Whereas it so falls out by the good Prouidence of God that the place of your present residence is neare adioyning vnto certaine of the Natiues who are called the Pequots, concerning whom we haue diuers things to enquire and satisfy ourselues in; Our Request to you therefore is and by these Presents we do giue you full power Authority and Commission to treate and conferre with the sayd Pequots in our Names and according to the instructions to these annexed, as if we ourselues were present. And to make Report backe agayne vnto vs of the Issue and successe of the Whole before the next Generall Court (which God willing is intended in the beginning of the 7th Month). Thus recommending you and your affayres to the blessing of Allmighty God Wee Rest Your Louing Freinds

1 To giue notice to the Principall Sachem that you haue receaued a Commission from vs to demaund A Solemne meeting for conference with them in a friendly manner about matters of importance.

2 In Case they slight such a Message and refuse to giue you a Meeting (at such place as your self shall apoynt) then you are in our names to returne backe their present (which you shall receaue from vs) and to acquaint them with all that we hold ourselues free from any peace or league with them as a People guilty of English Blood.

3 If they consent and giue you a meeting as aforesayd that then you lay downe vnto them how vnworthily they haue requited our friendship with 285them: For as much as that they haue Broken the very condition of the Peace betwixt vs by the not rendring into our hands the Murtherers of Captn. Stone (which we desire you once agayne solemly to require of them) As also in that they so trifled with vs in their Present which they made proffer of to vs, as that they did send but part of it and put it of with this as to say the old men did neuer consent to the giuing of it, which dealings sauour so much of dishonour and neglect, as that no people that desire friend ship should put them in Practise.

4 To let them know what credible relation hath beene giuen vs, that some of the cheif of them were Actors in the Murder of Mr. Hamond and the other vpon long Iland; and since of another English man there: And of their late determination to haue seized vpon a Plimouth Barke lying in their Harbour for trade: as by the more large descriptions of these things which we also send vnto you will more distinctly appear. Of all these things we desire you to take the relation from their owne mouths, and to informe vs particularly of their seuerall answers: giuing them to vnderstand that it is not the Manner of the English to take reuenge of Injurys vntill the Partys that are guilty haue beene called to answer fairely for themselues.

5 To let them know that if they shall cleare themselues of these Matters, we shall not refuse to hearken to any reasonable proposition from them for confirmation of the peace betwixt vs. But if they shall not giue you satisfaction according to these our instructions or shalbee found guilty of any of the sayd Murthers and will not deliuuer the Actours in them into our hands, that then, (as before you are directed) you returne them the Present and declare to them that we hold ourselues free from any league or peace with them and shall reuenge the blood of our Countrimen as occasion shall serue.

My true loue remembred: I sent you a few lines by land and now againe by sea to assuer you that I forget you not: and 286the name of your good health is good newes vnto me: I suppose the former parsell of cloth is neere all gonn and therefore I haue sent you a smale parsell more: the best that euer came to Quinettecot: the contentes are as followeth viz:

I pray accept my bill of exchang to you by Mr. Peeter for 63li: and as for the fraight of the Blessing formerly I haue a perfett account of it: but I haue not mett with Anthony Dike to confer my notes with him.

And as for the fraught of the Batcheller I shall mak vpp the Tunag with Mr. Gose at Watertowne2 for thither I haue conditioned that she must deliuer our goods: I asked Leiftenant Gibins before I would hier her if she might goe as far as Watertowne and he confidently affirmed she might and that there is water enough: therefore I pray giue all the furtherance you can.

Also I received a parsell of course wampam from you but I could not trade any of it because others were furnished with plenty of better: But if you will send me a parsell of a 100 or 200 fathom of fine white wampam I shall accept it as beuer: If you sell not this cloth keepe it in good condition and I will take it againe.

As for vsing ould traders to trade for you it is not the best way for your gaine: for they know how to saue themselues but a trusty man that neuer was a trader will quickly find the way of trading and bring you best profitt.

And so the god of peace be with you euer. Your euer louing Freind