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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

John Haynes to John Winthrop1
Haynes, John JW

1644-01-17

To the Right Worshipful, his much honoured Friend, John Winthrop, Esq. Governour of the Jurisdiction of the Mattatusetts these present
Worthy Sir,

I was right glad of any opportunity of hearing from you in this silent time of winter. The messenger you sent by only left your letter at Agawam, or Springfield, from whence it came to my hands; but the party himself was not yet with me, but if he repairs to me, I shall follow your advice in that thing you mentioned concerning Anogamey; for he is not any confederate friend of ours. That the express, that Onkus should take wampham of 507the Narragansetts for Myantonimo's ransom,2 (which I have understood also from Mr. Eaton,) I cannot but concur with you, if really it appears so, equity and justice calls for no less; but this I must needs say, that this very thing was cast abroad by some Indians of the Narragansett party, and myself coming to understand it somewhat before Myantonimo his death, both myself and Capt. Mason strictly examined Onkus concerning the matter, acquainting him with what we heard. He utterly denied, that he had taken wampham or any other thing upon any such terms. He confessed, indeed, he had wampham and other things given him and his brother freely; and he as freely promised to bring him to the English, which he said he had performed; and this I also know, that the same day that Myantonimo was delivered into our hands and imprisoned, that Onkus and his brother, with many of their men, were at that place where he was committed, myself and Capt. Mason then present also. Onkus desired him to speak before us all; and this Myantonimo did then utter and confess, that the Mohegan sachems had dealt nobly with him in sparing his life, when they took him, and performing their promise in bringing him to the English, (a thing the like he never knew or heard of, that so great a sachem should be so dealt withal,) although he himself pressed it upon them, again and again, (as they all could witness,) to slay him; but they said, No, but you shall be carried to the English; which therefore, if it should prove other upon due trial, I should marvel much; for his own confession, I should think, goes far in the case; but I leave it to further consideration and better judgments. I have not since spoke with him since I received that from you, but I shall by the first opportunity. The Narragansetts, I fear, notwithstanding their fair promises and pretences, will not sit down quiet, as you suppose. (Mr. Pincheon thinks the same also with me,) from whom I lately heard.

The evidence to the contrary are these two, which is manifestly known. First; they have sent a very great present to the Mowhawkes. Secondly; those Pequots, that were under the Niantick and Narragansett sachems, have lately slain a sachem squa that belonged to Onkus. He sent lately a messenger to us to signify the same, desiring he may have the aid of the English against them, as conceiving, by what was read to him, that was agreed upon and sent for that purpose from the commissioners, gave him hope of aid, if the Narragansetts should fall upon him again; which he desired yourself and the rest of the English sachems should be made acquainted withal, that he might understand their pleasure. You may be pleased to return your answer, for I promised to acquaint you with it. There is late news by a vessel that came to the Dutch, and from them to New Haven, by Mr. Allerton. The substance this; that there 508hath been a great battle betwixt the king's and parliament's forces, (since that of Newbery,) at Ailsborow in Buckinghamshire, wherein the parliament forces prevailed, pursuing their victory with very great slaughter of the adverse party. Also, that the fleet is again out under that noble Earl of Warwick, who came lately into the harbour of some great town held by the contrary party full sail with his fleet, both by block-houses and castles, and lands his men, takes the town, sets many prisoners at liberty. (The town's name I heard not.) I leave the truth of the report to be judged of by you, only latest letters give some probable conjectures of the possibility thereof. It was said, there was much sadness in Holland about it; but we received no letters from thence. I am sorry to hear of Mr. Dudley his cause of sorrow and heaviness. I shall add no more, only due respect to yourself; mine with my wife's to Mrs. Winthrop; desiring to be remembered also to Mr. Dudley, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Wilson, I rest yours, to his power

Jo. Haynes Hartford, the 17th 11, '43 /44

In the catalogue sent to Mr. Eaton, etc. some of those things Myantonimo confessed he freely gave him; other he took with him, when he apprehended him as due prize. For the remainder, we shall hear what Onkus can say to it, etc.

1.

Connecticut State Library; 3 Collections , I. 229–231. At the time this volume was in preparation, the original manuscript of this letter was, due to the exigencies of wartime, not available for examination. The text is therefore given here as it appears in 3 Collections , I.

2.

For Winthrop's account of Miantunnomoh's capture and death, see Journal, II. 134–136; also printed in D.J.W. .

Charles Newton to John Winthrop1
Newton, Charles JW

1644-02-22

To the Right worshipful and my most kinde and much honoured good Frende Mr. Winthrope Governor of New Eng. att his house in Boston deliver
Worthy Sir,

For my partt, I haue ever acknowledged, ther was iust offence and soe iust cause and call, to the place wher the Lord hath pitched your selfe and many other worthies, and whatt som wold not grant yet now they are convinced and constraynd to confess digitum Dei in your passinge from vs. the Lord deliver your Country from that owre of temptation that is com vppon vs; and we know we shall and doe fare the better for your prayers. the Lord recompence them into your and the Bosom of yours for ever.

Sir I have a son2 I hope alive in your land. he is the nephew of my worthy Brother mr. Edward Allen latly disceasd and I doe most humbly thanke your worship for your Love to him and lovinge wife advice giuen him in his busines 509about his vncles will3 I know you are most able to doe it and I know God hath giuen you a publique spiritt, and therfore most wiling I know you are a Just Judge and your selfe and magistrats are famous for doinge rigt to all with Justice: if it had bine soe in this our Kingdom we had stood to this day Noble Sir I shall thinke my selfe much bound to you and to your family to take notice of my poore Boy, and I shall thinke my selfe happy if in any respect, he may be servicable to your selfe or place wher he lives and I thanke God who gaue me him, and only him, that he gaue me and him a minde and him a call to that place wher he is, and where he hath receivd so much good and God hath soe blessd him I may com to him I doe not desire he shold returne to me.

Sir my good Lady Myldmay and her children are in health, her Sonn the Captane in the North in health and valiant in the Cause I pray God preserve him. I pray God send yours hom to you in safty o how much happier are you then we the Lord kepe you alsoe still and soe with my most humble respects to your selfe to good mrs. Winthrope: I committ you to the protection of Almighty God: and rest, your worships assured

Newton Feb: 22, 1643/44
1.

W. 15. 123. This is believed to be the Charles Newton who was a woolen draper of Groton, England. Winthrop Papers, I. 274n.

2.

John Newton.

3.

See Suffolk Deeds, I. 34.