A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

66
Edward Howes to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Howes, Edward Winthrop, John, Jr.

1632-03-07

To his very louinge frind Mr. John Winthrop at the Gouernors house these deliver in Mattachusets bay in New England
Gaudium meae Vitae,

As the feare and Loue of God is the begininge of true Wisdome: soe the vertue deriued from that wisdome maketh Loue eternall, which vertue in you hath kindled such a fire of true Loue in me, that the greate Westerne Ocean cannot quench, but maugre all opposition it shall be with you wheresoeuer you are; while the possessor thereof hath beinge: I am and must be yet confined within the lymitts of my natiue soyle, because Gods tyme is not yet, but when the tyme is accomplished that I must departe, whoe shall resist his will? Mr. Arkisden and I doe now and then enterchainge letters. he in his last promised to send letters for N: E: but I haue not yet heard of him this three weekes. Mr. Lee is come from St. Christophers very poore he hath lost all his tyme and voyage. I here he hath a desire to goe for N: E: his wife and hee are come from Groton; Common Garden neere the Strand is converted to a market Towne with a church in it about 50 brick howses are buylt alredy a wonder that a plantation should be made betweene the Court and the Citty that should extend it selfe to the skirts of either. I here it must be called Bedford Berry, it lookes more likely Ba Bell, I pray God it proue to Be Better; I could say more; but here is enough to contemplate on. Neuer was knowne more buyldinge of howses and repairing of churches, yet weekely some poore or other dye starued in the streets, here hath binn some lately executed for Quoyninge Siluer and Gold. Other newe I haue not instant, but there is expected greate good or eivell this sommer in these parts of the world; God will haue his worke done by vs, or vpon vs; I haue not yet attained to the perfection of the medicine I doe much want my beloued frinds helpe and company; she hath more patience then I, and a more quick apprehention to discerne;2 I cannot expresse the strainge condition I haue bin in euer since I lost both your companies, and had it not bin for the good of the Plantation; and for your sake; I should haue vsed my best Retoricke to haue perswaded her to staye here; I thanke God I am yet and I hope to continue (for many yeres) a single man, vntill I may enioy her, whome my harte may loue as it selfe; Thus desiringe you to remember my humble service vnto your father 67and mother my much honored frinds, with my respectiue Loue to your selfe, your wife, your sisters both, not forgetting my qondam bedfellow James, with the rest of my louinge frinds; I rest yours till death

E. H. 7° Martij 1631/32

I pray tell gooddy Scarlets sonne the letter he sent his mother, I found lately in our house, which I intend god willing to gett conveyed this weeke to Karsey in Suffolke by some Clothier.

Written on the superscription sheet: Mitte mihi litteram per primum nuntium quæso.

1.

W. 1. 93; 3 Collections , IX. 240–241.

2.

See the letter from Margaret Winthrop to Martha Winthrop, page 29, above, in which Elizabeth, the widow of Henry Winthrop, is said to be “much employed in her surgurye.”