Dunkirk: William Sandys to Sir High Chomley, Governer of Scarborough. I have written divers letters to you which if I might have had any answer I should ere this have furnished you with arms and ammunition; but not understanding how to promise merchants in point of price and payment I have expected your undertaking to me therein, and your order what sorts of ammunition [you desire] and what commodities you would deliver in return for the same. To satisfy the merchants the only time hath been omitted, yet I should send some proportions continually in case the price will consider the hazards they run against the Hollander, who lies before the haven and at sea, and the Parliament's ships, of which you will understand the number, and the difficulty of this summer passage in respect of calms and light nights. For the reasons aforesaid no man will insure, and the Scots [being] so much advanced southward great diffidence is had in payment. Yet shall [I] through all these difficulties get some to adventure as soon as I receive an effectual assurance from you for payment in five days after arrival. If you will provide lead and wool and the finest northern cloths it will be most acceptable to the merchants for [the] present. I have prevailed with William Laurence and Giles Wiggoner the bearers hereof to bring you upon their own adventures this list of arms through all these hazards, and they have long waited here to get these arms, and must be considered the more; and in respect their parcel is not great, for encouragement to them to proceed you will do very good service in giving them what the King gives in the West, 21s the musket. But these muskets being second hand, having been used, but said to be better for use than new, being better fortified, less may give good contentment. I have not seen them, therefore you must not rely on my information; but I earnestly entreat, as a business of great concernment for your supplies, give them very good contentment both for their arms, payment, and returns. The sooner they be sent back to declare to others a good voyage you will sooner find the advantage to your service. I sent a ship to Newcastle the beginning of February last which was taken by Zealanders and there yet detained, wherein were arms for near 2,000 horse and foot, with powder. I also sent two Danish ships to Newcastle to bring back their returns, and with letters to the Marquis of Newcastle, Sir Thos. Glemham, and others; that in case the ship of arms arrived not within ten days after the Danish ship, the wind serving - the ship of arms being to go to sea the next tide - that they should return those ships laden with coal, for which I would be answerable. Those ships were kept ten weeks before lading, by which [time] the sea was full of rebels' ships, and so both [were] taken; and as I was so little regarded as to have them stayed so long before they were laden, many who were engaged by promise and provision of arms to supply the north with retracted their purposes, and other well disposed [have] grown cold, which hath done the King's service and me, in particular, very great prejudice. Therefore be pleased that these men may not likewise bring back complaints to me for undertaking more than shall be performed by you. If you please to trust their ship, a very excellent sailer, with any commodity to buy arms with, I shall see it disposed for the best advantage, for they be persons you may safely trust. If you could get your Scarborough men to raise 2,000l or 3,000l or more and but some frigates, it would very much advantage the King's service there and their profits. Let me understand by all ways your desires for Holland and Flanders, and how you proceed in the north and Scotland. P.S. - To have constant intelligence from the north is of great use here, and therefore entreat I may not want that means to serve his Majesty. Those men have been disappointed of a greater proportion of arms which otherwise had come had I suffered them to stay. Therefore it is requisite they be paid for those beyond what hath been paid to any, otherwise they will make a losing voyage. For their two bags of hops and six puncheon of currants I have promised no customs shall be paid. What arms you desire send me a list of, and such prices as may induce men to adventure through all these hazards of passage and payment, the rebel Scot being advanced so near you; and what you undertake you must see performed punctually, and thereby I may be able to supply you. The 100 barrels of powder are not paid for, long since sent upon Mr Hasdonck's account. I have received only one letter from you, for receipt of the powder, and none from the Marquis of Newcastle, nor Sir Thos. Glenham, having written to them, so that I might have had any answer I had opportunity to have given them and you good supplies.