A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

Edward Howes to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Howes, Edward Winthrop, John, Jr.

1628

To my assured frind Mr. John Winthrop at Groton these dlr
Serenissimo mio Amigo,

Yours came to me in serena die the supposed cloudes with soe gentill a gale of wind being driuen from the horizon of our Auncient yet not old growing Amity. Your Newes was as welcome, as my thankes is redie to expresse my gratefullnes for giuinge cause vnto me of new borne, or at least renewed Meditations.

I perceiue he whoe trustes most in god and least in man, him will god 376vndoubtedly assist in all his enterprises he that trustes in any thing but God, that thinge shall faile him, if not shame him, he that is proude of his knowledge, the simple shall put him to silence. as appeares by your Hadley newes. I would gladlie knowe how he applyed his medicine, which is the rediest waye to conceiue whereof tis made. I Joye at your sisters encrease of learninge, quia ars aurum praestat and is the best companion in all estates, it maketh merie when neither honors frindes nor welth will or can. Would I might become her pupill, and learne her doctrine, for the much desired good of a speciall frind. My master desires you not to come vp vntill you haue concluded your busines, that you may stay some tyme when you come. let me intreat you to send me a R to molifie Agolyarso2 if you can. Vale in Christo Tuus dum dego

Edward Howes 1628
1.

W. 2. 162; 4 Collections , VI. 468–469.

2.

“This method of secret writing, used frequently by Howes in his correspondence with the younger Winthrop, is read by taking only the alternate letters of the word, commencing either with the initial or second letter, as the case may be. The word in the text will thus read ‘glas.’” 4 Collections , VI. 469, note.