The Lorde blesse thee ever.

I wrote to you by Captain Vnderhill, who went hence in Mr. Babbs shipp, since which tyme heere arrived a shipp from Barnstable of 200 tun mr. Packers master. she brought about 20 passingers and 40 Cattle. she lost but 1772 and yet was 17 weekes outward bound, whereof 5 in Ireland. she now returnes empty with mr. Peirce, by whom I send these.

All things continue as when you lefte vs, onely mrs. Warham is dead, and mr. Hookers younge sonne (who died of the small pox which are very rife at Newtowne) and 2 men of our towne Willys and Dowtye and 2 ladds were cast away in a great Tempest at N: E: on friday Nou: 21, in the night, betweene Noddles Island and Boston, in a small boat which they had ouerladen with wood my selfe and diverse others were in the same Tempest, not without some perill, but the Lord preserved vs. mr. Sewalls boat was then in the Coue at the head of Cape Anne and broken to peeces, but the men and goods saved. The pestilent feaver hath taken away some at Plimouth, amonge others mr. Prence the Governour his wife, and mr. Allertons wife, we mett the last week to consider about the businesse of the Ensign at Salem, and have written a lettre to my brother Downing wherin vnder our hands we signifie our dislike of the Action, and our purpose to punish the Offenders.

I wrote to you in my former lettre about diverse things which we should have need off which I will heere insert allso with addition of some others.

The Pekods sent 2 Embassyes to vs: the first tyme they went away without answeare: the next time we agreed a peace with them (for friendly Comerce onely which was that they desired, having now warr with the Dutch and Narrigansett) vpon these terms viz: that they should deliver vs those men, who killed Captain Stone etc:2 and surrender vp to vs their right in Conecte-cott, which they willingly agreed vnto, and offered vs a great present of wampompeag and beauer and otter with this expression, that we might with parte thereof procure their peace with the Narigansetts (themselues standing vpon termes of honor, not to offer any thing of themselues).

Winter hath begunne early with vs: the Baye hath been frozen all ouer, but is now open again: and we had a snowe last weeke much depth in many places: it came with so violent a storme, as it putt by our lecture for that day. I wish that in your return you would observe the winde and weather everye daye, that we may see how it agrees with our parts.

mr. Warde continues at your house this winter, and mr. Clerk (to give him content) in his owne. mr. Clerk finds much fault with your servants John and Sarah, and tells me they will not earne their bread, and that Ned is worth them all.

Spades and shovells.

Felling axes, and other small axes.

nayles of 6 10 and 20.

peircer bitts.

Sithes for grasse, and two brush sithes.

Coperas white and greene.

Emplastrum Paracellsi 2 or 3 li.

Emplastrum dominion.

Trading cloth good store, if mony may be had.

Browne thredds and haire buttons and a hogshead of twine for herring netts.

Shoes 2 soled stronge, and the best Irish stockins, and washe leather stockins.

stronge cloth suits, vnlined and linen suits of Canvas.

Suet, tallow, and wick.

A Carpenter, and a husbandman, and a ropemaker, and a Cooper.

Some muskets.

Store of Brimstone.

A Brake for Hempe.

bring the more of all necessaryes because this is the last we shall have without Custom.3

If my brother Tindale would lett you haue 100li you may give him assurance of so much in Cattle heer to be presently sett out for my wife and her Children, with the increase or for 200li if he will.

Commende vs to all our good frends, your Ant Downing and vnkle Gostlin and Ants those at maplsted, Graces, Assington, Groton, Charterhouse: Sir Rich: Saltonstall and his sonne etc. and all the rest as you have occasion, mr. Kirby, etc., and mr. Howes and make haste back: and if there be any matter of importance, write by the first fishing shippes. direct your lettres to Capt. Wiggin, or mr. Hilton. your mother and the rest are in health (I prayse God) we all salute you. the good Lord direct keep and blesse you farewell my good sonne