William Blathwayt letter to Edward Randolph, 1686 August 20

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While Mr. Mason is yet here I need not trouble you
with a long letter since you will be supplied by him,
as he promises, with the knowledge an account of Affairs in these parts.
I cannot forbear nevertheless to acknowledge your many
and usefull dispatches received by severall conveyances
of the 21 November. 30 December. 1679 3. 4. 6. 7. 10. 22. 28 January
4. 5. 11. 14. 16 28th: February 1679/80 27. 28.th. April 8. 11. 14. 17. 19. 20. 22.
May 7. 8. 10. June last which I have carefully perused
and extracted such points as were necessary for the
Information of the Committee and upon the whole
matter it is order'd in relation to the Massachusetts
that by a letter from His Majesty they be given to understand
the just resentment of their delays & neglect in
not answering the severall Points of His Majesties last
letters and such other particulars as their Agents
were acquainted with during their attendance here
and of which they promised a speedy redress. Mr
Mason having also petitioned for the other part of New Hampshire
the determination whereof was by agreement respited
till the arrivall of New Agents within six months
The Bostoners are to have notice that unless they
send

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over Agents within three months (after three
months of the receipt of His Majesties letter) who shall
be fully instructed as well to the Title of Boston to those
lands as to that of The Pertenants and even to all
other points objected against that Government in His Majesties
behalf then His Majesty ^^{upon such default} will not forbear any longer
to award right unto himself and to his Subjects
In the meanwhile The Lords have agreed to meet
expressly for the further inspection and examinacion
of The Proceedings of the Boston Government and things
will be so prepared that upon the arrivall of the
Agents The Business may have a short issue.

It seems you find the same difficulties in the New
Government of New Hampshire but that matter as well as
the allowance of your Bills lying properly before The
Commissioners of The Customs you are to expect relief from them.
But you must confess they are already possessed
of one great vertue which is secrecy in their
Councills for you have not been able to gain
any intelligence of The Address They have presented
His Majesty wherein you & Mr Mason are kindly remembred
The Petition of Main is of the same Strain & Stamp
and came [illegible] together directed to my Lord Sunderland
under the same cover without the attendance
of

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of One civill line to introduce them. They have
therefore had a sutable welcome. I send you them
you enclosed that you may make your observations
and return your opinion upon them as well as
upon The letter from Boston which you see has
given no satisfaction. The Government of New Hampshire
having neglected to send His Majesty an account of their
Proceedings Laws Orders etc ^ ^{as Their Commission directs} His Majesty has thought
fitt to appoint a Secretary from hence as in all
his other Plantations who is to be. Clark of The
Councill and to serve them in their correspondency
& dispatch of their Affairs.

The Commisssion you desire is now preparing not-
withstanding the opposition of Sir G. Downing and the
Commissioners of the Customs whose authority and
jurisdiction they think thereby much derogated
from But upon my report to The Commissioners of the
Treasury Their reasons vanished and your Business
^^was order'd to be expedited.

You may be now sensible of the great unneccessary difficulties.
that have arisen from grasping too great a power
without due advice; matters of Power & Government
by new ways & fors being not rashly to be propos'd
nor easily brought to pass, Excentricall motions
often meeting with an Icarian fate.

You will receive great comfort by the arrivall
of

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my Lord Culpeper who to avoid the seasoning
of Virginia chooses to weather the sickly months
in New England.

You must know there is no such thing in nature
as Commissioners of an Admiralty Court but 'tis The
Admirall that constitutes a Vice Admirall who
erects a Court and appoints a Judge & other
officers so that you must either have four
Vice Admirals at least or one that must keeps
his Courts in all the Colonies which They will
be loathe to not easyly admitt.

I could heartily wish you could induce Major Winslow
to come for England by the first convenience and
that The Colony of New Plymouth [illegible] were persuaded
that His Service alone would be cheaper & more
effectuall than that of two other Agents.

It is not convenient for you to meddle with
the Province of Maine unless the money were
ready to be deposited.

I send you abundance of Written news to fill
up your conversation and to distinguish truth
from idle Stories. Mr. Mason says you do not
desire The Gazetts which I much wonder at
for they [illegible] contain the best news and even matters
of State.