diff options
Diffstat (limited to '24950.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 24950.txt | 17776 |
1 files changed, 17776 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/24950.txt b/24950.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e1f230d --- /dev/null +++ b/24950.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17776 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation', +by William Bradford + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation' + From the Original Manuscript. With a Report of the Proceedings Incident to the Return of the Manuscript to Massachusetts + + +Author: William Bradford + + + +Release Date: March 29, 2008 [eBook #24950] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRADFORD'S HISTORY OF 'PLIMOTH +PLANTATION'*** + + +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Leonard Johnson, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 24950-h.htm or 24950-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/9/5/24950/24950-h/24950-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/9/5/24950/24950-h.zip) + + +Transcribers note: + + Numbers in square brackets, [29], represent original manuscript + pages. + + Letters in Square brackets, [AB], represent a link to a footnote + located at the end of the book. + + A caret ^ indicates that the following letter/s are + superscripted. The letters are enclosed in curly brackets where + it may not be clear about which letters are superscripted. + + A square bracket, like [~m] indicates a letter with a tilde + above. + + A square bracket, like [p=] indicates a letter with a macron + under the letter. + + [=m] and [=n] sometimes are used to represent a double letter. + + 16^li. represents 16 pounds in monetary terms. The original + manuscript used a middle dot before and after the numbers, but + this publisher used only a single period/stop after the number. + + The 'li' appears to mean libra and in this book the 'l' is + crossed with a middle bar or stroke. It was very difficult to + represent in a Latin-1 text, so 'li' must suffice. + + Most often y, such as y^e, represents a thorn and the word is + 'the'. Sometimes you will encounter the actual word 'the'. + + This book is composed of many letters written by a number + of authors and each writer uses their own spellings and + abbreviations, which was common for the time in which they + were written. + + Spelling is inconsistent and is left unchanged from the original + printing of this book. + + + + + +BRADFORD'S HISTORY +"OF PLIMOTH PLANTATION." + +From the Original Manuscript. + +With a Report of the Proceedings Incident +to the Return of the Manuscript +to Massachusetts. + + + + + + + +Printed Under the Direction of the Secretary of the +Commonwealth, +by Order of the General Court. + +Boston: +Wright & Potter Printing Co., State Printers, +18 Post Office Square. +1898. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +To many people the return of the Bradford Manuscript is a fresh +discovery of colonial history. By very many it has been called, +incorrectly, the log of the "Mayflower." Indeed, that is the title by +which it is described in the decree of the Consistorial Court of London. +The fact is, however, that Governor Bradford undertook its preparation +long after the arrival of the Pilgrims, and it cannot be properly +considered as in any sense a log or daily journal of the voyage of the +"Mayflower." It is, in point of fact, a history of the Plymouth Colony, +chiefly in the form of annals, extending from the inception of the +colony down to the year 1647. The matter has been in print since 1856, +put forth through the public spirit of the Massachusetts Historical +Society, which secured a transcript of the document from London, and +printed it in the society's proceedings of the above-named year. As thus +presented, it had copious notes, prepared with great care by the late +Charles Deane; but these are not given in the present volume, wherein +only such comments as seem indispensable to a proper understanding of +the story have been made, leaving whatever elaboration may seem +desirable to some future private enterprise. + +It is a matter of regret that no picture of Governor Bradford exists. +Only Edward Winslow of the Mayflower Company left an authenticated +portrait of himself, and that, painted in England, is reproduced in this +volume. In those early days Plymouth would have been a poor field for +portrait painters. The people were struggling for their daily bread +rather than for to-morrow's fame through the transmission of their +features to posterity. + +The volume of the original manuscript, as it was presented to the +Governor of the Commonwealth and is now deposited in the State Library, +is a folio measuring eleven and one-half inches in length, seven and +seven-eighths inches in width and one and one-half inches in thickness. +It is bound in parchment, once white, but now grimy and much the worse +for wear, being somewhat cracked and considerably scaled. Much +scribbling, evidently by the Bradford family, is to be seen upon its +surface, and out of the confusion may be read the name of Mercy +Bradford, a daughter of the governor. On the inside of the front cover +is pasted a sheet of manilla paper, on which is written the following:-- + + + "_Consistory Court of the Diocese of London_ + + In the matter of the application of The Honorable Thomas Francis + Bayard, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in London of the + United States of America, for the delivery to him, on behalf of the + President and Citizens of the said States, of the original manuscript + book entitled and known as The Log of the Mayflower. + + Produced in Court this 25th day of March, 1897, and marked with the + letter A. + + HARRY W. LEE + Registrar. + 1 Deans Court + Doctors Commons" + +Then come two manilla leaves, on both sides of which is written the +decree of the Consistorial Court. These leaves and the manilla sheet +pasted on the inside of the front cover were evidently inserted after +the decree was passed. + +Next comes a leaf (apparently the original first leaf of the book), and +on it are verses, signed "A. M.," on the death of Mrs. Bradford. The +next is evidently one of the leaves of the original book. At the top of +the page is written the following:-- + + This book was rit by govener William bradford and given to his son + mager William Bradford and by him to his son mager John Bradford. rit + by me Samuel bradford mach 20, 1705. + +At the bottom of the same page the name John Bradford appears in +different handwriting, evidently written with the book turned wrong side +up. + +The next is a leaf bearing the following, in the handwriting of Thomas +Prince:-- + + TUESDAY, June 4--1728 + + Calling at _Major John Bradford's_ at Kingston near Plimouth, son of + Major Wm. Bradford formerly Dep Gov'r of Plimouth Colony, who was + eldest son of Wm. Bradford Esq their 2nd Gov'r, & author of this + History; ye sd Major John Bradford gave me _several manuscript + octavoes_ wh he assured me were written with his said Grandfather + Gov'r Bradford's own hand. He also gave me a _little Pencil Book_ + wrote with a Blew lead Pencil by his sd Father ye Dep Gov'r. And He + also told me yt He had lent & only lent his sd Grandfather Gov'r + Bradford's History of Plimouth Colony wrote by his own Hand also, to + judg Sewall; and desired me to get it of Him or find it out, & take + out of it what I thought proper for my New-England Chronology: wh I + accordingly obtained, and This is ye sd History: wh I found wrote in + ye same Handwriting as ye Octavo manuscripts above sd. + + THOMAS PRINCE. + + N.B. I also mentioned to him my Desire of lodging this History in ye + New England Library of Prints & manuscripts, wh I had been then + collecting for 23 years, to wh He signified his willingness--only yt + He might have the Perusal of it while He lived. + + T. PRINCE. + +Following this, on the same page, is Thomas Prince's printed book-mark, +as follows:-- + + This Book belongs to + The New-England-Library, + Begun to be collected by Thomas Prince, upon + his entring Harvard-College, July 6 + 1703; and was given by + +On the lower part of a blank space which follows the word "by" is +written:-- + +_It now belongs to the Bishop of London's Library at Fulham._ + +There are evidences that this leaf did not belong to the original book, +but was inserted by Mr. Prince. + +At the top of the first page of the next leaf, which was evidently one +of the original leaves of the book, is written in Samuel Bradford's +hand, "march 20 Samuel Bradford;" and just below there appears, in +Thomas Prince's handwriting, the following:-- + + But major Bradford tells me & assures me that He only lent this Book + of his Grandfather's to Mr. Sewall & that it being of his + Grandfather's own hand writing He had so high a value of it that he + would never Part with ye Property, but would lend it to me & desired + me to get it, which I did, & write down this that sd Major Bradford + and his Heirs may be known to be the right owners. + +Below this, also in Thomas Prince's handwriting, appears this line:-- + +"Page 243 missing when ye Book came into my Hands at 1st." + +Just above the inscription by Prince there is a line or two of writing, +marked over in ink so carefully as to be wholly undecipherable. On the +reverse page of this leaf and on the first page of the next are written +Hebrew words, with definitions. These are all in Governor Bradford's +handwriting. On the next page appears the following:-- + + _Though I am growne aged, yet I have had a long- + ing desire, to see with my own eyes, something of + that most ancient language, and holy tongue, + in which the Law, and oracles of God were + write; and in which God, and angels, spake to + the holy patriarks, of old time; and what + names were given to things, from the + creation. And though I canot attaine + to much herein, yet I am refreshed, + to have seen some glimpse here- + of; (as Moses saw the Land + of canan afarr of) my aime + and desire is, to see how + the words, and phrases + lye in the holy texte; + and to dicerne some- + what of the same + for my owne + contente._ + ------- + ----- + --- + J + +Then begins the history proper, the first page of which is produced in +facsimile in this volume, slightly reduced. The ruled margins end with +page thirteen. From that page to the end of the book the writing varies +considerably, sometimes being quite coarse and in other places very +fine, some pages containing nearly a thousand words each. As a rule, the +writing is upon one side of the sheet only, but in entering notes and +subsequent thoughts the reverse is sometimes used. The last page number +is 270, as appears from the facsimile reproduction in this volume of +that page. Page 270 is followed by two blank leaves; then on the second +page of the next leaf appears the list of names of those who came over +in the "Mayflower," covering four pages and one column on the fifth +page. The arrangement of this matter is shown by the facsimile +reproduction in this volume of the first page of these names. Last of +all there is a leaf of heavy double paper, like the one in the front of +the book containing the verses on the death of Mrs. Bradford, and on +this last leaf is written an index to a few portions of the history. + +For copy, there was used the edition printed in 1856 by the +Massachusetts Historical Society. The proof was carefully compared, word +for word, with the photographic _facsimile_ issued in 1896 in both +London and Boston. The value of this comparison is evident in that a +total of sixteen lines of the original, omitted in the original first +copy, is supplied in this edition. As the work of the Historical Society +could not be compared, easily, with the original manuscript in London, +these omissions, with sundry minor errors in word and numeral, are not +unreasonable. The curious will be pleased to learn that the supplied +lines are from the following pages of the manuscript, viz.: page 122, +eight lines; page 129, two lines; the obverse of page 201, found on the +last page of Appendix A, two lines; page 219, two lines; pages 239 and +258, one line each. The pages of the manuscript are indicated in these +printed pages by numerals in parentheses. + +There are several errors in the paging of the original manuscript. Pages +105 and 106 are marked 145 and 146, and pages 219 and 220 are marked 119 +and 120, respectively. Page 243 is missing. + +Such as it is, the book is put forth that the public may know what +manner of men the Pilgrims were, through what perils and vicissitudes +they passed, and how much we of to-day owe to their devotion and +determination. + + + + +PROCEEDINGS + +OF THE + +LEGISLATURE. + + +JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. + +MONDAY, MAY 24, 1897. + +The following message from His Excellency the Governor came up from the +House, to wit:-- + + BOSTON, May 22, 1897. + + _To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives._ + + I have the honor to call to your attention the fact that Wednesday, + May 26, at 11 A.M., has been fixed as the date of the formal + presentation to the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Bradford + Manuscript History, recently ordered by decree of the Consistory Court + of the Diocese of London to be returned to the Commonwealth of + Massachusetts by the hands of the Honorable Thomas F. Bayard, lately + Ambassador at the Court of St. James; and to suggest for the favorable + consideration of your honorable bodies that the exercises of + presentation be held in the House of Representatives on the day and + hour above given, in the presence of a joint convention of the two + bodies and of invited guests and the public. + + ROGER WOLCOTT. + +Thereupon, on motion of Mr. Roe,-- + +_Ordered_, That, in accordance with the suggestion of His Excellency the +Governor, a joint convention of the two branches be held in the chamber +of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, May the twenty-sixth, at +eleven o'clock A.M., for the purpose of witnessing the exercises of the +formal presentation, to the Governor of the Commonwealth, of the +Bradford Manuscript History, recently ordered by decree of the +Consistory Court of the Diocese of London to be returned to the +Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the hands of the Honorable Thomas F. +Bayard, lately Ambassador at the Court of St. James; and further + +_Ordered_, That the clerks of the two branches give notice to His +Excellency the Governor of the adoption of this order. + +Sent down for concurrence. (It was concurred with same date.) + + + + +JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. + +WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1897. + +_Joint Convention._ + +At eleven o'clock A.M., pursuant to assignment, the two branches met in + +CONVENTION + +in the chamber of the House of Representatives. + +On motion of Mr. Roe,-- + +_Ordered_, That a committee, to consist of three members of the Senate +and eight members of the House of Representatives, be appointed, to wait +upon His Excellency the Governor and inform him that the two branches +are now in convention for the purpose of witnessing the exercises of the +formal presentation, to the Governor of the Commonwealth, of the +Bradford Manuscript History. + +Messrs. Roe, Woodward and Gallivan, of the Senate, and Messrs. Pierce of +Milton, Bailey of Plymouth, Brown of Gloucester, Fairbank of Warren, +Bailey of Newbury, Sanderson of Lynn, Whittlesey of Pittsfield and +Bartlett of Boston, of the House, were appointed the committee. + +Mr. Roe, from the committee, afterwards reported that they had attended +to the duty assigned them, and that His Excellency the Governor had been +pleased to say that he received the message and should be pleased to +wait upon the Convention forthwith for the purpose named. + +His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by His Honor the +Lieutenant-Governor and the Honorable Council, and by the Honorable +Thomas F. Bayard, lately Ambassador of the United States at the Court of +St. James's, the Honorable George F. Hoar, Senator from Massachusetts in +the Congress of the United States, and other invited guests, entered the +chamber. + +The decree of the Consistorial and Episcopal Court of London, +authorizing the return of the manuscript and its delivery to the +Governor, was read. + +The President then presented the Honorable George F. Hoar, who gave an +account of the manuscript and of the many efforts that had been made to +secure its return. + +The Honorable Thomas F. Bayard was then introduced by the President, and +he formally presented the manuscript to His Excellency the Governor, who +accepted it in behalf of the Commonwealth. + +On motion of Mr. Bradford, the following order was adopted:-- + +_Whereas_, In the presence of the Senate and of the House of +Representatives in joint convention assembled, and in accordance with a +decree of the Consistorial and Episcopal Court of London, the manuscript +of Bradford's "History of the Plimouth Plantation" has this day been +delivered to His Excellency the Governor of the Commonwealth by the +Honorable Thomas F. Bayard, lately Ambassador of the United States at +the Court of St. James's; and + +_Whereas_, His Excellency the Governor has accepted the said manuscript +in behalf of the Commonwealth; therefore, be it + +_Ordered_, That the Senate and the House of Representatives of the +Commonwealth of Massachusetts place on record their high appreciation of +the generous and gracious courtesy that prompted this act of +international good-will, and express their grateful thanks to all +concerned therein, and especially to the Lord Bishop of London, for the +return to the Commonwealth of this precious relic; and be it further + +_Ordered_, That His Excellency the Governor be requested to transmit an +engrossed and duly authenticated copy of this order with its preamble to +the Lord Bishop of London. + +His Excellency, accompanied by the other dignitaries, then withdrew, the +Convention was dissolved, and the Senate returned to its chamber. + +Subsequently a resolve was passed (approved June 10, 1897) providing +for the publication of the history from the original manuscript, +together with a report of the proceedings of the joint convention, such +report to be prepared by a committee consisting of one member of the +Senate and two members of the House of Representatives, and to include, +so far as practicable, portraits of His Excellency Governor Roger +Wolcott, William Bradford, the Honorable George F. Hoar, the Honorable +Thomas F. Bayard, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Bishop of +London; facsimiles of pages from the manuscript history, and a picture +of the book itself; copies of the decree of the Consistorial and +Episcopal Court of London, the receipt of the Honorable Thomas F. Bayard +for the manuscript, and the receipt sent by His Excellency the Governor +to the Consistorial and Episcopal Court; an account of the legislative +action taken with reference to the presentation and reception of the +manuscript; the addresses of the Honorable George F. Hoar, the Honorable +Thomas F. Bayard and His Excellency Governor Roger Wolcott; and such +other papers and illustrations as the committee might deem advisable; +the whole to be printed under the direction of the Secretary of the +Commonwealth, and the book distributed by him according to directions +contained in the resolve. + +Senator Alfred S. Roe of Worcester and Representatives Francis C. Lowell +of Boston and Walter L. Bouve of Hingham were appointed as the +committee. + + + + +DECREE + +OF THE + +CONSISTORIAL AND EPISCOPAL + +COURT OF LONDON. + + +DECREE. + +MANDELL by Divine Permission LORD BISHOP OF LONDON--To The Honorable +THOMAS FRANCIS BAYARD Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to +Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria at the Court of Saint James's +in London and To The Governor and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the +United States of America Greeting--WHEREAS a Petition has been filed in +the Registry of Our Consistorial and Episcopal Court of London by you +the said Honorable Thomas Francis Bayard as Ambassador Extraordinary and +Plenipotentiary to Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria at the Court +of Saint James's in London on behalf of the President and Citizens of +the United States of America wherein you have alleged that there is in +Our Custody as Lord Bishop of London a certain Manuscript Book known as +and entitled "The Log of the Mayflower" containing an account as +narrated by Captain William Bradford who was one of the Company of +Englishmen who left England in April 1620 in the ship known as "The +Mayflower" of the circumstances leading to the prior Settlement of that +Company at Leyden in Holland their return to England and subsequent +departure for New England their landing at Cape Cod in December 1620 +their Settlement at New Plymouth and their later history for several +years they being the Company whose Settlement in America is regarded as +the first real Colonisation of the New England States and wherein you +have also alleged that the said Manuscript Book had been for many years +past and was then deposited in the Library attached to Our Episcopal +Palace at Fulham in the County of Middlesex and is of the greatest +interest importance and value to the Citizens of the United States of +America inasmuch as it is one of the earliest records of their national +History and contains much valuable information in regard to the original +Settlers in the States their family history and antecedents and that +therefore you earnestly desired to acquire possession of the same for +and on behalf of the President and Citizens of the said United States of +America AND WHEREIN you have also alleged that you are informed that We +as Lord Bishop of London had fully recognised the value and interest of +the said Manuscript Book to the Citizens of the United States of America +and the claims which they have to its possession and that We were +desirous of transferring it to the said President and Citizens AND +WHEREIN you have also alleged that you are advised and believe that the +Custody of documents in the nature of public or ecclesiastical records +belonging to the See of London is vested in the Consistorial Court of +the said See and that any disposal thereof must be authorised by an +Order issued by the Judge of that Honorable Court And that you therefore +humbly prayed that the said Honorable Court would deliver to you the +said Manuscript Book on your undertaking to use every means in your +power for the safe transmission of the said Book to the United States of +America and its secure deposit and custody in the Pilgrim Hall at New +Plymouth or in such other place as may be selected by the President and +Senate of the said United States and upon such conditions as to security +and access by and on behalf of the English Nation as that Honorable +Court might determine AND WHEREAS the said Petition was set down for +hearing on one of the Court days in Hilary Term to wit Thursday the +Twenty fifth day of March One thousand eight hundred and ninety seven in +Our Consistorial Court in the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul in London +before The Right Worshipful Thomas Hutchinson Tristram Doctor of Laws +and one of Her Majesty's Counsel learned in the Law Our Vicar General +and Official Principal the Judge of the said Court and you at the +sitting of the said Court appeared by Counsel in support of the Prayer +of the said Petition and during the hearing thereof the said Manuscript +Book was produced in the said Court by Our legal Secretary and was then +inspected and examined by the said Judge and evidence was also given +before the Court by which it appeared that the Registry at Fulham Palace +was a Public Registry for Historical and Ecclesiastical Documents +relating to the Diocese of London and to the Colonial and other +possessions of Great Britain beyond the Seas so long as the same +remained by custom within the said Diocese AND WHEREAS it appeared on +the face of the said Manuscript Book that the whole of the body thereof +with the exception of part of the last page thereof was in the +handwriting of the said William Bradford who was elected Governor of New +Plymouth in April 1621 and continued Governor thereof from that date +excepting between the years 1635 and 1637 up to 1650 and that the last +five pages of the said Manuscript which is in the handwriting of the +said William Bradford contain what in Law is an authentic Register +between 1620 and 1650 of the fact of the Marriages of the Founders of +the Colony of New England with the names of their respective wives and +the names of their Children the lawful issue of such Marriages and of +the fact of the Marriages of many of their Children and Grandchildren +and of the names of the issue of such marriages and of the deaths of +many of the persons named therein And after hearing Counsel in support +of the said application the Judge being of opinion that the said +Manuscript Book had been upon the evidence before the Court presumably +deposited at Fulham Palace sometime between the year 1729 and the year +1785 during which time the said Colony was by custom within the Diocese +of London for purposes Ecclesiastical and the Registry of the said +Consistorial Court was a legitimate Registry for the Custody of +Registers of Marriages Births and Deaths within the said Colony and that +the Registry at Fulham Palace was a Registry for Historical and other +Documents connected with the Colonies and possessions of Great Britain +beyond the Seas so long as the same remained by custom within the +Diocese of London and that on the Declaration of the Independence of the +United States of America in 1776 the said Colony had ceased to be within +the Diocese of London and the Registry of the Court had ceased to be a +public registry for the said Colony and having maturely deliberated on +the Cases precedents and practice of the Ecclesiastical Court bearing on +the application before him and having regard to the Special +Circumstances of the Case Decreed as follows--(1) That a Photographic +facsimile reproduction of the said Manuscript Book verified by affidavit +as being a true and correct Photographic reproduction of the said +Manuscript Book be deposited in the Registry of Our said Court by or on +behalf of the Petitioner before the delivery to the Petitioner of the +said original Manuscript Book as hereinafter ordered--(2) That the said +Manuscript Book be delivered over to the said Honorable Thomas Francis +Bayard by the Lord Bishop of London or in his Lordship's absence by the +Registrar of the said Court on his giving his undertaking in writing +that he will with all due care and diligence on his arrival from England +in the United States convey and deliver in person the said Manuscript +Book to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United +States of America at his Official Office in the State House in the City +of Boston and that from the time of the delivery of the said Book to him +by the said Lord Bishop of London or by the said Registrar until he +shall have delivered the same to the Governor of Massachusetts he will +retain the same in his own Personal custody--(3) That the said Book be +deposited by the Petitioner with the Governor of Massachusetts for the +purpose of the same being with all convenient speed finally deposited +either in the State Archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the +City of Boston or in the Library of the Historical Society of the said +Commonwealth in the City of Boston as the Governor shall determine--(4) +That the Governors of the said Commonwealth for all time to come be +officially responsible for the safe custody of the said Manuscript Book +whether the same be deposited in the State Archives at Boston or in the +Historical Library in Boston aforesaid as well as for the performance +of the following conditions subject to a compliance wherewith the said +Manuscript Book is hereby decreed to be deposited in the Custody of the +aforesaid Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and his +Successors to wit:--(a) That all persons have such access to the said +Manuscript Book as to the Governor of the said Commonwealth for the time +being shall appear to be reasonable and with such safeguard as he shall +order--(b) That all persons desirous of searching the said Manuscript +Book for the bona fide purpose of establishing or tracing a Pedigree +through persons named in the last five pages thereof or in any other +part thereof shall be permitted to search the same under such safeguards +as the Governor for the time being shall determine on payment of a fee +to be fixed by the Governor--(c) That any person applying to the +Official having the immediate custody of the said Manuscript Book for a +Certified Copy of any entry contained in proof of Marriage Birth or +Death of persons named therein or of any other matter of like purport +for the purpose of tracing descents shall be furnished with such +certificate on the payment of a sum not exceeding one Dollar--(d) That +with all convenient speed after the delivery of the said Manuscript Book +to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the Governor shall +transmit to the Registrar of the Court a Certificate of the delivery of +the same to him by the Petitioner and that he accepts the Custody of +the same subject to the terms and conditions herein named AND the Judge +lastly decreed that the Petitioner on delivering the said Manuscript +Book to the Governor aforesaid shall at the same time deliver to him +this Our Decree Sealed with the Seal of the Court WHEREFORE WE the +Bishop of London aforesaid well weighing and considering the premises DO +by virtue of Our Authority Ordinary and Episcopal and as far as in Us +lies and by Law We may or can ratify and confirm such Decree of Our +Vicar General and Official Principal of Our Consistorial and Episcopal +Court of London IN TESTIMONY whereof We have caused the Seal of Our said +Vicar General and Official Principal of the Consistorial and Episcopal +Court of London which We use in this behalf to be affixed to these +Presents DATED AT LONDON this Twelfth day of April One thousand eight +hundred and ninety seven and in the first year of Our Translation. + + HARRY W. LEE + Exd. H.E.T. Registrar + + (L.S.) + + + + +RECEIPT + +OF + +AMBASSADOR BAYARD. + + +RECEIPT OF AMBASSADOR BAYARD. + + +_In the Consistory Court of London_ + +IN THE MATTER OF THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT OF THE BOOK ENTITLED AND KNOWN +AS "THE LOG OF THE MAYFLOWER." + +I THE HONOURABLE THOMAS FRANCIS BAYARD lately Ambassador Extraordinary +and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of +Saint James's London Do hereby undertake, in compliance with the Order +of this Honourable Court dated the twelfth day of April 1897 and made on +my Petition filed in the said Honourable Court, that I will with all due +care and diligence on my arrival from England in the United States of +America safely convey over the Original Manuscript Book Known as and +entitled "The Log of the Mayflower" which has been this twenty ninth day +of April 1897 delivered over to me by the Lord Bishop of London, to the +City of Boston in the United States of America and on my arrival in the +said City deliver the same over in person to the Governor of the +Commonwealth of Massachusetts at his Official Office in the State House +in the said City of Boston AND I further hereby undertake from the time +of the said delivery of the said Book to me by the said Lord Bishop of +London until I shall have delivered the same to the Governor of +Massachusetts, to retain the same in my own personal custody. + + (Signed) T. F. BAYARD + + 29 April 1897 + + + + +RECEIPT + +of + +HIS EXCELLENCY ROGER WOLCOTT. + + +RECEIPT OF GOVERNOR WOLCOTT. + +His Excellency ROGER WOLCOTT, _Governor of the Commonwealth of +Massachusetts, in the United States of America_. + +_To the Registrar of the Consistorial and Episcopal Court of London._ + +_Whereas_, The said Honorable Court, by its decree dated the twelfth day +of April, 1897, and made on the petition of the Honorable Thomas Francis +Bayard, lately Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the +United States of America at the Court of Saint James in London, did +order that a certain original manuscript book then in the custody of the +Lord Bishop of London, known as and entitled "The Log of the Mayflower," +and more specifically described in said decree, should be delivered over +to the said Honorable Thomas Francis Bayard by the Lord Bishop of +London, on certain conditions specified in said decree, to be delivered +by the said Honorable Thomas Francis Bayard in person to the Governor of +the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, thereafter to be kept in the custody +of the aforesaid Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and his +successors, subject to a compliance with certain conditions, as set +forth in said decree; + +_And Whereas_, The said Honorable Court by its decree aforesaid did +further order that, with all convenient speed after the delivery of the +said manuscript book to the Governor of the Commonwealth of +Massachusetts, the Governor should transmit to the Registrar of the +said Honorable Court a certificate of the delivery of the same to him by +the said Honorable Thomas Francis Bayard, and his acceptance of the +custody of the same, subject to the terms and conditions named in the +decree aforesaid; + +_Now, Therefore_, In compliance with the decree aforesaid I do hereby +certify that on the twenty-sixth day of May, 1897, the said Honorable +Thomas Francis Bayard delivered in person to me, at my official office +in the State House in the city of Boston, in the Commonwealth of +Massachusetts, in the United States of America, a certain manuscript +book which the said Honorable Thomas Francis Bayard then and there +declared to be the original manuscript book known as and entitled "The +Log of the Mayflower," which is more specifically described in the +decree aforesaid; and I do further certify that I hereby accept the +custody of the same, subject to the terms and conditions named in the +decree aforesaid. + +_In witness whereof_, I have hereunto signed my name and caused the seal +of the Commonwealth to be affixed, at the Capitol in Boston, this +twelfth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred +and ninety-seven. + + ROGER WOLCOTT. + + By His Excellency the Governor, + WM. M. OLIN, + _Secretary of the Commonwealth._ + + + + +ADDRESS + +OF THE + +HON. GEORGE F. HOAR. + +[Illustration:] + + +ADDRESS OF SENATOR HOAR. + +The first American Ambassador to Great Britain, at the end of his +official service, comes to Massachusetts on an interesting errand. He +comes to deliver to the lineal successor of Governor Bradford, in the +presence of the representatives and rulers of the body politic formed by +the compact on board the "Mayflower," Nov. 11, 1620, the only authentic +history of the founding of their Commonwealth; the only authentic +history of what we have a right to consider the most important political +transaction that has ever taken place on the face of the earth. + +Mr. Bayard has sought to represent to the mother country, not so much +the diplomacy as the good-will of the American people. If in this +anybody be tempted to judge him severely, let us remember what his great +predecessor, John Adams, the first minister at the same court, +representing more than any other man, embodying more than any other man, +the spirit of Massachusetts, said to George III., on the first day of +June, 1785, after the close of our long and bitter struggle for +independence: "I shall esteem myself the happiest of men if I can be +instrumental in restoring an entire esteem, confidence and affection, +or, in better words, the old good-nature and the old good-humor between +people who, though separated by an ocean and under different +governments, have the same language, a similar religion and kindred +blood." + +And let us remember, too, the answer of the old monarch, who, with all +his faults, must have had something of a noble and royal nature stirring +in his bosom, when he replied: "Let the circumstances of language, +religion and blood have their natural and full effect." + +It has long been well known that Governor Bradford wrote and left behind +him a history of the settlement of Plymouth. It was quoted by early +chroniclers. There are extracts from it in the records at Plymouth. +Thomas Prince used it when he compiled his annals. Hubbard depended on +it when he wrote his "History of New England." Cotton Mather had read +it, or a copy of a portion of it, when he wrote his "Magnalia." Governor +Hutchinson had it when he published the second volume of his history in +1767. From that time it disappeared from the knowledge of everybody on +this side of the water. All our historians speak of it as lost, and can +only guess what had been its fate. Some persons suspected that it was +destroyed when Governor Hutchinson's house was sacked in 1765, others +that it was carried off by some officer or soldier when Boston was +evacuated by the British army in 1776. + +In 1844 Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford, afterward Bishop of +Winchester, one of the brightest of men, published one of the dullest +and stupidest of books. It is entitled "The History of the Protestant +Episcopal Church in America." It contained extracts from manuscripts +which he said he had discovered in the library of the Bishop of London +at Fulham. The book attracted no attention here until, about twelve +years later, in 1855, John Wingate Thornton, whom many of us remember as +an accomplished antiquary and a delightful gentleman, happened to pick +up a copy of it while he was lounging in Burnham's book store. He read +the bishop's quotations, and carried the book to his office, where he +left it for his friend, Mr. Barry, who was then writing his "History of +Massachusetts," with passages marked, and with a note which is not +preserved, but which, according to his memory, suggested that the +passages must have come from Bradford's long-lost history. That is the +claim for Mr. Thornton. On the other hand, it is claimed by Mr. Barry +that there was nothing of that kind expressed in Mr. Thornton's note, +but in reading the book when he got it an hour or so later, the thought +struck him for the first time that the clew had been found to the +precious book which had been lost so long. He at once repaired to +Charles Deane, then and ever since, down to his death, as President +Eliot felicitously styled him, "the master of historical investigators +in this country." Mr. Deane saw the importance of the discovery. He +communicated at once with Joseph Hunter, an eminent English scholar. +Hunter was high authority on all matters connected with the settlement +of New England. He visited the palace at Fulham, and established beyond +question the identity of the manuscript with Governor Bradford's +history, an original letter of Governor Bradford having been sent over +for comparison of handwriting. + +How the manuscript got to Fulham nobody knows. Whether it was carried +over by Governor Hutchinson in 1774; whether it was taken as spoil from +the tower of the Old South Church in 1775; whether, with other +manuscripts, it was sent to Fulham at the time of the attempts of the +Episcopal churches in America, just before the revolution, to establish +an episcopate here,--nobody knows. It would seem that Hutchinson would +have sent it to the colonial office; that an officer would naturally +have sent it to the war office; and a private would have sent it to the +war office, unless he had carried it off as mere private booty and +plunder,--in which case it would have been unlikely that it would have +reached a public place of custody. But we find it in the possession of +the church and of the church official having, until independence was +declared, special jurisdiction over Episcopal interests in Massachusetts +and Plymouth. This may seem to point to a transfer for some +ecclesiastical purpose. + +The bishop's chancellor conjectures that it was sent to Fulham because +of the record annexed to it of the early births, marriages and deaths, +such records being in England always in ecclesiastical custody. But this +is merely conjecture. + +I know of no incident like this in history, unless it be the discovery +in a chest in the castle of Edinburgh, where they had been lost for one +hundred and eleven years, of the ancient regalia of Scotland,--the crown +of Bruce, the sceptre and sword of state. The lovers of Walter Scott, +who was one of the commissioners who made the search, remember his +intense emotion, as described by his daughter, when the lid was removed. +Her feelings were worked up to such a pitch that she nearly fainted, and +drew back from the circle. + +As she was retiring she was startled by his voice exclaiming, in a tone +of the deepest emotion, "something between anger and despair," as she +expressed it: "By God, no!" One of the commissioners, not quite entering +into the solemnity with which Scott regarded this business, had, it +seems, made a sort of motion as if he meant to put the crown on the head +of one of the young ladies near him, but the voice and the aspect of +the poet were more than sufficient to make this worthy gentleman +understand his error; and, respecting the enthusiasm with which he had +not been taught to sympathize, he laid down the ancient diadem with an +air of painful embarrassment. Scott whispered, "Pray forgive me," and +turning round at the moment observed his daughter deadly pale and +leaning by the door. He immediately drew her out of the room, and when +she had somewhat recovered in the fresh air, walked with her across +Mound to Castle Street. "He never spoke all the way home," she says, +"but every now and then I felt his arm tremble, and from that time I +fancied he began to treat me more like a woman than a child. I thought +he liked me better, too, than he had ever done before." + +There have been several attempts to procure the return of the manuscript +to this country. Mr. Winthrop, in 1860, through the venerable John +Sinclair, archdeacon, urged the Bishop of London to give it up, and +proposed that the Prince of Wales, then just coming to this country, +should take it across the Atlantic and present it to the people of +Massachusetts. The Attorney-General, Sir Fitzroy Kelley, approved the +plan, and said it would be an exceptional act of grace, a most +interesting action, and that he heartily wished the success of the +application. But the bishop refused. Again, in 1869, John Lothrop +Motley, then minister to England, who had a great and deserved +influence there, repeated the proposition, at the suggestion of that +most accomplished scholar, Justin Winsor. But his appeal had the same +fate. The bishop gave no encouragement, and said, as had been said nine +years before, that the property could not be alienated without an act of +Parliament. Mr. Winsor planned to repeat the attempt on his visit to +England in 1877. When he was at Fulham the bishop was absent, and he was +obliged to come home without seeing him in person. + +In 1881, at the time of the death of President Garfield, Benjamin Scott, +chamberlain of London, proposed again in the newspapers that the +restitution should be made. But nothing came of it. + +Dec. 21, 1895, I delivered an address at Plymouth, on the occasion of +the two hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the landing of the +Pilgrims upon the rock. In preparing for that duty, I read again, with +renewed enthusiasm and delight, the noble and touching story, as told by +Governor Bradford. I felt that this precious history of the Pilgrims +ought to be in no other custody than that of their children. But the +case seemed hopeless. I found myself compelled by a serious physical +infirmity to take a vacation, and to get a rest from public cares and +duties, which was impossible while I stayed at home. When I went abroad +I determined to visit the locality, on the borders of Lincolnshire and +Yorkshire, from which Bradford and Brewster and Robinson, the three +leaders of the Pilgrims, came, and where their first church was formed, +and the places in Amsterdam and Leyden where the emigrants spent +thirteen years. But I longed especially to see the manuscript of +Bradford at Fulham, which then seemed to me, as it now seems to me, the +most precious manuscript on earth, unless we could recover one of the +four gospels as it came in the beginning from the pen of the Evangelist. + +The desire to get it back grew and grew during the voyage across the +Atlantic. I did not know how such a proposition would be received in +England. A few days after I landed I made a call upon John Morley. I +asked him whether he thought the thing could be done. He inquired +carefully into the story, took down from his shelf the excellent though +brief life of Bradford in Leslie Stephen's "Biographical Dictionary," +and told me he thought the book ought to come back to us, and that he +should be glad to do anything in his power to help. It was my fortune, a +week or two after, to sit next to Mr. Bayard at a dinner given to Mr. +Collins by the American consuls in Great Britain. I took occasion to +tell him the story, and he gave me the assurance, which he has since so +abundantly and successfully fulfilled, of his powerful aid. I was +compelled, by the health of one of the party with whom I was +travelling, to go to the continent almost immediately, and was +disappointed in the hope of an early return to England. So the matter +was delayed until about a week before I sailed for home, when I went to +Fulham, in the hope at least of seeing the manuscript. I had supposed +that it was a quasi-public library, open to general visitors. But I +found the bishop was absent. I asked for the librarian, but there was no +such officer, and I was told very politely that the library was not open +to the public, and was treated in all respects as that of a private +gentleman. So I gave up any hope of doing anything in person. But I +happened, the Friday before I sailed for home, to dine with an English +friend who had been exceedingly kind to me. As he took leave of me, +about eleven o'clock in the evening, he asked me if there was anything +more he could do for me. I said, "No, unless you happen to know the Lord +Bishop of London. I should like to get a sight at the manuscript of +Bradford's history before I go home." He said, "I do not know the bishop +myself, but Mr. Grenfell, at whose house you spent a few days in the +early summer, married the bishop's niece, and will gladly give you an +introduction to his uncle. He is in Scotland. But I will write to him +before I go to bed." + +Sunday morning brought me a cordial letter from Mr. Grenfell, +introducing me to the bishop. I wrote a note to his lordship, saying I +should be glad to have an opportunity to see Bradford's history; that I +was to sail for the United States the next Wednesday, but would be +pleased to call at Fulham Tuesday, if that were agreeable to him. + +I got a note in reply, in which he said if I would call on Tuesday he +would be happy to show me "The Log of the Mayflower," which is the title +the English, without the slightest reason in the world, give the +manuscript. I kept the appointment, and found the bishop with the book +in his hand. He received me with great courtesy, showed me the palace, +and said that that spot had been occupied by a bishop's palace for more +than a thousand years. + +After looking at the volume and reading the records on the flyleaf, I +said: "My lord, I am going to say something which you may think rather +audacious. I think this book ought to go back to Massachusetts. Nobody +knows how it got over here. Some people think it was carried off by +Governor Hutchinson, the Tory governor; other people think it was +carried off by British soldiers when Boston was evacuated; but in either +case the property would not have changed. Or, if you treat it as a +booty, in which last case, I suppose, by the law of nations ordinary +property does change, no civilized nation in modern times applies that +principle to the property of libraries and institutions of learning." + +"Well," said the bishop, "I did not know you cared anything about it." + +"Why," said I, "if there were in existence in England a history of King +Alfred's reign for thirty years, written by his own hand, it would not +be more precious in the eyes of Englishmen than this manuscript is to +us." + +"Well," said he, "I think myself it ought to go back, and if it had +depended on me it would have gone back before this. But the Americans +who have been here--many of them have been commercial people--did not +seem to care much about it except as a curiosity. I suppose I ought not +to give it up on my own authority. It belongs to me in my official +capacity, and not as private or personal property. I think I ought to +consult the Archbishop of Canterbury. And, indeed," he added, "I think I +ought to speak to the Queen about it. We should not do such a thing +behind Her Majesty's back." + +I said: "Very well. When I go home I will have a proper application made +from some of our literary societies, and ask you to give it +consideration." + +I saw Mr. Bayard again, and told him the story. He was at the train when +I left London for the steamer at Southampton. He entered with great +interest into the matter, and told me again he would gladly do anything +in his power to forward it. + +When I got home I communicated with Secretary Olney about it, who took a +kindly interest in the matter, and wrote to Mr. Bayard that the +administration desired he should do everything in his power to promote +the application. The matter was then brought to the attention of the +council of the American Antiquarian Society, the Massachusetts +Historical Society, the Pilgrim Society of Plymouth and the New England +Society of New York. These bodies appointed committees to unite in the +application. Governor Wolcott was also consulted, who gave his hearty +approbation to the movement, and a letter was dispatched through Mr. +Bayard. + +Meantime Bishop Temple, with whom I had my conversation, had himself +become Archbishop of Canterbury, and in that capacity Primate of all +England. His successor, Rev. Dr. Creighton, had been the delegate of +John Harvard's College to the great celebration at Harvard University on +the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its foundation, in 1886. He +had received the degree of doctor of laws from the university, had been +a guest of President Eliot, and had received President Eliot as his +guest in England. + +He is an accomplished historical scholar, and very friendly in sentiment +to the people of the United States. So, by great fortune, the two +eminent ecclesiastical personages who were to have a powerful influence +in the matter were likely to be exceedingly well disposed. Dr. Benjamin +A. Gould, the famous mathematician, was appointed one of the committee +of the American Antiquarian Society. He died suddenly, just after a +letter to the Bishop of London was prepared and about to be sent to him +for signing. He took a very zealous interest in the matter. The letter +formally asked for the return of the manuscript, and was signed by the +following-named gentlemen: George F. Hoar, Stephen Salisbury, Edward +Everett Hale, Samuel A. Green, for the American Antiquarian Society; +Charles Francis Adams, William Lawrence, Charles W. Eliot, for the +Massachusetts Historical Society; Arthur Lord, William M. Evarts, +William T. Davis, for the Pilgrim Society of Plymouth; Charles C. +Beaman, Joseph H. Choate, J. Pierpont Morgan, for the New England +Society of New York; Roger Wolcott, Governor of Massachusetts. + +The rarest good fortune seems to have attended every step in this +transaction. + +I was fortunate in having formed the friendship of Mr. Grenfell, which +secured to me so cordial a reception from the Bishop of London. + +It was fortunate that the Bishop of London was Dr. Temple, an eminent +scholar, kindly disposed toward the people of the United States, and a +man thoroughly capable of understanding and respecting the deep and +holy sentiment which a compliance with our desire would gratify. + +It was fortunate, too, that Bishop Temple, who thought he must have the +approbation of the archbishop before his action, when the time came had +himself become Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England. + +It was fortunate that Dr. Creighton had succeeded to the see of London. +He is, himself, as I have just said, an eminent historical scholar. He +has many friends in America. He was the delegate of Emmanuel, John +Harvard's College, at the great Harvard centennial celebration in 1886. +He received the degree of doctor of laws at Harvard and is a member of +the Massachusetts Historical Society. He had, as I have said, +entertained President Eliot as his guest in England. + +It was fortunate, too, that the application came in a time of cordial +good-will between the two countries, when the desire of John Adams and +the longing of George III. have their ample and complete fulfilment. +This token of the good-will of England reached Boston on the eve of the +birthday of the illustrious sovereign, who is not more venerated and +beloved by her own subjects than by the kindred people across the sea. + +[Illustration: THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.] + +It comes to us at the time of the rejoicing of the English people at +the sixtieth anniversary of a reign more crowded with benefit to +humanity than any other known in the annals of the race. Upon the power +of England, the sceptre, the trident, the lion, the army and the fleet, +the monster ships of war, the all-shattering guns, the American people +are strong enough now to look with an entire indifference. We encounter +her commerce and her manufacture in the spirit of a generous emulation. +The inheritance from which England has gained these things is ours also. +We, too, are of the Saxon strain. + + In our halls is hung + Armory of the invincible knights of old. + +Our temple covers a continent, and its porches are upon both the seas. +Our fathers knew the secret to lay, in Christian liberty and law, the +foundations of empire. Our young men are not ashamed, if need be, to +speak with the enemy in the gate. + +But to the illustrious lady, type of gentlest womanhood, model of mother +and wife and friend, who came at eighteen to the throne of George IV. +and William; of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; the maiden presence +before which everything unholy shrank; the sovereign who, during her +long reign, "ever knew the people that she ruled;" the royal nature that +disdained to strike at her kingdom's rival in the hour of our sorest +need; the heart which even in the bosom of a queen beat with sympathy +for the cause of constitutional liberty; who, herself not unacquainted +with grief, laid on the coffin of our dead Garfield the wreath fragrant +with a sister's sympathy,--to her our republican manhood does not +disdain to bend. + + The eagle, lord of land and sea, + Will stoop to pay her fealty. + +But I am afraid this application might have had the fate of its +predecessors but for our special good fortune in the fact that Mr. +Bayard was our ambassador at the Court of St. James. He had been, as I +said in the beginning, the ambassador not so much of the diplomacy as of +the good-will of the American people. Before his powerful influence +every obstacle gave way. It was almost impossible for Englishmen to +refuse a request like this, made by him, and in which his own sympathies +were so profoundly enlisted. + +You are entitled, sir, to the gratitude of Massachusetts, to the +gratitude of every lover of Massachusetts and of every lover of the +country. You have succeeded where so many others have failed, and where +so many others would have been likely to fail. You may be sure that our +debt to you is fully understood and will not be forgotten. + +The question of the permanent abiding-place of this manuscript will be +settled after it has reached the hands of His Excellency. Wherever it +shall go it will be an object of reverent care. I do not think many +Americans will gaze upon it without a little trembling of the lips and a +little gathering of mist in the eyes, as they think of the story of +suffering, of sorrow, of peril, of exile, of death and of lofty triumph +which that book tells,--which the hand of the great leader and founder +of America has traced on those pages. + +There is nothing like it in human annals since the story of Bethlehem. +These Englishmen and English women going out from their homes in +beautiful Lincoln and York, wife separated from husband and mother from +child in that hurried embarkation for Holland, pursued to the beach by +English horsemen; the thirteen years of exile; the life at Amsterdam "in +alley foul and lane obscure;" the dwelling at Leyden; the embarkation at +Delfthaven; the farewell of Robinson; the terrible voyage across the +Atlantic; the compact in the harbor; the landing on the rock; the +dreadful first winter; the death roll of more than half the number; the +days of suffering and of famine; the wakeful night, listening for the +yell of wild beast and the war-whoop of the savage; the building of the +State on those sure foundations which no wave or tempest has ever +shaken; the breaking of the new light; the dawning of the new day; the +beginning of the new life; the enjoyment of peace with liberty,--of all +these things this is the original record by the hand of our beloved +father and founder. Massachusetts will preserve it until the time shall +come that her children are unworthy of it; and that time shall +come,--never. + + + + +ADDRESS + +OF THE + +HON. THOMAS F. BAYARD. + +[Illustration] + + +ADDRESS OF AMBASSADOR BAYARD. + +Your Excellency, Gentlemen of the two Houses of the Legislature of +Massachusetts, Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Countrymen: The honorable +and most gratifying duty with which I am charged is about to receive its +final act of execution, for I have the book here, as it was placed in my +hands by the Lord Bishop of London on April 29, intact then and now; and +I am about to deliver it according to the provisions of the decree of +the Chancellor of London, which has been read in your presence, and the +receipt signed by me and registered in his court that I would obey the +provisions of that decree. + +I have kept my trust; I have kept the book as I received it; I shall +deliver it into the hands of the representative of the people who are +entitled to its custody. + +And now, gentlemen, it would be superfluous for me to dwell upon the +historical features of this remarkable occasion, for it has been done, +as we all knew it would be done, with ability, learning, eloquence and +impressiveness, by the distinguished Senator who represents you so well +in the Congress of the United States. + +For all that related to myself, and for every gracious word of +recognition and commendation that fell from his lips in relation to the +part that I have taken in the act of restoration, I am profoundly +grateful. It is an additional reward, but not the reward which induced +my action. + +To have served your State, to have been instrumental in such an act as +this, was of itself a high privilege to me. The Bradford manuscript was +in the library of Fulham palace, and if, by lawful means, I could have +become possessed of the volume, and have brought it here and quietly +deposited it, I should have gone to my home with the great satisfaction +of knowing that I had performed an act of justice, an act of right +between two countries. Therefore the praise, however grateful, is +additional, and I am very thankful for it. + +It may not be inappropriate or unpleasing to you should I state in a +very simple manner the history of my relation to the return of this +book, for it all has occurred within the last twelve months. + +I knew of the existence of this manuscript, and had seen the +reproduction in facsimile. I knew that attempts had been made, +unsuccessfully, to obtain the original book. + +At that time Senator Hoar made a short visit to England, and in passing +through London I was informed by him of the great interest that he, in +common with the people of this State, had in the restoration of this +manuscript to the custody of the State. + +We discussed the methods by which it might be accomplished, and after +two or three concurrent suggestions he returned to the United States, +and presently I received, under cover from the Secretary of State,--a +distinguished citizen of your own State, Mr. Olney,--a formal note, +suggesting rather than instructing that in an informal manner I should +endeavor to have carried out the wishes of the various societies that +had addressed themselves to the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of +Canterbury, in order to obtain the return of this manuscript. + +It necessarily had to be done informally. The strict regulations of the +office I then occupied forbade my correspondence with any member of the +British government except through the foreign office, unless it were +informal. An old saying describes the entire case, that "When there's a +will there's a way." There certainly was the will to get the book, and +there certainly was also a will and a way to give the book, and that way +was discovered by the legal custodians of the book itself. + +At first there were suggestions of difficulty, some technical questions; +and following a very safe rule, the first thought was, What is the law? +and the case was submitted to the law officers of the Crown. Then there +arose the necessity of a formal act of permission. + +There could be entertained no question as to the title to the manuscript +in the possession of the British government. There was no authority to +grant a claim, founded on adverse title, and the question arose as to +the requisite form of law of a permissive rather than of a mandatory +nature, in order to be authoritative with those who had charge of the +document. + +But, as I have said, when there was a will there was found a way. By +personal correspondence and interviews with the Bishop of London, I soon +discovered that he was as anxious to find the way as I was that he +should find it. In March last it was finally agreed that I should employ +legal counsel to present a formal petition in the Episcopal Consistorial +Court of London, and there before the Chancellor to represent the strong +desire of Massachusetts and her people for the return of the record of +her early Governor. + +Accordingly, the petition was prepared, and by my authority signed as +for me by an eminent member of the bar, and it was also signed by the +Bishop of London, so that there was a complete consensus. The decree was +ordered, as is published in the London "Times" on March 25 last, and +nothing after that remained but formalities, in which, as you are well +aware, the English law is not lacking, especially in the ecclesiastical +tribunals. + +These formalities were carried out during my absence from London on a +short visit to the Continent, and the decree which you have just heard +read was duly entered on April 12 last, consigning the document to my +personal custody, to be delivered by me in this city to the high +official therein named, subject to those conditions which you have also +heard. + +Accordingly, on the 29th of April last I was summoned to the court, and +there, having signed the receipt, this decree was read in my presence. +Then the Bishop of London arose, and, taking the book in his hands, +delivered it with a few gracious words into my custody, and here it is +to-day. + +The records of those proceedings will no doubt be preserved here as +accompanying this book, as they are in the Episcopal Consistorial Court +in London, and they tell the entire story. + +But that is but part. The thing that I wish to impress upon you, and +upon my fellow countrymen throughout the United States, is that this is +an act of courtesy and friendship by another government--the government +of what we once called our "mother country"--to the entire people of the +United States. + +You cannot limit it to the Governor of this Commonwealth; nor to the +Legislature; nor even to the citizens of this Commonwealth. It extends +in its courtesy, its kindness and comity to the entire people of the +United States. From first to last there was the ready response of +courtesy and kindness to the request for the restoration of this +manuscript record. + +I may say to you that there has been nothing that I have sought more +earnestly than to place the affairs of these two great nations in the +atmosphere of mutual confidence and respect and good-will. If it be a +sin to long for the honor of one's country, for the safety and strength +of one's country, then I have been a great sinner, for I have striven to +advance the honor and the safety and the welfare of my country, and +believed it was best accomplished by treating all with justice and +courtesy, and doing those things to others which we would ask to have +done to ourselves. + +When the Chancellor pronounced his decree in March last, he cited +certain precedents to justify him in restoring this volume to +Massachusetts. One precedent which powerfully controlled his decision, +and which in the closing portion of his judgment he emphasizes, was an +act of generous liberality upon the part of the American Library Society +in Philadelphia in voluntarily returning to the British government some +volumes of original manuscript of the period of James the First, which +by some means not very clearly explained had found their way among the +books of that institution. + +Those books were received by a distinguished man, Lord Romilly, Master +of the Rolls, who took occasion to speak of the liberality and kindness +which dictated the action of the Philadelphia library. Gentlemen, I am +one of those who believe that a generous and kindly act is never unwise +between individuals or nations. + +The return of this book to you is an echo of the kindly act of your +countrymen in the city of Philadelphia in 1866. + +It is that, not, as Mr. Hoar has said, any influence or special effort +of mine; but it is international good feeling and comity which brought +about to you the pleasure and the joy of having this manuscript +returned, and so it will ever be. A generous act will beget a generous +act; trust and confidence will beget trust and confidence; and so it +will be while the world shall last, and well will it be for the man or +for the people who shall recognize this truth and act upon it. + +Now, gentlemen, there is another coincidence that I may venture to point +out. It is history repeating itself. More than three hundred years ago +the ancestors from whom my father drew his name and blood were French +Protestants, who had been compelled to flee from the religious +persecutions of that day, and for the sake of conscience to find an +asylum in Holland. Fifty years after they had fled and found safety in +Holland, the little congregation of Independents from the English +village of Scrooby, under the pastorate of John Robinson, was forced to +fly, and with difficulty found its way into the same country of the +Netherlands, seeking an asylum for consciences' sake. + +Time passed on. The little English colony removed, as this manuscript of +William Bradford will tell you, across the Atlantic, and soon after the +Huguenot family from whom I drew my name found their first settlement in +what was then the New Netherlands, now New York. Both came from the same +cause; both came with the same object, the same purpose,--"soul +freedom," as Roger Williams well called it. Both came to found homes +where they could worship God according to their own conscience and live +as free men. They came to these shores, and they have found the asylum, +and they have strengthened it, and it is what we see to-day,--a country +of absolute religious and civil freedom,--of equal rights and +toleration. + +And is it not fitting that I, who have in my veins the blood of the +Huguenots, should present to you and your Governor the log of the +English emigrants, who left their country for the sake of religious +freedom? + +They are blended here,--their names, their interests. No man asks and no +man has a right to ask or have ascertained by any method authorized by +law what is the conscientious religious tenet or opinion of any man, of +any citizen, as a prerequisite for holding an office of trust or power +in the United States. + +I think it well on this occasion to make, as I am sure you are making, +acknowledgment to that heroic little country, the Lowlands as they call +it, the Netherlands,--the country without one single feature of military +defence except the brave hearts of the men who live in it and defend it. + +Holland was the anvil upon which religious and civil liberty was beaten +out in Europe at a time when the clang was scarcely heard anywhere else. +We can never forget our historical debt to that country and to those +people. Puritan, Independent, Huguenot, whoever he may be, forced to +flee for conscience's sake, will not forget that in the Netherlands +there was found in his time of need the asylum where conscience, +property and person might be secure. + +And now my task is done. I am deeply grateful for the part that I have +been enabled to take in this act of just and natural restitution. In +Massachusetts or out of Massachusetts there is no one more willing than +I to assist this work; and here, sir [addressing Governor Wolcott], I +fulfil my trust in placing in your hands the manuscript. + +To you, as the honored representative of the people of this +Commonwealth, I commit this book, in pursuance of my obligations, gladly +undertaken under the decree of the Episcopal Consistorial Court of +London. + + + + +ADDRESS + +OF + +HIS EXCELLENCY ROGER WOLCOTT. + +[Illustration:] + + +ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR WOLCOTT. + +On receiving the volume, Governor Wolcott, addressing Mr. Bayard, spoke +as follows: I thank you, sir, for the diligent and faithful manner in +which you have executed the honorable trust imposed upon you by the +decree of the Consistorial and Episcopal Court of London, a copy of +which you have now placed in my hands. It was fitting that one of your +high distinction should be selected to perform so dignified an office. + +The gracious act of international courtesy which is now completed will +not fail of grateful appreciation by the people of this Commonwealth and +of the nation. It is honorable alike to those who hesitated not to +prefer the request and to those whose generous liberality has prompted +compliance with it. It may be that the story of the departure of this +precious relic from our shores may never in its every detail be +revealed; but the story of its return will be read of all men, and will +become a part of the history of the Commonwealth. There are places and +objects so intimately associated with the world's greatest men or with +mighty deeds that the soul of him who gazes upon them is lost in a sense +of reverent awe, as it listens to the voice that speaks from the past, +in words like those which came from the burning bush, "Put off thy shoes +from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." + +On the sloping hillside of Plymouth, that bathes its feet in the waters +of the Atlantic, such a voice is breathed by the brooding genius of the +place, and the ear must be dull that fails to catch the whispered words. +For here not alone did godly men and women suffer greatly for a great +cause, but their noble purpose was not doomed to defeat, but was carried +to perfect victory. They stablished what they planned. Their feeble +plantation became the birthplace of religious liberty, the cradle of a +free Commonwealth. To them a mighty nation owns its debt. Nay, they have +made the civilized world their debtor. In the varied tapestry which +pictures our national life, the richest spots are those where gleam the +golden threads of conscience, courage and faith, set in the web by that +little band. May God in his mercy grant that the moral impulse which +founded this nation may never cease to control its destiny; that no act +of any future generation may put in peril the fundamental principles on +which it is based,--of equal rights in a free state, equal privileges in +a free church and equal opportunities in a free school. + +In this precious volume which I hold in my hands--the gift of England to +the Commonwealth of Massachusetts--is told the noble, simple story "of +Pli[~m]oth Plantation." In the midst of suffering and privation and +anxiety the pious hand of William Bradford here set down in ample detail +the history of the enterprise from its inception to the year 1647. From +him we may learn "that all great and honourable actions are accompanied +with great difficulties, and must be both enterprised and overcome with +answerable courages." + +The sadness and pathos which some might read into the narrative are to +me lost in victory. The triumph of a noble cause even at a great price +is theme for rejoicing, not for sorrow, and the story here told is one +of triumphant achievement, and not of defeat. + +As the official representative of the Commonwealth, I receive it, sir, +at your hands. I pledge the faith of the Commonwealth that for all time +it shall be guarded in accordance with the terms of the decree under +which it is delivered into her possession as one of her chiefest +treasures. I express the thanks of the Commonwealth for the priceless +gift. And I venture the prophecy that for countless years to come and to +untold thousands these mute pages shall eloquently speak of high +resolve, great suffering and heroic endurance made possible by an +absolute faith in the over-ruling providence of Almighty God. + + + + +ACKNOWLEDGMENT + +BY THE + +BISHOP OF LONDON. + +[Illustration: THE BISHOP OF LONDON] + +(Copy) + + FULHAM PALACE, S.W. + Oct. 16, 1897. + +DEAR SIR, + +I would ask you to express to the Convention of the two branches of the +General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts my grateful thanks +for the copy of their resolution of May 26, which was presented to me by +Mr. Adams.[A] + +I consider it a great privilege to have been associated with an act of +courtesy, which was also an act of justice, in restoring to its proper +place a document which is so important in the records of your +illustrious Commonwealth. + + I am + + Yours faithfully, + M. London. + + H.D. COOLIDGE, Esq. + Clerk of the Convention. + + + + +OF PLIMOTH PLANTATION. + + +Of Plimoth Plantation. + +And first of y^e occasion and ind[~u]sments ther unto; the which that I +may truly unfould, I must begine at y^e very roote & rise of y^e same. +The which I shall endevor to manefest in a plaine stile, with singuler +regard unto y^e simple trueth in all things, at least as near as my +slender judgmente can attaine the same. + + + + +1. Chapter. + + +It is well knowne unto y^e godly and judicious, how ever since y^e first +breaking out of y^e lighte of y^e gospell in our Honourable Nation of +England, (which was y^e first of nations whom y^e Lord adorned ther +with, affter y^t grosse darknes of popery which had covered & overspred +y^e Christian worled,) what warrs & opposissions ever since, Satan hath +raised, maintained, and continued against the Saincts, from time to +time, in one sorte or other. Some times by bloody death and cruell +torments; other whiles imprisonments, banishments, & other hard usages; +as being loath his kingdom should goe downe, the trueth prevaile, and +y^e churches of God reverte to their anciente puritie, and recover their +primative order, libertie, & bewtie. But when he could not prevaile by +these means, against the maine trueths of y^e gospell, but that they +began to take rootting in many places, being watered with y^e blooud of +y^e martires, and blessed from heaven with a gracious encrease; He then +begane to take him to his anciente strategemes, used of old against the +first Christians. That when by y^e bloody & barbarous persecutions of +y^e Heathen Emperours, he could not stoppe & subuerte the course of y^e +gospell, but that it speedily overspred with a wounderfull celeritie the +then best known parts of y^e world, He then begane to sow errours, +heresies, and wounderfull dissentions amongst y^e professours them +selves, (working upon their pride & ambition, with other corrupte +passions incidente to all mortall men, yea to y^e saints them selves in +some measure,) by which wofull effects followed; as not only bitter +contentions, & hartburnings, schismes, with other horrible confusions, +but Satan tooke occasion & advantage therby to foyst in a number of vile +ceremoneys, with many unproffitable cannons & decrees, which have since +been as snares to many poore & peaceable souls even to this day. So as +in y^e anciente times, the persecutions[2] by y^e heathen & their +Emperours, was not greater then of the Christians one against other; the +Arians & other their complices against y^e orthodoxe & true Christians. +As witneseth Socrates in his 2. booke. His words are these;[B] _The +violence truly_ (saith he) _was no less than that of ould practised +towards y^e Christians when they were compelled & drawne to sacrifice to +idoles; for many indured sundrie kinds of tormente, often rackings, & +dismembering of their joynts; confiscating of ther goods; some bereaved +of their native soyle; others departed this life under y^e hands of y^e +tormentor; and some died in banishm[=e]te, & never saw ther cuntrie +againe, &c._ + +The like methode Satan hath seemed to hold in these later times, since +y^e trueth begane to springe & spread after y^e great defection made by +Antichrist, y^t man of si[=n]e. + +For to let pass y^e infinite examples in sundrie nations and severall +places of y^e world, and instance in our owne, when as y^t old serpente +could not prevaile by those firie flames & other his cruell tragedies, +which he[C] by his instruments put in ure every wher in y^e days of +queene Mary & before, he then begane an other kind of warre, & went more +closly to worke; not only to oppuggen, but even to ruinate & destroy y^e +kingdom of Christ, by more secrete & subtile means, by kindling y^e +flames of contention and sowing y^e seeds of discorde & bitter enmitie +amongst y^e proffessors & seeming reformed them selves. For when he +could not prevaile by y^e former means against the principall doctrins +of faith, he bente his force against the holy discipline & outward +regimente of the kingdom of Christ, by which those holy doctrines +should be conserved, & true pietie maintained amongest the saints & +people of God. + +Mr. Foxe recordeth how y^t besids those worthy martires & confessors +which were burned in queene Marys days & otherwise tormented,[D] _many +(both studients & others) fled out of y^e land, to y^e number of 800. +And became severall congregations. At Wesell, Frankford, Bassill, Emden, +Markpurge, Strausborugh, & Geneva, &c._ Amongst whom (but especialy +those at Frankford) begane y^t bitter warr of contention & persecuti[=o] +aboute y^e ceremonies, & servise-booke, and other popish and +antichristian stuffe, the plague of England to this day, which are like +y^e highplases in Israell, w^ch the prophets cried out against, & were +their ruine; [3] which y^e better parte sought, according to y^e puritie +of y^e gospell, to roote out and utterly to abandon. And the other parte +(under veiled pretences) for their ouwn ends & advancments, sought as +stifly to continue, maintaine, & defend. As appeareth by y^e discourse +therof published in printe, An^o: 1575; a booke y^t deserves better to +be knowne and considred. + +The one side laboured to have y^e right worship of God & discipline of +Christ established in y^e church, according to y^e simplicitie of y^e +gospell, without the mixture of mens inventions, and to have & to be +ruled by y^e laws of Gods word, dispensed in those offices, & by those +officers of Pastors, Teachers, & Elders, &c. according to y^e Scripturs. +The other partie, though under many colours & pretences, endevored to +have y^e episcopall dignitie (affter y^e popish ma[=n]er) with their +large power & jurisdiction still retained; with all those courts, +cannons, & ceremonies, togeather with all such livings, revenues, & +subordinate officers, with other such means as formerly upheld their +antichristian greatnes, and enabled them with lordly & tyranous power to +persecute y^e poore servants of God. This contention was so great, as +neither y^e honour of God, the commone persecution, nor y^e mediation of +Mr. Calvin & other worthies of y^e Lord in those places, could prevaile +with those thus episcopally minded, but they proceeded by all means to +disturbe y^e peace of this poor persecuted church, even so farr as to +charge (very unjustly, & ungodlily, yet prelatelike) some of their +cheefe opposers, with rebellion & hightreason against y^e Emperour, & +other such crimes. + +And this cont[=e]tion dyed not with queene Mary, nor was left beyonde +y^e seas, but at her death these people returning into England under +gracious queene Elizabeth, many of them being preferred to bishopricks & +other promotions, according to their aimes and desires, that inveterate +hatered against y^e holy discipline of Christ in his church hath +continued to this day. In somuch that for fear [4] it should preveile, +all plotts & devices have been used to keepe it out, incensing y^e +queene & state against it as dangerous for y^e co[=m]on wealth; and that +it was most needfull y^t y^e fundamentall poynts of Religion should be +preached in those ignorante & superstitious times; and to wi[=n]e y^e +weake & ignorante, they might retaine diverse harmles ceremoneis; and +though it were to be wished y^t diverse things were reformed, yet this +was not a season for it. And many the like, to stop y^e mouthes of y^e +more godly, to bring them over to yeeld to one ceremoney after another, +and one corruption after another; by these wyles begyleing some & +corrupting others till at length they begane to persecute all y^e +zealous professors in y^e land (though they knew little what this +discipline mente) both by word & deed, if they would not submitte to +their ceremonies, & become slaves to them & their popish trash, which +have no ground in y^e word of God, but are relikes of y^t man of sine. +And the more y^e light of y^e gospell grew, y^e more y^ey urged their +subscriptions to these corruptions. So as (notwithstanding all their +former pretences & fair colures) they whose eyes God had not justly +blinded might easily see wherto these things tended. And to cast +contempte the more upon y^e sincere servants of God, they opprobriously +& most injuriously gave unto, & imposed upon them, that name of +Puritans, which [it] is said the Novatians out of prid did assume & +take unto themselves.[E] And lamentable it is to see y^e effects which +have followed. Religion hath been disgraced, the godly greeved, +afflicted, persecuted, and many exiled, sundrie have lost their lives in +prisones & otherways. On the other hand, sin hath been countenanced, +ignorance, profannes, & atheisme increased, & the papists encouraged to +hope againe for a day. + +This made that holy man Mr. Perkins[F] crie out in his exhortation to +repentance, upon Zeph. 2. _Religion_ (saith he) _hath been amongst us +this 35. years; but the more it is published, the more it is contemned & +reproached of many, &c. Thus not prophanes nor wickednes, but Religion +it selfe is a byword, a moking-stock, & a matter of reproach; so that in +England at this day the man or woman y^t begines to profes Religion, & +to serve God, must resolve with him selfe to sustaine_ [5] _mocks & +injueries even as though he lived amongst y^e enimies of Religion._ And +this co[=m]one experience hath confirmed & made too apparente. + +_A late observation, as it were by the way, worthy to be Noted._[G] + + Full litle did I thinke, y^t the downfall of y^e Bishops, with their + courts, cannons, & ceremonies, &c. had been so neare, when I first + begane these scribled writings (which was aboute y^e year 1630, and so + peeced up at times of leasure afterward), or that I should have lived + to have seene or heard of y^e same; but it is y^e Lords doing, and + ought to be marvelous in our eyes! Every plante which mine heavenly + father hath not planted (saith our Saviour) shall be rooted up. Mat: + 15. 13.[H] I have snared the, and thou art taken, O Babell (Bishops), + and thou wast not aware; thou art found, and also caught, because thou + hast striven against the Lord. Jer. 50. 24. But will they needs strive + against y^e truth, against y^e servants of God; what, & against the + Lord him selfe? Doe they provoke the Lord to anger? Are they stronger + than he? 1. Cor: 10. 22. No, no, they have mete with their match. + Behold, I come unto y^e, O proud man, saith the Lord God of hosts; for + thy day is come, even the time that I will visite the. Jer: 50. 31. + May not the people of God now say (and these pore people among y^e + rest), The Lord hath brought forth our righteousnes; come, let us + declare in Sion the work of the Lord our God. Jer: 51. 10. Let all + flesh be still before the Lord; for he is raised up out of his holy + place. Zach: 2. 13. + + In this case, these poore people may say (among y^e thousands of + Israll), _When the Lord brougt againe the captivite of Zion, we were + like them that dreame. Psa: 126. 1. The Lord hath done greate things + for us, wherof we rejoyce. v. 3. They that sow in teares, shall reap + in joye. They wente weeping, and carried precious seede, but they + shall returne with joye, and bring their sheaves, v. 5, 6._ + + Doe you not now see y^e fruits of your labours, O all yee servants of + y^e Lord that have suffered for his truth, and have been faithfull + witneses of y^e same, and yee litle handfull amongst y^e rest, y^e + least amongest y^e thousands of Israll? You have not only had a seede + time, but many of you have seene y^e joyefull harvest; should you not + then rejoyse, yea, and againe rejoyce, and say Hallelu-iah, + salvation, and glorie, and honour, and power, be to y^e Lord our God; + for true and righteous are his judgments. Rev. 19. 1, 2. + + But thou wilte aske what is y^e mater? What is done? Why, art thou a + stranger in Israll, that thou shouldest not know what is done? Are not + those Jebusites overcome that have vexed the people of Israll so long, + even holding Jerusalem till Davids days, and been as thorns in their + sids, so many ages; and now begane to scorne that any David should + meadle with them; they begane to fortifie their tower, as that of the + old Babelonians; but those proud Anakimes are throwne downe, and their + glory laid in y^e dust. The tiranous bishops are ejected, their courts + dissolved, their cannons forceless, their servise casheired, their + ceremonies uselese and despised; their plots for popery prevented, and + all their superstitions discarded & returned to Roome from whence they + came, and y^e monuments of idolatrie rooted out of y^e land. And the + proud and profane suporters, and cruell defenders of these (as bloody + papists & wicked athists, and their malignante consorts) marvelously + over throwne. And are not these greate things? Who can deney it? + + But who hath done it? Who, even he that siteth on y^e white horse, who + is caled faithfull, & true, and judgeth and fighteth righteously, Rev: + 19. 11. whose garments are dipte in blood, and his name was caled the + word of God, v. 13. for he shall rule them with a rode of iron; for it + is he that treadeth the winepress of the feircenes and wrath of God + almighty. And he hath upon his garmente, and upon his thigh, a name + writen, The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, v. 15, 16. + + Hallelu-iah. + + Anno Dom: 1646. + +But that I may come more near my intendmente; when as by the travell & +diligence of some godly & zealous preachers, & Gods blessing on their +labours, as in other places of y^e land, so in y^e North parts, many +became inlightened by the word of God, and had their ignorance & sins +discovered unto them, and begane by his grace to reforme their lives, +and make conscience of their wayes, the worke of God was no sooner +manifest in them, but presently they were both scoffed and scorned by +y^e prophane multitude, and y^e ministers urged with y^e yoak of +subscription, or els must be silenced; and y^e poore people were so +vexed with apparators, & pursuants, & y^e comissarie courts, as truly +their affliction was not smale; which, notwithstanding, they bore +sundrie years with much patience, till they were occasioned (by y^e +continuance & encrease of these troubls, and other means which the Lord +raised up in those days) to see further into things by the light of y^e +word of God. How not only these base and beggerly ceremonies were +unlawfull, but also that y^e lordly & tiranous power of y^e prelats +ought not to be submitted unto; which thus, contrary to the freedome of +the gospell, would load & burden mens consciences, and by their +compulsive power make a prophane mixture of persons & things in the +worship of God. And that their offices & calings, courts & cannons, &c. +were unlawfull and antichristian; being such as have no warrante in y^e +word of God; but the same y^t were used in poperie, & still retained. Of +which a famous author thus writeth in his Dutch co[=m]taries.[I] At the +coming of king James into England; _The new king_ (saith he) _found +their established y^e reformed religion, according to y^e reformed +religion of king Edward y^e 6. Retaining, or keeping still y^e +spirituall state of y^e Bishops, &c. after y^e ould maner, much varying +& differing from y^e reformed churches in Scotland, France, & y^e +Neatherlands, Embden, Geneva, &c. whose reformation is cut, or shapen +much nerer y^e first Christian churches, as it was used in y^e Apostles +times._[J] + +[6] So many therfore of these proffessors as saw y^e evill of these +things, in thes parts, and whose harts y^e Lord had touched w^th +heavenly zeale for his trueth, they shooke of this yoake of +antichristian bondage, and as y^e Lords free people, joyned them selves +(by a covenant of the Lord) into a church estate, in y^e felowship of +y^e gospell, to walke in all his wayes, made known, or to be made known +unto them, according to their best endeavours, whatsoever it should cost +them, the Lord assisting them. And that it cost them something this +ensewing historie will declare. + +These people became 2. distincte bodys or churches, & in regarde of +distance of place did congregate severally; for they were of sundrie +townes & vilages, some in Notingamshire, some of Lincollinshire, and +some of Yorkshire, wher they border nearest togeather. In one of these +churches (besids others of note) was Mr. John Smith, a man of able +gifts, & a good preacher, who afterwards was chosen their pastor. But +these afterwards falling into some errours in y^e Low Countries, ther +(for y^e most part) buried them selves, & their names. + +But in this other church (w^ch must be y^e subjecte of our discourse) +besids other worthy men, was M^r. Richard Clifton, a grave and +rever[=e]d preacher, who by his paines and dilligens had done much good, +and under God had ben a means of y^e conversion of many. And also that +famous and worthy man M^r. John Robinson, who afterwards was their +pastor for many years, till y^e Lord tooke him away by death. Also M^r. +William Brewster a reverent man, who afterwards was chosen an elder of +y^e church and lived with them till old age. + +But after these things they could not long continue in any peaceable +condition, but were hunted & persecuted on every side, so as their +former afflictions were but as flea-bitings in comparison of these which +now came upon them. For some were taken & clapt up in prison, others had +their houses besett & watcht night and day, & hardly escaped their +hands; and y^e most were faine to flie & leave their howses & +habitations, and the means of their livelehood. Yet these & many other +sharper things which affterward befell them, were no other then they +looked for, and therfore were y^e better prepared to bear them by y^e +assistance of Gods grace & spirite. Yet seeing them selves thus +molested, [7] and that ther was no hope of their continuance ther, by a +joynte consente they resolved to goe into y^e Low-Countries, wher they +heard was freedome of Religion for all men; as also how sundrie from +London, & other parts of y^e land, had been exiled and persecuted for +y^e same cause, & were gone thither, and lived at Amsterdam, & in other +places of y^e land. So affter they had continued togeither aboute a +year, and kept their meetings every Saboth in one place or other, +exercising the worship of God amongst them selves, notwithstanding all +y^e dilligence & malice of their adverssaries, they seeing they could no +longer continue in y^t condition, they resolved to get over into +Holl[=a]d as they could; which was in y^e year 1607. & 1608.; of which +more at large in y^e next chap. + + + + +2. Chap. + +_Of their departure into Holland and their troubls ther aboute, with +some of the many difficulties they found and mete withall_. + +An^o. 1608. + + +Being thus constrained to leave their native soyle and countrie, their +lands & livings, and all their freinds & famillier acquaintance, it was +much, and thought marvelous by many. But to goe into a countrie they +knew not (but by hearsay), wher they must learne a new language, and get +their livings they knew not how, it being a dear place, & subjecte to +y^e misseries of warr, it was by many thought an adventure almost +desperate, a case intolerable, & a misserie worse then death. Espetially +seeing they were not aquainted with trads nor traffique, (by which y^t +countrie doth subsiste,) but had only been used to a plaine countrie +life, & y^e inocente trade of husbandrey. But these things did not +dismay them (though they did some times trouble them) for their desires +were sett on y^e ways of God, & to injoye his ordinances; but they +rested on his providence, & knew whom they had beleeved. Yet [8] this +was not all, for though they could not stay, yet were y^e not suffered +to goe, but y^e ports and havens were shut against them, so as they were +faine to seeke secrete means of conveance, & to bribe & fee y^e +mariners, & give exterordinarie rates for their passages. And yet were +they often times betrayed (many of them), and both they & their goods +intercepted & surprised, and therby put to great trouble & charge, of +which I will give an instance or tow, & omitte the rest. + +Ther was a large companie of them purposed to get passage at Boston in +Lincoln-shire, and for that end had hired a shipe wholy to them selves, +& made agreement with the maister to be ready at a certaine day, and +take them and their goods in, at a conveniente place, wher they +accordingly would all attende in readines. So after long waiting, & +large expences, though he kepte not day with them, yet he came at +length & tooke them in, in y^e night. But when he had them & their goods +abord, he betrayed them, haveing before hand complotted with y^e +serchers & other officers so to doe; who tooke them, and put them into +open boats, & ther rifled & ransaked them, searching them to their +shirts for money, yea even y^e women furder then became modestie; and +then caried them back into y^e towne, & made them a spectackle & wonder +to the multitude, which came flocking on all sids to behould them. Being +thus first, by the chatch-poule officers, rifled, & stripte of their +money, books, and much other goods, they were presented to y^e +magestrates, and messengers sente to informe y^e lords of y^e Counsell +of them; and so they were co[=m]ited to ward. Indeed y^e magestrats used +them courteously, and shewed them what favour they could; but could not +deliver them, till order came from y^e Counsell-table. But y^e issue was +that after a months imprisonmente, y^e greatest parte were dismiste, & +sent to y^e places from whence they came; but 7. of y^e principall were +still kept in prison, and bound over to y^e Assises. + +The nexte spring after, ther was another attempte made by some of these +& others, to get over at an other place. And it so fell out, that they +light of a Dutchman at Hull, having a ship of his owne belonging to +Zealand; they made agreemente with him, and acquainted [9] him with +their condition, hoping to find more faithfullnes in him, then in y^e +former of their owne nation. He bad them not fear, for he would doe well +enough. He was by appointment to take them in betweene Grimsbe & Hull, +wher was a large co[=m]one a good way distante from any towne. Now +aganst the prefixed time, the women & children, with y^e goods, were +sent to y^e place in a small barke, which they had hired for y^t end; +and y^e men were to meete them by land. But it so fell out, that they +were ther a day before y^e shipe came, & y^e sea being rough, and y^e +women very sicke, prevailed with y^e seamen to put into a creeke hardby, +wher they lay on ground at lowwater. The nexte morning y^e shipe came, +but they were fast, & could not stir till aboute noone. In y^e mean +time, y^e shipe maister, perceiveing how y^e matter was, sente his boate +to be getting y^e men abord whom he saw ready, walking aboute y^e shore. +But after y^e first boat full was gott abord, & she was ready to goe for +more, the m^r espied a greate company, both horse & foote, with bills, & +gunes, & other weapons; for y^e countrie was raised to take them. Y^e +Dutch-man seeing y^t, swore his countries oath, "sacremente," and having +y^e wind faire, waiged his Ancor, hoysed sayles, & away. But y^e poore +men which were gott abord, were in great distress for their wives and +children, which they saw thus to be taken, and were left destitute of +their helps; and them selves also, not having a cloath to shifte them +with, more then they had on their baks, & some scarce a peney aboute +them, all they had being abord y^e barke. It drew tears from their eyes, +and any thing they had they would have given to have been a shore +againe; but all in vaine, ther was no remedy, they must thus sadly part. +And afterward endured a fearfull storme at sea, being 14. days or more +before y^ey arived at their porte, in 7. wherof they neither saw son, +moone, nor stars, & were driven near y^e coast of Norway; the mariners +them selves often despairing of life; and once with shriks & cries gave +over all, as if y^e ship had been foundred in y^e sea, & they sinking +without recoverie. But when mans hope & helpe wholy failed, y^e Lords +power & mercie appeared in ther recoverie; for y^e ship rose againe, & +gave y^e mariners courage againe to manage her. And if modestie woud +suffer me, I might declare with what fervente [10] prayres they cried +unto y^e Lord in this great distres, (espetialy some of them,) even +without any great distraction, when y^e water rane into their mouthes & +ears; & the mariners cried out, We sinke, we sinke; they cried (if not +with mirakelous, yet with a great hight or degree of devine faith), Yet +Lord thou canst save, yet Lord thou canst save; with shuch other +expressions as I will forbeare. Upon which y^e ship did not only +recover, but shortly after y^e violence of y^e storme begane to abate, +and y^e Lord filed their afflicted minds with shuch comforts as every +one ca[=n]ot understand, and in y^e end brought them to their desired +Haven, wher y^e people came flockeing admiring their deliverance, the +storme having ben so longe & sore, in which much hurt had been don, as +y^e masters freinds related unto him in their congrattulations. + +But to returne to y^e others wher we left. The rest of y^e men y^t were +in greatest danger, made shift to escape away before y^e troope could +surprise them; those only staying y^t best might, to be assistante unto +y^e women. But pitifull it was to see y^e heavie case of these poore +women in this distress; what weeping & crying on every side, some for +their husbands, that were caried away in y^e ship as is before related; +others not knowing what should become of them, & their litle ones; +others againe melted in teares, seeing their poore litle ones hanging +aboute them, crying for feare, and quaking with could. Being thus +aprehended, they were hurried from one place to another, and from one +justice to another, till in y^e ende they knew not what to doe with +them; for to imprison so many women & innocent children for no other +cause (many of them) but that they must goe with their husbands, semed +to be unreasonable and all would crie out of them; and to send them home +againe was as difficult, for they aledged, as y^e trueth was, they had +no homes to goe to, for they had either sould, or otherwise disposed of +their houses & livings. To be shorte, after they had been thus turmolyed +a good while, and conveyed from one constable to another, they were glad +to be ridd of them in y^e end upon any termes; for all were wearied & +tired with them. Though in y^e mean time they (poore soules) indured +miserie enough; and thus in the end necessitie forste a way for them. + +But y^t I be not tedious in these things, I will omitte y^e rest, though +I might relate many other notable passages and troubles which they +endured & underwente in these their wanderings & travells both at land & +sea; but I hast to [11] other things. Yet I may not omitte y^e fruite +that came hearby, for by these so publick troubls, in so many eminente +places, their cause became famouss, & occasioned many to looke into y^e +same; and their godly cariage & Christian behaviour was such as left a +deep impression in the minds of many. And though some few shrunk at +these first conflicts & sharp beginings, (as it was no marvell,) yet +many more came on with fresh courage, & greatly animated others. And in +y^e end, notwithstanding all these stormes of oppossition, they all gatt +over at length, some at one time & some at an other, and some in one +place & some in an other, and mette togeather againe according to their +desires, with no small rejoycing. + + + + +The 3. Chap. + +_Of their setling in Holand, & their maner of living, & entertainmente +ther._ + + +Being now come into y^e Low Countries, they saw many goodly & fortified +cities, strongly walled and garded with troopes of armed men. Also they +heard a strange & uncouth language, and beheld y^e differente ma[=n]ers +& customes of y^e people, with their strange fashons and attires; all so +farre differing from y^t of their plaine countrie villages (wherin they +were bred, & had so longe lived) as it seemed they were come into a new +world. But these were not y^e things they much looked on, or long tooke +up their thoughts; for they had other work in hand, & an other kind of +warr to wage & maintaine. For though they saw faire & bewtifull cities, +flowing with abundance of all sorts of welth & riches, yet it was not +longe before they saw the gri[=m]e & grisly face of povertie coming upon +them like an armed man, with whom they must bukle & incounter, and from +whom they could not flye; but they were armed with faith & patience +against him, and all his encounters; and though they were sometimes +foyled, yet by Gods assistance they prevailed and got y^e victorie. + +Now when M^r. Robinson, M^r. Brewster, & other principall members were +come over, (for they were of y^e last, & stayed to help y^e weakest +over before them,) such things were [12] thought on as were necessarie +for their setling and best ordering of y^e church affairs. And when they +had lived at Amsterdam aboute a year, M^r. Robinson, their pastor, and +some others of best discerning, seeing how M^r. John Smith and his +companie was allready fallen in to contention with y^e church y^t was +ther before them, & no means they could use would doe any good to cure +y^e same, and also that y^e flames of contention were like to breake out +in y^t anciente church it selfe (as affterwards lamentably came to +pass); which things they prudently foreseeing, thought it was best to +remove, before they were any way engaged with y^e same; though they well +knew it would be much to y^e prejudice of their outward estats, both at +presente & in licklyhood in y^e future; as indeed it proved to be. + +_Their remoovall to Leyden._ + +For these & some other reasons they removed to Leyden, a fair & +bewtifull citie, and of a sweete situation, but made more famous by y^e +universitie wherwith it is adorned, in which of late had been so many +learned men. But wanting that traffike by sea which Amsterdam injoyes, +it was not so beneficiall for their outward means of living & estats. +But being now hear pitchet they fell to such trads & imployments as they +best could; valewing peace & their spirituall comforte above any other +riches whatsoever. And at lenght they came to raise a competente & +comforteable living, but with hard and continuall labor. + +Being thus setled (after many difficulties) they continued many years in +a comfortable condition, injoying much sweete & delightefull societie & +spirituall comforte togeather in y^e wayes of God, under y^e able +ministrie, and prudente governmente of M^r. John Robinson, & M^r. +William Brewster, who was an assistante unto him in y^e place of an +Elder, unto which he was now called & chosen by the church. So as they +grew in knowledge & other gifts & graces of y^e spirite of God, & lived +togeather in peace, & love, and holines; and many came unto them from +diverse parts of England, so as they grew a great congregation. And if +at any time any differences arose, or offences broak[13] out (as it +cannot be, but some time ther will, even amongst y^e best of men) they +were ever so mete with, and nipt in y^e head betims, or otherwise so +well composed, as still love, peace, and communion was continued; or els +y^e church purged of those that were incurable & incorrigible, when, +after much patience used, no other means would serve, which seldom came +to pass. Yea such was y^e mutuall love, & reciprocall respecte that this +worthy man had to his flocke, and his flocke to him, that it might be +said of them as it once was of y^t famouse Emperour Marcus Aurelious,[K] +and y^e people of Rome, that it was hard to judge wheather he delighted +more in haveing shuch a people, or they in haveing such a pastor. His +love was greate towards them, and his care was all ways bente for their +best good, both for soule and body; for besids his singuler abilities in +devine things (wherin he excelled), he was also very able to give +directions in civill affaires, and to foresee dangers & inconveniences; +by w^ch means he was very helpfull to their outward estats, & so was +every way as a commone father unto them. And none did more offend him +then those that were close and cleaving to them selves, and retired from +y^e comm[=o]e good; as also such as would be stiffe & riged in matters +of outward order, and invey against y^e evills of others, and yet be +remisse in them selves, and not so carefull to express a vertuous +conversation. They in like maner had ever a reverente regard unto him, & +had him in precious estimation, as his worth & wisdom did deserve; and +though they esteemed him highly whilst he lived & laboured amongst them, +yet much more after his death, when they came to feele y^e wante of his +help, and saw (by woefull experience) what a treasure they had lost, to +y^e greefe of their harts, and wounding of their sowls; yea such a loss +as they saw could not be repaired; for it was as hard for them to find +such another leader and feeder in all respects, as for y^e Taborits to +find another Ziska. And though they did not call themselves orphans, as +the other did, after his death, yet they had cause as much to lamente, +in another regard, their present condition, and after usage. But to +returne; I know not but it may be spoken to y^e honour of God, & without +prejudice [14] to any, that such was y^e true pietie, y^e humble zeale, +& fervent love, of this people (whilst they thus lived together) towards +God and his waies, and y^e single hartednes & sinceir affection one +towards another, that they came as near y^e primative patterne of y^e +first churches, as any other church of these later times have done, +according to their ranke & qualitie. + +But seeing it is not my purpose to treat of y^e severall passages that +befell this people whilst they thus lived in y^e Low Countries, (which +might worthily require a large treatise of it selfe,) but to make way to +shew y^e begining of this plantation, which is that I aime at; yet +because some of their adversaries did, upon y^e rumore of their +removall, cast out slanders against them, as if that state had been +wearie of them, & had rather driven them out (as y^e heathen historians +did faine of Moyses & y^e Isralits when they went out of Egipte), then +y^t it was their owne free choyse & motion, I will therfore mention a +perticuler or too to shew y^e contrary, and the good acceptation they +had in y^e place wher they lived. And first though many of them weer +poore, yet ther was none so poore, but if they were known to be of y^t +congregation, the _Dutch_ (either bakers or others) would trust them in +any reasonable matter when y^ey wanted money. Because they had found by +experience how carfull they were to keep their word, and saw them so +painfull & dilligente in their callings; yea, they would strive to gett +their custome, and to imploy them above others, in their worke, for +their honestie & diligence. + +Againe; y^e magistrats of y^e citie, aboute y^e time of their coming +away, or a litle before, in y^e publick place of justice, gave this +comendable testemoney of them, in y^e reproofe of the Wallons, who were +of y^e French church in y^t citie. These English, said they, have lived +amongst us now this 12. years, and yet we never had any sute or +accusation came against any of them; but your strifs & quarels are +continuall, &c. In these times allso were y^e great troubls raised by +y^e Arminians, who, as they greatly mollested y^e whole state, so this +citie in particuler, in which was y^e cheefe universitie; so as ther +were dayly & hote disputs in y^e schooles ther aboute; and as y^he +studients & other lerned were devided in their oppinions hearin, so were +y^e 2. proffessors or devinitie readers them selves; the one daly +teaching for it, y^e other against it. Which grew to that pass, that few +of the discipls of y^e one would hear y^e other teach. But M^r. +Robinson, though he taught thrise a weeke him selfe, & write sundrie +books, besids his manyfould pains otherwise, yet he went constantly [15] +to hear ther readings, and heard y^e one as well as y^e other; by which +means he was so well grounded in y^e controversie, and saw y^e force of +all their arguments, and knew y^e shifts of y^e adversarie, and being +him selfe very able, none was fitter to buckle with them then him selfe, +as appered by sundrie disputs; so as he begane to be terrible to y^e +Arminians; which made Episcopius (y^e Arminian professor) to put forth +his best stringth, and set forth sundrie Theses, which by publick +dispute he would defend against all men. Now Poliander y^e other +proffessor, and y^e cheefe preachers of y^e citie, desired M^r. Robinson +to dispute against him; but he was loath, being a stranger; yet the +other did importune him, and tould him y^t such was y^e abilitie and +nimblnes of y^e adversarie, that y^e truth would suffer if he did not +help them. So as he condescended, & prepared him selfe against the time; +and when y^e day came, the Lord did so help him to defend y^e truth & +foyle this adversarie, as he put him to an apparent nonplus, in this +great & publike audience. And y^e like he did a 2. or 3. time, upon such +like occasions. The which as it caused many to praise God y^t the trueth +had so famous victory, so it procured him much honour & respecte from +those lerned men & others which loved y^e trueth. Yea, so farr were they +from being weary of him & his people, or desiring their absence, as it +was said by some, of no mean note, that were it not for giveing offence +to y^e state of England, they would have preferd him otherwise if he +would, and alowd them some publike favour. Yea when ther was speech of +their remoovall into these parts, sundrie of note & eminencie of y^t +nation would have had them come under them, and for y^t end made them +large offers. Now though I might aledg many other perticulers & examples +of the like kinde, to shew y^e untruth & unlicklyhode of this slander, +yet these shall suffice, seeing it was beleeved of few, being only +raised by y^e malice of some, who laboured their disgrace. + + + + +The 4. Chap. + +_Showing y^e reasons & causes of their remoovall._ + + +After they had lived in this citie about some 11. or 12. years, (which +is y^e more observable being y^e whole time of y^t famose truce between +that state & y^e Spaniards,) and sundrie of them were taken away by +death, & many others begane to be well striken in years, the grave +mistris Experience haveing taught them many things, [16] those prudent +governours with sundrie of y^e sagest members begane both deeply to +apprehend their present dangers, & wisely to foresee y^e future, & +thinke of timly remedy. In y^e agitation of their thoughts, and much +discours of things hear aboute, at length they began to incline to this +conclusion, of remoovall to some other place. Not out of any +newfanglednes, or other such like giddie humor, by which men are +oftentimes transported to their great hurt & danger, but for sundrie +weightie & solid reasons; some of y^e cheefe of which I will hear +breefly touch. And first, they saw & found by experience the hardnes of +y^e place & countrie to be such, as few in comparison would come to +them, and fewer that would bide it out, and continew with them. For many +y^t came to them, and many more y^t desired to be with them, could not +endure y^t great labor and hard fare, with other inconveniences which +they underwent & were contented with. But though they loved their +persons, approved their cause, and honoured their sufferings, yet they +left them as it weer weeping, as Orpah did her mother in law Naomie, or +as those Romans did Cato in Utica, who desired to be excused & borne +with, though they could not all be Catoes. For many, though they desired +to injoye y^e ordinances of God in their puritie, and y^e libertie of +the gospell with them, yet, alass, they admitted of bondage, with danger +of conscience, rather then to indure these hardships; yea, some +preferred & chose y^e prisons in England, rather then this libertie in +Holland, with these afflictions. But it was thought that if a better and +easier place of living could be had, it would draw many, & take away +these discouragments. Yea, their pastor would often say, that many of +those w^o both wrate & preached now against them, if they were in a +place wher they might have libertie and live comfortably, they would +then practise as they did. + +2^ly. They saw that though y^e people generally bore all these +difficulties very cherfully, & with a resolute courage, being in y^e +best & strength of their years, yet old age began to steale on many of +them, (and their great & continuall labours, with other crosses and +sorrows, hastened it before y^e time,) so as it was not only probably +thought, but apparently seen, that within a few years more they would be +in danger to scatter, by necessities pressing them, or sinke under their +burdens, or both. And therfore according to y^e devine proverb, y^t a +wise man seeth y^e plague when it cometh, & hideth him selfe, Pro. 22. +3., so they like skillfull & beaten souldiers were fearfull either to be +intrapped or surrounded by their enimies, so as they should neither be +able to fight nor flie; and therfor thought it better to dislodge +betimes to some place of better advantage & less danger, if any such +could be found. [16] Thirdly; as necessitie was a taskmaster over them, +so they were forced to be such, not only to their servants, but in a +sorte, to their dearest chilldren; the which as it did not a litle wound +y^e tender harts of many a loving father & mother, so it produced +likwise sundrie sad & sorowful effects. For many of their children, that +were of best dispositions and gracious inclinations, haveing lernde to +bear y^e yoake in their youth, and willing to bear parte of their +parents burden, were, often times, so oppressed with their hevie +labours, that though their minds were free and willing, yet their bodies +bowed under y^e weight of y^e same, and became decreped in their early +youth; the vigor of nature being consumed in y^e very budd as it were. +But that which was more lamentable, and of all sorowes most heavie to be +borne, was that many of their children, by these occasions, and y^e +great licentiousnes of youth in y^t countrie, and y^e manifold +temptations of the place, were drawne away by evill examples into +extravagante & dangerous courses, getting y^e raines off their neks, & +departing from their parents. Some became souldiers, others tooke upon +them farr viages by sea, and other some worse courses, tending to +dissolutnes & the danger of their soules, to y^e great greefe of their +parents and dishonour of God. So that they saw their posteritie would be +in danger to degenerate & be corrupted. + +Lastly, (and which was not least,) a great hope & inward zeall they had +of laying some good foundation, or at least to make some way therunto, +for y^e propagating & advancing y^e gospell of y^e kingdom of Christ in +those remote parts of y^e world; yea, though they should be but even as +stepping-stones unto others for y^e performing of so great a work. + +These, & some other like reasons, moved them to undertake this +resolution of their removall; the which they afterward prosecuted with +so great difficulties, as by the sequell will appeare. + +The place they had thoughts on was some of those vast & unpeopled +countries of America, which are frutfull & fitt for habitation, being +devoyd of all civill inhabitants, wher ther are only salvage & brutish +men, which range up and downe, litle otherwise then y^e wild beasts of +the same. This proposition being made publike and coming to y^e scaning +of all, it raised many variable opinions amongst men, and caused many +fears & doubts amongst them selves. Some, from their reasons & hops +conceived, laboured to stirr up & incourage the rest to undertake & +prosecute y^e same; others, againe, out of their fears, objected against +it, & sought to diverte from it, aledging many things, and those neither +unreasonable nor unprobable; as that it was a great designe, and +subjecte to many unconceivable perills & dangers; as, besids the +casulties of y^e seas (which none can be freed from) the length of y^e +vioage was such, as y^e weake bodys of women and other persons worne out +with age & traville (as many of them were) could never be able to +endure. And yet if they should, the miseries of y^e land which they +should be [17] exposed unto, would be to hard to be borne; and lickly, +some or all of them togeither, to consume & utterly to ruinate them. For +ther they should be liable to famine, and nakednes, & y^e wante, in a +maner, of all things. The chang of aire, diate, & drinking of water, +would infecte their bodies with sore sickneses, and greevous diseases. +And also those which should escape or overcome these difficulties, +should yett be in continuall danger of y^e salvage people, who are +cruell, barbarous, & most trecherous, being most furious in their rage, +and merciles wher they overcome; not being contente only to kill, & take +away life, but delight to tormente men in y^e most bloodie ma[=n]er that +may be; fleaing some alive with y^e shells of fishes, cutting of y^e +members & joynts of others by peesmeale, and broiling on y^e coles, eate +y^e collops of their flesh in their sight whilst they live; with other +cruelties horrible to be related. And surely it could not be thought but +y^e very hearing of these things could not but move y^e very bowels of +men to grate within them, and make y^e weake to quake & tremble. It was +furder objected, that it would require greater su[=m]es of money to +furnish such a voiage, and to fitt them with necessaries, then their +consumed estats would amounte too; and yett they must as well looke to +be seconded with supplies, as presently to be tr[=a]sported. Also many +presidents of ill success, & lamentable misseries befalne others in the +like designes, were easie to be found, and not forgotten to be aledged; +besids their owne experience, in their former troubles & hardships in +their removall into Holand, and how hard a thing it was for them to live +in that strange place, though it was a neighbour countrie, & a civill +and rich comone wealth. + +It was answered, that all great & honourable actions are accompanied +with great difficulties, and must be both enterprised and overcome with +answerable courages. It was granted y^e dangers were great, but not +desperate; the difficulties were many, but not invincible. For though +their were many of them likly, yet they were not cartaine; it might be +sundrie of y^e things feared might never befale; others by providente +care & y^e use of good means, might in a great measure be prevented; and +all of them, through y^e help of God, by fortitude and patience, might +either be borne, or overcome. True it was, that such atempts were not to +be made and undertaken without good ground & reason; not rashly or +lightly as many have done for curiositie or hope of gaine, &c. But their +condition was not ordinarie; their ends were good & honourable; their +calling lawfull, & urgente; and therfore they might expecte y^e blessing +of God in their proceding. Yea, though they should loose their lives in +this action, yet might they have comforte in the same, and their +endeavors would be honourable. They lived hear but as men in exile, & in +a poore condition; and as great miseries might possibly befale them in +this place, for y^e 12. years of truce were now out, & ther was nothing +but beating of drumes, and preparing for warr, the events wherof are +allway uncertaine. Y^e Spaniard might prove as cruell as [18] the +salvages of America, and y^e famine and pestelence as sore hear as ther, +& their libertie less to looke out for remedie. After many other +perticuler things answered & aledged on both sids, it was fully +concluded by y^e major parte, to put this designe in execution, and to +prosecute it by the best means they could. + + + + +The 5. Chap. + +_Shewing what means they used for preparation to this waightie vioag._ + + +And first after thir humble praiers unto God for his direction & +assistance, & a generall conferrence held hear aboute, they consulted +what perticuler place to pitch upon, & prepare for. Some (& none of y^e +meanest) had thoughts & were ernest for Guiana, or some of those fertill +places in those hott climats; others were for some parts of Virginia, +wher y^e English had all ready made enterance, & begining. Those for +Guiana aledged that the cuntrie was rich, fruitfull, & blessed with a +perpetuall spring, and a florishing greenes; where vigorous nature +brought forth all things in abundance & plentie without any great labour +or art of man. So as it must needs make y^e inhabitants rich, seing less +provisions of clothing and other things would serve, then in more +coulder & less frutfull countries must be had. As also y^t the Spaniards +(having much more then they could possess) had not yet planted there, +nor any where very near y^e same. But to this it was answered, that out +of question y^e countrie was both frutfull and pleasante, and might +yeeld riches & maintenance to y^e possessors, more easily then y^e +other; yet, other things considered, it would not be so fitt for them. +And first, y^t such hott countries are subject to greevuos diseases, +and many noysome impediments, which other more temperate places are +freer from, and would not so well agree with our English bodys. Againe, +if they should ther live, & doe well, the jealous Spaniard would never +suffer them long, but would displante or overthrow them, as he did y^e +French in Florida, who were seated furder from his richest countries; +and the sooner because they should have none to protect them, & their +owne strength would be too smale to resiste so potent an enemie, & so +neare a neighbor. + +On y^e other hand, for Virginia it was objected, that if they lived +among y^e English w^ch wear ther planted, or so near them as to be under +their goverment, they should be in as great danger to be troubled and +persecuted for the cause of religion, as if they lived in England, and +it might be worse. And if they lived too farr of, they should neither +have succour, nor defence from them. + +But at length y^e conclusion was, to live as a distincte body by them +selves, under y^e generall Goverment of Virginia; and by their freinds +to sue to his majestie that he would be pleased to grant them freedome +of Religion; and y^t this might be obtained, they wear putt in good hope +by some great persons, of good ranke & qualitie, that were made their +freinds. Whereupon 2. were chosen [19] & sent in to England (at y^e +charge of y^e rest) to sollicite this matter, who found the Virginia +Company very desirous to have them goe thither, and willing to grante +them a patent, with as ample priviliges as they had, or could grant to +any, and to give them the best furderance they could. And some of y^e +cheefe of y^t company douted not to obtaine their suite of y^e king for +liberty in Religion, and to have it confirmed under y^e kings broad +seale, according to their desires. But it prooved a harder peece of +worke then they tooke it for; for though many means were used to bring +it aboute, yet it could not be effected; for ther were diverse of good +worth laboured with the king to obtaine it, (amongst whom was one of his +cheefe secretaries,[L]) and some other wrought with y^e archbishop to +give way therunto; but it proved all in vaine. Yet thus farr they +prevailed, in sounding his majesties mind, that he would connive at +them, & not molest them, provided they carried them selves peacably. But +to allow or tolerate them by his publick authoritie, under his seale, +they found it would not be. And this was all the cheefe of y^e Virginia +companie or any other of their best freinds could doe in the case. Yet +they perswaded them to goe on, for they presumed they should not be +troubled. And with this answer y^e messengers returned, and signified +what diligence had bene used, and to what issue things were come. + +But this made a dampe in y^e busines, and caused some distraction, for +many were afraid that if they should unsetle them selves, & put of their +estates, and goe upon these hopes, it might prove dangerous, and but a +sandie foundation. Yea, it was thought they might better have presumed +hear upon without makeing any suite at all, then, haveing made it, to be +thus rejected. But some of y^e cheefest thought other wise, and y^t they +might well proceede hereupon, & that y^e kings majestie was willing +enough to suffer them without molestation, though for other reasons he +would not confirme it by any publick acte. And furdermore, if ther was +no securitie in this promise intimated, ther would be no great certainty +in a furder confirmation of y^e same; for if after wards ther should be +a purpose or desire to wrong them, though they had a seale as broad as +y^e house flore, it would not serve y^e turne; for ther would be means +enew found to recall or reverse it. Seeing therfore the course was +probable, they must rest herein on Gods providence, as they had done in +other things. + +Upon this resolution, other messengers were dispatched, to end with y^e +Virginia Company as well as they could. And to procure [20] a patent +with as good and ample conditions as they might by any good means +obtaine. As also to treate and conclude with such merchants and other +freinds as had manifested their forwardnes to provoke too and adventure +in this vioage. For which end they had instructions given them upon +what conditions they should proceed with them, or els to conclude +nothing without further advice. And here it will be requisite to inserte +a letter or too that may give light to these proceedings. + +_A coppie of leter from Sir Edwin Sands, directed to M^r. John Robinson +& M^r. William Brewster._ + + After my hartie salutations. The agents of your congregation, Robert + Cushman & John Carver, have been in co[=m]unication with diverse + selecte gentlemen of his Majesties Counsell for Virginia; and by y^e + writing of 7. Articles subscribed with your names, have given them y^t + good degree of satisfaction, which hath caried them on with a + resolution to sett forward your desire in y^e best sorte y^t may be, + for your owne & the publick good. Divers perticulers wherof we leave + to their faithfull reporte; having carried them selves heere with that + good discretion, as is both to their owne and their credite from + whence they came. And wheras being to treate for a multitude of + people, they have requested further time to conferr with them that are + to be interessed in this action, aboute y^e severall particularities + which in y^e prosecution therof will fall out considerable, it hath + been very willingly assented too. And so they doe now returne unto + you. If therfore it may please God so to directe your desires as that + on your parts ther fall out no just impediments, I trust by y^e same + direction it shall likewise appear, that on our parte, all forwardnes + to set you forward shall be found in the best sorte which with reason + may be expected. And so I betake you with this designe (w^ch I hope + verily is y^e worke of God), to the gracious protection and blessing + of the Highest. + + Your very loving freind + EDWIN SANDYS. + + London, No[~v]b^r 12. + An^o 1617. + +_Their answer was as foloweth._ + + Righte Wor^pl: + + Our humble duties remembred, in our owne, our messengers, and our + churches name, with all thankfull acknowledgmente of your singuler + love, expressing [21] itselfe, as otherwise, so more spetially in your + great care and earnest endeavor of our good in this weightie bussines + aboute Virginia, which y^e less able we are to requite, we shall + thinke our selves the more bound to commend in our prayers unto God + for recompence; whom, as for y^e presente you rightly behould in our + indeavors, so shall we not be wanting on our parts (the same God + assisting us) to returne all answerable fruite, and respecte unto y^e + labour of your love bestowed upon us. We have with y^e best speed and + consideration withall that we could, sett downe our requests in + writing, subscribed, as you willed, w^th the hands of y^e greatest + parte of our congregation, and have sente y^e same unto y^e Counsell + by our agente, & a deacon of our church, John Carver, unto whom we + have also requested a gentleman of our company to adyone him selfe; to + the care & discretion of which two, we doe referr y^e prosecuting of + y^e bussines. Now we perswade our selves Right Wor^pp: that we need + not provoke your godly & loving minde to any further or more tender + care of us, since you have pleased so farr to interest us in your + selfe, that, under God, above all persons and things in the world, we + relye upon you, expecting the care of your love, counsell of your + wisdome, & the help & countenance of your authority. Notwithstanding, + for your encouragmente in y^e worke, so farr as probabilities may + leade, we will not forbeare to mention these instances of indusmente. + + 1. We veryly beleeve & trust y^e Lord is with us, unto whom & whose + service we have given our selves in many trialls; and that he will + graciously prosper our indeavours according to y^e simplicitie of our + harts therin. + + 2^ly. We are well weaned from y^e delicate milke of our mother + countrie, and enured to y^e difficulties of a strange and hard land, + which yet in a great parte we have by patience overcome. + + 3^ly. The people are for the body of them, industrious, & frugall, we + thinke we may safly say, as any company of people in the world. + + 4^ly. We are knite togeather as a body in a most stricte & sacred bond + and covenante of the Lord, of the violation[M] wherof we make great + conscience, and by vertue wherof we doe hould our selves straitly tied + to all care of each others good, and of y^e whole by every one and so + mutually. + + 5. Lastly, it is not with us as with other men, whom small things can + discourage, or small discontentments cause to wish them selves at home + againe. We knowe our entertainmente in England, and in Holand; we + shall much prejudice both our arts & means by removall; who, if we + should be driven to returne, we should not hope to recover our present + helps and comforts, neither indeed looke ever, for our selves, to + attaine unto y^e like in any other place during our lives, w^ch are + now drawing towards their periods. + + [22] These motives we have been bould to tender unto you, which you + in your wisdome may also imparte to any other our wor^pp: freinds of + y^e Counsell with you; of all whose godly dispossition and loving + towards our despised persons, we are most glad, & shall not faile by + all good means to continue & increase y^e same. We will not be further + troublesome, but doe, with y^e renewed remembrance of our humble + duties to your Wor^pp: and (so farr as in modestie we may be bould) to + any other of our wellwillers of the Counsell with you, we take our + leaves, co[=m]iting your persons and counsels to y^e guidance and + direction of the Almighty. + + Yours much bounden in all duty, + JOHN ROBINSON, + WILLIAM BREWSTER. + + Leyden, Desem: 15. + An^o: 1617. + +For further light in these proceedings see some other letters & notes as +followeth. + +_The coppy of a letter sent to S^r. John Worssenham._ + + Right Wor^pll: with due acknowledgmente of our thankfullnse for your + singular care & pains in the bussines of Virginia, for our, &, we + hope, the co[=m]one good, we doe remember our humble dutys unto you, + and have sent inclosed, as is required, a further explanation of our + judgments in the 3. points specified by some of his majesties Hon^bl + Privie Counsell; and though it be greevious unto us that such unjust + insinuations are made against us, yet we are most glad of y^e occasion + of making our just purgation unto so honourable personages. The + declarations we have sent inclosed, the one more breefe & generall, + which we thinke y^e fitter to be presented; the other something more + large, and in which we express some smale accidentall differances, + which if it seeme good unto you and other of our wor^pl freinds, you + may send in stead of y^e former. Our prayers unto God is, y^t your + Wor^pp may see the frute of your worthy endeaours, which on our parts + we shall not faile to furder by all good means in us. And so praing + y^t you would please with y^e convenientest speed y^t may be, to give + us knowledge of y^e success of y^e bussines with his majesties Privie + Counsell, and accordingly what your further pleasure is, either for + our direction or furtherance in y^e same, so we rest + + Your Wor^pp in all duty, + JOHN ROBINSON, + WILLIAM BREWSTER. + + Leyden, Jan: 27. + An^o: 1617. old stile. + +_The first breefe note was this._ + + Touching y^e Ecclesiasticall ministrie, namly of pastores for + teaching, elders for ruling, & deacons for distributing y^e churches + contribution, as allso for y^e too Sacrements, baptisme, and y^e Lords + supper, we doe wholy and in all points agree [23] with y^e French + reformed churches, according to their publick confession of faith. + + The oath of Supremacie we shall willingly take if it be required of + us, and that conveniente satisfaction be not given by our taking y^e + oath of Alleagence. + + JOHN ROB: + WILLIAM BREWSTER. + +_Y^e 2. was this._ + + Touching y^e Ecclesiasticall ministrie, &c. as in y^e former, we agree + in all things with the French reformed churches, according to their + publick confession of faith; though some small differences be to be + found in our practises, not at all in y^e substance of the things, but + only in some accidentall circumstances. + + 1. As first, their ministers doe pray with their heads covered; ours + uncovered. + + 2. We chose none for Governing Elders but such as are able to teach; + which abilitie they doe not require. + + 3. Their elders & deacons are an[=u]all, or at most for 2. or 3. + years; ours perpetuall. + + 4. Our elders doe administer their office in admonitions & + excommunications for publick scandals, publickly & before y^e + congregation; theirs more privately, & in their consistories. + + 5. We doe administer baptisme only to such infants as wherof y^e one + parente, at y^e least, is of some church, which some of ther churches + doe not observe; though in it our practice accords with their publick + confession and y^e judgmente of y^e most larned amongst them. + + Other differences, worthy mentioning, we know none in these points. + Then aboute y^e oath, as in y^e former. + + Subscribed, + JOHN R. + W. B. + +_Part of another letter from him that delivered these._ + + London. Feb: 14. + 1617. + + Your letter to S^r. John Worstenholme I delivered allmost as soone as + I had it, to his owne hands, and staid with him y^e opening & reading. + Ther were 2. papers inclosed, he read them to him selfe, as also y^e + letter, and in y^e reading he spake to me & said, Who shall make them? + viz. y^e ministers; I answered his Wor^pp that y^e power of making was + in y^e church, to be ordained by y^e imposition of hands, by y^e + fittest instruments they had. It must either be in y^e church or from + y^e pope, & y^e pope is Antichrist. Ho! said S^r. John, what y^e pope + houlds good, (as in y^e Trinitie,) that we doe well to assente too; + but, said he, we will not enter into dispute now. And as for your + letters he would not show them at any hand, least he should spoyle + all. He expected you should have been of y^e archb[~p] minde for y^e + calling of ministers, but it seems you differed. I could have wished + to have known y^e contents of your tow inclosed, at w^ch he stuck so + much, espetially y^e larger. I asked his Wor^p what good news he had + for me to write to morrow. He tould me very good news, for both the + kings majestie and y^e bishops have consented. He said he would goe to + M^r. Chancelor, S^r. Fulk Grivell, as this day, & nexte weeke I should + know more. I mett S^r. Edw: Sands on Wedensday night; he wished me to + be at the Virginia Courte y^e nexte Wedensday, wher I purpose to be. + Thus loath to be troublsome at present, I hope to have somewhate nexte + week of certentie concerning you. I co[=m]itte you to y^e Lord. Yours, + + S. B. + +[24] These things being long in agitation, & messengers passing too and +againe aboute them, after all their hopes they were long delayed by many +rubs that fell in y^e way; for at y^e returne of these messengers into +England they found things farr otherwise then they expected. For y^e +Virginia Counsell was now so disturbed with factions and quarrels +amongst them selves, as no bussines could well goe forward. The which +may the better appear in one of the messengers letters as followeth. + + To his loving freinds, &c. + + I had thought long since to have write unto you, but could not effecte + y^t which I aimed at, neither can yet sett things as I wished; yet, + notwithstanding, I doubt not but M^r. B. hath writen to M^r. Robinson. + But I thinke my selfe bound also to doe something, least I be thought + to neglecte you. The maine hinderance of our proseedings in y^e + Virginia bussines, is the dissentions and factions, as they terme it, + amongs y^e Counsell & Company of Virginia; which are such, as that + ever since we came up no busines could by them be dispatched. The + occasion of this trouble amongst them is, for that a while since S^r. + Thomas Smith, repining at his many offices & troubls, wished y^e + Company of Virginia to ease him of his office in being Treasurer & + Gover^r. of y^e Virginia Company. Wereupon y^e Company tooke occasion + to dismisse him, and chose S^r. Edwin Sands Treasure^r & Gover^r of + y^e Company. He having 60. voyces, S^r. John Worstenholme 16. voices, + and Alderman Johnsone 24. But S^r. Thomas Smith, when he saw some + parte of his honour lost, was very angrie, & raised a faction to + cavill & contend aboute y^e election, and sought to taxe S^r. Edwin + with many things that might both disgrace him, and allso put him by + his office of Governour. In which contentions they yet stick, and are + not fit nor readie to intermedle in any bussines; and what issue + things will come to we are not yet certaine. It is most like S^r. + Edwin will carrie it away, and if he doe, things will goe well in + Virginia; if otherwise, they will goe ill enough allways. We hope in + some 2. or 3. Court days things will setle. Mean space I thinke to goe + downe into Kente, & come up againe aboute 14. days, or 3. weeks hence; + except either by these afforesaid contentions, or by y^e ille tidings + from Virginia, we be wholy discouraged, of which tidings I am now to + speake. + + Captaine Argoll is come home this weeke (he upon notice of y^e intente + of y^e Counsell, came away before S^r. Georg Yeardley came ther, and + so ther is no small dissention). But his tidings are ill, though his + person be wellcome. He saith M^r. Blackwells shipe came not ther till + March, but going towards winter, they had still norwest winds, which + carried them to the southward beyond their course. And y^e m^r of y^e + ship & some 6. of y^e mariners dieing, it seemed they could not find + y^e bay, till after long seeking & beating aboute. M^r. Blackwell is + dead, & M^r. Maggner, y^e Captain; yea, ther are dead, he saith, 130. + persons, one & other in y^t ship; it is said ther was in all an 180. + persons in y^e ship, so as they were packed togeather like herings. + They had amongst them y^e fluxe, and allso wante of fresh water; so as + it is hear rather wondred at y^t so many are alive, then that so many + are dead. The marchants hear say it was M^r. Blackwells faulte to pack + so many in y^e ship; yea, & ther were great mutterings & repinings + amongst them, and upbraiding of M^r. Blackwell, for his dealing and + dispossing of them, when they saw how he had dispossed of them, & how + he insulted over them. Yea, y^e streets at Gravsend runge of their + extreame quarrelings, crying out one of another, Thou hast brought me + to this, and, I may thanke the for this. Heavie newes it is, and I + would be glad to heare how farr it will discourage. I see none hear + discouraged much, [25] but rather desire to larne to beware by other + mens harmes, and to amend that wherin they have failed. As we desire + to serve one another in love, so take heed of being inthraled by any + imperious persone, espetially if they be discerned to have an eye to + them selves. It doth often trouble me to thinke that in this bussines + we are all to learne and none to teach; but better so, then to depend + upon such teachers as M^r. Blackwell was. Such a strategeme he once + made for M^r. Johnson & his people at Emden, w^ch was their + subversion. But though he ther clenlily (yet unhonstly) plucked his + neck out of y^e collar, yet at last his foote is caught. Hear are no + letters come, y^e ship captain Argole came in is yet in y^e west + parts; all y^t we hear is but his report; it seemeth he came away + secretly. The ship y^t M^r. Blackwell went in will be hear shortly. It + is as M^r. Robinson once said; he thought we should hear no good of + them. + + M^r. B. is not well at this time; whether he will come back to you or + goe into y^e north, I yet know not. For my selfe, I hope to see an end + of this bussines ere I come, though I am sorie to be thus from you; if + things had gone roundly forward, I should have been with you within + these 14. days. I pray God directe us, and give us that spirite which + is fitting for such a bussines. Thus having su[=m]arily pointed at + things w^ch M^r. Brewster (I thinke) hath more largly write of to M^r. + Robinson, I leave you to the Lords protection. + + Yours in all readines, &c. + ROBART CUSHMAN. + + London, May 8. + An^o: 1619. + +A word or tow by way of digression touching this M^r. Blackwell; he was +an elder of y^e church at Amsterdam, a man well known of most of them. +He declined from y^e trueth w^th M^r. Johnson & y^e rest, and went with +him when y^ey parted assunder in y^t wofull maner, w^ch brought so great +dishonour to God, scandall to y^e trueth, & outward ruine to them selves +in this world. But I hope, notwithstanding, through y^e mercies of y^e +Lord, their souls are now at rest with him in y^e heavens, and y^t they +are arrived in y^e Haven of hapines; though some of their bodies were +thus buried in y^e terrable seas, and others sunke under y^e burthen of +bitter afflictions. He with some others had prepared for to goe to +Virginia. And he, with sundrie godly citizens, being at a private +me[=e]ing (I take it a fast) in London, being discovered, many of them +were apprehended, wherof M^r. Blackwell was one; but he so glosed w^th +y^e b[~p]s,[N] and either dissembled or flatly denyed y^e trueth which +formerly he had maintained; and not only so, but very unworthily +betrayed and accused another godly man who had escaped, that so he +might slip his own neck out of y^e collar, & to obtaine his owne +freedome brought others into bonds. Wherupon he so wone y^e b[~p]s +favour (but lost y^e Lord's) as he was not only dismiste, but in open +courte y^e arch-bishop gave him great applause and his sollemne blessing +to proseed in his vioage. But if such events follow y^e b[~p]s blessing, +happie are they y^t misse y^e same; it is much better to keepe a good +conscience and have y^e Lords blessing, whether in life or death. + +But see how y^e man thus apprehended by M^r. Blackwells means, writs to +a freind of his. + + Right dear friend & christian brother, _M^r. Carver_, I salute you & + yours in y^e Lord, &c. As for my owne presente condition, I doubt not + but you well understand it ere this by our brother Maistersone, who + should have tasted of y^e same cupp, had his place of residence & his + person been as well knowne as my selfe. Some what I have written to + _M^r. Cushman_ how y^e matter _still continues_. I have petitioned + _twise_ to M^r. Sherives, and _once_ to my Lord Cooke, and have used + such reasons to move them to pittie, that if they were not overruled + by some others, I suppose I should soone gaine my libertie; as that I + was a yonge man living by my [26] credite, indebted to diverse in our + citie, living at more then ordinarie charges in a close & tedious + prison; besids great rents abroad, all my bussines lying still, my + only servante lying lame in y^e countrie, my wife being also great + with child. And yet no answer till y^e lords of his majesties Counsell + gave consente. Howbeit, M^r. Blackwell, a man as deepe in this action + as I, was delivered at a cheaper rate, with a great deale less adoe; + yea, with an addition of y^e Arch[~p]: blessing. I am sorie for M^r. + Blackwels weaknes, I wish it may prove no worse. But yet he & some + others of them, _before their going_, were not sorie, but thought it + was for y^e best that I was nominated, not because y^e Lord sanctifies + evill to good, but that y^e action was good, yea for y^e best. One + reason I well remember he used was, because this trouble would + encrease y^e Virginia plantation, in that now people begane to be more + generally inclined to goe; and if he had not nomminated some such as + I, he had not bene free, being it was knowne that diverse citizens + besids them selves were ther. I expecte an answer shortly what they + intende conscerning me; I purpose to write to some others of you, by + whom you shall know the certaintie. Thus not haveing further at + present to acquaint you withall, co[=m]ending myselfe to your prairs, + I cease, & co[=m]itte you and us all to y^e Lord. + + From my chamber in Wodstreete Compter. + Your freind, & brother in bonds, + SABIN STARESMORE. + + Sept^r: 4. An^o: 1618. + +But thus much by y^e way, which may be of instruction & good use. + +But at last, after all these things, and their long attendance, they had +a patent granted them, and confirmed under y^e Companies seale; but +these devissions and distractions had shaken of many of ther pretended +freinds, and disappointed them of much of their hoped for & proffered +means. By the advise of some freinds this pattente was not taken in y^e +name of any of their owne, but in y^e name of Mr. John Wincob (a +religious gentleman then belonging to y^e Countess of Lincoline), who +intended to goe with them. But God so disposed as he never went, nor +they ever made use of this patente, which had cost them so much labour +and charge, as by y^e sequell will appeare. This patente being sente +over for them to veiw & consider, as also the passages aboute y^e +propossitions between them & such marchants & freinds as should either +goe or adventure with them, and espetially with those[O] on whom y^ey +did cheefly depend for shipping and means, whose proffers had been +large, they were requested to fitt and prepare them selves with all +speed. A right emblime, it may be, of y^e uncertine things of this +world; y^t when men have toyld them selves for them, they vanish into +smoke. + + + + +The 6. Chap. + +_Conscerning y^e agreements and artickles between them, and such +marchants & others as adventured moneys; with other things falling out +aboute making their provissions._ + + +Upon y^e receite of these things by one of their messengers, they had a +sollemne meeting and a day of humilliation to seeke y^e Lord for his +direction; and their pastor tooke this texte, 1 _Sam_. 23. 3, 4. _And +David's men said unto him, see, we be afraid hear in Judah, how much +more if we come to Keilah against the host of the Phillistines? Then +David asked counsell of y^e Lord againe, &c._ From which texte he taught +many things very aptly, and befitting ther present occasion and +condition, strengthing them against their fears and perplexities, and +incouraging them in their resolutions. [27] After which they concluded +both what number and what persons should prepare them selves to goe with +y^e first; for all y^t were willing to have gone could not gett ready +for their other affairs in so shorte a time; neither if all could have +been ready, had ther been means to have trasported them alltogeather. +Those that staied being y^e greater number required y^e pastor to stay +with them; and indeede for other reasons he could not then well goe, and +so it was y^e more easilie yeelded unto. The other then desired y^e +elder, M^r. Brewster, to goe with them, which was also condescended +unto. It was also agreed on by mutuall consente and covenante, that +those that went should be an absolute church of them selves, as well as +those y^t staid; seing in such a dangrous vioage, and a removall to such +a distance, it might come to pass they should (for y^e body of them) +never meete againe in this world; yet with this proviso, that as any of +y^e rest came over to them, or of y^e other returned upon occasion, they +should be reputed as members without any further dismission or +testimoniall. It was allso promised to those y^t wente first, by y^e +body of y^e rest, that if y^e Lord gave them life, & me[=a]s, & +opportunitie, they would come to them as soone as they could. + +Aboute this time, whilst they were perplexed with y^e proseedings of +y^e Virginia Company, & y^e ill news from thence aboute M^r. Blackwell & +his company, and making inquirey about y^e hiring & buying of shiping +for their vioage, some Dutchmen made them faire offers aboute goeing +with them. Also one M^r. Thomas Weston, a m^{r}chant of London, came to +Leyden aboute y^e same time, (who was well aquainted with some of them, +and a furtherer of them in their former proseedings,) haveing much +conferance w^th M^r. Robinson & other of y^e cheefe of them, perswaded +them to goe on (as it seems) & not to medle with y^e Dutch, or too much +to depend on the Virginia Company; for if that failed, if they came to +resolution, he and such marchants as were his freinds (togeather with +their owne means) would sett them forth; and they should make ready, and +neither feare wante of shipping nor money; for what they wanted should +be provided. And, not so much for him selfe as for y^e satisfing of such +frends as he should procure to adventure in this bussines, they were to +draw such articls of agreemente, and make such propossitions, as might +y^e better induce his freinds to venture. Upon which (after y^e formere +conclusion) articles were drawne & agreed unto, and were showne unto +him, and approved by him; and afterwards by their messenger (M^r. John +Carver) sent into England, who, togeather with Robart Cushman, were to +receive y^e moneys & make provissione both for shiping & other things +for y^e vioage; with this charge, not to exseede their co[=m]ission, but +to proseed according to y^e former articles. Also some were chossen to +doe y^e like for such things as were to be prepared there; so those that +weare to goe, prepared them selves with all speed, and sould of their +estats and (such as were able) put in their moneys into y^e commone +stock, which was disposed by those appointed, for y^e making of generall +provissions. Aboute this time also they had heard, both by M^r. Weston +and others, y^t sundrie Hon^bl: Lords had obtained a large grante from +y^e king, for y^e more northerly parts of that countrie, derived out of +y^e Virginia patente, and wholy secluded from their Govermente, and to +be called by another name, viz. New-England. Unto which M^r. Weston, and +y^e cheefe of them, begane to incline it was [28] best for them to goe, +as for other reasons, so cheefly for y^e hope of present profite to be +made by y^e fishing that was found in y^t countrie. + +But as in all bussineses y^e acting parte is most difficulte, espetially +wher y^e worke of many agents must concurr, so it was found in this; for +some of those y^t should have gone in England, fell of & would not goe; +other marchants & freinds y^t had offered to adventure their moneys +withdrew, and pretended many excuses. Some disliking they wente not to +Guiana; others againe would adventure nothing excepte they wente to +Virginia. Some againe (and those that were most relied on) fell in utter +dislike with Virginia, and would doe nothing if they wente thither. In +y^e midds of these distractions, they of Leyden, who had put of their +estats, and laid out their moneys, were brought into a greate streight, +fearing what issue these things would come too; but at length y^e +generalitie was swaid to this latter opinion. + +But now another difficultie arose, for M^r. Weston and some other that +were for this course, either for their better advantage or rather for +y^e drawing on of others, as they pretended, would have some of those +conditions altered y^t were first agreed on at Leyden. To which y^e 2. +agents sent from Leyden (or at least one of them who is most charged +with it) did consente; seeing els y^t all was like to be dashte, & y^e +opportunitie lost, and y^t they which had put of their estats and paid +in their moneys were in hazard to be undon. They presumed to conclude +with y^e marchants on those termes, in some things contrary to their +order & co[=m]ission, and without giving them notice of y^e same; yea, +it was conceled least it should make any furder delay; which was y^e +cause afterward of much trouble & contention. + +It will be meete I here inserte these conditions, which are as foloweth. + + An^o: 1620. July 1. + + 1. The adventurers & planters doe agree, that every person that goeth + being aged 16. years & upward, be rated at 10^li., and ten pounds to + be accounted a single share. + + 2. That he that goeth in person, and furnisheth him selfe out with + 10^li. either in money or other provissions, be accounted as haveing + 20^li. in stock, and in y^e devission shall receive a double share. + + 3. The persons transported & y^e adventurers shall continue their + joynt stock & partnership togeather, y^e space of 7. years, (excepte + some unexpected impedimente doe cause y^e whole company to agree + otherwise,) during which time, all profits & benifits that are gott by + trade, traffick, trucking, working, fishing, or any other means of any + person or persons, remaine still in y^e co[=m]one stock untill y^e + division. + + 4. That at their co[=m]ing ther, they chose out such a number of fitt + persons, as may furnish their ships and boats for fishing upon y^e + sea; imploying the rest in their severall faculties upon y^e land; as + building houses, tilling, and planting y^e ground, & makeing shuch + co[=m]odities as shall be most usefull for y^e collonie. + + 5. That at y^e end of y^e 7. years, y^e capitall & profits, viz. the + houses, lands, goods and chatles, be equally devided betwixte y^e + adventurers, and planters; w^ch done, every man shall be free from + other of them of any debt or detrimente concerning this adventure. + + [29] 6. Whosoever cometh to y^e colonie herafter, or putteth any into + y^e stock, shall at the ende of y^e 7. years be alowed proportionably + to y^e time of his so doing. + + 7. He that shall carie his wife & children, or servants, shall be + alowed for everie person now aged 16. years & upward, a single share + in y^e devision, or if he provid them necessaries, a duble share, or + if they be between 10. year old and 16., then 2. of them to be reconed + for a person, both in tr[=a]sportation and devision. + + 8. That such children as now goe, & are under y^e age of ten years, + have noe other shar in y^e devision, but 50. acers of unmanured land. + + 9. That such persons as die before y^e 7. years be expired, their + executors to have their parte or sharr at y^e devision, proportionably + to y^e time of their life in y^e collonie. + + 10. That all such persons as are of this collonie, are to have their + meate, drink, apparell, and all provissions out of y^e co[=m]on stock + & goods of y^e said collonie. + +The cheefe & principall differences betwene these & the former +conditions, stood in those 2. points; that y^e houses, & lands improved, +espetialy gardens & home lotts should remaine undevided wholy to y^e +planters at y^e 7. years end. 2^ly, y^t they should have had 2. days in +a weeke for their owne private imploymente, for y^e more comforte of +them selves and their families, espetialy such as had families. But +because letters are by some wise men counted y^e best parte of +histories, I shall shew their greevances hereaboute by their owne +letters, in which y^e passages of things will be more truly discerned. + +_A letter of M^r. Robinsons to John Carver._ + + June 14. 1620. N. Stile. + + My dear freind & brother, whom with yours I alwaise remember in my + best affection, and whose wellfare I shall never cease to co[=m]end to + God by my best & most earnest praires. You doe throwly understand by + our generall letters y^e estate of things hear, which indeed is very + pitifull; espetialy by wante of shiping, and not seeing means lickly, + much less certaine, of having it provided; though withall ther be + great want of money & means to doe needfull things. M^r. Pickering, + you know before this, will not defray a peny hear; though Robart + Cushman presumed of I know not how many 100^li. from him, & I know + not whom. Yet it seems strange y^t we should be put to him to receive + both his & his partners adventer, and yet M^r. Weston write unto him, + y^t in regard of it, he hath drawne upon him a 100^li. more. But ther + is in this some misterie, as indeed it seems ther is in y^e whole + course. Besids, wheras diverse are to pay in some parts of their + moneys yet behinde, they refuse to doe it, till they see shiping + provided, or a course taken for it. Neither doe I thinke is ther a man + hear would pay any thing, if he had againe his money in his purse. You + know right well we depended on M^r. Weston alone, and upon such means + as he would procure for this commone bussines; and when we had in hand + another course with y^e Dutchmen, broke it of at his motion, and upon + y^e conditions by him shortly after propounded. He did this in his + love I know, but things appeare not answerable from him hitherto. That + he should have first have put in his moneys, is thought by many to + have been but fitt, but y^t I can well excuse, he being a marchante + and haveing use of it to his benefite; wheras others, if it had been + in their hands, would have consumed it. [30] But y^t he should not but + have had either shipping ready before this time, or at least certaine + means, and course, and y^e same knowne to us for it, or have taken + other order otherwise, cannot in my conscience be excused. I have + heard y^t when he hath been moved in the bussines, he hath put it of + from him selfe, and referred it to y^e others;[P] and would come to + Georg Morton, & enquire news of him aboute things, as if he had scarce + been some accessarie unto it. Wether he hath failed of some helps from + others which he expected, and so be not well able to goe through with + things, or whether he hath feared least you should be ready too soone + & so encrease y^e charge of shiping above y^t is meete, or whether he + have thought by withhoulding to put us upon straits, thinking y^t + therby M^r. Brewer and M^r. Pickering would be drawne by importunitie + to doe more, or what other misterie is in it, we know not; but sure we + are y^t things are not answerable to such an occasion. M^r. Weston + maks himselfe mery with our endeavors about buying a ship, but we have + done nothing in this but with good reason, as I am perswaded, nor yet + that I know in any thing els, save in those tow; y^e one, that we + imployed Robart Cushman, who is known (though a good man, & of + spetiall abilities in his kind, yet) most unfitt to deale for other + men, by reason of his singularitie, and too great indifferancie for + any conditions, and for (to speak truly) that[Q] we have had nothing + from him but termes & presumptions. The other, y^t we have so much + relyed, by implicite faith as it were, upon generalities, without + seeing y^e perticuler course & means for so waghtie an affaire set + down unto us. For shiping, M^r. Weston, it should seeme, is set upon + hireing, which yet I wish he may presently effecte; but I see litle + hope of help from hence if so it be. Of M^r. Brewer you know what to + expecte. I doe not thinke M^r. Pickering will ingage, excepte in y^e + course of buying, in former letters specified. Aboute y^e conditions, + you have our reasons for our judgments of what is agreed. And let this + spetially be borne in minde, y^t the greatest parte of y^e Collonie is + like to be imployed constantly, not upon dressing ther perticuler land + & building houses, but upon fishing, trading, &c. So as y^e land & + house will be but a trifell for advantage to y^e adventurers, and yet + the devission of it a great discouragmente to y^e planters, who would + with singuler care make it comfortable with borowed houres from their + sleep. The same consideration of co[=m]one imploymente constantly by + the most is a good reason not to have y^e 2. daies in a weeke denyed + y^e few planters for private use, which yet is subordinate to + co[=m]one good. Consider also how much unfite that you & your liks + must serve a new prentishipe of 7. years, and not a daies freedome + from taske. Send me word what persons are to goe, who of usefull + faculties, & how many, & perticulerly of every thing. I know you wante + not a minde. I am sorie you have not been at London all this while, + but y^e provissions could not wante you. Time will suffer me to write + no more; fare you & yours well allways in y^e Lord, in whom I rest. + + Yours to use, + JOHN ROBINSON. + +_An other letter from sundrie of them at y^e same time._ + + [31] To their loving freinds John Carver and Robart Cushman, these, + &c. + + Good bretheren, after salutations, &c. We received diverse letters at + y^e coming of M^r. Nash & our pilott, which is a great incouragmente + unto us, and for whom we hop after times will minister occasion of + praising God; and indeed had you not sente him, many would have been + ready to fainte and goe backe. Partly in respecte of y^e new + conditions which have bene taken up by you, which all men are against, + and partly in regard of our owne inabillitie to doe any one of those + many waightie bussineses you referr to us here. For y^e former wherof, + wheras Robart Cushman desirs reasons for our dislike, promising + therupon to alter y^e same, or els saing we should thinke he hath no + brains, we desire him to exercise them therin, refering him to our + pastors former reasons, and them to y^e censure of y^e godly wise. But + our desires are that you will not entangle your selvs and us in any + such unreasonable courses as those are, viz. y^t the marchants should + have y^e halfe of mens houses and lands at y^e dividente; and that + persons should be deprived of y^e 2. days in a weeke agreed upon, yea + every momente of time for their owne perticuler; by reason wherof we + cannot conceive why any should carie servants for their own help and + comfort; for that we can require no more of them then all men one of + another. This we have only by relation from M^r. Nash, & not from any + writing of your owne, & therfore hope you have not proceeded farr in + so great a thing without us. But requiring you not to exseed the + bounds of your co[=m]ission, which was to proceed upon y^e things or + conditions agred upon and expressed in writing (at your going over + about it), we leave it, not without marveling, that you^r selfe, as + you write, knowing how smale a thing troubleth our consultations, and + how few, as you fear, understands the busnes aright, should trouble us + with such matters as these are, &c. + + Salute M^r. Weston from us, in whom we hope we are not deceived; we + pray you make known our estate unto him, and if you thinke good shew + him our letters, at least tell him (y^t under God) we much relie upon + him & put our confidence in him; and, as your selves well know, that + if he had not been an adventurer with us, we had not taken it in hand; + presuming that if he had not seene means to accomplish it, he would + not have begune it; so we hope in our extremitie he will so farr help + us as our expectation be no way made frustrate concerning him. Since + therfore, good brethren, we have plainly opened y^e state of things + with us in this matter, you will, &c. Thus beseeching y^e Allmightie, + who is allsufficiente to raise us out of this depth of dificulties, to + assiste us herein; raising such means by his providence and fatherly + care for us, his pore children & servants, as we may with comforte + behould y^e hand of our God for good towards us in this our bussines, + which we undertake in his name & fear, we take leave & remaine + + Your perplexed, yet hopfull + bretheren, + + S. F. + E. W. + W. B. + J. A.[R] + + June 10. New Stille, + An^o: 1620. + +_A letter of Robart Cushmans to them._ + + Brethern, I understand by letters & passagess y^t have come to me, + that ther are great discontents, & dislike of my proceedings amongst + you. Sorie I am to hear it, yet contente to beare it, as not doubting + but y^t partly by writing, and more principally by word when we shall + come togeather, I shall satisfie any reasonable man. I have been + perswaded [32] by some, espetialy this bearer, to come and clear + things unto you; but as things now stand I ca[=n]ot be absente one + day, excepte I should hazard all y^e viage. Neither conceive I any + great good would come of it. Take then, brethern, this as a step to + give you contente. First, for your dislike of y^e alteration of one + clause in y^e conditions, if you conceive it right, ther can be no + blame lye on me at all. For y^e articles first brought over by John + Carver were never seene of any of y^e adventurers hear, excepte M^r. + Weston, neither did any of them like them because of that clause; nor + M^r. Weston him selfe, after he had well considered it. But as at y^e + first ther was 500^li. withdrawne by S^r. Georg Farrer and his brother + upon that dislike, so all y^e rest would have withdrawne (M^r. Weston + excepted) if we had not altered y^t clause. Now whilst we at Leyden + conclude upon points, as we did, we reckoned without our host, which + was not my falte. Besids, I shewed you by a letter y^e equitie of y^t + condition, & our inconveniences, which might be sett against all M^r. + Rob: inconveniences, that without y^e alteration of y^t clause, we + could neither have means to gett thither, nor supplie wherby to + subsiste when we were ther. Yet notwithstanding all those reasons, + which were not mine, but other mens wiser then my selfe, without + answer to any one of them, here cometh over many quirimonies, and + complaints against me, of lording it over my brethern, and making + conditions fitter for theeves & bondslaves then honest men, and that + of my owne head I did what I list. And at last a paper of reasons, + framed against y^t clause in y^e conditions, which as y^ey were + delivered me open, so my answer is open to you all. And first, as they + are no other but inconveniences, such as a man might frame 20. as + great on y^e other side, and yet prove nor disprove nothing by them, + so they misse & mistake both y^e very ground of y^e article and nature + of y^e project. For, first, it is said, that if ther had been no + divission of houses & lands, it had been better for y^e poore. True, + and y^t showeth y^e inequalitie of y^e condition; we should more + respecte him y^t ventureth both his money and his person, then him y^t + ventureth but his person only. + + 2. Consider wheraboute we are, not giveing almes, but furnishing a + store house; no one shall be porer then another for 7. years, and if + any be rich, none can be pore. At y^e least, we must not in such + bussines crie, Pore, pore, mercie, mercie. Charitie hath it life in + wraks, not in venturs; you are by this most in a hopefull pitie of + makeing, therfore complaine not before you have need. + + 3. This will hinder y^e building of good and faire houses, contrarie + to y^e advise of pollitiks. A. So we would have it; our purpose is to + build for y^e presente such houses as, if need be, we may with litle + greefe set a fire, and rune away by the lighte; our riches shall not + be in pompe, but in strenght; if God send us riches, we will imploye + them to provid more men, ships, munition, &c. You may see it amongst + the best pollitiks, that a co[=m]onwele is readier to ebe then to + flow, when once fine houses and gay cloaths come up. + + 4. The Gove^t may prevente excess in building. A. But if it be on all + men beforehand resolved on, to build mean houses, y^e Gove^r laboure + is spared. + + 5. All men are not of one condition. A. If by condition you mean + wealth, you are mistaken; if you mean by condition, qualities, then I + say he that is not contente his neighbour shall have as good a house, + fare, means, &c. as him selfe, is not of a good qualitie. 2^ly. Such + retired persons, as have aneie only to them selves, are fitter to + come wher catching is, then closing; and are fitter to live alone, + then in any societie, either civill or religious. + + 6. It will be of litle value, scarce worth 5^li. A. True, it may be + not worth halfe 5^li. [33] If then so smale a thing will content them, + why strive we thus aboute it, and give them occasion to suspecte us to + be worldly & covetous? I will not say what I have heard since these + complaints came first over. + + 7. Our freinds with us y^t adventure mind not their owne profite, as + did y^e old adventurers. A. Then they are better then we, who for a + litle matter of profite are readie to draw back, and it is more + apparente brethern looke too it, that make profite your maine end; + repente of this, els goe not least you be like Jonas to Tarshis. 2^ly. + Though some of them mind not their profite, yet others doe mind it; + and why not as well as we? venturs are made by all sorts of men, and + we must labour to give them all contente, if we can. + + 8. It will break y^e course of co[=m]unitie, as may be showed by many + reasons. A. That is but said, and I say againe, it will best foster + comunion, as may be showed by many reasons. + + 9. Great profite is like to be made by trucking, fishing, &c. A. As it + is better for them, so for us; for halfe is ours, besids our living + still upon it, and if such profite in y^t way come, our labour shall + be y^e less on y^e land, and our houses and lands must & will be of + less value. + + 10. Our hazard is greater then theirs. A. True, but doe they put us + upon it? doe they urge or egg us? hath not y^e motion & resolution + been always in our selves? doe they any more then in seeing us + resolute if we had means, help us to means upon equall termes & + conditions? If we will not goe, they are content to keep their moneys. + Thus I have pointed at a way to loose those knots, which I hope you + will consider seriously, and let me have no more stirre about them. + + Now furder, I hear a noise of slavish conditions by me made; but + surly this is all that I have altered, and reasons I have sent you. If + you mean it of y^e 2. days in a week for perticuler, as some + insinuate, you are deceived; you may have 3. days in a week for me if + you will. And when I have spoken to y^e adventurers of times of + working, they have said they hope we are men of discretion & + conscience, and so fitte to be trusted our selves with that. But + indeed y^e ground of our proceedings at Leyden was mistaken, and so + here is nothing but tottering every day, &c. + + As for them of Amsterdam I had thought they would as soone have gone + to Rome as with us; for our libertie is to them as ratts bane, and + their riggour as bad to us as y^e Spanish Inquision. If any practise + of mine discourage them, let them yet draw back; I will undertake they + shall have their money againe presently paid hear. Or if the company + thinke me to be y^e Jonas, let them cast me of before we goe; I shall + be content to stay with good will, having but the cloaths on my back; + only let us have quietnes, and no more of these clamors; full litle + did I expecte these things which are now come to pass, &c. + + Yours, + R. CUSHMAN. + +But whether this letter of his ever came to their hands at Leyden I well +know not; I rather thinke it was staied by M^r. Carver & kept by him, +forgiving offence. But this which follows was ther received; both which +I thought pertenent to recite. + +_Another of his to y^e aforesaid, June_ 11. 1620.[S] + + Salutations, &c. I received your l[~e]r. yesterday, by John Turner, + with another y^e same day from Amsterdam by M^r. W. savouring of y^e + place whenc it came. And indeed the many discouragements I find her, + togeather with y^e demurrs and retirings ther, had made me to say, I + would give up my accounts to John Carver, & at his comeing aquainte + him fully with all courses, and so leave it quite, with only y^e pore + cloaths on my back. But gathering up my selfe by further + consideration, [34] I resolved yet to make one triall more, and to + aquainte M^r. Weston with y^e fainted state of our bussines; and + though he hath been much discontented at some thing amongst us of + late, which hath made him often say, that save for his promise, he + would not meadle at all with y^e bussines any more, yet considering + how farr we were plunged into maters, & how it stood both on our + credits & undoing, at y^e last he gathered up him selfe a litle more, + & coming to me 2. hours after, he tould me he would not yet leave it. + And so advising togeather we resolved to hire a ship, and have tooke + liking of one till Monday, about 60. laste, for a greater we cannot + gett, excepte it be tow great; but a fine ship it is. And seeing our + neer freinds ther are so streite lased, we hope to assure her without + troubling them any further; and if y^e ship fale too small, it fitteth + well y^t such as stumble at strawes allready, may rest them ther a + while, least worse blocks come in y^e way ere 7. years be ended. If + you had beaten this bussines so throuly a month agoe, and write to us + as now you doe, we could thus have done much more conveniently. But it + is as it is; I hope our freinds ther, if they be quitted of the ship + hire, will be indusced to venture y^e more. All y^t I now require is + y^t salt and netts may ther be boughte, and for all y^e rest we will + here provid it; yet if that will not be, let them but stand for it a + month or tow, and we will take order to pay it all. Let M^r. + _Reinholds_ tarie ther, and bring y^e ship to Southampton. We have + hired another pilote here, one M^r. _Clarke_, who went last year to + Virginia with a ship of kine. + + You shall here distinctly by John Turner, who I thinke shall come + hence on Tewsday night. I had thought to have come with him, to have + answerd to my complaints; but I shal lerne to pass litle for their + censurs; and if I had more minde to goe & dispute & expostulate with + them, then I have care of this waightie bussines, I were like them who + live by clamours & jangling. But neither my mind nor my body is at + libertie to doe much, for I am fettered with bussines, and had rather + study to be quiet, then to make answer to their exceptions. If men be + set on it, let them beat y^e eair; I hope such as are my sinceire + freinds will not thinke but I can give some reason of my actions. But + of your mistaking aboute y^e mater, & other things tending to this + bussines, I shall nexte informe you more distinctly. Mean space + entreate our freinds not to be too bussie in answering matters, before + they know them. If I doe such things as I ca[=n]ot give reasons for, + it is like you have sett a foole aboute your bussines, and so turne + y^e reproofe to your selves, & send an other, and let me come againe + to my Combes. But setting a side my naturall infirmities, I refuse not + to have my cause judged, both of God, & all indifferent men; and when + we come togeather I shall give accounte of my actions hear. The Lord, + who judgeth justly without respect of persons, see into y^e equitie of + my cause, and give us quiet, peacable, and patient minds, in all these + turmoiles, and sanctifie unto us all crosses whatsoever. And so I take + my leave of you all, in all love & affection. + + I hope we shall gett all hear ready in 14. days. + + Your pore brother, + ROBART CUSHMAN. + + June 11. 1620. + + +Besids these things, ther fell out a differance amongs those 3. that +received [35] the moneys & made y^e provissions in England; for besids +these tow formerly mentioned sent from Leyden for this end, viz. M^r. +Carver & Robart Cushman, ther was one chosen in England to be joyned +with them, to make y^e provisions for y^e vioage; his name was M^r. +Martin, he came from Billirike in Essexe, from which parts came sundrie +others to goe with them, as also from London & other places; and +therfore it was thought meete & conveniente by them in Holand that these +strangers that were to goe with them, should apointe one thus to be +joyned with them, not so much for any great need of their help, as to +avoyd all susspition, or jelosie of any partiallitie. And indeed their +care for giving offence, both in this & other things afterward, turned +to great inconvenience unto them, as in y^e sequell will apeare; but +however it shewed their equall & honest minds. The provissions were for +y^e most parte made at Southhamton, contrarie to M^r. Westons & Robert +Cushm[=a]s mind (whose counsells did most concure in all things). A +touch of which things I shall give in a letter of his to M^r. Carver, +and more will appear afterward. + + To his loving freind M^r. John Carver, these, &c. + + Loving freind, I have received from you some letters, full of + affection & complaints, and what it is you would have of me I know + not; for your crieing out, Negligence, negligence, negligence, I + marvell why so negligente a man was used in y^e bussines. Yet know you + y^t all that I have power to doe hear, shall not be one hower behind, + I warent you. You have reference to M^r. Weston to help us with money, + more then his adventure; wher he protesteth but for his promise, he + would not have done any thing. He saith we take a heady course, and + is offended y^t our provissions are made so farr of; as also that he + was not made aquainted with our quantitie of things; and saith y^t in + now being in 3. places, so farr remote, we will, with going up & + downe, and wrangling & expostulating, pass over y^e so[=m]er before we + will goe. And to speake y^e trueth, ther is fallen already amongst us + a flatt schisme; and we are redier to goe to dispute, then to sett + forwarde a voiage. I have received from Leyden since you wente 3. or + 4. letters directed to you, though they only conscerne me. I will not + trouble you with them. I always feared y^e event of y^e Amsterdamers + striking in with us. I trow you must exco[=m]unicate me, or els you + must goe without their companie, or we shall wante no quareling; but + let them pass. We have reckoned, it should seeme, without our host; + and, counting upon a 150. persons, ther cannot be founde above + 1200^li. & odd moneys of all y^e venturs you can reckone, besids some + cloath, stockings, & shoes, which are not counted; so we shall come + shorte at least 3. or 400^li. I would have had some thing shortened at + first of beare & other provissions in hope of other adventurs, & now + we could have, both in Amsterd: & Kente, beere inough to serve our + turne, but now we cannot accept it without prejudice. You fear we have + begune to build & shall not be able to make an end; indeed, our + courses were never established by counsell, we may therfore justly + fear their standing. Yea, ther was a [36] schisme amongst us 3. at y^e + first. You wrote to M^r. Martin, to prevente y^e making of y^e + provissions in Kente, which he did, and sett downe his resolution how + much he would have of every thing, without respecte to any counsell or + exception. Surely he y^t is in a societie & yet regards not counsell, + may better be a king then a consorte. To be short, if ther be not some + other dispossition setled unto then yet is, we y^t should be partners + of humilitie and peace, shall be examples of jangling & insulting. Yet + your money which you ther must have, we will get provided for you + instantly. 500^li. you say will serve; for y^e rest which hear & in + Holand is to be used, we may goe scratch for it. For M^r.[T] Crabe, of + whom you write, he hath promised to goe with us, yet I tell you I + shall not be without feare till I see him shipped, for he is much + opposed, yet I hope he will not faile. Thinke y^e best of all, and + bear with patience what is wanting, and y^e Lord guid us all. + + Your loving freind, + ROBART CUSHMAN. + + London, June 10. + An^o: 1620. + + +I have bene y^e larger in these things, and so shall crave leave in some +like passages following, (thoug in other things I shal labour to be more +contracte,) that their children may see with what difficulties their +fathers wrastled in going throug these things in their first +begi[=n]ings, and how God brought them along notwithstanding all their +weaknesses & infirmities. As allso that some use may be made hereof in +after times by others in such like waightie imployments; and herewith I +will end this chapter. + + + + +The 7. Chap. + +_Of their departure from Leyden, and other things ther aboute, with +their arivall at South hamton, were they all mete togeather, and tooke +in ther provissions._ + + +At length, after much travell and these debats, all things were got +ready and provided. A smale ship[U] was bought, & fitted in Holand, +which was intended as to serve to help to transport them, so to stay in +y^e cuntrie and atend upon fishing and shuch other affairs as might be +for y^e good & benefite of y^e colonie when they came ther. Another was +hired at London, of burden about 9. score; and all other things gott in +readines. So being ready to departe, they had a day of solleme +humiliation, their pastor taking his texte from Ezra 8. 21. _And ther at +y^e river, by Ahava, I proclaimed a fast, that we might humble ourselves +before our God, and seeke of him a right way for us, and for our +children, and for all our substance._ Upon which he spente a good parte +of y^e day very profitably, and suitable to their presente occasion. The +rest of the time was spente in powering out prairs to y^e Lord with +great fervencie, mixed with abundance of tears. And y^e time being come +that they must departe, they were accompanied with most of their +brethren out of y^e citie, unto a towne sundrie miles of called +Delfes-Haven, wher the ship lay ready to receive them. So they lefte y^t +goodly & pleasante citie, which had been ther resting place near 12. +years; but they knew they were pilgrimes,[V] & looked not much on those +things, but lift up their eyes to y^e heavens, their dearest cuntrie, +and quieted their spirits. When they [37] came to y^e place they found +y^e ship and all things ready; and shuch of their freinds as could not +come with them followed after them, and sundrie also came from +Amsterdame to see them shipte and to take their leave of them. That +night was spent with litle sleepe by y^e most, but with freindly +entertainmente & christian discourse and other reall expressions of true +christian love. The next day, the wind being faire, they wente aborde, +and their freinds with them, where truly dolfull was y^e sight of that +sade and mournfull parting; to see what sighs and sobbs and praires did +sound amongst them, what tears did gush from every eye, & pithy speeches +peirst each harte; that sundry of y^e Dutch strangers y^t stood on y^e +key as spectators, could not refraine from tears. Yet comfortable & +sweete it was to see shuch lively and true expressions of clear & +unfained love. But the tide (which stays for no man) caling them away +y^t were thus loath to departe, their Re[~v][=e]^d: pastor falling downe +on his knees, (and they all with him,) with watrie cheeks co[=m]ended +them with most fervente praiers to the Lord and his blessing. And then +with mutuall imbrases and many tears, they tooke their leaves one of an +other; which proved to be y^e last leave to many of them. + +Thus hoysing saile,[W] with a prosperus winde they came in short time to +Southhamton, wher they found the bigger ship come from London, lying +ready, w^th all the rest of their company. After a joyfull wellcome, and +mutuall congratulations, with other frendly entertainements, they fell +to parley aboute their bussines, how to dispatch with y^e best +expedition; as allso with their agents, aboute y^e alteration of y^e +conditions. M^r. Carver pleaded he was imployed hear at Hamton, and knew +not well what y^e other had don at London. M^r. Cushman answered, he had +done nothing but what he was urged too, partly by y^e grounds of equity, +and more espetialy by necessitie, other wise all had bene dasht and many +undon. And in y^e begining he aquainted his felow agents here with, who +consented unto him, and left it to him to execute, and to receive y^e +money at London and send it downe to them at Hamton, wher they made y^e +provissions; the which he accordingly did, though it was against his +minde, & some of y^e marchants, y^t they were their made. And for +giveing them notise at Leyden of this change, he could not well in +regarde of y^e shortnes of y^e time; againe, he knew it would trouble +them and hinder y^e bussines, which was already delayed overlong in +regard of y^e season of y^e year, which he feared they would find to +their cost. But these things gave not contente at presente. Mr. Weston, +likwise, came up from London to see them dispatcht and to have y^e +conditions confirmed; but they refused, and answered him, that he knew +right well that these were not according to y^e first agreemente, +neither could they yeeld to them without y^e consente of the rest that +were behind. And indeed they had spetiall charge when they came away, +from the cheefe of those that were behind, not to doe it. At which he +was much offended, and tould them, they must then looke to stand on +their owne leggs. So he returned in displeasure, and this was y^e first +ground of discontent betweene them. And wheras ther wanted well near +100^li. to clear things at their going away, he would not take order to +disburse a penie, but let them shift as they could. [38] So they were +forst to selle of some of their provissions to stop this gape, which was +some 3. or 4. score firkins of butter, which comoditie they might best +spare, haveing provided too large a quantitie of y^t kind. Then they +write a leter to y^e marchants & adventures aboute y^e diferances +concerning y^e conditions, as foloweth. + + Aug. 3. An^o: 1620. + + Beloved freinds, sory we are that ther should be occasion of writing + at all unto you, partly because we ever expected to see y^e most of + you hear, but espetially because ther should any differance at all be + conceived betweene us. But seing it faleth out that we cannot conferr + togeather, we thinke it meete (though brefly) to show you y^e just + cause & reason of our differing from those articles last made by + Robart Cushman, without our comission or knowledg. And though he might + propound good ends to himselfe, yet it no way justifies his doing it. + Our maine diference is in y^e 5. & 9. article, concerning y^e deviding + or holding of house and lands; the injoying wherof some of your selves + well know, was one spetiall motive, amongst many other, to provoke us + to goe. This was thought so reasonable, y^t when y^e greatest of you + in adventure (whom we have much cause to respecte), when he + propounded conditions to us freely of his owne accorde, he set this + downe for one; a coppy wherof we have sent unto you, with some + additions then added by us; which being liked on both sids, and a day + set for y^e paimente of moneys, those of Holland paid in theirs. After + y^t, Robart Cushman, M^r. Peirce, & M^r. Martine, brought them into a + better forme, & write them in a booke now extante; and upon Robarts + shewing them and delivering M^r. Mullins a coppy therof under his hand + (which we have), he payd in his money. And we of Holland had never + seen other before our coming to Hamton, but only as one got for him + selfe a private coppy of them; upon sight wherof we manyfested uter + dislike, but had put of our estats & were ready to come, and therfore + was too late to rejecte y^e vioage. Judge therfore we beseech you + indiferently of things, and if a faulte have bene co[=m]ited, lay it + wher it is, & not upon us, who have more cause to stand for y^e one, + then you have for y^e other. We never gave Robart Cushman comission to + make any one article for us, but only sent him to receive moneys upon + articles before agreed on, and to further y^e provissions till John + Carver came, and to assiste him in it. Yet since you conceive your + selves wronged as well as we, we thought meete to add a branch to y^e + end of our 9. article, as will allmost heale that wound of it selfe, + which you conceive to be in it. But that it may appeare to all men y^t + we are not lovers of our selves only, but desire also y^e good & + inriching of our freinds who have adventured your moneys with our + persons, we have added our last article to y^e rest, promising you + againe by leters in y^e behalfe of the whole company, that if large + profits should not arise within y^e 7. years, y^t we will continue + togeather longer with you, if y^e Lord give a blessing.[X] This we + hope is sufficente to satisfie any in this case, espetialy freinds, + since we are asured y^t if the whole charge was devided into 4. parts, + 3. of them will not stand upon it, nether doe regarde it, &c. We are + in shuch a streate at presente, as we are forced to sell away 60^li. + worth of our provissions to cleare y^e Haven, & withall put our selves + upon great extremities, scarce haveing any butter, no oyle, not a sole + to mend a shoe, [39] nor every man a sword to his side, wanting many + muskets, much armoure, &c. And yet we are willing to expose our selves + to shuch eminente dangers as are like to insue, & trust to y^e good + providence of God, rather then his name & truth should be evill spoken + of for us. Thus saluting all of you in love, and beseeching the Lord + to give a blesing to our endeavore, and keepe all our harts in y^e + bonds of peace & love, we take leave & rest, + + Yours, &c. + + Aug. 3. 1620. + + +It was subscribed with many names of y^e cheefest of y^e company. + +At their parting M^r. Robinson write a leter to y^e whole company, which +though it hath already bene printed, yet I thought good here likwise to +inserte it; as also a breefe leter writ at y^e same time to M^r. Carver, +in which y^e tender love & godly care of a true pastor appears. + + My dear Brother,--I received inclosed in your last leter y^e note of + information, w^ch I shall carefuly keepe & make use of as ther shall + be occasion. I have a true feeling of your perplexitie of mind & toyle + of body, but I hope that you who have allways been able so plentifully + to administer comforte unto others in their trials, are so well + furnished for your selfe as that farr greater difficulties then you + have yet undergone (though I conceive them to have been great enough) + cannot oppresse you, though they press you, as y^e Aspostle speaks. + The spirite of a man (sustained by y^e spirite of God) will sustaine + his infirmitie, I dout not so will yours. And y^e beter much when you + shall injoye y^e presence & help of so many godly & wise bretheren, + for y^e bearing of part of your burthen, who also will not admitte + into their harts y^e least thought of suspition of any y^e least + negligence, at least presumption, to have been in you, what so ever + they thinke in others. Now what shall I say or write unto you & your + goodwife my loving sister? even only this, I desire (& allways shall) + unto you from y^e Lord, as unto my owne soule; and assure your selfe + y^t my harte is with you, and that I will not forslowe my bodily + coming at y^e first oppertunitie. I have writen a large leter to y^e + whole, and am sorie I shall not rather speak then write to them; & the + more, considering y^e wante of a preacher, which I shall also make + sume spurr to my hastening after you. I doe ever co[=m]end my best + affection unto you, which if I thought you made any doubte of, I would + express in more, & y^e same more ample & full words. And y^e Lord in + whom you trust & whom you serve ever in this bussines & journey, guid + you with his hand, protecte you with his winge, and shew you & us his + salvation in y^e end, & bring us in y^e mean while togeather in y^e + place desired, if shuch be his good will, for his Christs sake. + + Amen. + Yours, &c. + Jo: R. + + July 27. 1620. + +This was y^e last letter y^t M^r. Carver lived to see from him. The +other follows. + + [Y]Lovinge Christian friends, I doe hartily & in y^e Lord salute you + all, as being they with whom I am presente in my best affection, and + most ernest longings after you, though I be constrained for a while to + be bodily absente from you. I say constrained, God knowing how + willingly, & much rather then otherwise, I would have borne my part + with you in this first brunt, were I not by strong necessitie held + back for y^e present. Make accounte of me in y^e mean while, as of a + man devided in my selfe with great paine, and as (naturall bonds set a + side) having my beter parte with [40] you. And though I doubt not but + in your godly wisdoms, you both foresee & resolve upon y^t which + concerneth your presente state & condition, both severally & joyntly, + yet have I thought it but my duty to add some furder spurr of + provocation unto them, who rune allready, if not because you need it, + yet because I owe it in love & dutie. And first, as we are daly to + renew our repentance with our God, espetially for our sines known, and + generally for our unknowne trespasses, so doth y^e Lord call us in a + singuler maner upon occasions of shuch difficultie & danger as lieth + upon you, to a both more narrow search & carefull reformation of your + ways in his sight; least he, calling to remembrance our sines + forgotten by us or unrepented of, take advantage against us, & in + judgmente leave us for y^e same to be swalowed up in one danger or + other; wheras, on the contrary, sine being taken away by ernest + repentance & y^e pardon therof from y^e Lord sealed up unto a mans + conscience by his spirite, great shall be his securitie and peace in + all dangers, sweete his comforts in all distresses, with hapie + deliverance from all evill, whether in life or in death. + + Now next after this heavenly peace with God & our owne consciences, we + are carefully to provide for peace with all men what in us lieth, + espetially with our associats, & for y^e watchfullnes must be had, + that we neither at all in our selves doe give, no nor easily take + offence being given by others. Woe be unto y^e world for offences, for + though it be necessarie (considering y^e malice of Satan & mans + corruption) that offences come, yet woe unto y^e man or woman either + by whom y^e offence cometh, saith Christ, Mat. 18. 7. And if offences + in y^e unseasonable use of things in them selves indifferent, be more + to be feared then death itselfe, as y^e Apostle teacheth, 1. Cor. 9. + 15. how much more in things simply evill, in which neither honour of + God nor love of man is thought worthy to be regarded. Neither yet is + it sufficiente y^t we keepe our selves by y^e grace of God from + giveing offence, exepte withall we be armed against y^e taking of them + when they be given by others. For how imperfect & lame is y^e work of + grace in y^t person, who wants charritie to cover a multitude of + offences, as y^e scriptures speake. Neither are you to be exhorted to + this grace only upon y^e co[=m]one grounds of Christianitie, which + are, that persons ready to take offence, either wante charitie, to + cover offences, of wisdome duly to waigh humane frailtie; or lastly, + are grosse, though close hipocrites, as Christ our Lord teacheth, Mat. + 7. 1, 2, 3, as indeed in my owne experience, few or none have bene + found which sooner give offence, then shuch as easily take it; neither + have they ever proved sound & profitable members in societies, which + have nurished this touchey humor. But besids these, ther are diverse + motives provoking you above others to great care & conscience this + way: As first, you are many of you strangers, as to y^e persons, so to + y^e infirmities one of another, & so stand in neede of more + watchfullnes this way, least when shuch things fall out in men & women + as you suspected not, you be inordinatly affected with them; which + doth require at your hands much wisdome & charitie for y^e covering & + preventing of incident offences that way. And lastly, your intended + course of civill comunitie will minister continuall occasion of + offence, & will be as fuell for that fire, excepte you dilligently + quench it with brotherly forbearance. And if taking of offence + causlesly or easilie at mens doings be so carefuly to be avoyded, how + much more heed is to be taken y^t we take not offence at God him + selfe, which yet we certainly doe so oft[=e] as we doe murmure at his + providence in our crosses, or beare impatiently shuch afflictions as + wherwith he pleaseth to visite us. Store up therfore patience against + y^e evill day, without which we take offence at y^e Lord him selfe in + his holy & just works. + + A 4. thing ther is carfully to be provided for, to witte, that with + your co[=m]one imployments you joyne co[=m]one affections truly bente + upon y^e generall good, avoyding as a deadly [41] plague of your both + co[=m]one & spetiall comfort all retirednes of minde for proper + advantage, and all singularly affected any maner of way; let every man + represe in him selfe & y^e whol body in each person, as so many rebels + against y^e commone good, all private respects of mens selves, not + sorting with y^e generall conveniencie. And as men are carfull not to + have a new house shaken with any violence before it be well setled & + y^e parts firmly knite, so be you, I beseech you, brethren, much more + carfull, y^t the house of God which you are, and are to be, be not + shaken with unnecessarie novelties or other oppositions at y^e first + setling therof. + + Lastly, wheras you are become a body politik, using amongst your + selves civill govermente, and are not furnished with any persons of + spetiall eminencie above y^e rest, to be chosen by you into office of + goverment, let your wisdome & godlines appeare, not only in chusing + shuch persons as doe entirely love and will promote y^e co[=m]one + good, but also in yeelding unto them all due honour & obedience in + their lawfull administrations; not behoulding in them y^e + ordinarinesse of their persons, but Gods ordinance for your good, not + being like y^e foolish multitud who more honour y^e gay coate, then + either y^e vertuous minde of y^e man, or glorious ordinance of y^e + Lord. But you know better things, & that y^e image of y^e Lords power + & authoritie which y^e magistrate beareth, is honourable, in how meane + persons soever. And this dutie you both may y^e more willingly and + ought y^e more conscionably to performe, because you are at least for + y^e present to have only them for your ordinarie governours, which + your selves shall make choyse of for that worke. + + Sundrie other things of importance I could put you in minde of, and of + those before mentioned, in more words, but I will not so farr wrong + your godly minds as to thinke you heedless of these things, ther being + also diverce among you so well able to admonish both them selves & + others of what concerneth them. These few things therfore, & y^e same + in few words, I doe ernestly co[=m]end unto your care & conscience, + joyning therwith my daily incessante prayers unto y^e Lord, y^t he who + hath made y^e heavens & y^e earth, y^e sea and all rivers of waters, + and whose providence is over all his workes, espetially over all his + dear children for good, would so guide & gard you in your wayes, as + inwardly by his Spirite, so outwardly by y^e hand of his power, as y^t + both you & we also, for & with you, may have after matter of praising + his name all y^e days of your and our lives. Fare you well in him in + whom you trust, and in whom I rest. + + An unfained wellwiller of your hapie + success in this hopefull voyage, + JOHN ROBINSON. + +This letter, though large, yet being so frutfull in it selfe, and +suitable to their occation, I thought meete to inserte in this place. + +All things being now ready, & every bussines dispatched, the company was +caled togeather, and this letter read amongst them, which had good +acceptation with all, and after fruit with many. Then they ordered & +distributed their company for either shipe, as they conceived for y^e +best. And chose a Governor & 2. or 3. assistants for each shipe, to +order y^e people by y^e way, and see to y^e dispossing of there +provissions, and shuch like affairs. All which was not only with y^e +liking of y^e maisters of y^e ships, but according to their desires. +Which being done, they sett sayle from thence aboute y^e 5. of August; +but what befell them further upon y^e coast of England will appeare in +y^e nexte chapter. + + + + +The 8. Chap. + +_Off the troubls that befell them on the coaste, and at sea being +forced, after much trouble, to leave one of ther ships & some of their +companie behind them._ + + +[42] Being thus put to sea they had not gone farr, but M^r. Reinolds y^e +master of y^e leser ship complained that he found his ship so leak as he +durst not put further to sea till she was mended. So y^e m^r. of y^e +biger ship (caled M^r. Jonas) being consulted with, they both resolved +to put into Dartmouth & have her ther searched & mended, which +accordingly was done, to their great charg & losse of time and a faire +winde. She was hear thorowly searcht from steme to sterne, some leaks +were found & mended, and now it was conceived by the workmen & all, that +she was sufficiente, & they might proceede without either fear or +danger. So with good hopes from hence, they put to sea againe, +conceiving they should goe comfortably on, not looking for any more +lets of this kind; but it fell out otherwise, for after they were gone +to sea againe above 100. leagues without the Lands End, houlding company +togeather all this while, the m^r. of y^e small ship complained his ship +was so leake as he must beare up or sinke at sea, for they could scarce +free her with much pumping. So they came to consultation againe, and +resolved both ships to bear up backe againe & put into Pli[=m]oth, which +accordingly was done. But no spetiall leake could be founde, but it was +judged to be y^e generall weaknes of y^e shipe, and that shee would not +prove sufficiente for the voiage. Upon which it was resolved to dismise +her & parte of y^e companie, and proceede with y^e other shipe. The +which (though it was greevous, & caused great discouragmente) was put in +execution. So after they had tooke out such provission as y^e other ship +could well stow, and concluded both what number and what persons to send +bak, they made another sad parting, y^e one ship going backe for London, +and y^e other was to proceede on her viage. Those that went bak were for +the most parte such as were willing so to doe, either out of some +discontente, or feare they conceived of y^e ill success of y^e vioage, +seeing so many croses befale, & the year time so farr spente; but +others, in regarde of their owne weaknes, and charge of many yonge +children, were thought least usefull, and most unfite to bear y^e brunte +of this hard adventure; unto which worke of God, and judgmente of their +brethern, they were contented to submite. And thus, like Gedions armie, +this small number was devided, as if y^e Lord by this worke of his +providence thought these few to many for y^e great worke he had to doe. +But here by the way let me show, how afterward it was found y^t the +leaknes of this ship was partly by being over masted, and too much +pressed with sayles; for after she was sould & put into her old trime, +she made many viages & performed her service very sufficiently, to y^e +great profite of her owners. But more espetially, by the cuning & +deceite of y^e m^r. & his company, who were hired to stay a whole year +in y^e cuntrie, and now fancying dislike & fearing wante of victeles, +they ploted this strategem to free them selves; as afterwards was +knowne, & by some of them confessed. For they apprehended y^t the +greater ship, being of force, & in whom most of y^e provissions were +stowed, she would retayne enough for her selfe, what soever became of +them or y^e passengers; & indeed shuch speeches had bene cast out by +some of them; and yet, besids other incouragments, y^e cheefe of them +that came from Leyden wente in this shipe to give y^e m^r. contente. But +so strong was self love & his fears, as he forgott all duty and [43] +former kindnesses, & delt thus falsly with them, though he pretended +otherwise. Amongest those that returned was M^r. Cushman & his familie, +whose hart & courage was gone from them before, as it seems, though his +body was with them till now he departed; as may appear by a passionate +letter he write to a freind in London from Dartmouth, whilst y^e ship +lay ther a mending; the which, besids y^e expressions of his owne fears, +it shows much of y^e providence of God working for their good beyonde +man's expectation, & other things concerning their condition in these +streats. I will hear relate it. And though it discover some infirmities +in him (as who under temtation is free), yet after this he continued to +be a spetiall instrumente for their good, and to doe y^e offices of a +loving freind & faithfull brother unto them, and pertaker of much +comforte with them. + +The letter is as followth. + + To his loving friend Ed: S.[Z] at Henige House in y^e Duks Place, + these, &c. + + Dartmouth, Aug. 17. + + Loving friend, my most kind remembrance to you & your wife, with + loving E. M. &c. whom in this world I never looke to see againe. For + besids y^e eminente dangers of this viage, which are no less then + deadly, an infirmitie of body hath ceased me, which will not in all + lie^{c}lyhoode leave me till death. What to call it I know not, but it + is a bundle of lead, as it were, crushing my harte more & more these + 14. days, as that allthough I doe y^e acctions of a liveing man, yet I + am but as dead; but y^e will of God be done. Our pinass will not cease + leaking, els I thinke we had been halfe way at Virginia, our viage + hither hath been as full of crosses, as our selves have been of + crokednes. We put in hear to tri[=m]e her, & I thinke, as others + also, if we had stayed at sea but 3. or 4. howers more, shee would + have sunke right downe. And though she was twise tri[=m]ed at Hamton, + yet now shee is open and leakie as a seive; and ther was a borde, a + man might have puld of with his fingers, 2 foote longe, wher y^e water + came in as at a mole hole. We lay at Hamton 7. days, in fair weather, + waiting for her, and now we lye hear waiting for her in as faire a + wind as can blowe, and so have done these 4. days, and are like to lye + 4. more, and by y^t time y^e wind will happily turne as it did at + Hampton. Our victualls will be halfe eaten up, I thinke, before we goe + from the coaste of England, and if our viage last longe, we shall not + have a months victialls when we come in y^e countrie. Neare 700^li. + hath bene bestowed at Hampton, upon what I know not. Mr. Martin saith + he neither can nor will give any accounte of it, and if he be called + upon for accounts he crieth out of unthankfullnes for his paines & + care, that we are susspitious of him, and flings away, & will end + nothing. Also he so insult[=e]h over our poore people, with shuch + scorne & contempte, as if they were not good enough to wipe his shoes. + It would break your hart to see his dealing,[AA] and y^e mourning of + our people. They complaine to me, & alass! I can doe nothing for them; + if I speake to him, he flies in my face, as mutinous, and saith no + complaints shall be heard or received but by him selfe, and saith they + are forwarde, & waspish, discontented people, & I doe ill to hear + them. Ther are others y^t would lose all they have put in, or make + satisfaction for what they have had, that they might departe: but he + will not hear them, nor suffer them to goe ashore, least they should + rune away. The sailors also are so offended at his ignorante bouldnes, + in medling & controuling in things he knows not what belongs too, as + y^t some threaten to misscheefe him, others say they will leave y^e + shipe & goe their way. But at y^e best this cometh of it, y^t he maks + him selfe a scorne & laughing stock unto them. As for M^r. Weston, + excepte grace doe greatly swaye with him, he will hate us ten times + more then ever he loved us, for not confirming y^e conditions. But + now, since some pinches have taken them, they begine to reveile y^e + trueth, & say M^r. Robinson was in y^e falte who charged them never to + consente to those conditions, nor chuse me into office, but indeede + apointed them to chose them they did chose.[AB] But he & they will rue + too late, they may [44] now see, & all be ashamed when it is too late, + that they were so ignorante, yea, & so inordinate in their courses. I + am sure as they were resolved not to seale those conditions, I was not + so resolute at Hampton to have left y^e whole bussines, excepte they + would seale them, & better y^e vioage to have bene broken of then, + then to have brought such miserie to our selves, dishonour to God, & + detrimente to our loving freinds, as now it is like to doe. 4. or 5. + of y^e cheefe of them which came from Leyden, came resolved never to + goe on those conditions. And M^r. Martine, he said he never received + no money on those conditions, he was not beholden to y^e marchants for + a pine, they were bloudsuckers, & I know not what. Simple man, he + indeed never made any conditions w^th the marchants, nor ever spake + with them. But did all that money flie to Hampton, or was it his owne? + Who will goe & lay out money so rashly & lavishly as he did, and never + know how he comes by it, or on what conditions? 2^ly. I tould him of + y^e alteration longe agoe, & he was contente; but now he dominires, & + said I had betrayed them into y^e hands of slaves; he is not beholden + to them, he can set out 2. ships him selfe to a viage. When, good man? + He hath but 50^li. in, & if he should give up his accounts he would + not have a penie left him, as I am persuaded,[AC] &c. Freind, if ever + we make a plantation, God works a mirakle; especially considering how + scante we shall be of victualls, and most of all ununited amongst our + selves, & devoyd of good tutors & regimente. Violence will break all. + Wher is y^e meek & humble spirite of Moyses? & of Nehemiah who + reedified y^e wals of Jerusalem, & y^e state of Israell? Is not y^e + sound of Rehoboams braggs daly hear amongst us? Have not y^e + philosophers and all wise men observed y^t, even in setled co[=m]one + welths, violente governours bring either them selves, or people, or + boath, to ruine; how much more in y^e raising of co[=m]one wealths, + when y^e morter is yet scarce tempered y^t should bind y^e wales. If I + should write to you of all things which promiscuously forerune our + ruine, I should over charge my weake head and greeve your tender hart; + only this, I pray you prepare for evill tidings of us every day. But + pray for us instantly, it may be y^e Lord will be yet entreated one + way or other to make for us. I see not in reason how we shall escape + even y^e gasping of hunger starved persons; but God can doe much, & + his will be done. It is better for me to dye, then now for me to bear + it, which I doe daly, & expecte it howerly; haveing received y^e + sentance of death, both within me & without me. Poore William King & + my selfe doe strive[AD] who shall be meate first for y^e fishes; but + we looke for a glorious resurrection, knowing Christ Jesus after y^e + flesh no more, but looking unto y^e joye y^t is before us, we will + endure all these things and accounte them light in comparison of y^t + joye we hope for. Remember me in all love to our freinds as if I named + them, whose praiers I desire ernestly, & wish againe to see, but not + till I can with more comforte looke them in y^e face. The Lord give us + that true comforte which none can take from us. I had a desire to make + a breefe relation of our estate to some freind. I doubte not but your + wisdome will teach you seasonably to utter things as here after you + shall be called to it. That which I have writen is treue, & many + things more which I have forborne. I write it as upon my life, and + last confession in England. What is of use to be spoken [45] of + presently, you may speake of it, and what is fitt to conceile, + conceall. Pass by my weake maner, for my head is weake, & my body + feeble, y^e Lord make me strong in him, & keepe both you & yours. + + Your loving friend, + ROBART CUSHMAN. + + Dartmouth, Aug. 17. 1620. + + +These being his conceptions & fears at Dartmouth, they must needs be +much stronger now at Plimoth. + + + + +The 9. Chap. + +_Of their vioage, & how they passed y^e sea, and of their safe arrivall +at Cape Codd._ + + +SEPT^R: 6. These troubls being blowne over, and now all being compacte +togeather in one shipe,[AE] they put to sea againe with a prosperus +winde, which continued diverce days togeather, which was some +incouragmente unto them; yet according to y^e usuall maner many were +afflicted with sea-sicknes. And I may not omite hear a spetiall worke of +Gods providence. Ther was a proud & very profane yonge man, one of y^e +sea-men, of a lustie, able body, which made him the more hauty; he +would allway be contemning y^e poore people in their sicknes, & cursing +them dayly with gre[=e]ous execrations, and did not let to tell them, +that he hoped to help to cast halfe of them over board before they came +to their jurneys end, and to make mery with what they had; and if he +were by any gently reproved, he would curse and swear most bitterly. But +it plased God before they came halfe seas over, to smite this yong man +with a greeveous disease, of which he dyed in a desperate maner, and so +was him selfe y^e first y^t was throwne overbord. Thus his curses light +on his owne head; and it was an astonishmente to all his fellows, for +they noted it to be y^e just hand of God upon him. + +After they had injoyed faire winds and weather for a season, they were +incountred many times with crosse winds, and mette with many feirce +stormes, with which y^e shipe was shroudly shaken, and her upper works +made very leakie; and one of the maine beames in y^e midd ships was +bowed & craked, which put them in some fear that y^e shipe could not be +able to performe y^e vioage. So some of y^e cheefe of y^e company, +perceiveing y^e mariners to feare y^e suffisiencie of y^e shipe, as +appeared by their mutterings, they entred into serious consulltation +with y^e m^r. & other officers of y^e ship, to consider in time of y^e +danger; and rather to returne then to cast them selves into a desperate +& inevitable perill. And truly ther was great distraction & differance +of opinion amongst y^e mariners them selves; faine would they doe what +could be done for their wages sake, (being now halfe the seas over,) and +on y^e other hand they were loath to hazard their lives too desperatly. +But in examening of all opinions, the m^r. & others affirmed they knew +y^e ship to be stronge & firme under water; and for the buckling of y^e +maine beame, ther was a great iron scrue y^e passengers brought out of +Holland, which would raise y^e beame into his place; y^e which being +done, the carpenter & m^r. affirmed that with a post put under it, set +firme in y^e lower deck, & otherways bounde, he would make it +sufficiente. And as for y^e decks & uper workes they would calke them as +well as they could, and though with y^e workeing of y^e ship they [46] +would not longe keepe stanch, yet ther would otherwise be no great +danger, if they did not overpress her with sails. So they co[=m]ited +them selves to y^e will of God, & resolved to proseede. In sundrie of +these stormes the winds were so feirce, & y^e seas so high, as they +could not beare a knote of saile, but were forced to hull, for diverce +days togither. And in one of them, as they thus lay at hull, in a mighty +storme, a lustie yonge man (called John Howland) coming upon some +occasion above y^e grattings, was, with a seele of the shipe throwne +into [y^e] sea; but it pleased God y^t he caught hould of y^e top-saile +halliards, which hunge over board, & rane out at length; yet he held +his hould (though he was sundrie fadomes under water) till he was hald +up by y^e same rope to y^e brime of y^e water, and then with a boat +hooke & other means got into y^e shipe againe, & his life saved; and +though he was something ill with it, yet he lived many years after, and +became a profitable member both in church & co[=m]one wealthe. In all +this viage ther died but one of y^e passengers, which was William +Butten, a youth, servant to Samuell Fuller, when they drew near y^e +coast. But to omite other things, (that I may be breefe,) after longe +beating at sea they fell with that land which is called Cape Cod; the +which being made & certainly knowne to be it, they were not a litle +joyfull. After some deliberation had amongst them selves & with y^e m^r. +of y^e ship, they tacked aboute and resolved to stande for y^e southward +(y^e wind & weather being faire) to finde some place aboute Hudsons +river for their habitation. But after they had sailed y^t course aboute +halfe y^e day, they fell amongst deangerous shoulds and roring breakers, +and they were so farr intangled ther with as they conceived them selves +in great danger; & y^e wind shrinking upon them withall, they resolved +to bear up againe for the Cape, and thought them selves hapy to gett out +of those dangers before night overtooke them, as by Gods providence they +did. And y^e next day they gott into y^e Cape-harbor wher they ridd in +saftie. A word or too by y^e way of this cape; it was thus first named +by Capten Gosnole & his company,[AF] Anno: 1602, and after by Capten +Smith was caled Cape James; but it retains y^e former name amongst +seamen. Also y^t pointe which first shewed those dangerous shoulds unto +them, they called Pointe Care, & Tuckers Terrour; but y^e French & Dutch +to this day call it Malabarr, by reason of those perilous shoulds, and +y^e losses they have suffered their. + +Being thus arived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell +upon their knees & blessed y^e God of heaven, who had brought them over +y^e vast & furious ocean, and delivered them from all y^e periles & +miseries therof, againe to set their feete on y^e firme and stable +earth, their proper elemente. And no marvell if they were thus joyefull, +seeing wise Seneca was so affected with sailing a few miles on y^e coast +of his owne Italy; as he affirmed,[AG] that he had rather remaine +twentie years on his way by land, then pass by sea to any place in a +short time; so tedious & dreadfull was y^e same unto him. + +But hear I cannot but stay and make a pause, and stand half amased at +this poore peoples presente condition; and so I thinke will the reader +too, when he well considers [47] y^e same. Being thus passed y^e vast +ocean, and a sea of troubles before in their preparation (as may be +remembred by y^t which wente before), they had now no freinds to +wellcome them, nor inns to entertaine or refresh their weatherbeaten +bodys, no houses or much less townes to repaire too, to seeke for +succoure. It is recorded in scripture[AH] as a mercie to y^e apostle & +his shipwraked company, y^t the barbarians shewed them no smale kindnes +in refreshing them, but these savage barbarians, when they mette with +them (as after will appeare) were readier to fill their sids full of +arrows then otherwise. And for y^e season it was winter, and they that +know y^e winters of y^t cuntrie know them to be sharp & violent, & +subjecte to cruell & feirce stormes, deangerous to travill to known +places, much more to serch an unknown coast. Besids, what could they see +but a hidious & desolate wildernes, full of wild beasts & willd men? and +what multituds ther might be of them they knew not. Nether could they, +as it were, goe up to y^e tope of Pisgah, to vew from this willdernes a +more goodly cuntrie to feed their hops; for which way soever they turnd +their eys (save upward to y^e heavens) they could have litle solace or +content in respecte of any outward objects. For su[=m]er being done, all +things stand upon them with a wetherbeaten face; and y^e whole countrie, +full of woods & thickets, represented a wild & savage heiw. If they +looked behind them, ther was y^e mighty ocean which they had passed, and +was now as a maine barr & goulfe to seperate them from all y^e civill +parts of y^e world. If it be said they had a ship to sucour them, it is +trew; but what heard they daly from y^e m^r. & company? but y^t with +speede they should looke out a place with their shallop, wher they would +be at some near distance; for y^e season was shuch as he would not stirr +from thence till a safe harbor was discovered by them wher they would +be, and he might goe without danger; and that victells consumed apace, +but he must & would keepe sufficient for them selves & their returne. +Yea, it was muttered by some, that if they gott not a place in time, +they would turne them & their goods ashore & leave them. Let it also be +considred what weake hopes of supply & succoure they left behinde them, +y^t might bear up their minds in this sade condition and trialls they +were under; and they could not but be very smale. It is true, indeed, +y^e affections & love of their brethren at Leyden was cordiall & entire +towards them, but they had litle power to help them, or them selves; and +how y^e case stode betweene them & y^e marchants at their coming away, +hath allready been declared. What could now sustaine them but the +spirite of God & his grace? May not & ought not the children of these +fathers rightly say: _Our faithers were Englishmen which came over this +great ocean, and were ready to perish in this willdernes;[AI] but they +cried unto y^e Lord, and he heard their voyce, and looked on their +adversitie, &c. Let them therfore praise y^e Lord, because he is good, & +his mercies endure for ever._[AJ] _Yea, let them which have been +redeemed of y^e Lord, shew how he hath delivered them from y^e hand of +y^e oppressour. When they wandered in y^e deserte willdernes out of y^e +way, and found no citie to dwell in, both hungrie, & thirstie, their +sowle was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before y^e Lord his +loving kindnes, and his wonderfull works before y^e sons of men._ + + + + +The 10. Chap. + +_Showing how they sought out a place of habitation, and what befell them +theraboute._ + + +[48] Being thus arrived at Cap-Cod y^e 11. of November, and necessitie +calling them to looke out a place for habitation, (as well as the +maisters & mariners importunitie,) they having brought a large shalop +with them out of England, stowed in quarters in y^e ship, they now gott +her out & sett their carpenters to worke to trime her up; but being much +brused & shatered in y^e shipe w^th foule weather, they saw she would be +longe in mending. Wherupon a few of them tendered them selves to goe by +land and discovere those nearest places, whilst y^e shallop was in +mending; and y^e rather because as they wente into y^t harbor ther +seemed to be an opening some 2. or 3 leagues of, which y^e maister +judged to be a river. It was conceived ther might be some danger in y^e +attempte, yet seeing them resolute, they were permited to goe, being 16. +of them well armed, under y^e conduct of Captain Standish, having shuch +instructions given them as was thought meete. They sett forth y^e 15. of +Nove^br: and when they had marched aboute the space of a mile by y^e sea +side, they espied 5. or 6. persons with a dogg coming towards them, who +were salvages; but they fled from them, & ra[=n]e up into y^e woods, and +y^e English followed them, partly to see if they could speake with them, +and partly to discover if ther might not be more of them lying in +ambush. But y^e Indeans seeing them selves thus followed, they againe +forsooke the woods, & rane away on y^e sands as hard as they could, so +as they could not come near them, but followed them by y^e tracte of +their feet sundrie miles, and saw that they had come the same way. So, +night coming on, they made their randevous & set out their sentinels, +and rested in quiete _y^t night_, and the next morning followed their +tracte till they had headed a great creake, & so left the sands, & +turned an other way into y^e woods. But they still followed them by +geuss, hopeing to find their dwellings; but they soone lost both them & +them selves, falling into shuch thickets as were ready to tear their +cloaths & armore in peeces, but were most distresed for wante of +drinke. But at length they found water & refreshed them selves, being +y^e first New-England water they drunke of, and was now in thir great +thirste as pleasante unto them as wine or bear had been in for-times. +Afterwards they directed their course to come to y^e other [49] shore, +for they knew it was a necke of land they were to crosse over, and so at +length gott to y^e sea-side, and marched to this supposed river, & by +y^e way found a pond of clear fresh water, and shortly after a good +quantitie of clear ground wher y^e Indeans had formerly set corne, and +some of their graves. And proceeding furder they saw new-stuble wher +corne had been set y^e same year, also they found wher latly a house had +been, wher some planks and a great ketle was remaining, and heaps of +sand newly padled with their hands, which they, digging up, found in +them diverce faire Indean baskets filled with corne, and some in eares, +faire and good, of diverce collours, which seemed to them a very goodly +sight, (haveing never seen any shuch before). This was near y^e place of +that supposed river they came to seeck; unto which they wente and found +it to open it selfe into 2. armes with a high cliffe of sand in y^e +enterance, but more like to be crikes of salte water then any fresh, for +ought they saw; and that ther was good harborige for their shalope; +leaving it further to be discovered by their shalop when she was ready. +So their time limeted them being expired, they returned to y^e ship, +least they should be in fear of their saftie; and tooke with them parte +of y^e corne, and buried up y^e rest, and so like y^e men from Eshcoll +carried with them of y^e fruits of y^e land, & showed their breethren; +of which, & their returne, they were marvelusly glad, and their harts +incouraged. + +After this, y^e shalop being got ready, they set out againe for y^e +better discovery of this place, & y^e m^r. of y^e ship desired to goe +him selfe, so ther went some 30. men, but found it to be no harbor for +ships but only for boats; ther was allso found 2. of their houses +covered with matts, & sundrie of their implements in them, but y^e +people were rune away & could not be seen; also ther was found more of +their corne, & of their beans of various collours. The corne & beans +they brought away, purposing to give them full satisfaction when they +should meete with any of them (as about some 6. months afterward they +did, to their good contente). And here is to be noted a spetiall +providence of God, and a great mercie to this poore people, that hear +they gott seed to plant them corne y^e next year, or els they might have +starved, for they had none, nor any liklyhood to get any [50] till y^e +season had beene past (as y^e sequell did manyfest). Neither is it +lickly they had had this, if y^e first viage had not been made, for the +ground was now all covered with snow, & hard frozen. But the Lord is +never wanting unto his in their greatest needs; let his holy name have +all y^e praise. + +The month of November being spente in these affairs, & much foule +weather falling in, the 6. _of Desem^r_: they sente out their shallop +againe with 10. of their principall men, & some sea men, upon further +discovery, intending to circulate that deepe bay of Cap-codd. The +weather was very could, & it frose so hard as y^e sprea of y^e sea +lighting on their coats, they were as if they had been glased; yet _that +night_ betimes they gott downe into y^e botome of y^e bay, and as they +drue nere y^e shore they saw some 10. or 12. Indeans very busie aboute +some thing. They landed aboute a league or 2. from them, and had much a +doe to put a shore any wher, it lay so full of flats. Being landed, it +grew late, and they made them selves a barricade with loggs & bowes as +well as they could in y^e time, & set out their sentenill & betooke them +to rest, and saw y^e smoake of y^e fire y^e savages made y^t night. When +_morning_ was come they devided their company, some to coaste along y^e +shore in y^e boate, and the rest marched throw y^e woods to see y^e +land, if any fit place might be for their dwelling. They came allso to +y^e place wher they saw the Indans y^e night before, & found they had +been cuting up a great fish like a grampus, being some 2. inches thike +of fate like a hogg, some peeces wher of they had left by y^e way; and +y^e shallop found 2. more of these fishes dead on y^e sands, a thing +usuall after storms in y^t place, by reason of y^e great flats of sand +that lye of. So they ranged up and doune all y^t day, but found no +people, nor any place they liked. When y^e sune grue low, they hasted +out of y^e woods to meete with their shallop, to whom they made signes +to come to them into a _creeke_ hardby, the which they did at highwater; +of which they were very glad, for they had not seen each other all y^t +day, since y^e morning. So they made them a barricado (as usually they +did every night) with loggs, staks, & thike pine bowes, y^e height of a +man, leaving it open to leeward, partly to shelter them from y^e could & +wind (making their fire in y^e midle, & lying round aboute it), and +partly to defend them from any sudden assaults of y^e savags, if they +should surround them. So being very weary, they betooke them to rest. +But aboute _midnight_, [51] they heard a hideous & great crie, and their +sentinell caled, "Arme, arme"; so they bestired them & stood to their +armes, & shote of a cupple of moskets, and then the noys seased. They +concluded it was a companie of wolves, or such like willd beasts; for +one of y^e sea men tould them he had often heard shuch a noyse in +New-found land. So they rested till about 5. of y^e clock in the +_morning_; for y^e tide, & ther purposs to goe from thence, made them be +stiring betimes. So after praier they prepared for breakfast, and it +being day dawning, it was thought best to be carring things downe to +y^e boate. But some said it was not best to carrie y^e armes downe, +others said they would be the readier, for they had laped them up in +their coats from y^e dew. But some 3. or 4. would not cary theirs till +they wente them selves, yet as it fell out, y^e water being not high +enough, they layed them downe on y^e banke side, & came up to breakfast. +But presently, all on y^e sudain, they heard a great & strange crie, +which they knew to be the same voyces they heard in y^e night, though +they varied their notes, & one of their company being abroad came runing +in, & cried, "Men, Indeans, Indeans"; and w^{th}all, their arowes came +flying amongst them. Their men rane with all speed to recover their +armes, as by y^e good providence of God they did. In y^e mean time, of +those that were ther ready, tow muskets were discharged at them, & 2. +more stood ready in y^e enterance of ther randevoue, but were comanded +not to shoote till they could take full aime at them; & y^e other 2. +charged againe with all speed, for ther were only 4. had armes ther, & +defended y^e baricado which was first assalted. The crie of y^e Indeans +was dreadfull, espetially when they saw ther men rune out of y^e +randevoue towourds y^e shallop, to recover their armes, the Indeans +wheeling aboute upon them. But some ru[=n]ing out with coats of malle +on, & cutlasses in their hands, they soone got their armes, & let flye +amongs them, and quickly stopped their violence. Yet ther was a lustie +man, and no less valiante, stood behind a tree within halfe a musket +shot, and let his arrows flie at them. He was seen shoot 3. arrowes, +which were all avoyded. He stood 3. shot of a musket, till one taking +full aime at him, and made y^e barke or splinters of y^e tree fly about +his ears, after which he gave an extraordinary shrike, and away they +wente all of them. They left some to keep y^e shalop, and followed them +aboute a quarter of a mille, and shouted once or twise, and shot of 2. +or 3. peces, & so returned. This they did, that they might conceive that +they were not [52] affrade of them or any way discouraged. Thus it +pleased God to vanquish their enimies, and give them deliverance; and by +his spetiall providence so to dispose that not any one of them were +either hurte, or hitt, though their arrows came close by them, & on +every side them, and sundry of their coats, which hunge up in y^e +barricado, were shot throw & throw. Aterwards they gave God sollamne +thanks & praise for their deliverance, & gathered up a bundle of their +arrows, & sente them into England afterward by y^e m^r. of y^e ship, and +called that place y^e first encounter. From hence they departed, & +costed all along, but discerned no place likly for harbor; & therfore +hasted to a place that their pillote, (one Mr. Coppin who had bine in +y^e cuntrie before) did assure them was a good harbor, which he had +been in, and they might fetch it before night; of which they were glad, +for it begane to be foule weather. After some houres sailing, it begane +to snow & raine, & about y^e midle of y^e afternoone, y^e wind +increased, & y^e sea became very rough, and they broake their rudder, & +it was as much as 2. men could doe to steere her with a cupple of oares. +But their pillott bad them be of good cheere, for he saw y^e harbor; but +y^e storme increasing, & night drawing on, they bore what saile they +could to gett in, while they could see. But herwith they broake their +mast in 3. peeces, & their saill fell over bord, in a very grown sea, so +as they had like to have been cast away; yet by Gods mercie they +recovered them selves, & having y^e floud with them, struck into y^e +harbore. But when it came too, y^e pillott was deceived in y^e place, +and said, y^e Lord be mercifull unto them, for his eys never saw y^t +place before; & he & the m^r. mate would have rune her ashore, in a cove +full of breakers, before y^e winde. But a lusty seaman which steered, +bad those which rowed, if they were men, about with her, or ells they +were all cast away; the which they did with speed. So he bid them be of +good cheere & row lustly, for ther was a faire sound before them, & he +doubted not but they should find one place or other wher they might ride +in saftie. And though it was _very darke_, and rained sore, yet in y^e +end they gott under y^e lee of a smalle iland, and remained ther all +y^t night in saftie. But they knew not this to be an iland till morning, +but were devided in their minds; some would keepe y^e boate for fear +they might be amongst y^e Indians; others were so weake and could, they +could not endure, but got a shore, & with much adoe got fire, (all +things being so wett,) and y^e rest were glad to come to them; for after +midnight y^e wind shifted to the [53] north-west, & it frose hard. But +though this had been a day & night of much trouble & danger unto them, +yet God gave them a _morning_ of comforte & refreshing (as usually he +doth to his children), for y^e next day was a faire sunshin[=i]g day, +and they found them sellvs to be on an iland secure from y^e Indeans, +wher they might drie their stufe, fixe their peeces, & rest them selves, +and gave God thanks for his mercies, in their manifould deliverances. +And this being the _last day of y^e weeke_, they prepared ther to keepe +y^e _Sabath_. On _Munday_ they sounded y^e harbor, and founde it fitt +for shipping; and marched into y^e land, & found diverse cornfeilds, & +litle runing brooks, a place (as they supposed) fitt for situation; at +least it was y^e best they could find, and y^e season, & their presente +necessitie, made them glad to accepte of it. So they returned to their +shipp againe with this news to y^e rest of their people, which did much +comforte their harts. + +On y^e 15. _of Desem^r_: they wayed anchor to goe to y^e place they had +discovered, & came within 2. leagues of it, but were faine to bear up +againe; but y^e 16. _day_ y^e winde came faire, and they arrived safe in +this harbor. And after wards tooke better view of y^e place, and +resolved wher to pitch their dwelling; and y^e 25. _day_ begane to +erecte y^e first house for co[=m]one use to receive them and their +goods. + + + + +The 2. Booke. + +The rest of this History (if God give me life, & opportunitie) I shall, +for brevitis sake, handle by way of _annalls_, noteing only the heads of +principall things, and passages as they fell in order of time, and may +seeme to be profitable to know, or to make use of. And this may be as +y^e 2. Booke. + + +_The remainder of An^o:_ 1620. + +I shall a litle returne backe and begine with a combination made by them +before they came ashore, being y^e first foundation of their govermente +in this place; occasioned partly by y^e discontented & mutinous speeches +that some of the strangers amongst them had let fall from them in y^e +ship--That when they came a shore they would use their owne libertie; +for none had power to co[=m]and them, the patente they had being for +Virginia, and not for New-england, which belonged to an other Goverment, +with which y^e Virginia Company had nothing to doe. And partly that +shuch an [54] acte by them done (this their condition considered) might +be as firme as any patent, and in some respects more sure. + +The forme was as followeth. + + In y^e name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwriten, the loyall + subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord, King James, by y^e grace of + God, of Great Britaine, Franc, & Ireland king, defender of y^e faith, + &c., haveing undertaken, for y^e glorie of God, and advancemente of + y^e Christian faith, and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to + plant y^e first colonie in y^e Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by + these presents solemnly & mutualy in y^e presence of God, and one of + another, covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civill body + politick, for our better ordering & preservation & furtherance of y^e + ends aforesaid; and by vertue hearof to enacte, constitute, and frame + such just & equall lawes, ordinances, acts, constitutions, & offices, + from time to time, as shall be thought most meete & convenient for y^e + generall good of y^e Colonie, unto which we promise all due submission + and obedience. In witnes wherof we have hereunder subscribed our names + at Cap-Codd y^e 11. of November, in y^e year of y^e raigne of our + soveraigne lord, King James, of England, France, & Ireland y^e + eighteenth, and of Scotland y^e fiftie fourth. An^o: Dom. 1620. + +After this they chose, or rather confirmed, M^r. John Carver (a man +godly & well approved amongst them) their Governour for that year. And +after they had provided a place for their goods, or comone store, (which +were long in unlading for want of boats, foulnes of winter weather, and +sicknes of diverce,) and begune some small cottages for their +habitation, as time would admitte, they mette and consulted of lawes & +orders, both for their civill & military Govermente, as y^e necessitie +of their condition did require, still adding therunto as urgent occasion +in severall times, and as cases did require. + +In these hard & difficulte beginings they found some discontents & +murmurings arise amongst some, and mutinous speeches & carriags in +other; but they were soone quelled & overcome by y^e wisdome, patience, +and just & equall carrage of things by y^e Gov^r and better part, w^ch +clave faithfully togeather in y^e maine. But that which was most sadd & +lamentable was, that in 2. or 3. moneths time halfe of their company +dyed, espetialy in Jan: & February, being y^e depth of winter, and +wanting houses & other comforts; being infected with y^e scurvie & [55] +other diseases, which this long vioage & their inacomodate condition had +brought upon them; so as ther dyed some times 2. or 3. of a day, in y^e +foresaid time; that of 100. & odd persons, scarce 50. remained. And of +these in y^e time of most distres, ther was but 6. or 7. sound persons, +who, to their great comendations be it spoken, spared no pains, night +nor day, but with abundance of toyle and hazard of their owne health, +fetched them woode, made them fires, drest them meat, made their beads, +washed their lothsome cloaths, cloathed & uncloathed them; in a word, +did all y^e homly & necessarie offices for them w^ch dainty & quesie +stomacks cannot endure to hear named; and all this willingly & +cherfully, without any grudging in y^e least, shewing herein their true +love unto their freinds & bretheren. A rare example & worthy to be +remembred. Tow of these 7. were M^r. William Brewster, ther reverend +Elder, & Myles Standish, ther Captein & military comander, unto whom my +selfe, & many others, were much beholden in our low & sicke condition. +And yet the Lord so upheld these persons, as in this generall calamity +they were not at all infected either with sicknes, or lamnes. And what I +have said of these, I may say of many others who dyed in this generall +vissitation, & others yet living, that whilst they had health, yea, or +any strength continuing, they were not wanting to any that had need of +them. And I doute not but their recompence is with y^e Lord. + +But I may not hear pass by an other remarkable passage not to be +forgotten. As this calamitie fell among y^e passengers that were to be +left here to plant, and were hasted a shore and made to drinke water, +that y^e sea-men might have y^e more bear, and one[AK] in his sicknes +desiring but a small cann of beere, it was answered, that if he were +their owne father he should have none; the disease begane to fall +amongst them also, so as allmost halfe of their company dyed before they +went away, and many of their officers and lustyest men, as y^e boatson, +gunner, 3. quarter-maisters, the cooke, & others. At w^ch y^e m^r. was +something strucken and sent to y^e sick a shore and tould y^e Gov^r he +should send for beer for them that had need of it, though he drunke +water homward bound. But now amongst his company [56] ther was farr +another kind of carriage in this miserie then amongst y^e passengers; +for they that before had been boone companions in drinking & joyllity in +y^e time of their health & wellfare, begane now to deserte one another +in this calamitie, saing they would not hasard ther lives for them, they +should be infected by coming to help them in their cabins, and so, after +they came to dye by it, would doe litle or nothing for them, but if they +dyed let them dye. But shuch of y^e passengers as were yet abord shewed +them what mercy they could, w^ch made some of their harts relente, as +y^e boatson (& some others), who was a prowd yonge man, and would often +curse & scofe at y^e passengers; but when he grew weak, they had +compassion on him and helped him; then he confessed he did not deserve +it at their hands, he had abused them in word & deed. O! saith he, you, +I now see, shew your love like Christians indeed one to another, but we +let one another lye & dye like doggs. Another lay cursing his wife, +saing if it had not ben for her he had never come this unlucky viage, +and anone cursing his felows, saing he had done this & that, for some of +them, he had spente so much, & so much, amongst them, and they were now +weary of him, and did not help him, having need. Another gave his +companion all he had, if he died, to help him in his weaknes; he went +and got a litle spise & made him a mess of meat once or twise, and +because he dyed not so soone as he expected, he went amongst his +fellows, & swore y^e rogue would cousen him, he would see him choaked +before he made him any more meate; and yet y^e pore fellow dyed before +morning. + +All this while y^e Indians came skulking about them, and would sometimes +show them selves aloofe of, but when any aproached near them, they would +rune away. And once they stoale away their tools wher they had been at +worke, & were gone to diner. But about y^e 16. _of March_ a certaine +Indian came bouldly amongst them, and spoke to them in broken English, +which they could well understand, but marvelled at it. At length they +understood by discourse with him, that he was not of these parts, but +belonged to y^e eastrene parts, wher some English-ships came to fhish, +with whom he was aquainted, & could name sundrie of them by their names, +amongst whom he had gott his language. He became proftable to them [57] +in aquainting them with many things concerning y^e state of y^e cuntry +in y^e east-parts wher he lived, which was afterwards profitable unto +them; as also of y^e people hear, of their names, number, & strength; of +their situation & distance from this place, and who was cheefe amongst +them. His name was _Samaset_; he tould them also of another Indian whos +name was _Squanto_, a native of this place, who had been in England & +could speake better English then him selfe. Being, after some time of +entertainmente & gifts, dismist, a while after he came againe, & 5. more +with him, & they brought againe all y^e tooles that were stolen away +before, and made way for y^e coming of their great Sachem, called +_Massasoyt_; who, about _4. or 5. days after_, came with the cheefe of +his freinds & other attendance, with the aforesaid _Squanto_. With whom, +after frendly entertainment, & some gifts given him, they made a peace +with him (which hath now continued this 24. years) in these terms. + +1. That neither he nor any of his, should injurie or doe hurte to any of +their peopl. + +2. That if any of his did any hurte to any of theirs, he should send y^e +offender, that they might punish him. + +3. That if any thing were taken away from any of theirs, he should cause +it to be restored; and they should doe y^e like to his. + +4. If any did unjustly warr against him, they would aide him; if any did +warr against them, he should aide them. + +5. He should send to his neighbours confederats, to certifie them of +this, that they might not wrong them, but might be likewise comprised in +y^e conditions of peace. + +6. That when ther men came to them, they should leave their bows & +arrows behind them. + +After these things he returned to his place caled _Sowams_, some 40. +mile from this place, but _Squanto_ continued with them, and was their +interpreter, and was a spetiall instrument sent of God for their good +beyond their expectation. He directed them how to set their corne, wher +to take fish, and to procure other comodities, and was also their pilott +to bring them to unknowne places for their profitt, and never left them +till he dyed. He was a _native [58] of this place_, & scarce any left +alive besids him selfe. He was caried away with diverce others by one +_Hunt_, a m^r. of a ship, who thought to sell them for slaves in Spaine; +but he got away for England, and was entertained by a marchante in +London, & imployed to New-foundland & other parts, & lastly brought +hither into these parts by one M^r. _Dermer_, a gentle-man imployed by +Sr. Ferdinando Gorges & others, for discovery, & other designes in these +parts. Of whom I shall say some thing, because it is mentioned in a +booke set forth An^o: 1622. by the Presidente & Counsell for +New-England,[AL] that he made y^e peace betweene y^e salvages of these +parts & y^e English; of which this plantation, as it is intimated, had +y^e benefite. But what a peace it was, may apeare by what befell him & +his men. + +This M^r. Dermer was hear the same year that these people came, as +apears by a relation written by him, & given me by a friend, bearing +date June 30. An^o: 1620. And they came in Novemb^r: following, so ther +was but 4. months differance. In which relation to his honored freind, +he hath these passages of this very place. + + I will first begine (saith he) w^th that place from whence _Squanto_, + or _Tisquantem_, was taken away; w^ch in Cap: _Smiths mape_ is called + _Plimoth_: and I would that Plimoth had y^e like comodities. I would + that the first plantation might hear be seated, if ther come to the + number of 50. persons, or upward. Otherwise at Charlton, because ther + y^e savages are lese to be feared. The _Pocanawkits_, which live to + y^e _west_ of _Plimoth_, bear an inveterate malice to y^e English, and + are of more streingth then all y^e savags from thence to Penobscote. + Their desire of revenge was occasioned by an English man, who having + many of them on bord, made a great slaughter with their murderers & + smale shot, when as (they say) they offered no injurie on their parts. + Whether they were English or no, it may be douted; yet they beleeve + they were, for y^e Frenche have so possest them; for which cause + _Squanto_ ca[=n]ot deney but they would have kiled me when I was at + _Namasket_, had he not entreated hard for me. The soyle of y^e borders + of [59] this great bay, may be compared to most of y^e plantations + which I have seene in Virginia. The land is of diverce sorts; for + _Patuxite_ is a hardy but strong soyle, _Nawsel & Saughtughtett_ are + for y^e most part a blakish & deep mould, much like that wher groweth + y^e best Tobaco in Virginia. In y^e botume of y^t great bay is store + of Codd & basse, or mulett, &c. + +But above all he comends _Pacanawkite_ for y^e richest soyle, and much +open ground fitt for English graine, &c. + + _Massachussets_ is about 9. leagues from _Plimoth_, & situate in y^e + mids betweene both, is full of ilands & peninsules very fertill for + y^e most parte. + +With sundrie shuch relations which I forbear to transcribe, being now +better knowne then they were to him. + +He was taken prisoner by y^e Indeans at _Manamoiak_ (a place not farr +from hence, now well knowne). He gave them what they demanded for his +liberty, but when they had gott what they desired, they kept him still & +indevored to kill his men; but he was freed by seasing on some of them, +and kept them bound till they gave him a cannows load of corne. Of +which, see Purch: lib. 9. fol. 1778. But this was An^o: 1619. + +After y^e writing of y^e former relation he came to y^e Ile of +_Capawack_ (which lyes south of this place in y^e way to Virginia), and +y^e foresaid _Squanto_ w^th him, wher he going a shore amongst y^e +Indans to trad, as he used to doe, was betrayed & assaulted by them, & +_all his men slaine, but one that kept the boat_; but him selfe gott +abord very sore wounded, & they had cut of his head upon y^e cudy of his +boat, had not y^e man reskued him with a sword. And so they got away, & +made shift to gett into Virginia, wher he dyed; whether of his wounds or +y^e diseases of y^e cuntrie, or both togeather, is uncertaine. [60] By +all which it may appeare how farr these people were from peace, and with +what danger this plantation was begune, save as y^e powerfull hand of +the Lord did protect them. These things[AM] were partly the reason why +they kept aloofe & were so long before they came to the English. An +other reason (as after them selvs made kno[=w]) was how aboute 3. _years +before_, a French-ship was cast away at _Cap-Codd_, but y^e men gott +ashore, & saved their lives, and much of their victails, & other goods; +but after y^e Indeans heard of it, they geathered togeather from these +parts, and never left watching & dogging them till they got advantage, +and _kild them all but 3. or 4._ which they kept, & sent from one Sachem +to another, to make sporte with, and used them worse then slaves; (of +which y^e foresaid M^r. Dermer redeemed 2. of them;) and they conceived +this ship was now come to revenge it. + +Also, (as after was made knowne,) before they came to y^e English to +make freindship, they gott all the _Powachs_ of y^e cuntrie, for 3. days +togeather, in a horid and divellish maner to curse & execrate them with +their cunjurations, which asembly & service they held in a darke & +dismale swampe. + +But to returne. The spring now approaching, it pleased God the +mortalitie begane to cease amongst them, and y^e sick and lame recovered +apace, which put as it were new life into them; though they had borne +their sadd affliction with much patience & contentednes, as I thinke +any people could doe. But it was y^e Lord which upheld them, and had +beforehand prepared them; many having long borne y^e yoake, yea from +their youth. Many other smaler maters I omite, sundrie of them having +been allready published in a Jurnall made by one of the company; and +some other passages of jurneys and relations allredy published, to which +I referr those that are willing to know them more perticulerly. And +being now come to y^e 25. of March I shall begine y^e year 1621. + +[61] _Anno. 1621._ + +They now begane to dispatch y^e ship away which brought them over, which +lay tille aboute this time, or y^e begining of Aprill. The reason on +their parts why she stayed so long, was y^e necessitie and danger that +lay upon them, for it was well towards y^e ende of Desember before she +could land any thing hear, or they able to receive any thing ashore. +Afterwards, y^e 14. of Jan: the house which they had made for a generall +randevoze by casulty fell afire, and some were faine to retire abord for +shilter. Then the sicknes begane to fall sore amongst them, and y^e +weather so bad as they could not make much sooner any dispatch. Againe, +the Gov^r & cheefe of them, seeing so many dye, and fall downe sick +dayly, thought it no wisdom to send away the ship, their condition +considered, and y^e danger they stood in from y^e Indeans, till they +could procure some shelter; and therfore thought it better to draw some +more charge upon them selves & freinds, then hazard all. The m^r. and +sea-men likewise, though before they hasted y^e passengers a shore to be +goone, now many of their men being dead, & of y^e ablest of them, (as is +before noted,) and of y^e rest many lay sick & weake, y^e m^r. durst not +put to sea, till he saw his men begine to recover, and y^e hart of +winter over. + +Afterwards they (as many as were able) began to plant ther corne, in +which servise Squanto stood them in great stead, showing them both y^e +maner how to set it, and after how to dress & tend it. Also he tould +them excepte they gott fish & set with it (in these old grounds) it +would come to nothing, and he showed them y^t in y^e midle of Aprill +they should have store enough come up y^e brooke, by which they begane +to build, and taught them how to take it, and wher to get other +provissions necessary for them; all which they found true by triall & +experience. Some English seed they sew, as wheat & pease, but it came +not to good, eather by y^e badnes of y^e seed, or latenes of y^e season, +or both, or some other defecte. + +[62] In this month of _Aprill_ whilst they were bussie about their seed, +their Gov^r (M^r. John Carver) came out of y^e feild very sick, it being +a hott day; he complained greatly of his head, and lay downe, and within +a few howers his sences failed, so as he never spake more till he dyed, +which was within a few days after. Whoss death was much lamented, and +caused great heavines amongst them, as ther was cause. He was buried in +y^e best maner they could, with some vollies of shott by all that bore +armes; and his wife, being a weak woman, dyed within 5. or 6. weeks +after him. + +Shortly after William Bradford was chosen Gove^r in his stead, and being +not yet recoverd of his ilnes, in which he had been near y^e point of +death, Isaak Allerton was chosen to be an Asistante unto him, who, by +renewed election every year, continued sundry years togeather, which I +hear note once for all. + +_May 12._ was y^e first mariage in this place, which, according to y^e +laudable custome of the Low-Cuntries, in which they had lived, was +thought most requisite to be performed by the magistrate, as being a +civill thing, upon which many questions aboute inheritances doe depende, +with other things most proper to their cognizans, and most consonante to +y^e scripturs, Ruth 4. and no wher found in y^e gospell to be layed on +y^e ministers as a part of their office. "This decree or law about +mariage was published by y^e Stats of y^e Low-Cuntries An^o: 1590. That +those of any religion, after lawfull and open publication, coming before +y^e magistrats, in y^e Town or Stat-house, were to be orderly (by them) +maried one to another." Petets Hist, fol: 1029. And this practiss hath +continued amongst, not only them, but hath been followed by all y^e +famous churches of Christ in these parts to this time,--An^o: 1646. + +Haveing in some sorte ordered their bussines at home, it was thought +meete to send some abroad to see their new friend Massasoyet, and to +bestow upon him some gratuitie to bind him y^e faster unto them; as also +that hearby they might veiw y^e countrie, and see in what maner he +lived, what strength he had aboute him, and how y^e ways were to his +place, if at any time they should have occasion. So y^e 2. _of July_ +they sente M^r. Edward Winslow & M^r. Hopkins, with y^e foresaid Squanto +for ther guid, who gave him a suite of cloaths, and a horsemans coate, +with some other small things, which were kindly accepted; but they found +but short co[=m]ons, and came both weary & hungrie home. For y^e Indeans +used then to have nothing [63] so much corne as they have since y^e +English have stored them with their hows, and seene their industrie in +breaking up new grounds therwith. _They found his place to be 40. miles +from hence_, y^e soyle good, & y^e people not many, being dead & +abundantly wasted in y^e late great mortalitie which fell in all these +parts aboute _three years_ before y^e coming of y^e English, wherin +thousands of them dyed, they not being able to burie one another; ther +sculs and bones were found in many places lying still above ground, +where their houses & dwellings had been; a very sad spectackle to +behould. But they brought word that y^e Narighansets lived but on y^e +other side of that great bay, & were a strong people, & many in number, +living compacte togeather, & had not been at all touched with this +wasting plague. + +Aboute y^e _later end of this month_, one John Billington lost him selfe +in y^e woods, & wandered up & downe some 5. days, living on beries & +what he could find. At length he light on an Indean plantation, 20. mils +south of this place, called _Manamet_, they conveid him furder of, to +_Nawsett_, among those peopl that had before set upon y^e English when +they were costing, whilest y^e ship lay at y^e Cape, as is before noted. +But y^e Gove^r caused him to be enquired for among y^e Indeans, and at +length Massassoyt sent word wher he was, and y^e Gove^r sent a shalop +for him, & had him delivered. Those people also came and made their +peace; and they gave full satisfaction to those whose come they had +found & taken when they were at Cap-Codd. + +Thus ther peace & aquaintance was prety well establisht w^th the natives +aboute them; and ther was an other Indean called _Hobamack_ come to live +amongst them, a proper lustie man, and a man of accounte for his vallour +& parts amongst y^e Indeans, and continued very faithfull and constant +to y^e English till he dyed. He & Squanto being gone upon bussines +amonge y^e Indeans, at their returne (whether it was out of envie to +them or malice to the English) ther was a Sachem called Corbitant, alyed +to Massassoyte, but never any good friend to y^e English to this day, +mett with them at an Indean towne caled Namassakett 14. miles to y^e +west of this place, and begane to quarell w^th [64] them, and offered to +stabe Hobamack; but being a lusty man, he cleared him selfe of him, and +came ru[=n]ing away all sweating and tould y^e Gov^r what had befalne +him, and he feared they had killed Squanto, for they threatened them +both, and for no other cause but because they were freinds to y^e +English, and servisable unto them. Upon this y^e Gove^r taking counsell, +it was conceivd not fitt to be borne; for if they should suffer their +freinds & messengers thus to be wronged, they should have none would +cleave unto them, or give them any inteligence, or doe them serviss +afterwards; but nexte they would fall upon them selves. Whereupon it was +resolved to send y^e Captaine & 14. men well armed, and to goe & fall +upon them in y^e night; and if they found that Squanto was kild, to cut +of Corbitants head, but not to hurt any but those that had a hand in it. +Hobamack was asked if he would goe & be their guid, & bring them ther +before day. He said he would, & bring them to y^e house wher the man +lay, and show them which was he. So they set forth y^e 14. _of August_, +and beset y^e house round; the Captin giving charg to let none pass out, +entred y^e house to search for him. But he was goone away that day, so +they mist him; but understood y^t Squanto was alive, & that he had only +threatened to kill him, & made an offer to stabe him but did not. So +they withheld and did no more hurte, & y^e people came trembling, & +brought them the best provissions they had, after they were aquainted by +Hobamack what was only intended. Ther was 3. sore wounded which broak +out of y^e house, and asaid to pass through y^e garde. These they +brought home with them, & they had their wounds drest & cured, and sente +home. After this they had many gratulations from diverce sachims, and +much firmer peace; yea, those of y^e Iles of Capawack sent to make +frendship; and this Corbitant him selfe used y^e mediation of +Massassoyte to make his peace, but was shie to come neare them a longe +while after. + +After this, y^e 18. of Septemb^r: they sente out ther shalop to the +Massachusets, with 10. men, and Squanto for their guid and [65] +interpreter, to discover and veiw that bay, and trade with y^e natives; +the which they performed, and found kind entertainement. The people were +much affraid of y^e Tarentins, a people to y^e eastward which used to +come in harvest time and take away their corne, & many times kill their +persons. They returned in saftie, and brought home a good quanty of +beaver, and made reporte of y^e place, wishing they had been ther +seated; (but it seems y^e Lord, who assignes to all men y^e bounds of +their habitations, had apoynted it for an other use). And thus they +found the Lord to be with them in all their ways, and to blesse their +outgoings & inco[=m]ings, for which let his holy name have y^e praise +for ever, to all posteritie. + +They begane now to gather in y^e small harvest they had, and to fitte up +their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in +health & strenght, and had all things in good plenty; for as some were +thus imployed in affairs abroad, others were excersised in fishing, +aboute codd, & bass, & other fish, of which y^ey tooke good store, of +which every family had their portion. All y^e so[=m]er ther was no +wante. And now begane to come in store of foule, as winter aproached, of +which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward +decreased by degrees). And besids water foule, ther was great store of +wild Turkies, of which they tooke many, besids venison, &c. Besids they +had aboute a peck a meale a weeke to a person, or now since harvest, +Indean corne to y^t proportion. Which made many afterwards write so +largly of their plenty hear to their freinds in England, which were not +fained, but true reports. + +In Novemb^r, about y^e time twelfe month that them selves came, ther +came in a small ship to them unexpected or loked for,[AN] in which came +Mr. Cushman (so much spoken of before) and with him 35. persons to +remaine & live in y^e plantation; which did not a litle rejoyce them. +And they when they came a shore and found all well, and saw plenty of +vitails in every house, were no less glade. For most of them were lusty +yonge men, and many of them wild enough, who litle considered whither or +aboute what they wente, till they came into y^e harbore at Cap-Codd, and +ther saw nothing but a naked and barren place. They then begane to +thinke what should become of them, if the people here were dead or cut +of by y^e Indeans. They begane to consulte (upon some speeches that some +of y^e sea-men had cast out) to take y^e sayls from y^e yeard least y^e +ship [66] should gett away and leave them ther. But y^e m^r. hereing of +it, gave them good words, and tould them if any thing but well should +have befallne y^e people hear, he hoped he had vitails enough to cary +them to Virginia, and whilst he had a bitt they should have their parte; +which gave them good satisfaction. So they were all landed; but ther was +not so much as bisket-cake or any other victialls[AO] for them, neither +had they any beding, but some sory things they had in their cabins, nor +pot, nor pan, to drese any meate in; nor overmany cloaths, for many of +them had brusht away their coats & cloaks at Plimoth as they came. But +ther was sent over some burching-lane suits in y^e ship, out of which +they were supplied. The plantation was glad of this addition of +strenght, but could have wished that many of them had been of beter +condition, and all of them beter furnished with provissions; but y^t +could not now be helpte. + +In this ship M^r. Weston sent a large leter to M^r. Carver, y^e late +Gove^r, now deseased, full of complaints & expostulations aboute former +passagess at Hampton; and y^e keeping y^e shipe so long in y^e country, +and returning her without lading, &c., which for brevitie I omite. The +rest is as followeth. + +_Part of Mr. Westons letter_. + + I durst never aquainte y^e adventurers with y^e alteration of y^e + conditions first agreed on betweene us, which I have since been very + glad of, for I am well assured had they knowne as much as I doe, they + would not have adventured a halfe-peny of what was necesary for this + ship. That you sent no lading in the ship is wonderfull, and worthily + distasted. I know you^r weaknes was the cause of it, and I beleeve + more weaknes of judgmente, then weaknes of hands. A quarter of y^e + time you spente in discoursing, arguing, & consulting, would have done + much more; but that is past, &c. If you mean, bona fide, to performe + the conditions agreed upon, doe us y^e favore to coppy them out faire, + and subscribe them with y^e principall of your names. And likwise give + us accounte as perticulerly as you can how our moneys were laid out. + And then I shall be able to give them some satisfaction, whom I am now + forsed with good words to shift of. And consider that y^e life of the + bussines depends on y^e lading of this ship, which, if you doe to any + good purpose, that I may be freed from y^e great sums I have disbursed + for y^e former, and must doe for the later, _I promise you I will + never quit y^e bussines, though all the other adventurers should._ + + [67] We have procured you a Charter, the best we could, which is beter + then your former, and with less limitation. For any thing y^t is els + worth writting, M^r. Cushman can informe you. I pray write instantly + for M^r. Robinson to come to you. And so praying God to blesse you + with all graces nessessary both for this life & that to come, I rest + + Your very loving frend, + THO. WESTON. + + London, July 6. 1621. + +This ship (caled y^e Fortune) was speedily dispatcht away, being laden +with good clapbord as full as she could stowe, and 2. hoggsheads of +beaver and otter skins, which they gott with a few trifling comodities +brought with them at first, being alltogeather unprovided for trade; +neither was ther any amongst them that ever saw a beaver skin till they +came hear, and were informed by Squanto. The fraight was estimated to be +worth near 500^li. M^r. Cushman returned backe also with this ship, for +so Mr. Weston & y^e rest had apoynted him, for their better information. +And he doubted not, nor them selves neither, but they should have a +speedy supply; considering allso how by M^r. Cushmans perswation, and +letters received from Leyden, wherin they willed them so to doe, they +yeelded[AP] to y^e afforesaid conditions, and subscribed them with their +hands. But it proved other wise, for Mr. Weston, who had made y^e large +promise in his leter, (as is before noted,) that if all y^e rest should +fall of, yet he would never quit y^e bussines, but stick to them, if +they yeelded to y^e conditions, and sente some lading in y^e ship; and +of this M^r. Cushman was confident, and confirmed y^e same from his +mouth, & serious protestations to him selfe before he came. But all +proved but wind, for he was y^e first and only man that forsooke them, +and that before he so much as heard of y^e returne of this ship, or knew +what was done; (so vaine is the confidence in man.) But of this more in +its place. + +A leter in answer to his write to M^r. Carver, was sente to him from y^e +Gov^r, of which so much as is pertenente to y^e thing in hand I shall +hear inserte. + + S^r: Your large letter writen to M^r. Carver, and dated y^e 6. of + July, 1621, I have received y^e 10. of Novemb^r, wherin (after y^e + apologie made for your selfe) you lay many heavie imputations upon him + and us all. Touching him, he is departed this life, and now is at rest + [68] in y^e Lord from all those troubls and incoumbrances with which + we are yet to strive. He needs not my appologie; for his care and + pains was so great for y^e commone good, both ours and yours, as that + therwith (it is thought) he oppressed him selfe and shortened his + days; of whose loss we cannot sufficiently complaine. At great charges + in this adventure, I confess you have beene, and many losses may + sustaine; but y^e loss of his and many other honest and industrious + mens lives, cannot be vallewed at any prise. Of y^e one, ther may be + hope of recovery, but y^e other no recompence can make good. But I + will not insiste in generalls, but come more perticulerly to y^e + things them selves. You greatly blame us for keping y^e ship so long + in y^e countrie, and then to send her away emptie. She lay 5. weks at + Cap-Codd, whilst with many a weary step (after a long journey) and the + indurance of many a hard brunte, we sought out in the foule winter a + place of habitation. Then we went in so tedious a time to make + provission to sheelter us and our goods, aboute w^ch labour, many of + our armes & leggs can tell us to this day we were not necligent. But + it pleased God to vissite us then, with death dayly, and with so + generall a disease, that the living were scarce able to burie the + dead; and y^e well not in any measure sufficiente to tend y^e sick. + And now to be so greatly blamed, for not fraighting y^e ship, doth + indeed goe near us, and much discourage us. But you say you know we + will pretend weaknes; and doe you think we had not cause? Yes, you + tell us you beleeve it, but it was more weaknes of judgmente, then of + hands. Our weaknes herin is great we confess, therfore we will bear + this check patiently amongst y^e rest, till God send us wiser men. But + they which tould you we spent so much time in discoursing & + consulting, &c., their harts can tell their toungs, they lye. They + cared not, so they might salve their owne sores, how they wounded + others. Indeed, it is our callamitie that we are (beyound expectation) + yoked with some ill conditioned people, who will never doe good, but + corrupte and abuse others, &c. + +The rest of y^e letter declared how they had subscribed those conditions +according to his desire, and sente him y^e former accounts very +perticulerly; also how y^e ship was laden, and in what condition their +affairs stood; that y^e coming of these [69] people would bring famine +upon them unavoydably, if they had not supply in time (as Mr. Cushman +could more fully informe him & y^e rest of y^e adventurers). Also that +seeing he was now satisfied in all his demands, that offences would be +forgoten, and he remember his promise, &c. + +After y^e departure of this ship, (which stayed not above 14. days,) the +Gove^r & his assistante haveing disposed these late co[=m]ers into +severall families, as y^ey best could, tooke an exacte accounte of all +their provissions in store, and proportioned y^e same to y^e number of +persons, and found that it would not hould out above 6. months at halfe +alowance, and hardly that. And they could not well give less this winter +time till fish came in againe. So they were presently put to half +alowance, one as well as an other, which begane to be hard, but they +bore it patiently under hope of supply. + +Sone after this ships departure, y^e great people of y^e Narigansets, in +a braving maner, sente a messenger unto them with a bundl of arrows tyed +aboute with a great sneak-skine; which their interpretours tould them +was a threatening & a chaleng. Upon which y^e Gov^r, with y^e advice of +others, sente them a round answere, that if they had rather have warre +then peace, they might begine when they would; they had done them no +wrong, neither did y^ey fear them, or should they find them unprovided. +And by another messenger sente y^e sneake-skine back with bulits in it; +but they would not receive it, but sent it back againe. But these +things I doe but mention, because they are more at large allready put +forth in printe, by M^r. Winslow, at y^e requeste of some freinds. And +it is like y^e reason was their owne ambition, who, (since y^e death of +so many of y^e Indeans,) thought to dominire & lord it over y^e rest, & +conceived y^e English would be a barr in their way, and saw that +Massasoyt took sheilter allready under their wings. + +But this made them y^e more carefully to looke to them selves, so as +they agreed to inclose their dwellings with a good strong pale, and make +flankers in convenient places, with gates to shute, which were every +night locked, and a watch kept, and when neede required ther was also +warding in y^e day time. And y^e company was by y^e Captaine and y^e +Gov^r [70] advise, devided into 4. squadrons, and every one had ther +quarter apoynted them, unto which they were to repaire upon any suddane +alarme. And if ther should be any crie of fire, a company were appointed +for a gard, with muskets, whilst others quenchet y^e same, to prevent +Indean treachery. This was accomplished very cherfully, and y^e towne +impayled round by y^e begining of March, in which evry family had a +prety garden plote secured. And herewith I shall end this year. Only I +shall remember one passage more, rather of mirth then of waight. One y^e +day called Chrismasday, y^e Gov^r caled them out to worke, (as was +used,) but y^e most of this new-company excused them selves and said it +wente against their consciences to work on y^t day. So y^e Gov^r tould +them that if they made it mater of conscience, he would spare them till +they were better informed. So he led-away y^e rest and left them; but +when they came home at noone from their worke, he found them in y^e +streete at play, openly; some pitching y^e barr, & some at stoole-ball, +and shuch like sports. So he went to them, and tooke away their +implements, and tould them that was against his conscience, that they +should play & others worke. If they made y^e keeping of it mater of +devotion, let them kepe their houses, but ther should be no gameing or +revelling in y^e streets. Since which time nothing hath been atempted +that way, at least openly. + +_Anno 1622._ + +At y^e spring of y^e year they had apointed y^e Massachusets to come +againe and trade with them, and begane now to prepare for that vioag +about y^e later end of March. But upon some rumors heard, Hobamak, their +Indean, tould them upon some jealocies he had, he feared they were +joyned w^th y^e Narighansets and might betray them if they were not +carefull. He intimated also some jealocie of Squanto, by what he +gathered from some private whisperings betweene him and other Indeans. +But [71] they resolved to proseede, and sente out their shalop with 10. +of their cheefe men aboute y^e begining of Aprill, and both Squanto & +Hobamake with them, in regarde of y^e jelocie betweene them. But they +had not bene gone longe, but an Indean belonging to Squantos family came +runing in seeming great fear, and tould them that many of y^e +Narihgansets, with Corbytant, and he thought also Massasoyte, were +coming against them; and he gott away to tell them, not without danger. +And being examined by y^e Gov^r, he made as if they were at hand, and +would still be looking back, as if they were at his heels. At which the +Governor caused them to take armes & stand on their garde, and supposing +y^e boat to be still within hearing (by reason it was calme) caused a +warning peece or 2. to be shote of, the which y^ey heard and came in. +But no Indeans apeared; watch was kepte all night, but nothing was +scene. Hobamak was confidente for Massasoyt, and thought all was false; +yet y^e Gov^r caused him to send his wife privatly, to see what she +could observe (pretening other occasions), but ther was nothing found, +but all was quiet. After this they proseeded on their vioge to y^e +Massachusets, and had good trade, and returned in saftie, blessed be +God. + +But by the former passages, and other things of like nature, they begane +to see y^t Squanto sought his owne ends, and plaid his owne game, by +putting y^e Indeans in fear, and drawing gifts from them to enrich him +selfe; making them beleeve he could stur up warr against whom he would, +& make peece for whom he would. Yea, he made them beleeve they kept y^e +plague buried in y^e ground, and could send it amongs whom they would, +which did much terrifie the Indeans, and made them depend more on him, +and seeke more to him then to Massasoyte, which proucured him envie, and +had like to have cost him his life. For after y^e discovery of his +practises, Massasoyt sought it both privatly and openly; which caused +him to stick close to y^e English, & never durst goe from them till he +dyed. They also made good use of y^e emulation y^t grue betweene +Hobamack and him, which made them cary more squarely. And y^e Gov^r +seemed to countenance y^e one, and y^e Captaine y^e other, by which they +had better intelligence, and made them both more diligente. + +[72] Now in a maner their provissions were wholy spent, and they looked +hard for supply, but none came. But about y^e _later end of May_, they +spied _a boat_ at sea, which at first they thought had beene some +Frenchman; but it proved a shalop which came from a ship which M^r. +Weston & an other had set out a fishing, at a place called +Damarins-cove, 40. leagues to y^e eastward of them, wher were y^t year +many more ships come a fishing. This boat brought 7. passengers and some +letters, but no vitails, nor any hope of any. Some part of which I shall +set downe. + + M^r. Carver, in my last leters by y^e Fortune, in whom M^r Cushman + wente, and who I hope is with you, for we daly expecte y^e shipe back + againe. She departed hence, y^e begining of July, with 35. persons, + though not over well provided with necesaries, by reason of y^e + parsemonie of y^e adventurers.[AQ] I have solisited them to send you a + supply of men and provissions before shee come. They all answer they + will doe great maters, when they hear good news. Nothing before; so + faithfull, constant, & carefull of your good, are your olde & honest + freinds, that if they hear not from you, they are like to send you no + supplie, &c. I am now to relate y^e occasion of sending _this ship_, + hoping if you give credite to my words, you will have a more + favourable opinion of it, then some hear, wherof Pickering is one, who + taxed me to mind my owne ends, which is in part true, &c. _M^r. + Beachamp and my selfe_ bought _this litle ship_, and have set her out, + partly, if it may be, to uphold[AR] y^e plantation, as well to doe + others good as our selves; and partly to gett up what we are formerly + out; though we are otherwise censured, &c. This is y^e occasion we + have sent _this ship_ and these passengers, on our owne accounte; whom + we desire you will frendly entertaine & supply with shuch necesaries + as you cane spare, and they wante, &c. And among other things we pray + you lend or sell them some seed corne, and if you have y^e salt + remaining of y^e last year, that y^u will let them have it for their + presente use, and we will either pay you for it, or give you more when + we have set our salt-pan to worke, which we desire may be set up in + one of y^e litle ilands in your bay, &c. And because we intende, if + God plase, [73] (and y^e generallitie doe it not,) _to send within a + month another shipe_, who, having discharged her passengers, _shal goe + to Virginia_, &c. And it may be we shall send a _small ship to abide + with you_ on y^e coast, which I conceive may be a great help to y^e + plantation. To y^e end our desire may be effected, which, I assure my + selfe, will be also for your good, we pray you give them + entertainmente in your houses y^e time they shall be with you, that + they may lose no time, but may presently goe in hand to fell trees & + cleave them, to y^e end lading may be ready and our ship stay not. + + Some of y^e adventurers have sent you hearwith all some directions for + your furtherance in y^e co[=m]one bussines, who are like those S^t. + James speaks of, y^t bid their brother eat, and warme him, but give + him nothing; so they bid you make salt, and uphold y^e plantation, but + send you no means wherwithall to doe it, &c. By _y^e next_ we purpose + _to send more people on our owne accounte_, and _to take a patente_; + that if your peopl should be as unhumane as some of y^e adventurers, + not to admite us to dwell with them, which were extreme barbarisme, + and which will never enter into my head to thinke you have any shuch + Pickerings amongst you. Yet to satisfie our passengers I must of force + doe it; and for some other reasons not necessary to be writen, &c. I + find y^e generall so backward, and your freinds at Leyden so could, + that I fear you must stand on your leggs, and trust (as they say) to + God and your selves. + + Subscribed, + your loving freind, + THO: WESTON. + + Jan: 12. 1621. + +Sundry other things I pass over, being tedious & impertinent. + +All this was but could comfort to fill their hungrie bellies, and a +slender performance of his former late promiss; and as litle did it +either fill or warme them, as those y^e Apostle James spake of, by him +before mentioned. And well might it make them remember what y^e psalmist +saith, Psa. 118. 8. _It is better to trust in the Lord, then to have +confidence in man._ And Psa. 146. _Put not you trust in princes_ (much +less in y^e marchants) _nor in y^e sone of man, for ther is no help in +them._ v. 5. _Blesed is he that hath y^e God of Jacob for his help, +whose hope is in y^e Lord his God._ And as they were now fayled of suply +by him and others in this their greatest neede and wants, which was +caused by him and y^e rest, who put so great a company of men upon them, +as y^e former company were, without any food, and came at shuch a time +as they must live almost a whole year before any could [74] be raised, +excepte they had sente some; so, upon y^e pointe they never had any +supply of vitales more afterwards (but what the Lord gave them +otherwise); for all y^e company sent at any time was allways too short +for those people y^t came with it. + +Ther came allso _by y^e same ship_ other leters, but of later date, one +from M^r. Weston, an other from a parte of y^e adventurers, as foloweth. + + M^r. Carver, since my last, to y^e end we might y^e more readily + proceed to help y^e generall, at a meeting of some of y^e principall + adventurers, a proposition was put forth, & alowed by all presente + (save Pickering), to adventure each man y^e third parte of what he + formerly had done. And ther are some other y^t folow his example, and + will adventure no furder. In regard wherof y^e greater part of y^e + adventurers being willing to uphold y^e bussines, finding it no reason + that those y^t are willing should uphold y^e bussines of those that + are unwilling, whose backwardnes doth discourage those that are + forward, and hinder other new-adventurers from coming in, we having + well considered therof, have resolved, according to an article in y^e + agreemente, (_that it may be lawfull by a generall consente of y^e + adventurers & planters, upon just occasion, to breake of their joynte + stock_,) to breake it of; and doe pray you to ratifie, and confirme + y^e same on your parts. Which being done, we shall y^e more willingly + goe forward for y^e upholding of you with all things necesarie. But in + any case you must agree to y^e artickls, and send it by y^e first + under your hands & seals. So I end + + Your loving freind, + THO: WESTON. + + Jan: 17. 1621. + +Another leter was write from part of y^e company of y^e adventurers to +the same purpose, and subscribed with 9. of their names, wherof M^r. +Westons & M^r. Beachamphs were tow. Thes things seemed strang unto them, +seeing this unconstancie & shufling; it made them to thinke ther was +some misterie in y^e matter. And therfore y^e Gov^r concealed these +letters from y^e publick, only imparted them to some trustie freinds for +advice, who concluded with him, that this tended to disband & scater +them (in regard of their straits); and if M^r. Weston & others, who +seemed to rune in a perticuler way, should come over with shiping so +provided as his letters did intimate, they most would fall to him, to +y^e prejudice of them selves & y^e rest of the adventurers,[AS] their +freinds, from whom as yet they heard nothing. And it was doubted whether +he had not sente [75] over shuch a company in y^e former ship, for +shuch an end. Yet they tooke compassion of those 7. men which _this +ship, which fished to y^e eastward, had kept till planting time was +over_, and so could set no corne; and allso wanting vitals, (for y^ey +turned them off w^{th}out any, and indeed wanted for them selves,) +neither was their salt-pan come, so as y^ey could not performe any of +those things which M^r. Weston had apointed, and might have starved if +y^e plantation had not succoured them; who, in their wants, gave them as +good as any of their owne. _The ship wente to Virginia_, wher they sould +both ship & fish, of which (it was conceived) M^r. Weston had a very +slender accounte. + +_After this came another of his ships_, and brought letters dated y^e +10. of Aprill, from M^r. Weston, as followeth. + + M^r. Bradford, these, &c. _The Fortune_ is arived, of whose good news + touching your estate & proce[=e]ings, I am very glad to hear. And how + soever he was robed on y^e way by y^e Frenchmen, yet I hope your loss + will not be great, for y^e conceite of so great a returne doth much + animate y^e adventurers, so y^t I hope some matter of importance will + be done by them, &c. As for my selfe, I have sould my adventure & + debts unto them, so as I am quit[AT] of you, & you of me, for that + matter, &c. Now though I have nothing to pretend as an adventurer + amongst you, yet I will advise you a litle for your good, if you can + apprehend it. I perceive & know as well as another, y^e dispositions + of _your adventurers_, whom y^e hope of gaine hath drawne on to this + they have done; and yet I fear y^t hope will not draw them much + furder. Besids, _most of them are against the sending of them of + Leyden, for whose cause this bussines was first begune_, and some of + y^e most religious (as M^r. Greene by name) excepts against them. So + y^t my advice is (you may follow it if you please) that you forthwith + break of your joynte stock, which you have warente to doe, both in law + & conscience, for y^e most parte of y^e adventurers have given way + unto it by a former letter. And y^e means you have ther, which I hope + will be to some purpose by y^e trade of this spring, may, with y^e + help of some freinds hear, bear y^e charge of tr[=a]sporting those of + Leyden; and when they are with you I make no question but by Gods help + you will be able to subsist of your selves. But I shall leave you to + your discretion. + + I desired diverce of y^e adventurers, as M^r. Peirce, M^r. Greene, & + others, if they had any thing to send you, either vitails or leters, + to send them _by these ships_; and marvelling they sent not so much as + a letter, I asked our passengers what leters they had, and with some + dificultie one of them tould me he had one, which was delivered him + with [76] great charge of secrecie; and for more securitie, to buy a + paire of new-shoes, & sow it betweene y^e soles for fear of + intercepting. I, taking y^e leter, wondering what mistrie might be in + it, broke it open, and found this treacherous letter subscribed by y^e + hands of M^r. Pickering & M^r. Greene. Wich leter had it come to you^r + hands without answer, might have caused y^e hurt, if not y^e ruine, of + us all. For assuredly if you had followed their instructions, and + shewed us that unkindness which they advise you unto, to hold us in + distruste as enimise, &c., it might have been an occasion to have set + us togeather by y^e eares, to y^e distruction of us all. For I doe + beleeve that in shuch a case, they knowing what bussines hath been + betweene us, not only my brother, but others also, would have been + violent, and heady against you, &c. I mente to have setled y^e people + I before and now send, with or near you, as well for their as your + more securitie and defence, as help on all occasions. But I find y^e + adventurers so jealous & suspitious, that I have altered my + resolution, & given order to my brother & those with him, to doe as + they and him selfe shall find fitte. Thus, &c. + + Your loving friend, + THO: WESTON. + + Aprill 10. 1621. + +_Some part of Mr. Pickerings letter before mentioned._ + + To M^r. Bradford & M^r. Brewster, &c. + + My dear love remembred unto you all, &c. The company hath bought out + M^r. Weston, and are very glad they are freed of him, he being judged + a man y^t thought him selfe above y^e generall, and not expresing so + much y^e fear of God as was meete in a man to whom shuch trust should + have been reposed in a matter of so great importance. I am sparing to + be so plaine as indeed is clear against him; but a few words to y^e + wise. + + M^r. Weston will not permitte leters to be sent in _his ships_, nor + any thing for your good or ours, of which ther is some reason in + respecte of him selfe, &c. His brother Andrew, whom he doth send as + principall _in one of these ships_, is a heady yong man, & violente, + and set against you ther, & y^e company hear; ploting with M^r. Weston + their owne ends, which tend to your & our undooing in respecte of our + estates ther, and prevention of our good ends. For by credible + testimoney we are informed his purpose is to come to your colonie, + pretending he comes for and from y^e adventurers, and will seeke to + gett what you have in readynes [77] into _his ships_, as if they came + from y^e company, & possessing all, will be so much profite to him + selfe. And further to informe them selves what spetiall places or + things you have discovered, to y^e end that they may supres & deprive + you, &c. + + The Lord, who is y^e watchman of Israll & slepeth not, preserve you & + deliver you from unreasonable men. I am sorie that ther is cause to + admonish you of these things concerning this man; so I leave you to + God, who bless and multiply you into thousands, to the advancemente of + y^e glorious gospell of our Lord Jesus. Amen. Fare well. + + Your loving freinds, + EDWARD PICKERING. + WILLIAM GREENE. + + I pray conceale both y^e writing & deliverie of this leter, but make + the best use of it. _We hope to sete forth a ship our selves with in + this month._ + +_The heads of his answer._ + + M^r. Bradford, this is y^e leter y^t I wrote unto you of, which to + answer in every perticuler is needles & tedious. My owne conscience & + all our people can and I thinke will testifie, y^t my end in sending + _y^e ship Sparrow_ was your good, &c. Now I will not deney but ther + are many of our people rude fellows, as these men terme them; yet I + presume they will be governed by such as I set over them. And I hope + not only to be able to reclaime them from y^t profanenes that may + scandalise y^e vioage, but by degrees to draw them to God, &c. I am so + farr from sending rude fellows to deprive you either by fraude or + violence of what is yours, as I have charged y^e m^r. of y^e _ship + Sparrow_, not only to leave with you 2000. of bread, but also a good + quantitie of fish,[AU] &c. But I will leave it to you to consider what + evill this leter would or might have done, had it come to your hands & + taken y^e effecte y^e other desired. + + Now if you be of y^e mind y^t these men are, deale plainly with us, & + we will seeke our residence els-wher. If you are as freindly as we + have thought you to be, give us y^e entertainment of freinds, and we + will take nothing from you, neither meat, drinke, nor lodging, but + what we will, in one kind or other, pay you for, &c. I shall leave in + y^e countrie _a litle ship_ (if God send her safe thither) with + mariners & fisher-men to stay ther, who shall coast, & trad with y^e + savages, & y^e old plantation. It may be we shall be as helpfull to + you, as you will be to us. I thinke I shall see you y^e next spring; + and so I comend you to y^e protection of God, who ever keep you. + + Your loving friend, + THO: WESTON. + +[78] Thus all ther hops in regard of M^r. Weston were layed in y^e dust, +and all his promised helpe turned into an empttie advice, which they +apprehended was nether lawfull nor profitable for them to follow. And +they were not only thus left destitute of help in their extreme wants, +haveing neither vitails, nor any thing to trade with, but others +prepared & ready to glean up what y^e cuntrie might have afforded for +their releefe. As for those harsh censures & susspitions intimated in +y^e former and following leters, they desired to judg as charitably and +wisly of them as they could, waighing them in y^e ballance of love and +reason; and though they (in parte) came from godly & loveing freinds, +yet they conceived many things might arise from over deepe jealocie and +fear, togeather with unmeete provocations, though they well saw M^r. +Weston pursued his owne ends, and was imbittered in spirite. For after +the receit of y^e former leters, the Gov^r received one from M^r. +Cushman, who went home in y^e ship, and was allway intimate with M^r. +Weston, (as former passages declare), and it was much marveled that +nothing was heard from him, all this while. But it should seeme it was +y^e difficulty of sending, for this leter was directed as y^e leter of a +wife to her husband, who was here, and brought by him to y^e Gov^r. It +was as followeth. + + Beloved S^r: I hartily salute you, with trust of your health, and many + thanks for your love. By Gods providence we got well home y^e 17. _of + Feb_. Being robbed by y^e French-men by y^e way, and carried by them + into France, and were kepte ther 15. days, and lost all y^t we had + that was worth taking; but thanks be to God, we escaped with our lives + & ship. I see not y^t it worketh any discouragment hear. I purpose by + Gods grace _to see you_ shortly, _I hope in June nexte, or before_. In + y^e mean space know these things, and I pray you be advertised a + litle. M^r. Weston hath quite broken of from our company, through some + discontents y^t arose betwext him and some of our adventurers, & hath + sould all his adventurs, & _hath now sent 3. smale ships for his + perticuler plantation_. The _greatest_ wherof, _being 100. tune_, M^r. + Reynolds goeth m^r. and he with y^e rest purposeth to come him selfe; + for what end I know not. + + The people which they cary are no men for us, wherfore I pray you + entertaine them not, neither exchainge man for man with them, excepte + it be some of your worst. He hath taken a patente for him selfe. If + they offerr to buy any thing of you, let it be shuch as you can spare, + and let them give y^e worth of it. If they borrow any thing of you, + let them leave a good pawne, &c. It is like he [78[AV]] will plant to + y^e southward of y^e Cape, for William Trevore hath lavishly tould but + what he knew or imagined of Capewack, Mohiggen, & y^e Narigansets. I + fear these people will hardly deale so well with y^e savages as they + should. I pray you therfore signifie to Squanto, that they are a + distincte body from us, and we have nothing to doe with them, neither + must be blamed for their falts, much less can warrente their + fidelitie. We are aboute to recover our losses in France. Our freinds + at Leyden are well, and will come to you as many as can _this time_. I + hope all will turne to y^e best, wherfore I pray you be not + discouraged, but gather up your selfe to goe thorow these dificulties + cherfully & with courage in y^t place wherin God hath sett you, untill + y^e day of refreshing come. And y^e Lord God of sea & land bring us + comfortably togeather againe, if it may stand with his glorie. + + Yours, + ROBART CUSHMAN. + + +On y^e other sid of y^e leafe, in y^e same leter, came these few lines +from M^r. John Peirce, in whose name the patente was taken, and of whom +more will follow, to be spoken in its place. + + Worthy S^r: I desire you to take into consideration that which is + writen on y^e other side, and not any way to damnifie your owne + collony, whos strength is but weaknes, and may therby be more + infeebled. And for y^e leters of association, by y^e next ship we + send, I hope you shall receive satisfaction; in y^e mean time whom you + admite I will approve. But as for M^r. Weston's company, I thinke them + so base in condition (for y^e most parte) as in all apearance not + fitt for an honest mans company. I wish they prove other wise. My + purpose is not to enlarge my selfe, but cease in these few lins, and + so rest + + Your loving freind, + JOHN PEIRCE. + + +All these things they pondred and well considered, yet concluded to give +his men frendly entertainmente; partly in regard of M^r. Weston him +selfe, considering what he had been unto them, & done for them, & to +some, more espetially; and partly in compassion to y^e people, who were +now come into a willdernes, (as them selves were,) and were by _y^e +ship_ to be presently put a shore, (for she was _to cary other +passengers to Virginia_, who lay at great charge,) and they were +alltogeather unacquainted & knew not what to doe. So as they had +received his former company of 7. men, and vitailed them as their owne +hitherto, so they also received _these_ (being aboute 60. lusty men), +and gave [79] housing for them selves and their goods; and many being +sicke, they had y^e best means y^e place could aford them. They stayed +hear y^e most parte of y^e so[=m]er till _y^e ship came back againe from +Virginia_. Then, by his direction, or those whom he set over them, they +removed into y^e Massachusset Bay, he having got a patente for some part +ther, (by light of ther former discovery in leters sent home). Yet they +left all ther sicke folke hear till they were setled and housed. But of +ther victails they had not any, though they were in great wante, nor +any thing els in recompence of any courtecie done them; neither did they +desire it, for they saw they were an unruly company, and had no good +govermente over them, and by disorder would soone fall into wants if +M^r. Weston came not y^e sooner amongst them; and therfore, to prevente +all after occasion, would have nothing of them. + +Amids these streigths, and y^e desertion of those from whom they had +hoped for supply, and when famine begane now to pinch them sore, they +not knowing what to doe, the Lord, (who never fails his,) presents them +with an occasion, beyond all expectation. This boat which came from y^e +eastward brought them a letter from a stranger, of whose name they had +never heard before, being a captaine of a ship come ther a fishing. This +leter was as followeth. Being thus inscribed. + + To all his good freinds at Plimoth, these, &c. + + Freinds, cuntrimen, & neighbours: I salute you, and wish you all + health and hapines in y^e Lord. I make bould with these few lines to + trouble you, because unless I were unhumane, I can doe no less. Bad + news doth spread it selfe too farr; yet I will so farr informe you + that my selfe, with many good freinds in y^e south-collonie of + Virginia, have received shuch a blow, that 400. persons large will not + make good our losses. Therfore I doe intreat you (allthough not + knowing you) that y^e old rule which I learned when I went to schoole, + may be sufficente. That is, Hapie is he whom other mens harmes doth + make to beware. And now againe and againe, wishing all those y^t + willingly would serve y^e Lord, all health and happines in this world, + and everlasting peace in y^e world to come. And so I rest, + + Yours, + JOHN HUDLSTON. + + +By this boat y^e Gov^r returned a thankfull answer, as was meete, and +sent a boate of their owne with them, which was piloted by them, in +which M^r. Winslow was sente to procure what provissions he could of y^e +ships, who was kindly received by y^e foresaid gentill-man, who not only +spared what he [90[AW]] could, but writ to others to doe y^e like. By +which means he gott some good quantitie and returned in saftie, by which +y^e plantation had a duble benefite, first, a present refreshing by y^e +food brought, and secondly, they knew y^e way to those parts for their +benifite hearafter. But what was gott, & this small boat brought, being +devided among so many, came but to a litle, yet by Gods blesing it +upheld them till harvest. It arose but to a quarter of a pound of bread +a day to each person; and y^e Gov^r caused it to be dayly given them, +otherwise, had it been in their owne custody, they would have eate it up +& then starved. But thus, with what els they could get, they made pretie +shift till corne was ripe. + +This so[=m]er they builte a fort with good timber, both strong & comly, +which was of good defence, made with a flate rofe & batllments, on which +their ordnance were mounted, and wher they kepte constante watch, +espetially in time of danger. It served them allso for a meeting house, +and was fitted accordingly for that use. It was a great worke for them +in this weaknes and time of wants; but y^e deanger of y^e time required +it, and both y^e continuall rumors of y^e fears from y^e Indeans hear, +espetially y^e Narigansets, and also y^e hearing of that great massacre +in Virginia, made all hands willing to despatch y^e same. + +Now y^e wellcome time of harvest aproached, in which all had their +hungrie bellies filled. But it arose but to a litle, in comparison of a +full years supplie; partly by reason they were not yet well aquainted +with y^e ma[=n]er of Indean corne, (and they had no other,) allso their +many other imployments, but cheefly their weaknes for wante of food, to +tend it as they should have done. Also much was stolne both by night & +day, before it became scarce eatable, & much more afterward. And though +many were well whipt (when they were taken) for a few ears of corne, yet +hunger made others (whom conscience did not restraine) to venture. So as +it well appeared y^e famine must still insue y^e next year allso, if not +some way prevented, or supplie should faile, to which they durst not +trust. Markets there was none to goe too, but only y^e Indeans, and +they had no trading comodities. Behold now another providence of God; a +ship comes into y^e [91] harbor, one Captain Jons being cheefe therin. +They were set out by some marchants to discovere all y^e harbors +betweene this & Virginia, and y^e shoulds of Cap-Cod, and to trade along +y^e coast wher they could. This ship had store of English-beads (which +were then good trade) and some knives, but would sell none but at dear +rates, and also a good quantie togeather. Yet they weere glad of y^e +occasion, and faine to buy at any rate; they were faine to give after +y^e rate of cento per cento, if not more, and yet pay away coat-beaver +at 3^s. per^li, which in a few years after yeelded 20^s. By this means +they were fitted againe to trade for beaver & other things, and intended +to buy what corne they could. + +But I will hear take liberty to make a litle digression. Ther was in +_this ship_ a gentle-man by name M^r. John Poory; he had been secretarie +in Virginia, and was now going home passenger _in this ship_. After his +departure he write a leter to y^e Gov^r in the postscrite wherof he hath +these lines. + + To your selfe and M^r. Brewster, I must acknowledg my selfe many ways + indebted, whose books I would have you thinke very well bestowed on + him, who esteemeth them shuch juells. My hast would not suffer me to + remember (much less to begg) M^r. Ainsworths elaborate worke upon y^e + 5. books of Moyses. Both his & M^r. Robinsons doe highly commend the + authors, as being most conversante in y^e scripturs of all others. And + what good (who knows) it may please God to worke by them, through my + hands, (though most unworthy,) who finds shuch high contente in them. + God have you all in his keeping. + + Your unfained and firme friend, + JOHN PORY. + + Aug. 28. 1622. + + +These things I hear inserte for honour sake of y^e authors memorie, +which this gentle-man doth thus ingeniusly acknowledg; and him selfe +after his returne did this poore-plantation much credite amongst those +of no mean ranck. But to returne. + +[92] _Shortly after harvest_ M^r. Westons people who were now seated at +y^e Massachusets, and by disorder (as it seems) had made havock of their +provissions, begane now to perceive that want would come upon them. And +hearing that they hear had bought trading comodities & intended to trade +for corne, they write to y^e Gov^r and desired they might joyne with +them, and they would imploy their small ship in y^e servise; and furder +requested either to lend or sell them so much of their trading +comodities as their part might come to, and they would undertake to make +paymente when M^r. Weston, or their supply, should come. The Gov^r +condesended upon equall terms of agreemente, thinkeing to goe aboute y^e +Cap to y^e southward with y^e ship, wher some store of corne might be +got. Althings being provided, Captaint Standish was apointed to goe +with them, and Squanto for a guid & interpreter, about y^e _latter end +of September_; but y^e winds put them in againe, & putting out y^e 2. +time, he fell sick of a feavor, so y^e Gov^r wente him selfe. But they +could not get aboute y^e should of Cap-Cod, for flats & breakers, +neither could Squanto directe them better, nor y^e m^r. durst venture +any further, so they put into Manamoyack Bay and got w^t[AX] they could +ther. In this place Squanto fell sick of an Indean feavor, bleeding much +at y^e nose (which y^e Indeans take for a simptome of death), and within +a few days dyed ther; desiring y^e Gov^r to pray for him, that he might +goe to y^e Englishmens God in heaven, and bequeathed sundrie of his +things to sundry of his English freinds, as remembrances of his love; of +whom they had a great loss. They got in this vioage, in one place & +other, about 26. or 28. hogsheads of corne & beans, which was more then +the Indeans could well spare in these parts, for y^e set but a litle +till they got English hows. And so were faine to returne, being sory +they could not gett about the Cap, to have been better laden. After ward +y^e Gov^r tooke a few men & wente to y^e inland places, to get what he +could, and to fetch it home at y^e spring, which did help them +something. + +[93] After these things, in _Feb_: a messenger came from John Sanders, +who was left cheefe over M^r. Weston's men in y^e bay of Massachusets, +who brought a letter shewing the great wants they were falen into; and +he would have borrowed a hh of corne of y^e Indeans, but they would lend +him none. He desired advice whether he might not take it from them by +force to succore his men till he came from y^e eastward, whither he was +going. The Gov^r & rest deswaded him by all means from it, for it might +so exasperate the Indeans as might endanger their saftie, and all of us +might smart for it; for they had already heard how they had so wronged +y^e Indeans by stealing their corne, &c. as they were much incensed +against them. Yea, so base were some of their own company, as they wente +& tould y^e Indeans y^t their Gov^r was purposed to come and take their +corne by force. The which with other things made them enter into a +conspiracie against y^e English, of which more in y^e nexte. Hear with I +end this year. + +_Anno Dom: 1623._ + +It may be thought strang that these people should fall to these +extremities in so short a time, being left competently provided when y^e +ship left them, and had an addition by that moyetie of corn that was got +by trade, besids much they gott of y^e Indans wher they lived, by one +means & other. It must needs be their great disorder, for they spent +excesseivly whilst they had, or could get it; and, it may be, wasted +parte away among y^e Indeans (for he y^t was their cheef was taxed by +some amongst them for keeping Indean women, how truly I know not). And +after they begane to come into wants, many sould away their cloathes and +bed coverings; others (so base were they) became servants to y^e +Indeans, and would cutt them woode & fetch them water, for a cap full of +corne; others fell to plaine stealing, both night & day, from y^e +Indeans, of which they greevosly complained. In y^e end, they came to +that misery, that some starved & dyed with could & hunger. One in +geathering shell-fish was so weake as he stuck fast in y^e mudd, and was +found dead in y^e place. At last most of them left their dwellings & +scatered up & downe in y^e [94] woods, & by y^e water sids, wher they +could find ground nuts & clames, hear 6. and ther ten. By which their +cariages they became contemned & scorned of y^e Indeans, and they begane +greatly to insulte over them in a most insolente maner; insomuch, many +times as they lay thus scatered abrod, and had set on a pot with ground +nuts or shell-fish, when it was ready the Indeans would come and eate it +up; and when night came, wheras some of them had a sorie blanket, or +such like, to lappe them selves in, the Indeans would take it and let +y^e other lye all nighte in the could; so as their condition was very +lamentable. Yea, in y^e end they were faine to hange one of their men, +whom they could not reclaime from stealing, to give y^e Indeans +contente. + +Whilst things wente in this maner with them, y^e Gov^r & people hear +had notice y^t Massasoyte ther freind was sick & near unto death. They +sent to vissete him, and withall sente him such comfortable things as +gave him great contente, and was a means of his recovery; upon which +occasion he discovers y^e conspiracie of these Indeans, how they were +resolved to cutt of M^r. Westons people, for the continuall injuries +they did them, & would now take opportunitie of their weaknes to doe it; +and for that end had conspired with other Indeans their neighbours their +aboute. And thinking the people hear would revenge their death, they +therfore thought to doe y^e like by them, & had solisited him to joyne +with them. He advised them therfore to prevent it, and that speedly by +taking of some of y^e cheefe of them, before it was to late, for he +asured them of y^e truth hereof. + +This did much trouble them, and they tooke it into serious delibration, +and found upon examenation other evidence to give light hear unto, to +longe hear to relate. In y^e mean time, came one of them from y^e +Massachucets, with a small pack at his back; and though he knew not a +foote of y^e way, yet he got safe hither, but lost his way, which was +well for him, for he was pursued, and so was mist. He tould them hear +how all things stood amongst them, and that he durst stay no longer, he +apprehended they (by what he observed) would be all knokt in y^e head +shortly. This made them make y^e more hast, & dispatched a boate away +w^th Capten Standish & some men, who found them in a miserable +condition, out of which he rescued them, and helped them to some releef, +cut of some few of y^e cheefe conspirators, and, according to his order, +offered to bring them all hither if they thought good; and they should +fare no worse then them selves, till M^r. Weston or some supplie came to +them. Or, if any other course liked them better, he was to doe them any +helpfullnes he could. They thanked him & y^e rest. But most of them +desired he would help them with some corne, and they would goe with +their smale ship to y^e eastward, wher hapily they might here of M^r. +Weston, or some supply from him, seing y^e time of y^e year was for +fishing ships to [95] be in y^e land. If not, they would worke among y^e +fishermen for their liveing, and get ther passage into England, if they +heard nothing from M^r. Weston in time. So they shipped what they had of +any worth, and he got them all y^e corne he could (scarce leaving to +bring him home), and saw them well out of the bay, under saile at sea, +and so came home, not takeing y^e worth of a peny of any thing that was +theirs. I have but touched these things breefly, because they have +allready been published in printe more at large. + +This was y^e end of these that some time bosted of their strength, +(being all able lustie men,) and what they would doe & bring to pass, +in comparison of y^e people hear, who had many women & children and weak +ons amongst them; and said at their first arivall, when they saw the +wants hear, that they would take an other course, and not to fall into +shuch a condition, as this simple people were come too. But a mans way +is not in his owne power; God can make y^e weake to stand; let him also +that standeth take heed least he fall. + +Shortly after, M^r. Weston came over with some of y^e fishermen, under +another name, and y^e disguise of a blacke-smith, were he heard of y^e +ruine and disolution of his colony. He got a boat and with a man or 2. +came to see how things were. But by y^e way, for wante of skill, in a +storme, he cast away his shalop in y^e botome of y^e bay between Meremek +river & Pascataquack, & hardly escaped with life, and afterwards fell +into the hands of y^e Indeans, who pillaged him of all he saved from the +sea, & striped him out of all his cloaths to his shirte. At last he got +to Pascataquack, & borrowed a suite of cloaths, and got means to come to +Plimoth. A strang alteration ther was in him to such as had seen & known +him in his former florishing condition; so uncertaine are y^e mutable +things of this unstable world. And yet men set their harts upon them, +though they dayly see y^e vanity therof. + +After many passages, and much discourse, (former things boyling in his +mind, but bit in as was discernd,) he desired to borrow some beaver of +them; and tould them he had hope of a ship & good supply to come to him, +and then they should have any thing for it they stood in neede of. They +gave litle credite to his supplie, but pitied his case, and remembered +former curtesies. They tould him he saw their wants, and they knew not +when they should have any supply; also how y^e case stood betweene them +& their adventurers, he well knew; they had not much bever, & if they +should let him have it, it were enoughe to make a mutinie among y^e +people, seeing ther was no other means to procure them foode which they +so much wanted, & cloaths allso. Yet they tould him they would help him, +considering his necessitie, but must doe it secretly for y^e former +reasons. So they let him have 100. beaver-skins, which waighed 170^li. +odd pounds. Thus they helpt him when all y^e world faild him, and with +this means he went againe to y^e ships, and stayed his small ship & some +of his men, & bought provissions and fited him selfe; and it was y^e +only foundation [96] of his after course. But he requited them ill, for +he proved after a bitter enimie unto them upon all occasions, and never +repayed them any thing for it, to this day, but reproches and evill +words. Yea, he divolged it to some that were none of their best freinds, +whilst he yet had y^e beaver in his boat; that he could now set them all +togeather by y^e ears, because they had done more then they could +answer, in letting him have this beaver, and he did not spare to doe +what he could. But his malice could not prevaile. + +All this whille no supply was heard of, neither knew they when they +might expecte any. So they begane to thinke how they might raise as much +corne as they could, and obtaine a beter crope then they had done, that +they might not still thus languish in miserie. At length, after much +debate of things, the Gov^r (with y^e advise of y^e cheefest amongest +them) gave way that they should set corne every man for his owne +perticuler, and in that regard trust to them selves; in all other things +to goe on in y^e generall way as before. And so assigned to every family +a parcell of land, according to the proportion of their number for that +end, only for present use (but made no devission for inheritance), and +ranged all boys & youth under some familie. This had very good success; +for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corne was +planted then other waise would have bene by any means y^e Gov^r or any +other could use, and saved him a great deall of trouble, and gave farr +better contente. The women now wente willingly into y^e feild, and tooke +their litle-ons with them to set corne, which before would aledg +weaknes, and inabilitie; whom to have compelled would have bene thought +great tiranie and oppression. + +The experience that was had in this co[=m]one course and condition, +tried sundrie years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well +evince the vanitie of that conceite of Platos & other ancients, +applauded by some of later times;--that y^e taking away of propertie, +and bringing in co[=m]unitie into a comone wealth, would make them happy +and florishing; as if they were wiser then God. For this comunitie (so +farr as it was) was found to breed much confusion & discontent, and +retard much imploym[=e]t that would have been to their benefite and +comforte. For y^e yong-men that were most able and fitte for labour & +service did repine that they should spend their time & streingth to +worke for other mens wives and children, with out any recompence. The +strong, or man of parts, had no more in devission of victails & cloaths, +then he that was weake and not able to doe a quarter y^e other could; +this was thought injuestice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and +[97] equalised in labours, and victails, cloaths, &c., with y^e meaner & +yonger sorte, thought it some indignite & disrespect unto them. And for +mens wives to be commanded to doe servise for other men, as dresing +their meate, washing their cloaths, &c., they deemd it a kind of +slaverie, neither could many husbands well brooke it. Upon y^e poynte +all being to have alike, and all to doe alike, they thought them selves +in y^e like condition, and one as good as another; and so, if it did not +cut of those relations that God hath set amongest men, yet it did at +least much diminish and take of y^e mutuall respects that should be +preserved amongst them. And would have bene worse if they had been men +of another condition. Let none objecte this is men's corruption, and +nothing to y^e course it selfe. I answer, seeing all men have this +corruption in them, God in his wisdome saw another course fiter for +them. + +But to returne. After this course setled, and by that their co[=r]e was +planted, all ther victails were spente, and they were only to rest on +Gods providence; at night not many times knowing wher to have a bitt of +any thing y^e next day. And so, as one well observed, had need to pray +that God would give them their dayly brade, above all people in y^e +world. Yet they bore these wants with great patience & allacritie of +spirite, and that for so long a time as for y^e most parte of 2. years; +which makes me remember what Peter Martire writs, (in magnifying y^e +Spaniards) in his 5. Decade, pag. 208. _They_ (saith he) _led a +miserable life for 5. days togeather, with y^e parched graine of maize +only, and that not to saturitie_; and then concluds, _that shuch pains, +shuch labours, and shuch hunger, he thought none living which is not a +Spaniard could have endured_. But alass! these, when they had maize (y^t +is, Indean corne) they thought it as good as a feast, and wanted not +only for 5. days togeather, but some time 2. or 3. months togeather, and +neither had bread nor any kind of corne. Indeed, in an other place, in +his 2. Decade, page 94. he mentions how others of them were worse put to +it, wher they were faine to eate doggs, toads, and dead men, and so dyed +almost all. From these extremities the[AY] Lord in his goodnes kept +these his people, and in their great wants preserved both their lives +and healthes; let his name have y^e praise. Yet let me hear make use of +his conclusion, which in some sorte may be applied to this people: _That +with their miseries they opened a way to these new-lands; and after +these stormes, with what ease other men came to inhabite in them, in +respecte of y^e calamities these men suffered; so as they seeme to goe +to a bride feaste wher all things are provided for them._ + +They haveing but one boat left and she not over well fitted, they were +devided into severall companies, 6. or 7. to a gangg or company, and so +wente out with a nett they had bought, to take bass & such like fish, by +course, every company knowing their turne. No sooner was y^e boate +discharged [98] of what she brought, but y^e next company tooke her and +wente out with her. Neither did they returne till they had cauight +something, though it were 5. or 6. days before, for they knew ther was +nothing at home, and to goe home emptie would be a great discouragemente +to y^e rest. Yea, they strive who should doe best. If she stayed longe +or got litle, then all went to seeking of shel-fish, which at low-water +they digged out of y^e sands. And this was their living in y^e so[=m]er +time, till God sente y^m beter; & in winter they were helped with +ground-nuts and foule. Also in y^e so[=m]er they gott now & then a dear; +for one or 2. of y^e fitest was apoynted to range y^e woods for y^t end, +& what was gott that way was devided amongst them. + +At length they received some leters from y^e adventurers, too long and +tedious hear to record, by which they heard of their furder crosses and +frustrations; begining in this maner. + + Loving freinds, as your sorrows & afflictions have bin great, so our + croses & interceptions in our proceedings hear, have not been small. + For after we had with much trouble & charge sente y^e _Parragon_ away + to sea, and thought all y^e paine past, within 14. days after she came + againe hither, being dangerously leaked, and brused with tempestious + stormes, so as shee was faine to be had into y^e docke, and an 100^li. + bestowed upon her. All y^e passengers lying upon our charg for 6. or + 7. weeks, and much discontent and distemper was occasioned hereby, so + as some dangerous evente had like to insewed. But we trust all shall + be well and worke for y^e best and your benefite, if yet with patience + you can waite, and but have strength to hold in life. Whilst these + things were doing, M^r. Westons ship came and brought diverce leters + from you, &c. It rejoyseth us much to hear of those good reports y^t + diverce have brought home from you, &c. + +These letters were dated Des. 21: 1622. + +So farr of this leter. + +This ship was brought by M^r. John Peirce, and set out at his owne +charge, upon hope of great maters. These passengers, & y^e goods the +company sent in her, he tooke in for fraught, for which they agreed with +him to be delivered hear. This was he in whose name their _first +patente_ was taken, by reason of aquaintance, and some aliance that some +of their freinds had with him. But his name was only used in trust. But +when he saw they were hear hopfully thus seated, and by y^e success God +gave them had obtained y^e favour of y^e Counsell of New-England, he +goes and sues to them for _another patent_ of much larger extente (in +their names), which was easily obtained. But he mente to keep it to him +selfe and alow them what he pleased, to hold of him as tenants, and sue +to his courts as cheefe Lord, as will appear by that which follows. But +y^e Lord marvelously crost him; for after this first returne, and y^e +charge above mentioned, when shee was againe fitted, he pesters him +selfe and taks in more passengers, and those not very good to help to +bear his losses, and sets out y^e 2. time. But [99] what y^e event was +will appear from another leter from one of y^e cheefe of y^e company, +dated y^e 9. of Aprill, 1623. writ to y^e Gov^r hear, as followeth. + + Loving freind, when I write my last leter, I hope to have received one + from you well-nigh by this time. But when I write in Des: I litle + thought to have seen M^r. John Peirce till he had brought some good + tidings from you. But it pleased God, he brought us y^e wofull tidings + of his returne when he was half-way over, by extraime tempest, werin + y^e goodnes & mercie of God appeared in sparing their lives, being + 109. souls. The loss is so great to M^r. Peirce, &c., and y^e companie + put upon so great charge, as veryly, &c. + + Now with great trouble & loss, we have got M^r. John Peirce to assigne + over y^e grand patente to y^e companie, which he had taken in his owne + name, and made quite voyd our former grante. I am sorie to writ how + many hear thinke y^t the hand of God was justly against him, both y^e + first and 2. time of his returne; in regard he, whom you and we so + confidently trusted, but only to use his name for y^e company, should + aspire to be lord over us all, and so make you & us tenants at his + will and pleasure, our assurance or patente being quite voyd & + disanuled by his means. I desire to judg charitably of him. But his + unwillingnes to part with his royall Lordship, and y^e high-rate he + set it at, which was 500^li. which cost him but 50^li., maks many + speake and judg hardly of him. The company are out for goods in his + ship, with charge aboute y^e passengers, 640^li., &c. + + We have agreed with 2. marchants for a ship of 140. tunes, caled y^e + _Anne_, which is to be ready y^e last of this month, to bring 60. + passengers & 60. tune of goods, &c. + +This was dated Aprill 9. 1623. + +These were ther owne words and judgmente of this mans dealing & +proceedings; for I thought it more meete to render them in theirs then +my owne words. And yet though ther was never got other recompence then +the resignation of this patente, and y^e shares he had in adventure, for +all y^e former great sumes, he was never quiet, but sued them in most of +y^e cheefe courts in England, and when he was still cast, brought it to +y^e Parlemente. But he is now dead, and I will leave him to y^e Lord. + +This ship suffered y^e greatest extreemitie at sea at her 2. returne, +that one shall lightly hear of, to be saved; as I have been informed by +M^r. William Peirce who was then m^r. of her, and many others that were +passengers in her. It was aboute y^e _midle of Feb_: The storme was for +y^e most parte of 14. days, but for 2. or 3. days & nights togeather in +most violent extremitie. After they had cut downe their mast, y^e storme +beat of their round house and all their uper works; 3. men had worke +enough at y^e helme, and he that cund y^e ship before y^e sea, was faine +[100] to be bound fast for washing away; the seas did so over-rake them, +as many times those upon y^e decke knew not whether they were within +bord or withoute; and once she was so foundered in y^e sea as they all +thought she would never rise againe. But yet y^e Lord preserved them, +and brought them at last safe to _Ports-mouth_, to y^e wonder of all men +y^t saw in what a case she was in, and heard what they had endured. + +About y^e later end of _June_ came in a ship, with Captaine Francis +West, who had a comission to be admirall of New-England, to restraine +interlopers, and shuch fishing ships as came to fish & trade without a +licence from y^e Counsell of New-England, for which they should pay a +round sume of money. But he could doe no good of them, for they were to +stronge for him, and he found y^e fisher men to be stuberne fellows. And +their owners, upon complainte made to y^e Parlemente, procured an order +y^t fishing should be free. He tould y^e Gov^r they spooke with a ship +at sea, and were abord her, y^t was coming for this plantation, in which +were sundrie passengers, and they marvelled she was not arrived, fearing +some miscariage; for they lost her in a storme that fell shortly after +they had been abord. Which relation filled them full of fear, yet mixed +with hope. The m^r. of this ship had some 2. [=h][=h] of pease to sell, +but seeing their wants, held them at 9^li. sterling a hoggshead, & under +8^li. he would not take, and yet would have beaver at an under rate. But +they tould him they had lived so long with out, and would doe still, +rather then give so unreasonably. So they went from hence to +Virginia.[AZ] + +About 14. days after came in this ship, caled y^e _Anne_, wherof M^r. +William Peirce was m^r., and aboute a weeke or 10. days after came in +y^e pinass which in foule weather they lost at sea, a fine new vessell +of about 44. tune, which y^e company had builte to stay in the cuntrie. +They brought about 60. persons for y^e generall, some of them being very +usefull persons, and became good members to y^e body, and some were y^e +wives and children of shuch as were hear allready. And some were so bad, +as they were faine to be at charge to send them home againe y^e next +year. Also, besids these ther came a company, that did not belong to y^e +generall body, but came one[BA] their perticuler, and were to have lands +assigned them, and be for them selves, yet to be subjecte to y^e +generall Goverment; which caused some diferance and disturbance [101] +amongst them, as will after appeare. I shall hear againe take libertie +to inserte a few things out of shuch leters as came in this shipe, +desiring rather to manefest things in ther words and apprehentions, then +in my owne, as much as may be, without tediousness. + + Beloved freinds, I kindly salute you all, with trust of your healths & + wellfare, being right sorie y^t no supplie hath been made to you all + this while; for defence wher of, I must referr you to our generall + leters. Naitheir indeed have we now sent you many things, which we + should & would, for want of money. But persons, more then inough, + (though not all we should,) for people come flying in upon us, but + monys come creeping in to us. Some few of your old freinds are come, + as, &c. So they come droping to you, and by degrees, I hope ere long + you shall enjoye them all. And because people press so hard upon us to + goe, and often shuch as are none of y^e fitest, I pray you write + ernestly to y^e Treasurer and directe what persons should be sente. It + greeveth me to see so weake a company sent you, and yet had I not been + hear they had been weaker. You must still call upon the company hear + to see y^t honest men be sente you, and threaten to send them back if + any other come, &c. We are not any way so much in danger, as by + corrupte an noughty persons. Shuch, and shuch, came without my + consente; but y^e importunitie of their freinds got promise of our + Treasurer in my absence. Neither is ther need we should take any lewd + men, for we may have honest men enew, &c. + + Your assured freind, + R. C. + + +The following was from y^e genrall. + + Loving freinds, we most hartily salute you in all love and harty + affection; being yet in hope y^t the same God which hath hithertoo + preserved you in a marvelous maner, doth yet continue your lives and + health, to his owne praise and all our comforts. Being right sory that + you have not been sent unto all this time, &c. We have in this ship + sent shuch women, as were willing and ready to goe to their husbands + and freinds, with their children, &c. We would not have you + discontente, because we have not sent you more of your old freinds, + and in speciall, him[BB] on whom you most depend. Farr be it from us + to neclecte you, or contemne him. But as y^e intente was at first, so + y^e evente at last shall shew it, that we will deal fairly, and + squarly answer your expectations to the full. Ther are also come unto + you, some honest men to plant upon their particulers besids you. A + thing which if we should not give way unto, we should wrong both them + and you. Them, by puting them on things more inconveniente, and you, + for that being honest men, they will be a strengthening to y^e place, + and good neighbours [102] unto you. Tow things we would advise you of, + which we have likwise signified them hear. First, y^e trade for skins + to be retained for the generall till y^e devidente; 2^ly. y^t their + setling by you, be with shuch distance of place as is neither + inconvenient for y^e lying of your lands, nor hurtfull to your speedy + & easie assembling togeather. + + We have sente you diverse fisher men, with salte, &c. Diverse other + provissions we have sente you, as will appear in your bill of lading, + and though we have not sent all we would (because our cash is small), + yet it is y^t we could, &c. + + And allthough it seemeth you have discovered many more rivers and + fertill grounds then y^t wher you are, yet seeing by Gods providence + y^t place fell to you^r lote, let it be accounted as your portion; and + rather fixe your eyes upon that which may be done ther, then languish + in hops after things els-wher. If your place be not y^e best, it is + better, you shall be y^e less envied and encroached upon; and shuch as + are earthly minded, will not setle too near your border.[BC] If y^e + land afford you bread, and y^e sea yeeld you fish, rest you a while + contented, God will one day afford you better fare. And all men shall + know you are neither fugetives nor discontents. But can, if God so + order it, take y^e worst to your selves, with content,[BD] & leave y^e + best to your neighbours, with cherfullnes. + + Let it not be greeveous unto you y^t you have been instruments to + breake y^e ise for others who come after with less dificulty, the + honour shall be yours to y^e worlds end, &c. + + We bear you always in our brests, and our harty affection is towards + you all, as are y^e harts of hundreds more which never saw your faces, + who doubtles pray for your saftie as their owne, as we our selves both + doe & ever shall, that y^e same God which hath so marvelously + preserved you from seas, foes, and famine, will still preserve you + from all future dangers, and make you honourable amongst men, and + glorious in blise at y^e last day. And so y^e Lord be with you all & + send us joyfull news from you, and inable us with one shoulder so to + accomplish & perfecte this worke, as much glorie may come to Him y^t + confoundeth y^e mighty by the weak, and maketh small thinges great. To + whose greatnes, be all glorie for ever & ever. + +This leter was subscribed with 13. of their names. + +These passengers, when they saw their low & poore condition a shore, +were much danted and dismayed, and according to their diverse humores +were diversly affected; some wished them selves in England againe; +others fell a weeping, fancying their own miserie in what y^ey saw now +in others; other some pitying the distress they saw their freinds had +been long in, and still were under; in a word, all were full of sadnes. +Only some of their old freinds rejoysed to see them, and y^t it was no +worse with them, for they could not expecte it should be better, and now +hoped they should injoye better days togeather. And truly it was [103] +no marvell they should be thus affected, for they were in a very low +condition, many were ragged in aparell, & some litle beter then halfe +naked; though some y^t were well stord before, were well enough in this +regard. But for food they were all alike, save some y^t had got a few +pease of y^e ship y^t was last hear. The best dish they could presente +their freinds with was a lobster, or a peece of fish, without bread or +any thing els but a cupp of fair spring water. And y^e long continuance +of this diate, and their labours abroad, had something abated y^e +freshnes of their former complexion. But God gave them health and +strength in a good measure; and shewed them by experience y^e truth of +y^t word, Deut. 8. 3. _Y^t man liveth not by bread only, but by every +word y^t proceedeth out of y^e mouth of y^e Lord doth a man live._ + +When I think how sadly y^e scripture speaks of the famine in Jaakobs +time, when he said to his sonns, Goe buy us food, that we may live and +not dye. Gen. 42. 2. and 43. 1, that the famine was great, or heavie in +the land; and yet they had such great herds, and store of catle of +sundrie kinds, which, besids flesh, must needs produse other food, as +milke, butter & cheese, &c., and yet it was counted a sore affliction; +theirs hear must needs be very great, therfore, who not only wanted the +staffe of bread, but all these things, and had no Egipte to goe too. But +God fedd them out of y^e sea for y^e most parte, so wonderfull is his +providence over his in all ages; for his mercie endureth for ever. + +On y^e other hand the old planters were affraid that their corne, when +it was ripe, should be imparted to y^e new-co[=m]ers, whose provissions +w^ch they brought with them they feared would fall short before y^e year +wente aboute (as indeed it did). They came to y^e Gov^r and besought him +that as it was before agreed that they should set corne for their +perticuler, and accordingly they had taken extraordinary pains ther +aboute, that they might freely injoye the same, and they would not have +a bitte of y^e victails now come, but waite till harvest for their owne, +and let y^e new-co[=m]ers injoye what they had brought; they would have +none of it, excepte they could purchase any of it of them by bargaine or +exchainge. Their requeste was granted them, for it gave both sides good +contente; for y^e new-co[=m]ers were as much afraid that y^e hungrie +planters would have eat up y^e provissions brought, and they should +have fallen into y^e like condition. + +This ship was in a shorte time laden with clapbord, by y^e help of many +hands. Also they sente in her all y^e beaver and other furrs they had, & +M^r. Winslow was sent over with her, to informe of all things, and +procure such things as were thought needfull for their presente +condition. By this time harvest was come, and in stead of famine, now +God gave them plentie, and y^e face of things was changed, to y^e +rejoysing of y^e harts of many, for which they blessed God. And y^e +effect of their particuler planting was well seene, for all had, one way +& other, pretty well to bring y^e year aboute, and some of y^e abler +sorte and more [104] industrious had to spare, and sell to others, so as +any generall wante or famine hath not been amongst them since to this +day. + +Those that come on their perticuler looked for greater matters then they +found or could attaine unto, aboute building great houses, and such +pleasant situations for them, as them selves had fancied; as if they +would be great men & rich, all of a sudaine; but they proved castls in +y^e aire. These were y^e conditions agreed on betweene y^e colony and +them. + +First, that y^e Gov^r, in y^e name and with y^e consente of y^e company, +doth in all love and frendship receive and imbrace them; and is to +allote them competente places for habitations within y^e towne. And +promiseth to shew them all such other curtesies as shall be reasonable +for them to desire, or us to performe. + +2. That they, on their parts, be subjecte to all such laws & orders as +are already made, or hear after shall be, for y^e publick good. + +3. That they be freed and exempte from y^e generall imployments of the +said company, (which their presente condition of comunitie requireth,) +excepte commune defence, & such other imployments as tend to y^e +perpetuall good of y^e collony. + +4^ly. Towards y^e maintenance of Go[~v]^rt, & publick officers of y^e +said collony, every male above y^e age of 16. years shall pay a bushell +of Indean wheat, or y^e worth of it, into y^e commone store. + +5^ly. That (according to y^e agreemente y^e marchants made with y^m +before they came) they are to be wholy debared from all trade with the +Indeans for all sorts of furrs, and such like commodities, till y^e time +of y^e comunallitie be ended. + +About y^e midle of September arrived Captaine Robart Gorges in y^e Bay +of y^e Massachusets, with sundrie passengers and families, intending +ther to begine a plantation; and pitched upon y^e place M^r. Weston's +people had forsaken. He had a co[=m]ission from y^e Counsell of +New-England, to be generall Gove^r of y^e cuntrie, and they appoynted +for his counsell & assistance, Captaine Francis West, y^e aforesaid +admirall, Christopher Levite, Esquire, and y^e Gov^r of Plimoth for y^e +time beeing, etc. Allso, they gave him authoritie to chuse such other as +he should find fit. Allso, they gave (by their co[=m]ission) full power +to him and his assistants, or any 3. of them, wherof him selfe was +allway to be one, to doe and execute what to them should seeme good, in +all cases, Capitall, Criminall, and Civill, etc., with diverce other +instructions. Of which, and his comission, it pleased him to suffer y^e +Gov^r hear to take a coppy. + +He gave them notice of his arivall by letter, but before they could +visite him he went to y^e eastward with y^e ship he came in; but a +storme arising, (and they wanting a good pilot to harbor them in those +parts,) they bore up for this harbor. He and his men were hear kindly +entertained; he stayed hear 14. days. In y^e mean time came in M^r. +Weston with his small ship, which he had now recovered. [105[BE]] +Captaine Gorges tooke hold of y^e opportunitie, and acquainted y^e Gov^r +hear, that one occasion of his going to y^e eastward was to meete with +M^r. Weston, and call him to accounte for some abuses he had to lay to +his charge. Wherupon he called him before him, and some other of his +assistants, with y^e Gov^r of this place; and charged him, first, with +y^e ille carriage of his men at y^e Massachusets; by which means the +peace of y^e cuntrie was disturbed, and him selfe and the people which +he had brought over to plante in that bay were therby much prejudised. +To this M^r. Weston easily answered, that what was that way done, was in +his absence, and might have befalen any man; he left them sufficently +provided, and conceived they would have been well governed; and for any +errour co[=m]itted he had sufficiently smarted. This particuler was +passed by. A 2^d. was, for an abuse done to his father, S^r. Ferdenando +Gorges, and to y^e State. The thing was this; he used him & others of +y^e Counsell of New-England, to procure him a licence for y^e +transporting of many peeces of great ordnance for New-England, +pretending great fortification hear in y^e countrie, & I know not what +shipping. The which when he had obtained, he went and sould them beyond +seas for his private profite; for which (he said) y^e State was much +offended, and his father suffered a shrowd check, and he had order to +apprehend him for it. M^r. Weston excused it as well as he could, but +could not deney it; it being one maine thing (as was said) for which he +with-drew himself. But after many passages, by y^e mediation of y^e +Gov^r and some other freinds hear, he was inclined to gentlnes (though +he aprehended y^e abuse of his father deeply); which, when M^r. Weston +saw, he grew more presumptuous, and gave such provocking & cutting +speches, as made him rise up in great indignation & distemper, and vowed +y^t he would either curb him, or send him home for England. At which +M^r. Weston was something danted, and came privatly to y^e Gov^r hear, +to know whether they would suffer Captaine Gorges to apprehend him. He +was tould they could not hinder him, but much blamed him, y^t after they +had pacified things, he should thus breake out, by his owne folly & +rashnes, to bring trouble upon him selfe & them too. He confest it was +his passion, and prayd y^e Gov^r to entreat for him, and pacifie him if +he could. The which at last he did, with much adoe; so he was called +againe, and y^e Gov^r was contente to take his owne bond to be ready to +make further answer, when either he or y^e lords should send for him. +And at last he tooke only his word, and ther was a fre[=i]dly parting on +all hands. + +But after he was gone, M^r. Weston in lue of thanks to y^e Gov^r and his +freinds hear, gave them this quib (behind their baks) for all their +pains. That though they were but yonge justices, yet they wear good +beggers. Thus they parted at this time, and shortly after y^e Gov^r +tooke his leave and went to y^e Massachusets by land, being very +thankfull for his kind entertainemente. The ship stayed hear, and fitted +her selfe to goe for Virginia, having some passengers ther to deliver; +and with her returned sundrie of those from hence which came over on +their perticuler, some out of discontente and dislike of y^e cuntrie; +others by reason of a fire that broke out, and burnt y^e houses they +lived in, and all their provisions [106[BF]] so as they were +necessitated therunto. This fire was occasioned by some of y^e sea-men +that were roystering in a house wher it first begane, makeing a great +fire in very could weather, which broke out of y^e chimney into y^e +thatch, and burnte downe 3. or 4. houses, and consumed all y^e goods & +provissions in y^m. The house in which it begane was right against their +store-house, which they had much adoe to save, in which were their +co[=m]one store & all their provissions; y^e which if it had been lost, +y^e plantation had been over-throwne. But through Gods mercie it was +saved by y^e great dilligence of y^e people, & care of the Gov^r & some +aboute him. Some would have had y^e goods throwne out; but if they had, +ther would much have been stolne by the rude company y^t belonged to +these 2. ships, which were allmost all ashore. But a trusty company was +plased within, as well as those that with wet-cloaths & other means kept +of y^e fire without, that if necessitie required they might have them +out with all speed. For y^ey suspected some malicious dealling, if not +plaine treacherie, and whether it was only suspition or no, God knows; +but this is certaine, that when y^e tumulte was greatest, ther was a +voyce heard (but from whom it was not knowne) that bid them looke well +aboute them, for all were not freinds y^t were near them. And shortly +after, when the vemencie of y^e fire was over, smoke was seen to arise +within a shed y^t was joynd to y^e end of y^e storehouse, which was +watled up with bowes, in y^e withered leaves wherof y^e fire was +kindled, which some, ru[=n]ing to quench, found a longe firebrand of an +ell longe, lying under y^e wale on y^e inside, which could not possibly +come their by cassualtie, but must be laid ther by some hand, in y^e +judgmente of all that saw it. But God kept them from this deanger, what +ever was intended. + +Shortly after Captaine Gorges, y^e generall Gov^r, was come home to y^e +Massachusets, he sends a warrante to arrest M^r. Weston & his ship, and +sends a m^r. to bring her away thither, and one Captain Hanson (that +belonged to him) to conducte him along. The Gov^r & others hear were +very sory to see him take this course, and tooke exception at y^e +warrante, as not legall nor sufficiente; and withall write to him to +disswade him from this course, shewing him y^t he would but entangle and +burthen him selfe in doing this; for he could not doe M^r. Weston a +better turne, (as things stood with him); for he had a great many men +that belonged to him in this barke, and was deeply ingaged to them for +wages, and was in a ma[=n]er out of victails (_and now winter_); all +which would light upon him, if he did arrest his barke. In y^e mean time +M^r. Weston had notice to shift for him selfe; but it was conceived he +either knew not whither to goe, or how to mend him selfe, but was rather +glad of y^e occasion, and so stirred not. But y^e Gov^r would not be +perswaded, but [107] sent a very formall warrente under his hand & +seall, with strict charge as they would answere it to y^e state; he also +write that he had better considered of things since he was hear, and he +could not answer it to let him goe so; besids other things that were +come to his knowledg since, which he must answer too. So he was suffered +to proceede, but he found in the end that to be true that was tould him; +for when an inventorie was taken of what was in y^e ship, ther was not +vitailes found for above 14. days, at a pare allowance, and not much +else of any great worth, & the men did so crie out of him for wages and +diate, in y^e mean time, as made him soone weary. So as in conclusion it +turned to his loss, and y^e expence of his owne provissions; and +_towards the spring_ they came to agreement, (after they had bene to y^e +eastward,) and y^e Gov^r restord him his vessell againe, and made him +satisfaction, in bisket, meal, and such like provissions, for what he +had made use of that was his, or what his men had any way wasted or +consumed. So M^r. Weston came hither againe, and afterward shaped his +course for Virginie, & so for present I shall leave him.[BG] + +The Gov^r and some y^t depended upon him returned for England, haveing +scarcly saluted y^e cuntrie in his Govermente, not finding the state of +things hear to answer his quallitie & condition. The peopl dispersed +them selves, some went for England, others for Virginia, some few +remained, and were helped with supplies from hence. The Gov^r brought +over a minister with him, one M^r. Morell, who, about a year after y^e +Gov^r returned, tooke shipping from hence. He had I know not what power +and authority of superintendancie over other churches granted him, and +sundrie instructions for that end; but he never shewed it, or made any +use of it; (it should seeme he saw it was in vaine;) he only speake of +it to some hear at his going away. This was in effect y^e end of a 2. +plantation in that place. Ther were allso this year some scatering +beginings made in other places, as at Paskataway, by M^r. David Thomson, +at Monhigen, and some other places by sundrie others. + +It rests now y^t I speake a word aboute y^e pi[=n]ass spoken of before, +which was sent by y^e adventurers to be imployed in y^e cuntrie. She was +a fine vessell, and bravely set out,[BH] and I fear y^e adventurers did +over pride them selves in her, for she had ill success. How ever, they +erred grosly in tow things aboute her; first, though she had a +sufficiente maister, yet she was rudly ma[=n]ed, and all her men were +upon shars, and none was to have any wages but y^e m^r. 2^ly, wheras +they mainly lookt at trade, they had sent nothing of any value to trade +with. When the men came hear, and mette with ill counsell from M^r. +Weston & his crue, with others of y^e same stampe, neither m^r. nor +Gov^r could scarce rule [108] them, for they exclaimed that they were +abused & deceived, for they were tould they should goe for a man of +warr, and take I know not whom, French & Spaniards, &c. They would +neither trade nor fish, excepte they had wages; in fine, they would obey +no co[=m]and of y^e maisters; so it was apprehended they would either +rune away with y^e vessell, or get away w^th y^e ships, and leave her; +so as M^r. Peirce & others of their freinds perswaded the Gov^r to +chaing their condition, and give them wages; which was accordingly done. +And she was sente about y^e Cape to y^e Narigansets to trade, but they +made but a poore vioage of it. Some corne and beaver they got, but y^e +Dutch used to furnish them with cloath & better co[=m]odities, they +haveing only a few beads & knives, which were not ther much esteemed. +Allso, in her returne home, at y^e very entrance into ther owne harbore, +she had like to have been cast away in a storme, and was forced to cut +her maine mast by y^e bord, to save herselfe from driving on y^e flats +that lye without, caled Browns Ilands, the force of y^e wind being so +great as made her anchors give way and she drive right upon them; but +her mast & takling being gone, they held her till y^e wind shifted. + +_Anno Dom: 1624._ + +The time of new election of ther officers for this year being come, +and[BI] y^e number of their people increased, and their troubls and +occasions therwith, the Gov^r desired them to chainge y^e persons, as +well as renew y^e election; and also to adde more Assistans to y^e Gov^r +for help & counsell, and y^e better carrying on of affairs. Showing that +it was necessarie it should be so. If it was any honour or benefite, it +was fitte others should be made pertakers of it; if it was a burthen, +(as doubtles it was,) it was but equall others should help to bear it; +and y^t this was y^e end of A[=n]uall Elections. The issue was, that as +before ther was but one Assistante, they now chose 5. giving the Gov^r a +duble voyce; and aftwards they increased them to 7. which course hath +continued to this day. + +They having with some truble & charge new-masted and rigged their +pinass, in y^e begining of March they sent her well vitaled to the +eastward on fishing. She arrived safly at a place near Damarins cove, +and was there well harbored in a place wher ships used to ride, ther +being also some ships allready arived out of England. But shortly after +ther [109] arose such a violent & extraordinarie storme, as y^e seas +broak over such places in y^e harbor as was never seene before, and +drive her against great roks, which beat such a hole in her bulke, as a +horse and carte might have gone in, and after drive her into deep-water, +wher she lay sunke. The m^r. was drowned, the rest of y^e men, all save +one, saved their lives, with much a doe; all her provision, salt, and +what els was in her, was lost. And here I must leave her to lye till +afterward. + +Some of those that still remained hear on their perticuler, begane +privatly to nurish a faction, and being privie to a strong faction that +was among y^e adventurers in England, on whom sundry of them did depend, +by their private whispering they drew some of the weaker sorte of y^e +company to their side, and so filld them with discontente, as nothing +would satisfie them excepte they might be suffered to be in their +perticuler allso; and made great offers, so they might be freed from y^e +generall. The Gov^r consulting with y^e ablest of y^e generall body what +was best to be done hear in, it was resolved to permitte them so to doe, +upon equall conditions. The conditions were the same in effect with y^e +former before related. Only some more added, as that they should be +bound here to remaine till y^e generall partnership was ended. And also +that they should pay into y^e store, y^e on halfe of all such goods and +comodities as they should any waise raise above their food, in +consideration of what charg had been layed out for them, with some such +like things. This liberty granted, soone stopt this gape, for ther was +but a few that undertooke this course when it came too; and they were +as sone weary of it. For the other had perswaded them, & M^r. Weston +togeather, that ther would never come more supply to y^e generall body; +but y^e perticulers had such freinds as would carry all, and doe for +them I know not what. + +Shortly after, M^r. Winslow came over, and brought a prety good supply, +and the ship came on fishing, a thing fatall to this plantation. He +brought 3. heifers & a bull, the first begining of any catle of that +kind in y^e land, with some cloathing & other necessaries, as will +further appear; but withall y^e reporte of a strong faction amongst y^e +adventurers[BJ] against them, and espetially against y^e coming of y^e +rest from Leyden, and with what difficulty this supply was procured, and +how, by their strong & long opposision, bussines was so retarded as not +only they were now falne too late for y^e fishing season, but the best +men were taken up of y^e fishermen in the west countrie, and he was +forct to take such a m^r. & company for that imployment as he could +procure upon y^e present. Some letters from them shall beter declare +these things, being as followeth. + + [110] Most worthy & loving freinds, your kind & loving leters I have + received, and render you many thanks, &c. It hath plased God to stirre + up y^e harts of our adventurers[BJ] to raise a new stock for the + seting forth of this shipe, caled the Charitie, with men & + necessaries, both for the plantation and the fishing, though + accomplished with very great difficulty; in regard we have some + amongst us which undoubtedly aime more at their owne private ends, and + the thwarting & opposing of some hear, and other worthy + instruments,[BK] of Gods glory elswher, then at the generall good and + furtherance of this noble & laudable action. Yet againe we have many + other, and I hope the greatest parte, very honest Christian men, which + I am perswaded their ends and intents are wholy for the glory of our + Lord Jesus Christ, in the propagation of his gospell, and hope of + gaining those poore salvages to the knowledg of God. But, as we have a + proverbe, One scabed sheep may marr a whole flock, so these + malecontented persons, & turbulente spirits, doe what in them lyeth to + withdraw mens harts from you and your freinds, yea, even from the + generall bussines; and yet under show and pretence of godlynes and + furtherance of the plantation. Wheras the quite contrary doth plainly + appeare; as some of the honester harted men (though of late of their + faction) did make manifest at our late meeting. But what should I + trouble you or my selfe with these restles opposers of all goodnes, + and I doubte will be continuall disturbers of our frendly meetings & + love. On Thurs-day the 8. of Jan: we had a meeting aboute the artickls + betweene you & us; wher they would rejecte that, which we in our late + leters prest you to grante, (an addition to the time of our joynt + stock). And their reason which they would make known to us was, it + trobled their conscience to exacte longer time of you then was agreed + upon at the first. But that night they were so followed and crost of + their perverse courses, as they were even wearied, and offered to sell + their adventurs; and some were willing to buy. But I, doubting they + would raise more scandale and false reports, and so diverse waise doe + us more hurt, by going of in such a furie, then they could or can by + continuing adventurers amongst us, would not suffer them. But on y^e + 12. of Jan: we had another meting, but in the interime diverse of us + had talked with most of them privatly, and had great combats & + reasoning, pro & con. But at night when we mete to read y^e generall + letter, we had y^e loveingest and frendlyest meeting that ever I + knew[BL] and our greatest enemise offered to lend us 50_{li}. So I + sent for a potle of wine, (I would you could[BM] doe y^e like,) which + we dranke freindly together. Thus God can turne y^e harts of men when + it pleaseth him, &c. Thus loving freinds, I hartily salute you all in + y^e Lord, hoping ever to rest, + + Yours to my power, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + Jan: 25. 1623. + +[111] _Another leter._ + + Beloved S^r., &c. We have now sent you, we hope, men & means, to setle + these 3. things, viz. fishing, salt making, and boat making; if you + can bring them to pass to some perfection, your wants may be supplyed. + I pray you bend you selfe what you can to setle these bussinesses. Let + y^e ship be fraught away as soone as you can, and sent to Bilbow. You + must send some discreete man for factore, whom, once more, you must + also authorise to confirme y^e conditions. If M^r. Winslow could be + spared, I could wish he came againe. This ship carpenter is thought + to be the fittest man for you in the land, and will no doubte doe you + much good. Let him have an absolute comand over his servants & such as + you put to him. Let him build you 2. catches, a lighter, and some 6. + or 7. shalops, as soone as you can. The salt-man is a skillfull & + industrious man, put some to him, that may quickly apprehende y^e + misterie of it. The preacher we have sent is (we hope) an honest + plaine man, though none of y^e most eminente and rare. Aboute chusing + him into office use your owne liberty & discretion; he knows he is no + officer amongst you, though perhaps custome & universalitie may make + him forget him selfe. M^r. Winslow & my selfe gave way to his going, + to give contente to some hear, and we see no hurt in it, but only his + great charge of children. + + We have tooke a patente for Cap Anne, &c. I am sory ther is no more + discretion used by some in their leters hither.[BN] Some say you are + starved in body & soule; others, y^t you eate piggs & doggs, that dye + alone; others, that y^e things hear spoaken of, y^e goodnes of y^e + cuntry, are gross and palpable lyes; that ther is scarce a foule to be + seene, or a fish to be taken, and many such like. I would such + discontented men were hear againe, for it is a miserie when y^e whole + state of a plantation shall be thus exposed to y^e passionate humors + of some discontented men. And for my selfe I shall hinder for + hearafter some y^t would goe, and have not better composed their + affections; mean space it is all our crosses, and we must bear them. + + I am sorie we have not sent you more and other things, but in truth we + have rune into so much charge, to victaile y^e ship, provide salte & + other fishing implements, &c. as we could not provid other comfortable + things, as buter, suger, &c. I hope the returne of this ship, and the + James, will put us in cash againe. The Lord make you full of courage + in this troublesome bussines, which now must be stuck unto, till God + give us rest from our labours. Fare well in all harty affection. + + Your assured friend, + R. C. + + Jan: 24. 1623. + + +With y^e former letter write by M^r. Sherley, there were sente sundrie +objections concerning which he thus writeth. "These are the cheefe +objections which they [112] that are now returned make against you and +the countrie. I pray you consider them, and answer them by the first +conveniencie." These objections were made by some of those that came +over on their perticuler and were returned home, as is before mentioned, +and were of y^e same suite with those y^t this other letter mentions. + +I shall here set them downe, with y^e answers then made unto them, and +sent over at y^e returne of this ship; which did so confound y^e +objecters, as some confessed their falte, and others deneyed what they +had said, and eate their words, & some others of them have since come +over againe and heere lived to convince them selves sufficiently, both +in their owne & other mens judgments. + +1. obj. was diversitie aboute Religion. Ans: We know no such matter, for +here was never any controversie or opposition, either publicke or +private, (to our knowledg,) since we came. + +2. ob: Neglecte of familie duties, one y^e Lords day. + +Ans. We allow no such thing, but blame it in our selves & others; and +they that thus reporte it, should have shewed their Christian love the +more if they had in love tould y^e offenders of it, rather then thus to +reproach them behind their baks. But (to say no more) we wish them +selves had given better example. + +3. ob: Wante of both the sacrements. + +Ans. The more is our greefe, that our pastor is kept from us, by whom we +might injoye them; for we used to have the Lords Supper every Saboth, +and baptisme as often as ther was occasion of children to baptise. + +4. ob: Children not catechised nor taught to read. + +Ans: Neither is true; for diverse take pains with their owne as they +can; indeede, we have no co[=m]one schoole for want of a fitt person, or +hithertoo means to maintaine one; though we desire now to begine. + +5. ob: Many of y^e perticuler members of y^e plantation will not work +for y^e generall. + +Ans: This allso is not wholy true; for though some doe it not willingly, +& other not honestly, yet all doe it; and he that doth worst gets his +owne foode & something besids. But we will not excuse them, but labour +to reforme them y^e best we cane, or else to quitte y^e plantation of +them. + +6. ob: The water is not wholsome. + +Ans: If they mean, not so wholsome as y^e good beere and wine in +London, (which they so dearly love,) we will not dispute with them; but +els, for water, it is as good as any in the world, (for ought we knowe,) +and it is wholsome enough to us that can be contente therwith. + +7. ob: The ground is barren and doth bear no grasse. + +[113] Ans: It is hear (as in all places) some better & some worse; and +if they well consider their words, in England they shall not find such +grasse in them, as in their feelds & meadows. The catle find grasse, for +they are as fatt as need be; we wish we had but one for every hundred +that hear is grase to keep. Indeed, this objection, as some other, are +ridiculous to all here which see and know y^e contrary. + +8. ob: The fish will not take salt to keepe sweete. + +Ans: This is as true as that which was written, that ther is scarce a +foule to be seene or a fish to be taken. Things likly to be true in a +cuntrie wher so many sayle of ships come yearly a fishing; they might as +well say, there can no aile or beere in London be kept from sowering. + +9. ob: Many of them are theevish and steale on from an other. + +Ans: Would London had been free from that crime, then we should not have +been trobled with these here; it is well knowne sundrie have smarted +well for it, and so are y^e rest like to doe, if they be taken. + +10. ob: The countrie is anoyed with foxes and woules. + +Ans: So are many other good cuntries too; but poyson, traps, and other +such means will help to destroy them. + +11. ob: The Dutch are planted nere Hudsons Bay, and are likely to +overthrow the trade. + +Ans: They will come and plante in these parts, also, if we and others +doe not, but goe home and leave it to them. We rather commend them, then +condemne them for it. + +12. ob: The people are much anoyed with muskeetoes. + +Ans: They are too delicate and unfitte to begine new-plantations and +collonies, that cannot enduer the biting of a muskeeto; we would wish +such to keepe at home till at least they be muskeeto proofe. Yet this +place is as free as any, and experience teacheth that y^e more y^e land +is tild, and y^e woods cut downe, the fewer ther will be, and in the end +scarse any at all. + +Having thus dispatcht these things, that I may handle things togeather, +I shall here inserte 2. other letters from M^r. Robinson their pastor; +the one to y^e Gov^r, y^e other to M^r. Brewster their Elder, which will +give much light to y^e former things, and express the tender love & care +of a true pastor over them. + +_His leter to y^e Gov^r._ + + My loving & much beloved friend, whom God hath hithertoo preserved, + preserve and keepe you still to his glorie, and y^e good of many; that + his blessing may make your godly and wise endeavours answerable to y^e + valuation which they ther have, & set upon y^e same. Of your love too + and care for us here, we never doubted; so are we glad to take + knowledg of it in that fullnes we doe. Our love & care to and for you, + is mutuall, though our hopes of coming [114] unto you be small, and + weaker then ever. But of this at large in Mr. Brewsters letter, with + whom you, and he with you, mutualy, I know, comunicate your letters, + as I desire you may doe these, &c. + + Concerning y^e killing of those poor Indeans, of which we heard at + first by reporte, and since by more certaine relation, oh! how happy a + thing had it been, if you had converted some, before you had killed + any; besids, wher bloud is one begune to be shed, it is seldome + stanched of a long time after. You will say they deserved it. I grant + it; but upon what provocations and invitments by those heathenish + Christians?[BO] Besids, you, being no magistrats over them, were to + consider, not what they deserved, but what you were by necessitie + constrained to inflicte. Necessitie of this, espetially of killing so + many, (and many more, it seems, they would, if they could,) I see not. + Methinks on or tow principals should have been full enough, according + to that approved rule, The punishmente to a few, and y^e fear to many. + Upon this occasion let me be bould to exhorte you seriouly to consider + of y^e dispossition of your Captaine, whom I love, and am perswaded + y^e Lord in great mercie and for much good hath sent you him, if you + use him aright. He is a man humble and meek amongst you, and towards + all in ordinarie course. But now if this be meerly from an humane + spirite, ther is cause to fear that by occasion, espetially of + provocation, ther may be wanting y^t tendernes of y^e life of man + (made after Gods image) which is meete. It is also a thing more + glorious in mens eyes, then pleasing in Gods, or conveniente for + Christians, to be a terrour to poore barbarous people; and indeed I am + afraid least, by these occasions, others should be drawne to affecte a + kind of rufling course in the world. I doubt not but you will take in + good part these things which I write, and as ther is cause make use of + them. It were to us more comfortable and convenient, that we + comunicated our mutuall helps in presence, but seeing that canot be + done, we shall always long after you, and love you, and waite Gods + apoynted time. The adventurers it seems have neither money nor any + great mind of us, for y^e most parte. They deney it to be any part of + y^e covenants betwixte us, that they should tr[=a]sporte us, neither + doe I looke for any further help from them, till means come from you. + We hear are strangers in effecte to y^e whole course, and so both we + and you (save as your owne wisdoms and worths have intressed you + further) of principals intended in this bussines, are scarce + accessaries, &c. My wife, with me, resalute you & yours. Unto him who + is y^e same to his in all places, and nere to them which are farr from + one an other, I comend you and all with you, resting, + + Yours truly loving, + JOHN ROBINSON. + + Leyden, Des: 19. 1623. + +_His to M^r. Brewster._ + + Loving and dear friend and brother: That which I most desired of God + in regard of you, namly, y^e continuance of your life and health, and + the safe coming of these sent unto you, that I most gladly hear of, + and praise God for the same. And I hope M^rs. Brewsters weake and + decayed state of body will have some reparing by the coming of her + daughters, and the provissions in this and former ships, I hear is + made for you; which maks us with more patience bear our languishing + state, and y^e deferring of our desired tr[=a]sportation; w^ch I call + desired, rather than hoped for, whatsoever you are borne in hand by + any others. For first, ther is no hope at all, that I know, or can + conceive of, of any new stock to be raised for that end; so that all + must depend [115] upon returns from you, in which are so many + uncertainties, as that nothing with any certaintie can thence be + concluded. Besids, howsoever for y^e presente the adventurers aledg + nothing but want of money, which is an invincible difculty, yet if + that be taken away by you, others without doubte will be found. For + the beter clearing of this, we must dispose y^e adventurers into 3. + parts; and of them some 5. or 6. (as I conceive) are absolutly bent + for us, above any others. Other 5. or 6. are our bitter professed + adversaries. The rest, being the body, I conceive to be honestly + minded, & loveingly also towards us; yet such as have others (namly + y^e forward preachers) nerer unto them, then us, and whose course so + farr as ther is any differance, they would rather advance then ours. + Now what a hanck these men have over y^e professors, you know. And I + perswade my selfe, that for me, they of all others are unwilling I + should be transported, espetially such of them as have an eye that way + them selves; as thinking if I come ther, ther market will be mard in + many regards. And for these adversaries, if they have but halfe y^e + witte to their malice, they will stope my course when they see it + intended, for which this delaying serveth them very opportunly. And as + one restie jade can hinder, by hanging back, more then two or 3. can + (or will at least, if they be not very free) draw forward, so will it + be in this case. A notable[BP] experimente of this, they gave in your + messengers presence, constraining y^e company to promise that none of + the money now gathered should be expended or imployed to y^e help of + any of us towards you. Now touching y^e question propounded by you, I + judg it not lawfull for you, being a ruling Elder, as Rom. 12. 7. 8. & + 1. Tim. 5. 17. opposed to the Elders that teach & exhorte and labore + in y^e word and doctrine, to which y^e sacrements are a[=n]exed, to + administer them, nor convenient if it were lawfull. Whether any larned + man will come unto you or not, I know not; if any doe, you must + _Consili[=u] capere in arena_. Be you most hartily saluted, & you^r + wife with you, both from me & mine. Your God & ours, and y^e God of + all his, bring us together if it be his will, and keep us in the mean + while, and allways to his glory, and make us servisable to his + majestic, and faithfull to the end. Amen. + + Your very loving brother, + JOHN ROBINSON. + + Leyden, Des: 20. 1623. + +These things premised, I shall now prosecute y^e procedings and afairs +here. And before I come to other things I must speak a word of their +planting this year; they having found y^e benifite of their last years +harvest, and setting corne for their particuler, having therby with a +great deale of patience overcome hunger & famine. Which maks me remember +a saing of Senecas, _Epis: 123_. _That a great parte of libertie is a +well governed belly, and to be patiente in all wants._ They begane now +highly to prise corne as more pretious then silver, and those that had +some to spare begane to trade one with another for smale things, by y^e +quarte, potle, & peck, &c.; for money they had none, and if any had, +corne was prefered before it. That they might therfore encrease their +tillage to better advantage, they made suite [116] to the Gov^r to have +some portion of land given them for continuance, and not by yearly +lotte, for by that means, that which y^e more industrious had brought +into good culture (by much pains) one year, came to leave it y^e nexte, +and often another might injoye it; so as the dressing of their lands +were the more sleighted over, & to lese profite. Which being well +considered, their request was granted. And to every person was given +only one acrre of land, to them & theirs, as nere y^e towne as might be, +and they had no more till y^e 7. years were expired. The reason was, +that they might be kept close together both for more saftie and defence, +and y^e better improvement of y^e generall imployments. Which condition +of theirs did make me often thinke, of what I had read in Plinie[BQ] of +y^e Romans first beginings in Romulus time. _How every man contented him +selfe with 2. Acres of land, and had no more assigned them. And chap. 3. +It was thought a great reward, to receive at y^e hands of y^e people of +Rome a pinte of corne. And long after, the greatest presente given to a +Captaine y^t had gotte a victory over their enemise, was as much ground +as they could till in one day. And he was not counted a good, but a +dangerous man, that would not contente him selfe with 7. Acres of land. +As also how they did pound their corne in morters_, as these people were +forcte to doe many years before they could get a mille. + +The ship which brought this supply, was speedily discharged, and with +her m^r & company sente to Cap-Anne (of which place they had gott a +patente, as before is shewed) on fishing, and because the season was so +farr spente some of y^e planters were sent to help to build their stage, +to their owne hinderance. But partly by y^e latenes of y^e year, and +more espetialy by y^e basnes of y^e m^r, one Baker, they made a poore +viage of it. He proved a very drunken beast, and did nothing (in a +maner) but drink, & gusle, and consume away y^e time & his victails; and +most of his company followed his example; and though M^r. William Peirce +was to over see the busines, & to be m^r. of y^e ship home, yet he could +doe no good amongst them, so as y^e loss was great, and would have bene +more to them, but that they kept one a trading ther, which in those +times got some store of skins, which was some help unto them. + +The ship-carpenter that was sent them, was an honest and very +industrious man, and followed his labour very dilligently, and made all +that were imployed with him doe y^e like; he quickly builte them 2. +very good & strong shalops (which after did them greate service), and a +great and strong lighter, and had hewne timber for 2. catches; but that +was lost, for he fell into a feaver in y^e hote season of the year, and +though he had the best means y^e place could aforde, yet he dyed; of +whom they had a very [117] great loss, and were very sorie for his +death. But he whom they sent to make salte was an ignorante, foolish, +self-willd fellow; he bore them in hand he could doe great matters in +making salt-works, so he was sente to seeke out fitte ground for his +purpose; and after some serch he tould y^e Gov^r that he had found a +sufficente place, with a good botome to hold water, and otherwise very +conveniente, which he doubted not but in a short time to bring to good +perfection, and to yeeld them great profite; but he must have 8. or ten +men to be constantly imployed. He was wisht to be sure that y^e ground +was good, and other things answerable, and y^t he could bring it to +perfection; otherwise he would bring upon them a great charge by +imploying him selfe and so many men. But he was, after some triall, so +confidente, as he caused them to send carpenters to rear a great frame +for a large house, to receive y^e salte & such other uses. But in y^e +end all proved vaine. Then he layed fault of y^e ground, in which he was +deceived; but if he might have the lighter to cary clay, he was sure +then he could doe it. Now though y^e Gov^r & some other foresaw that +this would come to litle, yet they had so many malignant spirits amongst +them, that would have laid it upon them, in their letters of complainte +to the adventurers, as to be their falte y^t would not suffer him to goe +on to bring his work to perfection; for as he by his bould confidence & +large promises deceived them in England that sente him, so he had wound +him selfe in to these mens high esteeme hear, so as they were faine to +let him goe on till all men saw his vanity. For he could not doe any +thing but boyle salt in pans, & yet would make them y^t were joynd with +him beleeve ther was so grat a misterie in it as was not easie to be +attained, and made them doe many unnecessary things to blind their eys, +till they discerned his sutltie. The next yere he was sente to Cap-Anne, +and y^e pans were set up ther wher the fishing was; but before so[=m]er +was out, he bu[=r]te the house, and the fire was so vehemente as it +spoyld the pans, at least some of them, and this was the end of that +chargable bussines. + +The 3^d. eminente person (which y^e letters before mention) was y^e +minister which they sent over, by name M^r. John Lyford, of whom & whose +doing I must be more large, though I shall abridg things as much as I +can. When this man first came a shore, he saluted them with that +reverence & humilitie as is seldome to be seen, and indeed made them +ashamed, he so bowed and cringed unto them, and would have kissed their +hands if they would have [118] suffered him;[BR] yea, he wept & shed +many tears, blessing God that had brought him to see their faces; and +admiring y^e things they had done in their wants, &c. as if he had been +made all of love, and y^e humblest person in the world. And all the +while (if we may judg by his after cariags) he was but like him +mentioned in Psa: 10. 10. That croucheth & boweth, that heaps of poore +may fall by his might. Or like to that dissembling Ishmaell,[BS] who, +when he had slaine Gedelia, went out weeping and mette them y^t were +coming to offer incence in y^e house of y^e Lord; saing, Come to +Gedelia, when he ment to slay them. They gave him y^e best entertainment +y^ey could, (in all simplisitie,) and a larger alowans of food out of +y^e store then any other had, and as the Gov^r had used in all waightie +affairs to consulte with their Elder, M^r. Brewster, (togeither with his +assistants,) so now he caled M^r. Liford also to counsell with them in +their waightiest bussineses. Ater some short time he desired to joyne +himselfe a member to y^e church hear, and was accordingly received. He +made a large confession of his faith, and an acknowledgemente of his +former disorderly walking, and his being intangled with many +corruptions, which had been a burthen to his conscience, and blessed God +for this opportunitie of freedom & libertie to injoye y^e ordinances of +God in puritie among his people, with many more such like expressions. +I must hear speake a word also of M^r. John Oldom, who was a copartner +with him in his after courses. He had bene a cheefe sticler in y^e +former faction among y^e perticulers, and an intelligencer to those in +England. But now, since the coming of this ship and he saw the supply +that came, he tooke occasion to open his minde to some of y^e cheefe +amongst them heere, and confessed he had done them wrong both by word & +deed, & writing into England; but he now saw the eminente hand of God to +be with them, and his blesing upon them, which made his hart smite him, +neither should those in England ever use him as an instrumente any +longer against them in any thing; he also desired former things might be +forgotten, and that they would looke upon him as one that desired to +close with them in all things, with such like expressions. Now whether +this was in hipocrisie, or out of some sudden pange of conviction (which +I rather thinke), God only knows. Upon it they shew all readynes to +imbrace his love, and carry towards him in all frendlynes, and called +him to counsell with them in all cheefe affairs, as y^e other, without +any distrust at all. + +Thus all things seemed to goe very comfortably and smothly on amongst +them, at which they did much rejoyce; but this lasted not [119] long, +for both Oldom and he grew very perverse, and shewed a spirite of great +malignancie, drawing as many into faction as they could; were they +never so vile or profane, they did nourish & back them in all their +doings; so they would but cleave to them and speak against y^e church +hear; so as ther was nothing but private meetings and whisperings +amongst them; they feeding themselves & others with what they should +bring to pass in England by the faction of their freinds their, which +brought others as well as them selves into a fools paradise. Yet they +could not cary so closly but much of both their doings & sayings were +discovered, yet outwardly they still set a faire face of things. + +At lenght when y^e ship was ready to goe, it was observed Liford was +long in writing, & sente many letters, and could not forbear to +comunicate to his intimats such things as made them laugh in their +sleeves, and thought he had done ther errand sufficiently. The Gov^r and +some other of his freinds knowing how things stood in England, and what +hurt these things might doe, tooke a shalop and wente out with the ship +a league or 2. to sea, and caled for all Lifords & Oldums letters. Mr. +William Peirce being m^r. of y^e ship, (and knew well their evill +dealing both in England & here,) afforded him all y^e assistance he +could. He found above 20. of Lyfords letters, many of them larg, and +full of slanders, & false accusations, tending not only to their +prejudice, but to their ruine & utter subversion. Most of the letters +they let pas, only tooke copys of them, but some of y^e most materiall +they sent true copyes of them, and kept y^e originalls, least he should +deney them, and that they might produce his owne hand against him. +Amongst his letters they found y^e coppyes of tow letters which he sent +inclosed in a leter of his to M^r. John Pemberton, a minster, and a +great opposite of theirs. These 2. letters of which he tooke the coppyes +were one of them write by a gentle-man in England to M^r. Brewster here, +the other by M^r. Winslow to M^r. Robinson, in Holand, at his coming +away, as y^e ship lay at Gravsend. They lying sealed in y^e great cabin, +(whilst M^r. Winslow was bussie aboute the affairs of y^e ship,) this +slye marchante taks & opens them, taks these coppys, & seals them up +againe; and not only sends the coppyes of them thus to his friend and +their adversarie, but adds thertoo in y^e margente many scurrilous and +flouting a[=n]otations. This ship went out _towards e[=v]ing_, and _in +the night_ y^e Gov^r retu[=r]ed. They were somwaht blanke at it, but +after some weeks, when they heard nothing, they then were as briske as +ever, thinking nothing had been knowne, but all was gone currente, and +that the Gov^r went but to dispatch his owne letters. The reason why the +Gov^r & rest concealed these things the longer, was to let things ripen, +that they [120] might y^e better discover their intents and see who were +their adherents. And y^e rather because amongst y^e rest they found a +letter of one of their confederats, in w^ch was writen that M^r. Oldame +& M^r. Lyford intended a reformation in church and commone wealth; and, +as soone as the ship was gone, they intended to joyne togeather, and +have the sacrements, &c. + +For Oldame, few of his leters were found, (for he was so bad a scribe as +his hand was scarce legible,) yet he was as deepe in y^e mischeefe as +the other. And thinking they were now strong enough, they begane to pick +quarells at every thing. Oldame being called to watch (according to +order) refused to come, fell out with y^e Capten, caled him raskell, and +beggerly raskell, and resisted him, drew his knife at him; though he +offered him no wrong, nor gave him no ille termes, but with all fairnes +required him to doe his duty. The Gov^r, hearing y^e tumulte, sent to +quiet it, but he ramped more like a furious beast then a man, and cald +them all treatours, and rebells, and other such foule language as I am +ashamed to remember; but after he was clapt up a while, he came to him +selfe, and with some slight punishmente was let goe upon his behaviour +for further censure. + +But to cutt things shorte, at length it grew to this esseue, that Lyford +with his complicies, without ever speaking one word either to y^e Gov^r, +Church, or Elder, withdrewe them selves & set up a publick meeting +aparte, on y^e Lord's day; with sundry such insolente cariages, too long +here to relate, begining now publikly to acte what privatly they had +been long plotting. + +It was now thought high time (to prevent further mischeefe) to calle +them to accounte; so y^e Gov^r called a courte and su[=m]oned the whol +company to appeare. And then charged Lyford & Oldom with such things as +they were guilty of. But they were stiffe, & stood resolutly upon y^e +deneyall of most things, and required proofe. They first alledged what +was write to them out of England, compared with their doings & pactises +hear; that it was evident they joyned in plotting against them, and +disturbing their peace, both in respecte of their civill & church state, +which was most injurious; for both they and all y^e world knew they came +hither to injoye y^e libertie of their conscience and y^e free use of +Gods ordinances; and for y^t end had ventured their lives and passed +throwgh so much hardshipe hithertoo, and they and their freinds had +borne the charg of these beginings, which was not small. And that Lyford +for his parte was sent over on this charge, and that both he and his +great family was maintained on y^e same, and also was joyned to y^e +church, & a member of them; and for him to plote against them & seek +their ruine, was most unjust & perfidious. And for [121] Oldam or any +other that came over at their owne charge, and were on ther perticuler, +seeing they were received in curtesie by the plantation, when they came +only to seeke shelter & protection under their wings, not being able to +stand alone, that they, (according to y^e fable,) like the Hedghogg +whom y^e conny in a stormy day in pittie received into her borrow, would +not be content to take part with her, but in the end with her sharp +pricks forst the poore conny to forsake her owne borrow; so these men +with the like injustice indevored to doe y^e same to thos that +entertained them. + +Lyford denyed that he had any thing to doe with them in England, or knew +of their courses, and made other things as strange that he was charged +with. Then his letters were prodused & some of them read, at which he +was struck mute. But Oldam begane to rage furiously, because they had +intercepted and opened his letters, threatening them in very high +language, and in a most audacious and mutinous maner stood up & caled +upon y^e people, saying, My maisters, wher is your harts? now shew your +courage, you have oft complained to me so & so; now is y^e time, if you +will doe any thing, I will stand by you, &c. Thinking y^t every one +(knowing his humor) that had soothed and flattered him, or other wise in +their discontente uttered any thing unto him, would now side w^th him in +open rebellion. But he was deceived, for not a man opened his mouth, but +all were silent, being strucken with the injustice of y^e thing. Then +y^e Gov^r turned his speech to M^r. Lyford, and asked him if he thought +they had done evill to open his letters; but he was silente, & would not +say a word, well knowing what they might reply. Then y^e Gov^r shewed +the people he did it as a magistrate, and was bound to it by his place, +to prevent y^e mischeefe & ruine that this conspiracie and plots of +theirs would bring on this poor colony. But he, besids his evill dealing +hear, had delte trecherusly with his freinds y^t trusted him, & stole +their letters & opened them, and sent coppies of them, with disgracefull +a[=n]otations, to his freinds in England. And then y^e Gov^r produced +them and his other letters under his owne hand, (which he could not +deney,) and caused them to be read before all y^e people; at which all +his freinds were blanke, and had not a word to say. + +It would be too long & tedious here to inserte his letters (which would +almost fill a volume), though I have them by me. I shall only note a few +of y^e cheefe things collected out of them, with y^e answers to them as +they were then given; and but a few of those many, only for instance, by +which the rest may be judged of. + +[121[BT]] 1. First, he saith, the church would have none to live hear +but them selves. 2^ly. Neither are any willing so to doe if they had +company to live elswher. + +Ans: Their answer was, that this was false, in both y^e parts of it; for +they were willing & desirous y^t any honest men may live with them, that +will cary them selves peacably, and seek y^e co[=m]one good, or at least +doe them no hurte. And againe, ther are many that will not live els +wher so long as they may live with them. + +2. That if ther come over any honest men that are not of y^e seperation, +they will quickly distast them, &c. + +A. Ther answer was as before, that it was a false callumniation, for +they had many amongst them that they liked well of, and were glad of +their company; and should be of any such like that should come amongst +them. + +3. That they excepted against him for these 2. doctrins raised from 2. +Sam: 12. 7. First, that ministers must sume times perticulerly apply +their doctrine to spetiall persons; 2^ly, that great men may be reproved +as well as meaner. + +A. Their answer was, that both these were without either truth or colour +of y^e same (as was proved to his face), and that they had taught and +beleeved these things long before they knew M^r. Liford. + +4. That they utterly sought y^e ruine of y^e perticulers; as appeareth +by this, that they would not suffer any of y^e generall either to buy or +sell with them, or to exchaing one co[=m]oditie for another. + +Ans: This was a most malicious slander and voyd of all truth, as was +evidently proved to him before all men; for any of them did both buy, +sell, or exchaing with them as often as they had any occation. Yea, and +allso both lend & give to them when they wanted; and this the perticuler +persons them selves could not deney, but freely confest in open court. +But y^e ground from whence this arose made it much worse, for he was in +counsell with them. When one was called before them, and questioned for +receiving powder and bisket from y^e gu[=n]er of the small ship, which +was y^e companys, and had it put in at his window in the night, and +allso for buying salt of one, that had no right to it, he not only stood +to back him (being one of these perticulers) by excusing & extenuating +his falte, as long as he could, but upon this builds this mische[=c]ous +& most false slander: That because they would not suffer them to buy +stolne goods, ergo, they sought their utter ruine. Bad logick for a +devine. + +5. Next he writs, that he chocked them with this; that they turned [122] +men into their perticuler, and then sought to starve them, and deprive +them of all means of subsistance. + +A. To this was answered, he did them manifest wrong, for they turned +none into their perticuler; it was their owne importunitie and ernest +desire that moved them, yea, constrained them to doe it. And they +apealed to y^e persons them selves for y^e truth hereof. And they +testified the same against him before all present, as allso that they +had no cause to complaine of any either hard or unkind usage. + +6. He accuseth them with unjust distribution, and writeth, that it was a +strang difference, that some have bene alowed 16^li. of meale by y^e +weeke, and others but 4^li. And then (floutingly) saith, it seems some +mens mouths and bellies are very litle & slender over others. + +Ans: This might seeme strange indeed to those to whom he write his +leters in England, which knew not y^e reason of it; but to him and +others hear, it could not be strange, who knew how things stood. For the +first co[=m]ers had none at all, but lived on their corne. Those w^ch +_came in y^e Anne, y^e August before_, & were to live 13. months of the +provissions they brought, had as good alowance in meal & pease as it +would extend too, y^e most part of y^e year; but a litle before harvest, +when they had not only fish, but other fruits began to come in, they had +but 4^li. having their libertie to make their owne provisions. But some +of these which came last, as y^e ship carpenter, and samiers, the +salte-men & others that were to follow constante imployments, and had +not an howers time, from their hard labours, to looke for any thing +above their alowance; they had at first, 16^li. alowed them, and +afterwards as fish, & other food coued be gott, they had as balemente, +to 14. &. 12. yea some of them to 8. as the times & occasions did vary. +And yet those which followed planting and their owne occasions, and had +but 4^li. of meall a week, lived better then y^e other, as was well +knowne to all. And yet it must be remembered that Lyford & his had +allwais the highest alowance. + +Many other things (in his letters) he accused them of, with many +aggravations; as that he saw exseeding great wast of tools & vesseles; & +this, when it came to be examened, all y^e instance he could give was, +that he had seen an old hogshed or too fallen to peeces, and a broken +how or tow lefte carlesly in y^e feilds by some. Though he also knew +that a godly, honest man was appointed to looke to these things. But +these things & such like was write of by him, to cast disgrace & +prejudice upon them; as thinking what came from a [123] minister would +pass for currente. Then he tells them that Winslow should say, that ther +was not above 7. of y^e adventurers y^t souight y^e good of y^e collony. +That M^r. Oldam & him selfe had had much to doe with them, and that y^e +faction here might match y^e Jesuits for politie. With many y^e like +greevious complaints & accusations. + +1. Then, in the next place, he comes to give his freinds counsell and +directtion. And first, that y^e Leyden company (M^r. Robinson & y^e +rest) must still be kepte back, or els all will be spoyled. And least +any of them should be taken in privatly somewher on y^e coast of +England, (as it was feared might be done,) they must chaing the m^r. of +y^e ship (M^r. William Peirce), and put another allso in Winslows stead, +for marchante, or els it would not be prevented. + +2. Then he would have such a number provided as might oversway them +hear. And that y^e perticulers should have voyces in all courts & +elections, and be free to bear any office. And that every perticuler +should come over as an adventurer, if he be but a servante; some other +venturing 10^li., y^e bill may be taken out in y^e servants name, and +then assigned to y^e party whose money it was, and good covenants drawn +betweene them for y^e clearing of y^e matter; and this (saith he) would +be a means to strengthen this side y^e more. + +3. Then he tells them that if that Capten they spoake of should come +over hither as a generall, he was perswaded he would be chosen Capten; +for this Captaine Standish looks like a silly boy, and is in utter +contempte. + +4. Then he shows that if by y^e forementioned means they cannot be +strengthened to cary & overbear things, it will be best for them to +plant els wher by them selves; and would have it artickled by them that +they might make choyse of any place that they liked best within 3. or 4. +myls distance, shewing ther were farr better places for plantation then +this. + +5. And lastly he concluds, that if some number came not over to bear +them up here, then ther would be no abiding for them, but by joyning +with these hear. Then he adds: Since I begane to write, ther are letters +come from your company, wherin they would give sole authoritie in +diverce things unto the Gov^r here; which, if it take place, then, _Ve +nobis_. But I hope you will be more vigilante hereafter, that nothing +may pass in such a ma[=n]er. I suppose (saith he) M^r. Oldame will write +to you further of these things. I pray you conceall me in the discovery +of these things, &c. + +Thus I have breefly touched some cheefe things in his leters, and shall +now returne to their procceeding with him. After the reading of his +leters before the whole company, he was demanded what he could say to +these things. [124] But all y^e answer he made was, that Billington and +some others had informed him of many things, and made sundrie +complaints, which they now deneyed. He was againe asked if that was a +sufficiente ground for him thus to accuse & traduse them by his letters, +and never say word to them, considering the many bonds betweene them. +And so they went on from poynte to poynte; and wisht him, or any of his +freinds & confederats, not to spare them in any thing; if he or they had +any proofe or witnes of any corrupte or evill dealing of theirs, his or +their evidence must needs be ther presente, for ther was the whole +company and sundery strangers. He said he had been abused by others in +their informations, (as he now well saw,) and so had abused them. And +this was all the answer they could have, for none would take his parte +in any thing; but Billington, & any whom he named, deneyed the things, +and protested he wronged them, and would have drawne them to such & +such things which they could not consente too, though they were +sometimes drawne to his meetings. Then they delte with him aboute his +dissembling with them aboute y^e church, and that he professed to concur +with them in all things, and what a large confession he made at his +admittance, and that he held not him selfe a minister till he had a new +calling, &c. And yet now he contested against them, and drew a company +aparte, & sequestred him selfe; and would goe minister the sacrements +(by his Episcopall caling) without ever speaking a word unto them, +either as magistrats or bretheren. In conclusion, he was fully +convicted, and burst out into tears, and "confest he feared he was a +reprobate, his sinns were so great that he doubted God would not pardon +them, he was unsavorie salte, &c.; and that he had so wronged them as he +could never make them amends, confessing all he had write against them +was false & nought, both for matter & ma[=n]er." And all this he did +with as much fullnes as words & tears could express. + +After their triall & conviction, the court censured them to be expeld +the place; Oldame presently, though his wife & family had liberty to +stay all winter, or longer, till he could make provission to remove them +comfortably. Lyford had liberty to stay 6. months. It was, indeede, with +some eye to his release, if he caried him selfe well in the meane time, +and that his repentance proved sound. Lyford acknowledged his censure +was farr less then he deserved. + +Afterwards, he confest his sin publikly in y^e church, with tears more +largly then before. I shall here put it downe as I find it recorded by +some who tooke it from his owne words, as him selfe utered them. +Acknowledging [125] "That he had don very evill, and slanderously abused +them; and thinking most of y^e people would take parte with him, he +thought to cary all by violence and strong hand against them. And that +God might justly lay i[=n]ocente blood to his charge, for he knew not +what hurt might have come of these his writings, and blest God they were +stayed. And that he spared not to take knowledg from any, of any evill +that was spoaken, but shut his eyes & ears against all the good; and if +God should make him a vacabund in y^e earth, as was Caine, it was but +just, for he had sined in envie & malice against his brethren as he did. +And he confessed 3. things to be y^e ground & causes of these his +doings: pride, vaine-glorie, & selfe love." Amplifying these heads with +many other sade expressions, in the perticulers of them. + +So as they begane againe to conceive good thoughts of him upon this his +repentance, and admited him to teach amongst them as before; and Samuell +Fuller (a deacon amongst them), and some other tender harted men +amongst them, were so taken with his signes of sorrow & repentance, as +they professed they would fall upon their knees to have his censure +released. + +But that which made them all stand amased in the end, and may doe all +others that shall come to hear y^e same, (for a rarer president can +scarse be showne,) was, that after a month or 2. notwithstand all his +former conffessions, convictions, and publick acknowledgments, both in +y^e face of y^e church and whole company, with so many tears & sadde +censures of him selfe before God & men, he should goe againe to justifie +what he had done. + +For secretly he write a 2^d. leter to y^e adventurers in England, in +w^ch he justified all his former writings, (save in some things which +tended to their damage,) the which, because it is brefer then y^e +former, I shall here inserte. + + Worthy S^rs: Though the filth of mine owne doings may justly be cast + in my face, and with blushing cause my perpetuall silence, yet that + y^e truth may not herby be injuried, your selves any longer deluded, + nor injurious[BU] dealing caried out still, with bould out facings, I + have adventured once more to write unto you. Firest, I doe freely + confess I delte very indiscreetly in some of my perticuler leters w^ch + I wrote to private freinds, for y^e courses in coming hither & the + like; which I doe in no sorte seeke to justifie, though stired up ther + unto in the beholding y^e indirecte courses held by others, both + hear, & ther with you, for effecting their designes. But am hartily + sory for it, and doe to y^e glory of God & mine owne shame acknowledg + it. Which leters being intercepted by the Gov^r, I have for y^e same + undergone y^e censure [126] of banishmente. And had it not been for + y^e respecte I have unto you, and some other matters of private + regard, I had returned againe at this time by y^e pinass for England; + for hear I purpose not to abide, unless I receive better incouragmente + from you, then from y^e church (as they call them selves) here I doe + receive. I purposed before I came, to undergoe hardnes, therfore I + shall I hope cherfully bear y^e conditions of y^e place, though very + mean; and they have chainged my wages ten times allready. I suppose my + letters, or at least y^e coppies of them, are come to your hands, for + so they hear reporte; which, if it be so, I pray you take notice of + this, that I have writen nothing but what is certainly true, and I + could make so apeare planly to any indifferente men, whatsoever + colours be cast to darken y^e truth, and some ther are very audatious + this way; besids many other matters which are farre out of order hear. + My mind was not to enlarge my selfe any further, but in respecte of + diverse poore souls here, y^e care of whom in parte belongs to you, + being here destitute of the me[=a]s of salvation. For how so ever y^e + church are provided for, to their contente, who are y^e smalest number + in y^e collony, and doe so appropriate y^e ministrie to them selves, + houlding this principle, that y^e Lord hath not appointed any ordinary + ministrie for y^e conversion of those y^t are without, so y^t some of + y^e poor souls have w^th tears complained of this to me, and I was + taxed for preaching to all in generall. Though in truth they have had + no ministrie here since they came, but such as may be performed by any + of you, by their owne possition, what soever great pretences they + make; but herin they equivocate, as in many other things they doe. + But I exceede y^e bounds I set my selfe, therfore resting thus, + untill I hear further from you, so it be within y^e time limited me. I + rest, &c., + + Remaining yours ever, + JOHN LYFORD, Exille. + + Dated Aug: 22. An^o: 1624. + + +They made a breefe answer to some things in this leter, but referred +cheefly to their former. The effecte was to this purpose: That if God in +his providence had not brought these things to their hands (both y^e +former & later), they might have been thus abused, tradused, and +calumniated, overthrowne, & undone; and never have knowne by whom, nor +for what. They desired but this equall favoure, that they would be +pleased to hear their just defence, as well as his accusations, and +waigh them in y^e balance of justice & reason, and then censure as they +pleased. They had write breefly to y^e heads of things before, and +should be ready to give further [127] answer as any occasion should +require; craving leave to adde a word or tow to this last. + +1. And first, they desire to examene what filth that was y^t he +acknowledgeth might justly be throwne in his face, and might cause +blushing & perpetuall silence; some great mater sure! But if it be +looked into, it amounts to no more then a poynte of indiscretion, and +thats all; and yet he licks of y^t too with this excuse, that he was +stired up therunto by beholding y^e indirecte course here. But this +point never troubled him here, it was counted a light matter both by him +& his freinds, and put of with this,--that any man might doe so, to +advise his private freinds to come over for their best advantage. All +his sorrow & tears here was for y^e wrong & hurt he had done us, and not +at all for this he pretends to be done to you: it was not counted so +much as indiscretion. + +2. Having thus payed you full satisfaction, he thinks he may lay load of +us here. And first complains that we have changed his wages ten times. +We never agreed with him for any wages, nor made any bargen at all with +him, neither know of any that you have made. You sent him over to teach +amongst us, and desired he might be kindly used; and more then this we +know not. That he hath beene kindly used, (and farr beter then he +deserves from us,) he shall be judged first of his owne mouth. If you +please to looke upon that writing of his, that was sent you amongst his +leters, which he cals a generall relation, in which, though he doth +otherwise traduse us, yet in this he him selfe clears us. In y^e latter +end therof he hath these words. _I speak not this_ (saith he) _out of +any ill affection to the men, for I have found them very kind & loving +to me._ You may ther see these to be his owne words under his owne hand. +2^ly. It will appere by this that he hath ever had a larger alowance of +food out of y^e store for him and his then any, and clothing as his +neede hath required; a dwelling in one of our best houses, and a man +wholy at his owne co[=m]and to tend his private affairs. What cause he +hath therfore to complaine, judge ye; and what he means in his speech we +know not, except he aluds to y^t of Jaacob & Laban. If you have promised +him more or other wise, you may doe it when you please. + +3. Then with an impudente face he would have you take notice, that (in +his leters) he hath write nothing but what is certainly true, yea, and +he could make it so appeare plainly to any indifferente men. This indeed +doth astonish us and causeth us to tremble at y^e deceitfullnes [128] +and desperate wickednes of mans harte. This is to devoure holy things, +and after voues to enquire. It is admirable that after such publick +confession, and acknowledgmente in court, in church, before God, & men, +with such sadd expressions as he used, and with such melting into +teares, that after all this he shoud now justifie all againe. If things +had bene done in a corner, it had been some thinge to deney them; but +being done in y^e open view of y^e cuntrie & before all men, it is more +then strange now to avow to make them plainly appear to any indifferente +men; and here wher things were done, and all y^e evidence that could be +were presente, and yet could make nothing appear, but even his freinds +condemnd him & gave their voyce to his censure, so grose were they; we +leave your selves to judge herein. Yet least this man should triumph in +his wikednes, we shall be ready to answer him, when, or wher you will, +to any thing he shall lay to our charg, though we have done it +sufficiently allready. + +4. Then he saith he would not inlarge, but for some poore souls here who +are destiute of y^e means of salvation, &c. But all his soothing is but +that you would use means, that his censure might be released that he +might here continue; and under you (at least) be sheltered, till he sees +what his freinds (on whom he depends) can bring about & effecte. For +such men pretend much for poor souls, but they will looke to their wages +& conditions; if that be not to their content, let poor souls doe what +they will, they will shift for them selves, and seek poore souls some +wher els among richer bodys. + +Next he fals upon y^e church, that indeed is y^e burthensome stone that +troubls him. First, he saith they hold this principle, that the Lord +hath not apointed any ordinarie ministrie for y^e converssion of those +without. The church needs not be ashamed of what she houlds in this, +haveing Gods word for her warrente; that ordinarie officers are bound +cheefly to their flocks, Acts 20. 28. and are not to be extravagants, to +goe, come, and leave them at their pleasurs to shift for them selves, or +to be devoured of wolves. But he perverts y^e truth in this as in other +things, for y^e Lord hath as well appoynted them to converte, as to +feede in their severall charges; and he wrongs y^e church to say other +wise. Againe, he saith he was taxed for preaching to all in generall. +This is a meere untruth, for this dissembler knows that every Lords day +some are appointed to visite suspected places, & if any be found idling +and neglecte y^e hearing of y^e word, (through idlnes or profanes,) they +are punished for y^e same. Now to procure all to come to hear, and then +to blame him for preaching to all, were to play y^e mad men. + +[129] 6. Next (he saith) they have had no ministrie since they came, +what soever pretences they make, &c. We answer, the more is our wrong, +that our pastor is kept from us by these mens means, and then reproach +us for it when they have done. Yet have we not been wholy distitute of +y^e means of salvation, as this man would make y^e world beleeve; for +our reve^d Elder hath laboured diligently in dispencing the word of God +unto us, before he came; and since hath taken equalle pains with him +selfe in preaching the same; and, be it spoaken without ostentation, he +is not inferriour to M^r. Lyford (& some of his betters) either in gifts +or larning, though he would never be perswaded to take higher office +upon him. Nor ever was more pretended in this matter. For equivocating, +he may take it to him selfe; what y^e church houlds, they have +manifested to y^e world, in all plaines, both in open confession, +doctrine, & writing. + +This was y^e sume of ther answer, and hear I will let them rest for y^e +presente. I have bene longer in these things then I desired, and yet not +so long as the things might require, for I pass many things in silence, +and many more deserve to have been more largly handled. But I will +returne to other things, and leave y^e rest to its place. + +The pinass that was left sunck & cast away near Damarins-cove, as is +before showed, some of y^e fishing maisters said it was a pity so fine a +vessell should be lost, and sent them word that, if they would be at y^e +cost, they would both directe them how to waygh her, and let them have +their carpenters to mend her. They thanked them, & sente men aboute it, +and beaver to defray y^e charge, (without which all had been in vaine). +So they gott coopers to trime, I know not how many tune of cask, and +being made tight and fastened to her at low-water, they boyed her up; +and then with many hands hald her on shore in a conveniente place wher +she might be wrought upon; and then hired sundrie carpenters to work +upon her, and other to saw planks, and at last fitted her & got her +home. But she cost a great deale of money, in thus recovering her, and +buying riging & seails for her, both now and when before she lost her +mast; so as she proved a chargable vessell to y^e poor plantation. So +they sent her home, and with her Lyford sent his last letter, in great +secrecie; but y^e party intrusted with it gave it y^e Gov^r. + +The winter was passed over in ther ordinarie affairs, without any +spetiall mater worth noteing; saveing that many who before stood +something of from y^e church, now seeing Lyfords unrighteous dealing, +and malignitie against y^e church, now tendered them selves to y^e +church, and were joyned to y^e same; proffessing that it was not out of +y^e dislike of any thing that they had stood of so long, but a desire to +fitte them selves beter for such a state, and they saw now y^e Lord cald +for their help. [130] And so these troubls prodused a quite contrary +effecte in sundrie hear, then these adversaries hoped for. Which was +looked at as a great worke of God, to draw on men by unlickly means; and +that in reason which might rather have set them further of. And thus I +shall end this year. + +_Anno Dom: 1625._ + +At y^e spring of y^e year, about y^e time of their Election Court, Oldam +came againe amongst them; and though it was a part of his censure for +his former mutinye and miscariage, not to returne without leave first +obtained, yet in his dareing spirite, he presumed without any leave at +all, being also set on & hardened by y^e ill counsell of others. And not +only so, but suffered his unruly passion to rune beyond y^e limits of +all reason and modestie; in so much that some strangers which came with +him were ashamed of his outrage, and rebuked him; but all reprofes were +but as oyle to y^e fire, and made y^e flame of his coller greater. He +caled them all to nought, in this his mad furie, and a hundred rebells +and traytors, and I know not what. But in conclusion they co[=m]ited him +till he was tamer, and then apointed a gard of musketers w^ch he was to +pass throw, and ever one was ordered to give him a thump on y^e brich, +with y^e but end of his musket, and then was conveied to y^e water side, +wher a boat was ready to cary him away. Then they bid him goe & mende +his maners. + +Whilst this was a doing, M^r. William Peirce and M^r. Winslow came up +from y^e water side, being come from England; but they were so busie +with Oldam, as they never saw them till they came thus upon them. They +bid them not spare either him or Liford, for they had played y^e vilans +with them. But that I may hear make an end with him, I shall hear once +for all relate what befell concerning him in y^e future, & y^t breefly. +After y^e removall of his familie from hence, he fell into some straits, +(as some others did,) and aboute a year or more afterwards, towards +winter, he intended a vioage for Virginia; but it so pleased God that +y^e barke that caried him, and many other passengers, was in that +danger, as they dispaired of life; so as many of them, as they fell to +prayer, so also did they begine to examine their consciences [131] and +confess such sins as did most burthen them. And M^r. Ouldame did make a +free and large confession of y^e wrongs and hurt he had done to y^e +people and church here, in many perticulers, that as he had sought their +ruine, so God had now mette with him and might destroy him; yea, he +feared they all fared y^e worce for his sake; he prayed God to forgive +him, and made vowes that, if y^e Lord spard his life, he would become +otherwise, and y^e like. This I had from some of good credite, yet +living in y^e Bay, and were them selves partners in the same dangers on +y^e shoulds of Cap-Codd, and heard it from his owne mouth. It pleased +God to spare their lives, though they lost their viage; and in time +after wards, Ouldam caried him selfe fairly towards them, and +acknowledged y^e hand of God to be with them, and seemed to have an +honourable respecte of them; and so farr made his peace with them, as he +in after time had libertie to goe and come, and converse with them, at +his pleasure. He went after this to Virginia, and had ther a great +sicknes, but recovered and came back againe to his familie in y^e Bay, +and ther lived till some store of people came over. At lenght going a +trading in a smale vessell among y^e Indians, and being weakly mand, +upon some quarell they knockt him on y^e head with a hatched, so as he +fell downe dead, & never spake word more. 2. litle boys that were his +kinsmen were saved, but had some hurte, and y^e vessell was strangly +recovered from y^e Indeans by another that belonged to y^e Bay of +Massachusets; and this his death was one ground of the Pequente warr +which followed. + +I am now come to M^r. Lyford. His time being now expired, his censure +was to take place. He was so farre from answering their hopes by +amendmente in y^e time, as he had dubled his evill, as is before noted. +But first behold y^e hand of God concei[=r]ing him, wherin that of y^e +Psalmist is verified. Psa: 7. 15. He hath made a pitte, & digged it, and +is fallen into the pitte he made. He thought to bring shame and disgrace +upon them, but in stead therof opens his owne to all y^e world. For when +he was delte with all aboute his second letter, his wife was so affected +with his doings, as she could no longer conceaill her greefe and sorrow +of minde, but opens y^e same to one of their deacons & some other of her +freinds, & after uttered y^e same to M^r. Peirce upon his arrivall. +Which was to this purpose, that she feared some great judgment of God +would fall upon them, and upon her, for her husbands cause; now that +they were to remove, she feared to fall into y^e Indeans hands, and to +be defiled by them, as he had defiled other women; or some shuch like +[132] judgmente, as God had threatened David, 2. Sam. 12. 11. I will +raise up evill against y^e, and will take thy wives & give them, &c. And +upon it showed how he had wronged her, as first he had a bastard by +another before they were maried, & she having some inkling of some ill +cariage that way, when he was a suitor to her, she tould him what she +heard, & deneyd him; but she not certainly knowing y^e thing, other wise +then by some darke & secrete muterings, he not only stifly denied it, +but to satisfie her tooke a solemne oath ther was no shuch matter. Upon +which she gave consente, and maried with him; but afterwards it was +found true, and y^e bastard brought home to them. She then charged him +with his oath, but he prayed pardon, and said he should els not have had +her. And yet afterwards she could keep no maids but he would be medling +with them, and some time she hath taken him in y^e maner, as they lay at +their beds feete, with shuch other circumstances as I am ashamed to +relate. The woman being a grave matron, & of good cariage all y^e while +she was hear, and spoake these things out of y^e sorrow of her harte, +sparingly, and yet w^th some further intimations. And that which did +most seeme to affecte her (as they conceived) was, to see his former +cariage in his repentance, not only hear with y^e church, but formerly +about these things; sheding tears, and using great & sade expressions, +and yet eftsone fall into the like things. + +Another thing of y^e same nature did strangly concurr herewith. When +M^r. Winslow & M^r. Peirce were come over, M^r. Winslow informed them +that they had had y^e like bickering with Lyfords freinds in England, as +they had with him selfe and his freinds hear, aboute his letters & +accusations in them. And many meetings and much clamour was made by his +freinds theraboute, crying out, a minister, a man so godly, to be so +esteemed & taxed they held a great skandale, and threated to prosecute +law against them for it. But things being referred to a further meeting +of most of y^e adventurers, to heare y^e case and decide y^e matters, +they agreed to chose 2. eminente men for moderators in the bussines. +Lyfords faction chose M^r. White, a counselor at law, the other parte +chose Re[~v]e^d. M^r. Hooker, the minister, and many freinds on both +sids were brought in, so as ther was a great assemblie. In y^e mean +time, God in his providence had detected Lyford's evill cariage in +Ireland to some freinds amongst y^e company, who made it knowne to M^r. +Winslow, and directed him to 2. godly and grave witnesses, who would +testifie y^e same (if caled therunto) upon their oath. The thing was +this; he being gott into Ireland, had wound him selfe into y^e esteeme +of sundry godly & zelous professours in those parts, who, having been +burthened with y^e ceremonies in England, found ther some more liberty +to their consciences; amongst whom were these 2. men, which gave [133] +this evidence. Amongst y^e rest of his hearers, ther was a godly yonge +man that intended to marie, and cast his affection on a maide which +lived their aboute; but desiring to chose in y^e Lord, and preferred y^e +fear of God before all other things, before he suffered his affection to +rune too farr, he resolved to take M^r. Lyfords advise and judgmente of +this maide, (being y^e minister of y^e place,) and so broak y^e matter +unto him; & he promised faithfully to informe him, but would first take +better knowledg of her, and have private conferance with her; and so had +sundry times; and in conclusion co[=m]ended her highly to y^e yong man +as a very fitte wife for him. So they were maried togeather; but some +time after mariage the woman was much troubled in mind, and afflicted in +conscience, and did nothing but weepe and mourne, and long it was before +her husband could get of her what was y^e cause. But at length she +discovered y^e thing, and prayed him to forgive her, for Lyford had +overcome her, and defiled her body before marriage, after he had +comended him unto her for a husband, and she resolved to have him, when +he came to her in that private way. The circumstances I forbear, for +they would offend chast ears to hear them related, (for though he +satisfied his lust on her, yet he indeaoured to hinder conception.) +These things being thus discovered, y^e wom[=a]s husband tooke some +godly freinds with him, to deale with Liford for this evill. At length +he confest it, with a great deale of seeming sorrow & repentance, but +was forct to leave Irland upon it, partly for shame, and partly for fear +of further punishmente, for y^e godly withdrew them selves from him upon +it; and so co[=m]ing into England unhapily he was light upon & sente +hither. + +But in this great assembly, and before y^e moderators, in handling y^e +former matters aboute y^e letters, upon provocation, in some heate of +replie to some of Lyfords defenders, M^r. Winslow let fall these words, +That he had delte knavishly; upon which on of his freinds tooke hold, & +caled for witneses, that he cald a minister of y^e gospell knave, and +would prosecute law upon it, which made a great tumulte, upon which (to +be shorte) this matter broke out, and the witnes were prodused, whose +persons were so grave, and evidence so plaine, and y^e facte so foule, +yet delivered in such modest & chast terms, and with such circumstances, +as strucke all his freinds mute, and made them all ashamed; insomuch as +y^e moderators with great gravitie declared that y^e former matters gave +them cause enough to refuse him & to deal with him as they had done, but +these made him unmeete for ever to bear ministrie any more, what +repentance soever he should pretend; with much more to like effecte, and +so wisht his freinds to rest quiete. Thus was this matter ended. + +From hence Lyford wente to Natasco, in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets, +with some other of his freinds with him, wher Oldom allso lived. From +thence he removed to Namkeke, since called Salem; but after ther came +some people over, wheather for hope of greater profite, or what ends els +I know not, he left his freinds that followed him, and went from thence +to Virginia, wher he shortly after dyed, and so I leave him to y^e Lord. +His wife afterwards returned againe to this cuntry, and thus much of +this matter. + +[134] This storme being thus blowne over, yet sundrie sad effects +followed y^e same; for the Company of Adventurers broake in peeces here +upon, and y^e greatest parte wholy deserted y^e colony in regarde of any +further supply, or care of their subsistance. And not only so, but some +of Lyfords & Oldoms freinds, and their adherents, set out a shipe on +fishing, on their owne accounte, and getting y^e starte of y^e ships +that came to the plantation, they tooke away their stage, & other +necessary provisions that they had made for fishing at Cap-Anne y^e year +before, at their great charge, and would not restore y^e same, excepte +they would fight for it. But y^e Gov^r sent some of y^e planters to help +y^e fisher men to build a new one, and so let them keepe it. This shipe +also brought them some small supply, of little value; but they made so +pore a bussines of their fishing, (neither could these men make them any +returne for y^e supply sente,) so as, after this year, they never looked +more after them. + +Also by this ship, they, some of them, sent (in y^e name of y^e rest) +certaine reasons of their breaking of from y^e plantation, and some +tenders, upon certaine conditions, of reuniting againe. The which +because they are longe & tedious, and most of them aboute the former +things already touched, I shall omite them; only giveing an instance in +one, or tow. 1. reason, they charged them for dissembling with his +majestie in their petition, and with y^e adventurers about y^e French +discipline, &c. 2^ly, for receiving[BV] a man[BW] into their church, +that in his conffession renownced all, universall, nationall, and +diocessan churches, &c., by which (say they) it appears, that though +they deney the name of Bro[=w]ists, yet they practiss y^e same, &c. And +therfore they should si[=n]e against God in building up such a people. + +Then they adde: Our dislikes thus laid downe, that we may goe on in +trade w^th better contente & credite, our desires are as followeth. +First, that as we are partners in trade, so we may be in Go[~v]^rt ther, +as the patente doth give us power, &c. + +2. That the French discipline may be practised in the plantation, as +well in the circumstances theirof, as in y^e substance; wherby y^e +scandallous name of y^e Brownists, and other church differences, may be +taken away. + +3. Lastly, that M^r. Robinson and his company may not goe over to our +plantation, unless he and they will reconcile themselves to our church +by a recantation under their hands, &c. + +Their answer in part to these things was then as foloweth. + + Wheras you taxe us for dissembling with his majestie & y^e adventurers + aboute y^e French discipline, you doe us wrong, for we both hold & + practice y^e discipline of y^e French & other reformed churches, (as + they have published y^e same in y^e Harmony of Confessions,) according + to our means, in effecte & substance. But wheras you would tye us to + the French discipline in every circumstance, you derogate from y^e + libertie we have in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paule would have none to + follow him in any thing but wherin he follows Christ, much less ought + any Christian or church in y^e world to doe it. The French may erre, + we may erre, and other churches may erre, and doubtless doe in many + circumstances. That honour therfore belongs only to y^e infallible + word of God, and pure Testamente of Christ, to be propounded and + followed as y^e only rule and pattern for direction herin to all + churches & Christians. And it is too great arrogancie for any man, or + church [135] to thinke y^t he or they have so sounded y^e word of God + to y^e bottome, as precislie to sett downe y^e churches discipline, + without error in substance or circumstance, as y^t no other without + blame may digress or differ in any thing from y^e same. And it is not + difficulte to shew, y^t the reformed churches differ in many + circumstances amongest them selves. + +The rest I omitte, for brevities sake, and so leave to prosecute these +men or their doings any further, but shall returne to y^e rest of their +freinds of y^e company, w^ch stuck to them. And I shall first inserte +some part of their letters as followeth; for I thinke it best to render +their minds in ther owne words. + + To our loving freinds, &c. + + Though the thing we feared be come upon us, and y^e evill we strove + against have overtaken us, yet we cannot forgett you, nor our + freindship and fellowship which togeather we have had some years; + wherin though our expressions have been small, yet our harty + affections towards you (unknown by face) have been no less then to our + nearest freinds, yea, to our owne selves. And though this your friend + M^r. Winslow can tell you y^e state of things hear, yet least we + should seeme to neglecte you, to whom, by a wonderfull providence of + God, we are so nearly united, we have thought good once more to write + unto you, to let you know what is here befallen, and y^e resons of it; + as also our purposes & desirs toward you for hereafter. + + The former course for the generalitie here is wholy dissolved from + what it was; and wheras you & we were formerly sharers and partners, + in all viages & deallings, this way is now no more, but you and we are + left to bethinke our sellves what course to take in y^e future, that + your lives & our monies be not lost. + + The reasons and causes of this allteration have been these. First and + mainly, y^e many losses and crosses at sea, and abuses of sea-men, + w^ch have caused us to rune into so much charge, debts, & ingagements, + as our estats & means were not able to goe on without impoverishing + our selves, except our estats had been greater, and our associats + cloven beter unto us. 2^ly, as here hath been a faction and siding + amongst us now more then 2. years, so now there is an uter breach and + sequestration amongst us, and in too parts of us a full dissertion and + forsaking of you, without any intente or purpose of medling more with + you. And though we are perswaded the maine cause of this their doing + is wante of money, (for neede wherof men use to make many excuses,) + yet other things are pretended, as that you are Brownists, &c. Now + what use you or we ought to make of these things, it remaineth to be + considered, for we know y^e hand of God to be in all these things, and + no doubt he would admonish some thing therby, and to looke what is + amise. And allthough it be now too late for us or you to prevent & + stay these things, yet it is[BX] not to late to exercise patience, + wisdom, and conscience in bearing them, and in caring our selves in & + under them for y^e time to come. + + [136] And as we our selves stand ready to imbrace all occasions that + may tend to y^e furthrance of so hopefull a work, rather admiring of + what is, then grudging for what is not; so it must rest in you to make + all good againe. And if in nothing else you can be approved, yet let + your honestie & conscience be still approved, & lose not one jote of + you^r innocencie, amids your crosses & afflictions. And surly if you + upon this allteration behave your selves wisly, and goe on fairly, as + men whose hope is not in this life, you shall need no other weapon to + wound your adversaries; for when your righteousnes is revealled as y^e + light, they shall cover their faces with shame, that causlesly have + sought your overthrow. + + Now we thinke it but reason, that all such things as ther apertaine to + the generall, be kept & preserved togeather, and rather increased + dayly, then any way be dispersed or imbeseled away for any private + ends or intents whatsoever. And after your necessities are served, you + gather togeather such co[=m]odities as y^e cuntrie yeelds, & send them + over to pay debts & clear ingagements hear, which are not less then + 1400^li. And we hope you will doe your best to free our ingagements, + &c. Let us all indeavor to keep a faire & honest course, and see what + time will bring forth, and how God in his providence will worke for + us. We still are perswaded you are y^e people that must make a + plantation in those remoate places when all others faile and returne. + And your experience of Gods providence and preservation of you is such + as we hope your harts will not faile you, though your freinds should + forsake you (which we our selves shall not doe whilst we live, so long + as your honestie so well appereth). Yet surly help would arise from + some other place whilst you waite on God, with uprightnes, though we + should leave you allso. + + And lastly be you all intreated to walke circumspectly, and carry your + selves so uprightly in all your ways, as y^t no man may make just + exceptions against you. And more espetially that y^e favour and + countenance of God may be so toward you, as y^t you may find abundante + joye & peace even amids tribulations, that you may say with David, + Though my father & mother should forsake me, yet y^e Lord would take + me up. + + We have sent you hear some catle, cloath, hose, shoes, leather, &c., + but in another nature then formerly, as it stood us in hand to doe; we + have co[=m]itted them to y^e charge & custody of M^r. Allerton and + M^r. Winslow, as our factours, at whose discretion they are to be + sould, and co[=m]odities to be taken for them, as is fitting. And by + how much y^e more they will be chargable unto you, the better[BY] they + had need to be husbanded, &c. Goe on, good freinds, comfortably, pluck + up your spirits, and quitte your selves like men in all your + difficulties, that notwithstanding all displeasure and threats of men, + yet y^e work may goe on you are aboute, and not be neglected. Which is + so much for y^e glorie of God, and the furthrance of our countrie-men, + as that a man may with more comforte [137] spend his life in it, then + live y^e life of Mathusala, in wasting y^e plentie of a tilled land, + or eating y^e fruite of a growne tree. Thus with harty salutations to + you all, and harty prayers for you all, we lovingly take our leaves, + this 18. of Des: 1624. + + Your assured freinds to our powers, + J. S. + W. C. + T. F. + R. H. &c. + +By this leter it appears in what state y^e affairs of y^e plantation +stood at this time. These goods they bought, but they were at deare +rates, for they put 40. in y^e hundred upon them, for profite and +adventure, outward bound; and because of y^e [=v]nture of y^e paiment +homeward, they would have 30.[BZ] in y^e 100. more, which was in all 70. +[p=]^r. cent; a thing thought unreasonable by some, and too great an +oppression upon y^e poore people, as their case stood. The catle were +y^e best goods, for y^e other being ventured ware, were neither at y^e +best (some of them) nor at y^e best prises. Sundrie of their freinds +disliked these high rates, but co[=m]ing from many hands, they could not +help it. + +They sent over also 2. ships on fishing on their owne acounte; the one +was y^e pinass that was cast away y^e last year hear in y^e cuntrie, and +recovered by y^e planters, (as was before related,) who, after she came +home, was attached by one of y^e company for his perticuler debte, and +now sent againe on this accounte. The other was a great ship, who was +well fitted with an experienced m^r. & company of fisher-men, to make a +viage, & to goe to Bilbo or Sabastians with her fish; the lesser, her +order was to load with cor-fish, and to bring the beaver home for +England, y^t should be received for y^e goods sould to y^e plantation. +This bigger ship made a great viage of good drie fish, the which, if +they had gone to a market w^th, would have yeelded them (as such fish +was sould y^t season) 1800^li. which would have enriched them. But +because ther was a bruite of warr with France, y^e m^r. neglected +(through timerousnes) his order, and put first into Plimoth, & after +into Portsmouth, and so lost their opportunitie, and came by the loss. +The lesser ship had as ill success, though she was as hopfull as y^e +other for y^e marchants profite; for they had fild her with goodly +cor-fish taken upon y^e banke, as full as she could swime; and besids +she had some 800^li. weaight of beaver, besids other furrs to a good +value from y^e plantation. The m^r. seeing so much goods come, put it +abord y^e biger ship, for more saftie; but M^r. Winslow (their factor in +this busines) was bound in a bond of 500^li. to send it to London in y^e +smale ship; ther was some contending between y^e m^r, & him aboute it. +But he tould y^e m^r. he would follow his order aboute it; if he would +take it out afterward, it should be at his perill. So it went in y^e +smale ship, and he sent bills of lading in both. The m^r. was so carfull +being both so well laden, as they went joyfully home togeather, for he +towed y^e leser ship at his sterne all y^e way over bound, and they had +such fayr weather as he never cast her of till they were shott deep in +to y^e English Chanell, almost within y^e sight of Plimoth; and yet +ther she was unhaply taken by a Turks man of warr, and carried into +Saly, wher y^e m^r. and men were made slaves, and many of y^e beaver +skins were sould for 4^d. a peece. [138] Thus was all their hops dasht, +and the joyfull news they ment to cary home turned to heavie tidings. +Some thought this a hand of God for their too great exaction of y^e +poore plantation, but Gods judgments are unseerchable, neither dare I be +bould therwith: but however it shows us y^e uncertainty of all humane +things, and what litle cause ther is of joying in them or trusting to +them. + +In y^e bigger of these ships was sent over Captine Standish from y^e +plantation, w^th leters & instructions, both to their freinds of y^e +company which still clave to them, and also to y^e Honourable Counsell +of New-England. To y^e company to desire y^t seeing that they ment only +to let them have goods upon sale, that they might have them upon easier +termes, for they should never be able to bear such high intrest, or to +allow so much per cent; also that what they would doe in y^t way that it +might be disburst in money, or such goods as were fitte and needfull for +them, & bought at best hand; and to aquainte them with y^e contents of +his leters to y^e Counsell above said, which was to this purpose, to +desire their favour & help; that such of y^e adventurers as had thus +forsaken & deserted them, might be brought to some order, and not to +keepe them bound, and them selves be free. But that they might either +stand to ther former covenants, or ells come to some faire end, by +dividente, or composition. But he came in a very bad time, for y^e Stat +was full of trouble, and y^e plague very hote in London, so as no +bussines could be done; yet he spake with some of y^e Honourd Counsell, +who promised all helpfullnes to y^e plantation which lay in them. And +sundrie of their freinds y^e adventurers were so weakened with their +losses y^e last year, by y^e losse of y^e ship taken by the Turks, and +y^e loss of their fish, w^ch by reason of y^e warrs they were forcte to +land at Portsmouth, and so came to litle; so as, though their wills were +good, yet they^r power was litle. And ther dyed such multituds weekly of +y^e plague, as all trade was dead, and litle money stirring. Yet with +much adooe he tooke up 150^li. (& spent a good deal of it in expences) +at 50. per cent, which he bestowed in trading goods & such other most +needfull comodities as he knew requiset for their use; and so returned +passenger in a fhishing ship, haveing prepared a good way for y^e +compossition that was afterward made. + +In y^e mean time it pleased y^e Lord to give y^e plantation peace and +health and contented minds, and so to blese ther labours, as they had +corne sufficient, (and some to spare to others,) with other foode; +neither ever had they any supply of foode but what they first brought +with them. After harvest this year, they sende out a boats load of corne +40. or 50. leagues to y^e eastward, up a river called Kenibeck; it being +one of those 2. shalops which their carpenter had built them y^e year +before; for bigger vessell had they none. They had laid a litle deck +over her midships to keepe y^e corne drie, but y^e men were faine to +stand it out all weathers without shelter; and y^t time [139] of y^e +year begins to growe tempestious. But God preserved them, and gave them +good success, for they brought home 700^li. of beaver, besids some other +furrs, having litle or nothing els but this corne, which them selves had +raised out of y^e earth. This viage was made by M^r. Winslow & some of +y^e old standards,[CA] for seamen they had none. + +_Anno Dom: 1626._ + +About y^e begining of Aprill they heard of Captain Standish his +arrivall, and sent a boat to fetch him home, and y^e things he had +brought. Welcome he was, but y^e news he broughte was sadd in many +regards; not only in regarde of the former losses, before related, which +their freinds had suffered, by which some in a maner were undon, others +much disabled from doing any further help, and some dead of y^e plague, +but also y^t M^r. Robinson, their pastor, was dead, which struck them +with much sorrow & sadnes, as they had cause. His and their adversaries +had been long & continually plotting how they might hinder his coming +hither, but y^e Lord had appointed him a better place; concerning whose +death & the maner therof, it will appere by these few lines write to +Gov^r & M^r. Brewster. + + Loving & kind frinds, &c. I know not whether this will ever come to + your hands, or miscarie, as other my letters have done; yet in regard + of y^e Lords dealing with us hear, I have had a great desire to write + unto you, knowing your desire to bear a parte with us, both in our + joyes, & sorrows, as we doe w^th you. These are therfore to give you + to understand, that it hath pleased the Lord to take out of this vaell + of tears, your and our loving & faithfull pastor, and my dear & Reve^d + brother, M^r. John Robinson, who was sick some 8. days. He begane to + be sick on Saturday in y^e morning, yet y^e next day (being the Lords + day) he taught us twise. And so y^e weeke after grew weaker, every day + more then other; yet he felt no paine but weaknes all y^e time of his + sicknes. The phisick he tooke wrought kindly in mans judgmente, but he + grew weaker every day, feeling litle or no paine, and sensible to y^e + very last. He fell sicke y^e 22. of Feb: and departed this life y^e 1. + of March. He had a continuall inwarde ague, but free from infection, + so y^t all his freinds came freely to him. And if either prayers, + tears, or means, would have saved his life, he had not gone hence. But + he having faithfully finished his course, and performed his worke + which y^e Lord had appointed him here to doe, he now resteth with y^e + Lord in eternall hapines. We wanting him & all Church Gov^rs, yet we + still (by y^e mercie of God) continue & hould close togeather, in + peace and quietnes; and so hope we shall doe, though we be very weake. + Wishing (if such were y^e will of God) that you & we were againe + united togeather in one, either ther or here; but seeing it is y^e + will of y^e Lord thus to dispose of things, we must labour w^th + patience to rest contented, till it please y^e Lord otherwise to + dispose. For [140] news, is here not much; only as in England we have + lost our old king James, who departed this life aboute a month agoe, + so here they have lost y^e old prince, Grave Mourise; who both + departed this life since my brother Robinson. And as in England we + have a new-king Charls, of whom ther is great hope, so hear they have + made prince Hendrick Generall in his brothers place, &c. Thus with my + love remembred, I take leave & rest, + + Your assured loving friend, + ROGER WHITE. + + Leyden, Aprill 28. + An^o: 1625. + + +Thus these too great princes, and their pastor, left this world near +aboute one time. Death maks no difference. + +He further brought them notice of y^e death of their anciente friend, +Mr. Cush-man, whom y^e Lord tooke away allso this year, & aboute this +time, who was as their right hand with their freinds y^e adventurers, +and for diverce years had done & agitated all their bussines with them +to ther great advantage. He had write to y^e Gove^r but some few months +before, of y^e sore sicknes of M^r. James Sherley, who was a cheefe +friend to y^e plantation, and lay at y^e pointe of death, declaring his +love & helpfullnes, in all things; and much bemoned the loss they should +have of him, if God should now take him away, as being y^e stay & life +of y^e whole bussines. As allso his owne purposs this year to come over, +and spend his days with them. But he that thus write of anothers +sicknes, knew not y^t his owne death was so near. It shows allso that a +m[=a]s ways are not in his owne power, but in his hands who hath y^e +issues of life and death. Man may purpose, but God doth dispose. + +Their other freinds from Leyden writ many leters to them full of sad +laments for ther heavie loss; and though their wills were good to come +to them, yet they saw no probabilitie of means, how it might be +effected, but concluded (as it were) that all their hopes were cutt of; +and many, being aged, begane to drop away by death. + +All which things (before related) being well weighed and laied togither, +it could not but strick them with great perplexitie; and to looke +humanly on y^e state of things as they presented them selves at this +time, it is a marvell it did not wholy discourage them, and sinck them. +But they gathered up their spirits, and y^e Lord so helped them, whose +worke they had in hand, as now when they were at lowest[CB] they begane +to rise againe, and being striped (in a maner) of all humane helps and +hops, he brought things aboute other wise, in his devine providence, as +they were not only upheld & sustained, but their proceedings both +honoured and imitated by others; as by y^e sequell will more appeare, if +y^e Lord spare me life & time to declare y^e same. + +Haveing now no fishing busines, or other things to intend, but only +their trading & planting, they sett them selves to follow the same with +y^e best industrie they could. The planters finding their corne, what +they could spare from ther necessities, to be a co[=m]oditie, (for they +sould it at 6^s. a bushell,) used great dilligence in planting y^e +same. And y^e Gove^r and such as were designed to manage the trade, (for +it was retained for y^e generall good, [141] and none were to trade in +perticuler,) they followed it to the best advantage they could; and +wanting trading goods, they understoode that a plantation which was at +Monhigen, & belonged to some marchants of Plimoth was to breake up, and +diverse usefull goods was ther to be sould; the Gove^r and M^r. Winslow +tooke a boat and some hands and went thither. But M^r. David Thomson, +who lived at Pascataway, understanding their purpose, tooke oppertunitie +to goe with them, which was some hinderance to them both; for they, +perceiveing their joynte desires to buy, held their goods at higher +rates; and not only so, but would not sell a parcell of their trading +goods, excepte they sould all. So, lest they should further prejudice +one an other, they agreed to buy all, & devid them equally between them. +They bought allso a parcell of goats, which they distributed at home as +they saw neede & occasion, and tooke corne for them of y^e people, which +gave them good content. Their moyety of y^e goods came to above 400^li. +starling. Ther was allso that spring a French ship cast away at +Sacadahock, in w^ch were many Biscaie ruggs & other co[=m]odities, which +were falen into these mens hands, & some other fisher men at +Damerins-cove, which were allso bought in partnership, and made their +parte arise to above 500^li. This they made shift to pay for, for y^e +most part, with y^e beaver & comodities they had gott y^e winter +before, & what they had gathered up y^t somer. M^r. Thomson having some +thing overcharged him selfe, desired they would take some of his, but +they refused except he would let them have his French goods only; and +y^e marchant (who was one of Bristol) would take their bill for to be +paid y^e next year. They were both willing, so they became ingaged for +them & tooke them. By which means they became very well furnished for +trade; and tooke of therby some other ingagments w^ch lay upon them, as +the money taken up by Captaine Standish, and y^e remains of former +debts. With these goods, and their corne after harvest, they gott good +store of trade, so as they were enabled to pay their ingagements against +y^e time, & to get some cloathing for y^e people, and had some +comodities before hand. But now they begane to be envied, and others +wente and fild y^e Indeans with corne, and beat downe y^e prise, giveing +them twise as much as they had done, and under traded them in other +comodities allso. + +This year they sent M^r. Allerton into England, and gave him order to +make a composition with y^e adventurers, upon as good termes as he could +(unto which some way had ben made y^e year before by Captaine Standish); +but yet injoyned him not to conclud absolutly till they knew y^e termes, +and had well considered of them; but to drive it to as good an issew as +he could, and referr y^e conclusion to them. Also they gave him a +co[=m]ission under their hands & seals to take up some money, provided +it exeeded not such a su[=m]e specified, for which they engaged them +selves, and gave him order how to lay out y^e same for y^e use of y^e +plantation. + +And finding they ra[=n]e a great hazard to goe so long viages in a smale +open boat, espetialy y^e winter season, they begane to thinke how they +might gett a small pinass; as for y^e reason afforesaid, so also because +others had raised y^e prise with y^e Indeans above y^e halfe of what +they had formerly given, so as in such a boat they could not [143[CC]] +carry a quantity sufficient to answer their ends. They had no +ship-carpenter amongst them, neither knew how to get one at presente; +but they having an ingenious man that was a house carpenter, who also +had wrought with y^e ship carpenter (that was dead) when he built their +boats, at their request he put forth him selfe to make a triall that way +of his skill; and tooke one of y^e bigest of ther shalops and sawed her +in y^e midle, and so lenthened her some 5. or 6. foote, and strengthened +her with timbers, and so builte her up, and laid a deck on her; and so +made her a conveniente and wholsome vessell, very fitt & comfortable for +their use, which did them servise 7. years after; and they gott her +finished, and fitted with sayles & anchors, y^e insuing year. And thus +passed y^e affairs of this year. + +_Anno Dom: 1627._ + +At y^e usuall season of y^e coming of ships M^r. Allerton returned, and +brought some usfull goods with him, according to y^e order given him. +For upon his commission he tooke up 200^li. which he now gott at 30. per +cent. The which goods they gott safly home, and well conditioned, which +was much to the comfort & contente of y^e plantation. He declared unto +them, allso, how, with much adoe and no small trouble, he had made a +composition with y^e adventurers, by the help of sundrie of their +faithfull freinds ther, who had allso tooke much pains ther about. The +agreement or bargen he had brought a draught of, with a list of ther +names ther too annexed, drawne by the best counsell of law they could +get, to make it firme. The heads wherof I shall here inserte. + + To all Christian people, greeting, &c. Wheras at a meeting y^e 26. of + October last past, diverse & sundrie persons, whose names to y^e one + part of these presents are subscribed in a schedule hereunto annexed, + Adventurers to New-Plimoth in New-England in America, were contented + and agreed, in consideration of the sume of one thousand and eight + hundred pounds sterling to be paid, (in maner and forme folling,) to + sell, and make sale of all & every y^e stocks, shares, lands, + marchandise, and chatles, what soever, to y^e said adventurers, and + other ther fellow adventurers to New Plimoth aforesaid, any way + accruing, or belonging to y^e generalitie of y^e said adventurers + aforesaid; as well by reason of any sume or sumes of money, or + marchandise, at any time heretofore adventured or disbursed by them, + or other wise howsoever; for y^e better expression and setting forth + of which said agreemente, the parties to these presents subscribing, + doe for [144] them selves severally, and as much as in them is, grant, + bargan, alien, sell, and transfere all & every y^e said shares, goods, + lands, marchandice, and chatles to them belonging as aforesaid, unto + Isaack Alerton, one of y^e planters resident at Plimoth afforesaid, + assigned, and sent over as agente for y^e rest of y^e planters ther, + and to such other planters at Plimoth afforesaid as y^e said Isack, + his heirs, or assignes, at his or ther arrivall, shall by writing or + otherwise thinke fitte to joyne or partake in y^e premisses, their + heirs, & assignes, in as large, ample, and beneficiall maner and + forme, to all intents and purposes, as y^e said subscribing + adventurers here could or may doe, or performe. All which stocks, + shares, lands, &c. to the said adven: in severallitie alloted, + apportioned, or any way belonging, the said adven: doe warrant & + defend unto the said Isaack Allerton, his heirs and assignes, against + them, their heirs and assignes, by these presents. And therfore y^e + said Isaack Allerton doth, for him, his heirs & assigns, covenant, + promise, & grant too & with y^e adven: whose names are here unto + subscribed, ther heirs, &c. well & truly to pay, or cause to be payed, + unto y^e said adven: or 5. of them which were, at y^t meeting + afforsaid, nominated & deputed, viz. _John Pocock_, _John Beachamp_, + _Robart Keane_, _Edward Base_, and _James Sherley_, marchants, their + heirs, &c. too and for y^e use of y^e generallitie of them, the sume + of 1800^li. of lawfull money of England, at y^e place appoynted for + y^e receipts of money, on the west side of y^e Royall Exchaing in + London, by 200^li. yearly, and every year, on y^e feast of St. + Migchell, the first paiment to be made An^o: 1628. &c. Allso y^e said + Isaack is to indeavor to procure & obtaine from the planters of N. P. + aforesaid, securitie, by severall obligations, or writings obligatory, + to make paiment of y^e said sume of 1800^li. in forme afforsaid, + according to y^e true meaning of these presents. In testimonie wherof + to this part of these presents remaining with y^e said Isaack + Allerton, y^e said subscribing adven: have sett to their names,[CD] + &c. And to y^e other part remaining with y^e said adven: the said + Isaack Allerton hath subscribed his name, y^e _15. Nov^br An^o: 1626. + in y^e 2. year of his Majesties raigne_. + +This agreemente was very well liked of, & approved by all y^e +plantation, and consented unto; though they knew not well how to raise +y^e payment, and discharge their other ingagements, and supply the +yearly wants of y^e plantation, seeing they were forced for their +necessities to take up money or goods at so high intrests. Yet they +undertooke it, and 7. or 8. of y^e cheefe of y^e place became joyntly +bound for y^e paimente of this 1800^li. (in y^e behalfe of y^e rest) at +y^e severall days. In which they rane a great adventure, as their +present state stood, having many other heavie burthens allready upon +them, and all things in an uncertaine condition amongst them. So y^e +next returne it was absolutly confirmed on both sids, and y^e bargen +fairly ingrossed in partchmente and in many things put into better +forme, by y^e advice of y^e learnedest counsell they could gett; and +least any forfeiture should fall on y^e whole for none paimente at any +of y^e days, it rane thus: to forfite 30^s. a weeke if they missed y^e +time; and was concluded under their hands & seals, as may be seen at +large by y^e deed it selfe. + +[145] Now though they had some untowarde persons mixed amongst them from +the first, which came out of England, and more afterwards by some of y^e +adventurers, as freindship or other affections led them,--though sundrie +were gone, some for Virginia, and some to other places,--yet diverse +were still mingled amongst them, about whom y^e Gove^r & counsell with +other of their cheefe freinds had serious consideration, how to setle +things in regard of this new bargen or purchas made, in respecte of y^e +distribution of things both for y^e presente and future. For y^e +present, excepte peace and union were preserved, they should be able to +doe nothing, but indanger to over throw all, now that other tyes & bonds +were taken away. Therfore they resolved, for sundrie reasons, to take in +all amongst them, that were either heads of families, or single yonge +men, that were of abillity, and free, (and able to governe them selvs +with meete descretion, and their affairs, so as to be helpfull in y^e +comone-welth,) into this partnership or purchass. First, y^ey considered +that they had need of men & strength both for defence and carrying on of +bussinesses. 2^ly, most of them had borne ther parts in former miseries +& wants with them, and therfore (in some sort) but equall to partake in +a better condition, if y^e Lord be pleased to give it. But cheefly they +saw not how peace would be preserved without so doing, but danger & +great disturbance might grow to their great hurte & prejudice other +wise. Yet they resolved to keep such a mean in distribution of lands, +and other courses, as should not hinder their growth in others coming to +them. + +So they caled y^e company togeather, and conferred with them, and came +to this conclusion, that y^e trade should be managed as before, to help +to pay the debts; and all such persons as were above named should be +reputed and inrouled for purchasers; single free men to have a single +share, and every father of a familie to be alowed to purchass so many +shares as he had persons in his family; that is to say, one for him +selfe, and one for his wife, and for every child that he had living with +him, one. As for servants, they had none, but what either their maisters +should give them out of theirs, or their deservings should obtaine from +y^e company afterwards. Thus all were to be cast into single shares +according to the order abovesaid; and so every one was to pay his part +according to his proportion towards y^e purchass, & all other debts, +what y^e profite of y^e trade would not reach too; viz. a single man for +a single share, a maister of a famalie for so many as he had. This gave +all good contente. And first accordingly the few catle which they had +were devided, which arose to this proportion; a cowe to 6. persons or +shars, & 2. goats to y^e same, which were first equalised for age & +goodnes, and then lotted for; single persons consorting with others, as +they thought good, & smaler familys likwise; and swine though more [146] +in number, yet by y^e same rule. Then they agreed that every person or +share should have 20. acres of land devided unto them, besids y^e single +acres they had allready; and they appoynted were to begin first on y^e +one side of y^e towne, & how farr to goe; and then on y^e other side in +like maner; and so to devid it by lotte; and appointed sundrie by name +to doe it, and tyed them to certaine ruls to proceed by; as that they +should only lay out settable or tillable land, at least such of it as +should butt on y^e water side, (as y^e most they were to lay out did,) +and pass by y^e rest as refuse and co[=m]une; and what they judged fitte +should be so taken. And they were first to agree of y^e goodnes & fitnes +of it before the lott was drawne, and so it might as well prove some of +ther owne, as an other mans; and this course they were to hould +throwout. But yet seekeing to keepe y^e people togither, as much as +might be, they allso agreed upon this order, by mutuall consente, before +any lots were cast: that whose lotts soever should fall next y^e towne, +or most conveninte for nearnes, they should take to them a neigboure or +tow, whom they best liked; and should suffer them to plant corne with +them for 4. years; and afterwards they might use as much of theirs for +as long time, if they would. Allso every share or 20. acers was to be +laid out 5. acres in breadth by y^e water side, and 4. acres in lenght, +excepting nooks & corners, which were to be measured as y^ey would bear +to best advantage. But no meadows were to be laid out at all, nor were +not of many years after, because they were but streight of meadow +grounds; and if they had bene now given out, it would have hindred all +addition to them afterwards; but every season all were appoynted wher +they should mowe, according to y^e proportion of catle they had. This +distribution gave generally good contente, and setled mens minds. Also +they gave y^e Gove^r & 4. or 5. of y^e spetiall men amongst them, y^e +houses they lived in; y^e rest were valued & equalised at an indiferent +rate, and so every man kept his owne, and he that had a better alowed +some thing to him that had a worse, as y^e valuation wente. + +Ther is one thing that fell out in y^e begining of y^e winter before, +which I have refferred to this place, that I may handle y^e whole matter +togeither. Ther was a ship, with many passengers in her and sundrie +goods, bound for Virginia. They had lost them selves at sea, either by +y^e insufficiencie of y^e maister, or his ilnes; for he was sick & lame +of y^e scurvie, so that he could but lye in y^e cabin dore, & give +direction; and it should seeme was badly assisted either w^th mate or +mariners; or else y^e fear and unrulines of y^e passengers were such, as +they made them stear a course betweene y^e southwest & y^e norwest, that +they might fall with some land, what soever it was they cared not. For +they had been 6. weeks at sea, and had no water, nor beere, nor any +woode left, but had burnt up all their emptie caske; only one of y^e +company had a hogshead of wine or 2. which was allso allmost spente, so +as they feared they should be starved at sea, or consumed with diseases, +which made them rune this desperate course. But it plased God that +though they came so neare y^e shoulds of Cap-Codd [147] or else ran +stumbling over them in y^e night, they knew not how, they came right +before a small blind harbore, that lyes about y^e midle of Manamoyake +Bay, to y^e southward of Cap-Codd, with a small gale of wind; and about +highwater toucht upon a barr of sand that lyes before it, but had no +hurte, y^e sea being smoth; so they laid out an anchore. But towards the +evening the wind sprunge up at sea, and was so rough, as broake their +cable, & beat them over the barr into y^e harbor, wher they saved their +lives & goods, though much were hurte with salt water; for w^th beating +they had sprung y^e but end of a planke or too, & beat out ther occome; +but they were soone over, and ran on a drie flate within the harbor, +close by a beach; so at low water they gatt out their goods on drie +shore, and dried those that were wette, and saved most of their things +without any great loss; neither was y^e ship much hurt, but shee might +be mended, and made servisable againe. But though they were not a litle +glad that they had thus saved their lives, yet when they had a litle +refreshed them selves, and begane to thinke on their condition, not +knowing wher they were, nor what they should doe, they begane to be +strucken with sadnes. But shortly after they saw some Indians come to +them in canows, which made them stand upon their gard. But when they +heard some of y^e Indeans speake English unto them, they were not a +litle revived, especially when they heard them demand if they were the +Gove^r of Plimoths men, or freinds; and y^t they would bring them to +y^e English houses, or carry their letters. + +They feasted these Indeans, and gave them many giftes; and sente 2. men +and a letter with them to y^e Gove^r, and did intreat him to send a boat +unto them, with some pitch, and occume, and spiks, w^th divers other +necessaries for y^e mending of ther ship (which was recoverable). Allso +they besought him to help them with some corne and sundrie other things +they wanted, to enable them to make their viage to Virginia; and they +should be much bound to him, and would make satisfaction for any thing +they had, in any comodities they had abord. After y^e Gove^r was well +informed by y^e messengers of their condition, he caused a boate to be +made ready, and such things to be provided as they write for; and +because others were abroad upon trading, and such other affairs, as had +been fitte to send unto them, he went him selfe, and allso carried some +trading comodities, to buy them corne of y^e Indeans. It was no season +of y^e year to goe withoute y^e Cape, but understanding wher y^e ship +lay, he went into y^e bottom of y^e bay, on y^e inside, and put into a +crick called Naumskachett, wher it is not much above 2. mile over [148] +land to y^e bay wher they were, wher he had y^e Indeans ready to cary +over any thing to them. Of his arrivall they were very glad, and +received the things to mend ther ship, and other necessaries. Allso he +bought them as much corne as they would have; and wheras some of their +sea-men were rune away amonge the Indeans, he procured their returne to +y^e ship, and so left them well furnished and contented, being very +thankfull for y^e curtesies they receaved. But after the Governor thus +left them, he went into some other harbors ther aboute and loaded his +boat with corne, which he traded, and so went home. But he had not been +at home many days, but he had notice from them, that by the violence of +a great storme, and y^e bad morring of their ship (after she was mended) +she was put a shore, and so beatten and shaken as she was now wholy +unfitte to goe to sea. And so their request was that they might have +leave to repaire to them, and soujourne with them, till they could have +means to convey them selves to Virginia; and that they might have means +to tr[=a]sport their goods, and they would pay for y^e same, or any +thing els wher with y^e plantation should releeve them. Considering +their distres, their requests were granted, and all helpfullnes done +unto them; their goods transported, and them selves & goods sheltered in +their houses as well as they could. + +The cheefe amongst these people was one M^r. Fells and M^r. Sibsie, +which had many servants belonging unto them, many of them being Irish. +Some others ther were y^t had a servante or 2. a peece; but y^e most +were servants, and such as were ingaged to the former persons, who allso +had y^e most goods. Affter they were hither come, and some thing setled, +the maisters desired some ground to imploye ther servants upon; seing +it was like to be y^e latter end of y^e year before they could have +passage for Virginia, and they had now y^e winter before them; they +might clear some ground, and plant a crope (seeing they had tools, & +necessaries for y^e same) to help to bear their charge, and keep their +servants in imployment; and if they had opportunitie to departe before +the same was ripe, they would sell it on y^e ground. So they had ground +appointed them in convenient places, and Fells & some other of them +raised a great deall of corne, which they sould at their departure. This +Fells, amongst his other servants, had a maid servante which kept his +house & did his household affairs, and by the intimation of some that +belonged unto him, he was suspected to keep her, as his concubine; and +both of them were examined ther upon, but nothing could be proved, and +they stood upon their justification; so with admonition they were +dismiste. But afterward it appeard she was with child, so he gott a +small boat, & ran away with her, for fear of punishmente. First he went +to Cap-Anne, and after into y^e bay of y^e Massachussets, but could get +no passage, and had like to have been cast away; and was forst to come +againe and submite him selfe; but they pact him away & those that +belonged unto him by the first oppertunitie, and dismiste all the rest +as soone as could, being many untoward people amongst them; though ther +were allso some that caried them selves very orderly all y^e time they +stayed. And the [149] plantation had some benefite by them, in selling +them corne & other provisions of food for cloathing; for they had of +diverse kinds, as cloath, perpetuanes, & other stuffs, besids hose, & +shoes, and such like co[=m]odities as y^e planters stood in need of. So +they both did good, and received good one from another; and a cuple of +barks caried them away at y^e later end of so[=m]er. And sundrie of them +have acknowledged their thankfullnes since from Virginia. + +That they might y^e better take all convenient opportunitie to follow +their trade, both to maintaine them selves, and to disingage them of +those great sumes which they stood charged with, and bound for, they +resoloved to build a smale pinass at Manamet, a place 20. mile from y^e +plantation, standing on y^e sea to y^e southward of them, unto which, by +an other creeke on this side, they could cary their goods, within 4. or +5. miles, and then tr[=a]sport them over land to their vessell; and so +avoyd the compasing of Cap-Codd, and those deangerous shoulds, and so +make any vioage to y^e southward in much shorter time, and with farr +less danger. Also for y^e saftie of their vessell & goods, they builte a +house their, and kept some servants, who also planted corne, and reared +some swine, and were allwayes ready to goe out with y^e barke when ther +was occasion. All which tooke good effecte, and turned to their profite. + +They now sent (with y^e returne of y^e ships) M^r. Allerton againe into +England, giveing him full power, under their hands & seals, to conclude +the former bargaine with y^e adventurers; and sent ther bonds for y^e +paimente of the money. Allso they sent what beaver they could spare to +pay some of their ingagementes, & to defray his chargs; for those deepe +interests still kepte them low. Also he had order to procure a patente +for a fitt trading place in y^e river of Kenebec; for being emulated +both by the planters at Pascataway &, other places to y^e eastward of +them, and allso by y^e fishing ships, which used to draw much profite +from y^e Indeans of those parts, they threatened to procure a grante, & +shutte them out from thence; espetially after they saw them so well +furnished with co[=m]odities, as to carie the trade from them. They +thought it but needfull to prevente such a thing, at least that they +might not be excluded from free trade ther, wher them selves had first +begune and discovered the same, [=a]d brought it to so good effecte. +This year allso they had letters, and messengers from y^e +Dutch-plantation, sent unto them from y^e Gov^r ther, writen both in +Dutch & French. The Dutch had traded in these southerne parts, diverse +years before they came; but they begane no plantation hear till 4. or 5. +years after their coming, and here begining. Ther letters were as +followeth. It being their maner to be full of complementall titles. + + Eedele, Eerenfeste Wyse Voorsinnige Heeren, den G[)o]veerne[)u]r, ende + Raeden in Nieu-Pliem[)u]en residerende; onse seer Goede vrinden den + directe[)u]r ende Raed van Nieu-Nederlande, wensen v[)w]e Edn: + eerenfesten, ende wijse voorsinnige gel[)u]ck salichitt + [gelukzaligheid?], In Christi Jesu onsen Heere; met goede voorspoet, + ende gesonthijt, naer siele, ende lichaem. Amen.[CE] + +The rest I shall render in English, leaving out the repetition of +superfluous titles. + + [150] We have often before this wished for an opportunitie or an + occasion to congratulate you, and your prosperous and praise-worthy + undertakeings, and Government of your colony ther. And the more, in + that we also have made a good begining to pitch y^e foundation of a + collonie hear; and seeing our native countrie lyes not farr from + yours, and our forefathers (diverse hundred years agoe) have made and + held frendship and alliance with your ancestours, as sufficently + appears by y^e old contractes, and entrecourses, confirmed under y^e + hands of kings & princes, in y^e pointe of warr & trafick; as may be + seene and read by all y^e world in y^e old chronakles. The which are + not only by the king now reigning confirmed, but it hath pleased his + majesty, upon mature deliberation, to make a new covenante, (and to + take up armes,) with y^e States Generall of our dear native country, + against our commone enemie the Spaniards, who seeke nothing else but + to usurpe and overcome other Christian kings and princes lands, that + so he might obtaine and possess his pretended monarchic over all + Christendom; and so to rule and co[=m]and, after his owne pleasure, + over y^e consciences of so many hundred thousand sowles, which God + forbid. + + And also seeing it hath some time since been reported unto us, by some + of our people, that by occasion came so farr northward with their + shalop, and met with sundry of y^e Indeans, who tould them that they + were within halfe a days journey of your plantation, and offered ther + service to cary letters unto you; therfore we could not forbear to + salute you with these few lines, with presentation of our good will + and servise unto you, in all frendly-kindnes & neighbourhood. And if + it so fall out that any goods that comes to our hands from our native + countrie, may be serviceable unto you, we shall take our selves bound + to help and acco[=m]adate you ther with; either for beaver or any + other wares or marchandise that you should be pleased to deale for. + And if in case we have no co[=m]odity at present that may give you + contente, if you please to sell us any beaver, or otter, or such like + comodities as may be usefull for us, for ready money, and let us + understand therof by this bearer in writing, (whom we have apoynted to + stay 3. or 4. days for your answer,) when we understand your minds + therin, we shall depute one to deale with you, at such place as you + shall appointe. In y^e mean time we pray the Lord to take you, our + honoured good freinds and neighbours, into his holy protection. + + By the appointment of y^e Gov^r and Counsell, &c. + + ISAAK DE RASIER, Secrectaris. + + From y^e Manhatas, in y^e fort Amsterdam, + March 9. An^o: 1627. + + +To this they returned answer as followeth, on y^e other side. + + [151] To the Honoured, &c. + + The Gove^r & Counsell of New-Plim: wisheth, &c. We have received your + leters, &c. wherin appeareth your good wills & frendship towards us; + but is expresed w^th over high titls, more then belongs to us, or is + meete for us to receive. But for your good will, and congratulations + of our prosperitie in these smale beginings of our poore colonie, we + are much bound unto you, and with many thanks doe acknowledg y^e same; + taking it both for a great honour done unto us, and for a certaine + testimoney of your love and good neighbourhood. + + Now these are further to give your Wor^pps to understand, that it is + to us no smale joye to hear, that his majestie hath not only bene + pleased to confirme y^t ancient amitie, aliance, and frendship, and + other contracts, formerly made & ratified by his predecessors of + famous memorie, but hath him selfe (as you say) strengthened the same + with a new-union the better to resist y^e prid of y^t co[=m]one enemy + y^e Spaniard, from whose cruelty the Lord keep us both, and our native + countries. Now forasmuch as this is sufficiente to unite us togeather + in love and good neighbourhood, in all our dealings, yet are many of + us further obliged, by the good and curteous entreaty which we have + found in your countrie; haveing lived ther many years, with freedome, + and good contente, as also many of our freinds doe to this day; for + which we, and our children after us, are bound to be thankfull to your + Nation, and shall never forgett y^e same, but shall hartily desire + your good & prosperity, as our owne, for ever. + + Likwise for your freindly tender, & offer to aco[=m]odate and help us + with any comodities or marchandise you have, or shall come to you, + either for beaver, otters, or other wares, it is to us very + acceptable, and we doubte not but in short time we may have profitable + co[=m]erce & trade togeather. But for this year we are fully supplyed + with all necessaries, both for cloathing and other things; but + hereafter it is like we shall deale with you, if your rates be + reasonable. And therfore when you please to send to us againe by any + of yours, we desire to know how you will take beaver, by y^e pounde, & + otters, by y^e skine; and how you will deale per cent. for other + comodities, and what you can furnishe us with. As likwise what other + commodities from us may be acceptable unto you, as tobaco, fish, + corne, or other things, and what prises you will give, &c. + + Thus hoping that you will pardon & excuse us for our rude and + imperfecte writing in your language, and take it in good parte, + because [152] for wante of use we cannot so well express that we + understand, nor hapily understand every thing so fully as we should. + And so we humbly pray the Lord for his mercie sake, that he will take + both us and you into his keeping & gratious protection. + + By y^e Gove^r and Counsell of New-Plimoth, + Your Wor^pps very good freinds & neigbours, &c. + + New-Plim: March 19. + + +After this ther was many passages betweene them both by letters and +other entercourse; and they had some profitable commerce togither for +diverce years, till other occasions interrupted y^e same, as may happily +appear afterwards, more at large. + +Before they sent M^r. Allerton away for England this year, y^e Gove^r +and some of their cheefe freinds had serious consideration, not only how +they might discharge those great ingagments which lay so heavily upon +them, as is affore mentioned, but also how they might (if possiblie they +could) devise means to help some of their freinds and breethren of +Leyden over unto them, who desired so much to come to them, [=a]d they +desired as much their company. To effecte which, they resolved to rune a +high course, and of great adventure, not knowing otherwise how to bring +it aboute. Which was to hire y^e trade of y^e company for certaine +years, and in that time to undertake to pay that 1800^li. and all y^e +rest of y^e debts that then lay upon y^e plantation, which was aboute +some 600^li. more; and so to set them free, and returne the trade to y^e +generalitie againe at y^e end of y^e terme. Upon which resolution they +called y^e company togeither, and made it clearly appear unto all what +their debts were, and upon what terms they would undertake to pay them +all in such a time, and sett them clear. But their other ends they were +faine to keepe secrete, haveing only privatly acquaynted some of their +trusty freinds therwith; which were glad of y^e same, but doubted how +they would be able to performe it. So after some agitation of the thing +w^th y^e company, it was yeelded unto, and the agreemente made upon y^e +conditions following. + + Articles of agreemente betweene y^e collony of New-Pli[=m]oth of y^e + one partie, and William Bradford, Captein Myles Standish, Isaack + Allerton, &c. one y^e other partie; and shuch others as they shall + thinke good to take as partners and undertakers with them, concerning + the trade for beaver & other furrs & comodities, &c.; made July, 1627. + + First, it is agreed and covenanted betweexte y^e said parties, that + y^e afforsaid William Bradford, Captain Myl Standish, & Isaack + Allerton, &c. have undertaken, and doe by these presents, covenante + and agree to pay, discharge, and acquite y^e said collony of all y^e + debtes both due for y^e purchass, or any other belonging to them, at + y^e day of y^e date of these presents. + + [153] Secondly, y^e above-said parties are to have and freely injoye + y^e pinass latly builte, the boat at Manamett, and y^e shalop, called + y^e Bass-boat, with all other implements to them belonging, that is in + y^e store of y^e said company; with all y^e whole stock of furrs, + fells, beads, corne, wampampeak, hatchets, knives, &c. that is now in + y^e storre, or any way due unto y^e same uppon accounte. + + 3^ly. That y^e above said parties have y^e whole trade to them selves, + their heires and assignes, with all y^e privileges therof, as y^e said + collonie doth now, or may use the same, for 6. full years, to begine + y^e last of September next insuing. + + 4^ly. In furder consideration of y^e discharge of y^e said debtes, + every severall purchaser doth promise and covenante yearly to pay, or + cause to be payed, to the above said parties, during y^e full terme of + y^e said 6. years, 3. bushells of corne, or 6^li. of tobaco, at y^e + undertakers choyse. + + 5^ly. The said undertakers shall dureing y^e afforesaid terme bestow + 50^li. per annum, in hose and shoese, to be brought over for y^e + collonies use, to be sould unto them for corne at 6^s. per bushell. + + 6^ly. That at y^e end of y^e said terme of 6. years, the whole trade + shall returne to y^t use and benefite of y^e said collonie, as before. + + Lastly, if y^e afforesaid undertakers, after they have aquainted their + freinds in England with these covenants, doe (upon y^e first returne) + resolve to performe them, and undertake to discharge y^e debtes of y^e + said collony, according to y^e true meaning & intente of these + presents, then they are (upon such notice given) to stand in full + force; otherwise all things to remaine as formerly they were, and a + true accounte to be given to y^e said collonie, of the disposing of + all things according to the former order. + +M^r. Allerton carried a coppy of this agreemente with him into England, +and amongst other his instructions had order given him to deale with +some of their speciall freinds, to joyne with them in this trade upon +y^e above recited conditions; as allso to imparte their further ends +that moved them to take this course, namly, the helping over of some of +their freinds from Leyden, as they should be able; in which if any of +them would joyne with them they should thankfully acceptt of their love +and partnership herein. And with all (by their letters) gave them some +grounds of their hops of the accomplishmente of these things with some +advantage. + +_Anno Dom: 1628._ + +After M^r. Allertons arivall in England, he aquainted them with his +comission and full power to conclude y^e forementioned bargan & purchas; +upon [154] the veiw wherof, and y^e delivery of y^e bonds for y^e +paymente of y^e money yearly, (as is before mentioned,) it was fully +concluded, and a deede[CF] fairly ingrossed in partchmente was delivered +him, under their hands & seals confirming the same. Morover he delte +with them aboute other things according to his instructions. As to +admitt some of these their good freinds into this purchass if they +pleased, and to deale with them for moneys at better rates, &c. Touching +which I shall hear inserte a letter of M^r. Sherleys, giving light to +what followed therof, writ to y^e Gov^r as followeth. + + S^r: I have received yours of y^e 26. of May by M^r. Gibs, & M^r. + Goffe, with y^e barrell of otter skins, according to y^e contents; for + which I got a bill of store, and so tooke them up, and sould them + togeather at 78^li. 12^s. sterling; and since, M^r. Allerton hath + received y^e money, as will apear by the accounte. It is true (as you + write) that your ingagments are great, not only the purchass, but you + are yet necessitated to take up y^e stock you work upon; and y^t not + at 6. or 8. p^r cent. as it is here let out, but at 30. 40. yea, & + some at 50. p^r cent. which, were not your gaines great, and Gods + blessing on your honest indeaours more then ordinarie, it could not be + y^t you should longe subsiste in y^e maintaining of, & upholding of + your worldly affaires. And this your honest & discreete agente, M^r. + Allerton, hath seriously considered, & deeply laid to mind, how to + ease you of it. He tould me you were contented to accepte of me & some + few others, to joyne with you in y^e purchass, as partners; for which + I kindly thanke you and all y^e rest, and doe willingly accepte of it. + And though absente, shall willingly be at shuch charge as you & y^e + rest shall thinke meete; and this year am contented to forbear my + former 50^li. and 2. years increase for y^e venture, both which now + makes it 80^li. without any bargaine or condition for y^e profite, you + (I mean y^e generalitie) stand to y^e adventure, outward, and + homeward. I have perswaded M^r. Andrews and M^r. Beachamp to doe y^e + like, so as you are eased of y^e high rate, you were at y^e other 2. + yeares; I say we leave it freely to your selves to alow us what you + please, and as God shall blesse. What course I rune, M^r. Beachamp + desireth to doe y^e same; and though he have been or seemed somwhat + harsh heretofore, yet now you shall find he is new moulded. I allso + see by your letter, you desire I should be your agente or factore + hear. I have ever found you so faithfull, honest, and upright men, as + I have even resolved with my selfe (God assisting me) to doe you all + y^e good lyeth in my power; and therfore if you please to make choyse + of so weak a man, both for abillities and body, to performe your + bussines, I promise (y^e Lord enabling me) to doe y^e best I can + according to those abillities he hath given me; and wherin I faile, + blame your selves, y^t you made no better choyce. Now, because I am + sickly, and we are all mortall, I have advised M^r. Allerton to joyne + M^r. Beachamp with me in your deputation, which I conceive to be very + necessary & good for you; your charge shall be no more, for it is not + your salarie maks me undertake your [156[CG]] bussines. Thus + contending you & yours, and all Gods people, unto y^e guidance and + protection of y^e Allmightie, I ever rest, + + Your faithfull loving freind, + JAMES SHERLEY.[CH] + + London, Nov. 17. 1628. + + +With this leter they sent a draught of a formall deputation to be hear +sealed and sent back unto them, to authorise them as their agents, +according to what is mentioned in y^e above said letter; and because +some inconvenience grue therby afterward I shall here inserte it. + + To all to whom these pr[=e]ts shall come greeting; know yee that we, + William Bradford, Gov^r of Plimoth, in N.E. in America, Isaak + Allerton, Myles Standish, William Brewster, & Ed: Winslow, of Plimoth + aforesaid, marchants, doe by these presents for us & in our names, + make, substitute, & appointe James Sherley, Goldsmith, & John + Beachamp, Salter, citizens of London, our true & lawfull agents, + factors, substitutes, & assignes; as well to take and receive all such + goods, wares, & marchandise what soever as to our said substitutes or + either of them, or to y^e citie of London, or other place of y^e Relme + of Engl: shall be sente, transported, or come from us or any of us, as + allso to vend, sell, barter, or exchaing y^e said goods, wares, and + marchandise so from time to time to be sent to such person or persons + upon credite, or other wise in such maner as to our said agents & + factors joyently, or to either of them severally shall seeme meete. + And further we doe make & ordaine our said substituts & assignes + joyntly & severally for us, & to our uses, & accounts, to buy and + consigne for and to us into New-Engl: aforesaid, such goods and + marchandise to be provided here, and to be returned hence, as by our + said assignes, or either of them, shall be thought fitt. And to + recover, receive, and demand for us & in our names all such debtes & + sumes of money, as now are or hereafter shall be due incidente + accruing or belonging to us, or any of us, by any wayes or means; and + to acquite, discharge, or compound for any debte or sume of money, + which now or hereafter shall be due or oweing by any person or persons + to us, or any of us. And generally for us & in our names to doe, + performe, and execute every acte & thing which to our said assignes, + or either of them, shall seeme meete to be done in or aboute y^e + premissies, as fully & effectually, to all intents & purposes, as if + we or any of us were in person presente. And whatsoever our said + agents & factors joyntly or severally shall doe, or cause to be done, + in or aboute y^e premisses, we will & doe, & every of us doth ratife, + alow, & confirme, by these presents. In wittnes wherof we have here + unto put our hands & seals. Dated 18. Nov^br 1628. + +This was accordingly confirmed by the above named, and 4. more of the +cheefe of them under their hands & seals, and delivered unto them. Also +M^r. Allerton formerly had authoritie under their hands & seals for y^e +transacting of y^e former bussines, and taking up of moneys, &c. which +still he retained whilst he was imployed in these affaires; they +mistrusting neither him nor any of their freinds faithfullnes, which +made them more remisse in looking to shuch acts as had passed under +their hands, as necessarie for y^e time; but letting them rune on to +long unminded or recaled, it turned to their harme afterwards, as will +appere in its place. + +[157] M^r. Allerton having setled all things thus in a good and hopfull +way, he made hast to returne in y^e first of y^e spring to be hear with +their supply for trade, (for y^e fishermen with whom he came used to +sett forth in winter & be here betimes.) He brought a resonable supply +of goods for y^e plantation, and without those great interests as before +is noted; and brought an accounte of y^e beaver sould, and how y^e money +was disposed for goods, & y^e paymente of other debtes, having paid all +debts abroad to others, save to M^r. Sherley, M^r. Beachamp, & M^r. +Andrews; from whom likwise he brought an accounte which to them all +amounted not to above 400^li. for which he had passed bonds. Allso he +had payed the first paymente for y^e purchass, being due for this year, +viz. 200^li. and brought them y^e bonde for y^e same canselled; so as +they now had no more foreine debtes but y^e abovesaid 400^li. and odde +pownds, and y^e rest of y^e yearly purchass monie. Some other debtes +they had in y^e cuntrie, but they were without any intrest, & they had +wherwith to discharge them when they were due. To this pass the Lord had +brought things for them. Also he brought them further notice that their +freinds, the abovenamed, & some others that would joyne with them in y^e +trad & purchass, did intend for to send over to Leyden, for a competente +number of them, to be hear the next year without fayle, if y^e Lord +pleased to blesse their journey. He allso brought them a patente for +Kenebeck, but it was so straite & ill bounded, as they were faine to +renew & inlarge it the next year, as allso that which they had at home, +to their great charge, as will after appeare. Hithertoo M^r. Allerton +did them good and faithfull service; and well had it been if he had so +continued, or els they had now ceased for imploying him any longer thus +into England. But of this more afterwards. + +Having procured a patente (as is above said) for Kenebeck, they now +erected a house up above in y^e river in y^e most convenientest place +for trade, as they conceived, and furnished the same with co[=m]odities +for y^t end, both winter & so[=m]er, not only with corne, but also with +such other commodities as y^e fishermen had traded with them, as coats, +shirts, ruggs, & blankets, biskett, pease, prunes, &c.; and what they +could not have out of England, they bought of the fishing ships, and so +carried on their bussines as well as they could. + +This year the Dutch sent againe unto them from their plantation, both +kind leterss, and also diverse comodities, as suger, linen cloth, Holand +finer & courser stufes, &c. They came up with their barke to Manamete, +to their house ther, in which came their Secretarie Rasier; who was +accompanied with a noyse of trumpeters, and some other attendants; and +desired that they would send a boat for him, for he could not travill so +farr over land. So they sent a boat to Manonscussett, and brought him to +y^e plantation, with y^e cheefe of his company. And after some few days +entertainmente, he returned to his barke, and some of them wente with +him, and bought sundry of his goods; after which begining thus made, +they sente often times to y^e same place, and had entercourse togeather +for diverce years; and amongst other comodities, they vended [158] much +tobaco for linen cloath, stuffs, &c., which was a good benefite to y^e +people, till the Virginians found out their plantation. But that which +turned most to their profite, in time, was an entrance into the trade of +Wampampeake; for they now bought aboute 50^li. worth of it of them; and +they tould them how vendable it was at their forte Orania; and did +perswade them they would find it so at Kenebeck; and so it came to pass +in time, though at first it stuck, & it was 2. years before they could +put of this small quantity, till y^e inland people knew of it; and +afterwards they could scarce ever gett enough for them, for many years +togeather. And so this, with their other provissions, cutt of they trade +quite from y^e fisher-men, and in great part from other of y^e stragling +planters. And strange it was to see the great allteration it made in a +few years amonge y^e Indeans them selves; for all the Indeans of these +parts, & y^e Massachussets, had none or very litle of it,[CI] but y^e +sachems & some spetiall persons that wore a litle of it for ornamente. +Only it was made & kepte amonge y^e Nariganssets, & Pequents, which grew +rich & potent by it, and these people were poore & begerly, and had no +use of it. Neither did the English of this plantation, or any other in +y^e land, till now that they had knowledg of it from y^e Dutch, so much +as know what it was, much less y^t it was a co[=m]oditie of that worth & +valew. But after it grue thus to be a comoditie in these parts, these +Indeans fell into it allso, and to learne how to make it; for y^e +Narigansets doe geather y^e shells of which y^ey make it from their +shors. And it hath now continued a current comoditie aboute this 20. +years, and it may prove a drugg in time. In y^e mean time it maks y^e +Indeans of these parts rich & power full and also prowd therby; and +fills them with peeces, powder, and shote, which no laws can restraine, +by reasone of y^e bassnes of sundry unworthy persons, both English, +Dutch, & French, which may turne to y^e ruine of many. Hithertoo y^e +Indeans of these parts had no peeces nor other armes but their bowes & +arrowes, nor of many years after; nether durst they scarce handle a +gune, so much were they affraid of them; and y^e very sight of one +(though out of kilter) was a terrour unto them. But those Indeans to y^e +east parts, which had co[=m]erce with y^e French, got peces of them, and +they in the end made a commone trade of it; and in time our English +fisher-men, led with y^e like covetoussnes, followed their example, for +their owne gaine; but upon complainte against them, it pleased the kings +majestie to prohibite y^e same by a stricte proclaimation, commanding +that no sorte of armes, or munition, should by any of his subjects be +traded with them. + +Aboute some 3. or 4. years before this time, ther came over one Captaine +Wolastone, (a man of pretie parts,) and with him 3. or 4. more of some +eminencie, who brought with them a great many servants, with provissions +& other implments for to begine a plantation; and pitched them selves in +a place within the Massachusets, which they called, after their Captains +name, Mount-Wollaston. Amongst whom was one M^r. Morton, who, it should +seeme, had some small adventure (of his owne or other mens) amongst +them; but had litle respecte [159] amongst them, and was sleghted by y^e +meanest servants. Haveing continued ther some time, and not finding +things to answer their expectations, nor profite to arise as they looked +for, Captaine Wollaston takes a great part of y^e sarvants, and +transports them to Virginia, wher he puts them of at good rates, selling +their time to other men; and writs back to one M^r. Rassdall, one of his +cheefe partners, and accounted their marchant, to bring another parte of +them to Verginia likewise, intending to put them of ther as he had done +y^e rest. And he, w^th y^e consente of y^e said Rasdall, appoynted one +Fitcher to be his Livetenante, and governe y^e remaines of y^e +plantation, till he or Rasdall returned to take further order +theraboute. But this Morton abovesaid, haveing more craft then honestie, +(who had been a kind of petie-fogger, of Furnefells Inne,) in y^e others +absence, watches an oppertunitie, (commons being but hard amongst them,) +and gott some strong drinck & other junkats, & made them a feast; and +after they were merie, he begane to tell them, he would give them good +counsell. You see (saith he) that many of your fellows are carried to +Virginia; and if you stay till this Rasdall returne, you will also be +carried away and sould for slaves with y^e rest. Therfore I would +advise you to thruste out this Levetenant Fitcher; and I, having a +parte in the plantation, will receive you as my partners and consociats; +so may you be free from service, and we will converse, trad, plante, & +live togeather as equalls, & supporte & protecte one another, or to like +effecte. This counsell was easily received; so they tooke oppertunitie, +and thrust Levetenante Fitcher out a dores, and would suffer him to come +no more amongst them, but forct him to seeke bread to eate, and other +releefe from his neigbours, till he could gett passages for England. +After this they fell to great licenciousnes, and led a dissolute life, +powering out them selves into all profanenes. And Morton became lord of +misrule, and maintained (as it were) a schoole of Athisme. And after +they had gott some good into their hands, and gott much by trading with +y^e Indeans, they spent it as vainly, in quaffing & drinking both wine & +strong waters in great exsess, and, as some reported, 10^li. worth in a +morning. They allso set up a May-pole, drinking and dancing aboute it +many days togeather, inviting the Indean women, for their consorts, +dancing and frisking togither, (like so many fairies, or furies rather,) +and worse practises. As if they had anew revived & celebrated the feasts +of y^e Roman Goddes Flora, or y^e beasly practieses of y^e madd +Bacchinalians. Morton likwise (to shew his poetrie) composed sundry +rimes & verses, some tending to lasciviousnes, and others to y^e +detraction & scandall of some persons, which he affixed to this idle or +idoll May-polle. They chainged allso the name of their place, and in +stead of calling it Mounte Wollaston, they call it Merie-mounte, [160] +as if this joylity would have lasted ever. But this continued not long, +for after Morton was sent for England, (as follows to be declared,) +shortly after came over that worthy gentlman, M^r. John Indecott, who +brought over a patent under y^e broad seall, for y^e govermente of y^e +Massachusets, who visiting those parts caused y^t May-polle to be cutt +downe, and rebuked them for their profannes, and admonished them to +looke ther should be better walking; so they now, or others, changed y^e +name of their place againe, and called it Mounte-Dagon. + +Now to maintaine this riotous prodigallitie and profuse excess, Morton, +thinking him selfe lawless, and hearing what gaine y^e French & +fisher-men made by trading of peeces, powder, & shotte to y^e Indeans, +he, as y^e head of this consortship, begane y^e practise of y^e same in +these parts; and first he taught them how to use them, to charge, & +discharg, and what proportion of powder to give y^e peece, according to +y^e sise or bignes of y^e same; and what shotte to use for foule, and +what for deare. And having thus instructed them, he imployed some of +them to hunte & fowle for him, so as they became farr more active in +that imploymente then any of y^e English, by reason of ther swiftnes of +foote, & nimblnes of body, being also quick-sighted, and by continuall +exercise well knowing y^e hants of all sorts of game. So as when they +saw y^e execution that a peece would doe, and y^e benefite that might +come by y^e same, they became madd, as it were, after them, and would +not stick to give any prise they could attaine too for them; accounting +their bowes & arrowes but bables in comparison of them. + +And here I may take occasion to bewaile y^e mischefe that this wicked +man began in these parts, and which since base covetousnes prevailing in +men that should know better, has now at length gott y^e upper hand, and +made this thing co[=m]one, notwithstanding any laws to y^e contrary; so +as y^e Indeans are full of peeces all over, both fouling peeces, +muskets, pistols, &c. They have also their moulds to make shotte, of all +sorts, as muskett bulletts, pistoll bullets, swane & gose shote, & of +smaler sorts; yea, some have seen them have their scruplats to make +scrupins them selves, when they wante them, with sundery other +implements, wherwith they are ordinarily better fited & furnished then +y^e English them selves. Yea, it is well knowne that they will have +powder & shot, when the English want it, nor cannot gett it; and y^t in +a time of warr or danger, as experience hath manifested, that when lead +hath been scarce, and men for their owne defence would gladly have given +a groat a l which is dear enoughe, yet hath it bene bought up & sent to +other places, and sould to shuch as trade it with y^e Indeans, at 12. +pence y^e li.; and it is like they give 3. or 4.^s y^e pound, for they +will have it at any rate. And these things have been done in y^e same +times, when some of their neigbours & freinds are daly killed by y^e +Indeans, or are in deanger therof, and live but at y^e Indeans mercie. +[161] Yea, some (as they have aquainted them with all other things) have +tould them how gunpowder is made, and all y^e materialls in it, and that +they are to be had in their owne land; and I am confidente, could they +attaine to make saltpeter, they would teach them to make powder. O the +horiblnes of this vilanie! how many both Dutch & English have been latly +slaine by those Indeans, thus furnished; and no remedie provided, nay, +y^e evill more increased, and y^e blood of their brethren sould for +gaine, as is to be feared; and in what danger all these colonies are in +is too well known. Oh! that princes & parlements would take some timly +order to prevente this mischeefe, and at length to suppress it, by some +exemplerie punishmente upon some of these gaine thirstie murderers, (for +they deserve no better title,) before their collonies in these parts be +over throwne by these barbarous savages, thus armed with their owne +weapons, by these evill instruments, and traytors to their neigbors and +cuntrie. But I have forgott my selfe, and have been to longe in this +digression; but now to returne. This Morton having thus taught them y^e +use of peeces, he sould them all he could spare; and he and his consorts +detirmined to send for many out of England, and had by some of y^e ships +sente for above a score. The which being knowne, and his neigbours +meeting y^e Indeans in y^e woods armed with guns in this sorte, it was a +terrour unto them, who lived straglingly, and were of no strenght in any +place. And other places (though more remote) saw this mischeefe would +quietly spread over all, if not prevented. Besides, they saw they should +keep no servants, for Morton would entertaine any, how vile soever, and +all y^e scume of y^e countrie, or any discontents, would flock to him +from all places, if this nest was not broken; and they should stand in +more fear of their lives & goods (in short time) from this wicked & +deboste crue, then from y^e salvages them selves. + +So sundrie of y^e cheefe of y^e stragling plantations, meeting togither, +agreed by mutuall consente to sollissite those of Plimoth (who were then +of more strength then them all) to joyne with them, to prevente y^e +further grouth of this mischeefe, and suppress Morton & his consortes +before y^ey grewe to further head and strength. Those that joyned in +this acction (and after contributed to the charge of sending him for +England) were from Pascataway, Namkeake, Winisimett, Weesagascusett, +Natasco, and other places wher any English were seated. Those of Plimoth +being thus sought too by their messengers & letters, and waying both +their reasons, and the co[=m]one danger, were willing to afford them +their help; though them selves had least cause of fear or hurte. So, to +be short, they first resolved joyntly to write to him, and in a freindly +& neigborly way to admonish him to forbear these courses, & sent a +messenger with their letters to bring his answer. But he was so highe as +he scorned all advise, and asked who had to doe with him; he had and +would trade peeces with y^e Indeans in dispite of all, with many other +scurillous termes full of disdaine. They sente to him a second time, and +bad him be better advised, and more temperate in his termes, for y^e +countrie could not beare y^e injure he did; it was against their comone +saftie, and against y^e king's proclamation. He answerd in high terms as +before, and that y^e kings proclamation was no law; demanding what +penaltie was upon it. It was answered, more then he could [162] bear, +his majesties displeasure. But insolently he persisted, and said y^e +king was dead and his displeasure with him, & many y^e like things; and +threatened withall that if any came to molest him, let them looke to +them selves, for he would prepare for them. Upon which they saw ther was +no way but to take him by force; and having so farr proceeded, now to +give over would make him farr more hautie & insolente. So they mutually +resolved to proceed, and obtained of y^e Gov^r of Plimoth to send +Captaine Standish, & some other aide with him, to take Morton by force. +The which accordingly was done; but they found him to stand stifly in +his defence, having made fast his dors, armed his consorts, set diverse +dishes of powder & bullets ready on y^e table; and if they had not been +over armed with drinke, more hurt might have been done. They so[=m]aned +him to yeeld, but he kept his house, and they could gett nothing but +scofes & scorns from him; but at length, fearing they would doe some +violence to y^e house, he and some of his crue came out, but not to +yeeld, but to shoote; but they were so steeld with drinke as their +peeces were to heavie for them; him selfe with a carbine (over charged & +allmost halfe fild with powder & shote, as was after found) had thought +to have shot Captaine Standish; but he stept to him, & put by his peece, +& tooke him. Neither was ther any hurte done to any of either side, save +y^t one was so drunke y^t he rane his owne nose upon y^e pointe of a +sword y^t one held before him as he entred y^e house; but he lost but a +litle of his hott blood. Morton they brought away to Plimoth, wher he +was kepte, till a ship went from y^e Ile of Shols for England, with +which he was sente to y^e Counsell of New-England; and letters writen to +give them information of his course & cariage; and also one was sent at +their co[=m]one charge to informe their Ho^rs more perticulerly, & to +prosecute against him. But he foold of y^e messenger, after he was gone +from hence, and though he wente for England, yet nothing was done to +him, not so much as rebukte, for ought was heard; but returned y^e nexte +year. Some of y^e worst of y^e company were disperst, and some of y^e +more modest kepte y^e house till he should be heard from. But I have +been too long aboute so un-worthy a person, and bad a cause. + +This year M^r. Allerton brought over a yonge man for a minister to y^e +people hear, wheather upon his owne head, or at y^e motion of some +freinds ther, I well know not, but it was without y^e churches sending; +for they had bene so bitten by M^r. Lyford, as they desired to know y^e +person well whom they should invite amongst them. His name was M^r. +Rogers; but they perceived, upon some triall, that he was crased in his +braine; so they were faine to be at further charge to send him back +againe y^e nexte year, and loose all y^e charge that was expended in his +hither bringing, which was not smalle by M^r. Allerton's accounte, in +provissions, aparell, bedding, &c. After his returne he grue quite +distracted, and M^r. Allerton was much blamed y^t he would bring such a +man over, they having charge enough otherwise. + +M^r. Allerton, in y^e years before, had brought over some small quantie +of goods, upon his owne perticuler, and sould them for his owne private +benefite; which was more then any man had yet hithertoo attempted. But +because he had other wise done them good service, and also he sould +them among y^e people at y^e plantation, by which their wants were +supplied, and he aledged it was the [163] love of M^r. Sherley and some +other freinds that would needs trust him with some goods, conceiveing it +might doe him some good, and none hurte, it was not much lookt at, but +past over. But this year he brought over a greater quantitie, and they +were so intermixte with y^e goods of y^e generall, as they knew not +which were theirs, & w^ch was his, being pact up together; so as they +well saw that, if any casualty had beefalne at sea, he might have laid +y^e whole on them, if he would; for ther was no distinction. Allso what +was most vendible, and would yeeld presente pay, usualy that was his; +and he now begane allso to sell abroad to others of forine places, +which, considering their co[=m]one course, they began to dislike. Yet +because love thinkes no evill, nor is susspitious, they tooke his faire +words for excuse, and resolved to send him againe this year for England; +considering how well he had done y^e former bussines, and what good +acceptation he had with their freinds ther; as also seeing sundry of +their freinds from Leyden were sente for, which would or might be much +furthered by his means. Againe, seeing the patente for Kenebeck must be +inlarged, by reason of y^e former mistaks in the bounding of it, and it +was conceived, in a maner, y^e same charge would serve to inlarge this +at home with it, and he that had begane y^e former y^e last year would +be y^e fittest to effecte this; so they gave him instructions and sente +him for England this year againe. And in his instructions bound him to +bring over no goods on their accounte, but 50^li. in hose & shoes, and +some linen cloth, (as y^ey were bound by covenante when they tooke y^e +trad;) also some trading goods to such a value; and in no case to exseed +his instructions, nor ru[=n]e them into any further charge; he well +knowing how their state stood. Also y^t he should so provide y^t their +trading goods came over betimes, and what so ever was sent on their +accounte should be pact up by it selfe, marked with their marke, and no +other goods to be mixed with theirs. For so he prayed them to give him +such instructions as they saw good, and he would folow them, to prevente +any jellocie or farther offence, upon the former forementioned dislikes. +And thus they conceived they had well provided for all things. + +_Anno Dom: 1629._ + +M^r. Allerton safly arriving in England, and delivering his leters to +their freinds their, and aquainting them with his instructions, found +good acceptation with them, and they were very forward & willing to +joyne with them in y^e partnership of trade, & in y^e charge to send +over y^e Leyden people; a company wherof were allready come out of +Holand, and prepared to come over, and so were sent away before M^r. +Allerton could be ready to come. They had passage with y^e ships that +came to Salem, that brought over many godly persons to begine y^e +plantations & churches of Christ ther, & in y^e Bay of Massachussets; so +their long stay & keeping back [164] was recompensed by y^e Lord to ther +freinds here with a duble blessing, in that they not only injoyed them +now beyond ther late expectation, (when all their hops seemed to be cutt +of,) but, with them, many more godly freinds & Christian breethren, as +y^e begining of a larger harvest unto y^e Lord, in y^e increase of his +churches & people in these parts, to y^e admiration of many, and allmost +wonder of y^e world; that of so small beginings so great things should +insue, as time after manifested; and that here should be a resting place +for so many of y^e Lords people, when so sharp a scourge came upon their +owne nation. But it was y^e Lords doing, & it ought to be marvellous in +our eyes. + +But I shall hear inserte some of their freinds letters, which doe best +expresse their owne minds in these thir proceedings. + +_A leter of M^r. Sherleys to y^e Gov^r._ + + May 25, 1629.[CJ] + + S^r: &c. Here are now many of your and our freinds from Leyden coming + over, who, though for y^e most parte be but a weak company, yet herein + is a good parte of that end obtained which was aimed at, and which + hath been so strongly opposed by some of our former adventurers. But + God hath his working in these things, which man cannot frustrate. With + them we have allso sent some servants in y^e ship called the Talbut, + that wente hence latly; but these come in y^e May-flower. M^r. + Beachamp & my selfe, with M^r. Andrews & M^r. Hatherly, are, with your + love and liking, joyned partners with you, &c. + + + Your deputation we have received, and y^e goods have been taken up & + sould by your friend & agente, M^r. Allerton, my selfe having bine + nere 3. months in Holland, at Amsterdam & other parts in y^e + Low-Countries. I see further the agreemente you have made with y^e + generallitie, in which I cannot understand but you have done very + well, both for them & you, and also for your freinds at Leyden. M^r. + Beachamp, M^r. Andrews, M^r. Hatherley, & my selfe, doe so like and + approve of it, as we are willing to joyne with you, and, God directing + and inabling us, will be assisting and helpfull to you, y^e best y^t + possiblie we can. Nay, had you not taken this course, I doe not see + how you should accomplish y^e end you first aimed at, and some others + indevored these years past. We know it must keep us from y^e profite, + which otherwise by y^e blessing of God and your indeaours, might be + gained; for most of those that came in May, & these now sente, though + I hope honest & good people, yet not like to be helpfull to raise + profite, but rather, ney, certaine must, some while, be chargable to + you & us; at which it is lickly, had not this wise & discreete course + been taken, many of your generalitie would have grudged. Againe, you + say well in your letter, and I make no doubte but you will performe + it, that now being but a few, on whom y^e burthen must be, you will + both menage it y^e beter, and sett too it more cherfully, haveing no + discontente nor contradiction, but so lovingly to joyne togeither, in + affection and counsell, as God no doubte will blesse and prosper your + honest labours & indeavors. And therfore in all respects I doe not see + but you have done marvelously discreetly, & advisedly, and no doubt + but it gives all parties good contente; I mean y^t are reasonable & + honest men, such as make conscience of giving y^e best satisfaction + they be able for their debts, and y^t regard not their owne perticuler + so much as y^e accomplishing of y^t good end for which this bussines + was first intended, &c. Thus desiring y^e Lord to blese & prosper you, + & all yours, and all our honest endeavors, I rest + + Your unfained & ever loving friend, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + Lon: March 8. 1629.[CK] + + +[165] That I may handle things together, I have put these 2. companies +that came from Leyden in this place; though they came at 2. severall +times, yet they both came out of England this year. The former company, +being 35. persons, were shiped in May, and arived here aboute August. +The later were shiped in y^e begining of March, and arived hear y^e +later end of May, 1630. M^r. Sherleys 2. letters, y^e effect wherof I +have before related, (as much of them as is pertinente,) mentions both. +Their charge, as M^r. Allerton brought it in afterwards on accounte, +came to above 550^li. besids ther fetching hither from Salem & y^e Bay, +wher they and their goods were landed; viz. their transportation from +Holland to England, & their charges lying ther, and passages hither, +with clothing provided for them. For I find by accounte for y^e one +company, 125. yeards of karsey, 127. ellons of linen cloath, shoes, 66. +[p=]^r, with many other perticulers. The charge of y^e other company is +reckoned on y^e severall families, some 50^li., some 40^li., some +30^li., and so more or less, as their number & expencess were. And +besids all this charg, their freinds & bretheren here were to provid +corne & other provissions for them, till they could reap a crope which +was long before. Those that came in May were thus maintained upward of +16. or 18. months, before they had any harvest of their owne, & y^e +other by proportion. And all they could doe in y^e mean time was to gett +them some housing, and prepare them grounds to plant on, against the +season. And this charg of maintaining them all this while was litle less +then y^e former sume. These things I note more perticulerly, for sundry +regards. First, to shew a rare example herein of brotherly love, and +Christian care in performing their promises and covenants to their +bretheren, too, & in a sorte beyonde their power; that they should +venture so desperatly to ingage them selves to accomplish this thing, +and bear it so cheerfully; for they never demanded, much less had, any +repaymente of all these great sumes thus disbursed. 2^ly. It must needs +be that ther was more then of man in these acheevements, that should +thus readily stire up y^e harts of shuch able frinds to joyne in +partnership with them in shuch a case, and cleave so faithfullie to them +as these did, in so great adventures; and the more because the most of +them never saw their faces to this day; ther being neither kindred, +aliance, or other acquaintance or relations betweene any of them, then +hath been before mentioned; it must needs be therfore the spetiall worke +and hand of God. 3^ly. That these poore people here in a wilderness +should, notwithstanding, be inabled in time to repay all these +ingagments, and many more unjustly brought upon them through the +unfaithfullnes of some, and many other great losses which they +sustained, which will be made manifest, if y^e Lord be pleased to give +life and time. In y^e mean time, I cannot but admire his ways and workes +towards his servants, and humbly desire to blesse his holy name for his +great mercies hithertoo. + +[166] The Leyden people being thus come over, and sundry of y^e +generalitie seeing & hearing how great y^e charg was like to be that was +that way to be expended, they begane to murmure and repine at it, +notwithstanding y^e burden lay on other mens shoulders; espetially at +y^e paying of y^e 3. bushells of corne a year, according to y^e former +agreemente, when y^e trad was lett for y^e 6. years aforesaid. But to +give them contente herein allso, it was promised them, that if they +could doe it in y^e time without it, they would never demand it of them; +which gave them good contente. And indeed it never was paid, as will +appeare by y^e sequell. + +Concerning M^r. Allertons proceedings about y^e inlarging & confirming +of their patent, both y^t at home & Kenebeck, will best appere by +another leter of M^r. Sherleys; for though much time & money was +expended aboute it, yet he left it unaccomplisht this year, and came +without it. See M^r. Sherleys letter. + + Most worthy & loving freinds, &c. + + Some of your letters I received in July, & some since by M^r. Peirce, + but till our maine bussines, y^e patent, was granted, I could not + setle my mind nor pen to writing. M^r. Allerton was so turrmoyled + about it, as verily I would not nor could not have undergone it, if I + might have had a thousand pounds; but y^e Lord so blessed his labours + (even beyond expectation in these evill days) as he obtained y^e love + & favore of great men in repute & place. He got granted from y^e Earle + of Warwick & S^r. Ferdinando Gorge all that M^r. Winslow desired in + his letters to me, & more also, which I leave to him to relate. Then + he sued to y^e king to confirme their grante, and to make you a + corporation, and so to inable you to make & execute lawes, in such + large & ample maner as y^e Massachusett plantation hath it; which y^e + king graciously granted, referring it to y^e Lord Keeper to give order + to y^e solisiter to draw it up, if ther were a presidente for it. So + y^e Lord Keeper furthered it all he could, and allso y^e solissiter; + but as Festus said to Paule, With no small sume of money obtained I + this freedom; for by y^e way many ridells must be resolved, and many + locks must be opened with y^e silver, ney, y^e golden key. Then it was + to come to y^e Lord Treasurer, to have his warrente for freeing y^e + custume for a certaine time; but be would not doe it, but refferd it + to y^e Counsell table. And ther M^r. Allerton atended day by day, when + they sate, but could not gett his petition read. And by reason of M^r. + Peirce his staying with all y^e passengers at Bristoll, he was forct + to leave y^e further prosecuting of it to a solissiter. But ther is no + fear nor doubte but it will be granted, for he hath y^e cheefe of them + to freind; yet it will be marvelously needfull for him to returne by + y^e first ship y^t comes from thence; for if you had this confirmed, + then were you compleate, and might bear such sway & goverment as were + fitt for your ranke & place y^t God hath called you unto; and stope + y^e moueths of base and scurrulous fellowes, y^t are ready to question + & threaten you in every action you [167] doe. And besids, if you have + y^e custome free for 7. years inward, & 21. outward, y^e charge of y^e + patent will be soone recovered, and ther is no fear of obtaining[CL] + it. But such things must work by degrees; men cannot hasten it as they + would; werefore we (I write in behalfe of all our partners here) + desire you to be ernest with M^r. Allerton to come, and his wife to + spare him this one year more, to finish this great & waighty bussines, + which we conceive will be much for your good, & I hope for your + posteritie, and for many generations to come. + +Thus much of this letter. It was dated y^e 19. March, 1629. + +By which it appears what progress was made herein, & in part what charge +it was, and how left unfinished, and some reason of y^e same; but in +truth (as was afterwards appehended) the meaine reason was M^r. +Allerton's policie, to have an opportunitie to be sent over againe, for +other regards; and for that end procured them thus to write. For it +might then well enough have been finshed, if not with y^t clause aboute +y^e custumes, which was M^r. Allertons & M^r. Sherleys device, and not +at all thought on by y^e colony here, nor much regarded, yet it might +have been done without it, without all queston, having passed y^e kings +hand; nay it was conceived it might then have beene done with it, if he +had pleased; but covetousnes never brings ought home, as y^e proverb is, +for this oppertunytie being lost, it was never accomplished, but a great +deale of money veainly & lavishly cast away aboute it, as doth appear +upon their accounts. But of this more in its place. + +M^r. Alerton gave them great and just ofence in this (which I had +omited[CM] and almost forgotten),--in bringing over this year, for base +gaine, that unworthy man, and instrumente of mischeefe, Morton, who was +sent home but y^e year before for his misdemenors. He not only brought +him over, but to y^e towne (as it were to nose them), and lodged him at +his owne house, and for a while used him as a scribe to doe his +bussines, till he was caused to pack him away. So he wente to his old +nest in y^e Massachusets, wher it was not long but by his miscariage he +gave them just occation to lay hands on him; and he was by them againe +sent prisoner into England, wher he lay a good while in Exeter Jeole. +For besids his miscariage here, he was vemently suspected for y^e murder +of a man that had adventured moneys with him, when he came first into +New-England. And a warrente was sente from y^e Lord Cheefe Justice to +apprehend him, by vertue wherof he was by the Gov^r of y^e Massachusets +sent into England; and for other his misdemenors amongst them, they +demolisht his house, that it might be no longer a roost for shuch +unclaine birds to nestle in. Yet he got free againe, and write an +infamouse & scurillous booke against many godly & cheefe men of y^e +cuntrie; full of lyes & slanders, and fraight with profane callumnies +against their names and persons, and y^e ways of God. After sundry +years, when y^e warrs were hott in England, he came againe into y^e +cuntrie, and was imprisoned at Boston for this booke and other things, +being grown old in wickednes. + +Concerning y^e rest of M^r. Allertons instructions, in which they +strictly injoyned him not to exceed above y^t 50^li. in y^e goods before +mentioned, not to bring any but trading co[=m]odities, he followed them +not at all, but did the quite contrarie; bringing over many other sorts +of retaile goods, selling what he could by the way on his owne accounte, +and delivering the rest, which he said to be theirs, into y^e store; and +for trading goods brought but litle in comparison; excusing the matter, +they had laid out much about y^e Laiden people, & patent, &c. And for +other goods, they had much of them of ther owne dealings, without +present disbursemente, & to like effect. And as for passing his bounds & +instructions, he laid it on M^r. Sherley, &c., who, he said, they might +see his mind in his leters; also that they had sett out Ashley at great +charg; but next year they should have what trading goods they would send +for, if things were now well setled, &c. And thus were they put off; +indeed M^r. Sherley write things tending this way, but it is like he was +overruled by M^r. Allerton, and harkened more to him then to their +letters from hence. + +Thus he further writs in y^e former leter. + + I see what you write in your leters concerning y^e over-co[=m]ing & + paying of our debts, which I confess are great, and had need be + carfully looked unto; yet no doubt but we, joyning in love, may soone + over-come them; but we must follow it roundly & to purposs, for if we + pedle out y^e time of our trad, others will step in and nose us. But + we know y^t you have y^t aquaintance & experience in y^e countrie, as + none have the like; wherfore, freinds & partners, be no way + discouraged with y^e greatnes of y^e debt, &c., but let us not fulfill + y^e proverbe, to bestow 12^d. on a purse, and put 6^d. [168] in it; + but as you and we have been at great charg, and undergone much for + setling you ther, and to gaine experience, so as God shall enable us, + let us make use of it. And think not with 50^li. pound a yeare sent + you over, to rayse shuch means as to pay our debts. We see a + possibillitie of good if you be well supplied, and fully furnished; + and cheefly if you lovingly agree. I know I write to godly and wise + men, such as have lerned to bear one an others infirmities, and + rejoyce at any ones prosperities; and if I were able I would press + this more, because it is hoped by some of your enimies, that you will + fall out one with another, and so over throw your hopfull bussines. + Nay, I have heard it crediblie reported, y^t some have said, that till + you be disjoynted by discontents & factions[CN] amongst your sellves, + it bootes not any to goe over, in hope of getting or doing good in + those parts. But we hope beter things of you, and that you will not + only bear one with another, but banish such thoughts, and not suffer + them to lodg in your brests. God grant you may disappointe y^e hopes + of your foes, and procure y^e hartie desire of your selves & freinds + in this perticuler. + +By this it appears that ther was a kind of concurrance betweene M^r. +Allerton and them in these things, and that they gave more regard to his +way & course in these things, then to y^e advise from hence; which made +him bould to presume above his instructions, and to rune on in y^e +course he did, to their greater hurt afterwards, as will appear. These +things did much trouble them hear, but they well knew not how to help +it, being loath to make any breach or contention hear aboute; being so +premonished as before in y^e leter above recited. An other more secrete +cause was herewith concurrente; M^r. Allerton had maried y^e daughter of +their Reverend Elder, M^r. Brewster (a man beloved & honoured amongst +them, and who tooke great paines in teaching & dispenceing y^e word of +God unto them), whom they were loath to greeve or any way offend, so as +they bore with much in that respecte. And with all M^r. Allerton carried +so faire with him, and procured such leters from M^r. Sherley to him, +with shuch applause of M^r. Allertons wisdom, care, and faithfullnes, in +y^e bussines; and as things stood none were so fitte to send aboute them +as he; and if any should suggest other wise, it was rather out of envie, +or some other sinister respecte then other wise. Besids, though private +gaine, I doe perswade my selfe, was some cause to lead M^r. Allerton +aside in these beginings, yet I thinke, or at least charitie caries me +to hope, that he intended to deale faithfully with them in y^e maine, +and had such an opinion of his owne abillitie, and some experience of +y^e benefite that he had made in this singuler way, as he conceived he +might both raise him selfe an estate, and allso be a means to bring in +such profite to M^r. Sherley, (and it may be y^e rest,) as might be as +lickly to bring in their moneys againe with advantage, and it may be +sooner then from the generall way; or at least it was looked upon by +some of them to be a good help ther unto; and that neither he nor any +other did intend to charge y^e generall accounte with any thing that +rane in perticuler; or y^t M^r. Sherley or any other did purposs but y^t +y^e generall should be first & fully supplyed. I say charitie makes me +thus conceive; though things fell out other wise, and they missed of +their aimes, and y^e generall suffered abundantly hereby, as will +afterwards apear. + +[169] Togeither herewith sorted an other bussines contrived by M^r. +Allerton and them ther, w^{th}out any knowledg of y^e partners, and so +farr proceeded in as they were constrained to allow therof, and joyne in +y^e same, though they had no great liking of it, but feared what might +be y^e evente of y^e same. I shall relate it in a further part of M^r. +Sherley's leter as foloweth. + + I am to aquainte you that we have thought good to joyne with one + Edward Ashley (a man I thinke y^t some of you know); but it is only of + y^t place wherof he hath a patente in M^r. Beachamps name; and to that + end have furnished him with larg provissions, &c. Now if you please to + be partners with us in this, we are willing you shall; for after we + heard how forward Bristoll men (and as I hear some able men of his + owne kindrid) have been to stock & supply him, hoping of profite, we + thought it fitter for us to lay hould of such an opportunitie, and to + keep a kind of ru[=n]ing plantation, then others who have not borne + y^e burthen of setling a plantation, as we have done. And he, on y^e + other side, like an understanding yonge man, thought it better to + joyne with those y^t had means by a plantation to supply & back him + ther, rather then strangers, that looke but only after profite. Now it + is not knowne that you are partners with him; but only we 4., M^r. + Andrews, M^r. Beachamp, my selfe, & M^r. Hatherley, who desired to + have y^e patente, in consideration of our great loss we have allready + sustained in setling y^e first plantation ther; so we agreed togeather + to take it in our names. And now, as I said before, if you please to + joyne with us, we are willing you should. M^r. Allerton had no power + from you to make this new contracte, neither was he willing to doe any + thing therin without your consente & approbation. M^r. William Peirce + is joyned with us in this, for we thought it very conveniente, because + of landing Ashley and his goods ther, if God please; and he will bend + his course accordingly. He hath a new boate with him, and boards to + make another, with 4. or 5. lustie fellowes, wherof one is a + carpenter. Now in case you are not willing in this perticuler to joyne + with us, fearing y^e charge & doubting y^e success, yet thus much we + intreate of you, to afford him all the help you can, either by men, + commodities, or boats; yet not but y^t we will pay you for any thing + he hath. And we desire you to keep y^e accounts apart, though you + joyne with us; becase ther is, as you see, other partners in this then + y^e other; so, for all mens wages, boats-hire, or comodities, which we + shall have of you, make him debtore for it; and what you shall have of + him, make y^e plantation or your selves debtore for it to him, and so + ther will need no mingling of y^e accounts. + + And now, loving freinds & partners, if you joyne in Ashles patent & + bussines, though we have laid out y^e money and taken up much to stock + this bussines & the other, yet I thinke it conscionable and reasonable + y^t you should beare your shares and proportion of y^e stock, if not + by present money, yet by securing us for so much as it shall come too; + for it is not barly y^e interest that is to be alowed & considered of, + but allso y^e adventure; though I hope in God, by his blessing & your + honest indeavors, it may soon be payed; yet y^e years y^t this + partnership holds is not long, nor many; let all therfore lay it to + harte, and make y^e best use of y^e time that possiblie we cann, and + let every man put too his shoulder, and y^e burthen will be the + lighter. I know you are so honest & conscionable men, as you will + consider hereof, [170] and returne shuch an answer as may give good + satisfaction. Ther is none of us that would venture as we have done, + were it not to strengthen & setle you more then our owne perticuler + profite. + + Ther is no liclyhood of doing any good in buying y^e debte for y^e + purchas. I know some will not abate y^e interest, and therfore let it + rune its course; they are to be paied yearly, and so I hope they + shall, according to agreemente. The Lord grant y^t our loves & + affections may still be united, and knit togeither; and so we rest + your ever loving friends, + + JAMES SHERLEY. + TIMOTHY HATHERLEY. + + Bristoll, March 19. 1629. + + +This mater of y^e buying y^e debts of y^e purchass was parte of M^r. +Allertons instructions, and in many of them it might have been done to +good profite for ready pay (as some were); but M^r. Sherley had no mind +to it. But this bussines aboute Ashley did not a litle trouble them; for +though he had wite & abillitie enough to menage y^e bussines, yet some +of them knew him to be a very profane yonge man; and he had for some +time lived amonge y^e Indeans as a savage, & wente naked amongst them, +and used their maners (in w^{ch} time he got their language), so they +feared he might still rune into evill courses (though he promised +better), and God would not prosper his ways. As soone as he was landed +at y^e place intended, caled Penobscote, some 4 score leagues from this +place, he write (& afterwards came) for to desire to be supplyed with +Wampampeake, corne against winter, and other things. They considered +these were of their cheefe co[=m]odities, and would be continually +needed by him, and it would much prejudice their owne trade at Kenebeck +if they did not joyne with him in y^e ordering of things, if thus they +should supply him; and on y^e other hand, if they refused to joyne with +him, and allso to afford any supply unto him, they should greatly offend +their above named friends, and might hapily lose them hereby; and he and +M^r. Allerton, laying their craftie wits togither, might gett supplies +of these things els wher; besids, they considered that if they joyned +not in y^e bussines, they knew M^r. Allerton would be with them in it, & +so would swime, as it were, betweene both, to y^e prejudice of boath, +but of them selves espetially. For they had reason to thinke this +bussines was cheefly of his contriving, and Ashley was a man fitte for +his turne and dealings. So they, to prevente a worse mischeefe, resolved +to joyne in y^e bussines, and gave him supplies in what they could, & +overlooked his proceedings as well as they could; the which they did y^e +better, by joyning an honest yonge man,[CO] that came from Leyden, with +him as his fellow (in some sorte), and not merely as a servante. Which +yonge man being discreete, and one whom they could trust, they so +instructed as keept Ashley in some good mesure within bounds. And so +they returned their answer to their freinds in England, that they +accepted of their motion, and joyned with them in Ashleys bussines; and +yet withall tould them what their fears were concerning him. + +But when they came to have full notice of all y^e goods brought them +that year, they saw they fell very short of trading goods, and Ashley +farr better suppleyed then [171] themselves; so as they were forced to +buy of the fisher men to furnish them selves, yea, & cottens & carseys & +other such like cloath (for want of trading cloath) of M^r. Allerton +himselfe, and so to put away a great parte of their beaver, at under +rate, in the countrie, which they should have sente home, to help to +discharge their great ingagementes; which was to their great vexation; +but M^r. Allerton prayed them to be contente, and y^e nexte yere they +might have what they would write for. And their ingagmentes of this year +were great indeed when they came to know them, (which was not wholy till +2. years after); and that which made them y^e more, M^r. Allerton had +taken up some large su[=m]es at Bristoll at 50. [p=]^r cent. againe, +which he excused, that he was forcte to it, because other wise he could +at y^e spring of year get no goods transported, such were their envie +against their trade. But wheither this was any more then an excuse, some +of them doubted; but however, y^e burden did lye on their backs, and +they must bear it, as they did many heavie loads more in y^e end. + +This paying of 50. p^r cent. and dificulty of having their goods +tr[=a]sported by the fishing ships at y^e first of y^e year, (as was +beleeved,) which was y^e cheefe season for trade, put them upon another +projecte. M^r. Allerton, after y^e fishing season was over, light of a +bargan of salte, at a good fishing place, and bought it; which came to +aboute 113^li.; and shortly after he might have had 30^li. cleare +profite for it, without any more trouble aboute it. But M^r. Winslow +coming that way from Kenebeck, & some other of ther partners with him in +y^e barke, they mett with M^r. Allerton, and falling into discourse with +him, they stayed him from selling y^e salte; and resolved, if it might +please y^e rest, to keep it for them selves, and to hire a ship in y^e +west cuntrie to come on fishing for them, on shares, according to y^e +coustome; and seeing she might have her salte here ready, and a stage +ready builte & fitted wher the salt lay safely landed & housed. In stead +of bringing salte, they might stowe her full of trading goods, as bread, +pease, cloth, &c., and so they might have a full supply of goods without +paing fraight, and in due season, which might turne greatly to their +advantage. Coming home, this was propounded, and considered on, and +aproved by all but y^e Gov^r, who had no mind to it, seeing they had +allway lost by fishing; but y^e rest were so ernest, as thinkeing that +they might gaine well by y^e fishing in this way; and if they should but +save, yea, or lose some thing by it, y^e other benefite would be +advantage inough; so, seeing their ernestnes, he gave way, and it was +referd to their freinds in England to alow, or disalow it. Of which more +in its place. + +Upon y^e consideration of y^e bussines about y^e paten, & in what state +it was left, as is before remembred, and M^r. Sherleys ernest pressing +to have M^r. Allert[=o] to come over againe to finish it, & perfect y^e +accounts, &c., it was concluded to send him over this year againe; +though it was with some fear & jeolocie; yet he gave them fair words and +promises of well performing all their bussineses according to their +directions, and to mend his former errors. So he was accordingly sent +with full instructions for all things, with large letters to M^r. +Sherley & y^e rest, both aboute Ashleys bussines and their owne suply +with trading comodities, and how much it did concerne them to be +furnished therwith, & what y^e had suffered for wante therof; and of +what litle use other goods were [172] in comparison therof; and so +likewise aboute this fishing ship, to be thus hired, and fraught with +trading goods, which might both supply them & Ashley, and y^e benefite +therof; which was left to their consideration to hire & set her out, or +not; but in no case not to send any, exepte she was thus fraighte with +trading goods. But what these things came too will appere in y^e next +years passages. + +I had like to have omited an other passage that fell out y^e begining of +this year. Ther was one M^r. Ralfe Smith, & his wife & familie, y^t came +over into y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets, and sojourned at presente with +some stragling people that lived at Natascoe; here being a boat of this +place putting in ther on some occasion, he ernestly desired that they +would give him & his, passage for Plimoth, and some such things as they +could well carrie; having before heard y^t ther was liklyhood he might +procure house-roome for some time, till he should resolve to setle ther, +if he might, or els-wher as God should disposs; for he was werie of +being in y^t uncoth place, & in a poore house y^t would neither keep him +nor his goods drie. So, seeing him to be a grave man, & understood he +had been a minister, though they had no order for any such thing, yet +they presumed and brought him. He was here accordingly kindly +entertained & housed, & had y^e rest of his goods & servants sente for, +and exercised his gifts amongst them, and afterwards was chosen into y^e +ministrie, and so remained for sundrie years. + +It was before noted that sundry of those that came from Leyden, came +over in the ships y^t came to Salem, wher M^r. Endecott had cheefe +co[=m]and; and by infection that grue amonge y^e passengers at sea, it +spread also among them a shore, of which many dyed, some of y^e +scurvie, other of an infectious feaoure, which continued some time +amongst them (though our people, through Gods goodnes, escaped it). Upon +which occasion he write hither for some help, understanding here was one +that had some skill y^t way, & had cured diverse of y^e scurvie, and +others of other diseases, by letting blood, & other means. Upon which +his request y^e Gov^r hear sent him unto them, and also write to him, +from whom he received an answere; the which, because it is breefe, and +shows y^e begining of their aquaintance, and closing in y^e truth & ways +of God, I thought it not unmeete, nor without use, hear to inserte it; +and an other showing y^e begining of their fellowship & church estate +ther. + +Being as followeth. + + Right worthy S^r: + + It is a thing not usuall, that servants to one m^r and of y^e same + houshold should be strangers; I assure you I desire it not, nay, to + speake more plainly, I cannot be so to you. Gods people are all marked + with one and y^e same marke, and sealed with one and y^e same seale, + and have for y^e maine, one & y^e same harte, guided by one & same + spirite of truth; and wher this is, ther can be no discorde, nay, here + must needs be sweete harmonie. And y^e same request (with you) I make + unto y^e Lord, that we may, as Christian breethren, be united by a + heavenly & unfained love; bending all our harts and forces in + furthering a worke beyond our strength, with reverence & fear, + fastening our eyse allways on him that only is able to directe and + prosper all our ways. I acknowledge my selfe much bound to you for + your kind love and care in sending M^r. Fuller among us, and rejoyce + much y^t I am by him satisfied touching your judgments of y^e outward + forme of Gods worshipe. It is, as farr as [173] I can yet gather, no + other then is warrented by y^e evidence of truth, and y^e same which I + have proffessed and maintained ever since y^e Lord in mercie revealed + him selfe unto me; being farr from y^e commone reporte that hath been + spread of you touching that perticuler. But Gods children must not + looke for less here below, and it is y^e great mercie of God, that he + strengthens them to goe through with it. I shall not neede at this + time to be tedious unto you, for, God willing, I purpose to see your + face shortly. In y^e mean time, I humbly take my leave of you, + co[=m]iting you to y^e Lords blessed protection, & rest. + + Your assured loving friend, + JO: ENDECOTT. + + Naumkeak, May 11. An^o. 1629. + + +This second leter sheweth ther proceedings in their church affaires at +Salem, which was y^e 2. church erected in these parts; and afterwards +y^e Lord established many more in sundrie places. + + S^r: I make bould to trouble you with a few lines, for to certifie you + how it hath pleased God to deale with us, since you heard from us. + How, notwithstanding all opposition that hath been hear, & els wher, + it hath pleased God to lay a foundation, the which I hope is agreeable + to his word in every thing. The 20. of July, it pleased y^e Lord to + move y^e hart of our Gov^r to set it aparte for a solemne day of + humilliation for y^e choyce of a pastor & teacher. The former parte of + y^e day being spente in praier & teaching, the later parte aboute y^e + election, which was after this maner. The persons thought on (who had + been ministers in England) were demanded concerning their callings; + they acknowledged ther was a towfould calling, the one an inward + calling, when y^e Lord moved y^e harte of a man to take y^t calling + upon him, and fitted him with guiftes for y^e same; the second was an + outward calling, which was from y^e people, when a company of + beleevers are joyned togither in covenante, to walke togither in all + y^e ways of God, and every member (being men) are to have a free voyce + in y^e choyce of their officers, &c. Now, we being perswaded that + these 2. men were so quallified, as y^e apostle speaks to Timothy, + wher he saith, A bishop must be blamles, sober, apte to teach, &c., I + thinke I may say, as y^e eunuch said unto Philip, What should let from + being baptised, seeing ther was water? and he beleeved. So these 2. + servants of God, clearing all things by their answers, (and being thus + fitted,) we saw noe reason but we might freely give our voyces for + their election, after this triall. So M^r. Skelton was chosen pastor, + and M^r. Higgison to be teacher; and they accepting y^e choyce, M^r. + Higgison, with 3. or 4. of y^e gravest members of y^e church, laid + their hands on M^r. Skelton, using prayer therwith. This being done, + ther was imposission of hands on M^r. Higgison also. And since that + time, Thursday (being, as I take it, y^e 6. of August) is appoynted + for another day of humilliation, for y^e choyce of elders & deacons, & + ordaining of them. + + And now, good S^r, I hope y^t you & y^e rest of Gods people (who are + aquainted with the ways of God) with you, will say that hear was a + right foundation layed, and that these 2. blessed servants of y^e Lord + came in at y^e dore, and not at y^e window. Thus I have made bould to + trouble you with these few lines, desiring you to remember us, &c. And + so rest, + + At your service in what I may, + CHARLES GOTT. + + Salem, July 30. 1629. + +[174] _Anno Dom_: 1630. + +Ashley, being well supplyed, had quickly gathered a good parcell of +beaver, and like a crafty pate he sent it all home, and would not pay +for y^e goods he had had of y^e plantation hear, but lett them stand +still on y^e score, and tooke up still more. Now though they well enough +knew his aime, yet they let him goe on, and write of it into England. +But partly y^e beaver they received, & sould, (of which they weer +sencible,) and partly by M^r. Allertons extolling of him, they cast more +how to supplie him then y^e plantation, and something to upbraid them +with it. They were forct to buy him a barke allso, and to furnish her +w^th a m^r. & men, to transports his corne & provissions (of which he +put of much); for y^e Indeans of those parts have no corne growing, and +at harvest, after corne is ready, y^e weather grows foule, and y^e seas +dangerous, so as he could doe litle good with his shallope for y^t +purposs. + +They looked ernestly for a timely supply this spring, by the fishing +ship which they expected, and had been at charg to keepe a stage for +her; but none came, nor any supply heard of for them. At length they +heard sume supply was sent to Ashley by a fishing ship, at which they +something marvelled, and the more y^t they had no letters either from +M^r. Allerton or M^r. Sherley; so they went on in their bussines as well +as y^e could. At last they heard of M^r. Peirce his arivall in y^e Bay +of y^e Massachusetts, who brought passengers & goods thither. They +presently sent a shallop, conceiving they should have some thing by him. +But he tould them he had none; and a ship was sett out on fishing, but +after 11. weeks beating at sea, she mett with shuch foull weather as she +was forcte back againe for England, and, y^e season being over, gave off +y^e vioage. Neither did he hear of much goods in her for y^e plantation, +or y^t she did belong to them, for he had heard some thing from M^r. +Allerton tending that way. But M^r. Allerton had bought another ship, +and was to come in her, and was to fish for bass to y^e eastward, and to +bring goods, &c. These things did much trouble them, and half astonish +them. M^r. Winslow haveing been to y^e eastward, brought nuese of the +like things, w^th some more perticulers, and y^t it was like M^r. +Allerton would be late before he came. At length they, having an +oppertunitie, resolved to send M^r. Winslow, with what beaver they had +ready, into England, to see how y^e squars wente, being very jeolouse of +these things, & M^r. Allertons courses; and writ shuch leters, and gave +him shuch instructions, as they thought meet; and if he found things not +well, to discharge M^r. Allerton for being any longer agent for them, or +to deal any more in y^e bussines, and to see how y^e accounts stood, &c. + +Aboute y^e midle of so[=m]er arrives M^r. Hatherley in y^e Bay of y^e +Massachusetts, (being one of y^e partners,) and came over in y^e same +ship that was set out on fhishing (called y^e Frendship). They presently +sent to him, making no question but now they had goods come, and should +know how all things stood. But they found [175] the former news true, +how this ship had been so long at sea, and spente and spoyled her +provissions, and overthrowne y^e viage. And he being sent over by y^e +rest of y^e partners, to see how things wente hear, being at Bristoll +with M^r. Allerton, in y^e shipe bought (called y^e White-Angell), ready +to set sayle, over night came a messenger from Bastable to M^r. +Allerton, and tould him of y^e returne of y^e ship, and what had +befallen. And he not knowing what to doe, having a great chareg under +hand, y^e ship lying at his rates, and now ready to set sayle, got him +to goe and discharg y^e ship, and take order for y^e goods. To be short, +they found M^r. Hatherley some thing reserved, and troubled in him +selfe, (M^r. Allerton not being ther,) not knowing how to dispose of y^e +goods till he came; but he heard he was arived with y^e other ship to +y^e eastward, and expected his coming. But he tould them ther was not +much for them in this ship, only 2. packs of Bastable ruggs, and 2. +hoggsheads of meatheglin, drawne out in wooden flackets (but when these +flackets came to be received, ther was left but 6. gallons of y^e 2. +hogsheads, it being drunke up under y^e name leackage, and so lost). +But the ship was filled with goods for sundrie gentlemen, & others, +that were come to plant in y^e Massachusets, for which they payed +fraight by y^e tun. And this was all the satisfaction they could have at +presente, so they brought this small parcell of goods & returned with +this nues, and a letter as obscure; which made them much to marvell +therat. The letter was as followeth. + + Gentle-men, partners, and loving friends, &c. + + Breefly thus: wee have this year set forth a fishing ship, and a + trading ship, which later we have bought; and so have disbursed a + great deale of money, as may and will appeare by y^e accounts. And + because this ship (called y^e White Angell) is to acte 2. parts, (as I + may say,) fishing for bass, and trading; and that while M^r. Allerton + was imployed aboute y^e trading, the fishing might suffer by carlesnes + or neglecte of y^e sailors, we have entreated your and our loving + friend, M^r. Hatherley, to goe over with him, knowing he will be a + comforte to M^r. Allerton, a joye to you, to see a carfull and loving + friend, and a great stay to y^e bussines; and so great contente to us, + that if it should please God y^e one should faile, (as God forbid,) + yet y^e other would keepe both recconings, and things uprighte. For we + are now out great sumes of money, as they will acquainte you withall, + &c. When we were out but 4. or 5. hundred pounds a peece, we looked + not much after it, but left it to you, & your agente, (who, without + flaterie, deserveth infinite thanks & comendations, both of you & us, + for his pains, &c.); but now we are out double, nay, trible a peece, + some of us, &c.; which maks us both write, and send over our friend, + M^r. Hatherley, whom we pray you to entertaine kindly, of which we + doubte not of. The main end of sending him is to see y^e state and + accounte of all y^e bussines, of all which we pray you informe him + fully, though y^e ship & bussines wayte for it and him. For we should + take it very unkindly that we should intreat him to take such a + journey, and that, when it pleaseth God he returnes, he could not give + us contente & satisfaction in this perticuler, through defaulte of any + of you. [176] But we hope you will so order bussines, as neither he + nor we shall have cause to complaine, but to doe as we ever have done, + thinke well of you all, &c. I will not promise, but shall indeaour & + hope to effecte y^e full desire and grant of your patente, & that ere + it be longe. I would not have you take any thing unkindly. I have not + write out of jeolocie of any unjuste dealing. Be you all kindly + saluted in y^e Lord, so I rest, + + Yours in what I may, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + March 25. 1630. + +It needs not be thought strange, that these things should amase and +trouble them; first, that this fishing ship should be set out, and +fraight with other mens goods, & scarce any of theirs; seeing their +maine end was (as is before remembred) to bring them a full supply, and +their speatiall order not to sett out any excepte this was done. And now +a ship to come on their accounte, clean contrary to their both end & +order, was a misterie they could not understand; and so much y^e worse, +seeing she had shuch ill success as to lose both her vioage & +provissions. The 2. thing, that another ship should be bought and sente +out on new designes, a thing not so much as once thought on by any +here, much less, not a word intimated or spoaken of by any here, either +by word or letter, neither could they imagine why this should be. Bass +fishing was never lookt at by them, but as soone as ever they heard on +it, they looked at it as a vaine thing, that would certainly turne to +loss. And for M^r. Allerton to follow any trade for them, it was never +in their thoughts. And 3^ly, that their fri[=e]ds should complaine of +disbursements, and yet rune into such great things, and charge of +shiping & new projects of their owne heads, not only without, but +against, all order & advice, was to them very strang. And 4^ly, that all +these matters of so great charg & imployments should be thus wrapped up +in a breefe and obscure letter, they knew not what to make of it. But +amids all their doubts they must have patience till M^r. Allerton & M^r. +Hatherley should come. In y^e mean time M^r. Winslow was gone for +England; and others of them were forst to folow their imployments with +y^e best means they had, till they could hear of better. + +At length M^r. Hatherley & M^r. Allerton came unto them, (after they had +delivered their goods,) and finding them strucken with some sadnes +aboute these things, M^r. Allerton tould them that y^e ship Whit-Angele +did not belong to them, nor their accounte, neither neede they have any +thing to doe with her, excepte they would. And M^r. Hatherley confirmed +y^e same, and said that they would have had him to have had a parte, +but he refused; but he made question whether they would not turne her +upon y^e generall accounte, if ther came loss (as he now saw was like), +seeing M^r. Allerton laid downe this course, and put them on this +projecte. But for y^e fishing ship, he tould them they need not be so +much troubled, for he had her accounts here, and showed them that her +first seting out came not much to exceed 600^li. as they might see by +y^e accounte, which he showed them; and for this later viage, it would +arrise to profite by y^e fraight of the goods, and y^e salle of some +katle which he shiped and had allready sould, & was to be paid for +partly here & partly by bills into England, so as they should not have +this put on their acounte at all, except they [178][CP] would. And for +y^e former, he had sould so much goods out of her in England, and +imployed y^e money in this 2. viage, as it, togeither with such goods & +implements as M^r. Allerton must need aboute his fishing, would rise to +a good parte of y^e money; for he must have y^e sallt and nets, allso +spiks, nails, &c.; all which would rise to nere 400^li; so, with y^e +bearing of their parts of y^e rest of the loses (which would not be much +above 200^li.), they would clear them of this whole accounte. Of which +motion they were glad, not being willing to have any accounts lye upon +them; but aboute their trade, which made them willing to harken +therunto, and demand of M^r. Hatherley how he could make this good, if +they should agree their unto, he tould them he was sent over as their +agente, and had this order from them, that whatsoever he and M^r. +Allerton did togeather, they would stand to it; but they would not alow +of what M^r. Allerton did alone, except they liked it; but if he did it +alone, they would not gaine say it. Upon which they sould to him & M^r. +Allerton all y^e rest of y^e goods, and gave them present possession of +them; and a writing was made, and confirmed under both M^r. Hatherleys +and M^r. Allertons hands, to y^e effecte afforesaide. And M^r. +Allertone, being best aquainted w^th y^e people, sould away presenly all +shuch goods as he had no need of for y^e fishing, as 9. shallop sails, +made of good new canvas, and y^e roads for them being all new, with +sundry such usefull goods, for ready beaver, by M^r. Hatherleys +allowance. And thus they thought they had well provided for them selvs. +Yet they rebuked M^r. Allerton very much for runing into these courses, +fearing y^e success of them. M^r. Allerton & M^r. Hatherley brought to +y^e towne with them (after he had sould what he could abroad) a great +quantity of other goods besids trading comodities; as linen cloath, +bedticks, stockings, tape, pins, ruggs, &c., and tould them they were to +have them, if they would; but they tould M^r. Allerton that they had +forbid him before for bringing any such on their accounte; it would +hinder their trade and returnes. But he & M^r. Hatherley said, if they +would not have them, they would sell them, them selves, and take corne +for what they could not otherwise sell. They tould them they might, if +they had order for it. The goods of one sorte & other came to upward of +500^li. + +After these things, Mr. Allerton wente to y^e ship aboute his bass +fishing; and M^r. Hatherley, (according to his order,) after he tooke +knowledg how things stood at y^e plantation, (of all which they informed +him fully,) he then desired a boate of them to goe and visite y^e +trading houeses, both Kenebeck, and Ashley at Penobscote; for so they in +England had injoyned him. They accordingly furnished him with a boate & +men for y^e viage, and aquainted him plainly & thorowly with all things; +by which he had good contente and satisfaction, and saw plainly that +M^r. Allerton plaid his owne game, and rane a course not only to y^e +great wrong & detrimente of y^e plantation, who imployed & trusted him, +but abused them in England also, in possessing them with prejudice +against y^e plantation; as y^t, they would never be able to repaye their +moneys (in regard of their great charge), but if [179] they would follow +his advice and projects, he & Ashley (being well supplyed) would quickly +bring in their moneys with good advantage. Mr. Hatherley disclosed also +a further projecte aboute y^e setting out of this ship, y^e +White-angell; how, she being wel fitted with good ordnance, and known to +have made a great fight at sea (when she belongd to Bristoll) and caried +away the victory, they had agreed (by M^r. Allerton's means) that, +after she had brought a fraight of goods here into the countrie, and +fraight her selfe with fish, she should goe from hence to Port of +porte,[CQ] and ther be sould, both ship, goods, and ordenance; and had, +for this end, had speech with a factore of those parts, beforehand, to +whom she should have been consigned. But this was prevented at this +time, (after it was known,) partly by y^e contrary advice given by their +freinds hear to M^r. Allerton & M^r. Hatherley, showing how it might +insnare their friends in England, (being men of estate,) if it should +come to be knowne; and for y^e plantation, they did and would disalow +it, and protest against it; and partly by their bad viage, for they both +came too late to doe any good for fishing, and allso had such a wicked +and drunken company as neither M^r. Allerton nor any els could rule; as +M^r. Hatherley, to his great greefe & shame, saw, & beheld, and all +others that came nere them. + +Ashley likwise was taken in a trape, (before M^r. Hatherley returned,) +for trading powder & shote with y^e Indeans; and was ceased upon by some +in authoritie, who allso would have confiscated above a thousand weight +of beaver; but y^e goods were freed, for y^e Governer here made it +appere, by a bond under Ashleys hand, wherin he was bound to them in +500^li. not to trade any munition with the Indeans, or other wise to +abuse him selfe; it was also manifest against him that he had co[=m]ited +uncleannes with Indean women, (things that they feared at his first +imployment, which made them take this strict course with him in y^e +begining); so, to be shorte, they gott their goods freed, but he was +sent home prisoner. And that I may make an end concerning him, after +some time of imprisonmente in y^e Fleet, by y^e means of friends he was +set at liberty, and intended to come over againe, but y^e Lord prevented +it; for he had a motion made to him, by some marchants, to goe into +Russia, because he had such good skill in y^e beaver trade, the which he +accepted of, and in his returne home was cast away at sea; this was his +end. + +M^r. Hatherley, fully understanding y^e state of all things, had good +satisfaction, and could well informe them how all things stood betweene +M^r. Allerton and y^e plantation. Yea, he found that M^r. Allerton had +gott within him, and [180] got all the goods into his owne hands, for +which M^r. Hatherley stood joyntly ingaged to them hear, aboute y^e +ship-Fre[=i]dship, as also most of y^e fraigte money, besids some of his +owne perticuler estate; about w^ch more will appear here after. So he +returned into England, and they sente a good quantity of beaver with him +to y^e rest of y^e partners; so both he and it was very wellcome unto +them. + +M^r. Allerton followed his affaires, & returned with his White Angell, +being no more imployed by y^e plantation; but these bussinesses were +not ended till many years after, nor well understood of a longe time, +but foulded up in obscuritie, & kepte in y^e clouds, to y^e great loss & +vexation of y^e plantation, who in y^e end were (for peace sake) forced +to bear y^e unjust burthen of them, to their allmost undoing, as will +appear, if God give life to finish this history. + +They sent their letters also by M^r. Hatherley to y^e partners ther, to +show them how M^r. Hatherley & M^r. Allerton had discharged them of y^e +Friendships accounte, and that they boath affirmed y^t the White-Angell +did not at all belong to them; and therfore desired that their accounte +might not be charged therwith. Also they write to M^r. Winslow, their +agente, that he in like maner should (in their names) protest against +it, if any such thing should be intended, for they would never yeeld to +y^e same. As allso to signifie to them that they renounsed M^r. Allerton +wholy, for being their agente, or to have any thing to doe in any of +their bussines. + +This year John Billinton y^e elder (one that came over with y^e first) +was arrained, and both by grand & petie jurie found guilty of willfull +murder, by plaine & notorious evidence. And was for the same accordingly +executed.[CR] This, as it was y^e first execution amongst them, so was +it a mater of great sadnes unto them. They used all due means about his +triall, and tooke y^e advice of M^r. Winthrop and other y^e ablest +gentle-men in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets, that were then new-ly come +over, who concured with them y^t he ought to dye, and y^e land to be +purged from blood. He and some of his had been often punished for +miscariags before, being one of the profanest families amongst them. +They came from London, and I know not by what freinds shufled into their +company. His facte was, that he way-laid a yong-man, one John New-comin, +(about a former quarell,) and shote him with a gune, wherof he dyed.[CS] + +Having by a providence a letter or to y^t came to my hands concerning +the proceedings of their Re^d freinds in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets, +who were latly come over, I thought it not amise here to inserte them, +(so farr as is pertenente, and may be usefull for after times,) before I +conclude this year. + + S^r: Being at Salem the 25. of July, being y^e saboath, after y^e + evening exercise, M^r. Johnson received a letter from y^e Governor, + Mr. John Winthrop, manifesting y^e hand of God to be upon them, and + against them at Charles-towne, in visiting them with sicknes, and + taking diverse from amongst them, not sparing y^e righteous, but + partaking with y^e wicked in these bodily judgments. It was therfore + by his desire taken into y^e Godly consideration of y^e best hear, + what was to be done to pacifie y^e Lords wrath, &c. Wher it was + concluded, that the Lord was to be sought in righteousnes; and to that + end, y^e 6. day (being Friday) of this present weeke, is set aparte, + that they may humble them selves before God, and seeke him in his + ordenances; and that then also such godly persons that are amongst + them, and kno[=w] each to other, may publickly, at y^e end of their + exercise, make known their Godly desire, and practise y^e same, viz. + sole[=m]ly to enter into [181] covenante with y^e Lord to walke in his + ways. And since they are so disposed of in their outward estats, as to + live in three distinct places, each having men of abilitie amongst + them, ther to observe y^e day, and become 3. distincte bodys; not then + intending rashly to proceed to y^e choyce of officers, or y^e + admitting of any other to their societie then a few, to witte, such as + are well knowne unto them; promising after to receive in such by + confession of faith, as shall appeare to be fitly qualified for y + estate. They doe ernestly entreate that y^e church of Plimoth would + set apparte y^e same day, for y^e same ends, beseeching y^e Lord, as + to withdraw his hand of correction from them, so also to establish and + direct them in his wayes. And though y^e time be shorte, we pray you + be provocked to this godly worke, seing y^e causes are so urgente; + wherin God will be honoured, and they & we undoubtedly have sweete + comforte. Be you all kindly saluted, &c. + + Your brethren in Christ, &c. + + Salem, July 26. 1630. + + S^r: etc. The sadd news here is, that many are sicke, and many are + dead; y^e Lord in mercie looke upon them. Some are here entered into + church covenante; the first were 4. namly, y^e Gov^r, M^r. John + Winthrop, M^r. Johnson, M^r. Dudley, and M^r. Willson; since that 5. + more are joyned unto them, and others, it is like, will adde them + selves to them dayly; the Lord increase them, both in number and in + holines for his mercie sake. Here is a gentleman, one M^r. Cottington, + (a Boston man,) who tould me, that M^r. Cottons charge at Hamton was, + that they should take advise of them at Plimoth, and should doe + nothing to offend them. Here are diverce honest Christians that are + desirous to see us, some out of love which they bear to us, and y^e + good perswasion they have of us; others to see whether we be so ill as + they have heard of us. We have a name of holines, and love to God and + his saincts; the Lord make us more and more answerable, and that it + may be more then a name, or els it will doe us no good. Be you + lovingly saluted, and all the rest of our friends. The Lord Jesus + blese us, and y^e whole Israll of God. Amen. + + Your loving brother, &c. + + Charles-towne, Aug. 2. 1630. + +Thus out of smalle beginings greater things have been prodused by his +hand y^t made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that +are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so y^e light here +kindled hath shone to many, yea in some sorte to our whole nation; let +y^e glorious name of Jehova have all y^e praise. + +[182] _Anno Dom_: 1631. + +Ashley being thus by y^e hand of God taken away, and M^r. Allerton +discharged of his imploymente for them, their bussines began againe to +rune in one chanell, and them selves better able to guide the same, +Penobscote being wholy now at their disposing. And though M^r. William +Peirce had a parte ther as is before noted, yet now, as things stood, he +was glad to have his money repayed him, and stand out. M^r. Winslow, +whom they had sent over, sent them over some supply as soone as he +could; and afterwards when he came, which was something longe by reason +of bussines, he brought a large supply of suitable goods with him, by +which ther trading was well carried on. But by no means either he, or +y^e letters y^ey write, could take off M^r. Sherley & y^e rest from +putting both y^e Friendship and Whit-Angell on y^e generall accounte; +which caused continuall contention betweene them, as will more appeare. + +I shall inserte a leter of M^r. Winslow's about these things, being as +foloweth. + + S^r: It fell out by Gods providence, y^t I received and brought your + leters p^r M^r. Allerton from Bristoll, to London; and doe much feare + what will be y^e event of things. M^r. Allerton intended to prepare + y^e ship againe, to set forth upon fishing. M^r. Sherley, M^r. + Beachamp, & M^r. Andrews, they renounce all perticulers, protesting + but for us they would never have adventured one penie into those + parts; M^r. Hatherley stands inclinable to either. And wheras you + write that he and M^r. Allerton have taken y^e Whit-Angell upon them, + for their partners here, they professe they neiver gave any such + order, nor will make it good; if them selves will cleare y^e accounte + & doe it, all shall be well. What y^e evente of these things will be, + I know not. The Lord so directe and assiste us, as he may not be + dishonoured by our divissions. I hear (p^r a friend) that I was much + blamed for speaking w^t[CT] I heard in y^e spring of y^e year, + concerning y^e buying & setting forth of y^t ship;[CU] sure, if I + should not have tould you what I heard so peremtorly reported (which + report I offered now to prove at Bristoll), I should have been + unworthy my imploymente. And concerning y^e commission so long since + given to M^r. Allerton, the truth is, the thing we feared is come upon + us; for M^r. Sherley & y^e rest have it, and will not deliver it, that + being y^e ground of our agents credite to procure shuch great sumes. + But I looke for bitter words, hard thoughts, and sower looks, from + sundrie, as well for writing this, as reporting y^e former. I would I + had a more thankfull imploymente; but I hope a good conscience shall + make it comefortable, &c. + +Thus farr he. Dated Nov: 16. 1631. + +The comission above said was given by them under their hand and seale, +when M^r. Allerton was first imployed by them, and redemanded of him in +y^e year 29. when they begane to suspecte his course. He tould them it +was amongst his papers, but he would seeke it out & give it them before +he wente. But he being ready to goe, it was demanded againe. He said he +could not find it, but it was amongst his papers, which he must take +w^th him, [183] and he would send it by y^e boat from y^e eastward; but +ther it could not be had neither, but he would seeke it up at sea. But +whether M^r. Sherley had it before or after, it is not certaine; but +having it, he would not let it goe, but keeps it to this day. Wherfore, +even amongst freinds, men had need be carfull whom they trust, and not +lett things of this nature lye long unrecaled. + +_Some parts of M^r. Sherley's letters aboute these things, in which y^e +truth is best manifested._ + + Sir: Yours I have received by our loving friends, M^r. Allerton & M^r. + Hatherley, who, blesed be God, after a long & dangerous passage with + y^e ship Angell, are safely come to Bristoll. M^r. Hatherley is come + up, but M^r. Allerton I have not yet seen. We thanke you, and are very + glad you have disswaded him from his Spanish viage, and y^t he did not + goe on in these designes he intended; for we did all uterly dislick of + that course, as allso of y^e fishing y^t y^e Freindship should have + performed; for we wished him to sell y^e salte, and were unwilling to + have him undertake so much bussines, partly for y^e ill success we + formerly had in those affairs, and partly being loath to disburse so + much money. But he perswaded us this must be one way y^t must repay + us, for y^e plantation would be long in doing of it; ney, to my + rememberance, he doubted you could not be able, with y^e trade ther, + to maintaine your charge & pay us. And for this very cause he brought + us on y^t bussines with Ed: Ashley, for he was a stranger to us, &c. + + For y^e fishing ship, we are sorie it proves so heavie, and will be + willing to bear our parts. What M^r. Hatherley & M^r. Allerton have + done, no doubt but them selves will make good;[CV] we gave them no + order to make any composition, to seperate you and us in this or any + other. And I thinke you have no cause to forsake us, for we put you + upon no new thing, but what your agent perswaded us to, & you by your + letters desired. If he exceede your order, I hope you will not blame + us, much less cast us of, when our moneys be layed out, &c. But I fear + neither you nor we have been well delte withall, for sure, as you + write, halfe 4000^li.?, nay, a quarter, in fitting comodities, and in + seasonable time, would have furnished you beter then you were. And yet + for all this, and much more I might write, I dare not but thinke him + honest, and that his desire and intente was good; but y^e wisest may + faile. Well, now y^t it hath pleased God to give us hope of meeting, + doubte not but we will all indeavore to perfecte these accounts just & + right, as soone as possibly we can. And I supposs you sente over M^r. + Winslow, and we M^r. Hatherley, to certifie each other how y^e state + of things stood. We have received some contente upon M^r. Hatherley's + returne, and I hope you will receive good contente upon M^r. + Winslow's returne. Now I should come to answer more perticulerly your + letter, but herin I shall be very breefe. The coming of y^e White + Angele on your accounte could not be more strang to you, then y^e + buying of her was to us; for you gave him commission[CW] that what he + did you would stand too; we gave him none, and yet for his credite, + and your saks, payed what bills he charged on us, &c. For y^t I write + she was to acte tow parts, fishing & trade; beleeve me, I never so + much as thought of any perticuler trade, nor will side with any y^t + doth, if I conceive it may wrong you; for I ever was against it, + useing these words: They will eate up and destroy y^e generall. + +Other things I omite as tedious, and not very pertenente. This was dated +Nov^r. 19. 1631. + +In an other leter bearing date y^e 24. of this month, being an answer to +y^e generall order, he hath these words:-- + + [184] For y^e White Angell, against which you write so ernestly, and + say we thrust her upon you, contrary to y^e intente of y^e buyer, + herin we say you forgett your selves, and doe us wrong. We will not + take uppon us to devine what y^e thougts or intents of y^e buyer was, + but what he spack we heard, and that we will affirme, and make good + against any y^t oppose it; which is, y^t unles shee were bought, and + shuch a course taken, Ashley could not be supplyed; and againe, if he + weer not supplyed, we could not be satisfied what we were out for you. + And further, you were not able to doe it; and he gave some reasons + which we spare to relate, unless by your unreasonable refusall you + will force us, and so, hasten y^t fire which is a kindling too fast + allready, &c. + +_Out of another of his, bearing date Jan. 2. 1631._ + + We purpose to keep y^e Freindship and y^e Whit Angell, for y^e last + year viages, on the generall accounte, hoping togeither they will + rather produse profite then loss, and breed less confution in our + accounts, and less disturbance in our affections. As for y^e White + Angell, though we layed out y^e money, and tooke bills of salle in our + owne names, yet none of us had so much as a thought (I dare say) of + deviding from you in any thing this year, because we would not have + y^e world (I may say Bristoll) take notice of any breach betwixte M^r. + Allerton and you, and he and us; and so disgrace him in his + proceedings on[CX] in his intended viage. We have now let him y^e ship + at 30^li. p^r month, by charter-partie, and bound him in a bond of a + 1000^li. to performe covenants, and bring her to London (if God + please). And what he brings in her for you, shall be marked w^th your + marke, and bils of laden taken, & sent in M^r. Winslows letter, who is + this day riding to Bristoll about it. So in this viage, we deale & are + with him as strangers. He hath brought in 3. books of accounts, one + for y^e company, an other for Ashley's bussines, and y^e third for y^e + Whit-Angell and Freindship. The books, or coppies, we purpose to send + you, for you may discover y^e errours in them better then we. We can + make it appear how much money he hath had of us, and you can charg him + with all y^e beaver he hath had of you. The totall sume, as he hath + put it, is 7103. 17. 1. Of this he hath expended, and given to Mr. + Vines & others, aboute 543^li. ode money, and then by your books you + will find whether you had such, & so much goods, as he chargeth you + with all; and this is all that I can say at presente concerning these + accounts. He thought to dispatch them in a few howers, but he and + Straton & Fogge were above a month aboute them; but he could not stay + till we had examined them, for losing his fishing viage, which I fear + he hath allready done, &c. + + We blese God, who put both you & us in mind to send each to other, for + verily had he rune on in that desperate & chargable course one year + more, we had not been able to suport him; nay, both he and we must + have lyen in y^e ditch, and sunck under y^e burthen, &c. Had ther been + an orderly course taken, and your bussines better managed, assuredly + (by y^e blessing of God) you had been y^e ablest plantation that, as + we think, or know, hath been undertaken by Englishmen, &c. + +Thus farr of these letters of M^r. Sherley's.[CY] + +[185] A few observations from y^e former letters, and then I shall set +downe the simple truth of y^e things (thus in controversie betweene +them), at least as farr as by any good evidence it could be made to +appeare; and so laboure to be breefe in so tedious and intricate a +bussines, which hunge in expostulation betweene them many years before +y^e same was ended. That though ther will be often occasion to touch +these things about other passages, yet I shall not neede to be large +therin; doing it hear once for all. + +First, it seemes to appere clearly that Ashley's bussines, and y^e +buying of this ship, and y^e courses framed ther upon, were first +contrived and proposed by M^r. Allerton, as also y^t the pleaes and +pretences which he made, of y^e inablitie of y^e plantation to repaye +their moneys, &c., and y^e hops he gave them of doing it with profile, +was more beleeved & rested on by them (at least some of them) then any +thing y^e plantation did or said. + +2. It is like, though M^r. Allerton might thinke not to wrong y^e +plantation in y^e maine, yet his owne gaine and private ends led him a +side in these things: for it came to be knowne, and I have it in a +letter under M^r. Sherley's hand, that in y^e first 2. or 3. years of +his imploymente, he had cleared up 400^li. and put it into a brew-house +of M^r. Colliers in London, at first under M^r. Sherley's name, &c.; +besids what he might have other wise. Againe, M^r. Sherley and he had +perticuler dealings in some things; for he bought up y^e beaver that +sea-men & other passengers brought over to Bristoll, and at other +places, and charged y^e bills to London, which M^r. Sherley payed; and +they got some time 50^li. a peece in a bargen, as was made knowne by +M^r. Hatherley & others, besids what might be other wise; which might +make M^r. Sherley harken unto him in many things; and yet I beleeve, as +he in his forementioned leter write, he never would side in any +perticuler trade w^ch he conceived would wrong y^e plantation, and eate +up & destroy y^e generall. + +3^ly. It may be perceived that, seeing they had done so much for y^e +plantation, both in former adventures and late disbursements, and allso +that M^r. Allerton was y^e first occasioner of bringing them upon these +new designes, which at first seemed faire & profitable unto them, and +unto which they agreed; but now, seeing them to turne to loss, and +decline to greater intanglments, they thought it more meete for y^e +plantation to bear them, then them selves, who had borne much in other +things allready, and so tooke advantage of such comission & power as +M^r. Allerton had formerly had as their agente, to devolve these things +upon them. + +4^ly. With pitie and compassion (touching M^r. Allerton) I may say with +y^e apostle to Timothy, 1. Tim. 6. 9. _They that will be rich fall into +many temtations and snares, &c., and pearce them selves throw with many +sorrows, &c.; for the love of money is y^e roote of all evill_, v. 10. +God give him to see y^e evill in his failings, that he may find mercie +by repentance for y^e wrongs he hath done to any, and this pore +plantation in spetiall. They that doe such things doe not only bring +them selves into snares, and sorrows, but many with them, (though in an +other kind,) as lamentable experience shows; and is too manifest in this +bussines. + +[186] Now about these ships & their setting forth, the truth, as farr as +could be learned, is this. The motion aboute setting forth y^e fishing +ship (caled y^e Frindship) came first from y^e plantation, and y^e +reasons of it, as is before remembered; but wholy left to them selves to +doe or not to doe, as they saw cause. But when it fell into +consideration, and y^e designe was held to be profitable and hopefull, +it was propounded by some of them, why might not they doe it of them +selves, seeing they must disburse all y^e money, and what need they have +any refferance to y^e plantation in y^t; they might take y^e profile +them selves, towards other losses, & need not let y^e plantation share +therin; and if their ends were other wise answered for their supplyes to +come too them in time, it would be well enough. So they hired her, & set +her out, and fraighted her as full as she could carry with passengers +goods y^t belonged to y^e Massachussets, which rise to a good sume of +money; intending to send y^e plantations supply in y^e other ship. The +effecte of this M^r. Hatherley not only declared afterward upon +occasion, but affirmed upon othe, taken before y^e Gov^r & Dep: Gov^r of +the Massachusets, M^r. Winthrop & M^r. Dudley: That this ship-Frindship +was not sett out nor intended for y^e joynt partnership of y^e +plantation, but for y^e perticuler accounte of M^r. James Sherley, M^r. +Beachampe, M^r. Andrews, M^r. Allerton, & him selfe. This deposition was +taken at Boston y^e 29. of Aug: 1639. as is to be seen under their +hands; besids some other concurente testimonies declared at severall +times to sundrie of them. + +About y^e Whit-Angell, though she was first bought, or at least the +price beaten, by M^r. Allerton (at Bristoll), yet that had been nothing +if M^r. Sherley had not liked it, and disbursed y^e money. And that she +was not intended for y^e plantation appears by sundrie evidences;[CZ] +as, first, y^e bills of sale, or charter-parties, were taken in their +owne names, without any mention or refferance to y^e plantation at all; +viz. M^r. Sherley, M^r. Beachampe, M^r. Andrews, M^r. Denison, and M^r. +Allerton; for M^r. Hatherley fell off, and would not joyne with them in +this. That she was not bought for their accounte, M^r. Hatherley tooke +his oath before y^e parties afforesaid, y^e day and year above writen. + +M^r. Allerton tooke his oath to like effecte concerning this ship, the +Whit-Angell, before y^e Gov^r & Deputie, the 7. of Sep: 1639. and +likewise deposed, y^e same time, that M^r. Hatherley and him selfe did, +in the behalfe of them selves and y^e said M^r. Sherley, M^r. Andrews, & +M^r. Beachamp, agree and undertake to discharge, and save harmless, all +y^e rest of y^e partners & purchasers, of and from y^e said losses of +Freindship for 200^li., which was to be discounted therupon; as by ther +depossitions (which are in writing) may appeare more at large, and some +other depositions & other testemonies by M^r. Winslow,[DA] &c. But I +suppose these may be sufficente to evince the truth in these things, +against all pretences to y^e contrary. And yet the burthen lay still +upon y^e plantation; or, to speake more truly and rightly, upon those +few that were ingaged for all, for they were faine to wade through these +things without any help from any. + +[187] Concerning M^r. Allerton's accounts, they were so larg and +intrecate, as they could not well understand them, much less examine & +correcte them, without a great deale of time & help, and his owne +presence, which was now hard to gett amongst them; and it was 2. or 3. +years before they could bring them to any good pass, but never make them +perfecte. I know not how it came to pass, or what misterie was in it, +for he tooke upon him to make up all accounts till this time, though +M^r. Sherley was their agente to buy & sell their goods, and did more +then he therin; yet he past in accounts in a maner for all disbursments, +both concerning goods bought, which he never saw, but were done when he +was hear in y^e cuntrie or at sea; and all y^e expences of y^e Leyden +people, done by others in his absence; the charges aboute y^e patente, +&c. In all which he made them debtore to him above 300^li. and demanded +paimente of it. But when things came to scaning, he was found above +2000^li. debtore to them, (this wherin M^r. Hatherley & he being joyntly +ingaged, which he only had, being included,) besids I know not how much +y^t could never be cleared; and interest moneys which ate them up, which +he never accounted. Also they were faine to alow such large bills of +charges as were intolerable; the charges of y^e patent came to above +500^li. and yet nothing done in it but what was done at first without +any confirmation; 30^li. given at a clape, and 50^li. spent in a +journey. No marvell therfore if M^r. Sherley said in his leter, if their +bussines had been better managed, they might have been y^e richest +plantation of any English at y^t time. Yea, he scrued up his poore old +father in law's accounte to above 200^li. and brought it on y^e generall +accounte, and to befreind him made most of it to arise out of those +goods taken up by him at Bristoll, at 50. per cent., because he knew +they would never let it lye on y^e old man, when, alass! he, poore man, +never dreamte of any such thing, nor y^t what he had could arise nere +y^t valew; but thought that many of them had been freely bestowed on him +& his children by M^r. Allerton. Nither in truth did they come nere y^t +valew in worth, but y^t sume was blowne up by interest & high prises, +which y^e company did for y^e most parte bear, (he deserving farr more,) +being most sory that he should have a name to have much, when he had in +effecte litle. + +This year also M^r. Sherley sent over an accounte, which was in a maner +but a cash accounte what M^r. Allerton had had of them, and disbursed, +for which he referd to his accounts; besids an account of beaver sould, +which M^r. Winslow & some others had carried over, and a large supply of +goods which M^r. Winslow had sent & brought over, all which was +comprised in that accounte, and all y^e disbursments aboute y^e +Freindship, & Whit-Angell, and what concerned their accounts from first +to last; or any thing else he could charg y^e partners with. So they +were made debtor in y^e foote of that accounte 4770^li 19. 2.[DB] besids +1000^li. still due for y^e purchase yet unpayed; notwithstanding all y^e +beaver, and returnes that both Ashley & they had made, which were not +small. + +[188] In these accounts of M^r. Sherley's some things were obscure, and +some things twise charged, as a 100. of Bastable ruggs which came in +y^e Freindship, & cost 75^li., charged before by M^r. Allerton, and now +by him againe, with other perticulers of like nature doubtfull, to be +twise or thrise charged; as also a sume of 600^li. which M^r. Allerton +deneyed, and they could never understand for what it was. They sent a +note of these & such like things afterward to M^r. Sherley by M^r. +Winslow; but (I know not how it came to pass) could never have them +explained. + +Into these deepe sumes had M^r. Allerton rune them in tow years, for in +y^e later end of y^e year 1628. all their debts did not amounte to much +above 400^li., as was then noted; and now come to so many thousands. And +wheras in y^e year 1629. M^r. Sherley & M^r. Hatherley being at +Bristoll, and write a large letter from thence, in which they had given +an account of y^e debts, and what sumes were then disbursed, M^r. +Allerton never left begging & intreating of them till they had put it +out. So they bloted out 2. lines in y^t leter in which y^e sumes were +contained, and write upon it so as not a word could be perceived; as +since by them was confessed, and by y^e leters may be seene. And thus +were they kept hoodwinckte, till now they were so deeply ingaged. And +wheras M^r. Sherley did so ernestly press y^t M^r. Allerton might be +sent over to finish y^e great bussines aboute y^e patente, as may be +seen in his leter write 1629. as is before recorded, and y^t they should +be ernest w^th his wife to suffer him to goe, &c., he hath since +confessed by a letter under my hands, that it was M^r. Allerton's owne +doings, and not his, and he made him write his words, & not his owne. +The patent was but a pretence, and not y^e thing. Thus were they abused +in their simplicitie, and no beter then bought & sould, as it may seeme. + +And to mend y^e matter, M^r. Allerton doth in a sorte wholy now deserte +them; having brought them into y^e briers, he leaves them to gett out as +they can. But God crost him mightily, for he having hired y^e ship of +M^r. Sherly at 30^li., a month, he set forth againe with a most wicked +and drunken crue, and for covetousnes sake did so over lade her, not +only filling her hould, but so stufed her betweene decks, as she was +walte, and could not bear sayle, and they had like to have been cast +away at sea, and were forced to put for Millford Havene, and new-stow +her, & put some of ther ordnance & more heavie goods in y^e botome; +which lost them time, and made them come late into y^e countrie, lose +ther season, and made a worse viage then y^e year before. But being come +into y^e countrie, he sells trading comodities to any y^t will buy, to +y^e great prejudice of y^e plantation here; but that which is worse, +what he could not sell, he trustes; and sets up a company of base felows +and maks them traders, to rune into every hole, & into y^e river of +Kenebeck, to gleane away y^e trade from y^e house ther, aboute y^e +patente & priviledge wherof he had dasht away so much money of theirs +here; [189] and now what in him lay went aboute to take away y^e +benefite therof, and to overthrow them. Yea, not only this, but he +furnishes a company, and joyns with some consorts, (being now deprived +of Ashley at Penobscote,) and sets up a trading house beyoned +Penobscote, to cute of y^e trade from thence also. But y^e French +perceiving that that would be greatly to their damage allso, they came +in their begining before they were well setled, and displanted them, +slue 2. of their men, and tooke all their goods to a good valew, y^e +loss being most, if not all, M^r. Allerton's; for though some of them +should have been his partners, yet he trusted them for their partes; the +rest of y^e men were sent into France, and this was the end of y^t +projecte. The rest of those he trusted, being lose and drunken fellows, +did for y^e most parte but coussen & cheate him of all they got into +their hands; that howsoever he did his friends some hurte hereby for y^e +presente, yet he gate litle good, but wente by y^e loss by Gods just +hand. After in time, when he came to Pli[=m]oth, y^e church caled him to +accounte for these, and other his grosse miscarrages; he confessed his +faulte, and promised better walking, and that he would wind him selfe +out of these courses as soone as he could, &c. + +This year also Mr. Sherley would needs send them over a new-acountante; +he had made mention of such a thing y^e year before, but they write him +word, that their charge was great allready, and they neede not increase +it, as this would; but if they were well delte with, and had their goods +well sent over, they could keep their accounts hear them selves. Yet he +now sente one, which they did not refuse, being a yonger brother of M^r. +Winslows, whom they had been at charge to instructe at London before he +came. He came over in the White Angell with M^r. Allerton, and ther +begane his first imploymente; for though M^r. Sherley had so farr +befreinded Mr. Allerton, as to cause[DC] M^r. Winslow to ship y^e supply +sente to y^e partners here in this ship, and give him 4^li. [p=]er tune, +wheras others carried for 3. and he made them pay their fraight ready +downe, before y^e ship wente out of y^e harbore, wheras others payed +upon certificate of y^e goods being delivered, and their fraight came to +upward of 6. score pounds, yet they had much adoe to have their goods +delivered, for some of them were chainged, as bread & pease; they were +forced to take worse for better, neither could they ever gett all. And +if Josias Winslow had not been ther, it had been worse; for he had y^e +invoyce, and order to send them to y^e trading houses. + +This year their house at Penobscott was robed by y^e French, and all +their goods of any worth they carried away, to y^e value of 400. or +500^li. as y^e cost first peny worth; in beaver 300^li. waight; and y^e +rest in trading goods, as coats, ruggs, blankett, biskett, &c. It was +in this maner. The m^r. of y^e house, and parte of y^e company with him, +were come with their vessell to y^e westward to fecth a supply of goods +which was brought over for them. In y^e mean time comes a smale French +ship into y^e harbore (and amongst y^e company was a false Scott); they +pretended they were nuly come from y^e sea, and knew not wher they were, +and that their vesell was very leake, and desired they might hale her a +shore and stop their leaks. And many French complements they used, and +congees they made; and in y^e ende, seeing but 3. or 4. simple men, y^t +were servants, and by this Scoth-man understanding that y^e maister & ye +rest of y^e company were gone from home, they fell of comending their +gunes and muskets, that lay upon racks by y^e wall side, and tooke them +downe to looke on them, asking if they were charged. And when they were +possesst of them, one presents a peece ready charged against y^e +servants, and another a pistoll; and bid them not sturr, but quietly +deliver them their goods, and carries some of y^e men aborde, & made y^e +other help to carry away y^e goods. And when they had tooke what they +pleased, they sett them at liberty, and wente their way, with this +mocke, biding them tell their m^r. when he came, that some of y^e Ile of +Rey gentlemen had been ther.[DD] + +[DE] This year, on S^r Christopher Gardener, being, as him selfe said, +descended of y^t house y^t the Bishop of Winchester came of (who was so +great a persecutor of Gods saincts in Queene Maries days), and being a +great traveler, received his first honour of knighthood at Jerusalem, +being made Knight of y^e Sepulcher ther. He came into these parts under +pretence of forsaking y^e world, and to live a private life, in a godly +course, not unwilling to put him selfe upon any meane imployments, and +take any paines for his living; and some time offered him selfe to joyne +to y^e churchs in sundry places. He brought over with him a servante or +2. and a comly yonge woman, whom be caled his cousin, but it was +suspected, she (after y^e Italian maner) was his concubine. Living at +y^e Massachusets, for some miscariages which he should have answered, he +fled away from authority, and gott amonge y^e Indeans of these parts; +they sent after him, but could not gett him, and promissed some reward +to those y^t should find him. The Indeans came to y^e Gov^r here, and +tould wher he was, and asked if they might kill him; he tould them no, +by no means, but if they could take him and bring him hither, they +should be payed for their paines. They said he had a gune & a rapier, & +he would kill them if y^ey went aboute it; and y^e Massachuset Indeans +said they might kille him. But y^e Gov^r tould them no, they should not +kill him, but watch their opportunitie, & take him. And so they did, for +when they light of him by a river side, he got into a canowe to get from +them, & when they came nere him, whilst he presented his peece at them +to keep them of, the streame carried y^e canow against a rock, and +tumbled both him & his peece & rapier into y^e water; yet he got out, +and having a litle dagger by his side, they durst not close with him, +but getting longe pols they soone beat his dagger out of his hand, so he +was glad to yeeld; and they brought him to y^e Gov^r. But his hands and +armes were swolen & very sore with y^e blowes they had given him. So he +used him kindly, & sent him to a lodging wher his armes were bathed and +anoynted, and he was quickly well againe, and blamed y^e Indeans for +beating him so much. They said that they did but a litle whip him with +sticks. In his lodging, those y^t made his bed found a litle note booke +that by accidente had slipt out of his pockett, or some private place, +in which was a memoriall what day he was reconciled to y^e pope & church +of Rome, and in what universitie he tooke his scapula, and such & such +degrees. It being brought to y^e Gov^r, he kept it, and sent y^e Gov^r +of y^e Massachusets word of his taking, who sent for him. So y^e Gov^r +sent him and these notes to y^e Gov^r ther, who tooke it very thankfuly; +but after he gott for England, he shewed his malice, but God prevented +him. + +See y^e Gov^r leter on y^e other side.[DF] + + S^r: It hath pleased God to bring S^r. Christopher Gardener safe to + us, with thos that came with him. And howsoever I never intended any + hard measure to him, but to respecte and use him according to his + qualitie, yet I let him know your care of him, and y^t he shall speed + y^e better for your mediation. It was a spetiall providence of God to + bring those notes of his to our hands; I desire y^t you will please to + speake to all y^t are privie to them, not to discovere them to any + one, for y^t may frustrate y^e means of any further use to be made of + them. The good Lord our God who hath allways ordered things for y^e + good of his poore churches here, directe us in this arighte, and + dispose it to a good issue. I am sorie we put you to so much trouble + about this gentleman, espetialy at this time of great imploymente, but + I know not how to avoyed it. I must againe intreate you, to let me + know what charge & troble any of your people have been at aboute him, + y^t it may be recompenced. So with the true affection of a frind, + desiring all happines to your selfe & yours, and to all my worthy + friends with you (whom I love in y^e Lord), I comende you to his grace + & good providence, & rest + + Your most assured friend, + JOHN WINTHROP. + + Boston, May 5. 1631. + +By occation wherof I will take a litle libertie to declare what fell out +by this mans means & malice, complying with others. And though I doubt +not but it will be more fully done by my honourd friends, whom it did +more directly concerne, and have more perticuler knowledg of y^e matter, +yet I will here give a hinte of y^e same, and Gods providence in +preventing y^e hurte that might have come by y^e same. The intelligence +I had by a letter from my much hon^d and beloved friend, Mr. John +Winthrop, Gov^r of y^e Massachusets. + + S^r: Upon a petition exhibited by S^r. Christo: Gardner, S^r. Ferd: + Gorges, Captaine Masson, &c., against you and us, the cause was heard + before y^e lords of y^e Privie Counsell, and after reported to y^e + king, the sucsess wherof maks it evident to all, that y^e Lord hath + care of his people hear. The passages are admirable, and too long to + write. I hartily wish an opportunitie to imparte them unto you, being + m[=a]y sheets of paper. But y^e conclusion was (against all mens + expectation) an order for our incouragmente, and much blame and + disgrace upon y^e adversaries, w^ch calls for much thankfullnes from + us all, which we purpose (y^e Lord willing) to express in a day of + thanks-giving to our mercifull God, (I doubt not but you will + consider, if it be not fitt for you to joyne in it,) who, as he hath + humbled us by his late correction, so he hath lifted us up, by an + abundante rejoysing, in our deliverance out of so desperate a danger; + so as that w^ch our enemies builte their hopes upon to ruine us by, He + hath mercifully disposed to our great advantage, as I shall further + aquainte you, when occasion shall serve. + + The coppy of y^e order follows. + + At y^e courte at Whit-hall y^e 19. Jan: 1632. + + Present + + _Sigillum_ Lord Privie Seale + Ea: of Dorsett + Lo: Vi: Falkland + Lo: Bp: of London + Lord Cottinton + M^r. Tre^r + M^r. Vic Chamb^r + M^r. Sec: Cooke + Maister Sec: Windebanck + + Wheras his Ma^tie hath latly been informed of great distraction and + much disorder in y^t plantation in y^e parts of America called + New-England, which, if they be true, & suffered to rune on, would + tende to y^e great dishonour of this kingdome, and utter ruine of that + plantation. For prevention wherof, and for y^e orderly settling of + goverment, according to y^e intention of those patents which have been + granted by his Ma^tie and from his late royall father king James, it + hath pleased his Ma^tie that y^e lords & others of his most honourable + Privie Counsell, should take y^e same into consideration. Their + lordships in y^e first place thought fitt to make a comitie of this + bord, to take examination of y^e matters informed; which comitties + having called diverse of y^e principall adventurers in y^t plantation, + and heard those that are complanants against them, most of the things + informed being deneyed, and resting to be proved by parties that must + be called from y^t place, which required a long expence of time; and + at presente their lordships finding the adventurers were upon dispatch + of men, victles, and marchandice for y^t place, all which would be at + a stand, if y^e adventurers should have discouragmente, or take + suspition that the state hear had no good opinion of y^t plantation; + their lordships, not laying the faulte or fancies (if any be) of some + perticuler men upon the generall govermente, or principall + adventurers, (which in due time is further to be inquired into,) have + thought fitt in y^e meane time to declare, that the appearences were + so faire, and hopes so greate, y^t the countrie would prove both + beneficiall to this kingdom, and profitable to the perticuler + adventurers, as y^t the adventurers had cause to goe on cherfully with + their undertakings, and rest assured, if things were carried as was + pretended when y^e patents were granted, and accordingly as by the + patentes it is appointed, his Majestie would not only maintaine the + liberties & privileges heretofore granted, but supply any thing + further that might tend to the good govermente, prosperitie, and + comforte of his people ther of that place, &c. + + WILLIAM TRUMBALL. + +_Anno Dom_: 1632. + +M^r. Allerton, returning for England, litle regarded his bound of a +1000^li. to performe covenants; for wheras he was bound by y^e same to +bring y^e ship to [190] London, and to pay 30^li. per month for her +hire, he did neither of boath, for he carried her to Bristoll againe, +from whence he intended to sett her out againe, and so did y^e 3. time, +into these parts (as after will appear); and though she had been 10. +months upon y^e former viage, at 30^li. [p=]^r month, yet he never payed +peney for hire. It should seeme he knew well enough how to deale with +M^r. Sherley. And M^r. Sherley, though he would needs tye her & her +accounte upon y^e generall, yet he would dispose of her as him selfe +pleased; for though M^r. Winslow had in their names protested against +y^e receiving her on y^t accounte, or if ever they should hope to +preveile in shuch a thing, yet never to suffer M^r. Allerton to have any +more to doe in her, yet he y^e last year let her wholy unto him, and +injoyned them to send all their supplye in her to their prejudice, as is +before noted. And now, though he broke his bonds, kepte no covenante, +paid no hire, nor was ever like to keep covenants, yet now he goes and +sells him all, both ship, & all her accounts, from first to last (and in +effecte he might as well have given him y^e same); and not only this, +but he doth as good as provide a sanctuary for him, for he gives him one +years time to prepare his accounte, and then to give up y^e same to them +here; and then another year for him to make paymente of what should be +due upon y^t accounte. And in y^e mean time writs ernestly to them not +to interupte or hinder him from his bussines, or stay him aboute +clearing accounts, &c.; so as he in y^e mean time gathers up all monies +due for fraighte, and any other debtes belonging either to her, or y^e +Frindship's accounts, as his owne perticuler; and after, sells ship, & +ordnans, fish, & what he had raised, in Spaine, according to y^e first +designe, in effecte; and who had, or what became of y^e money, he best +knows. In y^e mean time their hands were bound, and could doe nothing +but looke on, till he had made all away into other mens hands (save a +few catle & a litle land & some small maters he had here at Plimoth), +and so in y^e end removed, as he had allready his person, so all his +from hence. This will better appere by M^r. Sherley's leter. + + S^r: These few lines are further to give you to understand, that + seeing you & we, that never differed yet but aboute y^e White-Angell, + which somewhat troubleth us, as I perceive it doth you. And now M^r. + Allerton beeing here, we have had some confferance with him about her, + and find him very willing to give you & us all contente y^t possiblie + he can, though he burthen him selfe. He is contente to take y^e + White-Angell wholy on him selfe, notwithstanding he mett with pirates + nere y^e coast of Ierland, which tooke away his best sayles & other + provissions from her; so as verily if we should now sell her, she + would yeeld but a small price, besids her ordnance. And to set her + forth againe with fresh money we would not, she being now at Bristoll. + Wherfore we thought it best, both for you & us, M^r. Allerton being + willing to take her, to accepte of his bond of tow thousand pounds, to + give [191] you a true & perfecte accounte, and take y^e whole charge + of y^e Whit-Angell wholy to him selfe, from y^e first to y^e last. The + accounte he is to make and perfecte within 12. months from y^e date of + this letter, and then to pay you at 6. and 6. months after, what + soever shall be due unto you and us upon the foote of y^t accounte. + And verily, notwithstanding all y^e disasters he hath had, I am + perswaded he hath enough to pay all men here and ther. Only they must + have patience till he can gather in what is due to him ther. I doe not + write this slightly, but upon some ground of what I have seen (and + perhaps you know not of) under y^e hands & seals of some, &c. I rest + + Your assured friend, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + Des: 6. 1632. + +But heres not a word of y^e breach of former bonds & covenants, or +paimente of y^e ships hire; this is passt by as if no such thing had +been; besids what bonds or obligments so ever they had of him, ther +never came any into y^e hands or sight of y^e partners here. And for +this y^t M^r. Sherley seems to intimate (as a secrete) of his abilitie, +under y^e hands & seals of some, it was but a trick, having gathered up +an accounte of what was owing form such base fellows as he had made +traders for him, and other debts; and then got M^r. Mahue, & some +others, to affirme under their hand & seale, that they had seen shuch +accounts y^t were due to him. + +Mr. Hatherley came over againe this year, but upon his owne occasions, +and begane to make preparation to plant & dwell in y^e countrie. He with +his former dealings had wound in what money he had in y^e patnership +into his owne hands, and so gave off all partnership (excepte in name), +as was found in y^e issue of things; neither did he medle, or take any +care aboute y^e same; only he was troubled about his ingagmente aboute +y^e Friendship, as will after appeare. And now partly aboute y^t +accounte, in some reconings betweene M^r. Allerton and him, and some +debts y^t M^r. Allerton otherwise owed him upon dealing between them in +perticuler, he drue up an accounte of above 2000^li., and would faine +have ingaged y^e partners here with it, because M^r. Allerton had been +their agent. But they tould him they had been fool'd longe enough with +such things, and shewed him y^t it no way belonged to them; but tould +him he must looke to make good his ingagment for y^e Freindship, which +caused some trouble betweene M^r. Allerton and him. + +M^r. William Peirce did y^e like, M^r. Allerton being wound into his +debte also upon particuler dealings; as if they had been bound to make +good all mens debts. But they easily shooke off these things. But M^r. +Allerton herby rane into much trouble & vexation, as well as he had +troubled others, for M^r. Denison sued him for y^e money he had +disbursed for y^e 6. part of y^e Whit-Angell, & recovered y^e same with +damages. + +Though y^e partners were thus pl[=u]ged into great ingagments, & +oppresed with unjust debts, yet y^e Lord prospered their trading, that +they made yearly large returnes, and had soone wound them selves out of +all, if yet they had otherwise been well delt with all; as will more +appear here after. [192] Also y^e people of y^e plantation begane to +grow in their owtward estats, by reason[DG] of y^e flowing of many +people into y^e cuntrie, espetially into y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets; by +which means corne & catle rose to a great prise, by w^ch many were much +inriched, and co[=m]odities grue plentifull; and yet in other regards +this benefite turned to their hurte, and this accession of strength to +their weaknes. For now as their stocks increased, and y^e increse +vendible, ther was no longer any holding them togeather, but now they +must of necessitie goe to their great lots; they could not other wise +keep their katle; and having oxen growne, they must have land for +plowing & tillage. And no man now thought he could live, except he had +catle and a great deale of ground to keep them; all striving to increase +their stocks. By which means they were scatered all over y^e bay, +quickly, and y^e towne, in which they lived compactly till now, was left +very thine, and in a short time allmost desolate. And if this had been +all, it had been less, thoug to much; but y^e church must also be +devided, and those y^t had lived so long togeather in Christian & +comfortable fellowship must now part and suffer many divissions. First, +those that lived on their lots on y^e other side of the bay (called +Duxberie) they could not long bring their wives & children to y^e +publick worship & church meetings here, but with such burthen, as, +growing to some competente number, they sued to be dismissed and become +a body of them selves; and so they were dismiste (about this time), +though very unwillingly. But to touch this sadd matter, and handle +things together that fell out afterward. To prevent any further +scatering from this place, and weakning of y^e same, it was thought best +to give out some good farms to spetiall persons, y^t would promise to +live at Plimoth, and lickly to be helpfull to y^e church or comonewelth, +and so tye y^e lands to Plimoth as farmes for the same; and ther they +might keepe their catle & tillage by some servants, and retaine their +dwellings here. And so some spetiall lands were granted at a place +generall, called Greens Harbor, wher no allotments had been in y^e +former divission, a plase very weell meadowed, and fitt to keep & rear +catle, good store. But alass! this remedy proved worse then y^e disease; +for w^{th}in a few years those that had thus gott footing ther rente +them selves away, partly by force, and partly wearing y^e rest with +importunitie and pleas of necessitie, so as they must either suffer them +to goe, or live in continuall opposition and contention. And others +still, as y^ey conceived them selves straitened, or to want +acco[=m]odation, break away under one pretence or other, thinking their +owne conceived necessitie, and the example of others, a warrente +sufficente for them. And this, I fear, will be y^e ruine of New-England, +at least of y^e churches of God ther, & will provock y^e Lords +displeasure against them. + +[193] This year, M^r. William Perce came into y^e cuntry, & brought +goods and passengers, in a ship caled y^e Lyon, which belonged cheefly +to M^r. Sherley, and y^e rest of y^e London partners, but these hear had +nothing to doe with her. In this ship (besides beaver which they had +sent home before) they sent upwards of 800^li. in her, and some otter +skines; and also y^e coppies of M^r. Allertons accounts, desiring that +they would also peruse & examene them, and rectifie shuch things as +they should find amise in them; and rather because they were better +acquaynted with y^e goods bought ther, and y^e disbursments made, then +they could bee here; yea, a great part were done by them selves, though +M^r. Allerton brougt in y^e accounte, and sundry things seemed to them +obscure and had need of clearing. Also they sente a booke of exceptions +against his accounts, in such things as they could manifest, and doubted +not but they might adde more therunto. And also shewed them how much +M^r. Allerton was debtor to y^e accounte; and desired, seeing they had +now put y^e ship White-Angell, and all, wholy into his power, and tyed +their hands here, that they could not call him to accounte for any +thinge, till y^e time was expired which they had given him, and by that +time other men would get their debts of him, (as sume had done already +by suing him,) and he would make all away here quickly out of their +reach; and therfore prayed them to looke to things, and gett paymente of +him ther, as it was all y^e reason they should, seeing they keept all +y^e bonds & covenants they made with him in their owne hands; and here +they could doe nothing by y^e course they had taken, nor had any thing +to show if they should goe aboute it. But it pleased God, this ship, +being first to goe to Verginia before she wente home, was cast away on +y^t coast, not farr from Virginia, and their beaver was all lost (which +was y^e first loss they sustained in that kind); but M^r. Peirce & y^e +men saved their lives, and also their leters, and gott into Virginia, +and so safly home. Y^e accounts were now sent from hence againe to them. +And thus much of y^e passages of this year. + +_A part of M^r. Peirce his leter[DH] from Virginia._ + +It was dated in Des: 25. 1632. and came to their hand y^e 7. of Aprill, +before they heard any thing from England. + + Dear freinds, &c. Y^e bruit of this fatall stroke that y^e Lord hath + brought both on me and you all will come to your ears before this + co[=m]eth to your hands, (it is like,) and therfore I shall not need + to inlarg in perticulers, &c. My whole estate (for y^e most parte) is + taken away; and so yours, in a great measure, by this and your former + losses [he means by y^e French & M^r. Allerton]. It is time to looke + aboute us, before y^e wrath of y^e Lord breake forth to utter + destruction. The good Lord give us all grace to search our harts and + trie our ways, and turne unto y^e Lord, and humble our selves under + his mightie hand, and seeke atonemente, &c. Dear freinds, you may know + y^t all your beaver, and y^e books of your accounts, are swallowed up + in y^e sea; your letters remaine with me, and shall be delivered, if + God bring me home. But what should I more say? Have we lost our + outward estates? yet a hapy loss if our soules may gaine; ther is yet + more in y^e Lord Jehova than ever we had yet in y^e world. Oh that our + foolish harts could yet be wained from y^e things here below, which + are vanity and vexation of spirite; and yet we fooles catch after + shadows, y^t flye away, & are gone in a momente, &c. Thus with my + continuall remembrance of you in my poore desires to y^e throne of + grace, beseeching God to renew his love & favoure towards you all, in + & through y^e Lord Jesus Christ, both in spirituall & temporall good + things, as may be most to the glory & praise of his name, and your + everlasting good. So I rest, + + Your afflicted brother in Christ, + WILLIAM PEIRCE. + + Virginia, Des: 25. 1632. + +_Anno Dom: 1633._ + +This year M^r. Ed: Winslow was chosen Governor. + +By the first returne this year, they had leters from M^r. Sherley of +M^r. Allertons further ill success, and y^e loss by M^r. Peirce, with +many sadd complaints; but litle hope of any thinge to be gott of M^r. +Allerton, or how their accounts might be either eased, or any way +rectified by them ther; but now saw plainly y^t the burthen of all would +be cast on their backs. The spetiall passages of his letters I shall +here inserte, as shall be pertinente to these things; for though I am +weary of this tedious & uncomfortable subjecte, yet for y^e clearing of +y^e truth I am compelled to be more larg in y^e opening of these +matters, upon w^ch [194] so much trouble hath insued, and so many hard +censures have passed on both sids. I would not be partiall to either, +but deliver y^e truth in all, and, as nere as I can, in their owne words +and passages, and so leave it to the impartiall judgment of any that +shall come to read, or veiw these things. His leters are as folow, +dated June 24. 1633. + +[Illustration: EDWARD WINSLOW.] + + Loving friends, my last[DI] was sente in y^e Mary & John, by M^r. + William Collier, &c. I then certified you of y^e great, & + uncomfortable, and unseasonable loss you & we had, in y^e loss of M^r. + Peirce his ship, y^e Lyon; but y^e Lords holy name be blessed, who + gives & taks as it pleaseth him; his will be done, Amen. I then + related unto you y^t fearfull accidente, or rather judgmente, y^e Lord + pleased to lay on London Bridge, by fire, and therin gave you a touch + of my great loss; the Lord, I hope, will give me patience to bear it, + and faith to trust in him, & not in these slipery and uncertaine + things of this world. + + I hope M^r. Allerton is nere upon sayle with you by this; but he had + many disasters here before he could gett away; yet y^e last was a + heavie one; his ship, going out of y^e harbor at Bristoll, by stormie + weather was so farr driven on y^e shore, as it cost him above 100^li. + before shee could be gott off againe. Verily his case was so + lamentable as I could not but afford him some help therin (and so did + some were strangers to him); besids, your goods were in her, and if he + had not been supported, he must have broke off his viage, and so loss + could not have been avoyded on all sides. When he first bought her, I + thinke he had made a saving match, if he had then sunck her, and never + set her forth. I hope he sees y^e Lords hand against him, and will + leave of these viages. I thinke we did well in parting with her; she + would have been but a clogge to y^e accounte from time to time, and + now though we shall not gett much by way of satisfaction, yet we shall + lose no more. And now, as before I have writte, I pray you finish all + y^e accounts and reconings with him there; for here he hath nothing, + but many debtes that he stands ingaged to many men for. Besids, here + is not a man y^t will spend a day, or scarce an hower, aboute y^e + accounts but my selfe, and y^t bussines will require more time and + help then I can afford. I shall not need to say any more; I hope you + will doe y^t which shall be best & just, to which adde mercie, and + consider his intente, though he failed in many perticulers, which now + cannot be helped, &c. + + To morrow, or next day at furthest, we are to pay 300^li. and M^r. + Beachamp is out of y^e towne, yet y^e bussines I must doe. Oh the + greefe & trouble y^t man, M^r. Allerton, hath brought upon you and us! + I cannot forgett it, and to thinke on it draws many a sigh from my + harte, and teares from my eyes. And now y^e Lord hath visited me with + an other great loss, yet I can undergoe it with more patience. But + this I have follishly pulled upon my selfe, &c. [And in another, he + hath this passage:] By M^r. Allertons faire propositions and large + [195] promises, I have over rune my selfe; verily, at this time greefe + hinders me to write, and tears will not suffer me to see; wherfore, as + you love those that ever loved you, and y^t plantation, thinke upon + us. Oh what shall I say of that man, who hath abused your trust and + wronged our loves! but now to complaine is too late, nither can I + complaine of your backwardnes, for I am perswaded it lys as heavie on + your harts, as it doth on our purses or credites. And had y^e Lord + sent M^r. Peirce safe home, we had eased both you and us of some of + those debts; the Lord I hope will give us patience to bear these + crosses; and that great God, whose care & providence is every where, + and spetially over all those that desire truly to fear and serve him, + direct, guid, prosper, & blesse you so, as y^t you may be able (as I + perswade my selfe you are willing) to discharge & take off this great + & heavie burthen which now lyes upon me for your saks; and I hope in + y^e ende for y^e good of you, and many thousands more; for had not + you & we joyned & continued togeather, New-England might yet have been + scarce knowne, I am perswaded, not so replenished & inhabited with + honest English people, as it now is. The Lord increase & blesse them, + &c. So, with my continuall praiers for you all, I rest + + Your assured loving friend, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + June 24. 1633. + +By this it apperes when M^r. Sherly sould him y^e ship & all her +accounts, it was more for M^r. Allertons advantage then theirs; and if +they could get any there, well & good, for they were like to have +nothing here. And what course was held to hinder them there, hath +allready beene manifested. And though M^r. Sherley became more sinsible +of his owne condition, by these losses, and therby more sadly & plainly +to complaine of M^r. Allerton, yet no course was taken to help them +here, but all left unto them selves; not so much as to examene & +rectifie y^e accounts, by which (it is like) some hundereds of pounds +might have been taken off. But very probable it is, the more they saw +was taken off, y^e less might come unto them selves. But I leave these +maters, & come to other things. + +M^r. Roger Williams (a man godly & zealous, having many precious parts, +but very unsettled in judgmente) came over first to y^e Massachusets, +but upon some discontente left y^t place, and came hither, (wher he was +fri[=e]dly entertained, according to their poore abilitie,) and +exercised his gifts amongst them, & after some time was admitted a +member of y^e church; and his teaching well approoved, for y^e benefite +wherof I still blese God, and am thankfull to him, even for his sharpest +admonitions & reproufs, so farr as they agreed with truth. He this year +begane to fall into some strang oppi[=i]ons, and from opinion to +practise; which caused some controversie betweene y^e church & him, and +in y^e end some discontente on his parte, by occasion wherof he left +them some thing abruptly. Yet after wards sued for his dismission to y^e +church of Salem, which was granted, with some caution to them concerning +him, and what care they ought to have of him. But he soone fell into +more things ther, both to their and y^e governments troble and [196] +disturbance. I shall not need to name perticulers, they are too well +knowen now to all, though for a time y^e church here wente under some +hard censure by his occasion, from some that afterwards smarted them +selves. But he is to be pitied, and prayed for, and so I shall leave y^e +matter, and desire y^e Lord to shew him his errors, and reduse him into +y^e way of truth, and give him a setled judgment and constancie in y^e +same; for I hope he belongs to y^e Lord, and y^t he will shew him +mercie. + +Having had formerly converse and famliarity with y^e Dutch, (as is +before remembred,) they, seeing them seated here in a barren quarter, +tould them of a river called by them y^e Fresh River, but now is known +by y^e name of Conightecute-River, which they often co[=m]ended unto +them for a fine place both for plantation and trade, and wished them to +make use of it. But their hands being full otherwise, they let it pass. +But afterwards ther coming a company of banishte Indeans into these +parts, that were drivene out from thence by the potencie of y^e +Pequents, which usurped upon them, and drive them from thence, they +often sollisited them to goe thither, and they should have much trad, +espetially if they would keep a house ther. And having now good store of +comodities, and allso need to looke out wher they could advantage them +selves to help them out of their great ingagments, they now begane to +send that way to discover y^e same, and trade with y^e natives. They +found it to be a fine place, but had no great store of trade; but y^e +Indeans excused y^e same in regard of y^e season, and the fear y^e +Indans were in of their enemise. So they tried diverce times, not with +out profite, but saw y^e most certainty would be by keeping a house +ther, to receive y^e trad when it came down out of y^e inland. These +Indeans, not seeing them very forward to build ther, solisited them of +y^e Massachusets in like sorte (for their end was to be restored to +their countrie againe); but they in y^e Bay being but latly come, were +not fitte for y^e same; but some of their cheefe made a motion to joyne +w^th the partners here, to trad joyntly with them in y^t river, the +which they were willing to imbrace, and so they should have builte, and +put in equall stock togeather. A time of meeting was appointed at y^e +Massachusets, and some of y^e cheefe here was appointed to treat with +them, and went accordingly; but they cast many fears of deanger & loss +and the like, which was perceived to be the maine obstacles, though they +alledged they were not provided of trading goods. But those hear offered +at presente to put in sufficiente for both, provided they would become +ingaged for y^e halfe, and prepare against y^e nexte year. They +conffessed more could not be offered, but thanked them, and tould them +they had no mind to it. They then answered, they hoped it would be no +offence unto [197] them, if them sellves wente on without them, if they +saw it meete. They said ther was no reason they should; and thus this +treaty broake of, and those here tooke conveniente time to made a +begining ther; and were y^e first English that both discovered that +place, and built in y^e same, though they were litle better then thrust +out of it afterward as may appeare. + +But y^e Dutch begane now to repente, and hearing of their purpose & +preparation, ind[=e]oured to prevente them, and gott in a litle before +them, and made a slight forte, and planted 2. peeces of ordnance, +thretening to stopp their passage. But they having made a smale frame of +a house ready, and haveing a great new-barke, they stowed their frame in +her hold, & bords to cover & finishe it, having nayles & all other +provisions fitting for their use. This they did y^e rather that they +might have a presente defence against y^e Indeans, who weare much +offended that they brought home & restored y^e right Sachem of y^e place +(called Natawanute); so as they were to incounter with a duble danger in +this attempte, both y^e Dutch and y^e Indeans. When they came up y^e +river, the Dutch demanded what they intended, and whither they would +goe; they answered, up y^e river to trade (now their order was to goe +and seat above them). They bid them strike, & stay, or els they would +shoote them; & stood by ther ordnance ready fitted. They answered they +had co[=m]ission from y^e Gov^r of Plimoth to goe up y^e river to such a +place, and if they did shoote, they must obey their order and proceede; +they would not molest them, but would goe one. So they passed along, and +though the Dutch threatened them hard, yet they shoot not. Co[=m]ing to +their place, they clapt up their house quickly, and landed their +provissions, and left y^e companie appoynted, and sent the barke home; +and afterwards palisadoed their house aboute, and fortified them selves +better. The Dutch sent word home to y^e Monhatas what was done: and in +proces of time, they sent a band of aboute 70. men, in warrlike maner, +with collours displayed, to assaulte them; but seeing them strengtened, +& that it would cost blood, they came to parley, and returned in peace. +And this was their enterance ther, who deserved to have held it, and not +by freinds to have been thrust out, as in a sorte they were, as will +after appere. They did y^e Dutch no wrong, for they took not a foote of +any land they bought, but went to y^e place above them, and bought that +tracte of land which belonged to these Indeans which they carried with +them, and their friends, with whom y^e Dutch had nothing to doe. But of +these matters more in another place. + +It pleased y^e Lord to visite them this year with an infectious fevoure, +of which many fell very sicke, and upward of 20. persons dyed, men and +women, besids children, and sundry of them of their anciente friends +which had lived in Holand; as Thomas Blossome, Richard Masterson, with +sundry [198] others, and in y^e end (after he had much helped others) +Samuell Fuller, who was their surgeon & phisition, and had been a great +help and comforte unto them; as in his facultie, so otherwise, being a +deacon of y^e church, a man godly, and forward to doe good, being much +missed after his death; and he and y^e rest of their brethren much +lamented by them, and caused much sadnes & mourning amongst them; which +caused them to humble them selves, & seeke y^e Lord; and towards winter +it pleased the Lord y^e sicknes ceased. This disease allso swept away +many of y^e Indeans from all y^e places near adjoyning; and y^e spring +before, espetially all y^e month of May, ther was such a quantitie of a +great sorte of flies, like (for bignes) to wasps, or bumble-bees, which +came out of holes in y^e ground, and replenished all y^e woods, and eate +y^e green-things, and made such a constante yelling noyes, as made all +y^e woods ring of them, and ready to deafe y^e hearers. They have not by +y^e English been heard or seen before or since. But y^e Indeans tould +them y^t sicknes would follow, and so it did in June, July, August, and +y^e cheefe heat of so[=m]er. + +It pleased y^e Lord to inable them this year to send home a great +quantity of beaver, besids paing all their charges, & debts at home, +which good returne did much incourage their freinds in England. They +sent in beaver 3366^li. waight, and much of it coat beaver, which yeeled +20^s. [p=]^r pound, & some of it above; and of otter-skines[DJ] 346. +sould also at a good prise. And thus much of y^e affairs of this year. + +_Anno Dom: 1634._ + +This year M^r. Thomas Prence was chosen Gov^r. + +M^r. Sherleys letters were very breefe in answer of theirs this year. I +will forbear to coppy any part therof, only name a head or 2. therm. +First, he desirs they will take nothing ill in what he formerly write, +professing his good affection towards them as before, &c. 2^ly. For M^r. +Allertons accounts, he is perswaded they must suffer, and y^t in no +small su[=m]es; and that they have cause enough to complaine, but it +was now too late. And that he had failed them ther, those here, and him +selfe in his owne aimes. And that now, having thus left them here, he +feared God had or would leave him, and it would not be strang, but a +wonder if he fell not into worse things, &c. 3^ly. He blesseth God and +is thankfull to them for y^e good returne made this year. This is y^e +effecte of his letters, other things being of more private nature. + +I am now to enter upon one of y^e sadest things that befell them since +they came; but before I begine, it will be needfull to premise such +parte of their patente as gives them right and priviledge at Kenebeck; +as followeth: + + [199] The said Counsell hath further given, granted, barganed, sold, + infeoffed, alloted, assigned, & sett over, and by these presents doe + clearly and absolutly give, grante, bargane, sell, alliene, enffeofe, + allote, assigne, and confirme unto y^e said William Bradford, his + heires, associates, and assignes, All that tracte of land or part of + New-England in America afforesaid, which lyeth within or betweene, and + extendeth it selfe from y^e utmost limits of Cobiseconte, which + adjoyneth to y^e river of Kenebeck, towards the westerne ocean, and a + place called y^e falls of Nequamkick in America, aforsaid; and y^e + space of 15. English myles on each side of y^e said river, commonly + called Kenebeck River, and all y^e said river called Kenebeck that + lyeth within the said limits & bounds, eastward, westward, northward, + & southward, last above mentioned; and all lands, grounds, soyles, + rivers, waters, fishing, &c. And by vertue of y^e authority to us + derived by his said late Ma^tis Lr[=e]s patents, to take, apprehend, + seise, and make prise of all such persons, their ships and goods, as + shall attempte to inhabite or trade with y^e savage people of that + countrie within y^e severall precincts and limits of his & their + severall plantations, &c. + +Now it so fell out, that one Hocking, belonging to y^e plantation of +Pascataway, wente with a barke and co[=m]odities to trade in that river, +and would needs press into their limites; and not only so, but would +needs goe up y^e river above their house, (towards y^e falls of y^e +river,) and intercept the trade that should come to them. He that was +cheefe of y^e place forbad them, and prayed him that he would not offer +them that injurie, nor goe aboute to infring their liberties, which had +cost them so dear. But he answered he would goe up and trade ther in +dispite of them, and lye ther as longe as he pleased. The other tould +him he must then be forced to remove him from thence, or make seasure of +him if he could. He bid him doe his worste, and so wente up, and +anchored ther. The other tooke a boat & some men & went up to him, when +he saw his time, and againe entreated him to departe by what perswasion +he could. But all in vaine: he could gett nothing of him but ill words. +So he considred that now was y^e season for trade to come downe, and if +he should suffer him to lye, & take it from them, all ther former charge +would be lost, and they had better throw up all. So, consulting with +his men, (who were willing thertoe,) he resolved to put him from his +anchores, and let him drive downe y^e river with y^e streame; but +co[=m]anded y^e men y^t none should shoote a shote upon any occasion, +except he co[=m]anded them. He spoake to him againe, but all in vaine; +then he sente a cuple in a canow to cutt his cable, the which one of +them performes; but Hocking taks up a pece which he had layed ready, and +as y^e barke shered by y^e canow, he shote [200] him close under her +side, in y^e head, (as I take it,) so he fell downe dead instantly. One +of his fellows (that loved him well) could not hold, but with a muskett +shot Hocking, who fell downe dead and never speake word. This was y^e +truth of y^e thing. The rest of y^e men carried home the vessell and y^e +sad tidings of these things. Now y^e Lord Saye & y^e Lord Brooks, with +some other great persons, had a hand in this plantation; they write home +to them, as much as they could to exasperate them in y^e matter, +leaveing out all y^e circomstances, as if he had been kild without any +offenc of his parte, conceling y^t he had kild another first, and y^e +just occasion that he had given in offering such wrong; at w^ch their +Lords^ps were much offended, till they were truly informed of y^e mater. + +The bruite of this was quickly carried all aboute, (and y^t in y^e worst +maner,) and came into y^e Bay to their neighbours their. Their owne +barke co[=m]ing home, and bringing a true relation of y^e matter, sundry +were sadly affected with y^e thing, as they had cause. It was not long +before they had occasion to send their vessell into y^e Bay of y^e +Massachusetts; but they were so prepossest with this matter, and +affected with y^e same, as they co[=m]ited M^r. Alden to prison, who was +in y^e bark, and had been at Kenebeck, but was no actore in y^e +bussines, but wente to carie them supply. They dismist y^e barke aboute +her bussines, but kept him for some time. This was thought strang here, +and they sente Capten Standish to give them true information, (togeather +with their letters,) and y^e best satisfaction they could, and to +procure M^r. Alden's release. I shall recite a letter or 2. which will +show the passages of these things, as folloeth. + + Good S^r: + + I have received your [~l]r[=e]^s by Captaine Standish, & am unfainedly + glad of Gods mercie towards you in y^e recovery of your health, or + some way thertoo. For y^e bussines you write of, I thought meete to + answer a word or 2. to your selfe, leaving the answer of your Gov^or + [~l]re to our courte, to whom y^e same, together with my selfe is + directed. I conceive (till I hear new matter to y^e contrary) that + your patente may warrente your resistance of any English from trading + at Kenebeck, and y^t blood of Hocking, and y^e partie he slue, will be + required at his hands. Yet doe I with your selfe & others sorrow for + their deaths. I thinke likewise y^t your generall [~l]r[=e]s will + satisfie our courte, and make them cease from any further inter + medling in y^e mater. I have upon y^e same [~l]re sett M^r. Alden at + liberty, and his sureties, and yet, least I should seeme to neglecte + y^e opinion of our court & y^e frequente speeches of others with us, + I have bound Captaine Standish to appeare y^e 3. of June at our nexte + courte, to make affidavid for y^e coppie of y^e patente, and to + manifest the circumstances of Hockins provocations; both which will + tend to y^e clearing of your inocencie. If any unkindnes hath ben + taken from what we have done, let it be further & better considred of, + I pray you; and I hope y^e more you thinke of it, the lesse blame you + will impute to us. At least you ought to be just in differencing them, + whose opinions concurr [201] with your owne, from others who were + opposites; and yet I may truly say, I have spoken w^th no man in y^e + bussines who taxed you most, but they are such as have many wayes + heretofore declared ther good affections towards your plantation. I + further referr my selfe to y^e reporte of Captaine Standish & M^r. + Allden; leaving you for this presente to Gods blessing, wishing unto + you perfecte recovery of health, and y^e long continuance of it. I + desire to be lovingly remembred to M^r. Prence, your Governor, M^r. + Winslow, M^r. Brewster, whom I would see if I knew how. The Lord keepe + you all. Amen. + + Your very loving friend in our Lord Jesus, + THO: DUDLEY. + + New-towne, y^e 22. of May, 1631. + +_Another of his about these things as followeth._ + + S^r: I am right sorrie for y^e news that Captaine Standish & other of + your neigbours and my beloved freinds will bring now to Plimoth, + wherin I suffer with you, by reason of my opinion, which differeth + from others, who are godly & wise, amongst us here, the reverence of + whose judgments causeth me to suspecte myne owne ignorance; yet must I + remaine in it untill I be convinced therof. I thought not to have + shewed your letter written to me, but to have done my best to have + reconciled differences in y^e best season & maner I could; but + Captaine Standish requiring an answer therof publickly in y^e courte, + I was forced to produce it, and that made y^e breach soe wide as he + can tell you. I propounded to y^e courte, to answer M^r. Prences [~l]re, + your Gov^r, but our courte said it required no answer, it selfe being + an answer to a former [~l]re of ours. I pray you certifie M^r. Prence so + much, and others whom it conce[~r]eth, that no neglecte or ill + ma[=n]ers be imputed to me theraboute. The late [~l]res I received from + England wrought in me divere fears[DK] of some trials which are + shortly like to fall upon us; and this unhappie contention betweene + you and us, and between you & Pascattaway, will hasten them, if God + with an extraordinarie hand doe not help us. To reconcile this for y^e + presente will be very difficulte, but time cooleth distempers, and a + comone danger to us boath approaching, will necessitate our uniting + againe. I pray you therfore, S^r. set your wisdom & patience a worke, + and exhorte others to y^e same, that things may not proceede from bad + to worse, so making our contentions like y^e barrs of a pallace, but + that a way of peace may be kepte open, wherat y^e God of peace may + have enterance in his owne time. If you suffer wrong, it shall be your + honor to bear it patiently; but I goe to farr in needles putting you + in mind of these things. God hath done great things for you, and I + desire his blessings may be multiplied upon you more & more. I will + commite no more to writing, but comending my selfe to your prayers, + doe rest, + + Your truly loving freind in our Lord Jesus, + THO: DUDLEY. + + June 4. 1634. + +By these things it appars what troubls rise herupon, and how hard they +were to be reconciled; for though they hear were hartily sorrie for what +was fallen out, yet they conceived they were unjustly injuried, and +provoked to what was done; and that their neigbours (haveing no +jurisdiction over them) did more then was mete, thus to imprison one of +theirs, and bind them to [202] their courte. But yet being assured of +their Christian love, and perswaded what was done was out of godly +zeale, that religion might not suffer, nor sinne any way covered or +borne with, espetially y^e guilte of blood, of which all should be very +consciencious in any whom soever, they did indeavore to appease & +satisfie them y^e best they could; first, by informing them y^e truth in +all circomstances aboute y^e matter; 2^ly, in being willing to referr +y^e case to any indifferante and equall hearing and judgmente of the +thing hear, and to answere it els wher when they should be duly called +therunto; and further they craved M^r. Winthrops, & other of y^e reve^d +magistrats ther, their advice & direction herein. This did mollifie +their minds, and bring things to a good & comfortable issue in y^e end. + +For they had this advice given them by M^r. Winthrop, & others +concurring with him, that from their courte, they should write to the +neigboure plantations, & espetially that of y^e lords, at Pascataway, +and theirs of y^e Massachusets, to appointe some to give them meeting +at some fitt place, to consulte & determine in this matter, so as y^e +parties meeting might have full power to order & bind, &c. And that +nothing be done to y^e infringing or prejudice of y^e liberties of any +place. And for y^e clearing of conscience, y^e law of God is, y^t y^e +preist lips must be consulted with, and therfore it was desired that y^e +ministers of every plantation might be presente to give their advice in +pointe of conscience. Though this course seemed dangerous to some, yet +they were so well assured of y^e justice of their cause, and y^e equitie +of their freinds, as they put them selves upon it, & appointed a time, +of which they gave notice to y^e severall places a month before hand; +viz. Massachusets, Salem, & Pascataway, or any other y^t they would give +notice too, and disired them to produce any evidence they could in y^e +case. The place for meeting was at Boston. But when y^e day & time came, +none apered, but some of y^e magistrats and ministers of y^e +Massachusets, and their owne. Seeing none of Passcataway or other places +came, (haveing been thus desired, & conveniente time given them for y^t +end,) M^r. Winthrop & y^e rest said they could doe no more then they had +done thus to requeste them, y^e blame must rest on them. So they fell +into a fair debating of things them selves; and after all things had +been fully opened & discussed, and y^e opinione of each one demanded, +both magistrats, and ministers, though they all could have wished these +things had never been, yet they could not but lay y^e blame & guilt on +Hockins owne head; and withall gave them such grave & godly exhortations +and advice, as they thought meete, both for y^e presente & future; which +they allso imbraced with love & thankfullnes, promising to indeavor to +follow y^e same. And thus was this matter ended, and ther love and +concord renewed; and also M^r. Winthrop & M^r. Dudley write in their +behalfes to y^e Lord Ssay & other gentl-men that were interesed in y^t +plantation, very effectually, w^th which, togeather with their owne +leters, and M^r. Winslows furder declaration of things unto them, they +rested well satisfied. + +[203] M^r. Winslow was sente by them this year into England, partly to +informe and satisfie y^e Lord Say & others, in y^e former matter, as +also to make answer and their just defence for y^e same, if any thing +should by any be prosecuted against them at Counsell-table, or els wher; +but this matter tooke end, without any further trouble, as is before +noted. And partly to signifie unto y^e partners in England, that the +terme of their trade with y^e company here was out, and therfore he was +sente to finishe y^e accounts with them, and to bring them notice how +much debtore they should remaine on y^t accounte, and that they might +know what further course would be best to hold. But y^e issue of these +things will appear in y^e next years passages. They now sente over by +him a great returne, which was very acceptable unto them; which was in +beaver 3738^li. waight, (a great part of it, being coat-beaver, sould at +20^s. p^r pound,) and 234. otter skines;[DL] which alltogeather rise to +a great sume of money. + +This year (in y^e foreparte of y^e same) they sente forth a barke to +trad at y^e Dutch-Plantation; and they mette ther with on Captaine +Stone, that had lived in Christophers, one of y^e West-Ende Ilands, and +now had been some time in Virginia, and came from thence into these +parts. He kept company with y^e Dutch Gove^r, and, I know not in what +drunken fitt, he gott leave of y^e Gov^r to ceaise on their barke, when +they were ready to come away, and had done their markett, haveing y^e +valew of 500^li. worth of goods abord her; having no occasion at all, or +any collour of ground for such a thing, but having made y^e Gov^r +drunck, so as he could scarce speake a right word; and when he urged him +hear aboute, he answered him, _Als 't u beleeft_.[DM] So he gat abord, +(the cheefe of their men & marchant being ashore,) and with some of his +owne men, made y^e rest of theirs waigh anchor, sett sayle, & carry her +away towards Virginia. But diverse of y^e Dutch sea-men, which had bene +often at Plimoth, and kindly entertayned ther, said one to another, +Shall we suffer our freinds to be thus abused, and have their goods +carried away, before our faces, whilst our Gov^r is drunke? They vowed +they would never suffer it; and so gott a vessell or 2. and pursued him, +& brought him in againe, and delivered them their barke & goods againe. + +After wards Stone came into y^e Massachusets, and they sent & commensed +suite against him for this facte; but by mediation of freinds it was +taken up, and y^e suite lett fall. And in y^e company of some other +gentle-men Stone came afterwards to Plimoth, and had freindly & civill +entertainmente amongst them, with y^e rest; but revenge boyled within +his brest, (though concelled,) for some conceived he had a purpose (at +one time) to have staped the Gov^r, and put his hand to his dagger for +that end, but by Gods providence and y^e vigilance of some was +prevented. He afterward returned to Virginia, in a pinass, with one +Captaine Norton & some others; and, I know not for what occasion, they +would needs goe up Coonigtecutt River; and how they carried themselves I +know not, but y^e Indeans knoct him in y^e head, as he lay in his +cabine, and had thrown y^e covering over his face (whether out of fear +or desperation is uncertaine); this was his end. They likewise killed +all y^e rest, but Captaine Norton defended him selfe a long time against +them all in y^e cooke-roome, till by accidente the gunpowder tooke fire, +which (for readynes) he had sett in an open thing before him, which did +so burne, & scald him, & blind his eyes, as he could make no longer +resistance, but was slaine also by them, though they much comended his +vallour. And having killed y^e men, they made a pray of what they had, +and chafered away some of their things to y^e Dutch that lived their. +But it was not longe before a quarell fell betweene the Dutch & them, +and they would have cutt of their bark; but they slue y^e cheef sachem +w^th y^e shott of a murderer.[DN] + +I am now to relate some strang and remarkable passages. Ther was a +company of people lived in y^e country, up above in y^e river of +Conigtecut, a great way from their trading house ther, and were enimise +to those Indeans which lived aboute them, and of whom they stood in some +fear (bing a stout people). About a thousand of them had inclosed them +selves in a forte, which they had strongly palissadoed about. 3. or 4. +Dutch men went up in y^e begining of winter to live with them, to gett +their trade, and prevente them for bringing it to y^e English, or to +fall into amitie with them; but at spring to bring all downe to their +place. But their enterprise failed, for it pleased God to visite these +Indeans with a great sicknes, and such a mortalitie that of a 1000. +above 900. and a halfe of them dyed, and many of them did rott above +ground for want of buriall, and y^e Dutch men allmost starved before +they could gett away, for ise and snow. But about Feb: they got with +much difficultie to their trading house; whom they kindly releeved, +being allmost spente with hunger and could. Being thus refreshed by them +diverce days, they got to their owne place, and y^e Dutch were very +thankfull for this kindnes. + +This spring, also, those Indeans that lived aboute their trading house +there fell sick of y^e small poxe, and dyed most miserably; for a sorer +disease cannot befall them; they fear it more then y^e plague; for +usualy they that have this disease have them in abundance, and for wante +of bedding & li[=n]ing and other helps, they fall into a lamentable +condition, as they lye on their hard matts, y^e poxe breaking and +mattering, and runing one into another, their skin cleaving (by reason +therof) to the matts they lye on; when they turne them, a whole side +will flea of at once, [204] (as it were,) and they will be all of a gore +blood, most fearfull to behold; and then being very sore, what with +could and other distempers, they dye like rotten sheep. The condition of +this people was so lamentable, and they fell downe so generally of this +diseas, as they were (in y^e end) not able to help on another; no, not +to make a fire, nor to fetch a litle water to drinke, nor any to burie +y^e dead; but would strivie as long as they could, and when they could +procure no other means to make fire, they would burne y^e woden trayes +& dishes they ate their meate in, and their very bowes & arrowes; & some +would crawle out on all foure to gett a litle water, and some times dye +by y^e way, & not be able to gett in againe. But those of y^e English +house, (though at first they were afraid of y^e infection,) yet seeing +their woefull and sadd condition, and hearing their pitifull cries and +lamentations, they had compastion of them, and dayly fetched them wood & +water, and made them fires, gott them victualls whilst they lived, and +buried them when they dyed. For very few of them escaped, +notwithstanding they did what they could for them, to y^e haszard of +them selvs. The cheefe Sachem him selfe now dyed, & allmost all his +freinds & kinred. But by y^e marvelous goodnes & providens of God not +one of y^e English was so much as sicke, or in y^e least measure tainted +with this disease, though they dayly did these offices for them for many +weeks togeather. And this mercie which they shewed them was kindly +taken, and thankfully acknowledged of all y^e Indeans that knew or heard +of y^e same; and their m^rs here did much comend & reward them for y^e +same. + +_Anno Dom: 1635._ + +M^r. Winslow was very wellcome to them in England, and y^e more in +regard of y^e large returne he brought with him, which came all safe to +their hands, and was well sould. And he was borne in hand, (at least he +so apprehended,) that all accounts should be cleared before his returne, +and all former differences ther aboute well setled. And so he writ over +to them hear, that he hoped to cleare y^e accounts, and bring them over +with him; and y^t the accounte of y^e White Angele would be taken of, +and all things fairly ended. But it came to pass [205] that, being +occasioned to answer some complaints made against the countrie at +Counsell bord, more cheefly concerning their neigbours in y^e Bay then +them selves hear, the which he did to good effecte, and further +prosecuting such things as might tend to y^e good of y^e whole, as well +them selves as others, aboute y^e wrongs and incroachments that the +French & other strangers both had and were like further to doe unto +them, if not prevented, he prefered this petition following to their +Hon^rs that were deputed Comissioners for y^e Plantations. + + To y^e right honorable y^e Lords Comissioners for y^e Plantations in + America. + + The humble petition of Edw: Winslow, on y^e behalfe of y^e plantations + in New-England, + + Humbly sheweth unto your Lordships, y^t wheras your petitioners have + planted them selves in New England under his Ma^tis most gratious + protection; now so it is, right Hon^bl, that y^e French & Dutch doe + indeaouer to devide y^e land betweene them; for which purpose y^e + French have, on y^e east side, entered and seased upon one of our + houses, and carried away the goods, slew 2. of y^e men in another + place, and tooke y^e rest prisoners with their goods. And y^e Dutch, + on y^e west, have also made entrie upon Conigtecute River, within y^e + limits of his Maj^ts [~l]rs patent, where they have raised a forte, + and threaten to expell your petitioners thence, who are also planted + upon y^e same river, maintaining possession for his Ma^tie to their + great charge, & hazard both of lives & goods. + + In tender consideration hereof your petitioners humbly pray that your + Lo^pps will either procure their peace w^th those foraine states, or + else to give spetiall warrante unto your petitioners and y^e English + Collonies, to right and defend them selves against all foraigne + enimies. And your petitioners shall pray, &c. + +This petition found good acceptation with most of them, and Mr. Winslow +was heard sundry times by them, and appointed further to attend for an +answer from their Lo^pps, espetially, having upon conferance with them +laid downe a way how this might be doone without any either charge or +trouble to y^e state; only by furnishing some of y^e cheefe of y^e +cuntry hear with authoritie, who would undertake it at their owne +charge, and in such a way as should be without any publick disturbance. +But this crossed both S^r Ferdinandos Gorges' & Cap: Masons designe, and +y^e arch-bishop of Counterberies by them; for S^r Ferd: Gorges (by y^e +arch-pps favore) was to have been sent over generall Gov^r into y^e +countrie, and to have had means from y^e state for y^t end, and was now +upon dispatch and conclude of y^e bussines. And y^e arch-bishops +purposs & intente was, by his means, & some he should send with him, +(to be furnished with Episcopall power,) [206] to disturbe y^e peace of +y^e churches here, and to overthrow their proceedings and further +growth, which was y^e thing he aimed at. But it so fell out (by Gods +providence) that though he in y^e end crost this petition from taking +any further effecte in this kind, yet by this as a cheefe means the +plotte and whole bussines of his & S^r Ferdinandos fell to y^e ground, +and came to nothing. When M^r. Winslow should have had his suit granted, +(as indeed upon y^e pointe it was,) and should have been confirmed, the +arch-bishop put a stop upon it, and M^r. Winslow, thinking to gett it +freed, went to y^e bord againe; but y^e bishop, S^r Ferd: and Captine +Masson, had, as it seemes, procured Morton (of whom mention is made +before, & his base carriage) to complaine; to whose complaints M^r. +Winslow made answer to y^e good satisfaction of y^e borde, who checked +Morton and rebuked him sharply, & allso blamed S^r Fer^d Gorges, & +Masson, for countenancing him. But y^e bish: had a further end & use of +his presence, for he now begane to question M^r. Winslow of many things; +as of teaching in y^e church publickly, of which Morton accused him, and +gave evidence that he had seen and heard him doe it; to which M^r. +Winslow answered, that some time (wanting a minster) he did exercise his +gifte to help y^e edification of his breethren, when they wanted better +means, w^ch was not often. Then aboute mariage, the which he also +confessed, that, haveing been called to place of magistracie, he had +sometimes maried some. And further tould their lord^ps y^t mariage was a +civille thinge, & he found no wher in y^e word of God y^t it was tyed to +ministrie. Again, they were necessitated so to doe, having for a long +time togeather at first no minister; besids, it was no new-thing, for he +had been so maried him selfe in Holand, by y^e magistrats in their +Statt-house. But in y^e end (to be short), for these things, y^e bishop, +by vemente importunity, gott y^e bord at last to consente to his +comittemente; so he was comited to y^e Fleete, and lay ther 17. weeks, +or ther aboute, before he could gett to be released. And this was y^e +end of this petition, and this bussines; only y^e others designe was +also frustrated hereby, with other things concurring, which was no +smalle blessing to y^e people here. + +But y^e charge fell heavie on them hear, not only in M^r. Winslows +expences, (which could not be smale,) but by y^e hinderance of their +bussines both ther and hear, by his personall imploymente. For though +this was as much or more for others then for them hear, and by them +cheefly he was put on this bussines, (for the plantation k[=e]we nothing +of it till they heard of his imprisonmente,) yet y^e whole charge lay on +them. + +Now for their owne bussines; whatsoever M^r. Sherleys mind was before, +(or M^r. Winslow apprehension of y^e same,) he now declared him selfe +plainly, that he would neither take of y^e White-Angell from y^e +accounte, nor [207] give any further accounte, till he had received more +into his hands; only a prety good supply of goods were sent over, but of +y^e most, no note of their prises, or so orderly an invoyce as formerly; +which M^r. Winslow said he could not help, because of his restrainte. +Only now M^r. Sherley & M^r. Beachamp & M^r. Andrews sent over a letter +of atturney under their hands & seals, to recovere what they could of +M^r. Allerton for y^e Angells accounte; but sent them neither y^e bonds, +nor covenants, or such other evidence or accounts, as they had aboute +these matters. I shall here inserte a few passages out of M^r. Sherleys +letters aboute these things. + + Your leter of y^e 22. of July, 1634, by your trustie and our loving + friend M^r. Winslow, I have received, and your larg parcell of beaver + and otter skines. Blessed be our God, both he and it came safly to us, + and we have sould it in tow parcells; y^e skin at 14^s. li. & some at + 16.; y^e coate at 20^s. y^e pound. The accounts I have not sent you + them this year, I will referr you to M^r. Winslow to tell you y^e + reason of it; yet be assured y^t none of you shall suffer by y^e not + having of them, if God spare me life. And wheras you say y^e 6. years + are expired y^t y^e peopl put y^e trad into your & our hands for, for + y^e discharge of y^t great debte w^ch M^r. Allerton needlesly & + unadvisedly ran you & us into; yet it was promised it should continue + till our disbursments & ingagements were satisfied. You conceive it + is done; we feele & know other wise, &c. I doubt not but we shall + lovingly agree, notwithstanding all y^t hath been writen, on boath + sids, aboute y^e Whit-Angell. We have now sent you a letter of + atturney, therby giving you power in our names (and to shadow it y^e + more we say for our uses) to obtaine what may be of M^r. Allerton + towards y^e satisfing of that great charge of y^e White Angell. And + sure he hath bound him selfe, (though at present I cannot find it,) + but he hath often affirmed, with great protestations, y^t neither you + nor we should lose a peny by him, and I hope you shall find enough to + discharg it, so as we shall have no more contesting aboute it. Yet, + notwithstanding his unnaturall & unkind dealing with you, in y^e + midest of justice remember mercie, and doe not all you may doe, &c. + Set us out of debte, and then let us recone & reason togeither, &c. + M^r. Winslow hath undergone an unkind imprisonment, but I am perswaded + it will turne much to all your good. I leave him to relate + perticuleres, &c. + + Your loving freind, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + London, Sep: 7. 1635. + +This year they sustained an other great loss from y^e French. Monsier de +Aulnay coming into y^e harbore of Penobscote, and having before gott +some of y^e cheefe y^t belonged to y^e house abord his vessell, by +sutlty coming upon them in their shalop, he gott them to pilote him in; +and after getting y^e rest into his power, he tooke possession of y^e +house in y^e name of y^e king of France; and partly by threatening, & +other wise, made Mr. Willett (their agente ther) to approve of y^e sale +of y^e goods their unto him, of which he sett y^e price him selfe [208] +in effecte, and made an inventory therof, (yett leaving out sundry +things,) but made no paymente for them; but tould them in convenient +time he would doe it if they came for it. For y^e house & fortification, +&c. he would not alow, nor accounte any thing, saing that they which +build on another mans ground doe forfite y^e same. So thus turning them +out of all, (with a great deale of complemente, and many fine words,) he +let them have their shalop and some victualls to bring them home. Coming +home and relating all the passages, they here were much troubled at it, +& haveing had this house robbed by y^e French once before, and lost then +above 500^li. (as is before remembred), and now to loose house & all, +did much move them. So as they resolved to consulte with their freinds +in y^e Bay, and if y^ey approved of it, (ther being now many ships +ther,) they intended to hire a ship of force, and seeke to beat out y^e +Frenche, and recover it againe. Ther course was well approved on, if +them selves could bear y^e charge; so they hired a fair ship of above +300. tune, well fitted with ordnance, and agreed with y^e m^r. (one +Girling) to this effect: that he and his company should deliver them y^e +house, (after they had driven out, or surprised y^e French,) and give +them peacable possession therof, and of all such trading comodities as +should ther be found; and give y^e French fair quarter & usage, if they +would yeeld. In consideration wherof he was to have 700^li. of beaver, +to be delivered him ther, when he had done y^e thing; but if he did not +accomplish it, he was to loose his labour, and have nothing. With him +they also sent their owne bark, and about 20. men, with Captaine +Standish, to aide him (if neede weer), and to order things, if the house +was regained; and then to pay him y^e beaver, which they keept abord +their owne barke. So they with their bark piloted him thither, and +brought him safe into y^e harbor. But he was so rash & heady as he would +take no advice, nor would suffer Captaine Standish to have time to +summone them, (who had co[=m]ission & order so to doe,) neither would +doe it him selfe; the which, it was like, if it had been done, & they +come to affaire parley, seeing their force, they would have yeelded. +Neither would he have patience to bring his ship wher she might doe +execution, but begane to shoot at distance like a madd man, and did them +no hurte at all; the which when those of y^e plantation saw, they were +much greeved, and went to him & tould him he would doe no good if he did +not lay his ship beter to pass (for she might lye within pistoll shott +of y^e house). At last, when he saw his owne folly, he was perswaded, +and layed her well, and bestowed a few shott to good purposs. But now, +when he was in a way to doe some good, his powder was goone; for though +he had ...[DO] peece of ordnance, it did now [209] appeare he had but a +barrell of powder, and a peece; so he could doe no good, but was faine +to draw of againe; by which means y^e enterprise was made frustrate, and +y^e French incouraged; for all y^e while that he shot so unadvisedly, +they lay close under a worke of earth, & let him consume him selfe. He +advised with y^e Captaine how he might be supplyed with powder, for he +had not to carie him home; so he tould him he would goe to y^e next +plantation, and doe his indeour to procure him some, and so did; but +understanding, by intelligence, that he intended to ceiase on y^e barke, +& surprise y^e beaver, he sent him the powder, and brought y^e barke & +beaver home. But Girling never assualted y^e place more, (seeing him +selfe disapoyented,) but went his way; and this was y^e end of this +bussines. + +Upon y^e ill success of this bussines, the Gov^r and Assistants here by +their leters certified their freinds in y^e Bay, how by this ship they +had been abused and disapoynted, and y^t the French partly had, and were +now likly to fortifie them selves more strongly, and likly to become ill +neigbours to y^e English. Upon this they thus writ to them as +folloeth:-- + + Worthy S^rs: Upon y^e reading of your leters, & consideration of y^e + waightines of y^e cause therin mentioned, the courte hath joyntly + expressed their willingnes to assist you with men & munition, for y^e + accomplishing of your desires upon y^e French. But because here are + none of yours y^t have authority to conclude of any thing herein, + nothing can be done by us for y^e presente. We desire, therfore, that + you would with all conveniente speed send some man of trust, furnished + with instructions from your selves, to make such agreemente with us + about this bussines as may be usefull for you, and equall for us. So + in hast we co[=m]ite you to God, and remaine + + Your assured loving freinds, + + JOHN HAYNES, Gov^r. + RI: BELLINGHAM, Dep. + JO: WINTHROP. + THO: DUDLEY. + JO: HUMFRAY. + W^M: CODDINGTON. + W^M: PINCHON. + ATHERTON HOUGHE. + INCREAS NOWELL. + RIC: DUMER. + SIMON BRADSTRETE. + + New-towne, Octo^r 9. 1635. + +Upon the receite of y^e above mentioned, they presently deputed 2. of +theirs to treate with them, giving them full power to conclude, +according to the instructions they gave them, being to this purposs: +that if they would afford such assistance as, togeather with their owne, +was like to effecte the thing, and allso bear a considerable parte of +y^e charge, they would goe on; if not, [210] they (having lost so much +allready) should not be able, but must desiste, and waite further +opportunitie as God should give, to help them selves. But this came to +nothing, for when it came to y^e issue, they would be at no charge, but +sente them this letter, and referd them more at large to their owne +messengers. + + S^r: Having, upon y^e consideration of your letter, with y^e message + you sente, had some serious consultations aboute y^e great importance + of your bussines with y^e French, we gave our answer to those whom you + deputed to conferr w^th us aboute y^e viage to Penobscote. We shewed + our willingnes to help, but withall we declared our presente + condition, & in what state we were, for our abilitie to help; which we + for our parts shall be willing to improve, to procure you sufficiente + supply of men & munition. But for matter of moneys we have no + authority at all to promise, and if we should, we should rather + disapoynte you, then incourage you by y^t help, which we are not able + to performe. We likewise thought it fitt to take y^e help of other + Esterne plantations; but those things we leave to your owne wisdomes. + And for other things we refer you to your owne co[=m]itties, who are + able to relate all y^e passages more at large. We salute you, & wish + you all good success in y^e Lord. + + Your faithfull & loving friend, + RI: BELLINGHAM, Dep: + In y^e name of the rest of the Comities. + + Boston, Octob^r 16. 1635. + +This thing did not only thus breake of, but some of their merchants +shortly after sent to trad with them, and furnished them both with +provissions, & poweder & shott; and so have continued to doe till this +day, as they have seen opportunitie for their profite. So as in truth +y^e English them selves have been the cheefest supporters of these +French; for besids these, the plantation at Pemaquid (which lyes near +unto them) doth not only supply them with what y^ey wante, but gives +them continuall intelligence of all things that passes among y^e +English, (espetially some of them,) so as it is no marvell though they +still grow, & incroach more & more upon y^e English, and fill y^e +Indeans with gunes & munishtion, to y^e great deanger of y^e English, +who lye open & unfortified, living upon husbandrie; and y^e other closed +up in their forts, well fortified, and live upon trade, in good +securitie. If these things be not looked too, and remeady provided in +time, it may easily be conjectured what they may come toe; but I leave +them. + +This year, y^e 14. or 15. of August (being Saturday) was such a mighty +storme of wind & raine, as none living in these parts, either English or +Indeans, ever saw. Being like (for y^e time it continued) to those +Hauricanes and Tuffons that writers make mention of in y^e Indeas. It +began in y^e morning, a litle before day, and grue not by degrees, but +came with violence in y^e begining, to y^e great amasmente of many. It +blew downe sundry [211] houses, & uncovered others; diverce vessells +were lost at sea, and many more in extreme danger. It caused y^e sea to +swell (to y^e southward of this place) above 20. foote, right up & +downe, and made many of the Indeans to clime into trees for their +saftie; it tooke of y^e borded roofe of a house which belonged to the +plantation at Manamet, and floted it to another place, the posts still +standing in y^e ground; and if it had continued long without y^e +shifting of y^e wind, it is like it would have drouned some parte of y^e +cuntrie. It blew downe many hundered thowsands of trees, turning up the +stronger by the roots, and breaking the hiegher pine trees of in the +midle, and y^e tall yonge oaks & walnut trees of good biggnes were wound +like a withe, very strang & fearfull to behould. It begane in y^e +southeast, and parted toward y^e south & east, and vered sundry ways; +but y^e greatest force of it here was from y^e former quarters. It +continued not (in y^e extremitie) above 5. or 6. houers, but y^e +violence begane to abate. The signes and marks of it will remaine this +100. years in these parts wher it was sorest. The moone suffered a great +eclips the 2. night after it. + +Some of their neighbours in y^e Bay, hereing of y^e fame of Conightecute +River, had a hankering mind after it, (as was before noted,) and now +understanding that y^e Indeans were swepte away with y^e late great +mortalitie, the fear of whom was an obstacle unto them before, which +being now taken away, they begane now to prosecute it with great +egernes. The greatest differances fell betweene those of Dorchester +plantation and them hear; for they set their minde on that place, which +they had not only purchased of y^e Indeans, but wher they had builte; +intending only (if they could not remove them) that they should have but +a smale moyety left to y^e house, as to a single family; whose doings +and proceedings were conceived to be very injurious, to attempte not +only to intrude them selves into y^e rights & possessions of others, but +in effect to thrust them out of all. Many were y^e leters & passages +that went betweene them hear aboute, which would be to long here to +relate. + +I shall here first inserte a few lines that was write by their own +agente from thence. + + S^r: &c. Y^e Masschuset men are coming almost dayly, some by water, & + some by land, who are not yet determined wher to setle, though some + have a great mind to y^e place we are upon, and which was last bought. + Many of them look at that which this river will not afford, excepte it + be at this place which we have, namly, to be a great towne, and have + comodious dwellings for many togeather. So as what they will doe I + cannot yet resolve you; for this place ther is none of them say any + thing to me, but what I hear from their servants (by whom I perceive + their minds). I shall doe what I can to withstand them. I hope they + will hear reason; as that we were here first, and entred with much + difficulty and danger, [212] both in regard of y^e Dutch & Indeans, + and bought y^e land, (to your great charge, allready disbursed,) and + have since held here a chargable possession, and kept y^e Dutch from + further incroaching, which would els long before this day have + possessed all, and kept out all others, &c. I hope these & such like + arguments will stoppe them. It was your will we should use their + persons & messengers kindly, & so we have done, and doe dayly, to your + great charge; for y^e first company had well nie starved had it not + been for this house, for want of victuals; I being forced to supply + 12. men for 9. days togeather; and those which came last, I + entertained the best we could, helping both them (& y^e other) with + canows, & guids. They gott me to goe with them to y^e Dutch, to see if + I could procure some of them to have quiet setling nere them; but they + did peremtorily withstand them. But this later company did not once + speak therof, &c. Also I gave their goods house roome according to + their ernest request, and M^r. Pinchons letter in their behalfe (which + I thought good to send you, here inclosed). And what trouble & charge + I shall be further at I know not; for they are co[=m]ing dayly, and I + expecte these back againe from below, whither they are gone to veiw + y^e countrie. All which trouble & charg we under goe for their + occasion, may give us just cause (in y^e judgmente of all wise & + understanding men) to hold and keep that we are setled upon. Thus with + my duty remembred, &c. I rest + + Yours to be comanded + JOHNNATH[=A] BREWSTER. + + Matianuck, July 6. 1635. + +Amongst y^e many agitations that pased betweene them, I shal note a few +out of their last letters, & for y^e present omitte y^e rest, except +upon other occasion I may have fitter opportunity. After their thorrow +veiw of y^e place, they began to pitch them selves upon their land & +near their house; which occasioned much expostulation betweene them. +Some of which are such as follow. + + Brethren, having latly sent 2. of our body unto you, to agitate & + bring to an issue some maters in difference betweene us, about some + lands at Conightecutt, unto which you lay challeng; upon which God by + his providence cast us, and as we conceive in a faire way of + providence tendered it to us, as a meete place to receive our body, + now upon removall. + + We shall not need to answer all y^e passages of your larg letter, &c. + But wheras you say God in his providence cast you, &c., we tould you + before, and (upon this occasion) must now tell you still, that our + mind is other wise, and y^t you cast rather a partiall, if not a + covetous eye, upon that w^ch is your neigbours, and not yours; and in + so doing, your way could not be faire unto it. Looke y^t you abuse not + Gods providence in such allegations. + +Theirs. + + Now allbeite we at first judged y^e place so free y^t we might with + Gods good leave take & use it, without just offence to any man, it + being the Lords [213] wast, and for y^e presente altogeather voyd of + inhabitants, that indeede minded y^e imploymente therof, to y^e right + ends for which land was created, Gen: 1. 28. and for future intentions + of any, & uncertaine possibilities of this or that to be done by any, + we judging them (in such a case as ours espetialy) not meete to be + equalled with presente actions (such as ours was) much less worthy to + be prefered before them; and therfore did we make some weake beginings + in that good worke, in y^e place afforesaid. + +Ans: Their answer was to this effecte. That if it was y^e Lords wast, it +was them selves that found it so, & not they; and have since bought it +of y^e right oweners, and maintained a chargable possession upon it al +this while, as them selves could not but know. And because of present +ingagments and other hinderances which lay at presente upon them, must +it therfore be lawfull for them to goe and take it from them? It was +well known that they are upon a barren place, wher they were by +necessitie cast; and neither they nor theirs could longe continue upon +y^e same; and why should they (because they were more ready, & more able +at presente) goe and deprive them of that which they had w^th charg & +hazard provided, & intended to remove to, as soone as they could & were +able? + +They had another passage in their letter; they had rather have to doe +with the lords in England, to whom (as they heard it reported) some of +them should say that they had rather give up their right to them, (if +they must part with it,) then to y^e church of Dorchester, &c. And that +they should be less fearfull to offend y^e lords, then they were them. + +Answer: Their answer was, that what soever they had heard, (more then +was true,) yet y^e case was not so with them that they had need to give +away their rights & adventurs, either to y^e lords, or them; yet, if +they might measure their fear of offence by their practise, they had +rather (in that poynte) they should deal with y^e lords, who were beter +able to bear it, or help them selves, then they were. + +But least I should be teadious, I will forbear other things, and come +to the conclusion that was made in y^e endd. To make any forcible +resistance was farr from their thoughts, (they had enough of y^t about +Kenebeck,) and to live in continuall contention with their freinds & +brethren would be uncomfortable, and too heavie a burden to bear. +Therfore for peace sake (though they conceived they suffered much in +this thing) they thought it better to let them have it upon as good +termes as they could gett; and so they fell to treaty. The first thing +y^t (because they had made so many & long disputs aboute it) they would +have them to grante was, y^t they had right too it, or ells they would +never treat aboute it. The[DP] which being acknowledged, & yeelded unto +by them, this was y^e conclusion they came unto in y^e end after much +adoe: that they should retaine their house, and have the 16. parte of +all they had bought of y^e Indeans; and y^e other should have all y^e +rest of y^e land; leaveing such a moyety to those [214] of New-towne, as +they reserved for them. This 16. part was to be taken in too places; one +towards y^e house, the other towards New-townes proporrtion. Also they +were to pay according to proportion, what had been disbursed to y^e +Indeans for y^e purchass. Thus was y^e controversie ended, but the +unkindnes not so soone forgotten. They of New-towne delt more fairly, +desireing only what they could conveniently spare, from a competancie +reserved for a plantation, for them selves; which made them the more +carfull to procure a moyety for them, in this agreement & distribution. + +Amongst y^e other bussinesses that M^r. Winslow had to doe in England, +he had order from y^e church to provid & bring over some able & fitt man +for to be their minister. And accordingly he had procured a godly and a +worthy[DQ] man, one M^r. Glover; but it pleased God when he was prepared +for the viage, he fell sick of a feaver and dyed. Afterwards, when he +was ready to come away, he became acquainted with M^r. Norton, who was +willing to come over, but would not ingage him selfe to this place, +otherwise then he should see occasion when he came hear; and if he liked +better else wher, to repay y^e charge laid out for him, (which came to +aboute 70^li.) and to be at his liberty. He stayed aboute a year with +them, after he came over, and was well liked of them, & much desired by +them; but he was invited to Ipswich, wher were many rich & able men, and +sundry of his aquaintance; so he wente to them, & is their minister. +Aboute half of y^e charg was repayed, y^e rest he had for y^e pains he +tooke amongst them. + +_Anno Dom: 1636._ + +M^R. ED: WINSLOW was chosen Gov^r this year. + +In y^e former year, because they perceived by M^r. Winslows later +letters that no accounts would be sente, they resolved to keep y^e +beaver, and send no more, till they had them, or came to some further +agreemente. At least they would forbear till M^r. Winslow came over, +that by more full conferance with him they might better understand what +was meete to be done. But when he came, though he brought no accounts, +yet he perswaded them to send y^e beaver, & was confident upon y^e +receite of y^t beaver, & his letters, they should have accounts y^e +nexte year; and though they thought his grounds but weake, that gave him +this hope, & made him so confidente, yet by his importunitie they +yeelded, & sente y^e same, ther being a ship at y^e latter end of year, +by whom they sente 1150^li. waight of beaver, and 200. otter skins, +besids sundrie small furrs, as 55. minks, 2. black foxe skins, &c. And +this year, in the spring, came in a Dutch man, who thought to have +traded at y^e Dutch-forte; [215] but they would not suffer him. He, +having good store of trading goods, came to this place, & tendred them +to sell; of whom they bought a good quantitie, they being very good & +fitte for their turne, as Dutch roll, ketles, &c., which goods amounted +to y^e valew of 500^li., for y^e paymente of which they passed bills to +M^r. Sherley in England, having before sente y^e forementioned parcell +of beaver. And now this year (by another ship) sente an other good round +parcell that might come to his hands, & be sould before any of these +bills should be due. The quantity of beaver now sent was 1809^li. +waight, and of otters 10. skins, and shortly after (y^e same year) was +sent by another ship (Mr. Langrume maister), in beaver 0719^li. waight, +and of otter skins 199. concerning which M^r. Sherley thus writs. + + Your leters I have received, with 8. hoggsheads of beaver by Ed: + Wilkinson, master of y^e Falcon. Blessed be God for y^e safe coming of + it. I have also seen & acceped 3. bills of exchainge, &c. But I must + now acquainte you how the Lords heavie hand is upon this kingdom in + many places, but cheefly in this cittie, with his judgmente of y^e + plague. The last weeks bill was 1200. & odd, I fear this will be more; + and it is much feared it will be a winter sicknes. By reason wherof it + is incredible y^e number of people y^t are gone into y^e cuntry & left + y^e citie. I am perswaded many more then went out y^e last sicknes; so + as here is no trading, carriers from most places put downe; nor no + receiving of any money, though long due. M^r. Hall ows us more then + would pay these bills, but he, his wife, and all, are in y^e cuntrie, + 60. miles from London. I write to him, he came up, but could not pay + us. I am perswaded if I should offer to sell y^e beaver at 8s. p^r + pound, it would not yeeld money; but when y^e Lord shall please to + cease his hand, I hope we shall have better & quicker markets; so it + shall lye by. Before I accepted y^e bills, I acquainted M^r. Beachamp + & M^r. Andrews with them, & how ther could be no money made nor + received; and that it would be a great discredite to you, which never + yet had any turned back, and a shame to us, haveing 1800^li. of beaver + lying by us, and more oweing then y^e bills come too, &c. But all was + nothing; neither of them both will put too their finger to help. I + offered to supply my 3. parte, but they gave me their answer they + neither would nor could, &c. How ever, your bils shall be satisfied to + y^e parties good contente; but I would not have thought they would + have left either you or me at this time, &c. You will and may expect I + should write more, & answer your leters, but I am not a day in y^e + weeke at home at towne, but carry my books & all to Clapham; for here + is y^e miserablest time y^t I thinke hath been known in many ages. I + have kno[=w] 3. great sickneses, but none like this. And that which + should be a means to pacifie y^e Lord, & help us, that is taken away, + preaching put downe in many places, not a sermone in Westminster on + y^e saboth, nor in many townes aboute us; y^e Lord in mercie looke + uppon us. In the begining of y^e year was a great [216] drought, & no + raine for many weeks togeather, so as all was burnte up, haye, at + 5^li. a load; and now all raine, so as much sommer come & later haye + is spoyled. Thus y^e Lord sends judgmente after judgmente, and yet we + cannot see, nor humble our selves; and therfore may justly fear + heavier judgments, unless we speedyly repente, & returne unto him, + which y^e Lord give us grace to doe, if it be his blessed will. Thus + desiring you to remember us in your prayers, I ever rest + + Your loving friend, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + Sep^t: 14. 1636. + +This was all the answer they had from M^r. Sherley, by which M^r. +Winslow saw his hops failed him. So they now resoloved to send no more +beaver in y^t way which they had done, till they came to some issue or +other aboute these things. But now came over letters from M^r. Andrews & +M^r. Beachamp full of complaints, that they marveled y^t nothing was +sent over, by which any of their moneys should be payed in; for it did +appear by y^e accounte sente in An^o 1631. that they were each of them +out, aboute a leven hundered pounds a peece, and all this while had not +received one penie towards y^e same. But now M^r. Sherley sought to draw +more money from them, and was offended because they deneyed him; and +blamed them hear very much that all was sent to M^r. Sherley, & nothing +to them. They marvelled much at this, for they conceived that much of +their moneis had been paid in, & y^t yearly each of them had received a +proportionable quantity out of y^e larg returnes sent home. For they had +sente home since y^t accounte was received in An^o 1631. (in which all & +more then all their debts, w^th y^t years supply, was charged upon them) +these sumes following. + + Nov^br 8. An^o 1631. By M^r. Peirce 0400^li. waight of + beaver, & otters 20. + July 13. An^o 1632. By M^r. Griffin 1348^li. beaver, & otters 147. + An^o 1633. By M^r. Graves 3366^li. bever, & otters 346. + An^o 1634. By M^r. Andrews 3738^li. beaver, & otters 234. + An^o 1635. By M^r. Babb 1150^li. beaver, & otters 200. + June 24. An^o 1636. By M^r. Wilkinson 1809^li. beaver, & otters 010. + Ibidem. By M^r. Langrume 0719^li. beaver, & otters 199. + -------- ----- + 12150^li.[DR] 1156. + +All these sumes were safly rceived & well sould, as appears by leters. +The coat beaver usualy at 20^s. p^r pound, and some at 24^s.; the skin +at 15. & sometimes 16. I doe not remember any under 14. It may be y^e +last year might be something lower, so also ther were some small furrs +that are not recconed in this accounte, & some black beaver at higer +rates, to make up y^e defects. [217] It was conceived that y^e former +parcells of beaver came to litle less then 10000^li. sterling, and y^e +otter skins would pay all y^e charge, & they w^th other furrs make up +besids if any thing wanted of y^e former sume. When y^e former accounte +was passed, all their debts (those of White-Angelle & Frendship +included) came but to 4770^li. And they could not estimate that all y^e +supplies since sent them, & bills payed for them, could come to above +2000^li. so as they conceived their debts had been payed, with advantage +or intrest. But it may be objected, how comes it that they could not as +well exactly sett downe their receits, as their returnes, but thus +estimate it. I answer, 2. things were y^e cause of it; the first & +principall was, that y^e new accountante, which they in England would +needs presse upon them, did wholy faile them, & could never give them +any accounte; but trusting to his memorie, & lose papers, let things +rune into such confusion, that neither he, nor any with him, could bring +things to rights. But being often called upon to perfecte his accounts, +he desired to have such a time, and such a time of leasure, and he would +doe it. In y^e intrime he fell into a great sicknes, and in conclusion +it fell out he could make no accounte at all. His books were after a +litle good begining left altogeather unperfect; and his papers, some +were lost, & others so confused, as he knew not what to make of them him +selfe, when they came to be searched & examined. This was not unknowne +to M^r. Sherley; and they came to smarte for it to purposs, (though it +was not their faulte,) both thus in England, and also here; for they +conceived they lost some hundreds of pounds for goods trusted out in y^e +place, which were lost for want of clear accounts to call them in. +Another reason of this mischeefe was, that after M^r. Winslow was sente +into England to demand accounts, and to excepte against y^e Whit-Angell, +they never had any price sent with their goods, nor any certaine invoyce +of them; but all things stood in confusion, and they were faine to +guesse at y^e prises of them. + +They write back to M^r. Andrews & M^r. Beachamp, and tould them they +marveled they should write they had sent nothing home since y^e last +accounts; for they had sente a great deale; and it might rather be +marveled how they could be able to send so much, besids defraying all +charg at home, and what they had lost by the French, and so much cast +away at sea, when M^r. Peirce lost his ship on y^e coast of Virginia. +What they had sente was to them all, and to them selves as well as M^r. +Sherley, and if they did not looke after it, it was their owne falts; +they must referr them to M^r. Sherley, who had received [218] it, to +demand it of him. They allso write to M^r. Sherley to y^e same purposs, +and what the others complaints were. + +This year 2. shallops going to Coonigtecutt with goods from y^e +Massachusetts of such as removed theither to plante, were in an easterly +storme cast away in coming into this harbore in y^e night; the boats men +were lost, and the goods were driven all alonge the shore, and strowed +up & downe at high-water marke. But y^e Gov^r caused them to be gathered +up, and drawn togeather, and appointed some to take an inventory of +them, and others to wash & drie such things as had neede therof; by +which means most of y^e goods were saved, and restored to y^e owners. +Afterwards anotheir boate of theirs (going thither likwise) was cast +away near unto Manoanscusett, and such goods as came a shore were +preserved for them. Such crosses they mette with in their beginings; +which some imputed as a correction from God for their intrution (to y^e +wrong of others) into y^t place. But I dare not be bould with Gods +judgments in this kind. + +In y^e year 1634, the Pequents (a stoute and warlike people), who had +made warrs with sundry of their neigbours, and puft up with many +victories, grue now at varience with y^e Narigansets, a great people +bordering upon them. These Narigansets held correspondance and termes of +freindship with y^e English of y^e Massachusetts. Now y^e Pequents, +being conscious of y^e guilte of Captain-Stones death, whom they knew to +be an-English man, as also those y^t were with him, and being fallen out +with y^e Dutch, least they should have over many enemies at once, sought +to make freindship with y^e English of y^e Massachusetts; and for y^t +end sent both messengers & gifts unto them, as appears by some letters +sent from y^e Gov^r hither. + + Dear & worthy S^r: &c. To let you know somwhat of our affairs, you may + understand that y^e Pequents have sent some of theirs to us, to desire + our freindship, and offered much wampam & beaver, &c. The first + messengers were dismissed without answer; with y^e next we had diverce + dayes conferance, and taking y^e advice of some of our ministers, and + seeking the Lord in it, we concluded a peace & freindship with them, + upon these conditions: that they should deliver up to us those men who + were guilty of Stones death, &c. And if we desired to plant in + Conightecute, they should give up their right to us, and so we would + send to trade with them as our freinds (which was y^e cheefe thing we + aimed at, being now in warr with y^e Dutch and y^e rest of their + neigbours). To this they readily agreed; and that we should meadiate a + peace betweene them and the Narigansetts; for which end they were + contente we should give the Narigansets parte of y^t presente, they + would bestow on us (for they stood [219][DS] so much on their honour, + as they would not be seen to give any thing of them selves). As for + Captein Stone, they tould us ther were but 2. left of those who had + any hand in his death; and that they killed him in a just quarell, for + (say they) he surprised 2. of our men, and bound them, to make them by + force to shew him y^e way up y^e river;[DT] and he with 2. other + coming on shore, 9. Indeans watched him, and when they were a sleepe + in y^e night, they kiled them, to deliver their owne men; and some of + them going afterwards to y^e pinass, it was suddainly blowne up. We + are now preparing to send a pinass unto them, &c. + +In an other of his, dated y^e 12. of y^e first month, he hath this. + + Our pinass is latly returned from y^e Pequents; they put of but litle + comoditie, and found them a very false people, so as they mean to have + no more to doe with them. I have diverce other things to write unto + you, &c. + + Yours ever assured, + JO: WINTHROP. + + Boston, 12. of y^e 1. month, 1634. + +After these things, and, as I take, this year, John Oldom, (of whom much +is spoken before,) being now an inhabitant of y^e Massachusetts, went +w^th a small vessell, & slenderly mand, a trading into these south +parts, and upon a quarell betweene him & y^e Indeans was cutt of by them +(as hath been before noted) at an iland called by y^e Indeans Munisses, +but since by y^e English Block Iland. This, with y^e former about the +death of Stone, and the baffoyling of y^e Pequents with y^e English of +y^e Massachusetts, moved them to set out some to take revenge, and +require satisfaction for these wrongs; but it was done so superfitially, +and without their acquainting of those of Conightecute & other +neighbours with y^e same, as they did litle good. But their neigbours +had more hurt done, for some of y^e murderers of Oldome fled to y^e +Pequents, and though the English went to y^e Pequents, and had some +parley with them, yet they did but delude them, & y^e English returned +without doing any thing to purpose, being frustrate of their +oppertunitie by y^e others deceite. After y^e English were returned, the +Pequents tooke their time and oppertunitie to cut of some of y^e English +as they passed in boats, and went on fouling, and assaulted them y^e +next spring at their habytations, as will appear in its place. I doe but +touch these things, because I make no question they wall be more fully & +distinctly handled by them selves, who had more exacte knowledg of them, +and whom they did more properly concerne. + +This year M^r. Smith layed downe his place of ministrie, partly by his +owne willingnes, as thinking it too heavie a burthen, and partly at the +desire, and by y^e perswasion, of others; and the church sought out for +[220][DU] some other, having often been disappointed in their hops and +desires heretofore. And it pleased the Lord to send them an able and a +godly man,[DV] and of a meeke and humble spirite, sound in y^e truth, +and every way unreproveable in his life & conversation; whom, after some +time of triall, they chose for their teacher, the fruits of whose +labours they injoyed many years with much comforte, in peace, & good +agreemente. + +_Anno Dom: 1637._ + +In y^e fore parte of this year, the Pequents fell openly upon y^e +English at Conightecute, in y^e lower parts of y^e river, and slew +sundry of them, (as they were at work in y^e feilds,) both men & women, +to y^e great terrour of y^e rest; and wente away in great prid & +triumph, with many high threats. They allso assalted a fort at y^e +rivers mouth, though strong and well defended; and though they did not +their prevaile, yet it struk them with much fear & astonishmente to see +their bould attempts in the face of danger; which made them in all +places to stand upon their gard, and to prepare for resistance, and +ernestly to solissite their freinds and confederats in y^e Bay of +Massachusets to send them speedy aide, for they looked for more forcible +assaults. M^r. Vane, being then Gov^r, write from their Generall Courte +to them hear, to joyne with them in this warr; to which they were +cordially willing, but tooke opportunitie to write to them aboute some +former things, as well as presente, considerable hereaboute. The which +will best appear in y^e Gov^r answer which he returned to y^e same, +which I shall here inserte. + + S^r: The Lord having so disposed, as that your letters to our late + Gov^r is fallen to my lott to make answer unto, I could have wished I + might have been at more freedome of time & thoughts also, that I might + have done it more to your & my owne satisfaction. But what shall be + wanting now may be supplyed hereafter. For y^e matters which from your + selfe & counsell were propounded & objected to us, we thought not + fitte to make them so publicke as y^e cognizance of our Generall + Courte. But as they have been considered by those of our counsell, + this answer we thinke fitt to returne unto you. (1.) Wereas you + signifie your willingnes to joyne with us in this warr against y^e + Pequents, though you cannot ingage your selves without y^e consente of + your Generall Courte, we acknowledg your good affection towards us, + (which we never had cause to doubt of,) and are willing to attend your + full resolution, when it may most seasonably be ripened. (2^ly.) + Wheras you make this warr to be our peopls, and not [221] to conceirne + your selves, otherwise then by consequence, we do in parte consente to + you therin; yet we suppose, that, in case of perill, you will not + stand upon such terms, as we hope we should not doe towards you; and + withall we conceive that you looke at y^e Pequents, and all other + Indeans, as a co[=m]one enimie, who, though he may take occasion of + y^e begining of his rage, from some one parte of y^e English, yet if + he prevaile, will surly pursue his advantage, to y^e rooting out of + y^e whole nation. Therfore when we desired your help, we did it not + without respecte to your owne saftie, as ours. (3^ly.) Wheras you + desire we should be ingaged to aide you, upon all like occasions; we + are perswaded you doe not doubte of it; yet as we now deale with you + as a free people, and at libertie, so as we cannot draw you into this + warr with us, otherwise then as reason may guid & provock you; so we + desire we may be at y^e like freedome, when any occasion may call for + help from us. And wheras it is objected to us, that we refused to aide + you against y^e French; we conceive y^e case was not alicke; yet we + cannot wholy excuse our failing in that matter. (4^ly.) Weras you + objecte that we began y^e warr without your privitie, & managed it + contrary to your advise; the truth is, that our first intentions being + only against Block Iland, and y^e interprice seeming of small + difficultie, we did not so much as consider of taking advice, or + looking out for aide abroad. And when we had resolved upon y^e + Pequents, we sent presently, or not long after, to you aboute it; but + y^e answer received, it was not seasonable for us to chaing our + counsells, excepte we had seen and waighed your grounds, which might + have out wayed our owne. + + (5^ly.) For our peoples trading at Kenebeck, we assure you (to our + knowledge) it hath not been by any allowance from us; and what we have + provided in this and like cases, at our last Courte, M^r. E. W. can + certifie you. + + And (6^ly); wheras you objecte to us y^t we should hold trade & + correspondancie with y^e French, your enemise; we answer, you are + misinformed, for, besids some letters which hath passed betweene our + late Gov^r and them, to which we were privie, we have neither sente + nor incouraged ours to trade with them; only one vessell or tow, for + y^e better conve[=a]ce of our letters, had licens from our Gov^r to + sayle thither.[DW] + + Diverce other things have been privatly objected to us, by our worthy + freind, wherunto he received some answer; but most of them concerning + y^e apprehention of perticuler discurteseis, or injueries from some + perticuler persons amongst us. It concernes us not to give any other + answer to them then this; that, if y^e offenders shall be brought + forth in a right way, we shall be ready to doe justice as y^e case + shall require. In the meane time, we desire you to rest assured, that + such things are without our privity, and not a litle greeveous to us. + + Now for y^e joyning with us in this warr, which indeed concerns us no + other wise then it may your selves, viz.: the releeving of our freinds + & Christian [222] breethren, who are now first in y^e danger; though + you may thinke us able to make it good without you, (as, if y^e Lord + please to be with us, we may,) yet 3. things we offer to your + consideration, which (we conceive) may have some waight with you. + (First) y^t if we should sinck under this burden, your opportunitie of + seasonable help would be lost in 3. respects. 1. You cannot recover + us, or secure your selves ther, with 3. times y^e charge & hazard + which now y^e may. 2^ly. The sorrowes which we should lye under (if + through your neglect) would much abate of y^e acceptablenes of your + help afterwards. 3^ly. Those of yours who are now full of courage and + forwardnes, would be much damped, and so less able to undergoe so + great a burden. The (2.) thing is this, that it concernes us much to + hasten this warr to an end before y^e end of this somer, otherwise y^e + newes of it will discourage both your & our freinds from coming to us + next year; with what further hazard & losse it may expose us unto, + your selves may judge. + + The (3.) thing is this, that if y^e Lord shall please to blesse our + endeaours, so as we end y^e warr, or put it in a hopefull way without + you, it may breed such ill thoughts in our people towards yours, as + will be hard to entertaine such opinione of your good will towards + us, as were fitt to be nurished among such neigbours & brethren as we + are. And what ill consequences may follow, on both sids, wise men may + fear, & would rather prevente then hope to redress. So with my harty + salutations to you selfe, and all your counsell, and other our good + freinds with you, I rest + + Yours most assured in y^e Lord, + JO: WINTHROP. + + Boston, y^e 20. of y^e 3. month, 1637. + +In y^e mean time, the Pequents, espetially in y^e winter before, sought +to make peace with y^e Narigansets, and used very pernicious arguments +to move them therunto: as that y^e English were stranegers and begane to +overspred their countrie, and would deprive them therof in time, if they +were suffered to grow & increse; and if y^e Narigansets did assist y^e +English to subdue them, they did but make way for their owne overthrow, +for if they were rooted out, the English would soone take occasion to +subjugate them; and if they would harken to them, they should not neede +to fear y^e strength of y^e English; for they would not come to open +battle with them, but fire their houses, kill their katle, and lye in +ambush for them as they went abroad upon their occasions; and all this +they might easily doe without any or litle danger to them selves. The +which course being held, they well saw the English could not long +subsiste, but they would either be starved with hunger, or be forced to +forsake the countrie; with many y^e like things; insomuch that y^e +Narigansets were once wavering, and were halfe minded to have made peace +with them, and jo[=y]ed against y^e English. But againe when they +considered, how much wrong they had received from the Pequents, and what +an oppertunitie they now had by y^e help of y^e English to right them +selves, revenge was so sweete unto them, as it prevailed above all y^e +rest; so as they resolved to joyne with y^e English against them, & did. +[223] The Court here agreed forwith to send 50. men at their owne charg; +and w^th as much speed as posiblie they could, gott them armed, and had +made them ready under sufficiente leaders, and provided a barke to +carrie them provisions & tend upon them for all occasions; but when they +were ready to march (with a supply from y^e Bay) they had word to stay, +for y^e enimy was as good as vanquished, and their would be no neede. + +I shall not take upon me exactly to describe their proceedings in these +things, because I expecte it will be fully done by them selves, who best +know the carrage & circumstances of things; I shall therfore but touch +them in generall. From Connightecute (who were most sencible of y^e hurt +sustained, & y^e present danger), they sett out a partie of men, and an +other partie mett them from y^e Bay, at y^e Narigansets, who were to +joyne with them. Y^e Narigansets were ernest to be gone before y^e +English were well rested and refreshte, espetially some of them which +came last. It should seeme their desire was to come upon y^e enemie +sudenly, & undiscovered. Ther was a barke of this place, newly put in +ther, which was come from Conightecutte, who did incourage them to lay +hold of y^e Indeans forwardnes, and to shew as great forwardnes as they, +for it would incorage them, and expedition might prove to their great +advantage. So they went on, and so ordered their march, as the Indeans +brought them to a forte of y^e enimies (in which most of their cheefe +men were) before day. They approached y^e same with great silence, and +surrounded it both with English & Indeans, that they might not breake +out; and so assualted them with great courage, shooting amongst them, +and entered y^e forte with all speed; and those y^t first entered found +sharp resistance from the enimie, who both shott at & grapled with them; +others rane into their howses, & brought out fire, and sett them on +fire, which soone tooke in their matts, &, standing close togeather, +with y^e wind, all was quickly on a flame, and therby more were burnte +to death then was otherwise slain; it burnte their bowstrings, and made +them unservisable. Those y^t scaped y^e fire were slaine with y^e sword; +some hewed to peeces, others rune throw with their rapiers, so as they +were quickly dispatchte, and very few escaped. It was conceived they +thus destroyed about 400. at this time. It was a fearfull sight to see +them thus frying in y^e fyer, and y^e streams of blood quenching y^e +same, and horrible was y^e stinck & sente ther of; but y^e victory +seemed a sweete sacrifice, and they gave the prays therof to God, who +had wrought so wonderfuly for them, thus to inclose their enimise in +their hands, and give them so speedy a victory over so proud & insulting +an enimie. The Narigansett Indeans, all this while, stood round aboute, +but aloofe from all danger, and left y^e whole [224] execution to y^e +English, exept it were y^e stoping of any y^t broke away, insulting over +their enimies in this their ruine & miserie, when they saw them dancing +in y^e flames, calling them by a word in their owne language, signifing, +O brave Pequents! which they used familierly among them selves in their +own prayes, in songs of triumph after their victories. After this servis +was thus happily accomplished, they marcht to the water side, wher they +mett with some of their vesells, by which they had refreishing with +victualls & other necessaries. But in their march y^e rest of y^e +Pequents drew into a body, and acoasted them, thinking to have some +advantage against them by[DX] reason of a neck of land; but when they +saw the English prepare for them, they kept a loofe, so as they neither +did hurt, nor could receive any. After their refreishing & repair to +geather for further counsell & directions, they resolved to pursue their +victory, and follow y^e warr against y^e rest, but y^e Narigansett +Indeans most of them forsooke them, and such of them as they had with +them for guids, or otherwise, they found them very could and backward in +y^e bussines, ether out of envie, or y^t they saw y^e English would make +more profite of y^e victorie then they were willing they should, or els +deprive them of such advantage as them selves desired by having them +become tributaries unto them, or y^e like. + +For y^e rest of this bussines, I shall only relate y^e same as it is in +a leter which came from M^r. Winthrop to y^e Gov^r hear, as followeth. + + Worthy S^r: I received your loving letter, and am much provocked to + express my affections towards you, but straitnes of time forbids me; + for my desire is to acquainte you with y^e Lords greate mercies + towards us, in our prevailing against his & our enimies; that you may + rejoyce and praise his name with us. About 80. of our men, haveing + costed along towards y^e Dutch plantation, (some times by water, but + most by land,) mett hear & ther with some Pequents, whom they slew or + tooke prisoners. 2. sachems they tooke, & beheaded; and not hearing of + Sassacous, (the cheefe sachem,) they gave a prisoner his life, to goe + and find him out. He wente and brought them word where he was, but + Sassacouse, suspecting him to be a spie, after he was gone, fled away + with some 20. more to y^e Mowakes, so our men missed of him. Yet, + deviding them selves, and ranging up & downe, as y^e providence of God + guided them (for y^e Indeans were all gone, save 3. or 4. and they + knew not whither to guid them, or els would not), upon y^e 13. of this + month, they light upon a great company of them, viz. 80. strong men, & + 200. women & children, in a small Indean towne, fast by a hideous + swamp, which they all slipped into before our men could gett to them. + Our captains were not then come togeither, but ther was M^r. Ludlow + and Captaine Masson, with some 10. [225] of their men, & Captaine + Patrick with some 20. or more of his, who, shooting at y^e Indeans, + Captaine Trask with 50. more came soone in at y^e noyse. Then they + gave order to surround y^e swampe, it being aboute a mile aboute; but + Levetenante Davenporte & some 12. more, not hearing that co[=m]and, + fell into y^e swampe among y^e Indeans. The swampe was so thicke with + shrub-woode, & so boggie with all, that some of them stuck fast, and + received many shott. Levetenant Davenport was dangerously wounded + aboute his armehole, and another shott in y^e head, so as, fainting, + they were in great danger to have been taken by y^e Indeans. But + Sargante Rigges, & Jeffery, and 2. or 3. more, rescued them, and slew + diverse of y^e Indeans with their swords. After they were drawne out, + the Indeans desired parley, & were offered (by Thomas Stanton, our + interpretour) that, if they would come out, and yeeld them selves, + they should have their lives, all that had not their hands in y^e + English blood. Wherupon y^e sachem of y^e place came forth, and an old + man or 2. & their wives and children, and after that some other women + & children, and so they spake 2. howers, till it was night. Then + Thomas Stanton was sente into them againe, to call them forth; but + they said they would selle their lives their, and so shott at him so + thicke as, if he had not cried out, and been presently rescued, they + had slaine him. Then our men cutt of a place of y^e swampe with their + swords, and cooped the Indeans into so narrow a compass, as they could + easier kill them throw y^e thickets. So they continued all y^e night, + standing aboute 12. foote one from an other, and y^e Indeans, coming + close up to our men, shot their arrows so thicke, as they pierced + their hatte brimes, & their sleeves, & stockins, & other parts of + their cloaths, yet so miraculously did the Lord preserve them as not + one of them was wounded, save those 3. who rashly went into y^e + swampe. When it was nere day, it grue very darke, so as those of them + which were left dropt away betweene our men, though they stood but 12. + or 14. foote assunder; but were presenly discovered, & some killed in + y^e pursute. Upon searching of y^e swampe, y^e next morning, they + found 9. slaine, & some they pulled up, whom y^e Indeans had buried in + y^e mire, so as they doe thinke that, of all this company, not 20. did + escape, for they after found some who dyed in their flight of their + wounds received. The prisoners were devided, some to those of y^e + river, and the rest to us. Of these we send y^e male children to + Bermuda,[DY] by M^r. William Peirce, & y^e women & maid children are + disposed aboute in the townes. Ther have been now slaine & taken, in + all, aboute 700. The rest are dispersed, and the Indeans in all + quarters so terrified as all their friends are affraid to receive + them. 2. of y^e sachems of Long Iland came to M^r. Stoughton and + tendered them selves to be tributaries under our protection. And 2. of + y^e Neepnett sachems have been with me to seeke our frendship. Amonge + the prisoners we have y^e wife & children of Mononotto, a womon of a + very modest countenance and behaviour. It was by her mediation that + the[DZ] 2. English [226] maids were spared from death, and were kindly + used by her; so that I have taken charge of her. One of her first + requests was, that the English would not abuse her body, and that her + children might not be taken from her. Those which were wounded were + fetched of soone by John Galopp, who came with his shalop in a happie + houre, to bring them victuals, and to carrie their wounded men to y^e + pinass, wher our cheefe surgeon was, w^th M^r. Willson, being aboute + 8. leagues off. Our people are all in health, (y^e Lord be praised,) + and allthough they had marched in their armes all y^e day, and had + been in fight all y^e night, yet they professed they found them selves + so fresh as they could willingly have gone to such another bussines. + + This is y^e substance of that which I received, though I am forced to + omite many considerable circomstances. So, being in much straitnes of + time, (the ships being to departe within this 4. days, and in them the + Lord Lee and M^r. Vane,) I hear breake of, and with harty saluts to, + &c., I rest + + Yours assured, + JO: WINTHROP. + + The 28. of y^e 5. month, 1637. + + The captains reporte we have slaine 13. sachems; but Sassacouse & + Monotto are yet living. + +That I may make an end of this matter: this Sassacouse (y^e Pequents +cheefe sachem) being fled to y^e Mowhakes, they cutt of his head, with +some other of y^e cheefe of them, whether to satisfie y^e English, or +rather y^e Narigansets, (who, as I have since heard, hired them to doe +it,) or for their owne advantage, I well know not; but thus this warr +tooke end. The rest of y^e Pequents were wholy driven from their place, +and some of them submitted them selves to y^e Narigansets, & lived under +them; others of them betooke them selves to y^e Monhiggs, under Uncass, +their sachem, w^th the approbation of y^e English of Conightecutt, under +whose protection Uncass lived, and he and his men had been faithful to +them in this warr, & done them very good service. But this did so vexe +the Narrigansetts, that they had not y^e whole sweay over them, as they +have never ceased plotting and contriving how to bring them under, and +because they cannot attaine their ends, because of y^e English who have +protected them, they have sought to raise a generall conspiracie against +y^e English, as will appear in an other place. + +They had now letters againe out of England from M^r. Andrews & M^r. +Beachamp, that M^r. Sherley neither had nor would pay them any money, or +give them any accounte, and so with much discontent desired them hear to +send them some, much blaming them still, that they had sent all to M^r. +Sherley, & none to them selves. Now, though they might have justly +referred them to their former answer, and insisted ther upon, & some +wise men counselled them so to doe, yet because they beleeved that [227] +they were realy out round sumes of money, (espetialy M^r. Andrews,) and +they had some in their hands, they resolved to send them what bever they +had.[EA] M^r. Sherleys letters were to this purpose: that, as they had +left him in y^e paiment of y^e former bills, so he had tould them he +would leave them in this, and beleeve it, they should find it true. And +he was as good as his word, for they could never gett peney from him, +nor bring him to any accounte, though Mr. Beachamp sued him in y^e +Chancerie. But they all of them turned their complaints against them +here, wher ther was least cause, and who had suffered most unjustly; +first from M^r. Allerton & them, in being charged with so much of y^t +which they never had, nor drunke for; and now in paying all, & more then +all (as they conceived), and yet still thus more demanded, and that with +many heavie charges. They now discharged M^r. Sherley from his agencie, +and forbad him to buy or send over any more goods for them, and prest +him to come to some end about these things. + +_Anno Dom: 1638._ + +This year M^r. Thomas Prence was chosen Gov^r. + +Amongst other enormities that fell out amongst them, this year 3. men +were (after due triall) executed for robery & murder which they had +committed; their names were these, Arthur Peach, Thomas Jackson, and +Richard Stinnings; ther was a 4., Daniel Crose, who was also guilty, but +he escaped away, and could not be found. This Arthur Peach was y^e +cheefe of them, and y^e ring leader of all y^e rest. He was a lustie and +a desperate yonge man, and had been one of y^e souldiers in y^e Pequente +warr, and had done as good servise as y^e most ther, and one of y^e +forwardest in any attempte. And being now out of means, and loath to +worke, and falling to idle courses & company, he intended to goe to y^e +Dutch plantation; and had alured these 3., being other mens servants and +apprentices, to goe with him. But another cause ther was allso of his +secret going away in this maner; he was not only rune into debte, but he +had gott a maid with child, (which was not known till after his death,) +a mans servante in y^e towne, and fear of punishmente made him gett +away. The other 3. complotting with him, ranne away from their maisters +in the night, and could not be heard of, for they went not y^e ordinarie +way, but shaped such a course as they thought to avoyd y^e pursute of +any [228]. But falling into y^e way that lyeth betweene y^e Bay of +Massachusetts and the Narrigansets, and being disposed to rest them +selves, struck fire, and took tobaco, a litle out of y^e way, by y^e way +side. At length ther came a Narigansett Indean by, who had been in y^e +Bay a trading, and had both cloth & beads aboute him. (They had meett +him y^e day before, & he was now returning.) Peach called him to drinke +tobaco with them, and he came & sate downe with them. Peach tould y^e +other he would kill him, and take what he had from him. But they were +some thing afraid; but he said, Hang him, rogue, he had killed many of +them. So they let him alone to doe as he would; and when he saw his +time, he tooke a rapier and rane him through the body once or twise, and +tooke from him 5. fathume of wampam, and 3. coats of cloath, and wente +their way, leaving him for dead. But he scrabled away, when they were +gone, and made shift to gett home, (but dyed within a few days after,) +by which means they were discovered; and by subtilty the Indeans tooke +them. For they desiring a canow to sett them over a water, (not thinking +their facte had been known,) by y^e sachems command they were carried to +Aquidnett Iland, & ther accused of y^e murder, and were examend & +comitted upon it by y^e English ther. The Indeans sent for M^r. +Williams, & made a greeveous complainte; his freinds and kinred were +ready to rise in armes, and provock the rest therunto, some conceiving +they should now find y^e Pequents words trew: that y^e English would +fall upon them. But M^r. Williams pacified them, & tould them, they +should see justice done upon y^e offenders; & wente to y^e man, & tooke +M^r. James, a phisition, with him. The man tould him who did it, & in +what maner it was done; but the phisition found his wounds mortall, and +that he could not live, (as he after testified upon othe, before the +jurie in oppen courte,) and so he dyed shortly after, as both Mr. +Williams, M^r. James, & some Indeans testified in courte. The Gov^rt in +the Bay were aquented with it, but refferrd it hither, because it was +done in this jurisdiction;[EB] but pressed by all means y^t justice +might be done in it; or els y^e countrie must rise & see justice done, +otherwise it would raise a warr. Yet some of y^e rude & ignorante sorte +murmured that any English should be put to death for y^e Indeans. So at +last they of y^e iland brought them hither, and being often examened, +and y^e evidence prodused, they all in the end freely confessed in +effect all y^t the Indean accused them of, & that they had done it, in +y^e maner afforesaid; and so, upon y^e forementioned evidence, were cast +by y^e jurie, & condemned, & executed for the same. And some of y^e +Narigansett Indeans, & of y^e parties freinds, were presente when it was +done, which gave them & all y^e countrie good satisfaction. But it was a +matter of much sadnes to them hear, and was y^e 2. execution which they +had since they came; being both for wilfull murder, as hath bene before +related. Thus much of this mater. + +[229] They received this year more letters from England full of reneued +complaints, on y^e one side, that they could gett no money nor accounte +from M^r. Sherley; & he againe, y^t he was pressed therto, saying he was +to accounte with those hear, and not with them, &c. So, as was before +resolved, if nothing came of their last letters, they would now send +them what they could, as supposing, when some good parte was payed them, +that M^r. Sherley & they would more easily agree aboute y^e remainder. + +So they sent to M^r. Andrews and M^r. Beachamp, by M^r. Joseph Yonge, in +y^e Mary & Anne, 1325^li. waight of beaver, devided betweene them. M^r. +Beachamp returned an accounte of his moyety, that he made 400^li. +starling of it, fraight and all charges paid. But M^r. Andrews, though +he had y^e more and beter parte, yet he made not so much of his, through +his owne indiscretion; and yet turned y^e loss[EC] upon them hear, but +without cause. + +They sent them more by bills & other paimente, which was received & +acknowledged by them, in money[ED] & y^e like; which was for katle sould +of M^r. Allertons, and y^e price of a bark sold, which belonged to y^e +stock, and made over to them in money, 434^li. sterling. The whole sume +was 1234^li. sterling, save what M^r. Andrews lost in y^e beaver, which +was otherwise made good. But yet this did not stay their clamors, as +will apeare here after more at large. + +It pleased God, in these times, so to blesse y^e cuntry with such access +& confluance of people into it, as it was therby much inriched, and +catle of all kinds stood at a high rate for diverce years together. Kine +were sould at 20^li. and some at 25^li. a peece, yea, some times at +28^li. A cow-calfe usually at 10^li. A milch goate at 3^li. & some at +4^li. And femall kids at 30^s. and often at 40^s. a peece. By which +means y^e anciente planters which had any stock begane to grow in their +estats. Corne also wente at a round rate, viz. 6^s. a bushell. So as +other trading begane to be neglected; and the old partners (having now +forbidden M^r. Sherley to send them any more goods) broke of their trade +at Kenebeck, and, as things stood, would follow it no longer. But some +of them, (with other they joyned with,) being loath it should be lost by +discontinuance, agreed with y^e company for it, and gave them aboute y^e +6. parte of their gaines for it; [230][EE] with y^e first fruits of +which they builte a house for a prison; and the trade ther hath been +since continued, to y^e great benefite of y^e place; for some well +fore-sawe that these high prises of corne and catle would not long +continue, and that then y^e co[=m]odities ther raised would be much +missed. + +This year, aboute y^e 1. or 2. of June, was a great & fearfull +earthquake; it was in this place heard before it was felte. It came with +a rumbling noyse, or low murmure, like unto remoate thunder; it came +from y^e norward, & pased southward. As y^e noyse aproched nerer, they +earth begane to shake, and came at length with that violence as caused +platters, dishes, & such like things as stoode upon shelves, to clatter +& fall downe; yea, persons were afraid of y^e houses them selves. It so +fell oute y^t at y^e same time diverse of y^e cheefe of this towne were +mett together at one house, conferring with some of their freinds that +were upon their removall from y^e place, (as if y^e Lord would herby +shew y^e signes of his displeasure, in their shaking a peeces & +removalls one from an other.) How ever it was very terrible for y^e +time, and as y^e men were set talking in y^e house, some women & others +were without y^e dores, and y^e earth shooke with y^t violence as they +could not stand without catching hould of y^e posts & pails y^t stood +next them; but y^e violence lasted not long. And about halfe an hower, +or less, came an other noyse & shaking, but nether so loud nor strong as +y^e former, but quickly passed over; and so it ceased. It was not only +on y^e sea coast, but y^e Indeans felt it within land; and some ships +that were upon y^e coast were shaken by it. So powerfull is y^e mighty +hand of y^e Lord, as to make both the earth & sea to shake, and the +mountaines to tremble before him, when he pleases; and who can stay his +hand? It was observed that y^e so[=m]ers, for divers years togeather +after this earthquake, were not so hotte & seasonable for y^e ripning of +corne & other fruits as formerly; but more could & moyst, & subjecte to +erly & untimly frosts, by which, many times, much Indean corne came not +to maturitie; but whether this was any cause, I leave it to naturallists +to judge. + +_Anno Dom: 1639. & Anno Dom: 1640._ + +These 2. years I joyne togeather, because in them fell not out many +things more then y^e ordinary passages of their co[=m]one affaires, +which are not needfull to be touched. [231] Those of this plantation +having at sundrie times granted lands for severall townships, and +amongst y^e rest to y^e inhabitants of Sityate, some wherof issewed from +them selves, and allso a large tracte of land was given to their 4. +London partners in y^e place, viz. M^r. Sherley, M^r. Beacham, M^r. +Andrews, & M^r. Hatherley. At M^r. Hatherley's request and choys it was +by him taken for him selfe and them in y^t place; for the other 3. had +invested him with power & trust to chose for them. And this tracte of +land extended to their utmoste limets that way, and bordered on their +neigbours of y^e Massachusets, who had some years after seated a towne +(called Hingam) on their lands next to these parts. So as now ther grue +great differance betweene these 2. townships, about their bounds, and +some meadow grownds that lay betweene them. They of Hingam presumed to +alotte parte of them to their people, and measure & stack them out. The +other pulled up their stacks, & threw them. So it grew to a controversie +betweene the 2. goverments, & many letters and passages were betweene +them aboute it; and it hunge some 2. years in suspense. The Courte of +Massachusets, appointed some to range their line according to y^e bounds +of their patente, and (as they wente to worke) they made it to take in +all Sityate, and I know not how much more. Againe, on y^e other hand, +according to y^e line of the patente of this place, it would take in +Hingame and much more within their bounds. + +In y^e end boath Courts agreed to chose 2. comissioners of each side, +and to give them full & absolute power to agree and setle y^e bounds +betwene them; and what they should doe in y^e case should stand +irrevocably. One meeting they had at Hingam, but could not conclude; for +their comissioners stoode stiffly on a clawes in their graunte, That +from Charles-river, or any branch or parte therof, they were to extend +their limits, and 3. myles further to y^e southward; or from y^e most +southward parte of y^e Massachusets Bay, and 3. mile further. But they +chose to stand on y^e former termes, for they had found a smale river, +or brooke rather, that a great way with in land trended southward, and +issued into some part of y^t river taken to be Charles-river, and from +y^e most southerly part of this, & 3. mile more southward of y^e same, +they would rune a line east to y^e sea, aboute 20. mile; which will (say +they) take in a part of Plimoth itselfe. Now it is to be knowne y^t +though this patente & plantation were much the ancienter, yet this +inlargemente of the same (in which Sityate stood) was granted after +theirs, and so theirs were first to take place, before this inlargmente. +Now their answer was, first, that, however according to their owne plan, +they could noway come upon any part of their ancieante grante. [232] +Secondly. They could never prove y^t to be a parte of Charles-river, for +they knew not which was Charles-river, but as y^e people of this place, +which came first, imposed such a name upon y^t river, upon which, since, +Charles-towne is builte (supposing y^t was it, which Captaine Smith in +his mapp so named). Now they y^t first named it have best reason to know +it, and to explaine which is it. But they only tooke it to be Charles +river, as fare as it was by them navigated, and y^t was as farr as a +boate could goe. But y^t every runlett or small brooke, y^t should, farr +within land, come into it, or mixe their stremes with it, and were by +y^e natives called by other & differente names from it, should now by +them be made Charles-river, or parts of it, they saw no reason for it. +And gave instance in Humber, in Old England, which had y^e Trente, Ouse, +and many others of lesser note fell into it, and yet were not counted +parts of it; and many smaler rivers & broks fell into y^e Trente, & +Ouse, and no parts of them, but had nams aparte, and divisions & +nominations of them selves. Againe, it was pleaded that they had no east +line in their patente, but were to begine at y^e sea, and goe west by a +line, &c. At this meeting no conclution was made, but things discussed & +well prepared for an issue. The next year y^e same co[=m]issioners had +their power continued or renewed, and mett at Sityate, and concluded y^e +mater, as followeth. + +_The agreemente of y^e bounds betwixte Plimoth and Massachusetts._ + + Wheras ther were tow comissiones granted by y^e 2. jurisdictions, y^e + one of Massachsets Govermente, granted unto John Endecott, gent: and + Israell Stoughton, gent: the other of New-Plimoth Govermente, to + William Bradford, Gov^r, and Edward Winslow, gent: and both these for + y^e setting out, setling, & determining of y^e bounds & limitts of y^e + lands betweene y^e said jurisdictions, wherby not only this presente + age, but y^e posteritie to come may live peaceably & quietly in y^t + behalfe. And for as much as y^e said comissioners on both sids have + full power so to doe, as appeareth by y^e records of both + jurisdictions; we therfore, y^e said comissioners above named, doe + hearby with one consente & agreemente conclude, detirmine, and by + these presents declare, that all y^e marshes at Conahasett y^t lye of + y^e one side of y^e river next to Hingam, shall belong to y^e + jurisdition of Massachusetts Plantation; and all y^e marshes y^t lye + on y^e other side of y^e river next to Sityate, shall be long to y^e + jurisdiction of New-Plimoth; excepting 60. acers of marsh at y^e mouth + of y^e river, on Sityate side next to the sea, which we doe herby + agree, conclude, & detirmine shall belong to y^e jurisdition of + Massachusetts. And further, we doe hearby agree, determine, and + conclude, y^t the bounds of y^e limites betweene both y^e said + jurisditions are as followeth, viz. from y^e mouth of y^e brook y^t + runeth into Chonahasett marches (which we call by y^e name of + Bound-brooke) with a stright & directe line to y^e midle of a great + ponde, y^t lyeth on y^e right hand of y^e uper path, or commone way, + y^t leadeth betweene Waimoth and Plimoth, close to y^e path as [233] + we goe alonge, which was formerly named (and still we desire may be + caled) Accord pond, lying aboute five or 6. myles from Weimoth + southerley; and from thence with a straight line to y^e souther-most + part of Charles-river,[EF] & 3. miles southerly, inward into y^e + countrie, according as is expresed in y^e patente granted by his + Ma^tie to y^e Company of y^e Massachusetts Plantation. Provided + allways and never y^e less concluded & determined by mutuall + agreemente betweene y^e said comissioners, y^t if it fall out y^t the + said line from Accord-pond to y^e sothermost parte of Charles-river, & + 3. myles southerly as is before expresed, straiten or hinder any parte + of any plantation begune by y^e Gove^rt of New-Plimoth, or hereafter + to be begune within 10. years after y^e date of these ps^{nts}, that + then, notwithstanding y^e said line, it shall be lawfull for y^e said + Gov^rt of New-Plimoth to assume on y^e northerly side of y^e said + line, wher it shall so intrench as afforesaid, so much land as will + make up y^e quantity of eight miles square, to belong to every shuch + plantation begune, or to [be] begune as afforesaid; which we agree, + determine, & conclude to appertaine & belong to y^e said Gov^rt of + New-Plimoth. And wheras y^e said line, from y^e said brooke which + runeth into Choahassett saltmarshes, called by us Bound-brooke, and + y^e pond called Accord-pond, lyeth nere y^e lands belonging to y^e + tounships of Sityate & Hingam, we doe therfore hereby determine & + conclude, that if any devissions allready made and recorded, by either + y^e said townships, doe crose the said line, that then it shall stand, + & be of force according to y^e former intents and purposes of the said + townes granting them (the marshes formerly agreed on exepted). And y^t + no towne in either jurisdiction shall hereafter exceede, but containe + them selves within y^e said lines expressed. In witnes wherof we, the + comissioners of both jurisdictions, doe by these presents indented set + our hands & scales y^e ninth day of y^e 4. month in 16. year of our + soveraine lord, king Charles; and in y^e year of our Lord, 1640. + + WILLIAM BRADFORD, GOV^R. + ED: WINSLOW. + JO: ENDECOTT. + ISRAELL STOUGHTON. + +Wheras y^e patente was taken in y^e name of William Bradford, (as in +trust,) and rane in these termes: To him, his heires, and associats & +assignes; and now y^e noumber of free-men being much increased, and +diverce tounships established and setled in severall quarters of y^e +govermente, as Plimoth, Duxberie, Sityate, Tanton, Sandwich, Yarmouth, +Barnstable, Marchfeeld, and not longe after, Seacunke (called afterward, +at y^e desire of y^e inhabitants, Rehoboth) and Nawsett, it was by y^e +Courte desired that William Bradford should make a surrender of the same +into their hands. The which he willingly did, in this maner following. + + Wheras William Bradford, and diverce others y^e first instruments of + God in the begi[=n]ing of this great work of plantation, togeather + with such as y^e allordering hand of God in his providence soone added + unto them, have been at very great charges to procure y^e lands, + priviledges, & freedoms from all intanglments, as may appeare by + diverse & sundrie deeds, inlargments of grants, purchases, and + payments of debts, &c., by reason wherof y^e title to y^e day of these + presents [234] remaineth in y^e said William Bradford, his heires, + associats, and assignes: now, for y^e better setling of y^e estate of + the said lands (contained in y^e grant or pattente), the said William + Bradford, and those first instruments termed & called in sondry orders + upon publick recorde, Y^e Purchasers, or Old comers; witnes 2. in + spetiall, the one bearing date y^e 3. of March, 1639. the other in + Des: the 1. An^o 1640. wherunto these presents have spetiall relation + & agreemente, and wherby they are distinguished from other y^e freemen + & inhabitants of y^e said corporation. Be it knowne unto all men, + therfore, by these presents, that the said William Bradford, for him + selfe, his heires, together with y^e said purchasers, doe only reserve + unto them selves, their heires, and assignes those 3. tractes of land + mentioned in y^e said resolution, order, and agreemente, bearing date + y^e first of Des: 1640. viz. first, from y^e bounds of Yarmouth, 3. + miles to y^e eastward of Naemschatet, and from sea to sea, crose the + neck of land. The 2. of a place called Acoughcouss, which lyeth in y^e + botome of y^e bay adjoyning to y^e west-side of Pointe Perill, and 2. + myles to y^e westerne side of y^e said river, to an other place called + Acushente river, which entereth at y^e westerne end of Nacata, and 2. + miles to y^e eastward therof, and to extend 8. myles up into y^e + countrie. The 3. place, from Sowansett river to Patucket river, (with + Cawsumsett neck,) which is y^e cheefe habitation of y^e Indeans, & + reserved for them to dwell upon, extending into y^e land 8. myles + through y^e whole breadth therof. Togeather with such other small + parcells of lands as they or any of them are personally possessed of + or intressed in, by vertue of any former titles or grante whatsoever. + And y^e said William Bradford doth, by y^e free & full consente, + approbation, and agreemente of y^e said old-planters, or purchasers, + together with y^e liking, approbation, and acceptation of y^e other + parte of y^e said corporation, surrender into y^e hands of y^e whole + courte, consisting of y^e free-men of this corporation of New-Plimoth, + all y^t other right & title, power, authority, priviledges, + immunities, & freedomes granted in y^e said letters patents by y^e + said right Honb^le Counsell for New-England; reserveing his & their + personall right of freemen, together w^th the said old planters + afforesaid, excepte y^e said lands before excepted, declaring the + freemen of this corporation, togeather with all such as shal be + legally admitted into y^e same, his associats. And y^e said William + Bradford, for him, his heiers, & assignes, doe hereby further promise + and grant to doe & performe whatsoever further thing or things, acte + or actes, which in him lyeth, which shall be needfull and expediente + for y^e better confirming and establishing the said premises, as by + counsel lerned in y^e lawes shall be reasonably advised and devised, + when he shall be ther unto required. In witness wherof, the said + William Bradford hath in publick courte surrendered the said letters + patents actually into y^e hands & power of y^e said courte, binding + him selfe, his heires, executors, administrators, and assignes to + deliver up whatsoever spetialties are in his hands that doe or may + concerne the same. + +[235] In these 2. years they had sundry letters out of England to send +one over to end the buissines and accounte with M^r. Sherley; who now +professed he could not make up his accounts without y^e help of some +from hence, espetialy M^r. Winslows. They had serious thoughts of it, +and y^e most parte of y^e partners hear thought it best to send; but +they had formerly written such bitter and threatening letters as M^r. +Winslow was neither willing to goe, nor y^t any other of y^e partners +should; for he was perswaded, if any of them wente, they should be +arested, and an action of such a su[=m]e layed upon them as they should +not procure baele, but must lye in prison, and then they would bring +them to what they liste; or other wise they might be brought into +trouble by y^e arch-bishops means, as y^e times then stood. But, +notwithstanding, they weer much inclined to send, & Captaine Standish +was willing to goe, but they resolved, seeing they could not all agree +in this thing, and that it was waighty, and y^e consequence might prove +dangerous, to take M^r. Winthrops advise in y^e thing, and y^e rather, +because M^r. Andrews had by many letters acquaynted him with y^e +differences betweene them, and appoynted him for his assigne to receive +his parte of y^e debte. (And though they deneyed to pay him any as a +debte, till y^e controversie was ended, yet they had deposited 110^li. +in money in his hands for M^r. Andrews, to pay to him in parte as soone +as he would come to any agreement with y^e rest.) But M^r. Winthrop was +of M^r. Winslows minde, and disswaded them from sending; so they broak +of their resolution from sending, and returned this answer: that the +times were dangerous as things stood with them, for they knew how M^r. +Winslow had suffered formerley, and for a small matter was clapte up in +y^e Fleete, & it was long before he could gett out, to both his & their +great loss and damage; and times were not better, but worse, in y^t +respecte. Yet, that their equall & honest minds might appeare to all +men, they made them this tender: to refferr y^e case to some gentle-men +and marchants in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusetts, such as they should +chuse, and were well knowne unto them selves, (as they perceived their +wer many of their aquaintance and freinds ther, better knowne to them +then y^e partners hear,) and let them be informed in y^e case by both +sids, and have all y^e evidence y^t could be prodused, in writing, or +other wise; and they would be bound to stand to their determination, and +make good their award, though it should cost them all they had in y^e +world. But this did not please them, but they were offended at it, +without any great reasone for ought I know, (seeing nether side could +give in clear accountes, y^e partners here could not, by reason they (to +their smarte) were failed by y^e accountante they sent them, and M^r. +Sherley pretened he could not allso,) save as they conceived it a +disparagmente to yeeld to their inferiours in respecte of y^e place and +other concurring circomstances. So this came to nothing; and afterward +M^r. Sherley write, y^t if M^r. Winslow would mett him in France, y^he +Low-Countries, or Scotland, let y^e place be knowne, and he [236] come +to him ther. But in regard of y^e troubles that now begane to arise in +our owne nation, and other reasons, this did not come to any effecte. +That which made them so desirous to bring things to an end was partly to +stope y^e clamours and aspertions raised & cast upon them hereaboute; +though they conceived them selves to sustaine the greatest wrong, and +had most cause of complainte; and partly because they feared y^e fall of +catle, in which most parte of their estats lay. And this was not a vaine +feare; for they fell indeede before they came to a conclusion, and that +so souddanly, as a cowe that but a month before was worth 20^li., and +would so have passed in any paymente, fell now to 5^li. and would yeeld +no more; and a goate that wente at 3^li. or 50^s. would now yeeld but +8. or 10^s. at most. All men feared a fall of catle, but it was thought +it would be by degrees; and not to be from y^e highest pitch at once to +y^e lowest, as it did, which was greatly to y^e damage of many, and y^e +undoing of some. An other reason was, they many of them grew aged, (and +indeed a rare thing it was that so many partners should all live +together so many years as these did,) and saw many changes were like to +befall; so as they were loath to leave these intanglments upon their +children and posteritie, who might be driven to remove places, as they +had done; yea, them selves might doe it yet before they dyed. But this +bussines must yet rest; y^e next year gave it more ripnes, though it +rendred them less able to pay, for y^e reasons afforesaid. + +_Anno Dom: 1641._ + +M^r. Sherley being weary of this controversie, and desirous of an end, +(as well as them selves,) write to M^r. John Atwode and M^r. William +Collier, 2. of y^e inhabitants of this place, and of his speatiall +aquaintance, and desired them to be a means to bring this bussines to an +end, by advising & counselling the partners hear, by some way to bring +it to a composition, by mutuall agreemente. And he write to them selves +allso to y^t end, as by his letter may apear; so much therof as +concernse y^e same I shall hear relate. + + S^r. My love remembered, &c. I have writte so much concerning y^e + ending of accounts betweexte us, as I profess I know not what more to + write, &c. If you desire an end, as you seeme to doe, ther is (as I + conceive) but 2. waise; that is, to parfecte all accounts, from y^e + first to y^e last, &c. Now if we find this difficulte, and tedious, + haveing not been so stricte & carefull as we should and oughte to have + done, as for my owne parte I doe confess I have been somewhat to + remisse, and doe verily thinke so are you, &c. I fear you can never + make a perfecte accounte of all your pety viages, out, & home too & + againe, &c.[EG] So then y^e second way must be, by biding, or [237] + compounding; and this way, first or last, we must fall upon, &c. If we + must warr at law for it, doe not you expecte from me, nether will I + from you, but to cleave y^e heare, and then I dare say y^e lawyers + will be most gainers, &c. Thus let us set to y^e worke, one way or + other, and end, that I may not allways suffer in my name & estate. And + you are not free; nay, y^e gospell suffers by your delaying, and + causeth y^e professors of it to be hardly spoken of, that you, being + many, & now able, should combine & joyne togeather to oppress & burden + me, &c. Fear not to make a faire & reasonable offer; beleeve me, I + will never take any advantage to plead it against you, or to wrong + you; or else let M^r. Winslow come over, and let him have such full + power & authority as we may ende by compounding; or else, y^e accounts + so well and fully made up, as we may end by reconing. Now, blesed be + God, y^e times be much changed here, I hope to see many of you returne + to you^r native countrie againe, and have such freedome & libertie as + y^e word of God prescribs. Our bishops were never so near a downfall + as now; God hath miraculously confounded them, and turned all their + popish & Machavillian plots & projects on their owne heads, &c. Thus + you see what is fitt to be done concerning our perticulere greevances. + I pray you take it seriously into consideration; let each give way a + litle that we may meete, &c. Be you and all yours kindly saluted, &c. + So I ever rest, + + Your loving friend, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + Clapham, May 18, 1641. + +Being thus by this leter, and allso by M^r. Atwodes & M^r. Colliers +mediation urged to bring things to an end, (and y^e continuall clamors +from y^e rest,) and by none more urged then by their own desires, they +tooke this course (because many scandals had been raised upon them). +They apoynted these 2. men before mentioned to meet on a certaine day, +and called some other freinds on both sids, and M^r. Free-man, brother +in law to M^r. Beachamp, and having drawne up a collection of all y^e +remains of y^e stock, in what soever it was, as housing, boats, bark, +and all implements belonging to y^e same, as they were used in y^e time +of y^e trad, were they better or worce, with y^e remaines of all +co[=m]odities, as beads, knives, hatchetts, cloth, or any thing els, as +well y^e refuse as y^e more vendible, with all debts, as well those y^t +were desperate as others more hopefull; and having spent diverce days to +bring this to pass, having y^e helpe of all bookes and papers, which +either any of them selves had, or Josias Winslow, who was their +accountante; and they found y^e sume in all to arise (as y^e things were +valued) to aboute 1400^li. And they all of them tooke a voluntary but a +sollem oath, in y^e presence one of an other, and of all their frends, +y^e persons abovesaid y^t were now presente, that this was all that any +of them knew of, or could remember; and Josias Winslow did y^e like for +his parte. But y^e truth is they wrongd them selves much in y^e +valuation, for they reconed some catle as they were taken of M^r. +Allerton, as for instance a cowe in y^e hands of one cost 25^li. and so +she was valued in this accounte; but when she came to be past away in +parte of paymente, after y^e agreemente, she would be accepted but a +4^li. 15^s. [238] Also being tender of their oaths, they brought in all +they know owing to y^e stock; but they had not made y^e like diligente +search what y^e stocke might owe to any, so as many scattering debts +fell upon afterwards more then now they know of. + +Upon this they drew certaine articles of agreemente betweene M^r. +Atwode, on M^r. Sherleys behalfe, and them selves. The effecte is as +folloeth. + +_Articles of agreemente made and concluded upon y^e 15. day of +October, 1641. &c._ + + Imp: Wheras ther was a partnership for diverce years agreed upon + betweene James Sherley, John Beacham, and Richard Andrews, of London, + marchants, and William Bradford, Edward Winslow, Thomas Prence, Myles + Standish, William Brewster, John Aldon, & John Howland, w^th Isaack + Allerton, in a trade of beaver skines & other furrs arising in + New-England; the terme of which said partnership being expired, and + diverse su[=m]es of money in goods adventured into New-England by y^e + said James Sherley, John Beachamp, & Richard Andrews, and many large + returnes made from New-England by y^e said William Bradford, Ed: + Winslow, &c.; and differance arising aboute y^e charge of 2. ships, + the one called y^e White Angele, of Bristow, and y^e other y^e + Frindship, of Barnstable, and a viage intended in her, &c.; which said + ships & their viages, y^e said William Bradford, Ed: W. &c. conceive + doe not at all appertaine to their accounts of partnership; and weras + y^e accounts of y^e said partnership are found to be confused, and + cannot orderley appeare (through y^e defaulte of Josias Winslow, y^e + booke keeper); and weras y^e said W. B. &c. have received all their + goods for y^e said trade from the foresaid James Sherley, and have + made most of their returnes to him, by consente of y^e said John + Beachamp & Richard Andrews; and wheras also y^e said James Sherley + hath given power & authoritie to M^r. John Atwode, with y^e advice & + consente of William Collier, of Duxborow, for and on his behalfe, to + put such an absolute end to y^e said partnership, with all and every + accounts, reconings, dues, claimes, demands, whatsoever, to y^e said + James Sherley, John Beacham, & Richard Andrews, from y^e said W. B. + &c. for and concerning y^e said beaver trade, & also y^e charge y^e + said 2. ships, and their viages made or pretended, whether just or + unjuste, from y^e worlds begining to this presente, as also for y^e + paimente of a purchas of 1800^li. made by Isaack Allerton, for and on + y^e behalfe of y^e said W. B., Ed: W., &c., and of y^e joynt stock, + shares, lands, and adventurs, what soever in New-England aforesaid, as + apeareth by a deede bearing date y^e 6. Nov^br. 1627; and also for and + from such sume and sumes of money or goods as are received by William + Bradford, Tho: Prence, & Myles Standish, for y^e recovery of dues, by + accounts betwexte them, y^e said James Sherly, John Beachamp, & + Richard Andrews, and Isaack Allerton, for y^e ship caled y^e White + Angell. Now y^e said John Attwode, with advice & counsell of y^e said + William Collier, having had much comunication & spente diverse days in + agitation of all y^e said differances & accounts with y^e said W. B., + E. W., &c.; and y^e said W. B., E. W., &c. have also, with y^e said + book-keeper spente much time in collecting & gathering togeither y^e + remainder of y^e stock of partnership for y^e said trade, and what + soever hath beene received, or is due by y^e said attorneyship before + expresed, and all, and all manner of goods, debts, and dues therunto + belonging, as well those debts that are weake and doubtfull [239] and + desperate, as those y^t are more secure, which in all doe amounte to + y^e sume of 1400^li. or ther aboute; and for more full satisfaction of + y^e said James Sherley, John Beachamp, & Richard Andrews, the said W. + B. and all y^e rest of y^e abovesaid partners, togeither with Josias + Winslow y^e booke keeper, have taken a voluntarie oath, y^t within y^e + said sume of 1400^li. or theraboute, is contained whatsoever they + knew, to y^e utmost of their rememberance. + + In consideration of all which matters & things before expressed, and + to y^e end y^t a full, absolute, and finall end may be now made, and + all suits in law may be avoyded, and love & peace continued, it is + therfore agreed and concluded betweene y^e said John Attwode, with y^e + advice & consent of y^e said William Colier, for & on y^e behalfe of + y^e said James Sherley, to and with y^e said W. B., &c. in maner and + forme following: viz. that y^e said John Attwode shall procure a + sufficiente release and discharge, under y^e hands & seals of y^e said + James Sherley, John Beachamp, & Richard Andrews, to be delivered fayer + & unconcealed unto y^e said William Bradford, &c., at or before y^e + last day of August, next insuing y^e date hereof, whereby y^e said + William Bradford &c., their heires, executors, & administrators, & + every of them shall be fully and absolutly aquited & discharged of + all actions, suits, reconings, accounts, claimes, and demands + whatsoever concerning y^e generall stock of beaver trade, paymente of + y^e said 1800^li. for y^e purchass, and all demands, reckonings, and + accounts, just or unjuste, concerning the tow ships Whit-Angell and + Frendship aforesaid, togeather with whatsoever hath been received by + y^e said William Bradford, of y^e goods or estate of Isaack Allerton, + for satisfaction of y^e accounts of y^e said ship called y^e Whit + Angele, by vertue of a [~l]re of attourney to him, Thomas Prence, & Myles + Standish, directed from y^e said James Sherley, John Beachamp, & + Richard Andrews, for y^t purpose as afforesaid. + + It is also agreed & concluded upon betweene the said parties to these + presents, that the said W. B., E. W., &c. shall now be bound in + 2400^li. for paymente of 1200^li. in full satisfaction of all demands + as afforesaid; to be payed in maner & forme following; that is to say, + 400^li. within 2. months next after y^e receite of the aforesaid + releases and discharges, one hundred and ten pounds wherof is allready + in y^e hands of John Winthrop senior of Boston, Esquire, by the means + of M^r. Richard Andrews afforesaid, and 80^li. waight of beaver now + deposited into y^e hands of y^e said John Attwode, to be both in part + of paimente of y^e said 400^li. and y^e other 800^li. to be payed by + 200^li. [p=]^r a[=n]ume, to such assignes as shall be appointed, + inhabiting either in Plimoth or Massachusetts Bay, in such goods & + comodities, and at such rates, as the countrie shall afford at y^e + time of delivery & paymente; and in y^e mean time y^e said bond of + 2400^li. to be deposited into y^e hands of y^e said John Attwode. And + it is agreed upon by & betweene y^e said parties to these presents, + that if y^e said John Attwode shall not or cannot procure such said + releases & discharges as afforesaid from y^e said James Sherley, John + Bachamp, & Richard Andrews, at or before y^e last day of August next + insuing y^e date hear of, y^t then y^e said John Attwode shall, at y^e + said day precisely, redeliver, or cause to [240] be delivered unto ye + said W. B., E. W., &c. their said bond of 2400^li. and y^e said 80^li. + waight of beaver, or y^e due valew therof, without any fraud or + further delay; and for performance of all & singuler y^e covenants and + agreements hearin contained and expressed, which on y^e one parte and + behalfe of y^e said James Sherley are to be observed & performed, + shall become bound in y^e su[=m]e of 2400^li. to them, y^e said + William Bradford, Edward Winslow, Thomas Prence, Myles Standish, + William Brewster, John Allden, and John Howland. And it is lastly + agreed upon betweene y^e said parties, that these presents shall be + left in trust, to be kepte for boath parties, in y^e hands of Mr. John + Reanour, teacher of Plimoth. In witnes wherof, all y^e said parties + have hereunto severally sett their hands, y^e day and year first above + writen. + + JOHN ATWODE, WILLIAM BRADFORD, EDWARD WINSLOW, &c. In y^e presence of + + EDMOND FREEMAN, + WILLIAM THOMAS, + WILLIAM PADY, + NATHANIELL SOUTHER. + +The nexte year this long and tedious bussines came to some issue, as +will then appeare, though not to a finall ende with all y^e parties; but +this much for y^e presente. + +I had forgoten to inserte in its place how y^e church here had invited +and sent for M^r. Charles Chansey,[EH] a reverend, godly, and very +larned man, intending upon triall to chose him pastor of y^e church +hear, for y^e more comfortable performance of y^e ministrie with Mr. +John Reinor, the teacher of the same. But ther fell out some differance +aboute baptising, he holding it ought only to be by diping, and putting +y^e whole body under water, and that sprinkling was unlawfull. The +church yeelded that immersion, or dipping, was lawfull, but in this +could countrie not so conveniente. But they could not nor durst not +yeeld to him in this, that sprinkling (which all y^e churches of Christ +doe for y^e most parte use at this day) was unlawfull, & an humane +invention, as y^e same was prest; but they were willing to yeeld to him +as far as y^ey could, & to y^e utmost; and were contented to suffer him +to practise as he was perswaded; and when he came to minister that +ordnance, he might so doe it to any y^t did desire it in y^t way, +provided he could peacably suffer Mr. Reinor, and such as desired to +have theirs otherwise baptised by him, by sprinkling or powering on of +water upon them; so as ther might be no disturbance in y^e church +hereaboute. But he said he could not yeeld herunto. Upon which the +church procured some other ministers to dispute y^e pointe with him +publikly; as Mr. Ralfe Partrich, of Duxberie, who did it sundrie times, +very ablie and sufficently, as allso some other ministers within this +govermente. But he was not satisfied; so y^e church sent to many other +churches to crave their help and advise in [241] this mater, and, with +his will & consente, sent them his arguments writen under his owne hand. +They sente them to y^e church at Boston in y^e Bay of Massachusets, to +be comunicated with other churches ther. Also they sent y^e same to the +churches of Conightecutt and New-Haven, with sundrie others; and +received very able & sufficent answers, as they conceived, from them and +their larned ministers, who all concluded against him. But him selfe was +not satisfied therw^th. Their answers are too large hear to relate. They +conceived y^e church had done what was meete in y^e thing, so M^r. +Chansey, having been y^e most parte of 3. years here, removed him selfe +to Sityate, wher he now remaines a minister to y^e church ther. Also +about these times, now y^t catle & other things begane greatly to fall +from their former rates, and persons begane to fall into more straits, +and many being allready gone from them, (as is noted before,) both to +Duxberie, Marshfeeld, and other places, & those of y^e cheefe sorte, as +M^r. Winslow, Captaine Standish, Mr. Allden, and many other, & stille +some dropping away daly, and some at this time, and many more unsetled, +it did greatly weaken y^e place, and by reason of y^e straitnes and +barrennes of y^e place, it sett y^e thoughts of many upon removeall; as +will appere more hereafter. + +_Anno Dom: 1642._ + +Marvilous it may be to see and consider how some kind of wickednes did +grow & breake forth here, in a land wher the same was so much witnesed +against, and so narrowly looked unto, & severly punished when it was +knowne; as in no place more, or so much, that I have known or heard of; +insomuch as they have been somewhat censured, even by moderate and good +men, for their severitie in punishments. And yet all this could not +suppress y^e breaking out of sundrie notorious sins, (as this year, +besids other, gives us too many sad presidents and instances,) +espetially drunkennes and unclainnes; not only incontinencie betweene +persons unmaried, for which many both men & women have been punished +sharply enough, but some maried persons allso. But that which is worse, +even sodomie and bugerie, (things fearfull to name,) have broak forth in +this land, oftener then once. I say it may justly be marveled at, and +cause us to fear & tremble at the consideration of our corrupte natures, +which are so hardly bridled, subdued, & mortified; nay, cannot by any +other means but y^e powerfull worke & grace of Gods spirite. But (besids +this) one reason may be, that y^e Divell may carrie a greater spite +against the churches of Christ and y^e gospell hear, by how much y^e +more they indeaour to preserve holynes and puritie amongst them, and +strictly punisheth the contrary when it ariseth either in church or +comone wealth; that he might cast a [242] blemishe & staine upon them in +y^e eyes of [y^e] world, who use to be rash in judgmente. I would rather +thinke thus, then that Satane hath more power in these heathen lands, as +som have thought, then in more Christian nations, espetially over Gods +servants in them. + +2. An other reason may be, that it may be in this case as it is with +waters when their streames are stopped or da[=m]ed up, when they gett +passage they flow with more violence, and make more noys and +disturbance, then when they are suffered to rune quietly in their owne +chanels. So wikednes being here more stopped by strict laws, and y^e +same more nerly looked unto, so as it cannot rune in a comone road of +liberty as it would, and is inclined, it searches every wher, and at +last breaks out wher it getts vente. + +3. A third reason may be, hear (as I am verily perswaded) is not more +evills in this kind, nor nothing nere so many by proportion, as in other +places; but they are here more discoverd and seen, and made publick by +due serch, inquisition, and due punishment; for y^e churches looke +narrowly to their members, and y^e magistrats over all, more strictly +then in other places. Besids, here the people are but few in comparison +of other places, which are full & populous, and lye hid, as it were, in +a wood or thickett, and many horrible evills by y^t means are never seen +nor knowne; wheras hear, they are, as it were, brought into y^e light, +and set in y^e plaine feeld, or rather on a hill, made conspicuous to +y^e veiw of all. + +But to proceede; y^er came a letter from y^e Gov^r in y^e Bay to them +here, touching matters of y^e forementioned nature, which because it may +be usefull I shall hear relate it, and y^e passages ther aboute. + + S^r: Having an opportunitie to signifie y^e desires of our Generall + Court in toow things of spetiall importance, I willingly take this + occasion to imparte them to you, y^t you may imparte them to y^e rest + of your magistrats, and also to your Elders, for counsell; and give us + your advise in them. The first is concerning heinous offences in point + of uncleannes; y^e perticuler cases, with y^e circomstances, and y^e + questions ther upon, you have hear inclosed. The 2. thing is + concerning y^e Ilanders at Aquidnett; y^t seeing the cheefest of them + are gone from us, in offences, either to churches, or co[=m]one welth, + or both; others are dependants on them, and y^e best sorte are such as + close with them in all their rejections of us. Neither is it only in a + faction y^t they are devided from us, but in very deed they rend them + selves from all y^e true churches of Christ, and, many of them, from + all y^e powers of majestracie. We have had some experience hereof by + some of their underworkers, or emissaries, who have latly come amongst + us, and have made publick defiance against magistracie, ministrie, + churches, & church covenants, &c. as antichristian; secretly also + sowing y^e seeds of Familisme, and Anabaptistrie, to y^e infection of + some, and danger of others; so that we are not willing to joyne with + them in any league or confederacie at all, but rather that you would + consider & advise with us how we may avoyd them, and keep ours from + being infected by them. Another thing I should mention to you, for + y^e maintenance of y^e trad of beaver; if ther be not a company to + order it in every jurisdition among y^e English, which companies + should agree in generall of their way in trade, I supose that y^e + trade will be overthrowne, and the Indeans will abuse us. For this + cause we have latly put it into order amongst us, hoping of + incouragmente from you (as we have had) y^t we may continue y^e same. + Thus not further to trouble you, I rest, with my loving remembrance to + your selfe, &c. + + Your loving friend, + RI: BELLINGHAM. + + Boston, 28. (1.) 1642. + + +The note inclosed follows on y^e other side.[EI] + + [244] Worthy & beloved S^r: + + Your letter (with y^e questions inclosed) I have comunicated with our + Assistants, and we have refered y^e answer of them to such Rev[=e]^d + Elders as are amongst us, some of whose answers thertoo we have here + sent you inclosed, under their owne hands; from y^e rest we have not + yet received any. Our farr distance hath bene y^e reason of this long + delay, as also y^t they could not conferr their counsells togeather. + + For our selves, (you know our breedings & abillities,) we rather + desire light from your selves, & others, whom God hath better inabled, + then to presume to give our judgments in cases so difficulte and of so + high a nature. Yet under correction, and submission to better + judgments, we propose this one thing to your prudent considerations. + As it seems to us, in y^e case even of willfull murder, that though a + man did smite or wound an other, with a full pourpose or desire to + kill him, (w^ch is murder in a high degree, before God,) yet if he + did not dye, the magistrate was not to take away y^e others life.[EJ] + So by proportion in other grosse & foule sines, though high attempts & + nere approaches to y^e same be made, and such as in the sight & + account of God may be as ill as y^e accomplishmente of y^e foulest + acts of y^t sine, yet we doute whether it may be safe for y^e + magistrate to proceed to death; we thinke, upon y^e former grounds, + rather he may not. As, for instance, in y^e case of adultrie, (if it + be admitted y^t it is to be punished w^{th} death, which to some of us + is not cleare,) if y^e body be not actually defiled, then death is not + to be inflicted. So in sodomie, & beastialitie, if ther be not + penetration. Yet we confess foulnes of circomstances, and frequencie + in y^e same, doth make us remaine in y^e darke, and desire further + light from you, or any, as God shall give. + + As for y^e 2. thing, concerning y^e Ilanders? we have no conversing + with them, nor desire to have, furder then necessitie or humanity may + require. + + And as for trade? we have as farr as we could ever therin held an + orderly course, & have been sory to see y^e spoyle therof by others, + and fear it will hardly be recovered. But in these, or any other + things which may concerne y^e co[=m]one good, we shall be willing to + advise & concure with you in what we may. Thus w^{th} my love + remembered to your selfe, and y^e rest of our worthy friends, your + Assistants, I take leave, & rest, + + Your loving friend, + W. B. + + Plim: 17. 3. month, 1642. + + +Now follows y^e ministers answers. And first Mr. Reynors. + +Qest: What sodmiticall acts are to be punished with death, & what very +facte (ipso facto) is worthy of death, or, if y^e fact it selfe be not +capitall, what circomstances concurring may make it capitall? + +Ans: In y^e judiciall law (y^e moralitie wherof concerneth us) it is +manyfest y^t carnall knowledg of man, or lying w^{th} man, as with +woman, cum penetratione corporis, was sodomie, to be punished with +death; what els can be understood by Levit: 18. 22. & 20. 13. & Gen: 19. +5? 2^ly. It seems allso y^t this foule sine might be capitall, though +ther was not penitratio corporis, but only contactus & fricatio us[q~] +ad effusionem seminis, for these reasons: [245] 1. Because it was sin to +be punished with death, Levit. 20. 13. in y^e man who was lyen withall, +as well as in him y^t lyeth with him; now his sin is not mitigated wher +ther is not penitration, nor augmented wher it is; wheras its charged +upon y^e women, y^t they were guilty of this unnaturall sine, as well as +men, Rom. 1. 26. 27. Y^e same thing doth furder apeare, 2. because of +y^t proportion betwexte this sin & beastialitie, wherin if a woman did +stand before, or aproach to, a beast, for y^t end, to lye downe therto, +(whether penetration was or not,) it was capitall, Levit: 18. 23. & 20. +16. 3^{ly}. Because something els might be equivalent to penetration +wher it had not been, viz. y^e fore mentioned acts with frequencie and +long continuance with a high hand, utterly extinguishing all light of +nature; besids, full intention and bould attempting of y^e foulest acts +may seeme to have been capitall here, as well as coming presumptuously +to slay with guile was capitall. Exod: 21. 14. + +Yet it is not so manyfest y^t y^e same acts were to be punished with +death in some other sines of uncleannes, w^ch yet by y^e law of God were +capitall crimes; besids other reasons, (1.) because sodomie, & also +beastialitie, is more against y^e light of nature then some other +capitall crimes of unclainnes, which reason is to be attended unto, as +y^t which most of all made this sin capitall; (2.) because it might be +co[=m]ited with more secrecie & less suspition, & therfore needed y^e +more to be restrained & suppresed by y^e law; (3^ly) because ther was +not y^e like reason & degree of si[=n]ing against family & posteritie in +this sin as in some other capitall sines of uncleannes. + +2. Quest: How farr a magistrate may extracte a confession from a +delinquente, to acuse him selfe of a capitall crime, seeing Nemo tenetur +prodere seipsum. + +Ans: A majestrate cannot without sin neglecte diligente inquision into +y^e cause brought before him. Job 29. 16. Pro: 24. 11. 12. & 25. 2. +(2^ly.) If it be manifest y^t a capitall crime is committed, & y^t +comone reporte, or probabilitie, suspition, or some complainte, (or y^e +like,) be of this or y^t person, a magistrate ought to require, and by +all due means to procure from y^e person (so farr allready bewrayed) a +naked confession of y^e fact, as apears by y^t which is morall & of +perpetuall equitie, both in y^e case of uncertaine murder, Deut: 21. 1. +9. and slander, Deut: 22. 13. 21; for though nemo tenetur prodere +seipsum, yet by that w^ch may be known to y^e magistrat by y^e forenamed +means, he is bound thus to doe, or els he may betray his countrie & +people to y^e heavie displeasure of God, Levit: 18. 24. 25. Jos: 22. 18. +Psa: 106. 30; such as are i[=n]ocente to y^e sinfull, base, cruell lusts +of y^e profane, & such as are delinquents, and others with them, into +y^e hands of y^e stronger temptations, & more bouldness, & hardnes of +harte, to co[=m]ite more & worse villany, besids all y^e guilt & hurt he +will bring upon him selfe. (3^ly.) To inflicte some punishmente meerly +for this reason, to extracte a conffession of a capitall crime, is +contrary to y^e nature of vindictive justice, which always hath respecte +to a kno[=w] crime co[=m]itited by y^e person punished; and it will +therfore, for any thing which can before be knowne, be y^e provocking +and forcing of wrath, compared to y^e wringing of y^e nose, Pro: 30. 33. +which is as well forbiden y^e fathers of y^e countrie as of y^e family, +Ephe. 6. 4. as produsing many sad & dangerous effects. That an oath (ex +officio) for such a purpose is no due means, hath been abundantly proved +by y^e godly learned, & is well known. + +Q. 3. In what cases of capitall crimes one witnes with other +circomstances shall be sufficiente to convince? or is ther no conviction +without 2. witneses? + +Ans: In taking away y^e life of man, one witnes alone will not suffice, +ther must be tow, or y^t which is instar; y^e texts are manifest, Numb: +35. 30. Deut: 17. 6. & 19. 15. 2^ly. Ther may be conviction by one +witnes, & some thing y^t hath y^e force of another, as y^e evidencie of +y^e fact done by such an one, & not an other; unforced confession when +ther was no fear or danger of suffering for y^e fact, hand writings +acknowledged & confessed. + +JOHN REYNOR. + +[246] _M^r. Partrich his writing, in ans: to y^e questions._ + + What is y^t sodomiticall acte which is to be punished with death? + + Though I conceive probable y^t a voluntary effusion of seed per modum + concubitus of man with man, as of a man with woman, though in + concubitu ther be not penetratio corporis, is y^t sin which is + forbiden, Levit: 18. 22. & adjudged to be punished with death, Levit: + 20. 13. because, though ther be not penetratio corporis, yet ther may + be similitudo concubitus muliebris, which is y^t the law specifieth; + yet I dar not be con-[EK] (1.) because, Gen: 19. 5. y^e intended acte + of y^e Sodomits (who were y^e first noted maisters of this unnaturall + act of more then brutish filthines) is expressed by carnall copulation + of man with woman: Bring them out unto us, y^t we may know them; + (2^ly.) because it is observed among y^e nations wher this unnaturall + unclainnes is co[=m]ited, it is w^th penetration of y^e body; (3^ly.) + because, in y^e judiciall proceedings of y^e judges in England, y^e + indict: so rune (as I have been informed). + + Q. How farr may a magistrat extracte a confession of a capitall crime + from a suspected and an accused person? + + Ans. I conceive y^t a magistrate is bound, by carfull examenation of + circomstances & waighing of probabilities, to sifte y^e accused, and + by force of argumente to draw him to an acknowledgment of y^e truth; + but he may not extracte a confession of a capitall crime from a + suspected person by any violent means, whether it be by an oath + imposed, or by any punishmente inflicted or threatened to be + inflicted, for so he may draw forth an acknowledgmente of a crime from + a fearfull i[=n]ocente; if guilty, he shall be compelled to be his + owne accuser, when no other can, which is against y^e rule of justice. + + Q. In what cases of capitall crimes one witnes with other + circomstances shall be sufficente to convicte; or is ther no + conviction without two witnesses? + + Ans: I conceive y^t, in y^e case of capitall crimes, ther can be no + safe proceedings unto judgmente without too witnesses, as Numb: 35. + 30. Deut: 19. 15. excepte ther can some evidence be prodused as + aveilable & firme to prove y^e facte as a witnes is, then one witnes + may suffice; for therin y^e end and equitie of y^e law is attained. + But to proceede unto sentence of death upon presumptions, wher + probably ther may subesse falsum, though ther be y^e testimony of one + wittnes, I supose it cannot be a safe way; better for such a one to be + held in safe custodie for further triall, I conceive. + + RALPH PARTRICH. + +_The Answer of M^r. Charles Chancy._ + + An contactus et fricatio us[q~] ad seminis effusi[=o]nem sine + penetratione corporis sit sodomia morte plectenda? + + Q. The question is what sodomiticall acts are to be punished w^th + death, & what very facte committed, (ipso facto,) is worthy of death, + or if y^e facte it selfe be not capitall, what circomstances concuring + may make it capitall. The same question may be asked of rape, inceste, + beastialitie, unnaturall sins, presumtuous sins. These be y^e words of + y^e first question. + + Ans: The answer unto this I will lay downe (as God shall directe by + his word & spirite) in these following conclusions: (1.) That y^e + judicials of Moyses, that are appendances to y^e morall law, & + grounded on y^e law of nature, or y^e decalogue, are i[=m]utable, and + ppetuall, w^ch all orthodox devines acknowledge; see y^e authors + following. Luther, Tom. 1. Whitenberge: fol. 435. & fol. 7. + Melanethon, in loc: com loco de conjugio. Calvin, 1. 4. Institu. c. 4. + sect. 15. Junious de politia Moysis, thes. 29. & 30. Hen: Bulin: + Decad. 3. sermo. 8. Wolf: Muscu. loc: com: in 6. precepti explicaci: + Bucer de regno Christi, 1. 2. c. 17. Theo: Beza, vol: 1. de hereti: + puniendis, fol. 154. Zanch: in 3. praecept: Ursin: Pt. 4. explicat. + contra John. Piscat: in Aphorismi Loc. de lege dei aphorism. 17. And + more might be added. I forbear, for brevities sake, to set downe their + very words; this being y^e constante & generall oppinion of y^e best + devines, I will rest in this as undoubtedly true, though much more + might be said to confirme it. + + 2. That all y^e si[=n]es mentioned in y^e question were punished with + death by y^e judiciall law of Moyses, as adultry, Levit: 20. 10. Deut: + 22. 22. Esech: 16. 38. Jhon. 8. 5. which is to be understood not only + of double adultrie, when as both parties are maried, (as some + conceive,) but whosoever (besids her husband) lyes with a married + woman, whether y^e man be maried or not, as in y^e place, Deut: 22. + 22. or whosoever, being a maried man, lyeth with another woman (besids + his wife), as P. Martire saith, loc: com: which in diverce respects + maks y^e sine worse on y^e maried mans parte; for y^e Lord in this + law hath respect as well to publick honesty, (the sin being so + prejudicall to y^e church & state,) as y^e private wrongs (saith + Junious). So incest is to be punished with death, Levit: 20. 11. 22. + Beastiality likwise, Lev: 20. 15. Exod: 22. 19. Raps in like maner, + Deut: 22. 25. Sodomie in like sort, Levit: 18. 22. & 20. 13. And all + presumptuous sins, Numb: 15. 30. 31. + + 3. That y^e punishmente of these foule sines w^th death is grounded on + y^e law of nature, & is agreeable to the morall law. (1.) Because y^e + reasons a[=n]exed shew them to be perpetuall. Deut. 22. 22. So shalt + thou put away evill. Incest, beastiality, are caled confusion, & + wickednes. (2.) Infamie to y^e whole humane nature, Levit: 22. 12. + Levit: 18. 23. Raps are as murder, Deut: 22. 25. Sodomie is an + abomination, Levit: 22. 22. [247] No holier & juster laws can be + devised by any man or angele then have been by y^e Judg of all y^e + world, the wisdome of y^e Father, by whom kings doe raigne, &c. (3.) + Because, before y^e giving of y^e Law, this punishmente was anciently + practised, Gen: 26. 11. 38. 29. 39. 20. & even by the heathen, by y^e + very light of nature, as P. Martire shews. (4^ly.) Because y^e land is + defiled by such sins, and spews out y^e inhabitants, Levit: 18. 24, + 25. & that in regard of those nations y^t were not acquainted w^th the + law of Moyses. 5. All y^e devins above specified consent in this, that + y^e unclean acts punishable with death by y^e law of God are not only + y^e grose acts of uncleannes by way of carnall copulation, but all y^e + evidente attempts therof, which may appeare by those severall words + y^t are used by y^e spirite of God, expressing y^e sins to be punished + with death; as y^e discovering of nakednes, Levit: 18. 20. which is + retegere pudenda, as parts p^r euphemismum (saith Junius), or detegere + ad cubandum (saith Willett), to uncover y^e shamefull parts of y^e + body (saith Ainsworth), which, though it reaches to y^e grose acts, + yet it is plaine it doth comprehend ye other foregoing immodest + attempts, as contactum, fricationem, &c.; likwise ye phrase of lying + with, so often used, doth not only signifie carnall copulation, but + other obscene acts, p^{r}ceding y^e same, is implyed in Pauls word + [Greek: arsenokoitai], 1. Cor: 6. 9. & men lying with men, 1. Tim: 1. + 9. men defiling them selves w^th mankind, men burning with lust + towards men, Rom: 1. 26. & Levit: 18.[EL] 22. sodom & sin going after + strange flesh, Jud: v. 7. 8. and lying with mankind as with a woman, + Levit: 18. 22. Abulentis says y^t it signifies omnes modos quibus + masculus masculo abutatur, changing y^e naturall use into y^t which is + against nature, Rom: 1. 26. arrogare sibi cubare, as Junius well + translats Levit: 20. 15. to give consente to lye withall, so + approaching to a beast, & lying downe therto, Levit: 20. 16. ob solum + conatu[EM] (saith Willett) or for going about to doe it. Add to this a + notable speech of Zepperus de legibus (who hath enough to end + controversies of this nature). L. 1. he saith: In crimine adulterii + voluntas (understanding manifeste) sine effectu subsecuto de jure + attenditur; and he proves it out of good laws, in these words: + Solicitatores[EN] alie[=n]um nupti[=a]m item[q~] matrimon[=i]um + interpellatores, etsi effectu sceleris potiri non possunt, propter + voluntatem tamen perniciosae libidinis extra ordinem puniuntur; nam + generale est quidem affect[=u] sine effectu [non] puniri, sed + contrarium observatur in atrocioribus & horum similibus. + + 5. In concluding punishments from y^e judiciall law of Moyses y^t is + perpetuall, we must often p^{r}ceed by analogicall proportion & + interpretation, as a paribus similibus, minore ad majus, &c.; for ther + will still fall out some cases, in every co[=m]one-wealth, which are + not in so many words extante in holy write, yet y^e substance of y^e + matter in every kind (I conceive under correction) may be drawne and + concluded out of y^e scripture by good consequence of an equevalent + nature; as, for example, ther is no express law against destroying + conception in y^e wombe by potions, yet by anologie with Exod: 21. 22, + 23. we may reason y^t life is to be given for life. Againe, y^e + question, An contactus & fricatio, &c., and methinks y^t place Gen: + 38. 9. in y^e punishmente of Onans sin, may give some cleare light to + it; it was (saith Pareus) beluina crudelitas quam Deus pari loco cum + parricidio habuit, nam semen corrumpere, quid fuit aliud quam hominem + ex semine generandum occidere? Propterea juste a Deo occisus est. + Observe his words. And againe, Discamus quantopere Deus abominetur + omnem seminis genitalis abusum, illicit[=a] effusionem, & + corruption[=e], &c., very pertinente to this case. That allso is + considerable, Deut: 25. 11, 12. God comanded y^t, if any wife drue + nigh to deliver her husband out of y^e hand of him y^t smiteth him, + &c., her hand should be cutt off. Yet such a woman in y^t case might + say much for her selfe, y^t what she did was in trouble & perplexitie + of her minde, & in her husbands defence; yet her hand must be cutt of + for such impuritie (and this is morall, as I conceive). Then we may + reason from y^e less to y^e greater, what greevous sin in y^e sight of + God it is, by y^e instigation of burning lusts, set on fire of hell, + to proceede to contactum & fricationem ad emissionem seminis, &c., & + y^t contra naturam, or to attempte y^e grosse acts of unnaturall + filthines. Againe, if y^t unnaturall lusts of men with men, or woman + with woman, or either with beasts, be to be punished with death, then + a pari naturall lusts of men towards children under age are so to be + punished. + + 6. Circumstantiae variant vis e actiunes, (saith y^e lawiers,) & + circomstances in these cases cannot possibly be all reck[=e]d up; but + God hath given laws for those causes & cases that are of greatest + momente, by which others are to be judged of, as in y^e differance + betwixte chanc medley, & willfull murder; so in y^e sins of + uncleannes, it is one thing to doe an acte of uncleannes by sudden + temptation, & another to lye in waite for it, yea, to make a co[=m]une + practise of it; this mightily augments & multiplies y^e sin. Againe, + some si[=n]es of this nature are simple, others compound, as y^t is + simple adultrie, or inceste, or simple sodomie; but when ther is a + mixture of diverce kinds of lust, as when adultery & sodomie & + [p=]^{r}ditio seminis goe togeather in y^e same acte of uncleannes, + this is capitall, double, & trible. Againe, when adultrie or sodomie + is co[=m]ited by [p=]fessors or church members, I fear it coms too + near y^e sine of y^e preists daughters, forbidden, & comanded to be + punished, Levit: 21. 9. besids y^e presumption of y^e si[=n]es of + such. Againe, when uncleannes is comited with those whose chastity + they are bound to [*)p]serve, this coms very nere the incestious + copulation, I feare; but I must hasten to y^e other questions. + + [248] 2. Question y^e second, upon y^e pointe of examination, how farr + a magistrate may extracte a confession from a delinquente to accuse + him selfe in a capitall crime, seeing Nemo tenetur prodere seipsum. + + Ans: The words of y^e question may be understood of extracting a + confession from a delinquente either by oath or bodily tormente. If it + be mente of extracting by requiring an oath, (ex officio, as some call + it,) & that in capitall crimes, I fear it is not safe, nor warented by + Gods word, to extracte a confession from a delinquente by an oath in + matters of life and death. (1.) Because y^e practise in y^e Scripturs + is other wise, as in y^e case of Achan, Jos: 7. 19. Give, I pray y^e, + glorie to y^e Lord God of Israll, and make a confession to him, & tell + me how thou hast done. He did not compell him to sweare. So when as + Johnathans life was indangered, 1. Sam. 14. 43. Saule said unto + Johnathan, Tell me what thou hast done; he did not require an oath. + And notable is y^t, Jer: 38. 14. Jeremiah was charged by Zedechias, + who said, I will aske the a thing, hide it not from me; & Jeremiah + said, If I declare it unto y^e, wilt thou not surely put me to death? + impling y^t, in case of death, he would have refused to answer him. + (2.) Reason shews it, & experience; Job: 2. 4. Skin for skin, &c. It + is to be feared y^t those words (whatsoever a man hath) will + comprehend also y^e conscience of an oath, and y^e fear of God, and + all care of religion; therfore for laying a snare before y^e guiltie, + I think it ought not to be donn. But now, if y^e question be mente of + inflicting bodyly torments to extracte a confession from a + mallefactor, I conceive y^t in maters of higest consequence, such as + doe conceirne y^e saftie or ruine of stats or countries, magistrats + may proceede so farr to bodily torments, as racks, hote-irons, &c., to + extracte a conffession, espetially wher presumptions are strounge; but + otherwise by no means. God sometims hids a sinner till his wickednes + is filled up. + + Question 3. In what cases of capitall crimes, one witnes with other + circumstances shall be sufficente to convicte, or is ther no + conviction without 2. witneses? + + Deut: 19. 25. God hath given an express rule y^t in no case one + witness shall arise in judgmente, espetially not in capitall cases. + God would not put our lives into y^e power of any one toungue. Besids, + by y^e examination of more wittneses agreeing or disagreeing, any + falshood ordenarilly may be discovered; but this is to be understood + of one witnes of another; but if a man witnes against him selfe, his + owne testimony is sufficente, as in y^e case of y^e Amalakite, 2. Sam: + 1. 16. Againe, when ther are sure & certaine signes & evidences by + circumstances, ther needs no witnes in this case, as in y^e bussines + of Adoniah desiring Abishage y^e Shunamite to wife, that therby he + might make way for him selfe unto y^e kingdome, 1. King: 2. 23, 24. + Againe, probably by many concurring circumstances, if probability may + have y^e strength of a witnes, somthing may be this way gathered, me + thinks, from Sallomons judging betweexte y^e true mother, and y^e + harlote, 1. King. 3. 25. Lastly, I see no cause why in waighty + matters, in defecte of witneses & other proofes, we may not have + recourse to a lott, as in y^e case of Achan, Josu: 7. 16. which is a + clearer way in such doubtfull cases (it being solemnely & religiously + performed) then any other that I know, if it be made y^e last refuge. + But all this under correction. + + The Lord in mercie directe & prosper y^e desires of his servants that + desire to walk before him in truth & righteousnes in the + administration of justice, and give them wisdome and largnes of harte. + + CHARLES CHANNCY. + +Besids y^e occation before mentioned in these writings concerning the +abuse of those 2. children, they had aboute y^e same time a case of +buggerie fell out amongst them, which occasioned these questions, to +which these answers have been made. + +And after y^e time of y^e writ[=i]g of these things befell a very sadd +accidente of the like foule nature in this govermente, this very year, +which I shall now relate. Ther was a youth whose name was Thomas +Granger; he was servant to an honest man of Duxbery, being aboute 16. or +17. years of age. (His father & mother lived at the same time at +Sityate.) He was this year detected of buggery (and indicted for y^e +same) with a mare, a cowe, tow goats, five sheep, 2. calves, and a +turkey. Horrible [249] it is to mention, but y^e truth of y^e historie +requires it. He was first discovered by one y^t accidentally saw his +lewd practise towards the mare. (I forbear perticulers.) Being upon it +examined and co[=m]itted, in y^e end he not only confest y^e fact with +that beast at that time, but sundrie times before, and at severall times +with all y^e rest of y^e forenamed in his indictmente; and this his +free-confession was not only in private to y^e magistrats, (though at +first he strived to deney it,) but to sundrie, both ministers & others, +and afterwards, upon his indictmente, to y^e whole court & jury; and +confirmed it at his execution. And wheras some of y^e sheep could not so +well be knowne by his description of them, others with them were brought +before him, and he declared which were they, and which were not. And +accordingly he was cast by y^e jury, and condemned, and after executed +about y^e 8. of Sept^r, 1642. A very sade spectakle it was; for first +the mare, and then y^e cowe, and y^e rest of y^e lesser catle, were kild +before his face, according to y^e law, Levit: 20. 15. and then he him +selfe was executed. The catle were all cast into a great & large pitte +that was digged of purposs for them, and no use made of any part of +them. + +Upon y^e examenation of this person, and also of a former that had made +some sodomiticall attempts upon another, it being demanded of them how +they came first to y^e knowledge and practice of such wickednes, the one +confessed he had long used it in old England; and this youth last +spoaken of said he was taught it by an other that had heard of such +things from some in England when he was ther, and they kept catle +togeather. By which it appears how one wicked person may infecte many; +and what care all ought to have what servants they bring into their +families. + +But it may be demanded how came it to pass that so many wicked persons +and profane people should so quickly come over into this land, & mixe +them selves amongst them? seeing it was religious men y^t begane y^e +work, and they came for religions sake. I confess this may be marveilled +at, at least in time to come, when the reasons therof should not be +knowne; and y^e more because here was so many hardships and wants mett +withall. I shall therfore indeavor to give some answer hereunto. And +first, according to y^t in y^e gospell, it is ever to be remembred that +wher y^e Lord begins to sow good seed, ther y^e envious man will +endeavore to sow tares. 2. Men being to come over into a wildernes, in +which much labour & servise was to be done aboute building & planting, +&c., such as wanted help in y^t respecte, when they could not have such +as y^ey would, were glad to take such as they could; and so, many +untoward servants, sundry of them proved, that were thus brought over, +both men & women kind: who, when their times were expired, became +families of them selves, which gave increase hereunto. 3. An other and a +maine reason hearof was, that men, finding so many godly disposed +persons willing to come into these parts, some begane to make a trade of +it, to transeport passengers & their goods, and hired ships for that +end; and then, to make up their fraight and advance their profite, cared +not who y^e persons were, so they had money to pay them. And by this +means the cuntrie became pestered with many unworthy persons, who, being +come over, crept into one place or other. 4. Againe, the Lords blesing +usually following his people, as well in outward as spirituall things, +(though afflictions be mixed withall,) doe make many to adhear to y^e +people of God, as many followed Christ, for y^e loaves sake, John 6. 26. +and a mixed multitud came into y^e willdernes with y^e people of God out +of Eagipte of old, Exod. 12. 38; so allso ther were sente by their +freinds some under hope y^t they would be made better; others that they +might be eased of such burthens, and they kept from shame at home y^t +would necessarily follow their dissolute courses. And thus, by one means +or other, in 20. years time, it is a question whether y^e greater part +be not growne y^e worser. + +[250] I am now come to y^e conclusion of that long & tedious bussines +betweene y^e partners hear, & them in England, the which I shall +manifest by their owne letters as followeth, in such parts of them as +are pertinente to y^e same. + +_M^r. Sherleys to M^r. Attwood._ + + M^r. Attwood, my approved loving friend: Your letter of y^e 18. of + October last I have received, wherin I find you have taken a great + deall of paines and care aboute y^t troublesome bussines betwixte our + Plimoth partners & freinds, & us hear, and have deeply ingaged your + selfe, for which complements & words are no reall satisfaction, &c. + For y^e agreemente you have made with M^r. Bradford, M^r. Winslow, & + y^e rest of y^e partners ther, considering how honestly and justly I + am perswaded they have brought in an accounte of y^e remaining stock, + for my owne parte I am well satisfied, and so I thinke is M^r. + Andrewes, and I supose will be M^r. Beachampe, if most of it might + acrew to him, to whom y^e least is due, &c. And now for peace sake, + and to conclud as we began, lovingly and freindly, and to pass by all + failings of all, the conclude is accepted of; I say this agreemente + y^t you have made is condesended unto, and M^r. Andrews hath sent his + release to M^r. Winthrop, with such directions as he conceives fitt; + and I have made bould to trouble you with mine, and we have both + sealed in y^e presence of M^r. Weld, and M^r. Peeters, and some + others, and I have also sente you an other, for the partners ther, to + seale to me; for you must not deliver mine to them, excepte they seale + & deliver one to me; this is fitt and equall, &c. + + Yours to co[=m]and in what I may or can, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + June 14. 1642. + +_His to y^e partners as followeth._ + + Loving freinds, + + M^r. Bradford, M^r. Winslow, M^r. Prence, Captaine Standish, M^r. + Brewster, M^r. Alden, & M^r. Howland, give me leave to joyne you all + in one letter, concerning y^e finall end & conclude of y^t tedious & + troublsome bussines, & I thinke I may truly say uncomfurtable & + unprofitable to all, &c. It hath pleased God now to put us upon a way + to sease all suits, and disquieting of our spirites, and to conclude + with peace and love, as we began. I am contented to yeeld & make good + what M^r. Attwood and you have agreed upon; and for y^t end have sente + to my loving friend, M^r. Attwood, an absolute and generall release + unto you all, and if ther wante any thing to make it more full, write + it your selves, & it shall be done, provided y^t all you, either + joyntly or severally, seale y^e like discharge to me. And for y^t end + I have drawne one joyntly, and sent it to M^r. Attwood, with y^t I + have sealed to you. Mr. Andrews hath sealed an aquitance also, & sent + it to M^r. Winthrop, whith such directions as he conceived fitt, and, + as I hear, hath given his debte, which he maks 544^li. unto y^e + gentlemen of y^e Bay. Indeed, M^r. Welld, M^r. Peters, & M^r. Hibbens + have taken a great deale of paines with M^r. Andrews, M^r. Beachamp, & + my selfe, to bring us to agree, and to y^t end we have had many + meetings and spent much time aboute it. But as they are very religious + & honest gentle-men, yet they had an end y^t they drove at & laboured + to accomplish (I meane not any private end, but for y^e generall good + of their patente). It had been very well you had sent one over. M^r. + Andrew wished you might have one 3. parte of y^e 1200^li. & the Bay 2. + thirds; but then we 3. must have agreed togeather, which were a hard + mater now. But M^r. Weld, M^r. Peters, & M^r. Hibbens, & I, have + agreed, they giving you bond (so to compose with M^r. Beachamp, as) to + procure his generall release, & free you from all trouble & charge y^t + he may put you too; which indeed is nothing, for I am perswaded M^r. + Weld will in time gaine him to give them all that is dew to [251] him, + which in some sorte is granted allready; for though his demands be + great, yet M^r. Andrewes hath taken some paines in it, and makes it + appear to be less then I thinke he will consente to give them for so + good an use; so you neede not fear, that for taking bond ther to save + you harmles, you be safe and well. Now our accord is, y^t you must pay + to y^e gentle-men of y^e Bay 900^li.; they are to bear all chargs y^t + may any way arise concerning y^e free & absolute clearing of you from + us three. And you to have y^e other 300^li. &c. + + Upon y^e receiving of my release from you, I will send you your bonds + for y^e purchass money. I would have sent them now, but I would have + M^r. Beachamp release as well as I, because you are bound to him in + them. Now I know if a man be bound to 12. men, if one release, it is + as if all released, and my discharge doth cutt them of; wherfore + doubte you not but you shall have them, & your commission, or any + thing els that is fitt. Now you know ther is tow years of y^e purchass + money, that I would not owne, for I have formerley certified you y^t + would but pay 7. years; but now you are discharged of all, &c. + + Your loving and kind friend in what I may or can, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + June 14. 1642. + + +The coppy of his release is as followeth. + + Wheras diverce questions, differences, & demands have arisen & + depended betweene William Bradford, Edward Winslow, Thomas Prence, + Mylest Standish, William Brewster, John Allden, and John Howland, + gent: now or latly inhabitants or resident at New-Plimoth, in + New-England, on y^e one party, and James Sherley of London, marchante, + and others, in th' other parte, for & concerning a stocke & partable + trade of beaver & other comodities, and fraighting of ships, as y^e + White Angell, Frindship, or others, and y^e goods of Isaack Allerton + which were seazed upon by vertue of a leter of atturney made by y^e + said James Sherley and John Beachamp and Richard Andrews, or any other + maters concerning y^e said trade, either hear in Old-England or ther + in New-England or elsewher, all which differences are since by + mediation of freinds composed, compremissed, and all y^e said parties + agreed. Now know all men by these presents, that I, the said James + Sherley, in performance of y^e said compremise & agreemente, have + remised, released, and quite claimed, & doe by these presents remise, + release, and for me, myne heires, executors, & Administrators, and for + every of us, for ever quite claime unto y^e said William Bradford, + Edward Winslow, Thomas Prence, Myles Standish, William Brewster, John + Allden, & John Howland, and every of them, their & every of their + heires, executors, and administrators, all and all maner of actions, + suits, debts, accounts, rekonings, comissions, bonds, bills, + specialties, judgments, executions, claimes, challinges, differences, + and demands whatsoever, with or against y^e said William Bradford, + Edward Winslow, Thomas Prence, Myles Standish, William Brewster, John + Allden, and John Howland, or any of them, ever I had, now have, or in + time to come can, shall, or may have, for any mater, cause, or thing + whatsoever from y^e begining of y^e world untill y^e day of y^e date + of these presents. In witnes wherof I have hereunto put my hand & + seale, given the second day of June, 1642, and in y^e eighteenth year + of y^e raigne of our soveraigne lord, king Charles, &c. + + JAMES SHERLEY. + + Sealed and delivered in y^e presence of + THOMAS WELD, + HUGH PETERS, + WILLIAM HIBBINS. + ARTHUR TIRREY, Scr. + THO: STURGS, his servante. + + +M^r. Andrews his discharg was to y^e same effecte; he was by +agreem[=e]te to have 500^li. of y^e money, the which he gave to them in +y^e Bay, who brought his discharge and demanded y^e money. And they +tooke in his release and paid y^e money according to agreem[=e]te, viz. +one third of the 500^li. they paid downe in hand, and y^e rest in 4. +equall payments, to be paid yearly, for which they gave their bonds. And +wheras 44^li. was more demanded, they conceived they could take it of +with M^r. Andrews, and therfore it was not in the bonde. [252] But M^r. +Beachamp would not parte with any of his, but demanded 400^li. of y^e +partners here, & sent a release to a friend, to deliver it to them upon +y^e receite of y^e money. But his relese was not perfecte, for he had +left out some of y^e partners names, with some other defects; and +besids, the other gave them to understand he had not near so much due. +So no end was made with him till 4. years after; of which in it plase. +And in y^t regard, that them selves did not agree, I shall inserte some +part of M^r. Andrews letter, by which he conceives y^e partners here +were wronged, as followeth. This leter of his was write to M^r. Edmond +Freeman, brother in law to M^r. Beachamp. + + M^r. Freeman, + + My love remembred unto you, &c. I then certified y^e partners how I + found M^r. Beachamp & M^r. Sherley, in their perticuler demands, which + was according to mens principles, of getting what they could; + allthough y^e one will not shew any accounte, and y^e other a very + unfaire and unjust one; and both of them discouraged me from sending + y^e partners my accounte, M^r. Beachamp espetially. Their reason, I + have cause to conceive, was, y^t allthough I doe not, nor ever + intended to, wrong y^e partners or y^e bussines, yet, if I gave no + accounte, I might be esteemed as guiltie as they, in some degree at + least; and they might seeme to be y^e more free from taxation in not + delivering their accounts, who have both of them charged y^e accounte + with much intrest they have payed forth, and one of them would likwise + for much intrest he hath not paid forth, as appeareth by his accounte, + &c. And seeing y^e partners have now made it appear y^t ther is + 1200^li. remaining due between us all, and that it may appear by my + accounte I have not charged y^e bussines with any intrest, but doe + forgive it unto y^e partners, above 200^li. if M^r. Sherley & M^r. + Beachamp, who have betweene them wronged y^e bussines so many 100^li. + both in principall & intrest likwise, and have therin wronged me as + well and as much as any of y^e partners; yet if they will not make & + deliver faire & true accounts of y^e same, nor be contente to take + what by computation is more then can be justly due to either, that is, + to M^r. Beachamp 150^li. as by M^r. Allertons accounte, and M^r. + Sherleys accounte, on oath in chancerie; and though ther might be + nothing due to M^r. Sherley, yet he requirs 100^li. &c. I conceive, + seing y^e partners have delivered on their oaths y^e su[=m]e remaining + in their hands, that they may justly detaine y^e 650^li. which may + remaine in their hands, after I am satisfied, untill M^r. Sherley & + M^r. Beachamp will be more fair & just in their ending, &c. And as I + intend, if y^e partners fayrly end with me, in satisfing in parte and + ingaging them selves for y^e rest of my said 544^li. to returne back + for y^e poore my parte of y^e land at Sityate, so likwise I intend to + relinquish my right & intrest in their dear patente, on which much of + our money was laid forth, and also my right & intrest in their cheap + purchass, the which may have cost me first & last 350^li.[EO] But I + doubte whether other men have not charged or taken on accounte what + they have disbursed in y^e like case, which I have not charged, + neither did I conceive any other durst so doe, untill I saw y^e + accounte of the one and heard y^e words of y^e other; the which gives + me just cause to suspecte both their accounts to be unfaire; for it + seemeth they consulted one with another aboute some perticulers + therin. Therfore I conceive y^e partners ought y^e rather to require + just accounts from each of them before they parte with any money to + either of them. For marchants understand how to give an acounte; if + they mean fairley, they will not deney to give an accounte, for they + keep memorialls to helpe them to give exacte acounts in all + perticulers, and memoriall cannot forget his charge, if y^e man will + remember. I desire not to wrong M^r. Beachamp or M^r. Sherley, nor may + be silente in such apparente probabilities of their wronging y^e + partners, and me likwise, either in deneying to deliver or shew any + accounte, or in delivering one very unjuste in some perticulers, and + very suspitious in many more; either of which, being from + understanding marchants, cannot be from weaknes or simplisitie, and + therfore y^e more unfaire. So comending you & yours, and all y^e + Lord's people, unto y^e gratious protection and blessing of y^e Lord, + and rest your loving friend, + + RICHARD ANDREWES. + + Aprill 7. 1643. + + +This leter was write y^e year after y^e agreement, as doth appear; and +what his judgmente was herein, y^e contents doth manifest, and so I +leave it to y^e equall judgmente of any to consider, as they see cause. + +Only I shall adde what M^r. Sherley furder write in a leter of his, +about y^e same time, and so leave this bussines. His is as followeth on +y^e other side.[EP] + + [253] Loving freinds, M^r. Bradford, M^r. Winslow, Cap: Standish, M^r. + Prence, and y^e rest of y^e partners w^th you; I shall write this + generall leter to you all, hoping it will be a good conclude of a + generall, but a costly & tedious bussines I thinke to all, I am sure + to me, &c. + + I received from M^r. Winslow a letter of y^e 28. of Sept: last, and so + much as concernes y^e generall bussines I shall answer in this, not + knowing whether I shall have opportunitie to write perticuler letters, + &c. I expected more letters from you all, as some perticuler + writs,[EQ] but it seemeth no fitt opportunity was offered. And now, + though y^e bussines for y^e maine may stand, yet some perticulers is + alltered; I say my former agreemente with M^r. Weld & M^r. Peters, + before they[ER] could conclude or gett any grante of M^r. Andrews, + they sought to have my release; and ther upon they sealed me a bond + for a 110^li. So I sente my acquittance, for they said without mine + ther would be no end made (& ther was good reason for it). Now they + hoped, if y^ey ended with me, to gaine M^r. Andrews parte, as they did + holy, to a pound, (at which I should wonder, but y^t I observe some + passages,) and they also hoped to have gotten M^r. Beachamps part, & I + did thinke he would have given it them. But if he did well understand + him selfe, & that acounte, he would give it; for his demands make a + great sound.[ES] But it seemeth he would not parte with it, supposing + it too great a sume, and y^t he might easily gaine it from you. Once + he would have given them 40^li. but now they say he will not doe that, + or rather I suppose they will not take it; for if they doe, & have + M^r. Andrewses, then they must pay me their bond of 110^li. 3 months + hence. Now it will fall out farr better for you, y^t they deal not + with Mr. Beachamp, and also for me, if you be as kind to me as I have + been & will be to you; and y^t thus, if you pay M^r. Andrews, or y^e + Bay men, by his order, 544^li. which is his full demande; but if + looked into, perhaps might be less. The man is honest, & in my + conscience would not wittingly doe wronge, yett he may forgett as well + as other men; and M^r. Winslow may call to minde wherin he forgetts; + (but some times it is good to buy peace.) The gentlemen of y^e Bay may + abate 100^li. and so both sids have more right & justice then if they + exacte all, &c. Now if you send me a 150^li. then say M^r. Andrews + full sume, & this, it is nere 700^li. M^r. Beachamp he demands 400^li. + and we all know that, if a man demands money, he must shew wherfore, + and make proofe of his debte; which I know he can never make good + proafe of one hunderd pound dew unto him as principall money; so till + he can, you have good reason to keep y^e 500^li. &c. This I proteste I + write not in malice against M^r. Beachamp, for it is a reall truth. + You may partly see it by M^r. Andrews making up his accounte, and I + think you are all perswaded I can say more then M^r. Andrews + concerning that accounte. I wish I could make up my owne as plaine & + easily, but because of former discontents, I will be sparing till I be + called; & you may injoye y^e 500^li. quietly till he begine; for let + him take his course hear or ther, it shall be all one, I will doe him + no wronge; and if he have not on peney more, he is less loser then + either M^r. Andrews or I. This I conceive to be just & honest; y^e + having or not having of his release matters not; let him make such + proafe of his debte as you cannot disprove, and according to your + first agreemente you will pay it, &c. + + Your truly affectioned friend, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + London, Aprill 27. 1643. + +_Anno Dom: 1643._ + +I am to begine this year whith that which was a mater of great saddnes +and mo[=u]ring unto them all. Aboute y^e 18. of Aprill dyed their Reve^d +Elder, and my dear & loving friend, M^r. William Brewster; a man that +had done and suffered much for y^e Lord Jesus and y^e gospells sake, and +had bore his parte in well and woe with this poore persecuted church +above 36. years [254] in England, Holand, and in this wildernes, and +done y^e Lord & them faithfull service in his place & calling. And +notwithstanding y^e many troubls and sorrows he passed throw, the Lord +upheld him to a great age. He was nere fourskore years of age (if not +all out) when he dyed. He had this blesing added by y^e Lord to all y^e +rest, to dye in his bed, in peace, amongst y^e mids of his freinds, who +mourned & wepte over him, and ministered what help & comforte they could +unto him, and he againe recomforted them whilst he could. His sicknes +was not long, and till y^e last day therof he did not wholy keepe his +bed. His speech continued till somewhat more then halfe a day, & then +failed him; and aboute 9. or 10. a clock that ev[=i]ng he dyed, without +any pangs at all. A few howers before, he drew his breath shorte, and +some few minuts before his last, he drew his breath long, as a man falen +into a sound slepe, without any pangs or gaspings, and so sweetly +departed this life unto a better. + +I would now demand of any, what he was y^e worse for any former +sufferings? What doe I say, worse? Nay, sure he was y^e better, and they +now added to his honour. _It is a manifest token_ (saith y^e Apostle, 2. +Thes: 1. 5, 6, 7.) _of y^e righeous judgmente of God that you may be +counted worthy of y^e kingdome of God, for which ye allso suffer; seing +it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them y^t +trouble you: and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when y^e Lord +Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels._ 1. Pet. 4. +14. _If you be reproached for y^e name of Christ, hapy are ye, for y^e +spirite of glory and of God resteth upon you._ What though he wanted y^e +riches and pleasurs of y^e world in this life, and pompous monuments at +his funurall? yet y^e memoriall of y^e just shall be blessed, when y^e +name of y^e wicked shall rott (with their marble monuments). Pro: 10. 7. + +I should say something of his life, if to say a litle were not worse +then to be silent. But I cannot wholy forbear, though hapily more may be +done hereafter. After he had attained some learning, viz. y^e knowledg +of y^e Latine tongue, & some insight in y^e Greeke, and spent some small +time at Cambridge, and then being first seasoned with y^e seeds of grace +and vertue, he went to y^e Courte, and served that religious and godly +gentlman, M^r. Davison, diverce years, when he was Secretary of State; +who found him so discreete and faithfull as he trusted him above all +other that were aboute him, and only imployed him in all matters of +greatest trust and secrecie. He esteemed him rather as a sonne then a +servante, and for his wisdom & godlines (in private) he would converse +with him more like a freind & familier then a maister. He attended his +m^r. when he was sente in ambassage by the Queene into y^e +Low-Countries, in y^e Earle of Leicesters time, as for other waighty +affaires of state, so to receive possession of the cautionary townes, +and in token & signe therof the keyes of Flushing being delivered to +him, in her ma^tis name, he kepte them some time, and co[=m]itted them +to this his servante, who kept them under his pilow, on which he slepte +y^e first night. And, at his returne, y^e States honoured him with a +gould chaine, and his maister co[=m]itted it to him, and co[=m]anded him +to wear it when they arrived in England, as they ridd thorrow the +country, till they came to y^e Courte. He afterwards remained with him +till his troubles, that he was put from his place aboute y^e death of +y^e Queene of Scots; and some good time after, doeing him manie +faithfull offices of servise in y^e time of his troubles. Afterwards he +wente and lived in y^e country, in good esteeme amongst his freinds and +y^e gentle-men of those parts, espetially the godly & religious. He did +much good in y^e countrie wher he lived, in promoting and furthering +religion, not only by his practiss & example, and provocking and +incouraging of others, but by procuring of good preachers to y^e places +theraboute, and, drawing on of others to assiste & help forward in such +a worke; he him selfe most comonly deepest in y^e charge, & some times +above his abillitie. And in this state he continued many years, doeing +y^e best good he could, and walking according to y^e light he saw, till +y^e Lord reveiled further unto him. And in y^e end, by y^e tirrany of +y^e bishops against godly preachers & people, in silenceing the one & +persecuting y^e other, he and many more of those times begane to looke +further into things, and to see into y^e unlawfullnes of their callings, +and y^e burthen of many anti-christian corruptions, which both he and +they endeavored to cast of; as y^ey allso did, as in y^e begining of +this treatis is to be seene. [255] After they were joyned togither in +comunion, he was a spetiall stay & help unto them. They ordinarily mett +at his house on y^e Lords day, (which was a manor of y^e bishops,) and +with great love he entertained them when they came, making provission +for them to his great charge. He was y^e cheefe of those that were taken +at Boston, and suffered y^e greatest loss; and of y^e seven that were +kept longst in prison, and after bound over to y^e assises. Affter he +came into Holland he suffered much hardship, after he had spente y^e +most of his means, haveing a great charge, and many children; and, in +regard of his former breeding & course of life, not so fitt for many +imployments as others were, espetially such as were toylesume & +laborious. But yet he ever bore his condition with much cherfullnes and +contentation. Towards y^e later parte of those 12. years spente in +Holland, his outward condition was mended, and he lived well & +plentifully; for he fell into a way (by reason he had y^e Latine tongue) +to teach many students, who had a disire to lerne y^e English tongue, to +teach them English; and by his method they quickly attained it with +great facilitie; for he drew rules to lerne it by, after y^e Latine +maner; and many gentlemen, both Danes & Germans, resorted to him, as +they had time from other studies, some of them being great mens +so[=n]es. He also had means to set up printing, (by y^e help of some +freinds,) and so had imploymente inoughg, and by reason of many books +which would not be alowed to be printed in England, they might have had +more then they could doe. But now removeing into this countrie, all +these things were laid aside againe, and a new course of living must be +framed unto; in which he was no way unwilling to take his parte, and to +bear his burthen with y^e rest, living many times without bread, or +corne, many months together, having many times nothing but fish, and +often wanting that also; and drunke nothing but water for many years +togeather, yea, till within 5. or 6. years of his death. And yet he +lived (by y^e blessing of God) in health till very old age. And besids +y^t, he would labour with his hands in y^e feilds as long as he was +able; yet when the church had no other minister, he taught twise every +Saboth, and y^t both powerfully and profitably, to y^e great contentment +of y^e hearers, and their comfortable edification; yea, many were +brought to God by his ministrie. He did more in this behalfe in a year, +then many that have their hundreds a year doe in all their lives. For +his personall abilities, he was qualified above many; he was wise and +discreete and well spoken, having a grave & deliberate utterance, of a +very cherfull spirite, very sociable & pleasante amongst his freinds, of +an humble and modest mind, of a peaceable disposition, under vallewing +him self & his owne abilities, and some time over valewing others; +inoffencive and i[=n]ocente in his life & conversation, w^ch gained him +y^e love of those without, as well as those within; yet he would tell +them plainely of their faults & evills, both publickly & privatly, but +in such a maner as usually was well taken from him. He was tender +harted, and compassionate of such as were in miserie, but espetialy of +such as had been of good estate and ranke, and were fallen unto want & +poverty, either for goodnes & religions sake, or by y^e injury & +oppression of others; he would say, of all men these deserved to be +pitied most. And none did more offend & displease him then such as would +hautily and proudly carry & lift up themselves, being rise from nothing, +and haveing litle els in them to comend them but a few fine cloaths, or +a litle riches more then others. In teaching, he was very moving & +stirring of affections, also very plaine & distincte in what he taught; +by which means he became y^e more profitable to y^e hearers. He had a +singuler good gift in prayer, both publick & private, in ripping up y^e +hart & conscience before God, in the humble confession of sinne, and +begging y^e mercies of God in Christ for y^e pardon of y^e same. He +always thought it were better for ministers to pray oftener, and devide +their prears, then be longe & tedious in the same (excepte upon sollemne +& spetiall occations, as in days of humiliation & y^e like). His reason +was, that y^e harte & spirits of all, espetialy y^e weake, could hardly +continue & stand bente (as it were) so long towards God, as they ought +to doe in y^t duty, without flagging and falling of. For y^e govermente +of y^e church, (which was most [256] proper to his office,) he was +carfull to preserve good order in y^e same, and to preserve puritie, +both in y^e doctrine & comunion of y^e same; and to supress any errour +or contention that might begine to rise up amongst them; and accordingly +God gave good success to his indeavors herein all his days, and he saw +y^e fruite of his labours in that behalfe. But I must breake of, having +only thus touched a few, as it were, heads of things. + +I cannot but here take occasion, not only to mention, but greatly to +admire y^e marvelous providence of God, that notwithstanding y^e many +changes and hardships that these people wente throwgh, and y^e many +enemies they had and difficulties they mette with all, that so many of +them should live to very olde age! It was not only this reve^d mans +condition, (for one swallow maks no summer, as they say,) but many more +of them did y^e like, some dying aboute and before this time, and many +still living, who attained to 60. years of age, and to 65. diverse to +70. and above, and some nere 80. as he did. It must needs be more then +ordinarie, and above naturall reason, that so it should be; for it is +found in experience, that chaing of aeir, famine, or unholsome foode, +much drinking of water, sorrows & troubls, &c., all of them are enimies +to health, causes of many diseaces, consumers of naturall vigoure and +y^e bodys of men, and shortners of life. And yet of all these things +they had a large parte, and suffered deeply in y^e same. They wente from +England to Holand, wher they found both worse air and dyet then that +they came from; from thence (induring a long imprisonmente, as it were, +in y^e ships at sea) into New-England; and how it hath been with them +hear hath allready beene showne; and what crosses, troubls, fears, +wants, and sorrowes they had been lyable unto, is easie to conjecture; +so as in some sorte they may say with y^e Apostle, 2. Cor: 11. 26, 27. +they were _in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perills of +robers, in perills of their owne nation, in perils among y^e heathen, in +perills in y^e willdernes, in perills in y^e sea, in perills among +false breethern; in wearines & painfullnes, in watching often, in hunger +and thirst, in fasting often, in could and nakednes._ What was it then +that upheld them? It was Gods vissitation that preserved their spirits. +Job 10. 12. _Thou hast given me life and grace, and thy vissitation hath +preserved my spirite._ He that upheld y^e Apostle upheld them. _They +were persecuted, but not forsaken, cast downe, but perished not._ 2. +Cor: 4. 9. _As unknowen, and yet knowen; as dying, and behold we live; +as chastened, and yett not kiled._ 2. Cor: 6. 9. God, it seems, would +have all men to behold and observe such mercies and works of his +providence as these are towards his people, that they in like cases +might be incouraged to depend upon God in their trials, & also blese his +name when they see his goodnes towards others. Man lives not by bread +only, Deut: 8. 3. It is not by good & dainty fare, by peace, & rest, and +harts ease, in injoying y^e contentments and good things of this world +only, that preserves health and prolongs life. God in such examples +would have y^e world see & behold that he can doe it without them; and +if y^e world will shut ther eyes, and take no notice therof, yet he +would have his people to see and consider it. Daniell could be better +liking with pulse then others were with y^e kings dainties. Jaacob, +though he wente from one nation to another people, and passed thorow +famine, fears, & many afflictions, yet he lived till old age, and dyed +sweetly, & rested in y^e Lord, as infinite others of Gods servants have +done, and still shall doe, (through Gods goodnes,) notwithstanding all +y^e malice of their enemies; _when y^e branch of y^e wicked shall be cut +of before his day_, Job. 15. 32. _and the bloody and deceitfull men +shall not live out halfe their days_. Psa: 55. 23. + +By reason of y^e plottings of the Narigansets, (ever since y^e Pequents +warr,) the Indeans were drawne into a generall conspiracie against y^e +English in all parts, as was in part discovered y^e yeare before; and +now made more plaine and evidente by many discoveries and +free-conffessions of sundrie Indeans (upon severall occasions) from +diverse places, concuring in one; with such other concuring +circomstances as gave them suffissently to understand the trueth therof, +and to thinke of means, how to prevente y^e same, and secure them +selves. Which made them enter into this more nere union & confederation +following. + + [257] Articles of Confederation betweene y^e Plantations under y^e + Govermente of Massachusets, y^e Plantations under y^e Govermente of + New-Plimoth, y^e Plantations under y^e Govermente of Conightecute, and + y^e Govermente of New-Haven, with y^e Plantations in combination + therwith. + + Wheras we all came into these parts of America with one and y^e same + end and aime, namly; to advance the kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ, + & to injoye y^e liberties of y^e Gospell in puritie with peace; and + wheras in our setling (by a wise providence of God) we are further + disperced upon y^e sea coasts and rivers then was at first intended, + so y^t we cannot, according to our desires, with convenience + comunicate in one govermente & jurisdiction; and wheras we live + encompassed with people of severall nations and strang languages, + which hereafter may prove injurious to us and our posteritie; and for + as much as y^e natives have formerly committed sundrie insolencies and + outrages upon severall plantations of y^e English, and have of late + combined them selves against us; and seeing, by reason of those + distractions in England (which they have heard of) and by which they + know we are hindered from y^t humble way of seeking advice or reaping + those comfurtable fruits of protection which at other times we might + well expecte; we therfore doe conceive it our bounden duty, without + delay, to enter into a presente consociation amongst our selves, for + mutuall help & strength in all our future concernments. That as in + nation and religion, so in other respects, we be & continue one, + according to y^e tenor and true meaning of the insuing articles. (1) + Wherfore it is fully agreed and concluded by & betweene y^e parties or + jurisdictions above named, and they joyntly & severally doe by these + presents agree & conclude, that they all be and henceforth be called + by y^e name of The United Colonies of New-England. + + 2. The said United Collonies, for them selves & their posterities, doe + joyntly & severally hereby enter into a firme & perpetuall league of + frendship & amitie, for offence and defence, mutuall advice and + succore upon all just occasions, both for preserving & propagating y^e + truth of y^e Gospell, and for their owne mutuall saftie and wellfare. + + 3. It is further agreed that the plantations which at presente are or + hereafter shall be setled with[in] y^e limites of y^e Massachusets + shall be for ever under y^e Massachusets, and shall have peculier + jurisdiction amonge them selves in all cases, as an intire body. And + y^t Plimoth, Conightecutt, and New-Haven shall each of them have like + peculier jurisdition and govermente within their limites and in + refference to y^e plantations which allready are setled, or shall + hereafter be erected, or shall setle within their limites, + respectively; provided y^t no other jurisdition shall hereafter be + taken in, as a distincte head or member of this confederation, nor + shall any other plantation or jurisdiction in presente being, and not + allready in combination or under y^e jurisdiction of any of these + confederats, be received by any of them; nor shall any tow of y^e + confederats joyne in one jurisdiction, without consente of y^e rest, + which consete to be interpreted as is expresed in y^e sixte article + ensewing. + + 4. It is by these conffederats agreed, y^t the charge of all just + warrs, whether offencive or defencive, upon what parte or member of + this confederation soever they fall, shall, both in men, provissions, + and all other disbursments, be borne by all y^e parts of this + confederation, in differente proportions, according to their + differente abillities, in maner following: namely, y^t the + comissioners for each jurisdiction, from time to time, as ther shall + be occasion, bring a true accounte and number of all their males in + every plantation, or any way belonging too or under their severall + jurisdictions, of what qualitie or condition soever they be, from 16. + years old to 60, being inhabitants ther; and y^t according to y^e + differente numbers which from time to time shall be found in each + jurisdiction upon a true & just accounte, the service of men and all + charges of y^e warr be borne by y^e pole; each jurisdiction or + plantation being left to their owne just course & custome of rating + them selves and people according to their differente estates, with due + respects to their qualities and exemptions amongst them selves, though + the confederats take no notice of any such priviledg. And y^t + according to their differente charge of each jurisdiction & + plantation, the whole advantage of y^e warr, (if it please God to + blesse their indeaours,) whether it be in lands, goods, or persons, + shall be proportionably devided amonge y^e said confederats. + + 5. It is further agreed, that if these jurisdictions, or any + plantation under or in combynacion with them, be invaded by any enemie + whomsoever, upon notice & requeste of any 3. [258] magistrats of y^t + jurisdiction so invaded, y^e rest of y^e confederats, without any + further meeting or expostulation, shall forthwith send ayde to y^e + confederate in danger, but in differente proportion; namely, y^e + Massachusets an hundred men sufficently armed & provided for such a + service and journey, and each of y^e rest forty five so armed & + provided, or any lesser number, if less be required according to this + proportion. But if such confederate in danger may be supplyed by their + nexte confederates, not exeeding y^e number hereby agreed, they may + crave help ther, and seeke no further for y^e presente; y^e charge to + be borne as in this article is exprest, and at y^e returne to be + victuled & suplyed with powder & shote for their jurney (if ther be + need) by y^t jurisdiction which imployed or sent for them. But none of + y^e jurisdictions to exceede these numbers till, by a meeting of y^e + co[=m]issioners for this confederation, a greater aide appear + nessessarie. And this proportion to continue till upon knowlege of + greater numbers in each jurisdiction, which shall be brought to y^e + nexte meeting, some other proportion be ordered. But in such case of + sending men for presente aide, whether before or after such order or + alteration, it is agreed y^t at y^e meeting of y^e comissioners for + this confederation, the cause of such warr or invasion be duly + considered; and if it appeare y^t the falte lay in y^e parties so + invaded, y^t then that jurisdiction or plantation make just + satisfaction both to y^e invaders whom they have injured, and beare + all y^e charges of y^e warr them selves, without requiring any + allowance from y^e rest of y^e confederats towards y^e same. And + further, y^t if any jurisdiction see any danger of any invasion + approaching, and ther be time for a meeting, that in such a case 3. + magistrats of y^t jurisdiction may su[=m]one a meeting, at such + conveniente place as them selves shall thinke meete, to consider & + provid against y^e threatened danger, provided when they are mett, + they may remove to what place they please; only, whilst any of these + foure confederats have but 3 magistrats in their jurisdiction, their + requeste, or summons, from any 2. of them shall be accounted of equall + force with y^e 3. mentioned in both the clauses of this article, till + ther be an increase of majestrats ther. + + 6. It is also agreed y^t, for y^e managing & concluding of all affairs + propper, & concerning the whole confederation, tow comissioners shall + be chosen by & out of each of these 4. jurisdictions; namly, 2. for + y^e Massachusets, 2. for Plimoth, 2. for Conightecutt, and 2. for + New-Haven, being all in church fellowship with us, which shall bring + full power from their severall Generall Courts respectively to hear, + examene, waigh, and detirmine all affairs of warr, or peace, leagues, + aids, charges, and numbers of men for warr, divissions of spoyles, & + whatsoever is gotten by conquest; receiving of more confederats, or + plantations into combination with any of y^e confederates, and all + things of like nature, which are y^e proper concomitants or + consequences of such a confederation, for amitie, offence, & defence; + not inter-medling with y^e govermente of any of y^e jurisdictions, + which by y^e 3. article is preserved entirely to them selves. But if + these 8. comissioners when they meete shall not all agree, yet it + concluded that any 6. of the 8. agreeing shall have power to setle & + determine y^e bussines in question. But if 6. doe not agree, that then + such propositions, with their reasons, so farr as they have been + debated, be sente, and referred to y^e 4. Generall Courts, viz. y^e + Massachusets, Plimoth, Conightecutt, and New-haven; and if at all y^e + said Generall Courts y^e bussines so referred be concluded, then to + be prosecuted by y^e confederats, and all their members. It was + further agreed that these 8. comissioners shall meete once every year, + besids extraordinarie meetings, (according to the fifte article,) to + consider, treate, & conclude of all affaires belonging to this + confederation, which meeting shall ever be the first Thursday in + September. And y^t the next meeting after the date of these presents, + which shall be accounted y^e second meeting, shall be at Boston in y^e + Massachusets, the 3. at Hartford, the 4. at New-Haven, the 5. at + Plimoth, and so in course successively, if in y^e meane time some + midle place be not found out and agreed on, which may be comodious for + all y^e jurisdictions. + + 7. It is further agreed, y^t at each meeting of these 8. comissioners, + whether ordinarie, or extraordinary, they all 6. of them agreeing as + before, may chuse a presidente out of them selves, whose office & work + shall be to take care and directe for order, and a comly carrying on + of all proceedings in y^e present meeting; but he shall be invested + with no such power or respecte, as by which he shall hinder y^e + propounding or progrese of any bussines, or any way cast y^e scailes + otherwise then in y^e precedente article is agreed. + + [259] 8. It is also agreed, y^t the comissioners for this + confederation hereafter at their meetings, whether ordinary or + extraordinarie, as they may have comission or opportunitie, doe + indeaover to frame and establish agreements & orders in generall cases + of a civill nature, wherin all y^e plantations are interessed, for y^e + preserving of peace amongst them selves, and preventing as much as may + be all occasions of warr or difference with others; as aboute y^e free + & speedy passage of justice, in every jurisdiction, to all y^e + confederats equally as to their owne; not receiving those y^t remove + from one plantation to another without due certificate; how all y^e + jurisdictions may carry towards y^e Indeans, that they neither growe + insolente, nor be injured without due satisfaction, least warr breake + in upon the confederats through such miscarriages. It is also agreed, + y^t if any servante rune away from his maister into another of these + confederated jurisdictions, that in such case, upon y^e certificate of + one magistrate in the jurisdiction out of which y^e said servante + fledd, or upon other due proofe, the said servante shall be delivered, + either to his maister, or any other y^t pursues & brings such + certificate or proofe. And y^t upon y^e escape of any prisoner + whatsoever, or fugitive for any criminall cause, whether breaking + prison, or getting from y^e officer, or otherwise escaping, upon the + certificate of 2. magistrats of y^e jurisdiction out of which y^e + escape is made, that he was a prisoner, or such an offender at y^e + time of y^e escape, they magistrats, or sume of them of the + jurisdiction wher for y^e presente the said prisoner or fugitive + abideth, shall forthwith grante such a warrante as y^e case will + beare, for y^e apprehending of any such person, & the delivering of + him into y^e hands of y^e officer, or other person who pursues him. + And if ther be help required, for y^e safe returning of any such + offender, then it shall be granted to him y^t craves y^e same, he + paying the charges therof. + + 9. And for y^t the justest warrs may be of dangerous consequence, + espetially to y^e smaler plantations in these United Collonies, it is + agreed y^t neither y^e Massachusets, Plimoth, Conightecutt, nor + New-Haven, nor any member of any of them, shall at any time hear after + begine, undertake, or ingage them selves, or this confederation, or + any parte therof, in any warr whatsoever, (sudden[ET] exegents, with + y^e necessary consequents therof excepted, which are also to be + moderated as much as y^e case will permitte,) without y^e consente + and agreemente of y^e forementioned 8. comissioners, or at the least + 6. of them, as in y^e sixt article is provided. And y^t no charge be + required of any of they confederats, in case of a defensive warr, till + y^e said comissioners have mett, and approved y^e justice of y^e warr, + and have agreed upon y^e su[=m]e of money to be levied, which sume is + then to be paid by the severall confederats in proportion according to + y^e fourth article. + + 10. That in extraordinary occasions, when meetings are summoned by + three magistrates of any jurisdiction, or 2. as in y^e 5. article, if + any of y^e comissioners come not, due warning being given or sente, it + is agreed y^t 4. of the comissioners shall have power to directe a + warr which cannot be delayed, and to send for due proportions of men + out of each jurisdiction, as well as 6. might doe if all mett; but not + less then 6. shall determine the justice of y^e warr, or alow y^e + demands or bills of charges, or cause any levies to be made for y^e + same. + + 11. It is further agreed, y^t if any of y^e confederats shall + hereafter breake any of these presente articles, or be any other ways + injurious to any one of y^e other jurisdictions, such breach of + agreemente or injurie shall be duly considered and ordered by y^e + comissioners for y^e other jurisdiction; that both peace and this + presente confederation may be intirly preserved without violation. + + 12. Lastly, this perpetuall confederation, and y^e severall articles + therof being read, and seriously considered, both by y^e Generall + Courte for y^e Massachusets, and by y^e comissioners for Plimoth, + Conigtecute, & New-Haven, were fully alowed & confirmed by 3. of y^e + forenamed confederats, namly, y^e Massachusets, Conightecutt, and + New-Haven; only y^e comissioners for Plimoth haveing no co[=m]ission + to conclude, desired respite till they might advise with their + Generall Courte; wher upon it was agreed and concluded by y^e said + Courte of y^e Massachusets, and the comissioners for y^e other tow + confederats, that, if Plimoth consente, then the whole treaty as it + stands in these present articls is, and shall continue, firme & stable + without alteration. But if Plimoth come not in, yet y^e other three + confederats doe by these presents [260] confeirme y^e whole + confederation, and the articles therof; only in September nexte, when + y^e second meeting of y^e co[=m]issioners is to be at Boston, new + consideration may be taken of y^e 6. article, which concerns number of + comissioners for meeting & concluding the affaires of this + confederation, to y^e satisfaction of y^e Courte of y^e Massachusets, + and y^e comissioners for y^e other 2. confederats, but y^e rest to + stand unquestioned. In y^e testimonie wherof, y^e Generall Courte of + y^e Massachusets, by ther Secretary, and y^e comissioners for + Conightecutt and New-Haven, have subscribed these presente articles + this 19. of y^e third month, comonly called May, Anno Dom: 1643. + + At a meeting of y^e comissioners for y^e confederation held at Boston + y^e 7. of Sept: it appearing that the Generall Courte of New-Plimoth, + and y^e severall towneshipes therof, have read & considered & approved + these articles of confederation, as appeareth by co[=m]ission from + their Generall Courte bearing date y^e 29. of August, 1643. to M^r. + Edward Winslow and M^r. William Collier, to ratifie and confirme y^e + same on their behalfes. We, therfore, y^e Comissioners for y^e + Massachusets, Conightecutt, & New Haven, doe also, for our severall + goverments, subscribe unto them. + + JOHN WINTHROP, Gov^r. of y^e Massachusest. + THO: DUDLEY. + GEO: FENWICK. + THOMAS GREGSON. + THEOPH: EATON. + EDWA: HOPKINS. + THOMAS GREGSON. + +These were y^e articles of agreemente in y^e union and confederation +which they now first entered into; and in this their first meeting, +held at Boston y^e day & year abovesaid, amongst other things they had +this matter of great consequence to considere on: the Narigansets, after +y^e subduing of y^e Pequents, thought to have ruled over all y^e Indeans +aboute them; but y^e English, espetially those of Conightecutt holding +correspondencie & frenship with Uncass, sachem of y^e Monhigg Indeans +which lived nere them, (as y^e Massachusets had done with y^e +Narigansets,) and he had been faithful to them in y^e Pequente warr, +they were ingaged to supporte him in his just liberties, and were +contented y^t such of y^e surviving Pequents as had submited to him +should remaine with him and quietly under his protection. This did much +increase his power and augmente his greatnes, which y^e Narigansets +could not indure to see. But Myantinomo, their cheefe sachem, (an +ambitious & politick man,) sought privatly and by trearchery (according +to y^e Indean maner) to make him away, by hiring some to kill him. +Sometime they assayed to poyson him; that not takeing, then in y^e night +time to knock him on y^e head in his house, or secretly to shoot him, +and such like attempts. But none of these taking effecte, he made open +warr upon him (though it was against y^e covenants both betweene y^e +English & them, as also betweene them selves, and a plaine breach of y^e +same). He came suddanly upon him with 900. or 1000. men (never +denouncing any warr before). Y^e others power at y^t presente was not +above halfe so many; but it pleased God to give Uncass y^e victory, and +he slew many of his men, and wounded many more; but y^e cheefe of all +was, he tooke Miantinomo prisoner. And seeing he was a greate man, and +y^e Narigansets a potente people & would seeke revenge, he would doe +nothing in y^e case without y^e advise of y^e English; so he (by y^e +help & direction of those of Conightecutt) kept him prisoner till this +meeting of y^e comissioners. The comissioners weighed y^e cause and +passages, as they were clearly represented & sufficently evidenced +betwixte Uncass and Myantinomo; and the things being duly considered, +the comissioners apparently saw y^t Uncass could not be safe whilst +Miantynomo lived, but, either by secrete trechery or open force, his +life would still be in danger. Wherfore they thought he might justly put +such a false & bloud-thirstie enimie to death; but in his owne +jurisdiction, not in y^e English plantations. And they advised, in y^e +maner of his death all mercy and moderation should be showed, contrary +to y^e practise of y^e Indeans, who exercise torturs and cruelty. And, +[261] Uncass having hitherto shewed him selfe a freind to y^e English, +and in this craving their advise, if the Narigansett Indeans or others +shall unjustly assaulte Uncass for this execution, upon notice and +request, y^e English promise to assiste and protecte him as farr as they +may aga[=i]ste such violence. + +This was y^e issue of this bussines. The reasons and passages hereof are +more at large to be seene in y^e acts & records of this meeting of y^e +comissioners. And Uncass follewd this advise, and accordingly executed +him, in a very faire maner, acording as they advised, with due respecte +to his honour & greatnes. But what followed on y^e Narigansets parte +will appear hear after. + +_Anno Dom: 1644._ + +M^R. EDWARD WINSLOW was chosen Gov^r this year. + +Many having left this place (as is before noted) by reason of the +straightnes & barrennes of y^e same, and their finding of better +accommodations elsewher, more sutable to their ends & minds; and sundrie +others still upon every occasion desiring their dismissions, the church +begane seriously to thinke whether it were not better joyntly to remove +to some other place, then to be thus weakened, and as it were insensibly +dissolved. Many meetings and much consultation was held hearaboute, and +diverse were mens minds and opinions. Some were still for staying +togeather in this place, aledging men might hear live, if they would be +contente with their condition; and y^t it was not for wante or +necessitie so much y^t they removed, as for y^e enriching of them +selves. Others were resolute upon removall, and so signified y^t hear +y^ey could not stay; but if y^e church did not remove, they must; +insomuch as many were swayed, rather then ther should be a dissolution, +to condescend to a removall, if a fitt place could be found, that might +more conveniently and comfortablie receive y^e whole, with such +accession of others as might come to them, for their better strength & +subsistence; and some such like cautions and limitations. So as, with +y^e afforesaide provissos, y^e greater parte consented to a removall to +a place called Nawsett, which had been superficially veiwed and y^e good +will of y^e purchassers (to whom it belonged) obtained, with some +addition thertoo from y^e Courte. But now they begane to see their +errour, that they had given away already the best & most co[=m]odious +places to others, and now wanted them selves; for this place was about +50. myles from hence, and at an outside of y^e countrie, remote from all +society; also, that it would prove so straite, as it would not be +competente to receive y^e whole body, much less be capable of any +addition or increase; so as (at least in a shorte time) they should be +worse ther then they are now hear. The which, with sundery other like +considerations and inconveniences, made them chaing their resolutions; +but such as were before resolved upon removall tooke advantage of this +agreemente, & wente on notwithstanding, neither could y^e rest hinder +them, they haveing made some begi[=n]ing. And thus was this poore church +left, like an anciente mother, growne olde, and forsaken of her +children, (though not in their affections,) yett in regarde of their +bodily presence and personall helpfullness. Her anciente members being +most of them worne away by death; and these of later time being like +children translated into other families, and she like a widow left only +to trust in God. Thus she that had made many rich became her selfe +poore. + +[262] _Some things handled, and pacified by y^e co[=m]issioner this +year._ + + Wheras, by a wise providence of God, tow of y^e jurisdictions in y^e + westerne parts, viz. Conightecutt & New-haven, have beene latly + exercised by sundrie insolencies & outrages from y^e Indeans; as, + first, an Englishman, runing from his m^r out of y^e Massachusets, was + murdered in y^e woods, in or nere y^e limites of Conightecute + jurisdiction; and aboute 6. weeks after, upon discovery by an Indean, + y^e Indean sagamore in these parts promised to deliver the murderer to + y^e English, bound; and having accordingly brought him within y^e + sight of Uncaway, by their joynte consente, as it is informed, he was + ther unbound, and left to shifte for him selfe; wherupon 10. + Englishmen forthwith coming to y^e place, being sente by M^r. Ludlow, + at y^e Indeans desire, to receive y^e murderer, who seeing him + escaped, layed hold of 8. of y^e Indeans ther presente, amongst whom + ther was a sagamore or 2. and kept them in hold 2. days, till 4. + sagamors ingaged themselves within one month to deliver y^e prisoner. + And about a weeke after this agreemente, an Indean came presumtuously + and with guile, in y^e day time, and murtherously assalted an English + woman in her house at Stamford, and by 3. wounds, supposed mortall, + left her for dead, after he had robbed y^e house. By which passages + y^e English were provoked, & called to a due consideration of their + owne saftie; and y^e Indeans generally in those parts arose in an + hostile maner, refused to come to y^e English to carry on treaties of + peace, departed from their wigwames, left their corne unweeded, and + shewed them selves tumultuously about some of y^e English + plantations, & shott of peeces within hearing of y^e towne; and some + Indeans came to y^e English & tould them y^e Indeans would fall upon + them. So y^t most of y^e English thought it unsafe to travell in those + parts by land, and some of y^e plantations were put upon strong watchs + and ward, night & day, & could not attend their private occasions, and + yet distrusted their owne strength for their defence. Wherupon + Hartford & New-Haven were sent unto for aide, and saw cause both to + send into y^e weaker parts of their owne jurisdiction thus in danger, + and New-Haven, for conveniencie of situation, sente aide to Uncaway, + though belonging to Conightecutt. Of all which passages they presently + acquainted y^e comissioners in y^e Bay, & had y^e allowance & + approbation from y^e Generall Courte ther, with directions neither to + hasten warr nor to bear such insolencies too longe. Which courses, + though chargable to them selves, yet through Gods blessing they hope + fruite is, & will be, sweete and wholsome to all y^e collonies; the + murderers are since delivered to justice, the publick peace preserved + for y^e presente, & probabillitie it may be better secured for y^e + future. + +Thus this mischeefe was prevented, and y^e fear of a warr hereby +diverted. But now an other broyle was begune by y^e Narigansets; though +they unjustly had made warr upon Uncass, (as is before declared,) and +had, y^e winter before this, ernestly presed y^e Gove^r of y^e +Massachusets that they might still make warr upon them to revenge the +death of their sagamore, w^ch, being taken prisoner, was by them put to +death, (as before was noted,) pretending that they had first received +and accepted his ransome, and then put him to death. But y^e Gove^r +refused their presents, and tould them y^t it was them selves had done +y^e wronge, & broaken y^e conditions of peace; and he nor y^e English +neither could nor would allow them to make any further warr upon him, +but if they did, must assiste him, & oppose them; but if it did appeare, +upon good proofe, that he had received a ransome for his life, before he +put him to death, when y^e comissioners mett, they should have a fair +hearing, and they would cause Uncass to returne y^e same. But +notwithstanding, at y^e spring of y^e year they gathered a great power, +and fell upon Uncass, and slue sundrie of his men, and wounded more, and +also had some loss them selves. Uncass cald for aide from y^e English; +they tould him what y^e Narigansets objected, he deney the same; they +tould him it must come to triall, and if he was inocente, if y^e +Narigansets would not desiste, they would aide & assiste him. So at this +meeting they [263] sent both to Uncass & y^e Narrigansets, and required +their sagamors to come or send to y^e comissioners now mete at Hartford, +and they should have a faire & inpartiall hearing in all their +greevances, and would endeavor y^t all wrongs should be rectified wher +they should be found; and they promised that they should safly come and +returne without any danger or molestation; and sundry y^e like things, +as appears more at large in y^e messengers instructions. Upon w^ch the +Narigansets sent one sagamore and some other deputies, with full power +to doe in y^e case as should be meete. Uncass came in person, +accompanyed with some cheefe aboute him. After the agitation of y^e +bussines, y^e issue was this. The comissioners declared to the +Narigansett deputies as followeth. + + 1. That they did not find any proofe of any ransome agreed on. + + 2. It appeared not y^t any wampam had been paied as a ransome, or any + parte of a ransome, for Myantinomos life. + + 3. That if they had in any measure proved their charge against Uncass, + the comissioners would have required him to have made answerable + satisfaction. + + 4. That if hereafter they can make satisfing profe, y^e English will + consider y^e same, & proceed accordingly. + + 5. The comissioners did require y^t neither them selves nor y^e + Nyanticks make any warr or injurious assaulte upon Unquass or any of + his company untill they make profe of y^e ransume charged, and y^t due + satisfaction be deneyed, unless he first assaulte them. + + 6. That if they assaulte Uncass, the English are engaged to assist + him. + + Hearupon y^e Narigansette sachim, advising with y^e other deputies, + ingaged him selfe in the behalfe of y^e Narigansets & Nyanticks that + no hostile acts should be comitted upon Uncass, or any of his, untill + after y^e next planting of corne; and y^t after that, before they + begine any warr, they will give 30. days warning to y^e Gove^r of the + Massachusets or Conightecutt. The comissioners approving of this + offer, and taking their ingagmente under their hands, required Uncass, + as he expected y^e continuance of y^e favour of the English, to + observe the same termes of peace with y^e Narigansets and theirs. + + These foregoing conclusions were subscribed by y^e comissioners, for + y^e severall jurisdictions, y^e 19. of Sept: 1644. + + EDWA: HOPKINS, Presidente. + SIMON BRADSTREETE. + WILL^M. HATHORNE. + EDW: WINSLOW. + JOHN BROWNE. + GEOR: FENWICK. + THEOPH: EATON. + THO: GREGSON. + + The forenamed Narigansets deputies did further promise, that if, + contrary to this agreemente, any of y^e Nyantick Pequents should make + any assaulte upon Uncass, or any of his, they would deliver them up to + y^e English, to be punished according to their demerits; and that they + would not use any means to procure the Mowacks to come against Uncass + during this truce. + + These were their names subscribed with their marks. + + WEETOWISH. + PAMPIAMETT. + CHINNOUGH. + PUMMUNISH. + +[264] _Anno Dom: 1645._ + +The comissioners this year were caled to meete to-gither at Boston, +before their ordinarie time; partly in regard of some differances falen +betweene y^e French and y^e govermente of the Massachusets, about their +aiding of Munseire Latore against Munsseire de Aulney, and partly aboute +y^e Indeans, who had broaken y^e former agreements aboute the peace +concluded y^e last year. This meeting was held at Boston, y^e 28. of +July. + +Besids some underhand assualts made on both sids, the Narigansets +gathered a great power, and fell upon Uncass, and slew many of his men, +and wounded more, by reason y^t they farr exseeded him in number, and +had gott store of peeces, with which they did him most hurte. And as +they did this withoute y^e knowledg and consente of y^e English, +(contrary to former agreemente,) so they were resolved to prosecute y^e +same, notwithstanding any thing y^e English said or should doe against +them. So, being incouraged by ther late victorie, and promise of +assistance from y^e Mowaks, (being a strong, warlike, and desperate +people,) they had allready devoured Uncass & his, in their hops; and +surly they had done it in deed, if the English had not timly sett in for +his aide. For those of Conightecute sent him 40. men, who were a garison +to him, till y^e comissioners could meete and take further order. + +Being thus mett, they forthwith sente 3. messengers, viz. Sargent John +Davis, Benedicte Arnold, and Francis Smith, with full & ample +instructions, both to y^e Narigansets and Uncass; to require them y^t +they should either come in person or send sufficiente men fully +instructed to deale in y^e bussines; and if they refused or delayed, to +let them know (according to former agreements) y^t the English are +engaged to assiste against these hostile invasions, and y^t they have +sente their men to defend Uncass, and to know of y^e Narigansets whether +they will stand to y^e former peace, or they will assaulte y^e English +also, that they may provid accordingly. + +But y^e messengers returned, not only with a sleighting, but a +threatening answer from the Narigansets (as will more appear hereafter). +Also they brought a letter from M^r. Roger Williams, wherin he assures +them that y^e warr would presenly breake forth, & y^e whole country +would be all of a flame. And y^t the sachems of y^e Narigansets had +concluded a newtrality with y^e English of Providence and those of +Aquidnett Iland. Wherupon y^e comissioners, considering y^e great danger +& provocations offered, and y^e necessitie we should be put unto of +making warr with y^e Narigansetts, and being also carfull, in a matter +of so great waight & generall concernmente, to see y^e way cleared, and +to give satisfaction to all y^e colonies, did thinke fitte to advise +with such of y^e magistrats & elders of y^e Massachusets as were then at +hand, and also with some of y^e cheefe millitary comanders ther; who +being assembled, it was then agreed,-- + +First, y^t our ingagmente bound us to aide & defend Uncass. 2. That this +ayde could not be intended only to defend him & his forte, or +habitation, but (according to y^e comone acceptation of such covenants, +or ingagments, considered with y^e grounds or occasion therof) so to +ayde him as he might be preserved in his liberty and estate. 3^ly. That +this ayde [265] must be speedy, least he might be swalowed up in y^e +mean time, and so come to late. 4^ly. The justice of this warr being +cleared to our selves and y^e rest then presente, it was thought meete +y^t the case should be stated, and y^e reasons & grounds of y^e warr +declared and published. 5^ly. That a day of humilliation should be +apoynted, which was y^e 5. day of y^e weeke following. 6^ly. It was then +allso agreed by y^e comissioners that y^e whole number of men to be +raised in all y^e colonies should be 300. Wherof from y^e Massachusets a +190. Plimoth, 40. Conightecute, 40. New-Haven, 30. And considering y^t +Uncass was in present danger, 40. men of this number were forthwith +sente from y^e Massachusets for his sucoure; and it was but neede, for +y^e other 40. from Conightecutt had order to stay but a month, & their +time being out, they returned; and y^e Narigansets, hearing therof, +tooke the advantage, and came suddanly upon him, and gave him another +blow, to his further loss, and were ready to doe y^e like againe; but +these 40. men being arrived, they returned, and did nothing. + +The declaration which they sett forth I shall not transcribe, it being +very larg, and put forth in printe, to which I referr those y^t would +see y^e same, in which all passages are layed open from y^e first. I +shall only note their prowd carriage, and answers to y^e 3. messengers +sent from y^e comissioners. They received them with scorne & contempte, +and tould them they resolved to have no peace without Uncass his head; +also they gave them this further answer: that it mattered not who +begane y^e warr, they were resolved to follow it, and that y^e English +should withdraw their garison from Uncass, or they would procure y^e +Mowakes against them; and withall gave them this threatening answer: +that they would lay y^e English catle on heaps, as high as their houses, +and y^t no English-man should sturr out of his dore to pisse, but he +should be kild. And wheras they required guids to pass throw their +countrie, to deliver their message to Uncass from y^e comissioners, they +deneyed them, but at length (in way of scorne) offered them an old +Pequente woman. Besids allso they conceived them selves in danger, for +whilst y^e interpretour was speakeing with them about y^e answer he +should returne, 3. men came & stood behind him with ther hatchets, +according to their murderous maner; but one of his fellows gave him +notice of it, so they broak of & came away; with sundry such like +affrontes, which made those Indeans they carryed with them to rune away +for fear, and leave them to goe home as they could. + +Thus whilst y^e comissioners in care of y^e publick peace sought to +quench y^e fire kindled amongst y^e Indeans, these children of strife +breath out threatenings, provocations, and warr against y^e English them +selves. So that, unless they should dishonour & provoak God, by +violating a just ingagmente, and expose y^e colonies to contempte & +danger from y^e barbarians, they cannot but exerciese force, when no +other means will prevaile to reduse y^e Narigansets & their confederats +to a more just & sober temper. + +So as here upon they went on to hasten y^e preparations, according to +y^e former agreemente, and sent to Plimoth to send forth their 40. men +with all speed, to lye at Seacunke, least any deanger should befalle it, +before y^e rest were ready, it lying next y^e enemie, and ther to stay +till y^e Massachusetts should joyne with them. Allso Conigtecute & +Newhaven forces were to joyne togeather, and march with all speed, and +y^e Indean confederats of those parts with them. All which was done +accordingly; and the souldiers of this place were at Seacunk, the place +of their rendevouze, 8. or 10. days before y^e rest were ready; they +were well armed all with snaphance peeces, and wente under y^e camand of +Captain [266] Standish. Those from other places were led likwise by able +comanders,[EU] as Captaine Mason for Conigtecute, &c.; and Majore Gibons +was made generall over y^e whole, with such comissions & instructions as +was meete. + +Upon y^e suden dispatch of these souldiears, (the present necessitie +requiring it,) the deputies of y^e Massachusetts Courte (being now +assembled i[=m]ediatly after y^e setting forth of their 40. men) made a +question whether it was legally done, without their comission. It was +answered, that howsoever it did properly belong to y^e authority of y^e +severall jurisdictions (after y^e warr was agreed upon by y^e +comissioners, & the number of men) to provid y^e men & means to carry on +y^e warr; yet in this presente case, the proceeding of y^e comissioners +and y^e comission given was as sufficiente as if it had been done by y^e +Generall Courte. + + First, it was a case of such presente & urgente necessitie, as could + not stay y^e calling of y^e Courte or Counsell. 2^ly. In y^e Articles + of Confederation, power is given to y^e comissioners to consult, + order, & determine all affaires of warr, &c. And y^e word _determine_ + comprehends all acts of authority belonging therunto. + + 3^ly. The comissioners are y^e judges of y^e necessitie of the + expedition. + + 4^ly. The Generall Courte have made their owne comissioners their sole + counsell for these affires. + + 5^ly. These counsels could not have had their due effecte excepte they + had power to proceede in this case, as they have done; which were to + make y^e comissioners power, and y^e maine end of y^e confederation, + to be frustrate, and that mearly for observing a ceremony. + + 6^ly. The comissioners haveing sole power to manage y^e warr for + number of men, for time, place, &c., they only know their owne + counsells, & _determinations_, and therfore none can grante + co[=m]ission to acte according to these but them selves. + +All things being thus in readines, and some of y^e souldiers gone forth, +and the rest ready to march, the comissioners thought it meete before +any hostile acte was performed, to cause a presente to be returned, +which had been sente to y^e Gove^r of the Massachusetts from y^e +Narigansett sachems, but not by him received, but layed up to be +accepted or refused as they should carry them selves, and observe y^e +covenants. Therfore they violating the same, & standing out thus to a +warr, it was againe returned, by 2. messengers & an interpretour. And +further to let know that their men already sent to Uncass (& other wher +sent forth) have hitherto had express order only to stand upon his & +their owne defence, and not to attempte any invasion of y^e Narigansetts +country; and yet if they may have due reperation for what is past, and +good securitie for y^e future, it shall appear they are as desirous of +peace, and shall be as tender of y^e Narigansets blood as ever. If +therefore Pessecuss, Innemo, writh other sachemes, will (without further +delay) come along with you to Boston, the comissioners doe promise & +assure them, they shall have free liberty to come, and retourne without +molestation or any just greevance from y^e English. But deputies will +not now serve, nor may the preparations in hand be now stayed, or y^e +directions given recalled, till y^e forementioned sagamors come, and +some further order be taken. But if they will have nothing but warr, the +English are providing, and will proceede accordingly. + +Pessecouss, Mixano, & Witowash, 3. principall sachems of y^e Narigansett +Indeans, and Awasequen, deputie for y^e Nyanticks, with a large traine +of men, within a few days after came to Boston. + +And to omitte all other circomstances and debats y^t past betweene them +and the comissioners, they came to this conclusion following. + + [267] 1. It was agreed betwixte y^e comissioners of y^e United + Collonies, and y^e forementioned sagamores, & Niantick deputie, that + y^e said Narigansets & Niantick sagamores should pay or cause to be + payed at Boston, to y^e Massachusets comissioners, y^e full sume of + 2000. fathome of good white wampame, or a third parte of black + wampampeage, in 4. payments; namely, 500. fathome within 20. days, + 500. fathome within 4. months, 500. fathome at or before next planting + time, and 500. fathome. within 2. years next after y^e date of these + presents; which 2000. fathome y^e comissioners accepte for + satisfaction of former charges expended. + + 2. The foresaid sagamors & deputie (on y^e behalfe of y^e Narigansett + & Niantick Indeans) hereby promise & covenante that they upon demand + and profe satisfie & restore unto Uncass, y^e Mohigan sagamore, all + such captives, whether men, or women, or children, and all such + canowes, as they or any of their men have taken, or as many of their + owne canowes in y^e roome of them, full as good as they were, with + full satisfaction for all such corne as they or any of theire men have + spoyled or destroyed, of his or his mens, since last planting time; + and y^e English comissioners hereby promise y^t Uncass shall doe y^e + like. + + 3. Wheras ther are sundry differences & greevances betwixte + Narigansett & Niantick Indeans, and Uncass & his men, (which in Uncass + his absence cannot now be detirmined,) it is hearby agreed y^t + Nariganset & Niantick sagamores either come them selves, or send their + deputies to y^e next meeting of y^e comissioners for y^e collonies, + either at New-Haven in Sep^t 1646. or sooner (upon conveniente + warning, if y^e said comissioners doe meete sooner), fully instructed + to declare & make due proofe of their injuries, and to submite to y^e + judgmente of y^e comissioners, in giving or receiving satisfaction; + and y^e said comissioners (not doubting but Uncass will either come + him selfe, or send his deputies, in like maner furnished) promising to + give a full hearing to both parties with equall justice, without any + partiall respects, according to their allegations and profs. + + 4. The said Narigansett & Niantick sagamors & deputies doe nearby + promise & covenante to keep and maintaine a firme & perpetuall peace, + both with all y^e English United Colonies & their successors, and with + Uncass, y^e Monhegen sachem, & his men; with Ossamequine, Pumham, + Sokanoke, Cutshamakin, Shoanan, Passaconaway, and all other Indean + sagamors, and their companies, who are in freindship with or subjecte + to any of y^e English; hearby ingaging them selves, that they will not + at any time hearafter disturbe y^e peace of y^e cuntry, by any + assaults, hostile attempts, invasions, or other injuries, to any of + y^e Unnited Collonies, or their successors; or to y^e afforesaid + Indeans; either in their persons, buildings, catle, or goods, directly + or indirectly; nor will they confederate with any other against them; + & if they know of any Indeans or others y^t conspire or intend hurt + against y^e said English, or any Indeans subjecte to or in freindship + with them, they will without delay acquainte & give notice therof to + y^e English co[=m]issioners, or some of them. + + Or if any questions or differences shall at any time hereafter arise + or grow betwext them & Uncass, or any Endeans before mentioned they + will, according to former ingagments (which they hearby confirme & + ratifie) first acquainte y^e English, and crave their judgments & + advice therin; and will not attempte or begine any warr, or hostille + invasion, till they have liberty and alowance from y^e comissioners of + y^e United Collonies so to doe. + + 5. The said Narigansets & Niantick sagamores & deputies doe hearby + promise y^t they will forthw^th deliver & restore all such Indean + fugitives, or captives which have at any time fled from any of y^e + English, and are now living or abiding amongst them, or give due + satisfaction for them to y^e comissioners for y^e Massachusets; and + further, that they will (without more delays) pay, or cause to be + payed, a yearly tribute, a month before harvest, every year after + this, at Boston, to y^e English Colonies, for all such Pequents as + live amongst them, according to y^e former treaty & agreemente, made + at Hartford, 1638. namly, one fathome of white wampam for every + Pequente man, & halfe a fathume for each Pequente youth, and one hand + length for each mal-child. And if Weequashcooke refuse to pay this + tribute for any Pequents with him, the Narigansetts sagamores promise + to assiste y^e English against him. And they further covenante y^t + they will resigne & yeeld up the whole Pequente cuntrie, and every + parte of it, to y^e English collonies, as due to them by conquest. + + 6. The said Narigansett & Niantick sagamores & deputie doe hereby + promise & covenante y^t within 14. days they will bring & deliver to + y^e Massachusetts comissioners on the behalf of y^e collonies, [268] + foure of their children, viz. Pessecous his eldest son, the sone + Tassaquanawite, brother to Pessecouss, Awashawe his sone, and Ewangsos + sone, a Niantick, to be kepte (as hostages & pledges) by y^e English, + till both y^e forementioned 2000. fathome of wampam be payed at y^e + times appoynted, and y^e differences betweexte themselves & Uncass be + heard & ordered, and till these artickles be under writen at Boston, + by Jenemo & Wipetock. And further they hereby promise & covenante, y^t + if at any time hearafter any of y^e said children shall make escape, + or be conveyed away from y^e English, before y^e premisses be fully + accomplished, they will either bring back & deliver to y^e + Massachusett comissioners y^e same children, or, if they be not to be + founde, such & so many other children, to be chosen by y^e + comissioners for y^e United Collonies, or their assignes, and y^t + within 20. days after demand, and in y^e mean time, untill y^e said 4. + children be delivered as hostages, y^e Narigansett & Niantick sagamors + & deputy doe, freely & of their owne accorde, leave with y^e + Massachusett comissioners, as pledges for presente securitie, 4. + Indeans, namely, Witowash, Pumanise, Jawashoe, Waughwamino, who allso + freely consente, and offer them selves to stay as pledges, till y^e + said children be brought & delivered as abovesaid. + + 7. The comissioners for y^e United Collonies doe hereby promise & + agree that, at y^e charge of y^e United Collonies, y^e 4. Indeans now + left as pledges shall be provided for, and y^t the 4. children to be + brought & delivered as hostages shall be kepte & maintained at y^e + same charge; that they will require Uncass & his men, with all other + Indean sagamors before named, to forbear all acts of hostilitie + againste y^e Narigansetts and Niantick Indeans for y^e future. And + further, all y^e promises being duly observed & kept by y^e + Narigansett & Niantick Indians and their company, they will at y^e end + of 2. years restore y^e said children delivered as hostiages, and + retaine a firme peace with y^e Narigansets & Nianticke Indeans and + their successours. + + 8. It is fully agreed by & betwixte y^e said parties, y^t if any + hostile attempte be made while this treaty is in hand, or before + notice of this agreemente (to stay further preparations & directions) + can be given, such attempts & y^e consequencts therof shall on neither + parte be accounted a violation of this treaty, nor a breach of y^e + peace hear made & concluded. + + 9. The Narigansets & Niantick sagamors & deputie hereby agree & + covenante to & with y^e comissioners of y^e United Collonies, y^t + henceforth they will neither give, grante, sell, or in any maner + alienate, any parte of their countrie, nor any parcell of land + therin, either to any of y^e English or others, without consente or + allowance of y^e co[=m]issioners. + + 10. Lastly, they promise that, if any Pequente or other be found & + discovered amongst them who hath in time of peace murdered any of y^e + English, he or they shall be delivered to just punishmente. + + In witness wherof y^e parties above named have interchaingablie + subscribed these presents, the day & year above writen. + + JOHN WINTHROP, President. + HERBERT PELHAM. + THO: PRENCE. + JOHN BROWNE. + GEO: FENWICK. + EDWA: HOPKINS. + THEOPH: EATON. + STEVEN GOODYEARE. + PESSECOUSS his mark [Illustration:] + MEEKESANO his mark [Illustration:] + WITOWASH his mark [Illustration:] + AUMSEQUEN his mark [Illustration:] the Niantick deputy. + ABDAS his mark [Illustration:] + PUMMASH his mark [Illustration:] + CUTCHAMAKIN his mark [Illustration:] + + This treaty and agreemente betwixte the comissioners of y^e United + Collonies and y^e sagamores and deputy of Narrigansets and Niantick + Indeans was made and concluded, Benedicte Arnold being interpretour + upon his oath; Sergante Callicate & an Indean, his man, being + presente, and Josias & Cutshamakin, tow Indeans aquainted with y^e + English language, assisting therin; who opened & cleared the whole + treaty, & every article, to y^e sagamores and deputie there presente. + +And thus was y^e warr at this time stayed and prevented. + +[269] _Anno Dom: 1646._ + +About y^e midle of May, this year, came in 3. ships into this harbor, in +warrlike order; they were found to be men of warr. The captains name was +Crumwell, who had taken sundrie prizes from y^e Spaniards in y^e West +Indies. He had a comission from y^e Earle of Warwick. He had abord his +vessels aboute 80. lustie men, (but very unruly,) who, after they came +ashore, did so distemper them selves with drinke as they became like +madd-men; and though some of them were punished & imprisoned, yet could +they hardly be restrained; yet in y^e ende they became more moderate & +orderly. They continued here aboute a month or 6. weeks, and then went +to y^e Massachusets; in which time they spente and scattered a great +deale of money among y^e people, and yet more sine (I fear) then money, +notwithstanding all y^e care & watchfullnes that was used towards them, +to prevente what might be. + +In which time one sadd accidente fell out. A desperate fellow of y^e +company fell a quarling with some of his company. His captine +co[=m]anded him to be quiet & surcease his quarelling; but he would not, +but reviled his captaine with base language, & in y^e end halfe drew his +rapier, & intended to rune at his captien; but he closed with him, and +wrasted his rapier from him, and gave him a boxe on y^e earr; but he +would not give over, but still assaulted his captaine. Wherupon he +tooke y^e same rapier as it was in y^e scaberd, and gave him a blow with +y^e hilts; but it light on his head, & y^e smal end of y^e bar of y^e +rapier hilts peirct his scull, & he dyed a few days after. But y^e +captaine was cleared by a counsell of warr. This fellow was so desperate +a quareller as y^e captaine was faine many times to chaine him under +hatches from hurting his fellows, as y^e company did testifie; and this +was his end. + +This Captaine Thomas Cromuell sett forth another vioage to the +Westindeas, from the Bay of the Massachusets, well maned & victuled; and +was out 3. years, and tooke sundry prises, and returned rich unto the +Massachusets, and ther dyed the same so[=m]ere, having gott a fall from +his horse, in which fall he fell on his rapeir hilts, and so brused his +body as he shortly after dyed therof, with some other distempers, which +brought him into a feavor. Some observed that ther might be somthing of +the hand of God herein; that as the forenamed man dyed of y^e blow he +gave him with y^e rapeir hilts, so his owne death was occationed by a +like means. + +This year M^r. Edward Winslow went into England, upon this occation: +some discontented persons under y^e govermente of the Massachusets +sought to trouble their peace, and disturbe, if not innovate, their +govermente, by laying many [270] scandals upon them; and intended to +prosecute against them in England, by petitioning & complaining to the +Parlemente. Allso Samuell Gorton & his company made complaints against +them; so as they made choyse of M^r. Winslow to be their agente, to make +their defence, and gave him comission & instructions for that end; in +which he so carried him selfe as did well answer their ends, and cleared +them from any blame or dishonour, to the shame of their adversaries. But +by reason of the great alterations in the State, he was detained longer +then was expected; and afterwards fell into other imployments their, so +as he hath now bene absente this 4. years, which hath been much to the +weakning of this govermente, without whose consente he tooke these +imployments upon him. + +_Anno 1647. And Anno 1648._ + + + + +APPENDIX. + +[ILLUSTRATION:] + + +APPENDIX. + + +No. I. + +[Passengers of the Mayflower.] + +The names of those which came over first, in y^e year 1620. and were by +the blessing of God the first beginers and (in a sort) the foundation of +all the Plantations and Colonies in New-England; and their families. + +[Sidenote: 8.] + +M^r. John Carver; Kathrine, his wife; Desire Minter; & 2. man-servants, +John Howland, Roger Wilder; William Latham, a boy; & a maid servant, & a +child y^t was put to him, called Jasper More. + +[Sidenote: 6.] + +M^r. William Brewster; Mary, his wife; with 2. sons, whose names were +Love & Wrasling; and a boy was put to him called Richard More; and +another of his brothers. The rest of his children were left behind, & +came over afterwards. + +[Sidenote: 5.] + +M^. Edward Winslow; Elizabeth, his wife; & 2. men servants, caled Georg +Sowle and Elias Story; also a litle girle was put to him, caled Ellen, +the sister of Richard More. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +William Bradford, and Dorothy, his wife; having but one child, a sone, +left behind, who came afterward. + +[Sidenote: 6.] + +M^. Isaack Allerton, and Mary, his wife; with 3. children, Bartholmew, +Remember, & Mary; and a servant boy, John Hooke. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +M^r. Samuell Fuller, and a servant, caled William Butten. His wife was +behind, & a child, which came afterwards. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +John Crakston, and his sone, John Crakston. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +Captin Myles Standish, and Rose, his wife. + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +M^r. Christopher Martin, and his wife, and 2. servants, Salamon Prower +and John Langemore. + +[Sidenote: 5.] + +M^r. William Mullines, and his wife, and 2. children, Joseph & Priscila; +and a servant, Robart Carter. + +[Sidenote: 6.] + +M^r. William White, and Susana, his wife, and one sone, caled Resolved, +and one borne a ship-bord, caled Peregriene; & 2. servants, named +William Holbeck & Edward Thomson. + +[Sidenote: 8.] + +M^r. Steven Hopkins, & Elizabeth, his wife, and 2. children, caled +Giles, and Constanta, a doughter, both by a former wife; and 2. more by +this wife, caled Damaris & Oceanus; the last was borne at sea; and 2. +servants, called Edward Doty and Edward Litster. + +[Sidenote: 1.] + +M^r. Richard Warren; but his wife and children were lefte behind, and +came afterwards. + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +John Billinton, and Elen, his wife; and 2. sones, John & Francis. + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +Edward Tillie, and Ann, his wife; and 2. children that were their +cossens, Henery Samson and Humillity Coper. + +[Sidenote: 3.] + +John Tillie, and his wife; and Eelizabeth, their doughter. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +Francis Cooke, and his sone John. But his wife & other children came +afterwards. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +Thomas Rogers, and Joseph, his sone. His other children came afterwards. + +[Sidenote: 3.[EV]] + +Thomas Tinker, and his wife, and a sone. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +John Rigdale, and Alice, his wife. + +[Sidenote: 3.] + +James Chilton, and his wife, and Mary, their dougter. They had an other +doughter, y^t was maried, came afterward. + +[Sidenote: 3.] + +Edward Fuller, and his wife, and Samuell, their sonne. + +[Sidenote: 3.] + +John Turner, and 2. sones. He had a doughter came some years after to +Salem, wher she is now living. + +[Sidenote: 3.] + +Francis Eaton, and Sarah, his wife, and Samuell, their sone, a yong +child. + +[Sidenote: 10.] + +Moyses Fletcher, John Goodman, Thomas Williams, Digerie Preist, Edmond +Margeson, Peter Browne, Richard Britterige, Richard Clarke, Richard +Gardenar, Gilbart Winslow. + +[Sidenote: 1.] + +John Alden was hired for a cooper, at South-Hampton, wher the ship +victuled; and being a hopfull yong man, was much desired, but left to +his owne liking to go or stay when he came here; but he stayed, and +maryed here. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +John Allerton and Thomas Enlish were both hired, the later to goe m^r of +a shalop here, and y^e other was reputed as one of y^e company, but was +to go back (being a seaman) for the help of others behind. But they both +dyed here, before the shipe returned. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +There were allso other 2. seamen hired to stay a year here in the +country, William Trevore, and one Ely. But when their time was out, they +both returned. + +These, bening aboute a hundred sowls, came over in this first ship; and +began this worke, which God of his goodnes hath hithertoo blesed; let +his holy name have y^e praise. + + * * * * * + +And seeing it hath pleased him to give me to see 30. years compleated +since these beginings; and that the great works of his providence are to +be observed, I have thought it not unworthy my paines to take a veiw of +the decreasings & increasings of these persons, and such changs as hath +pased over them & theirs, in this thirty years. It may be of some use to +such as come after; but, however, I shall rest in my owne benefite. + +I will therfore take them in order as they lye. + +M^r. Carver and his wife dyed the first year; he in y^e spring, she in +y^e so[=m]er; also, his man Roger and y^e litle boy Jasper dyed before +either of them, of y^e commone infection. Desire Minter returned to her +freinds, & proved not very well, and dyed in England. His servant boy +Latham, after more then 20. years stay in the country, went into +England, and from thence to the Bahamy Ilands in y^e West Indies, and +ther, with some others, was starved for want of food. His maid servant +maried, & dyed a year or tow after, here in this place. + +[Sidenote: 15.] + +His servant, John Howland, maried the doughter of John Tillie, +Elizabeth, and they are both now living, and have 10. children, now all +living; and their eldest daughter hath 4. children. And ther 2. +daughter, 1. all living; and other of their children mariagable. So 15. +are come of them. + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +M^r. Brewster lived to very old age; about 80. years he was when he +dyed, having lived some 23. or 24. years here in y^e countrie; & though +his wife dyed long before, yet she dyed aged. His sone Wrastle dyed a +yonge man unmaried; his sone Love lived till this year 1650. and dyed, & +left 4. children, now living. His doughters which came over after him +are dead, but have left sundry children alive; his eldst sone is still +liveing, and hath 9. or 10 children; one maried, who hath a child or 2. + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +Richard More his brother dyed the first winter; but he is maried, and +hath 4. or 5. children, all living. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +M^r. Ed: Winslow his wife dyed the first winter; and he maried with the +widow of M^r. White, and hath 2. children living by her marigable, +besids sundry that are dead. + +[Sidenote: 8.] + +One of his servants dyed, as also the litle girle, soone after the ships +arivall. But his man, Georg Sowle, is still living, and hath 8. +childr[=e]. + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +William Bradford his wife dyed soone after their arivall; and he maried +againe; and hath 4. children, 3. wherof are maried. + +[Sidenote: 8.] + +M^r. Allerton his wife dyed with the first, and his servant, John Hooke. +His sone Bartle is maried in England, but I know not how many children +he hath. His doughter Remember is maried at Salem, & hath 3. or 4. +children living. And his doughter Mary is maried here, & hath 4. +children. Him selfe maried againe with y^e doughter of M^r. Brewster, & +hath one sone living by her, but she is long since dead. And he is +maried againe, and hath left this place long agoe. So I account his +increase to be 8. besids his sons in England. + +[Sidenote: 2.] + +M^r. Fuller his servant dyed at sea; and after his wife came over, he +had tow children by her, which are living and growne up to years; but he +dyed some 15. years agoe. + +John Crakston dyed in the first mortality; and about some 5. or 6. +years after, his sone dyed; having lost him selfe in y^e wodes, his feet +became frosen, which put him into a feavor, of which he dyed. + +[Sidenote: 4.] [EW] Captain Standish his wife dyed in the first sicknes, +and he maried againe, and hath 4. sones liveing, and some _are dead_. + +M^r. Martin, he & all his, dyed in the first infection not long after +the arivall. + +[Sidenote: 15.] + +M^r. Molines, and his wife, his sone, and his servant, dyed the first +winter. Only his dougter Priscila survied, and maried with John Alden, +who are both living, and have 11. children. And their eldest daughter is +maried, & hath five children. + +[Sidenote: 7.] + +Mr. White and his 2. servants dyed soone after ther landing. His wife +maried with M^r. Winslow (as is before noted). His 2. sons are maried, +and Resolved hath 5. children, Perigrine tow, all living. So their +increase are 7. + +[Sidenote: 5.] + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +M^r. Hopkins and his wife are now both dead, but they lived above 20. +years in this place, and had one sone and 4. doughters borne here. Ther +sone became a seaman, & dyed at Barbadoes; one daughter dyed here, and +2. are maried; one of them hath 2. children; & one is yet to mary. So +their increase which still survive are 5. But his sone Giles is maried, +and hath 4. children. + +[Sidenote: 12.] + +His doughter Constanta is also maried, and hath 12. children, all of +them living, and one of them maried. + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +M^r. Richard Warren lived some 4. or 5. years, and had his wife come +over to him, by whom he had 2. sons before dyed; and one of them is +maryed, and hath 2. children. So his increase is 4. But he had 5. +doughters more came over with his wife, who are all maried, & living, & +have many children. + +[Sidenote: 8.] + +John Billinton, after he had bene here 10. yers, was executed for +killing a man; and his eldest sone dyed before him; but his 2. sone is +alive, and maried, & hath 8. children. + +[Sidenote: 7.] + +Edward Tillie and his wife both dyed soon after their arivall; and the +girle Humility, their cousen, was sent for into England, and dyed ther. +But the youth Henery Samson is still liveing, and is maried, & hath 7. +children. + +John Tillie and his wife both dyed a litle after they came ashore; and +their daughter Elizabeth maried with John Howland, and hath issue as is +before noted. + +[Sidenote: 8.] + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +Francis Cooke is still living, a very olde man, and hath seene his +childrens children have children; after his wife came over, (with other +of his children,) he hath 3. still living by her, all maried, and have +5. children; so their encrease is 8. And his sone John, which came over +with him, is maried, and hath 4, chilldren living. + +[Sidenote: 6.] + +Thomas Rogers dyed in the first sicknes, but his sone Joseph is still +living, and is maried, and hath 6. children. The rest of Thomas Rogers +[children] came over, & are maried, & have many children. + +Thomas Tinker and his wife and sone all dyed in the first sicknes. + +And so did John Rigdale and his wife. + +[Sidenote: 10.] + +James Chilton and his wife also dyed in the first infection. But their +daughter Mary is still living, and hath 9. children; and one daughter is +maried, & hath a child; so their increase is 10. + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +Edward Fuller and his wife dyed soon after they came ashore; but their +sone Samuell is living, & maried, and hath 4. children or more. + +John Turner and his 2. sones all dyed in the first siknes. But he hath a +daugter still living at Salem, well maried, and approved of. + +[Sidenote: 4.] + +[Sidenote: 1.] + +Francis Eaton his first wife dyed in the generall sicknes; and he maried +againe, & his 2. wife dyed, & he maried the 3. and had by her 3. +children. One of them is maried, & hath a child; the other are living, +but one of them is an ideote. He dyed about 16. years 1. agoe. His sone +Samuell, who came over a sucking child, is allso maried, & hath a child. + +Moyses Fletcher, Thomas Williams, Digerie Preist, John Goodman, Edmond +Margeson, Richard Britteridge, Richard Clarke. All these dyed sone after +their arivall, in the generall sicknes that befell. But Digerie Preist +had his wife & children sent hither afterwards, she being M^r. Allertons +sister. But the rest left no posteritie here. + +Richard Gardinar became a seaman, and died in England, or at sea. + +Gilbert Winslow, after diverse years aboad here, returned into England, +and dyed ther. + +[Sidenote: 6.] + +Peter Browne maried twise. By his first wife he had 2. children, who are +living, & both of them maried, and the one of them hath 2. children; by +his second wife he had 2. more. He dyed about 16. years since. + +Thomas English and John Allerton dyed in the generall siknes. + +John Alden maried with Priscila, M^r. Mollines his doughter, and had +issue by her as is before related. + +Edward Doty & Edward Litster, the servants of M^r. Hopkins. Litster, +after he was at liberty, went to Virginia, & ther dyed. But Edward Doty +by a second wife hath 7. children, and both he and they are living. + +Of these 100. persons which came first over in this first ship together, +the greater halfe dyed in the generall mortality; and most of them in 2. +or three monthes time. And for those which survied, though some were +ancient & past procreation, & others left y^e place and cuntrie, yet of +those few remaining are sprunge up above 160. persons, in this 30. +years, and are now living in this presente year, 1650. besids many of +their children which are dead, and come not within this account. + +And of the old stock (of one & other) ther are yet living this present +year, 1650. nere 30. persons. Let the Lord have y^e praise, who is the +High Preserver of men. + + * * * * * + +[EX]Twelfe persons liveing of the old stock this present yeare, 1679. + +Two persons liveing that came over in the first shipe 1620, this present +yeare, 1690. Resolved White and Mary Chusman,[EY] the daughter of M^r. +Allerton. + +And John Cooke, the son of Frances Cooke, that came in the first ship, +is still liveing this present yeare, 1694; & Mary Cushman is still +living, this present year, 1698. + + + +No. II. + +[Commission for Regulating Plantations.] + +Charles by y^e grace of God king of England, Scotland, France, and +Ireland, Defender of y^e Faith, &c.[EZ] + +To the most Reve^d father in Christ, our wellbeloved & faithfull +counsellour, William, by devine providence Archbishop of Counterbery, of +all England Primate & Metropolitan; Thomas Lord Coventry, Keeper of our +Great Seale of England; the most Reverente father in Christ our +wellbeloved and most faithful Counselour, Richard, by devine providence +Archbishop of Yorke, Primate & Metropolitan; our wellbeloved and most +faithfull coussens & Counselours, Richard, Earle of Portland, our High +Treasurer of England; Henery, Earle of Manchester, Keeper of our Privie +Seale; Thomas, Earle of Arundalle & Surry, Earle Marshall of England; +Edward, Earle of Dorsett, Chamberline of our most dear consorte, the +Queene; and our beloved & faithfull Counselours, Francis Lord +Cottington, Counseler, and Undertreasurour of our Eschequour; S^r: +Thomas Edmonds, knight, Treasourer of our houshould; S^r: Henery Vane, +Knight, controuler of y^e same houshould; S^r: John Cooke, Knight, one +of our Privie Secretaries; and Francis Windebanck, Knight, another of +our Privie Secretaries, + +Wheras very many of our subjects, & of our late fathers of beloved +memory, our sovereigne lord James, late king of England, by means of +licence royall, not only with desire of inlarging y^e teritories of our +empire, but cheefly out of a pious & religious affection, & desire of +propagating y^e gospell of our Lord Jesus Christ, with great industrie & +expences have caused to be planted large Collonies of y^e English +nation, in diverse parts of y^e world altogether unmannred, and voyd of +inhabitants, or occupied of the barbarous people that have no knowledg +of divine worship. We being willing to provid a remedy for y^e +tranquillity & quietnes of those people, and being very confidente of +your faith & wisdom, justice & providente circomspection, have +constituted you y^e aforesaid Archbishop of Counterburie, Lord Keeper of +y^e Great Seale of England, y^e Archbishop of Yorke, &c. and any 5. or +more, of you, our Comissioners; and to you, and any 5. or more of you, +we doe give and co[=m]ite power for y^e govermente & saftie of y^e said +collonies, drawen, or which, out of y^e English nation into those parts +hereafter, shall be drawne, to make lawes, constitutions, & ordinances, +pertaining ether to y^e publick state of these collonies, or y^e private +profite of them; and concerning y^e lands, goods, debts, & succession in +those parts, and how they shall demaine them selves, towards foraigne +princes, and their people, or how they shall bear them selves towards +us, and our subjects, as well in any foraine parts whatsoever, or on y^e +seas in those parts, or in their returne sayling home; or which may +pertaine to y^e clergie govermente, or to y^e cure of soules, among y^e +people ther living, and exercising trad in those parts; by designing out +congruente porcions arising in tithes, oblations, & other things ther, +according to your sound discretions, in politicall & civill causes; and +by haveing y^e advise of 2. or 3. bishops, for y^e setling, making, & +ordering of y^e bussines, for y^e designeing of necessary +ecclesiasticall, and clargie porcions, which you shall cause to be +called, and taken to you. And to make provission against y^e violation +of those laws, constitutions, and ordinances, by imposing penealties & +mulets, imprisonmente if ther be cause, and y^t y^e quality of y^e +offence doe require it, by deprivation of member, or life, to be +inflicted. With power allso (our assente being had) to remove, & +displace y^e governours or rulers of those collonies, for causes which +to you shall seeme lawfull, and others in their stead to constitute; and +require an accounte of their rule & govermente, and whom you shall finde +culpable, either by deprivation from their place, or by imposition of a +mulete upon y^e goods of them in those parts to be levied, or +banishmente from those provinces in w^ch they have been gove^r or +otherwise to cashier according to y^e quantity of y^e offence. And to +constitute judges, & magistrats politicall & civill, for civill causes +and under y^e power and forme, which to you 5. or more of you shall +seeme expediente. And judges & magistrats & dignities, to causes +Ecclesiasticall, and under y^e power & forme which to you 5. or more of +you, with the bishops vicegerents (provided by y^e Archbishop of +Counterbure for y^e time being), shall seeme expediente; and to ordaine +courts, pretoriane and tribunall, as well ecclesiasticall, as civill, of +judgmentes; to detirmine of y^e formes and maner of procceedings in y^e +same; and of appealing from them in matters & causes as well criminall, +as civill, personall, reale, and mixte, and to their seats of justice, +what may be equall & well ordered, and what crimes, faults, or exessess, +of contracts or injuries ought to belonge to y^e Ecclesiasticall courte, +and what to y^e civill courte, and seate of justice. + +Provided never y^e less, y^t the laws, ordinances, & constitutions of +this kinde, shall not be put in execution, before our assent be had +therunto in writing under our signet, signed at least, and this assente +being had, and y^e same publikly proclaimed in y^e provinces in which +they are to be executed, we will & co[=m]and y^t those lawes, +ordinances, and constitutions more fully to obtaine strength and be +observed[FA] shall be inviolably of all men whom they shall concerne. + +Notwithstanding it shall be for you, or any 5. or more of you, (as is +afforsaid,) allthough those lawes, constitutions, and ordinances shalbe +proclaimed with our royall assente, to chainge, revocke, & abrogate +them, and other new ones, in forme afforsaid, from time to time frame +and make as afforesaid; and to new evills arissing, or new dangers, to +apply new remedyes as is fitting, so often as to you it shall seeme +expediente. Furthermore you shall understand that we have constituted +you, and every 5. or more of you, the afforesaid Archbishop of +Counterburie, Thomas Lord Coventrie, Keeper of y^e Great Seale of +England, Richard, Bishop of Yorke, Richard, Earle of Portland, Henery, +Earle of Manchester, Thomas, Earle of Arundale & Surry, Edward, Earell +of Dorsett, Francis Lord Cottinton, S^r Thomas Edmonds,[FB] knighte, S^r +Henry Vane, knight, S^r Francis Windebanke, knight, our comissioners to +hear, & determine, according to your sound discretions, all maner of +complaints either against those collonies, or their rulers, or +govenours, at y^e instance of y^e parties greeved, or at their +accusation brought concerning injuries from hence, or from thence, +betweene them, & their members to be moved, and to call y^e parties +before you; and to the parties or to their procurators, from hence, or +from thence being heard y^e full complemente of justice to be exhibted. +Giving unto you, or any 5. or more of you power, y^t if you shall find +any of y^e collonies afforesaid, or any of y^e cheefe rulers upon y^e +jurisdictions of others by unjust possession, or usurpation, or one +against another making greevance, or in rebelion against us, or +withdrawing from our alegance, or our comandments, not obeying, +consultation first with us in y^t case had, to cause those colonies, or +y^e rulers of them, for y^e causes afforesaid, or for other just +causes, either to returne to England, or to comand them to other places +designed, even as according to your sounde discretions it shall seeme to +stand with equitie, & justice, or necessitie. Moreover, we doe give unto +you, & any 5. or more of you, power & spetiall co[=m]and over all y^e +charters, leters patents, and rescripts royall, of y^e regions, +provinces, ilands, or lands in foraigne parts, granted for raising +colonies, to cause them to be brought before you, & y^e same being +received, if any thing surrepticiously or unduly have been obtained, or +y^t by the same priviledges, liberties, & prerogatives hurtfull to us, +or to our crowne, or to foraigne princes, have been prejudicially +suffered, or granted; the same being better made knowne unto you 5. or +more of you, to co[=m]and them according to y^e laws and customs of +England to be revoked, and to doe such other things, which to y^e +profite & safgard of y^e afforesaid collonies, and of our subjects +residente in y^e same, shall be necessary. And therfore we doe co[=m]and +you that aboute y^e premisses at days & times, which for these things +you shall make provission, that you be diligente in attendance, as it +becometh you; giving in precepte also, & firmly injoyning, we doe give +co[=m]and to all and singuler cheefe rulers of provinces into which y^e +colonies afforesaid have been drawne, or shall be drawne, & concerning +y^e colonies themselves, & concerning others, y^t have been interest +therein, y^t they give atendance upon you, and be observante and +obediente unto your warrants in those affaires, as often as, and even as +in our name they shall be required, at their perill. In testimoney +wherof, we have caused these our letters to be made pattente. Wittnes +our selfe at Westminster the 28. day of Aprill, in y^e tenth year of our +Raigne. + + By write from y^e privie seale, + WILLIES. + + Anno Dom: 1634. + + + + +INDEX. + + +Index + + + Abdas, an Indian, 525. + + Accord Pond, 442. + + Acoughcouss, 445. + + Adventurers. See _Merchant Adventurers_. + + Alden. John, arrested in Massachusetts, 379. + Party to contract, 452, 458. + Settlement with, 478, 481. + Family, 533, 536, 539. + + Alden, Robert, 256. + + Allerton, Bartholomew, 531, 535. + + Allerton, Isaac, 62. + Assistant, 121, 242. + Goes to England, 252, 267, 274, 313, 328. + Agreement with, 254 _et seq._, 271, 272. + Brings over Mr. Rogers, 292. + Marries Elder Brewster's daughter, 305. + Discharged, 329, 333, 358. + Disciplined by church, 349. + Disregards his bond, 357, 362. + Referred to, 276, 278-280, 294, 296, 297, 300-303, 305-312, 318-327, + 335, 336, 340-350, 357-359, 361, 363-369, 375, 394, 432, 436, 452. + Family, 531. + + Allerton, John, 533, 539. + + Allerton, Mary, 531, 353. + + Allerton, Remember, 531, 535. + + Alltham, Emanuel, 256. + + Amsterdam, 23, 66, 70, 73. + + Anabaptistry, 461. + + Andrews, Richard, adventurer, 256. + Undertaker, 275, 279, 296, 307, 333, 342, 343, 394. + Beaver sent to, 431, 435. + Takes land at Scituate, 439. + Settlement with, 452. + Letter to Freeman, 482. + Referred to, 410, 412, 414, 436, 447. + + Andrews, Thomas, adventurer, 256. + + Ann. See _Cape Ann_. + + Anne, ship, 168, 171, 177, 215. + + Anthony, Lawrence, 256. + + Aquidnett Island, 434, 461, 515. + + Argoll, Captain, 47, 48. + + Arminians, 27, 28. + + Arnold, Benedict, 514, 525. + + Ashley, Edward, 307. + His patent and business, 308 _et seq._ + Sends beaver home, 318, 326. + Trades with Indians, 327. + Referred to, 333, 335, 337, 339, 346, 349. + His death, 328. + + Assistants at Plymouth, 121, 187. + + Atwood, John, agent for Sherley, 449 _et seq._ + Sherley's letter to, 479. + + Aulney, Monsieur d.', captures Penobscot, 395, 513. + + Aurelius, Marcus, 24. + + Awasequin, chief, 518, 525. + + Awashawe, Indian, 523. + + + Babb, Mr., 412 + + Baker, master of the Charity, 202. + + Baptism, differences respecting, 457, 461. + + Barnstable, 444. + + Bass, Edward, 255, 256. + + Beastliness, 459 _et seq._ + + Beauchamp, John, 138, 141, 255, 256, 275, 276, 296. + Patent in his name, 307. + Referred to, 333, 342, 343, 368, 394, 412, 414, 431, 435, 439, 451. + Settlement with, 452. + + Bellingham, Richard, deputy governor of Massachusetts, 399. + Letters from, 400, 461. + + Billirike (Billerica), Pilgrims came from, 69. + + Billington, Elen, 532. + + Billington, Francis, 532. + + Billington, John, 218. + Loses himself, 123. + Tried for murder and executed, 329. + Family, 532, 537. + + Billington, John, Jr., 532. + + Blackwell, Sir Francis, 47-50, 54. + + Block Island, 418, 421. + + Blossom, Thomas, 374. + + Boston in England, 16. + + Boston in New England, 342, 354, 383, 417, 501, 518. + + Bound Brook, 442. + + Bradford, Dorothy, 531, 535. + + Bradford, Wm., begins writing, 9. + W. B., 62. + Chosen governor, 121. + Illness, 111, 121. + Letter to Weston, 131. + Letter from Weston, 142. + Letter from Pickering and Greene, 144, 272. + With others appoints Sherley and Beauchamp agents, 278. + Patent at Kennebec, 376. + Surrenders patent, 444. + Letter from, 462. + Family, 531, 535. + + Bradstreet, Simon, 399, 513. + + Brewer, Thomas, 60, 256. + + Brewster, Jonathan, letter from, 403. + + Brewster, Love, 531, 535. + + Brewster, Mary, 531. + + Brewster, Wm., Elder, 14. + Goes to Holland, 22. + Assistant to Robinson, 24. + Correspondence with Sandys and Worstenholme, 40-45. + As to going to America, 53. + Labors for sick, 111. + Letters from Pickering, Greene and Weston, 144-146. + Letter from Robinson, 198. + Letter from Roger White, 248. + Referred to, 153, 205, 208, 278, 380, 452. + Dies, 487. + Character, 488 _et seq._ + Family, 531, 535. + + Brewster, Wrestling, 531, 535. + + Bristol, England, 320, 333, 338, 340, 347, 359. + + Britteridge, Richard, 535, 538. + + Brook, Lord, 378. + + Brown, John, 513, 525. + + Brown, Peter, 533, 525. + + Browning, Henry, 256. + + Brownists, 238. + + Button, Wm., dies, 93. + Family, 532. + + + Callicote, Sergeant, 525. + + Calvin, John, 7. + + Capawack, 117, 125, 148. + + Cape Ann, patent for, 192. + Mentioned, 202, 204, 237, 265. + + Cape Cod, 90. + Arrive at, 93. + Explore bay of, 101. + French ship lost on, 118. + Mentioned, 97, 123, 127, 132, 148, 153, 154, 186, 231, 261, 266. + + Carter, Robert, 532. + + Carver, John, agent to England, 40. + Deacon, 40. + Letter from Staresmore, 50; + from Robinson, 58; + from S. F. _et al._, 61; + from Cushman, 69; + from Robinson, 77; + from Weston, 128, 137, 140. + Keeps letter, 66. + Chosen governor, 109. + Mentioned, 50, 54, 58, 61, 63, 67-70, 76, 131. + At Southampton, 74. + Dies, 121. + Family, 531, 534. + + Carver, Kathrine, 531, 534. + + Cattle, first arrival of, 189. + + Cawsumsett Neck, 445. + + Charity, ship, 190, 207. + + Charles I., commission by, for regulating plantations, 249, 540. + + Charles River, 440. + + Charlestown, 441. + + Charlton, 116. + + Chauncey, Charles, invited to Plymouth, 456, 458. + Letter from, 467. + + Chilton, James, 533, 538. + + Chilton, Mary, 533, 538. + + Chinnough, an Indian, 513. + + Christmas at Plymouth, 134. + + Church covenant, 331. + + Clapham, 411, 451. + + Clarke, pilot of the Mayflower, 67. + + Clarke, Richard, 533, 538. + + Clifton, Rev. Richard, 14. + + Cobiseconte, 376. + + Coddington, Wm., 332, 399. + + Cohasset, 442. + + Collier, Wm., 256, 340, 367. + Sherley's agent, 449. + + Colonies of New England, confederation of, 496. + + Commissioners for the plantation, 540. + Winslow petitions the, 390. + + Compact of the Pilgrims, 109. + + Connecticut, 371, 386, 387, 391, 402, 405, 415, 419, 424, 430, 506, 509. + + Cooke, Francis, 532, 537, 539. + + Cooke, John, 532, 537, 539. + + Cooke, Lord, 50. + + Cooper, Humility, 532, 537. + + Coppin, Robert, Mayflower pilot, deceived, 104. + + Corbitant takes Squanto, 124, 136. + + Corn. See _Indian Corn_. + + Cotton, Rev. John, 332. + + Coventry, Thomas, 256. + + Crabe, Rev. Mr., 71. + + Crackston, John, family, 532, 536. + + Cromwell, Thomas, Captain, and his crew, 526, 527. + + Crose, Daniel, murderer, escapes, 432. + + Cushman, Mary, 539. + + Cushman, Robert, agent to England, 40. + Letters from, 46-49. + Letter from S. F. _et al._, 61, 62. + Letters to S F. _et al._, 63-68; + to John Carver, 69; + to Ed. S., 86-90. + Comes in the Fortune, 126. + Condemns Weston's colonists, 147. + Letters from, 172, 191. + Mentioned, 49, 50, 54, 58, 60, 69, 74-76, 85, 137. + His death, 249. + + Cutshamakin, 522, 525. + + + Damariscove Islands, 137, 187, 228, 251. + + Dartmouth, England, 83, 86, 90. + + Davenport, Lieutenant, 428. + + Davidson, Wm., 488. + + Davis, John, Sergeant, 514. + + Delft-Haven, 72. + + Dennison, Wm., 343. + + Dermer, Captain, 115, 118. + + Dorchester, 402, 406. + + Doty, Edward, 532, 539. + + Dudley, Thomas, 232, 342. + Letter from, 379. + Mentioned, 384, 399, 504. + + Dumer, Richard, 399. + + Dutch, 54, 196. + Send letters, 281. + Mentioned, 370, 372-374, 388. + + Dutch letter, 268. + + Dutchman at Hull, 17, 18, 409. + + Duxbury, 362, 444, 457, 458, 474. + + + Earthquake in 438, 437. + + Eaton, Francis, 533, 538. + + Eaton, Samuel, 533, 538. + + Eaton, Sarah, 533, 538. + + Eaton, Theoph., 504, 513, 525. + + Elizabeth, Queen, 7. + + Ely, seaman of Mayflower, 533. + + Endicott, John, arrival of, with patent for Massachusetts, 286-314. + Letter to Governor Bradford, 315, 442. + + English, Thomas, seaman on the Mayflower, 533, 539. + + Episcopius, 28. + + Ewangsos, an Indian, 523. + + Exeter jail, 303. + + + Falcon, ship, 410. + + Familism, 461. + + Farrar, Sir George, 63. + + Fast, in Holland, 52; + in Plymouth, 170. + + Fells, Mr., 264, 265. + + Fenwick, George, 504, 513, 525. + + Fitcher, Lieutenant, at Merry-Mount, 284, 285. + + Fleet Prison, 328, 393, 447. + + Fletcher, Moses, 533, 538. + + Fletcher, Thomas, 256. + + Florida, 37. + + Fogg, 339. + + Fort Orange, now Albany, 282. + + Fortune, arrival of the, 126. + Departs, 133, 142. + + France, 147, 148, 448. + + Freeman, Edmund, 451, 456. + + French robbery at Penobscot, 350. + + French ship lost on Cape Cod, 118, 137. + + Friendship, ship, 320, 328, 329, 333, 336, 338, 342, 343, 346, 347, + 358, 360, 413, 455. + + Fuller, Edward, and family, 533, 538. + + Fuller, Samuel, letter from, 61. + Letters from Cushman, 63-68. + Mentioned, 93, 220, 315. + His death, 374. + Family, 532, 535. + + Furnival's Inn, 284. + + + Galopp, John, 429. + + Gardenar, Richard, 533, 538. + + Gardiner, Sir Christopher, 352 _et seq._ + + Gibbons commands, 518. + + Gibbs, Mr., mate of the Sparrow, 275. + + Girling, expedition of, to recover Penobscot, 396. + + Glover, Rev. Mr., 408. + + Goffe, Thomas, 256, 275. + + Goodman, John, 533, 538. + + Goodyeare, Stephen, 525. + + Gorges, Sir Ferdinand, 115, 180, 300, 329, 355, 391. + + Gorges, Robert, grant to, 178. + Meets Mr. Weston, 179. + Arrests him, 183. + Returns to England, 184. + + Gorton, Samuel, 528 + + Gosnold, Captain, names Cape Cod, 94. + + Gott, Charles, 316. + + Granger, Thomas, 474. + + Graves, Mr., 412. + + Greene, Wm., 143, 144. + + Green's harbor, 362. + + Gregson, Thomas, 504, 513. + + Greville, Sir Fulke, 46. + + Griffin, Mr., 412. + + Grimsbe and Hull, 18. + + Gudburn, Peter, 256. + + Guiana, 36, 55. + + + Hall, Mr., 410. + + Hampton, 332. + + Hanson, Captain, 183. + + Hartford, 501, 510. + + Hatherly, Timothy, 256, 296, 307, 309. + Arrives in Massachusetts Bay, 319-329, 334, 335, 340. + Affirms by oath, 342, 343, 345. + At Bristol, 347. + Again comes to America, 360, 439. + + Hathorne, Wm., 513. + + Haynes, John, governor of Massachusetts, 399. + + Heath, Thomas, 256. + + Hedgehog, fable of the, 211. + + Hendrick, Prince, 249. + + Hibbins, Wm., 479. + + Higginson, Francis, 317. + + Hingham, 439. + Boundaries of, 440, 442. + + Hobbamok, an Indian, 123-125, 135-137. + + Hobson, Wm., 256. + + Hocking, killed at the Kennebec, 377-384. + + Holbeck, Wm., 532. + + Holland, 15, 22, 30, 34, 42, 69, 71, 374, 393, 490. + + Holland, Robert, 243, 256. + + Hooke, John, 531, 535. + + Hooker, Rev. Thomas, 234. + + Hopkins, Constanta, 532, 536. + + Hopkins, Damaris, 532. + + Hopkins, Edward, 504, 513, 525. + + Hopkins, Elizabeth, 532, 536. + + Hopkins, Giles, 536. + + Hopkins, Oceanus, born at sea, 532. + + Hopkins, Stephen, 122. + Visits Massasoit, 122. + Family, 532, 536. + + Houghe, Atherton, 399. + + Howland, Elizabeth, 534. + + Howland, John, falls overboard, 92, 452. + Family, 531, 534. + + Hubbard, Wm., historian, 329. + + Huddleston, John, letter from, 150, 151. + + Hudson, Thomas, 256. + + Hudson's Bay, 196. + + Hudson's River, 13. + + Hull, 17, 18. + + Humber River, 441. + + Humfray, John, 399. + + Hunt, Thomas, Captain, captor of Squanto, 115, 116. + + Hunter, Rev. Joseph, 151, 197. + + Hurricane at Plymouth, 401. + + + Indian corn, 100. + Pilgrims take, and later pay for, 100, 123. + Squanto teaches how to plant, 120. + Indians raise more, 122. + Pilgrims do not yet know how to raise, 152. + Several hogs-heads secured, 155. + Each man to plant for himself, 162. + Women and children set, 162. + Fear about supply, 176. + + Indians, expected danger from, 34, 95. + First seen, 98. + Their corn found, 99. + About a grampus, 101. + First alarm of, 102-104, 106. + Skulking, 113. + Mentioned, 119, 123, 127, 134, 136, 156, 157. + Resolve to destroy western people, 158. + Mentioned, 232, 253, 262. + Value of wampum, 282. + Taught by Morton, 286. + + ---- Long Island, sachems of, 428. + + ---- Mohawks, 427. + Kill Sassacus, 430. + Mentioned, 514. + + ---- Monhiggs beat the Narragansetts, 430. + + ---- Narragansetts, 123, 133, 135, 136, 148, 152, 186, 282, 416, 423, + 424, 426, 430, 433 496, 505. + Agreement with, 521. + + ---- Neepnetts, 429. + + ---- Nyanticks, 512, 518. + Agreement with, 521. + + ---- Pequots, 232, 282, 371, 415, 416, 418. + Attack English, 419, 420, 423-426, 430, 496, 505. + + Innemo, Indian chief, 518. + + Irish servants, 264. + + Isle of Shoals, 291. + + + Jackson, Thomas, executed, 432. + + James, a physician, 434. + + James I., 13. + Dies, 219. + Named, 356. + + James, ship, 192. + + Jeffrey, Sergeant, 328. + + Jenemo and Wipelock, 523. + + Johnson, Rev. Francis, 48, 49. + + Johnson, Mr., 330, 332. + + Johnsone, alderman, 47. + + Jonas, 525. + + Jones, captain of the Discovery, 153. + + Jones, captain of the Mayflower, 83. + + + Kean, Robert, 255, 256. + + Kennebec, load of corn sent up the, 246. + Mentioned, 267, 280, 282, 293, 300, 311, 326, 348, 379, 407, 421, 437. + Patent at, 376. + + Kent, 70. + + King, Wm., 89. + + Knight, Eliza, 256. + + Knight, John, 256. + + Knowles, Myles, 256. + + + Land's End, 84. + + Langemore, John, 532. + + Langrume, master of a ship, 410, 412. + + Latham, Wm., 531, 534. + + LaTour, French governor, 513. + + Laud, Wm., archbishop, 391, 392. + + Lee, Lord, 430. + + Levett, Christopher, 179. + + Leyden, 23, 54, 56, 66, 70. + Departure thence, 71. + Mentioned, 85, 96, 130, 143, 148, 189, 216, 249, 271, 293, 314. + + Lincoln, Countess of, 51. + + Lincolnshire, 13, 16. + + Ling, John, 256. + + Lister, Edward, 532, 539. + + London, 69, 72, 73, 84, 86, 115, 195, 244. + Plague in, 246, 357, 410. + + London bridge, fire on, 367. + + Low countries, 22, 26, 121, 296, 448, 489. + + Ludlow, Mr., 428, 509. + + Lyford, John, arrives, 204. + Letters intercepted, 207, 208. + Sets up a public meeting, 209. + Cited before the court, 210. + Mentioned, 213, 215, 219, 238, 292. + His acknowledgment, 220. + Writes to adventurers, 221. + Their opinion of him, 223 _et seq._, 227, 229, 230. + Censured, 232. + Facts concerning, 232 _et seq._ + Goes to Nantasket, 236. Dies, 237. + + Lyon, ship, 363. + + + Maggner, Mr., 47. + + Mahue, Mr., 360. + + Malabar, Cape, 94. + + Manamoick (Chatham), 117, 125, 155, 262. + + Manoanscussett, 281, 415. + + Manomet (Sandwich), 123. + Pinace built at, 266. + Mentioned, 281, 402. + + Margeson, Edmond, 533, 538. + + Marriage, first, at Plymouth, 121. + By magistrates, 393. + + Marshfield, 444, 458. + + Martin, Christopher, 69, 70, 76, 87, 88, 532, 536. + + Martyr, Peter, 164. + + Mary, Queen, 7, 352. + + Mary, Queen of Scots, 489. + + Mary and Anne, 435. + + Mason, Captain, with Gorges, 355, 391, 392. + + Mason, John, Captain, and the Pequots, 428, 518. + + Massachusetts, location of, 117. + Bay, 149, 232, 265, 295. + Gorges arrives in Bay, 178, 181. + Arrival of Ralfe Smith, 314. + Mr. Pierce and Mr. Hatherley come, 319, 320, 330, 342. + Gardiner in, 352, 361. + Roger Williams comes, 369. + Mentioned, 371, 372, 382, 383, 403, 416, 419, 433. + Boundaries between Massachusetts and Plymouth, 447. + + Massasoit visits Plymouth, 114. + Treaty with, 114. + Embassy to, 122. + Sends word concerning Billington, 123-125, 134, 136. + Seeks Squanto's life, 137. + Is sick, 158. + + Masterson, Richard, 50, 374. + + Maurice, Grave, dies, 249. + + Mayflower, 296. + + May-pole at Merry-Mount, 285, 286. + + Meekesano, 525. + + Merchant adventurers, agreement with, 70, 76. + Weston and the, 138, 143. + As to Lyford, 234. + Broken up, 237. + Names of, 256. + + Merrimac River, 160. + + Merry-Mount, 284. + + Miantonimo, 505, 512. + + Milford-Haven, 348. + + Millsop, Thomas, 256. + + Minter, Desire, 531, 534. + + Mixano, 518. + + Monhegan, 148, 185, 251. + + Mononotto, an Indian, and his wife, 429, 430. + + More, Ellen, 531. + + More, Jasper, 531, 534. + + More, Richard, 531, 533. + + Morrell, Wm., Rev., comes with Robert Gorges, 185. + + Morton, George, 59. + + Morton, Thomas, at Mount Wollaston, 284 _et seq._ + Arrested, 291, 302. + Imprisoned in Boston, 303, 392. + + Mott, Thomas, 256. + + Mount Wollaston, 284 _et seq._ + + Mullines, Joseph, 532, 536. + + Mullines, Priscila, 532, 536, 539. + + Mullines, Wm., 76. + Family, 532, 536. + + + Nacata, 445. + + Naemschatet, 445. + + Namasket, 116. + + Namassakett, 124. + + Namskeket Creek, 263. + + Nantasket, 236, 289. + + Narragansetts. See _Indians_. + + Nash, Mr., 61, 62. + + Natawanute, 373. + + Naumkeag (Salem), 235, 316. + + Naunton, Sir Robert, 38. + + Nauset (Eastham), 116, 123, 444. + + Nequamkeck, falls of, 376. + + Newbald, Fria, 256. + + New-comin, John, killed by Billington, 330. + + New England, 109, 115. + Grant from council of, 167, 169, 178, 245. + Confederation of plantations of, 496. + + Newfoundland, 115. + + New Haven, 458, 500-502, 509, 521. + + Newtown, 399, 407. + + Norton, Captain, 386. + + Norton, Rev. John, 408. + + Norway, 19. + + Nottinghamshire, 13. + + Novatians, 9. + + Nowell, Increase, 399. + + Nyanticks. See _Indians_. + + + Old-comers, 444. + + Oldham, John, 206, 208. + Resists Captain Standish, 209. + Cited before the court, 210. + Named, 216, 218, 219. + Comes again, 229. + Sent away, 230. + Confesses, 231. + Killed, 232. + Mentioned, 237, 417, 418. + + Oporto, 327, 343. + + Orania (Orange) fort, 282. + + Ossamequine, 522. + + Ouse River, 441. + + + Paddy, Wm., 456. + + Pampiamett, 513. + + Paragon, ship, sent out by John Peirce, 166-168. + + Partridge, Ralph, discusses baptism with Chauncey, 457. + Letter from, 466. + + Passaconaway, 522. + + Passengers in the Mayflower, 531 _et seq._ + + Patrick, Captain, 328. + + Patucket River, 445. + + Patuxet (Plymouth), 116. + + Peach, Arthur, executed for murder, 432. + + Peirce, Wm., master of Paragon, 169. + Master of the Anne, 171, 186, 202, 207, 216. + Comes from England, 230, 232, 234, 308, 319, 333, 361, 363. + Letter from Virginia, 365-367, 412, 414. + Carries Indians to West Indies, 429. + + Pelham, Herbert, 525. + + Pemaquid, 401. + + Pemberton, John, 208. + + Pennington, Wm., 256. + + Penobscot, 116, 309, 326, 333, 349, 350, 382, 395, 400. + + Pequots. See _Indians_. + + Perkins, Mr., 9. + + Perrin, Wm., 256. + + Pessecuss, an Indian, 520, 524, 525. + + Peters, Hugh, 479 _et seq._ + + Pickering, Edward, 58, 60, 138, 140, 143. + Letter to Bradford and Brewster, 144, 145. + + Pierce, John, 76, 143. + Likes not Weston's company, 148. + Sends the Paragon, 166 _et seq._ + Charter taken in name of, 167. + + Pilgrims resolve to go to the low countries, 14. + Fate of families left behind, 20. + Remove to Leyden, 23. + Obtain patent from Virginia company, 50, 51. + Agreement with Weston and merchant adventurers, 56, 70. + Their vessels, 71, 72. + Choose governor and assistants, 83. + Sail, 83. + Put back, 83. + Dismiss the Speedwell, 84. + List of the, in the Mayflower, 531 _et seq._ + Descry Cape Cod, 93. + Give thanks, 94. + First see Indians, 98. + Find kettle and Indian corn, 99. + First encounter with Indians, 102. + Lay out house lots, 107. + Their compact, 109. + Choose John Carver governor, 109. + Visited by Samoset, 113; + by Squanto and Massasoit, 114. + Treaty with Massasoit, 114. + Harvest, 127, 152. + Their meeting house, 152. + + Pinchon, 399, 404. + + Piscataqua River, 160, 251, 267, 377, 383. + + Plague in London, 246, 357. + + Plantations, commission for regulating, 249, 540. + + Pliny, 201. + + Plymouth, Eng., Pilgrims put into, 84, 244. + + Plymouth, N. E., 1, 90, 116, 117, 127, 160, 251, 314, 332, 349, 363, + 380. + Bounds between, and Massachusetts, 442. + + Pocock, John, 256. + + Point Care, 94. + + Point Peril, 445. + + Pokanokets, 116. + + Poliander, John, 28. + + Portsmouth, 169, 244, 246. + + Pory, John, secretary, 153. + + Powows, 118. + + Poynton, Daniel, 256. + + Preist, Digerie, 533, 538. + + Prince, Thos., chosen governor, 375, 432. + Mentioned, 380, 381, 452, 525. + + Prices of live stock, 436. + + Providence, 515. + + Prower, Salamon, 532. + + Punham, 522. + + Pummunish, 513, 525. + + Puritans, name, 8. + + + Quarles, Wm., 256. + + + Rasdell, Mr., at Mt. Wollaston, 284. + + Rasieres, Isaac de, 269. + Reply to his letter, 270, 281. + + Rayner, John, Rev., 419, 457. + Letter from, 464. + + Rehoboth, 444. + + Revell, John, 256. + + Reynolds, 67. + Captain of the Speedwell, 83. + Puts back twice, 83, 84. + Referred to, 147, 208. + + Rigdale, Alice, 533, 537. + + Rigdale, John, 533, 537. + + Riggs, Sergeant, 328. + + Robinson, John, Rev., 14. + Goes to Holland, 22-24, 27. + Disputes with Arminius, 28. + Correspondence with Sir Edwin Sandys, 40-43; + with Sir John Worstenholm, 43-46, 48, 54. + Letters to John Carver, 58-61, 77, 78; + to Pilgrims, 78-82, 88, 130, 153. + Letter to Governor Bradford, 197; + to Wm. Brewster, 198, 216, 238. + Dead, 247 _et seq._ + + Rogers, Mr., at Plymouth, 292. + + Rogers, Joseph, 533, 537. + + Rogers, Thomas, 533, 537. + + Rome, 25, 66. + + Rookes, Newman, 256. + + + Sagadahoc, wreck at, 251. + + Salem, 235, 295, 316, 317, 330, 370, 383. + + Salt-making, 191, 192, 203. + + Saly (Saller), 245. + + Samoset visits Plymouth, 113. + + Samson, Henry, 532, 537. + + Sanders, John, chief of Weston's men, 155. + + Sandwich, 444. + + Sandys, Sir Edwin, letter from, 40-43, 46. + Governor of Virginia company, 47. + + Sassacus, sachem, 427. + Killed, 430. + + Satucket, 116. + + Say, Lord, 378, 384. + + Scituate, 440-444, 458. + + Scotland, 448. + + Scott, false, 351. + + Scurvy, Pilgrims suffer from, 110. + + Seekonk, 434, 444, 518. + + Seneca, 94, 200. + + Sharpe, Samuel, 256. + + Sheriver, Mr., 50. + + Sherley, James, letters to Pilgrims, 189 _et seq._, 193, 300, 302, + 304, 321, 333. + Letters to Governor Bradford, 275 _et seq._, 295. + Letters from, 335 _et seq._, 346, 359, 367 _et seq._, 381, 394, 410, + 412, 450. + Settlement with, 452. + Letters to Atwood, 478; + to partners, 478, 485. + His release, 480. + Mentioned, 249, 255, 256, 278, 279, 293, 304, 306, 307, 309, 313, + 318, 340, 342, 344, 347-350, 357, 360, 363, 375, 414, 415, 431, + 435, 439, 446. + + Shoanan, sachem, 522. + + Sibsie, Mr., 220. + + Skelton, Samuel, 317. + + Small-pox among Indians on the Connecticut, 388. + + Smith, Francis, 514. + + Smith, John, 23, 94. + His map, 441. + + Smith, John, Rev., 14, 23. + + Smith, Ralph, Rev., 314. + Resigns his ministry, 418. + + Smith, Sir Thomas, 47. + + Sodomy, 459 _et seq._ + + Sokanoke, 522. + + Southampton, 67. + Arrive at, 71. + Mentioned, 73, 87, 88, 533. + + Souther, Nathaniel, 456. + + Southworth, Edward, letter from Robt. Cushman, 86-90. + + Sowams, 115. + + Sowansett River, 445. + + Sowle, George, 531, 535. + + Spain, 115, 358. + + Sparrow, ship, 145. + + Speedwell, ship, 71, 72, 84. + + Squanto, history of, 113-117. + Teaches corn planting, 120. + With embassy to Massasoit, 122. + Mentioned, 124, 125, 130, 135, 148. + Seeks his own ends, 136, 137. + Dies, 155. + + Stamford, 509. + + Standish, Myles, leads a party up Cape Cod, 98. + Labors for sick, 111. + Goes with party about Cape Cod, 155. + Rescues some of Weston's people, 159. + Lyford's opinion of, 217. + Sent to England, 245. + Comes home, 247, 252, 272, 278. + Arrests Morton, 291, 379-381. + Goes to the Penobscot, 397. + Mentioned, 446, 452, 458, 518, 532, 536. + + Standish, Rose, 532, 536. + + Stanton, Thomas, interpreter, 428. + + Staresmore, Sabin (S. B.), 46. + Letter to Carver, 50, 51. + + Stinnings, Richard, executed for murder, 432. + + Stone, Captain, influences governor of Dutch plantation, 385. + Killed, 386. + Mentioned, 416, 418. + + Story, Elias, 531. + + Stoughton, Israel, commissioner, 442. + + Stoughton, Mr., 429. + + Straton, 339. + + Sturgs, Thomas, 481. + + + Taborites, 25. + + Talbut, ship, 296. + + Tarantines, 125. + + Tassaquanawite, 523. + + Taunton, 444. + + Thanksgiving, first, 126. + + Thomas, Wm., 456. + + Thompson, David, at the mouth of the Piscataqua, 185, 251, 252. + + Thompson, Edward, 532. + + Thorned, Thomas, 256. + + Thornhill, Matthew, 256. + + Tilden, Joseph, 256. + + Tillie, Ann, 532, 537. + + Tillie, Edward, 532, 537. + + Tillie, Elizabeth, 532, 534, 537. + + Tillie, John, 532, 534, 537. + + Tinker, Thomas, 533, 537. + + Tirrey, Arthur, 481. + + Trask, Captain, 328. + + Trent, River, 441. + + Trevore, Wm., 148, 533. + + Trumball, Wm., 357. + + Tucker's Terror, 94. + + Turkeys, wild, 126. + + Turner, John, 66, 67, 533, 538. + + + Uncas, Monhigg chief, 430, 505, 510 _et seq._, 514, 521, 523. + + Uncaway, 509. + + Union of the New England colonies, 496. + + + Vane, Sir Harry, 419, 430. + + Vines, Richard, 338. + + Virginia, 36, 37, 41, 49, 55, 67, 86, 109, 117, 127, 138, 149, 150, + 152, 153, 170, 181. + Ship bound for, 261, 265, 266. + Mentioned, 364, 385, 414. + + Virginia company, 38, 39, 46, 47, 54, 108. + + Virginia court and council, 46. + + + Walloons, 27. + + Wampum, value of, 282. + + Ward, Thomas, 256. + + Warren, Richard, 532, 537. + + Warwick, Earl of, 300, 526. + + Water, first drink of, in New England, 99. + + Waughwamino, 524. + + Weequashcooke, 523. + + Weesagascussett, 289. + + Weetowish, 513, 518, 525. + + Weld, Thomas, 479 _et seq._ + + West, Francis, admiral for New England, 169, 178. + + Weston, Andrew, 144. + + Weston, Thos., 52, 54-56, 59, 60, 62, 63, 67, 69, 74, 88. + Writes Governor Carver, 128, 129. + Sends fishing vessel, 137. + Letters to Mr. Carver, 137-140. + Letter to Governor Bradford, 142-144. + Remarks in letter of Pickering and Greene, 145. + Mentioned, 141, 146, 149, 150, 166, 178, 186, 189. + His people in trouble, 154 _et seq._ + Comes in disguise, 160. + His ingratitude, 161. + Arrives with small ship, 179. + Cited before Robert Gorges, 179 _et seq._ + Arrested, 183. + Dies, 184. + + Westminster, 411. + + Weymouth, 442. + + White, Mr., counsellor, 234. + + White, John, Rev., 256. + + White, Peregrine, 532, 536. + + White, Resolved, 532, 536, 539. + + White, Roger, letter from, 248. + + White, Susannah, 532, 535. + + White, Wm., 532, 535, 536. + + White Angel, ship, 320, 321, 326, 328, 329, 333-335, 337, 338, 343, + 344, 346, 350, 361, 364, 390, 394, 395, 413, 455. + + Wilder, Roger, 531, 534. + + Wilkinson, Ed., master of the Falcon, 410, 412. + + Willett, Thomas, agent at Penobscot, 395. + + Williams, Roger, 369 _et seq._ + Pacifies Indians, 434, 515. + + Williams, Thomas, 533, 538. + + Willson, Mr., surgeon, 430. + + Wilson, John, 332. + + Wincot, Jacob, 51. + + Winnisimmet, 289. + + Winslow, Edward, 62. + Visits Massasoit, 122. + Visits Captain Huddleston, 151. + Brings cattle, 189. + Comes from England, 230. + Calls Lyford a knave, 236. + Goes up the Kennebec, 247. + Mentioned, 134, 177, 191, 208, 216, 234, 242, 244, 251, 278, 300, + 312, 319, 329, 333, 336, 337, 344, 346, 350, 357, 380, 384, + 392-394, 408, 442, 446, 452, 513, 527. + Chosen governor, 366, 409, 507. + In England, 389. + Petition of, 390. + Family, 531, 535. + + Winslow, Elizabeth, 531. + + Winslow, Gilbert, 533, 538. + + Winslow, Josias, 452. + + Winthrop, John, 330-332, 342. + Letters from, 354, 417, 420, 427. + Mentioned, 382-384, 399, 446, 504, 525. + + Wollaston, Captain, 283. + His ventures, 284. + + Worstenholme, Sir John, 43, 45, 47. + + Wraight, Henry, 256. + + + Yarmouth, 444, 445. + + Yeardley, Sir Geo., 47. + + Yonge, Joseph, 435. + + Yorkshire, 13. + + + Zealand, 17. + + Ziska, 25. + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] The Hon. Charles Francis Adams. + +[B] Lib. 2 Chap. 22. + +[C] In the text, parentheses are used frequently, apparently in place of +commas. For this reason, many are omitted in the reprint. + +[D] Acts & Mon: pag. 1587. editi: 2. + +[E] Ens: lib: 6. Chap. 42. + +[F] Pag. 421. + +[G] A note of the author at this place, written subsequent to this +portion of the narrative, on the reverse pages of his History. + +[H] All these and subsequent passages are quoted from the Geneva version +of the Bible. + +[I] Em: meter: lib: 25. col. 119. + +[J] The reformed churches shapen much neerer y^e primitive patterne +_then England_, for they cashered y^e Bishops w^ith al their courts, +cannons, and ceremoneis, at the first; and left them amongst y^e popish +tr.... to [=c]h w^ch they pertained. (The last word in the note is +uncertain in the MS.) + +[K] Goulden booke, &c. + +[L] S^r Robert Nanton. + +[M] NOTE.--O sacred bond, whilst inviollably preserved! how sweete and +precious were the fruits that flowed from y^e same, but when this +fidelity decayed, then their ruine approached. O that these anciente +members had not dyed, or been dissipated, (if it had been the will of +God) or els that this holy care and constante faithfullnes had still +lived, and remained with those that survived, and were in times +afterwards added unto them. But (alass) that subtill serpente hath +slylie wound in himselfe under faire pretences of necessitie and y^e +like, to untwiste these sacred bonds and tyes, and as it were insensibly +by degrees to dissolve, or in a great measure to weaken, y^e same. I +have been happy, in my first times, to see, and with much comforte to +injoye, the blessed fruits of this sweete communion, but it is now a +parte of my miserie in old age, to find and feele y^e decay and wante +therof (in a great measure), and with greefe and sorrow of hart to +lamente & bewaile y^e same. And for others warning and admonnition, and +my owne humiliation, doe I hear note y^e same. + +[The above reflections of the author were penned at a later period, on +the reverse pages of his History, at this place.] + +[N] Bishops. + +[O] M^r. Tho: Weston, &c. + +[P] _Yowthers_ in the manuscript, an illegibly written word, doubtless +intended for "y^e others." + +[Q] This word is enclosed in brackets in the manuscript. + +[R] In Governor Bradford's Collection of Letters, these subscribers are +thus wrote out at length: SAMUEL FULLER, WILLIAM BRADFORD, ISAAC +ALLERTON, ED. WINSLOW.--_Prince._ + +[S] June 11. O. S. is Lord's day, and therefore 't is likely the date of +this letter should be June 10, the same with the date of the letter +following.--_Prince._ + +[T] He was a minister. + +[U] Of some 60 tune. + +[V] Heb. 11. + +[W] This was about 22. of July. + +[X] It was well for them y^t this was not accepted. + +[Y] This letter is omitted in Governor Bradford's _Collection of +Letters._--_Prince._ + +[Z] In Governor Bradford's _Collection of Letters_, this is Edward +Southworth.--_Prince._ + +[AA] He was governour in y^e biger ship, & M^r. Cushman assistante. + +[AB] I thinke he was deceived in these things. + +[AC] This was found true afterward. + +[AD] In the manuscript it is "strive dayly," but a pen has been drawn +through the latter word. + +[AE] For Governor Bradford's list of passengers in the Mayflower, see +Appendix, No. I. + +[AF] Because y^ey tooke much of y^t fishe ther. + +[AG] Epist: 53. + +[AH] Act. 28. + +[AI] Deu: 26. 5, 7. + +[AJ] 107 Psa: v. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8. + +[AK] Which was this author him selfe. + +[AL] Page 17. + +[AM] _Thing_ in the manuscript + +[AN] She came y^e 9. to y^e Cap. + +[AO] Nay, they were faine to spare y^e shipe some to carry her home. + +[AP] _Yeeled_ in the manuscript. + +[AQ] _Adventures_ in the manuscript. + +[AR] I know not w^ch way. + +[AS] _Adventures_ in the manuscript. + +[AT] See how his promisss is fulfild. + +[AU] _But y^e_ [he] _left not his own men a bite of bread._ + +[AV] The number is repeated in the Ms. + +[AW] Mr. Hunter writes, "Here is an error in Bradford's pagination. He +passes from 79 to 90. No part of the manuscript is here lost." 79 is +repeated in the paging. + +[AX] _W^th_ in the manuscript. + +[AY] _They_ in the MS. + +[AZ] I may not here omite how, notwithstand all their great paines & +industrie, and y^e great hops of a large cropp, the Lord seemed to +blast, & take away the same, and to threaten further & more sore famine +unto them, by a great drought which continued from y^e 3. weeke in May, +till about y^e midle of July, without any raine, and with great heat +(for y^e most parte), insomuch as y^e corne begane to wither away, +though it was set with fishe, the moysture wherof helped it much. Yet at +length it begane to languish sore, and some of y^e drier grounds were +partched like withered hay, part wherof was never recovered. Upon which +they sett a parte a solemne day of humilliation, to seek y^e Lord by +humble & fervente prayer, in this great distrese. And he was pleased to +give them a gracious & speedy answer, both to their owne, & the Indeans +admiration, that lived amongest them. For all y^e morning, and greatest +part of the day, it was clear weather & very hotte, and not a cloud or +any signe of raine to be seen, yet toward evening it begane to overcast, +and shortly after to raine, with shuch sweete and gentle showers, as +gave them cause of rejoyceing, & blesing God. It came, without either +wind, or thunder, or any violence, and by degreese in y^t abundance, as +that y^e earth was thorowly wete and soked therwith. Which did so +apparently revive & quicken y^e decayed corne & other fruits, as was +wonderfull to see, and made y^e Indeans astonished to behold; and +afterwards the Lord sent them shuch seasonable showers, with enterchange +of faire warme weather, as, through his blessing, caused a fruitfull & +liberall harvest, to their no small comforte and rejoycing. For which +mercie (in time conveniente) they also sett aparte a day of +thanksgiveing. This being overslipt in its place, I thought meet here to +inserte y^e same. + +[The above is written on the reverse of page 103 of the original, and +should properly be inserted here. This passage, "being overslipt in its +place," the author at first wrote it, or the most of it, under the +preceding year; but, discovering his error before completing it, drew +his pen across it, and wrote beneath, "This is to be here rased out, and +is to be placed on page 103, wher it is inserted."] + +[BA] _On._ + +[BB] I. R. + +[BC] This proved rather, a propheti, then advice. + +[BD] _Contend_ in the manuscript. + +[BE] In MS. also 145. + +[BF] In MS. also 146. + +[BG] He dyed afterwards at Bristoll, in y^e time of the warrs, of y^e +sicknes in y^t place. + +[BH] With her flages, & streamers, pendents, & wastcloaths, &c. + +[BI] _And_ is repeated in the MS. + +[BJ] _Adventures_ in the manuscript. + +[BK] He means Mr. Robinson. + +[BL] But this lasted not long, they had now provided Lyford & others to +send over. + +[BM] It is worthy to be observed, how y^e Lord doth chaing times & +things; for what is now more plentifull then wine? and that of y^e best, +coming from Malago, y^e Cannaries, and other places, sundry ships lading +in a year. So as ther is now more cause to complaine of y^e excess and +y^e abuse of wine (through mens corruption) even to drunkennes, then of +any defecte or wante of the same. Witnes this year 1646. The good Lord +lay not y^e sins & unthankfullnes of men to their charge in this +perticuler. + +[BN] This was John Oldome & his like. + +[BO] M^r. Westons men. + +[BP] _Notabe_ in MS. + +[BQ] Plin: lib: 18. chap. 2. + +[BR] Of wh^ch were many witneses. + +[BS] Jer. 41. 6. + +[BT] 121 is repeated in the paging of the original. + +[BU] _Inurious_ in MS. + +[BV] _Receive_ in the manuscript. + +[BW] This was Lyford himselfe. + +[BX] _Is it not_ in the MS. + +[BY] _Bet-_ in MS. + +[BZ] If I mistake not, it was not much less. [30^li in the manuscript.] + +[CA] First written as in the text, then altered to _standerss_. + +[CB] Note. + +[CC] Here occurs another error in the paging of the original; 142 is +omitted. + +[CD] Below are the names of the adventurers subscribed to this paper, +taken from Bradford's Letter-Book, 1 Mass. Hist. Coll., III. 48; being +forty-two in number. The names of six of these persons are found +subsequently among the members of the Massachusetts Company, viz. John +White, John Pocock, Thomas Goffe, Samuel Sharpe, John Revell, and Thomas +Andrews. Mr. Haven, who edited the Records of the Massachusetts Company, +is of opinion that the first person on the list is the celebrated +clergyman of Dorchester, the reputed author of the Planter's Plea. Emnu. +Alltham is probably the same person named in the Council Records, under +date January 21. 1622-3: "Emanuel Altum to command the Pinnace built for +Mr. Peirce's Plantation." Smith speaks of "Captaine _Altom_" as +commanding this vessell, but Morton says the name of the master of the +Little James was Mr. Bridges, who it appears was drowned at Damariscove, +in March, 1624. See Coll. of the Amer. Antiq. Soc., III. 26, 62, +Preface; Felt's MS. Memoranda from the Council Records; Smith's Generall +Historie, p. 239; Morton's Memorial, p. 48. + + John White, + John Pocock, + Robert Kean, + Edward Bass, + William Hobson, + William Penington, + William Quarles, + Daniel Poynton, + Richard Andrews, + Newman Rookes, + Henry Browning, + Richard Wright, + John Ling, + Thomas Goffe, + Samuel Sharpe, + Robert Holland, + James Sherley, + Thomas Mott, + Thomas Fletcher, + Timothy Hatherly, + Thomas Brewer, + John Thorned, + Myles Knowles, + William Collier, + John Revell, + Peter Gudburn, + Emnu. Alltham, + John Beauchamp, + Thomas Hudson, + Thomas Andrews, + Thomas Ward, + Fria. Newbald, + Thomas Heath, + Joseph Tilden, + William Perrin, + Eliza Knight, + Thomas Coventry, + Robert Allden, + Lawrence Anthony, + John Knight, + Matthew Thornhill, + Thomas Millsop. + + +[CE] The orthography of some of these words differs from the modern way +of spelling them; and we have no means of ascertaining the accuracy of +Bradford's copy from the original letter. This passage may be rendered +thus:-- + +"Noble, worshipful, wise, and prudent Lords, the Governor and +Councillors residing in New Plymouth, our very dear friends:--The +Director and Council of New Netherland wish to your Lordships, +worshipful, wise, and prudent, happiness in Christ Jesus our Lord, with +prosperity and health, in soul and body." + +[CF] Nov. 6. 1627. Page 238. [Reference is here made to the page of the +original manuscript.] + +[CG] 155 omitted in original MS.--COM. + +[CH] Another leter of his, that should have bene placed before:-- + +We cannot but take notice how y^e Lord hath been pleased to crosse our +proseedings, and caused many disasters to befale us therin. I conceive +y^e only reason to be, we, or many of us, aimed at other ends then Gods +glorie; but now I hope y^t cause is taken away; the bargen being fully +concluded, as farr as our powers will reach, and confirmed under our +hands & seals, to M^r. Allerton & y^e rest of his & your copartners. But +for my owne parte, I confess as I was loath to hinder y^e full +confirming of it, being y^e first propounder ther of at our meeting; so +on y^e other side, I was as unwilling to set my hand to y^e sale, being +y^e receiver of most part of y^e adventurs, and a second causer of much +of y^e ingagments; and one more threatened, being most envied & aimed at +(if they could find any stepe to ground their malice on) then any other +whosoever. I profess I know no just cause they ever had, or have, so to +doe; neither shall it ever be proved y^t I have wronged them or any of +y^e adventurers, wittingly or willingly, one peny in y^e disbursing of +so many pounds in those 2. years trouble. No, y^e sole cause why they +maligne me (as I & others conceived) was y^t I would not side with them +against you, & the going over of y^e Leyden people. But as I then card +not, so now I litle fear what they can doe; yet charge & trouble I know +they may cause me to be at. And for these reasons, I would gladly have +perswaded the other 4. to have sealed to this bargaine, and left me out, +but they would not; so rather then it should faile, M^r. Alerton having +taken so much pains, I have sealed with y^e rest; with this proviso & +promise of his, y^t if any trouble arise hear, you are to bear halfe y^e +charge. Wherfore now I doubt not but you will give your generallitie +good contente, and setle peace amongst your selves, and peace with the +natives; and then no doubt but y^e God of Peace will blese your going +out & your returning, and cause all y^t you sett your hands unto to +prosper; the which I shall ever pray y^e Lord to grante if it be his +blessed will. Asuredly unless y^e Lord be mercifull unto us & y^e whole +land in generall, our estate & condition is farr worse then yours. +Wherfore if y^e Lord should send persecution or trouble hear, (which is +much to be feared,) and so should put into our minds to flye for refuge, +I know no place safer then to come to you, (for all Europ is at varience +one with another, but cheefly w^th us,) not doubting but to find such +frendly entertainmente as shall be honest & conscionable, +notwithstanding what hath latly passed. For I profess in y^e word of an +honest man, had it not been to procure your peace & quiet from some +turbulent spirites hear, I would not have sealed to this last deed; +though you would have given me all my adventure and debte ready downe. +Thus desiring y^e Lord to blesse & prosper you, I cease ever resting, + + Your faithfull & loving friend, + to my power, + JAMES SHERLEY. + + Des: 27. + +[The above letter was written on the reverse of page 154 of the original +manuscript.] + +[CI] Peag. + +[CJ] 1629, May 25, the first letter concerning the former company of +Leyden people.--_Prince._ + +[CK] 1629-30, March 8th, the second letter concerning the latter company +of Leyden people.--_Prince._ + +[CL] This word is here substituted for _recovering_ in the manuscript, +on the authority of Bradford's Letter-Book. + +[CM] This paragraph is written on the reverse of the page immediately +preceding, in the original manuscript. + +[CN] _Fractions_ in the manuscript. + +[CO] Thomas Willett. + +[CP] 177 is omitted in MS. + +[CQ] Oporto, called by the Dutch _Port a port_. + +[CR] Hubbard, on page 101, notices the execution of Billington as taking +place "about September" of this year. "The murtherer expected that, +either for want of power to execute for capital offences, or for want of +people to increase the plantation, he should have his life spared; but +justice otherwise determined, and rewarded him, the first murtherer of +his neighbour there, with the deserved punishment of death, for a +warning to others." The first offence committed in the colony was by +Billington, in 1621, who, for contempt of the Captain's lawful command, +with opprobious speeches, was adjudged to have his neck and heels tied +together. Prince, I. 103, from Bradford's pocket-book. + +[CS] This paragraph was written on the reverse of page 180 of the +original manuscript, near this place. + +[CT] W^th in manuscript. + +[CU] This was about y^e selling y^e ship in Spaine. + +[CV] They were too short in resting on M^r. Hatherleys honest word, for +his order to discharg them from y^e Friendship's accounte, when he and +M^r. Allerton made y^e bargane with them, and they delivered them the +rest of the goods; and therby gave them oppertunitie also to receive all +the fraight of boath viages, without seeing an order (to have such +power) under their hands in writing, which they never doubted of, seeing +he affirmed he had power; and they both knew his honestie, and y^t he +was spetially imployed for their agente at this time. And he was as +shorte in resting on a verball order from them; which was now denyed, +when it came to a perticuler of loss; but he still affirmed the same. +But they were both now taught how to deale in y^e world, espetially with +marchants, in such cases. But in y^e end this light upon these here +also, for M^r. Allerton had gott all into his owne hand, and M^r. +Hatherley was not able to pay it, except they would have uterlie undon +him, as y^e sequell will manifest. + +[CW] This comission is abused; he never had any for shuch end, as they +well knew, nether had they any to pay this money, nor would have paid a +peny, if they had not pleased for some other respecte. + +[CX] _o_ in MS. + +[CY] The last two words not found in the MS. but obviously intended. + +[CZ] About y^e Whit-Angell they all mette at a certaine taverne in +London, wher they had a diner prepared, and had a conference with a +factore aboute selling of her in Spaine, or at Port a porte, as hath +been before mentioned; as M^r. Hatherley manifested, & M^r. Allerton +could not deney. + +[DA] Mr. Winslow deposed, y^e same time, before y^e Gov^r afore said, +&c. that when he came into England, and the partners inquired of y^e +success of y^e Whit Angell, which should have been laden w^th bass and +so sent for Port. of Porting-gall, and their ship & goods to be sould; +having informed them that they were like to faile in their lading of +bass, that then M^r. James Sherley used these termes: Feck, we must make +one accounte of all; and ther upon presed him, as agente for y^e +partners in Neu-England, to accepte y^e said ship Whit-Angell, and her +accounte, into y^e joynte partner-ship; which he refused, for many +reasons; and after received instructions from New-Engl: to refuse her if +she should be offered, which instructions he shewed them; and wheras he +was often pressed to accept her, he ever refused her, &c. + +[DB] So as a while before, wheras their great care was how to pay the +purchase, and those other few debts which were upon them, now it was +with them as it was some times with Saule's father, who left careing for +y^e Asses, and sorrowed for his sonn. 1. Sam. 10. 2. So that which +before they looked at as a heavie burthen, they now esteeme but a small +thing and a light mater, in comparison of what was now upon them. And +thus y^e Lord oftentimes deals with his people to teach them, and humble +them, that he may doe them good in y^e later end. + +[DC] This word is obscure in MS. + +[DD] The above paragraph was written on the reverse of page 188 of the +original manuscript. + +[DE] The following account of Sir Christopher Gardiner, with the +documents accompanying it, extending to page 357, does not appear in the +text of the original manuscript,--having been perhaps inadvertently +omitted,--but was written on the reverse of pages 189-191. + +[DF] That is, in the original manuscript. + +[DG] _Rea_-in the manuscript. + +[DH] This letter was written on the reverse of folio 192 of the original +manuscript, and may be properly inserted here. + +[DI] March 22. + +[DJ] The skin was sold at 14^s. and 15. y^e pound. + +[DK] Ther was cause enough of these feares, which arise by y^e +underworking of some enemies to y^e churches here, by which this +Co[=m]ission following was procured from his Ma^tie. (See this paper in +appendix, No. 11.) + +[DL] And y^e skin at 14^s. + +[DM] That is, "If you please." + +[DN] The two paragraphs above were written on the reverse of folios 202 +and 203 of the original manuscript, under this year. + +[DO] Blank in the original. + +[DP] _They_ in MS. + +[DQ] Before this word in the margin appears a capital _N_. + +[DR] Not correctly cast; it should be 12530^li. + +[DS] 119 in MS. + +[DT] Ther is little trust to be given to their relations in these +things. + +[DU] 120 in MS. + +[DV] Mr John Reinor. + +[DW] But by this means they did furnish them, & have still continued to +doe. + +[DX] _Be_ in manuscript. + +[DY] But y^ey were carried to y^e West-Indeas. + +[DZ] _They_ in the manuscript. + +[EA] But staid it till y^e next year. + +[EB] And yet afterwards they laid claime to those parts in the +controversie about Seacunk. + +[EC] Being about 40^li. + +[ED] And devided betweene them. + +[EE] 130 in MS. + +[EF] Which is Charles River may still be questioned. + +[EG] This was but to pretend advantage, for it could not be done, +neither did it need. + +[EH] M^r. Chancey came to them in y^e year 1638. and staid till y^e +later part of this year 1641. + +[EI] A leaf is here wanting in the original manuscript, it having been +cut out. + +[EJ] Exod: 21. 22. Deu: 19. 11. Num: 35. 16. 18. + +[EK] "Confident"? + +[EL] _8_ in MS. + +[EM] _Conti[=c]_ in MS. + +[EN] _Solicitations_ in MS. + +[EO] This he means of y^e first adventures, all which were lost, as hath +before been shown; and what he here writs is probable at least. + +[EP] Being the conclusion, as will be seen, of page 252 of the original. + +[EQ] Perhaps _write_ for _wrote_. + +[ER] _The_ in the manuscript. + +[ES] This was a misterie to them, for they heard nothing hereof from any +side y^e last year, till now y^e conclution was past, and bonds given. + +[ET] Substituted for _sundry_ on the authority of the original MS. +Records. + +[EU] _Comander_ in the MS. + +[EV] Written 2 in MS. + +[EW] Who dyed 3. of Octob. 1655. + +[EX] The following memoranda are in a later hand. + +[EY] Obviously intended for Cushman. + +[EZ] See page 381. This document was written on the reverse of folio 201 +et seq. of the original manuscript, and for the sake of convenience is +transferred to this place. + +[FA] A superfluous _and_ comes after "observed" in the manuscript. + +[FB] _Edwards_ in the manuscript. + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Spelling is inconsistent and is left unchanged from the original +printing of this book. The following are some common examples +of questionable text. + + Page 16 + y^e not suffered to goe, + [they?] + Unchanged. + + Page 24 + any other riches whatsoever. And at lenght they came + [length?] + Unchanged. + + Page 41 + of our company to adyone him selfe; to the care & discretion + [adyone] possibly ajoin? + Unchanged. + + Page 76 + to rejecte y^e vioage. Judge therfore we beseech you indiferently + [voiage?] + Unchanged. + + Page 84 + to proceede on her viage. Those that went bak were + [voiage?] + Unchanged. + + Page 98 + who were salvages; but they fled from them, & ra[=n]e + [savages?] + Unchanged. + + Page 113 + and anone cursing his felows, saing he had done this + [anone] anyone? + Unchanged. + + Page 156 + and he would have borrowed a hh of corne of y^e Indeans, + hh is probably hogshead. Both 'h's have a bar thru the ascender. + Unchanged. + + Page 208 + somwaht blanke at it, but after some weeks, when + [somwaht?] + Unchanged. + + Page 210 + their doings & pactises hear; that it was evident they + [pactises?] + Unchanged + + Page 214 + this mische[=c]ous [mische[=e]ous]& most false slander: That because + Unable to tell from the image whether it is a 'c' or 'e'. + Left it as a [=c]. + + Page 304 + And think not with 50^li. pound a yeare sent you over, to + Duplication of li and pound. + Unchanged + + Page 351 + maister & ye rest of y^e company were gone from + ye rather than y^e here. + Unchanged. + + Page 371 + of y^e season, and the fear y^e Indans were in of + [Indans?] + Unchanged. + + Page 391 + and y^e English Collonies, to right and defend them selves + [fight?] + Unchanged. + + Page 416 + knew to be an-English man, as also those y^t were + Odd use of hyphen. + Unchanged. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRADFORD'S HISTORY OF 'PLIMOTH +PLANTATION'*** + + +******* This file should be named 24950.txt or 24950.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/9/5/24950 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://www.gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: +https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + |