concluded by a Major part of the Freemen of our Society, in case they bee not repugnant to the Lawes of England and administered in the behalfe of his Majesty. And this we have mutually promised and concluded to do and so to continue till his Excellent Matie shall give other Order concerning us. IN WITNESS wee have hereto Set our hands the two and twentieth day of October in the Sixteenth yeare of the Reign of our Sovereign LORD CHARLES by the grace God King of Great Brittain France & Ireland Defender of the Faith &c. Annoqz Domi 1640. This is a true copy compared with yo Originall by me EDW CRANFIELD. (Endorsed) New England N Hampshire The Combination for Government by ye people at Pascatq (1640). Recd abt 13th Febr 82-3. COLONIAL STATE PAPERS. VOL. 6, No. 68. [Letter from Thomas Wiggin to Sir John Cooke.*] Havinge lately bin in New England in America and taken notice both of some Comodities and advantages to this * See Vol. I, Prov. Pap. N. H., p. 83. Note.-ED. State web that Contrie will afford, and there havinge visited the plantations of the English and amongs the rest that especially in the Mattachusetts (being the largest best and most prospering in all that land) I haue made bold to informe yo honor of some observations weh I have taken both of the Contrie and that Plantation. As for the Contrie it is well stored with goodly Timber and Masts for shippinge, and will afford Cordage, Pitch and Tarr and good hempe and fflax as in any pte of the world, growes there naturally fitt for Cordage and sayles, whereof this kingdome will soone find the benefitt, if the plantacon proceed awhile weth out Discouragem' as hitherto it hath done. ffor the plantation in the Mattachusetts the English there being about 2000 people, yonge and old, are genally most industrious and fitt for such a Worke, hauinge in three yeares done more in buyldinge and plantinge, then others haue done in seauen tymes that space, and with at least ten tymes lesse expence. Besides I have observed the planters there, and by theire louinge just and kind dealinge with the Indians, haue gotten theire loue and respect and drawne them to an outward Conformity to the English, soe that the Indians repaire to the English Gouerno there, and his Deputies for iustice. And for the Gouernor himself I haue obserued him to bee a discreete, and sober man, giuinge good example to all the planters, wearinge plaine apparell such as may well beseeme a meane man, drinkinge ordinarily water, and when he is not Conversant about matters of iustice, putting his hand to any ordinarye labour with his seruants, ruling with much mildnes and in this pticular I obserued him to be strict in execucon of Justice, upon such as haue scandalized this state, either in Ciuill, or Ecclesiasticall goueruem to the greate Contentmt of those that are best affected, and to the terror of offendors. Of all wch I my selfe hauinge bin an eye witnesse am the rather induced to pr sent the same to yor hono1 to cleare the reputation of the plantation from certaine false rumo and scandales, wch I p ceiue since my retorne to England some psons ill affected to the plantations there, haue cast abroad; as namely one Sr Xhofer Gardiner, whoe leavinge two wiues here in England, went with another youge woman into New England, there, being discovred by letters from Eng land he was sepated from his wench. A second is one Moreton whoe (as I am Informed by his wifes soune and others) upon a foule suspition of Murther fled hence to New England and there falling out with some of the Indians, he shott them with a fowling piece, for wch and other misdemeanors upon the Indians complaint his howse by order of Court there, was destroyed and he banished the planta con. A third was one Ratcliffe whoe as I am Crediblie informed, for most horible blasphemy was Condemned there to lose his eares, whoe with the former two, and some other the like discontended and scandalous psons, are lately returned hither, seekinge to Couer the shame of theire owne facts, by castinge reproaches upon the plantation, doe addresse themselues to Sr ffardinando Gorges, whoe by theire false informacons, is nowe piectinge howe to depriue that plantation of the previledges graunted by his Matie and to subuert their gouernm' the effects whereof wilbe the utter ruine of this hopefull plantation, by hindringe all such as would goe to them, and driuinge those alredy planted there, either to retorne, or disperse into other places, weh I leaue to yo graue iudgmt my selfe being none of theire plantation, but a neighbour by, haue done this out of that respect I bere to the genal good, I haue ben too breife in this relation in regard I feared to be ouer troublesome to yo' honors Soe I take leaue and rest. The XIXth daye of Nouember. 1632 Yor honor humble servant THO WIGGIN (Addressed) To the right honoble Sr John Cooke knt principall Secretary to his Male and one of his highnes most honoble prince Councell these d (Endorsed) 1632. Noveb 19. Relation of Capt Wiggin of New England. FINIS. INDEX OF NAMES. The Index which follows is designed to contain the names of all the persons and |