Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

MS46.02: William Blathwayt Papers
Josiah Addington Letter to Blathwayt dated February 21, 1693

We have been made sensible of the obligations you have laid upon
this people in the advantagious circumstances attending their settlement
by their Maj^ties Royal Charter. And thô our present poverty by
reason of the great losses and vast Charge drawn upon us by the War
incapcitate 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 Hon^ble station, do's greatly advantage
you, to further the good of this people, and are persuaded. Your
genorosity is such, to incline you to be kind unto them, who need and
rely upon your Goodnesse for the same.

S^r , You will have transmitted unto you by this Conveyance, the
Acts and Laws made and passed by the General Assembly for y^e well
ordering and Governing of this their Maj^ties 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 w^ch
necesarily require some diversity in many things; We shall gratefully
acknowledge your kindness in the promoving of their Maj^ties Royal
approbation and Confirmation of the same and that none of them be re
jected thrô default of being well rendered in any cause or Expressions
thereof; But that We may be notified of the exceptions thereat in
order to their amendmant.

We have likewise forwarded our Address to be presented unto their
Maj^ties therein humbly representing and laying before them the low state
and condition of this their Province thrȄ the difficultites 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
Maj^ties 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 success 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 Compton within this their Maj^ties Province lying next to
Road Island , thrô the instigation of the Islanders and under ye Influence
of their authority, absurdly pretending to incroach upon their Maj^ties
Rights and Government here, not contenting themselves to withold 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 situation, and unaffected with the calamaties 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
thô one of the chief Criminals, To wit, Christopher Almy, 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 y^e administracòns
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 S^r Henry Ashurst & Mr. Constantine Phips to present
our Address and to wait upon their Maj^ties in our affaires as there
may be occasion. The distresses of the War and Taxes necessarily re
quired for defraying the Charges thereof has rendered our circumstances
more difficult, thô his Exc^y 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 Expectations of fresh assaults. The frontiers are constantly
upon their Guard, and Charges thereby growing. The news of the
happy progress and success of their Maj^ties Arms in Europe would
animate their subjects here, and damp the spirit of our Enemies the
which we daily pray for, wishing all health and happiness to
your Honour

Boston February 21th
1692/3

Massachusetts [Bay]
21 Feb: 1692/3

From M Addington Sec^y
Rc^d 19 July 1693
[illegible] Cap^t Fay

To the Hon^ble
William Blathwayt
Esq^r
At the Plantation Office
In
London

Present