This bearer, Miantunnomu, resolving to go on his visit, I am bold to request a word of advice from you concerning a proposition made by Caunounicus and himself to me some half year since. Caunounicus gave an island in this bay to Mr. Oldam, by name Chibachuwese, upon condition, as it should seem, that he would dwell there near unto them. The Lord (in whose hands all hearts are) turning their affections towards myself, they desired me to remove thither and dwell nearer to them. I have answered once and again, that for present I mind not to remove; but if I have it from them, I would give them satisfaction for it, and build a little house and put in some swine, as understanding the place to have store of fish and good feeding for swine. Of 503late I have heard, that Mr. Gibbons, upon occasion, motioned your desire and his own of putting some swine on some of these islands, which hath made me since more desire to obtain it, because I might thereby not only benefit myself, but also pleasure yourself whom I more desire to pleasure and honour. I spake of it now to this sachim, and he tells me, that because of the store of fish, Caunounicus desires that I would accept half, (it being spectaclewise, and between a mile or two in circuit, as I guess,) and he would reserve the other; but I think, if I go over, I shall obtain the whole. Your loving counsel, how far it may be inoffensive, because it was once (upon a condition not kept) Mr. Oldam’s.2 So, with respective salutes to your kind self and Mrs. Winthrop, I rest Your worship’s unfeigned, in all I may,

I am sorry that there is so iust occasion of offence giuen in this Patten by them of Salem, not only vnto vs, which are Inferiour vnto the Gouernour and Assistantes, but allso vnto the whole Courte, and the Authoritie that belonges vnto you, in that they haue appropriated vnto themselues without order that which properly belonges vnto you, as may appeare by the relation of this petition. To lett you vnderstand the circumstance of the offence, it is this. How they haue of their owne appoyntment made them a Captaine, Lieutennant, and Ensigne, and after such a manner as neuer was hearde of in any Schoole of warre; nor in no Kingedome vnder heauen; the Company standeinge togither, as they were ordered, the Constable comes vp to the Company takeinge the Authoritie of the maiestrate vpon him; delivers the partisan to Mr. Turner and tells him, that he is chosen Lieutennant to this Company and so bids, God giue him joye; Mr. Turner vnderstandinge himselfe better then he that broughte it, would not accepte of the place without order of Courte; Wee may thinke it strange that theire should be suche officers made in the Patten, without order, eyther from the Gouernour, or from the Courte; 504Intreatinge the Courte to take it into their wise Considerations: For my parte, if there should not be a reformation in this disordered practise, I would not acknowledge such Officers. If Officers should be of no better esteeme then for Constables to place them, and martiall discipline to proceede disorderly, I would rather lay downe my Commande then to shame so noble a Prince, from whome wee came; thus Intreatinge the Courte, that they woulde both satisfie themselus and vs in rightinge this Cause, I rest Yours at Command in the Lord

I desire to giue one touche withall concerninge your forgetfullnes of the Gouernour in not vpholdinge him, and supplyinge him with a watche, which may tend to the preseruation of his life, and all our good, besydes his further Encouragement. The Course which you mighte take in this Case may be this, without any great diffyculty to send a Coople from Charlestowne, a Coople from Rockesberry, and Boston to make vp the compleat number. I thinke I am in Conscience bounde to enforce this vpon the Courte seeinge it tendes to his preseruation and further Encouragement, his life beinge more pretious to vs then many others and therfore the care of it to be preferd before so little labour and trouble as such a busines imports. Such was the Care of the Children of Israell towards their Gouernour, that they esteemed his life worth tenn thousand of the common people; secondly the practise of other Countries commends this Course vnto vs, who are so prouydent in such Cases for the vpholdinge of there gouermente with peace and safety; I desire to putt you in minde of theise thinges, leaste wee smarte for our securitie, not knowinge what time may bringe forthe; and thirdly wee may take an example from our neighbours of Plimmoth that are not negligent in theise affaires:2 and so I leaue theise thinges to your Consideration, desireinge to be excused in any thinge that you may except againste, and Intreateinge the Lord that he would direct your heartes in all thinges for the best, and prosper what shall be vndertaken for his glory, and the good of this people.