1648
LETTERS OF JOHN PAIGE, 1648–58
(P.R.O. C. 105/12)
1. to William Clerke
26 Dec. 1648
These serve to give you notice of my safe arrival here in company with Mr
Farr some 10 days since. Canary wines prove indifferent well in general. I
have sold the most part [Garvis] Russell's lading [on the Elizabeth Ann]
at £19 and £19 5s per pipe and doubt not but to dispose of the rest at ditto
rates. Here is news of the arrival of 10 Canarymen this day in the Downs,
whereof Mr Toope is one and Capt. Cheny, Mr Jenkins and several
others. Mr Payne is in Plymouth.
I have not as yet received any letters from you or Mr Paynter since my
being here, which makes me the briefer at present. Only according to
promise shall give you an estimate as near as I can how prices of West
India goods are here at present: hides, 7½d [intended 6½d, cf.2] per lb, but
in Lisbon a good commodity, being many shipped from hence; logwood
worth £15 10s per t; West India sugars worth £6 10s per cwt; fine grana
worth 32s per lb; Varinas tobacco worth 14s per lb and none expected
from San Lucar. Per Capt. Pyle I shall write you more at large and send a
bill of rates, who is now at Gravesend and stops in Plymouth to take 400
hhds pilchards for Mr Robert Lant. There is one Mr Showers, which Mr
Lambell loaded, sunk in sea coming home. …
[P.S.] I have received a joint letter from you and Mr Paynter per which
take notice you have freighted Mr Barber [the Blessing] per month.
Concerning insurance, I shall follow your order in effecting it at as cheap
rates as I can. The times are at present very dangerous for Irish [men-ofwar are taking merchant ships, cf. 2], which will be a means to make me
do it with expedition. …