MS46.02: William Blathwayt Papers
Richard Wharton Letter to Blathwayt dated April 8, 1686

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Boston In New England Aprill 8th 1686


Sr

The intimations wee have long since recd of his Matyes indulgence and gratious care
for the [easy] Govermt of this people, and ye continuall expectacón wee have had for neer
six months of Mr Randolphs arrivall with his Maties Comn to Mr Dudley have hitherto
supported many of his Matyes good Subjects under great injuryes and oppressions, which
now by Long continuance are become almost intollerable. The faction at Road Island
this winter have as well in contempt of his late Matys Comands, as their owne Govrs
and their premier Magistrates dissent, combined tumultuously to [horne] into the Narra
ganset countrey, all such vagrant and dissolute p[er]sons as will inlist themselves to
invade our propriety, and possess our Lands, And content not themselves with our
Land lyeing unimproved, but instigate our tennts to withold our rents, and to keep
possession for themselves of our improved estates, p[ro]miseing them p[ro]tection therein
therein and p[re]tending Authority from his Matyes gratious letter to their Governr
dated the 26: of June last, I herewith humbly offer to yor p[er]usall an act of their assembly
founded on a peticón contrived by themselves, and Subscribed and p[re]sented by [five]
p[ro]fligate p[er]sons, a copy of wch my son will with other papers relateing thereto p[re]sent
yw , I alsoe inclose a former Act of their assembly, declareing [intitles] good to those
Lands they now dispose of, and a Copy of a p[ro]test published onely to pr vent their
intrusions, and molestations, till his Majestyes comr shall arive wch wee hope will
be effectuall to restraine them. The p[ro]prietr s humbly pray you to p[er]use the papers
enclosed, and to Let his Majesty understand what interpretacón and improvemt
those people make of his gratious expressions of favour to them, or otherwise to
improve them as may be most for his Matys service.

New Hampshire Languishes under the ill effects of ye diferent pr tentions Mr Mason
and the people make to p[ro]priety, its great pity those contraversyes depend so long
being ruinous to all concerned, Mr Mason its feared will lose his passage by this
ship, being not yet come to towne.

The various reports brought hither, and vulgar Jealousyes that some new
measures may be taken from Mr Cranfield for Governmt heer, doe most terrify and
unsettle the people, others hope that Mr Randolphs long stay hath given opportunity
for a new comission, or for some addition to ye former, a copy of which is allready heer
wherein there is no mention of an assembly, and without which many things [necessary]
for his Matyes service and the p[ro]sperity of the place, and especially all levys for sup
port of Governmt will be difficult to effect, all our rates and publique revenues being
onely temporary. All the p[er]sons appointed to serve in ye Councell are men of great
integrity and Loyall, but most of them live too far distant to be pr sent so often and
soone as may be needfull, nor are there enough at hand to make a Quorum on any
Exigent and indeed not halfe ye number are of fit proportions for ye [figures] nor qualified
for ye revolucon requisite, and as I confess myselfe one of the most unworthy and unfit, soe
I shall allwayes cheerfully make roome for any of better ability, and Dutifully
Comport to his Majestyes pleasure in that or any other post may be assigned
me for his Majestyes service.

My last from my son advised my Patent for [Posepscot] was ordered to be made p2 ready for the seale and hoped by yor favour it hath long since past ye [offices]
and that ye advice thereof will inable me by the next occasion to make some
acceptable acknowldgmt of my gratitude to yor selfe, in the Interim I Crave
yor Pardon and send improvemt of those intimacóns, and ye honr of yor Command
in anything wherein I may evidence my selfe

Yor Honrs most obliged and obdt Servt

Rd Wharton

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Boston
8 Apr 86
From Mr Wharton
Recd 17 June 86

Thes
To the Honr ble Wm Blathwayte
Esqr
At the Plantation Office in
White Hall

[per] Mr Weare Q.D.C.