measures in 

 Russia 



ad THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1555- 



that wee might come to them as to our owne house, 

 and for marchandize to be made preparation for us, 

 and they would know our prises of our wares and 

 frise : and we answered, that for our prices they must 

 see the wares before we coulde make any price thereof, 

 for the like in goodnesse hath not bene brought into 

 the Realme, and we did looke for an example of all 

 sorts of our wares to come from Vologda, with the 

 first sledway, and then they should see them, and then 

 we would shew them the prices of them : and likewise 

 we could not tell them what we would give them 

 justly, till we did knowe as well their just weights as 

 The d'wersltie their measures : for in all places where we did come, 

 of weights tsf al weights and measures did vary. Then the Secretary 

 (who had made promise unto us before) saide, that we 

 should have all the just measures under seale, & he 

 that was found faulty in the contrary, to buy or sel 

 with any other measure then that, the law was, that he 

 should be punished : he said moreover, that if it so 

 happen that any of our marchants do promise by 

 covenant at any time to deliver you any certain sum 

 of wares in such a place, and of such like goodnesse, 

 at such a day, for such a certaine price, that then be- 

 cause of variance, we should cause it to be written, 

 according as the bargain is, before a justice or the next 

 ruler to the place : if he did not keepe covenant & 

 promise in all points, according to his covenant, that 

 then looke what losse or hinderance we could justly 

 prove that we have therby, he should make it good 

 if he be worth so much : and in like case we must do 

 to them : and to that we did agree, save onely if it 

 were to come over the sea, then if any such fortune 

 should bee (as God forbid) that the ship should mis- 

 chance or be robbed, & the proofe to be made that 

 such kind of wares were laden, the English marchants 

 to beare no losse to the other marchant. Then ye 

 Chancelor said, me thinks you shall do best to have 

 your house at Colmogro, which is but 100. miles from 



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