[24] These things being long in agitation, & messengers passing too and
againe aboute them, after all their hopes they were long delayed by many
rubs that fell in y^e way; for at y^e returne of these messengers into
England they found things farr otherwise then they expected. For y^e
Virginia Counsell was now so disturbed with factions and quarrels
amongst them selves, as no bussines could well goe forward. The which
may the better appear in one of the messengers letters as followeth.
To his loving freinds, &c.
I had thought long since to have write unto you, but could not effecte
y^t which I aimed at, neither can yet sett things as I wished; yet,
notwithstanding, I doubt not but M^r. B. hath writen to M^r. Robinson.
But I thinke my selfe bound also to doe something, least I be thought
to neglecte you. The maine hinderance of our proseedings in y^e
Virginia bussines, is the dissentions and factions, as they terme it,
amongs y^e Counsell & Company of Virginia; which are such, as that
ever since we came up no busines could by them be dispatched. The
occasion of this trouble amongst them is, for that a while since S^r.
Thomas Smith, repining at his many offices & troubls, wished y^e
Company of Virginia to ease him of his office in being Treasurer &
Gover^r. of y^e Virginia Company. Wereupon y^e Company tooke occasion
to dismisse him, and chose S^r. Edwin Sands Treasure^r & Gover^r of
y^e Company. He having 60. voyces, S^r. John Worstenholme 16. voices,
and Alderman Johnsone 24. But S^r. Thomas Smith, when he saw some
parte of his honour lost, was very angrie, & raised a faction to
cavill & contend aboute y^e election, and sought to taxe S^r. Edwin
with many things that might both disgrace him, and allso put him by
his office of Governour. In which contentions they yet stick, and are
not fit nor readie to intermedle in any bussines; and what issue
things will come to we are not yet certaine. It is most like S^r.
Edwin will carrie it away, and if he doe, things will goe well in
Virginia; if otherwise, they will goe ill enough allways. We hope in
some 2. or 3. Court days things will setle. Mean space I thinke to goe
downe into Kente, & come up againe aboute 14. days, or 3. weeks hence;
except either by these afforesaid contentions, or by y^e ille tidings
from Virginia, we be wholy discouraged, of which tidings I am now to
speake.
Captaine Argoll is come home this weeke (he upon notice of y^e intente
of y^e Counsell, came away before S^r. Georg Yeardley came ther, and
so ther is no small dissention). But his tidings are ill, though his
person be wellcome. He saith M^r. Blackwells shipe came not ther till
March, but going towards winter, they had still norwest winds, which
carried them to the southward beyond their course. And y^e m^r of y^e
ship & some 6. of y^e mariners dieing, it seemed they could not find
y^e bay, till after long seeking & beating aboute. M^r. Blackwell is
dead, & M^r. Maggner, y^e Captain; yea, ther are dead, he saith, 130.
persons, one & other in y^t ship; it is said ther was in all an 180.
persons in y^e ship, so as they were packed togeather like herings.
They had amongst them y^e fluxe, and allso wante of fresh water; so as
it is hear rather wondred at y^t so many are alive, then that so many
are dead. The marchants hear say it was M^r. Blackwells faulte to pack
so many in y^e ship; yea, & ther were great mutterings & repinings
amongst them, and upbraiding of M^r. Blackwell, for his dealing and
dispossing of them, when they saw how he had dispossed of them, & how
he insulted over them. Yea, y^e streets at Gravsend runge of their
extreame quarrelings, crying out one of another, Thou hast brought me
to this, and, I may thanke the for this. Heavie newes it is, and I
would be glad to heare how farr it will discourage. I see none hear
discouraged much, [25] but rather desire to larne to beware by other
mens harmes, and to amend that wherin they have failed. As we desire
to serve one another in love, so take heed of being inthraled by any
imperious persone, espetially if they be discerned to have an eye to
them selves. It doth often trouble me to thinke that in this bussines
we are all to learne and none to teach; but better so, then to depend
upon such teachers as M^r. Blackwell was. Such a strategeme he once
made for M^r. Johnson & his people at Emden, w^ch was their
subversion. But though he ther clenlily (yet unhonstly) plucked his
neck out of y^e collar, yet at last his foote is caught. Hear are no
letters come, y^e ship captain Argole came in is yet in y^e west
parts; all y^t we hear is but his report; it seemeth he came away
secretly. The ship y^t M^r. Blackwell went in will be hear shortly. It
is as M^r. Robinson once said; he thought we should hear no good of
them.
M^r. B. is not well at this time; whether he will come back to you or
goe into y^e north, I yet know not. For my selfe, I hope to see an end
of this bussines ere I come, though I am sorie to be thus from you; if
things had gone roundly forward, I should have been with you within
these 14. days. I pray God directe us, and give us that spirite which
is fitting for such a bussines. Thus having su[=m]arily pointed at
things w^ch M^r. Brewster (I thinke) hath more largly write of to M^r.
Robinson, I leave you to the Lords protection.
Yours in all readines, &c.
ROBART CUSHMAN.
London, May 8.
An^o: 1619.
A word or tow by way of digression touching this M^r. Blackwell; he was
an elder of y^e church at Amsterdam, a man well known of most of them.
He declined from y^e trueth w^th M^r. Johnson & y^e rest, and went with
him when y^ey parted assunder in y^t wofull maner, w^ch brought so great
dishonour to God, scandall to y^e trueth, & outward ruine to them selves
in this world. But I hope, notwithstanding, through y^e mercies of y^e
Lord, their souls are now at rest with him in y^e heavens, and y^t they
are arrived in y^e Haven of hapines; though some of their bodies were
thus buried in y^e terrable seas, and others sunke under y^e burthen of
bitter afflictions. He with some others had prepared for to goe to
Virginia. And he, with sundrie godly citizens, being at a private
me[=e]ing (I take it a fast) in London, being discovered, many of them
were apprehended, wherof M^r. Blackwell was one; but he so glosed w^th
y^e b[~p]s,[N] and either dissembled or flatly denyed y^e trueth which
formerly he had maintained; and not only so, but very unworthily
betrayed and accused another godly man who had escaped, that so he
might slip his own neck out of y^e collar, & to obtaine his owne
freedome brought others into bonds. Wherupon he so wone y^e b[~p]s
favour (but lost y^e Lord's) as he was not only dismiste, but in open
courte y^e arch-bishop gave him great applause and his sollemne blessing
to proseed in his vioage. But if such events follow y^e b[~p]s blessing,
happie are they y^t misse y^e same; it is much better to keepe a good
conscience and have y^e Lords blessing, whether in life or death.
But see how y^e man thus apprehended by M^r. Blackwells means, writs to
a freind of his.
Right dear friend & christian brother, _M^r. Carver_, I salute you &
yours in y^e Lord, &c. As for my owne presente condition, I doubt not
but you well understand it ere this by our brother Maistersone, who
should have tasted of y^e same cupp, had his place of residence & his
person been as well knowne as my selfe. Some what I have written to
_M^r. Cushman_ how y^e matter _still continues_. I have petitioned
_twise_ to M^r. Sherives, and _once_ to my Lord Cooke, and have used
such reasons to move them to pittie, that if they were not overruled
by some others, I suppose I should soone gaine my libertie; as that I
was a yonge man living by my [26] credite, indebted to diverse in our
citie, living at more then ordinarie charges in a close & tedious
prison; besids great rents abroad, all my bussines lying still, my
only servante lying lame in y^e countrie, my wife being also great
with child. And yet no answer till y^e lords of his majesties Counsell
gave consente. Howbeit, M^r. Blackwell, a man as deepe in this action
as I, was delivered at a cheaper rate, with a great deale less adoe;
yea, with an addition of y^e Arch[~p]: blessing. I am sorie for M^r.
Blackwels weaknes, I wish it may prove no worse. But yet he & some
others of them, _before their going_, were not sorie, but thought it
was for y^e best that I was nominated, not because y^e Lord sanctifies
evill to good, but that y^e action was good, yea for y^e best. One
reason I well remember he used was, because this trouble would
encrease y^e Virginia plantation, in that now people begane to be more
generally inclined to goe; and if he had not nomminated some such as
I, he had not bene free, being it was knowne that diverse citizens
besids them selves were ther. I expecte an answer shortly what they
intende conscerning me; I purpose to write to some others of you, by
whom you shall know the certaintie. Thus not haveing further at
present to acquaint you withall, co[=m]ending myselfe to your prairs,
I cease, & co[=m]itte you and us all to y^e Lord.
From my chamber in Wodstreete Compter.
Your freind, & brother in bonds,
SABIN STARESMORE.
Sept^r: 4. An^o: 1618.
But thus much by y^e way, which may be of instruction & good use.
But at last, after all these things, and their long attendance, they had
a patent granted them, and confirmed under y^e Companies seale; but
these devissions and distractions had shaken of many of ther pretended
freinds, and disappointed them of much of their hoped for & proffered
means. By the advise of some freinds this pattente was not taken in y^e
name of any of their owne, but in y^e name of Mr. John Wincob (a
religious gentleman then belonging to y^e Countess of Lincoline), who
intended to goe with them. But God so disposed as he never went, nor
they ever made use of this patente, which had cost them so much labour
and charge, as by y^e sequell will appeare. This patente being sente
over for them to veiw & consider, as also the passages aboute y^e
propossitions between them & such marchants & freinds as should either
goe or adventure with them, and espetially with those[O] on whom y^ey
did cheefly depend for shipping and means, whose proffers had been
large, they were requested to fitt and prepare them selves with all
speed. A right emblime, it may be, of y^e uncertine things of this
world; y^t when men have toyld them selves for them, they vanish into
smoke.
The 6. Chap.
_Conscerning y^e agreements and artickles between them, and such
marchants & others as adventured moneys; with other things falling out
aboute making their provissions._
Upon y^e receite of these things by one of their messengers, they had a
sollemne meeting and a day of humilliation to seeke y^e Lord for his
direction; and their pastor tooke this texte, 1 _Sam_. 23. 3, 4. _And
David's men said unto him, see, we be afraid hear in Judah, how much
more if we come to Keilah against the host of the Phillistines? Then
David asked counsell of y^e Lord againe, &c._ From which texte he taught
many things very aptly, and befitting ther present occasion and
condition, strengthing them against their fears and perplexities, and
incouraging them in their resolutions. [27] After which they concluded
both what number and what persons should prepare them selves to goe with
y^e first; for all y^t were willing to have gone could not gett ready
for their other affairs in so shorte a time; neither if all could have
been ready, had ther been means to have trasported them alltogeather.
Those that staied being y^e greater number required y^e pastor to stay
with them; and indeede for other reasons he could not then well goe, and
so it was y^e more easilie yeelded unto. The other then desired y^e
elder, M^r. Brewster, to goe with them, which was also condescended
unto. It was also agreed on by mutuall consente and covenante, that
those that went should be an absolute church of them selves, as well as
those y^t staid; seing in such a dangrous vioage, and a removall to such
a distance, it might come to pass they should (for y^e body of them)
never meete againe in this world; yet with this proviso, that as any of
y^e rest came over to them, or of y^e other returned upon occasion, they
should be reputed as members without any further dismission or
testimoniall. It was allso promised to those y^t wente first, by y^e
body of y^e rest, that if y^e Lord gave them life, & me[=a]s, &
opportunitie, they would come to them as soone as they could.
Aboute this time, whilst they were perplexed with y^e proseedings of
y^e Virginia Company, & y^e ill news from thence aboute M^r. Blackwell &
his company, and making inquirey about y^e hiring & buying of shiping
for their vioage, some Dutchmen made them faire offers aboute goeing
with them. Also one M^r. Thomas Weston, a m^{r}chant of London, came to
Leyden aboute y^e same time, (who was well aquainted with some of them,
and a furtherer of them in their former proseedings,) haveing much
conferance w^th M^r. Robinson & other of y^e cheefe of them, perswaded
them to goe on (as it seems) & not to medle with y^e Dutch, or too much
to depend on the Virginia Company; for if that failed, if they came to
resolution, he and such marchants as were his freinds (togeather with
their owne means) would sett them forth; and they should make ready, and
neither feare wante of shipping nor money; for what they wanted should
be provided. And, not so much for him selfe as for y^e satisfing of such
frends as he should procure to adventure in this bussines, they were to
draw such articls of agreemente, and make such propossitions, as might
y^e better induce his freinds to venture. Upon which (after y^e formere
conclusion) articles were drawne & agreed unto, and were showne unto
him, and approved by him; and afterwards by their messenger (M^r. John
Carver) sent into England, who, togeather with Robart Cushman, were to
receive y^e moneys & make provissione both for shiping & other things
for y^e vioage; with this charge, not to exseede their co[=m]ission, but
to proseed according to y^e former articles. Also some were chossen to
doe y^e like for such things as were to be prepared there; so those that
weare to goe, prepared them selves with all speed, and sould of their
estats and (such as were able) put in their moneys into y^e commone
stock, which was disposed by those appointed, for y^e making of generall
provissions. Aboute this time also they had heard, both by M^r. Weston
and others, y^t sundrie Hon^bl: Lords had obtained a large grante from
y^e king, for y^e more northerly parts of that countrie, derived out of
y^e Virginia patente, and wholy secluded from their Govermente, and to
be called by another name, viz. New-England. Unto which M^r. Weston, and
y^e cheefe of them, begane to incline it was [28] best for them to goe,
as for other reasons, so cheefly for y^e hope of present profite to be
made by y^e fishing that was found in y^t countrie.
But as in all bussineses y^e acting parte is most difficulte, espetially
wher y^e worke of many agents must concurr, so it was found in this; for
some of those y^t should have gone in England, fell of & would not goe;
other marchants & freinds y^t had offered to adventure their moneys
withdrew, and pretended many excuses. Some disliking they wente not to
Guiana; others againe would adventure nothing excepte they wente to
Virginia. Some againe (and those that were most relied on) fell in utter
dislike with Virginia, and would doe nothing if they wente thither. In
y^e midds of these distractions, they of Leyden, who had put of their
estats, and laid out their moneys, were brought into a greate streight,
fearing what issue these things would come too; but at length y^e
generalitie was swaid to this latter opinion.
But now another difficultie arose, for M^r. Weston and some other that
were for this course, either for their better advantage or rather for
y^e drawing on of others, as they pretended, would have some of those
conditions altered y^t were first agreed on at Leyden. To which y^e 2.
agents sent from Leyden (or at least one of them who is most charged
with it) did consente; seeing els y^t all was like to be dashte, & y^e
opportunitie lost, and y^t they which had put of their estats and paid
in their moneys were in hazard to be undon. They presumed to conclude
with y^e marchants on those termes, in some things contrary to their
order & co[=m]ission, and without giving them notice of y^e same; yea,
it was conceled least it should make any furder delay; which was y^e
cause afterward of much trouble & contention.
It will be meete I here inserte these conditions, which are as foloweth.
An^o: 1620. July 1.
1. The adventurers & planters doe agree, that every person that goeth
being aged 16. years & upward, be rated at 10^li., and ten pounds to
be accounted a single share.
2. That he that goeth in person, and furnisheth him selfe out with
10^li. either in money or other provissions, be accounted as haveing
20^li. in stock, and in y^e devission shall receive a double share.
3. The persons transported & y^e adventurers shall continue their
joynt stock & partnership togeather, y^e space of 7. years, (excepte
some unexpected impedimente doe cause y^e whole company to agree
otherwise,) during which time, all profits & benifits that are gott by
trade, traffick, trucking, working, fishing, or any other means of any
person or persons, remaine still in y^e co[=m]one stock untill y^e
division.
4. That at their co[=m]ing ther, they chose out such a number of fitt
persons, as may furnish their ships and boats for fishing upon y^e
sea; imploying the rest in their severall faculties upon y^e land; as
building houses, tilling, and planting y^e ground, & makeing shuch
co[=m]odities as shall be most usefull for y^e collonie.
5. That at y^e end of y^e 7. years, y^e capitall & profits, viz. the
houses, lands, goods and chatles, be equally devided betwixte y^e
adventurers, and planters; w^ch done, every man shall be free from
other of them of any debt or detrimente concerning this adventure.
[29] 6. Whosoever cometh to y^e colonie herafter, or putteth any into
y^e stock, shall at the ende of y^e 7. years be alowed proportionably
to y^e time of his so doing.
7. He that shall carie his wife & children, or servants, shall be
alowed for everie person now aged 16. years & upward, a single share
in y^e devision, or if he provid them necessaries, a duble share, or
if they be between 10. year old and 16., then 2. of them to be reconed
for a person, both in tr[=a]sportation and devision.
8. That such children as now goe, & are under y^e age of ten years,
have noe other shar in y^e devision, but 50. acers of unmanured land.
9. That such persons as die before y^e 7. years be expired, their
executors to have their parte or sharr at y^e devision, proportionably
to y^e time of their life in y^e collonie.
10. That all such persons as are of this collonie, are to have their
meate, drink, apparell, and all provissions out of y^e co[=m]on stock
& goods of y^e said collonie.
The cheefe & principall differences betwene these & the former
conditions, stood in those 2. points; that y^e houses, & lands improved,
espetialy gardens & home lotts should remaine undevided wholy to y^e
planters at y^e 7. years end. 2^ly, y^t they should have had 2. days in
a weeke for their owne private imploymente, for y^e more comforte of
them selves and their families, espetialy such as had families. But
because letters are by some wise men counted y^e best parte of
histories, I shall shew their greevances hereaboute by their owne
letters, in which y^e passages of things will be more truly discerned.
_A letter of M^r. Robinsons to John Carver._
June 14. 1620. N. Stile.
My dear freind & brother, whom with yours I alwaise remember in my
best affection, and whose wellfare I shall never cease to co[=m]end to
God by my best & most earnest praires. You doe throwly understand by
our generall letters y^e estate of things hear, which indeed is very
pitifull; espetialy by wante of shiping, and not seeing means lickly,
much less certaine, of having it provided; though withall ther be
great want of money & means to doe needfull things. M^r. Pickering,
you know before this, will not defray a peny hear; though Robart
Cushman presumed of I know not how many 100^li. from him, & I know
not whom. Yet it seems strange y^t we should be put to him to receive
both his & his partners adventer, and yet M^r. Weston write unto him,
y^t in regard of it, he hath drawne upon him a 100^li. more. But ther
is in this some misterie, as indeed it seems ther is in y^e whole
course. Besids, wheras diverse are to pay in some parts of their
moneys yet behinde, they refuse to doe it, till they see shiping
provided, or a course taken for it. Neither doe I thinke is ther a man
hear would pay any thing, if he had againe his money in his purse. You
know right well we depended on M^r. Weston alone, and upon such means
as he would procure for this commone bussines; and when we had in hand
another course with y^e Dutchmen, broke it of at his motion, and upon
y^e conditions by him shortly after propounded. He did this in his
love I know, but things appeare not answerable from him hitherto. That
he should have first have put in his moneys, is thought by many to
have been but fitt, but y^t I can well excuse, he being a marchante
and haveing use of it to his benefite; wheras others, if it had been
in their hands, would have consumed it. [30] But y^t he should not but
have had either shipping ready before this time, or at least certaine
means, and course, and y^e same knowne to us for it, or have taken
other order otherwise, cannot in my conscience be excused. I have
heard y^t when he hath been moved in the bussines, he hath put it of
from him selfe, and referred it to y^e others;[P] and would come to
Georg Morton, & enquire news of him aboute things, as if he had scarce
been some accessarie unto it. Wether he hath failed of some helps from
others which he expected, and so be not well able to goe through with
things, or whether he hath feared least you should be ready too soone
& so encrease y^e charge of shiping above y^t is meete, or whether he
have thought by withhoulding to put us upon straits, thinking y^t
therby M^r. Brewer and M^r. Pickering would be drawne by importunitie
to doe more, or what other misterie is in it, we know not; but sure we
are y^t things are not answerable to such an occasion. M^r. Weston
maks himselfe mery with our endeavors about buying a ship, but we have
done nothing in this but with good reason, as I am perswaded, nor yet
that I know in any thing els, save in those tow; y^e one, that we
imployed Robart Cushman, who is known (though a good man, & of
spetiall abilities in his kind, yet) most unfitt to deale for other
men, by reason of his singularitie, and too great indifferancie for
any conditions, and for (to speak truly) that[Q] we have had nothing
from him but termes & presumptions. The other, y^t we have so much
relyed, by implicite faith as it were, upon generalities, without
seeing y^e perticuler course & means for so waghtie an affaire set
down unto us. For shiping, M^r. Weston, it should seeme, is set upon
hireing, which yet I wish he may presently effecte; but I see litle
hope of help from hence if so it be. Of M^r. Brewer you know what to
expecte. I doe not thinke M^r. Pickering will ingage, excepte in y^e
course of buying, in former letters specified. Aboute y^e conditions,
you have our reasons for our judgments of what is agreed. And let this
spetially be borne in minde, y^t the greatest parte of y^e Collonie is
like to be imployed constantly, not upon dressing ther perticuler land
& building houses, but upon fishing, trading, &c. So as y^e land &
house will be but a trifell for advantage to y^e adventurers, and yet
the devission of it a great discouragmente to y^e planters, who would
with singuler care make it comfortable with borowed houres from their
sleep. The same consideration of co[=m]one imploymente constantly by
the most is a good reason not to have y^e 2. daies in a weeke denyed
y^e few planters for private use, which yet is subordinate to
co[=m]one good. Consider also how much unfite that you & your liks
must serve a new prentishipe of 7. years, and not a daies freedome
from taske. Send me word what persons are to goe, who of usefull
faculties, & how many, & perticulerly of every thing. I know you wante
not a minde. I am sorie you have not been at London all this while,
but y^e provissions could not wante you. Time will suffer me to write
no more; fare you & yours well allways in y^e Lord, in whom I rest.
Yours to use,
JOHN ROBINSON.
_An other letter from sundrie of them at y^e same time._
[31] To their loving freinds John Carver and Robart Cushman, these,
&c.
Good bretheren, after salutations, &c. We received diverse letters at
y^e coming of M^r. Nash & our pilott, which is a great incouragmente
unto us, and for whom we hop after times will minister occasion of
praising God; and indeed had you not sente him, many would have been
ready to fainte and goe backe. Partly in respecte of y^e new
conditions which have bene taken up by you, which all men are against,
and partly in regard of our owne inabillitie to doe any one of those
many waightie bussineses you referr to us here. For y^e former wherof,
wheras Robart Cushman desirs reasons for our dislike, promising
therupon to alter y^e same, or els saing we should thinke he hath no
brains, we desire him to exercise them therin, refering him to our
pastors former reasons, and them to y^e censure of y^e godly wise. But
our desires are that you will not entangle your selvs and us in any
such unreasonable courses as those are, viz. y^t the marchants should
have y^e halfe of mens houses and lands at y^e dividente; and that
persons should be deprived of y^e 2. days in a weeke agreed upon, yea
every momente of time for their owne perticuler; by reason wherof we
cannot conceive why any should carie servants for their own help and
comfort; for that we can require no more of them then all men one of
another. This we have only by relation from M^r. Nash, & not from any
writing of your owne, & therfore hope you have not proceeded farr in
so great a thing without us. But requiring you not to exseed the
bounds of your co[=m]ission, which was to proceed upon y^e things or
conditions agred upon and expressed in writing (at your going over
about it), we leave it, not without marveling, that you^r selfe, as
you write, knowing how smale a thing troubleth our consultations, and
how few, as you fear, understands the busnes aright, should trouble us
with such matters as these are, &c.
Salute M^r. Weston from us, in whom we hope we are not deceived; we
pray you make known our estate unto him, and if you thinke good shew
him our letters, at least tell him (y^t under God) we much relie upon
him & put our confidence in him; and, as your selves well know, that
if he had not been an adventurer with us, we had not taken it in hand;
presuming that if he had not seene means to accomplish it, he would
not have begune it; so we hope in our extremitie he will so farr help
us as our expectation be no way made frustrate concerning him. Since
therfore, good brethren, we have plainly opened y^e state of things
with us in this matter, you will, &c. Thus beseeching y^e Allmightie,
who is allsufficiente to raise us out of this depth of dificulties, to
assiste us herein; raising such means by his providence and fatherly
care for us, his pore children & servants, as we may with comforte
behould y^e hand of our God for good towards us in this our bussines,
which we undertake in his name & fear, we take leave & remaine
Your perplexed, yet hopfull
bretheren,
S. F.
E. W.
W. B.
J. A.[R]
June 10. New Stille,
An^o: 1620.
_A letter of Robart Cushmans to them._
Brethern, I understand by letters & passagess y^t have come to me,
that ther are great discontents, & dislike of my proceedings amongst
you. Sorie I am to hear it, yet contente to beare it, as not doubting
but y^t partly by writing, and more principally by word when we shall
come togeather, I shall satisfie any reasonable man. I have been
perswaded [32] by some, espetialy this bearer, to come and clear
things unto you; but as things now stand I ca[=n]ot be absente one
day, excepte I should hazard all y^e viage. Neither conceive I any
great good would come of it. Take then, brethern, this as a step to
give you contente. First, for your dislike of y^e alteration of one
clause in y^e conditions, if you conceive it right, ther can be no
blame lye on me at all. For y^e articles first brought over by John
Carver were never seene of any of y^e adventurers hear, excepte M^r.
Weston, neither did any of them like them because of that clause; nor
M^r. Weston him selfe, after he had well considered it. But as at y^e
first ther was 500^li. withdrawne by S^r. Georg Farrer and his brother
upon that dislike, so all y^e rest would have withdrawne (M^r. Weston
excepted) if we had not altered y^t clause. Now whilst we at Leyden
conclude upon points, as we did, we reckoned without our host, which
was not my falte. Besids, I shewed you by a letter y^e equitie of y^t
condition, & our inconveniences, which might be sett against all M^r.
Rob: inconveniences, that without y^e alteration of y^t clause, we
could neither have means to gett thither, nor supplie wherby to
subsiste when we were ther. Yet notwithstanding all those reasons,
which were not mine, but other mens wiser then my selfe, without
answer to any one of them, here cometh over many quirimonies, and
complaints against me, of lording it over my brethern, and making
conditions fitter for theeves & bondslaves then honest men, and that
of my owne head I did what I list. And at last a paper of reasons,
framed against y^t clause in y^e conditions, which as y^ey were
delivered me open, so my answer is open to you all. And first, as they
are no other but inconveniences, such as a man might frame 20. as
great on y^e other side, and yet prove nor disprove nothing by them,
so they misse & mistake both y^e very ground of y^e article and nature
of y^e project. For, first, it is said, that if ther had been no
divission of houses & lands, it had been better for y^e poore. True,
and y^t showeth y^e inequalitie of y^e condition; we should more
respecte him y^t ventureth both his money and his person, then him y^t
ventureth but his person only.
2. Consider wheraboute we are, not giveing almes, but furnishing a
store house; no one shall be porer then another for 7. years, and if
any be rich, none can be pore. At y^e least, we must not in such
bussines crie, Pore, pore, mercie, mercie. Charitie hath it life in
wraks, not in venturs; you are by this most in a hopefull pitie of
makeing, therfore complaine not before you have need.
3. This will hinder y^e building of good and faire houses, contrarie
to y^e advise of pollitiks. A. So we would have it; our purpose is to
build for y^e presente such houses as, if need be, we may with litle
greefe set a fire, and rune away by the lighte; our riches shall not
be in pompe, but in strenght; if God send us riches, we will imploye
them to provid more men, ships, munition, &c. You may see it amongst
the best pollitiks, that a co[=m]onwele is readier to ebe then to
flow, when once fine houses and gay cloaths come up.
4. The Gove^t may prevente excess in building. A. But if it be on all
men beforehand resolved on, to build mean houses, y^e Gove^r laboure
is spared.
5. All men are not of one condition. A. If by condition you mean
wealth, you are mistaken; if you mean by condition, qualities, then I
say he that is not contente his neighbour shall have as good a house,
fare, means, &c. as him selfe, is not of a good qualitie. 2^ly. Such
retired persons, as have aneie only to them selves, are fitter to
come wher catching is, then closing; and are fitter to live alone,
then in any societie, either civill or religious.
6. It will be of litle value, scarce worth 5^li. A. True, it may be
not worth halfe 5^li. [33] If then so smale a thing will content them,
why strive we thus aboute it, and give them occasion to suspecte us to
be worldly & covetous? I will not say what I have heard since these
complaints came first over.
7. Our freinds with us y^t adventure mind not their owne profite, as
did y^e old adventurers. A. Then they are better then we, who for a
litle matter of profite are readie to draw back, and it is more
apparente brethern looke too it, that make profite your maine end;
repente of this, els goe not least you be like Jonas to Tarshis. 2^ly.
Though some of them mind not their profite, yet others doe mind it;
and why not as well as we? venturs are made by all sorts of men, and
we must labour to give them all contente, if we can.
8. It will break y^e course of co[=m]unitie, as may be showed by many
reasons. A. That is but said, and I say againe, it will best foster
comunion, as may be showed by many reasons.
9. Great profite is like to be made by trucking, fishing, &c. A. As it
is better for them, so for us; for halfe is ours, besids our living
still upon it, and if such profite in y^t way come, our labour shall
be y^e less on y^e land, and our houses and lands must & will be of
less value.
10. Our hazard is greater then theirs. A. True, but doe they put us
upon it? doe they urge or egg us? hath not y^e motion & resolution
been always in our selves? doe they any more then in seeing us
resolute if we had means, help us to means upon equall termes &
conditions? If we will not goe, they are content to keep their moneys.
Thus I have pointed at a way to loose those knots, which I hope you
will consider seriously, and let me have no more stirre about them.
Now furder, I hear a noise of slavish conditions by me made; but
surly this is all that I have altered, and reasons I have sent you. If
you mean it of y^e 2. days in a week for perticuler, as some
insinuate, you are deceived; you may have 3. days in a week for me if
you will. And when I have spoken to y^e adventurers of times of
working, they have said they hope we are men of discretion &
conscience, and so fitte to be trusted our selves with that. But
indeed y^e ground of our proceedings at Leyden was mistaken, and so
here is nothing but tottering every day, &c.
As for them of Amsterdam I had thought they would as soone have gone
to Rome as with us; for our libertie is to them as ratts bane, and
their riggour as bad to us as y^e Spanish Inquision. If any practise
of mine discourage them, let them yet draw back; I will undertake they
shall have their money againe presently paid hear. Or if the company
thinke me to be y^e Jonas, let them cast me of before we goe; I shall
be content to stay with good will, having but the cloaths on my back;
only let us have quietnes, and no more of these clamors; full litle
did I expecte these things which are now come to pass, &c.
Yours,
R. CUSHMAN.
But whether this letter of his ever came to their hands at Leyden I well
know not; I rather thinke it was staied by M^r. Carver & kept by him,
forgiving offence. But this which follows was ther received; both which
I thought pertenent to recite.
_Another of his to y^e aforesaid, June_ 11. 1620.[S]
Salutations, &c. I received your l[~e]r. yesterday, by John Turner,
with another y^e same day from Amsterdam by M^r. W. savouring of y^e
place whenc it came. And indeed the many discouragements I find her,
togeather with y^e demurrs and retirings ther, had made me to say, I
would give up my accounts to John Carver, & at his comeing aquainte
him fully with all courses, and so leave it quite, with only y^e pore
cloaths on my back. But gathering up my selfe by further
consideration, [34] I resolved yet to make one triall more, and to
aquainte M^r. Weston with y^e fainted state of our bussines; and
though he hath been much discontented at some thing amongst us of
late, which hath made him often say, that save for his promise, he
would not meadle at all with y^e bussines any more, yet considering
how farr we were plunged into maters, & how it stood both on our
credits & undoing, at y^e last he gathered up him selfe a litle more,
& coming to me 2. hours after, he tould me he would not yet leave it.
And so advising togeather we resolved to hire a ship, and have tooke
liking of one till Monday, about 60. laste, for a greater we cannot
gett, excepte it be tow great; but a fine ship it is. And seeing our
neer freinds ther are so streite lased, we hope to assure her without
troubling them any further; and if y^e ship fale too small, it fitteth
well y^t such as stumble at strawes allready, may rest them ther a
while, least worse blocks come in y^e way ere 7. years be ended. If
you had beaten this bussines so throuly a month agoe, and write to us
as now you doe, we could thus have done much more conveniently. But it
is as it is; I hope our freinds ther, if they be quitted of the ship
hire, will be indusced to venture y^e more. All y^t I now require is
y^t salt and netts may ther be boughte, and for all y^e rest we will
here provid it; yet if that will not be, let them but stand for it a
month or tow, and we will take order to pay it all. Let M^r.
_Reinholds_ tarie ther, and bring y^e ship to Southampton. We have
hired another pilote here, one M^r. _Clarke_, who went last year to
Virginia with a ship of kine.
You shall here distinctly by John Turner, who I thinke shall come
hence on Tewsday night. I had thought to have come with him, to have
answerd to my complaints; but I shal lerne to pass litle for their
censurs; and if I had more minde to goe & dispute & expostulate with
them, then I have care of this waightie bussines, I were like them who
live by clamours & jangling. But neither my mind nor my body is at
libertie to doe much, for I am fettered with bussines, and had rather
study to be quiet, then to make answer to their exceptions. If men be
set on it, let them beat y^e eair; I hope such as are my sinceire
freinds will not thinke but I can give some reason of my actions. But
of your mistaking aboute y^e mater, & other things tending to this
bussines, I shall nexte informe you more distinctly. Mean space
entreate our freinds not to be too bussie in answering matters, before
they know them. If I doe such things as I ca[=n]ot give reasons for,
it is like you have sett a foole aboute your bussines, and so turne
y^e reproofe to your selves, & send an other, and let me come againe
to my Combes. But setting a side my naturall infirmities, I refuse not
to have my cause judged, both of God, & all indifferent men; and when
we come togeather I shall give accounte of my actions hear. The Lord,
who judgeth justly without respect of persons, see into y^e equitie of
my cause, and give us quiet, peacable, and patient minds, in all these
turmoiles, and sanctifie unto us all crosses whatsoever. And so I take
my leave of you all, in all love & affection.