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The New English Canaan of Thomas Morton with Introductory Matter and Notes cover

The New English Canaan of Thomas Morton with Introductory Matter and Notes

Chapter 45: Chap. II.
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About This Book

A first-person colonial narrative combines satirical social criticism with detailed observation of the region’s environment and inhabitants. The author alternates between polemic aimed at prevailing religious and civic authorities and attentive descriptions of landscape, plants, animals, fish, birds, and Indigenous customs, using anecdote, classical and scriptural allusion, and legal complaint. The work shifts tone from humor to invective to empirical reporting, creating a hybrid of natural history, social commentary, and personal defense; many later editions append extensive notes to clarify archaic terms, names, and scientific references.

Master Thomas Weston,[454] a Merchant of London that had been at some cost to further the Brethren of new Plimmouth in their designes for these partes, shipped a company of Servants, fitted with provision of all sorts, for the undertaking of a Plantation to be setled there; with an intent to follow after them in person. These servants at first Court holy bread at Plimmouth. arived at new Plimmouth, where they were entertained with court holy bread by the Brethren: they were made very wellcome, in shew at least: there these servants goodes were landed, with promises to be assisted in the choise of a convenient place; and still the good cheare went forward, and the strong liquors walked. In the meane time the Brethren were in consultation what was best for their advantage, singing the songe, Frustra sapit, qui sibi non sapit.

{106} This plantation would hinder the present practice and future profit; and Master Weston, an able man, would want for no supplies upon the returne of Beaver, and so might be a plantation that might keepe them under, who had a Hope to be the greatest: besides his people were no chosen Seperatists, but men made choice of at all adventures, fit to have served for the furtherance of Master Westons undertakinges: and that was as much as hee neede to care for: ayminge at Beaver principally for the better effecting of his purpose. Now when the Plimmouth men began to finde that Master Westons mens store of provition grew short with feasting, then they hasted them to a place called Wessaguscus, in a weake case, and there left them fasting.