vpon the reading of the letters lately receaued from your Worship and (my speciall frends) the Elders with you, about your iudgment in the disposeing of me, ether towards Casco, or the people of Exiter: as also vpon the account which our Messenger (Sam. Greenfield) sent vnto you, made of the judgment of such other frends (both Magistrates and elders betweene your parts and Exiter, missing (I suppose) no one in all the waye) to whom your letters referred him, to enquire of, and my selfe to take counsayle from, to which of the callings I should incline vnto, no one misliking mine inclination to Exiter being cleerly free from any engagment of promise to Casco, I say, vpon the consideration of the afforsaid premises, as the 1, 2, or 3 opposites had no one word to oppose further, so were the whole resydue of the plantation (brethren, and others) thoroughly satisfyed, and encouradged presently to go forward in the worke, that, vpon my promise to accept of their caling and desire, they resolued to pich vpon the day of their Constitution and comming into order, and sending forth their letters for helpe and advice vnto the Churches, whervpon, they pressed me for answer to their calling: which, whiles I desired to delay for some further short tyme, they answered, that all that tyme would hinder the work of Christ whervpon, I yet demaunded, whether they all (who had subscribed their names, and giuen their consents to the afforesaid calling, and therin their promise of Christian subjection to the work and gouerment of Christ in me and by me as their Pastor) did yet continue firme in that their desire and resolution? To which, they all consented with one vote and voyce whervpon, I could see no sound reason to desire further tyme but freely consented to their desire and calling, only, earnestly exhorting them, that as I founde them and tooke them in a state of peace, and earnest desire to enjoye each other, so we should forever be carefull to Iiue in Loue and peace, and so to redeeme whatsoeuer ill opinion the country had conceaued of them, and wherby the God of peace (and hater of contention) might dwell amonge vs. Whervpon, they called a meeting, agreed vpon the persons and materialls of their intended Church, and the day of the helpers meeting which is the 18 of the 4 and next month succeding, which, if it shall please your 458Worship to communicat (with this poore relation to your Reverend Elders, to saue me a little paines in wrighting) I shall stand thankfull to you, and double thankfull to my brother Wilson (as the ablest to travill) in case he would honour vs with his presence, and make it a progresse of recreation to see his ould frend, and so to do me this laste Service, saue to my buryall.2 And now (Sir) I haue one speciall busynes to communicat vnto you, for advice, which is this, as briefly as I can. I must expect that so soone as I am translated to my new place, the people of Hampton will lay what rates they can vpon my lot and state (which I haue) in Hampton, Whether (now) vpon these true and reasonable considerations following, I may not obteine fauour from our Goverment, to be favoured and exempted, ether for the short tyme of my life, or for some certaine yeres as shalbe thought fit from any rate. 1. for that I procured the plantation for them, (as your Worship knowes, I think) and haue ben at great charges many wayes since for the vphoulding and furthering of the same. 2ly. for that I neuer had any maintenance from them hitherto. 3ly. I haue had great losse by fire well knowne to the vallue of 200li with my whole studdy of bookes. 4ly. for the establishment of a church-estate in Exiter, I haue of mine own accord freely consented to allow (out of the wages which they purposed to haue allowed (and I think payd) to Mr. Rashly, yerely) 40li to the purchaseing of Mr. Wheelwrights house and accommodations therto, to be mine for my terme only, and so to be lefte (at my ende of terme) to such as shall succeede, without which providence, I cannot see howe they should expect any succession long, if that be not layde for a foundacion to the church, by reason wherof, I haue (in effect) little, or no other meanes or maintenance to depend vpon, but from my lot in Hampton. 5tly. It is considerable, that I voluntaryly remoue for peace sake, and that my remoueing (tho to so neare a place) cannot be but both troublesome and chargable. And lastly, that it can detract but a matter of 3li or thervpon (happely a little more, I do not knowe) from the Teachers maintenance or otherwise which yet may be a comfort and benefit to me, if I may be free. This I do propound only to your Consideration, whether I may not lawfully and reasonably desire such a favour of the state? if not, (in your wise and conscionable judgment, and of my brethren yours Elders,) I sit down in silence. If yes, Then I shall beseech you (as a frend and father) to propound my humble suit to the Court (as you best know how) with my reasons and considerations, and cast the successe vpon the Lord aboue. And 459were it not, that I know your Worship respecteth no trouble, so you may do any Service for God, or any of his poore servants, I should not be so bowld as I am thus to trouble you with my letters of complaint and advice. And even so I conclude, with my wiues and my poore service premised to your worship and your Christian Consort (myne auncient frend) with our faithfull prayers for you and my Reverend brethren, I cease, and rest in the Lorde yours to commaunde, his most vnprofitable servant