_Anno Dom_: 1632.
M^r. Allerton, returning for England, litle regarded his bound of a
1000^li. to performe covenants; for wheras he was bound by y^e same to
bring y^e ship to [190] London, and to pay 30^li. per month for her
hire, he did neither of boath, for he carried her to Bristoll againe,
from whence he intended to sett her out againe, and so did y^e 3. time,
into these parts (as after will appear); and though she had been 10.
months upon y^e former viage, at 30^li. [p=]^r month, yet he never payed
peney for hire. It should seeme he knew well enough how to deale with
M^r. Sherley. And M^r. Sherley, though he would needs tye her & her
accounte upon y^e generall, yet he would dispose of her as him selfe
pleased; for though M^r. Winslow had in their names protested against
y^e receiving her on y^t accounte, or if ever they should hope to
preveile in shuch a thing, yet never to suffer M^r. Allerton to have any
more to doe in her, yet he y^e last year let her wholy unto him, and
injoyned them to send all their supplye in her to their prejudice, as is
before noted. And now, though he broke his bonds, kepte no covenante,
paid no hire, nor was ever like to keep covenants, yet now he goes and
sells him all, both ship, & all her accounts, from first to last (and in
effecte he might as well have given him y^e same); and not only this,
but he doth as good as provide a sanctuary for him, for he gives him one
years time to prepare his accounte, and then to give up y^e same to them
here; and then another year for him to make paymente of what should be
due upon y^t accounte. And in y^e mean time writs ernestly to them not
to interupte or hinder him from his bussines, or stay him aboute
clearing accounts, &c.; so as he in y^e mean time gathers up all monies
due for fraighte, and any other debtes belonging either to her, or y^e
Frindship's accounts, as his owne perticuler; and after, sells ship, &
ordnans, fish, & what he had raised, in Spaine, according to y^e first
designe, in effecte; and who had, or what became of y^e money, he best
knows. In y^e mean time their hands were bound, and could doe nothing
but looke on, till he had made all away into other mens hands (save a
few catle & a litle land & some small maters he had here at Plimoth),
and so in y^e end removed, as he had allready his person, so all his
from hence. This will better appere by M^r. Sherley's leter.
S^r: These few lines are further to give you to understand, that
seeing you & we, that never differed yet but aboute y^e White-Angell,
which somewhat troubleth us, as I perceive it doth you. And now M^r.
Allerton beeing here, we have had some confferance with him about her,
and find him very willing to give you & us all contente y^t possiblie
he can, though he burthen him selfe. He is contente to take y^e
White-Angell wholy on him selfe, notwithstanding he mett with pirates
nere y^e coast of Ierland, which tooke away his best sayles & other
provissions from her; so as verily if we should now sell her, she
would yeeld but a small price, besids her ordnance. And to set her
forth againe with fresh money we would not, she being now at Bristoll.
Wherfore we thought it best, both for you & us, M^r. Allerton being
willing to take her, to accepte of his bond of tow thousand pounds, to
give [191] you a true & perfecte accounte, and take y^e whole charge
of y^e Whit-Angell wholy to him selfe, from y^e first to y^e last. The
accounte he is to make and perfecte within 12. months from y^e date of
this letter, and then to pay you at 6. and 6. months after, what
soever shall be due unto you and us upon the foote of y^t accounte.
And verily, notwithstanding all y^e disasters he hath had, I am
perswaded he hath enough to pay all men here and ther. Only they must
have patience till he can gather in what is due to him ther. I doe not
write this slightly, but upon some ground of what I have seen (and
perhaps you know not of) under y^e hands & seals of some, &c. I rest
Your assured friend,
JAMES SHERLEY.
Des: 6. 1632.
But heres not a word of y^e breach of former bonds & covenants, or
paimente of y^e ships hire; this is passt by as if no such thing had
been; besids what bonds or obligments so ever they had of him, ther
never came any into y^e hands or sight of y^e partners here. And for
this y^t M^r. Sherley seems to intimate (as a secrete) of his abilitie,
under y^e hands & seals of some, it was but a trick, having gathered up
an accounte of what was owing form such base fellows as he had made
traders for him, and other debts; and then got M^r. Mahue, & some
others, to affirme under their hand & seale, that they had seen shuch
accounts y^t were due to him.
Mr. Hatherley came over againe this year, but upon his owne occasions,
and begane to make preparation to plant & dwell in y^e countrie. He with
his former dealings had wound in what money he had in y^e patnership
into his owne hands, and so gave off all partnership (excepte in name),
as was found in y^e issue of things; neither did he medle, or take any
care aboute y^e same; only he was troubled about his ingagmente aboute
y^e Friendship, as will after appeare. And now partly aboute y^t
accounte, in some reconings betweene M^r. Allerton and him, and some
debts y^t M^r. Allerton otherwise owed him upon dealing between them in
perticuler, he drue up an accounte of above 2000^li., and would faine
have ingaged y^e partners here with it, because M^r. Allerton had been
their agent. But they tould him they had been fool'd longe enough with
such things, and shewed him y^t it no way belonged to them; but tould
him he must looke to make good his ingagment for y^e Freindship, which
caused some trouble betweene M^r. Allerton and him.
M^r. William Peirce did y^e like, M^r. Allerton being wound into his
debte also upon particuler dealings; as if they had been bound to make
good all mens debts. But they easily shooke off these things. But M^r.
Allerton herby rane into much trouble & vexation, as well as he had
troubled others, for M^r. Denison sued him for y^e money he had
disbursed for y^e 6. part of y^e Whit-Angell, & recovered y^e same with
damages.
Though y^e partners were thus pl[=u]ged into great ingagments, &
oppresed with unjust debts, yet y^e Lord prospered their trading, that
they made yearly large returnes, and had soone wound them selves out of
all, if yet they had otherwise been well delt with all; as will more
appear here after. [192] Also y^e people of y^e plantation begane to
grow in their owtward estats, by reason[DG] of y^e flowing of many
people into y^e cuntrie, espetially into y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets; by
which means corne & catle rose to a great prise, by w^ch many were much
inriched, and co[=m]odities grue plentifull; and yet in other regards
this benefite turned to their hurte, and this accession of strength to
their weaknes. For now as their stocks increased, and y^e increse
vendible, ther was no longer any holding them togeather, but now they
must of necessitie goe to their great lots; they could not other wise
keep their katle; and having oxen growne, they must have land for
plowing & tillage. And no man now thought he could live, except he had
catle and a great deale of ground to keep them; all striving to increase
their stocks. By which means they were scatered all over y^e bay,
quickly, and y^e towne, in which they lived compactly till now, was left
very thine, and in a short time allmost desolate. And if this had been
all, it had been less, thoug to much; but y^e church must also be
devided, and those y^t had lived so long togeather in Christian &
comfortable fellowship must now part and suffer many divissions. First,
those that lived on their lots on y^e other side of the bay (called
Duxberie) they could not long bring their wives & children to y^e
publick worship & church meetings here, but with such burthen, as,
growing to some competente number, they sued to be dismissed and become
a body of them selves; and so they were dismiste (about this time),
though very unwillingly. But to touch this sadd matter, and handle
things together that fell out afterward. To prevent any further
scatering from this place, and weakning of y^e same, it was thought best
to give out some good farms to spetiall persons, y^t would promise to
live at Plimoth, and lickly to be helpfull to y^e church or comonewelth,
and so tye y^e lands to Plimoth as farmes for the same; and ther they
might keepe their catle & tillage by some servants, and retaine their
dwellings here. And so some spetiall lands were granted at a place
generall, called Greens Harbor, wher no allotments had been in y^e
former divission, a plase very weell meadowed, and fitt to keep & rear
catle, good store. But alass! this remedy proved worse then y^e disease;
for w^{th}in a few years those that had thus gott footing ther rente
them selves away, partly by force, and partly wearing y^e rest with
importunitie and pleas of necessitie, so as they must either suffer them
to goe, or live in continuall opposition and contention. And others
still, as y^ey conceived them selves straitened, or to want
acco[=m]odation, break away under one pretence or other, thinking their
owne conceived necessitie, and the example of others, a warrente
sufficente for them. And this, I fear, will be y^e ruine of New-England,
at least of y^e churches of God ther, & will provock y^e Lords
displeasure against them.
[193] This year, M^r. William Perce came into y^e cuntry, & brought
goods and passengers, in a ship caled y^e Lyon, which belonged cheefly
to M^r. Sherley, and y^e rest of y^e London partners, but these hear had
nothing to doe with her. In this ship (besides beaver which they had
sent home before) they sent upwards of 800^li. in her, and some otter
skines; and also y^e coppies of M^r. Allertons accounts, desiring that
they would also peruse & examene them, and rectifie shuch things as
they should find amise in them; and rather because they were better
acquaynted with y^e goods bought ther, and y^e disbursments made, then
they could bee here; yea, a great part were done by them selves, though
M^r. Allerton brougt in y^e accounte, and sundry things seemed to them
obscure and had need of clearing. Also they sente a booke of exceptions
against his accounts, in such things as they could manifest, and doubted
not but they might adde more therunto. And also shewed them how much
M^r. Allerton was debtor to y^e accounte; and desired, seeing they had
now put y^e ship White-Angell, and all, wholy into his power, and tyed
their hands here, that they could not call him to accounte for any
thinge, till y^e time was expired which they had given him, and by that
time other men would get their debts of him, (as sume had done already
by suing him,) and he would make all away here quickly out of their
reach; and therfore prayed them to looke to things, and gett paymente of
him ther, as it was all y^e reason they should, seeing they keept all
y^e bonds & covenants they made with him in their owne hands; and here
they could doe nothing by y^e course they had taken, nor had any thing
to show if they should goe aboute it. But it pleased God, this ship,
being first to goe to Verginia before she wente home, was cast away on
y^t coast, not farr from Virginia, and their beaver was all lost (which
was y^e first loss they sustained in that kind); but M^r. Peirce & y^e
men saved their lives, and also their leters, and gott into Virginia,
and so safly home. Y^e accounts were now sent from hence againe to them.
And thus much of y^e passages of this year.
_A part of M^r. Peirce his leter[DH] from Virginia._
It was dated in Des: 25. 1632. and came to their hand y^e 7. of Aprill,
before they heard any thing from England.
Dear freinds, &c. Y^e bruit of this fatall stroke that y^e Lord hath
brought both on me and you all will come to your ears before this
co[=m]eth to your hands, (it is like,) and therfore I shall not need
to inlarg in perticulers, &c. My whole estate (for y^e most parte) is
taken away; and so yours, in a great measure, by this and your former
losses [he means by y^e French & M^r. Allerton]. It is time to looke
aboute us, before y^e wrath of y^e Lord breake forth to utter
destruction. The good Lord give us all grace to search our harts and
trie our ways, and turne unto y^e Lord, and humble our selves under
his mightie hand, and seeke atonemente, &c. Dear freinds, you may know
y^t all your beaver, and y^e books of your accounts, are swallowed up
in y^e sea; your letters remaine with me, and shall be delivered, if
God bring me home. But what should I more say? Have we lost our
outward estates? yet a hapy loss if our soules may gaine; ther is yet
more in y^e Lord Jehova than ever we had yet in y^e world. Oh that our
foolish harts could yet be wained from y^e things here below, which
are vanity and vexation of spirite; and yet we fooles catch after
shadows, y^t flye away, & are gone in a momente, &c. Thus with my
continuall remembrance of you in my poore desires to y^e throne of
grace, beseeching God to renew his love & favoure towards you all, in
& through y^e Lord Jesus Christ, both in spirituall & temporall good
things, as may be most to the glory & praise of his name, and your
everlasting good. So I rest,
Your afflicted brother in Christ,
WILLIAM PEIRCE.
Virginia, Des: 25. 1632.
_Anno Dom: 1633._
This year M^r. Ed: Winslow was chosen Governor.
By the first returne this year, they had leters from M^r. Sherley of
M^r. Allertons further ill success, and y^e loss by M^r. Peirce, with
many sadd complaints; but litle hope of any thinge to be gott of M^r.
Allerton, or how their accounts might be either eased, or any way
rectified by them ther; but now saw plainly y^t the burthen of all would
be cast on their backs. The spetiall passages of his letters I shall
here inserte, as shall be pertinente to these things; for though I am
weary of this tedious & uncomfortable subjecte, yet for y^e clearing of
y^e truth I am compelled to be more larg in y^e opening of these
matters, upon w^ch [194] so much trouble hath insued, and so many hard
censures have passed on both sids. I would not be partiall to either,
but deliver y^e truth in all, and, as nere as I can, in their owne words
and passages, and so leave it to the impartiall judgment of any that
shall come to read, or veiw these things. His leters are as folow,
dated June 24. 1633.
[Illustration: EDWARD WINSLOW.]
Loving friends, my last[DI] was sente in y^e Mary & John, by M^r.
William Collier, &c. I then certified you of y^e great, &
uncomfortable, and unseasonable loss you & we had, in y^e loss of M^r.
Peirce his ship, y^e Lyon; but y^e Lords holy name be blessed, who
gives & taks as it pleaseth him; his will be done, Amen. I then
related unto you y^t fearfull accidente, or rather judgmente, y^e Lord
pleased to lay on London Bridge, by fire, and therin gave you a touch
of my great loss; the Lord, I hope, will give me patience to bear it,
and faith to trust in him, & not in these slipery and uncertaine
things of this world.
I hope M^r. Allerton is nere upon sayle with you by this; but he had
many disasters here before he could gett away; yet y^e last was a
heavie one; his ship, going out of y^e harbor at Bristoll, by stormie
weather was so farr driven on y^e shore, as it cost him above 100^li.
before shee could be gott off againe. Verily his case was so
lamentable as I could not but afford him some help therin (and so did
some were strangers to him); besids, your goods were in her, and if he
had not been supported, he must have broke off his viage, and so loss
could not have been avoyded on all sides. When he first bought her, I
thinke he had made a saving match, if he had then sunck her, and never
set her forth. I hope he sees y^e Lords hand against him, and will
leave of these viages. I thinke we did well in parting with her; she
would have been but a clogge to y^e accounte from time to time, and
now though we shall not gett much by way of satisfaction, yet we shall
lose no more. And now, as before I have writte, I pray you finish all
y^e accounts and reconings with him there; for here he hath nothing,
but many debtes that he stands ingaged to many men for. Besids, here
is not a man y^t will spend a day, or scarce an hower, aboute y^e
accounts but my selfe, and y^t bussines will require more time and
help then I can afford. I shall not need to say any more; I hope you
will doe y^t which shall be best & just, to which adde mercie, and
consider his intente, though he failed in many perticulers, which now
cannot be helped, &c.
To morrow, or next day at furthest, we are to pay 300^li. and M^r.
Beachamp is out of y^e towne, yet y^e bussines I must doe. Oh the
greefe & trouble y^t man, M^r. Allerton, hath brought upon you and us!
I cannot forgett it, and to thinke on it draws many a sigh from my
harte, and teares from my eyes. And now y^e Lord hath visited me with
an other great loss, yet I can undergoe it with more patience. But
this I have follishly pulled upon my selfe, &c. [And in another, he
hath this passage:] By M^r. Allertons faire propositions and large
[195] promises, I have over rune my selfe; verily, at this time greefe
hinders me to write, and tears will not suffer me to see; wherfore, as
you love those that ever loved you, and y^t plantation, thinke upon
us. Oh what shall I say of that man, who hath abused your trust and
wronged our loves! but now to complaine is too late, nither can I
complaine of your backwardnes, for I am perswaded it lys as heavie on
your harts, as it doth on our purses or credites. And had y^e Lord
sent M^r. Peirce safe home, we had eased both you and us of some of
those debts; the Lord I hope will give us patience to bear these
crosses; and that great God, whose care & providence is every where,
and spetially over all those that desire truly to fear and serve him,
direct, guid, prosper, & blesse you so, as y^t you may be able (as I
perswade my selfe you are willing) to discharge & take off this great
& heavie burthen which now lyes upon me for your saks; and I hope in
y^e ende for y^e good of you, and many thousands more; for had not
you & we joyned & continued togeather, New-England might yet have been
scarce knowne, I am perswaded, not so replenished & inhabited with
honest English people, as it now is. The Lord increase & blesse them,
&c. So, with my continuall praiers for you all, I rest
Your assured loving friend,
JAMES SHERLEY.
June 24. 1633.
By this it apperes when M^r. Sherly sould him y^e ship & all her
accounts, it was more for M^r. Allertons advantage then theirs; and if
they could get any there, well & good, for they were like to have
nothing here. And what course was held to hinder them there, hath
allready beene manifested. And though M^r. Sherley became more sinsible
of his owne condition, by these losses, and therby more sadly & plainly
to complaine of M^r. Allerton, yet no course was taken to help them
here, but all left unto them selves; not so much as to examene &
rectifie y^e accounts, by which (it is like) some hundereds of pounds
might have been taken off. But very probable it is, the more they saw
was taken off, y^e less might come unto them selves. But I leave these
maters, & come to other things.
M^r. Roger Williams (a man godly & zealous, having many precious parts,
but very unsettled in judgmente) came over first to y^e Massachusets,
but upon some discontente left y^t place, and came hither, (wher he was
fri[=e]dly entertained, according to their poore abilitie,) and
exercised his gifts amongst them, & after some time was admitted a
member of y^e church; and his teaching well approoved, for y^e benefite
wherof I still blese God, and am thankfull to him, even for his sharpest
admonitions & reproufs, so farr as they agreed with truth. He this year
begane to fall into some strang oppi[=i]ons, and from opinion to
practise; which caused some controversie betweene y^e church & him, and
in y^e end some discontente on his parte, by occasion wherof he left
them some thing abruptly. Yet after wards sued for his dismission to y^e
church of Salem, which was granted, with some caution to them concerning
him, and what care they ought to have of him. But he soone fell into
more things ther, both to their and y^e governments troble and [196]
disturbance. I shall not need to name perticulers, they are too well
knowen now to all, though for a time y^e church here wente under some
hard censure by his occasion, from some that afterwards smarted them
selves. But he is to be pitied, and prayed for, and so I shall leave y^e
matter, and desire y^e Lord to shew him his errors, and reduse him into
y^e way of truth, and give him a setled judgment and constancie in y^e
same; for I hope he belongs to y^e Lord, and y^t he will shew him
mercie.
Having had formerly converse and famliarity with y^e Dutch, (as is
before remembred,) they, seeing them seated here in a barren quarter,
tould them of a river called by them y^e Fresh River, but now is known
by y^e name of Conightecute-River, which they often co[=m]ended unto
them for a fine place both for plantation and trade, and wished them to
make use of it. But their hands being full otherwise, they let it pass.
But afterwards ther coming a company of banishte Indeans into these
parts, that were drivene out from thence by the potencie of y^e
Pequents, which usurped upon them, and drive them from thence, they
often sollisited them to goe thither, and they should have much trad,
espetially if they would keep a house ther. And having now good store of
comodities, and allso need to looke out wher they could advantage them
selves to help them out of their great ingagments, they now begane to
send that way to discover y^e same, and trade with y^e natives. They
found it to be a fine place, but had no great store of trade; but y^e
Indeans excused y^e same in regard of y^e season, and the fear y^e
Indans were in of their enemise. So they tried diverce times, not with
out profite, but saw y^e most certainty would be by keeping a house
ther, to receive y^e trad when it came down out of y^e inland. These
Indeans, not seeing them very forward to build ther, solisited them of
y^e Massachusets in like sorte (for their end was to be restored to
their countrie againe); but they in y^e Bay being but latly come, were
not fitte for y^e same; but some of their cheefe made a motion to joyne
w^th the partners here, to trad joyntly with them in y^t river, the
which they were willing to imbrace, and so they should have builte, and
put in equall stock togeather. A time of meeting was appointed at y^e
Massachusets, and some of y^e cheefe here was appointed to treat with
them, and went accordingly; but they cast many fears of deanger & loss
and the like, which was perceived to be the maine obstacles, though they
alledged they were not provided of trading goods. But those hear offered
at presente to put in sufficiente for both, provided they would become
ingaged for y^e halfe, and prepare against y^e nexte year. They
conffessed more could not be offered, but thanked them, and tould them
they had no mind to it. They then answered, they hoped it would be no
offence unto [197] them, if them sellves wente on without them, if they
saw it meete. They said ther was no reason they should; and thus this
treaty broake of, and those here tooke conveniente time to made a
begining ther; and were y^e first English that both discovered that
place, and built in y^e same, though they were litle better then thrust
out of it afterward as may appeare.
But y^e Dutch begane now to repente, and hearing of their purpose &
preparation, ind[=e]oured to prevente them, and gott in a litle before
them, and made a slight forte, and planted 2. peeces of ordnance,
thretening to stopp their passage. But they having made a smale frame of
a house ready, and haveing a great new-barke, they stowed their frame in
her hold, & bords to cover & finishe it, having nayles & all other
provisions fitting for their use. This they did y^e rather that they
might have a presente defence against y^e Indeans, who weare much
offended that they brought home & restored y^e right Sachem of y^e place
(called Natawanute); so as they were to incounter with a duble danger in
this attempte, both y^e Dutch and y^e Indeans. When they came up y^e
river, the Dutch demanded what they intended, and whither they would
goe; they answered, up y^e river to trade (now their order was to goe
and seat above them). They bid them strike, & stay, or els they would
shoote them; & stood by ther ordnance ready fitted. They answered they
had co[=m]ission from y^e Gov^r of Plimoth to goe up y^e river to such a
place, and if they did shoote, they must obey their order and proceede;
they would not molest them, but would goe one. So they passed along, and
though the Dutch threatened them hard, yet they shoot not. Co[=m]ing to
their place, they clapt up their house quickly, and landed their
provissions, and left y^e companie appoynted, and sent the barke home;
and afterwards palisadoed their house aboute, and fortified them selves
better. The Dutch sent word home to y^e Monhatas what was done: and in
proces of time, they sent a band of aboute 70. men, in warrlike maner,
with collours displayed, to assaulte them; but seeing them strengtened,
& that it would cost blood, they came to parley, and returned in peace.
And this was their enterance ther, who deserved to have held it, and not
by freinds to have been thrust out, as in a sorte they were, as will
after appere. They did y^e Dutch no wrong, for they took not a foote of
any land they bought, but went to y^e place above them, and bought that
tracte of land which belonged to these Indeans which they carried with
them, and their friends, with whom y^e Dutch had nothing to doe. But of
these matters more in another place.
It pleased y^e Lord to visite them this year with an infectious fevoure,
of which many fell very sicke, and upward of 20. persons dyed, men and
women, besids children, and sundry of them of their anciente friends
which had lived in Holand; as Thomas Blossome, Richard Masterson, with
sundry [198] others, and in y^e end (after he had much helped others)
Samuell Fuller, who was their surgeon & phisition, and had been a great
help and comforte unto them; as in his facultie, so otherwise, being a
deacon of y^e church, a man godly, and forward to doe good, being much
missed after his death; and he and y^e rest of their brethren much
lamented by them, and caused much sadnes & mourning amongst them; which
caused them to humble them selves, & seeke y^e Lord; and towards winter
it pleased the Lord y^e sicknes ceased. This disease allso swept away
many of y^e Indeans from all y^e places near adjoyning; and y^e spring
before, espetially all y^e month of May, ther was such a quantitie of a
great sorte of flies, like (for bignes) to wasps, or bumble-bees, which
came out of holes in y^e ground, and replenished all y^e woods, and eate
y^e green-things, and made such a constante yelling noyes, as made all
y^e woods ring of them, and ready to deafe y^e hearers. They have not by
y^e English been heard or seen before or since. But y^e Indeans tould
them y^t sicknes would follow, and so it did in June, July, August, and
y^e cheefe heat of so[=m]er.
It pleased y^e Lord to inable them this year to send home a great
quantity of beaver, besids paing all their charges, & debts at home,
which good returne did much incourage their freinds in England. They
sent in beaver 3366^li. waight, and much of it coat beaver, which yeeled
20^s. [p=]^r pound, & some of it above; and of otter-skines[DJ] 346.
sould also at a good prise. And thus much of y^e affairs of this year.
_Anno Dom: 1634._
This year M^r. Thomas Prence was chosen Gov^r.
M^r. Sherleys letters were very breefe in answer of theirs this year. I
will forbear to coppy any part therof, only name a head or 2. therm.
First, he desirs they will take nothing ill in what he formerly write,
professing his good affection towards them as before, &c. 2^ly. For M^r.
Allertons accounts, he is perswaded they must suffer, and y^t in no
small su[=m]es; and that they have cause enough to complaine, but it
was now too late. And that he had failed them ther, those here, and him
selfe in his owne aimes. And that now, having thus left them here, he
feared God had or would leave him, and it would not be strang, but a
wonder if he fell not into worse things, &c. 3^ly. He blesseth God and
is thankfull to them for y^e good returne made this year. This is y^e
effecte of his letters, other things being of more private nature.
I am now to enter upon one of y^e sadest things that befell them since
they came; but before I begine, it will be needfull to premise such
parte of their patente as gives them right and priviledge at Kenebeck;
as followeth:
[199] The said Counsell hath further given, granted, barganed, sold,
infeoffed, alloted, assigned, & sett over, and by these presents doe
clearly and absolutly give, grante, bargane, sell, alliene, enffeofe,
allote, assigne, and confirme unto y^e said William Bradford, his
heires, associates, and assignes, All that tracte of land or part of
New-England in America afforesaid, which lyeth within or betweene, and
extendeth it selfe from y^e utmost limits of Cobiseconte, which
adjoyneth to y^e river of Kenebeck, towards the westerne ocean, and a
place called y^e falls of Nequamkick in America, aforsaid; and y^e
space of 15. English myles on each side of y^e said river, commonly
called Kenebeck River, and all y^e said river called Kenebeck that
lyeth within the said limits & bounds, eastward, westward, northward,
& southward, last above mentioned; and all lands, grounds, soyles,
rivers, waters, fishing, &c. And by vertue of y^e authority to us
derived by his said late Ma^tis Lr[=e]s patents, to take, apprehend,
seise, and make prise of all such persons, their ships and goods, as
shall attempte to inhabite or trade with y^e savage people of that
countrie within y^e severall precincts and limits of his & their
severall plantations, &c.
Now it so fell out, that one Hocking, belonging to y^e plantation of
Pascataway, wente with a barke and co[=m]odities to trade in that river,
and would needs press into their limites; and not only so, but would
needs goe up y^e river above their house, (towards y^e falls of y^e
river,) and intercept the trade that should come to them. He that was
cheefe of y^e place forbad them, and prayed him that he would not offer
them that injurie, nor goe aboute to infring their liberties, which had
cost them so dear. But he answered he would goe up and trade ther in
dispite of them, and lye ther as longe as he pleased. The other tould
him he must then be forced to remove him from thence, or make seasure of
him if he could. He bid him doe his worste, and so wente up, and
anchored ther. The other tooke a boat & some men & went up to him, when
he saw his time, and againe entreated him to departe by what perswasion
he could. But all in vaine: he could gett nothing of him but ill words.
So he considred that now was y^e season for trade to come downe, and if
he should suffer him to lye, & take it from them, all ther former charge
would be lost, and they had better throw up all. So, consulting with
his men, (who were willing thertoe,) he resolved to put him from his
anchores, and let him drive downe y^e river with y^e streame; but
co[=m]anded y^e men y^t none should shoote a shote upon any occasion,
except he co[=m]anded them. He spoake to him againe, but all in vaine;
then he sente a cuple in a canow to cutt his cable, the which one of
them performes; but Hocking taks up a pece which he had layed ready, and
as y^e barke shered by y^e canow, he shote [200] him close under her
side, in y^e head, (as I take it,) so he fell downe dead instantly. One
of his fellows (that loved him well) could not hold, but with a muskett
shot Hocking, who fell downe dead and never speake word. This was y^e
truth of y^e thing. The rest of y^e men carried home the vessell and y^e
sad tidings of these things. Now y^e Lord Saye & y^e Lord Brooks, with
some other great persons, had a hand in this plantation; they write home
to them, as much as they could to exasperate them in y^e matter,
leaveing out all y^e circomstances, as if he had been kild without any
offenc of his parte, conceling y^t he had kild another first, and y^e
just occasion that he had given in offering such wrong; at w^ch their
Lords^ps were much offended, till they were truly informed of y^e mater.
The bruite of this was quickly carried all aboute, (and y^t in y^e worst
maner,) and came into y^e Bay to their neighbours their. Their owne
barke co[=m]ing home, and bringing a true relation of y^e matter, sundry
were sadly affected with y^e thing, as they had cause. It was not long
before they had occasion to send their vessell into y^e Bay of y^e
Massachusetts; but they were so prepossest with this matter, and
affected with y^e same, as they co[=m]ited M^r. Alden to prison, who was
in y^e bark, and had been at Kenebeck, but was no actore in y^e
bussines, but wente to carie them supply. They dismist y^e barke aboute
her bussines, but kept him for some time. This was thought strang here,
and they sente Capten Standish to give them true information, (togeather
with their letters,) and y^e best satisfaction they could, and to
procure M^r. Alden's release. I shall recite a letter or 2. which will
show the passages of these things, as folloeth.
Good S^r:
I have received your [~l]r[=e]^s by Captaine Standish, & am unfainedly
glad of Gods mercie towards you in y^e recovery of your health, or
some way thertoo. For y^e bussines you write of, I thought meete to
answer a word or 2. to your selfe, leaving the answer of your Gov^or
[~l]re to our courte, to whom y^e same, together with my selfe is
directed. I conceive (till I hear new matter to y^e contrary) that
your patente may warrente your resistance of any English from trading
at Kenebeck, and y^t blood of Hocking, and y^e partie he slue, will be
required at his hands. Yet doe I with your selfe & others sorrow for
their deaths. I thinke likewise y^t your generall [~l]r[=e]s will
satisfie our courte, and make them cease from any further inter
medling in y^e mater. I have upon y^e same [~l]re sett M^r. Alden at
liberty, and his sureties, and yet, least I should seeme to neglecte
y^e opinion of our court & y^e frequente speeches of others with us,
I have bound Captaine Standish to appeare y^e 3. of June at our nexte
courte, to make affidavid for y^e coppie of y^e patente, and to
manifest the circumstances of Hockins provocations; both which will
tend to y^e clearing of your inocencie. If any unkindnes hath ben
taken from what we have done, let it be further & better considred of,
I pray you; and I hope y^e more you thinke of it, the lesse blame you
will impute to us. At least you ought to be just in differencing them,
whose opinions concurr [201] with your owne, from others who were
opposites; and yet I may truly say, I have spoken w^th no man in y^e
bussines who taxed you most, but they are such as have many wayes
heretofore declared ther good affections towards your plantation. I
further referr my selfe to y^e reporte of Captaine Standish & M^r.
Allden; leaving you for this presente to Gods blessing, wishing unto
you perfecte recovery of health, and y^e long continuance of it. I
desire to be lovingly remembred to M^r. Prence, your Governor, M^r.
Winslow, M^r. Brewster, whom I would see if I knew how. The Lord keepe
you all. Amen.
Your very loving friend in our Lord Jesus,
THO: DUDLEY.
New-towne, y^e 22. of May, 1631.
_Another of his about these things as followeth._
S^r: I am right sorrie for y^e news that Captaine Standish & other of
your neigbours and my beloved freinds will bring now to Plimoth,
wherin I suffer with you, by reason of my opinion, which differeth
from others, who are godly & wise, amongst us here, the reverence of
whose judgments causeth me to suspecte myne owne ignorance; yet must I
remaine in it untill I be convinced therof. I thought not to have
shewed your letter written to me, but to have done my best to have
reconciled differences in y^e best season & maner I could; but
Captaine Standish requiring an answer therof publickly in y^e courte,
I was forced to produce it, and that made y^e breach soe wide as he
can tell you. I propounded to y^e courte, to answer M^r. Prences [~l]re,
your Gov^r, but our courte said it required no answer, it selfe being
an answer to a former [~l]re of ours. I pray you certifie M^r. Prence so
much, and others whom it conce[~r]eth, that no neglecte or ill
ma[=n]ers be imputed to me theraboute. The late [~l]res I received from
England wrought in me divere fears[DK] of some trials which are
shortly like to fall upon us; and this unhappie contention betweene
you and us, and between you & Pascattaway, will hasten them, if God
with an extraordinarie hand doe not help us. To reconcile this for y^e
presente will be very difficulte, but time cooleth distempers, and a
comone danger to us boath approaching, will necessitate our uniting
againe. I pray you therfore, S^r. set your wisdom & patience a worke,
and exhorte others to y^e same, that things may not proceede from bad
to worse, so making our contentions like y^e barrs of a pallace, but
that a way of peace may be kepte open, wherat y^e God of peace may
have enterance in his owne time. If you suffer wrong, it shall be your
honor to bear it patiently; but I goe to farr in needles putting you
in mind of these things. God hath done great things for you, and I
desire his blessings may be multiplied upon you more & more. I will
commite no more to writing, but comending my selfe to your prayers,
doe rest,
Your truly loving freind in our Lord Jesus,
THO: DUDLEY.
June 4. 1634.
By these things it appars what troubls rise herupon, and how hard they
were to be reconciled; for though they hear were hartily sorrie for what
was fallen out, yet they conceived they were unjustly injuried, and
provoked to what was done; and that their neigbours (haveing no
jurisdiction over them) did more then was mete, thus to imprison one of
theirs, and bind them to [202] their courte. But yet being assured of
their Christian love, and perswaded what was done was out of godly
zeale, that religion might not suffer, nor sinne any way covered or
borne with, espetially y^e guilte of blood, of which all should be very
consciencious in any whom soever, they did indeavore to appease &
satisfie them y^e best they could; first, by informing them y^e truth in
all circomstances aboute y^e matter; 2^ly, in being willing to referr
y^e case to any indifferante and equall hearing and judgmente of the
thing hear, and to answere it els wher when they should be duly called
therunto; and further they craved M^r. Winthrops, & other of y^e reve^d
magistrats ther, their advice & direction herein. This did mollifie
their minds, and bring things to a good & comfortable issue in y^e end.
For they had this advice given them by M^r. Winthrop, & others
concurring with him, that from their courte, they should write to the
neigboure plantations, & espetially that of y^e lords, at Pascataway,
and theirs of y^e Massachusets, to appointe some to give them meeting
at some fitt place, to consulte & determine in this matter, so as y^e
parties meeting might have full power to order & bind, &c. And that
nothing be done to y^e infringing or prejudice of y^e liberties of any
place. And for y^e clearing of conscience, y^e law of God is, y^t y^e
preist lips must be consulted with, and therfore it was desired that y^e
ministers of every plantation might be presente to give their advice in
pointe of conscience. Though this course seemed dangerous to some, yet
they were so well assured of y^e justice of their cause, and y^e equitie
of their freinds, as they put them selves upon it, & appointed a time,
of which they gave notice to y^e severall places a month before hand;
viz. Massachusets, Salem, & Pascataway, or any other y^t they would give
notice too, and disired them to produce any evidence they could in y^e
case. The place for meeting was at Boston. But when y^e day & time came,
none apered, but some of y^e magistrats and ministers of y^e
Massachusets, and their owne. Seeing none of Passcataway or other places
came, (haveing been thus desired, & conveniente time given them for y^t
end,) M^r. Winthrop & y^e rest said they could doe no more then they had
done thus to requeste them, y^e blame must rest on them. So they fell
into a fair debating of things them selves; and after all things had
been fully opened & discussed, and y^e opinione of each one demanded,
both magistrats, and ministers, though they all could have wished these
things had never been, yet they could not but lay y^e blame & guilt on
Hockins owne head; and withall gave them such grave & godly exhortations
and advice, as they thought meete, both for y^e presente & future; which
they allso imbraced with love & thankfullnes, promising to indeavor to
follow y^e same. And thus was this matter ended, and ther love and
concord renewed; and also M^r. Winthrop & M^r. Dudley write in their
behalfes to y^e Lord Ssay & other gentl-men that were interesed in y^t
plantation, very effectually, w^th which, togeather with their owne
leters, and M^r. Winslows furder declaration of things unto them, they
rested well satisfied.
[203] M^r. Winslow was sente by them this year into England, partly to
informe and satisfie y^e Lord Say & others, in y^e former matter, as
also to make answer and their just defence for y^e same, if any thing
should by any be prosecuted against them at Counsell-table, or els wher;
but this matter tooke end, without any further trouble, as is before
noted. And partly to signifie unto y^e partners in England, that the
terme of their trade with y^e company here was out, and therfore he was
sente to finishe y^e accounts with them, and to bring them notice how
much debtore they should remaine on y^t accounte, and that they might
know what further course would be best to hold. But y^e issue of these
things will appear in y^e next years passages. They now sente over by
him a great returne, which was very acceptable unto them; which was in
beaver 3738^li. waight, (a great part of it, being coat-beaver, sould at
20^s. p^r pound,) and 234. otter skines;[DL] which alltogeather rise to
a great sume of money.
This year (in y^e foreparte of y^e same) they sente forth a barke to
trad at y^e Dutch-Plantation; and they mette ther with on Captaine
Stone, that had lived in Christophers, one of y^e West-Ende Ilands, and
now had been some time in Virginia, and came from thence into these
parts. He kept company with y^e Dutch Gove^r, and, I know not in what
drunken fitt, he gott leave of y^e Gov^r to ceaise on their barke, when
they were ready to come away, and had done their markett, haveing y^e
valew of 500^li. worth of goods abord her; having no occasion at all, or
any collour of ground for such a thing, but having made y^e Gov^r
drunck, so as he could scarce speake a right word; and when he urged him
hear aboute, he answered him, _Als 't u beleeft_.[DM] So he gat abord,
(the cheefe of their men & marchant being ashore,) and with some of his
owne men, made y^e rest of theirs waigh anchor, sett sayle, & carry her
away towards Virginia. But diverse of y^e Dutch sea-men, which had bene
often at Plimoth, and kindly entertayned ther, said one to another,
Shall we suffer our freinds to be thus abused, and have their goods
carried away, before our faces, whilst our Gov^r is drunke? They vowed
they would never suffer it; and so gott a vessell or 2. and pursued him,
& brought him in againe, and delivered them their barke & goods againe.
After wards Stone came into y^e Massachusets, and they sent & commensed
suite against him for this facte; but by mediation of freinds it was
taken up, and y^e suite lett fall. And in y^e company of some other
gentle-men Stone came afterwards to Plimoth, and had freindly & civill
entertainmente amongst them, with y^e rest; but revenge boyled within
his brest, (though concelled,) for some conceived he had a purpose (at
one time) to have staped the Gov^r, and put his hand to his dagger for
that end, but by Gods providence and y^e vigilance of some was
prevented. He afterward returned to Virginia, in a pinass, with one
Captaine Norton & some others; and, I know not for what occasion, they
would needs goe up Coonigtecutt River; and how they carried themselves I
know not, but y^e Indeans knoct him in y^e head, as he lay in his
cabine, and had thrown y^e covering over his face (whether out of fear
or desperation is uncertaine); this was his end. They likewise killed
all y^e rest, but Captaine Norton defended him selfe a long time against
them all in y^e cooke-roome, till by accidente the gunpowder tooke fire,
which (for readynes) he had sett in an open thing before him, which did
so burne, & scald him, & blind his eyes, as he could make no longer
resistance, but was slaine also by them, though they much comended his
vallour. And having killed y^e men, they made a pray of what they had,
and chafered away some of their things to y^e Dutch that lived their.
But it was not longe before a quarell fell betweene the Dutch & them,
and they would have cutt of their bark; but they slue y^e cheef sachem
w^th y^e shott of a murderer.[DN]
I am now to relate some strang and remarkable passages. Ther was a
company of people lived in y^e country, up above in y^e river of
Conigtecut, a great way from their trading house ther, and were enimise
to those Indeans which lived aboute them, and of whom they stood in some
fear (bing a stout people). About a thousand of them had inclosed them
selves in a forte, which they had strongly palissadoed about. 3. or 4.
Dutch men went up in y^e begining of winter to live with them, to gett
their trade, and prevente them for bringing it to y^e English, or to
fall into amitie with them; but at spring to bring all downe to their
place. But their enterprise failed, for it pleased God to visite these
Indeans with a great sicknes, and such a mortalitie that of a 1000.
above 900. and a halfe of them dyed, and many of them did rott above
ground for want of buriall, and y^e Dutch men allmost starved before
they could gett away, for ise and snow. But about Feb: they got with
much difficultie to their trading house; whom they kindly releeved,
being allmost spente with hunger and could. Being thus refreshed by them
diverce days, they got to their owne place, and y^e Dutch were very
thankfull for this kindnes.
This spring, also, those Indeans that lived aboute their trading house
there fell sick of y^e small poxe, and dyed most miserably; for a sorer
disease cannot befall them; they fear it more then y^e plague; for
usualy they that have this disease have them in abundance, and for wante
of bedding & li[=n]ing and other helps, they fall into a lamentable
condition, as they lye on their hard matts, y^e poxe breaking and
mattering, and runing one into another, their skin cleaving (by reason
therof) to the matts they lye on; when they turne them, a whole side
will flea of at once, [204] (as it were,) and they will be all of a gore
blood, most fearfull to behold; and then being very sore, what with
could and other distempers, they dye like rotten sheep. The condition of
this people was so lamentable, and they fell downe so generally of this
diseas, as they were (in y^e end) not able to help on another; no, not
to make a fire, nor to fetch a litle water to drinke, nor any to burie
y^e dead; but would strivie as long as they could, and when they could
procure no other means to make fire, they would burne y^e woden trayes
& dishes they ate their meate in, and their very bowes & arrowes; & some
would crawle out on all foure to gett a litle water, and some times dye
by y^e way, & not be able to gett in againe. But those of y^e English
house, (though at first they were afraid of y^e infection,) yet seeing
their woefull and sadd condition, and hearing their pitifull cries and
lamentations, they had compastion of them, and dayly fetched them wood &
water, and made them fires, gott them victualls whilst they lived, and
buried them when they dyed. For very few of them escaped,
notwithstanding they did what they could for them, to y^e haszard of
them selvs. The cheefe Sachem him selfe now dyed, & allmost all his
freinds & kinred. But by y^e marvelous goodnes & providens of God not
one of y^e English was so much as sicke, or in y^e least measure tainted
with this disease, though they dayly did these offices for them for many
weeks togeather. And this mercie which they shewed them was kindly
taken, and thankfully acknowledged of all y^e Indeans that knew or heard
of y^e same; and their m^rs here did much comend & reward them for y^e
same.
_Anno Dom: 1635._
M^r. Winslow was very wellcome to them in England, and y^e more in
regard of y^e large returne he brought with him, which came all safe to
their hands, and was well sould. And he was borne in hand, (at least he
so apprehended,) that all accounts should be cleared before his returne,
and all former differences ther aboute well setled. And so he writ over
to them hear, that he hoped to cleare y^e accounts, and bring them over
with him; and y^t the accounte of y^e White Angele would be taken of,
and all things fairly ended. But it came to pass [205] that, being
occasioned to answer some complaints made against the countrie at
Counsell bord, more cheefly concerning their neigbours in y^e Bay then
them selves hear, the which he did to good effecte, and further
prosecuting such things as might tend to y^e good of y^e whole, as well
them selves as others, aboute y^e wrongs and incroachments that the
French & other strangers both had and were like further to doe unto
them, if not prevented, he prefered this petition following to their
Hon^rs that were deputed Comissioners for y^e Plantations.
To y^e right honorable y^e Lords Comissioners for y^e Plantations in
America.
The humble petition of Edw: Winslow, on y^e behalfe of y^e plantations
in New-England,
Humbly sheweth unto your Lordships, y^t wheras your petitioners have
planted them selves in New England under his Ma^tis most gratious
protection; now so it is, right Hon^bl, that y^e French & Dutch doe
indeaouer to devide y^e land betweene them; for which purpose y^e
French have, on y^e east side, entered and seased upon one of our
houses, and carried away the goods, slew 2. of y^e men in another
place, and tooke y^e rest prisoners with their goods. And y^e Dutch,
on y^e west, have also made entrie upon Conigtecute River, within y^e
limits of his Maj^ts [~l]rs patent, where they have raised a forte,
and threaten to expell your petitioners thence, who are also planted
upon y^e same river, maintaining possession for his Ma^tie to their
great charge, & hazard both of lives & goods.
In tender consideration hereof your petitioners humbly pray that your
Lo^pps will either procure their peace w^th those foraine states, or
else to give spetiall warrante unto your petitioners and y^e English
Collonies, to right and defend them selves against all foraigne
enimies. And your petitioners shall pray, &c.
This petition found good acceptation with most of them, and Mr. Winslow
was heard sundry times by them, and appointed further to attend for an
answer from their Lo^pps, espetially, having upon conferance with them
laid downe a way how this might be doone without any either charge or
trouble to y^e state; only by furnishing some of y^e cheefe of y^e
cuntry hear with authoritie, who would undertake it at their owne
charge, and in such a way as should be without any publick disturbance.
But this crossed both S^r Ferdinandos Gorges' & Cap: Masons designe, and
y^e arch-bishop of Counterberies by them; for S^r Ferd: Gorges (by y^e
arch-pps favore) was to have been sent over generall Gov^r into y^e
countrie, and to have had means from y^e state for y^t end, and was now
upon dispatch and conclude of y^e bussines. And y^e arch-bishops
purposs & intente was, by his means, & some he should send with him,
(to be furnished with Episcopall power,) [206] to disturbe y^e peace of
y^e churches here, and to overthrow their proceedings and further
growth, which was y^e thing he aimed at. But it so fell out (by Gods
providence) that though he in y^e end crost this petition from taking
any further effecte in this kind, yet by this as a cheefe means the
plotte and whole bussines of his & S^r Ferdinandos fell to y^e ground,
and came to nothing. When M^r. Winslow should have had his suit granted,
(as indeed upon y^e pointe it was,) and should have been confirmed, the
arch-bishop put a stop upon it, and M^r. Winslow, thinking to gett it
freed, went to y^e bord againe; but y^e bishop, S^r Ferd: and Captine
Masson, had, as it seemes, procured Morton (of whom mention is made
before, & his base carriage) to complaine; to whose complaints M^r.
Winslow made answer to y^e good satisfaction of y^e borde, who checked
Morton and rebuked him sharply, & allso blamed S^r Fer^d Gorges, &
Masson, for countenancing him. But y^e bish: had a further end & use of
his presence, for he now begane to question M^r. Winslow of many things;
as of teaching in y^e church publickly, of which Morton accused him, and
gave evidence that he had seen and heard him doe it; to which M^r.
Winslow answered, that some time (wanting a minster) he did exercise his
gifte to help y^e edification of his breethren, when they wanted better
means, w^ch was not often. Then aboute mariage, the which he also
confessed, that, haveing been called to place of magistracie, he had
sometimes maried some. And further tould their lord^ps y^t mariage was a
civille thinge, & he found no wher in y^e word of God y^t it was tyed to
ministrie. Again, they were necessitated so to doe, having for a long
time togeather at first no minister; besids, it was no new-thing, for he
had been so maried him selfe in Holand, by y^e magistrats in their
Statt-house. But in y^e end (to be short), for these things, y^e bishop,
by vemente importunity, gott y^e bord at last to consente to his
comittemente; so he was comited to y^e Fleete, and lay ther 17. weeks,
or ther aboute, before he could gett to be released. And this was y^e
end of this petition, and this bussines; only y^e others designe was
also frustrated hereby, with other things concurring, which was no
smalle blessing to y^e people here.
But y^e charge fell heavie on them hear, not only in M^r. Winslows
expences, (which could not be smale,) but by y^e hinderance of their
bussines both ther and hear, by his personall imploymente. For though
this was as much or more for others then for them hear, and by them
cheefly he was put on this bussines, (for the plantation k[=e]we nothing
of it till they heard of his imprisonmente,) yet y^e whole charge lay on
them.
Now for their owne bussines; whatsoever M^r. Sherleys mind was before,
(or M^r. Winslow apprehension of y^e same,) he now declared him selfe
plainly, that he would neither take of y^e White-Angell from y^e
accounte, nor [207] give any further accounte, till he had received more
into his hands; only a prety good supply of goods were sent over, but of
y^e most, no note of their prises, or so orderly an invoyce as formerly;
which M^r. Winslow said he could not help, because of his restrainte.
Only now M^r. Sherley & M^r. Beachamp & M^r. Andrews sent over a letter
of atturney under their hands & seals, to recovere what they could of
M^r. Allerton for y^e Angells accounte; but sent them neither y^e bonds,
nor covenants, or such other evidence or accounts, as they had aboute
these matters. I shall here inserte a few passages out of M^r. Sherleys
letters aboute these things.
Your leter of y^e 22. of July, 1634, by your trustie and our loving
friend M^r. Winslow, I have received, and your larg parcell of beaver
and otter skines. Blessed be our God, both he and it came safly to us,
and we have sould it in tow parcells; y^e skin at 14^s. li. & some at
16.; y^e coate at 20^s. y^e pound. The accounts I have not sent you
them this year, I will referr you to M^r. Winslow to tell you y^e
reason of it; yet be assured y^t none of you shall suffer by y^e not
having of them, if God spare me life. And wheras you say y^e 6. years
are expired y^t y^e peopl put y^e trad into your & our hands for, for
y^e discharge of y^t great debte w^ch M^r. Allerton needlesly &
unadvisedly ran you & us into; yet it was promised it should continue
till our disbursments & ingagements were satisfied. You conceive it
is done; we feele & know other wise, &c. I doubt not but we shall
lovingly agree, notwithstanding all y^t hath been writen, on boath
sids, aboute y^e Whit-Angell. We have now sent you a letter of
atturney, therby giving you power in our names (and to shadow it y^e
more we say for our uses) to obtaine what may be of M^r. Allerton
towards y^e satisfing of that great charge of y^e White Angell. And
sure he hath bound him selfe, (though at present I cannot find it,)
but he hath often affirmed, with great protestations, y^t neither you
nor we should lose a peny by him, and I hope you shall find enough to
discharg it, so as we shall have no more contesting aboute it. Yet,
notwithstanding his unnaturall & unkind dealing with you, in y^e
midest of justice remember mercie, and doe not all you may doe, &c.
Set us out of debte, and then let us recone & reason togeither, &c.
M^r. Winslow hath undergone an unkind imprisonment, but I am perswaded
it will turne much to all your good. I leave him to relate
perticuleres, &c.
Your loving freind,
JAMES SHERLEY.
London, Sep: 7. 1635.
This year they sustained an other great loss from y^e French. Monsier de
Aulnay coming into y^e harbore of Penobscote, and having before gott
some of y^e cheefe y^t belonged to y^e house abord his vessell, by
sutlty coming upon them in their shalop, he gott them to pilote him in;
and after getting y^e rest into his power, he tooke possession of y^e
house in y^e name of y^e king of France; and partly by threatening, &
other wise, made Mr. Willett (their agente ther) to approve of y^e sale
of y^e goods their unto him, of which he sett y^e price him selfe [208]
in effecte, and made an inventory therof, (yett leaving out sundry
things,) but made no paymente for them; but tould them in convenient
time he would doe it if they came for it. For y^e house & fortification,
&c. he would not alow, nor accounte any thing, saing that they which
build on another mans ground doe forfite y^e same. So thus turning them
out of all, (with a great deale of complemente, and many fine words,) he
let them have their shalop and some victualls to bring them home. Coming
home and relating all the passages, they here were much troubled at it,
& haveing had this house robbed by y^e French once before, and lost then
above 500^li. (as is before remembred), and now to loose house & all,
did much move them. So as they resolved to consulte with their freinds
in y^e Bay, and if y^ey approved of it, (ther being now many ships
ther,) they intended to hire a ship of force, and seeke to beat out y^e
Frenche, and recover it againe. Ther course was well approved on, if
them selves could bear y^e charge; so they hired a fair ship of above
300. tune, well fitted with ordnance, and agreed with y^e m^r. (one
Girling) to this effect: that he and his company should deliver them y^e
house, (after they had driven out, or surprised y^e French,) and give
them peacable possession therof, and of all such trading comodities as
should ther be found; and give y^e French fair quarter & usage, if they
would yeeld. In consideration wherof he was to have 700^li. of beaver,
to be delivered him ther, when he had done y^e thing; but if he did not
accomplish it, he was to loose his labour, and have nothing. With him
they also sent their owne bark, and about 20. men, with Captaine
Standish, to aide him (if neede weer), and to order things, if the house
was regained; and then to pay him y^e beaver, which they keept abord
their owne barke. So they with their bark piloted him thither, and
brought him safe into y^e harbor. But he was so rash & heady as he would
take no advice, nor would suffer Captaine Standish to have time to
summone them, (who had co[=m]ission & order so to doe,) neither would
doe it him selfe; the which, it was like, if it had been done, & they
come to affaire parley, seeing their force, they would have yeelded.
Neither would he have patience to bring his ship wher she might doe
execution, but begane to shoot at distance like a madd man, and did them
no hurte at all; the which when those of y^e plantation saw, they were
much greeved, and went to him & tould him he would doe no good if he did
not lay his ship beter to pass (for she might lye within pistoll shott
of y^e house). At last, when he saw his owne folly, he was perswaded,
and layed her well, and bestowed a few shott to good purposs. But now,
when he was in a way to doe some good, his powder was goone; for though
he had ...[DO] peece of ordnance, it did now [209] appeare he had but a
barrell of powder, and a peece; so he could doe no good, but was faine
to draw of againe; by which means y^e enterprise was made frustrate, and
y^e French incouraged; for all y^e while that he shot so unadvisedly,
they lay close under a worke of earth, & let him consume him selfe. He
advised with y^e Captaine how he might be supplyed with powder, for he
had not to carie him home; so he tould him he would goe to y^e next
plantation, and doe his indeour to procure him some, and so did; but
understanding, by intelligence, that he intended to ceiase on y^e barke,
& surprise y^e beaver, he sent him the powder, and brought y^e barke &
beaver home. But Girling never assualted y^e place more, (seeing him
selfe disapoyented,) but went his way; and this was y^e end of this
bussines.
Upon y^e ill success of this bussines, the Gov^r and Assistants here by
their leters certified their freinds in y^e Bay, how by this ship they
had been abused and disapoynted, and y^t the French partly had, and were
now likly to fortifie them selves more strongly, and likly to become ill
neigbours to y^e English. Upon this they thus writ to them as
folloeth:--
Worthy S^rs: Upon y^e reading of your leters, & consideration of y^e
waightines of y^e cause therin mentioned, the courte hath joyntly
expressed their willingnes to assist you with men & munition, for y^e
accomplishing of your desires upon y^e French. But because here are
none of yours y^t have authority to conclude of any thing herein,
nothing can be done by us for y^e presente. We desire, therfore, that
you would with all conveniente speed send some man of trust, furnished
with instructions from your selves, to make such agreemente with us
about this bussines as may be usefull for you, and equall for us. So
in hast we co[=m]ite you to God, and remaine
Your assured loving freinds,
JOHN HAYNES, Gov^r.
RI: BELLINGHAM, Dep.
JO: WINTHROP.
THO: DUDLEY.
JO: HUMFRAY.
W^M: CODDINGTON.
W^M: PINCHON.
ATHERTON HOUGHE.
INCREAS NOWELL.
RIC: DUMER.
SIMON BRADSTRETE.
New-towne, Octo^r 9. 1635.
Upon the receite of y^e above mentioned, they presently deputed 2. of
theirs to treate with them, giving them full power to conclude,
according to the instructions they gave them, being to this purposs:
that if they would afford such assistance as, togeather with their owne,
was like to effecte the thing, and allso bear a considerable parte of
y^e charge, they would goe on; if not, [210] they (having lost so much
allready) should not be able, but must desiste, and waite further
opportunitie as God should give, to help them selves. But this came to
nothing, for when it came to y^e issue, they would be at no charge, but
sente them this letter, and referd them more at large to their owne
messengers.
S^r: Having, upon y^e consideration of your letter, with y^e message
you sente, had some serious consultations aboute y^e great importance
of your bussines with y^e French, we gave our answer to those whom you
deputed to conferr w^th us aboute y^e viage to Penobscote. We shewed
our willingnes to help, but withall we declared our presente
condition, & in what state we were, for our abilitie to help; which we
for our parts shall be willing to improve, to procure you sufficiente
supply of men & munition. But for matter of moneys we have no
authority at all to promise, and if we should, we should rather
disapoynte you, then incourage you by y^t help, which we are not able
to performe. We likewise thought it fitt to take y^e help of other
Esterne plantations; but those things we leave to your owne wisdomes.
And for other things we refer you to your owne co[=m]itties, who are
able to relate all y^e passages more at large. We salute you, & wish
you all good success in y^e Lord.
Your faithfull & loving friend,
RI: BELLINGHAM, Dep:
In y^e name of the rest of the Comities.
Boston, Octob^r 16. 1635.
This thing did not only thus breake of, but some of their merchants
shortly after sent to trad with them, and furnished them both with
provissions, & poweder & shott; and so have continued to doe till this
day, as they have seen opportunitie for their profite. So as in truth
y^e English them selves have been the cheefest supporters of these
French; for besids these, the plantation at Pemaquid (which lyes near
unto them) doth not only supply them with what y^ey wante, but gives
them continuall intelligence of all things that passes among y^e
English, (espetially some of them,) so as it is no marvell though they
still grow, & incroach more & more upon y^e English, and fill y^e
Indeans with gunes & munishtion, to y^e great deanger of y^e English,
who lye open & unfortified, living upon husbandrie; and y^e other closed
up in their forts, well fortified, and live upon trade, in good
securitie. If these things be not looked too, and remeady provided in
time, it may easily be conjectured what they may come toe; but I leave
them.
This year, y^e 14. or 15. of August (being Saturday) was such a mighty
storme of wind & raine, as none living in these parts, either English or
Indeans, ever saw. Being like (for y^e time it continued) to those
Hauricanes and Tuffons that writers make mention of in y^e Indeas. It
began in y^e morning, a litle before day, and grue not by degrees, but
came with violence in y^e begining, to y^e great amasmente of many. It
blew downe sundry [211] houses, & uncovered others; diverce vessells
were lost at sea, and many more in extreme danger. It caused y^e sea to
swell (to y^e southward of this place) above 20. foote, right up &
downe, and made many of the Indeans to clime into trees for their
saftie; it tooke of y^e borded roofe of a house which belonged to the
plantation at Manamet, and floted it to another place, the posts still
standing in y^e ground; and if it had continued long without y^e
shifting of y^e wind, it is like it would have drouned some parte of y^e
cuntrie. It blew downe many hundered thowsands of trees, turning up the
stronger by the roots, and breaking the hiegher pine trees of in the
midle, and y^e tall yonge oaks & walnut trees of good biggnes were wound
like a withe, very strang & fearfull to behould. It begane in y^e
southeast, and parted toward y^e south & east, and vered sundry ways;
but y^e greatest force of it here was from y^e former quarters. It
continued not (in y^e extremitie) above 5. or 6. houers, but y^e
violence begane to abate. The signes and marks of it will remaine this
100. years in these parts wher it was sorest. The moone suffered a great
eclips the 2. night after it.
Some of their neighbours in y^e Bay, hereing of y^e fame of Conightecute
River, had a hankering mind after it, (as was before noted,) and now
understanding that y^e Indeans were swepte away with y^e late great
mortalitie, the fear of whom was an obstacle unto them before, which
being now taken away, they begane now to prosecute it with great
egernes. The greatest differances fell betweene those of Dorchester
plantation and them hear; for they set their minde on that place, which
they had not only purchased of y^e Indeans, but wher they had builte;
intending only (if they could not remove them) that they should have but
a smale moyety left to y^e house, as to a single family; whose doings
and proceedings were conceived to be very injurious, to attempte not
only to intrude them selves into y^e rights & possessions of others, but
in effect to thrust them out of all. Many were y^e leters & passages
that went betweene them hear aboute, which would be to long here to
relate.
I shall here first inserte a few lines that was write by their own
agente from thence.
S^r: &c. Y^e Masschuset men are coming almost dayly, some by water, &
some by land, who are not yet determined wher to setle, though some
have a great mind to y^e place we are upon, and which was last bought.
Many of them look at that which this river will not afford, excepte it
be at this place which we have, namly, to be a great towne, and have
comodious dwellings for many togeather. So as what they will doe I
cannot yet resolve you; for this place ther is none of them say any
thing to me, but what I hear from their servants (by whom I perceive
their minds). I shall doe what I can to withstand them. I hope they
will hear reason; as that we were here first, and entred with much
difficulty and danger, [212] both in regard of y^e Dutch & Indeans,
and bought y^e land, (to your great charge, allready disbursed,) and
have since held here a chargable possession, and kept y^e Dutch from
further incroaching, which would els long before this day have
possessed all, and kept out all others, &c. I hope these & such like
arguments will stoppe them. It was your will we should use their
persons & messengers kindly, & so we have done, and doe dayly, to your
great charge; for y^e first company had well nie starved had it not
been for this house, for want of victuals; I being forced to supply
12. men for 9. days togeather; and those which came last, I
entertained the best we could, helping both them (& y^e other) with
canows, & guids. They gott me to goe with them to y^e Dutch, to see if
I could procure some of them to have quiet setling nere them; but they
did peremtorily withstand them. But this later company did not once
speak therof, &c. Also I gave their goods house roome according to
their ernest request, and M^r. Pinchons letter in their behalfe (which
I thought good to send you, here inclosed). And what trouble & charge
I shall be further at I know not; for they are co[=m]ing dayly, and I
expecte these back againe from below, whither they are gone to veiw
y^e countrie. All which trouble & charg we under goe for their
occasion, may give us just cause (in y^e judgmente of all wise &
understanding men) to hold and keep that we are setled upon. Thus with
my duty remembred, &c. I rest
Yours to be comanded
JOHNNATH[=A] BREWSTER.
Matianuck, July 6. 1635.
Amongst y^e many agitations that pased betweene them, I shal note a few
out of their last letters, & for y^e present omitte y^e rest, except
upon other occasion I may have fitter opportunity. After their thorrow
veiw of y^e place, they began to pitch them selves upon their land &
near their house; which occasioned much expostulation betweene them.
Some of which are such as follow.
Brethren, having latly sent 2. of our body unto you, to agitate &
bring to an issue some maters in difference betweene us, about some
lands at Conightecutt, unto which you lay challeng; upon which God by
his providence cast us, and as we conceive in a faire way of
providence tendered it to us, as a meete place to receive our body,
now upon removall.
We shall not need to answer all y^e passages of your larg letter, &c.
But wheras you say God in his providence cast you, &c., we tould you
before, and (upon this occasion) must now tell you still, that our
mind is other wise, and y^t you cast rather a partiall, if not a
covetous eye, upon that w^ch is your neigbours, and not yours; and in
so doing, your way could not be faire unto it. Looke y^t you abuse not
Gods providence in such allegations.
Theirs.
Now allbeite we at first judged y^e place so free y^t we might with
Gods good leave take & use it, without just offence to any man, it
being the Lords [213] wast, and for y^e presente altogeather voyd of
inhabitants, that indeede minded y^e imploymente therof, to y^e right
ends for which land was created, Gen: 1. 28. and for future intentions
of any, & uncertaine possibilities of this or that to be done by any,
we judging them (in such a case as ours espetialy) not meete to be
equalled with presente actions (such as ours was) much less worthy to
be prefered before them; and therfore did we make some weake beginings
in that good worke, in y^e place afforesaid.
Ans: Their answer was to this effecte. That if it was y^e Lords wast, it
was them selves that found it so, & not they; and have since bought it
of y^e right oweners, and maintained a chargable possession upon it al
this while, as them selves could not but know. And because of present
ingagments and other hinderances which lay at presente upon them, must
it therfore be lawfull for them to goe and take it from them? It was
well known that they are upon a barren place, wher they were by
necessitie cast; and neither they nor theirs could longe continue upon
y^e same; and why should they (because they were more ready, & more able
at presente) goe and deprive them of that which they had w^th charg &
hazard provided, & intended to remove to, as soone as they could & were
able?
They had another passage in their letter; they had rather have to doe
with the lords in England, to whom (as they heard it reported) some of
them should say that they had rather give up their right to them, (if
they must part with it,) then to y^e church of Dorchester, &c. And that
they should be less fearfull to offend y^e lords, then they were them.
Answer: Their answer was, that what soever they had heard, (more then
was true,) yet y^e case was not so with them that they had need to give
away their rights & adventurs, either to y^e lords, or them; yet, if
they might measure their fear of offence by their practise, they had
rather (in that poynte) they should deal with y^e lords, who were beter
able to bear it, or help them selves, then they were.