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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 71: Chap. XXVIII.
By Thomas Morton
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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.

Now that I have anottomized the two extreame parts of this Politique Commonwealth, the head and the inferior members, I will shew you the hart, and reade a short lecture over that too; which is Iustice.

I have a petition to exhibit to the highe and mighty Mr. Temperwell; and I have my choise whether I shall make my plaint in a case of conscience, or bring it with in the Compas of a point in law. And because I will goe the surest way to worke, at first, I will see how others are answered in the like kinde, whether it be with hab or nab, as the Iudge did the Countryman.[559]

Here comes Mr. Hopewell: his petition is in a case of conscience, (as hee sayes.) But, see, great Iosua allowes conscience to be of his side: yet cuts him off with this answere; Law is flat against him. Well let {180} me see another. I marry: Here comes one Master Doubt-not: his matter depends, (I am sure,) upon a point in Law: alas, what will it not doe, looke ye it is affirmed that Law is on his side: but Conscience, like a blanket, over spreades it. This passage is like to the Procustes of Roome, mee thinks; and therefore I may very well say of them,

Even so, by racking out the joynts & chopping of the head,
Procustes fitted all his guests unto his Iron bedd.

And, if these speede no better, with whome they are freinds, that neither finde Law nor Conscience to helpe them, I doe not wonder to see mine Host of Ma-re-Mount speede so ill, that has bin proclaimed an enemy so many yeares in New Canaan to their Church and State.