228 Mineral Trades 



most conspicuous phenomena connected with the coal trade. For 

 two centuries and a half after the chartering of the Company in 1600 

 combinations for Hmiting the vend and regulating prices were ef- 

 fected intermittently and dissolved as often as formed. The con- 

 sumers in London were the chief complainants. During this whole 

 period the combinations were much alike in details and character. 



In 1630 the Hostmen entered into a "proiectt or experyment for 

 the utterance" of all their "severall parts and porcions of Coles" 

 agreeing to vend their coal in partnership. They divided themselves 

 into four groups whose total vend averaged about 2500 tens' per 

 group. Each group had a special bookkeeper who kept book for the 

 whole party. Each member of the group, composed of six or eight 

 members, was limited to a fixed vend; if any could not have his share 

 ready within the specified time, he bought from his partners at a 

 reasonable price; the group also made collective purchases and dis- 

 tributed them proportionally. The groups were to keep nearly even 

 in the total delivered from time to time. vSpecial provisions were 

 laid so that no scarcity of coal and high prices would result, and that 

 buyers be not delayed. Penalties were affixed for breaking any condi- 

 tions of this agreement. It was limited to one year.- 



The minutes of January 1, 1616-17, contain the plan of another 

 combination for regulating the vend. Eight persons were nomi- 

 nated to pass upon the quantity of the coals and to attend to the 

 clearing of all ships. Each of these eight took unto him such a 

 number of partners that their coals combined would equal one-eighth 

 of the total vend for the year: the group sold in partnership. The 

 proceeds of the sale were divided within the group upon some pre- 

 arranged ratio. The groups kept their vends as nearly equally dis- 

 tributed as possible in time. The vend of each group averaged about 

 1700 tens, and the number of partners ranged from three to eight; the 

 vend of each partner was determined. This agreement was to termi- 

 nate in one year.^ 



Similarly arranged group-partnerships were agreed to in 1622 and 

 1627.^ In 1666 it was agreed to hmit the output of the mines by 

 ceasing to operate them for three months.^ In 1738 the ships were 



1 A ten equalled about 21 tons, i.e., a keel-load. 

 - Surtees, 105: 43-47. 



3 Ibid., 105:63-7. 



4 Ibid., 105:67-71; 72-74. 



5 Ibid., 105:131. 



