A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

492
Sir Ferdinando Gorges to Sir Henry Vane, John Winthrop, and Others1
Gorges, Ferdinando Vane, Henry Wintrhop, John Haynes, John Humfrey, John Dudley, Thomas Dudley, John

1637-08-23

To my much respected freindes Henry Vane, John Winthropp, John Haines, John Humfrey and John Dudley Esquiers give theis with speed2
Maie it please you,

having receaved severall lettres from my Servant Vines, and others, of the generall dislike conceaved against Mr. Cleeves for having to doe with anie my affaires, by reason (as it is affirmed) of the miscarriage of him, as well towardes myselfe in particuler, as the wronges hee offered them by his misreports to mee of theire miscarriage in theire places, whereby hee hath intruded himselfe into my good opinion soe far forth, as to bee joyned with you in matters of soe greate trust being soe vnworthey: which complaint of theires hath so far forth prevailed with mee (if it bee soe) as to desire your favourable excuse, and to give my order to my Servant Vines for the righting of mee; and vindicating of himselfe, and the rest, taking an ordinary Course for the farther questioning thereof, and to proceed therein according as it shalbee found of more, or lesse, consequence, which I referr ynto your Judgments (to whome hee is to adresse himselfe for Justice) to censure as to you it shall seeme good, vppon a full hearing, and due prooffe made thereof. As for Vines I know his honesty to bee such as I could not abandon him out of my affeccion as formerly I haue written, yet I conceived itt not amisse to rancke him with the rest in the generall discharge, that it might appeare there was noe partiallity vsed, nor respecte of persons, for therein I spared not my Nephewe, whome I esteeme next my owne Children. As for Vines, I intend hee shall still continue Deputie Governour, and soe doe pray you to settle him as before hee was, and to joyne with him my Nephewe Champernowne, and such others, as you shall receave notice to bee fittest for such service. That thereby you maie avoid the troubles you may otherwise bee put vnto by the maney trobbles that maie arise soe farr distant from you. What resteth more to bee done in this, I referr to your best resolucions, as tyme and occasion serves, wherein I feare I haue too much trenched vppon your favours. But my trust is, as shall bee my endeavours, that I maie attaine to the oppertunity to make you some kind of requitall, and that in some nature to your good likinges. In the meane while let mee tell you, that 493being at London this last Terme, and daiely in Companey with the Lordes, I heard nothing of the Commission Cleeves assured mee was afoote, contrary to the expectacion I had thereof, vppon Confidence of Mr. Cleeves reporte to mee. By which meanes I was (I fear mee drawne to abuse you vnwillingly) by my certificate in his behalfe. But a little to excuse him therein, for that it might bee hee was soe perswaded vppon such promisses as Moorton his Agent assured him, who since is wholely casheerd from intermedlinge with anie our affaires hereafter; but this I write to you in perticuler that you maie take private notice thereof, and howe much I am offended with my selfe for being over credulous of another, neither needes it seeme strang it should bee soe, Consideracion being had to the sincerity of one, and the fraude of others. But I will forbeare to say more in this Subiecte, and onely leave all to tyme and oppertunity, desiring the Assistance of the Most Highest to give mee power to doe what shall make most for his glorie, and the publique good of his Church, to whose sacred proteccion I committ you, with the assurance that I will approve my selfe Your true freind to serve yow

Ferde: Gorges Aishton Phillippes 23° Augustij 1637
1.

W. 3. 90; 4 Collections , VII. 329–332. For Gorges, see D.N.B. ; 4 Collections , VII. 329n.

2.

Vane, Winthrop, Haynes, Humfrey, and Dudley (Thomas, not John) had been designated by Gorges as commissioners to govern his province of New Somersetshire in Maine and to manage his servants and private affairs. Journal, I. 224; also printed in D.J.W. , entry for June 26, 1637 .