To the Worshippfull his much honored Friend Joh. Winthrop Esq. at his howse at Boston these be delivered
Sir,
Yours of the 18th of this present I lately received being perswaded as you write that if it were your owne case you would not stand with me but in a case between a stranger and you wherin you are betrusted and for the publick etc. I hope you conceiue of me as of one that would not desire any thing that should appear to be unjust: but for the Cattle to be valued by two publick persons of your owne might haue satisfied the publick; And for Mr. Andrews2 tis true he desired cattle of such an age and price; but the price at that time was under their worth by a yeares growth: for yearlings and the advantage were ordinarily sold for 15li. Againe Mr. Andrews is well acquainted with payments in Engl. and how easie a thing it is to turne any valuable commodity into money but it is otherwise heer, and especially at this the most hard and dead time of all other these many yeares: I speak as it is with us: but if you conceiue the Gentlemen valued them too high I am contented to let them goe as I offered to your selfe at 18li per head the fiue. If you say it is too high, truly I marvell at it, being this weeke Mr. Hatherly made payment to Mr. Freeman and Mr. Atwood in Cows (and in a busines Mr. Andrews, if I be not much mistaken, is interested) at 18li 15s per head. Nay since these valued some passed in account between Mr. Paddy and some of your parts at 20li per head; and therefore I pray you take it into further consideracion, and remember you may fall into an extreame. Truly Sir it is my desire to discharge it that makes me importune you neither doe I conceiue how you can justly suffer in it: and to avoide suffering I see is not possible: for I finde innocency (by lamentable experience) will little helpe amongst men. Yea wherein I haue been most carefull therein most abused and therefore in discharging a good conscience we must leaue all events to God. If I had any hopes of a chapman I would make money of them but haue none, however I thanke you that haue been so kinde to giue me time: but I feare that time will rather hurt then helpe me, and therefore beseech you againe either to accept them or acquaint Mr. Stoughton with it that he may write to Mr. Endecot about it: for they may doe it as well by letter as presence, onely I pray you conceale what I offer if they must value them: and if you please I will send them upon the first notice.
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I thanke you for your loving manifestacion about mine owne busines. There hath nothing been done in it since the Gentlemen (to whom I am much bownden) were heer. As there shall be any thing done I take it my duty to acquaint them who have taken so much paines therein. Onely my purpose is to study waies to satisfie for words so far as a good cause will permit. The Lord in mercy direct me who haue need of more then humane patience to beare these things from this people: For ten times more from others were not a tenth part so much, nor can any beleeue that seeth not, that I should suffer as I doe from them; The Lord lay it not to their charge and giue me wisdom and patience to beare it. Be you saluted and yours together with those Gentlemen (especially my respects to your Govr.) Good Sir let me haue your prayers who remaine yours till death
Edw: Winslow
(4) 27. 40
I thanke you for your English news. I received a letter from Mr. Sherley this yeare. he writes that in steed of a letter he had thought to haue seen me, but is glad I came not, for if I or any partner had commen Mr. Beauchamp had trowbled him and had for that end entertayned a Soliciter etc. He writes me of the lord keepers death and that Secretarie Cooke hath letters of ease which is to me very sad: for new England in those two is stripped at once of our best friends at the Board: so that now we must live by Faith without any dependance on meanes at all. Mr. Downing to whom I desire to be remembred with all thankefulnes, can better informe you about it then my selfe.
I would haue written to the Gentlemen about our busines, but knew not how you would take it, but what you shall write in it I will stand to, and therefore I pray you let it be dispatched and let me haue word that I may send them.