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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger Wintrhop, John

1637-07-11

For his much honoured Mr. Governour these
This 3rd 7ae July 11, 1637 Sir,

Yesterday by our neighbour Throckmorton I wrote concerning those Nayantaquit men your pinnace tooke. This bearer Jvanemo2 (one of the chiefe Sachims of that place and chiefe souldier) came last night with neere a score of his men to enquire after them. He was very desirous of a letter to you: I told him I hoped he would find his men at libertie. He hath brought a musket and a barrell of a leue piece which his men tooke from the Pequts.

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There was a speach that 3 of these men were Nayantakoogs and one a Pequat: it seemes he is a Pequt borne, but hath long since bene theirs, fallen to them, and done good service in their warrs against the Pequts.

Sir, this Jvanemo is a notable instrument amongst them etc. your wisedome, I know therefore, will lay hold of this his visit, to engage him the more to you.

Thus humbly begging mercies from the God of heaven for you and yours in all affaires, I rest, in hast Your Worships vnfaigned

Roger Williams

All due respects and salutacions, etc.

1.

Original not located; 4 Collections , VII. 202–203.

2.

Ninigret. Winthrop records in his Journal (1. 227; also printed in D.J.W. ) under the date of July 11, 1637, Ninigret’s arrival in Boston with seventeen men.