Although it please God hitherto to denye me that which I have not soe longe expected as desired the oportunity and means to doe that holy society with you service in mine owne person, notwithstanding that my Care and desire for your good and welfare have not ben wanting is best knowen to him before whom the secrets of all hearts lye open. Which seing I can express noe other way I make bold to represent vnto you some of the thoughts of my hearte concerning your affairs. I have often heard at what harde rates necessarys for Clothing especially have ben solde amongst you for which I confess I have ben much greived as that which I am certaine will consume you by degrees. I have many times had Conference with my freinds here to lay their purses together to send over needfull provisions and to sell them there att 25li per C. free of all other Charges We had done somthing that way but that Mr. Nye informed that divers Gentlemen of note had taken 322the matter to hearte and intended to raise a sufficient stocke to furnish all the Colony with necessarys vppon the same terms that we intended only requiring that none should trade with enterlopers who perhaps might marr their markett. Sir I am not worthy to advise those that vnderstand more then I can doe yet I knowe lookers on may see more then such as play the game. I conceive the Condition to be very aequael considering the Gentlemens intention and cannot see how it may be preiudicial to any vnles perhaps to some few that desire to engross Commoditys to sell them at a dearer rate and soe to take away from others the benefite of a good markett enriching themselvs by their necessitys: an olde mischeife which hath proved a mothe to many stats and may be better prevented in the first forming of a state then remedyed afterwards. I know it will be pretended that all manner of restraint is preiudicial to Liberty and I grant the name of Liberty is pretious soe it be Liberty to doe good but noe farther. Now the good which ought to be respected is Bonum publicum not Privatum Commodum. Salus populi suprema lex was wonte to be the Rule, now I would faine know what the General shall gaine by making halfe a dosen rich by pinching more then soe many thousands. Sir I conceive the offer made to be such an advantage vnto you if it be entertained as will not easily be recovered if it be neglected; I heare shopkeeping begins to growe into request amongst you. In former age all kinde of retailing wares (which I confess is necessary for mens more convenient supply) was but an appendixe to some handicraft and to that I should reduce it if I were to advise in the government. Superfluity of Shopkeepers Inholders etc. are great burthens to any place, we in this Towne where I live (though we are somwhat reformed that way) are of my knowledg at Charge 1000li per annum in maintaining several familys in that Condition, which we might well spare for better employments wherein their labours might produce something for the common good which is not furthered by such as drawe only one from another and consequently live by the sweat of other mens brows, producing nothing themselves by their owne endevours. Sir if I might advise I wish two sufficient men were sent over with sufficient instructions to conclude an agreement with these Gentlemen who are soe well disposed towards you. I should besides thincke it very convenient and almost necessary to sent on for fishing which is the first means that will bring any income into your lande. Two or three good masters that might bring with them each halfe a dosen good boates masters and three or foure good splitters in all would keepe you a good number of boats at sea, and time would soone bring in many of your owne men to be fitt for that employment. I cannot give directions in particular these two that I have named I take to be matters of great importance, which 323I desire to recommend vnto you as one whose hearte I know to be soe firmely bent for the common good. If you conceive my intimations suite not soe well with the present Condition of your state let me sustaine noe blame but from your selfe who I know will beleive that any errour of mine in Judgment is not accompanyed with any ill intention. Sir I heartily wishe and pray the prosperity of you all and desire nothing more then to manifest my selfe Yours in the Lord