Edward Randolph letter to Phillip Musgrave, 1685 December 12

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Altho' my Stay here is much longer then I expected: yet tis Some Satis-
faction: that I have an oppertunity to address to you before I sayl. and therein
to obviate. Some ill proceedings both to the great obstruction of his—
Ma^ties. affaires under my Care & also designd to my utter ruine: and this—
I heare is Sett on foot by M^r Cranfeild Late Gov^r: of New Hampsheire; Who
is newly come to town: & finding him selfe not onely putt by that Govn^t.
but utterly disappointed of his Expectation of being Govern^r. of the
Boston Colony: which he hoped to obtain by my care & interest with the
E: of Clarendon to whom M^r Cranfeild by me Sent a letter: & instructed me
how I should manage with other persons of Quality in his behalfe: hee now
charges me with unkindnes & on the other hand makes m me the Sole Con-
triver of his disappointm^t. & finding his Ma^tie. has bestowed Larg markes of
his favour upon me: he, enviing those gracious returnes of my past Services
now (as I am told) undertakes to inform against me for taking Bribes
during the tyme of my mangage in the Office of Collector of his Ma^tie. Customs.
about 2 yeares ago: One M^r Dyre Sent to N. Eng^d. in quality of Surveyor
Gen^ll. to this man M^r Cranfeild applyes & makes a freindship: and then desired
him to inform y^e Comm^e: of the Customs that I had taken bribes: & this discourse.
he raised & promotes without any ground on purpose to Stop my voyage
& present undertaking upon which depends not onely the present settle-
ment of the Boston Colony. but will destroy his Ma^ties: intentions of bringing
all the Colonyes under one Gen^ll. Gov^r: Its sufficiently known to my lord—
Culpeper when in New Eng^d: how zealously I prosecuted Those Who broak
the Acts of Trade. & was Supported therein by his Lords^ps. countenance:
against the whole Govn^t: & body of Merchants who opposed me: & you may
easily beleive, That the bostoners by their Agents would Long Since have
informd ag^t. me. if they could fix any matter of that nature upon
me: being all along deemed the Grand enemy of that Country and
t'was their Generall interest to gett me upon any termes removed.

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so that This charg as he pretends arises upon a letter which I sent
M^r Mason 2 yeares ago disswading him from violent courses in ob-
taining his Rent from y^e Inhabitants of New Hamp: in which Mr
Cranfeild was too Deeply concernd: & upon his Seeing that letter
he sent wrote me that he would ruine me if it were in his power
& now upon his Coming to Town & finding himselfe frustrated
of all his Expectations. he hopes to gain a Creditt by impeaching
me; & making a noise to no p other purpose Then to overthrow
my voyage being every day ready to Sayle:

I humbly intreat the favour of you, to take notice of his manage
& if he offer any thing to my prejudice: to acquaint my L^d Preston
of it who upon perusing this paper will do me justice: & Stand
by me. So farr: that I may have tyme to make my defence if
needfull: I onely intreat That I may proceed on my voyage &
putt in Execution these Commissions which concern the publick
Settlement & benefitt of that Country: & Then will gladly return to
England to vindicate my reputation which has been so often
attempted by those, whom my diligence in his Ma^tis. Affaires has—
made my enemyes: I humbly intreat your pardon for this trouble
& remain in all Duty

my humble Service to my L^d.
Preston: & to S^r. Christopher Margrand:

I have not wrete one Word to M^r Blathwayt about this matter
because I am have not heard any thing from him./. I know he
is my freind:

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To the Hon^d: Phillip Musgrave
Esq_r.
present:/:

[Deal]: 12 Dec: 85
From M^r Randolph
To M^rMusgrave;