March, 1623/1624.
Loving and kind brother,
My love being remembered to you and the rest of my loving friends, these
few words being caused by the fitness of a messenger, they are to let
you understand that I am in good health and so have been a long time, as
I hope also of you.
I have been upon a voyage to the southward of New England, where we have
discovered many brave places where never any Christians were before. And
this part of the country—I mean to the southward of New England—is far
better land and more commodious places for situation than are in any
part of this country besides.[89] For there is not only good ground in
abundance, with excellent good timber, but here are great store of furs
which now the Dutchmen get because our Company of New England have not
sent by us so good trucking stuff as they should have, and so have
disappointed themselves much. Insomuch that whereas we thought for to
have got with our pinnace three or four hundred pounds worth of skins,
we have now got small store, to my exceeding great grief.
But this is not all they have hindered themselves of, for in their
plantation is the better half women and children, and divers of the rest
are very unwilling, so that only the burden of the plantation lieth on
the shoulders of some few who are both honest, wise and careful.[90] And
if it were not for them few, the plantation would fall, and come to
nothing—yea, long before this time; and it is so much the more likely
because that now by a sudden fire one half of the plantation was burnt
down by fire, upon the 5th of November last, wherein was burnt and
spoiled the goods of all such that came this last time into New England
and are now by reason of this loss forced to come again for England.[91]
But, although it hath pleased God to lay his heavy hand on these poor
people and plantation, yet the fault is neither in some of the planters
here nor in the unfruitfulness of the country. For I assure thus much:
that a better country was never seen nor heard of, for here are a
multitude of God’s blessings; but they are not to be enjoyed by idle
people that think to have all things at wishing for. But if men will
take pains at first, they may live afterwards bravely. Indeed, in this
country is no clothes to be had, nor divers other things which a man may
make a good shift without. Yea, here is all things to be had to a
contented mind; and it is not for men to live here that think of their
former prosperity and company—friends and kinsfolk, but it is good for
such that resolve to forget and leave all these things for a time, and
do labor as they think to live by it hereafter.
Neither can I speak but well of the profits that are to be raised here
by fishing—indeed, it is such that you would admire. But the best
actions whatsoever, being badly undertaken, come to little or no effect.
So this plantation, being undertaken by men unexperienced in
plantations, is like to feel the smart of it. And also, how is it
possible that those men that never saw fishing in their lives should
raise profit by fishing? And if they had known it never so well, yet if
they had not [been] able of body, they could not perform any matter; for
how shall women and children do men’s labors? The reason, in conclusion:
this I say to you, that unless some other means be taken, which to do is
impossible, no means of profit can be raised to the Adventurers for
their money again.
If any man thinks to adventure money to have land, this I tell thee:
that if they will give me a very small matter, I will make sure to them
10,000 acres of as good land as any in England. And this I am sure of.
But although at this time I do fully declare to you the estate of this
plantation, yet I pray conceal it ’till others have reported the like.
And although these matters may seem strange to you, in regard of the
ample relations that have been made in the praise of this plantation,
yet take it no otherwise than thus: that it hath been the Company’s
fault in England, who have sent over so many helpless people that the
Governor here (who is a wise gentleman) will not entertain some of them.
And secondly, their fault hath been that the planters here have not had
good trucking stuff to please the Indians. Indeed, no question, if we
had commodity, we might have skins great store. And now I hope this is
apparent to you, that the fault is not in the country, which is so good
that if my ability would reach, I would settle some plantation—and yet,
I hope I would not over-reach myself with hopes—but until that time I do
resolve, if I can conveniently, to come hither a-fishing yearly, if God
bless me homewards. And I do not doubt but to do the like that other men
do, for other ships that come the last year (and this year) have got
more fish than their ships could carry; and so carry it for Spain and
sell it for great rates. But of this hereafter, if God bless me now
home.
Indeed, the Lord hath preserved me miraculously. For, coming to anchor
by a great many sands, when it was little wind, it proved at last great
store of wind and a great storm, insomuch that our anchors came home and
almost laid us upon the sands. And the storm increasing, we were fain to
cut our mainmast overboard, and had much ado to save our lives in our
ship. But thanks be to God, we were saved and our ship, and are at this
time in a good harbor at Patuxet,[92] blessed be God! And here in this
harbor we are to stay this winter, for this country is subject to
wonderful storms in the winter time; and here it is very cold weather.
Yet we have very poor fare here all this winter, being cold water[93]
and beef, sometimes, because we have but little of it; and now and then
we have good store of fowl. But for all these crosses and
disheartenings, I was never better nor better contented in my life,
which I thank God for, for I know it cannot be mended with wishes and
wailings.
Thus much have I declared unto you concerning our plantation, entreating
you to keep it close from the Company and not to think the worse of this
country, in which nature hath almost emptied herself to replenish it.
And although our beginning is bad, yet I hope that the fishing voyage I
am now bound out upon will bring somewhat to the Adventurers, and also
enable my own judgment to undertake the like for myself, if God prosper
me now. Indeed, if the making of salt here did not require a greater
charge of money from the Company, it would do well; but this I say: that
if salt be made here to reap store of profit, it requires a greater
charge than hath been laid out already, which I think the Company will
not disburse without seeing more hopes of profit.
Thus entreating you not to expect me before I come, for when it will be
I know not—indeed, I do not desire to come before I have made what
profit I can to the Adventurers; which, if it may not be, I have done my
utmost and I hope they will accept of it. In the mean time, my love and
well wishes being remembered to you, to my sister and to all your
children, especially to my three cousins, James, John and
Leventhorpe.[94] I pray likewise remember my service to my most worthy
and kind friend, Sir John Leventhorpe and his Lady, to both whose
services I acknowledge myself bound many ways. Likewise, pray remember
me to Sir John Fowle and his Lady, and to my brother Thomas, and also to
my sister Mary, and to all the rest of that worthy stock. Also, pray
have my love remembered to Mr. Denn and his wife, and also to Henry
Stracy, goodman Watson, and Mr. Bland and Thomas Wells.[95] And pray
tell them that if they mislike their adventure I have put into the
Company for them, I will return them their monies again; but I pray do
you agree with them as you will. I pray, good sir, be as a loving
brother to me (which I doubt not of) in increasing my little stock
which, if God take me away, may be the better for yours. But whether I
live or die, you shall never be the worse for it. Thus, loving, loving
brother, have I wrote in haste, entreating you to hold me excused if I
have done anything that might not seem worthy of your love. Thus taking
my leave of you, of the rest of my good friends, I bid you farewell,
entreating the Lord to be with you and to guide you in your ways; that
so, you having dealt honestly and conscionably here, serving the Lord in
truth and uprightness of heart, you may for the same be rewarded in the
kingdom of heaven, where all tears and sorrows shall pass away; which
God, for Christ’s sake, grant unto us. Even so, Farewell, loving
brother; and, if it be God’s will, to send us once again to meet.
Your ever-loving and kind brother, till death,