Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-11-20
A Loose Leaf from the History Of the Old
Time.

The original of the following letter is preserv-
ed in the TERRY family, Hartford, Conn. For
our copy we are indebted to our indeiatigabc
Antiquarian, HENRY STEVENS, Esq, of Barnet.
Its authenticity is of course beyond cavil 1t
is undersigned Brother Underhils epistle to
Master Huntly."
We look upon this quaint old epistle, as we
doubt not our readers will Jas daguerrcotype from
the times of our Puritan forefathers, faithfully
portrayng. particularly, the nilexible and stern
religious zeal, and the incorporating fidelity
to religious sentiment and faith, of those early
Republicans, who anticipated the Commonwealth
of CROMWELL in England more than thirty years,
by establishing its counterpart on the bleak
shores of New England. 1t is impossible, in
our day, to rcpress smile at the business-like
air with which these gody gentlemen set them
selves against the "wanton open-worked gloves,
of handsome "Mistress Wilber," that called forth
from ' Master Cotton" ponderous quotations
from Gregory Nazianzer on Good Works." The
Governors in those days were Governors in Is
raev, and overruled the spiritual as well as the
temporal affairs of the Colony. Alas, for pretty
Mistress Miriam. We see her bright but down.
r cast eyes, and her slender fingers peeping thro'
those ''van openings" as she timidly suggests
the 'honey NOON in palliation of her offence
suggestion so connected with home joys, and
I the innocence of early life and love, that she
thought doubtless, it would incline the hearts of
d her Judges to Mercy We think there are WIN
: THRops and PETERsEs in our generation who
'e have no whit ofthe rigid intolerance of their fore
= fathers for this form o, godessness.
'e But we are keeping our readers from the let.
r ter.
~ Brother and Beoved--Rcmemberin my kind love
: Mr. ki,on, now send you some note OF my rai a
ID Boston. Oh, that may come out OF tins ana an inc
~ like trials like gold seven times purified IN the furnace
After the Rulers Boston had failed to asen VIVA
III u, Roger Hoakinder pleased to call the damnins
-. error OF Anna Hutchinson upon me, looked 10 On
w. sent away III peace but Gov winthrop SAID mus
~ abide the examining of the Church Accordingly IN
VI third day OF the week was convened before them d
n Harry Nane the Governors Dudley tiaynes,wi'n Nlas
a tiers Cotton Shepherd ard Hugh Peters were present
IL. with others They propounded that was TO be ex
nj amned touching certain act OF adultery had com
,r mitted with Mistress Miriam W ilber wife OF sam
ue WILDER for carnally cooking to lust after her at tn
RI lecture in Boston when Master Shepherd cxpounded
~, This Mistress WILDER hath since been dealt with &c
No. coming to that Lecture with PAIR OF wan'on ope,
, worked gloves slit at the fingers and thumbs Tor tn
" purpose otakng snuff; .or Master Cotton oserve'
OF or what end should those vain openings be but tor til
pnr intent of taking filthy snuff" and he quoted Gregor
o hese openings Satans port holes OF fiery tenn
Wv taon' Mistress Miriam offered in excuse OF her val
m attire chat she newly married, ana appeared
ing i.i oiia no ",i%s , , v look IN cnsi his fr
49, darts and lay his pitfalls Of destruction to catch ira
pl flesh and blood. She is to be further dealt with Il
,, taking snuff How the OF the good creature toba
vs. co. can be an offence, cannot see. Oh my believe
how the proud Pharsees labor about the mint and Gun
no. c, Governor Winthrop enqured of me eff had CO
tessed the matter y said 81 wished copy OF the
,n charge" Sir Henry Nane said there was no need
~" any charge seeing knew was guilty ;--charges
ng made out when there was an uncertainty wheth
of the accused guilty not, and to tighten the acc
ne sed as to the nature ohls crime Here was no nee
us Master Cotton said "did you not look upon lstrt
ost Wilberp | confessed that did Then thou q
,ho verify guilty, brother Underhl." said, may, l
INC not look at the woman unawully.' Master fett
x" said Why did you not look at Sister Newell or SIs
"a Upham p said verify they are not desirable won
ted as to temporal Cruces" Then Hugh Peters and
ent cried 81" is enough he hath confessed ana pass
vr- which YOU condemn me !" Winthrop said there
1di. a committee to draught laws Brother Peters are
''' not on this Committee am sure thou hast mad
law naajnst this CRYING sim Hugh Peters said Il
A. ''he had such law in his mind but had not writer
down" Sir Harry Vane said "it is sufficient Hayl
said Aye, law enough for Antinoninns. Master
took Bible from his coat pocket and read WI
$40, soevcr looketh upon woman Nc.
led William Rack stone hath been with me priviy
the wecps the crying sins OF the times and expe
Of soon IN 90 ont of the jurisdiction 81 came from FL
y Of land said he because did not like the Lords BIZ
ops, but have to pray to be delivered rom the Lor
Salute Brother Fisk and others who, having be
disappointed of liberty in the Wilderness, are look
for a better country.
Your fellow traveller in the
has ' JOHN uNDERHILL
jrD