From the Colony of Massachusetts to that of New Plymouth:
Worthy Sirs,
After reading your letters and considering the importance of their contents, the court has jointly expressed their willingness to assist you with men and ammunition, to accomplish your ends with the French. But as none of you here have authority to conclude anything with us, nothing can be done for the present. We desire you, therefore, with all convenient speed to send some one of trust, with instructions from yourselves to make such an agreement with us as may be useful to you and fair to us. So in haste we commit you to God, and remain,
Your assured loving friends,
JOHN HAYNES, Governor
RICHARD BELLINGHAM,
Deputy Governor
JOHN WINTHROP
THOMAS DUDLEY
JOHN HUMPHREY
WILLIAM CODDINGTON
WILLIAM PINCHON
ATHERTON HOUGH
INCREASE NOWELL
RICHARD DUMER
SIMON BRADSTREET
Newtown, Oct. 9th, 1635.
Upon receipt of this they at once deputed two of their people to treat with them, giving them full power to conclude an agreement according to the instructions they gave them, which were to this purpose: that if the Massachusetts Colony would afford such assistance as, together with their own, was likely to effect the desired end, and also bear a considerable part of the expense, they would go on; if not, having lost so much already, they must desist and wait such further opportunity to help themselves as God should give. But the conference resulted in nothing, for when it came to an issue the others would go to no expense. They sent the following letter, and referred them to their messengers.
Richard Bellingham, Deputy Governor of Massachusetts, to the Governor of New Plymouth: