Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

John Venn to John Winthrop1

Venn, John JW

1640-04

To the Worshipfull his much respected friend Mr. Jo: Wynthrop Gouernour of new England present these att Boston

Worshipfull And welbeloued in the Lord Jesus Christ,

havinge this oportunitie I could not omitt (by my Christian neighbour) to be preasent with you in a few lynes, acknowledginge with thankfullnes yours, now longe 221since receaued, wherin you expresse the affections of the whole plantion vnto our present Condition, and we are fullie perswaded of your Loue and the Contynuance theireof, for we know what is true is lastinge, and we stand in need of your stronge Cryes vnto the Lord both in regard of Church and Comonwealth I shall not need to incist on particulers, those whom god now sends to you, are able at large to relate our Condition. the Lord fitt vs for euill dayes, and our last Change. its true we are not yett come to open and common sufferings, but yet our burdens within and without are manie, the Lord help vs to beare them, or in his tyme deliuer vs out of them. I pray that as we desire to pray and especiallie to prayse god for you, so you would be intreated to remember vs in a speciall manner to god againe: God hath caled a parlamente appointed to beginne the 13th of this Instant, how longe it will contynew we are not worthy to know, nor what it will bringe forth; we are full of feares, and haue little ground of Comfort or hope of Good, saue onlie in the Lord, that is the fowntayne of all happines and giuer of euerie good, yea he can bringe good out of euill. greate preparations we haue for warr voted to be against the Scotts, but lookinge on the manner of its goeinge on with other things that doe adhere, makes vs all stand amazed. here are 4 Comissioners from Scotland that wayte his Majesties pleasure, but after often hearings are not dispatched. here is on greate Don come from Spayne: annother greater is landed at Plimouth Some proiect is in agitation which tyme must discouer good from them we cannot exspect: I must now conclude I desire with all hartie affections to be remembred to your worship and to all our brethren with you, and doe remayne Your Worships to comand

John Venn April, 1640

Endorsed by Governor Winthrop: Capt. Venne Resp. per the Sparrow.

W. 4. 100; 5 Collections , I. 288–289. For Venn, see D.N.B.

Nathaniel Ward to John Winthrop1

Ward, Nathaniel JW

1640-04

To the Worshipfull our Gouernour att Boston

Sir,

We are bold to continue our suite concerning the plantation I lately mencioned to yow. our company increases apace from diuers townes, of very desirable men wherof we desire to be very choise. this next weke if God 222hinder vs not we purpose to view the places and forthwith to resort to yow2 and in the meane tyme we craue your secrecy and rest Your Worships

Na: Warde Ca. April, 1640

We haue already more then 20 families of very good Christians purposed to goe with vs if God will and we heare of more.

Our neighbour Townes are much greiued to see the lauish liberality of the Court in giving away the Countrye. some honest men of our towne affirme that in their knowledge there are 68 townes in England within as litle compasse as the bounds of Ipswich: I knowe neere 40 where I dwelt: Rowly is larger then Ipswich 9 or 10 miles longe and will haue other plantations within it tributaries to it and intend as we heare to stretch their wings much further yet and will spoile Qutcthicqute vtterly if not Pentucket. We earnestly pray yow to prevent it. We should incourage many to come ouer if many plantations were not spoiled by the extreame largnes of those that are already giuen our purpose is to haue no great bands.

W. 3. 11; 4 Collections , VII. 28.

Giles Firmin, in his letter to Governor Winthrop, February 12, 1639/40, says that “some of vs will veiw Pentuckett Haverhill in the Springe.” The petition for the grant of land for the new settlement came up before the General Court in May, 1640. Records of Massachusetts, I. 290.