Manuscript, docketed 'From Capt. Cole | Proposall for Convoys', signed 'A well Wisher to my Contry [sic]', addressed to 'Mr Blathwate' [William Blathwayt, M.P. for Bath], proposing that 'Ships bound to ye Plantations of America' sail with convoys.

Folio, 1 p. On watermarked laid paper. 41 lines. Text clear and complete, the only loss being to the end of the signature: 'A well Wisher to my Contry [sic] & your '. On aged paper with slight wear and chipping to extremities. Thin strip of stub adhering along inner margin. The reverse is addressed 'To ye Honne: Mr: Blathwate | These', and is docketed 'From Capt: Cole | Proposal for Convoys'. The question of convoys was one with which Blathwayt was well-acquainted. On 12 March 1697, as a member of the Board of Trade, he had 'informed the [Privy] Council that the King had referred the petition of the West India merchants concerning convoys to the Admiralty'. The writer's view is that 'the whole Trade of America' should be 'carried on in Safty by common reason with Eight Saile of men of Warr'. Begins: 'Sr | Intrest is so prevaling amongst men that it suffers them not to rest but continually agitates them to Curcumventing one a nother, as it does now in relation to this Virgina [sic] fleet now bound out from London'. Claims that 'Some Gentellm:' aim to keep the fleet back 'tell next may come twelfe month', by making sure it is kept at 'ye Lands end of England [...] tell late in ye Winter [...] (they have by Wofull Experance known ye dangers of A Winters fleet from those parts, tis Morrally Impossabell to keep Company)'. Puts forward seven proposals, the first of which reads 'First all Ships bound to ye Plantations of America should saile with ye above Eight Saile Convays from ye Downes ye latter end of August noe pretentons of men whatsoever to Interferr'. References to 'Mederas', 'Virgina', Maryland, New York, 'Barbadious', the Leeward Islands, Jamaica. Were the government to adopt these measures, 'ye Marchts: would not fail to provide themselves accordingly as: Losses would not be so great. . He is ready to 'confute' the proposal's 'Opposers'. As Clerk of the Privy Council in Extraordinary, Balthwayt had been heavily involved in the adminstration of Britain's North American colonies, benefiting from gifts and bribes and able to build a mansion house for himself at Dyrham Park near Bristol.