vpon my motion at the last Generall Court for an Exposition of our Grant (occasioned by the questioning of some) Mr. Broadstreete desiring. some of the land granted to vs on the one side, and 290Mr. Woodbridge on the other, opposition was made contrary to my exspectation, and noise raised to my greife; though the lesse because we were but the occasion, and others the cause. Yet to preuent euen that also, if it be possible, I am bolde to make this addresse to yourselfe; rather then to come personally to the Court, except I shall heare it to be necessary.

You best knowe how oft we expressed ourselues, and how plainly, concerning our desired bounds, as Ipswich Riuer and Merimack; without which we woulde vpon no termes accept of a Plantation here. Ipswich men desiring our neighbourhood, coulde shewe vs little desireable here (except we purchased it at a deare rate) but the Name of Merimack and some considerable places there, as a Neck of land, and the like. This first to your selfe, and after to others being expressed, you were all forwarde to testify your loues (as before, so) therupon, and we left the procuring of the Grant to yourselfe, who doubted not, but more, rather then lesse, (if it were desired) woulde be yeelded to. Wherupon I wrote many letters to my freinds in England, wherin I tolde them precisely of our bounds; and the sound of Merimack we made not a little vse of. Herupon we proceeded simply to our worke, and made a too-costly purchase: digested (though hardly) our too much straitning towards Ipswich etc. Now therfore to heare that questioned, which was especially looked at in our Grant, I say after all these our costly proceedings, your wisdome will thinke how welcome it is to vs: Besides my owne credite, which hitherto God in mercy hath maintained, must be now of no value among my freinds. Two things especially seeme to be objected to vs. First the largenes of our Plantation, if we haue our desire. To this I say, First, suppose it so, yet no lesse was accepted of vs. Secondly, I say, so farre as I can discouer, no plantation hath had lesse granted of the Court, though we haue our desire. For our largenes comes from our owne purses, or the gift of those that desired our neighbourhood, and would incourage vs in the purchase. Neither doe we purpose to keepe this lande vnimployed so long by halfe, as others haue done, if God prosper vs.

We are loth to say all we might, except we be vrged. The second thing objected is, the words of the Grant, as it is recorded, that mention (they say) only eight miles euery waye. I answere that I suppose that might (if it be so) arise from hence, that many in the Court did not doubt, but that eight miles did afford vs our desired bounds: but this we say, that if we could not haue them vnder eighteene miles, we were to haue so much as did reach them. And it seemes the Register only looked at the Text not comment. And it wilbe prooued by good wittnesse, if neede be; That Newbery men desiring two miles more by Merimack, your selfe instantly replyed (which I heard 291hisce auribus) that that could not be, because it was granted already to vs. So that the notion of eight miles was not the main matter, but Merimacke.

Sir, I am hartely sory thus farre to trouble you: but your wisdome will see a necessity, and therfore pardon. I humbly beseech you to acquaint our worthy Gouernour herwith, and so many of the Court, as you see fitt, or the whole.2 I am sory also to thinke how harsh such things are like to be in England and Quillipiake, as they are like to be carryed thither quickly, if they be noised in open Court, so that it were well if that were preuented. It hath bene a trouble of late to my poore neighbours (though a quiet people) to heare of this, after their purchase and building, and returne from Quillipyake. Especially, since they heard that Mr. Broadstreete plainly in open Court saide he exspected land there, and therupon opposed vs; as I haue signifyed to himselfe, and doe thus write, because he still saide he intended to doe so. Though happily, if your selfe doe satisfy him, he will forbeare. But I forgett your trouble, therfore againe crauing pardon, with my seruice I rest Yours to commande