I most kindly thanke you for your loue and paines, in aquainting me with the newes from our owne Countrie the Lord be mercifull to them, and vs, and teach vs to make that vse thereof that is befitting so sade a condition. I had sundrie courrantoes came to my hands out of holand: In one wherof (bearing date in Nouember last) ther is mention made of an Inquision, and search made through all Englande of all the papists in the land, and the number giuen to the king weer aboue tow hundred thowsand families; and of them were found to be 16000 of the spiritualitie (as they call them) what may be the reason of this search is not expressed, but is not hard to be conjectured. We hear a rumorie that our freinds of Coonightecute Intend to begine a warr with the Narrigansets speedilie; If you know any Certaintie therof, I desire you would be pleased to aquaint vs with it, that we may the better looke to our owne defence. I wish they may goe vpon good grounds least they bring euill vpon them selues, and their Nighbours. but If Justice, or necessitie compell them; they shall not (in my judgmente) doe well to linger so longe as to giue them time to geather in their corne. But the Lord direct them to doe, and you to counssell them as may be for the best in so waighty a case. Thus with my humble thankfullnes vnto you for your loue, which I esteeme precious, I rest Your vnworthy freind

Your letter concerning Capt. Vnderhill received and another since about the attatching of Mr. Purches his estate, wherin you desire to be certified the truth by mee. that and much more you may command of me. Mr. Purches engaged himselfe to come to Saco at his retourn from the bay to answeare to such Complaints as was against him or else to giue Security to appeare at our next court. Mr. Greenesmith was by when 276this promise was made: at that present tyme I received a letter with a greate Complaint from Capt: Thomas Young, how that Mr. Purches had endeavored to hinder his discoveries by many torn Suggestions and he feared to the overthrow of his designes promising to produce many witnesses to proue it, and desired iustice from our Court for that the wrong was offred within our Province. Ther ar likewise some accions of debt against him, and an accion of the Case to the value of 20li at the least, and one other matter of great moment I haue against him, which I forbeare to prosecute or mencion till I speake with your selfe, which shalbe with the first Conveniency. Now when we heard that Mr. Purches had carried away his Cattell and other goodes for the Massachusetts, and was intended to fetch away the rest with all Speed, we sent vp our marshall to his house to require Security for his appearance at our next court (for the Causes aboue specified) if in case no Security would be given then to attach and sease vpon soe much goodes as might secure his appearance. the goodes left were attached, whervpon Mr. Jordan a minister (that kept the house in Mr. Purches his absence) went with the marshall to gett some of the neighbours to be bound for the appearance, but none would. he carried one hundred twenty od yeards of Indians beades with him to be a pledge if in case his frend fayled. no Security being had the officer seased vpon the beades and brought them away. Since which tyme I sent to Mr. Purches who came and gaue security for his appearance. I offered him his beades, he would not receiue them but answeared me he would come by them by law: and this is the truth of the matter. I vnderstand by your letter that he hath put himselfe vnder your goverment, notwithstanding I conceiue that soe long as he hath goodes, Chattells house Land and servants within our Province, he is like wise within our goverment, and lyable to it. I desire your answeare and opinion herin, for that I shalbe very vnwilling to entrench vpon your Priveleges in the least measure, having found your selfe far dissonant from the like vnneighbourly acts. Thus ceasing farder to trouble you; with my respectiue service to your selfe I rest Your assured freind and servant