Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4
1644-03-13
I vnderstand that you are by Mr. Humphrey desired to take care of the dispose of his children2 wherefore I thought meet to acquaint you with a prouidence of God offering an opportunity for the comfortabl disposal of one of them. mr. Daulton of Hampton staying at one of our Brethrens howses lately Inquired after mr. Humphreys children offering to take one of them and to bring it vp as his owne hauing of his owne but one child. his 452Reason he gaue hereof was in that mr. Humphrey had formerly aduentured him self for him in england when in the High Commission Court and was a means of his liberty and therefore he would gladly thus requite that his kindeness, and beeing told hear was none in this towne but Dorcas formerly defiled etc. he replied that was indeed some Blott vppon her but yet he would be content to take her if mr. Humphreis freinds soe pleased. now Sir if you please and that you Judge it meet we shall take some care to send to Mr. Dalton that thear may be further order taken for the conueyance of her to him to Hampton. mr. Ottley is poore, and he cannot helpe her. mr. Walton is for Long Iland shortly there to sitt downe with my Lady Moody from vnder ciuill and church watch among the Dutch and albeit Dorcas be with him at present yet I suppose you will not assent to his carrying of her with him thither if he should desire it and with whome else the child should comfortably be I knowe not vnless some such like prouidence as this is be attended to and Improoued. your worship may please to expresse your minde herein to some of our Brethren that will be at Boston lecture and by them I shall vnderstand your pleasure, and accordingly act in it: beeing willing to doe any freindly office that way out of old resp
if your worship please, your self may write to mr. Daulton and it will much aduantage and further the worke propounded.
W. 4. 120; 5
Collections
, I. 333–335.
John Humfrey had returned to England in 1641. For the subsequent misfortunes of his daughters, see Journal, II. 83D.J.W.
1644-04-06
Yours of the 21 (1) 43 I received and haue imparted it to my partner mr. Collier. And perceiue we are like to haue some trowble about the controversie between Hartfort and the Dutch.2 The letters from the 453Swedes and Dutch3 I received and haue perused them, and according to your desire haue returned them with such advice as the Lord enableth me for answere. And first for the Dutch I obserue he writeth with great haughtines of spirit, full of confidence (as you say) yet marvell that a gentI would not defend the Hartford mens cawse for they had hitherto (or thus long) wronged the Dutch. That I spake somewhat tending thereunto I acknowledge. For mr. Whiting and myselfe being at dinner with him at his table. He flew out upon me (tho' unseasonably being courteous both before and after to me) and charged me to be the man had more wronged the Dutch then any other by giving the first commis
The truth is what mr. Winslow saith Sir is true nor haue we that cawse to complaine of them as of others, nay they haue as much cawse to complaine of Winsor as we haue of Hartford, for looke how the one dealeth with us so doe the other with them, etc. whereupon he turneth againe to me with Violence But will you justefie Hartford men (briefely charging them with many of the things in his letter) nay saith5 he there sits the man next to you whose howse 454stands upon our ground and hath thus and thus abused us etc. To which I replied No Sir I will not justefie Hartford men Tis suffic
The Swedish Letter I haue also perused and conceiue it not the worst way to defer answere till you either heare againe from New Haven or understand what force your Commission hath in those parts. For I suppose its in use ere now.
I thank you for your large and painefull relacion of the State of Engl. at pr
Original not located; N. E. Historical and Genealogical Register, XXIX. 237–240; Nathaniel Morton, New England's Memorial, 5th edition, John Davis, Editor (Boston, 1826), 394–396 (extract). The text here printed is, with two exceptions noted below, taken from the Register.
I.e., from the Director Generals of New Sweden and New Netherland, in reply to letters from the Commissioners of the United Colonies. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth: Acts of the Commissioners of the United Colonies in New England, I (Boston, 1859), 13.
The word in the Register text of this letter is “accounts.”
The word in the Register text of this letter is “sez.”
Cf. Calder, The New Haven Colony, 185–187.