Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4
1640-06-27
Yours of the 18th of this prli. Againe Mr. Andrews is well acquainted with payments in Engl. and how easie a thing it is to turne any valuable commodity into money but it is otherwise heer, and especially at this the most hard and dead time of all other these many yeares: I speak as it is with us: but if you conceiue the Gentli per head the fiue. If you say it is too high, truly I marvell at it, being this weeke Mr. Hatherly made payment to Mr. Freeman and Mr. Atwood in Cows (and in a busines Mr. Andrews, if I be not much mistaken, is interested) at 18li 15s per head. Nay since these valued some passed in account between Mr. Paddy and some of your parts at 20li per head; and therefore I pray you take it into further consideracion, and remember you may fall into an extreame. Truly Sir it is my desire to discharge it that makes me importune you neither doe I conceiue how you can justly suffer in it: and to avoide suffering I see is not possible: for I finde innocency (by lamentable experience) will little helpe amongst men. Yea wherein I haue been most carefull therein most abused and therefore in discharging a good conscience we must leaue all events to God. If I had any hopes of a chapman I would make money of them but haue none, however I thanke you that haue been so kinde to giue me time: but I feare that time will rather hurt then helpe me, and therefore beseech you againe either to accept them or acquaint Mr. Stoughton with it that he may write to Mr. Endecot about it: for they may doe it as well by letter as presence, onely I pray you conceale what I offer if they must value them: and if you please I will send them upon the first notice.
I thanke you for your loving manifestacion about mine owne busines. There hath nothing been done in it since the Gent
I thanke you for your Engl
I would haue written to the Gent
W. 2. 90; 4
Collections
, VI. 165–168.
Cf. Richard Andrews to John Winthrop, July 8, 1639 (pages 129–131, above).
1640-06-29
not knowing of this conueiance till they were ready to goe, I thought good to scrible a word or tow by candle light, rather then not to aduertice you of so serious a mater; I am Informed by good Intelligence, that the Narhiggansetts haue made a great colection amongest ther people; and sent a great presente, both of white and black beads to the Mowhakes, to entreate 259their help against you, and your freinds, if they see cause. And they Mowhaks haue receiued their presente, and promised them aide, biding them begine when they will, and they will be ready for them, and doe encourage them, with hope of succese. The thing is true but I may not reueile the auther. It would cost the liues of some if it shoud be known, neither would I haue it voulgarly knowne that it came from hence least it should be susspected; their owne commone people doe not know it. I fear they are too well furnished with peeces by too much remisnes. Thus in hast I take leaue, with my harty saluts to you and yours, and many thanks for my kind entertainmente when I was last with you Your euer louing freind
I pray you remember my loue to the Gou
American Antiquarian Society; 4
Collections
, VI. 158–159.