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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: William Bradford of Plymouth + +Author: Albert Hale Plumb + +Release Date: September 20, 2010 [EBook #33776] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILLIAM BRADFORD OF PLYMOUTH *** + + + + +Produced by Roberta Staehlin and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<hr /> +<h1>William Bradford of Plymouth</h1> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="600" height="354" alt="Frontispiece" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Copyright by A. S. Burbank, Plymouth, Mass.<br /> +BIRTHPLACE OF WILLIAM BRADFORD. AUSTERFIELD, ENGLAND.</span> +</div> + + +<div id="tp"> +<p class="center"><span class="title">WILLIAM BRADFORD</span><br /> +<span class="title">OF PLYMOUTH</span><br /> +<br /><br /> +BY<br /> +<br /> +<span class="author">ALBERT H. PLUMB</span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 180px;"> +<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="180" height="235" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"><span class="pub">BOSTON</span><br /> +<span class="pub1">RICHARD G. BADGER</span> +THE GORHAM PRESS</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1920, by Richard G. Badger</span></p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="center">All Rights Reserved</p> + +<hr class="white" /> + +<p class="center">Made in the United States of America</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="center">The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">TO ALL DESCENDANTS OF<br /><br /> +<span class="name">WILLIAM BRADFORD</span><br /> +<br /> +<small>AND TO ALL WHO ADMIRE THIS LEADER OF NEW ENGLAND'S FOUNDERS THIS CONCISE +AND UNPRETENTIOUS RECORD OF HIS LIFE AND ACTS IS</small><br /> +<br /> +<span class="dedication">DEDICATED</span><br /> +<br /> +<small>IN THE HOPE THAT BY HIS EXAMPLE WE MAY BE INSPIRED AND STRENGTHENED, THE +BETTER TO DO OUR OWN PART IN NOBLE LIVING AND IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC +ACHIEVEMENTS</small></p> + + + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a> +<a name="preface" id="preface"></a>PREFACE</h2> + + +<p>It is a pleasing task to record afresh the life course of one of those +whom the poet Whittier characterized as "the noblest ancestry that ever +a people looked back to with love and reverence."</p> + +<p>The leading authorities, particularly the Pilgrim narrators themselves +and those more nearly contemporary with them, have contributed to this +biography. Though early Plymouth events and the career of Bradford are +inseparably connected, the colonial history is here limited and made +subservient to the personal consideration, with regret that there do not +appear more obtainable data of this nature. Undoubtedly the Governor's +modest reticence largely accounts for this. We can only be thankful that +we have what we have.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Albert H. Plumb.</span></p> + +<hr /> + + +<h2><a name="contents" id="contents">CONTENTS</a></h2> + +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr> +<th colspan="3">PAGE</th> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">I</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Boy</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#i">11</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">II</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Pilgrim </span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#ii">23</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">III</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Governor: Early Duties</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#iii">41</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IV</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Governor: Later Administration</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#iv">61</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">V</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Governor: Last Acts</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#v">89</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +<a name="i" id="i"></a>WILLIAM BRADFORD OF PLYMOUTH</h2> + + + +<hr class="hr3" /> + +<h2>I<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE BOY</small></h2> + +<div class="block"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Earth's transitory things decay,</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Its pomps, its pleasures pass away;</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>But the sweet memory of the good</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Survives in the vicissitude.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">J. Bowring.</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="white" /> + +<p class="cap2">THE world has nothing more worthy of our regard than its unconscious +heroes. Though many can discern their own true importance, a peculiar +charm invests such as do not realize it, even if they are told. They +seem to think others would have done better in their place, and they +lightly estimate their services, at less than their fellow-men accredit +them. His ideal of duty captivates the doer more than his own agency +therein. The noblest men are made by the contemplation of their models. +Like the great Apostle, they are not disobedient unto the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> heavenly +vision. Among earth's worthies, modest and unconscious of greatness, +there stands the figure of William Bradford.</p> + +<p>We find him first as a native of Austerfield, England, on the south +border of Yorkshire. There is no official record of his birth. But in +addition to his own declaration of age when first married, the clearly +legible record of his baptism, March 19, 1589, would indicate that by +the modern calendar he was born in 1590. The garments worn by him at the +chapel March 19–29, being a short white linen covering and mitts which +came for exhibition to Essex Institute in Salem, Massachusetts, are the +apparel of a small babe.</p> + +<p>The affirmation of Bradford, as a man thoroughly established in his +integrity and his accuracy of statement, this declaration in the +important matter of his marriage contract when he was required to +subscribe his own signature, must be accepted as more weighty than the +opinions given by others regarding his age in later years of his life, +and the posthumous inscription placed long afterward on his monument. It +is unlikely that he was consulted about his age, for any future epitaph, +since even the necessary making of his will was deferred to the day of +his death. Not long before his nuptials on December 10–20, 1613, he +averred that he was twenty-three; and, supposing an error of his quite +improbable here, our conclusion appears justified that he was born in +1590<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> by the Gregorian calendar. We also have no reason to doubt an old +claim that his natal month was the same as his baptismal, March. +Besides, the rule existed then, that the rite should be administered one +week after birth. If this contemporary custom was followed, William saw +the light of day March 12, 1589, by Old Style, or March 22, 1590, New +Style.</p> + +<p>It is unfortunate that the baptismal font, despite efforts to purchase +it back, has not yet, to our knowledge, been yielded by the Methodist +church in Lound, Nottinghamshire, and restored to its proper place at +Saint Helen's in Austerfield. The Austerfield font at present we do not +accept as the genuine original. That original one at Saint Helen's about +the time of our Civil War seems to have been a victim to the generally +weaker antiquarian interest then, and it was replaced by a high basin. +It came back soon but evidently was unused, lying upon the floor aside. +Then a sexton was ordered to take out and sell superfluous articles. +After resting on an estate as a garden stone, it was given to a lady +from Austerfield, who loaned it indefinitely to the church mentioned. It +is a large Norman bowl, rough-hewn and of ancient aspect, which when in +use was for convenience set upon a wooden block.</p> + +<p>When the tolling bells above the small stone chapel summoned the +Bradford family and friends to the solemn service, little did they +discern, with all their natural affection, any unusual significance in +that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> consecration of a life to be expended far from the quiet hamlet of +old England in a growing community of New England.</p> + +<p>As the child came to an age of sufficient understanding, how strongly +must this humble shrine have appealed to him, with the development of +his proclivities guided by one circumstance after another! It was +erected during the twelfth century, in the centre of the village, when +the rustic parish was presented by a person of rank for the support of a +chaplain. Doubtless the lad's eyes often scrutinized the zigzag Norse +symbol of lightning, and other ornamentation, carved upon the double +arch under which he was wont to enter.</p> + +<p>The whole region was rich in historic interest to any reflective mind. +It was the battle ground of Briton, Roman and Anglo-Saxon. It formed the +heart of the Danish territory, opposite their native continental shores. +The Robin Hood marauders operated through this sparsely settled North of +England, where the last of several uprisings against the South was +attempted only about a score of years before Bradford's birth. The +people were comparatively rude and uneducated, with few schools; and +papal influence yielded more slowly away from the governmental +headquarters. If Mary Queen of Scots had not been executed shortly +before the Puritan churches arose, it is difficult to see how or when +they could have lived so near her seat of power. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> Elizabeth, in her +laudable aim to uplift the nation by improving the people and repressing +the nobles, encouraged the incoming of tens of thousands of Dutch, of +whom many flocked to the fair lowlands east and north, imparting their +tolerant ideas, bestowing names upon numerous localities, and producing +a marked effect in the speech and blood of the inhabitants. The Queen +required every family of Hollanders to take an English apprentice in +their imported arts and crafts. Thus England changed rapidly from a +country merely agricultural to one also manufacturing, where industry +was pursued in weaving cloth and in glass, pottery, iron and various +metals, wrought not in factories at first but in private houses as once +was commonly done in New England.</p> + +<p>The religious effect of this immigration was not in the royal reckoning; +for much as Elizabeth hated the papacy, she despised its counterpart, as +quite too good for her liking, namely, the body of her subjects which +represented an intelligent faith, and holy practice according to the +accepted dictates of a revered, studied and intensely cherished Sacred +Scripture. Though she could do no more than patronize, from political +motives, any order of spiritual devotion as long as she herself would +not learn to love devoutly, she failed to realize that the infusion of +the virile Puritan element, regardless of racial strain, in the field of +religion saved her authorized church from relapsing into Romanism. Her +successor,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> James, was a fit son of Mary of Scotland, in his intolerance +towards Puritans, Protestants though they were.</p> + +<p>Austerfield itself, though having less than three hundred residents, was +the scene of a great session in 702, when the Archbishop of Canterbury +and the bishops of almost all England met with King Aldfrid to hear the +complaint of Wilfred the Bishop of York, who was so ardent a Romanist +that the former king had deposed him. The English under Aldfrid won +against the papal party, but before the venerable Wilfred died he was +restored to office and canonized, and the first Puritan assembly after +coming to +<a name="Scrooby" id="Scrooby"></a><ins title="Original has Ccrooby">Scrooby</ins> gathered awhile in a stone church named +for him.</p> + +<p>Bradford's native town also, despite its quiet rural beauty, lay upon +the Great Northern Road to Scotland, as now on the railroad named after +it the express comes thundering by from the grimy granite houses of +Edinboro, bound for the mighty metropolis before midnight of the +afternoon it started. But the old dirt road was only a few feet wide, +almost a stranger to horse-drawn vehicles, especially pleasure +carriages, even the ladies of the Elizabethan era using mostly their +mounts, as those in America later rode on their pillions.</p> + +<p>More agreeable, locally, were the meadow paths along the Idle, and other +leisurely streams of this boy's neighborhood. His family name was +originally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> applied to those who lived at some convenient Broad Ford, +many desirable crossings having some descriptive or defining term, like +Ox Ford and Cam Bridge.</p> + +<p>His taste for Latin might well have been intensified by the very name of +his Austerfield, which, earlier than the Anglo-Saxon localities, was +probably named for the imperial Roman commander Ostorius, who had a +defensive earthwork at his station near here. Its remains attested its +military importance. And though the northern peasantry in young +William's time were so untutored or morally lax, or both, that they were +unacquainted with even their English Bible, it is not strange if these +historical associations induced the more intelligent and refined yeomen +to possess Latin books. It has been supposed that his own family owned +them, with English works, all of which were rare and costly; and in +addition to this likelihood, it is known that Rev. Mr. Silvester of +Alkly had a classical collection in his own library. As this clergyman +was a family friend and the guardian of William's cousins, the +Austerfield boy would naturally become a visitor at the neighboring +parsonage.</p> + +<p>Wills and records indicate that the Bradfords in general were of good +repute and moved in the best society of that too decadent period. The +Austerfield branch were yeomen, once so important in the English commons +that they ranked next to the gentry.</p> + +<p>At the north end of the village the house still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> stands which tradition +claims as our Bradford's birthplace. It is of substantial brick, +exceedingly rare in his day and a sign of social distinction. Many +houses of the time were quite attractive in appearance with their red +roofs, green shutters and yellow doorsteps. This is a ruddy cottage from +fluted tiling down to the grass, and sufficiently large to comprise two +tenements now.</p> + +<p>The boy's grandfather William and maternal grandfather John Hanson were +the only mentioned owners of property in their small town in 1575, and +he inherited in time a good patrimony. His father William died in 1591, +his mother Alice soon after, and the paternal grandfather, in whose care +he was left, expired not until January of 1596, the only ancestor the +third William would be likely to remember. Then the simple life and talk +of the farm ceased, on the part of those who would converse with the lad +on their common interests and show the most of natural affection toward +him. The charge over his life by his uncles Thomas and Robert was one of +legal imposition rather than a matter of love. Robert naturally wished +him to be a farmer, but permitted him to study when he proved not very +rugged at first.</p> + +<p>Before he was twelve, an illness of long continuance coming upon him, +youthful intelligence and spiritual sensitiveness were developed in him +untroubled by temptations more liable in physical vigor. Denied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> the +warmth of family affection, and for a season the wholesome sports of +youth, while naturally made more serious also as an orphan, the boy +delighted in the contemplation of religious truth, particularly in Bible +study; and this became with him a lifelong habit.</p> + +<p>Over the line in Nottinghamshire a few miles away, lay another small +town, Scrooby, where one William Brewster was postmaster, well qualified +as a collegiate and public official, to teach history and civil +government. He occupied an ancient manor and commodious hostelry which +royalty had twice coveted. Within its spacious halls were wont to gather +a few earnest souls who were discontented with the empty formalism so +common in religious profession at that time, and they were restive under +the super-abundant authority of the state in church matters. They +insisted on freedom of the individual conscience, from either civil or +ecclesiastical domination, and were also convinced that genuine +Christianity called for a Christlike life. This was nothing less than +Puritanism, which as a term was originally coined by its foes in +contempt, but later became a name of honor and glory. Though long in +preparing, since Wycliffe gave to the English people the Holy Scriptures +in their own familiar speech, this movement was only now coming to its +full fruition; and the group of earnest worshipers in Scrooby, who had +first organized at Gainsboro in 1602, composed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> earliest Puritan +church to stand and prosper, others following in a multitude as the +cause gained momentum.</p> + +<p>Brewster was made Elder at Scrooby, and the boy Bradford was one of the +charter members. He accepted the instruction of kind friends who were +glad to satisfy his eager thirst for spiritual knowledge. Conspicuous +among these was Rev. Richard Clyfton of Babworth, who ministered to the +new church for a short time until their permanent pastor was secured, +the devout and learned John Robinson. But before the church was formed +in Gainsboro and Scrooby, when Bradford was hardly twelve he walked +every Sunday over the fields to Babworth, six or seven miles from +Austerfield, joining Brewster at Scrooby on the way. The Elder was made +Postmaster in the year his future Governor was born, and the two +Williams were lifelong intimates. Religiously he was like a father to +the boy.</p> + +<p>With this unchecked expansion of his soul, young William's intellect was +also awakened. Though at first forbidden advanced schooling, he became a +self-taught man, a thoughtful student of history, philosophy and +theology, proficient also in linguistics, as the classic Latin and +Greek, and late in life, the original Hebrew of the Old Testament.</p> + +<p>His joining with the Separatists from the Established State Church of +England was an act which offended his relatives and early acquaintances, +who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> tried in vain to make him abandon his stand; for he could not, +consistently with his convictions, comply with their desires. It was +observed that "neither could the wrath of his uncles, nor the scoff of +his neighbors, now turned upon him as one of the Puritans, divert him +from his pious +<a name="inclinations" id="inclinations"></a><ins title="Original is missing end quote">inclinations"</ins>. Thus he answered them, "To keep a good +conscience and walk in such a way as God has prescribed in his word is a +thing which I shall prefer above you all, and above life itself."</p> + +<p>Government officers soon discovered this company of Dissenters, stopped +their meetings, and proceeded to make arrests. In the autumn of 1607 +when seventeen years of age, Bradford and his associates endeavored to +go over to Holland, where religious liberty was allowed. He was one of +the chief advocates of this measure. But the ship master that was to +take them betrayed their plan to the authorities, who sent the Puritans +into prison at Boston in Lincolnshire. Next spring the same attempt was +made, unsuccessfully again; for their rulers neither granted them +freedom at home nor emigration abroad. But before that year of 1608 +passed, the victims of persecution escaped one after another, by various +means, across the water to Amsterdam. Bradford's ship encountered a +seven days' storm and was driven out of its course hundreds of miles, +close to Norway, even the mariners giving up in despair. The Pilgrims +remained calm, though unused<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> to the sea; and our hero was heard to +repeat in prayer, with his companions, "Yet, Lord, thou canst save."</p> + +<p>On reaching Holland, an envious passenger accused him as having fled +from England as a culprit, and he was taken before the magistrates, who, +however, willingly released him when the truth was known.</p> + +<p>Leyden was the Pilgrims' rendezvous. The place was congenial to the +ardent spirit of this youth, and he became a student at the University +there. He must have heard in England as a boy, how the martyr John +Bradford, chaplain to Edward VI and one of the most acceptable preachers +in the realm, because of his religious principles had been burned to +death, in the reign of Bloody Mary. And the people of Leyden could +recite for sympathetic ears, the tales of heroic and successful +resistance against King Philip of Spain only thirty years before these +Puritan refugees from intolerance arrived.</p> + +<p>William now went about to earn a living. As an apprentice to a French +Protestant, he learned the trade of dying silk, and doubtless, beside +his Dutch, acquired here his thorough familiarity with the French +language so widely used even in those days.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +<a name="ii" id="ii"></a>II<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE PILGRIM</small></h2> + +<p><i>The best inheritance they have left us is the New England conscience. +The Puritan's habit of self-examination and prayer has left its impress +on the habit of thought of the great nation that has risen where he +showed the way.</i></p> + +<p>Governor Guild of Massachusetts, at the four hundredth anniversary of +the birth of Calvin, in Geneva, Switzerland, July 9, 1909.</p> + +<p><i>Religious faith must ever be the motive power of humanity, and whatever +might become of despotism, with or without, it is absolutely essential +to democracy.</i></p> + +<p>Governor Hughes of New York, at the Champlain Tercentenary, Vermont, +July 9, 1909.</p> + +<p><i>Religion is the only thing upon which to rest our salvation in these +times. It is religious principles to which our Commonwealth owes its +greatness.</i></p> + +<p>Governor Calvin Coolidge of Massachusetts, at the twenty-fifth +anniversary of the Lord's Day League, Boston, 1920.</p> + +<hr class="white" /> + +<p class="cap2">ON reaching the age of twenty-one, our Bradford became the possessor of +his native estate in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> England, which he sold, as then useless for him to +hold. But well he knew, that the recantation of his faith would restore +him to independence and presumably to the favor of the Austerfield +community. What lay in the future for him he could not conceive. He took +the sale money and ventured in some commercial enterprise, but did not +prosper in it. His career was to be of more importance than the business +of a merchant.</p> + +<p>After turning twenty-two, he was admitted, on proof and security, a +citizen of Leyden, as William Bradford, Englishman. In the end of the +next year his marriage bans were published, and he was registered as a +worker in fustian, a coarse cloth of cotton and flax. On December 20, +1613, he wedded Dorothy May, aged sixteen, formerly of Cambridge, and +probably the granddaughter of John May, Bishop of Carlisle in 1577. Her +autograph, "Dority May," appears in her marriage contract. Bradford, +when in America later, had friendly correspondence with her father in +Holland.</p> + +<p>While in Leyden now, he had the joy of perceiving the rapid growth of +the Puritan fellowship there, numbering finally almost three hundred. +Purchasing considerable land, they settled in a community by themselves. +Robinson, their spiritual head, was held in much esteem throughout the +city, for his noble character and fine abilities. Bradford in written<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +eulogy ascribes to him "y<sup>e</sup> tender love & godly care of a true pastor."</p> + +<p>Yet in spite of the hospitality of Holland, the condition was not normal +nor the prospects ideal, for an English settlement among those of +foreign speech. The rising generation would naturally affiliate with +their neighbors, entering the Dutch army and society; and the outcome +promised to be a blend of blood and customs. The truce between Holland +and Spain would be over in 1619; and the Thirty Years War was already +rising in Europe. Wishing to preserve their national character and +distinct religious order, they meditated emigration as a colony. In this +the foreign missionary motive was also strong, freely acknowledged, and +always remembered. "A great hope & inward zeall they had," Bradford +later recorded, "of laying some good foundation, or at least to make +some way thereunto, for y<sup>e</sup> propagating & advancing y<sup>e</sup> gospell of y<sup>e</sup> +kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of y<sup>e</sup> world; yea, though they +should be but even as stepping-stones unto others for y<sup>e</sup> performing of +so great a work."</p> + +<p>They were dissuaded from the tropical enticements of Spanish American +neighborhoods by the recollection of Spain's interests and ambitions +there. The vote was indeed close, to go to any part of the strange +western world; and our hero, being in favor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> of it, may have been +required to turn the hesitating weight of opinion that way.</p> + +<p>But if residence in the British dominion, near or far, was preferable, +some sort of recognition by the English government was necessary. This +was a hard thing to secure, yet King James finally gave a reluctant +verbal consent to their desired settlement in some remoter territory, +where they would afford him and his servile clericals the least +annoyance, while helping to establish the empire as respectable and +industrious citizens.</p> + +<p>Royal toleration having been cautiously granted, the next task was to +secure financial patronage. It was a task indeed, yet the Pilgrims, as +these Separatist Puritans now called themselves, were happy in finding +not only creditors who risked loans for mercantile considerations +solely, but distinguished persons who were in sympathy with their +Christian zeal and purity, as Sir Robert Naunton, Secretary of State to +the King, and particularly Sir Edwin Sandys, a most worthy and +influential man. For three years, however, the business negotiations +dragged on, whose dreary details we will not rehearse, between the +Puritans with their friends on one side, and on the other the failing or +insecure London and old Plymouth colonial companies, the proffered Dutch +sponsors whose kindness nevertheless looked to the Hudson and New +Amsterdam, and finally the company of Merchant Adventurers, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> whom the +enterprising but unscrupulous Thomas Weston introduced the Pilgrims. He +was useful to them in this crisis, because he procured their financial +backing and made possible the journey to America. This benefit Bradford +never forgot, despite all the falsehood, treachery, and ingratitude +which Weston developed, who almost caused the ruin of the undertaking +after he was weary of it and involved in difficulties through his +mismanagement.</p> + +<p>The colonial plan was that the younger and more able of the Leyden +community should go overseas at first, to prepare the way for the +others; and it was well that Bradford and the most of his +fellow-voyagers had the advantage of youthful prime, for the stern days +of pioneering.</p> + +<p>The parting from their friends, on the embarkation at Delft Haven, was a +sad experience, between the doubtful attractiveness of a distant savage +land and the fact that it was likely to be, as it proved, a final +leavetaking for many. Pastor Robinson, on his knees at the quay, poured +out fervent petitions for their comrades about to go, commending them to +divine protection. So affecting was the scene, that even the Dutch +strangers beholding were moved to tears. Our Forefather wrote concerning +this, "so they left the goodly and pleasant city, which had been their +resting-place near twelve years; but they knew they were pilgrims, and +looked not much on those things, but lift up their eyes to the heavens,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +their dearest country and quieted their spirits."</p> + +<p>The Speedwell which conveyed them came in a few days to Southampton, to +find the Mayflower from London waiting for them, with their brethren of +England. Picture the youthful adventurers in their ardor to set forth as +pioneers to a land of comparative freedom. But the sailing was badly +delayed, to their weariness and loss, while they protested against +impossible terms of subservience to the Merchant Adventurers, who would +have deprived the prospective planters of their independence. Then a +hundred pounds extra was required "to clear things at their going away"; +and to raise this amount they had to sell some of their provisions, +their leather for mending shoes, swords, muskets, much armor and various +things seemingly indispensable.</p> + +<p>Before setting sail, a letter was received from Pastor Robinson, in +which he mingled encouragement and sound counsel, urging them to fortify +their souls by prayer, to preserve unity, exercise mutual patience and +forbearance in their close relationship, and to submit to their own +rules and chosen officers. Other wise advice was opportunely given, +which was well received and profitably followed.</p> + +<p>About the middle of August the colonists launched forth. But their +relief on going was short, for, by enough evidence and subsequent +confession, the Speedwell was tampered with by her false and timorous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +Captain Reynolds, so that the vessels put back to port for another +tedious period, eleven days, ostensibly for repairs. Starting a second +time, +<a name="Reynolds" id="Reynolds"></a><ins title="Original has Reynold's">Reynolds'</ins> ship sprang a leak again, and though three +hundred miles out they were obliged to return. The creeping Speedwell +was therefore abandoned, her passengers and cargo transferred to the +Mayflower according to that larger ship's capacity; and after much +kindness and acceptable entertainment by certain friends at old +Plymouth, the Pilgrims, one hundred and two in number, ventured out the +third time, and not in vain. This was September 6, or 16 by New Style.</p> + +<p>Mild weather and favoring winds were theirs at first, and the +equinoctial rudeness tarried till the voyagers were nearly halfway +across the Atlantic. Then they paid dearly for the wicked delays imposed +upon them, for a succession of storms soon broke upon them in October. +The west wind rushed upon them from the American north coasts, as if to +forbid their approach. The mariners were once more in doubt about +proceeding, as the upper works were strained, and a main beam amidships +had cracked and bent. But by means of a huge iron screw, it was restored +to position; and the discontented crew stood to their duty, since also +the western shore was about as near as England. Sometimes drifting under +bare poles over high seas, the top-heavy, overloaded vessel nevertheless +refused to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> founder, and late in October fair weather returned.</p> + +<p>After dawn one November morning they sighted land, and recognized Cape +Cod, well known to previous mariners. This landfall was evidently the +Highlands of Truro. Steering south-west while well out, they encountered +the shoals off Chatham, at the elbow of the Cape, and resolved to +abandon the run under New England to the Hudson. Captain Jones +practically took the matter into his own hands, and conveyed the +sea-weary voyagers back and around the tip of the Cape, anchoring in the +nearest available harbor, at present Provincetown, on Saturday, November +21, New Style.</p> + +<p>Bradford says that before entering the harbor, they drew up a compact as +"y<sup>e</sup> first foundation of their governments in this place," to which he +and all the men of the incipient Colony affixed their signatures. This +classic document of essential democracy was a swift and prudent +precaution against insubordination, which a few ultra-independent souls +had threatened to show, declaring that on landing they would do as they +pleased, since in New England they were not under the authority of their +patent for Virginia. It was English territory, however, and in the +beginning of the statement they professed themselves "loyal subjects" of +King James. Better to have the protection of an unsympathetic sovereign +than to become the prey of a lawless and irresponsible anarchy. Thus +"before they came ashore," they secured themselves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> against despotism's +opposite extreme. It was a timely act, done on the day of debarkation.</p> + +<p>The Mayflower boxed the compass, rounding the tip of the Cape and +feeling her way in the circular harbor there. The inner beaches are +shallow, and it seems even the longboat, though launched three-quarters +of a mile off, could not be brought near the strand. The men were +obliged to wade a bow-shot or two, landing at the insular Long Point, +toward the sea, and carrying back to the boat swamp-cedar, as fire-wood +aboard was gone. The exposure caused illness at this season, which with +later aggravations proved fatal to some. Bradford escaped the "lung +woe," but contracted an acute and critical form of rheumatism, or +confirmed it after the chilly discomforts of the bunks and the sweeping +gales of the voyage.</p> + +<p>Yet despite this prolonged cold foot-bath in American brine, he records +that "being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land; +they fell upon their knees and blessed y<sup>e</sup> God of heaven; who had +brought them over y<sup>e</sup> vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from +all y<sup>e</sup> periles and miseries thereof; againe to set their feete on y<sup>e</sup> +firm and stable earth, theire proper element."</p> + +<p>Though the Mayflower must have anchored before noon on Saturday, the +first full day after arrival was Sunday, and these Pilgrims strangers +had an opportunity to refresh themselves and prepare their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> souls for +the strenuous business ahead. Also throughout that initial week of life +in America, the weather was mellow and open. Several weeks were required +for repairing the colonists' shallop, which was a means of more delay in +the already very late season. But meanwhile, on the last Wednesday of +November an exploring party started out with Capt. Jones and some +seamen; and in the afternoon sixteen intending settlers followed, armed +and under command of Myles Standish, Masters Bradford, Hopkins and +Edward Tilley "being joined to him for council." They saw Indians, whom +they followed for several miles, but could not come up with them. +Finding much corn buried, they brought some of it to the ship and later +paid the natives for it, after using it for seed. But in this and +another trip on the narrow part of the Cape, they discovered no locality +which suited them for settlement.</p> + +<p>As December came in, the protracted mildness changed to a sudden and +intense cold, the ground freezing to a foot's depth, wind and snow also +impeding their operations, while in the boats the congealed spray on +their coats looked like a covering of glass. To add to the awkwardness +of the situation, Capt. Jones threatened to put ashore the whole company +with their families and scanty possessions, and return to England at +once because of the late season and his diminishing food supply, unless +they succeeded in finding a place for habitation. At this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> juncture +Second Mate Coppin suggested that they look for a harbor somewhere +around in Cape Cod Bay, which he remembered visiting on a fishing +vessel. Accordingly, when December was now half through, ten of the +Pilgrims, including Bradford, went in their repaired shallop with eight +mariners, in search of that location, skirting the inner shores.</p> + +<p>They camped the first night on the south of the Bay, building a +barricade of logs and boughs, as a shelter also against the wind, open +on one side with a fire in the centre. Their defense was useful, for +unawares they had come close to a settlement of Nauset Indians, a tribe +which had suffered cruelty at the hands of infamous Capt. Hunt who +kidnapped some of them and sold them abroad as slaves. Intent on +revenge, they approached within hearing of the English sentry, about +midnight; but on his raising the alarm, they made no attack then, and +the voyagers returned to their needed sleep, not being sure whether the +noise was caused by man or beast.</p> + +<p>On awakening Friday morning, December 18, they united in prayer for +heavenly leading and protection, and encouraged one another. While +breakfast was preparing, some of them went down to put their muskets in +the shallop, but on the remonstrance of a few who retained their arms, +the rest were laid on the bank above the boat. They had no sooner +returned to their camp than they were startled by the ringing war-whoop, +and one of their own number<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> came running from the woods, calling to +them, "Men, men! Indians, Indians!" A shower of arrows sought the +barricade, transfixing some of the hanging coats. Fortunately the +prudent four who had kept their weapons made good use of them, and some +who had armor donned it and with their swords accompanied their comrades +in a rush to the bank for the muskets, the Indians racing to intercept +them but in vain. The weapons carelessly left were now discharged with a +quieting effect, the savages soon retreating, without losses on either +side. To increase their fear, the colonists pursued them a little way, +shouting and firing. Then, thanking God for their deliverance, they +embarked and went up the west shore northward.</p> + +<p>It was an uninviting coast. But Robert Coppin encouraged them in the +hope of reaching before dark that harbor he had visited, though these +were the shortest days of the year and thick weather was setting in +fast, followed by snow and rain in the afternoon, a south-east storm +rising. Their rudder broke under the strain, and two men were required +to steer with oars the heavy shallop, which someone has considered as +about thirty feet in length. It was shelterless, without deck or house.</p> + +<p>Finally their pilot gave the cheering news that he could discern the +harbor. As the daylight was lessening and the tempest increasing, they +risked too much sail with the intention of clearing the rocks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> at the +entrance while they could see. Suddenly the overburdened mast snapped in +three pieces and the sail went overboard, nearly capsizing the little +vessel. Righting her quickly, and riding in by the oars with the tide +aiding, their guide, however, failed to recognize the place in the +deepening twilight. Trying to run ashore in the cove of Saquish, the +breakers were so huge and thunderous there, that a seaman, wisely +foreseeing disaster, protested and they turned away. But soon was heard +a gentler wash against some protected beach, to which the oarsmen +pulled. Grounding the keel, some of them gladly leaped out, feeling with +inexpressible relief the solid strand beneath their feet. The others, +remembering the encounter of early morning, remained in the shallop till +after midnight, when a bitter clearing wind drove them ashore to the +fire which their fellows had managed to kindle. There they all awaited +the dawn.</p> + +<p>With the welcome day the north-west wind went down, and the sun added +its warmth to the fire. They were pleased to find themselves upon an +island, and they used that Saturday to dry out their soaked belongings +and prepare their muskets, while taking a good look at the harbor. On a +rock upon this Clarke's Island, are the words inscribed from their +record, "On the Sabboth day wee rested." And with grateful joy they held +their customary service, in the shelter of the boulder.</p> + +<p>Monday they sounded the harbor, as Bradford relates,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> and found it fit +for shipping. Then they landed, bringing the boat by a large rock, +whence they could more conveniently step ashore. The place proved +uninhabited, but with desirable clearings, showing signs of rather +recent occupancy. Marching about, they discovered the various natural +advantages, including a number of brooks. They were satisfied that the +location would be suitable for settlement. So passed December 21, our +Forefathers' Day.</p> + +<p>It was good news which this advance party brought back to the Mayflower, +and they all prepared to come to Plymouth, as they called it, because it +had already been so named by Captain John Smith a few years before; and +thus they also remembered the old Plymouth where they last beheld +England, and were kindly entertained.</p> + +<p>Sad intelligence, however, awaited William Bradford. His wife Dorothy +May, doubtless oppressed with loneliness in his absence, perhaps +pensively and by herself looking for his return at the high stern's rail +near the ladies' cabins, in weariness and weakness might easily have +fallen asleep as in a rolling cradle, especially if seeking the relief +of the salt ozone after nausea. In such case losing her balance, she +fell overboard and was drowned, probably the stern's height making the +water's concussion sufficient to produce instantaneous unconsciousness.</p> + +<p>On Christmas Day in our reckoning, the fifteenth in theirs, the +Mayflower set sail for Plymouth, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> contrary winds beat her back to +her old anchorage. Next day, Saturday, the attempt was successful, +barely; for within half an hour after arrival an adverse gale sprang up +outside. But the sickle-shaped harbor held them safely. The long voyage +was ended at last, a few days before the second decade of the +seventeenth century closed.</p> + +<p>It went out in a cold rain-storm, with the life of another Pilgrim, for +mortality had already commenced. Furious winds and driving rain, again +deep snow followed by bitter cold, with consequent increase of sickness, +hindered the colonists in their efforts to build log houses there in the +dead of winter.</p> + +<p>New Year's Day, 1621, a tempestuous Friday, beheld a new-born babe, but +unbreathing; and the first Sabbath ashore witnessed the seventh death in +America, a toll of the dread Harvester which continued through all that +winter, until seven times seven and two more expired, or almost half +their whole company, while the Mayflower crew lost in the same +proportion of fifty per cent. The vessel was retained till April, not +only because adequate habitations could not be constructed soon enough +under such fearful circumstances, but because there were not enough +sailors in health to man the ship.</p> + +<p>Only four of the eighteen wives were spared. Five of the children died, +yet fifteen survived. Bradford records concerning the survivors of this +perilous enterprise, in uncertain exile compelled by persecution,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> "of +these in the time of most distress, there was but six or seven sound +persons who, to their great commendations be it spoken, spared no pains, +night or day, but with abundance of toil and hazard of their own health, +fetched them wood, made their fires, dressed their meat, made their +beds, washed their loathsome clothes, clothed and unclothed them; in a +word did all the homely and necessary offices for them; and all this +willingly and cheerfully, without any grudging in the least, showing +herein their true love unto their friends and brethren."</p> + +<p>This first month of the year and of the Colony brought Bradford himself +a severe illness, in which an accident also threatened his life. A month +from the original Forefathers' Day "the common house" was completed, +where the workers slept and supplies from the ship were deposited. In +this building, small like the seven dwellings that followed, lay in +weakness Masters Carver and Bradford, one the Pilgrims' first Governor, +even from sea-faring days, the other soon to be his successor. Early one +Sunday morning the thatch roof caught fire and burned, though the house +underneath was saved. The occupants escaped, though not without grave +danger from explosion because of powder stored there.</p> + +<p>The plan of the little village was laid out +<a name="January" id="January"></a><ins title="Original has Januuary">January</ins> +seventh. Its main thoroughfare was simply called the Street, then, +successively, First, Great, and Broad Street; but as late as 1823 it +took the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> name of Leyden. On either side of it, less than a score of +plots were set off for the various families. The distribution was by +lot, though larger households received larger areas, according to the +number of their members. The whole tract was enclosed next year within a +stout palisade, about a mile in circuit, after signs of native hostility +had made them more watchful than ever. On the hill at the head of the +street a wooden fort was built, with which Bradford was said to be much +pleased, as it was comparatively large and imposing. On its flat roof +ordnance was installed, commanding the whole port. The interior was used +for Sabbath congregations, and was the most commodious place for any +public assembly.</p> + +<p>Almost from the first they had heard now and then a strange clamor on +the outskirts, and occasionally they had caught sight of one or more +savages lurking about. Several attempts to hold a general meeting had +been prevented by the appearance of red men, including an agreeable +visit from Samoset, a chief from the north who had learned sufficiently +from English fishermen to enable him to converse with the Pilgrims and +give them much valuable information. And within a week from that, the +head of all the Old Colony tribes, Massasoit, came with about sixty men, +forty of whom tarried outside while he and the others approached unarmed +into the midst of ready firearms and within the secure walls of a house. +Here was offered and received the mutual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> covenant of a friendship that +proved lasting. Both contracting parties remained ever faithful to this +solemn treaty.</p> + +<p>After the departure of Massasoit, the colonists held their first full +convention, choosing officers and making a few statutes such as were +then needed. John Carver, their excellent deacon and the senior of them +all, was re-elected Governor, to continue for one year, the regular time +limit adopted.</p> + +<p>But the Mayflower had not long sailed away, in the middle of April, +before Carver succumbed to an early heat, as he toiled with his younger +comrades in their planting; and the messenger of death released him from +those initial responsibilities, which had weighed heavily upon him. His +obsequies were performed with appropriate dignity, the seaside +resounding with volleys discharged in his honor above the grave.</p> + +<p>Then the reduced Colony assembled again, and voted to place William +Bradford in the office vacated by their worthy first leader.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +<a name="iii" id="iii"></a>III<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE GOVERNOR: EARLY DUTIES</small></h2> + +<p><i>They are dead, God rest their souls, but their lives are still +the strength of ours.... Let us stand aside in silent veneration +of their heroic characters and achievements, and thank God who +strengthened them for labors we cannot even comprehend.</i></p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Jane G. Austin</span>, in "Standish of Standish."</p> + +<hr class="white2" /> + +<p><i>All great & honorable actions are accompanied with great +difficulties, and must be enterprised and overcome with +answerable courages.</i></p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">William Bradford.</span></p> + +<hr class="white" /> + +<p class="cap2">THE new executive was still handicapped by the weakness of convalescence +after his critical illness, though the election had been postponed till +he was better; and he was aided by Isaac Allerton, a colonist of means +and ability who was chosen as Governor's Assistant. At the chief +magistrate's request, five assistants were given him in 1624, and the +number was increased to seven in 1633 when his successor Edward Winslow +was elected, "Mr. Bradford<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> having been governor about ten years, and +now by importunity got off," as Governor Winthrop of the Massachusetts +Bay Colony wrote in his manuscript history of New England. The +importunity was Bradford's, not the little Colony's; for he urged +rotation of office, saying of the appointment, "If it is any honor or +benefit, it is fit others should be made partakers of it; if it is a +burden (as doubtless it is), it is but equal others should help to bear +it, and this is the end of Annual Elections."</p> + +<p>Consequently Thomas Prince, a later settler, was voted to this position +in 1634 and '38, and Mr. Winslow again in '36 and '44, three times in +all. After that, for thirteen consecutive springs, Mr. Bradford was +placed in the gubernatorial chair, and but for his decease then, he +would probably have continued long therein. As it was, he held the +office thirty full years. And in every instance when his request for a +successor was heard, the ballot made him chief of assistants, or Deputy +Governor. What clearer evidence could be furnished us, as to the +sentiment of the people, both in their small original company and as +numbers increased?</p> + +<p>His administration exhibited a happy blending of his constitutional +mildness and moderation, combined with a firmness that could not be +shaken, a patience that would not wear out, and an optimistic hope that +was based upon his Christian faith. Offenders against the law and the +community's peace felt his determination,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> but no one was more ready to +pardon the humbled and restore to them the full privileges of +citizenship. In matters of diplomacy and difficult correspondence, +including delicate foreign relations, he was tactful yet insistent upon +principle, defending with a keen sense of justice the honor of the +colonial state. Conventional courtesies did not deceive him, where +opposition lay concealed; yet he modestly disowned sincere and merited +praise when he considered it unwarranted. Scrupulous not to exceed his +prerogatives, he was ready to surrender what some in his place would +have thought their proper rights. In a word, he did not hold his office +anxiously. To him it was not a prize, a dear object for ambition to gain +and shrewd policy to perpetuate, even when the Plymouth Colony grew in +size and dignity. He mentions his first election only, in particular, +adding "once for all," that he was returned "sundry years together."</p> + +<p>There was indeed need for strength and calmness; and the unfailing +fortitude, coupled with a cool, clear foresight, gave assurance to the +people alike during sudden but transient alarms and prolonged periods of +impending disaster. Thus their confidence was not disappointed, but was +strengthened with every fresh proof. Others had the same high spirit, +for it was a noble democracy; but in all such situations courageous +leadership cannot fail to have a steadying effect upon the body politic. +America did not outgrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> this need, and this benefit, in the later days +of Washington and Lincoln. It is not at all strange that in the +formative, we may say experimental years of New England, an +unpretentious but wise and kind administration should have been +gratefully appreciated and sustained, by the popular suffrage annually +accorded.</p> + +<p>As an instance of Bradford's repeated defense of the Colony in its +course of action, this letter may suffice, which was addressed to Weston +in answer to the latter's complaint that the Mayflower carried a light +return cargo of pelts:</p> + +<p>"S<sup>r</sup>: Your large letter writen to M<sup>r</sup>. Carver, and dated y<sup>e</sup> 6. of July, +1621, I have received y<sup>e</sup> 10. of Novemb<sup>r</sup>, wherin (after y<sup>e</sup> 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 in y<sup>e</sup> +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<sup>e</sup> 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 camplaine. At great charges in this adventure, I +confess you have beene, and many losses may sustaine; but y<sup>e</sup> loss of +his and many other honest and industrious mens lives, cannot be vallewed +at any prise. Of y<sup>e</sup> one, ther may be hope of recovery, but y<sup>e</sup> other no +recompence can make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> good. But I will not insiste in generalls, but come +more perticulerly to y<sup>e</sup> things them selves. You greatly blame us for +keping y<sup>e</sup> ship so long in y<sup>e</sup> 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, about w<sup>ch</sup> +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<sup>e</sup> well not in any measure sufficiente to tend y<sup>e</sup> sick. +And now to be so greatly blamed, for not fraighting y<sup>e</sup> 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<sup>e</sup> 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."</p> + +<p>Two problems quickly confronted the new chief magistrate, and they were +surely serious enough: the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> problem of a bare subsistence, and of +defense against hostile invasion by the natives.</p> + +<p>New Plymouth was not new as a plantation. This was the site of the +Indian village of Patuxet, whose occupants had worked its somewhat +restricted area of tillage, until about four years previously, when they +and other settlements of the aborigines were desolated by plague. A +survivor of these Patuxets, Tisquantum or Squanto, showed himself to the +Englishmen, and became their valued friend and helper. Doubtless glad to +return to his old home, he instructed the colonists in the cultivation +of the maize, or Indian corn, an indigenous American product which has +become appreciated over the world wherever it thrives. It was the +Pilgrims' dependence, and a staple article of trade. The wheat and peas +they brought with them failed, and without the corn, threatening +starvation must soon have closed their career. As it was, during the +first two years they had a veritable battle for existence. Though +distemper did not return to them after the horrors of the first winter, +they became emaciated under reduced rations; but regulations in severity +here were merciful, saving the Colony from annihilation, from one +planting time to another.</p> + +<p>Squanto lightened this task of the authorities by his lessons in hunting +venison, snaring rabbits, catching wild fowl, and fishing, especially +during the yearly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> herring run in the town brook up to the lovely pond +called Billington Sea because its discoverer, young Francis Billington +mistook it for a salt inlet.</p> + +<p>Also the faithful shallop was in constant use by successive parties, who +went out into the bay and came not back without a haul of lobsters, cod, +or other fish, though at first they were poorly provided with deep-sea +tackle and proper nets. Clams afforded a further help, the people +treading and digging the flats at low tide, while eels and crabs +supplemented this. They were grateful for these means of nourishment +from sea and shore, preventing their extinction; yet such could not +suffice for permanent living.</p> + +<p>Bradford did all in his power to relieve the shortage of food supply. +Little could be procured from abroad, and in the case of a visiting +ship, the captain's price was cruelly prohibitive. A generous captain of +different character, in a fishing fleet to the north, persuaded his +fellows to spare from their own allowance enough to load the Pilgrim +boat. But the most of the required amount of corn was obtained by +bartering various utensils and beads with the Indians, though their +natural improvidence usually left them without much of a surplus in +crops. In trading expeditions by land and water, Standish and Bradford +were both active. And each of them at times was alone, of white men, +among the natives. Bradford<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> once left a boat and walked fifty miles +back to Plymouth from the south, for the friendly neighboring tribes +were not long in discovering his inherent gentleness and fairness.</p> + +<p>But firm discipline was necessary in times of dire need. A few +unreliable persons had become mixed in the original company, and +colonists new or old were punished by flogging, for the theft of corn, +some of which was occasionally abstracted even before it was ripe. +Bradford's appreciative quotation of Seneca's fine affirmation, that a +man is free who has control of his stomach, in this near famine would +seem to apply where self-denial meant malnutrition, to prevent +starvation.</p> + +<p>Weakness and numerical smallness hindered the cultivation of the soil, +and the climax was a severe drouth from the last of May, 1623, till +about the middle of July, when the stalks nearly perished in the +excessive heat. A day of prayer was appointed, in which the Pilgrims +engaged earnestly for eight or nine hours, until a general cloudiness +overspread the sky. This was followed that night by a gentle shower, +which was renewed again and again, with intervals of sunshine, +throughout a fortnight. The planting was saved, to the astonishment of +the Indians and the deep gratitude of the Christian community. Famine +fled for ever. And as the spared crop matured, a Day of Thanksgiving was +ordered by the Governor and concurring Council, a season which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> has been +observed annually ever since, and finally throughout the nation.</p> + +<p>Bradford did not show favor to the industrial policy of holding all +things in common, which was at first attempted and which, because of its +early apostolic connection, was supposed to be under divine sanction. If +he tolerated the idea at first, he gives no sign of approval; and when +it was abandoned he observed: "The experience that was had in this +comone course and condition, tried sundrie years, and that amongst godly +and sober men, may well evince the vanitie of that conceite of Plato & +other ancients, applauded by some of later times; that y<sup>e</sup> taking away +of propertie, and bringing in comunitie into a comone wealth, would make +them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser then God."</p> + +<p>This farsighted judgment applied equally to the communistic concept of +that time and the present idea of a short working day, a living wage +whether earned or not, and an absolute democratic control over all +individual rights, which is the perversion of civil liberty, and more +potent than despotism because imposed by a multitude.</p> + +<p>Under private ownership of land, which superseded the common stock plan, +there was better incentive to toil, and the Governor with pleasure +observed that even the women and children went willingly afield. +Assignments came to be made of one acre to a family, near the palisaded +hamlet for convenience<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> and better security. But on petition of the +planters, Bradford directed that the allotments should be for continuous +use, rather than for one year as heretofore. This encouraged those who +had achieved good success on their area, to go forward still in their +agricultural accomplishments. They raised the more, as soon as numbers +and strength allowed, because they found a corn market among the +half-hundred fishing vessels which annually visited the northern coasts.</p> + +<p>The story is familiar, how the distressed new-comers at first smoothed +the graves of their plague-smitten members, to hide the number of deaths +from the savages, whose derisive shouts from the forests mingled with +their lamentations. But this local Indian menace was comparatively +slight. All the Cape Indians, including those whom the Pilgrim explorers +had unintentionally aroused, became before long their permanent good +neighbors. This desirable outcome was facilitated by a singular +circumstance, the roaming of a boy who lost his way. John Billington, +Jr., wandered in the woods until the Cummaquid Indians found him twenty +miles down the coast. They carried him farther, to the Nausets, the very +tribe of the first encounter. Bradford sent notice of the missing lad to +Massasoit, who inquired for him among his subjects. On ascertaining his +whereabouts, ten colonists and two interpreters were dispatched in the +shallop to Nauset, who received the boy bead-laden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> and well, and held a +friendly parley with Chief Aspinet and his men. These natives forwarded +peace delegates to Plymouth, a course not actually required but +acceptable after their conflict of 1620.</p> + +<p>The whole region of Plymouth was offered free and empty to the white +men, through the ravages of previous pestilence. This providential +visitation extended as far west as the confines of Narragansett Bay in +present Rhode Island, depleting the population where it did not wholly +destroy. And further, these Pokanokets, the Sunrise tribes in a +confederacy under Massasoit, were the more willing to heed their lord's +pacific injunctions concerning the English, because they themselves in +their weakened condition were threatened with invasion and conquest by +the powerful Narragansetts. Self-preservation, as well as commercial +advantage, prompted the never broken treaty made that spring. It was an +idea mutually welcome, a most happy plan for both afflicted parties. +Only one chief, Corbitant in the Taunton valley, was displeased and +jealous, and threatened trouble; but a prompt expedition to the interior +frightened him away back home. He sued for favor through Massasoit, and +affixed his mark below those of eight other chiefs, in a covenant of +loyalty to King James across "the big water."</p> + +<p>The Rhode Island Indians were irritated by this unprecedented alliance +of natives with foreigners, and knowing the English losses they sent the +famous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> rattlesnake skin with its challenging arrows, to Plymouth. But +its speedy return filled with powder and balls and accompanied by a +friendly but warning message, punctured their pride and put for a while +a complete quietus on their warlike aspirations.</p> + +<p>The most serious peril arose in 1623, from the populous Massachusetts +tribes along the northern bay which, with the later state, adopted their +name. These were never over-friendly, and the later Salem and Boston +colonists found their own numerical strength was a needed preventive of +further native hostilities after the first had been suppressed. The +wrath of the red northerners was fanned into fury by the wicked and +abusive conduct of sixty Wessagusset settlers, a worthless and +improvident lot which Thomas Weston imposed upon Plymouth in the time of +scarcity, until they went up the coast by themselves. Even then +Standish, and later Bradford, took command of their pinnace the Swan in +attempts to procure corn for distribution in both colonies; and the +efficient Squanto died in one of these voyages, despite tender nursing +by the Governor.</p> + +<p>But the Wessagusset men repaid the terribly taxed hospitality and +courtesy of the Pilgrims by attempted thefts of corn and insolent +demeanor while at Plymouth; then they provoked their heathen neighbors, +with whom they competed in bad behavior; and finally their remnant +accepted the guidance of Myles Standish to the fishing fleet off the +Maine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> coast, whence they returned to England for the good of America.</p> + +<p>It was in situations like these that the coolness of the Governor +greatly helped to prevent the note of dismay, for the exasperated +Massachusetts, in hope of exterminating every foreigner, sent far and +near for concerted action of all tribes, and many joined in the +conspiracy. In view of an uprising so wide-spread, it was natural that +some in the little Colony should feel apprehensive, for the peril of +extinction was real. Approximately between twenty-five and fifty +thousand Indians occupied New England. Supported by limited artillery +and musketry, the wooden palisade was hardly adequate against the +firebrands, hatchets and arrows of bloodthirsty swarming thousands; yet +it never came to the test. This is less surprising when we recall the +fact that, in addition to showing an almost complete lack of +organization, all the Atlantic coast natives were numerically weaker and +socially inferior to the inland tribes. White immigrants to the Old +Colony found them especially weak there; and in Patuxet, or Plymouth, +they were extinct, except for friendly Squanto.</p> + +<p>At this time the people revealed their trust in Bradford's judgment by +leaving him to decide what measures should be taken in a crisis so +acute, of which he informed them on the annual court day. Captain +Standish was sent to Wessagusset, with only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> eight men, as more would +excite suspicion; and they equipped the shallop for trading. But one day +when two ringleaders and a couple of followers were in a hut with the +whites, Standish gave the word, the door was shut and a struggle ensued, +three red men being soon cut down, fighting to the last, while a fourth +was taken alive and afterward hung. Three more warriors in the +neighborhood were killed. This summary execution of only seven persons +quickly prepared the way for finishing the disagreeable but necessary +business without that further and abundant bloodshed, which would +inevitably have ensued but for this stern action. A force of Indians who +hastened to the scene were turned to flight without loss after a few +shots, and the heart of opposition failed. The sudden collapse of +warfare so carefully planned, is explained not only by the loose +organization of those rude folk among themselves, but by the fact, as +often in ancient history, that dependence upon leaders was extremely +strong, and the fall of a hero caused consternation and despair. Also +the terror of Standish, with his decisiveness and daring, was universal +among all disaffected natives, who regarded him as invulnerable, for he +had repeatedly escaped the plots of intending assassins; and he +surprised his foes by his quick penetration of their deadly designs +though covered by amicable professions.</p> + +<p>This perception of sinister purposes was also well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> developed in +Bradford, as the following instance will show, though out of +chronological order; and it was well for the Colony that both men +possessed such a faculty, the impetuous Captain and amiable Governor, +who in their respective dispositions may fairly be compared with +Christ's leading disciples, Peter and John. When the Massachusetts Bay +Colony was at its full inception in 1630, there appeared the greatest +threat of native opposition up to that time, considering its extent. It +aimed at the annihilation of all New England settlements, north and +south along the coast where they had obtained, or were securing, a firm +footing. The older community was to be attended to first.</p> + +<p>The scheme was to request another grand sporting festival at Plymouth, +natives and whites together, such as had been allowed to Massasoit and +his men in 1621, the year of the treaty. Though this pleasant precedent +was shrewdly cited with all openness and apparent amity, Bradford +refused the petition. Then the red men, realizing that they were +understood, declared wrathfully and with unwonted boldness, "If we may +not come with leave, we will come without."</p> + +<p>They rallied near Charlestown, whose people were also warned by their +constant native friend, Sagamore John. Therefore the English, including +women and children, hastily erected earthworks and built a small fort on +top of the town hill. But the slightly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> older settlement of Salem made +use of what cannon it possessed, and the booming reverberations struck +such panic in the dusky breasts, that they immediately abandoned their +campaign, although, as later in New England's interior, it might, if +once started, have proved no farce even against explosive weapons. Thus +ended the troubles with aborigines of martial mind in William Bradford's +time.</p> + +<p>Within a year, lacking one day, after the Mayflower had cast anchor in +Provincetown harbor, the Fortune had brought an accession of thirty-five +souls, mostly men, who replaced the male losses of the first winter. +They were somewhat heedless youth, with more of adventurous ardor than +judgment, yet such as could be controlled, and useful in the shortage of +masculine muscle and total absence of horses and oxen. They stood ready +for work or warfare, in those uncertain years before colonial +establishment. Then, just after the drouth of 1623, the Anne and the +Little James arrived in August with sixty persons, some of whom, +however, proved so undesirable that the Colony, financially burdened +though it was, willingly sent them back at its own charge. The most of +them, both Separatists and others, were very worthy and welcome; and +they included women and children, who had been left behind until they +could expect an assured settlement to occupy. Elder Brewster received +his two daughters, Doctor Samuel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> Fuller and Francis Cooke rejoiced to +greet their wives, and there were brides to be.</p> + +<p>Besides these sixty, certain prospective planters were accepted who did +not wish to join Plymouth's colonial organization bound in partnership +with the company in England. Specifications regarding them were drawn +up, and mutually agreed upon. The opening article was thus generous in +its spirit:</p> + +<p>"First, that y<sup>e</sup> Gov<sup>r</sup>, in y<sup>e</sup> name and with y<sup>e</sup> consente of y<sup>e</sup> +company, doth in all love and frendship receive and imbrace them; and is +to allote them competente places for habitations within y<sup>e</sup> towne. And +promiseth to shew them all such other curtesies as shall be reasonable +for them to desire, or us to performe."</p> + +<p>A letter came with these ships, from the general company in England, +subscribed by thirteen names representing those who in that body were +friendly toward the Pilgrims and were sending them this accession of +people. The missive concluded in this tenor of sympathy and +encouragement, which doubtless did the recipients much good:</p> + +<p>"Let it not be greeveous unto you y<sup>t</sup> you have been instruments to +breake y<sup>e</sup> ise for others who come after with less difficulty, the +honour shall be yours to y<sup>e</sup> worlds end....</p> + +<p>"We bear you always in our brests, and our harty affection is towards +you all, as are y<sup>e</sup> harts of hundreds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> 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<sup>e</sup> same God which hath so marvelously preserved +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<sup>e</sup> last day. And so y<sup>e</sup> 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<sup>t</sup> confoundeth y<sup>e</sup> mighty by +the weak, and maketh small thinges great. To whose greatnes, be all +glorie for ever & ever."</p> + +<p>Edward Winslow was appointed to return with the Anne, for the procuring +of needed supplies and especially to report the truth about the Colony, +whose enemies had maligned it. This gifted and honorable man rendered a +valuable service to Plymouth at that day, and to posterity ever since, +by his detailed journal of events to that time, entitled Good Newes from +New-England. He and Bradford, unnamed, had previously prepared a Journal +of the Plantation through June of the first full year, which was printed +in 1622. That and the longer account were embodied in "Purchas his +Pilgrims" in 1625.</p> + +<p>In the feminine contingent of these latest arrivals, there appeared one +who was to share her life for thirty-three years with the Governor of +the Old Colony. She was previously well acquainted with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> him, and born +in the same year. Alice Carpenter was the widow of Edward Southworth a +descendant of Sir Gilbert Southworth, knight of Lancaster. When a maiden +of seventeen, she had cast in her lot with the Puritans and lived a +while as an exile in Holland, with her father. She became a woman of +devout mind and great force of character.</p> + +<p>Alice must often have seen William Bradford in the Separatist community +at Leyden. And in her widowhood, two years after the tragic decease of +Dorothy May Bradford, she received with favor his suit for marriage, +which was happily consummated at Plymouth on August fourteen, Old Style.</p> + +<p>She brought over considerable property with her. Dorothy Bradford's son +John, a lad under seven then, did not come till a few years later. He +himself though married died childless, after threescore years of life; +and he was given the position of Deputy to the General Court, before his +father passed away. He received a house and land from a paternal will.</p> + +<p>Goodwife Southworth's own sons Thomas and Constant Southworth rejoined +her within seven years, meeting their half-brothers, the Plymouth family +having then been blessed with three little ones, William, Mercy and +Joseph. The Bradford household, of parents and children, therefore +comprised eight persons, residing in the Governor's assigned homestead +at the south-west corner of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> square in the intersection of the two +main streets.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bradford engaged earnestly and long in labors for the young people +at Plymouth.</p> + +<p>Though she survived her life-partner by nearly thirteen years, he had +the joy of knowing some of the fifteen children of his son and namesake +William, the Deputy Governor and Major, and several of his other son +Joseph's seven children. His only daughter, Mercy, married and was +living in 1650. The grandmother's name was repeated in Alice, daughter +of William Junior.</p> + +<p>Following a long debility, on April 5, 1670, shortly before the dark +days of King Philip's war, the Governor's consort closed, at her home of +peace, her course of almost fourscore years; and a relative, Nathaniel +Morton, Secretary of Plymouth Colony, writing verses which are copied on +the first original leaf of Bradford's History, "Upon the life and death +of that godly matron Mistris Alice Bradford," said of her that after the +obsequies of her husband,</p> + +<div class="block3"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"E'r since that time in widdowhood shee hath<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lived a life in holynes and faith<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In reading of God's word and contemplation."<br /></span> +</div></div></div> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +<a name="iv" id="iv"></a>IV<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE GOVERNOR: LATER ADMINISTRATION</small></h2> + +<p><i>In thanking God for the mercies extended to us in the past, we +beseech Him that He may not withhold them in the future, and +that our hearts may be roused to war steadfastly for good and +against all the forces of evil, public and private. We pray for +strength and light, so that in the coming days we may with +cleanliness, fearlessness and wisdom do our allotted work on the +earth.</i></p> + +<p class="right2 nb"><span class="smcap">Theodore N. Roosevelt</span>,</p> +<p class="right nt"><i>in National Thanksgiving Proclamation</i>.</p> + +<hr class="white2" /> + +<p><i>It is much better to keepe a good conscience and have y<sup>e</sup> +Lord's blessing, whether in life or death.</i></p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">William Bradford.</span></p> + +<hr class="white" /> + +<p class="cap2">AS Plymouth's third summer displayed its saved harvest which, with a +fresh food supply from the Anne, promised enough by prudent management +for the increased Colony, a sense of security and content was justified. +The new-comers, who had wept to see the founders' leanness and scanty +clothing, were glad to help as they could, and consoled their much tried +spirits in the reunited and new families. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> lingering experimental +stage had passed. Establishment was in sight. With only a few +exceptions, every settler had done his part and would continue to do so, +toiling for the general good as for his private welfare. The Governor +performed his share of responsibility, as he had willingly taken his +equal portion in the emergency restrictions. He would not himself avoid +in any degree what he had been obliged to impose upon others. And in +appreciation of his true democratic feeling they cordially co-operated +with him, and were pleased to support him still as their civil head. But +an external authority was to try the genuine quality of his humility; +and well it stood this test.</p> + +<p>The Council for New England, seated in old England, could not long +direct affairs at that distance, as only a body subject to the British +government and usually having no electoral voice abroad; but before its +early expiration it assumed at one time to do more than the Crown itself +cared to undertake for Plymouth, which was never of marked political +importance to the realm. This ephemeral Council superseded the +colonists' head by the appointment of a Governor General of New England, +Captain Robert Gorges, son of Sir Ferdinando the famous promoter of +provincial territory. On his advisory board was Admiral Francis West, +who had unsuccessfully served a monopoly seeking exclusive control of +the New England fishing grounds, and one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> William Bradford, resident in +New Plymouth and generously accorded this favor "for the time being," a +copy of his superior's commission being delivered to him. The Pilgrim +leader not only accepted the situation, as his duty was, but did so with +good grace, providing for the entertainment of Gorges and his +considerable company during a fortnight after their arrival in +September, an act of hospitality which was acknowledged with thanks.</p> + +<p>With the new dignitary were families intended to replace, at +Wessagusset, now Weymouth, those who had been there long enough to +provoke the natives into the insurrection against all whites.</p> + +<p>Before they sailed up the coast, Thomas Weston also came into port, just +at the wrong juncture for him. All his fraudulent villainy was charged +against him by Robert Gorges, including the wrongs done to the latter's +distinguished father. Bradford here displayed his forgiving spirit by +interceding in behalf of Weston, though he himself and all Plymouth had +suffered because of his actions. Clemency being obtained, Weston thought +himself free and, instead of showing gratitude, indulged in the spiteful +expressions so congenial to his nature. Thereupon Gorges in righteous +wrath vowed he would either curb or banish him; and he would have done +so had not Bradford, secretly entreated by the wretch, again procured +his release with much difficulty. This and other favors granted to him, +when in dire straits or personal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> peril, were ignored by Weston, who +from a safe distance still proved his inherent depravity by reviling the +Pilgrims.</p> + +<p>A single American winter sufficed for Gorges and the bulk of the +Wessagusset colony. Relinquishing his magisterial powers, necessity +compelled him to return home before spring, accompanied by some of his +people. Others were carried to Virginia, only a few remaining in +Weymouth. Thus quickly terminated the assumption of external, delegated +authority at Plymouth as a separate Colony, the British government being +usually content to grant, though unofficially and by sufferance, its +autonomy, even to the choice of its chief executive, which was not the +case at Massachusetts Bay.</p> + +<p>In an opportune time when opposition among the English patrons was +developing against the New England Separatists, Winslow did his part +well in defending, abroad, the Colony from its unfriendly critics, who +had misrepresented it from the time of the Mayflower's return with her +rough, profane crew, to the reprobate malcontents who had to be +deported. And now, when the Charity went back in which Winslow had +returned, having left her cargo of necessities such as much needed +clothing and cattle for breeding, she conveyed home specific answers by +the Governor, to a dozen baseless criticisms. Two are cited, in the +loose orthography of the day. Variable spelling was no sure sign of +illiteracy then, as with Bradford and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> contemporary writers of good +thought and dignified style.</p> + +<p>Thus he meets the leading calumny, as to "diversitie about Religion:"</p> + +<p>"We know no such matter, for here was never any controversie or +opposition, either publicke or private, (to our knowledg,) since we +came."</p> + +<p>The last objection designed to injure Plymouth was this: "The people are +much anoyed with muskeetoes.</p> + +<p>"Ans: They are too delicate and unfitte to begin 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<sup>e</sup> more y<sup>e</sup> land +is tild, and y<sup>e</sup> woods cut downe, the fewer ther will be, and in the end +scarce any at all."</p> + +<p>Bradford prepared this clear and direct rejoinder to the unjust charges, +at the urgent request of the planters' foreign agent. And the unexpected +defense "did so confound y<sup>e</sup> 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."</p> + +<p>The Governor further justified Plymouth's course by a series of replies, +which became useful locally and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> for posterity, but were not sent +abroad, as the letters of complaint were intercepted and seized. He had +now to cope with internal revolt, headed by John Lyford and John Oldham. +Lyford was an exceedingly disreputable and discredited clergyman of the +Established Church who, like Morell of Wessagusset previously, had been +sent in hope of superseding Elder Brewster and breaking up the much +disliked Separatist order in New England. Morell had perceived the +strength of the Pilgrim fellowship, and was wise enough to make no vain +attempt to subvert its order, only daring to mention, on leaving the +country, the ecclesiastical authority with which he had been invested. +His successor, in this dark scheme of foreign persecution, sought with +serpentine cleverness to ingratiate himself; but his effusive servility +nauseated those sterling souls. As Bradford graphically recorded, "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 suffered him; yea, he wept & shed many tears, blessing God +that had brought him to see their faces; and admiring y<sup>e</sup> things they +had done in their wants, &c. as if he had been made all of love, and y<sup>e</sup> +humblest person in y<sup>e</sup> world."</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, not knowing his reprobate nature, they gave the clerical +the best entertainment they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> could, a larger allowance from the stored +food than any other had, and, "as the Gov<sup>r</sup> had used in all waightie +affairs to consulte with their Elder, Mr. Brewster, (togeither with his +assistants,) so now he caled Mr. Liford also to counsell with them in +their waightiest bussineses." Soon he desired admission to the church, +and was received, confessing that his conscience had been troubled by +much wrong doing, and professing gratitude for "this opportunity of +freedom and liberty to enjoy the ordinances of God in purity among his +people."</p> + +<p>Oldham also, who had been a malcontent and evil informant to parties +abroad, now, to quote again the magisterial historian, "tooke occasion +to open his minds to some of y<sup>e</sup> 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 pang of conviction (which I rather thinke), God +only knows. Upon it they show all readynes to imbrace his love, and +carry towards him in all frendlyness, and called him to counsell with +them in all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> cheefe affairs, as y<sup>e</sup> other, without any distrust at all."</p> + +<p>Thus generous and patient was the Governor and his Pilgrim comrades. +They were ready to let a man make amends for his misdeeds. But very soon +Bradford had opportunity to show that he had discretion as well as +mercy.</p> + +<p>Lyford saw no prospect of his becoming the "spiritual" head at Plymouth, +although by his encouragement some of the Merchant Adventurers in +England succeeded in still keeping the Pilgrims' true pastor from coming +to his own, as he desired to do, writing to them concerning his +unwilling absence. They even pleaded lack of funds to transport him and +Mrs. Robinson, though they could send Lyford with his numerous family. +This man and Oldham secretly lapsed back into their congenial ways, and +they busied themselves in efforts to stir up discontent and sedition, +among those who had been generously allowed residence at Plymouth +without assuming the colonial foreign obligations. There were stealthy +gatherings and whisperings, which the government discovered. There was +industrious writing of letters intended for English consumption.</p> + +<p>As the mail carrier sailed, the Governor and several others accompanied +her in the shallop until well out, when he called for all the letters of +Lyford and Oldham. The ship master, knowing the evil conduct of those +men on both sides of the sea, cheerfully co-operated,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> finding over a +score of vicious epistles, many of them bulky, and full of slanders +sufficient to ruin the reputation of the Colony if believed.</p> + +<p>At night the Governor returned and nothing was said, the uneasy +malcontents concluding Bradford had gone with messages of his own. +Instead of this, he waited to see what their intentions were, and who +were their adherents, particularly as one of the intercepted letters +promised a change in church and state, and that they would bring this +about soon after the ship's sailing. Therefore, mistaking the Governor's +caution for timidity, without notifying him or the Elder they presumed +to call a meeting of the conspirators, on a certain Sunday.</p> + +<p>This was what Bradford had been waiting for, to know the disloyal +constituency. Swiftly he acted now, summoning the whole company to +court. They were urged to state, frankly and fully, all their +grievances, in the open and proper manner; but they had nothing to say, +and stoutly denied the charges laid against them. Their letters being +produced, Lyford was struck dumb; but Oldham began to rage, affecting +righteous wrath over the interference with his mail. He called upon his +supposed sympathizers to have courage and stand forth, but none of them +spoke or moved. The Governor explained to the people the necessity of +suppressing mutinous missives; and the assembly was shocked at the +produced evidence, of seditious plotting in return for uniform<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +kindness. The weak and variable Lyford, when some of his voluminous +writing was read, suddenly gave way to copious tears, cursing himself +and confessing everything, declaring that his actions were the result of +his pride, vainglory and self-love, though he involved Billington and +others who at once grew emphatic in denial.</p> + +<p>By way of illustration, and to show the breadth of the colonial policy, +the first two charges, and their refutations, are here given.</p> + +<p>"1. First, he saith, the church would have none to live hear but them +selves. 2'y. Neither are any willing so to doe if they had company to +live elsewher.</p> + +<p>"Ans: Their answer was, that this was false, in both y<sup>e</sup> parts of it; +for they were willing & desirous y<sup>t</sup> any honest men may live with them, +that will cary them selves peacably, and seek y<sup>e</sup> comone good, or at +least doe them no hurte. And again, ther are many that will not live els +wher so long as they may live with them.</p> + +<p>"2. That if ther come over any honest men that are not of y<sup>e</sup> +seperation, they will quickly distast them, &c.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +Sentence of banishment was imposed upon the miserable men, but Lyford's +time was extended to six months more at Plymouth in the vain hope that +his punishment might be commuted on good behavior. Elder Brewster +especially entreated for him, though this strange pulpit aspirant had +hoped to supplant him. The clerical renegade's contrition began to cool +in a few weeks, and he penned in great secrecy a letter to his backers +abroad, which however was brought to the Governor, and all its charges +answered in writing. In consequence, there was a revulsion of feeling on +the part of certain formerly disaffected ones, who now so loathed these +traitorous deeds that their own loyalty was toned up. The Colony was rid +of such experts in duplicity, though Oldham rashly returned next spring, +and became so defiant and abusive that he was first put under guard, +then led away to a boat between files of musketeers who were ordered to +strike him with the butts of their guns. Yet afterward in a fearful +storm he confessed his wickedness and vowed that if spared he would do +right. Delivered from drowning, he kept his word, proved his genuine +good will, and behaved himself so well that eventually he had liberty to +visit Plymouth when he would. In all these things the toleration of the +chief magistrate and his associates, where toleration was possible, +appears marvellous, though they were firm in protecting their essential +rights and maintaining the colonial integrity.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +But the English supporters of the unsuccessful revolution, vexed at the +ministerial traitor's expulsion, dissolved their company as then +composed, broke with the Colony and thenceforth withheld their help. +Also some of them, not content with this, manned a vessel on their own +account, and dispatched it ahead of any others to Cape Ann on the north +shore, where Plymouth had established a fishing station. This expedition +seized the stage and necessary supplies for the Cape Ann industry, and +threatened to fight for their possession. Hereupon Bradford sent men to +defend their authority, and help build a new drying stage; but those who +were left in charge conducted the business so unsuccessfully that it was +finally abandoned.</p> + +<p>The Governor was now relieved from the chain of crises which had +threatened to overthrow the Colony from its beginning. In the fourth +year he found himself at the head of about one hundred and eighty +people, including approximately a score of persons not in the trading +company, together occupying thirty-two dwellings within the stockade. By +the tenth year, 1630, Plymouth had grown to about three hundred +inhabitants.</p> + +<p>When the Merchant Adventurers had failed in their scheme to break up the +Pilgrim order in America as in England, and so as a body had deserted +Plymouth, four of their former company showed their own faithfulness by +sending in 1625, on their own account,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> more cattle and clothing. In +their accompanying letter, they subscribed themselves, over mere +initials, "your assured freinds to our powers." The following extract +reveals their desire to impart cheer, as well as good things, to the +distant toilers, in whom they also felt confidence.</p> + +<p>"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<sup>e</sup> 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 friends should forsake you +(which we our selves will not doe whilst we live, so long as your +honestie so well appereth).... Goe on, good friends, 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<sup>e</sup> work may goe on you are aboute, and not be neglected."</p> + +<p>Myles Standish was sent over in hope of persuading the Merchant +Adventurers to hold together, with the aid also of the nominally ruling +Council for New England. But his earnest efforts met with only partial +success, in a time of industrial depression prevalent on account of the +fearful pestilence there, together with an uncertain political situation +embarrassed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> by rumors of war with France. Nevertheless Bradford +recorded for Plymouth, that "in y<sup>e</sup> mean time, it pleased the Lord to +give y<sup>e</sup> plantation peace and health and contented minds, and so to +blese their labours, as they had corn 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." He had previously spoken of the +provisions brought by the sixty in 1623, but they retained them for +their own use, and had no more than what they carried over with them.</p> + +<p>After Captain Standish returned from abroad, however, their peace of +mind was sorely tested. They learned that their loved pastor, Mr. +Robinson, could no more hope to rejoin them, for he had passed away, as +also had their capable agent Robert Cushman, who expected soon to come +to them. The efficient Sherley was seriously ill, whose initials had led +in the joint letter of encouragement the year before. Many of their +friends in Leyden likewise were dying, while others lamented that they +could not leave Holland for New England. King James too had died, and +Charles now reigned. Considering all these important changes, the +Governor writes again:</p> + +<p>"To looke humanly on y<sup>e</sup> 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<sup>e</sup> Lord so helped +them, whose worke they had in hand, as now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> when they were at lowest +they begane to rise againe, and being striped (in a maner) of all human +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."</p> + +<p>They went resolutely to work anew, giving their attention to planting +and trading. Bradford and Winslow proceeded by boat, with several hands, +to Monhegan Island in Maine, where an attempted plantation was about to +give up and sell out their trading stock. A good supply of articles +being procured, a number of debts were cleared away in consequence, and +clothing bought for those who still needed it. Little by little their +wants were being met, and actual discomfort prevented.</p> + +<p>Also Isaac Allerton was commissioned to go to England the same year +Myles Standish came back, and with the assistance of friends over there, +a formal agreement satisfactory to the colonists was drawn up and +subscribed by forty-two Merchant Adventurers. Thereupon in 1627 Bradford +and six or seven other leading citizens ran a large venture and made +themselves personally responsible for the eventual purchase, by them and +their partners, of the revived English company's interest in the Colony, +amounting to eighteen hundred pounds, of which two hundred were to be +paid annually at the Royal Exchange in London. Next year, 1628, the +transaction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> was fully confirmed, with the best legal counsel available; +and the first instalment was paid. This gradual settlement was completed +three years ahead of time, with the help of a large quantity of beaver +skins.</p> + +<p>Yet it was ten years beyond the expiration of those creditors' time +limit of nine years before the Colony was finally free from heavy +indebtedness to other parties in England, so making a financial struggle +of a quarter of a century from the landing of the Pilgrims. To the +lasting wonder of all who consider them, they exhibited alongside of +their piety, a practical business ability and perseverance, which +ultimately was not frustrated by reverses such as the seizure of +consignments by national enemies, and the loan to themselves of +absolutely necessary sums at the fearfully extortionate rate of thirty +and even fifty per cent. An indomitable tenacity, and the endurance of +rock, reposed in these gentle spirits.</p> + +<p>To facilitate commercial progress, Governor Bradford, Captain Standish +and other competent men came before the body of colonists, recounted the +weight of debt upon them, in this matter of buying out the English +company's interest, and offered to undertake the payment of it +themselves, instead of merely being responsible for the others; only +they asked that they might have the trade of the Colony for six years, +after which it was to revert to them all, who were called the +generality. The Colony was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> to purchase its exemption by yearly +delivering to this internal smaller company a specified amount of +agricultural products.</p> + +<p>This was a hazardous responsibility for the few most concerned, none of +whom were persons of real affluence; and yet they felt this was the only +feasible way to push trade, unhindered by too cumbrous an organization, +in which a number of incapable individuals, and even some less earnest, +were sure to be found. Efficiency and resolution were certainly needed; +for this little inner company dared to attempt, in two-thirds of the +time granted for the full payment of the eighteen hundred pounds, not +only the discharge of that encumbrance, but various other obligations +devolving upon the plantation, approximating six hundred pounds, or a +third of the other sum. It was a bold venture truly, in their still +limited circumstances and with the loss of valuable helpers abroad:—to +assume liabilities aggregating between two and three thousand pounds, or +more specifically, about twelve thousand dollars in our currency. +Insignificant enough for a well established community, the load was +large for these straitened pioneers in an almost unbroken wilderness, +who recently throughout several years had struggled for their very +lives. The feebleness of their condition makes their courage colossal.</p> + +<p>Yet the Governor and his several partners in this enterprise were no +hot-headed speculators, rashly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> making chimerical castles in the air, or +busily blowing financial bubbles with foolhardy recklessness. They were +a brainy group, and the outcome proved their judgment sober. Having by +this time some basis of calculation, they took the long look, knew what +they were about, and, though purposing to be as prompt as possible, were +too cool to be in a hurry. Their sound discretion never failed; and they +displayed that rare balance which blends quiet repose of mind with +resistless energy.</p> + +<p>One fortunate effect of such stress of business burdens was to develop +territorial exploitation. To fulfil their purposes, they enlarged the +area of their industry. Southward and northward their commerce spread. A +small pinnace was built and placed in Monumet river, emptying into +Buzzard's Bay. This could be reached by boat from Cape Cod Bay and +Scusset river, with some colportage overland between those two streams; +so avoiding the dangerous peninsular circumnavigation, and marking the +main course of the present Cape Cod Canal. Thus was opened all the lower +coast of New England, including the populous Narragansett Bay; access +was given to the mouth of the Connecticut River, with its fair valley +intersecting the country; and the approach was unimpeded, through Long +Island Sound, to the New Netherlands. Here was trading ground indeed, +all the way to the promising harbor at the Hudson's mouth and the seat +of the mighty metropolis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> to be. This southern enterprise brought +substantial returns.</p> + +<p>Also in the north, a store house was put up on the Kennebec River, where +Augusta, the capital city of Maine, should afterward arise. The Council +for New England, over the signature of its president the Earl of +Warwick, made out a patent to William Bradford, granting territory +thirteen miles on the River, and extending fifteen miles on either side. +Business there did so well at first, that the American debtors gained +headway, until a disappointing agent abroad occasioned trouble by +private competition. After carrying on trade for ten years, they leased +the post for one-sixth of its profits, so receiving some regular income +thence.</p> + +<p>In 1629 another Mayflower vessel brought to Plymouth thirty-five more +Pilgrims from Leyden via the new settlement of Salem, and later a +smaller number followed, but poorer and less capable, though worthy +persons all. This serious matter, resulting partly from the indiscretion +of friends, incurred an expense for transportation, new clothing and +considerable maintenance, to the amount of over five thousand dollars in +our money. The bulk of it was borne by several new partners in England; +yet Plymouth's share was equivalent to a thousand dollars or a little +more, which was never repaid to the Colony or even demanded back, and +became a chief cause of Plymouth's indebtedness during its first quarter +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> a century. Commenting on this final extra burden from abroad, +Bradford thus expresses his wonder "that these poor 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 +unfaithfulness of some, and many other great losses which they +sustained, which will be made manifest, if y<sup>e</sup> Lord be pleased to give +life and time. In y<sup>e</sup> 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."</p> + +<p>Even more than the intricacies of financial entanglements, the +responsibilities of diplomacy rested in large measure upon the colonial +leader. He had to deal not only with the unsympathetic home government +in England, but at one time with Dutch pretensions in New England, which +emanated from Fort Manhattan on the future site of New York City. +Perceiving clearly that they possessed a place of immense natural +advantage, the desire of these Hollanders was enlarged, to extend their +area, both commercially and politically, from this safe and promising +base. They therefore sent letters to Plymouth in its seventh year, the +year of the trading station's establishment near Buzzard's Bay on the +south.</p> + +<p>Correspondence opened with this ample salutation as rendered in +English:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +"Noble, honorable, wise and prudent Lords, the Governor and Councillors +residing in New Plymouth, our very good friends."</p> + +<p>Bradford replied with an equally cordial tone, in which lay no lack of +sincerity:</p> + +<p>"To the Honoured, &c.</p> + +<p>"The Gov<sup>r</sup> & Counsell of New Plim: wisheth, &c. We have received your +letters, &c. wherin appeareth your good wills & frendship toward us; but +is expressed with over high titls, more than 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 pore colonie, we are much +bound unto you, and with many thanks doe acknowledge y<sup>e</sup> same; taking it +both for a great honour done unto us, and for a certaine testimony of +your love and good neighborhood."</p> + +<p>After this modest beginning of his message, one discerns in the next +sentence, underneath its tenor of genuine amity, a deep note of well +disguised warning, that no open question exists in the matter of mutual +territorial relations. Thus the subordinate and latent inference is +couched, almost like some unintended meaning which nevertheless carries +more weight than with a studied significance; for Bradford's very +honesty itself was his constant safety:</p> + +<p>"Now these are further to give your Wor<sup>pps</sup> to understand, that it is +to us no smale joye to hear,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> that his majestie hath not only bene +pleased to confirme y<sup>t</sup> 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<sup>e</sup> prid of y<sup>t</sup> comone enemy y<sup>e</sup> +Spaniard, from whose cruelty the Lord keep us both, and our native +countries."</p> + +<p>Following the adroit but legitimate suggestion, that their harmony is +the more desirable in view of their natural foes, he concludes with this +reminder of their former happy concord in Holland:</p> + +<p>"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<sup>e</sup> same, but shall hartily desire your good & +prosperity, as our owne, for ever."</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding these veiled admonitions, the Dutch sent further +epistles, asserting now a claim over English territorial and trade +rights, and declaring that they would defend the claim. Yet the Plymouth +Governor's versatile mind and ready tact<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> were equal to this new crisis, +delicate as it was, and fraught with momentous possibilities. There was +considerable correspondence, and mutual insistence, though always with +conventional courtesy of language. Bradford preserved part of these +diplomatic communications in his Letter Book. He remained firm in the +English title, knowing the ground therefor, and requested the Manhattan +magistrates to refer to their own home government, while he deprecated +any future trouble to them from the British crown.</p> + +<p>In the conclusion of one of his missives he offers this advice:</p> + +<p>"We desire your Honours, that ye would take into your wise and honorable +considerations, that which we conceive may be a hindrance to this +accordation, and may be a means of much future evil, if it be not +prevented, namely, that you clear the title of your planting in these +parts, which his Majesty hath, by patent, granted to divers his nobles +and subjects of quality; least it be a bone of division in these +stirring evil times, which God forbid: We persuade ourselves, that now +may be easily and seasonably done, which will be harder and with more +difficulty obtained hereafter, and perhaps not without blows; so there +may be assured peace and good correspondence on all parts, and ourselves +more free and able to contract with your Honours. Thus commending our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +best service to our most noble Lords, praying for the prosperous success +of your worthy designs, we rest your Lordships'</p> + +<p class="right2 nb">Most sincerely affected and bounden,</p> +<p class="right3 nb nt">William Bradford,</p> +<p class="right nb nt">Governour, &c.</p> +<p class="nt">Plymouth, Oct. 1, Anno 1627."</p> + +<hr class="white3" /> + +<p>This seemed to be enough. They desisted from such designs as might not +be deemed "worthy" by the benevolent English Governor, and for which he +did not say he might pray. The unwarranted question was dropped, as to +the Dutch prerogative.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless next year the Manhattan correspondent, Secretary Isaac de +Rasier, came to the Monumet station with trumpeters and a retinue, and +was conveyed to Plymouth by a boat sent to meet him. After several days' +entertainment, he returned to his ship under escort, having been +permitted to accomplish his unprofessed purpose, to observe the +condition of the fortified English Colony, of which he delivered a +description, still extant, to his superiors at New Amsterdam.</p> + +<p>In 1633 Bradford also sustained the British claim in the Connecticut +valley above the Hollanders' holdings, sending a vessel up the river to +the navigable limits, past the threatening Dutch fort at Hartford, and +establishing a trading post at present Windsor. Both New Amsterdam and +Massachusetts had repeatedly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> encouraged them to do this, but repented. +This mercantile base was embarrassed by a wide-spread plague among the +Indians, most of whom were unfriendly. After this reverse it was taken +up by a party from Dorchester and, on Bradford's protest, only a +sixteenth share in it was returned to Plymouth. The matter caused some +feeling in the Old Colony toward its newer northern neighbor. Such +rivalries and questions of debate between the two English sections made +evident the need of the inter-colonial union which later arose. Harmony +was sought and usually prevailed.</p> + +<p>Captain John Endicott, the new Governor of Massachusetts Bay residing at +Salem, proceeded promptly to recognize Plymouth's head in this truly +fraternal manner (his spelling modernized):</p> + +<p>"To the worshipful and my right worthy friend, William Bradford, Esq. +Governor of New Plymouth, these.</p> + +<p>"Right Worthy Sir,</p> + +<p>"It is a thing not usual, that servants to one master and of the same +household should be strangers; I assure you I desire it not, nay to +speak more plainly, I cannot be so to you: God's people are marked with +one and the same mark, and sealed with one and the same seal, and have +for the main one and the same heart, guided by one and the same spirit +of truth; and where this is, there can be no discord, nay, here must +needs be sweet harmony; and the same request<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> (with you) I make unto the +Lord, that we may, as Christian brethren, be united by an heavenly and +unfeigned love, bending all our hearts and forces in furthering a work +beyond our strength with reverence and fear, fastening our eyes always +on him that only is able to direct and prosper all our ways."</p> + +<p>In the following summer of 1629 the sincere and cultured pastors at +Salem, Higginson and Skelton, though ordained clergymen, wished to be +set apart anew. To this religious assembly William Bradford and other +delegates from the Plymouth church were invited. Adverse winds delayed +their arrival by sail, and even the days of the stagecoach were then in +the future; but happily they were in time to give the right hand of +fellowship to their brethren of the Bay.</p> + +<p>The closely allied civil and religious interests of the time were +further promoted between north and south, under Governor John Winthrop, +in his third year at Boston, the new and growing colonial seat. This +excellent man wished to visit his gubernatorial brother, Bradford, and +associates. There had been great sickness at Boston in its beginning, as +in Plymouth at first, though proportionately not so severe in the colony +which started with much better numbers. These Bostonians in their crisis +bought every available commodity from Plymouth, and for cattle they +exchanged horses. Thus by their very exigencies, a good degree of +commercial intercourse and brotherly regard was facilitated.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +With Governor Winthrop went the Boston pastor, Reverend John Wilson, and +two other companions. Their journey was partly by water and latterly by +land. Informed of their coming, a party headed by Governor Bradford and +Elder Brewster hastened forth to meet them in the evening, and attended +them into the town. During their stay of some days, they received the +best entertainment that could be given them, at the executive residence +and other homes. And when they returned, they were accompanied for some +distance on their way, Bradford having his horse carry Winthrop.</p> + +<p>The Boston chief dignitary, historian of Massachusetts Bay as Governor +Bradford was of Plymouth, wrote of the Sabbath which he and his comrades +spent with their Pilgrim brethren. At that time Roger Williams, +afterwards the devoted missionary and pioneer among the Rhode Island +Indians, was living at Plymouth for a couple of years, and was mentioned +by Winthrop in his narration, as was Reverend Ralph Smith, first pastor +there for a short time, a good but mediocre man. Thus the record reads, +in modern spelling:</p> + +<p>"On the Lord's Day was a sacrament, which they did partake in; and in +the afternoon Mr. Roger Williams, according to their custom, propounded +a question, to which their pastor, Mr. Smith, spoke briefly. Mr. +Williams prophesied the topic he had submitted; and after, the Governor +of Plymouth spoke to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> question; after him, the Elder; then some two +or three more of the congregation. Then the Elder desired the Governor +of Massachusetts and Mr. Wilson to speak to it, which they did. When +this was ended, the deacon, Mr. Fuller, put the congregation in mind of +the contribution, upon which the Governor and all the rest went down to +the deacon's seat and put into the bag, and then returned."</p> + +<p>Edward Winslow also once described another feature of their worship:</p> + +<p>"We refresht ourselves ... with synginge of Psalmes, making joyfull +melodie in our hartes, as well as with y<sup>e</sup> voice, there being manie in +y<sup>e</sup> congregation verie experte in musick."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +<a name="v" id="v"></a>V<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE GOVERNOR: LAST ACTS</small></h2> + +<p><i>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.</i></p> + +<p>Governor Roger Wolcott of Massachusetts, at the Bradford History +Presentation, May 26, 1897.</p> + +<p class="nb"><i>Quae patres difficillime adepti sunt nolite turpiter relinquere.</i></p> + +<p class="nt">(<i>What the Fathers with greatest difficulty effected do not basely +abandon.</i>)</p> + +<p class="center nb">Inscription on the monument of William Bradford at Plymouth.</p> + +<p class="nt nb"><i>Sicut patribus, sit Deus nobis.</i></p> + +<p class="nt nb">(<i>As with the Fathers, so may God be with us.</i>)</p> + +<p class="right nt"><span class="smcap">Seal of Boston.</span></p> + +<hr class="white" /> + +<p class="cap2">IN their personal visitation the colonial leaders had opportunity to +confer on matters of mutual interest, before there was any thought of +their respective territories becoming merged indissolubly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> into a noble +Commonwealth. In 1630 Bradford had received in his name a patent, which +ten years later the Plymouth court requested to have; but on his ready +compliance, it returned the same at once to him, to whom and his heirs +it had been made out by the authorities in England. This charter +specified the area of the Old Colony, which, under the jurisdiction of +Plymouth, extended from Scituate, considerably below Boston harbor, to +Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, with Cape Cod on the east. Not long +after this it included ten towns.</p> + +<p>Soon a decided forward step was taken, toward unity. In September 7, +1643, a confederation was formed, composed of the colonies of +Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven, and named The +United Colonies of New England. Probably this coalition was in the minds +of those who founded the United States of America. There are +similarities in the very constitutions of the two governmental +organizations, small and large. The four colonial sections were +associated on a basis of political equality. A federal congress was +formed, there being two representative delegates from every Colony, who +were called commissioners, with one of them presiding. William Bradford +was four times a commissioner from Plymouth; and twice he was chosen +president, the second time in 1656, the last full year of his life.</p> + +<p>The preamble to this federal constitution thus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> commences: "Wheras we +all came into these parts of America with one and y<sup>e</sup> same end and aime, +namly, to advance the kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ, & to injoye y<sup>e</sup> +liberties of y<sup>e</sup> Gospell in puritie with peace; and wheras in our +setling (by a wise providence of God) we are further disperced upon y<sup>e</sup> +sea coasts and rivers then was at first intended, so y<sup>t</sup> we cannot, +according to our desires, communicate in one governmente & +jurisdiction;—"</p> + +<p>This union was highly desirable, from considerations foreign and +domestic. The supreme home government was in a condition of uncertainty +suggestive of either radical change or revolution itself; and so it +would be less able to attend to its provinces in case of need. And need +might be at any time, with rival neighboring colonies under other +national flags, and with the growing realization of the savages that if +they wished for their former independence they must fight for it, soon +or never. These facts were plainly perceived in the English settlements, +with their loose and informal interconnection of only national and +religious sympathy.</p> + +<p>The Massachusetts Bay Colony, beginning at Salem, had been powerfully +augmented at Charlestown and Boston in the summer of 1630, by the +arrival of its Governor John Winthrop and others who were soon followed +by the New England fleet of no less than ten more vessels carrying about +fifteen hundred colonists. The great natural facilities of Boston<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +harbor and its environments encouraged a steady and numerous +immigration, so that in 1643, the year of confederation, it is estimated +that five times as many were found there as in the Old Colony. +Connecticut comprised now about the same number as the latter, three +thousand, and New Haven half a thousand less. Numerically, therefore, +the English in New England were not yet strong. Yet they were constantly +growing in this and every respect, having now nearly fifteen thousand +acres of grain and a thousand acres in gardens and orchards, with two +thousand cattle and three thousand sheep.</p> + +<p>The limited body of legislators in this confederation, was composed, +however, of truly representative men. And Bradford had much previous +experience in law. The first few and simple statutes of Plymouth were +revised and enlarged in 1636, when eight delegates, representing also +Duxbury and Scituate, co-operated with the Governor and his seven +assistants.</p> + +<p>The seal of authority which he was accustomed to use was a double eagle. +He was Chief Justice, Speaker of the General Court, which granted him a +double vote, and Auditor of the Treasury, all these functions being, +however, on a scale so limited as to forbid what in larger setting would +seem an excess of prerogatives. The record of the 1621 meersteads are in +his hand, as was the lost register of early deaths, marriages and +punishments.</p> + +<p>Bradford felt keenly the numerical loss of Plymouth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> colonists who went +out to form new communities. Everywhere the pioneer mood was for +expansion. In this way he was also deprived of a group of able men. Yet +they remained mostly in the Old Colony, except Edward Winslow, who +finally returned to England. In the year of colonial union Elder +Brewster passed away, who had been not only a most worthy and acceptable +preacher and virtual pastor at Plymouth, but a close adviser to the +Governor, even as he had been the counsellor of his youth. The efficient +military head, Myles Standish, was released by death from further +responsibilities in 1656; and Bradford survived him only into the next +year, having still the company of the public-spirited and helpful John +Howland, of the remaining Mayflower Pilgrims.</p> + +<p>Many of the best people of England were leaving for America. Much alarm +was felt by the home government on this account, in whose eyes colonial +New England always represented protest. The former vacillated between +aggression and hesitating aloofness toward this uncomfortable element of +dissent, exceedingly vexed at such persistent survival and vigorous +increase, and yet recognizing its most promising contribution to the +strength of the realm. But always again, where royalty wavered, or on +the other hand in desperation leaped to violent opposition, the prelacy +was close behind it with an urgency which often bordered upon +dictation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +Of course the exception to this otherwise uniformly uncongenial +Anglo-American interrelation was the regime of the Commonwealth. Had +Cromwell sat on the throne of George IV, we would undoubtedly have been +a lower Canada for a period of time difficult to delimit. It has been +aptly stated that the Oriental idea of conquest was without +incorporation, the Roman idea was conquest with incorporation but +without representation, and the English idea of empire building was +incorporation with representation. This is eminently true as regards +England, to her credit be it said. And herein was her folly in forcing +the American Revolution, because at that time she fell from her own +ideals, which have so signally succeeded in the policy of practical +colonial autonomy, vastly promoting her beneficent power.</p> + +<p>This happy principle of provincial administration was not yet developed +in the seventeenth century, which was a season of preparation for the +stupendous blunder of the eighteenth, perpetrated by a head-strong +despot without the sympathy of his own home people or a large part of +Parliament. The root of the trouble then was taxation without +representation, and England learned a valuable lesson after quite an +awkward experience. But regal antagonism found its provincial object in +religious dissent as early as 1634, when a warrant was issued to stay +several vessels about to sail for America. In King Charles' reign, three +ships were assigned to convey a governor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> and bishops to the west. +Massachusetts was greatly stirred up in regard to this, forts were +ordered built, and resistance was meditated. The program of absolutism +lagged. Nevertheless it looked like a critical juncture, before the +tension was relieved by the rise of revolution in Scotland, which +resulted in the monarch's dethronement and decapitation. The lords +accepted the colonists' petition, and gave forth that they did not +intend to curtail their liberties.</p> + +<p>The New England Federation was an unprofessed Declaration of +Independence. Their virtual assertion of popular sovereignty was +temporarily smothered by imported tyranny in the shape of Sir Edmund +Andros. Yet the people's power slowly continued to grow, and the +erection of Harvard College was a mighty factor in the process before a +decade had passed in the Bay Colony. Thither Plymouth sent her youth of +promise.</p> + +<p>The claim is presumably warranted, that the unsought but unchanging +popular choice of the chief executive, this cordial will of the Plymouth +people as a body, occasioned the later departure of individuals or small +groups of citizens who might wish to give exercise to political +aspirations, where fresh settlements offered more room for choice +without a solid constituency for any one favorite. The Plymouth voters +were the more ardent for their man, because he returned the patent +which, if strictly interpreted by the old English law, would make him +Lord of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> Manor and the colonists his tenants. In the essential +democracy of the American community, he would be the last person to use +the anciently established privilege; but evidently because of the +technical possibility the Court finally requested him to surrender his +charter, and then, pleased at his ready compliance, as promptly restored +it. They knew him beyond all doubt, after that transaction of 1640 if +not before.</p> + +<p>His long continued term is especially noteworthy when we reflect that he +was upheld as an ideal leader by a company of citizens who were +ethically most exacting. They were peers of the best in all human +society, and to satisfy such was indeed a compliment. At the same time, +men and women of their excellent type, speaking at least for those of +the church considered in their civic order, were too noble to need the +ordinary repressions incident to the task of governing. Except for the +necessary form and precedent, their moral grandeur required no governor.</p> + +<p>Though he wrote against the sectaries with their sinister +politico-religious designs or wishes, he did not drive them out unless +actual treason developed. The Pilgrims realized they were themselves +exiles from intolerance. Yet there was a degree of intolerance after +Bradford passed out from Plymouth, and what bigotry was discoverable in +Boston then was felt somewhat at the older settlement. The successor of +Carver, like most of his associates, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> also free from superstition, +placing no credence in the supernatural omens of comets and celestial +bodies.</p> + +<p>It was his understood duty to entertain strangers, especially visiting +officials. The Jesuit Driulette spoke afterward of his kindness, noting +also that as host on Friday, he served an excellent dinner of fish.</p> + +<p>At least seven orphans, but probably many more, at one time or another +found refuge beneath his roof. Robert Cushman, the Pilgrim agent who +died after valued services abroad, requested that his son Thomas might +receive a father's care from Bradford, and the latter brought him up +with such faithful training that eventually his charge became Elder +Brewster's successor. To cite one further instance of his kindness, in +1644 Bradford wrote to his wife's sister, Mary Carpenter, inviting her +to come to them though they had grown old, as he said. She accepted and +lived with them in such tranquillity, as a devout maiden lady, that she +survived till past ninety.</p> + +<p>The Plymouth town meetings were held at first in the Governor's house. +But in at least two of the years when relieved by a successor in office +and sometimes during his gubernatorial term as in 1643, the more +strenuous first year of Federation, he occupied his house and farm of +three hundred acres in present Kingston, which he owned as early as +1637, above the Jones River. He was among its explorers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> who took such a +liking for the locality that they were tempted to establish the +settlement there; but the stream ran shallow at ebb tide, and the +surrounding woods rendered the situation more unsafe. In this quiet +summer retreat he must have found more leisure to pen much of his +careful History. When that had ended, by 1647, tenants occupied the +farm, and he is thought to have returned to town.</p> + +<p>The inventory of his property specifies "the old mare," possibly when in +her prime the one he caused Governor Winthrop to mount, while the +latter's party were escorted forth after visiting Plymouth, the +departure being probably fully as ceremonious as when they were +conducted to town after nightfall. Two horses besides, and a couple of +colts are cited, with twenty-six head of cattle of various ages, and +sheep and swine. He was the largest property holder, Standish rating +next. At his decease he was worth about nine hundred pounds.</p> + +<p>He possessed considerable real estate in Plymouth centre, particularly +the area between the Hill and Main Street, and across on the site of +Pilgrim Hall. An orchard and garden adjoined his town residence.</p> + +<p>The house concerned with the inventory of his estate shows how far +superior the executive residence must have been, to the original log +cottages. The long list of articles in the inventory is available to +those interested in all the minutiæ. Every item has its valuation. The +old parlor's furnishings head this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> attractive catalogue of the contents +of his home, and imagination is not greatly taxed to see the possessor +there.</p> + +<p>This reception room includes the green rug, quite likely the same as +that early mentioned, and a white one, table and cupboard and settle, a +smooth-grained "wainscot" bedstead and feather bed, and among the chairs +a large leather one and great wooden ones, with muskets, a pistol and a +cutlass.</p> + +<p>We pass in thought to "the great Rome," over three striped carpets and +amidst chairs, great and small; and here may have been the public +functions, as the annual meeting.</p> + +<p>In "the new chamber," among articles of clothing picture two suits with +silver buttons, one of them leaden-colored, garments of sufficient +distinction for a magistrate, as are a coat of broadcloth, a well used +violet-colored cloak and dignified old green gown. A black hat and +colored one are mentioned without allusion to age. Fourteen pairs of +shoes appear, and one hundred and thirteen yards of different cloth.</p> + +<p>The family hospitality is evinced by sixty-four pewter pieces, some +silverware and a few Venetian glasses, four dozen trenchers, and kitchen +utensils of brass and iron.</p> + +<p>Among many things in the "studdie" are his desk, presumably the witness +of an incalculable amount of official business, and seven small moose +skins for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> silent tread. There is a good collection of books, though +the most of them were passed on in his lifetime, especially to his son +William who possessed the father's fondness for Latin and inherited +those classical treasures. But the Governor retained to the last various +historical and theological works, among which were Luther's commentary +on Galatians, Calvin on Genesis, a history of the Church of the +Netherlands, and Cotton's concordance. A volume on "domesticall dutyes" +is cited, to the accomplishment of which attest two spinning wheels. +Mrs. Bradford certified to this appraisal.</p> + +<p>The will was made May 9, Old Style, the very day of his decease, when he +"feeling himself very weake and drawing on to the conclusion of his +mortal life spake as followeth." In the beginning of this testament he +was described as "weake in body but in p<sup>pct</sup> memory," and he named the +sole executrix as "my dear and loving wife Alice Bradford."</p> + +<p>Thus the dictated statement closes: "I commend to your wisdome some +small bookes written by my owne hand to bee improved as you shall see +meet. In speciall I comend to you a little book with a black cover, +wherein there is a word to Plymouth and a word to Boston and a word to +New England with sundry useful verses."</p> + +<p>The family record, from Governor Bradford's birth, was contained in a +Bible printed 1592 in old English.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +Posterity is vastly indebted to William Bradford as the resident +historian of Plymouth Colony, throughout its first quarter of a century. +His narration of the Pilgrim story begins almost with the seventeenth +century, before the exodus to Holland. He makes no entries beyond 1646, +although, in the same neat handwriting, these dates are added—"Anno +1647. And Anno 1648." Similarly, 1639 and '40 had been joined together, +the author expressing his opinion that they did not cover enough matters +of importance for separate treatment. But two years after the last date +mentioned in the main volume, he concludes an Appendix with these words:</p> + +<p>"And of the old stock (of one & other) ther are yet living this present +year, 1650, nere 30 persons. Let the Lord have y<sup>e</sup> praise, who is the +High Preserver of men."</p> + +<p>In the opening chapter, we find on a reverse page a note dated during +that last year of the continuous record, 1646, wherein he says—"when I +first begane these scribled writings (which was aboute y<sup>e</sup> year 1630, +and so peeced up at times of leasure afterward)." It would seem that no +season of sufficient leisure arrived even to begin, before that +strenuous first decade had nearly elapsed.</p> + +<p>It is consistent with the unfailing humility that graced the people's +chosen and beloved leader that, although as such he necessarily had a +most important part in the affairs of the Colony, he speaks of his +official<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> self, when this is unavoidable, in an impersonal manner only; +and he rather rarely introduces the pronoun "I," or even its inclusive +plural "we," but usually employs the third person.</p> + +<p>The language of this monumental work is that of a careful recorder, +plain and unaffected, having a lucid simplicity combined with the +replete vocabulary of a reflective literary mind. The style is dignified +and chaste, neither labored nor strained. Its fluent grace and ease of +diction compels and sustains the interest of the reader, whatever page +he may peruse. It is a model specimen of Elizabethan literature. The +account proceeds with a thoughtful deliberation and river-like momentum +of progressiveness. One realizes the faithful and honest +comprehensiveness of his memory's scrutiny, obeying the habitual call of +his conscience, which would not allow him the transcription of untruths +under any circumstances. His review "of Plimoth Plantation" is well +worthy of its place as New England's first historical record of +considerable extent, following Edward Winslow's fascinating journal of +the three initial years.</p> + +<p>It is the privilege of everyone to look upon this hoary manuscript, +bound in its time-worn parchment, and exhibited under glass in a +specially prepared strong case upon its nightly enclosing iron safe at +the Massachusetts State Library. The volume is a folio less than a foot +long, nearly eight inches wide, and an inch and a half in thickness, +having two hundred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> and seventy pages. At the outbreak of the Revolution +the priceless treasure disappeared and was long lost; but finally, in +1855, it was found and identified in the library of the Bishop of +London. Just when and how it reached its destination there, remains a +mystery. The British occupation of Boston would make its seizure easy, +and the home government may have desired it for official entries. +Senator George F. Hoar of Massachusetts, who said of the classic +document, "There is nothing like it in human annals since the story of +Bethlehem," voiced to Sir Frederick Temple, Bishop of London, the +earnest desire of the Commonwealth and the Federal administration for +its return. The Bishop recognized the justice of the request, but +considered it necessary or advisable to consult Queen Victoria and Dr. +Benson, who was Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the Established +Church of all England. But directly the venerable and scholarly Dr. +Temple himself succeeded to the supreme ecclesiastical office at +Canterbury; and in response to a formal request from the United States +Ambassador, Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, the cherished tome was conveyed to +America in 1897, and received by Governor Roger Wolcott, a lineal +descendant of Governor Bradford. The formal presentation at the State +House made an impressive occasion, with memorable addresses. Such, +briefly stated, is the singular history of the History.</p> + +<p>Two other literary properties of Bradford also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> disappeared. His Pocket +Book was preserved long enough to furnish the chronologist, Rev. Thomas +Prince of Boston, with many dates of great importance, and other +material of incalculable use.</p> + +<p>His Letter Book was a large volume containing copies of letters in +regard to the Colony's affairs. Such a collection of reproduced missives +betokened the carefulness and preparedness of the possessor. A fragment +of it was discovered in a Halifax grocery, and published by the +Massachusetts Historical Society. Six of these letters found were +written by Bradford alone, and three jointly. They were mostly official. +Appended to this correspondence file was the Governor's interesting +description and short historical review of New England, written in metre +and rhyme.</p> + +<p>Though we who speak of William Bradford as our Forefather should not be +moved by pride, as no man is responsible for his own birth, it causes in +us profound gratitude that we can affirm our relationship to one who has +been called the first great American. Men of renown before his day, a +few of them, had a touch with this country, as the very conspicuous +connections of famous discoverers; but the epithet applies to him as a +continuous resident of the land. His life and labors were permanently +given to it as his adopted abode, for he never left it from the day of +his coming in the prime of his manhood. In what,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> let us ask, did his +greatness consist? Others shared in heroic faithfulness, to the limit of +their powers or opportunities. His was the magnitude of an immovable +fidelity joined with marked ability, though, as with Washington, his +mental genius was not the most brilliant. But he carried well and long +exceedingly weighty responsibilities.</p> + +<p>When has a combination of so many most critical problems confronted a +magistrate? Weakened by disease which threatened utter extermination, +the Colony encountered a tedious period of famine; it was menaced by +hostile savage tribes stronger than the friendly natives; the +malevolence of foreign persecution plotted the overthrow of its chosen +religious order; treason sprang up in its midst; a staggering weight of +financial obligations, made heavier by accidents and outrageous +injustice, lay upon them for a quarter of a century; and the seventh +problem, which stayed by the Governor till his final release, was that +presented by the frequent loss of citizens attracted by new settlements, +a circumstance so serious that the question of moving the whole Colony +was raised as late as 1644. In all the arduous activities occasioned by +these facts, he possessed the quality of steady endurance. His soul was +reposeful in energy, while his underlying faith made him an optimist but +not a visionary, and lent both basis and balance in his working.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +To Bradford also belongs the singular honor of being the first ruler to +demonstrate, with his associates, true Christian democracy, not +exaggerated into communism, as a successful principle of government.</p> + +<p>Peaceful was his departure, from the scene of his colossal tasks. He +last presided at court February 13, 1657. The annual meeting in March +found him absent. But though his health declined for a few months, to be +followed by a sudden and acute disease in May, the end came soon. One +night he was so moved with anticipations of the hereafter, that he said +in the morning to those about him, "The good Spirit of God has given me +a pledge of my happiness in another world, and the first-fruits of +eternal glory." About nine o'clock on the next day, May 19, after he had +dictated his will, his breathing ceased.</p> + +<p>His endeared form was laid to rest in the brow of the gently swelling +eminence which overlooks the site of his homestead of thirty-six years +and the blue bay seemingly meeting the heavens beyond the harbor, +suggestive of the final voyage to scenes of yet nobler liberty. His +obsequies were observed with fitting dignity, accentuated by resounding +volleys. The distinguished clergyman, Cotton Mather of Boston, wrote in +eulogy, that he was "lamented by all the colonies of New England as a +common father to them all."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +Let his own simple verses summarize his career.</p> + +<div class="block2"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"From my years young in days of youth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">God did make known to me his truth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And call'd me from my native place<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For to enjoy the means of grace.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In wilderness he did me guide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And in strange lands for me provide.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In fears and wants, through weal and woe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A pilgrim, past I to and fro;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oft left of them whom I did trust;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How vain it is to rest on dust!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<hr class="hr2" /> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Wars, wants, peace, plenty, have I known;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And some advanc'd, others thrown down.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<hr class="hr2" /> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">When fears and sorrows have been mixt,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Consolations came betwixt."<br /></span> +</div></div></div> + +<p>And thus, foreseeing his taking away, he gave his blessing:</p> + +<div class="block2"> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="io">"Farewell, dear children whom I love,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Your better Father is above:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When I am gone, he can supply;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To him I leave you when I die.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fear him in truth, walk in his ways,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And he will bless you all your days.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My days are spent, old age is come,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span><br /></span> +<span class="i0">My strength it fails, my glass near run:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now I will wait, when work is done,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Until my happy change shall come,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When from my labours I shall rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With Christ above for to be blest."<br /></span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +</div></div></div> + + + + +<hr /> + +<div id="index"> +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +<a name="index2" id="index2"></a>INDEX</h2> + + +<p class="noi"> +Ancestors, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a><br /> +<br /> +Auditor, <a href="#Page_92">92</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Baptism, <a href="#Page_12">12</a><br /> +<br /> +Birth, <a href="#Page_12">12</a><br /> +<br /> +Burial, <a href="#Page_106">106</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Capability, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a><br /> +<br /> +Carefulness, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a><br /> +<br /> +Character in general, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a><br /> +<br /> +Chief Justice, <a href="#Page_92">92</a><br /> +<br /> +Commissioner, United Colonies, <a href="#Page_90">90</a><br /> +<br /> +Correspondence, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a><br /> +<br /> +Courage, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br /> +<br /> +Craftsman, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Death, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a><br /> +<br /> +Deputy Governor, <a href="#Page_42">42</a><br /> +<br /> +Diplomacy, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a><br /> +<br /> +Discernment, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a><br /> +<br /> +Discipline, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Education, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a><br /> +<br /> +Escapes, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Family, <a href="#Page_59">59</a><br /> +<br /> +Farmer, <a href="#Page_97">97</a><br /> +<br /> +"First Great American," <a href="#Page_104">104</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Governor<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Administration characterized, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">First term, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Returned, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Gratitude, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a><br /> +<br /> +Guardian, <a href="#Page_97">97</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Historian, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a><br /> +<br /> +Hospitality, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a><br /> +<br /> +Humility, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Illnesses<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In childhood, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In maturity, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Final, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Judgment, <a href="#Page_25">25–6</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a><br /> +<br /> +Justice, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Legislator, <a href="#Page_92">92</a><br /> +<br /> +Library, <a href="#Page_100">100</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Marriage<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">First, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Second, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Mercy, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Patentee, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br /> +<br /> +Pedestrian, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a><br /> +<br /> +Perseverance, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br /> +<br /> +Piety, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87–8</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a><br /> +<br /> +President, United Colonies, <a href="#Page_90">90</a><br /> +<br /> +Property, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a><br /> +<br /> +Provider, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Registrar, <a href="#Page_92">92</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +Speaker of the General Court, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a><br /> +<br /> +Thanksgiving Day, first formal appointment, <a href="#Page_48">48</a><br /> +<br /> +Trader, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a><br /> +<br /> +Toleration, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Verses, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a> +<br /> +<br /> +Will, <a href="#Page_100">100</a><br /> +</p> +</div> + + + + +<div id="tnbox"> +<p class="center">Transcriber's Note:</p> + +<p class="noi">Spelling and dialect has been retained as in the original +publication, except as follows:</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 16<br /> +Ccrooby gathered awhile in a stone<br /> +<a href="#Scrooby">Scrooby</a> gathered awhile in a stone</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 21<br /> +from his pious inclinations<br /> +from his pious <a href="#inclinations">inclinations"</a></p> + +<p class="noi">Page 29<br /> +Reynold's ship sprang a leak<br /> +<a href="#Reynolds">Reynolds'</a> ship sprang a leak</p> + +<p class="noi">Page 38<br /> +village was laid out Januuary<br /> +village was laid out <a href="#January">January</a></p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's William Bradford of Plymouth, by Albert Hale Plumb + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILLIAM BRADFORD OF PLYMOUTH *** + +***** This file should be named 33776-h.htm or 33776-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/7/7/33776/ + +Produced by Roberta Staehlin and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +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 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