Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4Note: you've followed an index reference to a note that, due to changes between the print and digital editions, may no longer be on page 417. Please look at all notes at the end of the document or documents on page 417.
1643-12-01
I heard nothing further of Glocester busines till the 3d day of this week at euen, when I receaued a letter from Mr. Blinman, together with a complaint of the towne against Griffens companie for severall misdemeanours, And at the foote of the complaint a referrence from your selfe and 3 other Magistrates to mee for the redress of them. I therefore dispatched away a messenger betimes the next morninge with a letter to Mr. Griffen, that hee would send me such of his crew whose names I had vnderwritten his letter, to answere to the misdemeanours of Sabbath breaking swearing and drunkennes: And withall I sent a letter with instructions to Mr. Blinman with a warrant addressed to the constable. That if Mr. Griffen would not send his crew, that the Constable should attach their persons, and bring them before mee: If they did resist or refuse, not to striue with them nor to vse any provoking termes, but to take witnes of their cariadge and to returne mee an answere; which heere I haue sent you inclosed. I would haue proceeded against them according to your former directions (to wit) with force: but I had rather if you see good try first an other way, which is to send a prohibition, vnder your and diuers of the Magistrates hands besides forbidding Mr. Steephens and the rest of the ship carpenters there, or any other within this Jurisdiccion vpon some penaltie, not to worke a stroke of work more vpon Mr. Griffens shippe till they had further order from the governour, etc. I desire therefore to heare from you what you would haue done. In the meane tyme I haue written away another Letter to Mr. Griffen, wishing him to counsell his men (if he cannot commaund them) to submitt to authoritie, seeing they stand out to their owne losse and disaduantage. What the returne will be, You shall heare assoone as I can send it.2
I pray you good Sir let mee be excused from comming to this Court, for I am not fitted for Winter Journeyes, and for such bad wayes as we must passe.
I reioyce much to heare of your sonnes Iron and steele If the Country will not be incouraged by so vsefull a designe, to inlardge themselues for the aduancing of it, I know not what will.
The Lord our good God in mercie keepe you and yours to whose grace I committ you and euer rest Yours truely and vnfeignedly
I ame glad to heare of your sonne Mr. Steevens safe returne, together with his beloued I desire to be kindly remembred to them both.
Massachusetts Archives, CCXL; Hutchinson Papers (1769), 134–135; (1865), I. 149–150.
At an Essex County quarterly court held December 27, 1643, Griffin was presented “for swearing by the name of God,” and Philip Thorne, Griffin's mate, was presented “for swearing and drinking to excess.” Essex County Quarterly Court Records, I. 58–59. Other entries in the court records for that date almost certainly relate to other members of Griffin's crew.