. For they will not
be so commonly worne here as they haue bin with noble men: and likewise of
Luserns send fewe and principal good. We mind to send you in our shippes
100 tunnes of salte. And because we perceiue that balast is hardly to be
had at our lading place there with you, we would you shoulde haue in a
readinesse 100 tunnes of the white stones whereof you sent vs home an
example two yeres past. And likewise to haue in a readinesse mastes of all
sortes for our shippes: for we know not what neede wee shall haue of them.
The bringer hereof is Thomas Alcock, he could not be suffered the last
yeare to passe through Poland. And as we, wrote vnto you in our shippes,
hee is our seruant for yeares: And for that we know him to be honest, true
and painefull, our mind is he shalbe placed where he may do best seruice.
He doth know the commodities and discommodities of all kinde of wares which
you doe send vs. Therefore we would you should credite his sayings both in
quantitie of wares and goodnes, as also wherin is most our profit. We see
by your letters that your opinion is that the rope-makers should remaine
there two yeres more; and that you haue prouided great plentie of hempe,
which we are content withall. But as yet we haue solde none of our cables
or halsers, neither is the proofe of them knowen; because the first you
sent vs were made of flaxe, which are worth no money: for after they be
once wet they will rotte and moulder away like mosse. And those which you
sent vs now last, by misfortune there with you at the lading were wette and
fretted in many places, and haue lost their colour: by meanes whereof they
be not so vendible as if they had come well conditioned. Of an hard
beginning we trust God will send vs a good ending. We hope in your next
letters to heare good newes of the proceedings of Master Antonie Ienkinson.
We perceiue by his letters that Astracan is not so good a Mart towne as the
fame hath gone of it: and maruell much that round pewter should be so good,
and good chepe there, and from whence it should come. And whereas you write
that you wil come for England in our next shippes, we would gladly haue you
to remaine there vntill the next yere following, for the better instruction
of our seruants there; who have not had so long time of continuance for the
language and knowledge of the people, countrey, and wares as you haue had.
[Sidenote: Christopher Hodson and Thomas Glouer appointed Agents 1560.]
Neuerthelesse if you will needs come away, we haue no doubt, but that you
will leaue good order with our seruants there, namely with Christopher
Hodson and Thomas Glouer, whom we appoint to remaine there as Agents in
your roome, till further order bee taken: not doubting but that they will
vse themselues so discreetely and wisely in all their doings, as shall be
to the worship and benefite of this company. And as we haue a good hope in
them that they will be carefull, diligent and true in all their doings: so
haue we no lesse hope, in all the rest of our seruants there, that they
will bee not onely obedient to them (considering what roome they be in) but
also will be carefull, diligent and true euery one in his roome and place
for the benefite and profite of the company: That hereafter in the absence
of others they may be called and placed in the like roome there or
elsewhere. And if you find any to be disobedient and stobborne, and will
not be ruled; wee will you shall send him home in our shippes: who shall
find such small fauour and friendship during the time that he hath to
serue, as by his disobedience and euill seruice hee hath deserued. And
whereas Christopher Hodson hath written to come home, as partly he hath
good cause, considering the death of his father and mother: yet in regard
that Sir George Barne and the Ladie his wife were his special friends in
his absence, we doubt not but that he wil remain in the roome, which we
haue appointed him, if you doe not tarie and remaine there, till farther
order be taken: and for his seruice and paines hee shall be considered, as
reason is, as friendly as if his friends were liuing. Thus we trust you
will take such order the one to remaine at the Mosco, and the other at
Colmogro, or elsewhere, as most neede is. Thomas Alcocke is desirous to be
in the Mosco: neuerthelesse you shall find him reasonable to serue where he
may doe most good. The 62 robles which you receiued of Iohn Boucher we haue
payed him here, and also the 8 robles, which you receiued the yere before
of Christopher Rose, and the money which you receiued more of George
Burton, for the which we haue you our debtors. Thus we rest, referring that
which is here omitted to the report of the bringer: and so God haue you in
his keeping. Also we would that you should send vs in our shippes 200
horse-clothes more. The things before written wee would that you should let
our seruants see and reade, to the intent they may perceiue our mindes.


Another letter to the foresaid parties. 1560.

This letter before written is the copie of one sent you by Thomas Alcock,
trusting that hee was with you long since. [Sidenote: Stockholme.] The 26
day of the last moneth we receiued a letter from him, dated in Stockholme
in Sweden the 14 day of Ianuary, and we perceiue by his letter that hee had
talked with a Dutch man that came lately from the Mosco, who informed him
that our friend Master Antony Ienkinson was returned to the Mosco in
September last past, but how farre he had beene, or what he had done, he
could not tell. [Sidenote: Iohn Luck taken prisoner in Lieflande.] Also he
wrote that one Iohn Lucke a Ioyner was taken by the Liefelanders, and put
in prison. As yet wee haue not heard from the sayd Iohn Lucke, nor know not
whether he be released out of prison or not. We suppose that by him you
wrote some letter which as yet is not come to our hands: so that we thinke
hee is yet in prison, or otherwise dispatched out of the way. The fifteenth
day of December wee receiued a letter from Christopher Hodson, dated in the
Mosco the 29 of Iuly, by the way of Danske: which is in effect a copie of
such another receiued from him in our shippes. [Sidenote: The Swallow.] You
shal vnderstand that we haue laden in three good shippes of ours these kind
of wares following: to wit, in the Swallowe of London, Master vnder God
Steuen Burrow, 34 fardels N'o 136 broad short clothes, and foure fardels
N'o 58 Hampshire Kersies: and 23 pipes of bastards and seckes, and 263
pieces of raisins and 4 hogsheds N'o 154 pieces of round pewter, and ten
hogsheds and poncheons of prunes, and one dryfatte with Almonds. [Sidenote:
The Philip and Marie.] And in the Philip and Marie, Master vnder God Thomas
Wade, 25 fardels N'o 100 broad clothes, and three fardels N'o 42 Hampshire
Kersies and thirtie pipes of seckes and bastards, and 100 pieces of
raisins. [Sidenote: The Iesus.] And in the Iesus of London, Master vnder
God Arthur Pette, 10 fardels N'o 40 broade shorte clothes, and twenty seuen
pipes of bastards and seckes, as by the Inuoices herewith inclosed may
appeare: Also you shall receiue such necessaries as you did write to bee
sent for the rope makers: trusting that you shall haue better successe with
them which you shall send vs in these ships, then with the rest which you
haue sent vs yet: for we as yet haue sold none of them. And whereas we
wrote vnto you in our former letter, that we would send you a hundred
tunnes of salte, by reason it is so deare here we doe send you but nine
tunnes and a halfe, for it cost here tenpence the bushell the first penie:
namely in the Swallow 6 tunnes and a halfe, in the Philip and Marie one
tunne and a halfe, and in the Iesus one tunne and a halfe: The 4 hogsheads
of round pewter goe in the Swallow and in the Philip and Marie N'o 154
pieces, as is aforesaid. We send you three ships, trusting that you haue
prouided according to our former writing good store of lading for them. If
yee haue more wares then will lade the ships, let it be Traine oyles that
you leaue behinde: the price is not here so good as it was; it is worth
here 9 pound the tunne. We thinke it good you should let the smaller ship
bring as much of the traine as she can cary: And that the masters of the
ships do looke wel to the romaging, for they might bring away a great deale
more than they doe, if they would take paine in the romaging: and bestowe
the traine by it selfe, and the waxe and tallowe by it selfe: for the
leakage of the traine doth fowle the other wares much. As for Allard the
skinner, if you thinke good he may come home in these shippes. We haue no
doubt but that you Henrie Lane, if you minde to come home now in these
ships as you requested, will leaue such good order there with our seruants
as shall bee for our most profite and their preferment, if they doe their
dueties diligently and truely. If our friend Master Antonie Ienkinson bee
returned, and meane to come away in these ships to declare his mind and
opinion of his trauaile, if need require and he be so minded he may returne
thither by land and be there by the fine of Ianuarie or before. But as we
be vncertaine whether he be returned or not: so we know not what he hath
done, nor what benefite may arise hereafter of his trauaile. Therefore in
this wee remit it to his and your good discretions. Wee send you Thomas
Hawtrey which is our seruant for yeeres: our minde is he should be placed,
where he may doe best seruice.

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