payment of all, yea in a double bond; for besides our formal bonds,
it was our credits and honesty, that made our friends rest and rely
upon us, assuring themselves, that if we lived and it was possible,
we would see them have their monies: Therefore we thought it our
safest and best course to come to some agreement with the people, to
have the whole trade consigned to us for some years; and so in the
time to take upon us, to pay all the debts and set them free: Another
reason which moved us to take this heavy burthen upon our shoulders
was, our great desire to transport as many of our brethren of Leyden
over unto us, as we could, but without this course we could never
have done it, all here being (for peace and unity’s sake) made joint
purchasers with us, and every one thereby had as much interest as
ourselves; and many were very opposite here against us in respect of
the great charge: Again we well knew, that, except we followed our
trading roundly, we should never be able to do the one or the other;
therefore we sought means to have our patent enlarged, and to have
some good trading places included therein; that if we could not keep
them thereby wholly to ourselves, yet that none should exclude or
thrust us wholly out of them, as we well knew that some would have
done, if we now had not laid hold of the opportunity: Therefore Mr.
Allerton was sent over to prosecute these things, and to acquaint
those few of our friends in England, whom the year before were
joined purchasers with us, what agreements we had made and concluded
with our people, and for what ends, and so to offer them to be our
partners in trade and the whole business; writing our letters unto
them for that end.
_The copy of the covenants made with the people here followeth;
after the which were signed by them, we made division of the cattle
and other things, every one having according to their proportion of
shares, and so were set free from all engagements and debts, they
resting wholly on our heads._
Articles of agreement between the Colony of Plymouth in New England
of the one party; and William Bradford, Captain Miles Standish, and
Isaac Allerton, and such others as they shall take as partners and
undertakers with them, on the other party, made the—
First, it is agreed and covenanted betwixt the said parties, that
they the said William Bradford, Captain Miles Standish, and Isaac
Allerton, and such others as they shall take unto them, have
undertaken, and do by these presents covenant and agree to pay,
discharge and acquit the said colony, of all the debts, both due for
the purchase, or any other way belonging to the same, at the day of
the date of these presents.
Secondly, the abovesaid parties are to have and freely enjoy the
pinnace, the boat at Manamett, and the shallop, called the Bass Boat,
with all other implements to them belonging, that is in the store of
the company; with all the whole stock of furs, fells, beads, corn,
wampampeak, hatchets, knives, &c. that is now in the store, or any
way due unto the same upon account.
Thirdly, that the abovesaid parties have the whole trade to
themselves their heirs and assigns, with all the privileges thereof,
as the said colony doth now, or may use the same; for six full years
to begin the last of September next ensuing.
Fourthly, in further consideration of the discharge of the said debts
every several purchaser, doth promise and covenant yearly to pay, or
cause to be payed, to the abovesaid parties, during the full term of
the said six years, three bushels of corn or six pounds of tobacco,
at the undertaker’s choice.
Fifthly, the said undertakers shall, during the aforesaid term,
bestow £50 per annum in hose and shoes, to be brought over for the
colony’s use, to be sold them for corn, at 6_s_. per bushel.
Sixthly, that at the end of the said term of six years, the whole
trade shall return to the use and benefit of the said colony, as
before.
Lastly, if the aforesaid undertakers, after they have acquainted
their friends in England with these covenants, do (upon the first
return) resolve to perform them, and undertake to discharge the
debts of the said colony according to the true meaning and intent of
these presents, then they are (upon such notice given) to stand in
force, otherwise all things to remain, as formerly they were, and a
true account to be given to the said colony, of the disposing of all
things according to the former order.
This agreement was by these subscribed; for some would not subscribe,
and some were from home.
William Brewster,
Stephen Hopkins,
Francis Eaton,
Jona. Brewster,
Manas. Kempton,
Thomas Prince,
Anthony Anable,
John Shaw,
William Bassett,
Cudbert Cudbers,
John Adams,
Phineas Pratt,
Stephen Trasie,
Edward Doty,
Joshua Pratt,
Stephen Dean,
Wm. Wright,
Francis Cook,
William Palmer,
Exper. Michell,
Edward Bangs,
Samuel Fuller,
Robert Hicks,
John Howland,
John Billington,
Peter Brown,
John Faunce.
The names of the undertakers, were these following, for the three
before mentioned made choice of these other, and though they knew not
their minds before (many of them being absent) yet they did presume
they would join with them in the thing, as afterward they did.
William Bradford,
Captain Standish,
Isaac Allerton,
Edward Winslow,
William Brewster,
John Howland,
John Allden,
Thomas Prince,
_And these of London_
James Shirley,
John Beauchamp,
Richard Andrews,
Timothy Hatherly.
* * * * *
This year sundry that pretended themselves to be planters, seeing
the gain the fishermen made by trading of pieces, and powder, and
shot to the Indians, and how they went on uncontrouled in the same,
they began to practice the same: A principal head of whom was one
Morton, who had gathered a profane crew unto him, and was himself
an example of all wickedness unto them, who kept a house (or school
rather of _Athesmy_) in the Massachusetts bay. He not only had
offended in trading off sundry pieces to the Indians, but when he
was by his neighbours gently admonished of the same, and shewed the
evil consequences that would follow thereupon, he took it in great
scorn, and said he would do it in the dispite of all; and for that
end sent for many new pieces out of England; besides, as he and his
consorts got much hereby, so they spent it as lewdly in maintaining
drunkenness, riot and other evils amongst them; yea and inveigling
of men’s servants away from them, so as the mischief began to grow
intolerable, and if it had been suffered a while longer would have
become incurable; his neighbours about him grew afraid of him, and
suffered many abuses at his hands, and knew not how to help it; but
both they, and other of the weaker plantations, made suit to us, to
help and assist them to take some order with him and that desperate
company; we told them that we had no authority to do any thing, but
seeing it tended to the utter ruin of all the whole country, we
would join with them against so public a mischief; so we sent first
again to admonish him, from ourselves and the rest, and signified
unto him, that besides the hurt and peril he brought upon us all,
his actions was flatly against a proclamation of the late King’s
Majesty, published to all his subjects, both in England and here,
against the trucking of any pieces or other arms, to any of the
Savages; his answer (after oaths and other contumelies) was, that
proclamations were no law, nor enjoined no penalty; he was answered
yes, the breakers incurred his Majesty’s displeasure, which might
prove a penalty too heavy for him to bear; he replied, that King was
dead, and his displeasure died with him: Thus seeing no other remedy,
at the earnest request of the other planters, and plantations in the
land, we assisted and led in the apprehension of him (which was with
danger enough, for he armed himself for resistance) and so, by the
mutual consent of all the rest, he was sent prisoner into England,[8]
to the council of New England, with letters and information against
him; which letters follow:
_To the Right Honourable, his Majesty’s council for New England,
these, Right Honourable, and our very good Lords_,
Necessity hath forced us, his Majesty’s subjects of New England
in general (after long patience) to take this course with this
troublesome planter, Mr. Thomas Morton, whom we have sent unto your
Honours, that you may be pleased to take that course with him,
which to your honourable wisdom shall seem fit; who hath been often
admonished not to trade or truck with the Indians, either pieces,
powder, or shot, which yet he hath done, and duly makes provision
to do, and could not be restrained, taking in high scorn (as he
speaks) that any here should controul therein: Now the general
weakness of us, his Majesty’s subjects, the strength of the Indians,
and at this time their great preparations to do some affront upon
us, and the evil example which it gives unto others, and having no
subordinate general government, under your Honours, in this land,
to restrain such misdemeanours, causeth us to be troublesome to
your Lordships, to send this party unto you for remedy and redress
hereof: And not only in respect to this particular delinquent, but
of the fishing ships, who make it too ordinary a practice, with whom
we have neither authority nor ability to deal, and who are more
encouraged when the planters themselves are so licentious herein;
and therefore most humbly pray your Lordships, to take into your
honourable considerations that some speedy course and remedy may be
taken herein; otherwise we shall be forced to quit the country, to
our great grief, and dishonour to our nation; for we shall be beaten
with our own arms if we abide: And that which further presseth us
thus to send this party, is the fear we have of the growing of him
and his consorts to that strength and height, by the access of loose
persons, his house be a receptacle for such, as we should not be able
to restrain his inordinariness when we would, they living without
all fear of God or common honesty; some of them abusing the Indian
women most filthily, as it is notorious: And for further satisfaction
of your Lordships we have sent some particular testifications which
we aver upon the faith of christians to be true: And likewise
this bearer, Mr. John Oldham, who can give your Honours further
information upon his oath, if need so require whom we have sent with
the prisoner, and to attend your Lordships pleasures: And thus most
humbly beseeching your Lordships and Honours to make a favourable
construction of our honest intendments herein, of our loyalty and
respective service to his Majesty, and our care for the common
good of this country, thus we cease, and most humbly commend your
Lordships and honours to the protection of the highest.
Your Lordships most humble, &c.
_June 9, Anno 1628._
This letter was subscribed by some of the chief of every plantation;
but I have not their names to the copy, and therefore omit them;
yet they may in part be seen by that which was at the same time
underwritten (in another paper) towards the charge, as followeth;
though it cost us a great deal more, and yet to little effect, as the
event sheweth.
£. _s._
From Plymouth, 2 10
From Naumkeak, 1 10
From Pascataquack, 2 10
From Mr. Jeffrey and Mr. Burslem, 2
From Natascot, 1 10
From Mrs. Thomson, 15
From Mr. Blackston, 12
From Edward Hilton, 1
--------
12 7
_We wrote this following, likewise, to Sir_ FERNANDO GORGES.
_Honourable Sir_,
As you have ever been, not only a favourer, but also a most special
beginner and furtherer of the good of this country, to your great
cost and no less honour, we whose names are underwritten, being some
of every plantation, in the land, deputed for the rest, do humbly
crave your worship’s help and best assistance, in the speedy (if not
too late) redress of our almost desperate state and condition in this
place, expecting daily to be overrun and spoiled by the Savages,
who are already abundantly furnished with pieces, powder and shot,
swords, rapers and _Jaflings_; all which arms and munition is this
year plentifully and publickly sold unto them, by our own countrymen;
who, under the pretence of fishing, come a trading amongst them;
yea, one of them (as your worships may further understand by our
particular informations) hath for his part sold twenty or twenty-one
pieces, and one hundred weight of powder, by which you may conceive
of the rest; for we hear the savages have above sixty pieces amongst
them, besides other arms; in a word there is now almost nothing
vendible amongst them, but such munition, so they have spoiled the
trade, in all other things; and as vice is always fruitful; so from
the greedy covetousness of the fishermen, and their evil example,
the like hath began to grow amongst some, who pretend themselves
to be planters, though indeed they intend nothing less, but to
take opportunity of the time, and provide themselves and begone,
and leave others to quench the fire which they have kindled; of
which number Mr. Thomas Morton is one, being of late a dweller in
the Massachusetts bay, and the head of a turbulent and seditious
crew, which he had gathered unto him, who, dwelling in the midst
of us, hath set up the like practice in these parts, and hath sold
sundry pieces to the natives, who can use them with great dexterity,
excelling our English therein, and have been vaunting with them, at
Sowams, Narragansett and many other places, so as they are spread
both north and south, all the land over, to the great peril of all
our lives: In the beginning of this mischief we sought friendly to
dissuade him from it; but he scorned us therein and prosecuted it
the more; so as we were constrained for the safety of ourselves,
our wives and innocent children, to apprehend him by force (though
with some peril) and now have sent him to the council of New England
to receive according to his demerits, and be disposed of as their
Honours shall think fit, for the preventing of further mischief,
the safety of our lives, and the terror of all other delinquents
in the same kind: Now our hope and humble request is, that your
worship, and those honourable of his Majesty’s council for New
England, will commiserate our case, tender our lives and pity our
infants; and consider the great charges and expenses, that we, and
our assistants and associates have been at, besides all the miseries
and hardships, that we have broken through in these beginnings which
have hitherto happily succeeded, for the planting of this country,
which is hopeful, if it be cherished and protected against the
cankered covetousness of these licentious men; if not, we must return
and quit the country: Wherefore we beseech your Worship to afford
us your favourable assistance and direction in bringing this man
to his answer, before those whom it may concern; and to credit our
true informations, sent by this bearer, lest by his audacious and
coloured pretences, he deceive you, which know not things as we do;
as likewise that such fishermen, may be called to account, for their
great abuses offered this year and the last, as many as have been
known to offend in this case; and that your worship for the time to
come would be a means, in what you may that we may be strengthened
with some authority, or good order amongst ourselves, for the
redressing of the like abuses which may arise amongst us, till some
general government be established in the land: Thus in hopeful
assurance that your worship will make a favourable construction of
these our honest intendments and humble requests, we commend you to
the protection of the highest and rest
At your service, &c.
_June 9, Anno 1628._
* * * * *
I now will come to the year 1629.
This year we had divers of our friends of Leyden come to us, as had
long been desired, both of them and us, and by the good providence
of God and the willing mindedness of our friends, was now in part
effected, as will appear by this letter following.
_To my worthy and well beloved friend, Mr._ WILLIAM BRADFORD, &c.
Most loving and most respected Sir, having but two days past parted
from my dear and only daughter, by reason whereof nature forceth me
to be full of grief and heaviness (though otherwise, I bless God, I
have cause to rejoice) be entreated therefore, to accept these few
lines: First I acknowledge myself much engaged unto you for your love
and care over my kinsman; be entreated to enlarge my score, by the
continuance thereof; and as you for your particular have occasion,
make use of me, and I hope the Lord will direct my heart not to be
unthankful, nor unmindful of your love. Here are now many of your
friends from Leyden coming over, which though for the most part, they
be but a weak company, yet herein is a good part of that end obtained
which was first aimed at, and which hath been so strongly opposed by
some of our former adventurers; but God hath his working in these
things, which man cannot frustrate: With them also we have sent some
servants, or in the ship that went lately (I think called the Talbot)
and this, that these come in, is the May-flower. Now Mr. Andrews, Mr.
Beauchamp, and myself, are with your love and liking, joined partners
with you; the like is Mr. Collier, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Hatherly, but
they no doubt will write unto you; but Mr. Andrews, and Mr. Beauchamp
rely wholly on me; they are such as Mr. Hatherly could take up, for
whose care and pains you and we, are much beholden unto him; we have
disbursed the charges of setting them out and transporting them over,
and what allowance or agreement, you and your assistants, please to
make with us, we will accept of; nay if you think mete we should make
them up two a piece, because our persons are absent, we will consent
to what you do, and, upon your letter and answer, make good what we
are too short, or what you desire herein; Mr. Hatherly hath bound
them, some upon one condition and some upon another, as they could
agree. I doubt not but beaver will continue a good price still, as
15 or 16 shillings per pound; it is daily more and more worn here;
besides we have now peace with France, so as now much will be carried
thither; and there is some likelihood for a peace with Spain, I pray
God it may be for our good, which is much to be feared: Thus not
being fit, to write at this time, I shall cease with my love, and my
wife’s, most kindly remembered to you and yours, &c.
Your loving friend to command,
JAMES SHIRLEY.
These persons were in all thirty-five, which came at this time
unto us from Leyden, whose charge out of Holland into England and
in England till the ship was ready, and then their transportation
hither, came to a great deal of money; for besides victuals and other
expenses they were all newly appareled, for there was bought for them
Of Kersey, and other cloth, 125 yards.
Of Linnen Cloth 127 ells.
Of Shoes, 66 pair.
Besides hats and other necessaries needful for them; and after their
coming here, it was 16 months before they could reap any harvest,
all which time they were kept at our charge which was not small:
As the Lord sent these unto us, both to their and our comfort, so
at the same time he sent many other godly persons into the land,
as the beginning of a plentiful harvest, as will appear more fully
hereafter: So as the delay of our friends was now recompensed with
a large increase, to the honour of God and joy of all good men;
these began to pitch at Naumkeak, since called by them Salem, to
which place was come in the latter end of summer before, a worthy
gentleman, Mr. John Endicott by name, and some others with him, to
make some preparation for the rest; to whom (by some that came hither
from thence) I had occasion to write unto him, though unknown by
face, or any other way, but as I had heard of his worth, from whom I
received this letter following.
_To the worshipful and my right worthy friend_ WILLIAM BRADFORD,
_Esq. Governour of New Plymouth, these_,
_Right Worthy Sir_,
It is a thing not usual, that servants to one master and of the
same household should be strangers; I assure you I desire it not,
nay to speak more plainly, I cannot be so to you: God’s people are
all marked with one and the same mark, and sealed with one and the
same seal, and have, for the main, one and the same heart, guided by
one and the same spirit of truth; and where this is there can be no
discord, nay, here must needs be sweet harmony; and the same request
(with you) I make unto the Lord, that we may, as christian brethren,
be united by an heavenly and unfeigned love, bending all our hearts
and forces in furthering a work beyond our strength with reverence
and fear, fastening our eyes always on him that only is able to
direct and prosper all our ways. I acknowledge myself much bound to
you, for your kind love and care, in sending Mr. Fuller amongst us,
and rejoice much that I am by him satisfied, touching your judgments,
of the outward form of God’s worship; it is (as far as I can yet
gather) no other than is warranted by the evidence of truth, and the
same which I have professed and maintained, ever since the Lord in
mercy revealed himself unto me, being far differing from the common
report that hath been spread of you touching that particular; but
God’s children must not look for less here below, and it is the great
mercy of God that he strengthens them, to go through with it. I shall
not need at this time to be tedious unto you, for, God willing, I
purpose to see your face shortly: In the mean time I humbly take my
leave of you, committing you to the Lord’s blessed protection, and
rest,
Your assured loving friend and servant,
JOHN ENDICOTT.
_Naumkeak, May 11, Anno 1629._
* * * * *
Now shortly after the writing of this letter came these people before
mentioned, and quickly grew into church order, and set themselves
roundly to walk in all the ways of God, as will appear by this letter
following.
_To the Worshipful, his worthy, and much respected friend, Mr._
BRADFORD, _Governour of Plymouth these_,