was y^e pinass that was cast away y^e last year hear in y^e cuntrie, and
recovered by y^e planters, (as was before related,) who, after she came
home, was attached by one of y^e company for his perticuler debte, and
now sent againe on this accounte. The other was a great ship, who was
well fitted with an experienced m^r. & company of fisher-men, to make a
viage, & to goe to Bilbo or Sabastians with her fish; the lesser, her
order was to load with cor-fish, and to bring the beaver home for
England, y^t should be received for y^e goods sould to y^e plantation.
This bigger ship made a great viage of good drie fish, the which, if
they had gone to a market w^th, would have yeelded them (as such fish
was sould y^t season) 1800^li. which would have enriched them. But
because ther was a bruite of warr with France, y^e m^r. neglected
(through timerousnes) his order, and put first into Plimoth, & after
into Portsmouth, and so lost their opportunitie, and came by the loss.
The lesser ship had as ill success, though she was as hopfull as y^e
other for y^e marchants profite; for they had fild her with goodly
cor-fish taken upon y^e banke, as full as she could swime; and besids
she had some 800^li. weaight of beaver, besids other furrs to a good
value from y^e plantation. The m^r. seeing so much goods come, put it
abord y^e biger ship, for more saftie; but M^r. Winslow (their factor in
this busines) was bound in a bond of 500^li. to send it to London in y^e
smale ship; ther was some contending between y^e m^r, & him aboute it.
But he tould y^e m^r. he would follow his order aboute it; if he would
take it out afterward, it should be at his perill. So it went in y^e
smale ship, and he sent bills of lading in both. The m^r. was so carfull
being both so well laden, as they went joyfully home togeather, for he
towed y^e leser ship at his sterne all y^e way over bound, and they had
such fayr weather as he never cast her of till they were shott deep in
to y^e English Chanell, almost within y^e sight of Plimoth; and yet
ther she was unhaply taken by a Turks man of warr, and carried into
Saly, wher y^e m^r. and men were made slaves, and many of y^e beaver
skins were sould for 4^d. a peece. [138] Thus was all their hops dasht,
and the joyfull news they ment to cary home turned to heavie tidings.
Some thought this a hand of God for their too great exaction of y^e
poore plantation, but Gods judgments are unseerchable, neither dare I be
bould therwith: but however it shows us y^e uncertainty of all humane
things, and what litle cause ther is of joying in them or trusting to
them.
In y^e bigger of these ships was sent over Captine Standish from y^e
plantation, w^th leters & instructions, both to their freinds of y^e
company which still clave to them, and also to y^e Honourable Counsell
of New-England. To y^e company to desire y^t seeing that they ment only
to let them have goods upon sale, that they might have them upon easier
termes, for they should never be able to bear such high intrest, or to
allow so much per cent; also that what they would doe in y^t way that it
might be disburst in money, or such goods as were fitte and needfull for
them, & bought at best hand; and to aquainte them with y^e contents of
his leters to y^e Counsell above said, which was to this purpose, to
desire their favour & help; that such of y^e adventurers as had thus
forsaken & deserted them, might be brought to some order, and not to
keepe them bound, and them selves be free. But that they might either
stand to ther former covenants, or ells come to some faire end, by
dividente, or composition. But he came in a very bad time, for y^e Stat
was full of trouble, and y^e plague very hote in London, so as no
bussines could be done; yet he spake with some of y^e Honourd Counsell,
who promised all helpfullnes to y^e plantation which lay in them. And
sundrie of their freinds y^e adventurers were so weakened with their
losses y^e last year, by y^e losse of y^e ship taken by the Turks, and
y^e loss of their fish, w^ch by reason of y^e warrs they were forcte to
land at Portsmouth, and so came to litle; so as, though their wills were
good, yet they^r power was litle. And ther dyed such multituds weekly of
y^e plague, as all trade was dead, and litle money stirring. Yet with
much adooe he tooke up 150^li. (& spent a good deal of it in expences)
at 50. per cent, which he bestowed in trading goods & such other most
needfull comodities as he knew requiset for their use; and so returned
passenger in a fhishing ship, haveing prepared a good way for y^e
compossition that was afterward made.
In y^e mean time it pleased y^e Lord to give y^e plantation peace and
health and contented minds, and so to blese ther labours, as they had
corne sufficient, (and some to spare to others,) with other foode;
neither ever had they any supply of foode but what they first brought
with them. After harvest this year, they sende out a boats load of corne
40. or 50. leagues to y^e eastward, up a river called Kenibeck; it being
one of those 2. shalops which their carpenter had built them y^e year
before; for bigger vessell had they none. They had laid a litle deck
over her midships to keepe y^e corne drie, but y^e men were faine to
stand it out all weathers without shelter; and y^t time [139] of y^e
year begins to growe tempestious. But God preserved them, and gave them
good success, for they brought home 700^li. of beaver, besids some other
furrs, having litle or nothing els but this corne, which them selves had
raised out of y^e earth. This viage was made by M^r. Winslow & some of
y^e old standards,[CA] for seamen they had none.
_Anno Dom: 1626._
About y^e begining of Aprill they heard of Captain Standish his
arrivall, and sent a boat to fetch him home, and y^e things he had
brought. Welcome he was, but y^e news he broughte was sadd in many
regards; not only in regarde of the former losses, before related, which
their freinds had suffered, by which some in a maner were undon, others
much disabled from doing any further help, and some dead of y^e plague,
but also y^t M^r. Robinson, their pastor, was dead, which struck them
with much sorrow & sadnes, as they had cause. His and their adversaries
had been long & continually plotting how they might hinder his coming
hither, but y^e Lord had appointed him a better place; concerning whose
death & the maner therof, it will appere by these few lines write to
Gov^r & M^r. Brewster.
Loving & kind frinds, &c. I know not whether this will ever come to
your hands, or miscarie, as other my letters have done; yet in regard
of y^e Lords dealing with us hear, I have had a great desire to write
unto you, knowing your desire to bear a parte with us, both in our
joyes, & sorrows, as we doe w^th you. These are therfore to give you
to understand, that it hath pleased the Lord to take out of this vaell
of tears, your and our loving & faithfull pastor, and my dear & Reve^d
brother, M^r. John Robinson, who was sick some 8. days. He begane to
be sick on Saturday in y^e morning, yet y^e next day (being the Lords
day) he taught us twise. And so y^e weeke after grew weaker, every day
more then other; yet he felt no paine but weaknes all y^e time of his
sicknes. The phisick he tooke wrought kindly in mans judgmente, but he
grew weaker every day, feeling litle or no paine, and sensible to y^e
very last. He fell sicke y^e 22. of Feb: and departed this life y^e 1.
of March. He had a continuall inwarde ague, but free from infection,
so y^t all his freinds came freely to him. And if either prayers,
tears, or means, would have saved his life, he had not gone hence. But
he having faithfully finished his course, and performed his worke
which y^e Lord had appointed him here to doe, he now resteth with y^e
Lord in eternall hapines. We wanting him & all Church Gov^rs, yet we
still (by y^e mercie of God) continue & hould close togeather, in
peace and quietnes; and so hope we shall doe, though we be very weake.
Wishing (if such were y^e will of God) that you & we were againe
united togeather in one, either ther or here; but seeing it is y^e
will of y^e Lord thus to dispose of things, we must labour w^th
patience to rest contented, till it please y^e Lord otherwise to
dispose. For [140] news, is here not much; only as in England we have
lost our old king James, who departed this life aboute a month agoe,
so here they have lost y^e old prince, Grave Mourise; who both
departed this life since my brother Robinson. And as in England we
have a new-king Charls, of whom ther is great hope, so hear they have
made prince Hendrick Generall in his brothers place, &c. Thus with my
love remembred, I take leave & rest,
Your assured loving friend,
ROGER WHITE.
Leyden, Aprill 28.
An^o: 1625.
Thus these too great princes, and their pastor, left this world near
aboute one time. Death maks no difference.
He further brought them notice of y^e death of their anciente friend,
Mr. Cush-man, whom y^e Lord tooke away allso this year, & aboute this
time, who was as their right hand with their freinds y^e adventurers,
and for diverce years had done & agitated all their bussines with them
to ther great advantage. He had write to y^e Gove^r but some few months
before, of y^e sore sicknes of M^r. James Sherley, who was a cheefe
friend to y^e plantation, and lay at y^e pointe of death, declaring his
love & helpfullnes, in all things; and much bemoned the loss they should
have of him, if God should now take him away, as being y^e stay & life
of y^e whole bussines. As allso his owne purposs this year to come over,
and spend his days with them. But he that thus write of anothers
sicknes, knew not y^t his owne death was so near. It shows allso that a
m[=a]s ways are not in his owne power, but in his hands who hath y^e
issues of life and death. Man may purpose, but God doth dispose.
Their other freinds from Leyden writ many leters to them full of sad
laments for ther heavie loss; and though their wills were good to come
to them, yet they saw no probabilitie of means, how it might be
effected, but concluded (as it were) that all their hopes were cutt of;
and many, being aged, begane to drop away by death.
All which things (before related) being well weighed and laied togither,
it could not but strick them with great perplexitie; and to looke
humanly on y^e state of things as they presented them selves at this
time, it is a marvell it did not wholy discourage them, and sinck them.
But they gathered up their spirits, and y^e Lord so helped them, whose
worke they had in hand, as now when they were at lowest[CB] they begane
to rise againe, and being striped (in a maner) of all humane helps and
hops, he brought things aboute other wise, in his devine providence, as
they were not only upheld & sustained, but their proceedings both
honoured and imitated by others; as by y^e sequell will more appeare, if
y^e Lord spare me life & time to declare y^e same.
Haveing now no fishing busines, or other things to intend, but only
their trading & planting, they sett them selves to follow the same with
y^e best industrie they could. The planters finding their corne, what
they could spare from ther necessities, to be a co[=m]oditie, (for they
sould it at 6^s. a bushell,) used great dilligence in planting y^e
same. And y^e Gove^r and such as were designed to manage the trade, (for
it was retained for y^e generall good, [141] and none were to trade in
perticuler,) they followed it to the best advantage they could; and
wanting trading goods, they understoode that a plantation which was at
Monhigen, & belonged to some marchants of Plimoth was to breake up, and
diverse usefull goods was ther to be sould; the Gove^r and M^r. Winslow
tooke a boat and some hands and went thither. But M^r. David Thomson,
who lived at Pascataway, understanding their purpose, tooke oppertunitie
to goe with them, which was some hinderance to them both; for they,
perceiveing their joynte desires to buy, held their goods at higher
rates; and not only so, but would not sell a parcell of their trading
goods, excepte they sould all. So, lest they should further prejudice
one an other, they agreed to buy all, & devid them equally between them.
They bought allso a parcell of goats, which they distributed at home as
they saw neede & occasion, and tooke corne for them of y^e people, which
gave them good content. Their moyety of y^e goods came to above 400^li.
starling. Ther was allso that spring a French ship cast away at
Sacadahock, in w^ch were many Biscaie ruggs & other co[=m]odities, which
were falen into these mens hands, & some other fisher men at
Damerins-cove, which were allso bought in partnership, and made their
parte arise to above 500^li. This they made shift to pay for, for y^e
most part, with y^e beaver & comodities they had gott y^e winter
before, & what they had gathered up y^t somer. M^r. Thomson having some
thing overcharged him selfe, desired they would take some of his, but
they refused except he would let them have his French goods only; and
y^e marchant (who was one of Bristol) would take their bill for to be
paid y^e next year. They were both willing, so they became ingaged for
them & tooke them. By which means they became very well furnished for
trade; and tooke of therby some other ingagments w^ch lay upon them, as
the money taken up by Captaine Standish, and y^e remains of former
debts. With these goods, and their corne after harvest, they gott good
store of trade, so as they were enabled to pay their ingagements against
y^e time, & to get some cloathing for y^e people, and had some
comodities before hand. But now they begane to be envied, and others
wente and fild y^e Indeans with corne, and beat downe y^e prise, giveing
them twise as much as they had done, and under traded them in other
comodities allso.
This year they sent M^r. Allerton into England, and gave him order to
make a composition with y^e adventurers, upon as good termes as he could
(unto which some way had ben made y^e year before by Captaine Standish);
but yet injoyned him not to conclud absolutly till they knew y^e termes,
and had well considered of them; but to drive it to as good an issew as
he could, and referr y^e conclusion to them. Also they gave him a
co[=m]ission under their hands & seals to take up some money, provided
it exeeded not such a su[=m]e specified, for which they engaged them
selves, and gave him order how to lay out y^e same for y^e use of y^e
plantation.
And finding they ra[=n]e a great hazard to goe so long viages in a smale
open boat, espetialy y^e winter season, they begane to thinke how they
might gett a small pinass; as for y^e reason afforesaid, so also because
others had raised y^e prise with y^e Indeans above y^e halfe of what
they had formerly given, so as in such a boat they could not [143[CC]]
carry a quantity sufficient to answer their ends. They had no
ship-carpenter amongst them, neither knew how to get one at presente;
but they having an ingenious man that was a house carpenter, who also
had wrought with y^e ship carpenter (that was dead) when he built their
boats, at their request he put forth him selfe to make a triall that way
of his skill; and tooke one of y^e bigest of ther shalops and sawed her
in y^e midle, and so lenthened her some 5. or 6. foote, and strengthened
her with timbers, and so builte her up, and laid a deck on her; and so
made her a conveniente and wholsome vessell, very fitt & comfortable for
their use, which did them servise 7. years after; and they gott her
finished, and fitted with sayles & anchors, y^e insuing year. And thus
passed y^e affairs of this year.
_Anno Dom: 1627._
At y^e usuall season of y^e coming of ships M^r. Allerton returned, and
brought some usfull goods with him, according to y^e order given him.
For upon his commission he tooke up 200^li. which he now gott at 30. per
cent. The which goods they gott safly home, and well conditioned, which
was much to the comfort & contente of y^e plantation. He declared unto
them, allso, how, with much adoe and no small trouble, he had made a
composition with y^e adventurers, by the help of sundrie of their
faithfull freinds ther, who had allso tooke much pains ther about. The
agreement or bargen he had brought a draught of, with a list of ther
names ther too annexed, drawne by the best counsell of law they could
get, to make it firme. The heads wherof I shall here inserte.
To all Christian people, greeting, &c. Wheras at a meeting y^e 26. of
October last past, diverse & sundrie persons, whose names to y^e one
part of these presents are subscribed in a schedule hereunto annexed,
Adventurers to New-Plimoth in New-England in America, were contented
and agreed, in consideration of the sume of one thousand and eight
hundred pounds sterling to be paid, (in maner and forme folling,) to
sell, and make sale of all & every y^e stocks, shares, lands,
marchandise, and chatles, what soever, to y^e said adventurers, and
other ther fellow adventurers to New Plimoth aforesaid, any way
accruing, or belonging to y^e generalitie of y^e said adventurers
aforesaid; as well by reason of any sume or sumes of money, or
marchandise, at any time heretofore adventured or disbursed by them,
or other wise howsoever; for y^e better expression and setting forth
of which said agreemente, the parties to these presents subscribing,
doe for [144] them selves severally, and as much as in them is, grant,
bargan, alien, sell, and transfere all & every y^e said shares, goods,
lands, marchandice, and chatles to them belonging as aforesaid, unto
Isaack Alerton, one of y^e planters resident at Plimoth afforesaid,
assigned, and sent over as agente for y^e rest of y^e planters ther,
and to such other planters at Plimoth afforesaid as y^e said Isack,
his heirs, or assignes, at his or ther arrivall, shall by writing or
otherwise thinke fitte to joyne or partake in y^e premisses, their
heirs, & assignes, in as large, ample, and beneficiall maner and
forme, to all intents and purposes, as y^e said subscribing
adventurers here could or may doe, or performe. All which stocks,
shares, lands, &c. to the said adven: in severallitie alloted,
apportioned, or any way belonging, the said adven: doe warrant &
defend unto the said Isaack Allerton, his heirs and assignes, against
them, their heirs and assignes, by these presents. And therfore y^e
said Isaack Allerton doth, for him, his heirs & assigns, covenant,
promise, & grant too & with y^e adven: whose names are here unto
subscribed, ther heirs, &c. well & truly to pay, or cause to be payed,
unto y^e said adven: or 5. of them which were, at y^t meeting
afforsaid, nominated & deputed, viz. _John Pocock_, _John Beachamp_,
_Robart Keane_, _Edward Base_, and _James Sherley_, marchants, their
heirs, &c. too and for y^e use of y^e generallitie of them, the sume
of 1800^li. of lawfull money of England, at y^e place appoynted for
y^e receipts of money, on the west side of y^e Royall Exchaing in
London, by 200^li. yearly, and every year, on y^e feast of St.
Migchell, the first paiment to be made An^o: 1628. &c. Allso y^e said
Isaack is to indeavor to procure & obtaine from the planters of N. P.
aforesaid, securitie, by severall obligations, or writings obligatory,
to make paiment of y^e said sume of 1800^li. in forme afforsaid,
according to y^e true meaning of these presents. In testimonie wherof
to this part of these presents remaining with y^e said Isaack
Allerton, y^e said subscribing adven: have sett to their names,[CD]
&c. And to y^e other part remaining with y^e said adven: the said
Isaack Allerton hath subscribed his name, y^e _15. Nov^br An^o: 1626.
in y^e 2. year of his Majesties raigne_.
This agreemente was very well liked of, & approved by all y^e
plantation, and consented unto; though they knew not well how to raise
y^e payment, and discharge their other ingagements, and supply the
yearly wants of y^e plantation, seeing they were forced for their
necessities to take up money or goods at so high intrests. Yet they
undertooke it, and 7. or 8. of y^e cheefe of y^e place became joyntly
bound for y^e paimente of this 1800^li. (in y^e behalfe of y^e rest) at
y^e severall days. In which they rane a great adventure, as their
present state stood, having many other heavie burthens allready upon
them, and all things in an uncertaine condition amongst them. So y^e
next returne it was absolutly confirmed on both sids, and y^e bargen
fairly ingrossed in partchmente and in many things put into better
forme, by y^e advice of y^e learnedest counsell they could gett; and
least any forfeiture should fall on y^e whole for none paimente at any
of y^e days, it rane thus: to forfite 30^s. a weeke if they missed y^e
time; and was concluded under their hands & seals, as may be seen at
large by y^e deed it selfe.
[145] Now though they had some untowarde persons mixed amongst them from
the first, which came out of England, and more afterwards by some of y^e
adventurers, as freindship or other affections led them,--though sundrie
were gone, some for Virginia, and some to other places,--yet diverse
were still mingled amongst them, about whom y^e Gove^r & counsell with
other of their cheefe freinds had serious consideration, how to setle
things in regard of this new bargen or purchas made, in respecte of y^e
distribution of things both for y^e presente and future. For y^e
present, excepte peace and union were preserved, they should be able to
doe nothing, but indanger to over throw all, now that other tyes & bonds
were taken away. Therfore they resolved, for sundrie reasons, to take in
all amongst them, that were either heads of families, or single yonge
men, that were of abillity, and free, (and able to governe them selvs
with meete descretion, and their affairs, so as to be helpfull in y^e
comone-welth,) into this partnership or purchass. First, y^ey considered
that they had need of men & strength both for defence and carrying on of
bussinesses. 2^ly, most of them had borne ther parts in former miseries
& wants with them, and therfore (in some sort) but equall to partake in
a better condition, if y^e Lord be pleased to give it. But cheefly they
saw not how peace would be preserved without so doing, but danger &
great disturbance might grow to their great hurte & prejudice other
wise. Yet they resolved to keep such a mean in distribution of lands,
and other courses, as should not hinder their growth in others coming to
them.
So they caled y^e company togeather, and conferred with them, and came
to this conclusion, that y^e trade should be managed as before, to help
to pay the debts; and all such persons as were above named should be
reputed and inrouled for purchasers; single free men to have a single
share, and every father of a familie to be alowed to purchass so many
shares as he had persons in his family; that is to say, one for him
selfe, and one for his wife, and for every child that he had living with
him, one. As for servants, they had none, but what either their maisters
should give them out of theirs, or their deservings should obtaine from
y^e company afterwards. Thus all were to be cast into single shares
according to the order abovesaid; and so every one was to pay his part
according to his proportion towards y^e purchass, & all other debts,
what y^e profite of y^e trade would not reach too; viz. a single man for
a single share, a maister of a famalie for so many as he had. This gave
all good contente. And first accordingly the few catle which they had
were devided, which arose to this proportion; a cowe to 6. persons or
shars, & 2. goats to y^e same, which were first equalised for age &
goodnes, and then lotted for; single persons consorting with others, as
they thought good, & smaler familys likwise; and swine though more [146]
in number, yet by y^e same rule. Then they agreed that every person or
share should have 20. acres of land devided unto them, besids y^e single
acres they had allready; and they appoynted were to begin first on y^e
one side of y^e towne, & how farr to goe; and then on y^e other side in
like maner; and so to devid it by lotte; and appointed sundrie by name
to doe it, and tyed them to certaine ruls to proceed by; as that they
should only lay out settable or tillable land, at least such of it as
should butt on y^e water side, (as y^e most they were to lay out did,)
and pass by y^e rest as refuse and co[=m]une; and what they judged fitte
should be so taken. And they were first to agree of y^e goodnes & fitnes
of it before the lott was drawne, and so it might as well prove some of
ther owne, as an other mans; and this course they were to hould
throwout. But yet seekeing to keepe y^e people togither, as much as
might be, they allso agreed upon this order, by mutuall consente, before
any lots were cast: that whose lotts soever should fall next y^e towne,
or most conveninte for nearnes, they should take to them a neigboure or
tow, whom they best liked; and should suffer them to plant corne with
them for 4. years; and afterwards they might use as much of theirs for
as long time, if they would. Allso every share or 20. acers was to be
laid out 5. acres in breadth by y^e water side, and 4. acres in lenght,
excepting nooks & corners, which were to be measured as y^ey would bear
to best advantage. But no meadows were to be laid out at all, nor were
not of many years after, because they were but streight of meadow
grounds; and if they had bene now given out, it would have hindred all
addition to them afterwards; but every season all were appoynted wher
they should mowe, according to y^e proportion of catle they had. This
distribution gave generally good contente, and setled mens minds. Also
they gave y^e Gove^r & 4. or 5. of y^e spetiall men amongst them, y^e
houses they lived in; y^e rest were valued & equalised at an indiferent
rate, and so every man kept his owne, and he that had a better alowed
some thing to him that had a worse, as y^e valuation wente.
Ther is one thing that fell out in y^e begining of y^e winter before,
which I have refferred to this place, that I may handle y^e whole matter
togeither. Ther was a ship, with many passengers in her and sundrie
goods, bound for Virginia. They had lost them selves at sea, either by
y^e insufficiencie of y^e maister, or his ilnes; for he was sick & lame
of y^e scurvie, so that he could but lye in y^e cabin dore, & give
direction; and it should seeme was badly assisted either w^th mate or
mariners; or else y^e fear and unrulines of y^e passengers were such, as
they made them stear a course betweene y^e southwest & y^e norwest, that
they might fall with some land, what soever it was they cared not. For
they had been 6. weeks at sea, and had no water, nor beere, nor any
woode left, but had burnt up all their emptie caske; only one of y^e
company had a hogshead of wine or 2. which was allso allmost spente, so
as they feared they should be starved at sea, or consumed with diseases,
which made them rune this desperate course. But it plased God that
though they came so neare y^e shoulds of Cap-Codd [147] or else ran
stumbling over them in y^e night, they knew not how, they came right
before a small blind harbore, that lyes about y^e midle of Manamoyake
Bay, to y^e southward of Cap-Codd, with a small gale of wind; and about
highwater toucht upon a barr of sand that lyes before it, but had no
hurte, y^e sea being smoth; so they laid out an anchore. But towards the
evening the wind sprunge up at sea, and was so rough, as broake their
cable, & beat them over the barr into y^e harbor, wher they saved their
lives & goods, though much were hurte with salt water; for w^th beating
they had sprung y^e but end of a planke or too, & beat out ther occome;
but they were soone over, and ran on a drie flate within the harbor,
close by a beach; so at low water they gatt out their goods on drie
shore, and dried those that were wette, and saved most of their things
without any great loss; neither was y^e ship much hurt, but shee might
be mended, and made servisable againe. But though they were not a litle
glad that they had thus saved their lives, yet when they had a litle
refreshed them selves, and begane to thinke on their condition, not
knowing wher they were, nor what they should doe, they begane to be
strucken with sadnes. But shortly after they saw some Indians come to
them in canows, which made them stand upon their gard. But when they
heard some of y^e Indeans speake English unto them, they were not a
litle revived, especially when they heard them demand if they were the
Gove^r of Plimoths men, or freinds; and y^t they would bring them to
y^e English houses, or carry their letters.
They feasted these Indeans, and gave them many giftes; and sente 2. men
and a letter with them to y^e Gove^r, and did intreat him to send a boat
unto them, with some pitch, and occume, and spiks, w^th divers other
necessaries for y^e mending of ther ship (which was recoverable). Allso
they besought him to help them with some corne and sundrie other things
they wanted, to enable them to make their viage to Virginia; and they
should be much bound to him, and would make satisfaction for any thing
they had, in any comodities they had abord. After y^e Gove^r was well
informed by y^e messengers of their condition, he caused a boate to be
made ready, and such things to be provided as they write for; and
because others were abroad upon trading, and such other affairs, as had
been fitte to send unto them, he went him selfe, and allso carried some
trading comodities, to buy them corne of y^e Indeans. It was no season
of y^e year to goe withoute y^e Cape, but understanding wher y^e ship
lay, he went into y^e bottom of y^e bay, on y^e inside, and put into a
crick called Naumskachett, wher it is not much above 2. mile over [148]
land to y^e bay wher they were, wher he had y^e Indeans ready to cary
over any thing to them. Of his arrivall they were very glad, and
received the things to mend ther ship, and other necessaries. Allso he
bought them as much corne as they would have; and wheras some of their
sea-men were rune away amonge the Indeans, he procured their returne to
y^e ship, and so left them well furnished and contented, being very
thankfull for y^e curtesies they receaved. But after the Governor thus
left them, he went into some other harbors ther aboute and loaded his
boat with corne, which he traded, and so went home. But he had not been
at home many days, but he had notice from them, that by the violence of
a great storme, and y^e bad morring of their ship (after she was mended)
she was put a shore, and so beatten and shaken as she was now wholy
unfitte to goe to sea. And so their request was that they might have
leave to repaire to them, and soujourne with them, till they could have
means to convey them selves to Virginia; and that they might have means
to tr[=a]sport their goods, and they would pay for y^e same, or any
thing els wher with y^e plantation should releeve them. Considering
their distres, their requests were granted, and all helpfullnes done
unto them; their goods transported, and them selves & goods sheltered in
their houses as well as they could.
The cheefe amongst these people was one M^r. Fells and M^r. Sibsie,
which had many servants belonging unto them, many of them being Irish.
Some others ther were y^t had a servante or 2. a peece; but y^e most
were servants, and such as were ingaged to the former persons, who allso
had y^e most goods. Affter they were hither come, and some thing setled,
the maisters desired some ground to imploye ther servants upon; seing
it was like to be y^e latter end of y^e year before they could have
passage for Virginia, and they had now y^e winter before them; they
might clear some ground, and plant a crope (seeing they had tools, &
necessaries for y^e same) to help to bear their charge, and keep their
servants in imployment; and if they had opportunitie to departe before
the same was ripe, they would sell it on y^e ground. So they had ground
appointed them in convenient places, and Fells & some other of them
raised a great deall of corne, which they sould at their departure. This
Fells, amongst his other servants, had a maid servante which kept his
house & did his household affairs, and by the intimation of some that
belonged unto him, he was suspected to keep her, as his concubine; and
both of them were examined ther upon, but nothing could be proved, and
they stood upon their justification; so with admonition they were
dismiste. But afterward it appeard she was with child, so he gott a
small boat, & ran away with her, for fear of punishmente. First he went
to Cap-Anne, and after into y^e bay of y^e Massachussets, but could get
no passage, and had like to have been cast away; and was forst to come
againe and submite him selfe; but they pact him away & those that
belonged unto him by the first oppertunitie, and dismiste all the rest
as soone as could, being many untoward people amongst them; though ther
were allso some that caried them selves very orderly all y^e time they
stayed. And the [149] plantation had some benefite by them, in selling
them corne & other provisions of food for cloathing; for they had of
diverse kinds, as cloath, perpetuanes, & other stuffs, besids hose, &
shoes, and such like co[=m]odities as y^e planters stood in need of. So
they both did good, and received good one from another; and a cuple of
barks caried them away at y^e later end of so[=m]er. And sundrie of them
have acknowledged their thankfullnes since from Virginia.
That they might y^e better take all convenient opportunitie to follow
their trade, both to maintaine them selves, and to disingage them of
those great sumes which they stood charged with, and bound for, they
resoloved to build a smale pinass at Manamet, a place 20. mile from y^e
plantation, standing on y^e sea to y^e southward of them, unto which, by
an other creeke on this side, they could cary their goods, within 4. or
5. miles, and then tr[=a]sport them over land to their vessell; and so
avoyd the compasing of Cap-Codd, and those deangerous shoulds, and so
make any vioage to y^e southward in much shorter time, and with farr
less danger. Also for y^e saftie of their vessell & goods, they builte a
house their, and kept some servants, who also planted corne, and reared
some swine, and were allwayes ready to goe out with y^e barke when ther
was occasion. All which tooke good effecte, and turned to their profite.
They now sent (with y^e returne of y^e ships) M^r. Allerton againe into
England, giveing him full power, under their hands & seals, to conclude
the former bargaine with y^e adventurers; and sent ther bonds for y^e
paimente of the money. Allso they sent what beaver they could spare to
pay some of their ingagementes, & to defray his chargs; for those deepe
interests still kepte them low. Also he had order to procure a patente
for a fitt trading place in y^e river of Kenebec; for being emulated
both by the planters at Pascataway &, other places to y^e eastward of
them, and allso by y^e fishing ships, which used to draw much profite
from y^e Indeans of those parts, they threatened to procure a grante, &
shutte them out from thence; espetially after they saw them so well
furnished with co[=m]odities, as to carie the trade from them. They
thought it but needfull to prevente such a thing, at least that they
might not be excluded from free trade ther, wher them selves had first
begune and discovered the same, [=a]d brought it to so good effecte.
This year allso they had letters, and messengers from y^e
Dutch-plantation, sent unto them from y^e Gov^r ther, writen both in
Dutch & French. The Dutch had traded in these southerne parts, diverse
years before they came; but they begane no plantation hear till 4. or 5.
years after their coming, and here begining. Ther letters were as
followeth. It being their maner to be full of complementall titles.
Eedele, Eerenfeste Wyse Voorsinnige Heeren, den G[)o]veerne[)u]r, ende
Raeden in Nieu-Pliem[)u]en residerende; onse seer Goede vrinden den
directe[)u]r ende Raed van Nieu-Nederlande, wensen v[)w]e Edn:
eerenfesten, ende wijse voorsinnige gel[)u]ck salichitt
[gelukzaligheid?], In Christi Jesu onsen Heere; met goede voorspoet,
ende gesonthijt, naer siele, ende lichaem. Amen.[CE]
The rest I shall render in English, leaving out the repetition of
superfluous titles.
[150] We have often before this wished for an opportunitie or an
occasion to congratulate you, and your prosperous and praise-worthy
undertakeings, and Government of your colony ther. And the more, in
that we also have made a good begining to pitch y^e foundation of a
collonie hear; and seeing our native countrie lyes not farr from
yours, and our forefathers (diverse hundred years agoe) have made and
held frendship and alliance with your ancestours, as sufficently
appears by y^e old contractes, and entrecourses, confirmed under y^e
hands of kings & princes, in y^e pointe of warr & trafick; as may be
seene and read by all y^e world in y^e old chronakles. The which are
not only by the king now reigning confirmed, but it hath pleased his
majesty, upon mature deliberation, to make a new covenante, (and to
take up armes,) with y^e States Generall of our dear native country,
against our commone enemie the Spaniards, who seeke nothing else but
to usurpe and overcome other Christian kings and princes lands, that
so he might obtaine and possess his pretended monarchic over all
Christendom; and so to rule and co[=m]and, after his owne pleasure,
over y^e consciences of so many hundred thousand sowles, which God
forbid.
And also seeing it hath some time since been reported unto us, by some
of our people, that by occasion came so farr northward with their
shalop, and met with sundry of y^e Indeans, who tould them that they
were within halfe a days journey of your plantation, and offered ther
service to cary letters unto you; therfore we could not forbear to
salute you with these few lines, with presentation of our good will
and servise unto you, in all frendly-kindnes & neighbourhood. And if
it so fall out that any goods that comes to our hands from our native
countrie, may be serviceable unto you, we shall take our selves bound
to help and acco[=m]adate you ther with; either for beaver or any
other wares or marchandise that you should be pleased to deale for.
And if in case we have no co[=m]odity at present that may give you
contente, if you please to sell us any beaver, or otter, or such like
comodities as may be usefull for us, for ready money, and let us
understand therof by this bearer in writing, (whom we have apoynted to
stay 3. or 4. days for your answer,) when we understand your minds
therin, we shall depute one to deale with you, at such place as you
shall appointe. In y^e mean time we pray the Lord to take you, our
honoured good freinds and neighbours, into his holy protection.
By the appointment of y^e Gov^r and Counsell, &c.
ISAAK DE RASIER, Secrectaris.
From y^e Manhatas, in y^e fort Amsterdam,
March 9. An^o: 1627.
To this they returned answer as followeth, on y^e other side.
[151] To the Honoured, &c.
The Gove^r & Counsell of New-Plim: wisheth, &c. We have received your
leters, &c. wherin appeareth your good wills & frendship towards us;
but is expresed w^th over high titls, more then belongs to us, or is
meete for us to receive. But for your good will, and congratulations
of our prosperitie in these smale beginings of our poore colonie, we
are much bound unto you, and with many thanks doe acknowledg y^e same;
taking it both for a great honour done unto us, and for a certaine
testimoney of your love and good neighbourhood.
Now these are further to give your Wor^pps to understand, that it is
to us no smale joye to hear, that his majestie hath not only bene
pleased to confirme y^t ancient amitie, aliance, and frendship, and
other contracts, formerly made & ratified by his predecessors of
famous memorie, but hath him selfe (as you say) strengthened the same
with a new-union the better to resist y^e prid of y^t co[=m]one enemy
y^e Spaniard, from whose cruelty the Lord keep us both, and our native
countries. Now forasmuch as this is sufficiente to unite us togeather
in love and good neighbourhood, in all our dealings, yet are many of
us further obliged, by the good and curteous entreaty which we have
found in your countrie; haveing lived ther many years, with freedome,
and good contente, as also many of our freinds doe to this day; for
which we, and our children after us, are bound to be thankfull to your
Nation, and shall never forgett y^e same, but shall hartily desire
your good & prosperity, as our owne, for ever.
Likwise for your freindly tender, & offer to aco[=m]odate and help us
with any comodities or marchandise you have, or shall come to you,
either for beaver, otters, or other wares, it is to us very
acceptable, and we doubte not but in short time we may have profitable
co[=m]erce & trade togeather. But for this year we are fully supplyed
with all necessaries, both for cloathing and other things; but
hereafter it is like we shall deale with you, if your rates be
reasonable. And therfore when you please to send to us againe by any
of yours, we desire to know how you will take beaver, by y^e pounde, &
otters, by y^e skine; and how you will deale per cent. for other
comodities, and what you can furnishe us with. As likwise what other
commodities from us may be acceptable unto you, as tobaco, fish,
corne, or other things, and what prises you will give, &c.
Thus hoping that you will pardon & excuse us for our rude and
imperfecte writing in your language, and take it in good parte,
because [152] for wante of use we cannot so well express that we
understand, nor hapily understand every thing so fully as we should.
And so we humbly pray the Lord for his mercie sake, that he will take
both us and you into his keeping & gratious protection.
By y^e Gove^r and Counsell of New-Plimoth,
Your Wor^pps very good freinds & neigbours, &c.
New-Plim: March 19.
After this ther was many passages betweene them both by letters and
other entercourse; and they had some profitable commerce togither for
diverce years, till other occasions interrupted y^e same, as may happily
appear afterwards, more at large.
Before they sent M^r. Allerton away for England this year, y^e Gove^r
and some of their cheefe freinds had serious consideration, not only how
they might discharge those great ingagments which lay so heavily upon
them, as is affore mentioned, but also how they might (if possiblie they
could) devise means to help some of their freinds and breethren of
Leyden over unto them, who desired so much to come to them, [=a]d they
desired as much their company. To effecte which, they resolved to rune a
high course, and of great adventure, not knowing otherwise how to bring
it aboute. Which was to hire y^e trade of y^e company for certaine
years, and in that time to undertake to pay that 1800^li. and all y^e
rest of y^e debts that then lay upon y^e plantation, which was aboute
some 600^li. more; and so to set them free, and returne the trade to y^e
generalitie againe at y^e end of y^e terme. Upon which resolution they
called y^e company togeither, and made it clearly appear unto all what
their debts were, and upon what terms they would undertake to pay them
all in such a time, and sett them clear. But their other ends they were
faine to keepe secrete, haveing only privatly acquaynted some of their
trusty freinds therwith; which were glad of y^e same, but doubted how
they would be able to performe it. So after some agitation of the thing
w^th y^e company, it was yeelded unto, and the agreemente made upon y^e
conditions following.
Articles of agreemente betweene y^e collony of New-Pli[=m]oth of y^e
one partie, and William Bradford, Captein Myles Standish, Isaack
Allerton, &c. one y^e other partie; and shuch others as they shall
thinke good to take as partners and undertakers with them, concerning
the trade for beaver & other furrs & comodities, &c.; made July, 1627.
First, it is agreed and covenanted betweexte y^e said parties, that
y^e afforsaid William Bradford, Captain Myl Standish, & Isaack
Allerton, &c. have undertaken, and doe by these presents, covenante
and agree to pay, discharge, and acquite y^e said collony of all y^e
debtes both due for y^e purchass, or any other belonging to them, at
y^e day of y^e date of these presents.
[153] Secondly, y^e above-said parties are to have and freely injoye
y^e pinass latly builte, the boat at Manamett, and y^e shalop, called
y^e Bass-boat, with all other implements to them belonging, that is in
y^e store of y^e said company; with all y^e whole stock of furrs,
fells, beads, corne, wampampeak, hatchets, knives, &c. that is now in
y^e storre, or any way due unto y^e same uppon accounte.
3^ly. That y^e above said parties have y^e whole trade to them selves,
their heires and assignes, with all y^e privileges therof, as y^e said
collonie doth now, or may use the same, for 6. full years, to begine
y^e last of September next insuing.
4^ly. In furder consideration of y^e discharge of y^e said debtes,
every severall purchaser doth promise and covenante yearly to pay, or
cause to be payed, to the above said parties, during y^e full terme of
y^e said 6. years, 3. bushells of corne, or 6^li. of tobaco, at y^e
undertakers choyse.
5^ly. The said undertakers shall dureing y^e afforesaid terme bestow
50^li. per annum, in hose and shoese, to be brought over for y^e
collonies use, to be sould unto them for corne at 6^s. per bushell.
6^ly. That at y^e end of y^e said terme of 6. years, the whole trade
shall returne to y^t use and benefite of y^e said collonie, as before.
Lastly, if y^e afforesaid undertakers, after they have aquainted their
freinds in England with these covenants, doe (upon y^e first returne)
resolve to performe them, and undertake to discharge y^e debtes of y^e
said collony, according to y^e true meaning & intente of these
presents, then they are (upon such notice given) to stand in full
force; otherwise all things to remaine as formerly they were, and a
true accounte to be given to y^e said collonie, of the disposing of
all things according to the former order.
M^r. Allerton carried a coppy of this agreemente with him into England,
and amongst other his instructions had order given him to deale with
some of their speciall freinds, to joyne with them in this trade upon
y^e above recited conditions; as allso to imparte their further ends
that moved them to take this course, namly, the helping over of some of
their freinds from Leyden, as they should be able; in which if any of
them would joyne with them they should thankfully acceptt of their love
and partnership herein. And with all (by their letters) gave them some
grounds of their hops of the accomplishmente of these things with some
advantage.
_Anno Dom: 1628._
After M^r. Allertons arivall in England, he aquainted them with his
comission and full power to conclude y^e forementioned bargan & purchas;
upon [154] the veiw wherof, and y^e delivery of y^e bonds for y^e
paymente of y^e money yearly, (as is before mentioned,) it was fully
concluded, and a deede[CF] fairly ingrossed in partchmente was delivered
him, under their hands & seals confirming the same. Morover he delte
with them aboute other things according to his instructions. As to
admitt some of these their good freinds into this purchass if they
pleased, and to deale with them for moneys at better rates, &c. Touching
which I shall hear inserte a letter of M^r. Sherleys, giving light to
what followed therof, writ to y^e Gov^r as followeth.
S^r: I have received yours of y^e 26. of May by M^r. Gibs, & M^r.
Goffe, with y^e barrell of otter skins, according to y^e contents; for
which I got a bill of store, and so tooke them up, and sould them
togeather at 78^li. 12^s. sterling; and since, M^r. Allerton hath
received y^e money, as will apear by the accounte. It is true (as you
write) that your ingagments are great, not only the purchass, but you
are yet necessitated to take up y^e stock you work upon; and y^t not
at 6. or 8. p^r cent. as it is here let out, but at 30. 40. yea, &
some at 50. p^r cent. which, were not your gaines great, and Gods
blessing on your honest indeaours more then ordinarie, it could not be
y^t you should longe subsiste in y^e maintaining of, & upholding of
your worldly affaires. And this your honest & discreete agente, M^r.
Allerton, hath seriously considered, & deeply laid to mind, how to
ease you of it. He tould me you were contented to accepte of me & some
few others, to joyne with you in y^e purchass, as partners; for which
I kindly thanke you and all y^e rest, and doe willingly accepte of it.
And though absente, shall willingly be at shuch charge as you & y^e
rest shall thinke meete; and this year am contented to forbear my
former 50^li. and 2. years increase for y^e venture, both which now
makes it 80^li. without any bargaine or condition for y^e profite, you
(I mean y^e generalitie) stand to y^e adventure, outward, and
homeward. I have perswaded M^r. Andrews and M^r. Beachamp to doe y^e
like, so as you are eased of y^e high rate, you were at y^e other 2.
yeares; I say we leave it freely to your selves to alow us what you
please, and as God shall blesse. What course I rune, M^r. Beachamp
desireth to doe y^e same; and though he have been or seemed somwhat
harsh heretofore, yet now you shall find he is new moulded. I allso
see by your letter, you desire I should be your agente or factore
hear. I have ever found you so faithfull, honest, and upright men, as
I have even resolved with my selfe (God assisting me) to doe you all
y^e good lyeth in my power; and therfore if you please to make choyse
of so weak a man, both for abillities and body, to performe your
bussines, I promise (y^e Lord enabling me) to doe y^e best I can
according to those abillities he hath given me; and wherin I faile,
blame your selves, y^t you made no better choyce. Now, because I am
sickly, and we are all mortall, I have advised M^r. Allerton to joyne
M^r. Beachamp with me in your deputation, which I conceive to be very
necessary & good for you; your charge shall be no more, for it is not
your salarie maks me undertake your [156[CG]] bussines. Thus
contending you & yours, and all Gods people, unto y^e guidance and
protection of y^e Allmightie, I ever rest,
Your faithfull loving freind,
JAMES SHERLEY.[CH]
London, Nov. 17. 1628.
With this leter they sent a draught of a formall deputation to be hear
sealed and sent back unto them, to authorise them as their agents,
according to what is mentioned in y^e above said letter; and because
some inconvenience grue therby afterward I shall here inserte it.
To all to whom these pr[=e]ts shall come greeting; know yee that we,
William Bradford, Gov^r of Plimoth, in N.E. in America, Isaak
Allerton, Myles Standish, William Brewster, & Ed: Winslow, of Plimoth
aforesaid, marchants, doe by these presents for us & in our names,
make, substitute, & appointe James Sherley, Goldsmith, & John
Beachamp, Salter, citizens of London, our true & lawfull agents,
factors, substitutes, & assignes; as well to take and receive all such
goods, wares, & marchandise what soever as to our said substitutes or
either of them, or to y^e citie of London, or other place of y^e Relme
of Engl: shall be sente, transported, or come from us or any of us, as
allso to vend, sell, barter, or exchaing y^e said goods, wares, and
marchandise so from time to time to be sent to such person or persons
upon credite, or other wise in such maner as to our said agents &
factors joyently, or to either of them severally shall seeme meete.
And further we doe make & ordaine our said substituts & assignes
joyntly & severally for us, & to our uses, & accounts, to buy and
consigne for and to us into New-Engl: aforesaid, such goods and
marchandise to be provided here, and to be returned hence, as by our
said assignes, or either of them, shall be thought fitt. And to
recover, receive, and demand for us & in our names all such debtes &
sumes of money, as now are or hereafter shall be due incidente
accruing or belonging to us, or any of us, by any wayes or means; and
to acquite, discharge, or compound for any debte or sume of money,
which now or hereafter shall be due or oweing by any person or persons
to us, or any of us. And generally for us & in our names to doe,
performe, and execute every acte & thing which to our said assignes,
or either of them, shall seeme meete to be done in or aboute y^e
premissies, as fully & effectually, to all intents & purposes, as if
we or any of us were in person presente. And whatsoever our said
agents & factors joyntly or severally shall doe, or cause to be done,
in or aboute y^e premisses, we will & doe, & every of us doth ratife,
alow, & confirme, by these presents. In wittnes wherof we have here
unto put our hands & seals. Dated 18. Nov^br 1628.
This was accordingly confirmed by the above named, and 4. more of the
cheefe of them under their hands & seals, and delivered unto them. Also
M^r. Allerton formerly had authoritie under their hands & seals for y^e
transacting of y^e former bussines, and taking up of moneys, &c. which
still he retained whilst he was imployed in these affaires; they
mistrusting neither him nor any of their freinds faithfullnes, which
made them more remisse in looking to shuch acts as had passed under
their hands, as necessarie for y^e time; but letting them rune on to
long unminded or recaled, it turned to their harme afterwards, as will
appere in its place.
[157] M^r. Allerton having setled all things thus in a good and hopfull
way, he made hast to returne in y^e first of y^e spring to be hear with
their supply for trade, (for y^e fishermen with whom he came used to
sett forth in winter & be here betimes.) He brought a resonable supply
of goods for y^e plantation, and without those great interests as before
is noted; and brought an accounte of y^e beaver sould, and how y^e money
was disposed for goods, & y^e paymente of other debtes, having paid all
debts abroad to others, save to M^r. Sherley, M^r. Beachamp, & M^r.
Andrews; from whom likwise he brought an accounte which to them all
amounted not to above 400^li. for which he had passed bonds. Allso he
had payed the first paymente for y^e purchass, being due for this year,
viz. 200^li. and brought them y^e bonde for y^e same canselled; so as
they now had no more foreine debtes but y^e abovesaid 400^li. and odde
pownds, and y^e rest of y^e yearly purchass monie. Some other debtes
they had in y^e cuntrie, but they were without any intrest, & they had
wherwith to discharge them when they were due. To this pass the Lord had
brought things for them. Also he brought them further notice that their
freinds, the abovenamed, & some others that would joyne with them in y^e
trad & purchass, did intend for to send over to Leyden, for a competente
number of them, to be hear the next year without fayle, if y^e Lord
pleased to blesse their journey. He allso brought them a patente for
Kenebeck, but it was so straite & ill bounded, as they were faine to
renew & inlarge it the next year, as allso that which they had at home,
to their great charge, as will after appeare. Hithertoo M^r. Allerton
did them good and faithfull service; and well had it been if he had so
continued, or els they had now ceased for imploying him any longer thus
into England. But of this more afterwards.
Having procured a patente (as is above said) for Kenebeck, they now
erected a house up above in y^e river in y^e most convenientest place
for trade, as they conceived, and furnished the same with co[=m]odities
for y^t end, both winter & so[=m]er, not only with corne, but also with
such other commodities as y^e fishermen had traded with them, as coats,
shirts, ruggs, & blankets, biskett, pease, prunes, &c.; and what they
could not have out of England, they bought of the fishing ships, and so
carried on their bussines as well as they could.
This year the Dutch sent againe unto them from their plantation, both
kind leterss, and also diverse comodities, as suger, linen cloth, Holand
finer & courser stufes, &c. They came up with their barke to Manamete,
to their house ther, in which came their Secretarie Rasier; who was
accompanied with a noyse of trumpeters, and some other attendants; and
desired that they would send a boat for him, for he could not travill so
farr over land. So they sent a boat to Manonscussett, and brought him to
y^e plantation, with y^e cheefe of his company. And after some few days
entertainmente, he returned to his barke, and some of them wente with
him, and bought sundry of his goods; after which begining thus made,
they sente often times to y^e same place, and had entercourse togeather
for diverce years; and amongst other comodities, they vended [158] much
tobaco for linen cloath, stuffs, &c., which was a good benefite to y^e
people, till the Virginians found out their plantation. But that which
turned most to their profite, in time, was an entrance into the trade of
Wampampeake; for they now bought aboute 50^li. worth of it of them; and
they tould them how vendable it was at their forte Orania; and did
perswade them they would find it so at Kenebeck; and so it came to pass
in time, though at first it stuck, & it was 2. years before they could
put of this small quantity, till y^e inland people knew of it; and
afterwards they could scarce ever gett enough for them, for many years
togeather. And so this, with their other provissions, cutt of they trade
quite from y^e fisher-men, and in great part from other of y^e stragling
planters. And strange it was to see the great allteration it made in a
few years amonge y^e Indeans them selves; for all the Indeans of these
parts, & y^e Massachussets, had none or very litle of it,[CI] but y^e
sachems & some spetiall persons that wore a litle of it for ornamente.
Only it was made & kepte amonge y^e Nariganssets, & Pequents, which grew
rich & potent by it, and these people were poore & begerly, and had no
use of it. Neither did the English of this plantation, or any other in
y^e land, till now that they had knowledg of it from y^e Dutch, so much
as know what it was, much less y^t it was a co[=m]oditie of that worth &
valew. But after it grue thus to be a comoditie in these parts, these
Indeans fell into it allso, and to learne how to make it; for y^e
Narigansets doe geather y^e shells of which y^ey make it from their
shors. And it hath now continued a current comoditie aboute this 20.
years, and it may prove a drugg in time. In y^e mean time it maks y^e
Indeans of these parts rich & power full and also prowd therby; and
fills them with peeces, powder, and shote, which no laws can restraine,
by reasone of y^e bassnes of sundry unworthy persons, both English,
Dutch, & French, which may turne to y^e ruine of many. Hithertoo y^e
Indeans of these parts had no peeces nor other armes but their bowes &
arrowes, nor of many years after; nether durst they scarce handle a
gune, so much were they affraid of them; and y^e very sight of one
(though out of kilter) was a terrour unto them. But those Indeans to y^e
east parts, which had co[=m]erce with y^e French, got peces of them, and
they in the end made a commone trade of it; and in time our English
fisher-men, led with y^e like covetoussnes, followed their example, for
their owne gaine; but upon complainte against them, it pleased the kings
majestie to prohibite y^e same by a stricte proclaimation, commanding
that no sorte of armes, or munition, should by any of his subjects be
traded with them.
Aboute some 3. or 4. years before this time, ther came over one Captaine
Wolastone, (a man of pretie parts,) and with him 3. or 4. more of some
eminencie, who brought with them a great many servants, with provissions
& other implments for to begine a plantation; and pitched them selves in
a place within the Massachusets, which they called, after their Captains
name, Mount-Wollaston. Amongst whom was one M^r. Morton, who, it should
seeme, had some small adventure (of his owne or other mens) amongst
them; but had litle respecte [159] amongst them, and was sleghted by y^e
meanest servants. Haveing continued ther some time, and not finding
things to answer their expectations, nor profite to arise as they looked
for, Captaine Wollaston takes a great part of y^e sarvants, and
transports them to Virginia, wher he puts them of at good rates, selling
their time to other men; and writs back to one M^r. Rassdall, one of his
cheefe partners, and accounted their marchant, to bring another parte of
them to Verginia likewise, intending to put them of ther as he had done
y^e rest. And he, w^th y^e consente of y^e said Rasdall, appoynted one
Fitcher to be his Livetenante, and governe y^e remaines of y^e
plantation, till he or Rasdall returned to take further order
theraboute. But this Morton abovesaid, haveing more craft then honestie,
(who had been a kind of petie-fogger, of Furnefells Inne,) in y^e others
absence, watches an oppertunitie, (commons being but hard amongst them,)
and gott some strong drinck & other junkats, & made them a feast; and
after they were merie, he begane to tell them, he would give them good
counsell. You see (saith he) that many of your fellows are carried to
Virginia; and if you stay till this Rasdall returne, you will also be
carried away and sould for slaves with y^e rest. Therfore I would
advise you to thruste out this Levetenant Fitcher; and I, having a
parte in the plantation, will receive you as my partners and consociats;
so may you be free from service, and we will converse, trad, plante, &
live togeather as equalls, & supporte & protecte one another, or to like
effecte. This counsell was easily received; so they tooke oppertunitie,
and thrust Levetenante Fitcher out a dores, and would suffer him to come
no more amongst them, but forct him to seeke bread to eate, and other
releefe from his neigbours, till he could gett passages for England.
After this they fell to great licenciousnes, and led a dissolute life,
powering out them selves into all profanenes. And Morton became lord of
misrule, and maintained (as it were) a schoole of Athisme. And after
they had gott some good into their hands, and gott much by trading with
y^e Indeans, they spent it as vainly, in quaffing & drinking both wine &
strong waters in great exsess, and, as some reported, 10^li. worth in a
morning. They allso set up a May-pole, drinking and dancing aboute it
many days togeather, inviting the Indean women, for their consorts,
dancing and frisking togither, (like so many fairies, or furies rather,)
and worse practises. As if they had anew revived & celebrated the feasts
of y^e Roman Goddes Flora, or y^e beasly practieses of y^e madd
Bacchinalians. Morton likwise (to shew his poetrie) composed sundry
rimes & verses, some tending to lasciviousnes, and others to y^e
detraction & scandall of some persons, which he affixed to this idle or
idoll May-polle. They chainged allso the name of their place, and in
stead of calling it Mounte Wollaston, they call it Merie-mounte, [160]
as if this joylity would have lasted ever. But this continued not long,
for after Morton was sent for England, (as follows to be declared,)
shortly after came over that worthy gentlman, M^r. John Indecott, who
brought over a patent under y^e broad seall, for y^e govermente of y^e
Massachusets, who visiting those parts caused y^t May-polle to be cutt
downe, and rebuked them for their profannes, and admonished them to
looke ther should be better walking; so they now, or others, changed y^e
name of their place againe, and called it Mounte-Dagon.
Now to maintaine this riotous prodigallitie and profuse excess, Morton,
thinking him selfe lawless, and hearing what gaine y^e French &
fisher-men made by trading of peeces, powder, & shotte to y^e Indeans,
he, as y^e head of this consortship, begane y^e practise of y^e same in
these parts; and first he taught them how to use them, to charge, &
discharg, and what proportion of powder to give y^e peece, according to
y^e sise or bignes of y^e same; and what shotte to use for foule, and
what for deare. And having thus instructed them, he imployed some of
them to hunte & fowle for him, so as they became farr more active in
that imploymente then any of y^e English, by reason of ther swiftnes of
foote, & nimblnes of body, being also quick-sighted, and by continuall
exercise well knowing y^e hants of all sorts of game. So as when they
saw y^e execution that a peece would doe, and y^e benefite that might
come by y^e same, they became madd, as it were, after them, and would
not stick to give any prise they could attaine too for them; accounting
their bowes & arrowes but bables in comparison of them.
And here I may take occasion to bewaile y^e mischefe that this wicked
man began in these parts, and which since base covetousnes prevailing in
men that should know better, has now at length gott y^e upper hand, and
made this thing co[=m]one, notwithstanding any laws to y^e contrary; so
as y^e Indeans are full of peeces all over, both fouling peeces,
muskets, pistols, &c. They have also their moulds to make shotte, of all
sorts, as muskett bulletts, pistoll bullets, swane & gose shote, & of
smaler sorts; yea, some have seen them have their scruplats to make
scrupins them selves, when they wante them, with sundery other
implements, wherwith they are ordinarily better fited & furnished then
y^e English them selves. Yea, it is well knowne that they will have
powder & shot, when the English want it, nor cannot gett it; and y^t in
a time of warr or danger, as experience hath manifested, that when lead
hath been scarce, and men for their owne defence would gladly have given
a groat a l which is dear enoughe, yet hath it bene bought up & sent to
other places, and sould to shuch as trade it with y^e Indeans, at 12.
pence y^e li.; and it is like they give 3. or 4.^s y^e pound, for they
will have it at any rate. And these things have been done in y^e same
times, when some of their neigbours & freinds are daly killed by y^e
Indeans, or are in deanger therof, and live but at y^e Indeans mercie.
[161] Yea, some (as they have aquainted them with all other things) have
tould them how gunpowder is made, and all y^e materialls in it, and that
they are to be had in their owne land; and I am confidente, could they
attaine to make saltpeter, they would teach them to make powder. O the
horiblnes of this vilanie! how many both Dutch & English have been latly
slaine by those Indeans, thus furnished; and no remedie provided, nay,
y^e evill more increased, and y^e blood of their brethren sould for
gaine, as is to be feared; and in what danger all these colonies are in
is too well known. Oh! that princes & parlements would take some timly
order to prevente this mischeefe, and at length to suppress it, by some
exemplerie punishmente upon some of these gaine thirstie murderers, (for
they deserve no better title,) before their collonies in these parts be
over throwne by these barbarous savages, thus armed with their owne
weapons, by these evill instruments, and traytors to their neigbors and
cuntrie. But I have forgott my selfe, and have been to longe in this
digression; but now to returne. This Morton having thus taught them y^e
use of peeces, he sould them all he could spare; and he and his consorts
detirmined to send for many out of England, and had by some of y^e ships
sente for above a score. The which being knowne, and his neigbours
meeting y^e Indeans in y^e woods armed with guns in this sorte, it was a
terrour unto them, who lived straglingly, and were of no strenght in any
place. And other places (though more remote) saw this mischeefe would
quietly spread over all, if not prevented. Besides, they saw they should
keep no servants, for Morton would entertaine any, how vile soever, and
all y^e scume of y^e countrie, or any discontents, would flock to him
from all places, if this nest was not broken; and they should stand in
more fear of their lives & goods (in short time) from this wicked &
deboste crue, then from y^e salvages them selves.
So sundrie of y^e cheefe of y^e stragling plantations, meeting togither,
agreed by mutuall consente to sollissite those of Plimoth (who were then
of more strength then them all) to joyne with them, to prevente y^e
further grouth of this mischeefe, and suppress Morton & his consortes
before y^ey grewe to further head and strength. Those that joyned in
this acction (and after contributed to the charge of sending him for
England) were from Pascataway, Namkeake, Winisimett, Weesagascusett,
Natasco, and other places wher any English were seated. Those of Plimoth
being thus sought too by their messengers & letters, and waying both
their reasons, and the co[=m]one danger, were willing to afford them
their help; though them selves had least cause of fear or hurte. So, to
be short, they first resolved joyntly to write to him, and in a freindly
& neigborly way to admonish him to forbear these courses, & sent a
messenger with their letters to bring his answer. But he was so highe as
he scorned all advise, and asked who had to doe with him; he had and
would trade peeces with y^e Indeans in dispite of all, with many other
scurillous termes full of disdaine. They sente to him a second time, and
bad him be better advised, and more temperate in his termes, for y^e
countrie could not beare y^e injure he did; it was against their comone
saftie, and against y^e king's proclamation. He answerd in high terms as
before, and that y^e kings proclamation was no law; demanding what
penaltie was upon it. It was answered, more then he could [162] bear,
his majesties displeasure. But insolently he persisted, and said y^e
king was dead and his displeasure with him, & many y^e like things; and
threatened withall that if any came to molest him, let them looke to
them selves, for he would prepare for them. Upon which they saw ther was
no way but to take him by force; and having so farr proceeded, now to
give over would make him farr more hautie & insolente. So they mutually
resolved to proceed, and obtained of y^e Gov^r of Plimoth to send
Captaine Standish, & some other aide with him, to take Morton by force.
The which accordingly was done; but they found him to stand stifly in
his defence, having made fast his dors, armed his consorts, set diverse
dishes of powder & bullets ready on y^e table; and if they had not been
over armed with drinke, more hurt might have been done. They so[=m]aned
him to yeeld, but he kept his house, and they could gett nothing but
scofes & scorns from him; but at length, fearing they would doe some
violence to y^e house, he and some of his crue came out, but not to
yeeld, but to shoote; but they were so steeld with drinke as their
peeces were to heavie for them; him selfe with a carbine (over charged &
allmost halfe fild with powder & shote, as was after found) had thought
to have shot Captaine Standish; but he stept to him, & put by his peece,
& tooke him. Neither was ther any hurte done to any of either side, save
y^t one was so drunke y^t he rane his owne nose upon y^e pointe of a
sword y^t one held before him as he entred y^e house; but he lost but a
litle of his hott blood. Morton they brought away to Plimoth, wher he
was kepte, till a ship went from y^e Ile of Shols for England, with
which he was sente to y^e Counsell of New-England; and letters writen to
give them information of his course & cariage; and also one was sent at
their co[=m]one charge to informe their Ho^rs more perticulerly, & to
prosecute against him. But he foold of y^e messenger, after he was gone
from hence, and though he wente for England, yet nothing was done to
him, not so much as rebukte, for ought was heard; but returned y^e nexte
year. Some of y^e worst of y^e company were disperst, and some of y^e
more modest kepte y^e house till he should be heard from. But I have
been too long aboute so un-worthy a person, and bad a cause.
This year M^r. Allerton brought over a yonge man for a minister to y^e
people hear, wheather upon his owne head, or at y^e motion of some
freinds ther, I well know not, but it was without y^e churches sending;
for they had bene so bitten by M^r. Lyford, as they desired to know y^e
person well whom they should invite amongst them. His name was M^r.
Rogers; but they perceived, upon some triall, that he was crased in his
braine; so they were faine to be at further charge to send him back
againe y^e nexte year, and loose all y^e charge that was expended in his
hither bringing, which was not smalle by M^r. Allerton's accounte, in
provissions, aparell, bedding, &c. After his returne he grue quite
distracted, and M^r. Allerton was much blamed y^t he would bring such a
man over, they having charge enough otherwise.
M^r. Allerton, in y^e years before, had brought over some small quantie
of goods, upon his owne perticuler, and sould them for his owne private
benefite; which was more then any man had yet hithertoo attempted. But
because he had other wise done them good service, and also he sould
them among y^e people at y^e plantation, by which their wants were
supplied, and he aledged it was the [163] love of M^r. Sherley and some
other freinds that would needs trust him with some goods, conceiveing it
might doe him some good, and none hurte, it was not much lookt at, but
past over. But this year he brought over a greater quantitie, and they
were so intermixte with y^e goods of y^e generall, as they knew not
which were theirs, & w^ch was his, being pact up together; so as they
well saw that, if any casualty had beefalne at sea, he might have laid
y^e whole on them, if he would; for ther was no distinction. Allso what
was most vendible, and would yeeld presente pay, usualy that was his;
and he now begane allso to sell abroad to others of forine places,
which, considering their co[=m]one course, they began to dislike. Yet
because love thinkes no evill, nor is susspitious, they tooke his faire
words for excuse, and resolved to send him againe this year for England;
considering how well he had done y^e former bussines, and what good
acceptation he had with their freinds ther; as also seeing sundry of
their freinds from Leyden were sente for, which would or might be much
furthered by his means. Againe, seeing the patente for Kenebeck must be
inlarged, by reason of y^e former mistaks in the bounding of it, and it
was conceived, in a maner, y^e same charge would serve to inlarge this
at home with it, and he that had begane y^e former y^e last year would
be y^e fittest to effecte this; so they gave him instructions and sente
him for England this year againe. And in his instructions bound him to
bring over no goods on their accounte, but 50^li. in hose & shoes, and
some linen cloth, (as y^ey were bound by covenante when they tooke y^e
trad;) also some trading goods to such a value; and in no case to exseed
his instructions, nor ru[=n]e them into any further charge; he well
knowing how their state stood. Also y^t he should so provide y^t their
trading goods came over betimes, and what so ever was sent on their
accounte should be pact up by it selfe, marked with their marke, and no
other goods to be mixed with theirs. For so he prayed them to give him
such instructions as they saw good, and he would folow them, to prevente
any jellocie or farther offence, upon the former forementioned dislikes.
And thus they conceived they had well provided for all things.
_Anno Dom: 1629._
M^r. Allerton safly arriving in England, and delivering his leters to
their freinds their, and aquainting them with his instructions, found
good acceptation with them, and they were very forward & willing to
joyne with them in y^e partnership of trade, & in y^e charge to send
over y^e Leyden people; a company wherof were allready come out of
Holand, and prepared to come over, and so were sent away before M^r.
Allerton could be ready to come. They had passage with y^e ships that
came to Salem, that brought over many godly persons to begine y^e
plantations & churches of Christ ther, & in y^e Bay of Massachussets; so
their long stay & keeping back [164] was recompensed by y^e Lord to ther
freinds here with a duble blessing, in that they not only injoyed them
now beyond ther late expectation, (when all their hops seemed to be cutt
of,) but, with them, many more godly freinds & Christian breethren, as
y^e begining of a larger harvest unto y^e Lord, in y^e increase of his
churches & people in these parts, to y^e admiration of many, and allmost
wonder of y^e world; that of so small beginings so great things should
insue, as time after manifested; and that here should be a resting place
for so many of y^e Lords people, when so sharp a scourge came upon their
owne nation. But it was y^e Lords doing, & it ought to be marvellous in
our eyes.
But I shall hear inserte some of their freinds letters, which doe best
expresse their owne minds in these thir proceedings.
_A leter of M^r. Sherleys to y^e Gov^r._