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

The late and last Newes from our native country comparing thinges together, seemes verry sadd and calls for our deepest humiliacion, and serious improovement of our best interest in heaven, by lifting vpp our cryes for the Remnant that is left in these Southerne parts therfor our thoughts are vnanimously to observe A day once every month, to seeke the lord in the behaulfe of his poore Churches ther and elsewher.2 We should be right glad of your concurrence if it may seeme good to yow, vntill we have further tidinges. Ther is lettres come as yow well know from honorable persons, to invite Mr. Cotton Mr. Hooker and Mr. Damport We heare your selves cannot thinke it A meete season for the sending Mr. Cotton, and I suppose, although we have not yett mett for A full determinacion, yett in all probability it will fall ther alsoe with vs, for times being soe hazardous, difficult enough to distinguish frinds from foes, Haven Townes daily taken one each side, and that which is more the maine busines for which they are cheifly called, already sett in such A way, that they being trew to ther owne principles, may rather become A stumble then otherwis The newes heere of the Indians is and that for certeine that both the Naragansetts and Sequasson have of late sent A quantity of wampham to the Mowhawkes to hire them to fight with the English and Mohegans, and it is said they have preveiled with them to come downe for that purpose, which if it proove soe, they deale not fairely with the English (the Naragansetts I meane) having promised to be peaceable and quiett. if it please yow therfor to acquaint them with what you heare, and to tell them what they doe by ther wampham is as if they did it with ther owne hands and wilbe soe taken, hapily such a messadge in time may prevent A future inconvenience. Ther is A party whose name is Peter Barnefeild that was lately at fisher Iland A carpenter who with the Bartletts heertofor built yow A barne, one knowen to your selfe, hath feloniously 419carryed away and embeseled the goods of Tho: Stanton to the valew of 20li and more, who is now at the Bay and purposes to escape away to Engl: It is desired by my selfe and Tho: Stanton that yow would be pleased to cause him to be aprehended, and forthcominge to answear the same.

Thus not doubtinge of your readines out of your love to justice I rest Yours to serve in the lord