A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

219
Sir Ferdinando Gorges to John Winthrop1
Gorges, Ferdinando JW

1640-03-26

To the Worshipfull and my much respected frend John Wintrupp Esqr. at Boston in the Bay these present
Worthy Sir,

The soddain approach of our longe wished for Parlament inuites me to attend the happy issue therof, that otherwise had a Resolution to haue visited you this Springe, but I haue sent a neer kinsman2 of mine own name with other necessary Seruants for the better orderinge of my affaires, and makinge of my prouision agaynst the time it shall please God I come my selfe. In the mean while I am bould to intreat of you to second this my Cosen Gorges in any Just and reasonable occasion he shall haue cause to vse your fauour in, I hauinge giuen him Command to be carefull to doe his best that all fayr Corrospondency be maintayned between those two seuerall Plantations, as a speciall means by Gods fauour to giue furtherance to the happiness therof, and when God shall be pleased that I may arriue I doubt not but you shall perceaue my greatest Ambition shall tend (next to the seruice of God) by what wayes or means an vnion or Conformity of all parties may be established, or at the least a patient or charitable bearinge with each others Errors or selfe Affexions, that soe our Souerainge Lord the Kinge may be ashewred of our subiections, the publique be not disturbed the common course of Justice made free, and the countries defenses prouided for, which worke beinge finished I shall willingly commend my selfe ready to giue an account of all my Actions to him that is only able to forgiue all our offenses and giues vs ashewrances of his mercies through the sufferances of his blessed son our only sauiour Jesus Christ to whose sacred and gracious assistance I commend you and all your Endeuours, and to whom I wish as becommeth Your very louinge frend

Ferde. Gorges Ashton March 26, 1640

Endorsed: Sir Ferdinand Gorges Resp. per the Desire.

1.

W. Au. 103; 4 Collections , VII. 331–332. For Gorges, see D.N.B. ; 4 Collections , VII. 329n.

2.

Thomas Gorges, who arrived in Boston in the summer of 1640 with a commission for the government of the province of New Somersetshire. Journal, II. 8; also printed in D.J.W. at 330 .