A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger JW

1638-10

Much honoured Sir,

Some while since I wrote to you a short narration of the Issue of my Voyage to Qunnihticut and Plymmouth etc. I desire only to know whether it came to hand. I haue bene carefully searching into that Rumour of the Plymmouth man slaine 4 yeares since. The persons to whome I was directed by our Plymouth friends for Informacion are yet absent on hunting: and Miantunnomu is but new returned from Qunticut, yet with what Instruction I haue already gotten I am this morning taking a Journey to the Sachims about it.

I heare of 3 Cowweset men in hold about Mr. Hathornes Cow. The Sachims affirme they can not discover the Partie these 3 were 3 of six then there hunting, yet they say 2 things: 1st that many Northerne and Saugust Indians hunt there allso and 2ndly it may be that some adverse Person might out of subtle Envy shoot the Beast to render them odious to the English and to cause their deserting of the place which they would haue done, but that 66the English were very desirous (especially Mr. Endicot) that they should kill and sell Venison etc.

For my selfe I shall faythfully enquire and disclose: although divers vnderstanding Persons of Salem haue affirmed, that the Cow dying about 3 monthes after, when so many head of Cattell dyed, it is very questionable whether the Arrow occasioned the Death etc.

Sir this is the occasion of this enclosed: I vnderstand that a Servant of yours Joshua —— is some trouble to your selfe, as allso to others and consequently can not (if he desire to feare the Lord) but himselfe be troubled and grieved in his Condicion, though otherwise I know not where vnder Heauen he could be better.

If it may seem good in your Eyes (wanting a Servant) I shall desire him (not simply from you) but for your Peace and his I shall desire your best and full Satisfaction in payment, and what Summe you pitch on, to accept it either from this Bill, or if you better like from that debt of Mr. Ludlow for which he promised your Worship to pay me 800 waight of Tobacco but did not and I presume your Worship may with Ease procure it but I subscribe Ex animo to your choice and with respectiue Salutacions and continued Sighes to Heaven for you and yours rest desirous to be Your Worships vnfained though vnworthy

Roger Williams Ca. October, 1638

Sir I am loath, but I presume once more to trouble you with that deceitfull man James Hawkings, crauing that you would please to lend an hand that by your selfe or the Court at Boston I may find mercy against such Iniustice.

Sir my wife (togeather with her best respects) to Mrs. Wintrop requests her acceptance of an handfull of Chesnuts: intending her (if Mrs. Wintrop loue them) a bigger basket of them at the returne of Gigles.

1.

W. 2. III; 4 Collections , VI. 252–253; N.C. , VI. 125–127.

Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger JW

1638-10

For the right Worshipfull and his much honoured friend Mr. Gouernour of the Massachusetts these
Sir,

Vpon the receipt of your last (answering my Quaeries) I haue acquainted the Sachims with the Busines: I am not yet furnished with Answere 67sufficient: what I haue at present, I shall humbly and faythfully submit to Consideracion: 1 from them, 2 from my selfe.

From them: vpon sollemne Consultation with them about the 100li demaunded of themselues: they say

First that they remember not that either in the first Agreement and League (in the beginning of the Pequt Warrs) or since, in any Expression, that euer they vndertooke to answer in their owne persons or purses what their Subiects should faile in.

2. Nor doe they belieue that the English Magistrates doe so practice, and therefore they hope that what is Righteous amongst ourselues we will accept of from them.

3. Therefore they professe that what Euill soeuer shall appeare to be done by any (subiect to them) against the Bodies or goods of the English, Satisfaction shall readily be made out of the Bodies or goods of the Delinquents.

For the 100li demaunded they say concerning the Salem Cow, they haue to this day enquired, and can discouer no guilt either in the persons ymprisoned or the rest but doe belieue that it was falsly laid vpon them by such northern natiues whose traps they were, who themselues were guiltie.

For the horses, they haue sent for Wuttattauquegin who hath not bene with them these 3 yeares, but keepes at Massachusett they intend allso to call a generall meeting of the Countrey at his Comming, within few dayes, when I shall haue further answere from them.

Sir a word more from my selfe: I haue long since beleeued that as it is with the most High (Prov. 21. 3) so with your selues, To doe Judgment and Justice is more acceptable then Sacrifice. And therefore that it shall not be vngratefull in your eyes that I humbly request leaue to say that I see the Busines is ravelld and needes a patient and gentle hand to rectifie Misvnderstanding of each other and Misprisions. The Sachims to prevent the feares of their Men in hunting or travelling etc. earnestly desired me to satisfie the English that if the Bearers of a writing from me should offend any wayes, that they the Sachims would, upon Informacion from my selfe, cause the Delinquents to make Satisfaction out of their goods or bodies: to the End that the English might not ymprison or transport away their persons, (which the Natiues suspect) 2 of their men hauing bene not long since caried away in an English ship from the Bay and 2 of their women the last Summer from Qunnunagut in this Bay.

In 2 particulars (as I conceaue) neither the Natiues nor my selfe were rightly vnderstood: First in the Scope of the writing which was not to aske leaue to hunt as before. 2ndly in the promise which was not to pay of them­68selues (I mean the Sachims) but to cause their men to deale iustly and to giue Satisfaction for offences committed out of their goods or bodies.

I hope it will please the Lord to perswade your Hearts to belieue what I affirme, and againe to review the writing: Howeuer, rather then any Labour or paines of mine (well meant to preserue peace) shall cause or occasion dissention, I resolue to be yet poorer, and out of my pouertie to endeauour and further Satisfaction. (The Earth is the Lords and the Fullnes of it.) To the Euerlasting Armes of his mercy I dayly recommend you and yours and rest Your Worships most vnworthy

Roger Williams Providence ca. October, 1638

My respectiue Salutes to Mr. Deputie Mr. Belingham etc.

Sir I haue heretofore bene bold to request your helpe in recouering an old debt from Mr. George Ludlow: and you were pleased after dealing with him, to signifie that he had promised to deliuer ashoare for me 800li waight of Tobacco: I shall now humbly request that if Mr. Stratton desire it, or if he be againe bound for Virginia, that you would please to testifie so much as you remember in a line or 2 which may be of great vse for my recouering of the debt, and I shall desire to be thanckfull.

1.

W. 2. III; 4 Collections , VI. 254–256; N.C. , VI. 129–131.