Our humble duties and respects premised: vnderstanding there is an Intention to call Mr. Winthrop Junr. from vs and to committ the Custody of the Castle to him, we could not out of the entire affection we beare to him and his welfare but become earnest petitioners to your worships that you would not depriue our Church and Towne of one whose presence is so gratefull and vsefull to vs. It was for his sake that many of vs came to this place and without him we should not haue come, his abode with vs hath made our abode here much more comfortable then otherwise it would haue bene: Mr. Dudleys leaving vs hath made vs much more desolate and weake then we were, and if we should lose another magistrate it would be too great a greif to vs and breach vpon vs: and not a magistrate only but our Lieutenant Colonell so beloued of our Souldiours and military men that this remote Corner would be left so destitute and desolate; neither can we conceiue but that his removall from vs will much preiudice and vnsetle him, the place he is chosen vnto we feare will neither mayntaine him and his company comfortably nor proue certaine to him, but vpon sundry occasions mutable. It would be very vncomfortable to him as we suppose to live vpon others maintenance, or to neglect that portion of land and loue which God hath giuen him amongst vs. the improvall of his estate here we hope will proue a better and surer support then a yearly stipend from the Country which hath groaned much vnder the burthen of that fort already. We find his affections great and constant to our Towne and we hope ours shall never faile towards him and his. We therfore humbly beseech you that we may still inioy him and that you would not expose him to so solitary a life and a place where we hope there will not be much vse of him: nor vs to the losse and want of one so much desired of vs. The distance we are sett in hath made vs earnest for the company of able men and as loath to loose them when we haue obtained them. Thus hoping you will please to consider and tender our Condition we humbly take our leaues resting your Worships in all due serviss