"For our subsistence here, the means hitherto hath been the yearly access of newcomers, who have supplied all our wants, for Cattle, and the fruits of our la[b]ours, as board, pale, smiths work etc: If this should fail, then we have other means which may supply us, as fish, viz: Cod, bass and herring, for which no place in the world exceeds us..Our civil Government is mixed: the freemen choose the magistrates every year...and at 4 courts in the year 3 out of each town (there being 8 in all) do assist the magistrates in making laws, imposing taxes, and disposing of lands: Our Churches are governed by Pastors, Teachers ruling Elders and Deacons, yet the power lies in the whole Congregation and not in the Presbytery [not in a larger council of churches] further than for order and precedence. For the natives, they are near all dead of the smallpox, so the Lord hath cleared our title to what we possess." -Letter written in Boston from John Winthrop to Sir Nathaniel Rich, "Mounting Conflict with Native Americans", May 22, 1634 Which incoming settlers are being described here?
