Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

Edward Howes to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Howes, Edward Winthrop, John, Jr.

1633-03-25

To my approued louinge frind mr. John Winthrop theyonger at Boston these deliver in Mattachusets Bay

London March 25, 1633 post horam 10am noctis Sir,

Although I haue bin very large in my lettres dated the 18th of this instant, yet can I not chuse but let loue breake forth a little more, euen nowe when the ship is vnder sayle. Yours of the 29th of September I received per mr. Allerton and thother of the 24 of October 1632 I received per mr. Peirse. Your Cosen Mary2 sent away her Trunke a fortnight agone, to the Shipp without my knowledge, soe that I am much straightned for place to stowe the things I intended to haue sent ouer; I lent her my Sea Chest to put her other things in, but can hardly haue roome to putt in my lettres. the Chest I desire mr. Samford may keepe for me vntill I come ouer There are honest men about to buye out the Bristoll mens plantation in Pascataque, and doe purpose 115to plant there 500 good people before michelmas next. Captain Wiggin is the cheife Agent therein3 There was presented to the Lords lately, about 22 of Captain Indicutts lawes;

You haue bin at the Ile of Rue, and at Rochell, a poore people that lye nowe in the dust, had they bin aliue nowe, theire harts would haue leapt within them to see howe theire kinge fauours the Protestants. Faelix quem faciunt aliena pericula etc.

Ad Populum. God is the God of loue, and loue is patient, be not too hastie, a slowe pace goes farre; I could wish my selfe with you but for ½ an hower, to expresse my mind, my feare I meane, but the only wise God I hartily and humblie beseich, make you wise in all things, that you may ioy the heart of your euer vowed

E.H.

I haue sent you a booke of the Lawes established for Virginia4 (by your cosen Mary) I pray you present it to the view and pervsall of my most honored frind your noble father, together with my humble seruice to him and your good mother.

Sir I pray present my louing respects to my reuerend and worthy frinds mr. Wilson and Mr. Weldd And excuse me to your sister Feakes my louing frind that I writt not vnto her; I pray thanke her for the lettres she sent me dated the 4 of July 1632 I had not a lettre by mr. Pierse from any one but from you and that hardly to be read; I pray send me a description of the Discouery of Patowneck if you haue it and what other nouelties you shall thinke fitt.

Mr. Rich: Saltonstall is retorned vnmarried. I saw him by chance last night at Sir Richards. Vale in Christo.

E.H. 26 Martij 1633

Endorsed by John Winthrop, Jr.: Mr. Howes per mr. Rose June 1633.

W. 1. 99; 3 Collections , IX. 257–258.

Mary, daughter of Emmanuel Downing.

Lord Say and Sele and Lord Brooke bought out the Bristol men’s share, designating as their agent Thomas Wiggin, who had previously been at the settlement as the agent of a group of Shrewsbury investors. Thomas Hutchinson, The History of the Colony and Province of Massachusetts-Bay, Lawrence S. Mayo, Editor (Cambridge, 1936), 11. 92.

Since no printed edition of the Virginia laws appeared between For the Colony in Virginea Britannia. Lawes Divine, Morall and Martiall (London, 1612) and The Lawes of Virginia Mow in Force (London, 1662), it is likely that Howes’s “booke” was a manuscript copy of the revision of the laws adopted by the General Assembly in September, 1632.

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