Appendix B: Paige to Richard Jewell, 1650

(B) John Paige's Instruction To Richard Jewell, Supercargo On The Elizabeth, For A Vovage To The Barbary Coast And Tenerife

129. to Richard Jewell
2 Aug. 1650
In the first place, I desire the Lord to give a blessing to your lawful endeavours in this our design.

2. You are to sail directly from hence to the Road of Safi upon the Barbary Coast.

3. When pleases God that you arrive at Safi in safety, you are to endeavour to get pratique and to make sales of the goods for our most advantage and to invest the proceeds as here underwritten.

4. In case that you cannot put off all or part of our goods at aforesaid port, then you are to go directly for Mogador and there to dispose of them. And when you cannot meet with a market fitting at Mogador, then you may go for Santa Cruz [de Berberia, i.e. Agadir] or any other crick or port thereabouts.

5. When you have disposed of the cargazon of goods, then you are to invest the proceeds thereof in good wheat and to load the ship with ditto commodity.

6. What monies shall remain, besides the ship's lading of wheat, employ it in good beeswax and 2,000 goatskins.

7. After you have made sale of our goods and laden the ship with wheat and wax, etc., then you are to sail directly for the port of Orotava in Tenerife, there to deliver your corn and other goods unto my good friends Mr Gowen Paynter and Mr William Clerke, unto whom I have given orders to receive it.

8. Pray take notice though I limit you to go for Santa Cruz yet I would be loath that you should trust to that port, being far to leeward. Rather, if possible, load the ship at Safi or some part at Mogador. The first port will be the only place for wheat and sales of the goods.

9. I make no question but you are very sensible that you go somewhat late of the year and that foul weather usually falls in upon that coast the middle of Sept. Wherefore, I earnestly desire you to make all the speedy dispatch you can to lade the ship whereby you may be at the Islands to load home the first wines, which you know imports very much.

10. Be sure to keep an account of the ship's days.

11. You must endeavour to keep a fair correspondence with Mr [John] Clarke, the pilot, because otherwise he will be cross and advise you nothing that you shall desire, which may prejudice you much.

12. Remember that you carry for Mr Paynter and Mr Clerke 100 hens.

13. You may buy for me a barrel of 150 lbs weight of the best dates you can.

14. Be sure when you are at sea to examine the master and company [of ships you meet] where they have any letters for Barbary.

15. Let me hear from you per all vias and especially how the ship proves.

16. I pray a care that you do not trust the Moors or Jews with any goods ashore except they first bring their corn.

17. Mr Clarke will partly advise you the prices of goods formerly there, but I would not have you to trust altogether upon his judgement.

18. I pray charge the master [Christopher Shadforth] that the ship be in readiness always to defend herself in case of French men-of-war.

19. When you sell the iron and guns, be sure you put off your goods assorted peradventure you will find a Jew that will cut a price for the whole cargazon.

20. If upon your first arrival you meet with a reasonable good market, let not slip the opportunity. Commonly the first is the best and repair not in a small matter.

21. I should enlarge some other particulars, but I hold it needless in regard I know you understand the business you go about, not doubting but that through God's blessing and your care and diligence the design may prove beneficial. …