I finde that your troubles are many and espetiallie about this french busines. The Lord in mercie support you. I ame much grieued to heare what I heare. And I see more of the spiritts of some men then euer I thought I should see. The Lord rebuke Satan: Sir be of good comfort I doubt not, but our God that is in heauen will cary you aboue all the Iniuries of men. For I know you would not permitt any thinge much lesse act in any thinge that might tend to the least dammage of this people, and this I ame assured of, that most of Gods people heere about vs are of the same minde. The rumours of the country you know they rise out of ignorance principallie, and much out of feares, wherefore I pray you let there be satisfaccion giuen as soone as you convenientlie can, in the way you wrote mee of. For I finde the spiritts of men in this Countrie are too quick and forward. I cannot excuse my selfe, Yet I blesse God, not to wronge you but according to the information and light I receaued from you, I acted publiquelie so farre forth as to beate downe all preiudice against yourselfe or the rest that aduized with you. Our prayers heere are publiquely and priuately for a good issue of it and that continually 2 and I hope God will looke upon your sinceritie in mercie 2 and will heare our requests.

I see no good vse of such protestations as I heare of, but they may proue more dangerous then the french busines by farre if our God hinder not. Howeuer it will be of use (God derectinge) to make a holy vse of it.

Touching my comming to Boston about the Dutch busines, I cannot see how it will be of any vse, for the messenger cannot have a determinate answere till the generall Court, And to morrow we haue appointed many of the Towne for the working of our Fort which vnlesse I be there, there will not anything be done. And I received not your letter till this day after our Lecture.

I conceaue if you doe any thing about Mr. Oatelyes busines, that you also wilbe pleased to apoint some day and graunt some summons to him that hee may bring in his witnesses, That there may not be any Just ground of exceptions giuen: For hee speakes as if hee were much wronged in all the testimonies taken against him, and saith he can disproue them: etc.

Touching the note about Bushrode I shall bringe it with mee (God willing) the next Court.

The Lord our Good God be with 3 you to vphold you and to continew you amongest vs to do yet further3 service to whose grace I committ you Yours euer truelie to serue