Ans: They are too delicate and unfitte to begine new-plantations and
collonies, that cannot enduer the biting of a muskeeto; we would wish
such to keepe at home till at least they be muskeeto proofe. Yet this
place is as free as any, and experience teacheth that y^e more y^e land
is tild, and y^e woods cut downe, the fewer ther will be, and in the end
scarse any at all.
Having thus dispatcht these things, that I may handle things togeather,
I shall here inserte 2. other letters from M^r. Robinson their pastor;
the one to y^e Gov^r, y^e other to M^r. Brewster their Elder, which will
give much light to y^e former things, and express the tender love & care
of a true pastor over them.
_His leter to y^e Gov^r._
My loving & much beloved friend, whom God hath hithertoo preserved,
preserve and keepe you still to his glorie, and y^e good of many; that
his blessing may make your godly and wise endeavours answerable to y^e
valuation which they ther have, & set upon y^e same. Of your love too
and care for us here, we never doubted; so are we glad to take
knowledg of it in that fullnes we doe. Our love & care to and for you,
is mutuall, though our hopes of coming [114] unto you be small, and
weaker then ever. But of this at large in Mr. Brewsters letter, with
whom you, and he with you, mutualy, I know, comunicate your letters,
as I desire you may doe these, &c.
Concerning y^e killing of those poor Indeans, of which we heard at
first by reporte, and since by more certaine relation, oh! how happy a
thing had it been, if you had converted some, before you had killed
any; besids, wher bloud is one begune to be shed, it is seldome
stanched of a long time after. You will say they deserved it. I grant
it; but upon what provocations and invitments by those heathenish
Christians?[BO] Besids, you, being no magistrats over them, were to
consider, not what they deserved, but what you were by necessitie
constrained to inflicte. Necessitie of this, espetially of killing so
many, (and many more, it seems, they would, if they could,) I see not.
Methinks on or tow principals should have been full enough, according
to that approved rule, The punishmente to a few, and y^e fear to many.
Upon this occasion let me be bould to exhorte you seriouly to consider
of y^e dispossition of your Captaine, whom I love, and am perswaded
y^e Lord in great mercie and for much good hath sent you him, if you
use him aright. He is a man humble and meek amongst you, and towards
all in ordinarie course. But now if this be meerly from an humane
spirite, ther is cause to fear that by occasion, espetially of
provocation, ther may be wanting y^t tendernes of y^e life of man
(made after Gods image) which is meete. It is also a thing more
glorious in mens eyes, then pleasing in Gods, or conveniente for
Christians, to be a terrour to poore barbarous people; and indeed I am
afraid least, by these occasions, others should be drawne to affecte a
kind of rufling course in the world. I doubt not but you will take in
good part these things which I write, and as ther is cause make use of
them. It were to us more comfortable and convenient, that we
comunicated our mutuall helps in presence, but seeing that canot be
done, we shall always long after you, and love you, and waite Gods
apoynted time. The adventurers it seems have neither money nor any
great mind of us, for y^e most parte. They deney it to be any part of
y^e covenants betwixte us, that they should tr[=a]sporte us, neither
doe I looke for any further help from them, till means come from you.
We hear are strangers in effecte to y^e whole course, and so both we
and you (save as your owne wisdoms and worths have intressed you
further) of principals intended in this bussines, are scarce
accessaries, &c. My wife, with me, resalute you & yours. Unto him who
is y^e same to his in all places, and nere to them which are farr from
one an other, I comend you and all with you, resting,
Yours truly loving,
JOHN ROBINSON.
Leyden, Des: 19. 1623.
_His to M^r. Brewster._
Loving and dear friend and brother: That which I most desired of God
in regard of you, namly, y^e continuance of your life and health, and
the safe coming of these sent unto you, that I most gladly hear of,
and praise God for the same. And I hope M^rs. Brewsters weake and
decayed state of body will have some reparing by the coming of her
daughters, and the provissions in this and former ships, I hear is
made for you; which maks us with more patience bear our languishing
state, and y^e deferring of our desired tr[=a]sportation; w^ch I call
desired, rather than hoped for, whatsoever you are borne in hand by
any others. For first, ther is no hope at all, that I know, or can
conceive of, of any new stock to be raised for that end; so that all
must depend [115] upon returns from you, in which are so many
uncertainties, as that nothing with any certaintie can thence be
concluded. Besids, howsoever for y^e presente the adventurers aledg
nothing but want of money, which is an invincible difculty, yet if
that be taken away by you, others without doubte will be found. For
the beter clearing of this, we must dispose y^e adventurers into 3.
parts; and of them some 5. or 6. (as I conceive) are absolutly bent
for us, above any others. Other 5. or 6. are our bitter professed
adversaries. The rest, being the body, I conceive to be honestly
minded, & loveingly also towards us; yet such as have others (namly
y^e forward preachers) nerer unto them, then us, and whose course so
farr as ther is any differance, they would rather advance then ours.
Now what a hanck these men have over y^e professors, you know. And I
perswade my selfe, that for me, they of all others are unwilling I
should be transported, espetially such of them as have an eye that way
them selves; as thinking if I come ther, ther market will be mard in
many regards. And for these adversaries, if they have but halfe y^e
witte to their malice, they will stope my course when they see it
intended, for which this delaying serveth them very opportunly. And as
one restie jade can hinder, by hanging back, more then two or 3. can
(or will at least, if they be not very free) draw forward, so will it
be in this case. A notable[BP] experimente of this, they gave in your
messengers presence, constraining y^e company to promise that none of
the money now gathered should be expended or imployed to y^e help of
any of us towards you. Now touching y^e question propounded by you, I
judg it not lawfull for you, being a ruling Elder, as Rom. 12. 7. 8. &
1. Tim. 5. 17. opposed to the Elders that teach & exhorte and labore
in y^e word and doctrine, to which y^e sacrements are a[=n]exed, to
administer them, nor convenient if it were lawfull. Whether any larned
man will come unto you or not, I know not; if any doe, you must
_Consili[=u] capere in arena_. Be you most hartily saluted, & you^r
wife with you, both from me & mine. Your God & ours, and y^e God of
all his, bring us together if it be his will, and keep us in the mean
while, and allways to his glory, and make us servisable to his
majestic, and faithfull to the end. Amen.
Your very loving brother,
JOHN ROBINSON.
Leyden, Des: 20. 1623.
These things premised, I shall now prosecute y^e procedings and afairs
here. And before I come to other things I must speak a word of their
planting this year; they having found y^e benifite of their last years
harvest, and setting corne for their particuler, having therby with a
great deale of patience overcome hunger & famine. Which maks me remember
a saing of Senecas, _Epis: 123_. _That a great parte of libertie is a
well governed belly, and to be patiente in all wants._ They begane now
highly to prise corne as more pretious then silver, and those that had
some to spare begane to trade one with another for smale things, by y^e
quarte, potle, & peck, &c.; for money they had none, and if any had,
corne was prefered before it. That they might therfore encrease their
tillage to better advantage, they made suite [116] to the Gov^r to have
some portion of land given them for continuance, and not by yearly
lotte, for by that means, that which y^e more industrious had brought
into good culture (by much pains) one year, came to leave it y^e nexte,
and often another might injoye it; so as the dressing of their lands
were the more sleighted over, & to lese profite. Which being well
considered, their request was granted. And to every person was given
only one acrre of land, to them & theirs, as nere y^e towne as might be,
and they had no more till y^e 7. years were expired. The reason was,
that they might be kept close together both for more saftie and defence,
and y^e better improvement of y^e generall imployments. Which condition
of theirs did make me often thinke, of what I had read in Plinie[BQ] of
y^e Romans first beginings in Romulus time. _How every man contented him
selfe with 2. Acres of land, and had no more assigned them. And chap. 3.
It was thought a great reward, to receive at y^e hands of y^e people of
Rome a pinte of corne. And long after, the greatest presente given to a
Captaine y^t had gotte a victory over their enemise, was as much ground
as they could till in one day. And he was not counted a good, but a
dangerous man, that would not contente him selfe with 7. Acres of land.
As also how they did pound their corne in morters_, as these people were
forcte to doe many years before they could get a mille.
The ship which brought this supply, was speedily discharged, and with
her m^r & company sente to Cap-Anne (of which place they had gott a
patente, as before is shewed) on fishing, and because the season was so
farr spente some of y^e planters were sent to help to build their stage,
to their owne hinderance. But partly by y^e latenes of y^e year, and
more espetialy by y^e basnes of y^e m^r, one Baker, they made a poore
viage of it. He proved a very drunken beast, and did nothing (in a
maner) but drink, & gusle, and consume away y^e time & his victails; and
most of his company followed his example; and though M^r. William Peirce
was to over see the busines, & to be m^r. of y^e ship home, yet he could
doe no good amongst them, so as y^e loss was great, and would have bene
more to them, but that they kept one a trading ther, which in those
times got some store of skins, which was some help unto them.
The ship-carpenter that was sent them, was an honest and very
industrious man, and followed his labour very dilligently, and made all
that were imployed with him doe y^e like; he quickly builte them 2.
very good & strong shalops (which after did them greate service), and a
great and strong lighter, and had hewne timber for 2. catches; but that
was lost, for he fell into a feaver in y^e hote season of the year, and
though he had the best means y^e place could aforde, yet he dyed; of
whom they had a very [117] great loss, and were very sorie for his
death. But he whom they sent to make salte was an ignorante, foolish,
self-willd fellow; he bore them in hand he could doe great matters in
making salt-works, so he was sente to seeke out fitte ground for his
purpose; and after some serch he tould y^e Gov^r that he had found a
sufficente place, with a good botome to hold water, and otherwise very
conveniente, which he doubted not but in a short time to bring to good
perfection, and to yeeld them great profite; but he must have 8. or ten
men to be constantly imployed. He was wisht to be sure that y^e ground
was good, and other things answerable, and y^t he could bring it to
perfection; otherwise he would bring upon them a great charge by
imploying him selfe and so many men. But he was, after some triall, so
confidente, as he caused them to send carpenters to rear a great frame
for a large house, to receive y^e salte & such other uses. But in y^e
end all proved vaine. Then he layed fault of y^e ground, in which he was
deceived; but if he might have the lighter to cary clay, he was sure
then he could doe it. Now though y^e Gov^r & some other foresaw that
this would come to litle, yet they had so many malignant spirits amongst
them, that would have laid it upon them, in their letters of complainte
to the adventurers, as to be their falte y^t would not suffer him to goe
on to bring his work to perfection; for as he by his bould confidence &
large promises deceived them in England that sente him, so he had wound
him selfe in to these mens high esteeme hear, so as they were faine to
let him goe on till all men saw his vanity. For he could not doe any
thing but boyle salt in pans, & yet would make them y^t were joynd with
him beleeve ther was so grat a misterie in it as was not easie to be
attained, and made them doe many unnecessary things to blind their eys,
till they discerned his sutltie. The next yere he was sente to Cap-Anne,
and y^e pans were set up ther wher the fishing was; but before so[=m]er
was out, he bu[=r]te the house, and the fire was so vehemente as it
spoyld the pans, at least some of them, and this was the end of that
chargable bussines.
The 3^d. eminente person (which y^e letters before mention) was y^e
minister which they sent over, by name M^r. John Lyford, of whom & whose
doing I must be more large, though I shall abridg things as much as I
can. When this man first came a shore, he saluted them with that
reverence & humilitie as is seldome to be seen, and indeed made them
ashamed, he so bowed and cringed unto them, and would have kissed their
hands if they would have [118] suffered him;[BR] yea, he wept & shed
many tears, blessing God that had brought him to see their faces; and
admiring y^e things they had done in their wants, &c. as if he had been
made all of love, and y^e humblest person in the world. And all the
while (if we may judg by his after cariags) he was but like him
mentioned in Psa: 10. 10. That croucheth & boweth, that heaps of poore
may fall by his might. Or like to that dissembling Ishmaell,[BS] who,
when he had slaine Gedelia, went out weeping and mette them y^t were
coming to offer incence in y^e house of y^e Lord; saing, Come to
Gedelia, when he ment to slay them. They gave him y^e best entertainment
y^ey could, (in all simplisitie,) and a larger alowans of food out of
y^e store then any other had, and as the Gov^r had used in all waightie
affairs to consulte with their Elder, M^r. Brewster, (togeither with his
assistants,) so now he caled M^r. Liford also to counsell with them in
their waightiest bussineses. Ater some short time he desired to joyne
himselfe a member to y^e church hear, and was accordingly received. He
made a large confession of his faith, and an acknowledgemente of his
former disorderly walking, and his being intangled with many
corruptions, which had been a burthen to his conscience, and blessed God
for this opportunitie of freedom & libertie to injoye y^e ordinances of
God in puritie among his people, with many more such like expressions.
I must hear speake a word also of M^r. John Oldom, who was a copartner
with him in his after courses. He had bene a cheefe sticler in y^e
former faction among y^e perticulers, and an intelligencer to those in
England. But now, since the coming of this ship and he saw the supply
that came, he tooke occasion to open his minde to some of y^e cheefe
amongst them heere, and confessed he had done them wrong both by word &
deed, & writing into England; but he now saw the eminente hand of God to
be with them, and his blesing upon them, which made his hart smite him,
neither should those in England ever use him as an instrumente any
longer against them in any thing; he also desired former things might be
forgotten, and that they would looke upon him as one that desired to
close with them in all things, with such like expressions. Now whether
this was in hipocrisie, or out of some sudden pange of conviction (which
I rather thinke), God only knows. Upon it they shew all readynes to
imbrace his love, and carry towards him in all frendlynes, and called
him to counsell with them in all cheefe affairs, as y^e other, without
any distrust at all.
Thus all things seemed to goe very comfortably and smothly on amongst
them, at which they did much rejoyce; but this lasted not [119] long,
for both Oldom and he grew very perverse, and shewed a spirite of great
malignancie, drawing as many into faction as they could; were they
never so vile or profane, they did nourish & back them in all their
doings; so they would but cleave to them and speak against y^e church
hear; so as ther was nothing but private meetings and whisperings
amongst them; they feeding themselves & others with what they should
bring to pass in England by the faction of their freinds their, which
brought others as well as them selves into a fools paradise. Yet they
could not cary so closly but much of both their doings & sayings were
discovered, yet outwardly they still set a faire face of things.
At lenght when y^e ship was ready to goe, it was observed Liford was
long in writing, & sente many letters, and could not forbear to
comunicate to his intimats such things as made them laugh in their
sleeves, and thought he had done ther errand sufficiently. The Gov^r and
some other of his freinds knowing how things stood in England, and what
hurt these things might doe, tooke a shalop and wente out with the ship
a league or 2. to sea, and caled for all Lifords & Oldums letters. Mr.
William Peirce being m^r. of y^e ship, (and knew well their evill
dealing both in England & here,) afforded him all y^e assistance he
could. He found above 20. of Lyfords letters, many of them larg, and
full of slanders, & false accusations, tending not only to their
prejudice, but to their ruine & utter subversion. Most of the letters
they let pas, only tooke copys of them, but some of y^e most materiall
they sent true copyes of them, and kept y^e originalls, least he should
deney them, and that they might produce his owne hand against him.
Amongst his letters they found y^e coppyes of tow letters which he sent
inclosed in a leter of his to M^r. John Pemberton, a minster, and a
great opposite of theirs. These 2. letters of which he tooke the coppyes
were one of them write by a gentle-man in England to M^r. Brewster here,
the other by M^r. Winslow to M^r. Robinson, in Holand, at his coming
away, as y^e ship lay at Gravsend. They lying sealed in y^e great cabin,
(whilst M^r. Winslow was bussie aboute the affairs of y^e ship,) this
slye marchante taks & opens them, taks these coppys, & seals them up
againe; and not only sends the coppyes of them thus to his friend and
their adversarie, but adds thertoo in y^e margente many scurrilous and
flouting a[=n]otations. This ship went out _towards e[=v]ing_, and _in
the night_ y^e Gov^r retu[=r]ed. They were somwaht blanke at it, but
after some weeks, when they heard nothing, they then were as briske as
ever, thinking nothing had been knowne, but all was gone currente, and
that the Gov^r went but to dispatch his owne letters. The reason why the
Gov^r & rest concealed these things the longer, was to let things ripen,
that they [120] might y^e better discover their intents and see who were
their adherents. And y^e rather because amongst y^e rest they found a
letter of one of their confederats, in w^ch was writen that M^r. Oldame
& M^r. Lyford intended a reformation in church and commone wealth; and,
as soone as the ship was gone, they intended to joyne togeather, and
have the sacrements, &c.
For Oldame, few of his leters were found, (for he was so bad a scribe as
his hand was scarce legible,) yet he was as deepe in y^e mischeefe as
the other. And thinking they were now strong enough, they begane to pick
quarells at every thing. Oldame being called to watch (according to
order) refused to come, fell out with y^e Capten, caled him raskell, and
beggerly raskell, and resisted him, drew his knife at him; though he
offered him no wrong, nor gave him no ille termes, but with all fairnes
required him to doe his duty. The Gov^r, hearing y^e tumulte, sent to
quiet it, but he ramped more like a furious beast then a man, and cald
them all treatours, and rebells, and other such foule language as I am
ashamed to remember; but after he was clapt up a while, he came to him
selfe, and with some slight punishmente was let goe upon his behaviour
for further censure.
But to cutt things shorte, at length it grew to this esseue, that Lyford
with his complicies, without ever speaking one word either to y^e Gov^r,
Church, or Elder, withdrewe them selves & set up a publick meeting
aparte, on y^e Lord's day; with sundry such insolente cariages, too long
here to relate, begining now publikly to acte what privatly they had
been long plotting.
It was now thought high time (to prevent further mischeefe) to calle
them to accounte; so y^e Gov^r called a courte and su[=m]oned the whol
company to appeare. And then charged Lyford & Oldom with such things as
they were guilty of. But they were stiffe, & stood resolutly upon y^e
deneyall of most things, and required proofe. They first alledged what
was write to them out of England, compared with their doings & pactises
hear; that it was evident they joyned in plotting against them, and
disturbing their peace, both in respecte of their civill & church state,
which was most injurious; for both they and all y^e world knew they came
hither to injoye y^e libertie of their conscience and y^e free use of
Gods ordinances; and for y^t end had ventured their lives and passed
throwgh so much hardshipe hithertoo, and they and their freinds had
borne the charg of these beginings, which was not small. And that Lyford
for his parte was sent over on this charge, and that both he and his
great family was maintained on y^e same, and also was joyned to y^e
church, & a member of them; and for him to plote against them & seek
their ruine, was most unjust & perfidious. And for [121] Oldam or any
other that came over at their owne charge, and were on ther perticuler,
seeing they were received in curtesie by the plantation, when they came
only to seeke shelter & protection under their wings, not being able to
stand alone, that they, (according to y^e fable,) like the Hedghogg
whom y^e conny in a stormy day in pittie received into her borrow, would
not be content to take part with her, but in the end with her sharp
pricks forst the poore conny to forsake her owne borrow; so these men
with the like injustice indevored to doe y^e same to thos that
entertained them.
Lyford denyed that he had any thing to doe with them in England, or knew
of their courses, and made other things as strange that he was charged
with. Then his letters were prodused & some of them read, at which he
was struck mute. But Oldam begane to rage furiously, because they had
intercepted and opened his letters, threatening them in very high
language, and in a most audacious and mutinous maner stood up & caled
upon y^e people, saying, My maisters, wher is your harts? now shew your
courage, you have oft complained to me so & so; now is y^e time, if you
will doe any thing, I will stand by you, &c. Thinking y^t every one
(knowing his humor) that had soothed and flattered him, or other wise in
their discontente uttered any thing unto him, would now side w^th him in
open rebellion. But he was deceived, for not a man opened his mouth, but
all were silent, being strucken with the injustice of y^e thing. Then
y^e Gov^r turned his speech to M^r. Lyford, and asked him if he thought
they had done evill to open his letters; but he was silente, & would not
say a word, well knowing what they might reply. Then y^e Gov^r shewed
the people he did it as a magistrate, and was bound to it by his place,
to prevent y^e mischeefe & ruine that this conspiracie and plots of
theirs would bring on this poor colony. But he, besids his evill dealing
hear, had delte trecherusly with his freinds y^t trusted him, & stole
their letters & opened them, and sent coppies of them, with disgracefull
a[=n]otations, to his freinds in England. And then y^e Gov^r produced
them and his other letters under his owne hand, (which he could not
deney,) and caused them to be read before all y^e people; at which all
his freinds were blanke, and had not a word to say.
It would be too long & tedious here to inserte his letters (which would
almost fill a volume), though I have them by me. I shall only note a few
of y^e cheefe things collected out of them, with y^e answers to them as
they were then given; and but a few of those many, only for instance, by
which the rest may be judged of.
[121[BT]] 1. First, he saith, the church would have none to live hear
but them selves. 2^ly. Neither are any willing so to doe if they had
company to live elswher.
Ans: Their answer was, that this was false, in both y^e parts of it; for
they were willing & desirous y^t any honest men may live with them, that
will cary them selves peacably, and seek y^e co[=m]one good, or at least
doe them no hurte. And againe, ther are many that will not live els
wher so long as they may live with them.
2. That if ther come over any honest men that are not of y^e seperation,
they will quickly distast them, &c.
A. Ther answer was as before, that it was a false callumniation, for
they had many amongst them that they liked well of, and were glad of
their company; and should be of any such like that should come amongst
them.
3. That they excepted against him for these 2. doctrins raised from 2.
Sam: 12. 7. First, that ministers must sume times perticulerly apply
their doctrine to spetiall persons; 2^ly, that great men may be reproved
as well as meaner.
A. Their answer was, that both these were without either truth or colour
of y^e same (as was proved to his face), and that they had taught and
beleeved these things long before they knew M^r. Liford.
4. That they utterly sought y^e ruine of y^e perticulers; as appeareth
by this, that they would not suffer any of y^e generall either to buy or
sell with them, or to exchaing one co[=m]oditie for another.
Ans: This was a most malicious slander and voyd of all truth, as was
evidently proved to him before all men; for any of them did both buy,
sell, or exchaing with them as often as they had any occation. Yea, and
allso both lend & give to them when they wanted; and this the perticuler
persons them selves could not deney, but freely confest in open court.
But y^e ground from whence this arose made it much worse, for he was in
counsell with them. When one was called before them, and questioned for
receiving powder and bisket from y^e gu[=n]er of the small ship, which
was y^e companys, and had it put in at his window in the night, and
allso for buying salt of one, that had no right to it, he not only stood
to back him (being one of these perticulers) by excusing & extenuating
his falte, as long as he could, but upon this builds this mische[=c]ous
& most false slander: That because they would not suffer them to buy
stolne goods, ergo, they sought their utter ruine. Bad logick for a
devine.
5. Next he writs, that he chocked them with this; that they turned [122]
men into their perticuler, and then sought to starve them, and deprive
them of all means of subsistance.
A. To this was answered, he did them manifest wrong, for they turned
none into their perticuler; it was their owne importunitie and ernest
desire that moved them, yea, constrained them to doe it. And they
apealed to y^e persons them selves for y^e truth hereof. And they
testified the same against him before all present, as allso that they
had no cause to complaine of any either hard or unkind usage.
6. He accuseth them with unjust distribution, and writeth, that it was a
strang difference, that some have bene alowed 16^li. of meale by y^e
weeke, and others but 4^li. And then (floutingly) saith, it seems some
mens mouths and bellies are very litle & slender over others.
Ans: This might seeme strange indeed to those to whom he write his
leters in England, which knew not y^e reason of it; but to him and
others hear, it could not be strange, who knew how things stood. For the
first co[=m]ers had none at all, but lived on their corne. Those w^ch
_came in y^e Anne, y^e August before_, & were to live 13. months of the
provissions they brought, had as good alowance in meal & pease as it
would extend too, y^e most part of y^e year; but a litle before harvest,
when they had not only fish, but other fruits began to come in, they had
but 4^li. having their libertie to make their owne provisions. But some
of these which came last, as y^e ship carpenter, and samiers, the
salte-men & others that were to follow constante imployments, and had
not an howers time, from their hard labours, to looke for any thing
above their alowance; they had at first, 16^li. alowed them, and
afterwards as fish, & other food coued be gott, they had as balemente,
to 14. &. 12. yea some of them to 8. as the times & occasions did vary.
And yet those which followed planting and their owne occasions, and had
but 4^li. of meall a week, lived better then y^e other, as was well
knowne to all. And yet it must be remembered that Lyford & his had
allwais the highest alowance.
Many other things (in his letters) he accused them of, with many
aggravations; as that he saw exseeding great wast of tools & vesseles; &
this, when it came to be examened, all y^e instance he could give was,
that he had seen an old hogshed or too fallen to peeces, and a broken
how or tow lefte carlesly in y^e feilds by some. Though he also knew
that a godly, honest man was appointed to looke to these things. But
these things & such like was write of by him, to cast disgrace &
prejudice upon them; as thinking what came from a [123] minister would
pass for currente. Then he tells them that Winslow should say, that ther
was not above 7. of y^e adventurers y^t souight y^e good of y^e collony.
That M^r. Oldam & him selfe had had much to doe with them, and that y^e
faction here might match y^e Jesuits for politie. With many y^e like
greevious complaints & accusations.
1. Then, in the next place, he comes to give his freinds counsell and
directtion. And first, that y^e Leyden company (M^r. Robinson & y^e
rest) must still be kepte back, or els all will be spoyled. And least
any of them should be taken in privatly somewher on y^e coast of
England, (as it was feared might be done,) they must chaing the m^r. of
y^e ship (M^r. William Peirce), and put another allso in Winslows stead,
for marchante, or els it would not be prevented.
2. Then he would have such a number provided as might oversway them
hear. And that y^e perticulers should have voyces in all courts &
elections, and be free to bear any office. And that every perticuler
should come over as an adventurer, if he be but a servante; some other
venturing 10^li., y^e bill may be taken out in y^e servants name, and
then assigned to y^e party whose money it was, and good covenants drawn
betweene them for y^e clearing of y^e matter; and this (saith he) would
be a means to strengthen this side y^e more.
3. Then he tells them that if that Capten they spoake of should come
over hither as a generall, he was perswaded he would be chosen Capten;
for this Captaine Standish looks like a silly boy, and is in utter
contempte.
4. Then he shows that if by y^e forementioned means they cannot be
strengthened to cary & overbear things, it will be best for them to
plant els wher by them selves; and would have it artickled by them that
they might make choyse of any place that they liked best within 3. or 4.
myls distance, shewing ther were farr better places for plantation then
this.
5. And lastly he concluds, that if some number came not over to bear
them up here, then ther would be no abiding for them, but by joyning
with these hear. Then he adds: Since I begane to write, ther are letters
come from your company, wherin they would give sole authoritie in
diverce things unto the Gov^r here; which, if it take place, then, _Ve
nobis_. But I hope you will be more vigilante hereafter, that nothing
may pass in such a ma[=n]er. I suppose (saith he) M^r. Oldame will write
to you further of these things. I pray you conceall me in the discovery
of these things, &c.
Thus I have breefly touched some cheefe things in his leters, and shall
now returne to their procceeding with him. After the reading of his
leters before the whole company, he was demanded what he could say to
these things. [124] But all y^e answer he made was, that Billington and
some others had informed him of many things, and made sundrie
complaints, which they now deneyed. He was againe asked if that was a
sufficiente ground for him thus to accuse & traduse them by his letters,
and never say word to them, considering the many bonds betweene them.
And so they went on from poynte to poynte; and wisht him, or any of his
freinds & confederats, not to spare them in any thing; if he or they had
any proofe or witnes of any corrupte or evill dealing of theirs, his or
their evidence must needs be ther presente, for ther was the whole
company and sundery strangers. He said he had been abused by others in
their informations, (as he now well saw,) and so had abused them. And
this was all the answer they could have, for none would take his parte
in any thing; but Billington, & any whom he named, deneyed the things,
and protested he wronged them, and would have drawne them to such &
such things which they could not consente too, though they were
sometimes drawne to his meetings. Then they delte with him aboute his
dissembling with them aboute y^e church, and that he professed to concur
with them in all things, and what a large confession he made at his
admittance, and that he held not him selfe a minister till he had a new
calling, &c. And yet now he contested against them, and drew a company
aparte, & sequestred him selfe; and would goe minister the sacrements
(by his Episcopall caling) without ever speaking a word unto them,
either as magistrats or bretheren. In conclusion, he was fully
convicted, and burst out into tears, and "confest he feared he was a
reprobate, his sinns were so great that he doubted God would not pardon
them, he was unsavorie salte, &c.; and that he had so wronged them as he
could never make them amends, confessing all he had write against them
was false & nought, both for matter & ma[=n]er." And all this he did
with as much fullnes as words & tears could express.
After their triall & conviction, the court censured them to be expeld
the place; Oldame presently, though his wife & family had liberty to
stay all winter, or longer, till he could make provission to remove them
comfortably. Lyford had liberty to stay 6. months. It was, indeede, with
some eye to his release, if he caried him selfe well in the meane time,
and that his repentance proved sound. Lyford acknowledged his censure
was farr less then he deserved.
Afterwards, he confest his sin publikly in y^e church, with tears more
largly then before. I shall here put it downe as I find it recorded by
some who tooke it from his owne words, as him selfe utered them.
Acknowledging [125] "That he had don very evill, and slanderously abused
them; and thinking most of y^e people would take parte with him, he
thought to cary all by violence and strong hand against them. And that
God might justly lay i[=n]ocente blood to his charge, for he knew not
what hurt might have come of these his writings, and blest God they were
stayed. And that he spared not to take knowledg from any, of any evill
that was spoaken, but shut his eyes & ears against all the good; and if
God should make him a vacabund in y^e earth, as was Caine, it was but
just, for he had sined in envie & malice against his brethren as he did.
And he confessed 3. things to be y^e ground & causes of these his
doings: pride, vaine-glorie, & selfe love." Amplifying these heads with
many other sade expressions, in the perticulers of them.
So as they begane againe to conceive good thoughts of him upon this his
repentance, and admited him to teach amongst them as before; and Samuell
Fuller (a deacon amongst them), and some other tender harted men
amongst them, were so taken with his signes of sorrow & repentance, as
they professed they would fall upon their knees to have his censure
released.
But that which made them all stand amased in the end, and may doe all
others that shall come to hear y^e same, (for a rarer president can
scarse be showne,) was, that after a month or 2. notwithstand all his
former conffessions, convictions, and publick acknowledgments, both in
y^e face of y^e church and whole company, with so many tears & sadde
censures of him selfe before God & men, he should goe againe to justifie
what he had done.
For secretly he write a 2^d. leter to y^e adventurers in England, in
w^ch he justified all his former writings, (save in some things which
tended to their damage,) the which, because it is brefer then y^e
former, I shall here inserte.
Worthy S^rs: Though the filth of mine owne doings may justly be cast
in my face, and with blushing cause my perpetuall silence, yet that
y^e truth may not herby be injuried, your selves any longer deluded,
nor injurious[BU] dealing caried out still, with bould out facings, I
have adventured once more to write unto you. Firest, I doe freely
confess I delte very indiscreetly in some of my perticuler leters w^ch
I wrote to private freinds, for y^e courses in coming hither & the
like; which I doe in no sorte seeke to justifie, though stired up ther
unto in the beholding y^e indirecte courses held by others, both
hear, & ther with you, for effecting their designes. But am hartily
sory for it, and doe to y^e glory of God & mine owne shame acknowledg
it. Which leters being intercepted by the Gov^r, I have for y^e same
undergone y^e censure [126] of banishmente. And had it not been for
y^e respecte I have unto you, and some other matters of private
regard, I had returned againe at this time by y^e pinass for England;
for hear I purpose not to abide, unless I receive better incouragmente
from you, then from y^e church (as they call them selves) here I doe
receive. I purposed before I came, to undergoe hardnes, therfore I
shall I hope cherfully bear y^e conditions of y^e place, though very
mean; and they have chainged my wages ten times allready. I suppose my
letters, or at least y^e coppies of them, are come to your hands, for
so they hear reporte; which, if it be so, I pray you take notice of
this, that I have writen nothing but what is certainly true, and I
could make so apeare planly to any indifferente men, whatsoever
colours be cast to darken y^e truth, and some ther are very audatious
this way; besids many other matters which are farre out of order hear.
My mind was not to enlarge my selfe any further, but in respecte of
diverse poore souls here, y^e care of whom in parte belongs to you,
being here destitute of the me[=a]s of salvation. For how so ever y^e
church are provided for, to their contente, who are y^e smalest number
in y^e collony, and doe so appropriate y^e ministrie to them selves,
houlding this principle, that y^e Lord hath not appointed any ordinary
ministrie for y^e conversion of those y^t are without, so y^t some of
y^e poor souls have w^th tears complained of this to me, and I was
taxed for preaching to all in generall. Though in truth they have had
no ministrie here since they came, but such as may be performed by any
of you, by their owne possition, what soever great pretences they
make; but herin they equivocate, as in many other things they doe.
But I exceede y^e bounds I set my selfe, therfore resting thus,
untill I hear further from you, so it be within y^e time limited me. I
rest, &c.,
Remaining yours ever,
JOHN LYFORD, Exille.
Dated Aug: 22. An^o: 1624.
They made a breefe answer to some things in this leter, but referred
cheefly to their former. The effecte was to this purpose: That if God in
his providence had not brought these things to their hands (both y^e
former & later), they might have been thus abused, tradused, and
calumniated, overthrowne, & undone; and never have knowne by whom, nor
for what. They desired but this equall favoure, that they would be
pleased to hear their just defence, as well as his accusations, and
waigh them in y^e balance of justice & reason, and then censure as they
pleased. They had write breefly to y^e heads of things before, and
should be ready to give further [127] answer as any occasion should
require; craving leave to adde a word or tow to this last.
1. And first, they desire to examene what filth that was y^t he
acknowledgeth might justly be throwne in his face, and might cause
blushing & perpetuall silence; some great mater sure! But if it be
looked into, it amounts to no more then a poynte of indiscretion, and
thats all; and yet he licks of y^t too with this excuse, that he was
stired up therunto by beholding y^e indirecte course here. But this
point never troubled him here, it was counted a light matter both by him
& his freinds, and put of with this,--that any man might doe so, to
advise his private freinds to come over for their best advantage. All
his sorrow & tears here was for y^e wrong & hurt he had done us, and not
at all for this he pretends to be done to you: it was not counted so
much as indiscretion.
2. Having thus payed you full satisfaction, he thinks he may lay load of
us here. And first complains that we have changed his wages ten times.
We never agreed with him for any wages, nor made any bargen at all with
him, neither know of any that you have made. You sent him over to teach
amongst us, and desired he might be kindly used; and more then this we
know not. That he hath beene kindly used, (and farr beter then he
deserves from us,) he shall be judged first of his owne mouth. If you
please to looke upon that writing of his, that was sent you amongst his
leters, which he cals a generall relation, in which, though he doth
otherwise traduse us, yet in this he him selfe clears us. In y^e latter
end therof he hath these words. _I speak not this_ (saith he) _out of
any ill affection to the men, for I have found them very kind & loving
to me._ You may ther see these to be his owne words under his owne hand.
2^ly. It will appere by this that he hath ever had a larger alowance of
food out of y^e store for him and his then any, and clothing as his
neede hath required; a dwelling in one of our best houses, and a man
wholy at his owne co[=m]and to tend his private affairs. What cause he
hath therfore to complaine, judge ye; and what he means in his speech we
know not, except he aluds to y^t of Jaacob & Laban. If you have promised
him more or other wise, you may doe it when you please.
3. Then with an impudente face he would have you take notice, that (in
his leters) he hath write nothing but what is certainly true, yea, and
he could make it so appeare plainly to any indifferente men. This indeed
doth astonish us and causeth us to tremble at y^e deceitfullnes [128]
and desperate wickednes of mans harte. This is to devoure holy things,
and after voues to enquire. It is admirable that after such publick
confession, and acknowledgmente in court, in church, before God, & men,
with such sadd expressions as he used, and with such melting into
teares, that after all this he shoud now justifie all againe. If things
had bene done in a corner, it had been some thinge to deney them; but
being done in y^e open view of y^e cuntrie & before all men, it is more
then strange now to avow to make them plainly appear to any indifferente
men; and here wher things were done, and all y^e evidence that could be
were presente, and yet could make nothing appear, but even his freinds
condemnd him & gave their voyce to his censure, so grose were they; we
leave your selves to judge herein. Yet least this man should triumph in
his wikednes, we shall be ready to answer him, when, or wher you will,
to any thing he shall lay to our charg, though we have done it
sufficiently allready.
4. Then he saith he would not inlarge, but for some poore souls here who
are destiute of y^e means of salvation, &c. But all his soothing is but
that you would use means, that his censure might be released that he
might here continue; and under you (at least) be sheltered, till he sees
what his freinds (on whom he depends) can bring about & effecte. For
such men pretend much for poor souls, but they will looke to their wages
& conditions; if that be not to their content, let poor souls doe what
they will, they will shift for them selves, and seek poore souls some
wher els among richer bodys.
Next he fals upon y^e church, that indeed is y^e burthensome stone that
troubls him. First, he saith they hold this principle, that the Lord
hath not apointed any ordinarie ministrie for y^e converssion of those
without. The church needs not be ashamed of what she houlds in this,
haveing Gods word for her warrente; that ordinarie officers are bound
cheefly to their flocks, Acts 20. 28. and are not to be extravagants, to
goe, come, and leave them at their pleasurs to shift for them selves, or
to be devoured of wolves. But he perverts y^e truth in this as in other
things, for y^e Lord hath as well appoynted them to converte, as to
feede in their severall charges; and he wrongs y^e church to say other
wise. Againe, he saith he was taxed for preaching to all in generall.
This is a meere untruth, for this dissembler knows that every Lords day
some are appointed to visite suspected places, & if any be found idling
and neglecte y^e hearing of y^e word, (through idlnes or profanes,) they
are punished for y^e same. Now to procure all to come to hear, and then
to blame him for preaching to all, were to play y^e mad men.
[129] 6. Next (he saith) they have had no ministrie since they came,
what soever pretences they make, &c. We answer, the more is our wrong,
that our pastor is kept from us by these mens means, and then reproach
us for it when they have done. Yet have we not been wholy distitute of
y^e means of salvation, as this man would make y^e world beleeve; for
our reve^d Elder hath laboured diligently in dispencing the word of God
unto us, before he came; and since hath taken equalle pains with him
selfe in preaching the same; and, be it spoaken without ostentation, he
is not inferriour to M^r. Lyford (& some of his betters) either in gifts
or larning, though he would never be perswaded to take higher office
upon him. Nor ever was more pretended in this matter. For equivocating,
he may take it to him selfe; what y^e church houlds, they have
manifested to y^e world, in all plaines, both in open confession,
doctrine, & writing.
This was y^e sume of ther answer, and hear I will let them rest for y^e
presente. I have bene longer in these things then I desired, and yet not
so long as the things might require, for I pass many things in silence,
and many more deserve to have been more largly handled. But I will
returne to other things, and leave y^e rest to its place.
The pinass that was left sunck & cast away near Damarins-cove, as is
before showed, some of y^e fishing maisters said it was a pity so fine a
vessell should be lost, and sent them word that, if they would be at y^e
cost, they would both directe them how to waygh her, and let them have
their carpenters to mend her. They thanked them, & sente men aboute it,
and beaver to defray y^e charge, (without which all had been in vaine).
So they gott coopers to trime, I know not how many tune of cask, and
being made tight and fastened to her at low-water, they boyed her up;
and then with many hands hald her on shore in a conveniente place wher
she might be wrought upon; and then hired sundrie carpenters to work
upon her, and other to saw planks, and at last fitted her & got her
home. But she cost a great deale of money, in thus recovering her, and
buying riging & seails for her, both now and when before she lost her
mast; so as she proved a chargable vessell to y^e poor plantation. So
they sent her home, and with her Lyford sent his last letter, in great
secrecie; but y^e party intrusted with it gave it y^e Gov^r.
The winter was passed over in ther ordinarie affairs, without any
spetiall mater worth noteing; saveing that many who before stood
something of from y^e church, now seeing Lyfords unrighteous dealing,
and malignitie against y^e church, now tendered them selves to y^e
church, and were joyned to y^e same; proffessing that it was not out of
y^e dislike of any thing that they had stood of so long, but a desire to
fitte them selves beter for such a state, and they saw now y^e Lord cald
for their help. [130] And so these troubls prodused a quite contrary
effecte in sundrie hear, then these adversaries hoped for. Which was
looked at as a great worke of God, to draw on men by unlickly means; and
that in reason which might rather have set them further of. And thus I
shall end this year.
_Anno Dom: 1625._
At y^e spring of y^e year, about y^e time of their Election Court, Oldam
came againe amongst them; and though it was a part of his censure for
his former mutinye and miscariage, not to returne without leave first
obtained, yet in his dareing spirite, he presumed without any leave at
all, being also set on & hardened by y^e ill counsell of others. And not
only so, but suffered his unruly passion to rune beyond y^e limits of
all reason and modestie; in so much that some strangers which came with
him were ashamed of his outrage, and rebuked him; but all reprofes were
but as oyle to y^e fire, and made y^e flame of his coller greater. He
caled them all to nought, in this his mad furie, and a hundred rebells
and traytors, and I know not what. But in conclusion they co[=m]ited him
till he was tamer, and then apointed a gard of musketers w^ch he was to
pass throw, and ever one was ordered to give him a thump on y^e brich,
with y^e but end of his musket, and then was conveied to y^e water side,
wher a boat was ready to cary him away. Then they bid him goe & mende
his maners.
Whilst this was a doing, M^r. William Peirce and M^r. Winslow came up
from y^e water side, being come from England; but they were so busie
with Oldam, as they never saw them till they came thus upon them. They
bid them not spare either him or Liford, for they had played y^e vilans
with them. But that I may hear make an end with him, I shall hear once
for all relate what befell concerning him in y^e future, & y^t breefly.
After y^e removall of his familie from hence, he fell into some straits,
(as some others did,) and aboute a year or more afterwards, towards
winter, he intended a vioage for Virginia; but it so pleased God that
y^e barke that caried him, and many other passengers, was in that
danger, as they dispaired of life; so as many of them, as they fell to
prayer, so also did they begine to examine their consciences [131] and
confess such sins as did most burthen them. And M^r. Ouldame did make a
free and large confession of y^e wrongs and hurt he had done to y^e
people and church here, in many perticulers, that as he had sought their
ruine, so God had now mette with him and might destroy him; yea, he
feared they all fared y^e worce for his sake; he prayed God to forgive
him, and made vowes that, if y^e Lord spard his life, he would become
otherwise, and y^e like. This I had from some of good credite, yet
living in y^e Bay, and were them selves partners in the same dangers on
y^e shoulds of Cap-Codd, and heard it from his owne mouth. It pleased
God to spare their lives, though they lost their viage; and in time
after wards, Ouldam caried him selfe fairly towards them, and
acknowledged y^e hand of God to be with them, and seemed to have an
honourable respecte of them; and so farr made his peace with them, as he
in after time had libertie to goe and come, and converse with them, at
his pleasure. He went after this to Virginia, and had ther a great
sicknes, but recovered and came back againe to his familie in y^e Bay,
and ther lived till some store of people came over. At lenght going a
trading in a smale vessell among y^e Indians, and being weakly mand,
upon some quarell they knockt him on y^e head with a hatched, so as he
fell downe dead, & never spake word more. 2. litle boys that were his
kinsmen were saved, but had some hurte, and y^e vessell was strangly
recovered from y^e Indeans by another that belonged to y^e Bay of
Massachusets; and this his death was one ground of the Pequente warr
which followed.
I am now come to M^r. Lyford. His time being now expired, his censure
was to take place. He was so farre from answering their hopes by
amendmente in y^e time, as he had dubled his evill, as is before noted.
But first behold y^e hand of God concei[=r]ing him, wherin that of y^e
Psalmist is verified. Psa: 7. 15. He hath made a pitte, & digged it, and
is fallen into the pitte he made. He thought to bring shame and disgrace
upon them, but in stead therof opens his owne to all y^e world. For when
he was delte with all aboute his second letter, his wife was so affected
with his doings, as she could no longer conceaill her greefe and sorrow
of minde, but opens y^e same to one of their deacons & some other of her
freinds, & after uttered y^e same to M^r. Peirce upon his arrivall.
Which was to this purpose, that she feared some great judgment of God
would fall upon them, and upon her, for her husbands cause; now that
they were to remove, she feared to fall into y^e Indeans hands, and to
be defiled by them, as he had defiled other women; or some shuch like
[132] judgmente, as God had threatened David, 2. Sam. 12. 11. I will
raise up evill against y^e, and will take thy wives & give them, &c. And
upon it showed how he had wronged her, as first he had a bastard by
another before they were maried, & she having some inkling of some ill
cariage that way, when he was a suitor to her, she tould him what she
heard, & deneyd him; but she not certainly knowing y^e thing, other wise
then by some darke & secrete muterings, he not only stifly denied it,
but to satisfie her tooke a solemne oath ther was no shuch matter. Upon
which she gave consente, and maried with him; but afterwards it was
found true, and y^e bastard brought home to them. She then charged him
with his oath, but he prayed pardon, and said he should els not have had
her. And yet afterwards she could keep no maids but he would be medling
with them, and some time she hath taken him in y^e maner, as they lay at
their beds feete, with shuch other circumstances as I am ashamed to
relate. The woman being a grave matron, & of good cariage all y^e while
she was hear, and spoake these things out of y^e sorrow of her harte,
sparingly, and yet w^th some further intimations. And that which did
most seeme to affecte her (as they conceived) was, to see his former
cariage in his repentance, not only hear with y^e church, but formerly
about these things; sheding tears, and using great & sade expressions,
and yet eftsone fall into the like things.
Another thing of y^e same nature did strangly concurr herewith. When
M^r. Winslow & M^r. Peirce were come over, M^r. Winslow informed them
that they had had y^e like bickering with Lyfords freinds in England, as
they had with him selfe and his freinds hear, aboute his letters &
accusations in them. And many meetings and much clamour was made by his
freinds theraboute, crying out, a minister, a man so godly, to be so
esteemed & taxed they held a great skandale, and threated to prosecute
law against them for it. But things being referred to a further meeting
of most of y^e adventurers, to heare y^e case and decide y^e matters,
they agreed to chose 2. eminente men for moderators in the bussines.
Lyfords faction chose M^r. White, a counselor at law, the other parte
chose Re[~v]e^d. M^r. Hooker, the minister, and many freinds on both
sids were brought in, so as ther was a great assemblie. In y^e mean
time, God in his providence had detected Lyford's evill cariage in
Ireland to some freinds amongst y^e company, who made it knowne to M^r.
Winslow, and directed him to 2. godly and grave witnesses, who would
testifie y^e same (if caled therunto) upon their oath. The thing was
this; he being gott into Ireland, had wound him selfe into y^e esteeme
of sundry godly & zelous professours in those parts, who, having been
burthened with y^e ceremonies in England, found ther some more liberty
to their consciences; amongst whom were these 2. men, which gave [133]
this evidence. Amongst y^e rest of his hearers, ther was a godly yonge
man that intended to marie, and cast his affection on a maide which
lived their aboute; but desiring to chose in y^e Lord, and preferred y^e
fear of God before all other things, before he suffered his affection to
rune too farr, he resolved to take M^r. Lyfords advise and judgmente of
this maide, (being y^e minister of y^e place,) and so broak y^e matter
unto him; & he promised faithfully to informe him, but would first take
better knowledg of her, and have private conferance with her; and so had
sundry times; and in conclusion co[=m]ended her highly to y^e yong man
as a very fitte wife for him. So they were maried togeather; but some
time after mariage the woman was much troubled in mind, and afflicted in
conscience, and did nothing but weepe and mourne, and long it was before
her husband could get of her what was y^e cause. But at length she
discovered y^e thing, and prayed him to forgive her, for Lyford had
overcome her, and defiled her body before marriage, after he had
comended him unto her for a husband, and she resolved to have him, when
he came to her in that private way. The circumstances I forbear, for
they would offend chast ears to hear them related, (for though he
satisfied his lust on her, yet he indeaoured to hinder conception.)
These things being thus discovered, y^e wom[=a]s husband tooke some
godly freinds with him, to deale with Liford for this evill. At length
he confest it, with a great deale of seeming sorrow & repentance, but
was forct to leave Irland upon it, partly for shame, and partly for fear
of further punishmente, for y^e godly withdrew them selves from him upon
it; and so co[=m]ing into England unhapily he was light upon & sente
hither.
But in this great assembly, and before y^e moderators, in handling y^e
former matters aboute y^e letters, upon provocation, in some heate of
replie to some of Lyfords defenders, M^r. Winslow let fall these words,
That he had delte knavishly; upon which on of his freinds tooke hold, &
caled for witneses, that he cald a minister of y^e gospell knave, and
would prosecute law upon it, which made a great tumulte, upon which (to
be shorte) this matter broke out, and the witnes were prodused, whose
persons were so grave, and evidence so plaine, and y^e facte so foule,
yet delivered in such modest & chast terms, and with such circumstances,
as strucke all his freinds mute, and made them all ashamed; insomuch as
y^e moderators with great gravitie declared that y^e former matters gave
them cause enough to refuse him & to deal with him as they had done, but
these made him unmeete for ever to bear ministrie any more, what
repentance soever he should pretend; with much more to like effecte, and
so wisht his freinds to rest quiete. Thus was this matter ended.
From hence Lyford wente to Natasco, in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets,
with some other of his freinds with him, wher Oldom allso lived. From
thence he removed to Namkeke, since called Salem; but after ther came
some people over, wheather for hope of greater profite, or what ends els
I know not, he left his freinds that followed him, and went from thence
to Virginia, wher he shortly after dyed, and so I leave him to y^e Lord.
His wife afterwards returned againe to this cuntry, and thus much of
this matter.
[134] This storme being thus blowne over, yet sundrie sad effects
followed y^e same; for the Company of Adventurers broake in peeces here
upon, and y^e greatest parte wholy deserted y^e colony in regarde of any
further supply, or care of their subsistance. And not only so, but some
of Lyfords & Oldoms freinds, and their adherents, set out a shipe on
fishing, on their owne accounte, and getting y^e starte of y^e ships
that came to the plantation, they tooke away their stage, & other
necessary provisions that they had made for fishing at Cap-Anne y^e year
before, at their great charge, and would not restore y^e same, excepte
they would fight for it. But y^e Gov^r sent some of y^e planters to help
y^e fisher men to build a new one, and so let them keepe it. This shipe
also brought them some small supply, of little value; but they made so
pore a bussines of their fishing, (neither could these men make them any
returne for y^e supply sente,) so as, after this year, they never looked
more after them.
Also by this ship, they, some of them, sent (in y^e name of y^e rest)
certaine reasons of their breaking of from y^e plantation, and some
tenders, upon certaine conditions, of reuniting againe. The which
because they are longe & tedious, and most of them aboute the former
things already touched, I shall omite them; only giveing an instance in
one, or tow. 1. reason, they charged them for dissembling with his
majestie in their petition, and with y^e adventurers about y^e French
discipline, &c. 2^ly, for receiving[BV] a man[BW] into their church,
that in his conffession renownced all, universall, nationall, and
diocessan churches, &c., by which (say they) it appears, that though
they deney the name of Bro[=w]ists, yet they practiss y^e same, &c. And
therfore they should si[=n]e against God in building up such a people.
Then they adde: Our dislikes thus laid downe, that we may goe on in
trade w^th better contente & credite, our desires are as followeth.
First, that as we are partners in trade, so we may be in Go[~v]^rt ther,
as the patente doth give us power, &c.
2. That the French discipline may be practised in the plantation, as
well in the circumstances theirof, as in y^e substance; wherby y^e
scandallous name of y^e Brownists, and other church differences, may be
taken away.
3. Lastly, that M^r. Robinson and his company may not goe over to our
plantation, unless he and they will reconcile themselves to our church
by a recantation under their hands, &c.
Their answer in part to these things was then as foloweth.
Wheras you taxe us for dissembling with his majestie & y^e adventurers
aboute y^e French discipline, you doe us wrong, for we both hold &
practice y^e discipline of y^e French & other reformed churches, (as
they have published y^e same in y^e Harmony of Confessions,) according
to our means, in effecte & substance. But wheras you would tye us to
the French discipline in every circumstance, you derogate from y^e
libertie we have in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paule would have none to
follow him in any thing but wherin he follows Christ, much less ought
any Christian or church in y^e world to doe it. The French may erre,
we may erre, and other churches may erre, and doubtless doe in many
circumstances. That honour therfore belongs only to y^e infallible
word of God, and pure Testamente of Christ, to be propounded and
followed as y^e only rule and pattern for direction herin to all
churches & Christians. And it is too great arrogancie for any man, or
church [135] to thinke y^t he or they have so sounded y^e word of God
to y^e bottome, as precislie to sett downe y^e churches discipline,
without error in substance or circumstance, as y^t no other without
blame may digress or differ in any thing from y^e same. And it is not
difficulte to shew, y^t the reformed churches differ in many
circumstances amongest them selves.
The rest I omitte, for brevities sake, and so leave to prosecute these
men or their doings any further, but shall returne to y^e rest of their
freinds of y^e company, w^ch stuck to them. And I shall first inserte
some part of their letters as followeth; for I thinke it best to render
their minds in ther owne words.
To our loving freinds, &c.
Though the thing we feared be come upon us, and y^e evill we strove
against have overtaken us, yet we cannot forgett you, nor our
freindship and fellowship which togeather we have had some years;
wherin though our expressions have been small, yet our harty
affections towards you (unknown by face) have been no less then to our
nearest freinds, yea, to our owne selves. And though this your friend
M^r. Winslow can tell you y^e state of things hear, yet least we
should seeme to neglecte you, to whom, by a wonderfull providence of
God, we are so nearly united, we have thought good once more to write
unto you, to let you know what is here befallen, and y^e resons of it;
as also our purposes & desirs toward you for hereafter.
The former course for the generalitie here is wholy dissolved from
what it was; and wheras you & we were formerly sharers and partners,
in all viages & deallings, this way is now no more, but you and we are
left to bethinke our sellves what course to take in y^e future, that
your lives & our monies be not lost.
The reasons and causes of this allteration have been these. First and
mainly, y^e many losses and crosses at sea, and abuses of sea-men,
w^ch have caused us to rune into so much charge, debts, & ingagements,
as our estats & means were not able to goe on without impoverishing
our selves, except our estats had been greater, and our associats
cloven beter unto us. 2^ly, as here hath been a faction and siding
amongst us now more then 2. years, so now there is an uter breach and
sequestration amongst us, and in too parts of us a full dissertion and
forsaking of you, without any intente or purpose of medling more with
you. And though we are perswaded the maine cause of this their doing
is wante of money, (for neede wherof men use to make many excuses,)
yet other things are pretended, as that you are Brownists, &c. Now
what use you or we ought to make of these things, it remaineth to be
considered, for we know y^e hand of God to be in all these things, and
no doubt he would admonish some thing therby, and to looke what is
amise. And allthough it be now too late for us or you to prevent &
stay these things, yet it is[BX] not to late to exercise patience,
wisdom, and conscience in bearing them, and in caring our selves in &
under them for y^e time to come.
[136] And as we our selves stand ready to imbrace all occasions that
may tend to y^e furthrance of so hopefull a work, rather admiring of
what is, then grudging for what is not; so it must rest in you to make
all good againe. And if in nothing else you can be approved, yet let
your honestie & conscience be still approved, & lose not one jote of
you^r innocencie, amids your crosses & afflictions. And surly if you
upon this allteration behave your selves wisly, and goe on fairly, as
men whose hope is not in this life, you shall need no other weapon to
wound your adversaries; for when your righteousnes is revealled as y^e
light, they shall cover their faces with shame, that causlesly have
sought your overthrow.
Now we thinke it but reason, that all such things as ther apertaine to
the generall, be kept & preserved togeather, and rather increased
dayly, then any way be dispersed or imbeseled away for any private
ends or intents whatsoever. And after your necessities are served, you
gather togeather such co[=m]odities as y^e cuntrie yeelds, & send them
over to pay debts & clear ingagements hear, which are not less then
1400^li. And we hope you will doe your best to free our ingagements,
&c. Let us all indeavor to keep a faire & honest course, and see what
time will bring forth, and how God in his providence will worke for
us. We still are perswaded you are y^e people that must make a
plantation in those remoate places when all others faile and returne.
And your experience of Gods providence and preservation of you is such
as we hope your harts will not faile you, though your freinds should
forsake you (which we our selves shall not doe whilst we live, so long
as your honestie so well appereth). Yet surly help would arise from
some other place whilst you waite on God, with uprightnes, though we
should leave you allso.
And lastly be you all intreated to walke circumspectly, and carry your
selves so uprightly in all your ways, as y^t no man may make just
exceptions against you. And more espetially that y^e favour and
countenance of God may be so toward you, as y^t you may find abundante
joye & peace even amids tribulations, that you may say with David,
Though my father & mother should forsake me, yet y^e Lord would take
me up.
We have sent you hear some catle, cloath, hose, shoes, leather, &c.,
but in another nature then formerly, as it stood us in hand to doe; we
have co[=m]itted them to y^e charge & custody of M^r. Allerton and
M^r. Winslow, as our factours, at whose discretion they are to be
sould, and co[=m]odities to be taken for them, as is fitting. And by
how much y^e more they will be chargable unto you, the better[BY] they
had need to be husbanded, &c. Goe on, good freinds, comfortably, pluck
up your spirits, and quitte your selves like men in all your
difficulties, that notwithstanding all displeasure and threats of men,
yet y^e work may goe on you are aboute, and not be neglected. Which is
so much for y^e glorie of God, and the furthrance of our countrie-men,
as that a man may with more comforte [137] spend his life in it, then
live y^e life of Mathusala, in wasting y^e plentie of a tilled land,
or eating y^e fruite of a growne tree. Thus with harty salutations to
you all, and harty prayers for you all, we lovingly take our leaves,
this 18. of Des: 1624.
Your assured freinds to our powers,
J. S.
W. C.
T. F.
R. H. &c.
By this leter it appears in what state y^e affairs of y^e plantation
stood at this time. These goods they bought, but they were at deare
rates, for they put 40. in y^e hundred upon them, for profite and
adventure, outward bound; and because of y^e [=v]nture of y^e paiment
homeward, they would have 30.[BZ] in y^e 100. more, which was in all 70.
[p=]^r. cent; a thing thought unreasonable by some, and too great an
oppression upon y^e poore people, as their case stood. The catle were
y^e best goods, for y^e other being ventured ware, were neither at y^e
best (some of them) nor at y^e best prises. Sundrie of their freinds
disliked these high rates, but co[=m]ing from many hands, they could not
help it.