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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

Henry Jacie to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Jacie, Henry Winthrop, John, Jr.

1632-01-23

To his Worthy good friend Mr. John Winthrop junr. in New England these be delivered
Good Sir, I salute you in the Lord.

Hearing that as yet the ship towards N. E. is not yet set forth I adventure 62this 3d week to send some thither, having sent one letter to you, and another with a packet to the Worthy Governour the 2 last weeks to be conveighed by Mr. Huson.

Since my last weeks letter we hear its questioned whether Cologne have yelded to pay 300Mli, yea whether it have yelded Tho we hear it confirmd that Mentz hath (I mean to that renowned Instrument of God, the King of Sweden) and Openheim and Worms, and Creutznach. and also that he hath taken Frankendel, wher is a strong Castle, and it was strongly fortified. We hear he lost about 4000 men therby.

We hear the Spanish Ambassador being at Rome, affirmed that the King of France had assisted the King of Sweden which though the French ambassador there denied that he knew any such thing, the Cardinals would needs have the Pope excommunicate the French King. But he would not til he might see it further proved, and that King answer for himself. hereupon tis said was a great faction there, insomuch that the Pope fled to a strong hold in France. tis said so.

A book of the Northern star (by Dr. Goad) was sent you to go herewith.2 ther ar now added to that book in print Verses in Latine (2 or 3 leaves) dedicated to our King by Mr. Gil jun. in London, Bachelor in Divinity in Comendation of the King of Sweden’s proceedings, relating part, and encouraging our King in assisting that Way. We have heard of some exploit done by the Marquis Hamilton. Magdenburgh that was cruelly used by Tillies forces and a great part of it burnt (for which we hear was solem procession in Hungaria by the Jesuits procurement and casting the pictures of Luther, Calvin and Beza into a pit with fire which they cald hel, when suddenly God sent such Thunder and lightning, that kild 3 or 4 hundred that day or the next as we heard) we heare its now beseged by the Duke of Saxonies forces, who joind with Sweden about Sep. 6 Neer Leipsich. Bohemia and Moravia is subdued by them for the most part (many countrymen revolting from the Emperor to them). Mr. Harrison of Sudbury molested by meanes of Mr. Allen, Mr. Warren, Mr. Smith of Caundish and Mr. Steward (the most favourable) sate in Commission about him, and now by his conforming more then ever he did, he yet preacheth at Sudbury.

Sir Arthur Herries of Essex was buried about the 8th of Jan. instant, for whom Dr. Aylot made many English verses which ar much applauded, 63expressing his life beyond sea and here, his 2 wives and 12 children, his faith-fulnes to the Country and King etc. Mr. Hudson of Capel is departed and his brother is in his steed as I have writt. I pray you good Sir let me have Exchange of News from you, of your Commodities and Discoveries etc.

Your good Company is remembred at table here in drinking oft in a week, besides more solemnly. We hear you do not drink one to another, ergo not to us, but remember us in a more serious sort. Remember us stil, for this land and corner have great need. The Grace of Our God be with you all. Yours in him to use

H.J. Assington Janu. 23, 1631/32

Endorsed by John Winthrop, Jr.: Mr. Jacye recd. May 1632.

1.

W. 1. 92; 3 Collections , I. 240–242.

2.

The New Starr of the North Shining upon the Victorious King of Sweden (London, 1631). The third edition or issue of the work (London, 1632) contains the poem by Alexander Gill, Jr., which Jacie mentions in the next sentence of his letter. No other evidence than this letter has been found for attributing the authorship of the book to Thomas Goad.