LETTER TO THE AGENTS ad. 



1560. 

 the Lettes not so large skinnes as we have had : the Lettes. 

 best is, they were of a new death. As for the Ermines, 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 Sqmrels. 

 wares that we would have you provide against the 

 comming of the shippes are, Waxe, Tallowe, trayne 

 Oyles, Flaxe, Cables and Ropes, and Furres, such as F/axe. 

 we have written to you for in our last letters by the Cables and 

 shippes : and from hencefoorth not to make any great r0 ^ es ' 

 provision of any rich Furres except principall Sables & 

 Lettes: for now there is a Proclamation made that no A prodama- 

 furres shall be worne here, but such as the like is ^on against 

 growing here within this our Realme. Also we perceive f orren Furres - 

 that there might be a great deale of tallowe more provided 

 in a yeere then you send. Therefore our minde is, you 

 should enlarge somewhat more in the price, and to send 

 us if you can three thousand podes a yeere : for we 3000. podes 

 doe most good in it. And likewise the Russes, \{ of Tallow a 

 you would give them a reasonable price for their wares, * 

 woulde be the willinger to buy and sell with you, and 

 not to carie so much to Novogrode 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 pro- 

 vide for the next ships five hundred Losh hides, of 500. tosh 

 them that be large and faire, and thickest in hand, and hides - 

 to be circumspect in the choosing, that you buy them that 

 bee killed in season and well dryed and whole. If they 

 bee good we may sell them here for sixteene shillings 

 and better the piece, wee would have the whole skinnes, 

 that is, the necke and legges withall, for these that you 

 sent now lacke their neckes and legges. Neverthelesse Note. 

 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 perceive by your letters 

 that the prices of Waxe doe rise there with you, by reason 



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