Rescue of Weston’s Settlement—Weston arrives at New Plymouth—His
reception and ingratitude—Individual planting of corn substituted
for communal—Hardships—John Pierce and the Patent—Sixty new
Settlers—Compact between the Colony and private Settlers—Captain
Robert Gorges, Governor-General of New England—Weston charged and
arrested—Fire at New Plymouth: Storehouse threatened: 1623.
It may be thought strange that the Weston colony should have fallen
into such extremity in so short a time being fully provided when the
ship left them, in addition to their share of the corn which was got
by trade, besides much that they got by one means or another from
the Indians where they lived. It must needs have been their lack of
order, spending excessively whilst they had it, and may be wasting
part among the Indians—for the chief man amongst them was said to
keep Indian women, how truly I know not. Then, when they began to
want many sold their clothes and bed-coverings; others,—so depraved
were they,—became servants to the Indians, cutting them wood and
fetching them water for a capfull of corn; others fell to plain
stealing from the Indians of which they complained grievously. In
the end some starved and died with cold and hunger; one in gathering
shell-fish was so weak he stuck fast in the mud, and was found
dead in the place; at last most of them left their dwellings, and
scattered up and down in the woods and by the water-side, a few here
and a few there, wherever they could find ground-nuts and clams.
The Indians scorned them for such conduct, and began to insult them
in a most insolent manner. Often, while they were cooking a pot of
ground-nuts or shell-fish, when it was ready, the Indians would come
and eat it up; and at night they would come and steal the blankets
from such few as had them, and let them lie in the cold. Their
condition was very lamentable, and in the end, in order to satisfy
the Indians, they were obliged to hang one of their men whom they
could not keep from stealing.
While things went on thus, the Governor and the people here had
notice that their friend Massasoyt was sick, and near to death.
They visited him, and took whatever they could to relieve him; and
he recovered. He then discovered a conspiracy amongst the Indians
of Massachusetts, and other neighbouring tribes with whom they
had conspired, to wipe out Mr. Weston’s people, in revenge for
the continual injuries they did them, taking opportunity of their
weakness to do it. And believing that the people at New Plymouth
would avenge their death, they decided to do the same by them, and
had solicited Massasoyt to join them. He advised the New Plymouth
settlement to prevent it, by speedily capturing some of the chief of
the conspirators before it was too late, for he assured them of the
truth of it.
This troubled them much, and they took it into serious deliberation,
and upon examination found other evidence too long to relate. In the
meantime one of Mr. Weston’s people came from Massachusetts, with
a small pack on his back; and though he did not know a foot of the
way, he got here safe. He lost his way, which was well for him, for,
though pursued, he was missed. He told them here how everything stood
among them, and that he dared stay no longer. He believed, by what he
observed, they would all be knocked on the head shortly.
So the people at New Plymouth made the more haste, and they
despatched a boat with Captain Standish and some men, who found them
in a miserable condition out of which he rescued them, and killed
some few of the chief conspirators among the Indians, and according
to his order, offered to bring the remnant of the Weston settlement
here if they thought well, in which case they should fare no worse
than the colonists themselves, till Mr. Weston or some supplies came
to them. Or, if they preferred any other course, he was to give them
any assistance he could. They thanked him, but most of them begged
he would give them some corn so that they could go with their small
ship to the eastward, where they might hear of Mr. Weston or get some
supplies from him, since it was the time of the year for the fishing
ships to be out. If not, they would work among the fishermen for
their living, and get their passage back to England if they heard
nothing from Mr. Weston in the meantime. So he put aboard what they
had, and he got them all the corn he could, scarcely leaving enough
to bring himself home, and saw them well out of the bay, under sail
at sea. Then he came back, not accepting a penny worth of anything
from them. I have but touched these things briefly because they have
been published in print more completely already.
This was the end of those who at one time boasted of their
strength,—all able, healthy men,—and what they would do in comparison
with the people here, who had many women and children and weak ones
among them and who had said, on their first arrival, when they saw
the want here, that they would take a very different course and not
to fall into any such condition as these simple people had come to.
But a man’s way is not in his own hands. God can make the weak to
stand: let him also that standeth take heed lest he fall!
Shortly after, when he heard of the ruin and destitution of his
colony, Mr. Weston came over with some of the fishermen, under
another name, and disguised as a blacksmith. He got a boat, and
with a man or two came to see how things were there. But on the way
ashore he was caught in a storm, and his shallop was sunk in the bay,
between Merrimac river and Piscataqua, and he barely escaped with his
life. Afterwards he fell into the hands of the Indians, who robbed
him of all that he had saved from the wreck, and stripped him of all
his clothes to his shirt. At last he got to Piscataqua and borrowed
a suit of clothes, and so came to New Plymouth. A strange alteration
there was in him, to such as had seen him in his former flourishing
condition; so uncertain are the mutable things of this unstable
world! And yet men set their hearts upon them, though they daily see
their vanity.
After many arguments and much discourse,—former troubles boiling in
his mind and wrankling there, as was discerned,—he asked to borrow
some beaver from them, and told them he had hopes that a ship with
good supplies was on its way to him, and that then they should have
anything they stood in need of. They gave little credit to his
report of supplies, but pitied his condition and remembered former
courtesies. They pointed out to him their own wants, and said they
did not know when they might get any supplies. He well knew, also,
how the case stood between them and the adventurers in England.
They had not much beaver, and if they should let him have it, it
would be enough to cause a mutiny among the people since there were
no other means of procuring them the food and clothes which they
so much wanted. Nevertheless, they told him they would help him,
considering his necessity; but that it must be done secretly for the
above reasons. So they let him have 100 beaver skins, which weighed
170 lbs. odd. Thus they helped him when all the world failed him; and
with this he went again to the ships, and supplied his small ship
and some of his men, and bought provisions and fitted himself out;
and it was this supply alone which enabled him to pursue his course
thereafter. But he requited them ill, proving himself a bitter enemy
upon every opportunity, and never repaying them to this day,—except
in reproaches and calumnies.
All this while no supplies were heard of, nor did they know when they
might expect any. So they began to consider how to raise more corn,
and obtain a better crop than they had done, so that they might not
continue to endure the misery of want. At length after much debate,
the Governor, with the advice of the chief among them, allowed each
man to plant corn for his own household, and to trust to themselves
for that; in all other things to go on in the general way as before.
So every family was assigned a parcel of land, according to the
proportion of their number with that in view,—for present purposes
only, and making no division for inheritance,—all boys and children
being included under some family. This was very successful. It made
all hands very industrious, so that much more corn was planted than
otherwise would have been by any means the Governor or any other
could devise, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far
better satisfaction. The women now went willingly into the field, and
took their little ones with them to plant corn, while before they
would allege weakness and inability; and to have compelled them would
have been thought great tyranny and oppression.
The failure of this experiment of communal service, which was tried
for several years, and by good and honest men proves the emptiness of
the theory of Plato and other ancients, applauded by some of later
times,—that the taking away of private property, and the possession
of it in community, by a commonwealth, would make a state happy and
flourishing; as if they were wiser than God. For in this instance,
community of property (so far as it went) was found to breed much
confusion and discontent, and retard much employment which would have
been to the general benefit and comfort. For the young men who were
most able and fit for service objected to being forced to spend their
time and strength in working for other men’s wives and children,
without any recompense. The strong man or the resourceful man had
no more share of food, clothes, etc., than the weak man who was not
able to do a quarter the other could. This was thought injustice. The
aged and graver men, who were ranked and equalized in labour, food,
clothes, etc., with the humbler and younger ones, thought it some
indignity and disrespect to them. As for men’s wives who were obliged
to do service for other men, such as cooking, washing their clothes,
etc., they considered it a kind of slavery, and many husbands would
not brook it. This feature of it would have been worse still, if they
had been men of an inferior class. If (it was thought) all were to
share alike, and all were to do alike, then all were on an equality
throughout, and one was as good as another; and so, if it did not
actually abolish those very relations which God himself has set among
men, it did at least greatly diminish the mutual respect that is so
important should be preserved amongst them. Let none argue that this
is due to human failing, rather than to this communistic plan of life
in itself. I answer, seeing that all men have this failing in them,
that God in His wisdom saw that another plan of life was fitter for
them.
But to return. After this had been settled, and their corn was
planted in this way, all their food supplies were consumed, and they
had to rely upon God’s providence, often at night not knowing where
to get a bit of anything next day; and so, as one well observed,
they had need above all people in the world, to pray to God that He
would give them their daily bread. Yet they bore their want with
great patience and cheerfulness of spirit, and that for upwards of
two years; which reminds me of what Peter Martyr writes in praise of
the Spaniards, in his Fifth Decade, page 208. “They,” says he, “led
a miserable life five days together, with the parched grain of maize
only,” and concludes, “that such pains, such labour, and such hunger,
he thought none living, who was not a Spaniard could have endured.”
But alas! these colonists, when they had maize,—that is Indian
corn,—thought it as good as a feast; and not only lacked bread for
days at a time, but sometimes for two or three months continuously
were without bread or any kind of corn. Indeed, in another place,—his
Second Decade, page 94, the same writer mentions how some others
were even worse put to it, and ate dogs, toads, and dead men,—and
so died almost all. From these extremities the Lord in His goodness
kept these His people, and in their great need preserved both their
lives and their health; let His name have the praise. Yet let me here
make use of the same writer’s conclusion, which in a manner may be
applied to the people of this colony: “That with their miseries they
opened a way to these new lands; and after these hardships, with what
ease other men came to inhabit them, owing it to the calamities which
these forerunners had suffered; so that they who followed seemed to
go, as it were, to a bride feast, where all things are provided for
them.”
As for fishing, having but one boat left, and she not very well
fitted, they were divided into several crews, six or seven to a crew,
who went out with a net they had bought, to catch bass and other
fish, each party taking its turn. No sooner was the boat emptied of
what she had brought, than the next crew took her, and went out with
her, not returning till they had caught something, even though it
were five or six days, for they knew there was nothing at home, and
to go home empty would be a great disappointment to the rest. They
tried who could do best. If she stayed long or got little, then all
went to seeking shell-fish, which at low water they dug out of the
sands. This was what they lived on in the summer time, till God sent
them better; and in winter there were ground-nuts and fowl to help
them out. In the summer now and then they got a deer, one or two of
the fittest being told off to hunt in the woods. What was got in that
way was divided among them.
At length they received a letter from the adventurers, too long and
tedious to record here in full, which told of their further crosses
and frustrations, beginning in this manner.
_The Adventurers in England to the Settlers at New Plymouth_:
Loving Friends,
As your sorrows and afflictions have been great, so our crosses and
interruptions in our proceedings here have not been small. After
we had, with much trouble and expense, sent the Parragon away to
sea, and thought all the trouble was at an end, about fourteen days
after she returned leaking dangerously and battered with storms,
so that she had to be put into dock and have £100 spent on her.
All the passengers lay upon our hands for six or seven weeks, and
much discontent was occasioned. But we trust all will be well,
and result to our mutual advantage, if you can wait with patience
and have but strength to hold on to life. While these things were
happening, Mr. Weston’s ship came, and brought various letters from
you.... We rejoice to hear the good reports that many have brought
home about you....
This letter was dated December 21st, 1622.
This ship was brought out by Mr. John Pierce, and fitted out at
his own expense, in hope of doing great things. The passengers and
goods which the company had sent in her he took aboard as freight,
arranging to land them here. This was the man in whose name the
colony’s first patent was taken out, because of the acquaintance of
their friends with him, though his name was only used in trust. But
when he saw that they were settled here thus hopefully, and by the
success God gave them had obtained the favour of the Council of New
England, he goes to the Council, as if on behalf of the settlers—asks
them for another patent, much more extensive, which he thus easily
obtained. But he meant to keep it to himself, and allow the colonists
what he pleased to grant them as his tenants, and sue to the courts
as chief lord, as will appear by what follows. But the Lord prevented
him; for after the first return of the ship, and the expenses above
mentioned, when she was fitted again, he takes in more passengers,
and those not very good, to try and meet his losses, and sets out a
second time. But what the result was, will appear in another letter
from one of the chief members of the company, dated 9th of April,
1623, written to the Governor here, as follows:
Loving Friend,
When I sent my last letter, I hoped to have received one from you
by this time; though when I wrote in December I little thought I
should see Mr. John Pierce till he brought tidings of you. But
it pleased God that he brought us only the woful tidings of his
return, driven back by violent storms when he was half way over,
wherein the goodness and mercy of God appeared in sparing their
lives,—in all 109 souls! The loss is great to Mr. Pierce, and the
company is put to great expense....
At last, with great trouble and loss, we have got Mr. John Pierce
to assign to the Company the grand patent, which he had taken in
his own name, the former grant being made void. I am sorry to write
that many here think that the hand of God was justly against him,
both the first and second time of his return; for it appears that
he, whom you and we so confidently trusted only to use his name for
the company, should actually aspire to be supreme over us all, and
to make you and us tenants at his will and pleasure, our patent
having been annulled by his means. I desire to judge charitably of
him; but his unwillingness to part with his royal lordship, and the
high rate he put it at, which was £500,—it cost him £50,—makes many
speak hardly of him. The company are out for goods in his ship,
with expense of passengers, £640....
We have hired from two merchants a ship of 140 tons, called the
Anne, which is to be ready the last of this month, to bring sixty
passengers and 60 tons of goods....
This is their own judgment of the man’s proceedings. I thought it
better to describe them in their words than my own. Yet, though
no other compensation was got from him than the reversion of this
patent and the shares he had in the adventure, he was never quiet,
but sued them in the chief courts of England, and when he was still
frustrated, brought it before Parliament. But he is now dead, and I
will leave him to the Lord.
This ship was in greater extremity at sea, during her second
attempted passage, than one could often hear of—without being
wrecked—as I have been informed by Mr. William Pierce who was then
captain of her, and by many others who were passengers on her. It
was about the middle of February. The storm lasted for fourteen days
altogether; but for two or three days and nights continuously it was
of fearful violence. After they had cut down their mast, their round
house and all their upper works were swept away; three men had all
they could do to keep the helm, and the man who held the ship before
the wind was obliged to be bound fast to prevent him from washing
away. The seas so over-raked them, that many times those on the deck
did not know whether they were within board or without; and once she
was so foundered in the sea that they all thought she would never
rise again. But yet the Lord preserved them, and brought them at last
safe to Portsmouth, to the wonder of all who saw what a state she was
in, and heard what they had endured.
About the latter end of June there arrived a ship, with Captain
Francis West, commissioned to be Admiral of New England, to restrain
interlopers and such fishing ships as came to fish and trade without
a license from the Council of New England, for which rights they were
to be made to pay a substantial sum of money. But he could do no good
with them; they were too strong for him, and he found the fishermen
stubborn fellows; and their owners, upon complain made to Parliament,
procured an order that fishing should be free. He told the Governor
they spoke with a ship at sea and were aboard her, which was coming
to this settlement, in which there were several passengers; he
wondered she had not arrived and feared some mischance, for they
parted company in a storm shortly after they had been aboard. This
report filled them with fear, though they still had hopes. The
captain of this ship had some two hogshead of peas to sell, but
seeing their need he held them at £9 sterling a hogshead, and would
not take under £8, and yet he wanted to buy their beaver at less than
the market rate. So they told him they had lived so long without,
they would do so still, rather than give such an unreasonable price.
So he went on to Virginia.
About fourteen days after, the ship called the Anne arrived, of which
Mr. William Pierce was captain; and about a week or ten days later
came the pinnace which they had lost in foul weather at sea,—a fine
new vessel, of about forty-four tons, which the company had built
to stay in the country. They brought about sixty settlers for the
colony, some of them very useful persons, who became good members
to the body, and some were the wives and children of those who were
here already. Some of the new settlers were so unruly, that they were
obliged to go to the expense of sending them home again the next
year. Besides these there were a number who did not belong to the
general body, but came on their own resources, and were to have lands
assigned to them, to work for themselves,—but subject to the general
Government. This caused some differences, as will appear. I shall
here again take the liberty to insert a few things out of letters
which came in this ship, desiring to give account of things in their
own words as much as may be.
_Robert Cushman in England to the Settlers at New Plymouth_:
Beloved Friends,
I kindly salute you all, with trust of your healths and welfare. I
am sorry that no supplies have been sent to you all this time, and
in explanation I must refer you to our general letters. Nor have
we now sent you all that we would, for want of money. But there
are people more than enough,—though not all who are fit to go,—for
people come flying in upon us, but money comes creeping in. Some
few of your old friends have come.... So they come dropping to you,
and by degrees, I hope ere long, you will enjoy them all. As people
are pressing so hard upon us to go, and often they are none of the
fittest, I pray you write earnestly to the treasurer, and direct
what persons should be sent. It grieves me to see so weak a company
sent you, and yet had I not been here, they would have been weaker.
You must still call upon the company here to see that honest men
are sent you, and threaten to send back others.... In no way are
we in such danger as from corrupt and disorderly persons. Such and
such came without consent; but the importunity of their friends got
our Treasurer’s word in my absence. There is no need why we should
take lewd men for we have honest men enough....
Your assured friend,
R. C.
_Thirteen of the Adventurers in England to the Settlers at New
Plymouth_:
Loving Friends,
We most heartily salute you in all love and hearty affection,
hoping that the same God Who has hitherto preserved you in such
a marvellous manner, continues your lives and health, to His own
praise and all our comforts. We are very sorry that you have not
been sent to all this time.... We have in this ship sent such women
as were willing and ready to go to their husbands and friends,
with their children.... We would not have you discontented because
we have not sent you more of your old friends, and especially
him on whom you most depend, John Robinson. Far be it from us to
neglect you or slight him. But as the original intent was, so the
results shall show that we will deal fairly, and squarely answer
your expectations to the full. There also come to you some honest
men to settle near you, on their own account, which, if we had
not allowed, would have been to wrong both them and you,—them, by
inconveniencing them, and you, because, being honest they will be a
support to the place and good neighbours to you. In regard to these
private planters we have made two stipulations:
First, the trade in skins is to be confined to the colonists till
the dividends; secondly, while they may settle near you, it shall
be at such distance as is neither inconvenient to the apportionment
of your lands, nor to your easily assembling together in case of
need.
We have sent you several fishermen, with salt.... We have sent you
various other provisions, as will appear in your bill of lading,
and though we have not sent all we would, because our cash is
small, it is what we could.
Although as it seems, you have discovered many more rivers and
fertile grounds than where you are, since by God’s providence, the
place fell to your lot, let it be accepted as your portion; and
rather fix your eyes upon what may be done there, than languish in
hope after things elsewhere. If your site is not the best, it is
the better because you will be envied or encroached upon less, and
such as are earthly minded will not settle too near your border.
If the land afford you bread, and the sea yield you fish, rest you
awhile contented. God will one day grant you better fare; and all
men shall know that you are neither fugitives nor discontents, but
can, if God so order it, take the worst to yourselves with content,
and leave the best to your neighbours with cheerfulness.
Let it not grieve you that you have been instruments to break the
ice for others, who come after with less difficulty; the honour
shall be yours to the world’s end....
We bear you always in our breasts, and our hearty affection is
towards you all, as are the hearts of hundreds more who have
never seen your faces, but who doubtless pray for your safety as
their own, as we do and ever shall—that the same God which has so
marvellously preserved you from seas, foes, and famine, will still
preserve you from all future dangers, and make you honourable among
men, and glorious in bliss at the last day. And so the Lord be with
you all, and send us joyful news of you, and enable us with one
shoulder so to accomplish and perfect this work, that much glory
may come to Him that confoundeth the mighty by the weak, and maketh
small things great. To Whose greatness be all glory, for ever and
ever.
This letter was subscribed with thirteen of their names.
The passengers, when they saw the poor condition of those ashore,
were much daunted and dismayed, and, according to their different
characters were, differently affected. Some wished themselves in
England again; others began weeping, fancying what their own misery
would be from what they saw before them; others pitied the distress
they saw their friends had been in so long, and still were under;
in a word, all were full of sadness. Some few of their old friends
rejoiced to see them again, and to know that it was no worse with
them, for they could not expect it to be better; and hoped that now
they would enjoy better days together. And it was certainly not
unnatural that the new arrivals should be thus affected; for the
settlers were in very poor case,—many were ragged in apparel, and
some little better than half naked; though some few, who were well
stocked before, were well enough clothed. But as for food, they were
all alike, except some who had got a few peas from the ship that
was last here. The best dish they could present to their friends
was a lobster, or a piece of fish, without any bread, or anything
else but a cup of fair spring water. The long continuance of this
diet, and their labours, had somewhat abated the freshness of their
complexions. But God gave them health and strength and showed them by
experience the truth of that word (Deut. viii, 3): “Man liveth not by
bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of
the Lord doth a man live.”
When I think how sadly the Scripture speaks of the famine in Jacob’s
time, when he said to his sons, “Go buy us food, that we may live and
not die” (Gen. xlii, 2, and xliii, 1); and that the famine was great
in the land and yet they had such great herds of cattle of various
kinds, which besides meat produces other foods, such as milk, butter
and cheese, etc., and yet it was counted a sore affliction; when we
think of this, then we see that the affliction of these settlers must
have been very great, who not only lacked the staff of life, but all
these things, and had no Egypt to go to. But God fed them out of the
sea for the most part, so wonderful is His providence over His in all
ages; for His mercy endureth for ever.
Now the original settlers were afraid that their corn, when it
was ripe, would have to be shared with the new-comers, and that
the provisions which the latter had brought with them would give
out before the year was over,—as indeed they did. So they went to
the Governor and begged him that as it had been agreed that they
should sow their corn for their own use, and accordingly they had
taken extraordinary pains about it, they might be left to enjoy it.
They would rather do that than have a bit of the food just come in
the ship. They would wait till harvest for their own and let the
new-comers enjoy what they had brought; they would have none of it,
except what they could purchase by bargain or exchange. Their request
was granted them and it satisfied both sides; for the new-comers were
much afraid the hungry settlers would eat up the provisions they had
brought, and then that they would fall into like conditions of want.
The ship was laden in a short time with clapboard, by the help of
many hands. They also sent in her all the beaver and other furs they
had, and Mr. Winslow was sent over with her, to give information and
to procure such things as were required. Harvest time had now come,
and then instead of famine, God gave them plenty, and the face of
things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many for which
they blessed God. And the effect of their particular planting was
well seen, for all had, one way or another, pretty well to bring the
year about, and some of the abler sort and more industrious had to
spare, and sell to others,—in fact, no general want or famine has
been amongst them since, to this day.
Those that came on their own venture looked for greater things than
they found, or could attain to, such as building great houses in
pleasant situations, as they had fancied,—as if they could be great
men, and rich, all of a sudden; but they proved castles in the air.
The following were the conditions agreed on between the colony and
them:
1. That the Governor in the name and with the consent of the
company embraces and receives them in all love and friendship; and
is to allot them competent places for habitations within the town;
and promises to show them all such other courtesies as shall be
reasonable for them to desire, or us to perform.
2. That they on their parts be subject to all such laws and orders
as are already made, or hereafter shall be made, for the public
good.
3. That they be free and exempt from the general employments of the
said company (which their present condition of community requires),
except common defence, and such other employments as tend to the
perpetual good of the colony.
4. Towards the maintenance of government, and public officers of
the said colony, every male above the age of 16 years shall pay a
bushel of Indian wheat, or the worth of it, into the common store.
5. That according to the agreement the merchants made with them
before they came, they are to be debarred from all trade with the
Indians for all sorts of furs and such like commodities, till the
time of the communality be ended.
About the middle of September Captain Robert Gorges arrived in the
Bay of Massachusetts, with sundry passengers and families, intending
to begin a plantation there; and pitched upon the place that Mr.
Weston’s people had forsaken. He had a Commission from the Council
of New England, to be Governor-General of the country, and they
appointed for his counsel and assistance, Captain Francis West,—the
admiral aforementioned,—Christopher Levett, Esquire, and the Governor
of New Plymouth for the time being, etc. They also gave him authority
to choose such other as he should see fit. Also, they gave (by their
commission) full power to him and his assistants, or any three of
them, whereof himself was always to be one, to do and execute what
should seem to them good, in all cases capital, criminal, and
civil, etc. with various other instructions. Of these and also his
commission, it pleased him to let the Governor here take a copy.
He gave them notice of his arrival by letter, but before they could
visit him, he went eastward with the ship he came in; but a storm got
up, and as they lacked a good pilot to harbour them there, they bore
up for this harbour. He and his men were kindly entertained here, and
stayed fourteen days.
In the meantime Mr. Weston arrived with his small ship, which he
had now recovered. Captain Gorges, who informed the Governor here
that one purpose of his going east was to meet with Mr. Weston,
took this opportunity to call him to account for some abuses he had
to lay to his charge. Whereupon he called Weston before him and
some other of his assistants, with the Governor of this place; and
charged him first with the ill carriage of his men in Massachusetts,
by which means the peace of the country had been disturbed, and he
himself and the people he had brought over to settle there were much
prejudiced. To this Mr. Weston easily answered, that what had been
done, was in his absence, and might have befallen anyone; he left
them sufficiently provided, and supposed they would be well governed;
for any error committed he had sufficiently smarted. This particular
charge was passed by.
The second charge was of a wrong done towards his father, Sir
Ferdinand Gorges, and to the State. The offence was this: Mr. Weston
had used him and others of the Council of New England, to procure
him a license for the purchase and transportation to New England of
many pieces of great ordnance, on the plea of great fortifications
in this country, etc. Having obtained them, he went and sold them
beyond the seas for his private profit; at which, he said, the State
had been much offended, and his father had been sharply rebuked, and
he had order to apprehend him for it. Mr. Weston excused it as well
as he could, but could not deny it, it being the main reason why he
had left England. But after much argument, by the mediation of the
Governor and some other friends here, he was inclined to be lenient,
though he foresaw the vexation of his father. When Mr. Weston saw
this he grew more presumptuous, and made such provoking and cutting
speeches, that the Governor-General rose up in great indignation
and distemper, and vowed that he would either curb him or send him
home to England. At which Mr. Weston was somewhat daunted, and came
privately to the Governor here, to know whether he would allow him
to be apprehended. He was told they could not prevent it, and blamed
him much that, after having pacified things, he should again break
out and by his own folly and rashness bring trouble upon himself and
them too. He confessed it was his temper, and prayed the Governor to
intercede for him, and smooth things if he could. At last he did so
with much ado; so he was summoned again, and the Governor-General
consented to accept his own bond, to be ready to make further answer,
when either he or the Lords should send for him. Finally, he took
only his word, and there was a friendly parting on all hands.
But after he had gone, Mr. Weston, in lieu of thanks to the Governor
and his friends here, gave them this quip behind their backs, for
all their pains: That though they were but young justices, they
were good beggars. Thus they parted for the time, and shortly after
the Governor took his leave and went to Massachusetts by land, very
grateful for his kind entertainment.
The ship stayed here and fitted herself to go to Virginia, having
some passengers to deliver there, and with her there returned several
of those who had come over privately, some from discontent and
dislike of the country, others because of a fire that broke out,
burning the houses they lived in and all their provisions. The fire
was caused by some of the seamen, who were roystering in a house
where it first began. It being very cold weather, they had made a
great fire, which broke out of the chimney and set alight the thatch,
and burnt down three or four houses, and all the goods and provisions
in them. The house in which it began was right against the common
storehouse, in which were all their provisions; and they had much
difficulty in saving it. If it had been lost, the plantation would
have been ruined. But through God’s mercy it was saved by the great
efforts of the people, and the care of the Governor and some about
him. Some advised that the goods be thrown out; but then there would
have been much stolen by the rough crews of the two ships, who were
almost all ashore. But a reliable company was placed within, so that
if necessity required they could have got them all out with speed,
and others with wet cloths and other means kept off the fire outside.
For they suspected some malicious dealing, if not plain treachery;
though whether it was only suspicion or no, God knows. But this is
certain, that when the tumult was greatest, a voice was heard—from
whom it was not known—that bid them look well about them, for all
were not friends near them. And shortly after, when the worst of the
fire was over, smoke was seen to rise from a shed adjoining the end
of the storehouse, which was wattled up with boughs, the withered
leaves of which had caught fire. Those who ran to put it out found
a large firebrand, about a yard long, lying under the wall on the
inside, which could not possibly have come there by accident, but
must have been put there intentionally, as all thought who saw it.
But God kept them from this danger, whatever was intended.
Shortly after Captain Gorges, the Governor-General, had got home to
Massachusetts, he sent a warrant to arrest Mr. Weston and his ship,
and sent a seaman to sail her thither, and one, Captain Hanson, of
his suite, to be in charge of him. The Governor and others were
very sorry to see him take this course, and took exceptions to the
warrant, as not legal or sufficient, and wrote to him to dissuade
him from this course, showing him that he would but entangle and
burden himself by doing this, and that he could not do Mr. Weston a
better turn, as things now stood with him, for he had a great many
men in his service in the ship to whom he was deeply in debt for
wages, and that he was practically out of provisions, and winter
was at hand: for all of which Captain Gorges would be responsible
if he arrested his ship. In the meantime Mr. Weston had notice to
shift for himself; but it was supposed that he did not know where to
go or how to better himself, but was rather glad of the issue, and
so did not move. But the Governor-General would not be dissuaded,
and sent a very formal warrant under his hand and seal, with strict
orders, as they would answer for it to the State; he also wrote that
he had better considered things since he was here, and he could not
answer for it to let him go, besides other things that had come to
his knowledge since, which Mr. Weston must account for. So he was
allowed to proceed; but he found in the end that what had been told
him was true; for when an inventory was taken of what was in the
ship, food was found sufficient for only fourteen days, at a bare
allowance, and not much else of any worth, and the men clamoured so
for wages and rations in the meantime, that he was soon weary. So in
conclusion it turned to his loss, and the expense of his provisions;
and towards the spring they came to an agreement, after they had
been east, and the Governor-General restored him his vessel again,
and made satisfaction in biscuit and meal and such like provisions
for what he had used of his, or what had been wanted or consumed.
So Mr. Weston came here again, and afterwards shaped his course
for Virginia, and so for the present I shall leave him. He died
afterwards at Bristol, at the time of the war, of the sickness there.
The Governor-General and some of his suite soon returned to England,
having scarcely saluted the country put under his government, as
he did not find the state of things here correspond to his station
and way of life. The people dispersed; some went to England, others
to Virginia, some few remained and were helped with supplies from
here. The Governor-General had brought over a minister of religion
with him, one Mr. Morrell, who, about a year after his return, took
shipping from here. He had I know not what power and authority
of superintendence over other churches granted him, and sundry
instructions to that end; but he never showed it or made use of it.
It seems he saw it was in vain, and he only spoke of it to some here
at his departure. This was the end of the second settlement there.
This year there were also some scattered beginnings made in other
places, as at Piscataqua by Mr. David Thomson, at Monhegan and some
other places by several others.
It remains now for me to speak a word about the pinnace mentioned
before, sent by the adventurers to be employed in the country. She
was a fine vessel, and bravely fitted out; but I fear the adventurers
were over proud of her, for she had ill success. However, they made
a great mistake about two things in her. First, though she had a
competent master, she was badly manned, and all the crew were upon
shares, and none were to receive any wages but the captain. Secondly,
though mainly busied with trade, they had sent nothing of any value
to trade with. When they came over they received bad advice from Mr.
Weston and others of the same stamp, until neither the captain nor
the governor could control them, for they declared that they were
abused and deceived; that they were told they would sail as a man of
war, and take I know not whom,—French, Spaniards, etc. They would
neither trade nor fish without wages; in fine, they would obey no
orders of the captain, and it was feared they would either make away
with the vessel, or get off on the other ships and abandon her. So
Mr. Pierce and other friends persuaded the Governor to change their
conditions, and give them wages; which was accordingly done. Then the
vessel was sent about the Cape to the Narragansetts to trade, but
they made a poor voyage of it. They got some corn and beaver, but
the Dutch had been used to trade with cloth, and better commodities,
and these had only a few beads and knives, which were not valued by
the Indians. On her return home, at the very entrance into her own
harbour, she was almost wrecked in a storm, and was forced to cut her
main mast by the board, to save herself from driving onto the flats
that lie outside, called Brown Islands, the force of the gale being
so great that her anchors gave way, and she was being driven right
upon them; but when her mast and tackling were gone, they were able
to hold her till the wind shifted.