Edward Randolph letter to William Blathwayt, 1700 November 23

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This euening I haue a Message sent me from a friend
belonging to the Custome house: advising that the Commissioners are
told I haue discoursed reflectingly vpon their Management
I confesse vpon your directions as our one of the Lords Commissioners
for Trade I did lay before your Board a Narratiue of
my Journall: & also duplicates of the papers I transmitted
in mine of the 17th: past: which I haue receiued from
Mr: popple : & corrected Them but delay the returning
them till your arrivall : I guesse some of your Board
may haue discoursd accidentally with some person That
has told some of the Commissioners that my papers containe Custome ^{house busines}

Tis true, That I haue attended with my papers twise or
thrice every weeke, they are so busy that they haue not
tyme to heare one read. they made an Entrance vpon
my Narratiue: & some tyme afterheard my paper shewing
the losse his Majestie has in his customs vpon tobacco shipd
from the plantations on the continent to the Other plantations
But haue not as yet read my proposalls to prevent it
& will perhaps lay me & them both aside: I expect That
the Lords Commissioners for Trade will take care of me & hope
my readines at all tymes to lay before their Lordshipps all
matters relating to Trade to Customs & ^ ^to improving the
Revennue, shall not be my Ruine whilst I haue done
my duty to preserue them: I haue no freind but God &
you to stand by me. I know not how farr I may be pressd

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but I am well assured I cannot beare vp against The
potent Interest of my Masters : I shall be heartily glad to see
you & Mr Povey (to whom my humble service) safe returned. with
my humble duty presented
I am.

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To the Right Honorable
Mr. Blathwayt at
Durham: nigh
Bristoll:

23 November 1700
From Mr Randolph