Letter to Winthrop

HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS. REV. THOMAS HOOKER'S LETTER, IN REPLY TO GOVERNOR WINTHROP. [THE original of the following letter is preserved in the Massachusetts archives, in the Secretary's office at Boston. Its history may be traced in few words. The first movement toward a permanent confederation of the colonies appears to have been made, while Mr. Hooker, and his colleague Mr. Stone, were attending the synod at Newtown, in the summer of 1637. (Winth. Journal, I. 237.) At this time, or at a subsequent informal meeting, articles drawn by some of the Massachusetts council, probably by Governor Winthrop himself, were propounded by him for consideration; and it was agreed by those present that the plan of union should be referred to the supreme authority in each colony, in Massachusetts, to "the State;" in Connecticut, to "the magistrates and people," for approval or amendment. In the summer of 1638, Connecticut having freely exercised her "liberty to explain or except," sent commissioners, with the amended articles, to the general court of Massachusetts. (Winth.

for approval or amendment. In the summer of 1638, Connecticut having freely exercised her "liberty to explain or except," sent commissioners, with the amended articles, to the general court of Massachusetts. (Winth. Jour., I.285-6.) The nature of the alterations which had been made, and the grounds of objection to the original plan of union, are stated by Governor Winthrop in his journal, (Vol. I. pp. 284-286,) and by Mr. Hooker, in the following letter. It will be seen that the two accounts differ somewhat as to facts more widely as to motives; and that Mr. Hooker presents these, as well as other "apparent causes of offence," given by "those of Connecticut," under a very different aspect from that in which they were regarded by his correspondent. The negotiation was interrupted, in consequence of the claim preferred by Massachusetts, to the jurisdiction of Agawam (Springfield,) which had been hitherto conceded to belong to Connecticut. A letter upon this subject, from Governor Winthrop, "with advice about some other things," called forth a "very harsh" answer from Mr. Ludlow.

Springfield) which had been hitherto conceded to belong to Connecticut. A letter upon this subject, from Governor Winthrop, "with advice about some other things," called forth a "very harsh" answer from Mr. Ludlow. "The Governor acquainted the council and magistrates with this letter; and because they had tied our 2 REV. THOMAS HOOKER'S LETTER hands (in a manner) from replying, he wrote a private letter to Mr. Haynes, wherein he lays open their mistakes (as he called them,) and the apparent causes of offence, which they had given us." (Winth. Jour., I. 286.) On the 28th of August, of the same year, he addressed a similar letter to Mr. Hooker, the following abstract of which is preserved in the last article of the published addenda to the journal: "In my letter to Mr. Hooker, I complained of three things: 1. That they told the Narragansetts, that they were not tied to the agreement we made with the Indians; and that they did this, to advance their own reputation with the Indians, and to abase ours; that it was a point of state policy in them not to dissent, while the war was at their doors; for they had need of our help, etc.; that it was done without any pressing occasion; that it was done unseasonably, after their own commissioners had propounded that before the Indians we should in all things appear as one.

for they had need of our help, etc.; that it was done without any pressing occasion; that it was done unseasonably, after their own commissioners had propounded that before the Indians we should in all things appear as one. 2. That they altered the articles of confederation in the most material point, and all because some pre-eminence was therein yielded to the Massachusetts, and being again agreed, (only referred to consent, etc.,) in three months we had no answer from them; that the way which they would have taken, of referring differences to the churches, would occasion infinite trouble and expense, and yet leave the issue to the sword. I expostulated about the unwarrantableness and unsafeness of referring matter of counsel or judicature to the body of the people, quia the best part is always the least, and of that best part the wiser part is always the lesser. The old law was, choose ye out judges, etc., and thou shalt bring the matter to the judge, etc.

judicature to the body of the people, quia the best part is always the least, and of that best part the wiser part is always the lesser. The old law was, choose ye out judges, etc., and thou shalt bring the matter to the judge, etc. 3. That they did still exercise jurisdiction at Agaam, though one of their commissioners disclaimed to intermeddle in our line, and thither we challenged our right, and it was agreed so, and I had wrote to them to desire them to forbear until, etc.; that Mr. Pynchon had small encouragement to be under them; that if his relation were true, I could not see the justice of their proceeding against him, etc. That the end of my writing to him was, that he might help quench these sparks of contention; that I did open our grievances to him in their most true and reasonable intendment; that though I be strict for our right in public, quia their magistrates are so, yet I am willing to listen to advice, and my aim is the common good." To this letter Mr. Hooker returned the following reply. It was written in the autumn of 1638, and forwarded to Governor Winthrop by, or through, Mr. She yet I am willing to listen to advice, and my aim is the common good." To this letter Mr. Hooker returned the following reply. It was written in the autumn of 1638, and forwarded to Governor Winthrop by, or through, Mr. Shepard, of Cambridge, (the writer's son-in-law.) The last page or pages of the original, with the date and TO GOVERNOR WINTHROP. 3