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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

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

1633-06-22

To his highly esteemed Frind Mr. John Winthrop Junr. at Boston present these in New England

Salus in Christo Dominow

Sir,

Although I haue written vnto you alredie by this shipp per Mr. Atherton Haugh and hauinge soe largely exprest my loue to you per your Cosen Mary Downinge, yet I could not chuse but as it were seeke newe matter of loue and respect; you shall receiue here inclosed a lettre from Mr. Kirbie, and in a bundle of Clothes for your Cosen Mary marked with M: D: you shall find from him a cattalogue of the last Marte bookes; and from your poore frind an exact and large and the latest discouery of the N: West passage made by a painfull and industrious gentleman Capt: James2 as a remembrance of my obliged loue; I writt to you by the last shipps of your vncles remouinge his dwellinge into the Strand or the Covent Gardein. he hath (and my Mrs.) bin very hott vpon the remoue lately but I haue in parte if not altogether, altred theire purpose and advised them not to remoue vntill it be to plant themselues in N: E: which I hope wilbe next springe; my master hath caused me to put off my chamber in Cliffords Inn againe; and would haue me take his partners parte in the Temple. we are to buyld them new this sommer: my master said lately, he had rather be buylding at Boston in N. E. but whie should I trouble you with these impertinances, only that you may knowe where to send to me if my master should remoue to you but before that tyme I hope to see you here. tis certaine your vncle Gostlyn and Aunt will goe ouer with theire family in the Springe; and if you come this winter to vs, its very likely you may perswade your Aunt Downing to goe with them, for your vncle D. he could wish himselfe there nowe; he is neuer better nor merrier then when he is talkinge of N: E: Your 100li with your 132vncle Paynter were worth the comming for, and your promise of comminge ouer were worth the performance. it may be you may prevaile that I may goe with you there is not a question but if the Lorde sees good to send you to vs, he will aboundantly content your paines; I haue heard of 200li which was giuen to your mother which is in the hands of your vncle Tindall, thats worth the fetchinge too; I question not the safety of it, but I conceiue it were better to be ymployed in N: E: then in Old; and I heare of some lands bought in Suffolke almost a yeare since, I haue heard my master say he neuer saw the conveyance, but I haue not heard your vncle Downing speake of any rent he hath as yet receiued; perchance you may deeme me too bold, to medle with that I haue nothinge to doe with; but I conceiue you my frind to be (Alter idem) and what concernes you concernes me, either to pertake of your Joye or sorrowe. There is a pretty youth, brother to Sarah your Sister Feaks maide that hath much desired to spend his dayes in N: E: he is a pretty good clarke and as I heare hath liued a year or two with a Common law Attorney; this youth (his name is John Sandbrooke) my master thought good to preferre him to your worthie father, to whome he is bound for fiue yeares; my master told him before he bound him, that he must follow old Adams trade; which he freely consented vnto. my mistris was intreated by his father (who hath noe other sonne but he) to write to your father about him; and I speakinge of writing to you, he intreated me, to procure you to take a little notice of him, and encorage him in goodnes; I neede not advise you to take a man or boye, for I knowe you are able enough to knowe what is best for your selfe; and for ought I knowe you may haue diuerse Indian boyes, which are or may be in tyme Necessary seruants: Before I end, I must not forgett to put you in minde of one that is cominge to you whoe hath deserued exceedingly of your father and the plantation, many wayes; he discouered (vnder God) our Enemies plotts, and helpt to prevent them;3 he hath alsoe dispossest our Enemies of theire hope Pascataque and intends to plant him selfe and many gracious men there this sommer. noe doubt but this may be and wilbe by diuerse in this shipp reported to you; but out of the mouth of diuerse witnesses the truth is confirmed. I haue and you all haue cause to blesse god that you haue soe good a neighbour as Capt. Wiggen. I could spend my dayes in shewing my respects to you. Mr. Arkisden is very well and hath bin steward of his colledge; and is nowe in the very Acte of commencing master; Mr. Saltonstall and Mrs. Meriall Gurdon are to be 133married next weeke here in towne, et signum perderit pudicitiae fertur in domus thalamo nostri; For my parte I am as farre from marrying as euer I was. Yet I should be loath to goe to N: E: without one; Thus with my humble seruice to your noble Father and good Mother and my due and respectiue loue to your louinge wife and your selfe; and my salutes to your sister Feaks, and Sister Dudley, and theire husbands; and to my louinge frind Mr. Samford and his wife; remember me alsoe to your cosen Mary Downing and Susan and James: not forgetting your brothers; and all the rest of my louinge frinds. With most hartie wishes and prayers for all your healths and prosperities, and grace and fauour with the Lorde Christ, to whose guidance and keeping I committ you and rest Yours as you knowe

E. Howes Inner Temple the 22th of June 1633

The harts of all Gods people here are all bent towards your Syon, and from all parts of the land they are goinge vp by flocks to New Salem Jerusalem to worship; helpe me to you with your prayers; or if the lorde see good that I may to his glorie suffer here.

1.

W. 2. 166; 4 Collections , VI. 487–490.

2.

The Strange and Dangerous Voyage of Captaine Thomas James in His Intended Discouery of the North west Passage into the South Sea (London, 1633).

3.

Captain Thomas Wiggin. Governor Winthrop attributed the failure of the schemes of Sir Christopher Gardiner and his allies in part to “the good testimony given on our behalf by one Captain Wiggin.” Journal, I. 99; also printed in D.J.W. , entry for February 22, 1633 .