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 450. Please look at all notes at the end of the document or documents on page 450.

John Wheelwright to John Winthrop1

Wheelwright, John JW

1644-03-01

To the Right Worshipfull John Winthrope Esq. Govenour of the Massachusets at Boston these present

Right Worshipfull,

I haue receiued your letter wherein yow signify vnto me, that yow haue imparted my letter to the Honored Court 2 and 450that it finds good acceptance, for which I rejoyce with much thankfullnesse. I am very thankfull to your worships for the letters of Safe Conduct which I formerly receiued,3 as likwise for the late Act of Court graunting me the same liberty, in case I desire letters to that end.4 I should very willingly, (vpon letters obtained,) expresse by worde of mouth openly in Court that which I did in writing, might I, (without offence,) explaine my true intent, and meaning more fully to this effect; that notwithstanding my faylings, for which I humbly craue pardon: yet I cannot with a good conscience condemne my selfe for such capitall crimes, dangerous revelations, and grosse errors as haue beene charged vpon me; the concurrence of which, (as I take it,) make vp the very substance of the cause of all my sufferings. I doe not see but in so mixt a cause I am bound to vse, (may it be permitted,) my just defence, so far as I apprehend my selfe to be innocent, as to make my Confession, where I am convinced of any delinquency. Otherwise I shall seemingly and in appearance fall vnder guilt of many haynous offences, from which my conscience doth acquit me. If I seeme to make suit to the Honored Court for relaxation, to be graunted by an act of mercy vpon my sole confession, I must offend my conscience: if by an Act of justice vpon mine Apologie, and lawfull defence, I feare least I shall offend your worships. I leaue all things to your wise, and godly considerations, hoping that yow will pardon my simplicity, and plainnesse, which I am forced vnto by the power of an overruling conscience. I rest your worships in the Lord

John Whelewright Wells 1 M. d. i. 1643/44

Endorsed by Governor Winthrop: Mr. Wheelwright 2 Lettre.

W. Au. 105; 5 Collections , I. 323–324; Savage (1826), 163–164; (1853), II. 197; Journal, II. 166–167; also printed in D.J.W., 506-507 . The text of Winthrop's copy in the Journal as deciphered by Savage shows some variations from the original. William Hubbard also gives the letter in his General History of New England (2 Collections , VI. 367, 1st edition) with a text that differs in some respects from both that of the original manuscript and that in Winthrop's Journal.

Cf. John Wheelwright to John Winthrop, September 10, 1643 (pages 414–415, above).

Cf. Records of Massachusetts (under date May 10, 1643), II. 37.

Cf. Records of Massachusetts (under date October 17, 1643), II. 50.

The Massachusetts General Court to the Promoters of the Ironworks1

Massachusetts Bay Company General Court Promoters of the Ironworks

1644-03-07

1. Answer to the first proposition: They are granted the sole priviledge in our jurisdiction of making of Iron, provided that any shall have liberty to joyne till the end of March next; provided also that within two yeares they make sufficient iron for the use of the country.

451

2. To the second proposition they answer: It is not in the Courts power to grant, but they will propound it to the inhabitants of severall townes and doubt not of their consent. In wast lands not granted they consent.

3. To the third they answer as to the former.

4. To the fourth they answer as to the former.

5. To the fifth they answer in proprieties as to the former, that it is not in the Courts power, and in wast lands they grant them leave to looke out six places, only provided that they doe within 10 yeares set up an iron furnace and forge in each of the places and not a bloomery only. And provided that the Court may grant a plantation in any place which the Court thinke fitting, which may not hinder their present proceeding.

6. The sixth is granted.

7. The seventh: There is granted liberty till the next Court.

8. It is referred to the first proposition.

9. It is answered it does not concerne the Court etc.

10. To the 10th it is answered that the undertakers, their agents and associats and servants, shall have such immunities and priviledges as the lawes of the country doe allow, and for 10 yeares shalbe free from publique charges for any stock they imploy in their businesse.

March 7, 1643/44

Endorsed by John Winthrop, Jr.: Answer of the Court to the propositions of the Ironworke.

Original not located; 2 Proceedings , VIII. 15, where it is stated that the document is in the handwriting of John Winthrop, Jr. For the official version of this document, see Records of Massachusetts, II. 61–62.