The frequent experience of your loving eare ready and open toward me (in what your Conscience hath permitted) as allso of that excellent spirit of wisedome and prudence wherewith the Father of Lights hath endued you, embolden me to request a word of private advise with the soonest Convenience, if it may be, by this Messenger.

The Condicion of my selfe and those few families here planting with me, you know full well: We haue no Pattent: nor doth the face of Magistracie suite with our present Condicion: Hietherto, the Masters of Families haue ordinarily mett once a fortnight and consulted about our common peace, watch, and planting; and mutuall Consent hath finished all matters with speede and peace.

Now of late some young men single persons (of whome we had much neede) being admitted to freedome of Inhabitation, and promising to subiect to the Orders made by the Consent of the Howseholders, are discontented with their estate, and seeke the Freedome of Vote allso, and aequalitie etc.

Beside, our dangers (in the midst of these dens of Lyons) now especially, call vpon vs to be Compact in a Civill way and power.

I haue therefore had thoughts of propounding to my neighbours a double subscription, concerning which I shall humbly craue your helpe.

The first concerning our selues, the masters of families: thus

We whose names are here vnder written, late Inhabitants of the Massachusetts (vpon occasion of some difference of Conscience) being permitted to depart from the Limits of that Pattent, vnder the which we came over into these parts, and being cast by the Providence of the God of Heaven, remote from others of our Countriemen amongst the Barbarous in this towne of New Providence, doe with free and ioynt Consent promise each vnto other, that, for our common peace and wellfare (vntill we heare further of the Kings royall pleasure concerning our selues) we will from time to time subiect our selues in Actiue or passiue Obedience to such Orders and Agreements, as shall be made by the greater number of the present Howseholders, and such as shall be hereafter admitted by their Consent into the same Priviledge and Covenant in our ordinarie meeting. In witnes whereof we herevnto subscribe etc.

Concerning those few young men, and any who shall hereafter (by your favourable Connivence) desire to plant with vs: this

We whose names are here vnder written being desirous to inhabite in this Towne of New Providence, doe promise to subiect our selues in actiue or passiue Obedience to such Orders and Agreements as shall be made from time to time, by the greater number of the present Howseholders of this Towne, and such whome they shall admit into the same fellowship and priviledge. In witnes whereof etc.

Hietherto we chose one (named the officer,) to call the meeting at the appointed Time: now it is desird by some of vs that the Howseholders by Course performe that worcke, as allso gather Votes and see the watch goe on etc.

I haue not yet mencioned these things to my neighbours but shall as I see Cause vpon your loving Councell.

As allso, since the place I haue purchased 2ly at mine owne charge and engagements the inhabitants paying, (by Consent) 30s piece as they come vntill my Charge be out for their particular Lots: and 3rdly, that I never made any other Covenant with any person, but that if I got a place he should plant there with me: my quaere is this.

Whither I may not lawfully desire this of my neighbours, that as I freely subiect my selfe to Common Consent and shall not bring in any person into the Towne without their Consent: so allso that against my Consent no person be Violently brought in and receaved.

I desire not to sleepe in securitie and dreame of a Nest which no hand can reach. I cannot but expect changes, and the change of the last Enemie Death, yet dare I not despise a Libertie, which the Lord seemeth to offer me, if for mine owne or others Peace: and therefore haue I bene thus bold to present my thoughts vnto you.

The Pequts heare of your preparations etc. and comfort them selues in this that a witch amongst them will sinck the pinnaces by diving vnder water and making holes etc. as allso that they shall now enrich themselues with store of guns but I hope their dreames (through the mercie of the Lord) shall vanish, and the Devill and his lying Sorcerers shall be confounded.

You may please Sir to take notice that it is of maine Consequence to take some Course with the Wunnashowatuckoogs and Wusquowhananawkits, who are the furthermost Neepnet men for the Pequts driven from the Sea coast with Ease, yet there secure and strengthen themselues and are then brought downe so much the neerer to you. Thus with my best respects to your loving selfe and Mrs. Wintrop I rest Your Worships vnfeigned, praying to meete you in this Vale of Teares or hills of mercie aboue