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Also you shall vnderstand here is plentie of yew for bowstaues. I caused
three horse loades to be bought vs for to know the trueth: but they were
cut out of season this moneth of April, the sap being in them. Three
moneths I neuer left speaking to the Countrey men to bring some. Your Agent
will send some home for example.

This day being the 26. of Aprill I departed towards Casbin: God giue me a
good houre and well to speed, with a mery heart in returning againe, as my
hope is I shall. I haue written my mind to M. Glouer your Agent, what
Russian wares I thinke best to be brought for this Countrey, and to send
some one hither that hath the Russe tongue, for we haue need. [Sidenote:
The secret doings of the Moscouie company.] And the companie shall do well
hereafter in taking of seruants to be sent hither, to see that they be such
as haue discretion, and be something broken in the world, and seene in the
trade of merchandise, and one (if they can get some such) as can speake the
Portingall tongue, may do them as good seruice, as those that shall be here
two yeeres before him: for then we may buy a slaue that can speake this
language and the Portingal tongue also, which shall then interprete vnto vs
in all your secret doings, not making the Russes priuy: for they are sory
that we doe trade into these partes for we are better beloued then they
are: because they are giuen to be drunkards, they are much hated of these
people. It is to be wished that none should serue your worships in these
parts that be giuen to that kind of vice: And that your chiefe Agent and
Factor should be able to rule and gouerne himselfe, that no dishonestie
should be imputed to him and vs. By his euill vsage he paied here 24
rubbles, being in this Countrey 4. tumens for a boy, that he was charged to
haue conueied away from a Tesicke one of this countrey men, who willed him
to sweare that he knew not where the boy was become, and he should not pay
it. If he were honest he might do your worships good seruice because of his
Russian tongue.

Your London reds are not to be sent hither, for they will not giue aboue
18. shaughes their arshine. [Sidenote: Orient reds of Venice die.] Here be
reds of more orient colour, being Venice die. The people are giuen much to
weare cloth: the common peoples pecially weare karseis, and the merchants
of more wealth weare broad cloth. You shall doe well to send fiue or sixe
broad clothes, some blackes, pukes, or other sad colours, that maybe
affoorded at 20. shaughes the arshine, and not aboue. It is here reported
that King Philip hath giuen the Turkes a great ouerthrow at Malta, and
taken 70. or 80. of his chiefe captains.

Thus wishing I had more time to write, I pray you to beare with this my
scribled letter, and after you haue red it, that M. Nicols may haue a sight
thereof,

By your seruant to command,

Arthur Edwards.

* * * * *

Commodities to be caried out of England into Persia, with their prizes
there.

1 Karseis are sold there for 180. Shaughes: [Sidenote: A shaugh is 6d.
English.] so that a karsey is sold there in Persia for foure pound ten
shillings: for euery shaugh is sixe pence English, and euery Bist is two
pence halfepeny English, and in Russe money three pence.
2 Tinne is sold in Persia for 14. and 18. shaughes the batman. The batman
containing as I haue mentioned before.
3 Brasil is at 10. and 12. shaughes the batman.
4 Red cloth fine, at 25. and 30. shaughes the yard.
5 Copper at 20. and 25. shaughes the batman.

Commodities to be brought out of Persia for England.

1 Raw silke at 60 shaughs the batman.
2 Pepper at 32. shaughs the batman,
3 Ginger at 18. and 20. shaughs the batman.
4 Nutmegs at 30. shaughs the batman.
5 Brimstone at 4. shaughs the great batman.

The great batman is 12. li. English.

6 Allom at 2. bists and a halfe the batman and lesse.
7 Rice at halfe a bist the batman.
8 Gals at halfe a bist the batman,
9 Cloues at 40. shaughs the batman
10 Yew for bow staues, at [Transcriber's note: blank in original.]

* * * * *

A letter of M. Arthur Edwards, written the 8. of August 1566. from the
towne of Shamaki in Media, to the right worshipfull the Gouernours,
Consuls, Assistants and generalitie of the Companie of Russia, &c.
Shewing his accesse vnto the Emperour of Persia, his conference with him,
his obtaining of a priuiledge, with diuers other good obseruations.

Right worshipfull Sirs, my bounden dutie remembered, with most humble
commendations and like request to God for the preseruation of your good
healths, with the rest of the companie, &c. [Sidenote: His arrival at
Casbin the 25. of May.] It may please you to vnderstand, that the last
letter which I sent you from hence was of the 26. of April of this present
yeere by Richard Iohnson at my departure towards Casbin: to which citie I
came the 25. of May folowing, not slacking any day, houre, nor moment, to
procure and make friends for the speedie bringing me before the presence of
the Shaugh, being the 29. day of the same moneth brought before him, with,
whose maiestie I was in talke (as 1 thinke) two houres. He willed me twise
to come neerer him, demanding what were my requests: and hauing heard them,
he promised me his gracious letters. [Sidenote: Conference and demands of
the Shaugh.] Afterwards he called me twise againe to come neerer him, and
talked with me of our Queenes maiestie and Countrey, and what commodities
we had, and what other commodities we desired: and then of other countries
adioining to vs and their commodities, as also of king Philip, what
ouerthrow he gaue the Turks at the siege of Malta. And how long we had
traded into Russeland and Moscouia, and in what space we might saile out of
England into Russeland, and how many weekes trauell it is from Comolgro to
Astracan: and then came to discourse of Russeland, and what townes the
Emperour had wonne, declaring vnto me himselfe most of our commodities.
[Sidenote: All sorts of cloth to be spent, specially Westerne dozens died
into scarlet.] In the end he willed that your worships should send him of
all sorts of clothes, but of one especially which maidens do make (as he
sayd:) He named it Karengi, I thinke it is Westerne dozens died into
scarlets. Time will not permit mee to write at large the conference which I
had with his maiesty. It was strange to his people (knowing our religion)
to see me so long in talke with him, willing his Secretarie before mee to
write what he was desirous of: to wit, of London clothes, three or foure of
all sorts for example, being well shorne and drest. Violets in graine and
fine reds be most worne, but other good colours will away, when they shall
see them. I wore a garment of London russet, being much esteemed. You shall
doe well lo send such sorts as be liuely to the sight, and some blacks for
womens garments, with some Orenge colours and tawneis. Here is much broad
cloth worne. [Sidenote: London clothes much talked of in Persia.] They
talke much of London clothes, and they that know the wearing, are desirous
of them before the cloth of the womens making, for they find it nothing
durable. For when it commeth to weare on the threed, it renteth like paper.
[Sidenote: Much Venice clothe worn in Persia.] Here is much Venice cloth
worne, being cromplisted a yard and a halfe broad, and sold here from 24.
to 30. shaughes their arshine, being longer by two inches then the Russe
arshine is; I wish also that you send some good chamlets and veluets died
in graine, with purple colours and fine reds: because these are most worne.
Also some blacks with other colours: some cloth of gold, tissue and bocky,
some veluets wrought with gold, with sattins and damaskes, most purple, and
reds of all sorts. You may not forget to send some Western karseis, to wit,
dozens, which be thicked well, and close shut in the weauing, being died
into fine reds, and some skarlets: for I thinke there is no such cloth for
their caps.

[Sidenote: The second admission to the Shaughs presence, the 29. of Iune
1566. at which time he reciued the priuiledge. The Shaughs promise to
increase the priuiledge.] Your worships shall vnderstand, that after my
first departure from the presence of the Prince, I neglected no time in
daily attendance on them, who had my priuiledge in writing, that I might
haue it in readinesse at such time as I should againe bee called before the
presence of the Shaugh, which was the 29. of Iune last. I was in apparell
that he gaue vnto me, with other garments to mine interpreter, and one of
your seruants, and then I receiued your letters or privilege, according to
my desire, sealed and firmed with the Shaughs owne hand. Praysed bee God
who hath wrought with me, and for me, in all my doings.

The 29. of Iune is one of their chiefe festiuall daies, so that all his
nobilitie was there present, with two Ambassadors in companie with his
maiestie, who sayd vnto me that if my letters were not to my mind, in time
to come they should be mended. Whereupon I made my reuerence, and gaue his
highnesse most humble and heartie thanks, saying, that with as much speed
as might bee, our Queenes Maiestie should vnderstand of his goodnesse
towardes her Merchants, which I thought would write their letters of
request vnto his Highnes, in such forme and order as by them should be
thought meete and requisite for their good assurance in the trade of
merchandizes: who replied with these wordes: when wee shall see their
reasonable requests, we will shew them our farther good will, and so I
departed.

Since the receiuing of the Shaughs letters, I haue eaten in company of good
Dukes and others, who before would not come neere me. And euery day some
would come to my Shop, and eate and drinke with me out of mine owne dish.
Likewise in riding from Casbin hither, on the way when I sate downe to
dinner, they would come and eate with mee vnbidden, when I wished them
further off: for I spared them that, which gladly I would haue eaten my
selfe. I doubt not but we shall liue here from hencefoorth in quietnes: for
now in all places where I come, I am friendly vsed with the best.

I was asked by the Shaugh if you were able to bring him yeerly one hundred
thousand pieces of kersies, and clothes. And I answered him, saying, your
worships were able to furnish his countrey with two hundred thousand.
Whereat his Highnesse reioyced: for the Turkes Ambassador the last yere, as
diuers haue told me, did put the Shaugh in despaire, saying, that the,
Turke would not permit any cloth to be brought into his countrey.

[Sidenote: Aleppo a citie of great trade.] There is a citie in Syria named
Aleppo, wherein coninually are many Venetians dwelling, besides other that
come yeerely and there buy wools, gals, tallow, saffron, skins, cotton
wooll, and other wares, and great store of spices. [Sidenote: Armenians
barter with the Venetians.] Also the Armenians yeerly receeiue at the
Venetians hands, karsies in barter for rawe silks, giuing sometimes 60.
pieces of karsies for 70. batmans of silke of this countrey, and 40. pieces
for Grosin silke. And karsies sold commonly for ready money in Aleppo, at
11. and 12. duckets the piece, (the ducket being here woorth 12. shillings)
may cost the first peny 132. and 144. Shaughs a karsie. [Sidenote: The
distance from Shamaky to Alappo.] By report it is one moneths trauel from
this towne of Shamaky to Aleppo, and from thence to Tripolis, six dayes
iourney: and from Tripolis to Venice by water, a moneth or fiue weekes
sailing. As I learne, from hence to Venice may easily be trauelled in lesse
then three moneths. Therefore I wish your worships to procure some trustie
and assured friend there, to whom from hence letters may be sent For I can
haue them here to put in suerties to deliuer my letters, and to bring
answere. If I had any other here with me, I would nothing haue doubted to
haue brought you the Shaughs letters that way.

[Sidenote: Armenians and others desirous to barter silke and spices for
karsies.] The Armenians and other are desirous to barter with vs, giuing
silke for katsies, and also will seme vs of all kind of Spices, we giuing
them sufficient warning to fetch it in the Indies, and will deliuer it vs
in Shamaky at these prizes.

Pepper this townes batman for 18. Shaughs, euery Shaugh is sixepence.

Maces large for 40. Shaughs, and 45. the batman.

Cloues for 40. Shaughs the batman.

Nutmegs for 16. and 18. Shaughs the batman.

Sinamon for 40. Shaughs the batman. I doubt not but there will be profile
and good done in spices, with drugs and other like in time.

From Casbin to Ormus is six weeks trauel, and from hence to Casbin is 16.
dayes with camels laden: but if one trauell with a good Mule vnladen, it
may be gone in seuen or eight dayes. And I thinke to Ormus and other
places, may be trauelled in like order and proportion, with cattel vnladen.
But here in all places as men may trauel, they must carie their owne
prouision on horses, which they are to buy, and thus they, uauel but a
footepasse.

[Sidenote: The Shaugh desirous to bargaine for our commodities.] The Shaugh
himselfe is desirous to bargaine with you who will giue money, silke, and
other wares as we will, and take our wares as we may affoord them, willing
me himselfe to bring such wares as we might gaine by him. The Armenians by
report, and as I perceiue, bring from Aleppo yeerely, foure, fiue, and six
thousand pieces of karsies, and clothes, besides those which other men
bring. If your Worships might procure and find vent or sales for rawe
silke, and silke died in graine, besides other silkes wrought and made
here, by which, profile may be made: then you might send a great substance
of wares hither. But I feare you shall be hindered by the Venetians if they
may: for I know it will grieue them that you doe trade into these partes:
for in short time it shall cleane alter their trade, and hinder the sales
of their clothes in Aleppo and other places adioyning. You shall understand
that 60. batmans of silke is a Mules lading: and as it is reported, one
village of the Armenians yerely carieth 400. and 500. Mules lading of silke
to Aleppo, and bringeth thence 800. or a thousand Mules laden with karsies
and Venice clothes. And 18. pieces of karsies are a Mules lading.
[Sidenote: 2000. pieces of karsies to be sent into Persia.] But I wish you
not to send aboue 2000. pieces of karseis, although I haue bene willed to
write for more. If I might haue had any vnderstanding what your Worships
had written for in your letters sent this yeere, I should in this my letter
haue bene better able to haue answered you. They which be now in Astracan,
might haue written some thing vnto me hither, if it had pleased them, or
else haue sent me such letters of mine, as I hope some of my friends haue
written to me: for here are arriued eight weekes past, two boates with
wares and Russes, by whom they might haue written, had it bene but 3. or 4.
lines. They promised the Russes to write, but promise was not kept. I would
be sory that any boat should depart out of these partes, and not write vnto
them, waying how all things stand. I heare they haue bought a boat, which
coast 40. rubbles, and shipped certaine wares to come hither. God send them
in safetie. I do tarie their comming, or els I had thought to haue come to
Astraean in those boates which departed hence lately.

[Sidenote: He departed from Casbin the 15 of Iuly.] The fifteenth of Iuly
last, I departed from Casbin, and came to this towne the 29. of the same.
And the fourth of August I found means to arrest the falsest knaue in this
countrey, to wit, the Customer for 22. tumens, and 100. shaughs, (200.
shaughs is a tumen.) I haue caused him to put in suerties for his foorth
comming at all times, what ende I shall haue with him, God knoweth, the
debt will be recouered, but not yet, for he must pay the Shaugh 1000.
rubbles. These partes as yet are in no stay for lacke of a Gouernour or
head to rule, which I thinke shall bee the Mursey. Within 5. or 6. dayes we
shall know, for it is time, because men are in feare to trauell for being
robbed. If there were a prince placed, I should soone get in your debts,
for they dare not disobey the Shaughs letters or priuiledge: wherein he
hath not onely written that our debts shall be paied, but also that we
shall be taken heed to, so as we need not to doubt (God willing) in time to
come, to be here as wel vsed as we are in Russeland. [Sidenote: Rich.
Iohnsons great negligence.] The bils of debt that Rich. Iohnson left with
me, had neither the parties name nor summe of money in two of them, and in
other bils but his owne name. If I had not used discretion in causing to be
written in our priuiledge, that such debtes as are owing, should be paied
any of vs in the absence of the other, some men would not haue paied one
penie, but onely to Richard Iohnson, who hath written but his owne name
onely in the bils. I receiued in Casbin of Forackan in part of 29. tumens,
300. shaughs in money: the rest he will deliuer me here in silke, and this
is all that I haue receiued to this day. And as for Hawrambecks twelue
tumens, I make accompt, that if I could ride to speake with him, I should
be paid in money and wares. Touching Ackons money, by meanes of Duke
Ameddinbeck, who first owed the debt, because they meant not to pay a
penie, he did rather seeke to hinder my sute then to further mee, but I
found out a present remedie: for God sent me friends that were alwayes
about the Shaugh, and daily put on his apparell, who opened all my sute,
and brought mee to the presence of the Shaugh before that Cozomomet sawe
the Shaughs eyes. [Sidenote: Cozomomet was Arthur Edwards friend to the
Shaugh.] But Cozomomet in the end was my friend: for he was sent for, and
declared vnto the Shaugh what good merchants we were, vsing trueth in all
our doings, and how we were in great fauour with the Emperour of Russia,
and what good commodities wee might bring into his Countrey, with other
talke. And daily he was sent for to the Shaugh about the affaires in those
partes, for no man was able to aduise the Shaugh of the state and affaires
of those Countreys so much as hee was. He owed your Worships seuen tumens
and 48. shaughs, which was not all this time to be gotten at his hands: for
hee was at great charges in riding to Casbin, and giuing great gifts since
his comming, which he twise declared vnto mee. I feeling his griefe became
Physicion to ease his pain, and forgaue him his debt abouesayd, in
recompence of ten pieces of karsies, that were promised him by Richard
Iohnson and me, to giue him at the comming of our goods, in consideration
that he should with speed doe what lay in him, to dispatch me away: for I
perceiue hee procured other that did helpe me in my sute to delay me of,
till time he had his purpose. [Sidenote: Victuals and all things dear at
Casbin.] I neuer was in quiet, till I had the Princes priuiledge, and had
got mee out of Casbin: for victuals, and all other things are very deare
there, because they are brought thither from farre off. As for all other
smal debts (which may be about 7. tumens) when our Merchants are come
hither, we shall seeke, to get them in as we may. I wish your Worships to
send some bullion to bee coyned here, it will please the prince there, and
be profitable to you. Silke is better cheape by two or three shaughs the
batman, then it was the last yeere. You shall vnderstand that I haue
written two letters of all my proceedings, which I sent from Casbin long
since: to wit, the 24. and 29. of Iune last, by one of your seruants to
Gilan, there to take ship and to goe to Astracan, and to deliuer the same
vnto your Factors, which might haue bene to their quietnes and mine, long
agoe. But I am right sorie to heare since my comming hither, that he hath
plaied the loitering merchant in Gilan, not going in those boats that went
first, but taried for the last boats. But I will teach him, to the example
of other, how he shall make haste hereafter in such affaires. The karsies
which you sent last, being bought of M. Quarles, were good and full lengths
and well sorted. [Sidenote: The Ambassador of the prince of Gilan.] The
Ambassador of Gilan was in Casbin, at my being there. I hope in God, if I
remaine here, and may goe to Gilan to obtaine for your worships the like
priuiledge at the kings hand there also. [Sidenote: Gilan but five dayes
riding from Casbin.] For I haue something moued the matter, being put in
such comfort, that I doubt not the getting thereof with small charges,
which I had done at this time if I had had other here with me to put in
trust: for from Casbin to Gilan is but 5. dayes riding, which Countrey may
be profitable to your Worships. There is in that Prouince good store of
silke, better cheape, and better in goodnesse then this countrey silke is.
Also great store of Alom, being there sold this townes batman, for one bist
and a halfe. I haue made reckoning, al charges borne from hence to
Colmogro, and from thence fraight into England at three pounds the tunne,
al charges accounted, will not stand you in aboue 18. and 20. shillings the
hundreth. You haue yeerly by report two or three hundred tunnes lading.
Other commodities there for England I heare not of. [Sidenote: Gals.] As
for gals here to bee bought, there is no profit to be done by them. They be
brought from Aleppo, and sold here not vnder 3. or 4. shaughs their batman,
being six pounds English waight. [Sidenote: Graine.] Graine that you die
scarlet withall is worth the batman ready mony, 200 shaughs, reckoning the
shaugh for 6. pence Russe, it may be 6. rubbles their batman. Your worships
may send some portion of mony, if you may buy, as I thinke you may, for 12.
and 13. s. a pound the berries, so you shall gaine both in the price and
waight. [Sidenote: Ormus Aleppo.] If one Englishman more had bene here with
me, to whom I might haue deliueied our bils of debts and other things,
whatsoeuer should haue chanced of me, I would then haue become seruant to
mine Interpreter, and so haue gone to Ormus and Aleppo, which both ioyne on
the borders of this countrey, being the chiefe Marte townes, whereunto from
all places merchants resort. And thus would I haue spent 4. or 5. months in
trauelling for further knowledge of things for to haue certified your
worships of. I hope in God to vse things in such order, that yeerly you
shall haue returne of your goods from hence, as you haue forth of
Russeland, and in those ships. For if we may, as I doubt not with
diligence, prouide to make sales in time, and with speed receiue silke at
the Shaughs hand, and other mens, that it may be sent from hence to be in
Astracan at the beginning of Aprill, from whence it may be sent to Colmogro
in three moneths and lesse, and there to be ready with the rest of your
goods by the end of Iune for your ships to receiue, that will be time
inough. This I doubt, not to bring to passe within a yeere or two, when we
are throughly setled in these parts, and better knowen. [Sidenote: M.
Anthonie Ienkinsons offer to the Persain.] Moreouer you shall vnderstand,
that at my last being in the presence of the Shaugh, it was sayd to mee
that M. Anthonie Ienkinson did proffer to take all the rawe silke in those
parties, delivering cloth and other commodities for the same. I assure you
there is in those parts to be had three or foure thousand horses, lading,
euery horse load being 50. or 60. batmans, beside silke of Grosin. Great
abundance of silke at times is sent out of these parts, to wit. 4. or 5.
hundred horse lodes at a time by the Turkes, who bring great store of
siluer to be coined, to wit, Dollars at ten shaughs the piece. The Hungarie
Ducket is at 12. shaughs. And hauing money in readines at the time of the
yeere, they buy silke the better cheape, when the countrey men bring it
first to be sold. If your worships may bargaine with the Venetians to take
silke at your hands, or otherwise deale with them, I doe not mistrust but
to haue at the Shaughs hand sixe batmans of silke for two pieces and a
halfe of karsies. Your good aduise herein, and in other matters, I trust
you will write with conuenient speed. [Sidenote: M. Anthonie Ienkinson
commended.] Master Anthonie Ienkinson hath deserued great commendation at
all your worships hands: for the good report of his well and wise doings in
those parts, was oftentimes a comfort to me to heare thereof, and some good
helpe to me in my proceedings. To this day I neuer heard from any of our
merchants. God graunt me in health to see your worships, for I haue had a
carefull trauell, with many a sorowfull day and vnquiet sleepes. Neither
had I the company of one English person, to whom sometimes I might haue
eased my pensiue heart, as God well knoweth, who hath deliuered me from
mine enemies. Thus almightie God graunt you in health and wealth long to
liue.

Your humble seruant at commandement during life,

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