A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Mary Cutting to John Winthrop

1639

Certificate for John Otis

1639
Thomas James to John Winthrop1
James, Thomas JW

1639

To the right Worshipfull and much honord in christ Mr. Wintropp Gouernour of Massacussett Bay deliver
Sir,

May it please you. it is said of our maister Christ he will not breake the bruised reede, nor calcabit linum fumigans. Such as are in place and 90aucthority, haue a character of the almighty stamped on them especially they that hold it forth, where paternum regimen of the great God and gracious is expressed to such as vnder Gouerment. this makes me bold though meane and despised to discharg some part of my duty and affection which I beare and haue borne toward you in theise paper expressions and poore courtesies, vnbeseming your fatherhood if I were not perswaded of that sweete temper and disposition seated in an heart of bounty and goodnes, which is the Impresse of a gouernour mavult amari quam metui, for indeede (Sir) what greater argument of obedience, what cords, what bonds did euer long containe people in duty But where moderation and loue haue twisted both ends together.

Rehoboam delt ill for him selfe and posterity to lay the foundation of his Gouerment in austerity and harsh proceding. The Lord be blessed for all that good effected vnder your shadow, my harts desire and prayer is still for Gods blessing on your head and heart and family for the discharg of that trust which is the greatest, that I know hath bene committed to any mortall man on earth. I meane so many churches of Christ gathered in such an holy order vnder the Gouerment of the Lord Jesus. Concerning my selfe I humbly begg at your feete two things. first if a place called Seaconke be in your patent (which I can not say) but only heare by report I may haue liberty (if god geue me a calling) to haue your fauourable allowance and sitt vnder your gracious protection. the other is this that I may obtaine so much as common aequity and naturall Justice requireth which Job that president and patterne of aequity 29 Job 15 et 12 et 31 Job 13 granted to his bond slaues, that I neuer be punished in any kind causa inaudita before I am conuicted or haue liberty to speake for my selfe in a Judiciall way. I hope Sir, one day it will be no greife to you 1 Sam. 25. 31 etc. The lord Jesus preserue you blameles to that day amen.

So prayeth your Humble Seruant in all duty in Christ

Thomas James From Providence ca. 1639

I make bold to send mis. Wintrop a tame creature which she may dispose of as she please.

1.

W. 4. 113; 5 Collections , I. 321–322. For James, see Morison, Founding of Harvard College, 384; Matthews, Calamy Revised, 295. Neither of these writers mentions James's sojourn in Providence, whither he went after leaving the ministry of the church in Charlestown. Having been granted land in New Haven on November 3, 1639, he sold his “lands, rights, and privileges” in Providence on March 20, 1639/40. On June 11, 1640, he became a freeman of the New Haven Colony. Hoadly, Records of the Colony and Plantation of New Haven, 24, 35; The Documentary History of Rhode Island, Howard M. Chapin, Editor, 1 (Providence, 1916), 109.