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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger JW

1638-06

Providence ca. June, 1638 Sir,

I sometimes feare that my lines are as thick and over busie as the Muskeetoes etc. but your wisedome will conniue, and your Loue will cover etc.

2 things at present for Informacion.

First in the affaires of the most High; his late dreadfull voice and hand: that audible and sensible Voice the Earthquake.2

All these parts felt it, (whether beyond the Nanhiggonsick I yet learne not) for my selfe I scarce perceaved ought but a kind of Thunder and a gentle mooving etc. and it was no more this way to many of our owne and the Natiues apprehensions, and but one sudden short motion.

The younger Natiues are ignorant of the like: but the Ellder informe me that this is the 5th within these 4 score yeare in the Land: the first about 3 score and 10 yeare since: the second some 3 score and 4 yeare since the third some 54 yeare since the 4th some 46 since: and they allwayes observed either plauge or pox or some other epidemicall disease followed: 3 4 or 5 yeare after the Earthquake, (or Naunaumemoauke, as they speake).

He be mercifully pleased himselfe to interprete and open his owne Ridles and graunt (if it be pleasing in his Eyes) it may not be for Destruction but (as the Earthquake before the Gaolors Conversion) a meanes of shaking and turning of all hearts (which are his) English or Indian, to him: to further 38this (if the Lord please) the Earthquake sensibly tooke about a thoughsand of the natiues in a most sollemne meeting for play etc.

2ndly a word in mine owne particular, only for Informacion I owe betweene 50 and 60li to Mr. Cradock for Commodities receaved from Mr. Mayhew: Mr. Mayhew will testifie that (being Mr. Cradocks agent) he was content to take payment, what (and when) my howse at Salem yealded: accordingly I long since put it into his hand, and he into Mr. Jollies, who beside my voluntarie Act and his Attachment since, sues as I heare for dammages, which I question: since I haue not failed against Contract and Content of the first Agent but the holy pleasure of the Lord be done: vnto whose mercifull Armes (with all due respects) I leaue you, wishing heartily that mercie and goodnes may euer follow you and yours

Roger Williams

Sir to your deare companion Mr. Deputie Mr. Bellingham and theirs all respectiue Salutes etc.

1.

W. 2. 105; 4 Collections , VI. 229–230; N.C. , VI. 99–100.

2.

For Winthrop's account of the earthquake, see the entry in his Journal under date June 1, 1638 (I. 270); also printed in D.J.W. .

Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger JW

1638-06-07

For his much honoured and beloved Mr. Governour of Massachusets these in hast
Providence this 5t of present weeke ca. June 7, 1638 Much honoured Sir,

Blessed be the Father of mercies that once againe I receaued your hand the last night by the Messengers by whome I sent.

By them I vnderstand that according as you please to intimate your expectation, Mr. Heynes is come: with Okace 34 Monahiggins and 6 Pequts.2

One of the 6 Pequts is Pametesick which was one of the Murtherers who cut of the 3 English going in a boate for clay vpon Qunnihticut river after the Fort was cut of: They not only spilt their bloud, but exercised inhumane and tormenting revenge vpon 2 of them, which cries for Vengeance to heaven.

So that I refer it humbly to your wisedome whether (although I desire not the destruction of the surviving Pequts but a safe dispersion of them yet) the actuall murtherers be not to be surrendred vp and this Pametesick (I am partly confident this is he) at present apprehended.

Our loving friends of Quinnihticut reported that some Monahigganie 39women were wronged (as their hair cut of etc.) by the Nanhiggonsicks: but Okace knowes it was done by Wequashcuck of Nayantuquit to whom Okace sent for a Pequt Queene: they 2 haue got in the Pequts (though Okace haue the Harvest). Against Wequashcuck Caunounicus and Miantunnomu had long since proceeded, but our loving friends of Qunnihticut interposed: I hope for the best to saue blood: So beseeching the great Councellour and Prince of Peace to guide your Councels I rest Your Worships most vnworthy yet vnfaigned

Roger Williams

All respectiue Salutes etc.

1.

New York Public Library; 4 Collections , VI. 230–231; N.C. , VI. 106–107.

2.

Winthrop records Uncas's arrival in Boston under date June 5, 1638 (I. 271); also printed in D.J.W. .