" God sending you to arrive safely in New England our advice is that you informeyourselfe fully by sober understanding men of that parte of land which lyeth betwixt Connecticott and the Dutch Collony 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 termes 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 Ry ver, or at least some safe port or harbor, and that 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.
' The fiimous cause of the Writs of Assistance, in which John Adams first distinguished himself, were in defence of Boston Merchants engaged in litis contraband trade.
" III. That it be well wooded which I thinke you can hardly misse of. That it be healthy high ground, not bogs or fens for the hopes of all consists in that consideration.