Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3
1631-12-26
harty salutation to your selfe and second selfe with my respect to your good father and mother for whom as also for the rest of your company I do and shall daily implore the aid of the almighty; we haue taken notice of very boisterous winds we had immediately after your departure from our Coaste (res est soliciti plena timoris amor) We haue no hope to hear from you vntill the returne of mr. Peirce from Virginia whom we expecte siccis faucibus.
I desire to acquaint you with such occurrents as may be newes to you whether foreine or domesticall. I received a letter dated in August last from Newfound Land in the bay of Bulls aboord the William and Thomas rideinge there to take in fishe and is bound for Genoa. my frend writeth that the ships Company goeinge on shore to cut timber did accidentally set that woody Contry on fire which had then burnt 20 miles alonge and that they had no likelyhood to quenche it vntill rayny wether come.
Captain Bruton who was imployed by my Cozen Moris Thomson2 and 56company for the trade of beuer in the riuer of Canada is now ariued heere haueinge been since at St. Christophers for a freight of tobacco. he hath brought in heer about 3000li. weight of beuer, and they are now hasteninge to set forth a small ship only for that riuer hopeinge to be there before Captain Kerke whom (I hear) is to fetch his men from Quibeck and yeild vp the Castle againe to the Frenche this next somer.3 For German newes, you shall vnderstand that Swedens kinge hath been very successfull. the duke of Saxon who all this while hath been a neuter is now forced to take vp armes and craue the aid of Sweden, for Tilly did set vpon his cheife towne called Lypswicke and tooke it, but kept it not many daies before he with the helpe of the kinge regained it and gaue him battle about 2 eng
Thus with my earnest praiers to the almighty for you all I rest Your euerlo
W. 1. 92; 3
Collections
, IX. 237–239. For Kirby, see 4
Collections
, VII. 13n.
Morris or Maurice Thompson was the son of Robert Thompson of Watton, Hertfordshire, and with his brothers, George, Paul, and William, lived for a time in Virginia. In 1639 Morris Thompson was engaged in the fishing trade at Cape Ann, and Governor Winthrop wrote that it was hoped he “would, ere long, come settle with us.” Journal, I. 310
On February 26, 1630/31, Sir William Alexander, David Kirke, and others, adventurers in the Company of Canada, represented to the Admiralty that about three years before, the King granted them a commission to plant colonies on the St. Lawrence, “to displant those who were enemies in those lands, and to trade with the natives.” Being informed that several ships were bound thither, particularly the Whale of London, Richard Brewerton and Wolston Goslyn, masters, “contrary to that commission and greatly to the petitioners’ prejudice,” they prayed that the vessels might be stayed or sufficient assurance given that they would prosecute no such voyage. The Admiralty directed Lord Dorchester, Secretary of State, to examine those against whom the complaint was made and to prohibit their going if it appeared they had any intention of so doing. Three days later a warrant was issued to stop the sailings in question. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial, 1574–1660, 128.
The story of these men is given in Gods Power and Providence: Shewed, in the Miracvlous Preservation and Deliverance of Eight Englishmen, Left by Mischance in Greenland Anno 1630. Nine Moneths and Twelve Dayes. . . . Faithfully Reported by Edvvard Pellham (London, 1631).
1632-01
Setting asside all vowes and protestations of my continuing amitie which would seeme but rather complements then true harted Loue, I salute you with good newes in my mouth; that God hath not forgott to be gracious to his church beyond the seas but hath heard the sighs and grones of his servants yea the blood of his saints hath cryed loud for vengance; and wrath since your departure hath come downe furiously vpon the enemies. I need not instance in particulars, for I dowbt not but the fame thereof is at this day the talke of all the world; yet to satisfie you a little fullier then by word of mouth, and that your worthy father with all my louinge frinds may reead at large the workinge of our God in these latter dayes, here I haue sent you the Swedish Intelligencer2 which speakes wonder to the world withall I haue sent you your Archymedes and an Almenack with a booke or two of other newes besides; Mr. Dudly went away soe sodainely from vs in the begining of Christmas that I could not take my leaue of him as I would. I desire earnestly to heare of your healthe and welbeing; Thus Mr. Allerton staying for my letter I abruptly conclude with my loues to all my frinds I rest Your louing: frind
W. 2. 164; 4
Collections
, VI. 477–478.
The Swedish Intelligencer was entered in the Stationers’ Register January 9, 1631/32.
1632-01-09
I humbly salute you and yours in the Lord.
We eagerly covet to hear of your safe arrival, yours with your good com58pany, for we have good hope that we shal hear wel when it shall be, (it may be before your receipt hereof,) both in regard you were garded with so many prayers, and so many Angels (as if you had heard and seen would much have rejoiced you and so may do in greatest perplexities you have been are or may be in:) and also we hear this day from Mr. Huison (at London stone) that some that came lately from your coasts saw your ship com’d within 3 days saile of your desired haven. It would be very acceptable to this house if you writ to some of them, and if you pleased to send over also some of your Indian Creatures alive when you may best, as one brought over a Squirrel to Bures another some other creature, one a Rattlesnake Skin with the rattle.
I have herwith sent to John Sanford2 a note of the winds ever since
The affairs beyond sea in Germ
Colchester men would have had his admission of Mr. Bridges of Emanuel for their lecturer in Mr. Maidens steed. He was angry and said When you want one you must go first to Dr. Gouge, and to Dr. Sibs and then you come to me, I scorn to be so used. Ile never have him to lecture in my Diocesse that will spew in the pulpit (it seemes he had preached on this I will spew thee out of my mouth.)
At Braintree (whither he went thence) Mr. Wharton Mr. Marshal and Mr. Bruer and others were spoke to after the Bishop had looked in his book opening it before them. He 1 commended them for parts and paines and their lives, and then charged them with Non Confor
These good men canot abide these ceremonies, and if they might they would never use them: But to avoid the Persecution of these Bishops that would fetch them up to the High Comm
He said he hoped to join with his bro
The Kings Attorney Sir Roli I think. And hearing his man scraping with his foot at the door he came and asked what he gave him. He told a peece. He anss was his due, he should have no more.
But I forget myself; tis near one aclock, I must bid you a good night. Yet a word more with you before I take my leave, for I know not when I shal talk with you thus again. Wher I left before. Mr. Nat. Ward being cald whose silencing was expected and charged with rejecting the Ceremdy in sure and certain hope, or that we with this our bro ther
etc. Upon this the Bishop to resolve him made a large explic
liin the forfeiture.
Mr. Bruer the last Terme had 22 Art
I beseech you Sir consider our Condition and provoke others to it some in 61the General, for some would make the worst of things to your disparagement though tis more their own shame. accept of what I have writ in scribling after midnight hast and let me hear of your receipt hereof, and of your welfare and yours and al your liking of the Country as you may. The L
My Bro
If I can I wil send you herewith a book of the Morning Star tis cald, of that great star 1572 in the north, (in 63 of latitude and I think 53 of longitude which is Finland of which Sweden is the great Prince) which Ticho Brahe in his Spiritual book on that Star, pag. 800 and so forward shews not to be an ordnew star, the forerunner of happy changes to the Churches esp
In this book he stands not so on the Anagram Gustavus Augustus, nor that saying that tis said appals the Emperours wisemen Te debellavit adversus Devs: Why or how Devs, tis said Sved, and relates many passages of the late victories.
W. 2. 159, 3
Collections
, I. 235–240. For Jacie, see Winthrop Papers, II. 87, n. 1
John Sanford was chosen in 1634 to be cannoneer at the fort in Boston, where he had already done two years’ service. In 1636 he was appointed “surveyor of the ordinance and other ammunition.” Records of Massachusetts, I. 125, 179.
William Laud, Bishop of London.
Kelvedon, Essex.
For Thomas Shepard’s account of this episode, see Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, XXVII. 369–370.
Thomas Welde, first minister of the church at Roxbury.
For Shepard’s account of this episode, see Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, XXVII. 370–371.