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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger Wintrhop, John

1637-11-10

Sir,

I acquainted this Indian Miantunnomu, with the Contents of your letter sent by him, who rests well perswaded that if it breake not first with them, the leauge is firme and lasting, and the English are vnfaigned.

I haue bought and paid for the Iland:2 and because I desired the best Confirmacion of the purchase to your selfe that I could, I was bold to insert your name in the Originall here inclosed.

The 10 fathom of beades and one Coate you may please at leasure to deliver to Mr. Throckmorton: who will allso be serviceable in the Conveyance of Swine this way.

Your Natiue, Repriue, requests me to write a word for himselfe and another for the Sachim of Block Iland, Jacquontu.

For himselfe, he tells me when he departed hence being alone he wandred toward Neepmuck: At Nayantuquit Jvanemo said he was a spie from Mr. Governour and threatned to kill him, denied that there was Pequts saying (though Repriue saw many himselfe) that they were all gone to Monahiganick: So he came back in feare of his life to Wepiteammock (Miantunnomues brother in law) who lent him a Canow to Block Iland where he staid but 6 dayes.

From Jaquauntu, Block Iland Sachim, that he is preparing 13 fathom of white and 2 of blew to present you with about the 1st Month.

That they are greatly in feare of the Nayantaquit men who threaten them, in case the English fall vpon Nayantaquit.

509

I am glad to see this poore fellow Repriue carefull to please you, for he sayth you gaue him leaue for 28 dayes and though he could stay but 6 dayes where he desired to stay longest, yet he will not lye.

He sayth his brother goes along with him to stay some while, till the spring.

Sir There are 2 Pequt Squaus, brought by the Nanhiggansick allmost starved: viz: Mr. Coles his Natiue, and one guirle from Winisimmit: there was a 3rd (I thinck Mr. Blackstones) who had scapt before to Nayantaquit.

I promised these, if they would stay at my howse and not run away I would write that they might be vsed kindly. The biggest Mr. Coles his natiue complaines that she of all the natiues in Boston is vsed worst: is beaten with firesticks and especially by some of the Servants.

The litle one makes no Complaint of vsage, but sayth she was inticed by that other Squaw which I thinck was Mr. Blackstones.

I asked the biggest, who burnt her and why, she told me, Mr. Pen, because a fellow lay with her, but she saith, for her part she refused.

My humble desire is that all that haue those poore wretches might be exhorted as to walke wisely and iustly towards them, so to make mercy eminent, for in that Attribute the Father of mercy most shines to Adams miserable ofspring.

Sir I feare I am taedious, yet I must craue leaue for a line more: I receaved a letter from some in Charlestowne (in speciall from one Benjamin Hubbard) intimating his and others desire (with my helpe and furtherance) to be my neighbours in some place neere adioyning: Mr. James hath not declared himselfe to be one, but I guesse he is inclining to accompanye them.

On the Nanhiggonsick side, the natiues are populous on the side to Massachusetward Plymmouth men challenge, so that I presume if they come to the place where first I was Plymmouth will call them theirs: I know not the persons, yet in generall could wish (if it be either with Countenance or Connivance) that these wayes might be more trod into these inland parts, and that amongst the multitudes of the Barbarous, the neighbourhood of some English Plantation (especially of men desiring to feare God) might helpe and strengthen. I shall be thanckfull for a word of Advice, and beseeching the most holy and only wise ir mercy and goodnes to know and guide the Soules of his in this remote willdernes, and in this materiall desart, to discover graciously the misticall where 1200 and 3 score dayes his Saints are hid. Revel. 12. I rest Your Worships, sorry that I am not more yours, and neither of vs more the Lords.

R. Williams

To Mrs. Wintrop all respectiue remembrance.

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I shall beg (this winter in some leasure) your helpe with my bad debtours James and Tho: Haukins, from whome as yet I get nought but words.

10th of the 9th 1637
1.

W. 2. 103; 4 Collections , vi. 217–219; N.C. , VI. 78–81.

2.

Prudence Island. See above, note 2 note 1 , page 503.