89 Thomas Danforth to William Stoughton

    Cambridge, 3. 5. 1683. [July 3]

    Honoured Sir

    I know you cannot forget how unhandsomely we have been (from time to time) imposed upon by our neighbours, and especially by Hartford Colony, and among other things their intrudeing upon and utter bereaving us of that little portion of land that we had allotted to us in the Pequott Country, and is part of that now called the Kings Province, scittuate Northward in Paucatuck River and extending as far as Wicapaug. It was indeed a very small portion dearly bought by the Sword, where our Expenses had far exceeded our reward. Also out of said tract, after the granting of a Township by us called Southertown, and sundry farms to particular persons, the Colledge had a farme of a 1000 acres granted to them, and of more vallue then £1000 but are wholly bereaved thereof, after some considerable disbursements made by the Treasurer theron. The Records of the Commissioners Acts that setled that tract on this Colony are with Mr. Rawson and accordingly wee had quiet possession untill Hartford Patent came over, and then they violently took both Government and soyle. We freely tendred them the Government, but they would have both, unless wee would fight them for it. As for the Colledge lands the grant by the General Court and returne made by my selfe of the laying it out, is on Record with Mr. Rawson; of which the Colledge was actually possessed untill some of Hartford Colony and some of Road Island by violence dispossessed and have built thereon. I think Road Island Men would have easily been reduced, had not some of Hartford Colony abetted them, choosing that any should have it rather then those to whom this Colony granted it.

    Sir I am an utter stranger to the designe of your commission, yet methinks a demand of our Right (on sundry accounts), can do us no harme.

    The trouble of taking out Copies is no great; and if you think it fit, they may be putt into the hands of some of those Gentlemen that wait upon you to the place of meeting who by your advice, may improve them as there may be opportunity. In case you judge anything of this nature to be unseasonable, or of no vallue, I shall not urge it. With my kind salutes wishing you a good Journey, and safe Returne.

    I am, Sir

    your ever obliged Freind and Servant

    Thomas Danforth

    I beg your pardon, I do not wait upon you, for Travel on foot I cannot, and have no pleasure in Riding, although I do it only upon my occasions about my house, my wife sick, and sundry other of my family ill of the Agues and feavers now much prevailing with us.

    [Addressed:] These for my honoured Freind William Stoughton Esq.

    [Endorsed:] College Farme at Pacatoque No. 6, 1683.

    College Papers, i. 11 (No. 25). Stoughton (A.B. 1650) was at this time one of the Commissioners to inquire into titles in Narragansett County. For the acquiring of the land by the College see CSM Publications, xv. 275–277.