I have deferred writing many times in hope of time to enlarge myselfe to you, but never more streightned then at present, yet ashamed to withhold any longer, but I pray you pardon my brevity. Concerning the Vnion2 our Majestrates and Deputies approue well of what is done, and two of our townes passed it before the Court; vizt. Plimoth and Marshfield: the rest of 394the Deputies carried it from the Court to their townes to be confirmed, none doubting of it, and with order to returne their votes this moneth, so that there is no doubt of our thorow close with you therein.

Concerning the cattle, I sent the fiue cowes, a two yeare old heyfer, and a yearling steer, by Roe according to your order, but one of the cows calved two daies before, and he would not take the calfe with him but left it, which was prised at 7s, another calfe at 14s, and two other calues at 36s, and the two yeare old heyfer at 3li 15s, which in all amounted to 6li 12s, the just sum which was due to me for the wintering of those seaven beasts: Mr. Bulkley affirming that but to make even money he would not haue yielded to so much. And for the skin of the beast that miscaried at winter I allow 13s 4d for it, which was due to me upon the former devision. I would haue enlarged but the tide is almost spent, and I haue other letters must needs write, and so hope you will excuse me who saluting you in the Lord Jesus take leave and remaine Yours to his power

I ame glad that La Tour hath not ayd from vs, and I could wish hee might not haue any from the Shipps. For as longe as La Tour and Dony are opposites they will weaken on another. If La Tour should prevaile against him we shall vndoubtedly haue an ill neighbour. His Father and himselfe as I ame informed, haue shed the blood of some English already, and tooken away a pinnace and goods from Mr. Allerton. It were (I think) good that that busines were cleared before hee had either ayd or libertie to hire shipps yea or to departe: Sir It is not the manner abroad to suffer strangers to view Forts or Fortifications, as it seems theise French haue done. I must needs say that I feare we shall haue little comfort in hauing any thing to doe with theise Idolatrous French. The Countrie heereabouts is much troubled that they are so intertayned and haue such libertie as they haue to bring their 395souldiers ashore and to suffer them to trayne their men. And great Jealousies there are that it is not Dony that is aymed at, seeing such a strength will neither sute such a poore designe, and La Tour a man of weake estate as it is said. Wherefore other mens hands are imployed, and purses to for some other seruice. But I leaue all theise things to your serious considerations, desiring the Lord to guide you therein to his glorie and peace of the Churches heere to whose grace I committ you and humblie rest Yours truelie ever