(seq. 1)

J Winthrop {Esquire}
-{December} 7, 1783
Cambridge 1 {December} 1783
{Reverend} Sir,

Some time since I wrote you a specimen of
last-century preaching, which I hope gave you satis-
faction. In our dispute such stuff has been preached
I believe only by the most ignorant, & not generally
relished by the hearers. So far then we are improved.

As for President Bradshaw, he does not appear to
be such an obscure person as the later historians re-
present. I will give you as good an account as I am
able to collect from Whitelocke & Lord Clarendon, the
former of whom served at the same Council Board with
him. I have also used Charles' trial, which is loyal enough.

He was of an ancient & honorable family settled in
Cheshire & Lancashire, but of slender fortune. He
was a practising lawyer of Gray's Inn when the war
broke out in 1642 between Charles & his parliament.
Though he had not at that time figured much as a
pleader in the Courts at Westminster; yet he was much
consulted & esteemed as a man of professional ability.
In October 1644, He was employed by the Parliament, with