74 Thomas Danforth to John Cotton

    Reverend Sir

    Cambridge, November 16, 1674

    I have received your severall letters, dated September 16, Oct. 6, 19, 26, and although too slow in making you a returne, yet I have not been wanting to attend your desire. As for the Doctors1 greivance, you do not I suppose wonder at it. I doubt not but he hath been told of his evill in that matter from more hands than yours, yet he does justifie his own innocency, and I perceive that Mr. Corlet,2 both elder and younger were so taken with hopes of a fellowship, that they strenuously sought to excuse the Doctor and lay the blame else where; but by this time I suppose are out of hope of what they expected, the Colledge standing in more need of Students than of rulers. It would be too long to give you an account of particulars, but I think the Doctor and all his friends do by this time see they have missed it greatly; but what the issue will be I cannot divine. The Comissioners have advanced your Sallary to £25; there was none other that had any addition, and yet wee have over gone our order £100. Your intimacion given about John Mayhue was both xian and seasonable. I have acquainted Mr. Corlet with your tender respect for his Sonne, and earnest desire that he should settle at Yarmouth. Hee speaks of wintering at his Brother Minotts at Dorchester, and so wait to see what is in the womb of the Spring. So with my Kind salutes to yourself and Mrs. Cottons, I take leave and am your assured f[riend] T. Danforth

    [Addressed:] These for the Reverend, and his good Friend Mr. John Cotton, Pastor of the Church at Plymouth. Present.

    College Papers, i. 11 (No. 26). This appears to be a nineteenth-century copy of the original letter. Thomas Danforth was Treasurer, 1650–1668, and Steward, 1668–1668, John Cotton graduated in 1657. The letter is quoted in part in Morison, Seventeenth Century, ii. 407, n. 1.