Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4
1640-08-21
Your letter concerning Capt. Vnderhill received and another since about the attatching of Mr. Purches his estate, wherin you desire to be certified the truth by mee. that and much more you may command of me. Mr. Purches engaged himselfe to come to Saco at his retourn from the bay to answeare to such Complaints as was against him or else to giue Security to appeare at our next court. Mr. Greenesmith was by when 276this promise was made: at that present tyme I received a letter with a greate Complaint from Capt: Thomas Young, how that Mr. Purches had endeavored to hinder his discoveries by many li at the least, and one other matter of great moment I haue against him, which I forbeare to prosecute or mencion till I speake with your selfe, which shalbe with the first Conveniency. Now when we heard that Mr. Purches had carried away his Cattell and other goodes for the Massachusetts, and was intended to fetch away the rest with all Speed, we sent vp our marshall to his house to require Security for his appearance at our next court (for the Causes aboue specified) if in case no Security would be given then to attach and sease vpon soe much goodes as might secure his appearance. the goodes left were attached, whervpon Mr. Jordan a minister (that kept the house in Mr. Purches his absence) went with the marshall to gett some of the neighbours to be bound for the appearance, but none would. he carried one hundred twenty od yeards of Indians beades with him to be a pledge if in case his frend fayled. no Security being had the officer seased vpon the beades and brought them away. Since which tyme I sent to Mr. Purches who came and gaue security for his appearance. I offered him his beades, he would not receiue them but answeared me he would come by them by law: and this is the truth of the matter. I vnderstand by your letter that he hath put himselfe vnder your goverment, notwithstanding I conceiue that soe long as he hath goodes, Chattells house Land and servants within our Province, he is like wise within our goverment, and lyable to it. I desire your answeare and opinion herin, for that I shalbe very vnwilling to entrench vpon your Priveleges in the least measure, having found your selfe far dissonant from the like vnneighbourly acts. Thus ceasing farder to trouble you; with my respectiue service to your selfe I rest Your assured freind and servant
W. 3. 92; 4
Collections
, VII 338–340.