Page 44 - Fenning_Scoland

1673 - Letter to a Rotterdam merchant resident in Edinburgh during the Anglo-Dutch War

201t1 August 1673. Glasgow to Edinburgh. A merchant's letter.

As there are no postal markings it was almost certainly
carried privately, probably by Merchants' Post, a Burgh Post
or a carrier. The address provides directions to find the
addressee. Initially it was addressed:

For Mr Andrew Russell, Marchand Jn Edembrough

The writer then expanded the description to assist delivery:

For
Mr Andrew Russell
Marchand In
Rotterdam for the present
In Edembrough
to be left at W11 Laws

goldsmith In the parliament close

Parliament Close was
bounded by the Kirk of St
Giles on the North and
Parliament House on the
West.

The Goldsmiths' booths
were located next to
Parliament House and the
Exchequer.

The writer, John Walkingham identifi~s his merchant's mark in the letter when he writes: ttJes are to aquent
you that ther is 4 mats of bybeNs belonging to W11 Crawfourd and me marked'
rJ41JI
P 1

The addressee, Andrew Russell, was one df the wealthiest Scots merchants in Rotterdann of the time. In
1673 tne resided in Edinlburgh during the 3rd Anglo-Dutch War. In the ·1680's he was accused of sheltering
the murderers of Archbishop Sharp. The Scottish government bamned all Scots from trading with him but
such was Russell's power as a menchant that the government was forced to climb down within six months.
William Law, the goldsmith mentioned in the address, was made a freeman of the Incorporation of
Gdldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh in 1662 and was elected Deacon of the Incorporation in 1675. His booth
was also a bank and, in common with many goldsmiths of that time, was used for money~lending.