Emmanuel Downing to John Winthrop (1645)

A warr with the Narraganset is verie considerable to this plantation, ffor I doubt whither yt be not synne in vs, having power in our hands, to suffer them to maynteyne the worship of the devill which theire paw wawes often doe; 21ie. If vpon a Just warre the Lord should deliuer them into our hands, wee might easily haue men women and children enough to exchange for Moores, which wilbe more gaynefull pilladge for vs then wee conceive, for I doe not see how wee can thrive vntill wee gett into a stock of slaves sufficient to doe all our buisines, for our children's children will hardly see this great Continent filled with people, soe that our servants will still desire freedome to plant for them selues, and not stay but for verie great wages. And I suppose you know verie well how wee shall maynteyne 20 Moores cheaper then one Englishe servant. 

The ships that shall bring Moores may come home laden with sale which may beare most of the chardge. If not all of yt. But I marvayle Conecti- cott should any wayes hasard a warre without your advise, which they can- not maynteyne without your helpe. 

My wife hath ben pretilye of late, I wishe shee makes hir selfe not sick againe by trying new conclusions. I pray hasten hir retorne, yt being the buisyest tyme of the wholl yeare, for hay and harvest are both in hand, whereby shee hath occasion of often riding, which I suppose the best phisick for hir.