Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1
1623-09-27
I have wanted opportunitye to write vnto thee of our arrivall and successe. I prayse God we came safe hither on fridaye at night and have euer since continued in healthe, but have doone nothinge in our businesse because the Court was farr from London at Theobals, and now is remoued to Hampton Court, whither we are goeinge this morninge, and because we can goe and come by water, we have sent backe our horses, for we suppose we shall not be dispatched yet this weeke. I praye God send vs good successe, that we may each of vs returne to our owne home with ioye and thankfull heartes to him who hathe kept and prospered us: yet we have cause to feare the worst, in regarde that all thinges are so farre out of order, and that the sinnes bothe our owne and of the whole lande doe call for iudgementes rather then blessinges: but our comfort is that our God is riche in mercie, and that his thoughtes are not our thoughtes etc, therefore his will be doone: I shall thinke longe for our dispatche that I may returne, for my heart is with thee and thy companye. my brother Fones hathe been very ill of the gowte, but (God be thanked) he is now somewhat amended, she growes very bigge, they bothe desire to be remembred to thee and to my mother, so dothe my brother Downinge: we remember Groton every meale, and in our best imploymentes we are not unmindfull of you: The Lord guide all our heartes to seeke him and trust in him allwayes Amen.
For newes heere is little certaine: there came one out of Spaine on mundaye, who brought word to the Kinge that the Prince was within 2 dayes iournie of the Shippes when he lefte him, and that he is neither maried nor contracted:2 heere is muche speeche of the change of many 287great officers, which wilbe knowne within this weeke, and I hope to write3 to thee againe within these fewe days. And so for this tyme beseechinge our good God to blesse and keepe thee and all our familye, and to give vs opportunitye to meet with comfort and to make better vse of his mercies, to love and serve him as we ought, with the best remembrance of my true love to thy sweet selfe and our deare babes, with my love and dutye to my mother, and kinde salutations to Mr. Sandes and all our good neighbours, I embrace thee in the love of a faithfull husband and will ever remaine Thine onely
I sende you 13 papers of pinnes and needles. You may give my mother some of bothe. The needles which are marked are the best. There is in the box 2 pr. of Spectacles for my mother.
The proposed Spanish marriage, of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Maria, Infanta of Spain, came to nothing in the end. Inojosa, the Spanish Ambassador at London, was pressing the King for the price—pardon and dispensation for the Catholics—when rumor indicated a return of the Prince from Madrid “as nakedly from all relations as he went.” Charles sailed from Santander on September 18 and landed October 5 at Portsmouth. Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1623–1625, 80 et al.
MS. repeats ‘to write.’