LETTER TO THE AGENTS ad. 



1560. 

 that it be even and well tarred. The sables that you doe 

 mind to send us let them be principall and fayre, and 

 not past foure or five timbars. For they will not be 

 so commonly worne here as they have bin with noble 

 men : and likewise of Luserns send fewe and principal 

 good. We mind to send you in our shippes 100 

 tunnes of sake. And because we perceive that balast is 

 hardly to be had at our lading place there with you, 

 we would you should have in a readinesse 100 tunnes 

 of the white stones whereof you sent us home an example 

 two yeres past. And likewise to have in a readinesse Masts of all 

 mastes of all sortes for our shippes : for we know not sorts t0 °f 

 what neede wee shall have of them. The bringer hereof ^ are ' 

 is Thomas Alcock, he could not be suffered the last 

 yeare to passe through Poland. And as we wrote unto 

 you in our shippes, hee is our servant 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 

 service. He doth know the commodities and discom- 

 modities of all kinde of wares which you doe send us. 

 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 ropemakers should remaine there 

 two yeres more ; and that you have provided great 

 plentie of hempe, which we are content withall. But 

 as yet we have solde none of our cables nor halsers, 

 neither is the proofe of them knowen ; because the first 

 you sent us 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 

 us now last, by misfortune there with you at the lading 

 were wette and fretted in many places, and have 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 us a good ending. 

 We hope in your next letters to heare good newes of 

 the proceedings of Master Antonie Jenkinson. We 



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