76. Some Relations with England, 1638
a. Attack upon the Massachusetts Charter
Thomas Hutchinson's Collection of Original Papers (1769), 105-106.
This is the last of several demands for the return of the charter between the years 1634 and 1638. Winthrop refers to it as "a very strict order." For the reasons why the colony "thought it safe" to disregard the order, and for the earlier history, cf. American History and Government, § 61.
A Coppie of a Letter sent by the appointment of the Lords of the Council to Mr. Winthrop, for the Patent of this Plantation to be sent to them.
At Whitehall April 4th 1638. Present,
- Lord Archbishop of Canterbury
- Lord Keeper
- Lord Treasurer
- Lord Privy Seale
- Earle Marshall
- Earle of Dorset
- Earle of Holland
- Lord Cottington
- Mr. Treasurer
- Mr. Controuler
- Mr. Secretary Cooke
- Mr. Secretary Windebank
This day the Lords Commissioners for foreign Plantations, taking into consideration that the petitions and complaints of his Majestys subjects, planters and traders in New-England, grow more frequent than heretofore for want of a settled and orderly government in those parts, and calling to mind that they had formerly given order about two or three years since to Mr. Cradock a member of that plantation, to cause the grant or letters patent of that plantation (alleadged by him to be there remaining in the hands of Mr. Winthrop) to be sent over hither, and that notwithstanding the same, the said letters patent were not as yet brought over: And their Lordships being now informed by Mr. Attorney General that a Quo Warranto had been by him brought according to former order against the said patent, and the same was proceeded to judgment against so many as had appeared, and that they which had not appeared, were outlawed.
Their lordships well approving of Mr. Attorney's care and proceeding therein did now resolve and order, that Mr. Meawtis, clerk of the council attendant upon the said commissioners for foreign plantations, should in a letter from himselfe to Mr. Winthrop inclose and convey this order unto him. And their Lordships hereby in his Majestys name, and according to his express will and pleasure, strictly require and enjoine the said Winthrop or any other in whose power and custody the said letters patent are, that they fail not to transmit the said patent hither by the returne of the ship in which the order is conveyed to them, it being resolved that in case of any further neglect or contempt by them shewed therein, their lordships will cause a strict course to be taken against them, and will move his Majesty to reassume into his hands the whole plantation.