S^r: &c. Here are now many of your and our freinds from Leyden coming
over, who, though for y^e most parte be but a weak company, yet herein
is a good parte of that end obtained which was aimed at, and which
hath been so strongly opposed by some of our former adventurers. But
God hath his working in these things, which man cannot frustrate. With
them we have allso sent some servants in y^e ship called the Talbut,
that wente hence latly; but these come in y^e May-flower. M^r.
Beachamp & my selfe, with M^r. Andrews & M^r. Hatherly, are, with your
love and liking, joyned partners with you, &c.
Your deputation we have received, and y^e goods have been taken up &
sould by your friend & agente, M^r. Allerton, my selfe having bine
nere 3. months in Holland, at Amsterdam & other parts in y^e
Low-Countries. I see further the agreemente you have made with y^e
generallitie, in which I cannot understand but you have done very
well, both for them & you, and also for your freinds at Leyden. M^r.
Beachamp, M^r. Andrews, M^r. Hatherley, & my selfe, doe so like and
approve of it, as we are willing to joyne with you, and, God directing
and inabling us, will be assisting and helpfull to you, y^e best y^t
possiblie we can. Nay, had you not taken this course, I doe not see
how you should accomplish y^e end you first aimed at, and some others
indevored these years past. We know it must keep us from y^e profite,
which otherwise by y^e blessing of God and your indeaours, might be
gained; for most of those that came in May, & these now sente, though
I hope honest & good people, yet not like to be helpfull to raise
profite, but rather, ney, certaine must, some while, be chargable to
you & us; at which it is lickly, had not this wise & discreete course
been taken, many of your generalitie would have grudged. Againe, you
say well in your letter, and I make no doubte but you will performe
it, that now being but a few, on whom y^e burthen must be, you will
both menage it y^e beter, and sett too it more cherfully, haveing no
discontente nor contradiction, but so lovingly to joyne togeither, in
affection and counsell, as God no doubte will blesse and prosper your
honest labours & indeavors. And therfore in all respects I doe not see
but you have done marvelously discreetly, & advisedly, and no doubt
but it gives all parties good contente; I mean y^t are reasonable &
honest men, such as make conscience of giving y^e best satisfaction
they be able for their debts, and y^t regard not their owne perticuler
so much as y^e accomplishing of y^t good end for which this bussines
was first intended, &c. Thus desiring y^e Lord to blese & prosper you,
& all yours, and all our honest endeavors, I rest
Your unfained & ever loving friend,
JAMES SHERLEY.