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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

Thomas Arkisden to Edward Howes1
Arkisden, Thomas Howes, Edward

1632-01-30

To his much deseruing Freind Mr. Edward Howes at Mr. Downings in Fleet streete by the Conduit these deliver

It was the 29th day of this Month befor I arriued at Cambridge hauen and I am agayne bound for Suff olk within this day or two the occasion of it is this Mr. Jacy who is Mr. Gurdons Chaplain vnexpectedly was sent for into his owne Country and it will be about six or seauen weekes befor he returns whervppon I being then in Suff olk was earnestly requested to supply his place whervnto I did assent. I knew it would be some trouble to me but being in some respects obliged to them I dared not to shew my selfe soe disrespectiue of them as to giue a deniall Mr. Gostlin with all his family are in good health I preached at Groton the last Lords day being ouerswayed with their entreatys: I preached alsoe at Waldingfield parua the same day but at night hauing beene vnaccustomed to such exercises I was almost quite tyred. I receiued your letter I am glad to heare of that newes wherof you writ vnto me. I haue not heard as yet from Anthony. If you please the intercourse of our writing neede not be hindred there is one goodman Gifford who cometh weekely to spread Eagle it is not far from the Bull he vseth to come by Mr. Gurdons: Our Colledge is now about inlarging our Colledge with the addition of a new building the charges of it will come to a 1000li they haue the 64money out the Colledge treasury: I pray remember my seruice to Mr. and Mrs. Downing giue them many thanks from me for their kindnesses to me: remember my entire affection to Mrs. Mary 2 my hearty loue to all the rest Thus alsoe not forgetting my obligement to your selfe I alway remain in all readines to gratify your kindnes

T. A. From Camb. Jan. 30, 1631/32

Endorsed by Edward Howes: This lettre is from Mr. Arkisden I pray view the other and if you thinke good seale it vp and deliuer it according to the superstition sic of it; otherwise lacerate or inflame it as you please.

1.

W. 1. 93; 3 Collections , IX. 239–240. For Arkisden, see Winthrop Papers, I. 141, II. 52; II. 300, n. 1 n. 2 ; D.N.B.

2.

The words in brackets are crossed out. This was apparently done by Edward Howes, to judge by the similarity between the ink used for the cancellation and that used by Howes in adding the note to Winthrop which is printed after the text of Arkisden’s letter. “Mrs. Mary” is probably Mary Winthrop, the sister of John Winthrop, Jr.

The Governor and Assistants of Plymouth to the Governor and Assistants of Massachusetts1
Governor of Plymouth Colony Standish, Myles Bradford, William Prence, Thomas Fuller, Samuell Alden, John Massachusetts-Bay Company Wintrhop, John

1632-02-06

To our Worshipfull goodfreinds mr. Winthrop Gouernour of the Massachusetts and the rest of the Counssell ther
Gentlemen and Worthyly beloued freinds,

We haue now at length returned an Answer to your letter dated the 26 of July (The reason we haue so longe deffered the same, is because we haue had no courte till the last month being Januarie) The sume wherof is this: that we are willing to curesponde with you in this, or any other neborly course, so fare as may no way be prejudicall to any, or swarue from the rules of equitie. how fare mr. Winslow expreste that agreement you intimate we know not (seeing he is absente) but our meaning, and former practiss, was and hath been, only of shuch as come to dwell, and inhabite, whether as seruants, or free men; and not of soujournours which come but for a seasone, with a purpose to returne yet if any abuse should grow hereby, we shall agree to any good order for the preuenting or redressing of the same; prouided the way be left open for pore men to releue ther wants, And for mutuall help to both plantations. We haue therfore giuen warning in open courte to all our people; not to receiue any as seruants, or other dwellers with them, but to aquainte vs first therwith that 65we may inquire of ther certificates or dismisions, but we haue sett no penealtie vpon it as yett, because we hope ther shall be noe need if ther be we haue libertie to punish shuch things at our discretions; if that will not serue; when we vnderstand what penealtie you apointe in the case, we shall doe the like, or that which shall be equivelente vnto it. As for the instances you giue we find that John Philips when he came was sick and if he had not been by some receiued to house he had been in danger to haue perished. he aledged he was sent by his maister to seeke a seruise, yet as a seruente he was not entertained by any; till his maister came and sould his time, (not to him that gave him house roome) but to him that would giue most, so he had no cause to complaine. for John Pickworth he came but as a soujournour to worke for a few weeks, in which time he goote a wife, and so is longe since returned duble, and hath no cause to complaine, excepte he hath goot a bad wife. Richard Church came likewise ass a soujournour to worke for the present; though he is still hear residente longer than he purpossed; And what he will doe, neither we nor I thinke him selfe knowes. but if he resolue here to setle we shall require of him to procure a dismision; but he did affirme to vs at the first, that he was one of mr. webbs men, and freed to goe for England or whither he would, the which we the rather beleued because he came to vs frome wessagasscusett upon the faling out with his parttner; for others intimated, we know none, (thoug we haue inquired) but they had a dismission either to come hither, or goe for England. Now ther are diuerce goone from hence, to dwell and inhabite with you, as Clement Brigges, John Hill, John Eedy, daniell ray, etc. the which if either you, or they desire thir dismissions; we shall be redy to giue them; hopeing you will doe the like in the like cases, though we haue heard something otherwise. Thus with our prayers to the Lord for your prosperity, as our owne, and our harty salutations vnto you all we rest your assured louing freinds

William Bradford Gouernour Myles Standish Tho: Prence Samuell Fuller John Alden Plim: feb. 6, 1631/32
1.

Boston Public Library; Bulletin of the Public Library of the City of Boston, Fourth Series, 1 (April June, 1919), 92–94. The body of the document is in William Bradford’s handwriting.