I received your loving letter bearing date Jul. 4. (1632) by goodman Bruise of Boxford, (who came safely from your coasts to ours he said in 3 weeks and 3 dayes.) I humbly thank you for your so large Relations of your affaires therin. Wheras both you and that Right Worthy Governour had wished my furtherance to boyes and yong maids of good towardnes, for your service, I haue enquired, and found out some few. But they desiring some knowledge of the maintenance, and good conveyance, etc. I spake to Mr. Gosling, who could say nothing in it, but would enquire of Mr. Downing, and afterward he said Mr. Downing would undertake for no more but a boy and a maid or 2 for Mr. Governour, but no more. I pray you therfore Good Sir write over to either of them that there may be good Satisfaction in these following particulars, and I shal not be wanting in endeavours for your best furtherance. Vizt. What shal be the most of their employment there, whether dayrie, washing, etc. and what should be the Wages, and for how many yeers tyed, whether apparel found, who should provide for theire shipping over, their iourney thither, their diet while they stay for the wind or ships setting forth, and provision in the ship besides ship diet, (for tis said that must be, or it wil go very ill with them.)

She that was Mary Bird, of late the wife of goodman Bigsby of Hadleigh, now a good widow being poor (whom Mr. Governour knows) desires if she could to come to you herself and she would gladly have her 2 daughters, the one about 16 years old, wel desposd, I hear, the other yonger, to serve Mistres Winthrop the Elder, or you. so a maid or 2 about Assington, and some others. Goodman Choat with his wife, and goodman Boohan (such a name) an honest simple poor man a lock smith of Sudbury, and Goodman Bacon, with his good wife of Boxford (having divers yong children) desire to have their service humbly remembered to Mr. Governour and desire his kind remembrance of them to pity their poor Condition here, and when he can, to send for them, as it pleased him to say he would. They ar fild with the contempt of the proud, and their spirits ar ready to sink and faile in them.

I send you herewith a note of the judgement of a Goldsmith in Norwich my good friend concerning that litle thick peece which is in it, and another lesse peece, which he returned to me (I having had them of one that had them from New England and thought them better mettle then he judges) with other glassie peeces of that which he counts to be of the same mettle, wherby you may better judge of the same ure if you see the like, and not count it better then it is.

I have now received another letter from you. I thank you kindly for it. in it you mention your readines to have observed that ecclipse that I (with Mr. Milburne) writ about, but the cloudines hindered. But you have writ the Calculation of another, about which as soon as I can I shal send to the said Mr. Milborne, that you may have his calculation also and judgement of the same. I was gone down to Yorkshire when your last letter came to Suffolk, being writ to and desired to come to a place there about 9 miles SSE from York. its called Aughton, wher a Godly Minister was lately for about 12 or 14 yeers. and I conceive as my Christian friends do also that God hath cald me to go thither, where now I am, but not certaine how long I shal have freedome to be here. Armenian]ism doth much spread, especially in York. (Bishop Neal is now their Arch Bishop) and Dr. Cousins Deane. Commaund is given in York, tis said from the Kings Majestie that the Chancels be kept neat and comly, ergo the Seats to be removed thence into the body of the Church, (as its enjoined at Hull and Beverley by Dr. Cousins). Much renueing old Customs, setting Tables Altarwise, Genuflexiones ad nomen Jesus, solemme processions (as tis cald) observing wednesday and fryday prayers, and other such things that ar counted most for order and decency, and keeping unity in Confirmity in al such things in the Church. Popery much encreaseth: in many places in Yorkshire ar swarms of papists. in Durham County and Northumberland many ar known to go as openly to a masse, (where such and such ar fam’d to be priests) as others to a sermon. Many papists grow very insolent to boast over protestants therabouts. O pray for us, that God would root out all Idolatry and superstition and every plant that he hath not planted, and that he would uphold his Gospel in the power and purity of it, notwithstanding our sins, as he yet doth in divers places. I often think I shal yet see you againe before I dy. the Lord direct. Our King in his progresse toward Scotland to be crownd there (and establish conformity tis said in a Parliament) came safely to York on fryday May 24. He is exceeding greatly commended and extolled for his Courtisie and affablenes, and his Piety. it was a very rainy day so that he came into York in a Coach: and sent word afore he was sory he could not so come in, that 128those that desird to see him might al see him, and after forbad those that would keep people from crouding to see him and come neer him, looking stil on them with a smiling Countenance, and received al the petitions were put up to him. After his lighting out of his Coach, his first work was to go to the Minster (the Bishops of London and York being neerest him) to give God thanks and to pray etc. As soon as they began prayers, he set himselfe very devoutly to it. He went from York on Tuesday and came to Durham on Saturday Jun. 1. On Munday to Newcastle (for he always rests the Lord’s day,) entending to be the next Lord’s day (being our Whitsunday) at Edinbrough, viz. Jun. 9.

I pray you dear Sir be not offended that you had no letter from me of so long a time. (The like I desire of the Worthy Governour and others with you.) for though I began this letter to you soon after my receipt of yours dated Jul. 4, yet have I been hindred til now from finishing it, by manifold urgent occasions. The Lord be with you and prosper you, and al your good designes in that so hopeful plantation. Thus desiring the remembrance of my best respect and Christian service and duety of love to that much honoured Governour and his dearest helper, and to your Worship with yours and your 2 Sisters, and to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, and Mr. and Mrs. Weld, and Mr. Philips: also to Mr. Dillingham of Rocksbury, and Mr. Coddington To Ephr. Child, John Firmin etc. desiring al your prayers to him that holds the Stars in his right hand and is the Sun and shield of his people, I humbly commend you al to him, remaining your Constant friend and Copetitioner at the throne of Grace