A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

436
Richard Vines to John Winthrop1
Vines, Richard JW

1644-01-29

To the right worshipfull his much honored freind John Wenthorpe Esqr. Governour of the Massachusetts Colloney These Boston
Right Worshipfull,

I haue formerly sent you two letters, the one in answeare of yours, concerning the busines of Mr. Scott, the other declaring in part the seditious and malitious practices of Mr. Cleeues, and Mr. Tucker his agent against the peace and goverment of this Province, and vnder pretence of authority from Mr. Alexander Rigby, a worthy gentleman (as I haue bin tould by your Worship and others). I presume he will not tollerate any irregular or exorbitant courses either against publique goverment lawfully established, or against perticular persons, for a private revenge. Mr. Cleeues endeavours the ruine of both, as by my former letter to you it is evident. Since which tyme he hath held a court at his house, where were all the refractory men of our Province, and few other, they framed a letter directed to Cleeues and my selfe, telling vs that it was there resolucions (and that they would stand to it) that wee should try our right of goverment before the worthy magistrates of the Massachusetts bay, till it shalbe otherwise made knowne vnto them by a tryall in England, if not, they will stand as newters, and obay neither. this I know to be Cleeues his plott to bring vs all into a distracion, and a mutiny, for he knowes that neither my selfe, nor any other of Sir Ferdinando Gorges Comissioners, haue power to try his title either of land, or power and authority for goverment here, without his authority soe to doe, neither doe I beleiue that your Worship and the rest of your honored Court will medle with any tryall of this nature.

There is likewise by Cleeues a letter of Consosiacion, which I mencioned in my former letter which I haue not seene, but our minister Mr. Jenner, tells mee that the enginere hath soe cunningly contrived it, that all those that have sett there handes to it, for matter of defence against all invasion, haue likewise acknowledged Mr. Rigby to be there governour, being vtterly ignorant of his deceipt therein Tucker being here 7 dayes since, Mr. Smith our magistrate for Saco, and my selfe examined him vppon the premises; he gaue vs peremtory and abusiue language, wherevpon we asked him for good security for his good abearing, and for his appearance at our next Court. he refusing it, wee comitted him to the marshall the next day he acknowledged a recognisance of 40li for his appearance, and was dismised he deserved much more, but we forbeare till we heare from your worship which I desire 437may be speedily for the preventing of sudden mischeife and mutinous practises. I would haue sent you a copie of there letter to me, but that I heare The same is comming to you by Tucker, who is goeing for the bay with these letters seruptitiously gotten, thereby to strenghten there faction, but I hope your worship will seriously in your wisdom consider what I haue written, and according to the equity of our case, send me your advise. Thus ceasing furder to trouble you at present, I rest Yours to be commanded to the best of my power

Rich: Vines Saco 29th of Jan: 1643/44
1.

W. 3. 95; 4 Collections , VII. 349–351; G.S. , II. 240–242.