I know not (worthie Sir) how it hath beene put of and protracted that you haue beene all together neglected of vs, that liue at Accomenticus, and what 32hath beene the cause, whether it was bashfulnesse, as some of vs truly are affrayd to presente a letter into the hande, of so noble and wyse a governor: or whether it was the minister expected the people should wryte, or that the people thought it most fitte the minister should wryte. thus noble Mr. Winthroppes loue, and deare respecte is neglected of vs, and not so much as one of Accomenticus sends him a paper schroule, in waye of acknowledgmente of his faithfulnesse, or in the waye of regratulation or thankfulnesse. yet lest you, in the least measure mighte seeme to bee neglected, whom wee (I speake the truth I lye not, I flatter not) so much honor, and if it mighte stande with gods will, could wish, might still bee governor, I am bolde to wryte theis two or three fewe rude lynes vnto you: for my selfe I cannot but thanke you noble Sir, for your good conceites of mee, a meere straunger to you, and for your testimoniall written to the people in my behalfe. your good conceites were stronge of mee, that carried you to wryte so farre in the behalf of a poore ignorante, stonieharted, faithlesse almost, fruitlesse creature, vnfitte for anie thinge almost, especially vnfitte for so great a busienesse as to carrie Chrysts name, to a sorte of poore creatures, that haue a longe tyme sette in darkenesse and in the region and shaddowe of death: yet if you haue sayd anie thinge of mee, I hope you neede not bee ashamed: and though I bee in my selfe most ignorante, and most vnfitte, yet hath the lord by his grace in some measure fitted mee for my hearers, and his grace, as I hope hath not beene altogether in vaine, for I am persuaded (let god haue the prayse) hee hath wroughte some good by his grace, through my poore endeavors. some grace I saye in some of their soules: some haue prettie knowledge, crye out that they canne gette their harts no more humbled Though cannot refraine teares in the public assembly, carrye themselues honestly circumspectly: all the plantation is convinced, that their is neede of an alteration: most of the families vse prayer as well as they are able: wee haue a lecture everie thursdaye they neglecte worldly occasions to come to it: on the sabboth sometyme I goe to blesse my parrishioners. some I fynd searchinge the scriptures and comparinge place with place, others singeinge, others conferringe, so that they stoope to the ordinances, and giue mee hope, that they are a people, out of whom hee intends to gather stones to make a spirituall temple, where hee will dwell and sette his name their: their loue and respecte to mee is not little, neither haue I founde small loue or respecte amongst. the lord grant that it maye bee reckoned vpon their score at that daye: 33because their are some, as my landlord, whom with others theis things concerne fully as much as my selfe, and for the presente are vnsettled, till your answere come in. I would wish you to consider their condition and to giue them present satisfaction that they may knowe how to determine and resolue. noble Sir I praye you, let vs haue your prayers, as wee haue heard by your man that wee haue: and doe you speake for vs, for the prayers of the elders, if not in publicke, (though wee lifte vp you in publicke) yet in private, that the poore english blood, the poore ignorante soules eastwarde maye bee converted, churches maye bee gathered, his name maye bee sette their, his maiestie walke their, and that soules maye bee saved. oh praye for vs. maye their not bee manie soules that sette by our rivers sydes, that you thinke not of, that maye belonge to the election of grace, for whom Chryst hath shedde his blood? are not our soules capeable of the knowledge of god, the mysterie of Chryst: as well as others? oh then, let vs haue your prayers: the churches, the elders faine if out of contempte, or out of desperie, they praye not for vs, for god manie tymes is founde of those that seeke him not, hee sends to those in the highe wayes: noble Sir, their is a little matter, I must bee bolde with you in. it concernes my poore landlord, who hath shewed mee no small kyndnesse, as his kynde wyeffe lykewyse. they both to meewarde haue beene verie faithfull. I know you heare that hee is lyke to come in some trouble in regarde of some debts: that you would shewe him what mercie you canne lawfully: Another thinge, if I durst bee so bolde, I would intreate. it is for the whole plantation: that you would conferre with kynde Mr. Mavericke, about our Lotts what assurance hee could make vs, or by what meanes our Lotts, or the lotts of our Frends could bee assured if they come to vs: and further, that noble Mr. Winthroppe would speake a worde or two to him, concerninge discipline: for I came not out of England, for loue of discipline, that I mighte liue in churches, rightly gathered and instituted; to liue out of the churches: or to liue longe where their must not bee church discipline: Though I loue Accomenticus dearely, and hope well of divers of them, and I perceiue god is goinge on, yet I will not staye amongst them, without wee maye haue libertie to all gods ordinances: Though wee bee lyke the men of Gilead, on the other syde Jordan, yet wee will either haue a patterne of your altars, and your churches, or truly wee will god willinge come over Jordan againe: for your god shall bee our god, and your meanes and manner of worshippe will wee vse. it is not twentie leagues of by water shall hinder vs god willinge, from you: oh blesse god for his goodnesse to you, reioyce in your priviliges. oh what people lyke vnto you, to whom the lord is so neere, that hath such blessed conduite pypes? ordinances? wee mourne for our absence from the 34house of god: Though as Nehemiah about the buildinge of the wall: wee about buildinge god a house, wee though poore brethren lyke them that wente as farre as illegible in the meane tyme, wee are gladde to heare god is with you: to heare how god goes in his house: Noble Sir, Remember mee I praye you to Reverend Mr. Cotton though of little acquaintance and I confesse my faulte, that I asked not his iudgmente, and tooke no more solemne leaue when I wente to Accomenticus Noble Sir remember mee I praye you to kynde and Rev: mr. Wilson: to kynde Mr. Maverick to whom I am so much indebted for his kynde respectfull letter, besydes kynde interteinmente with him by the waye: I know Mr. Hooke Mr. Broadburie Mr. Johnson with others would willingly haue remembred their duties to you: but they knew not I writte: The god of heaven continue to you the spirit of govermente wisdome and courage: blesse your assistants: blesse the churches, keep them in vnitie, builde them vp further, that now in dayes of peace they maye treasure vp peace against harde tymes: that they maye walke in the comforts of the holy ghost, and in the feare of god and bee edifyed: so prayes a poore brother that loues the churches, honors the elders, and wisheth all grace truth, lighte, happinessie to you all.

I haue presumed to send this Nahigonsick man, to attend your pleasure concerning the Pequts, and Caunounicus and Miantunnomues Complaint against them and their protectours.

The Summe of their desire I lately acquainted you with viz: that you would please (euen all the English) to sit still and let themselues alone with them according to Consent when Miantunnomu was last with you, who comming home fell vpon Nayantaquit men who sheltred the Pequts but was stopt by our friends of Qunnihticut.

Or 2ndly that some other Course (in Consultation) might be taken for dispersion of them: euen as farr as Old England or elswhere, as they speake.

Sir I doe conceaue either Course will be difficult because our Friends at Qunnihticut are strangely bewitched with the Subiection of these Pequots 35to themselues, and are allso as strangely resolued vpon fighting and violent Courses (as I vnderstand by letters and otherwise by speech) vnles Miantunnomu come over personally to them to answer for proud Speeches which they heare of.

Miantunnomu hath long since promised and still waites to goe any whither you shall please to make answer, to meete etc.

Some from Qunnihticut write me word, that Indians will testifie such speeches to Miantunnomues teeth: and it may be so, whether true or false.

I allso in case I should listen to Indian Reports shall bring many who will affirme that Tho: Stanton hath receaved mighty Bribes (whence origo mali) that Okace the Monahiggon hath receaved litle less then a thoughsand fathom of beades whence he caries out some present to our friends at Qunnihticut, but I say I will not belieue it.

But this I know, that according to Leauge in 2 Articles that the Pequts shall not be sheltred nor disposed of without mutuall Consent of the English and the 2 Nahiggonsick Sachims.

2ndly that if the Pequts be suffred in the land to congregate and vnite into 4 or 500 togeather (as Lieftenant Howe confest to me) it will cost more bloud on all sides then yet hath bene spilt: for one the one part the Nanhiggonsicks can no more forbeare them then a wolfe his pray and on the other side for the Pequts vpon all Advantages the English shall find that Vindicta levis vitâ iucundior ipsâ est.

3rdly that our friends at Qunnihticut are marveilously deluded by the Monahiggons, as to be so confident of them, that Mr. Hooker writes no Proofe can be brought against them for word or deede: when it is cleare they were Pequts, and lately hid (once and the second time) hid William Baker from the English and that vpon paine of death to any that should reveale him as Lieftenant Homes tould me: Sir my desire is that it would therefore please the Lord to guide you all to make a prudent disposall and dispersion of the Pequts, which the Nanhiggonsick will further by peace or warr: So with all due Salutacions I humbly rest, vnfaigned in all desire of your present and eternall peace.