Isaac Addington letter to William Blathwayt, 1692/1693 February 21

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We have been made sensible of the Obligations you have laid upon
this people in the advantagious Circumstances attending their settlement
by their Majesties Royal Charter, And tho our present poverty by
reason of the great Losses and vast Charge drawn upon us by the War
incapacitates us to render you any suitable Compensation, yet We crave
your acceptance of a Testimony of our gratitude and thankful ac=
knowledgment of your kindness, which We have directed Mr. John Ive
Merchant in our name to present you withal, and shall further Testify
our Obligation to you upon all occasions, in whatever shall fall
within our sphere.

We are also bold to pray the continuance of your Favour knowing
that as well your interest, as Honorable Station, do's greatly advantage
you, to further the good of this people, and are perswaded your
Generosity is such, to incline you to be kind unto them, who need and
rely upon your Goodness for the same.

Sir You will have transmitted unto you by this Conveyance, the
Acts and Laws made and passed by the General Assembly for the well
Ordering and Governing of this their Majesties Province, being adapted
to the same, and so far agreeable to the Laws and Statutes of England
as the circumstances of the place and people may well admit of, which
necessarily require some diversity in many things; We shall gratefully
acknowledge your kindness in the promoving of their Majesties Royal
Approbation and Confirmation of the same, and that none of them be
rejected thro default of being well rendred in any Clause or Expressions
thereof; But that We may be notified of the exceptions thereat, in
order to their Amendment.

We have likewise forwarded our Address to be presented unto their
Majesties therein humbly representing and laying before them the low state
and Condition of this their Province thor the difficulties and distresses
of the War, and the discouragements their good Subjects here labour
of, having no prospect of an issue of their troubles, whilst the French
continue their Settlements at Canada, humbly supplicating their
Majesties Princely Consideration thereof, As also of the great Charge
and Expence for the Erecting a Fort, and supporting a Garrison at Pema=
quid, which if it should lye upon this people, they must inevitably sink
under it : We are assured, the Sucess of our Address, do's not a
little depend on your Favour to further the same, which We pray
and hope will not be wanting.

The Minutes of Council and other writings will give you an
Accompt of the Trouble and Disturbance occasioned at a place called
Little

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Little Compton within this their Majesties Province lying next to
Road Island, thro the instigation of the Islanders and under the Influence
of their Autority, absurdly pretending to incroach upon their Majesties
Rights and Government here, not contenting themselves to withhold their
own Assistance from prosecuting the War against the common Enemy
But labouring also to withdraw others from their duty and obedience
being exempted from the smart of the War on their own backs, by reason
of their Scituation, and unaffected with the calamities and distresses
of their Neighbours and Fellow Subjects, whilst their own private
Interest is thereby greatly advantaged in the Increase of their Trade
and Enhanceing the price of their Provisions, of which they raise
considerable. But that disturbance is now over, some of the principal
Actors therein being taken up, and under Bonds to answer the same
tho one of the chief Criminals, To wit, Christopher Aliny, is escaped
and its said, intends to visit Whitehall, Your Honour will be
presented with some Depositions of his seditious words and ill behaviour
which may give him a Recommendation to his deserts.

If any thing be offered by way of complaint against the Administracion
of the Government here, in which some restless Spirits may not be wanting
We pray to be notified thereof, that so We ^ ^may make our defence, and have
requested Sir Henry Ashurst & Mr. Constantine Phips to present
our Address and to wait upon their Majesties in our affaires as there
may be occasion. The distresses of the War and Taxes necessarily re=
quired for defraying the Charges thereof has rendred our circumstances
more difficult, tho his Excellency has meditated to manage the Government
with what possible Ease may be.

We have had some considerable Respit from the Attacks of the Enemy
but are in daily Expectation of fresh Assaults. The Frontiers are contan
ly upon their Guard, and Charges thereby growig. The news of the
happy progress and success of their Majesties Arms in Europe would
animate their Subjects here, and damp the Spirits of our Enemies, the
which We daily pray for, wishing all health and happiness to
your Honour.

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To the Honorable
William Blathwayt
Esquire
At the Plantacion office
In
London
Present

Massachusetts Bay
21 February 1692/3
From M Addington Secretary
Received 19 July 1693
per Captain Say