Letter by James Franklyn etc

fol. 155r

562
Duncanon ffort, Ad, 9th of march 1644
<Worship>
<m> Yours of 8 detto, we haue receiued, whereby we perceiue your good acceptance of our poore Indeauoures for mainteining this ffort, against the enemye, which to the vttermost of our power wee haue done, But are not able anye longer to Subsist for diuers occasions, As want of Shift, want of drinke, There being may of vs that haue not a drop of water to quench our dryth, And the enemy haue gained Soe neere the ffort that they Command our Trenches, that we cannot goe out for water, without great hazard, besides we haue many fallne downe Sick, occassioned by our bad Lodging, and Sustenance, And farther if in case any of vs Should receiue any hurt, we are like to perish for want of a Chirurgion, which is our daylie Spectacle, as one of the men perished in the same Condicion, Captain Larcan, and diuers of the ffort likewise who (by gods helpe) <n> had they had the assistance of a Chirurgion might haue recouered, which ill conueniences your worship may please to take into Consideration, and according to your worships promise (which was not to leaue any man behinde) we desire your worship to Send your boate vp for vs, to releiue vs out of this miserable distresse, or with vnanimous consent we resolue not to stay heere, for we canot perceiue any liklyhood to preserue the ffort <o> they haueing made three vndermines, And I presume ere this, are allmost vnder the Rampier, Not else to trouble your worships more Serious occasions we rest
Your worships Servants to
Comand
Ja: ffranklyn
Abra, Mootham
A true copy as it was sent enclosed
in Cap: Smithes Letter dated Mar: 9: 1644.
witnesse Ric: Vnderwood

fol. 155v

The Sea-mens letter to
Cap: Smyth vice admirall
Mar: 9: 1644
This coppy delivered in
at the Board by Richard
Vnderwood at his examjnacion
xj Apr: 1645