=Source.=--Bradford, _History of the Plymouth Plantation_. Book II.
With the former letter written by Mr. Shirley there were sent sundry
objections ... made by some of those that came over on their own
account and were returned home. I shall set them down here, with the
answers then made unto them and sent over at the return of this ship,
which did so confound the objectors as some confessed their fault
and others denied what they had said and ate their words, and some
others of them have since come over again and here lived.
The first objection was diversity about Religion. Answer: We know no
such matter, for here was never any controversy or opposition (either
public or private) (to our knowledge,) since we came.
2 _ob._ Neglect of family duties, on the Lord's Day. Ans.: We allow
no such thing, but blame it in ourselves and others; and they that
thus report it, would have showed their Christian love the more if
they had told the offenders of it, rather than thus to reproach them
behind their backs. But (to say no more) we wish themselves had given
better example.
3 _ob._ Want of both Sacraments. Ans.: The more is our grief that our
pastor is kept from us, by whom we might enjoy them; for we used to
have the Lord's Supper every Sabbath, and baptism as often as there
was occasion of children to baptize.
4 _ob._ Children not catechised nor taught to read. Ans.: Neither is
true; for divers take pains with their own as they can; indeed, we
have no common school for want of a fit person, or hitherto means to
maintain one, though we desire now to begin.
5 _ob._ Many of the particular members of the plantation will not
work for the general. Ans.: This also is not wholly true; for though
some do it not willingly and others not honestly, yet all do it, and
he that doth worst gets his own food and something besides. But we
will not excuse them, but labour to reform them the best we can, or
else to quit the plantation of them.
6 _ob._ The water is not wholesome. Ans.: If they mean, not so
wholesome as the good beer and wine in London, (which they so dearly
love,) we will not dispute with them; but else, for water, it is as
good as any in the world (for aught we know,) and it is wholesome
enough to us that can be content therewith.
7 _ob._ The ground is barren and doth bear no grass. Ans.: it is
here as in all places, some better and some worse; and if they will
well consider their words, in England they shall not find such grass
in them as in their fields and meadows. The cattle find grass, for
they are as fat as need be; we wish we had but one for every hundred
that here is graze to keep. Indeed this objection, as some others,
are ridiculous to all here which see and know the contrary.
8 _ob._ The fish will not take salt to keep sweet. Ans.: This is as
true as that which was written, that there is scarcely a fowl to be
seen, nor a fish to be taken. Things likely to be true in a country
where so many sail of ships come yearly for the fishing! they might
as well say, there can no ale or beer in London be kept from souring.
9 _ob._ Many of them are thievish and steal one from another. Ans.:
Would that London had been free from that crime: then we should not
have been troubled with these here; it is well known sundry have
smarted well for it, and so are the rest like to do, if they be taken.
10 _ob._ The country is annoyed with foxes and wolves. Ans.: So are
many other good countries too; but poison, traps and other such means
will help to destroy them.
11 _ob._ The Dutch are planted near Hudson's River, and are likely to
overthrow the trade. Ans.: They will come and plant in these parts
also, if we and others do not, but go home and leave it to them. We
rather commend them than condemn them for it.
12 _ob._ The people are much annoyed with mosquitoes. Ans.: They are
too delicate and unfit to begin new plantations and colonies, that
cannot endure the biting of a mosquito: we would wish such to keep at
home till at least they be mosquito proof. Yet this place is as free
as any, and experience teacheth that the more the land is tilled and
the woods cut down, the fewer there will be, and in the end scarce
any at all.