Chapter VII: Part 7

The people which they cary are no men for us, wherfore I pray you
entertaine them not, neither exchainge man for man with them, excepte
it be some of your worst. He hath taken a patente for him selfe. If
they offerr to buy any thing of you, let it be shuch as you can spare,
and let them give y^e worth of it. If they borrow any thing of you,
let them leave a good pawne, &c. It is like he [78[AV]] will plant to
y^e southward of y^e Cape, for William Trevore hath lavishly tould but
what he knew or imagined of Capewack, Mohiggen, & y^e Narigansets. I
fear these people will hardly deale so well with y^e savages as they
should. I pray you therfore signifie to Squanto, that they are a
distincte body from us, and we have nothing to doe with them, neither
must be blamed for their falts, much less can warrente their
fidelitie. We are aboute to recover our losses in France. Our freinds
at Leyden are well, and will come to you as many as can _this time_. I
hope all will turne to y^e best, wherfore I pray you be not
discouraged, but gather up your selfe to goe thorow these dificulties
cherfully & with courage in y^t place wherin God hath sett you, untill
y^e day of refreshing come. And y^e Lord God of sea & land bring us
comfortably togeather againe, if it may stand with his glorie.

Yours,
ROBART CUSHMAN.

On y^e other sid of y^e leafe, in y^e same leter, came these few lines from M^r. John Peirce, in whose name the patente was taken, and of whom more will follow, to be spoken in its place.

Worthy S^r: I desire you to take into consideration that which is
writen on y^e other side, and not any way to damnifie your owne
collony, whos strength is but weaknes, and may therby be more
infeebled. And for y^e leters of association, by y^e next ship we
send, I hope you shall receive satisfaction; in y^e mean time whom you
admite I will approve. But as for M^r. Weston's company, I thinke them
so base in condition (for y^e most parte) as in all apearance not
fitt for an honest mans company. I wish they prove other wise. My
purpose is not to enlarge my selfe, but cease in these few lins, and
so rest

Your loving freind,
JOHN PEIRCE.

All these things they pondred and well considered, yet concluded to give his men frendly entertainmente; partly in regard of M^r. Weston him selfe, considering what he had been unto them, & done for them, & to some, more espetially; and partly in compassion to y^e people, who were now come into a willdernes, (as them selves were,) and were by _y^e ship_ to be presently put a shore, (for she was _to cary other passengers to Virginia_, who lay at great charge,) and they were alltogeather unacquainted & knew not what to doe. So as they had received his former company of 7. men, and vitailed them as their owne hitherto, so they also received _these_ (being aboute 60. lusty men), and gave [79] housing for them selves and their goods; and many being sicke, they had y^e best means y^e place could aford them. They stayed hear y^e most parte of y^e so[=m]er till _y^e ship came back againe from Virginia_. Then, by his direction, or those whom he set over them, they removed into y^e Massachusset Bay, he having got a patente for some part ther, (by light of ther former discovery in leters sent home). Yet they left all ther sicke folke hear till they were setled and housed. But of ther victails they had not any, though they were in great wante, nor any thing els in recompence of any courtecie done them; neither did they desire it, for they saw they were an unruly company, and had no good govermente over them, and by disorder would soone fall into wants if M^r. Weston came not y^e sooner amongst them; and therfore, to prevente all after occasion, would have nothing of them.

Amids these streigths, and y^e desertion of those from whom they had hoped for supply, and when famine begane now to pinch them sore, they not knowing what to doe, the Lord, (who never fails his,) presents them with an occasion, beyond all expectation. This boat which came from y^e eastward brought them a letter from a stranger, of whose name they had never heard before, being a captaine of a ship come ther a fishing. This leter was as followeth. Being thus inscribed.

To all his good freinds at Plimoth, these, &c.

Freinds, cuntrimen, & neighbours: I salute you, and wish you all
health and hapines in y^e Lord. I make bould with these few lines to
trouble you, because unless I were unhumane, I can doe no less. Bad
news doth spread it selfe too farr; yet I will so farr informe you
that my selfe, with many good freinds in y^e south-collonie of
Virginia, have received shuch a blow, that 400. persons large will not
make good our losses. Therfore I doe intreat you (allthough not
knowing you) that y^e old rule which I learned when I went to schoole,
may be sufficente. That is, Hapie is he whom other mens harmes doth
make to beware. And now againe and againe, wishing all those y^t
willingly would serve y^e Lord, all health and happines in this world,
and everlasting peace in y^e world to come. And so I rest,

Yours,
JOHN HUDLSTON.

By this boat y^e Gov^r returned a thankfull answer, as was meete, and sent a boate of their owne with them, which was piloted by them, in which M^r. Winslow was sente to procure what provissions he could of y^e ships, who was kindly received by y^e foresaid gentill-man, who not only spared what he [90[AW]] could, but writ to others to doe y^e like. By which means he gott some good quantitie and returned in saftie, by which y^e plantation had a duble benefite, first, a present refreshing by y^e food brought, and secondly, they knew y^e way to those parts for their benifite hearafter. But what was gott, & this small boat brought, being devided among so many, came but to a litle, yet by Gods blesing it upheld them till harvest. It arose but to a quarter of a pound of bread a day to each person; and y^e Gov^r caused it to be dayly given them, otherwise, had it been in their owne custody, they would have eate it up & then starved. But thus, with what els they could get, they made pretie shift till corne was ripe.

This so[=m]er they builte a fort with good timber, both strong & comly, which was of good defence, made with a flate rofe & batllments, on which their ordnance were mounted, and wher they kepte constante watch, espetially in time of danger. It served them allso for a meeting house, and was fitted accordingly for that use. It was a great worke for them in this weaknes and time of wants; but y^e deanger of y^e time required it, and both y^e continuall rumors of y^e fears from y^e Indeans hear, espetially y^e Narigansets, and also y^e hearing of that great massacre in Virginia, made all hands willing to despatch y^e same.

Now y^e wellcome time of harvest aproached, in which all had their hungrie bellies filled. But it arose but to a litle, in comparison of a full years supplie; partly by reason they were not yet well aquainted with y^e ma[=n]er of Indean corne, (and they had no other,) allso their many other imployments, but cheefly their weaknes for wante of food, to tend it as they should have done. Also much was stolne both by night & day, before it became scarce eatable, & much more afterward. And though many were well whipt (when they were taken) for a few ears of corne, yet hunger made others (whom conscience did not restraine) to venture. So as it well appeared y^e famine must still insue y^e next year allso, if not some way prevented, or supplie should faile, to which they durst not trust. Markets there was none to goe too, but only y^e Indeans, and they had no trading comodities. Behold now another providence of God; a ship comes into y^e [91] harbor, one Captain Jons being cheefe therin. They were set out by some marchants to discovere all y^e harbors betweene this & Virginia, and y^e shoulds of Cap-Cod, and to trade along y^e coast wher they could. This ship had store of English-beads (which were then good trade) and some knives, but would sell none but at dear rates, and also a good quantie togeather. Yet they weere glad of y^e occasion, and faine to buy at any rate; they were faine to give after y^e rate of cento per cento, if not more, and yet pay away coat-beaver at 3^s. per^li, which in a few years after yeelded 20^s. By this means they were fitted againe to trade for beaver & other things, and intended to buy what corne they could.

But I will hear take liberty to make a litle digression. Ther was in _this ship_ a gentle-man by name M^r. John Poory; he had been secretarie in Virginia, and was now going home passenger _in this ship_. After his departure he write a leter to y^e Gov^r in the postscrite wherof he hath these lines.

To your selfe and M^r. Brewster, I must acknowledg my selfe many ways
indebted, whose books I would have you thinke very well bestowed on
him, who esteemeth them shuch juells. My hast would not suffer me to
remember (much less to begg) M^r. Ainsworths elaborate worke upon y^e
5. books of Moyses. Both his & M^r. Robinsons doe highly commend the
authors, as being most conversante in y^e scripturs of all others. And
what good (who knows) it may please God to worke by them, through my
hands, (though most unworthy,) who finds shuch high contente in them.
God have you all in his keeping.

Your unfained and firme friend,
JOHN PORY.

Aug. 28. 1622.

These things I hear inserte for honour sake of y^e authors memorie, which this gentle-man doth thus ingeniusly acknowledg; and him selfe after his returne did this poore-plantation much credite amongst those of no mean ranck. But to returne.

[92] _Shortly after harvest_ M^r. Westons people who were now seated at y^e Massachusets, and by disorder (as it seems) had made havock of their provissions, begane now to perceive that want would come upon them. And hearing that they hear had bought trading comodities & intended to trade for corne, they write to y^e Gov^r and desired they might joyne with them, and they would imploy their small ship in y^e servise; and furder requested either to lend or sell them so much of their trading comodities as their part might come to, and they would undertake to make paymente when M^r. Weston, or their supply, should come. The Gov^r condesended upon equall terms of agreemente, thinkeing to goe aboute y^e Cap to y^e southward with y^e ship, wher some store of corne might be got. Althings being provided, Captaint Standish was apointed to goe with them, and Squanto for a guid & interpreter, about y^e _latter end of September_; but y^e winds put them in againe, & putting out y^e 2. time, he fell sick of a feavor, so y^e Gov^r wente him selfe. But they could not get aboute y^e should of Cap-Cod, for flats & breakers, neither could Squanto directe them better, nor y^e m^r. durst venture any further, so they put into Manamoyack Bay and got w^t[AX] they could ther. In this place Squanto fell sick of an Indean feavor, bleeding much at y^e nose (which y^e Indeans take for a simptome of death), and within a few days dyed ther; desiring y^e Gov^r to pray for him, that he might goe to y^e Englishmens God in heaven, and bequeathed sundrie of his things to sundry of his English freinds, as remembrances of his love; of whom they had a great loss. They got in this vioage, in one place & other, about 26. or 28. hogsheads of corne & beans, which was more then the Indeans could well spare in these parts, for y^e set but a litle till they got English hows. And so were faine to returne, being sory they could not gett about the Cap, to have been better laden. After ward y^e Gov^r tooke a few men & wente to y^e inland places, to get what he could, and to fetch it home at y^e spring, which did help them something.

[93] After these things, in _Feb_: a messenger came from John Sanders, who was left cheefe over M^r. Weston's men in y^e bay of Massachusets, who brought a letter shewing the great wants they were falen into; and he would have borrowed a hh of corne of y^e Indeans, but they would lend him none. He desired advice whether he might not take it from them by force to succore his men till he came from y^e eastward, whither he was going. The Gov^r & rest deswaded him by all means from it, for it might so exasperate the Indeans as might endanger their saftie, and all of us might smart for it; for they had already heard how they had so wronged y^e Indeans by stealing their corne, &c. as they were much incensed against them. Yea, so base were some of their own company, as they wente & tould y^e Indeans y^t their Gov^r was purposed to come and take their corne by force. The which with other things made them enter into a conspiracie against y^e English, of which more in y^e nexte. Hear with I end this year.

_Anno Dom: 1623._

It may be thought strang that these people should fall to these extremities in so short a time, being left competently provided when y^e ship left them, and had an addition by that moyetie of corn that was got by trade, besids much they gott of y^e Indans wher they lived, by one means & other. It must needs be their great disorder, for they spent excesseivly whilst they had, or could get it; and, it may be, wasted parte away among y^e Indeans (for he y^t was their cheef was taxed by some amongst them for keeping Indean women, how truly I know not). And after they begane to come into wants, many sould away their cloathes and bed coverings; others (so base were they) became servants to y^e Indeans, and would cutt them woode & fetch them water, for a cap full of corne; others fell to plaine stealing, both night & day, from y^e Indeans, of which they greevosly complained. In y^e end, they came to that misery, that some starved & dyed with could & hunger. One in geathering shell-fish was so weake as he stuck fast in y^e mudd, and was found dead in y^e place. At last most of them left their dwellings & scatered up & downe in y^e [94] woods, & by y^e water sids, wher they could find ground nuts & clames, hear 6. and ther ten. By which their cariages they became contemned & scorned of y^e Indeans, and they begane greatly to insulte over them in a most insolente maner; insomuch, many times as they lay thus scatered abrod, and had set on a pot with ground nuts or shell-fish, when it was ready the Indeans would come and eate it up; and when night came, wheras some of them had a sorie blanket, or such like, to lappe them selves in, the Indeans would take it and let y^e other lye all nighte in the could; so as their condition was very lamentable. Yea, in y^e end they were faine to hange one of their men, whom they could not reclaime from stealing, to give y^e Indeans contente.

Whilst things wente in this maner with them, y^e Gov^r & people hear had notice y^t Massasoyte ther freind was sick & near unto death. They sent to vissete him, and withall sente him such comfortable things as gave him great contente, and was a means of his recovery; upon which occasion he discovers y^e conspiracie of these Indeans, how they were resolved to cutt of M^r. Westons people, for the continuall injuries they did them, & would now take opportunitie of their weaknes to doe it; and for that end had conspired with other Indeans their neighbours their aboute. And thinking the people hear would revenge their death, they therfore thought to doe y^e like by them, & had solisited him to joyne with them. He advised them therfore to prevent it, and that speedly by taking of some of y^e cheefe of them, before it was to late, for he asured them of y^e truth hereof.

This did much trouble them, and they tooke it into serious delibration, and found upon examenation other evidence to give light hear unto, to longe hear to relate. In y^e mean time, came one of them from y^e Massachucets, with a small pack at his back; and though he knew not a foote of y^e way, yet he got safe hither, but lost his way, which was well for him, for he was pursued, and so was mist. He tould them hear how all things stood amongst them, and that he durst stay no longer, he apprehended they (by what he observed) would be all knokt in y^e head shortly. This made them make y^e more hast, & dispatched a boate away w^th Capten Standish & some men, who found them in a miserable condition, out of which he rescued them, and helped them to some releef, cut of some few of y^e cheefe conspirators, and, according to his order, offered to bring them all hither if they thought good; and they should fare no worse then them selves, till M^r. Weston or some supplie came to them. Or, if any other course liked them better, he was to doe them any helpfullnes he could. They thanked him & y^e rest. But most of them desired he would help them with some corne, and they would goe with their smale ship to y^e eastward, wher hapily they might here of M^r. Weston, or some supply from him, seing y^e time of y^e year was for fishing ships to [95] be in y^e land. If not, they would worke among y^e fishermen for their liveing, and get ther passage into England, if they heard nothing from M^r. Weston in time. So they shipped what they had of any worth, and he got them all y^e corne he could (scarce leaving to bring him home), and saw them well out of the bay, under saile at sea, and so came home, not takeing y^e worth of a peny of any thing that was theirs. I have but touched these things breefly, because they have allready been published in printe more at large.

This was y^e end of these that some time bosted of their strength, (being all able lustie men,) and what they would doe & bring to pass, in comparison of y^e people hear, who had many women & children and weak ons amongst them; and said at their first arivall, when they saw the wants hear, that they would take an other course, and not to fall into shuch a condition, as this simple people were come too. But a mans way is not in his owne power; God can make y^e weake to stand; let him also that standeth take heed least he fall.

Shortly after, M^r. Weston came over with some of y^e fishermen, under another name, and y^e disguise of a blacke-smith, were he heard of y^e ruine and disolution of his colony. He got a boat and with a man or 2. came to see how things were. But by y^e way, for wante of skill, in a storme, he cast away his shalop in y^e botome of y^e bay between Meremek river & Pascataquack, & hardly escaped with life, and afterwards fell into the hands of y^e Indeans, who pillaged him of all he saved from the sea, & striped him out of all his cloaths to his shirte. At last he got to Pascataquack, & borrowed a suite of cloaths, and got means to come to Plimoth. A strang alteration ther was in him to such as had seen & known him in his former florishing condition; so uncertaine are y^e mutable things of this unstable world. And yet men set their harts upon them, though they dayly see y^e vanity therof.

After many passages, and much discourse, (former things boyling in his mind, but bit in as was discernd,) he desired to borrow some beaver of them; and tould them he had hope of a ship & good supply to come to him, and then they should have any thing for it they stood in neede of. They gave litle credite to his supplie, but pitied his case, and remembered former curtesies. They tould him he saw their wants, and they knew not when they should have any supply; also how y^e case stood betweene them & their adventurers, he well knew; they had not much bever, & if they should let him have it, it were enoughe to make a mutinie among y^e people, seeing ther was no other means to procure them foode which they so much wanted, & cloaths allso. Yet they tould him they would help him, considering his necessitie, but must doe it secretly for y^e former reasons. So they let him have 100. beaver-skins, which waighed 170^li. odd pounds. Thus they helpt him when all y^e world faild him, and with this means he went againe to y^e ships, and stayed his small ship & some of his men, & bought provissions and fited him selfe; and it was y^e only foundation [96] of his after course. But he requited them ill, for he proved after a bitter enimie unto them upon all occasions, and never repayed them any thing for it, to this day, but reproches and evill words. Yea, he divolged it to some that were none of their best freinds, whilst he yet had y^e beaver in his boat; that he could now set them all togeather by y^e ears, because they had done more then they could answer, in letting him have this beaver, and he did not spare to doe what he could. But his malice could not prevaile.

All this whille no supply was heard of, neither knew they when they might expecte any. So they begane to thinke how they might raise as much corne as they could, and obtaine a beter crope then they had done, that they might not still thus languish in miserie. At length, after much debate of things, the Gov^r (with y^e advise of y^e cheefest amongest them) gave way that they should set corne every man for his owne perticuler, and in that regard trust to them selves; in all other things to goe on in y^e generall way as before. And so assigned to every family a parcell of land, according to the proportion of their number for that end, only for present use (but made no devission for inheritance), and ranged all boys & youth under some familie. This had very good success; for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corne was planted then other waise would have bene by any means y^e Gov^r or any other could use, and saved him a great deall of trouble, and gave farr better contente. The women now wente willingly into y^e feild, and tooke their litle-ons with them to set corne, which before would aledg weaknes, and inabilitie; whom to have compelled would have bene thought great tiranie and oppression.

The experience that was had in this co[=m]one course and condition, tried sundrie years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanitie of that conceite of Platos & other ancients, applauded by some of later times;--that y^e taking away of propertie, and bringing in co[=m]unitie into a comone wealth, would make them happy and florishing; as if they were wiser then God. For this comunitie (so farr as it was) was found to breed much confusion & discontent, and retard much imploym[=e]t that would have been to their benefite and comforte. For y^e yong-men that were most able and fitte for labour & service did repine that they should spend their time & streingth to worke for other mens wives and children, with out any recompence. The strong, or man of parts, had no more in devission of victails & cloaths, then he that was weake and not able to doe a quarter y^e other could; this was thought injuestice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and [97] equalised in labours, and victails, cloaths, &c., with y^e meaner & yonger sorte, thought it some indignite & disrespect unto them. And for mens wives to be commanded to doe servise for other men, as dresing their meate, washing their cloaths, &c., they deemd it a kind of slaverie, neither could many husbands well brooke it. Upon y^e poynte all being to have alike, and all to doe alike, they thought them selves in y^e like condition, and one as good as another; and so, if it did not cut of those relations that God hath set amongest men, yet it did at least much diminish and take of y^e mutuall respects that should be preserved amongst them. And would have bene worse if they had been men of another condition. Let none objecte this is men's corruption, and nothing to y^e course it selfe. I answer, seeing all men have this corruption in them, God in his wisdome saw another course fiter for them.

But to returne. After this course setled, and by that their co[=r]e was planted, all ther victails were spente, and they were only to rest on Gods providence; at night not many times knowing wher to have a bitt of any thing y^e next day. And so, as one well observed, had need to pray that God would give them their dayly brade, above all people in y^e world. Yet they bore these wants with great patience & allacritie of spirite, and that for so long a time as for y^e most parte of 2. years; which makes me remember what Peter Martire writs, (in magnifying y^e Spaniards) in his 5. Decade, pag. 208. _They_ (saith he) _led a miserable life for 5. days togeather, with y^e parched graine of maize only, and that not to saturitie_; and then concluds, _that shuch pains, shuch labours, and shuch hunger, he thought none living which is not a Spaniard could have endured_. But alass! these, when they had maize (y^t is, Indean corne) they thought it as good as a feast, and wanted not only for 5. days togeather, but some time 2. or 3. months togeather, and neither had bread nor any kind of corne. Indeed, in an other place, in his 2. Decade, page 94. he mentions how others of them were worse put to it, wher they were faine to eate doggs, toads, and dead men, and so dyed almost all. From these extremities the[AY] Lord in his goodnes kept these his people, and in their great wants preserved both their lives and healthes; let his name have y^e praise. Yet let me hear make use of his conclusion, which in some sorte may be applied to this people: _That with their miseries they opened a way to these new-lands; and after these stormes, with what ease other men came to inhabite in them, in respecte of y^e calamities these men suffered; so as they seeme to goe to a bride feaste wher all things are provided for them._

They haveing but one boat left and she not over well fitted, they were devided into severall companies, 6. or 7. to a gangg or company, and so wente out with a nett they had bought, to take bass & such like fish, by course, every company knowing their turne. No sooner was y^e boate discharged [98] of what she brought, but y^e next company tooke her and wente out with her. Neither did they returne till they had cauight something, though it were 5. or 6. days before, for they knew ther was nothing at home, and to goe home emptie would be a great discouragemente to y^e rest. Yea, they strive who should doe best. If she stayed longe or got litle, then all went to seeking of shel-fish, which at low-water they digged out of y^e sands. And this was their living in y^e so[=m]er time, till God sente y^m beter; & in winter they were helped with ground-nuts and foule. Also in y^e so[=m]er they gott now & then a dear; for one or 2. of y^e fitest was apoynted to range y^e woods for y^t end, & what was gott that way was devided amongst them.

At length they received some leters from y^e adventurers, too long and tedious hear to record, by which they heard of their furder crosses and frustrations; begining in this maner.

Loving freinds, as your sorrows & afflictions have bin great, so our
croses & interceptions in our proceedings hear, have not been small.
For after we had with much trouble & charge sente y^e _Parragon_ away
to sea, and thought all y^e paine past, within 14. days after she came
againe hither, being dangerously leaked, and brused with tempestious
stormes, so as shee was faine to be had into y^e docke, and an 100^li.
bestowed upon her. All y^e passengers lying upon our charg for 6. or
7. weeks, and much discontent and distemper was occasioned hereby, so
as some dangerous evente had like to insewed. But we trust all shall
be well and worke for y^e best and your benefite, if yet with patience
you can waite, and but have strength to hold in life. Whilst these
things were doing, M^r. Westons ship came and brought diverce leters
from you, &c. It rejoyseth us much to hear of those good reports y^t
diverce have brought home from you, &c.

These letters were dated Des. 21: 1622.

So farr of this leter.

This ship was brought by M^r. John Peirce, and set out at his owne charge, upon hope of great maters. These passengers, & y^e goods the company sent in her, he tooke in for fraught, for which they agreed with him to be delivered hear. This was he in whose name their _first patente_ was taken, by reason of aquaintance, and some aliance that some of their freinds had with him. But his name was only used in trust. But when he saw they were hear hopfully thus seated, and by y^e success God gave them had obtained y^e favour of y^e Counsell of New-England, he goes and sues to them for _another patent_ of much larger extente (in their names), which was easily obtained. But he mente to keep it to him selfe and alow them what he pleased, to hold of him as tenants, and sue to his courts as cheefe Lord, as will appear by that which follows. But y^e Lord marvelously crost him; for after this first returne, and y^e charge above mentioned, when shee was againe fitted, he pesters him selfe and taks in more passengers, and those not very good to help to bear his losses, and sets out y^e 2. time. But [99] what y^e event was will appear from another leter from one of y^e cheefe of y^e company, dated y^e 9. of Aprill, 1623. writ to y^e Gov^r hear, as followeth.

Loving freind, when I write my last leter, I hope to have received one
from you well-nigh by this time. But when I write in Des: I litle
thought to have seen M^r. John Peirce till he had brought some good
tidings from you. But it pleased God, he brought us y^e wofull tidings
of his returne when he was half-way over, by extraime tempest, werin
y^e goodnes & mercie of God appeared in sparing their lives, being
109. souls. The loss is so great to M^r. Peirce, &c., and y^e companie
put upon so great charge, as veryly, &c.

Now with great trouble & loss, we have got M^r. John Peirce to assigne
over y^e grand patente to y^e companie, which he had taken in his owne
name, and made quite voyd our former grante. I am sorie to writ how
many hear thinke y^t the hand of God was justly against him, both y^e
first and 2. time of his returne; in regard he, whom you and we so
confidently trusted, but only to use his name for y^e company, should
aspire to be lord over us all, and so make you & us tenants at his
will and pleasure, our assurance or patente being quite voyd &
disanuled by his means. I desire to judg charitably of him. But his
unwillingnes to part with his royall Lordship, and y^e high-rate he
set it at, which was 500^li. which cost him but 50^li., maks many
speake and judg hardly of him. The company are out for goods in his
ship, with charge aboute y^e passengers, 640^li., &c.

We have agreed with 2. marchants for a ship of 140. tunes, caled y^e
_Anne_, which is to be ready y^e last of this month, to bring 60.
passengers & 60. tune of goods, &c.

This was dated Aprill 9. 1623.

These were ther owne words and judgmente of this mans dealing & proceedings; for I thought it more meete to render them in theirs then my owne words. And yet though ther was never got other recompence then the resignation of this patente, and y^e shares he had in adventure, for all y^e former great sumes, he was never quiet, but sued them in most of y^e cheefe courts in England, and when he was still cast, brought it to y^e Parlemente. But he is now dead, and I will leave him to y^e Lord.

This ship suffered y^e greatest extreemitie at sea at her 2. returne, that one shall lightly hear of, to be saved; as I have been informed by M^r. William Peirce who was then m^r. of her, and many others that were passengers in her. It was aboute y^e _midle of Feb_: The storme was for y^e most parte of 14. days, but for 2. or 3. days & nights togeather in most violent extremitie. After they had cut downe their mast, y^e storme beat of their round house and all their uper works; 3. men had worke enough at y^e helme, and he that cund y^e ship before y^e sea, was faine [100] to be bound fast for washing away; the seas did so over-rake them, as many times those upon y^e decke knew not whether they were within bord or withoute; and once she was so foundered in y^e sea as they all thought she would never rise againe. But yet y^e Lord preserved them, and brought them at last safe to _Ports-mouth_, to y^e wonder of all men y^t saw in what a case she was in, and heard what they had endured.

About y^e later end of _June_ came in a ship, with Captaine Francis West, who had a comission to be admirall of New-England, to restraine interlopers, and shuch fishing ships as came to fish & trade without a licence from y^e Counsell of New-England, for which they should pay a round sume of money. But he could doe no good of them, for they were to stronge for him, and he found y^e fisher men to be stuberne fellows. And their owners, upon complainte made to y^e Parlemente, procured an order y^t fishing should be free. He tould y^e Gov^r they spooke with a ship at sea, and were abord her, y^t was coming for this plantation, in which were sundrie passengers, and they marvelled she was not arrived, fearing some miscariage; for they lost her in a storme that fell shortly after they had been abord. Which relation filled them full of fear, yet mixed with hope. The m^r. of this ship had some 2. [=h][=h] of pease to sell, but seeing their wants, held them at 9^li. sterling a hoggshead, & under 8^li. he would not take, and yet would have beaver at an under rate. But they tould him they had lived so long with out, and would doe still, rather then give so unreasonably. So they went from hence to Virginia.[AZ]

About 14. days after came in this ship, caled y^e _Anne_, wherof M^r. William Peirce was m^r., and aboute a weeke or 10. days after came in y^e pinass which in foule weather they lost at sea, a fine new vessell of about 44. tune, which y^e company had builte to stay in the cuntrie. They brought about 60. persons for y^e generall, some of them being very usefull persons, and became good members to y^e body, and some were y^e wives and children of shuch as were hear allready. And some were so bad, as they were faine to be at charge to send them home againe y^e next year. Also, besids these ther came a company, that did not belong to y^e generall body, but came one[BA] their perticuler, and were to have lands assigned them, and be for them selves, yet to be subjecte to y^e generall Goverment; which caused some diferance and disturbance [101] amongst them, as will after appeare. I shall hear againe take libertie to inserte a few things out of shuch leters as came in this shipe, desiring rather to manefest things in ther words and apprehentions, then in my owne, as much as may be, without tediousness.

Beloved freinds, I kindly salute you all, with trust of your healths &
wellfare, being right sorie y^t no supplie hath been made to you all
this while; for defence wher of, I must referr you to our generall
leters. Naitheir indeed have we now sent you many things, which we
should & would, for want of money. But persons, more then inough,
(though not all we should,) for people come flying in upon us, but
monys come creeping in to us. Some few of your old freinds are come,
as, &c. So they come droping to you, and by degrees, I hope ere long
you shall enjoye them all. And because people press so hard upon us to
goe, and often shuch as are none of y^e fitest, I pray you write
ernestly to y^e Treasurer and directe what persons should be sente. It
greeveth me to see so weake a company sent you, and yet had I not been
hear they had been weaker. You must still call upon the company hear
to see y^t honest men be sente you, and threaten to send them back if
any other come, &c. We are not any way so much in danger, as by
corrupte an noughty persons. Shuch, and shuch, came without my
consente; but y^e importunitie of their freinds got promise of our
Treasurer in my absence. Neither is ther need we should take any lewd
men, for we may have honest men enew, &c.

Your assured freind,
R. C.

The following was from y^e genrall.

Loving freinds, we most hartily salute you in all love and harty
affection; being yet in hope y^t the same God which hath hithertoo
preserved you in a marvelous maner, doth yet continue your lives and
health, to his owne praise and all our comforts. Being right sory that
you have not been sent unto all this time, &c. We have in this ship
sent shuch women, as were willing and ready to goe to their husbands
and freinds, with their children, &c. We would not have you
discontente, because we have not sent you more of your old freinds,
and in speciall, him[BB] on whom you most depend. Farr be it from us
to neclecte you, or contemne him. But as y^e intente was at first, so
y^e evente at last shall shew it, that we will deal fairly, and
squarly answer your expectations to the full. Ther are also come unto
you, some honest men to plant upon their particulers besids you. A
thing which if we should not give way unto, we should wrong both them
and you. Them, by puting them on things more inconveniente, and you,
for that being honest men, they will be a strengthening to y^e place,
and good neighbours [102] unto you. Tow things we would advise you of,
which we have likwise signified them hear. First, y^e trade for skins
to be retained for the generall till y^e devidente; 2^ly. y^t their
setling by you, be with shuch distance of place as is neither
inconvenient for y^e lying of your lands, nor hurtfull to your speedy
& easie assembling togeather.

We have sente you diverse fisher men, with salte, &c. Diverse other
provissions we have sente you, as will appear in your bill of lading,
and though we have not sent all we would (because our cash is small),
yet it is y^t we could, &c.

And allthough it seemeth you have discovered many more rivers and
fertill grounds then y^t wher you are, yet seeing by Gods providence
y^t place fell to you^r lote, let it be accounted as your portion; and
rather fixe your eyes upon that which may be done ther, then languish
in hops after things els-wher. If your place be not y^e best, it is
better, you shall be y^e less envied and encroached upon; and shuch as
are earthly minded, will not setle too near your border.[BC] If y^e
land afford you bread, and y^e sea yeeld you fish, rest you a while
contented, God will one day afford you better fare. And all men shall
know you are neither fugetives nor discontents. But can, if God so
order it, take y^e worst to your selves, with content,[BD] & leave y^e
best to your neighbours, with cherfullnes.

Let it not be greeveous unto you y^t you have been instruments to
breake y^e ise for others who come after with less dificulty, the
honour shall be yours to y^e worlds end, &c.

We bear you always in our brests, and our harty affection is towards
you all, as are y^e harts of hundreds more which never saw your faces,
who doubtles pray for your saftie as their owne, as we our selves both
doe & ever shall, that y^e same God which hath so marvelously
preserved you from seas, foes, and famine, will still preserve you
from all future dangers, and make you honourable amongst men, and
glorious in blise at y^e last day. And so y^e Lord be with you all &
send us joyfull news from you, and inable us with one shoulder so to
accomplish & perfecte this worke, as much glorie may come to Him y^t
confoundeth y^e mighty by the weak, and maketh small thinges great. To
whose greatnes, be all glorie for ever & ever.

This leter was subscribed with 13. of their names.

These passengers, when they saw their low & poore condition a shore, were much danted and dismayed, and according to their diverse humores were diversly affected; some wished them selves in England againe; others fell a weeping, fancying their own miserie in what y^ey saw now in others; other some pitying the distress they saw their freinds had been long in, and still were under; in a word, all were full of sadnes. Only some of their old freinds rejoysed to see them, and y^t it was no worse with them, for they could not expecte it should be better, and now hoped they should injoye better days togeather. And truly it was [103] no marvell they should be thus affected, for they were in a very low condition, many were ragged in aparell, & some litle beter then halfe naked; though some y^t were well stord before, were well enough in this regard. But for food they were all alike, save some y^t had got a few pease of y^e ship y^t was last hear. The best dish they could presente their freinds with was a lobster, or a peece of fish, without bread or any thing els but a cupp of fair spring water. And y^e long continuance of this diate, and their labours abroad, had something abated y^e freshnes of their former complexion. But God gave them health and strength in a good measure; and shewed them by experience y^e truth of y^t word, Deut. 8. 3. _Y^t man liveth not by bread only, but by every word y^t proceedeth out of y^e mouth of y^e Lord doth a man live._

When I think how sadly y^e scripture speaks of the famine in Jaakobs time, when he said to his sonns, Goe buy us food, that we may live and not dye. Gen. 42. 2. and 43. 1, that the famine was great, or heavie in the land; and yet they had such great herds, and store of catle of sundrie kinds, which, besids flesh, must needs produse other food, as milke, butter & cheese, &c., and yet it was counted a sore affliction; theirs hear must needs be very great, therfore, who not only wanted the staffe of bread, but all these things, and had no Egipte to goe too. But God fedd them out of y^e sea for y^e most parte, so wonderfull is his providence over his in all ages; for his mercie endureth for ever.

On y^e other hand the old planters were affraid that their corne, when it was ripe, should be imparted to y^e new-co[=m]ers, whose provissions w^ch they brought with them they feared would fall short before y^e year wente aboute (as indeed it did). They came to y^e Gov^r and besought him that as it was before agreed that they should set corne for their perticuler, and accordingly they had taken extraordinary pains ther aboute, that they might freely injoye the same, and they would not have a bitte of y^e victails now come, but waite till harvest for their owne, and let y^e new-co[=m]ers injoye what they had brought; they would have none of it, excepte they could purchase any of it of them by bargaine or exchainge. Their requeste was granted them, for it gave both sides good contente; for y^e new-co[=m]ers were as much afraid that y^e hungrie planters would have eat up y^e provissions brought, and they should have fallen into y^e like condition.

This ship was in a shorte time laden with clapbord, by y^e help of many hands. Also they sente in her all y^e beaver and other furrs they had, & M^r. Winslow was sent over with her, to informe of all things, and procure such things as were thought needfull for their presente condition. By this time harvest was come, and in stead of famine, now God gave them plentie, and y^e face of things was changed, to y^e rejoysing of y^e harts of many, for which they blessed God. And y^e effect of their particuler planting was well seene, for all had, one way & other, pretty well to bring y^e year aboute, and some of y^e abler sorte and more [104] industrious had to spare, and sell to others, so as any generall wante or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day.

Those that come on their perticuler looked for greater matters then they found or could attaine unto, aboute building great houses, and such pleasant situations for them, as them selves had fancied; as if they would be great men & rich, all of a sudaine; but they proved castls in y^e aire. These were y^e conditions agreed on betweene y^e colony and them.

First, that y^e Gov^r, in y^e name and with y^e consente of y^e company, doth in all love and frendship receive and imbrace them; and is to allote them competente places for habitations within y^e towne. And promiseth to shew them all such other curtesies as shall be reasonable for them to desire, or us to performe.

2. That they, on their parts, be subjecte to all such laws & orders as are already made, or hear after shall be, for y^e publick good.

3. That they be freed and exempte from y^e generall imployments of the said company, (which their presente condition of comunitie requireth,) excepte commune defence, & such other imployments as tend to y^e perpetuall good of y^e collony.

4^ly. Towards y^e maintenance of Go[~v]^rt, & publick officers of y^e said collony, every male above y^e age of 16. years shall pay a bushell of Indean wheat, or y^e worth of it, into y^e commone store.

5^ly. That (according to y^e agreemente y^e marchants made with y^m before they came) they are to be wholy debared from all trade with the Indeans for all sorts of furrs, and such like commodities, till y^e time of y^e comunallitie be ended.

About y^e midle of September arrived Captaine Robart Gorges in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets, with sundrie passengers and families, intending ther to begine a plantation; and pitched upon y^e place M^r. Weston's people had forsaken. He had a co[=m]ission from y^e Counsell of New-England, to be generall Gove^r of y^e cuntrie, and they appoynted for his counsell & assistance, Captaine Francis West, y^e aforesaid admirall, Christopher Levite, Esquire, and y^e Gov^r of Plimoth for y^e time beeing, etc. Allso, they gave him authoritie to chuse such other as he should find fit. Allso, they gave (by their co[=m]ission) full power to him and his assistants, or any 3. of them, wherof him selfe was allway to be one, to doe and execute what to them should seeme good, in all cases, Capitall, Criminall, and Civill, etc., with diverce other instructions. Of which, and his comission, it pleased him to suffer y^e Gov^r hear to take a coppy.