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| Nov. 10. |
Hugh Hamilton, Lord Glenaully (Glenawley), to Lord Brouncker.
In my last conference with you and the Navy Commissioners I
showed my pains and charges in securing all the masts which were
to come from Riga in his Majesty's hands with power to him to
buy before any other. Having so often spoken of this without
an answer, I suppose there may be unknown obstacles in the
way. The time being short for sending the mast-cutter for
White Rushland, I desire you would procure me his Highness'
answer to my former memorial, to which I add that, as it is not
possible to lade a ship altogether with masts but they are forced
to fill her up with small timber, I desire that they may put into
their ships hemp instead of small timber, which hemp shall be
offered to his Majesty as cheap if not cheaper than any that
can be had, and if he refuses they may sell it to whom they
please. I desire you to consider whether it be his Majesty's
interest to provide in time a magazine of such masts or suffer
them to come into the hands of those who will give greater
prices. |
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The second thing I would desire you to consider is that one
part of the place whence the masts are to come belongs to the
King of Poland, the other to the Muscovites. Rebellion at present being in Rushland, the Rushes possessing great territories
justly belonging to the King of Poland, it is to be feared that the
wars may be drawn into the parts whence the masts are brought
and thereby his Majesty may be hindered from bringing any
from thence. I do not write these as motives to persuade you
to buy more masts than you think convenient. The interessants
will be as well satisfied with your refusal as with your acceptance.
Unless I conclude with you for a certain number of masts, I
will save charges and not send the mast-cutter. [2 pages.
S.P. Supplementary 137, No. 255.] Enclosed, |
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Memorial concerning the transportation of great masts from
Riga. |
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1. It is needful that a man having knowledge of the cutting of
masts be sent to where the masts are found. By his cutting
a few great masts he can deserve more than all his charges. |
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2. It would be needful to give licence to those who have the
privilege of transporting all masts from Riga to freight
serviceable ships, and that such ships, being of what nation
they can get them, be not troubled or arrested in England
by the customers or other officers as hitherto they have
been. |
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3. The French, Spanish and Hollander have used all possible
means with those who have the privilege to buy of them all
the masts they can bring from Rushland and Poland, offering
for the greatest masts whatever they demand. To prevent
this I entered into bargain for those who have the privilege
to be participator with them by Lord Carlisle's knowledge
and consent in a fourth part of the loss and profit from their
privilege, and for the better setting forward of that trade and
securing it to be in his Majesty's hands I advanced a considerable sum to those having the privilege. Four ships'
lading of masts being this summer arrived in the Thames,
some were delivered to the Navy Commissioners, some not,
but they were forced with great trouble and charges to lay
the said lading some in one place some in another. These
delays, arrestments on the ships and non-payment according
to the bargain with the Commissioners, it is to be feared,
will cause those who have the privilege to seek to deal with
others who will more punctually observe what they promise
than has been hitherto observed by us. |
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My humble opinion is that, if his Majesty is served with
such masts as can be bought at Riga, he should make an
agreement with the interessants for a certain number of
masts to be yearly delivered and that therein be specified
the palms, length and thickness with their certain prices for
every mast according to their largeness, and that a certain
time for payment may be agreed on, as also that his Majesty
should give particular orders to the Farmers of the Customs
that no ships laden with masts, pipe staves, boards or planks
which shall be mixed amongst the masts for the ship's better
loading may not be arrested or troubled, they paying their
ordinary customs. |
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If his Majesty shall need any masts this next summer, above
all things it would be most necessary that the mast-cutter
be immediately sent over. [3 pages. Ibid. No. 255 i.] |
| Nov. |
Proposals to the Navy Commissioners. 1. It is offered by
Lord Glenawley in the name of James Baker and Stacions
Steane, who have the privilege from the King of Sweden that
no masts shall be carried from Riga but by their licence, that
they shall furnish his Majesty yearly with 300 masts of specified
sizes at the prices to be agreed on. |
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2. Lord Glenawley offers in the name of them and their
partners to give his Majesty yearly notice in April how many
masts over and above the said 300 masts they have to sell and,
his Majesty or his Commissioners giving them notice in May
following how many he will have above the said 300, then
they and their partners shall be obliged not to dispose of any
of their masts to foreign princes or republics till the said time
of notice be expired and the surplus masts refused. |
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3. Beckar (sic) and Steane offer to furnish his Majesty with as
much good hemp as can be stowed in the ships bringing over
the masts at as cheap (if not cheaper) rates as his Majesty can
buy it from others and, if it be not found good, his Majesty
shall not be obliged to take it and they, paying the customs, may
have liberty to sell it to such as have a mind to buy it. |
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4. Backer and Stearne (Beckar and Steane) offer to furnish
his Majesty with good oak plank of such thickness as shall be
desired. As for prices I can make no offer till a proof of planks
shall be brought and found fit for the service. The mast-cutter
understanding what planks and crooked timber are good, it would
be needful he should be informed to what thickness the planks
and crooked timber should be cut. |
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In consideration of the premises Lord Glenawley desires in the
name of Jacob Beckar and Stacions Steane and their partners:— |
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1. That his Majesty give them a general pass for all foreign
ships they shall freight for the transportation of masts, planks,
hemp or small timber needful to stow among the masts and that
none of the said ships on their voyage be arrested, molested or
hindered to come in or go out of any of his Majesty's ports. |
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2. That on their arrival in the Thames order should be taken
for their unlading according to the time in their charter party
and, if they be kept beyond their time, that his Majesty may be
at the charges of their by days. |
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3. That the Commissioners on delivery of the masts shall
cause them to be measured and present payment made. |
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4. Beckar and Steane and their partners shall not be obliged
for the performance of these articles longer than there is peace
betwixt Sweden and the Muscovites as also if wars should happen
betwixt Sweden and Denmark or his Majesty and Denmark.
[2½ pages. Ibid. No. 256.] |
Nov. 15.
The St. Andrew, Gillingham. |
Capt. John Tinker to the Navy Commissioners. The St.
Andrew arrived at her moorings here about 9 this morning.
To-morrow she shall be all unrigged. [Ibid. No. 257.] |
Nov. 18.
The St. Andrew. |
Capt. John Tinker to the Navy Commissioners. I am glad
to hear by yours of the 17th that the men shall be paid off in
a few days. I have offered to discharge any that desires it.
Yesterday and to-day we have discharged about thirty. [Ibid.
No. 258.] |
Nov. 25.
Greenhithe. |
Capt. John Tinker to the Navy Commissioners. I received
a letter from the purser of the St. Andrew that the hoy would
be aboard last night. We have expected her all this day and she
has not come. We have neither beef nor pork aboard nor any
drink. If she come not down to-night, I do not know what we
shall do for drink to-morrow. We are fain to allow the carpenters
and joiners victuals. If it be your pleasure to continue them
any longer aboard, please order petty warrant to be sent down
for them that they may not eat on the ship's sea victuals. (About
cables and anchors.) When those things are on board, we will
sail the first opportunity, for as yet we have not had any, had
we been ready. It had been very necessary to have had for
the ship 50 men more than 300, for in the summer we could not
keep them off the deck and now it is as hard to get them aloft.
I believe I could turn 100 ashore good for as little as those 40
supernumeraries I discharged already. [Ibid. No. 259.] |
