MS46.02: William Blathwayt Papers
Richard Wharton Letter to Blathwayt dated May 27, 1685

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Boston In N: Engld May 27: 1685


Sr

I was honr d with yors under Direcón to Mr Stoughton, Mr Dudley, Buckley,
Shrimpton, and my selfe, but more especially by that of the 12th of febru
ary under pt icular duration intimateing his late Majtyes death, for wch
wee (as all good subjects) were sorrowfully affected, and againe comforted
with the Joyfull news of the happy and peaceable succession of soe gratious
and good a King as his p[re]sent Matye

I was at ye arrivall of yor Letters in ye Narrt . countrey, Labouring to oppose
ye incrouchmts and repress ye insolencyes and oppressions those poore people
Labour under from Road Island, and soe had not opportunity to assist in ye
duty and service yw injoyned in p[ro]clayming his Majesty in ye Massachusetts
Collony: But am very apprehensive yor recommendation was effectuall to
animate those that still hold the Govermt to an expeditious and duti
full p[er]formance, the accompt of which Mr Stoughton and Mr Dudley
tell me they gave yw by the last ships, and that the presidt of the
Province of Maine had instructed his Deputy, with like solemnity to Proclayme
his Maty there, which was done with great acclamations and Joy.

When I left Narraganset yor Packet to my selfe being not come to hand,
upon other intellignece of his Matyes death, I advised Mr Smith the principle
inhabitt and p[ro]prietr s there, to proclayme his pr sent Matye and whilst he
was pr pareing, the inhabitants there being few and scattered, and before I could
furnish him with one of the p[ro]clamations yw favoured me with, The Governmt
of Road Island (intending a pr vention) recomended that service to a very
feeble and unfit p[er]son, soe that Mr Smith haveing assembled ye people in arms
he with his Chaplayne, and other principle p[er]sons with all possible solemnity
and expressions of Joy, proclaymed his Matye , and in the most publique place
posted the said proclamation, And as a further testimony of Loyalty the
p[ro]prietr s & freeholders of that countrey, doe now humbly make their address
to his Matye And crave yor favour to my son in pr senting ye same

His Maty as yet haveing not established any other Governmt in this Collony,
By a new election this day, the old constitution is continued. Mr Stoughton
and Mr Dudley [scantly] chosen, and will not accept. Mr Buckley and Mr Woodbridge
left out, and Oliver Purchase elected, without any other alteration, when
his Matye shall please to send comission to discharge ye pr sent Magistrates, I hope
there will be a peaceable surrender

Mr Cranfield its said is ready to remove to some other plantation, and will its
supposed depute Mr Mason in the Governmt , the inhabitts of that and ye Narrt .
countrey earnestly expect some more easy establishmt :

My son if in towne will waite upon yw with this and ye Narrt . address
and leave upon yor favourable Direction in all affayrs that may be for
p2 his Matyes Service (and hope he will not pr sume to sollicit any other)
A gratious Answear from his pr sent Matye to ye Address from ye Easterne
Saggamores heer, wch was lately pr sented before his late Matyes death
might be very effectuall to pr sent all confederacyes and Comerce between
those Indians and the ffrench: and p[ro]mote ye fishing trade and settlemt
in these parts Sr tis a dutifull ambition to serve his Matye and thankfully
to acknoledge ye obligations yw lay upon me that makes me more freqt
and Large in my applications to yor selfe then would otherwise become

Sr
Yor most humble obedt servt

Rd Wharton

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Boston
27 May 85
[seal]
From Mr Wharton

Recd 15 July 85

Thes
To the Honr ble Willm Blathwaite Esqr
Clerke to his Matyes most honr ble pryvy councill
To be left at ye Plantation Office
In
White Hall