offend in it) to requeſt the keeping & bringing vp of one of the children. I haue fixed mine eye on this little one with the red about his neck, but I will not be peremptory in my choice, but will reſt in your loving pleaſure for him or any," &c. M. H. S. Coll., iv., vi., 195–6.
Again [probably 18th September, 1637]: "Sir, concerning captiues (pardon my wonted boldneſs) the Scripture is full of mysterie & the Old Teſtament of types.
“If they have deserued death 'tis sinn to spare:
"If they haue not deserued death then what puniſhments? Whether perpetuall ſlaverie.
"I doubt not but the enemie may lawfully be weaknd & despoild of all comfort of wife & children &c., but I beſeech you well weigh it after a due time of trayning vp to labour & reſtraint, they ought not to be ſet free: a so as without danger of adioyning to the enemie." M. H. S. Coll., iv., vi., 214.
Later in the fame year [Nov. 1637] Roger Williams, who had promiſed certain fugitive ſlaves to intercede for them, "to write that they might be vfed kindly"—fulfilled his promiſe in a letter to Winthrop, in which, after ſtating their complaints of ill usage, &c., he adds:
"My humble deſire is that all that haue theſe poor wretches might be exhorted as to walke wiſely & iuftly towards them, so to make mercy eminent, for in that attribute the Father of mercy moſt ſhines to Adams miserable ofspring." M. H. S. Coll., iv., vi., 218, 219.
Hugh Peter writes to John Winthrop from Salem
