Letters: Earl of Oxford to Baron Burghley; June 15, 1595. [Spelling modernized.]

 

PRO SP12/252[/76], ff. 144-5 (bifolium, 300mm x 202mm), Oxford to Burghley; 15 June 1595. [Click here for original spelling.]

My very good Lord,

If your meaning be only that the Alderman should go down to join with Middleton, whose journey in my opinion is to small furtherance of her Majesty’s service, then I think as your Lordship that it is not so convenient for an Alderman to be sent for if it be to enquire of the quantity of Tin, whereupon as the matter is now, it is not to be so much stood upon, since her Majesty might have had with less trouble, a more perfect intelligence, and with less charge here at home by perusing the Books of the Exchequer, the receipts of Sir Frances Godolphin’s, and conferring them with the Merchants books, which have used the trade, at what prizes they bought and have sold this four or five years past.

But if the main and chiefest point is to be had in consideration, which is that her Majesty be not put by the benefit of this year, then I am wholly of the opinion, that in a matter of such importance, no man too good for to serve her Majesty and the more experienced & practiced in the cause the meeter to be employed.

And if your Lordship stand in doubt of the contentment in the Country, then it is easy enough for your Lordship to be resolved.

Since the last year both the Country, and ^company of pewterers^ made an agreement and gave assent unto 24l the thousand.

And then they had reason as the case stood with them. For Tin within this 18 months was as good cheap, as it was forty years ago, by the means of five or six merchant engrossers, who kept it at a low rate, for their gain a dozen years, yet now have put it up, for the letting of good causes which should take effect.

Wherefore if her Majesty give them 20s more, which is 25l or 26l or 40tie marks, which will content them, to be assured yearly, & may have two or three thousand pound at five or six in the hundred at the Agents’ hands, putting in good assurance, which money will cause the quantity to be great, by means they shall want no money to set their people on work. Then there is no let but her Majesty may make her benefit this summer; so there be sent with speed someone to stay the sale till St James’s tide, in which time the Agents and such others may go to accomplish the cause.

As for your Lordship’s mistaking of the putting of the Coinage to St James’s day, it is no putting off, for it is the very day, by order of the stannary, whereby her Majesty shall rather reform a late abuse brought in by the engrossers, then seem to innovate.

My intent is no more but that there might be a couple of Agents and such others this summer appointed to take in the Tin for the Queen's use at the prices above said. And they to sell it but as it is now worth in London, very near four pound a hundred which is near 40l a thousand, and makes of every two thousand three. The quantity of Tin being worth near forty thousand pound, makes very near three score thousand pound which is 20tye thousand l gain.

Now my Lord I leave to your judgment whether ten thousand pound a year be better to the Queen then four. And yet such a bargain for the Agents and others, as few merchants can attain unto, who make greater adventures for less gain. This 15 June 1595.

Your Lordship’s to command.

(Signed) Edward Oxenford

Addressed (in Oxford’s hand): To the right honorable my very good Lord the Lord Treasurer of England [seal]

Endorsed: 15 June 1595; Tin; Earl of Oxford to my lord

 

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