126 President Mather to Lieutenant-Governor Stoughton

    [June 30 1701]

    Honourable Sir

    I promised the Last General Court to take care of the Colledge until the Commencement. Accordingly I have bin residing in Cambridge these three moneths. I am determined (if the Lord will) to return to Boston the next weeke; and no more to return to reside in Cambridge. For it is not reasonable to desire me to be (as out of respect to the publick interest I have bin 6 moneths within this twel moneth) any longer absent from my Family. And it is much more unreasonable to desire one so circumstanced as I am to remove my Family to Cambridge when the Colledge is in such an unsettled state. I do therefore earnestly desire that the General Court would as soon as may be think of another president for the College. It would be fatal to the interest of Religion, if a person disaffected to the order of the Gospel professed and practiced in this church should preside over this Society. I know the General Assembly out of their regard to the interest of Christ will take care to prevent it. It is and has bin my prayer to God that one more Learned than I am, and more fit to inspect and govern the Colledge may be sent hither, and one whom all the churches in N. England shall have cause to bless the Lord for. So I remain

    From the Colledge in Cambridge.

    yours to honour and serve

    To the Honourable William Stoughton Esq. Lieut. Governour

    To be communicated to the General Assembly

    College Papers, i. 34 (No. 59). This draft of a letter to Stoughton is entirely in Mather’s handwriting. The letter itself is printed in Quincy, History, i. 501–502 (Appendix XVII), and in K. B. Murdock, Increase Mather, 356–357. Lt. Governor Stoughton died on July 7, 1701.