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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

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

1633-08-05

To the worshipfull his assured frind John Winthrop esqr. Junr. at Boston in the Mattachusets Baye present these in New England
Sir,

This is the fifth or sixth lettre to you since I received any from you, the post it may be hath lost your packett. I hope you will not say I haue bin a niggard of my paper and paines, if they all come safe (as I wish they may) to your hands, and as it is said nulla dies sine linea, soe I may say nullum tempus sine occasione, theres noe tyme but it offers occasion of loue and seruice towards you. I was requested by Mr. Sandbrooke (whose only sonne he hath sent as seruant to my noble frind your worthy father) to write to you to shewe some fauour to the ladd; as alsoe that Mr. Gouernour will be pleased to consider that he is sent to him, with all or most necessaries as alsoe his passage paid for by his father; I told Mr. Sandbrooke that he need not doubt but it would be taken notice of, and remembred when his sonne comes out of his tyme: It much reioyces our hearts here that the lord sends forth such store 134of labourers into his viniard; they flock to you euen from Dan to Bersheba; from Plymouth to Barwick.

Sir Hugh Platts Engine that you and I haue bin often hammeringe about, to boyle in wooden vessells is now come to light, and I hope wilbe with you as soone as this letter: my master hath bin at the cost of making one, and wee tryed it in our Parlor it will doe verie well, but it being in its infancie, had need of such mature Mathematitians as your selfe to bringe it to perfect proportion and strength. now you haue the hint and waye of it, facile est addere.

You shall alsoe receiue in this shipp 3 woolfe doggs and a bitch with an Irish boy to tend them.2 for the doggs my master hath writt sufficiently, but for the boye thus much. You haue bin in Ireland, knowe partlie the Irish condition. this is a verie tractable fellowe, and yet of a hardie and stout corage; I am perswaded he is very honest especially he makes great conscience of his promise, and vowe. I could wish (for as much as I haue seene by him) you would take him to be your seruant, although he be bound to your father for fiue yeares; At his first comminge ouer he would not goe to church; nor come to prayers; but first we gatt him vp to prayers and then on the lords day to catachise, and afterwards very willingly he hath bin at church 4 or 5 tymes; he as yet makes conscience of fridayes fast from flesh; and doth not loue to heare the Romish religion spoken against, but I hope with gods grace he will become a good convert. Converte gradatim. Sir, I dare boldlie saye it is as much honor for you to winn this fellowes soule, out of the subtillest snare (Romes pollitick Religion) of Sathan; as to winn an Indians soule out of the Diuells clawes; pardon my zealous boldnes for I doubt not but you shall enioye abundantly the sweete fruits of your labours this waye; As for his fittnesse to be a member of your church; its well if the Lord worke it in 3 or 4 yeare, yet he can doe it sooner if he please; The fellow can reede and write reasonable well which is somwhat rare for one of his condition; and makes me hope the more of him.

Concerninge the vernish for clothes and the Ceament for Earthen vessells; I conceiue the vernish nowe in vse is not that which Sir H: Platt speakes of, or if it be, it is very little or not at all vsed here in Towne, in rany wether or in winter which makes me doubt of the device. As for the Cement, I am told by the most profound Artist and naturallist here in this cittie that he can make such a Cement out of an Animall, but he would not teach it at any rate, and if he should make any, it would be deare, soe that I doubt (if all 135be true as he sayes) the Cure wilbe worse then the disease; it would not quitt cost to make it if we knew it. This Dr. for a Dr. he is, braggs that if he haue but the hint or notice of any vsefull thinge not yet invented, he will vndertake to find it out, Except some few which he hath vowed not to medle with, as Vitrum maliabile, perpet. motus, via proxima ad Indos, and Lapis philosi: all or any thinge else he will vndertake, but for his priuate gaine, to make a monopolie thereof, and to sell the vse or knowledge thereof at too high rates.

As for other newes we haue little. Mr. Davenport hath left London; and its said Mr. Nye will follow him, some say they bend theire thoughts towards your Plantation I know not how longe it wilbe ere I shall see you. I doe longe to see N: E: but the Lord sees that I am vnworthie and vnfitt to come amonge you as yet, otherwise then in some few scrawles of paper; remember vs as we doe you in our prayers, and present my humble seruice to Mr. Gouernor and your good mother present my loue and respects to your selfe and your second selfe, together with all our good frinds with you whome God preserue and so I take leaue and rest Yours as he would be or should be

Edward Howes Quinto Aug: hora 12a noctis 1633

Sir, I am willed per my master to acquaint you that Mr. Sewall had deliuered to his vse in N: E. one of my master his Cowes, for which he was to pay 15li, whereof my master cannot gett a penny, therefore he desires that notice might be taken, that Mr. Sewall hath a Cowe of his vnpaid for, which he desires maybe restored againe, if Mr. Sewall will not haue her; but herein let there be nothinge done, vntill Mr. Gouernour heares from my master.

1.

W. 2. 167; 4 Collections , VI. 490–493.

2.

For reference to this ship, see See Journal, I. 111; also printed in D.J.W. , entry for October 2, 1633 .