Conclusion of Composition between London and New Plymouth partners:
1642.
I now come to the conclusion of the long and tedious business between
the partners here and those in England.
_James Sherley in England to the partners of New Plymouth_:
Loving Friends,—Mr. Bradford, Mr. Winslow, Mr. Prince, Captain
Standish, Mr. Brewster, Mr. Alden, and Mr. Howland,
Give me leave to include you all in one letter concerning the
final end and conclusion of this tiresome and tedious business,
which I think I may truly say is uncomfortable and unprofitable
for all.... It has pleased God now to show us a way to cease all
suits and disputes, and to conclude in peace and love as we began.
I am content to make good what Mr. Atwood and you have agreed upon,
and for that end have sent him an absolute and general release to
you all, and if it lacks anything to make it complete, write it
yourselves and it shall be done, provided that you all, either
jointly or severally, seal a similar discharge to me. For that
purpose I have drawn up a copy and sent it to Mr. Atwood with the
one I have sealed for you. Mr. Andrews has sealed an acquittance
also, and sent it to Mr. Winthrop, with such directions as he
thought fit, and, as I hear, has transferred his debt, which he
makes £544, to the gentlemen of the Bay. Mr. Weld, Mr. Peters, and
Mr. Hibbins have taken a great deal of pains with Mr. Andrews, Mr.
Beauchamp, and myself, to bring us to agree, and we have had many
meetings and spent much time upon it. Mr. Andrews wished you to
have one third of the £1200, and the Bay two thirds; but to do that
we three partners here must have agreed to it, which would be a
difficult matter now. However, Mr. Weld, Mr. Peters, Mr. Hibbins,
and I have agreed, and they are giving you their bond to settle
with Mr. Beauchamp and procure his general release, and thus free
you from all the trouble and expense that he might put you to.
Now our agreement is, that you must pay to the gentlemen of the
Bay £900, they to bear all expenses which may in any way arise
concerning the free and absolute clearing of you from us three;
and you to have the other £300....
Upon receiving my release from you I will send you your bonds for
the purchase money. I would have sent them now, but first I want
Mr. Beauchamp to release you as well as I, because they bind you
to him as well as to me, though I know that if a man is bound to
twelve men, when one releases him it is the same as if all did so;
so my discharge is to that extent sufficient. So do not doubt but
you shall have them, and your power of attorney, and anything else
that is fit....
Your loving and kind friend in what I may or can,
JAMES SHERLEY.
_June 14th, 1642._
Mr. Andrews’ discharge was similar to Mr. Sherley’s. He was by
agreement to have £500 of the money, which he gave to those at the
Bay, who brought his discharge and received the money, viz.; one
third of the £500 paid down, and the rest in four equal payments,
to be paid yearly, for which they gave their bonds. £44 more was
demanded, in addition; but they believed they could arrange it with
Mr. Andrews, so it was not included in the bond.
But Mr. Beauchamp would give way in nothing, and demanded £400 of
the partners here, sending a release to a friend to be delivered to
them on receipt of the money. But his release was not perfect, having
left out some of the partners’ names, with some other defects; and
besides, the other partners there gave them to understand he had not
nearly so much due to him. So no end was made with him till four
years after.