In consideration of these valuable discoveries, their privileges were confirmed by Parliament; and in the year 1614 enlarged by King James I.
In the year 1742, the Russia company obtained leave of the present Czarina Elizabeth, to trade with Persia thro’ Russia, and between the years 1743 and 1749, Mr. Hanway observes, they imported raw silk to the amount of 93,375l. value in Persia: but Mr. Elton, one of the company’s agents, being employed by Kouli Khan, who then sat on the Persian throne, to build some ships of force on the Caspian sea, the Russians apprehended they should be disturbed by the Persians in their navigation over that sea, and therefore put an end to the traffic of the British Russia company through Russia to Persia.
This company exports cloth of all sorts, both dressed and dyed; kersies, baize, cottons, fustians, perpetuanoes, Norwich stuffs, lace, thread, lead, tin, pewter, allum, copper, and most other sorts of English commodities: and we import from thence, cordage, tar, tallow, potashes, cable yarn, bees wax, linen cloth, isinglass, hides of several sorts, both tanned and raw; hogs bristles, linseed, several sorts of rich furrs, train oil, flax, hemp, caviare, stock fish, cod fish, salmon, &c.
This company is under the management of a Governor, four Consuls, and twenty-four Assistants, annually chosen on the 1st of March, who keep their courts monthly, or as occasion requires, in a large room in the Old East India house in Leadenhall street: but considered as a company, their trade at present is not very considerable; it being carried on chiefly by private merchants, who are admitted to reap the profit of trading to Russia, on paying 5l. each.
Rutland court, 1. Charterhouse square. 2. Glasshouse yard, Goswell street. 3. Near Puddle dock, Thames street.
Rycaut’s court, Morgan’s lane.†
S.
Sacrist of St. Paul’s cathedral, an officer who is assistant to the Treasurer. He is to keep every thing in order belonging to the altar, and to open the church doors at the first ringing of the bell for morning and evening prayers. This officer when chosen by the Treasurer, must be presented to the Dean for his approbation, by whom he is admitted upon taking an oath to discharge his office with fidelity.
The Sacrist has three servants under him, called Vergers, who also keep servants for cleaning the church, tolling the bell, blowing the organ bellows, and other servile business. Newc. Rep.