servir_fw-fr qu'il_fw-fr appartiendra_fw-fr fait_fw-fr &_o passé_fw-fr à _fw-fr roven_n le_fw-fr 5._o janvier_n 1685._o pierre_n locquet_n jean_n boucher_n rob._n nouflard_n eustache_n le_fw-fr canu_n jaques_n de_fw-fr lamare_fw-la thomas_n fulgent_n loüis_n bouffier_n jean_n le_fw-fr testu_fw-ge anthoine_fw-mi mallet_n notaires_o royeaâ—â—â—_n gruchett_n le_fw-fr peletier_n c_o mr._n george_n robinson_n answer_n to_o the_o forego_n present_v state_n the_o commissioner_n of_o his_o majesty_n custom_n may_v please_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o whereas_o it_o have_v be_v suggest_v a_o sort_n of_o coal_n be_v late_o find_v in_o scotland_n not_o much_o inferior_a to_o the_o coal_n of_o england_n and_o from_o thence_o export_v to_o france_n in_o french_a vessel_n pay_v little_a or_o no_o custom_n for_o the_o same_o and_o whereas_o it_o be_v also_o allege_v by_o letter_n from_o france_n and_o holland_n etc._n etc._n that_o the_o foreign_a market_n be_v of_o late_a year_n extraordinary_o supply_v with_o coal_n from_o scotland_n in_o stranger_n ship_n to_o the_o great_a prejudiee_n of_o the_o english_a navigation_n and_o damage_n to_o his_o majesty_n custom_n here_o upon_o which_o allegation_n some_o of_o the_o trader_n his_o majesty_n subject_n of_o england_n in_o that_o commodity_n humble_o desire_v by_o proper_a application_n a_o seasonable_a remedy_n for_o such_o a_o evil_a either_o by_o a_o equality_n of_o duty_n to_o be_v pay_v by_o stranger_n in_o scotland_n or_o by_o some_o encouragement_n or_o favour_n to_o rhe_n english_a in_o the_o duty_n here_o which_o suggestion_n and_o seem_a good_a reason_n make_v not_o only_o deep_a impression_n but_o great_a inclination_n to_o endeavour_v a_o present_a abatement_n of_o the_o custom_n on_o coal_n export_v from_o england_n in_o english_a ship_n for_o a_o short_a temporary_a experiment_n till_o the_o duty_n in_o scotland_n can_v be_v raise_v high_a if_o the_o king_n shall_v so_o please_v now_o have_v since_o far_o well_o examine_v the_o premise_n there_o seem_v nothing_o more_o certain_a therein_o than_o i._n that_o the_o custom_n in_o scotland_n be_v indeed_o next_o to_o nothing_o and_o the_o defect_n such_o as_o it_o be_v there_o ii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o better_a coal_n in_o scotland_n now_o than_o in_o former_a and_o late_a year_n in_o which_o the_o duty_n in_o both_o kingdom_n have_v be_v as_o now_o they_o be_v and_o yet_o the_o exportation_n from_o england_n far_o great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o last_o year_n from_o whence_o it_o seem_v evident_a that_o the_o great_a or_o lesser_a annual_a exportation_n of_o this_o commodity_n have_v not_o be_v occasion_v by_o any_o extraordinary_a coal_n find_v in_o scotland_n or_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o custom_n but_o peace_n war_n plague_n &c_n &c_n do_v influence_n the_o same_o and_o some_o year_n the_o foreign_a market_n as_o well_o as_o london_n market_n be_v over_o stock_v with_o this_o commodity_n the_o custom_n of_o anno_fw-la 1679._o be_v better_a than_o 1678._o about_o 5000_o l._n the_o year_n follow_v be_v worse_o than_o that_o by_o about_o 2000_o l._n 1681._o be_v near_o as_o good_a as_o 1679._o 1682._o be_v somewhat_o better_a than_o 1680._o 1683._o be_v about_o 1500_o l._n better_a than_o 1682._o and_o anno_fw-la 1684._o be_v not_o so_o bad_a as_o 1678._o by_o near_o 2000_o l._n neither_o be_v the_o year_n before_o 1678._o though_o not_o altogether_o so_o good_a as_o since_o less_o subject_a to_o variation_n and_o yet_o the_o coal_n of_o scotland_n and_o the_o duty_n of_o both_o kingdom_n the_o same_o as_o now_o for_o any_o thing_n yet_o prove_v to_o the_o contrary_n iii_o that_o the_o advice_n from_o holland_n of_o the_o increase_n of_o this_o scotch_a trade_n now_o want_v confirmation_n and_o the_o abatement_n from_o 8_o to_o 6_o s._n per_fw-la chalder_n be_v chief_o project_v by_o the_o factor_n or_o trader_n of_o france_n and_o that_o for_o account_n of_o the_o gross_a farmer_n of_o the_o custom_n of_o that_o kingdom_n who_o as_o stranger_n ought_v by_o the_o book_n of_o rate_n here_o to_o pay_v 14_o s._n per_fw-la chalder_n for_o coal_n export_v in_o english_a ship_n so_o that_o instead_o of_o 2_o s._n this_o project_n will_v abate_v they_o 8_o s._n per_fw-la chalder_n iv._o that_o by_o that_o sensible_a letter_n to_o sir_n john_n buckworth_n of_o the_o ½_o 2_o 2_o instant_a from_o roven_n touch_v this_o matter_n it_o seem_v apparent_a that_o if_o the_o french_a can_v be_v without_o our_o english_a coal_n or_o the_o scotch_a coal_n be_v so_o good_a as_o be_v allege_v and_o can_v be_v bring_v from_o scotland_n in_o french_a ship_n within_o 2_o s._n per_fw-la chalder_n as_o cheap_a as_o english_a coal_n the_o french_a will_v not_o be_v so_o kind_a to_o our_o navigation_n as_o to_o employ_v they_o in_o this_o trade_n to_o the_o neglect_n of_o their_o own_o ship_n or_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n in_o the_o same_o letter_n it_o will_v rational_o be_v propose_v that_o if_o french_a ship_n may_v be_v permit_v to_o fetch_v out_o coal_n at_o english_a custom_n they_o will_v be_v willing_a to_o pay_v the_o french_a tonnage_n of_o 5_o s._n which_o will_v amount_v to_o 18_o s._n per_fw-la chalder_n a_o newcastle_n chalder_n being_n more_o than_o two_o tun_n now_o if_o the_o market_n at_o roven_n will_v afford_v to_o pay_v that_o 18_o s._n per_fw-la chalder_n and_o produce_v good_a profit_n to_o the_o merchant_n as_o the_o say_a letter_n set_v forth_o it_o seem_v not_o necessary_a to_o abate_v the_o custom_n and_o to_o let_v they_o have_v a_o commodity_n from_o we_o which_o they_o can_v be_v without_o for_o the_o reason_n aforesaid_a at_o 6_o s._n per_fw-la chalder_n v._o if_o it_o be_v say_v in_o favour_n of_o all_o foreign_a market_n as_o well_o as_o france_n that_o the_o cheapness_n of_o a_o commodity_n suppose_v a_o increase_n of_o consumption_n it_o will_v also_o be_v remember_v that_o the_o supposition_n will_v utter_o fail_v in_o commodity_n not_o subject_a to_o luxury_n if_o salt_n be_v at_o a_o penny_n a_o bushel_n it_o will_v not_o for_o its_o cheapness_n augment_v the_o consumption_n and_o if_o all_o the_o english_a custom_n on_o coal_n be_v take_v off_o it_o will_v not_o amount_v to_o above_o 1_o d._n ½_o a_o bushel_n in_o the_o price_n of_o coal_n can_v make_v 6_o d._n difference_n in_o 5_o l._n worth_n of_o manufacture_n and_o the_o dear_a we_o sell_v a_o commodity_n abroad_o which_o the_o stranger_n can_v be_v without_o as_o aforesaid_a the_o more_o we_o bring_v back_o to_o enrich_v our_o own_o nation_n vi_o and_o as_o to_o the_o english_a navigation_n the_o same_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v very_o little_o advantage_v by_o the_o desire_a abatement_n to_o 6_o s._n per_fw-la chalder_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v compute_v that_o the_o whole_a foreign_a coal-trade_n be_v not_o â…•_n part_v of_o the_o annual_a quantity_n bring_v only_o into_o london_n of_o which_o the_o bare_a duty_n first_o and_o last_o amount_v to_o 6_o s._n 6_o d._n per_fw-la chalder_n and_o if_o the_o say_a abatement_n shall_v take_v effect_n the_o french_a shall_v not_o pay_v so_o much_o duty_n as_o we_o the_o parent_n be_v not_o kind_a to_o stranger_n than_o to_o his_o own_o child_n vii_o therefore_o it_o be_v conceive_v that_o if_o any_o advantage_n can_v accrue_v by_o the_o desire_a abatement_n it_o will_v be_v to_o the_o coal_n owner_n who_o know_v the_o necessity_n the_o french_a have_v of_o the_o commodity_n will_v at_o least_o share_n by_o the_o raise_n the_o price_n of_o the_o coal_n in_o the_o profit_n of_o what_o the_o king_n shall_v please_v to_o abate_v of_o the_o custom_n so_o prudent_o establish_v by_o his_o law_n viii_o and_o for_o these_o reason_n and_o much_o more_o which_o may_v be_v say_v on_o this_o subject_n as_o i_o humble_o conceive_v the_o say_a abatement_n not_o to_o be_v for_o his_o majesty_n service_n or_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o english_a navigation_n so_o i_o find_v all_o my_o partner_n with_o who_o i_o be_o in_o covenant_n now_o unwilling_a to_o join_v with_o i_o in_o any_o consent_n thereunto_o for_o what_o relate_v to_o the_o lord_n townsends_fw-ge interest_n in_o the_o premise_n all_o which_o be_v humble_o submit_v date_v the_o 20_o of_o decemb._n 1684._o george_n robinson_n d_o a_o reply_n to_o mr._n george_n robinson_n groundless_a answer_n to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o foreign_a coal-trade_n i._o that_o the_o custom_n in_o scotland_n be_v next_o to_o nothing_o as_o by_o the_o say_v present_a state_n be_v set_v forth_o be_v own_v by_o the_o answerer_n so_o need_v no_o further_a proof_n nor_o enlargement_n ii_o to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o better_a coal_n now_o in_o scotland_n than_o in_o former_a year_n be_v not_o deny_v though_o a_o cunning_a insinuation_n but_o the_o best_a and_o rich_a coal_n both_o in_o englond_n and_o scotland_n be_v the_o most_o fit_a for_o
to_o the_o right_n honourable_a and_o honourable_a the_o lord_n commissioner_n of_o his_o majesty_n treasury_n sir_n william_n creagh_n of_o newcastle_n upon_o tine_n most_o humble_o show_v that_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o great_a inequality_n of_o the_o custom_n in_o england_n and_o scotland_n on_o coal_n transport_v beyond_o the_o sea_n by_o which_o his_o majesty_n revenue_n as_o to_o that_o branch_n be_v much_o impair_v the_o english_a navigation_n in_o a_o great_a measure_n discourage_v and_o that_o ancient_a corporation_n of_o newcastle_n in_o danger_n of_o be_v ruin_v he_o think_v it_o his_o duty_n to_o let_v slip_v no_o opportunity_n whereby_o he_o may_v be_v instrumental_a to_o stop_v the_o current_n of_o so_o great_a evil_n and_o though_o the_o fatigue_n of_o a_o long_a troublesome_a journey_n from_o newcastle_n hither_o may_v be_v a_o bar_n to_o his_o say_a undertake_v yet_o he_o value_v his_o duty_n to_o the_o king_n and_o the_o public_a above_o all_o and_o come_v from_o newcastle_n to_o london_n now_o the_o three_o time_n upon_o the_o same_o errand_n the_o first_o time_n be_v in_o october_n 1684._o and_o in_o november_n follow_v he_o present_v the_o commissioner_n of_o his_o majesty_n custom_n with_o a_o state_n of_o the_o foreign_a coal-trade_n herewith_o follow_v the_o letter_n a_o together_o with_o the_o ensue_a authentic_a certificate_n from_o france_n follow_v the_o letter_n b_o both_o which_o be_v debate_v before_o the_o say_a commissioner_n be_v afterward_o send_v up_o to_o the_o then_o lord_n of_o the_o treasury_n and_o make_v know_v to_o his_o late_a majesty_n of_o bless_a memory_n who_o together_o with_o the_o say_a lord_n and_o commissioner_n seem_v inclinable_a to_o grant_v the_o abatement_n set_v forth_o in_o the_o say_a state_n till_o one_o mr._n george_n robinson_n one_o of_o the_o sub-farmers_n of_o the_o 4_n per_fw-la chalder_n under_o my_o lord_n townsend_n obstruct_v the_o same_o by_o dissuade_v his_o partner_n from_o consent_v thereto_o and_o for_o his_o so_o do_v he_o give_v the_o commissioner_n a_o paper_n of_o groundless_a reason_n herewith_o follow_v the_o letter_n c_z which_o be_v full_o refute_v by_o the_o say_v creagh_n answer_n thereto_o follow_v the_o letter_n d_o however_o since_o the_o say_v sub-farmers_n will_v not_o bear_v their_o share_n of_o the_o abatement_n the_o say_a lord_n of_o the_o treasury_n and_o commissioner_n think_v it_o not_o reasonable_a the_o king_n shall_v bear_v the_o whole_a and_o they_o reap_v half_a the_o benefit_n and_o thus_o the_o business_n fall_v till_o february_n 1685_o 6._o that_o the_o say_v creagh_n see_v those_o evil_n like_v to_o increase_v and_o have_v a_o opportunity_n by_o proposal_n make_v to_o he_o from_o france_n upon_o encouragement_n to_o improve_v that_o branch_n of_o his_o majesty_n revenue_n very_o considerable_o he_o come_v the_o second_o time_n to_o london_n and_o present_v his_o present_a majesty_n with_o a_o second_o state_n of_o that_o affair_n a_o copy_n whereof_o be_v here_o annex_v and_o follow_v the_o letter_n e_z and_o of_o which_o another_o copy_n be_v likewise_o deliver_v to_o my_o lord_n rochester_n than_o lord_n treasurer_n and_o the_o say_v creagh_n be_v call_v out_o of_o town_n before_o any_o reference_n can_v be_v have_v upon_o it_o he_o leave_v a_o friend_n to_o solicit_v the_o matter_n and_o though_o it_o be_v send_v to_o the_o commissioner_n after_o he_o be_v go_v yet_o his_o friend_n can_v get_v no_o other_o answer_n to_o it_o than_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o say_v robinson_n groundless_a reason_n this_o put_v he_o the_o say_v creagh_n upon_o procure_v strong_a proof_n for_o what_o he_o assert_v and_o after_o the_o expense_n of_o time_n and_o money_n he_o at_o last_o get_v a_o authentic_a certificate_n from_o scotland_n a_o copy_n whereof_o follow_v the_o letter_n f_o which_o he_o hope_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v what_o prejudice_n the_o say_a robinson_n and_o partner_n obstinacy_n have_v do_v the_o king_n the_o navigation_n and_o the_o town_n of_o newcastle_n which_o i_o doubt_v so_o small_a a_o abatement_n will_v not_o now_o prevent_v after_o the_o trade_n be_v almost_o settle_a in_o scotland_n as_o it_o will_v do_v in_o the_o beginning_n when_o there_o be_v not_o much_o of_o that_o insomuch_o that_o raise_v the_o custom_n in_o scotland_n to_o some_o equality_n with_o the_o custom_n in_o england_n will_v prove_v more_o effectual_a and_o this_o be_v conceive_v may_v be_v do_v by_o the_o king_n and_o lord_n commissioner_n of_o the_o exchequer_n in_o scotland_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o preamble_n to_o the_o scotch_a book_n of_o rate_n whereof_o a_o copy_n be_v also_o herewith_o follow_v the_o letter_n g_z especial_o in_o a_o matter_n that_o occasion_n so_o national_a a_o prejudice_n but_o till_o that_o be_v do_v some_o course_n be_v requisite_a to_o be_v take_v to_o prevent_v the_o aforesaid_a apparent_a evil_n and_o as_o a_o addition_n to_o the_o ruin_n of_o that_o ancient_a and_o considerable_a corporation_n of_o newcastle_n upon_o tine_n there_o be_v one_o of_o its_o own_o member_n call_v sunderland_n that_o contribute_v thereto_o in_o a_o high_a degree_n and_o that_o in_o the_o custom_n save_v in_o the_o difference_n of_o measure_n by_o which_o his_o majesty_n lose_v 30_o per_n cent_n of_o his_o custom_n which_o the_o say_v creagh_n be_v ready_a to_o make_v out_o of_o his_o own_o certain_a knowledge_n have_v load_v ship_n there_o and_o find_v that_o every_o 7_o chalder_n in_o sunderland_n make_v out_o 10_o newcastle_n chalder_n and_o pay_v the_o king_n custom_n but_o for_o 7_o chalder_n and_o as_o a_o further_a demonstration_n they_o sell_v their_o sunderland_n chalder_n of_o coal_n most_o common_o for_o 14_o s._n and_o 14_o s._n 6_o d._n per_fw-la chalder_n when_o newcastle_n can_v sell_v for_o above_o 8_o or_o 9_o s._n per_fw-la chalder_n though_o as_o good_a or_o better_a coal_n so_o that_o the_o measure_n be_v apparent_a to_o be_v the_o cause_n by_o which_o a_o great_a share_n of_o that_o little_a foreign_a coal_n trade_n in_o england_n which_o otherwise_o will_v come_v to_o newcastle_n come_v to_o that_o port_n which_o be_v like_o wise_a a_o great_a prejudice_n to_o the_o navigation_n by_o reason_n none_o but_o small_a vessel_n come_v there_o whereas_o in_o newcastle_n ship_n of_o any_o burden_n may_v fit_v there_o be_v one_o thing_n more_o burdensome_a to_o newcastle_n in_o reference_n to_o its_o member_n whereof_o no_o mention_n will_v be_v make_v if_o the_o say_a member_n be_v not_o like_a to_o destroy_v the_o head_n and_o that_o be_v the_o 12_o d._n per_fw-la chalder_n which_o come_v to_o a_o considerable_a yearly_a sum_n which_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o grudge_v provide_v the_o say_v member_n pay_v the_o like_a and_o not_o have_v 30_o per_fw-la cent_n abate_v in_o the_o custom_n more_o than_o the_o head_n may_v it_o please_v your_o lordship_n mr._n anthony_n isaacson_n collector_n of_o the_o custom_n in_o newcastle_n and_o one_o who_o have_v have_v above_o twenty_o year_n experience_n in_o that_o port_n be_v now_o in_o london_n who_o may_v if_o your_o lordship_n please_v be_v interrogated_a as_o to_o the_o premise_n to_o who_o testimony_n and_o your_o lordship_n consideration_n be_v refer_v what_o be_v here_o set_v forth_o by_o may_v it_o please_v your_o lordship_n your_o lordship_n most_o humble_a most_o obedient_a and_o most_o faithful_a servant_n w._n creagh_n london_n april_n the_o 1687._o a_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o foreign_a coal-trade_n humble_o offer_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o his_o majesty_n commissioner_n of_o the_o custom_n by_o william_n creagh_n of_o newcastle_n upon_o tine_n merchant_n the_o say_v william_n creagh_n say_v that_o a_o company_n of_o french_a merchant_n of_o the_o city_n of_o roven_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o france_n about_o three_o month_n ago_o write_v he_o that_o they_o make_v a_o contract_n with_o the_o french_a farmer_n to_o import_v great_a quantity_n of_o coal_n into_o the_o river_n of_o roven_n by_o english_a ship_n and_o thereupon_o give_v the_o say_a creagh_n order_n to_o freight_n with_o all_o possible_a speed_n as_o many_o english_a ship_n as_o can_v take_v in_o 800_o chalder_n of_o coal_n declare_v that_o the_o next_o spring_n and_o summer_n they_o will_v import_v as_o many_o coal_n to_o the_o say_a river_n of_o roven_n and_o continue_v yearly_a so_o to_o do_v as_o will_v supply_v the_o whole_a kingdom_n of_o france_n whereupon_o and_o in_o pursuance_n of_o the_o say_a order_n the_o say_a creagh_n freight_v nine_o ship_n of_o considerable_a burden_n and_o load_v they_o off_o but_o before_o he_o can_v complete_a ship_n the_o say_v number_n of_o 800_o chalder_n of_o coal_n he_o receive_v a_o letter_n from_o the_o say_a company_n acquaint_v he_o that_o the_o truce_n be_v then_o as_o good_a as_o ratify_v betwixt_o france_n and_o spain_n their_o french_a ship_n
domestic_a use_n be_v the_o worse_a for_o foreign_a consumption_n where_o no_o other_o use_n be_v make_v of_o that_o commodity_n but_o for_o the_o forge_n and_o furnace_n therefore_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o they_o be_v better_a or_o worse_o in_o the_o general_n but_o that_o a_o better_a sort_n of_o coal_n for_o foreign_a use_n viz._n a_o small_a cakeing_n coal_n and_o of_o less_o value_n than_o that_o call_v the_o best_a which_o be_v a_o large_a open_a burn_a coal_n that_o will_v not_o cake_n have_v be_v of_o late_a year_n find_v in_o scotland_n purchase_v there_o on_o easy_a term_n plentiful_o transport_v from_o thence_o to_o foreign_a part_n and_o there_o sell_v at_o as_o high_a a_o rate_n as_o newcastle_n coal_n to_o the_o lessen_v his_o majesty_n custom_n and_o the_o english_a navigation_n be_v what_o have_v be_v offer_v and_o prove_v by_o as_o authentic_a a_o certificate_n as_o can_v be_v devise_v whereof_o the_o copy_n follow_v the_o letter_n b._n and_o as_o to_o 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the_o prejudice_n be_v apparent_a for_o instead_o of_o 30_o s._n that_o use_v former_o to_o be_v pay_v for_o the_o freight_n of_o a_o chalder_n of_o coal_n from_o newcastle_n to_o haure_n the_o grace_n in_o france_n ship_n may_v now_o be_v plentiful_o have_v for_o 16_o s._n per_fw-la chalder_n for_o the_o say_a voyage_n occasion_v pure_o for_o want_n of_o employment_n since_o scotland_n be_v able_a to_o furnish_v foreign_a ship_n with_o coal_n fit_a for_o their_o purpose_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n custom_n free_a iii_o that_o the_o advice_n from_o holland_n want_v no_o confirmation_n if_o letter_n may_v be_v credit_v whence_o likewise_o authentic_a certificate_n may_v be_v have_v be_v it_o worth_a the_o charge_n or_o that_o the_o matter_n in_o question_n be_v put_v upon_o that_o issue_n and_o as_o to_o the_o abatement_n it_o be_v all_o one_o by_o who_o it_o be_v project_v if_o it_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o king_n and_o kingdom_n iv._o that_o the_o sensible_a 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english_a ship_n in_o france_n therefore_o no_o benefit_n to_o the_o merchant_n by_o that_o article_n now_o i_o leave_v any_o body_n to_o judge_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o better_o for_o the_o french_a to_o pay_v the_o full_a english_a custom_n be_v 8_o s._n and_o the_o say_a tonage_n than_o to_o pay_v the_o 20_o s._n remain_v of_o the_o 30_o s._n though_o the_o desire_v 2_o s._n be_v abate_v of_o it_o and_o how_o mr._n robinson_n can_v make_v it_o out_o otherwise_o be_v not_o understand_v v._o how_o absurd_a it_o be_v to_o say_v that_o the_o stranger_n can_v be_v without_o our_o commodity_n when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o may_v have_v it_o as_o good_a and_o a_o great_a deal_n cheap_a from_o another_o place_n be_v obvious_a to_o the_o mean_a capacity_n vi_o as_o to_o the_o english_a navigation_n his_o argument_n bear_v as_o little_a weight_n as_o the_o former_a for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o encouragement_n to_o trade_n there_o will_v be_v as_o little_a to_o build_v ship_n and_o 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make_v to_o discover_v they_o and_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v strange_a why_o the_o say_v robinson_n shall_v thus_o oppose_v a_o business_n wherein_o he_o and_o his_o partner_n will_v gain_v as_o much_o as_o the_o king_n it_o be_v not_o amiss_o to_o know_v his_o reason_n for_o give_v the_o late_a sir_n william_n blackett_n one_o of_o his_o partner_n who_o deal_v much_o in_o the_o over_o sea_n coal-trade_n some_o year_n ago_o order_n to_o clear_v his_o over_o sea_n ship_n for_o the_o cost_n which_o i_o be_o sure_o do_v not_o look_v like_o a_o benefit_n to_o the_o king_n nor_o his_o partner_n but_o he_o be_v best_o able_a to_o answer_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o practice_n viii_o and_o for_o these_o reason_n and_o much_o more_o which_o may_v be_v say_v upon_o occasion_n i_o humble_o conceive_v than_o his_o majesty_n revenue_n the_o english_a navigation_n and_o the_o town_n of_o newcastle_n have_v suffer_v more_o by_o the_o say_a mr._n robinson_n refractoriness_n than_o he_o will_v be_v ever_o able_a to_o make_v amends_o for_o all_o which_o be_v most_o humble_o submit_v to_o your_o lordship_n by_o may_v it_o please_v your_o lordship_n your_o lordship_n most_o humble_a servant_n william_n creagh_n e_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o foreign_a coal-trade_n most_o humble_o offer_v to_o his_o majesty_n consideration_n by_o sir_n william_n creagh_n of_o newcastle_n upon_o tyne_n kt._n the_o say_v foreign_a coal-trade_n from_o newcastle_n and_o its_o member_n whence_o arise_v most_o of_o his_o majesty_n revenue_n by_o that_o trade_n and_o know_v to_o be_v the_o great_a nursery_n of_o his_o majesty_n seaman_n have_v be_v much_o discourage_v by_o the_o inequality_n of_o the_o custom_n lay_v upon_o coal_n in_o england_n and_o scotland_n as_o follow_v viz._n in_o england_n one_o chalder_n of_o coal_n newcastle_n measure_n pay_v for_o custom_n tonage_n and_o petty_a duty_n viz._n  _fw-fr sterling_n in_o a_o french_a ship_n 30_o shill_n in_o a_o dutch_a or_o any_o other_o 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no_o less_o than_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o chalder_n of_o newcastle_n coal_n which_o be_v to_o be_v ship_v for_o the_o river_n of_o roven_n beside_o what_o may_v be_v transport_v to_o other_o foreign_a part_n but_o before_o a_o thousand_o chalder_n of_o the_o say_a number_n can_v be_v ship_v off_o there_o go_v so_o many_o scotch_a coal_n to_o the_o river_n of_o roven_n and_o other_o part_n that_o the_o say_v great_a commission_n lie_v now_o dormant_n and_o will_v not_o be_v awake_v if_o some_o mean_n be_v not_o find_v to_o balance_v the_o custom_n in_o both_o kingdom_n by_o raise_v the_o duty_n in_o scotland_n or_o make_v some_o abatement_n here_o the_o first_o be_v conceive_v may_v be_v do_v by_o the_o king_n and_o the_o lord_n commissioner_n of_o his_o treasury_n in_o scotland_n as_o by_o the_o preamble_n to_o the_o scotch_a book_n of_o rate_n whereof_o a_o copy_n be_v herewith_o appear_v and_o as_o for_o the_o latter_a it_o be_v leave_v to_o his_o majesty_n in_o his_o royal_a wisdom_n to_o consider_v whether_o it_o be_v not_o better_a to_o make_v some_o reasonable_a abatement_n than_o to_o let_v slip_v by_o the_o say_a commission_n alone_o  _fw-fr sterling_n  _fw-fr l._n s._n d._n if_o load_v in_o english_a ship_n 40000_o 00_o 00_o if_o in_o dutch_a or_o other_o foreign_a ship_n 100000_o 00_o 00_o if_o in_o french_a ship_n 150000_o 00_o 00_o all_o which_o be_v most_o humble_o leave_v to_o his_o majesty_n determination_n by_o his_o majesty_n most_o faithful_a and_o most_o dutiful_a subject_n and_o servant_n william_n creagh_n f_o the_o scotch_a certificate_n a_o account_n of_o what_o coal_n have_v be_v ship_v off_o and_o transport_v beyond_o the_o sea_n to_o france_n holland_n and_o other_o foreign_a part_n from_o the_o under-written_a port_n in_o scotland_n for_o the_o space_n of_o one_o whole_a year_n commence_v the_o first_o of_o december_n 1685._o and_o end_v the_o first_o of_o december_n 1686._o as_o by_o the_o account_n give_v by_o the_o several_a steward_n and_o factor_n of_o the_o say_a port_n appear_v viz._n  _fw-fr ship_n  _fw-fr ton_n  _fw-fr from_o carron_n water_n 21_o contain_v 2900_o  _fw-fr from_o cockney_n 64_o contain_v 4300_o  _fw-fr from_o grainge-pans_n 74_o contain_v 4500_o  _fw-fr from_o airth_n 3_o contain_v 350_o  _fw-fr from_o alloway_n and_o clackmanan_n 29_o contain_v 4750_o  _fw-fr from_o culross_n and_o valey-field_n 3_o contain_v 475_o  _fw-fr from_o lyme-kills_a 40_o contain_v 2755_o  _fw-fr from_o kirkaldy_n 8_o contain_v 607_o  _fw-fr from_o dysert_n 22_o contain_v 1800_o  _fw-fr from_o carrin_n or_o tory-burne_a 3_o contain_v 450_o  _fw-fr from_o the_o weymes_n and_o methall_n 44_o contain_v 3300_o  _fw-fr from_o borrowstonness_n 30_o contain_v 3600_o  _fw-fr in_o all_o 341_o contain_v 29787_o ton_n we_o who_o name_n be_v under-written_a steward_n and_o factor_n in_o the_o above_o several_a port_n do_v hereby_o certify_v to_o all_o who_o it_o may_v concern_v that_o the_o above_o quantity_n of_o 29787_o ton_n of_o coal_n every_o tun_n compute_v to_o be_v two_o thousand_o pound_n amsterdam_n weight_n be_v shipe_v off_o and_o transport_v as_o aforesaid_a within_o the_o time_n aforesaid_a as_o witness_v our_o hand_n and_o seal_n in_o edinbrough_n cockney_n and_o barrowstoness_n respective_a the_o 5._o 14._o 20._o 22._o and_o 31._o day_n of_o january_n in_o the_o year_n 1687._o for_o cockney_n james_n watt._n ☉_o for_n grainge-pans_n daniel_n hamilton_n ☉_o for_o airth_n and_o carron_n water_n john_n willson_n ☉_o for_o borrowstonness_n john_n artbone_n ☉_o for_o clackmanan_n alloway_n valey-field_n and_o tory-burne_a john_n neilson_n ☉_o for_o the_o weymes_n and_o methall_n andrew_n krhie_n ☉_o for_o dysert_n john_n hamilton_n ☉_o for_o kirkaldy_n william_n anderson_n ☉_o certify_v attest_v sign_v and_o seal_v before_o i_o george_n may_v notary_n public_a as_o witness_v my_o hand_n and_o seal_n in_o edinbrough_n and_o the_o other_o town_n above_o mention_v upon_o the_o 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