. . . Mr. Gouernour acquainted those present, that the espetiall occasion of summoninge this Court was for the eleccion of a new Gouernour, Deputie, 160and Assistants, the gouernment being to bee transferred into New England, according to the former order and resolucion of the Company. . . .

And now the Court, proceeding to the eleccion of a new Gouernour, Deputie, and Assistants, which, vpon serious deliberacion, hath bin and is conceived to bee for the espetiall good and advancement of their affaires, and having received extraordinary great commendacions of Mr. John Wynthrop, both for his integritie and sufficiencie, as being one every way well fitted and accomplished for the place of Gouernour, did putt in nomination for that place the said Mr. John Winthrop, Sir R: Saltonstall, Mr. Is: Johnson, and Mr. John Humfry; and the said Mr. Winthrop was, with a generall vote and full consent of this Court, by ereccion of hands, chosen to bee Gouernour for the ensuing yeare, to begin on this present day; who was pleased to accept therof, and thervpon tooke the oath to that place appertaineing. In like manner, and with like free and full consent, Mr. John Humfry was chosen Deputie Gouernour,

and Sir R: Saltonstall,

Mr. Is: Johnson,

Mr. Tho: Dudley,

Mr. Jo: Endecott,

Mr. Increase Noell,

Mr. William Vassall,

Mr. William Pinchon,

Mr. Sam: Sharpe,

Mr. Edw: Rossiter,

Mr. Thomas Sharpe,

Mr. John Revell,

Mr. Matt: Cradock,

Mr. Thomas Goff,

Mr. Samuel Aldersey,

Mr. John Venn,

Mr. Nath: Wright,

Mr. Theoph: Eaton, and

Mr. Tho: Addams,

were chosen to bee Assistants; which said Deputie, and the greatest part of the said Assistants, being present, tooke the oaths to their said places appertaining respectively.

I am verye sorye that I am forced to feed thee with lettres, when my presence is thy due, and so much desired: but my trust is, that he who hath so disposed of it, will supply thee with patience, and better comforte in the want of him whom thou so much desirest: The Lord is able to doe this, and thou mayst expect it for he hath promised it. seeinge he 161calles me into his worke, he will haue care of thee and all ours and our affairs in my absence: therefore I must sende thee to him, for all thou lackest: goe boldly (sweet wife) to the throne of Grace, if any thinge trouble thee, acquainte the Lord with it, tell him, he hath taken thy husband from thee, pray him to be a husband to thee, a father to thy children, a master to thy howseholde, thou shalt finde him faithfull: thou art not guiltye of my departure, thou hast not driuen me awaye by any vnkindnesse, or want of dutye, therfore thou mayest challenge protection and blessinge of him.

I prayse the Lorde I am in health and cheerfull in my course wherin I finde God gratiously present, so as we expect, he wilbe pleased to direct and prosper vs. we haue great aduantage because we haue many prayers.

Bee not discouraged (deare heart) though I sett thee no tyme of my returne, I hope it shall not be longe, and I will make no more staye then I needs must.

So it is that it hath pleased the Lorde to call me to a further trust in this businesse of the plantation, then either I expected or finde my selfe fitt for (beinge chosen by the Company to be their Gouernor) the onely thinge that I haue comforte of in it is, that heerby I haue assurance that my charge is of the Lorde and that he hath called me to this worke: O: that he would giue me an heart now to answeare his goodnesse to me, and the expectation of his people! I neuer had more need of prayers, helpe me (deare wife) and lett vs sett our heartes to seeke the Lorde, and cleaue to him sincearly.

my brother and sisters salute you all: my sonne remembers his dutye to thee, and salutations to all the rest. Comende me kindly to all our freindes at Groton hall, and to mr. Leigh and his wife my neighbour Cole and his wife, our freindes at Castleines2 and all that loue vs. so the Lorde blesse thee and all our children and companye. So I kisse my sweet wife and rest thy faithfull husband