William Stoughton letter to William Blathwayt, 1693 October 24

4 pages

[Page 1]

Upon the late settlement of their Majesties Goverment here, I made bold to give your Honor the
trouble of a letter, as in duty bound upon that occasion whether it ever came to your hand I
know not. I have earnestly desired, that the management here since that tyme might have
been without just occasion of complaint to any, & above all to their Majesties Satisfaction
in all respects, answerable to the great favour, which this people have received, in that
constitution which we are now under; but I fear that in too many particulars, we have
fallen short of so great a duty, & happinesse; of which we ought to bee made the more
sensible, from that most gracious regard which their Majesties goe on to have to the peace &
security of their Subjects in these parts, so signally expressed in that chargeable instance
of sending to us so considerable a force, for the reducing of Quebeck, & freeing us from
the dangerous neighborhood of the french, the root & strength of our late greatest tro=
bles, tho for our sins it hath pleased all mighty god to deprive us of the successe thereof.
It is now a season wherein many matters of moment will bee lying before their Majesties refer=
ring to this their Province, I cannot but venture take the boldnesse & freedome, to let your
Honor know, that there are severall others beside myself, that have a greater dependance
upon your favour & interest then upon the indeavours of others, that may be imployed to
Sollicit on our behalf; & therefore we doe most humbly intreat, that we may have the
benefit thereof, at all times, as you shall find to bee just & most [illegible] for the publick
weal of this Province. we can fully submit our selves to your opinion in what con
cerns us, & are most sincerely ready, not only to yeild obedience to, but to bee satisfyed in
all their Majesties determinations relating to the same. The Secretary hath transmitted
all such papers ^ ^as are needfull & in particular such as are referred to in that account
of some matters which [in the Governors absence in the Eastern parts upon the sayling of those
Ships & the members of Councill that could convene, did advise & desire mee humbly to
represent unto my Lord of Nottingham. If Colonel Dudly be safely arrived, I hope
it will bee in a good tyme his great abilities are much wanted here. his son also,
now returned to us, is a gentleman of singular capacity & improvement, & knowing
your Honors most freindly regard to them both, it will bee needless for me to expresse my
unfeigned desire, that through your interposition & assistance, they may be both placed in
such publick stations accordingly, as may be much for their Majesties Service, as well as to the
great content of those that bare respect to them. craving pardon for this interruption
& boldnesse I most heartily Subscribe my Self

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New England
Boston 24 October 1693
From Mr. Stoughton
Received 20 December 1693

He & many other rely most
upon your favor & opinion
in all things relating to the
Publick

many desire Mr Dudley &
his Son may be
place in Publick station
amongst them

For the Honorable William Blathwait
Esquire at the Plantation office
at White Hall
these

Ink on paper