this day I had a meeting with mr. Saltonstall about Dillinghams buisines, and chardging him with your noate sent me into England he said there was deliuered James Luxford 20 Cowes, whereas your noate doth mention but 15, soe it was conceived that Dillingham or Luxford should deceive me of 5 Cowes, but after they were gone I founde Luxfords noate of my Catle he deliuered me which doth mention 19, soe there is but one wanting, which, (if he did not deliver James Luxford,) mr. Saltonstall must pay me for; I haue sent my man of purpose with these notes which I pray retorne by him againe. Dillingham wilbe with you to morow of purpose to cleare himselfe of these 5 Cowes, if yt shall apeare that Luxford hath cosened you and me of that one Cowe which is yet wanting, let yt never trouble you. that you may vnderstand how 20 Cowes should be deliuered to Luxford; the account is thus viz: In May 1633 there were deliuered to Dillingham

Of these 18 there dyed 2, soe there remayned 16 of these there was the first yeare with Dillingham 9 Calves, 5 Cow calves, and 4 bull calves.

In June 1636 Dillingham deliuered as he saith 4 of the said 5 Cow calves with the former 16 being then growne to be Cowes, in all 20 Cowes to James Luxford, who accounted to me as per his noate apeareth for 19, soe there wants but one, of this reckoning, but manie more are wanting to me of Dillinghams account which he said did dye and were killed by woolves etc. I doubt I must come to a Jury at Boston with mr. Saltonstall at last. he confesseth he hath 100li left of Dillinghams in his hands to satisfie me if neede be, and that there is almost as much more leyable to my satisfaction, elswhere. wee parted verie good freinds after all our debate of the buisines, soe for this tyme being over troublesome with my service to your selfe and my good sister I rest Your verie loving brother

I am deeply ingaged for your great kindnesse the lord only can reward it and I only return thankes: I was sory I tooke not my leaue of your worshipp at my coming away haueing thoughts since you might possibly haue hadd some more servis to haue comanded me but I intreat your worshipps pardon: we are through vnseasonable wether per Gods prouidence put into Sallem there waiting a fitt Season which we hope will fale this night we humbly intreat your worshipps prayers for our saffe Conduct. we canott but take notis of the lords preuenting our being at Sea this last extremity of wether: we are affraid Mr. Lambertons Jurny by land will proue Ill: all our Frends at Sallem thanks be to the lord are well and desire to be remembered to your worshipp and thus with my humble servis to you and to my mistris presented I shall euer rest Your Worshipp obleidged to Comand in any Servis to my poore power

I hope I shall euer honour and loue you for your great care over mee and your wholsome counsell giuen to mee, which I haue through the mercie of God followed, so farre forth as I could vppon my best search chardge my selfe of the least appearance of giuing offence, either to the honoured maiestrates or ministers that subscribed the letter. I think the Church and all that heard mee will cleare mee of the things layd to my chardge. And I blesse God so hath my honoured brother Mr. Humfries already done and 327hath giuen me full satisfaccion in his free acknowledgement of his failing heere, as also of his vniust chardges layd vpon mee there: which we were all glad to heare, and do praise the name of God for him, And my heart is neerer knit to him than euer.2

Yet Deare Sir let mee in loue tell you that you seeme in your Letter to tak all for granted that was related vnto you, which is not your wonted custome to doe: And that did at the first not a little greiue mee: Salomons rule would haue bene obserued. Proverb 18. 17. If you had in the least measure suspended etc. till I had written, It would haue sauored more of Justice. But I cannot but think you in wisdome did it to put mee to a deep search whereby the more to humble mee which I confesse I haue need to be: The Lord in mercie make mee thankfull for all good helpes for my soul, and requite into your bosome all your labour of loue shewed to mee in this or in any of your former kindnesses. With him I will leaue you and in him rest Yours most obliged