HON'BLE SR—

My letter of the 4th of June, and my last of the 16th of July, doe containe the acc't of yo'r affaires here, soe far as could then be attayned ; and my hopes of being dispatched at Court in a little tyme, soe that I have now onely to present that a few days since, I have received their Majesties gracious letter of the 21st of June, which since that date has been in the hands of the Secretary of State; wherein their Maj'ties have been pleased to explayne their Commission to Coll. Fletcher, and restraine it within the bounds of a quota in time of war, and is noe more then yourselves have formerly sent forth for defence to your neighbor Governments, I know not what can more re-establish and confirme the Charter, then their Maj'ties gracious expressions, and intentions to maintaine your just rights and priviliges, which is fully set forth in the enclosed letter to Coll. Fletcher. And I may let you know the Lords of the Councill are yett satisfyed with your present administrations, and you stand faire at court, soe far as I can understand. I hope their Maj'ties letter will remove all former misunderstandings, and settle the minds of the people in all respects; I am forst to omit some perticulers which might he inserted herein, haveing been some dayes under much indisposition, and doe with great difficulty write this letter, and can onely farther add that I finde it impossible to returne with this oportunity; an order of Councill is sent to the Commander of the ship, who caryes the souldiers to New York, to sayle with the first winde, and their Maj'ties letter being soe lately delivered to me, makes it impos-sible to be ready in soe few dayes by me, and soe must wait for the first opportunity in the spring; in the meane tyme I shall be early here to doe all the service I can if any thyng offers for your advantage. I have not omitted any opportunity to promote your interest, and have done all I can in the trust comitted to me; and if it be acceptable to yourselves, I shall alwaye thank God for the opportunity he has given me to serve my country. I shall hope to heare from yorselves by every opportunity, and am much uneasy that I have not received one word from yourselves since I come into England, many gent'm here have received Letters by New York and severall other ways; a vessill arrived here last weeke in a month from Boston, but I have noe letter therein. I gave yo'r hon'r acc't in my last what mony I had taken up here, to be repaid at Boston, which I hope will not be forgot, and shall medle noe farther till I hear from yourselves, believing you will care for me as is fitting, I have now only to ask your prayers for Gods favour and protection, that I may be pre-served here; and safely returned to yourselves, which with the presentment of my humble service to your hon'r the Dept. Gov'r and Gent'm of the Councill, is all at present but the assurance that I am

Your most faythfull serv't,

J. WINTHROP.