S^r: &c. Y^e Masschuset men are coming almost dayly, some by water, & some by land, who are not yet determined wher to setle, though some have a great mind to y^e place we are upon, and which was last bought. Many of them look at that which this river will not afford, excepte it be at this place which we have, namly, to be a great towne, and have comodious dwellings for many togeather. So as what they will doe I cannot yet resolve you; for this place ther is none of them say any thing to me, but what I hear from their servants (by whom I perceive their minds). I shall doe what I can to withstand them. I hope they will hear reason; as that we were here first, and entred with much difficulty and danger, [212] both in regard of y^e Dutch & Indeans, and bought y^e land, (to your great charge, allready disbursed,) and have since held here a chargable possession, and kept y^e Dutch from further incroaching, which would els long before this day have possessed all, and kept out all others, &c. I hope these & such like arguments will stoppe them. It was your will we should use their persons & messengers kindly, & so we have done, and doe dayly, to your great charge; for y^e first company had well nie starved had it not been for this house, for want of victuals; I being forced to supply 12. men for 9. days togeather; and those which came last, I entertained the best we could, helping both them (& y^e other) with canows, & guids. They gott me to goe with them to y^e Dutch, to see if I could procure some of them to have quiet setling nere them; but they did peremtorily withstand them. But this later company did not once speak therof, &c. Also I gave their goods house roome according to their ernest request, and M^r. Pinchons letter in their behalfe (which I thought good to send you, here inclosed). And what trouble & charge I shall be further at I know not; for they are co[=m]ing dayly, and I expecte these back againe from below, whither they are gone to veiw y^e countrie. All which trouble & charg we under goe for their occasion, may give us just cause (in y^e judgmente of all wise & understanding men) to hold and keep that we are setled upon. Thus with my duty remembred, &c. I rest Yours to be comanded JOHNNATH[=A] BREWSTER. Matianuck, July 6. 1635. Amongst y^e many agitations that pased betweene them, I shal note a few out of their last letters, & for y^e present omitte y^e rest, except upon other occasion I may have fitter opportunity. After their thorrow veiw of y^e place, they began to pitch them selves upon their land & near their house; which occasioned much expostulation betweene them. Some of which are such as follow.