A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

John Endecott to John Winthrop1
Endecott, John JW

1643-06-19

To the right Worshipfull my deare Friend John Winthrop Esq. Gouernour deliver
Deare Sir,

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

Jo: Endecott 19. 4. 43
1.

Massachusetts Archives, CCXL; Hutchinson Papers (1769), 113; (1865), I. 127. For Winthrop's account of the rivalry between Charles de La Tour and Charles d'Aulnay, in which Massachusetts became involved, see Journal, II. 105–116; 127–131; also printed in D.J.W. at 440 and 464 .

Robert Child to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Child, Robert Winthrop, John, Jr.

1643-06-27

To his honoured and much respected freind Mr. John Winthrop Junr. Esq. at New England
Grausend Jun: the 27th 1643 Sir,

I am glad to heare of your safe arrivall at the Wight and hope your voyage to New England hath bin both spedy and prosperous. wee had provided 5 tun of stone at London before wee received letters from you, which you shall receive in this ship. I feare your arrivall will be so late, that you will hardly set the worke forward before Winter, but I know you will doe your indeauour. times here are extreamly distracted god send a good successe to our Armys, who are very nigh there enemys. I haue fully heard Sir Edmund Ploydens Comedy,2 and the Dutch Tragedy. the Lord preserue your Plantacions from such foolerys and misfortunes: pray remember to send me word concerning the black lead mines, and (if your occasion will permit) send me some Simples, or such like to begin a firme society with John Tredislin, and let me be beholden to you for all sorts of news and passages, and I shall strive to requite you in the same kind. Ile doe my indeauour to get a bloomer, and to get those knaues that ran away punished. Illegible and these times put me to my wits Ends. Well if our Iron busines goe on, all is well. I cannot further trouble my selfe at this time, but because I promised to tell you further concerning it, read in breife Abrege des secrets Fabri. it will give you your desire, but his preparacions are too laborious for any man breathing. I hope to see you next spring then I shall giue you further Satisfaction. Your louing freind

Robert Child

Remember my love to Mr. Downing. I knew not of his going with you else his olive trees should haue bin ready but I shall bring them with me next spring. Remember my seruice to your Father and others who as yet remember me. Yours

R. C.

Some say Colonll Hampden is dead, Wicham plundered.

1.

W. 4. 54; 5 Collections , I. 151–152.

2.

For Sir Edmund Plowden and his county palatine of New Albion, see Narrative and Critical History of America, Justin Winsor, Editor, III (Boston and New York, 1884), 457–468.

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