A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Certificate of Edward Norris

1640

John Winthrop to Henry Paynter

1640
Daniel Patrick to John Winthrop1
Patrick, Daniel JW

1640

Right worshipfull and much honnored Sir,

Least through greeff I shoulde trouble your Attentione with abrupt languadge I humblye craue leaue to vnfoulde my reall thoughts in a few lines breffly vnto you. I am still in doubte of your continued displeasure towards mee. if my Groundes will nott afforde such a constructione, I shall at once be both glad and sorrye for my mistake; Worthye Sir is my faulte soe greate that I cannot be reconcilde; I doe confess I am a man of manny faylinges, and certaynelye I am not ignorante of that vnbesseeminge Cariadge once, nay twise towards your selfe, but as time ripneth frute soe haue I through gods goodnes since that throughlye considderd the folly of such rash and proudlike Actions. Therfore I beseech you pass by whats past for I am vnfaynedlye sorry for myne offence, and I hoope and resolue in time to come to be moor carefull if the Lord inable mee. I am loath to vtter anny thinge in myne owne behalfe, nether can dutye extennuate my faulte, yet cann I bouldlie pleade Innocencye in anny other thinge to my Knowledge. Accept what you haue hearde your selfe from mee. If I haue priuily Instegated, or by Aspertions sought to wrong you, lett your harte be hardned, for ther should be cause. Nay if I haue secretlye giuen waye to anny disloyall thoughts, justlye lett mee reape stuble in stead of a frutefull haruest from this my Acknowledgment. I knowe the diuell is readye to imploye bad mindes by whisperings to preiudicate your Thoughts agaynst mee; perticculars I knowe none, butt if there ether hath or shoulde, I humblye beseech you lett Christiane Charretye from the groundworke of thees 169vnfayned expressions, confounde ther motions as but false, or (at best) suppositions. Nether doe I by this make waye for my followinge propositione, for it is butt commone; onely a dutye is heerby intended in the first place, and next my owne peace, which I ame to seeke with all men: Your sunn Dudlee when in the baye last, verry kindly desirde mee to come and liue at ther plantione.2 A good lott he promisde to procur mee. Now Honnoured Sir my full resollutione is nott to remoue to anny plantatione in the Pattent if you are not willinge. What Nueberrye once offerd me was ther owne volluntarye ackt, and noe wayes sought by mee; a little lande will serue my Turne, peaceable Competency I onelye seeke of god. If I may haue your good will therein, with Cheerfullnes, I shall proceed, and how soe euer rest your Worships in all hartye Affectione and Christiane seruice to commaunde

Dani. Pattricke Ca. 1640

Endorsed by Governor Winthrop: Capt. Patrick for reconciliation.

1.

W. 3. 89; 4 Collections , VII. 326–328.

2.

Salisbury.