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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

James Luxford to John Winthrop1
Luxford, James JW

1639-07

Right Worshipful,

hauinge beene this present morninge with Mr. Phenick2 about his cattell; it seemeth that soombody informed him ther hath beene a greeter increase of his cattell, then is wont to coome of cattell in ould England or new; but this great increase doth arise I suppose but rather to the increase of my trouble and affliction from those that think they can neuer haue Inought: now I suppose that the wronge is partly to your worship for sayd hee, they that spake it had it soe from your worship's owne moouth, namely that the last summer was two yeare they weare increased 20, a thinge vnpossible thought they had had 2 calues apeece soe many as calued. I would to god that men would better weight and consider 125of things, if they be members that thus speake to please there frends; truly this will not passe when it shall coome before the Judge of all the world then the prisoner case will be in matter of truth considered but to him I leaue them; knowinge that it could not coome from your worship soe great and playne a mistake, and for my selfe I doe not soe perentory conclude but that there may bee soome mistake which if any man can better helpe mee in them I will gladly for if the lord had not beene gratious to mee, I should not haue beene able to speak at all; neither will I perentoryly conclude that there may not be soome small mistake. I will not willingly err hearin; wheras I sould 2 heyfers to tappin of newbery of that Coompany, as I haue mentioned them; I sould alsoe a heyfer to mr. holyoak. now it may be that that which mr. holyoke had, might be on of them then tappin had but on of them and mr. holyoke on, which I am not able to resolue accept I see them; now if there should bee such a mistake, it is noe difference on the matter; thought mine Enemyes, that are not yet satisfyed, neither I think will be till they see mee closed in the earth, will not thinke me closd Inought. those I say would make much of such a mistake, and it weare Inought for them to bringe to your worship or the deputy that soe they might augment my sorrow and add affliction to my bonds, but if these men wear perswaded, that hearby they did me good (as intruth they doe) I suppose who euer they bee, they would crave the Lord in mercy forgiue them, and open ther eyes that they may see it; by that time they haue felt gods hand brekinge out agaynst them as I haue doone, for that sinn, they will haue cause to looke about them and bemoone it.

If ther should be that mistake that is abooue mentioned, then would ther be 20s difference; therfore I will absolutely conclude but soome such difference ther may bee, but very small if it be, which receiuinge any light I should be glad to correct: morouer, there may be soome debts in the book that are not in the note; as it seemeth Mr. Palmer of Charlestowne: also James Hawkins, that I am suer is not in the note, because I could not gett him to a reconinge till within this little time, and he did desier he might sett it of at Mr. Hills; which I told him if he could I thought it would be well Inought.

I think it weare not amisse if your worship did learne how it should coome about that Mr. Phenick should coome to haue it that 5 heigfer torn haue 20 calues in 2 yeare.

James Luxford Ca. July, 1639
1.

W. 4. 50; 5 Collections , I. 129–130.

2.

George Fenwick, coming to America for the second time, arrived at New Haven in July, 1639. Journal, I. 308; also printed in D.J.W. .