Edward Randolph letter to William Blathwayt, 1693 July 30

[Page 1]

I wrote largely by the Bangall. I haue provided 5000 foot
of pine Boards according to your Directions ready to be shippd off
when I haue advise vpon what ship bound to Bristoll to putt
them aboard which must be agreed in England. but one ship will
not take them all aboard because they will take vp too much
Room. the Black walnutt plank is in Potomack River. I
spend my money & my tyme most vnprofitably here. Its not
in my power to rectifye the great abuses in trade the Collectors
Regarding more their own fees then their Majesties Interest & Care
not how the ship or Master be qualified provided they either giue
security in the Country which they discharg by a false Certificate
or produce a forgd Certificate to them that they haue giuen security in
in England: some of both sorts I haue by me. I beleiue it for their
Majesties Seruice that I come home to represent these matters that
other Matters ^methods may be taken. otherwise their Majesties will continue
to loose about 4000lb: yearely. I sent you in the Bengall a Generall
Account of money & tobacco due to their Majesties etc: amounting
to 2429lb:16:8. & this yeare from the Collectors of Virginia onely
in tobacco. 37868lb: & in money 56:7:4: & so much the Comproullor
receiues for doing nothing. if I had sitt still I had saved my
money & many a troublesome Journey & perhaps to as much
purpose but that not my fault I haue done my duty faithfully
I am very ill at the writing hereof. Sr. Edmund Andros has a
melancholy tyme of it. liues with good husbandry at great
expence. my humble Seruice to Mr Povey & Mr Chaplin
I am Sr

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[Page 4]

To the Honorable Mr Blathwayt
at Whitehall :
By the Potomack Merhant

Virginia
30 July 1693
From Mr Randolph
Received 25 September 1693

5000 ft pin plank ready
shippers must be hird in England
securityes discharged by false
certificates
the King looses 4000 yearly
he thinks it for the Kings service to
com for England.
£2429 due from the Collectors
the [illegible]