Although I received no letter from you by this ship,[109] yet forasmuch
as I know you expect the performance of my promise, which was, to write
unto you truly and faithfully of all things, I have therefore at this
time sent unto you accordingly, referring you for further satisfaction
to our more large relations.[110]
You shall understand that in this little time that a few of us have been
here, we have built seven dwelling-houses, and four for the use of the
plantation, and have made preparation for divers others. We set the last
spring some twenty acres of Indian corn, and sowed some six acres of
barley and pease, and according to the manner of the Indians, we manured
our ground with herrings, or rather shads, which we have in great
abundance, and take with great ease at our doors. Our corn did prove
well, and, God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian corn, and
our barley indifferent good, but our pease not worth the gathering, for
we feared they were too late sown. They came up very well, and
blossomed, but the sun parched them in the blossom.
Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that
so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had
gathered the fruit of our labors.[111] They four in one day killed as
much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a
week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms,
many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest
king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained
and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought
to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and
others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this
time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that
we often wish you partakers of our plenty.
We have found the Indians very faithful in their covenant of peace with
us, very loving and ready to pleasure us. We often go to them, and they
come to us; some of us have been fifty miles by land in the country with
them, the occasions and relations whereof you shall understand by our
general and more full declaration of such things as are worth the
noting. Yea, it hath pleased God so to possess the Indians with a fear
of us, and love unto us, that not only the greatest king amongst them,
called Massasoit, but also all the princes and peoples round about us,
have either made suit unto us, or been glad of any occasion to make
peace with us, so that seven of them at once have sent their messengers
to us to that end.[112] Yea, an Fle[113] at sea, which we never saw,
hath also, together with the former, yielded willingly to be under the
protection, and subjects to our sovereign lord King James. So that there
is now great peace amongst the Indians themselves, which was not
formerly, neither would have been but for us; and we for our parts walk
as peaceably and safely in the wood as in the highways in England. We
entertain them familiarly in our houses, and they as friendly bestowing
their venison on us. They are a people without any religion or knowledge
of any God, yet very trusty, quick of apprehension, ripe-witted, just.
The men and women go naked, only a skin about their middles.
For the temper of the air, here it agreeth well with that in England,
and if there be any difference at all, this is somewhat hotter in
summer. Some think it to be colder in winter, but I cannot out of
experience so say; the air is very clear and not foggy, as hath been
reported. I never in my life remember a more seasonable year than we
have here enjoyed, and if we have once but kine, horses, and sheep, I
make no question but men might live as contented here as in any part of
the world. For fish and fowl, we have great abundance; fresh cod in the
summer is but coarse meat with us; our bay is full of lobsters all the
summer and affordeth variety of other fish; in September we can take a
hogshead of eels in a night, with small labor, and can dig them out of
their beds all the winter. We have mussels and othus[114] at our doors.
Oysters we have none near, but we can have them brought by the Indians
when we will; all the spring-time the earth sendeth forth naturally very
good sallet herbs.[115] Here are grapes, white and red, and very sweet
and strong also. Strawberries, gooseberries, raspas,[116] etc. Plums of
three sorts, with black and red, being almost as good as a damson;
abundance of roses, white, red, and damask; single, but very sweet
indeed. The country wanteth only industrious men to employ, for it would
grieve your hearts if, as I, you had seen so many miles together by
goodly rivers uninhabited, and withal, to consider those parts of the
world wherein you live to be even greatly burdened with abundance of
people. These things I thought good to let you understand, being the
truth of things as near as I could experimentally take knowledge of, and
that you might on our behalf give God thanks who hath dealt so favorably
with us.
Our supply of men[117] from you came the 9th of November 1621, putting
in at Cape Cod, some eight or ten leagues from us. The Indians that
dwell thereabout were they who were owners of the corn which we found in
caves, for which we have given them full content, and are in great
league with them. They sent us word there was a ship near unto them, but
thought it to be a Frenchman, and indeed for ourselves, we expected not
a friend so soon. But when we perceived that she made for our bay, the
governor commanded a great piece to be shot off, to call home such as
were abroad at work; where-upon every man, yea, boy, that could handle a
gun, were ready, with full resolution that if she were an enemy, we
would stand in our just defense, not fearing them, but God provided
better for us than we supposed. These came all in health, not any being
sick by the way (otherwise than by sea-sickness) and so continue at this
time, by the blessing of God; the good-wife Ford was delivered of a son
the first night she landed, and both of them are very well.
When it pleaseth God, we are settled and fitted for the fishing
business, and other trading; I doubt not but by the blessing of God the
gain will give content to all. In the mean time, that we have gotten we
have sent by this ship,[118] and though it be not much, yet it will
witness for us that we have not been idle, considering the smallness of
our number all this summer. We hope the merchants will accept of it, and
be encouraged to furnish us with things needful for further employment,
which will also encourage us to put forth ourselves to the uttermost.
Now because I expect your coming unto us[119] with other of our friends,
whose company we much desire, I thought good to advertise[120] you of a
few things needful. Be careful to have a very good bread-room to put
your biscuits in. Let your cask for beer and water be iron-bound for the
first tire if not more; let not your meat be dry-salted—none can better
do it than the sailors. Let your meal be so hard trod in your cask that
you shall need an adz or hatchet to work it out with. Trust not too much
on us for corn at this time, for by reason of this last company that
came, depending wholly upon us, we shall have little enough till
harvest; be careful to come by some of your meal to spend by the way—it
will much refresh you. Build your cabins as open as you can, and bring
good store of clothes and bedding with you. Bring every man a musket or
fowling-piece; let your piece be long in the barrel, and fear not the
weight of it, for most of our shooting is from stands. Bring juice of
lemons, and take it fasting; it is of good use. For hot waters, aniseed
water is the best, but use it sparingly. If you bring any thing for
comfort in the country, butter or sallet oil, or both is very good. Our
Indian corn, even the coarsest, maketh as pleasant meat as rice,
therefore spare that unless to spend by the way; bring paper and linseed
oil for your windows, with cotton yarn for your lamps. Let your shot be
most for big fowls, and bring store of powder and shot. I forbear
further to write for the present, hoping to see you by the next return,
so I take my leave, commending you to the Lord for a safe conduct unto
us. Resting in him,
Your loving friend,
E. W.[121]
Plymouth, in New England, this 11th of December, 1621.
Reasons and Considerations
touching the lawfulness of removing out of England into the parts of
America.
[Sidenote: The
Preamble]
[Illustration: illuminated capital]
Forasmuch as many exceptions are daily made against the going into and
inhabiting of foreign desert places, to the hindrances of plantations
abroad, and the increase of distractions at home, it is not amiss that
some which have been ear-witnesses of the exceptions made, and are
either agents or abettors of such removals and plantations, do seek to
give content to the world, in all things that possibly they can.
And although the most of the opposites are such as either dream of
raising their fortunes here,[122] to that than which there is nothing
more unlike, or such as affecting their home-born country so vehemently,
as that they had rather with all their friends beg, yea, starve in it,
than undergo a little difficulty in seeking abroad; yet are there some
who, out of doubt in tenderness of conscience, and fear to offend God by
running before they be called, are straitened and do straiten others
from going to foreign plantations.
For whose cause especially, I have been drawn, out of my good affection
to them, to publish some reasons that might give them content and
satisfaction, and also stay and stop the wilful and witty caviller; and
herein I trust I shall not be blamed of any godly wise, though through
my slender judgment I should miss the mark, and not strike the nail on
the head, considering it is the first attempt that hath been made (that
I know of) to defend those enterprises. Reason would, therefore, that if
any man of deeper reach and better judgment see further or otherwise,
that he rather instruct me than deride me.
[Sidenote: Cautions]
And being studious for brevity, we must first consider that whereas God
of old did call and summon our fathers by predictions, dreams, visions,
and certain illuminations to go from their countries, places, and
habitations, [Sidenote: Gen. 12:1, 2, & 35:1.]
to reside and dwell here or there, and to wander up and down from city
to city, and land to land, according to his will and pleasure, now there
is no such calling to be expected for any matter whatsoever, [Sidenote:
Matt. 2:19.]
neither must any so much as imagine that there will now be any such
thing. [Sidenote: Ps. 105:13.]
God did once so train up his people, but now he doth not, [Sidenote:
Heb. 1:1, 2.]
but speaks in another manner, and so we must apply ourselves to God’s
present dealing, and not to his wonted dealing; and as the miracle of
giving manna [Sidenote: Josh. 5:12.]
ceased when the fruits of the land became plenty, so God, having such a
plentiful storehouse of directions in his holy word, there must not now
any extraordinary revelations be expected. But now the ordinary examples
and precepts of the Scriptures, reasonably and rightly understood and
applied, must be the voice and word that must call us, press us, and
direct us in every action.
Neither is there any land or possession now, like unto the possession
which the Jews had in Canaan, [Sidenote: Gen. 17:8.]
being legally holy and appropriated unto a holy people, the seed of
Abraham, in which they dwelt securely and had their days prolonged, it
being by an immediate voice said, that he (the Lord) gave it them as a
land of rest after their weary travels, and a type of eternal rest in
heaven but now there is no land of that sanctimony, no land so
appropriated, none typical, much less any that can be said to be given
of God to any nation as was Canaan, which they and their seed must dwell
in, till God sendeth upon them sword or captivity. But now we are all in
all places strangers and pilgrims, travellers and sojourners, most
properly, having no dwelling but in this earthen tabernacle; our
dwelling is but a wandering, and our abiding but as a fleeting, and in a
word our home is nowhere, but in the heavens, [Sidenote: II Cor. 5:1,
2, 3.]
in that house not made with hands, whose maker and builder is God, and
to which all ascend that love the coming of our Lord Jesus.
[Sidenote: So were the
Jews, but yet their
temporal blessings and
inheritances were more
large than ours.]
Though then there may be reasons to persuade a man to live in this or
that land, yet there cannot be the same reasons which the Jews had, but
now as natural, civil and religious bands tie men, so they must be
bound, and as good reasons for things terrene and heavenly appear, so
they must be led.
[Sidenote: Object.]
And so here falleth in our question, how a man that is here born and
bred, and hath lived some years, may remove himself into another
country.
[Sidenote: Answ. 1.
What persons may hence
remove.]
I answer, a man must not respect only to live, and do good to himself,
but he should see where he can live to do most good to others; for, as
one saith, “He whose living is but for himself, it is time he were
dead.” Some men there are who of necessity must here live, as being tied
to duties, either to church, commonwealth, household, kindred, etc. But
others, and that many, who do no good in none of those, nor can do none,
as being not able, or not in favor, or as wanting opportunity, and live
as outcasts, nobodies, eye-sores, eating but for themselves, teaching
but themselves, and doing good to none, either in soul or body, and so
pass over days, years, and months, yea, so live and so die. Now such
should lift up their eyes and see whether there be not some other place
and country to which they may go to do good and have use towards others
of that knowledge, wisdom, humanity, reason, strength, skill, faculty,
etc., which God hath given them for the service of others and his own
glory.
[Sidenote: 2. Why they
should remove.]
[Sidenote: Reas. 1]
But not to pass the bounds of modesty so far as to name any, though I
confess I know many, who sit here still [Sidenote: Luke 19:20.]
with their talent in a napkin, having notable endowments both of body
and mind, and might do great good if they were in some places, which
here do none, nor can do none, and yet through fleshly fear,
niceness,[123] straitness of heart, etc., sit still and look on and will
not hazard a dram of health, nor a day of pleasure, nor an hour of rest
to further the knowledge and salvation of the sons of Adam in that New
World, where a drop of the knowledge of Christ is most precious, which
is here not set by. Now what shall we say to such a profession of
Christ, to which is joined no more denial of a man’s self?
[Sidenote: Object.]
But some will say, what right have I to go live in the heathens’
country?
[Sidenote: Answ.]
Letting pass the ancient discoveries, contracts and agreements which our
Englishmen have long since made in those parts, together with the
acknowledgment of the histories and chronicles of other nations, who
profess the land of America from the Cape de Florida unto the Bay of
Canada (which is south and north three hundred leagues and upwards, and
east and west further than yet hath been discovered) is proper to the
King of England—yet letting that pass, lest I be thought to meddle
further than it concerns me, or further than I have discerning, I will
mention such things as are within my reach, knowledge, sight and
practise, since I have travailed in these affairs.
[Sidenote: Reas. 2.]
And first, seeing we daily pray for the conversion of the heathens, we
must consider whether there be not some ordinary means and course for us
to take to convert them, or whether prayer for them be only referred to
God’s extraordinary work from heaven. Now it seemeth unto me that we
ought also to endeavor and use the means to convert them, and the means
cannot be used unless we go to them or they come to us; to us they
cannot come, our land is full; to them we may go, their land is empty.
[Sidenote: Reas. 3.]
This then is a sufficient reason to prove our going thither to live
lawful: their land is spacious and void, and there are few and do but
run over the grass, as do also the foxes and wild beasts. They are not
industrious, neither have art, science, skill or faculty to use either
the land or the commodities of it, but all spoils, rots, and is marred
for want of manuring, gathering, ordering, etc. As the ancient
patriarchs therefore removed from straiter places into more roomy, where
the land lay idle and waste, and none used it, though there dwelt
inhabitants by them, (as Gen. 13:6,11,12, and 34:21, and 41:20), so is
it lawful now to take a land which none useth, and make use of it.
[Sidenote: Reas. 4.
This is to be
considered as
respecting New
England, and the
territories about the
plantation.]
And as it is a common land or unused, and undressed country, so we have
it by common consent, composition and agreement, which agreement is
double. First, the imperial governor Massasoit, whose circuits in
likelihood are larger than England and Scotland, hath acknowledged the
King’s Majesty of England to be his master and commander, and that once
in my hearing, yea, and in writing, under his hand to Captain Standish,
both he and many other kings which are under him, as Paomet, Nauset,
Cummaquid, Narraganset, Nemasket, etc., with divers others that dwell
about the bays of Patuxet and Massachusetts. Neither hath this been
accomplished by threats and blows, or shaking of sword and sound of
trumpet, for as our faculty that way is small, and our strength less, so
our warring with them is after another manner, namely by friendly usage,
love, peace, honest and just carriages, good counsel, etc., that so we
and they may not only live in peace in that land, [Sidenote: Pss.
110:3, & 48:3.]
and they yield subjection to an earthly prince, but that as voluntaries
they may be persuaded at length to embrace the Prince of Peace, Christ
Jesus, and rest in peace with him forever.
Secondly, this composition is also more particular and applicatory, as
touching ourselves there inhabiting: the emperor, by a joint consent,
hath promised and appointed us to live at peace where we will in all his
dominions, taking what place we will, and as much land as we will, and
bringing as many people as we will, and that for these two causes.
First, because we are the servants of James, King of England, whose the
land (as he confesseth) is; second, because he hath found us just,
honest, kind and peaceable, and so loves our company; yea, and that in
these things there is no dissimulation on his part, nor fear of breach
(except our security engender in them some unthought of treachery, or
our uncivility provoke them to anger) is most plain in other
relations,[124] which show that the things they did were more out of
love than out of fear.
It being then, first, a vast and empty chaos; secondly, acknowledged the
right of our sovereign king; thirdly, by a peaceable composition in part
possessed of divers of his loving subjects, I see not who can doubt or
call in question the lawfulness of inhabiting or dwelling there, but
that it may be as lawful for such as are not tied upon some special
occasion here, to live there as well as here. Yea, and as the enterprise
is weighty and difficult, so the honor is more worthy, to plant a rude
wilderness, to enlarge the honor and fame of our dread sovereign, but
chiefly to display the efficacy and power of the Gospel, both in zealous
preaching, professing, and wise walking under it, before the faces of
these poor blind infidels.
As for such as object the tediousness of the voyage thither, the danger
of pirates’ robbery, of the savages’ treachery, etc., these are but
lions in the way, [Sidenote: Prov. 22:13.]
and it were well for such men if they were in heaven, for who can show
them a place in this world where iniquity shall not [Sidenote: Ps.
49:5.]
compass them at the heels, and where they shall have a day without
grief, or a lease of life for a moment; [Sidenote: Matt. 6:34.]
and who can tell, but God, what dangers may lie at our doors, even in
our native country, or what plots may be abroad, or when God will cause
our sun to go down at noon-days, and in the midst of our peace and
security, lay upon us [Sidenote: Amos 8:9.]
some lasting scourge for our so long neglect and contempt of his most
glorious Gospel?
[Sidenote: Ob.]
But we have here great peace, plenty of the Gospel, and many sweet
delights, and variety of comforts.
[Sidenote: Answ.]
True indeed, and far be it from us to deny and diminish the least of
these mercies, but have we rendered unto God thankful obedience for this
long peace, whilst other peoples have been at wars? [Sidenote: II
Chron. 32:25.]
Have we not rather murmured, repined, and fallen at wars amongst
ourselves, whilst our peace hath lasted with foreign power? Was there
ever more suits in law, more envy, contempt and reproach than nowadays?
Abraham and Lot departed asunder [Sidenote: Gen. 13:9, 10.]
when there fell a breach betwixt them, which was occasioned by the
straitness of the land; and surely, I am persuaded that howsoever the
frailties of men are principal in all contentions, yet the straitness of
the place is such as each man is fain to pluck his means, as it were,
out of his neighbor’s throat; there is such pressing and oppressing in
town and country, about farms, trades, traffic, etc., so as a man can
hardly any where set up a trade but he shall pull down two of his
neighbors.
The towns abound with young tradesmen, and the hospitals are full of the
ancient; the country is replenished with new farmers, and the almshouses
are filled with old laborers; many there are who get their living with
bearing burdens, but more are fain to burden the land with their whole
bodies. Multitudes get their means of life by prating, and so do numbers
more by begging. Neither come these straits upon men always through
intemperance, ill husbandry, indiscretion, etc., as some think, but even
the most wise, sober, and discreet men go often to the wall, when they
have done their best, wherein, as God’s providence swayeth all, so it is
easy to see that the straitness of the place, having in it so many
strait hearts, cannot but produce such effects more and more, so as
every indifferent minded man should be ready to say with father Abraham,
“Take thou the right hand, and I will take the left.” Let us not thus
oppress, straiten, and afflict one another, but seeing there is a
spacious land, the way to which is through the sea, we will end this
difference in a day.
That I speak nothing about the bitter contention that hath been about
religion, by writing, disputing, and inveighing earnestly one against
another, the heat of which zeal, if it were turned against the rude
barbarism of the heathens, it might do more good in a day than it hath
done here in many years. Neither of the little love to the Gospel, and
profit which is made by the preachers in most places, which might easily
drive the zealous to the heathens who, no doubt, if they had but a drop
of that knowledge which here flieth about the streets, would be filled
with exceeding great joy and gladness, as that they would even pluck the
kingdom of heaven by violence, and take it as it were, by force.
[Sidenote: The last
let.]
The greatest let[125] that is yet behind is the sweet fellowship of
friends, and the satiety of bodily delights.
But can there be two nearer friends almost than Abraham and Lot, or than
Paul and Barnabas? And yet, upon as little occasions as we have here,
they departed asunder, two of them being patriarchs of the church of
old; the other the apostles of the church which is new, and their
covenants were such as it seemeth might bind as much as any covenant
between men at this day, and yet to avoid greater inconveniences they
departed asunder.
Neither must men take so much thought for the flesh, as not to be
pleased except they can pamper their bodies with variety of dainties.
Nature is content with little, and health is much endangered by mixtures
upon the stomach. The delights of the palate do often inflame the vital
parts as the tongue setteth afire the whole body. [Sidenote: James 3:6.]
Secondly, varieties here are not common to all, but many good men are
glad to snap at a crust. The rent-taker lives on sweet morsels, but the
rent-payer eats a dry crust often with watery eyes, and it is nothing to
say what some one of a hundred hath, but what the bulk, body and
commonalty hath, which I warrant you is short enough.
And they also which now live so sweetly, hardly will their children
attain to that privilege, but some circumventor or other will outstrip
them, and make them sit in the dust, to which men are brought in one
age, but cannot get out of it again in seven generations.
To conclude, without all partiality, the present consumption which
groweth upon us here, whilst the land groaneth under so many
close-fisted and unmerciful men, being compared with the easiness,
plainness and plentifulness in living in those remote places, may
quickly persuade any man to a liking of this course, and to practise a
removal, which being done by honest, godly and industrious men, they
shall there be right heartily welcome, but for other of dissolute and
profane life, their rooms are better than their companies. For if here,
where the Gospel hath been so long and plentifully taught, they are yet
frequent in such vices as the heathen would shame to speak of, what will
they be when there is less restraint in word and deed? My only suit to
all men is, that whether they live there or here, they would learn to
use this world as they used it not, keeping faith and a good conscience,
both with God and men, that when the day of account shall come, they may
come forth as good and fruitful servants, and freely be received, and
enter into the joy of their Master.