A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

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John Winthrop, Jr., to Lord Forbes1
Winthrop, John, Jr. Forbes, Alexander, 11th Lord Forbes (d. 1672) Forbes, Sir William, 1st Baronet (d. c. 1650)

1644-12-23

Boston in New England: Dec: 23, 1644 Right Honorable,

I have desired this bearer my vncle Mr. Downing and my brother to repaire to your honour, to give your lordship information concerning the country of Nova Scotia called Arcadie where my lord Starling once possessed a goodly harbour, and a fort in it called Port Royall, but now that and the whole coast adioyning is in the possession of the french which place of Port Royall is sayd to be yet owing for to the heires of my lord Starling, but is in the hands now of Monseir D'Aulney who hath also by violence disposessed an other french lord, Monseir de La Tour, a great freind of the lord Starling, who held his possession of Cape Sable from the grant of my lord Sterling, confirmed vnder the broad seale of Scotland, as he hath shewed vnto vs comming lately to request succour against the violence of the said D'Aulney who hath wholy beat him out of Cape Sable, and seeketh by all meane to disposesse him of St. Johns river the place which he and his predecessors have long inioyed to which end he had brought commissions out of france: wherof your honor may be pleased to receive their relation the English colonies heere would be grateful to have their brethren of Scotland to be their neighbours, in enioying that antient right is conceived they had of Nova Scotia or Acadie and therefore I beseech your lordship to informe by this bearer whether the State of Scotland hath wholy deserted that country, and disclaime all right and interest therein, and vpon what ground, whether only vpon my lord Sterlings surrender, and your lordships advice is humbly desired what course may be iustly taken for the succour and protection of Monsieur La Tour, from the iniury and violence of his french adversaries, who doe prosecute with all vehemency against him because the thinke him inclining to the protestant religion. not having further to trouble your honor, I humbly take leave and rest Your lordships humble servant

John Winthrop

Endorsed by John Winthrop, Jr.: Coppy of my letter to the Lord Forbes.

1.

W. 2. 172; 4 Collections , VI. 518–519. For Lord Forbes, see 4 Collections , VI. 518n.

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