Edward Randolph letter to William Blathwayt, 1693 October 30

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your letters I haue receiued which I hope to giue a more
perticular answeare too. but am Just now come heither from
Carolina. & before I had tyme to looke about me I had
an Expresse from Maryland advising me that Mr
Blackiston dyed the 22 instant. I am now taking
leaue of his Excellence &amp preparing to go theither. & had
been there sooner but I stayed to prosecute an illegall
Trader here in James Town which some tyme since I
ordred to be seized in Potomack:

I find tho his Excellence recommended with all care and
regard to their Majesties Seruice to the Assembly their passing
the two acts for prohibiting Bulke Tobacco to be shippd
Off: & setling towns . the house of Burgesses haue
passd their votes against them both : his Excellence will not
giue ouer nor be wanting in any thing but they
are full of Conceit & fancy themselues as great as
the House of Commons in England

All care has been taken by his Excellence & myselfe
to gett some Red Ceder for Durham: & when euer
any Bristoll Masters are agreed with to take it aboard
It's ready for them. there is but one in this Colony
& so small as not to take any quantity aboard. the
last fleet of Bristoll men would not meddle with
any. nor can I possibly haue it done here till you
send me an order vpon any one to do it.

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I haue been very sick euer since the 20th. of July : buth haue
at no tyme kept my bed wheneuer their Majesties service
required my attendance. riding from on part of this
Colony to another: when scarce able to fitt my horse.
I haue a great weakness in my left arme but
new matter arising spurrs meon to very chargable
Journeys: & not one penny advantage: when Mr Mein
at Barbados & Mr Brooks at New york haue their Ease
& 5 or 600lb: a yeare at least to support them. I
hope in tyme to receiue the benefitt of my hard
Services not at home but a recompense out of that
money I saue out of the fire. my next will be
from Maryland: all happines attend the Rulers
of the plantation Office: & of all the American
Plantation Office. Certainely I had made a visitt
to the Bath for recouery of my limbs had I
gott all the Black walnutt plank & Ceder for
Durham & I Shepden well shippd off.
with my hearty prayers for a happy meeting
Once more I am Sr.

my humble Service
to Mr Povey.

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ffor their Majesties Speciall Service
To the Honorable
Mr. Blathwayt
at Whitehall

Virginia
30 October: 1693
From Mr Randolph
Received 19 February: 1693
& the Enclosures

Virginia
30 October: 1693
From M Randolph
Received 19 February 1693/4
Received Cedar Ready for
Durh'm if ships may be
sent for it