"God sending you to arrive safely in New England our advice is that you informe yourself e fully by sober understanding men of tbat parte of land which lyeth betwixt Connecticott and the Dutch Collouy and of the seacoast belonging to the same and the Islands that lye bettwixt Long Island and the Maine, viz. : within what government it is, and of what kinde that government is, whether very strict or remisse, who the Chiefe Magistrates are, on what tcrmes ye Indians stand with them, and what bounds the Dutch pretend to, and being satisfyed in these particulars, (viz.) that you may with security settle there and without offence to any. Then our advise is that you endeavor to buy some small Plantation that is already settled and hath an house and some quantity of ground cleared and which lyeth so as you may enlarge into the woods at pleasure in each, be sure not to fayle of these accommodations.

I. That it be near some navigable Ryver, or at least some safe port oi- harbor, and tb ;t the way to it be neither longe or difficult.

II. That it be well watered by some running streame or at least by some fresh ponds and springs near adjoining.

III. That it be well wooded which I thinke you can hardly misse of. That it be healthy high ground, not boggs or fens for the hopes of all consists in that consideration.

Being thus fitted with a place look carefully into the title and be sure to have all pretenders satisfied before you purchase, for to fall into an imbroylid disputable title would trouble us more than all other charges whatsoever. Having passed these difficult yea and your family brought in the place direct your whole forces towards the increase of provision which must be according to their seasous, for planting of come, pease, beanes and other provisions which the country affords, increasing your orchards and gardens, your pastures and inclosures ; and for ye familyes employment in the long winter be sure by the first opportunity to put an acre or two of hemp-seed into the ground, of which you may in the winter make a quantity of caDvass and cordage for your own use.