Majesty's honour, may be
duly corrected, for their amendment and the terror of others_. And to
that end, if you know anything which hath been spoken or done, either by
the ministers (whom the Browns do seem tacitly to blame for some things
uttered in their sermons or prayers) or any others, we require you, if
any such there be, that you form due process against the offenders, and
send it to us by the first, that we may, as our duty binds us, use means
to have them duly punished.

"So not doubting but we have said enough, we shall repose ourselves upon
your wisdom, and do rest

"Your loving friends.
"To the Governor, Capt. Endicot."]

[Footnote 47: These innovations, I suppose, had reference principally to
the formation of the Church at Salem, the adoption of a confession of
faith and covenant by the people, and their election and ordination of
the ministers. Endicot, we know, sympathized fully with the Separatists
of New Plymouth.--_Note by the Editor of the Records._]

[Footnote 48: This letter has always been missing.]

[Footnote 49: History of the United States, Vol. I., pp. 486, 487.]

[Footnote 50: The Company's letter to the Ministers:--

"REVEREND FRIENDS,--

There are lately arrived here, being sent from the Governor, Mr. John
Endicot, as men of faction and evil-conditioned, John and Samuel Brown,
being brethren who since their arrival have raised rumours (as we hear)
of divers scandalous and intemperate speeches passed from one or both of
you in your public sermons and prayers in New England, as also of some
innovations attempted by you. We have reason to hope that their reports
are but slanders; partly, for your godly and quiet conditions are well
known to some of us; as also, for that these men, your accusers, seem to
be embittered against Captain Endicot for injuries which they have
received from some of you there. Yet, for that we all know that the best
advised may overshoot themselves, we have thought good to inform you of
what we hear, and if you be innocent you may clear yourselves; or, if
otherwise, you may be intreated to look back upon your miscarriage with
repentance; or at least to notice that we utterly disallow any such
passages, and must and will take order for the redress thereof, as shall
become us. But hoping, as we said, of your unblamableness herein, we
desire only that this may testify to you and others that we are tender
of the least aspersion which, either directly or obliquely,