one Reuben Guppy of late comminge into our plantation and pretendinge much Religeon and a great zeal for the Ordinances of God was entertained by a planter, but since ther haue come diuers reports vnto vs of his misdeameanors with you, and that fear of punishment droue him away, and likewise this day I haue receaued a letter from Captain Vnderhill which expresseth the desier of Mr. Endicott to haue him returned which letter I haue sent you heerinclosd. the desier we haue to satisfy his request, and to ridd such fellows out of our Prouince, which haue brought such a scandall on it haue caused vs to omitt noe opportunity of sendinge him, therfore by Sampson Salter, Master of the Makeshift you shall receaue him. resolued we are that this Prouince shall be noe refuge for Runnaways, for none comminge from another Plantation shall be entertained heer without a Certificate of his good demeanour, or vppon the knowledge of some of the Inhabitants. thus with our seruices tendered to you: com­324mendinge you to the protection of the Almighty we Rest Yours in all due respects

I vnderstand there is a report abroade that I should be privey to the flight of one Bell who was bound to appeare this court2 he and one Morecroft I found at my howse one day last weeke who acquainted me with the buisines they are bound over for, craved my advise. my answar was, Inocencey was a bulworke, wished them if cleare of the fact, to stay, if guiltey left it to theire owne discretion. they professed innocencey and as I vnderstoode resolved to stay, as morecroft can testifie. be pleased to certifie so much if occasion be. I assure yow it is truth. I know there want not those which hunt after any thinge which may redound to my discreditt. your selfe euer honored Sir and honest Capt. Gibones are the only men which ever dealt plainely with me by way of reproofe and admonition, when you have heard of any thinge in which I have beene faultie which I hope hath not beene water spilt vpon a stone, and by it yow have much oblidged me. There are those which take an inquisition like course, by indeavoring to gaither what they can from malcontented servants or the like, which course I conceive is not warrantable. the former course is more commendable and will worke better effects I hope God will enabel me in some measure to walke inoffencively, but findinge by 10 yeares experience that I am eie sore to diverse heare I have seriously resolved to remoue hence assone as I have dispatched away Mr. Allies ship with fish which ship is daily expected. al other hinderances are already remoued. My well wishes shall euer attend the Plantation, and your selfe and yours in particular, howeuer. be pleased to passe by my to longe neglect of visitinge yow, havinge not beene in Boston these fower monethes. as there is no one more engaged to yow, so there is none which more honores you then Your worshipes reall freinde and servant