Chapter XII: Part 12

I am to aquainte you that we have thought good to joyne with one
Edward Ashley (a man I thinke y^t some of you know); but it is only of
y^t place wherof he hath a patente in M^r. Beachamps name; and to that
end have furnished him with larg provissions, &c. Now if you please to
be partners with us in this, we are willing you shall; for after we
heard how forward Bristoll men (and as I hear some able men of his
owne kindrid) have been to stock & supply him, hoping of profite, we
thought it fitter for us to lay hould of such an opportunitie, and to
keep a kind of ru[=n]ing plantation, then others who have not borne
y^e burthen of setling a plantation, as we have done. And he, on y^e
other side, like an understanding yonge man, thought it better to
joyne with those y^t had means by a plantation to supply & back him
ther, rather then strangers, that looke but only after profite. Now it
is not knowne that you are partners with him; but only we 4., M^r.
Andrews, M^r. Beachamp, my selfe, & M^r. Hatherley, who desired to
have y^e patente, in consideration of our great loss we have allready
sustained in setling y^e first plantation ther; so we agreed togeather
to take it in our names. And now, as I said before, if you please to
joyne with us, we are willing you should. M^r. Allerton had no power
from you to make this new contracte, neither was he willing to doe any
thing therin without your consente & approbation. M^r. William Peirce
is joyned with us in this, for we thought it very conveniente, because
of landing Ashley and his goods ther, if God please; and he will bend
his course accordingly. He hath a new boate with him, and boards to
make another, with 4. or 5. lustie fellowes, wherof one is a
carpenter. Now in case you are not willing in this perticuler to joyne
with us, fearing y^e charge & doubting y^e success, yet thus much we
intreate of you, to afford him all the help you can, either by men,
commodities, or boats; yet not but y^t we will pay you for any thing
he hath. And we desire you to keep y^e accounts apart, though you
joyne with us; becase ther is, as you see, other partners in this then
y^e other; so, for all mens wages, boats-hire, or comodities, which we
shall have of you, make him debtore for it; and what you shall have of
him, make y^e plantation or your selves debtore for it to him, and so
ther will need no mingling of y^e accounts.

And now, loving freinds & partners, if you joyne in Ashles patent &
bussines, though we have laid out y^e money and taken up much to stock
this bussines & the other, yet I thinke it conscionable and reasonable
y^t you should beare your shares and proportion of y^e stock, if not
by present money, yet by securing us for so much as it shall come too;
for it is not barly y^e interest that is to be alowed & considered of,
but allso y^e adventure; though I hope in God, by his blessing & your
honest indeavors, it may soon be payed; yet y^e years y^t this
partnership holds is not long, nor many; let all therfore lay it to
harte, and make y^e best use of y^e time that possiblie we cann, and
let every man put too his shoulder, and y^e burthen will be the
lighter. I know you are so honest & conscionable men, as you will
consider hereof, [170] and returne shuch an answer as may give good
satisfaction. Ther is none of us that would venture as we have done,
were it not to strengthen & setle you more then our owne perticuler
profite.

Ther is no liclyhood of doing any good in buying y^e debte for y^e
purchas. I know some will not abate y^e interest, and therfore let it
rune its course; they are to be paied yearly, and so I hope they
shall, according to agreemente. The Lord grant y^t our loves &
affections may still be united, and knit togeither; and so we rest
your ever loving friends,

JAMES SHERLEY.
TIMOTHY HATHERLEY.

Bristoll, March 19. 1629.

This mater of y^e buying y^e debts of y^e purchass was parte of M^r. Allertons instructions, and in many of them it might have been done to good profite for ready pay (as some were); but M^r. Sherley had no mind to it. But this bussines aboute Ashley did not a litle trouble them; for though he had wite & abillitie enough to menage y^e bussines, yet some of them knew him to be a very profane yonge man; and he had for some time lived amonge y^e Indeans as a savage, & wente naked amongst them, and used their maners (in w^{ch} time he got their language), so they feared he might still rune into evill courses (though he promised better), and God would not prosper his ways. As soone as he was landed at y^e place intended, caled Penobscote, some 4 score leagues from this place, he write (& afterwards came) for to desire to be supplyed with Wampampeake, corne against winter, and other things. They considered these were of their cheefe co[=m]odities, and would be continually needed by him, and it would much prejudice their owne trade at Kenebeck if they did not joyne with him in y^e ordering of things, if thus they should supply him; and on y^e other hand, if they refused to joyne with him, and allso to afford any supply unto him, they should greatly offend their above named friends, and might hapily lose them hereby; and he and M^r. Allerton, laying their craftie wits togither, might gett supplies of these things els wher; besids, they considered that if they joyned not in y^e bussines, they knew M^r. Allerton would be with them in it, & so would swime, as it were, betweene both, to y^e prejudice of boath, but of them selves espetially. For they had reason to thinke this bussines was cheefly of his contriving, and Ashley was a man fitte for his turne and dealings. So they, to prevente a worse mischeefe, resolved to joyne in y^e bussines, and gave him supplies in what they could, & overlooked his proceedings as well as they could; the which they did y^e better, by joyning an honest yonge man,[CO] that came from Leyden, with him as his fellow (in some sorte), and not merely as a servante. Which yonge man being discreete, and one whom they could trust, they so instructed as keept Ashley in some good mesure within bounds. And so they returned their answer to their freinds in England, that they accepted of their motion, and joyned with them in Ashleys bussines; and yet withall tould them what their fears were concerning him.

But when they came to have full notice of all y^e goods brought them that year, they saw they fell very short of trading goods, and Ashley farr better suppleyed then [171] themselves; so as they were forced to buy of the fisher men to furnish them selves, yea, & cottens & carseys & other such like cloath (for want of trading cloath) of M^r. Allerton himselfe, and so to put away a great parte of their beaver, at under rate, in the countrie, which they should have sente home, to help to discharge their great ingagementes; which was to their great vexation; but M^r. Allerton prayed them to be contente, and y^e nexte yere they might have what they would write for. And their ingagmentes of this year were great indeed when they came to know them, (which was not wholy till 2. years after); and that which made them y^e more, M^r. Allerton had taken up some large su[=m]es at Bristoll at 50. [p=]^r cent. againe, which he excused, that he was forcte to it, because other wise he could at y^e spring of year get no goods transported, such were their envie against their trade. But wheither this was any more then an excuse, some of them doubted; but however, y^e burden did lye on their backs, and they must bear it, as they did many heavie loads more in y^e end.

This paying of 50. p^r cent. and dificulty of having their goods tr[=a]sported by the fishing ships at y^e first of y^e year, (as was beleeved,) which was y^e cheefe season for trade, put them upon another projecte. M^r. Allerton, after y^e fishing season was over, light of a bargan of salte, at a good fishing place, and bought it; which came to aboute 113^li.; and shortly after he might have had 30^li. cleare profite for it, without any more trouble aboute it. But M^r. Winslow coming that way from Kenebeck, & some other of ther partners with him in y^e barke, they mett with M^r. Allerton, and falling into discourse with him, they stayed him from selling y^e salte; and resolved, if it might please y^e rest, to keep it for them selves, and to hire a ship in y^e west cuntrie to come on fishing for them, on shares, according to y^e coustome; and seeing she might have her salte here ready, and a stage ready builte & fitted wher the salt lay safely landed & housed. In stead of bringing salte, they might stowe her full of trading goods, as bread, pease, cloth, &c., and so they might have a full supply of goods without paing fraight, and in due season, which might turne greatly to their advantage. Coming home, this was propounded, and considered on, and aproved by all but y^e Gov^r, who had no mind to it, seeing they had allway lost by fishing; but y^e rest were so ernest, as thinkeing that they might gaine well by y^e fishing in this way; and if they should but save, yea, or lose some thing by it, y^e other benefite would be advantage inough; so, seeing their ernestnes, he gave way, and it was referd to their freinds in England to alow, or disalow it. Of which more in its place.

Upon y^e consideration of y^e bussines about y^e paten, & in what state it was left, as is before remembred, and M^r. Sherleys ernest pressing to have M^r. Allert[=o] to come over againe to finish it, & perfect y^e accounts, &c., it was concluded to send him over this year againe; though it was with some fear & jeolocie; yet he gave them fair words and promises of well performing all their bussineses according to their directions, and to mend his former errors. So he was accordingly sent with full instructions for all things, with large letters to M^r. Sherley & y^e rest, both aboute Ashleys bussines and their owne suply with trading comodities, and how much it did concerne them to be furnished therwith, & what y^e had suffered for wante therof; and of what litle use other goods were [172] in comparison therof; and so likewise aboute this fishing ship, to be thus hired, and fraught with trading goods, which might both supply them & Ashley, and y^e benefite therof; which was left to their consideration to hire & set her out, or not; but in no case not to send any, exepte she was thus fraighte with trading goods. But what these things came too will appere in y^e next years passages.

I had like to have omited an other passage that fell out y^e begining of this year. Ther was one M^r. Ralfe Smith, & his wife & familie, y^t came over into y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets, and sojourned at presente with some stragling people that lived at Natascoe; here being a boat of this place putting in ther on some occasion, he ernestly desired that they would give him & his, passage for Plimoth, and some such things as they could well carrie; having before heard y^t ther was liklyhood he might procure house-roome for some time, till he should resolve to setle ther, if he might, or els-wher as God should disposs; for he was werie of being in y^t uncoth place, & in a poore house y^t would neither keep him nor his goods drie. So, seeing him to be a grave man, & understood he had been a minister, though they had no order for any such thing, yet they presumed and brought him. He was here accordingly kindly entertained & housed, & had y^e rest of his goods & servants sente for, and exercised his gifts amongst them, and afterwards was chosen into y^e ministrie, and so remained for sundrie years.

It was before noted that sundry of those that came from Leyden, came over in the ships y^t came to Salem, wher M^r. Endecott had cheefe co[=m]and; and by infection that grue amonge y^e passengers at sea, it spread also among them a shore, of which many dyed, some of y^e scurvie, other of an infectious feaoure, which continued some time amongst them (though our people, through Gods goodnes, escaped it). Upon which occasion he write hither for some help, understanding here was one that had some skill y^t way, & had cured diverse of y^e scurvie, and others of other diseases, by letting blood, & other means. Upon which his request y^e Gov^r hear sent him unto them, and also write to him, from whom he received an answere; the which, because it is breefe, and shows y^e begining of their aquaintance, and closing in y^e truth & ways of God, I thought it not unmeete, nor without use, hear to inserte it; and an other showing y^e begining of their fellowship & church estate ther.

Being as followeth.

Right worthy S^r:

It is a thing not usuall, that servants to one m^r and of y^e same
houshold should be strangers; I assure you I desire it not, nay, to
speake more plainly, I cannot be so to you. Gods people are all marked
with one and y^e same marke, and sealed with one and y^e same seale,
and have for y^e maine, one & y^e same harte, guided by one & same
spirite of truth; and wher this is, ther can be no discorde, nay, here
must needs be sweete harmonie. And y^e same request (with you) I make
unto y^e Lord, that we may, as Christian breethren, be united by a
heavenly & unfained love; bending all our harts and forces in
furthering a worke beyond our strength, with reverence & fear,
fastening our eyse allways on him that only is able to directe and
prosper all our ways. I acknowledge my selfe much bound to you for
your kind love and care in sending M^r. Fuller among us, and rejoyce
much y^t I am by him satisfied touching your judgments of y^e outward
forme of Gods worshipe. It is, as farr as [173] I can yet gather, no
other then is warrented by y^e evidence of truth, and y^e same which I
have proffessed and maintained ever since y^e Lord in mercie revealed
him selfe unto me; being farr from y^e commone reporte that hath been
spread of you touching that perticuler. But Gods children must not
looke for less here below, and it is y^e great mercie of God, that he
strengthens them to goe through with it. I shall not neede at this
time to be tedious unto you, for, God willing, I purpose to see your
face shortly. In y^e mean time, I humbly take my leave of you,
co[=m]iting you to y^e Lords blessed protection, & rest.

Your assured loving friend,
JO: ENDECOTT.

Naumkeak, May 11. An^o. 1629.

This second leter sheweth ther proceedings in their church affaires at Salem, which was y^e 2. church erected in these parts; and afterwards y^e Lord established many more in sundrie places.

S^r: I make bould to trouble you with a few lines, for to certifie you
how it hath pleased God to deale with us, since you heard from us.
How, notwithstanding all opposition that hath been hear, & els wher,
it hath pleased God to lay a foundation, the which I hope is agreeable
to his word in every thing. The 20. of July, it pleased y^e Lord to
move y^e hart of our Gov^r to set it aparte for a solemne day of
humilliation for y^e choyce of a pastor & teacher. The former parte of
y^e day being spente in praier & teaching, the later parte aboute y^e
election, which was after this maner. The persons thought on (who had
been ministers in England) were demanded concerning their callings;
they acknowledged ther was a towfould calling, the one an inward
calling, when y^e Lord moved y^e harte of a man to take y^t calling
upon him, and fitted him with guiftes for y^e same; the second was an
outward calling, which was from y^e people, when a company of
beleevers are joyned togither in covenante, to walke togither in all
y^e ways of God, and every member (being men) are to have a free voyce
in y^e choyce of their officers, &c. Now, we being perswaded that
these 2. men were so quallified, as y^e apostle speaks to Timothy,
wher he saith, A bishop must be blamles, sober, apte to teach, &c., I
thinke I may say, as y^e eunuch said unto Philip, What should let from
being baptised, seeing ther was water? and he beleeved. So these 2.
servants of God, clearing all things by their answers, (and being thus
fitted,) we saw noe reason but we might freely give our voyces for
their election, after this triall. So M^r. Skelton was chosen pastor,
and M^r. Higgison to be teacher; and they accepting y^e choyce, M^r.
Higgison, with 3. or 4. of y^e gravest members of y^e church, laid
their hands on M^r. Skelton, using prayer therwith. This being done,
ther was imposission of hands on M^r. Higgison also. And since that
time, Thursday (being, as I take it, y^e 6. of August) is appoynted
for another day of humilliation, for y^e choyce of elders & deacons, &
ordaining of them.

And now, good S^r, I hope y^t you & y^e rest of Gods people (who are
aquainted with the ways of God) with you, will say that hear was a
right foundation layed, and that these 2. blessed servants of y^e Lord
came in at y^e dore, and not at y^e window. Thus I have made bould to
trouble you with these few lines, desiring you to remember us, &c. And
so rest,

At your service in what I may,
CHARLES GOTT.

Salem, July 30. 1629.

[174] _Anno Dom_: 1630.

Ashley, being well supplyed, had quickly gathered a good parcell of beaver, and like a crafty pate he sent it all home, and would not pay for y^e goods he had had of y^e plantation hear, but lett them stand still on y^e score, and tooke up still more. Now though they well enough knew his aime, yet they let him goe on, and write of it into England. But partly y^e beaver they received, & sould, (of which they weer sencible,) and partly by M^r. Allertons extolling of him, they cast more how to supplie him then y^e plantation, and something to upbraid them with it. They were forct to buy him a barke allso, and to furnish her w^th a m^r. & men, to transports his corne & provissions (of which he put of much); for y^e Indeans of those parts have no corne growing, and at harvest, after corne is ready, y^e weather grows foule, and y^e seas dangerous, so as he could doe litle good with his shallope for y^t purposs.

They looked ernestly for a timely supply this spring, by the fishing ship which they expected, and had been at charg to keepe a stage for her; but none came, nor any supply heard of for them. At length they heard sume supply was sent to Ashley by a fishing ship, at which they something marvelled, and the more y^t they had no letters either from M^r. Allerton or M^r. Sherley; so they went on in their bussines as well as y^e could. At last they heard of M^r. Peirce his arivall in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusetts, who brought passengers & goods thither. They presently sent a shallop, conceiving they should have some thing by him. But he tould them he had none; and a ship was sett out on fishing, but after 11. weeks beating at sea, she mett with shuch foull weather as she was forcte back againe for England, and, y^e season being over, gave off y^e vioage. Neither did he hear of much goods in her for y^e plantation, or y^t she did belong to them, for he had heard some thing from M^r. Allerton tending that way. But M^r. Allerton had bought another ship, and was to come in her, and was to fish for bass to y^e eastward, and to bring goods, &c. These things did much trouble them, and half astonish them. M^r. Winslow haveing been to y^e eastward, brought nuese of the like things, w^th some more perticulers, and y^t it was like M^r. Allerton would be late before he came. At length they, having an oppertunitie, resolved to send M^r. Winslow, with what beaver they had ready, into England, to see how y^e squars wente, being very jeolouse of these things, & M^r. Allertons courses; and writ shuch leters, and gave him shuch instructions, as they thought meet; and if he found things not well, to discharge M^r. Allerton for being any longer agent for them, or to deal any more in y^e bussines, and to see how y^e accounts stood, &c.

Aboute y^e midle of so[=m]er arrives M^r. Hatherley in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusetts, (being one of y^e partners,) and came over in y^e same ship that was set out on fhishing (called y^e Frendship). They presently sent to him, making no question but now they had goods come, and should know how all things stood. But they found [175] the former news true, how this ship had been so long at sea, and spente and spoyled her provissions, and overthrowne y^e viage. And he being sent over by y^e rest of y^e partners, to see how things wente hear, being at Bristoll with M^r. Allerton, in y^e shipe bought (called y^e White-Angell), ready to set sayle, over night came a messenger from Bastable to M^r. Allerton, and tould him of y^e returne of y^e ship, and what had befallen. And he not knowing what to doe, having a great chareg under hand, y^e ship lying at his rates, and now ready to set sayle, got him to goe and discharg y^e ship, and take order for y^e goods. To be short, they found M^r. Hatherley some thing reserved, and troubled in him selfe, (M^r. Allerton not being ther,) not knowing how to dispose of y^e goods till he came; but he heard he was arived with y^e other ship to y^e eastward, and expected his coming. But he tould them ther was not much for them in this ship, only 2. packs of Bastable ruggs, and 2. hoggsheads of meatheglin, drawne out in wooden flackets (but when these flackets came to be received, ther was left but 6. gallons of y^e 2. hogsheads, it being drunke up under y^e name leackage, and so lost). But the ship was filled with goods for sundrie gentlemen, & others, that were come to plant in y^e Massachusets, for which they payed fraight by y^e tun. And this was all the satisfaction they could have at presente, so they brought this small parcell of goods & returned with this nues, and a letter as obscure; which made them much to marvell therat. The letter was as followeth.

Gentle-men, partners, and loving friends, &c.

Breefly thus: wee have this year set forth a fishing ship, and a
trading ship, which later we have bought; and so have disbursed a
great deale of money, as may and will appeare by y^e accounts. And
because this ship (called y^e White Angell) is to acte 2. parts, (as I
may say,) fishing for bass, and trading; and that while M^r. Allerton
was imployed aboute y^e trading, the fishing might suffer by carlesnes
or neglecte of y^e sailors, we have entreated your and our loving
friend, M^r. Hatherley, to goe over with him, knowing he will be a
comforte to M^r. Allerton, a joye to you, to see a carfull and loving
friend, and a great stay to y^e bussines; and so great contente to us,
that if it should please God y^e one should faile, (as God forbid,)
yet y^e other would keepe both recconings, and things uprighte. For we
are now out great sumes of money, as they will acquainte you withall,
&c. When we were out but 4. or 5. hundred pounds a peece, we looked
not much after it, but left it to you, & your agente, (who, without
flaterie, deserveth infinite thanks & comendations, both of you & us,
for his pains, &c.); but now we are out double, nay, trible a peece,
some of us, &c.; which maks us both write, and send over our friend,
M^r. Hatherley, whom we pray you to entertaine kindly, of which we
doubte not of. The main end of sending him is to see y^e state and
accounte of all y^e bussines, of all which we pray you informe him
fully, though y^e ship & bussines wayte for it and him. For we should
take it very unkindly that we should intreat him to take such a
journey, and that, when it pleaseth God he returnes, he could not give
us contente & satisfaction in this perticuler, through defaulte of any
of you. [176] But we hope you will so order bussines, as neither he
nor we shall have cause to complaine, but to doe as we ever have done,
thinke well of you all, &c. I will not promise, but shall indeaour &
hope to effecte y^e full desire and grant of your patente, & that ere
it be longe. I would not have you take any thing unkindly. I have not
write out of jeolocie of any unjuste dealing. Be you all kindly
saluted in y^e Lord, so I rest,

Yours in what I may,
JAMES SHERLEY.

March 25. 1630.

It needs not be thought strange, that these things should amase and trouble them; first, that this fishing ship should be set out, and fraight with other mens goods, & scarce any of theirs; seeing their maine end was (as is before remembred) to bring them a full supply, and their speatiall order not to sett out any excepte this was done. And now a ship to come on their accounte, clean contrary to their both end & order, was a misterie they could not understand; and so much y^e worse, seeing she had shuch ill success as to lose both her vioage & provissions. The 2. thing, that another ship should be bought and sente out on new designes, a thing not so much as once thought on by any here, much less, not a word intimated or spoaken of by any here, either by word or letter, neither could they imagine why this should be. Bass fishing was never lookt at by them, but as soone as ever they heard on it, they looked at it as a vaine thing, that would certainly turne to loss. And for M^r. Allerton to follow any trade for them, it was never in their thoughts. And 3^ly, that their fri[=e]ds should complaine of disbursements, and yet rune into such great things, and charge of shiping & new projects of their owne heads, not only without, but against, all order & advice, was to them very strang. And 4^ly, that all these matters of so great charg & imployments should be thus wrapped up in a breefe and obscure letter, they knew not what to make of it. But amids all their doubts they must have patience till M^r. Allerton & M^r. Hatherley should come. In y^e mean time M^r. Winslow was gone for England; and others of them were forst to folow their imployments with y^e best means they had, till they could hear of better.

At length M^r. Hatherley & M^r. Allerton came unto them, (after they had delivered their goods,) and finding them strucken with some sadnes aboute these things, M^r. Allerton tould them that y^e ship Whit-Angele did not belong to them, nor their accounte, neither neede they have any thing to doe with her, excepte they would. And M^r. Hatherley confirmed y^e same, and said that they would have had him to have had a parte, but he refused; but he made question whether they would not turne her upon y^e generall accounte, if ther came loss (as he now saw was like), seeing M^r. Allerton laid downe this course, and put them on this projecte. But for y^e fishing ship, he tould them they need not be so much troubled, for he had her accounts here, and showed them that her first seting out came not much to exceed 600^li. as they might see by y^e accounte, which he showed them; and for this later viage, it would arrise to profite by y^e fraight of the goods, and y^e salle of some katle which he shiped and had allready sould, & was to be paid for partly here & partly by bills into England, so as they should not have this put on their acounte at all, except they [178][CP] would. And for y^e former, he had sould so much goods out of her in England, and imployed y^e money in this 2. viage, as it, togeither with such goods & implements as M^r. Allerton must need aboute his fishing, would rise to a good parte of y^e money; for he must have y^e sallt and nets, allso spiks, nails, &c.; all which would rise to nere 400^li; so, with y^e bearing of their parts of y^e rest of the loses (which would not be much above 200^li.), they would clear them of this whole accounte. Of which motion they were glad, not being willing to have any accounts lye upon them; but aboute their trade, which made them willing to harken therunto, and demand of M^r. Hatherley how he could make this good, if they should agree their unto, he tould them he was sent over as their agente, and had this order from them, that whatsoever he and M^r. Allerton did togeather, they would stand to it; but they would not alow of what M^r. Allerton did alone, except they liked it; but if he did it alone, they would not gaine say it. Upon which they sould to him & M^r. Allerton all y^e rest of y^e goods, and gave them present possession of them; and a writing was made, and confirmed under both M^r. Hatherleys and M^r. Allertons hands, to y^e effecte afforesaide. And M^r. Allertone, being best aquainted w^th y^e people, sould away presenly all shuch goods as he had no need of for y^e fishing, as 9. shallop sails, made of good new canvas, and y^e roads for them being all new, with sundry such usefull goods, for ready beaver, by M^r. Hatherleys allowance. And thus they thought they had well provided for them selvs. Yet they rebuked M^r. Allerton very much for runing into these courses, fearing y^e success of them. M^r. Allerton & M^r. Hatherley brought to y^e towne with them (after he had sould what he could abroad) a great quantity of other goods besids trading comodities; as linen cloath, bedticks, stockings, tape, pins, ruggs, &c., and tould them they were to have them, if they would; but they tould M^r. Allerton that they had forbid him before for bringing any such on their accounte; it would hinder their trade and returnes. But he & M^r. Hatherley said, if they would not have them, they would sell them, them selves, and take corne for what they could not otherwise sell. They tould them they might, if they had order for it. The goods of one sorte & other came to upward of 500^li.

After these things, Mr. Allerton wente to y^e ship aboute his bass fishing; and M^r. Hatherley, (according to his order,) after he tooke knowledg how things stood at y^e plantation, (of all which they informed him fully,) he then desired a boate of them to goe and visite y^e trading houeses, both Kenebeck, and Ashley at Penobscote; for so they in England had injoyned him. They accordingly furnished him with a boate & men for y^e viage, and aquainted him plainly & thorowly with all things; by which he had good contente and satisfaction, and saw plainly that M^r. Allerton plaid his owne game, and rane a course not only to y^e great wrong & detrimente of y^e plantation, who imployed & trusted him, but abused them in England also, in possessing them with prejudice against y^e plantation; as y^t, they would never be able to repaye their moneys (in regard of their great charge), but if [179] they would follow his advice and projects, he & Ashley (being well supplyed) would quickly bring in their moneys with good advantage. Mr. Hatherley disclosed also a further projecte aboute y^e setting out of this ship, y^e White-angell; how, she being wel fitted with good ordnance, and known to have made a great fight at sea (when she belongd to Bristoll) and caried away the victory, they had agreed (by M^r. Allerton's means) that, after she had brought a fraight of goods here into the countrie, and fraight her selfe with fish, she should goe from hence to Port of porte,[CQ] and ther be sould, both ship, goods, and ordenance; and had, for this end, had speech with a factore of those parts, beforehand, to whom she should have been consigned. But this was prevented at this time, (after it was known,) partly by y^e contrary advice given by their freinds hear to M^r. Allerton & M^r. Hatherley, showing how it might insnare their friends in England, (being men of estate,) if it should come to be knowne; and for y^e plantation, they did and would disalow it, and protest against it; and partly by their bad viage, for they both came too late to doe any good for fishing, and allso had such a wicked and drunken company as neither M^r. Allerton nor any els could rule; as M^r. Hatherley, to his great greefe & shame, saw, & beheld, and all others that came nere them.

Ashley likwise was taken in a trape, (before M^r. Hatherley returned,) for trading powder & shote with y^e Indeans; and was ceased upon by some in authoritie, who allso would have confiscated above a thousand weight of beaver; but y^e goods were freed, for y^e Governer here made it appere, by a bond under Ashleys hand, wherin he was bound to them in 500^li. not to trade any munition with the Indeans, or other wise to abuse him selfe; it was also manifest against him that he had co[=m]ited uncleannes with Indean women, (things that they feared at his first imployment, which made them take this strict course with him in y^e begining); so, to be shorte, they gott their goods freed, but he was sent home prisoner. And that I may make an end concerning him, after some time of imprisonmente in y^e Fleet, by y^e means of friends he was set at liberty, and intended to come over againe, but y^e Lord prevented it; for he had a motion made to him, by some marchants, to goe into Russia, because he had such good skill in y^e beaver trade, the which he accepted of, and in his returne home was cast away at sea; this was his end.

M^r. Hatherley, fully understanding y^e state of all things, had good satisfaction, and could well informe them how all things stood betweene M^r. Allerton and y^e plantation. Yea, he found that M^r. Allerton had gott within him, and [180] got all the goods into his owne hands, for which M^r. Hatherley stood joyntly ingaged to them hear, aboute y^e ship-Fre[=i]dship, as also most of y^e fraigte money, besids some of his owne perticuler estate; about w^ch more will appear here after. So he returned into England, and they sente a good quantity of beaver with him to y^e rest of y^e partners; so both he and it was very wellcome unto them.

M^r. Allerton followed his affaires, & returned with his White Angell, being no more imployed by y^e plantation; but these bussinesses were not ended till many years after, nor well understood of a longe time, but foulded up in obscuritie, & kepte in y^e clouds, to y^e great loss & vexation of y^e plantation, who in y^e end were (for peace sake) forced to bear y^e unjust burthen of them, to their allmost undoing, as will appear, if God give life to finish this history.

They sent their letters also by M^r. Hatherley to y^e partners ther, to show them how M^r. Hatherley & M^r. Allerton had discharged them of y^e Friendships accounte, and that they boath affirmed y^t the White-Angell did not at all belong to them; and therfore desired that their accounte might not be charged therwith. Also they write to M^r. Winslow, their agente, that he in like maner should (in their names) protest against it, if any such thing should be intended, for they would never yeeld to y^e same. As allso to signifie to them that they renounsed M^r. Allerton wholy, for being their agente, or to have any thing to doe in any of their bussines.

This year John Billinton y^e elder (one that came over with y^e first) was arrained, and both by grand & petie jurie found guilty of willfull murder, by plaine & notorious evidence. And was for the same accordingly executed.[CR] This, as it was y^e first execution amongst them, so was it a mater of great sadnes unto them. They used all due means about his triall, and tooke y^e advice of M^r. Winthrop and other y^e ablest gentle-men in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets, that were then new-ly come over, who concured with them y^t he ought to dye, and y^e land to be purged from blood. He and some of his had been often punished for miscariags before, being one of the profanest families amongst them. They came from London, and I know not by what freinds shufled into their company. His facte was, that he way-laid a yong-man, one John New-comin, (about a former quarell,) and shote him with a gune, wherof he dyed.[CS]

Having by a providence a letter or to y^t came to my hands concerning the proceedings of their Re^d freinds in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets, who were latly come over, I thought it not amise here to inserte them, (so farr as is pertenente, and may be usefull for after times,) before I conclude this year.

S^r: Being at Salem the 25. of July, being y^e saboath, after y^e
evening exercise, M^r. Johnson received a letter from y^e Governor,
Mr. John Winthrop, manifesting y^e hand of God to be upon them, and
against them at Charles-towne, in visiting them with sicknes, and
taking diverse from amongst them, not sparing y^e righteous, but
partaking with y^e wicked in these bodily judgments. It was therfore
by his desire taken into y^e Godly consideration of y^e best hear,
what was to be done to pacifie y^e Lords wrath, &c. Wher it was
concluded, that the Lord was to be sought in righteousnes; and to that
end, y^e 6. day (being Friday) of this present weeke, is set aparte,
that they may humble them selves before God, and seeke him in his
ordenances; and that then also such godly persons that are amongst
them, and kno[=w] each to other, may publickly, at y^e end of their
exercise, make known their Godly desire, and practise y^e same, viz.
sole[=m]ly to enter into [181] covenante with y^e Lord to walke in his
ways. And since they are so disposed of in their outward estats, as to
live in three distinct places, each having men of abilitie amongst
them, ther to observe y^e day, and become 3. distincte bodys; not then
intending rashly to proceed to y^e choyce of officers, or y^e
admitting of any other to their societie then a few, to witte, such as
are well knowne unto them; promising after to receive in such by
confession of faith, as shall appeare to be fitly qualified for y
estate. They doe ernestly entreate that y^e church of Plimoth would
set apparte y^e same day, for y^e same ends, beseeching y^e Lord, as
to withdraw his hand of correction from them, so also to establish and
direct them in his wayes. And though y^e time be shorte, we pray you
be provocked to this godly worke, seing y^e causes are so urgente;
wherin God will be honoured, and they & we undoubtedly have sweete
comforte. Be you all kindly saluted, &c.

Your brethren in Christ, &c.

Salem, July 26. 1630.

S^r: etc. The sadd news here is, that many are sicke, and many are
dead; y^e Lord in mercie looke upon them. Some are here entered into
church covenante; the first were 4. namly, y^e Gov^r, M^r. John
Winthrop, M^r. Johnson, M^r. Dudley, and M^r. Willson; since that 5.
more are joyned unto them, and others, it is like, will adde them
selves to them dayly; the Lord increase them, both in number and in
holines for his mercie sake. Here is a gentleman, one M^r. Cottington,
(a Boston man,) who tould me, that M^r. Cottons charge at Hamton was,
that they should take advise of them at Plimoth, and should doe
nothing to offend them. Here are diverce honest Christians that are
desirous to see us, some out of love which they bear to us, and y^e
good perswasion they have of us; others to see whether we be so ill as
they have heard of us. We have a name of holines, and love to God and
his saincts; the Lord make us more and more answerable, and that it
may be more then a name, or els it will doe us no good. Be you
lovingly saluted, and all the rest of our friends. The Lord Jesus
blese us, and y^e whole Israll of God. Amen.

Your loving brother, &c.

Charles-towne, Aug. 2. 1630.

Thus out of smalle beginings greater things have been prodused by his hand y^t made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so y^e light here kindled hath shone to many, yea in some sorte to our whole nation; let y^e glorious name of Jehova have all y^e praise.

[182] _Anno Dom_: 1631.

Ashley being thus by y^e hand of God taken away, and M^r. Allerton discharged of his imploymente for them, their bussines began againe to rune in one chanell, and them selves better able to guide the same, Penobscote being wholy now at their disposing. And though M^r. William Peirce had a parte ther as is before noted, yet now, as things stood, he was glad to have his money repayed him, and stand out. M^r. Winslow, whom they had sent over, sent them over some supply as soone as he could; and afterwards when he came, which was something longe by reason of bussines, he brought a large supply of suitable goods with him, by which ther trading was well carried on. But by no means either he, or y^e letters y^ey write, could take off M^r. Sherley & y^e rest from putting both y^e Friendship and Whit-Angell on y^e generall accounte; which caused continuall contention betweene them, as will more appeare.

I shall inserte a leter of M^r. Winslow's about these things, being as foloweth.

S^r: It fell out by Gods providence, y^t I received and brought your
leters p^r M^r. Allerton from Bristoll, to London; and doe much feare
what will be y^e event of things. M^r. Allerton intended to prepare
y^e ship againe, to set forth upon fishing. M^r. Sherley, M^r.
Beachamp, & M^r. Andrews, they renounce all perticulers, protesting
but for us they would never have adventured one penie into those
parts; M^r. Hatherley stands inclinable to either. And wheras you
write that he and M^r. Allerton have taken y^e Whit-Angell upon them,
for their partners here, they professe they neiver gave any such
order, nor will make it good; if them selves will cleare y^e accounte
& doe it, all shall be well. What y^e evente of these things will be,
I know not. The Lord so directe and assiste us, as he may not be
dishonoured by our divissions. I hear (p^r a friend) that I was much
blamed for speaking w^t[CT] I heard in y^e spring of y^e year,
concerning y^e buying & setting forth of y^t ship;[CU] sure, if I
should not have tould you what I heard so peremtorly reported (which
report I offered now to prove at Bristoll), I should have been
unworthy my imploymente. And concerning y^e commission so long since
given to M^r. Allerton, the truth is, the thing we feared is come upon
us; for M^r. Sherley & y^e rest have it, and will not deliver it, that
being y^e ground of our agents credite to procure shuch great sumes.
But I looke for bitter words, hard thoughts, and sower looks, from
sundrie, as well for writing this, as reporting y^e former. I would I
had a more thankfull imploymente; but I hope a good conscience shall
make it comefortable, &c.

Thus farr he. Dated Nov: 16. 1631.

The comission above said was given by them under their hand and seale, when M^r. Allerton was first imployed by them, and redemanded of him in y^e year 29. when they begane to suspecte his course. He tould them it was amongst his papers, but he would seeke it out & give it them before he wente. But he being ready to goe, it was demanded againe. He said he could not find it, but it was amongst his papers, which he must take w^th him, [183] and he would send it by y^e boat from y^e eastward; but ther it could not be had neither, but he would seeke it up at sea. But whether M^r. Sherley had it before or after, it is not certaine; but having it, he would not let it goe, but keeps it to this day. Wherfore, even amongst freinds, men had need be carfull whom they trust, and not lett things of this nature lye long unrecaled.

_Some parts of M^r. Sherley's letters aboute these things, in which y^e truth is best manifested._

Sir: Yours I have received by our loving friends, M^r. Allerton & M^r.
Hatherley, who, blesed be God, after a long & dangerous passage with
y^e ship Angell, are safely come to Bristoll. M^r. Hatherley is come
up, but M^r. Allerton I have not yet seen. We thanke you, and are very
glad you have disswaded him from his Spanish viage, and y^t he did not
goe on in these designes he intended; for we did all uterly dislick of
that course, as allso of y^e fishing y^t y^e Freindship should have
performed; for we wished him to sell y^e salte, and were unwilling to
have him undertake so much bussines, partly for y^e ill success we
formerly had in those affairs, and partly being loath to disburse so
much money. But he perswaded us this must be one way y^t must repay
us, for y^e plantation would be long in doing of it; ney, to my
rememberance, he doubted you could not be able, with y^e trade ther,
to maintaine your charge & pay us. And for this very cause he brought
us on y^t bussines with Ed: Ashley, for he was a stranger to us, &c.

For y^e fishing ship, we are sorie it proves so heavie, and will be
willing to bear our parts. What M^r. Hatherley & M^r. Allerton have
done, no doubt but them selves will make good;[CV] we gave them no
order to make any composition, to seperate you and us in this or any
other. And I thinke you have no cause to forsake us, for we put you
upon no new thing, but what your agent perswaded us to, & you by your
letters desired. If he exceede your order, I hope you will not blame
us, much less cast us of, when our moneys be layed out, &c. But I fear
neither you nor we have been well delte withall, for sure, as you
write, halfe 4000^li.?, nay, a quarter, in fitting comodities, and in
seasonable time, would have furnished you beter then you were. And yet
for all this, and much more I might write, I dare not but thinke him
honest, and that his desire and intente was good; but y^e wisest may
faile. Well, now y^t it hath pleased God to give us hope of meeting,
doubte not but we will all indeavore to perfecte these accounts just &
right, as soone as possibly we can. And I supposs you sente over M^r.
Winslow, and we M^r. Hatherley, to certifie each other how y^e state
of things stood. We have received some contente upon M^r. Hatherley's
returne, and I hope you will receive good contente upon M^r.
Winslow's returne. Now I should come to answer more perticulerly your
letter, but herin I shall be very breefe. The coming of y^e White
Angele on your accounte could not be more strang to you, then y^e
buying of her was to us; for you gave him commission[CW] that what he
did you would stand too; we gave him none, and yet for his credite,
and your saks, payed what bills he charged on us, &c. For y^t I write
she was to acte tow parts, fishing & trade; beleeve me, I never so
much as thought of any perticuler trade, nor will side with any y^t
doth, if I conceive it may wrong you; for I ever was against it,
useing these words: They will eate up and destroy y^e generall.

Other things I omite as tedious, and not very pertenente. This was dated Nov^r. 19. 1631.

In an other leter bearing date y^e 24. of this month, being an answer to y^e generall order, he hath these words:--

[184] For y^e White Angell, against which you write so ernestly, and
say we thrust her upon you, contrary to y^e intente of y^e buyer,
herin we say you forgett your selves, and doe us wrong. We will not
take uppon us to devine what y^e thougts or intents of y^e buyer was,
but what he spack we heard, and that we will affirme, and make good
against any y^t oppose it; which is, y^t unles shee were bought, and
shuch a course taken, Ashley could not be supplyed; and againe, if he
weer not supplyed, we could not be satisfied what we were out for you.
And further, you were not able to doe it; and he gave some reasons
which we spare to relate, unless by your unreasonable refusall you
will force us, and so, hasten y^t fire which is a kindling too fast
allready, &c.

_Out of another of his, bearing date Jan. 2. 1631._