William Stoughton letter to William Blathwayt, 1695

4 pages

[Page 1]

The dilligence & constancy of the Secretary in traunsmitting & giving an account of all things
makes it unnecessary for me to trouble your Honor with many lines

Thankes be to god, his Majesties subjects here are in much quietnesse, and good agreement among
themselves; and all of them well united & setled in their affection & loyalty to his most Sacred
Majesty, expressing on all occasions an abundant satisfaction in his happy goverment, and
both publickly and in private every where making their supplications to heaven for the long
continuance thereof, and that his Royal person & glorious enterprizes may be under a
most prosperous divine conduct, unto the security & advancement of the protestant interest
& the immortalizing of his own ^ ^name and memory

As to other things amongst us, I wish I might be able to deliver up the Province to the Governor
on his arrivall under better circumstances, then at present I have a prospect of.

The long continuance of this Indian & french warre, the vast charge thereof, the desolations
and captivity that have come upon us by land, and the losses of hips & goods by Sea
the necessity that hath lyen upon us of sending succours from time to time to our neigh
bors of new hampshire, without obtaining the like from other neighbouring colonies to our
selves, though well able to afford the same, have brought us very low both as to men & estates
unto all which is now added the slendernesse of the harvest of this last year, very much
threatning our subsistence.

In this our weakened and almost ruined condition, we doe most humbly supplicate his
majesty for his gracious regard and help, and have particularly instructed the Gentlemen
our Agents to make their applications accordingly, as your honor will bee more fully
by them informed; and we doubt not but that the noble person, whome his Majesty (as we
hereof hath constituted our Governor, if he ingage himself in that service, will contribute
& oblige us by his interest and assistance. But still we are very sensible now much
we shall need your honors more especiall freindship & furtherance, which therefore, we
all, and none more earnestly then my self, doe intreat your honor to vouchsafe, for the
more neady obtaining of those requests that we have depending before his Majestie so
farre as they may bee found reasonable, and no lesse necessary unto the advance=
ment of his Majesties interest then to the singular gratification & releif of his most
dutifull & loyall Subjects here, ready to sinke under their many burdens and discourage
ments

Sr I am conscious to myself of many defects that have attended me since I have
been left in the goverment, for which I most humbly begge his Majestys pardon, so I have
in particular been much concerned that I could doe no more in obedience to the roial
commands

[Page 2]

commands that were sent to us for a quota of men to new york, and the issuing the
accounts & demands of Sr Edmund Andross & Mr Usher.

As to Sr Edmund, the objections made, may some of them possibly be thought of moment to
lessen his demands; but for Mr Usher he hath in truth been unreasonably delayed, &
more unreasonably denyed the payment of his ballance. I have now returned to
the Lords of his Majesties most Honorable Privy Councill, what the Gentlemen of his Majesties Coun
cill here, have, the greater part of them, agreed to as their answer in this matter
so that now we are expecting his Majesties finall pleasure and order, which I hope
will not bee long delayed, and whereunto I shall promote what in me lyes, a Speedy
and intire obedience.

As to the Assistance of new yorke, which hath been called for, and I beleeve needed, our
own distressing circumstances, and inability to spare eyther men or mony, as it hath
been a wall, so we hope it may bee a satisfactory Excuse, since nothing else hath bin
dead our compliance. We earnessly move that the warre in both Provinces may
(as in truth it is) bee accounted but one, and that by his Majesties especial com
mand and direction all the colonies & provinces as faere of Virginia may bee
brought in and joyntly concerned, in the prosecution and support thereof.

Sr It is a releif, & joy to me, that I may now hope, in a little tyme, to see this his Majesties
Province under a more proportionable conduct; by being committed into abler
hands, of which at this tyme there is so great need. And next to the Service of his
Majesty, whereunto I shall bee ever most sincerely and zealously devoted, if there
might be any thing in which I might bee capable of promoting your Honors
more parlicular Satisfaction, it would adde much to the content of him who is

[Page 3, blank]

[Page 4]

Massachusets
1695
From Mr. Stoughton
Answered
Received 19 January 1695/6

The Secretary tansmissts the Publick Accounts
The People Quiet & Well affected
to his Majesty

They are Impoverisht by the War
to which is add an ill Harvest this
year

The Agents are Instructed to
supplicate his Majesties Grace and your
assistance as desired

He is Concern'd he could not do
more about the Quota for New York and
the Accounts of Sr Edmond Andros & Mr Usher

Sir Edmond's Demands have some
Objection but Mr Usher is unreasonably
denied his Bond;

the Reports upon them are sent over
the Assistance for New York has been
called for & Needed But he hopes
the Inability of the Province will
be an Excuse

He wishes all the Colonies might
be made to Joine in the War

Ink on paper