Such is the force and effect of true Loue (my beloued frind) that it acounteth noe paines too much, and all tyme too little, in performinge the offices, and duties, of deserved respect: I hauinge sent some bookes to James Downinge with a letter dated the 3 of Aprill, beinge incited therevnto by his father; your demerritt clamed parte of my paines, and soe greate a parte, that had I not written by mr. Wilson vnto you my selfe would haue exclaimed against my selfe, and at the barre of conscience haue adiudged me a traytor to the bond of amitie; and lyable to the liuinge death of a Turtles solitarines that hath lost her mate; I knew not of mr. Wilsons going ouer till within this two dayes, Soe that I had deliuered a packett of letters vnto mr. Humfries to be sent by this Ship vnto you, one whereof was a letter vnto your selfe another to your beloued wife another to your sister Eliza: and two to James with your oyle of vitrioll you left with me; I hope God will send all in safety vnto you; and retorne vnto vs ioyful newes of your recouery; and of your perfect health; In James lettre I mentioned 2 or 3 thonges of a horse hide that I sent you I pray you comtemne not the meanesse of my conceit but consider that I hearinge your father writt for Shoemakers thridd, I sent you those for a tryall, therefore let not the servilenes of the worke preiudice your good opinion of me but knowe my aimes is and euer was at the generall good of your whole 76plantation; which I hope to liue to see, and see to flourish and to remaine till tyme shall haue an end with me. Your assured

I sent your honored father a booke of bookes among those to James D owning if he haue them alreadie, yet my good-will is nere the lesse, if they should not be soe welcome as I desire I beseich him to excuse my boldnes, for my hart is still as vpright to your worke as euer, as soe till death shall continue (Deo iuvante).

I haue heard diuerse complaints against the severitie of your Gouernement especially mr. Indicutts and that he shalbe sent for ouer, about cuttinge off the Lunatick mans eares,2 and other greiuances; well, I would and doe desire all things might goe well with you all. but certainely if you endeavour in all mildnesse to doe gods worke, he will preserue you from all the enemies of his truth; though there are here a thousand eyes watchinge ouer you to pick a hole in your coats, yet feare not, there are more with you then against you, for you haue god and his promises which if you stick to, be sure all things shall worke together for the best. when you haue leasure spare me two or 3 wordes of your minde in what Caracter you please, that may solace my selfe with your contentation, or helpe to beare the burthen, if not redresse your greiuances and soe I leaue you to God with my respectiue salutations to all my frinds.

my father mother and sister desired to be remembred vnto you.

I hauinge the 14th of this Aprill receiued of Mr. Barker a letter from your sister myne approued frind, and mr. Drake callinge this morninge to see if I had any letters, (he preparinge to goe for Pascataway and 77soe to you) I thought good, to let you vnderstand hereby that god hath still lent me life and health, the same I hope of you. I pray you thanke your sister for her remembringe of me (mr. Arkisden thinks you haue all forgotten him) and tell your sister I shall endevour to obserue and performe those good instruccions she sent me. I accidentally this morninge or rather by providence lighted vpon my bookes of the ordringe of silkewormes which I could wish with you for I heare you haue store of mulberie trees, doe but send for them if they wilbe any way proffitable or desirable I will with all convenient speede send them; I haue lately come to my hands (made by an excellent scholler and a linguist)—a prophet hath small honour in his owne Contrie—an English written Accedence and grammer of such a rare method that it is admirable to conceiue, which hath beene in obscuritie at least this 14 yeares, and by a speciall prouidence come to my hands I hope for the good of N: E: and the speedy bringinge of English and Indians to the perfect vnderstandinge of our tonge and writinge truly, and speaking elegantly. alsoe I haue of the same mans invention a booke of Characters, grounded vpon infallible rules of Syntax and Rhetorick. I would gladly print them that they might be the better dispersed amonge my frinds with you but that I doubt the mallice of some euely minded may hinder, or take them from me. if you thinke good I will send you some of the cheifest grounds and rules for a tryall; I conceiue it sufficient to teach the Indian children only to read English and to knowe none other, because they may not imagine there is the same confusion of tongues amonge Christians as there is amonge them. mr. Drake stayes soe that I cannot enlarge Thus with my continued respects and Loue to you and all my frinds I remaine Your loueinge frind till death