Wee receiued your basket of bounty and loue to those who must dye in your debt, but leaue requitall of all to him who must discharge our greatest skores. I had both written, and seen you before now but that deepe melancholy is getting fast vpon mee agayne, and tethers mee at home, and much occasioned by my brethren ingaged before this time to come in with the discharge of your matters, but they try my patience in waiting. I hope not to bee long from you, and the rather to aduise for Mr. John Winthrops going with Mr. Bois to which I wholy inclyne: it will bee vsefull and exemplary. One mayne occasion of my writing at this tyme is in behalfe of Mr. Paddy this bearer, who earnestly desires some course may bee taken for what is due from the Country to his father Freeman for his Armes they had in the Pekot seruice for which hee might haue had 40li, and now desires but 15li of the Country to bee payd as they please for species. Good Sir, let him haue reliefe by what meanes you can, synce you know the Case and this present Gouernour doth not.

I thinke I shall neuer leaue to bee troublesome vnto you, pitty and pardon, and salute your deerest with all yours. Our strong and mighty Helper the God of Israel keepe vp your hart, and spirit, sweeten all your sowres, euen all your pathes and carry you through all difficultyes through Jesus Christ. In whom I am Yours fidelissime

The Jury doe present that the said Wm. Richards, not havinge God before his eyes, but beinge seduced by the malice and instigation of the devill in and vpon the 14 daye of this 7th monthe in the after noone did enter into an 286outhouse of one Tho: Buttolfe his master and there with a rope which he fastned to one of the rafters or purleynes of the said house, and tyinge the other ende thereof about his neck he hanged and strangled himself and so the Jury doe find that he murdered himself and was guilty of his owne deathe.