LETTER FROM THOMAS ALCOCK a.d. 



1558. 



communication I had with them concerning the same 

 voyage. Then he demaunded of mee what wares wee 

 brought into Russia, and what wee carried from thence. 

 I declared the same unto 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 Mos- 

 covia too long to commit to writing. 



At my comming hither heere were Ambassadours from 

 the townes of Danske, Lubeck, and Hamburgh, as also [I. 305.] 

 out of Liefland to desire this king to bee their Captaine 

 and head in their intended voyage, which was to stoppe An attempt to 

 all such shippes as shoulde goe out of England for Mos- * tn y r our 

 covia. Whereunto the King graunted, and immediatly CQvia 7 tfie ' 

 they departed to prepare their shippes. So that I am Hans townes 

 afraide that either these our enemies, or the great warres fcf Easter- 

 that we have with France and Scotland will be an occasion ltn &' 

 that you shall have no shippes at Colmogro this yeere. 



To conclude, although I have no tokens to deliver 

 them, that the tokens taken from me were sent unto, yet 

 I will declare unto 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 

 399 



