Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 2

John Humfrey to Isaac Allerton1

Humfrey, John Allerton, Isaac

1630-12-17

Deare and much esteemed freind and brother,

I sent the last weeke by the Carriour letters and 3 or 4 bookes bound up togeather, to bee delivered by you to the Master of your ship,2 now going. I pray you with those let these bee delivered. I expect to heare from you daily about certificate from Bristol of the provisions thence shipped, or exported, that according to former advice wee may worke as there is occasion, and the lord (by such meanes as hee shall vouchsafe) shall see good. The same lord in goodnes goe along with you, prosper, accept, and reward the labour of your effectual love. You much oblige all both there and here that wish well to the persons or worke in hand, especiallie him, that with his best affections and service of love shall ever desire to approve himselfe Your trulie loving

Jo: Humfrey. Dec. 17th. 1630. 335

If there bee anie thing forgotten by our freindes or my selfe, that you remember, and know to bee useful and necessarie unto them, I pray you adde that to your present provisions as far as 20, 30 or 40 li. may goe, but this I would neyther trouble you withall, nor yet further burthen my selfe by, except in case and thinges of deepe necessitie. I pray you remember to bring up an exact particular of the several thinges bought with that 220 li., that it may bee my discharge to the Treasurer and his and mine to the companie togeather.

My servaunt Richard Wright living at Sagus, writes to mee for 5 li. in monie, if you thinke it better or fitter then provisions for commutation to get what they neede by, I pray you you send it to him and charge mee with it here upon sight.

W. 2. 3; 4 Collections , VI. 9–10, where the heading, “John Humfrey to Isaac Johnson,” is a manifest slip.

The Friendship, at Barnstable. Infra, page 336; Journal, for June 27, 1631 ; also printed in D.J.W. .

John Humfrey to John Winthrop1

Humfrey, John Winthrop, John

1630-12-18

To the right worshipfull his much honoured freindes mr. John Winthrop governour of the Companie of the Massachusets and to mr. Isaac Johnson or eyther of them

Much honoured,

Since I last writ unto you I received these inclosed answers2 from a reverend freind, whose name, because hee desires it may bee concealed as yet, I will not tell you, onely you may know, it is one whose person you much desire, and whose iudgment you, and all men much esteeme. I confesse plainely in divers thinges I was perswaded otherwise then I see now some cause to stumble mee, in regard of his sound pietie and deepe iudgment and long acquaintance both with the persons, places, and studies which might enable him to a cleare discerning of the will of god in these thinges. Now the good god that hath promised to teach those that feare him in the way that they shall chuse, to guide the meeke in iudgment, and to teach them his way, give you a discerning of those thinges that differ, and helpe you by his wisedome to behave yourselves wisely in a perfect way 101 p.3 And as the nature of the worke in hand, and the curious inspection of malevolent spirits require, to proceede warilie and with good examination and digestion of the best advices, which yet I will further endeavour to procure from other godly men for your helpe herein.

336

Such newes as is stirring I doubt not but other letters will acquaint you withall, as the proclamation of the peace with Spaine, what the conditions are in particular touching the Palatinate I yet hear not; in general it is said the King of Spaine is to restore all the townes hee hath in the Palatinate but mr. Peters in my last nights letters received informes mee that the Emperour deales vilie with the King of Bohemia. Dr. Laiton4 hath after an escape beene taken and received halfe of his censure, viz: 12 lashes with a 3 corded whip, one eare cut of, one nostril slit and stygmatized in the face. Divers godly lecturers and ministers dayly are put by. mr. Weld of Essex is now upon the stage and expects his doome. I think hee will bee easilie for us. Dr. Ames holds his first affections to you, and the worke, notwithstanding the late neglect of him, in not giving a word eyther to him or of him. I wrote to him excusing all as well as I could, and the good man takes nothing amisse for ought I understand. Your sister Downing after a daungerous and long sickenes begins (blessed be god) to gather strength. Hasten your call to mr. Haines, it were not amisse there were some blancke call, for such, as providence shall offer, and shall sticke at that knot. mr. Downing my selfe and some others have given mr. Hooker a call lately. Ere long wee shall see the effect of it. I hope with these you will receave my letters and bookes sent the last weeke to Barnstable for this ship of mr. Allertons to carrie to you, that also bringes the greatest part of your provisions. The lord ever keepe you and make his name glorious in and by you in whome I am Yours what I am,

Jo: Humfrey. Lond: Dec: 18th. 1630

I pray you as there is occasion doe for mee in mine, as I shall bee and am readie to my best abilities to doe for you and yours.

The providence in bringing so speedie an answer, as if windes, and all meanes were commaunded to expedite an answer to the questions is observable. It is not 6 weekes since the questions were sent away, and over Sea and much passage of land they are retourned answered in as little time as one would have thought they could but have reached his handes to whome they were sent. Hee who hath thus ordered it knowes the use of it.

W. 2. 4; 4 Collections , VI. 10–12.

“Nothing was found enclosed in this letter, as it comes down to us.” 4 Collections , VI. 10, note. The “reverend freind” may be the celebrated Hugh Peter.

Psalms, ci. 2.

Alexander Leighton (1568?–1649), M. A. of St. Andrews, M. D. of Leyden, for a time pastor of an English church in Utrecht, author of Sion's Plea against the Prelacie. On November 26 he suffered the first part of the sentence imposed upon him by the Star Chamber. He was kept in prison until 1640, when he was released by the Long Parliament. D. N. B.