Therefore I will only take thee now and my sweet children in mine arms, and kiss and embrace you all, and so leave you with my God. Farewell, farewell. I bless you all in the name of the Lord Jesus. I salute my daughter Winth., Matt., Nan., and the rest, and all my good neighbors and friends. Pray all for us. Farewell. Commend my blessing to my son John. I cannot now write to him, but tell him I have committed thee and thine to him. Labor to draw him yet nearer to God, and he will be the surer staff of comfort to thee. I cannot name the rest of my good friends, but thou canst supply it. I wrote a week since to thee and Mr. Leigh and divers others. Thine wheresoever, Jo. Winthrop From aboard the ARBELLA, riding at the COWES. March 28, 1630 THE SECOND LETTER: FROM MASSACHUSETTS BAY Charlestown in New England July 16, 1630 My Dear Wife,—Blessed be the Lord, our good God and merciful Father, that yet hath preserved me in life and health to salute thee, and to comfort thy long longing heart with the joyful news of my welfare, and the welfare of thy beloved children. We had a long and troublesome passage, but the Lord made it safe and easy to us; and though we have met with many and great troubles (as this bearer can certify thee) yet He hath pleased to uphold us, and give us hope of a happy issue. I am so overpressed with business, as I have no time for these or other mine own private occasions. I only write now that thou mayest know that yet I live and am mindful of thee in all my affairs. The larger discourse of all things thou shalt receive from my brother Downing, which I must send by some of the last ships. We have met with many sad and discomfortable things, as thou shalt hear after, and the Lord’s hand hath been heavy upon myself in some very near to me. My son Henry! my son Henry! ah, poor child! [_His son Henry was drowned on the day the ship landed._] Yet it grieves me much more for my dear daughter. The Lord strengthen and comfort her heart, to bear this cross patiently. I know thou wilt not be wanting to her in this distress. Yet for all these things (I praise my God) I am not discouraged; nor do I see cause to repent or despair of those good days here, which will make amends for all. I shall expect thee next summer (if the Lord please) and by that time I hope to be provided for thy comfortable entertainment. My most sweet wife, be not disheartened; trust in the Lord, and thou shalt see His faithfulness. Commend me heartily to all our kind friends ... and all the rest of my neighbors and their wives, both rich and poor.... The good Lord be with thee and bless thee and all our children and servants.