Note CH — The 2. Booke. (continued 3)

Another leter of his, that should have bene placed before:—

We cannot but take notice how y^e Lord hath been pleased to crosse our proseedings, and caused many disasters to befale us therin. I conceive y^e only reason to be, we, or many of us, aimed at other ends then Gods glorie; but now I hope y^t cause is taken away; the bargen being fully concluded, as farr as our powers will reach, and confirmed under our hands & seals, to M^r. Allerton & y^e rest of his & your copartners. But for my owne parte, I confess as I was loath to hinder y^e full confirming of it, being y^e first propounder ther of at our meeting; so on y^e other side, I was as unwilling to set my hand to y^e sale, being y^e receiver of most part of y^e adventurs, and a second causer of much of y^e ingagments; and one more threatened, being most envied & aimed at (if they could find any stepe to ground their malice on) then any other whosoever. I profess I know no just cause they ever had, or have, so to doe; neither shall it ever be proved y^t I have wronged them or any of y^e adventurers, wittingly or willingly, one peny in y^e disbursing of so many pounds in those 2. years trouble. No, y^e sole cause why they maligne me (as I & others conceived) was y^t I would not side with them against you, & the going over of y^e Leyden people. But as I then card not, so now I litle fear what they can doe; yet charge & trouble I know they may cause me to be at. And for these reasons, I would gladly have perswaded the other 4. to have sealed to this bargaine, and left me out, but they would not; so rather then it should faile, M^r. Alerton having taken so much pains, I have sealed with y^e rest; with this proviso & promise of his, y^t if any trouble arise hear, you are to bear halfe y^e charge. Wherfore now I doubt not but you will give your generallitie good contente, and setle peace amongst your selves, and peace with the natives; and then no doubt but y^e God of Peace will blese your going out & your returning, and cause all y^t you sett your hands unto to prosper; the which I shall ever pray y^e Lord to grante if it be his blessed will. Asuredly unless y^e Lord be mercifull unto us & y^e whole land in generall, our estate & condition is farr worse then yours. Wherfore if y^e Lord should send persecution or trouble hear, (which is much to be feared,) and so should put into our minds to flye for refuge, I know no place safer then to come to you, (for all Europ is at varience one with another, but cheefly w^th us,) not doubting but to find such frendly entertainmente as shall be honest & conscionable, notwithstanding what hath latly passed. For I profess in y^e word of an honest man, had it not been to procure your peace & quiet from some turbulent spirites hear, I would not have sealed to this last deed; though you would have given me all my adventure and debte ready downe. Thus desiring y^e Lord to blesse & prosper you, I cease ever resting,

Your faithfull & loving friend, to my power, James Sherley.

Des: 27.

[The above letter was written on the reverse of page 154 of the original manuscript.]