Scriptures, taught in the history of the creation, and forming the foundation of the religion of Jesus, settled it for ever that this empire must be that kingdom of Christ against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. For this foundation, the natural equality of mankind, and for these two pillars, civil and religious liberty, the North American Union, to whatever extent of dominion and whatever succession of ages destined to endure, will be for ever indebted to the Puritan fathers of New England. Let our prayer ascend to Heaven, and our energies on earth be applied, to improve and perpetuate the blessings left by them as our inheritance

"To the last syllable of recorded time."

MEMOIR OF JAMES BOWDOIN.

THE publication of the Winthrop Papers, which constitute a considerable portion of the present volume, furnishes a fit opportunity for paying a brief tribute to the memory of a gentleman who, for many years, was among the most active and valuable members of our society. These Papers were most carefully and laboriously copied, and prepared for the press, by Mr. James Bowdoin, and, since his death, have been communicated for the society's Collections by his brother, Mr. Robert C. Winthrop.

Mr. Bowdoin was the second son of the late president of this society, Lieutenant-Governor Winthrop. He was born in Boston, on the 23d of July, 1794; and after receiving his preparatory education, partly at the public Latin School in this city, and partly at Phillips Academy in Andover, was graduated at Bowdoin College in 1814.

Mr. Bowdoin was a lawyer by profession, having pursued his legal studies under the direction of the late Honorable William Prescott. Having received a competent fortune, however, from the relative whose name he bore, he soon relinquished the practice of the law, and devoted himself to pursuits of literature and science. He was particularly inclined to historical studies, and his private library was a rich storehouse of antiquarian and historical learning.'

He was a man of retired habits and disposition, and shrunk from any public display of the rich qualities of mind and accomplishment which he unquestionably possessed. As a member of the State legislature for several

successive years; as the secretary of the Provident Institution for Savings, as a director of the Asylum for Indigent Boys, and as a member of the school committee of Boston, he rendered valuable services to the cause of education, charity, and sound legislation.

But he devoted himself more especially to objects connected with the design of this association, and our Collections bear repeated testimony to the diligence and discrimination of his researches. No labor was too dry or too severe for his unwearied assiduity. The chronological index to the ten volumes of the second series of our Collections was wholly his work, and the general index of the last four volumes of the series was prepared by him in connection with a friend. He furnished to the second volume of the third series an elaborate account of some Parliamentary Journals which had long been the subject of interesting speculation in New York, in an article which affords an admirable illustration of the patience and thoroughness of his investigations.

Mr. Bowdoin had laid out many plans of literary and historical labor for enriching future volumes of our Collections. But disease and death arrested their execution. In the winter of 1832, he was compelled to abandon his pursuits and his home, and to seek relief from pulmonary affections in a milder climate. This relief, however, he was not destined to realize. A tropical air seemed only to develope his disease, and he died in Havana on the 6th of March, 1833, a few months only after leaving his native country.

Mr. Bowdoin died at the age of thirty-eight years; but he had accumulated stores of learning which would have done credit to a long life; and he will be remembered by many friends as a scholar, a Christian, and a philanthropist.

THE WINTHROP PAPERS.

I.

Rev. William Leigh to John Winthrop.

To the worshipfull his most loving Patron John Winthropp, Esqre lying at the King's head neare the Conduit in fleete streete, in London.

Good Sir, it hath pleased God in his abundant mercie to make glad my heart with my wives safe deliverance, and with the gift of a son; who was born into this world the second day of this month, and was baptised the last Sabbath day, being named John. My father Raye, and my brother Leigh being Godfathers, and Mrs Winthrop, your wife, godmother-Of which mercie of God to me, I doe most joyfullie and as speedilie as I can, acquaint you; because I know you have laboured the Lord for me in prayer, for this blessing, and I yet praye you to help forward the joye of my heart in giving thanks to God for soe great a mercie. My wife is not so soare weakned of this child as she was on the last (blessed be God) but as yet she is not able to feele* her leggs to step from her couch to her bedd, but with help of others.

I prayse God all are in good health with us, that I know of, save only the young goodwife Cole who still increases in weakness; her payne that was lower in her bodie now running into her neck, and shoulders with verie great paynfullnes to her; and she is brought verie lowe in her bodie.

This word looks like "seele," - and an old word "seel" means, to lean on one, side. J. B.

The Lord bless you in all your affayres, and make you returne prosperous: And I entreat you to have me commended to Mr John your sonn, and to be kindly remembered to your brother and sister Downing and to your brother and sister Phones [Fones], with thankes for their special courtesies offered me when I was last att London. My brother and sister have bene your guests all this time of their aboad att Groton-for the which favour, as for manie other, I desire to thanke you, and they both do desire to be kindly remember'd to you, when I should first write to you.

The Lord give us to heare comfortablie of the dissolving of the Parliament in this first session of it. The Lord alsoe follow us with his grace in Christ— and soe I

rest

Your loving friend in the Lord,

From Groton-Maye 13. 1628.

WILLIM LEigh.

II.

John Winthrop to Sir William Springe, Knight, in Suffolk.

Worthy Sir, and to me a most sweet friend.

I know not how to frame my affections to write to you. I received your letter, nay, merum mel non epistolam a te accepi. I am in suspense, whether I should submit my thoughts in the sweetness of your love, or sit down sorrowful in the conciousness of mine own infirmity, as having nothing precious in me, or any way worth such love or esteem; -But that which I have found from yourself, and some others; whose constance, and good trust hath made me some time proud of their respects, gives me occasion to look up to a higher Cause, and to acknowledge the free favour and goodness of my God, who is pleased to put this honour upon me (a poor worm and raised but yesterday out of the dust) to be desired of his choicest servants: I see his delight is, to shew the