Edward Cranfield letter to William Blathwayt, 1683 January 16

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New Hampshire January. 16th. 1683/4

Sir

Knowing you are involved in a multitude of business,
shall not trouble you with any particulars, being so full in my letter to
the Lords of Committee. Only acquaint you, that here is a Report, that
for a Summ of mony Mr Randolph is to endeavour to keep the old Magis=
=trates in their places, I doe not doubt, but it is an Arifice of the ffaction
to make reflections upon him, for those that would not stick to call him
Rogue to his face, threaten to fling him in the Towne Dock, shoot Guns
in his Wifes face, & pursue his Daughters through the Streets with the
name of Whores, Whores, will not be backward to doe him all the inju=
=ries they can. ffor should the old Magistrates be continued, twould ren-
=der his Services to his Majesty more injurious, then what he ever hath
or can doe for him, they also give out, that he is to put one Mr Wyer
(a late discontented Assembly man) in a way at Whitehall, for a Summ
of mony, to destroy Mr Masons interest, not only on this side, but the o-
=ther side of Merrimack also. When I consider his charge against
them & his accusations, I cannot beleive but it is maliciously designed
against him, if there be any thing in it, his motions will soon discover
it, ffor I doe assure you nothing can settle the Kings affairs here, but removing
all the Magistrates except Mr Buckley & Mr Dudley, and whoever advices
otherways, betrays the King.

According to his Majesties Letter I have pardoned all that were in Goves busi=
=ness, except his Son & young Whadleigh who I keep in Prison, their Relati=
=ons are very violent men, & daily breed disturbances in the Province. I still
remaine of the same opinion, that the countenance of a small ffrigat, or-
=dered to this Port, tho' to stay but a fortnight, would conduce more to his
Majesties Service here, then the pardoning of ffive hundred men, for to these
arrogant ill natured people, clemency does but encourage them to be
Rebellious.

The Letter of Mr Cooks to Mr Randolph I received open, upon the perusal
find, that he hath an Expectation from the Confederates of Gove, I doe assure
you, & so does Mr Randolph know, that they are not worth anything

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else he might be sure, that I would have taken care, that he should have
been considered, but out of Goves Estate, which was appraized at 200S,
to be paid in two years, he may depend upon 20. Peeces The first payment
is to be the begining of March & the other 100S. that time twelve months,
but he shall receive his out of the first payment. Pray give my Service
to him & Mr Povey, & excuse me to them for not writing, but will by the
next. I have writt so full to you formerly concerning this place & the
other Colonies. I have nothing more to add, but that I am

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16 January 1683/4
from Mr. Randolph
Cranfield
Received the 11 May
1684

ffor the Honorable William Blathwayt Esquire
Secretary of Warr
at Whitehall