Hauing no opportunity last weeke to speake much with you; and hauing founde both acceptance and courtesy from you; and being in this holy and neere bond of communion in the Churches with you, I thinke my selfe bound in all Christian duty, to acquaint you with two things, which I shall commende to your wisdome and thoughts, especially hauing a messenger that I dare trust.

First, that many of Gods people did thinke that some of the Court were very sharpe in dealing with Mr. Hawthorne, and aboue that he deserued, if matters be well scanned.

Secondly, some haue also reported, that Mr. Hawthorne alledging that he tooke aduise concerning some buisinesse with the Elders, yourselfe shoulde reply to this effect, That his so aduising with the Elders woulde be to the ouerthrowe of you all.2 Because I am assured that you suffer in the minds of many for this, I durst not but lett you vnderstand thus much, that you make vse of it, as shall seeme good to you; and as I doe desire you will be pleased, to acquaint me with any thing that may, in the like or any other kinde concerne me.

Sir, my God is wittnesse (which is a greate expression, and to be vttered aduisedly) that I doe vnfeinedly wish your welfare and prosperity both spirituall and temporall, and that this my aduertisement proceedes from no other grounde. And if you knewe how many my businesses are and exercise about my owne hart, you woulde beleeue that I needed not make my selfe any newe worke, which I did not thinke God doth putt on me. But I will not now be further troublesome to you. My seruice and loue to your selfe and worthy yokefellowe, so I committ you to God Yours in Him to command

Memorandum by Governor Winthrop: My answer in the other side. I thanked him for his faithfullnesse. That I remembred not Mr. Hawth: matter, that I was sure I vsed no suche expression, it being against my Iudgment and practice. I confessed that for a man to oppose the Iudgment 278of some Elders to the Iudgement of the Court openly in Civill matter (which might be the Case) was worthy reproofe, and I think likely I might saye something to that purpose. I desire him to produce my accusers that I might be cleared or iustly condemned. That if I heard not from him I would cleere myselfe publickly.