Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

[49] all; or if all, is it not probable but they may be entreated to abate one of the lots? or, if not abate, if they take double lots, they must bear double rates; and I see not but all plantations find this a main wound; they want men of abilities and parts to manage their affairs, and men of estate, to bear charges. I will tell thee mine whole heart; considering, as I conceive, your company must break, and considering things ut supra, if you can sell you should remove. If I were in your places, I should let those that must and will transport themselves as they see fit, in a way of providence and prudence. I would reserve a special company, but not many, and I would remove hither. For I do verily think, either the gentlemen will not come, or if they do, they may be over-intreated not to prejudice the plantation by taking too much. And yet if I had but a convenient spare number, I do believe that would not prove prejudicial to any comfortable subsistence: for able men are most fit to carry on occasions by their persons and estates with most success. These are all my thoughts; but they are inter nos; use them as you see meet.

I know, to begin plantations is a hard work; and I think I have seen as much difficulty, and came to such a business with as much disadvantage as almost men could do, and therefore, I would not press men against their spirits: when persons do not choose a work, they will be ready to quarrel with the hardness of it. This only is to me beyond exception. If you do remove, considering the correspondence you have here of hearts, and hands, and helps, you shall never remove to any place with the like advantage. The pillar of fire and cloud go before you, and the Father of mercies be the God of all the changes that pass over your heads.

News with us here is not much, since the death of my brother Stone's wife and James Homstead; the former smoaked out her days in the darkness of melancholy; the other died of a bloody flux, and slept sweetly in the Lord, having carried himself graciously in his sickness.

I have of late had intelligence from Plymouth. Mr. Chancy and the Church are to part; he to provide for himself, and they for themselves.

At a day of fast, when a full conclusion of the business should have been made, he openly professed he did as verily believe the truth of his opinions as that there was a God in heaven, and that he was settled in it as the earth was upon the centre. If ever such confidence find good success, I miss of my mark.

Since then he hath sent to Mr. Prydden to come to them,