Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

Edward Howes to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Howes, Edward Winthrop, John, Jr.

1632-11-23

To his worthilie respected frind Mr. John Winthrop Junr. at the Mattachusetts in New England these deliver

Deare Frind and most noble Sir,

Deare because fewe the like to me, and truly noble beinge one of the Lords Worthies, your letter of July last was much welcome, in that it brought tidings of your recouery, and your thriuinge in the wildernes of N: E: I cannot as yet satisfie your desire in sending ouer to John Samford as I would, for you would wonder what discoragements the diuell putts in most mens mouths against your plantations, some that you are all comminge home, others that you are all gone or goinge for Virginia. for my parte I shall and will by gods leaue endeauour to continue towards you and the worke semper idem; here inclosed you shall find a booke of the probabilities of the N: West passage,2 not in the 60 or 70 degree of N: latitude, but rather about the 40th. I sore suspect the Hollanders will haue the glory and benifitt of the passage about Hudsons R. yet God the Author and Finisher of all good works will (I belieue) that all shalbe for the good of his Saints. I heare the french haue this summer transported a company of priests and Jesuits and such vermine to Canada; but how longe they will staye there, it is a question. I conceiue the land to cold for theire hott natures.

The vernish for clothes to keepe out wett, I cannot yet learne, but as soone as I can, the next shipp after shall aquaint you with it; As for my vsuall characters they are that wherewith I conceiue you haue bin formerly acquainted vizt. Mr. Arkisdens, whoe hath sent you a letter here inclosed in John Samfords. I thought good to send you his character for feare you should haue forgotten it, as thus

A a b c d e f g h h i k l m n o p q r r ſ s t u w x y z

Select image view for page 94 to see cipher.

they are approued of in Cambridge to be the best as yet invented, and they are not yet printed nor comon. you may abreuiate them thus, c. for Christ, Ч. God, . Jesus, ⋂ king, ⋃ lord, ⨀ people, etc. / stands alwayes for the, /˙ for thee, ’ for w. or wh. a little vse will make perfectnes; send me word whether you like it and I will send you more direccions.

I thanke you Sir, for remembringe soe farre of when Mr. Saltonstall was with you; by your meanes and good words of me to him, I haue obtained a most singular sweete frind of him. Euer since Michelmas last, haue I had inward familiaritie with him; he perswadinge me it was your desire that I should imparte my selfe vnto him, on your behalfe, and for the good of N: E. I had enlarged myselfe, but that my master called me to write vnto you for him; wherein you shall heare most of our latest newes; I praye you remember my humble seruice vnto your noble father, my most honored frind, and his right vertuous wife, and thanke him, for that he hath bin pleased to regard the good will of his poore seruant, in sending him a letter of encoragement, which was more welcome to me, then any guift besides; remember my loueing salutations to your Sister Feakes and her husband though vnknowne thanke her for her lettre and tell her that I went with hir brother in lawe to Mr. Kirbys and procurde in my master his absence, the monie vpon the bill of exchainge; remember me alsoe to your brother Dudley and his louinge wife, and all others to whome you please to recommend my loue. Thus though in the last place; yet not in the least place, my harty loue and affections to you and your best beloued remembred, with daylie prayers for your healths and prosperities, I rest Tuus ex animo et adyto

Edward Howes From the Inner Temple this xxiiith of ixber 1632 96

I haue bespoken Instruments for John Samford but could not gett them made redie against this shipps departure; he shall haue them, the next springe (God willinge) perhaps I may bringe them my selfe; but noe more of that, I meane to come vnlookt for, but not I hope before I shalbe welcome. The terme is nowe in the full heate thereof, and therefore I hope you will excuse such defects you find in this expression of my Loue and soe I leave you to god.

A little more here I send concerninge Dr. Fludd, written in greate haste.

Seale up James Downing lettre and giue it him.

W. 2. 165; 4 Collections , VI. 480–483.

Sir Dudley Digges, Of the Circvmference of the Earth: Or, A Treatise of the Northeast Passage (London, 1612). The identical copy of this work mentioned here is now in the Society’s library. The word “Northeast” in the title has been altered, in manuscript, to read “Northweast” and the date in the imprint has been changed from “1612” to “1632.” Howes inscribed the following on the verso of the title page:

“Happie thrice happie should I be if this little treatise should add any thinge to your knowledge, Invention, or Industrie, to the atcheiuinge of that Herculean worke of the Straits of N: England, which I am as verilie perswaded of; that there is either a Strait, as our narrow seas, or a mediterranean Sea, west from you. The dutch O the dutch I doubt will prevent your discouerie, for they are the nearest, of any that haue not as yet discouered it. But doubtlesse there is a man, (or shalbe) sett aparte for the discouerie thereof, therby to comunicate more freely, more knowingly, and with lesse charge, the riches of the east with the pleasures of the west, and that the east and west, meetinge with mutuall imbracements they shall soe loue each other, that they shalbe willinge to be disolued into each other; and soe God being manifested in Christ through all the world, and light shininge in thickest darknesse, and that palpable darknesse being expelled, how great and glorious shall that light appeare. Which God of his mercy hasten to accomplish.”

Howes also inserted the following in a blank space on the first page of the Preface: “To the right noble and worthy Religious and vertuous gentleman Iohn Winthrop the yonger all health and felicitie.” At the end of the Preface appears in manuscript “yours E. Hows.”