Three Visitors to Early Plymouth: Letters about the Pilgrim settlement in New England during its first seven yearsAltham, Emmanuel
History
Three Visitors to Early Plymouth: Letters about the Pilgrim settlement in New England during its first seven years
Altham, Emmanuel
Massachusetts -- History -- New Plymouth, 1620-1691
And now, loving brother, I have little else to write of unto you—but
only one thing I thank you kindly for, and that was for the last letter
you sent me in England, wherein you desire [me] to hold fast to the
truth and likewise to be diligent in my place. Of both which make no
doubt—no! be persuaded that I will rather die a thousand deaths than
once to shame God or my country. And now, seeing that I am entered into
this place, doubt not but that I will always increase in knowledge. And
indeed, when I undertook this voyage at first, I always held the art of
navigation to be most hard and difficult, but now, through some practice
and reading, I have attained to that I hope never to forget. And I hope
by that time I see old England to be able to conduct a ship myself, safe
into any harbor in New England. But God disposeth of all things. And
truly, I never lived better to my content nor among those who can more
respect me as the Company in old England and here[82] likewise do, who
think nothing too good for me. I praise God, I have my health ’till now
that I wrote this letter—but I mended apace.
And now, loving brother, I must make an end, although I think no pains
sufficient to express my love unto you. I doubt not but you will show
yourself a friend to me in taking care for that little stock I have. I
am desirous it should increase—and in your hands, if you think it
profitable to you. I know you will deal the more providently for me,
because of divers reasons well known to yourself. I pray let that same
£100 be taken of my Mr. Hawes or his heirs when it is due (and that will
be about March, 1624), and if you and my brother Hawtry[83] think good,
take it into your own hands. I have wrote to my brother Hawtry to buy me
the books of English voyages, which will do me great good. I pray look
that they be bought me, and send by this messenger that is come from New
England and hath lived there three years. And he comes away about
December from London, that he may come with the fishermen, to be here in
February. I pray let those books be of the same voyages that is lately
put forth by Mr. Purchas, minister about Ludgate.[84]
Thus much I have thought good to let you understand concerning the
estate of myself and New England, and now I will take my leave of you,
desiring the God of hosts to guide you and yours in your going out and
coming, so that all your labors may prosper under your hands, and that
your life in this world of misery may be such a life that may prepare
you to a better in the world to come.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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