The benefite which we have received from that which you were pleased in your kindnesse to bestowe upon our plantation, calles upon me to give you accompt therof and to acquainte you further with our estate heere. As soone as I vnderstood your minde in it, I acquainted the Governour and the rest of the Assistants with it, and calling Hamonde before vs, and finding by such evidence as he produced that parte of that 30li he received of you miscarried by the waye,2 and that his estate was not able to answere what might be required of him, we thought fitt to accept of 20li whereof he hath payd 10li; but the other 10li is now desperate, for yonge Wm. Hammonde goeing with all that his father and he could make and borrowe to trade in Virginia for Corne, the vessell was caste awaye vpon Longe Iland and 7 persons drowned: Hamonde escaped on shore, but was killed by the Indians and one other with him: whereby the olde mans estate is wholly overthrowne. It hath been observed that God hath allwayes crossed us in our trade with Virginia: Diverse of our people went thither aboue halfe a yeare since, but haue not been yet heard off: there was a verye great mortality last winter: about 60 masters of Shipps and other Officers died there; but our people (I prayse God) have their healthe well heere. Sir Hen: Vane his sonne and heire is our Governour this yeare, a godly gentleman and of excellent parts. heere haue been allready 27711 English shipps and 4 Dutche, most of them were but 5 weeks in their passage. my tyme is short and I haue many letters to write, so as I cannot enlarge: my love and due respect to your self and Lady remembered I rest At your seruice

My dutye remembred with my prayers for your health ettc. Sir some 10 dayes past I wrote you by Mr. Allerton to which I referr me. Now you may be pleased to take notice that Richard Foxwill cominge from the french at Pennobscott spake with a boate of ours (draylinge for mackrell) and tould them that Wm: Hart had him comended vnto me, and that I should looke to my selfe for that the french were gone to the Eastwards to fetch more helpe to take this plantation and others and that they had left but five men at Pennobscott and withall that he had an English heart although he were with them: wishinge his freedom from them and that he knowes a meanes to take Pennobscott with five men without losse of bloud. This the master and purser of our shippe tould me; cominge hither for my Lettres for England. Here comes natives from thence and sayes that they will remove to some other parts they are soe abused by them. me seemes they should not leave such a small crew at home neyther blason their intents. It is lamentable that a handfull should insult over a multitude. We must feare the worst and strive our best to withstand them. They wrote vnto me of desired freindship and amitye with mutuall correspondence: and they pretended the same at their beinge here, A franciscan Fryar insinuatinge vnto me that Mr. Comander and Mr. Donye desired nothinge but fayre passages betwixt vs, and that he was sent purposely to signifie so much vnto me. This is the relation that I heare from them which I conceive you would willingly be acquainted with­278all. I haue not elce to inlarge at present doe comitt you and your affayres to the guydance of the almightye. Your Worships in all service