I called our towne together before your Lettre came seeing the spoile of timber which might serue for many good vses. And the towne agreed not to cutt any great tymber which is fitt for shipping planckes or knees etc. nor any for clapboard within twoe miles of the towne eury way, nor to fell any other timber but for their owne priuate vse.2 I think it were well if the 312Generall Court would make provision heerein. I pray you Sir if you heare any certaine newes by any Lettres concerninge the taking of Newcastle and Durham, and the winter parliament or any other newes out of England, that you will be pleased to let mee vnderstand of it. All the newes comes to your partes first.

I am told that you are sollicited in a busines concerninge the girle3 which was put to my keepinge and trust, whose estate was also committed to the trust of Mr. Hathorne and Mr. Batter. I have not bene made acquainted with it by you know whome, which if there had bene any such intendment I think it had bene but reason. But to let that passe, I pray you aduize not to stirre in it, for it will not be effected for reasons I shall shew you afterwards. The Lord in mercie keepe you and yours, to whose blessed guidance I committ you and rest. Yours truelie and heartily euer to commaund

When I remember your constant and long continued loue I cannot but blame my selfe that having no speciall busines into your parts this winter season and thereby debarred sight haue not so much as written these two moneths unto you. This later I must needs confesse is inexcusable, but for the former however it is busines enough for me to see the face of your selfe and yours together with the many godly and pretious friends and brethren I haue both in Boston and elsewhere amongst you, yet the many businesses I haue had (and the more in regard of mr. Blinmans friends that are come to liue with us and the streightnes of place to receiue them) and our preparacons to enter into Covenant together with many affliccons in my Family God being pleased still to exercise me under his hand by taking away one of my children by death and some others in my Family exercised with sicknes, together with some other outward losses in my cattle, may rather cawse me to stay at home and consider, then to be exercised abroade. But God willing I 313shall take a due season to see you and them. In the meane time let these my lines witnes my continued loue to you and them, whose welfare if my heart deceiue me not I desire as mine owne.

I received letters lately from mr. Endecot and your brother Peters, and make bold to trowble you with conveyance of my answers to them together with many smale pamphlets bownd up together which we printed in the netherlands occasioned by one of them called the peoples plea for the exercise of Prophesie, which he much desired me to procure and send him, and which I entreat you to convay by the first opportunity, for it was long before I could call to minde where I had lent it, and could not procure another in all Plimoth.

There is a Friend of mine that desired me to crave your advice in two particulars: the one in case he hath sold a parcell of goods of some value to one upon day and hath but a bare bill for his security and the person's sufficiency suspected, whether your court allow not an arrest for better security? or if he cannot be that way relieved, then by what other? The 2d is of greater consequence, vizt. having an estate of lands still in wales, tho as formally made over to another as advice of law could passe it, and acknowledged before a master of the Chancery; yet since his comming away is credibly informed that he was called in Court of Star-chamber and fined 200li for not appearance, but was never served with any precept nor heard of it till within these 14 daies nor can conceiue any thing saue malice should be alledged against him now what course you will advise him to take in it. I pray you Sir pardon my boldnes with you, and let me receiue a word or to from you as your occasions will permit. Be you kindely saluted also mr. Cotten, mr. Wilson, your sons mr. Joh. mr. Steph. and mr. Adam with all other my beloved Friends with you, whose prayers I desire, especially in that great and weighty worke which doth so much concerne the glory of God in raysing up his church amongst us. And the Father of mercies and God of comfort raise and keepe up your spirit aboue all the crosses of this life, and fill you with his comforts in Christ Jesus. Amen. Yours in many bonds