| Title: | Copy Letter In Scribal Hand B, Robert Child To Hartlib |
|---|---|
| Dating: | 24 December 1648 |
| Ref: | 39/2/1A-4B: 3B, 4A-B BLANK |
| Notes: | Copies at 39/2/5, 40/5/1; partial copy at 35/2/1. |
[39/2/1A]
Childe Boston this 24 December. 1645
Sir though the times bee soe exceeding cold that Inke and pen freeze extreamly and colder weather scarce known in this Country yet I will writt a word or two to you according to my promise though I canot enlarge myselfe as I would or as you expect by the next opportunitie I shall bee more large; and desire you to pardon my brevitie. This Country of New England from Virginia Southward to the French Norward at Pinsecott is about 6 or 700 milles allong the Sea cost Toward the South at a Place called Delloware live some Swedes about a 100, and likewise some few Hollanders, which Hinder the English from Planting there, though some 20 Families from Mr Damports plantations attempted to setel there. This River <is> a very great River Navigable very fruitfull and will contain more people then all New England besides I suppose this place for health and wealth: the best place the English can set there foot in. If any leave the Kingdome I pray councell them to this place and many here will joyne with them. Wee have seene the place about a 100 or 120 milles from this place is a very great River navigable about 200 milles up here live about 2 or 300 Hollanders and English under the protection of the West India Company Here hath beene Warres betweene the Dutch and English above these three yeares which hath allmost ruind the Plantation But now Peace is concluded, this place is poore subsists especially by Bever Trade with the Indians. [catchword: The]
[39/2/1B]
The west India Company thought to have built ships here and for that end erected 3 great saw milles and also to have made them a magazin for the victualling of their ships, but missing of their end they neglect it and count it a burden, for it is chargable unto them and therefore have not sent any supplies thither these 2 yeares yet the states will not permitt them to sell it. There is a Rumour of a golden mine found out here some say it is naturall Cynabar [symbol for mercury?] with a few golden Spangles (I shall God willing) next spring see it and by my next give you a further and certaine Relation About 20 miles from this River Eastward begin the English Plantations and continue along the coasts about 400 milles or more: The wholl number of the English is about 40000 people devided into 6 Iurisdictions and into 80 Plantations or thereabout. I could tell you the names off all of them, their situations and number of families but it would bee to tedious too you to heare. The first jurisdiction Southward is Mr Damport or Mr Eatons, containing about 10 Plantations. I wonder Mr Damport[altered] hath not written to you, when I see him I shall enquire the reasons, hee is the stricktest man for Church Goverment and admitting of members in New England These Plantations flourish indifferently well in Corne and Cattle and haue built 2 or 3 good vessells which they Imploy, and intend (as I heare) to send one of their vessells to London this yeare [catchword: The]
[39/2/2A]
this yeare The Next Iurisdiction is Canneticot River, where Mr Hooker lives containing 5 or 6 good Plantations exceedingly abounding in Corne, the Last yeare they spared 20000 Bushell and have all ready this year
[39/2/2B]
nothing. I know a Captaine that came over in the last ship which hath spent his blood and estatte in the Parlliament service not permitted to live abouve 3 weeke with them allthough nothing spoken one shoare only in the ship hee endeavoured to deffend Dr Crispes Sermons, who is counted an Antinomian I suppose you have read him but if not pray doe it, and lett me know your jugdment. I suppose truly the Dr writtes nothing but truth. The 6th The 6t and North most Iurisdiction is Sir Ferdinando Gorges or Mr Rigbys a Parlliament man wherin are 10 small Plantations where I have purchassed a small Plantation at Sacho, and shall setel there if I abide in these partes, for I cannot endure the bitterness off other Plantations. This place abounds in Fish and Timber. Wee are here (God be thanked) in quiet yet in August the[altered] wholle Country was in Armes 500 Pressed as in England for souldiers to goe against the Indians a Declaration printed which if I can find you shall have it, but the poore Indians submitted to the English demands gave 500lib in their monyes and 4 off their cheiffest mens children for Hostages which are to bee educated civilly The French towards the North threatned these Plantations because the bay relieved on Mounsieur La Tore against one Mounsieur La done who having 4 men off warre from France and 2 or 300 Souldiers, beseidged la Torres Fort and tooke it where hee did put about 50 English and French to the Sword. The bay sent an
[39/2/3A]
hee tooke a barque laden with provissions worth above 600lb yet hee promiseth not to medle with them till hee heare from France Wee have victualls here reasonable cheap Beeff at 2ยด per pound