I was preuented by my cosen dean by wayting for the issue of his farwell with the deputy the morning he went home but he continued his resolution to persist noe further in the busines and his ground of surseas beinge as he tould me apon hir manifestation that she could not set her affections opon him, I did eye it as a thing from prouidence and theerfore durst not be more sollisitus. this I haue obserued and in speciall in mariges it is scarce2 to be found the approbations of all though godly: but for my owne part in this busines I was principally swayed by the iugdment of some whome I honer much, and doe beleeu it is the senceer disire of theer harts to doe you the best offices they can, and all yours, and not the least discurtisie. But I see it is more acseptable to some others, whome I dare say little less of then of the former, that the busines is at an end, but if it be of the lord he will ease difficulltyes and clear doupts. theerfore I desir aright to commend it to him. some thinge I haue desired longe to speake to you about my poor cosen Feakes. I haue not had opertunity to writ to her since she leeft the bay, nor haue I heard of her but by others, and that only wich was not like to be for her good, or our com­445fort. and now I hear Patricke is cut of wich makes me hope that by the vse of some good means theer might be more hopes to reduce her.3 I beceech you to neglect noe opertunity in your power. I speake only in respect of the difficulty of distance she is in, and the multiplicity of busines you are burthened with, yet euery one is not hir mothers childe, theerfore I am thus far bould, and as far as I can hear hir case is very daungerous in respect she liues whear all good meanes is wanting. somwhat allso I am troubled concerning my sonne georg. I perceiue he is strongly inclined to trauill. Eng. is I fear vnpeacable and other countryes perilous in poynt of religion and maners. besides wee haue not whearwith to acommodate him for such an ocasion: and to goe a seruant I think might not be very fit for him neither, in diuers respects. religious masters or fellowes are not frequent in trauills, nor is he anny scribe. I pray sir be pleased to consider of it, and to giue him your best aduise, for I fear it maye be some present preiudice to him hear, and the liklyest I can perceiue to be his motiue is his littell expectacion, and fears of supplye hear. The good Lord direct him to his owne glory. I pray present all my seruis and euer command yours

Whereas divers and sundry complaints haue commen to me from Weymouth sent and delivered by godly and credible persons against Mary the wife of William Latham late of Marblehead but now at Marshfield for adultery committed upon the body of the said Mary by one James Brittaine of Weymouth, And having apprehended the said Mary and examined her, haue sent her with the examinacion according to my duty to that Government where the fact was committed.

These are therefore in his Majesties name to will and command all and every of you the Constables aboue written to receiue and convey her from Constable to Constable till shee come before the Governour of the Massa­446chusets or some one of his Assistants, together with the letter you shall receiue, And heereof faile not at your perill. Given at Marshfield this present 24 of Febr. 1643/44

Memorandum by Governor Winthrop on the verso of the above document: Ja: Britten sayth that about 5 or 6 weekes since, by the seaside near his own house he did what he could to commit Adultery with Mary the wife of mr. Latham but he was not then himself, having been drinking all the night till midnight at his own house with 16 of his neighbors wherof 8 had been with him at the illegible the said Mary came out after them.

That mr. Taylors wife was neer 6 years since she came to his house, and he soliciting her she easyly consented and laye down vpon his bedde (his wife being in another roome) but he was not able to enter her body.