y^e first ship y^t comes from thence; for if you had this confirmed, then were you compleate, and might bear such sway & goverment as were fitt for your ranke & place y^t God hath called you unto; and stope y^e moueths of base and scurrulous fellowes, y^t are ready to question & threaten you in every action you [167] doe. And besids, if you have y^e custome free for 7. years inward, & 21. outward, y^e charge of y^e patent will be soone recovered, and ther is no fear of obtaining[CL] it. But such things must work by degrees; men cannot hasten it as they would; werefore we (I write in behalfe of all our partners here) desire you to be ernest with M^r. Allerton to come, and his wife to spare him this one year more, to finish this great & waighty bussines, which we conceive will be much for your good, & I hope for your posteritie, and for many generations to come. Thus much of this letter. It was dated y^e 19. March, 1629. By which it appears what progress was made herein, & in part what charge it was, and how left unfinished, and some reason of y^e same; but in truth (as was afterwards appehended) the meaine reason was M^r. Allerton's policie, to have an opportunitie to be sent over againe, for other regards; and for that end procured them thus to write. For it might then well enough have been finshed, if not with y^t clause aboute y^e custumes, which was M^r. Allertons & M^r. Sherleys device, and not at all thought on by y^e colony here, nor much regarded, yet it might have been done without it, without all queston, having passed y^e kings hand; nay it was conceived it might then have beene done with it, if he had pleased; but covetousnes never brings ought home, as y^e proverb is, for this oppertunytie being lost, it was never accomplished, but a great deale of money veainly & lavishly cast away aboute it, as doth appear upon their accounts. But of this more in its place.