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. ħħ 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.

The following was from y^e genrall.

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-com̅ers, 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-com̅ers 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-com̅ers 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 Goṽ^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 com̅ission 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 com̅ission) 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.

He gave them notice of his arivall by letter, but before they could visite him he went to y^e eastward with y^e ship he came in; but a storme arising, (and they wanting a good pilot to harbor them in those parts,) they bore up for this harbor. He and his men were hear kindly entertained; he stayed hear 14. days. In y^e mean time came in M^r. Weston with his small ship, which he had now recovered. [105[BE]] Captaine Gorges tooke hold of y^e opportunitie, and acquainted y^e Gov^r hear, that one occasion of his going to y^e eastward was to meete with M^r. Weston, and call him to accounte for some abuses he had to lay to his charge. Wherupon he called him before him, and some other of his assistants, with y^e Gov^r of this place; and charged him, first, with y^e ille carriage of his men at y^e Massachusets; by which means the peace of y^e cuntrie was disturbed, and him selfe and the people which he had brought over to plante in that bay were therby much prejudised. To this M^r. Weston easily answered, that what was that way done, was in his absence, and might have befalen any man; he left them sufficently provided, and conceived they would have been well governed; and for any errour com̅itted he had sufficiently smarted. This particuler was passed by. A 2^d. was, for an abuse done to his father, S^r. Ferdenando Gorges, and to y^e State. The thing was this; he used him & others of y^e Counsell of New-England, to procure him a licence for y^e transporting of many peeces of great ordnance for New-England, pretending great fortification hear in y^e countrie, & I know not what shipping. The which when he had obtained, he went and sould them beyond seas for his private profite; for which (he said) y^e State was much offended, and his father suffered a shrowd check, and he had order to apprehend him for it. M^r. Weston excused it as well as he could, but could not deney it; it being one maine thing (as was said) for which he with-drew himself. But after many passages, by y^e mediation of y^e Gov^r and some other freinds hear, he was inclined to gentlnes (though he aprehended y^e abuse of his father deeply); which, when M^r. Weston saw, he grew more presumptuous, and gave such provocking & cutting speches, as made him rise up in great indignation & distemper, and vowed y^t he would either curb him, or send him home for England. At which M^r. Weston was something danted, and came privatly to y^e Gov^r hear, to know whether they would suffer Captaine Gorges to apprehend him. He was tould they could not hinder him, but much blamed him, y^t after they had pacified things, he should thus breake out, by his owne folly & rashnes, to bring trouble upon him selfe & them too. He confest it was his passion, and prayd y^e Gov^r to entreat for him, and pacifie him if he could. The which at last he did, with much adoe; so he was called againe, and y^e Gov^r was contente to take his owne bond to be ready to make further answer, when either he or y^e lords should send for him. And at last he tooke only his word, and ther was a freīdly parting on all hands.

But after he was gone, M^r. Weston in lue of thanks to y^e Gov^r and his freinds hear, gave them this quib (behind their baks) for all their pains. That though they were but yonge justices, yet they wear good beggers. Thus they parted at this time, and shortly after y^e Gov^r tooke his leave and went to y^e Massachusets by land, being very thankfull for his kind entertainemente. The ship stayed hear, and fitted her selfe to goe for Virginia, having some passengers ther to deliver; and with her returned sundrie of those from hence which came over on their perticuler, some out of discontente and dislike of y^e cuntrie; others by reason of a fire that broke out, and burnt y^e houses they lived in, and all their provisions [106[BF]] so as they were necessitated therunto. This fire was occasioned by some of y^e sea-men that were roystering in a house wher it first begane, makeing a great fire in very could weather, which broke out of y^e chimney into y^e thatch, and burnte downe 3. or 4. houses, and consumed all y^e goods & provissions in y^m. The house in which it begane was right against their store-house, which they had much adoe to save, in which were their com̅one store & all their provissions; y^e which if it had been lost, y^e plantation had been over-throwne. But through Gods mercie it was saved by y^e great dilligence of y^e people, & care of the Gov^r & some aboute him. Some would have had y^e goods throwne out; but if they had, ther would much have been stolne by the rude company y^t belonged to these 2. ships, which were allmost all ashore. But a trusty company was plased within, as well as those that with wet-cloaths & other means kept of y^e fire without, that if necessitie required they might have them out with all speed. For y^ey suspected some malicious dealling, if not plaine treacherie, and whether it was only suspition or no, God knows; but this is certaine, that when y^e tumulte was greatest, ther was a voyce heard (but from whom it was not knowne) that bid them looke well aboute them, for all were not freinds y^t were near them. And shortly after, when the vemencie of y^e fire was over, smoke was seen to arise within a shed y^t was joynd to y^e end of y^e storehouse, which was watled up with bowes, in y^e withered leaves wherof y^e fire was kindled, which some, run̅ing to quench, found a longe firebrand of an ell longe, lying under y^e wale on y^e inside, which could not possibly come their by cassualtie, but must be laid ther by some hand, in y^e judgmente of all that saw it. But God kept them from this deanger, what ever was intended.

Shortly after Captaine Gorges, y^e generall Gov^r, was come home to y^e Massachusets, he sends a warrante to arrest M^r. Weston & his ship, and sends a m^r. to bring her away thither, and one Captain Hanson (that belonged to him) to conducte him along. The Gov^r & others hear were very sory to see him take this course, and tooke exception at y^e warrante, as not legall nor sufficiente; and withall write to him to disswade him from this course, shewing him y^t he would but entangle and burthen him selfe in doing this; for he could not doe M^r. Weston a better turne, (as things stood with him); for he had a great many men that belonged to him in this barke, and was deeply ingaged to them for wages, and was in a man̅er out of victails (and now winter); all which would light upon him, if he did arrest his barke. In y^e mean time M^r. Weston had notice to shift for him selfe; but it was conceived he either knew not whither to goe, or how to mend him selfe, but was rather glad of y^e occasion, and so stirred not. But y^e Gov^r would not be perswaded, but [107] sent a very formall warrente under his hand & seall, with strict charge as they would answere it to y^e state; he also write that he had better considered of things since he was hear, and he could not answer it to let him goe so; besids other things that were come to his knowledg since, which he must answer too. So he was suffered to proceede, but he found in the end that to be true that was tould him; for when an inventorie was taken of what was in y^e ship, ther was not vitailes found for above 14. days, at a pare allowance, and not much else of any great worth, & the men did so crie out of him for wages and diate, in y^e mean time, as made him soone weary. So as in conclusion it turned to his loss, and y^e expence of his owne provissions; and towards the spring they came to agreement, (after they had bene to y^e eastward,) and y^e Gov^r restord him his vessell againe, and made him satisfaction, in bisket, meal, and such like provissions, for what he had made use of that was his, or what his men had any way wasted or consumed. So M^r. Weston came hither againe, and afterward shaped his course for Virginie, & so for present I shall leave him.[BG]

The Gov^r and some y^t depended upon him returned for England, haveing scarcly saluted y^e cuntrie in his Govermente, not finding the state of things hear to answer his quallitie & condition. The peopl dispersed them selves, some went for England, others for Virginia, some few remained, and were helped with supplies from hence. The Gov^r brought over a minister with him, one M^r. Morell, who, about a year after y^e Gov^r returned, tooke shipping from hence. He had I know not what power and authority of superintendancie over other churches granted him, and sundrie instructions for that end; but he never shewed it, or made any use of it; (it should seeme he saw it was in vaine;) he only speake of it to some hear at his going away. This was in effect y^e end of a 2. plantation in that place. Ther were allso this year some scatering beginings made in other places, as at Paskataway, by M^r. David Thomson, at Monhigen, and some other places by sundrie others.

It rests now y^t I speake a word aboute y^e pin̅ass spoken of before, which was sent by y^e adventurers to be imployed in y^e cuntrie. She was a fine vessell, and bravely set out,[BH] and I fear y^e adventurers did over pride them selves in her, for she had ill success. How ever, they erred grosly in tow things aboute her; first, though she had a sufficiente maister, yet she was rudly man̅ed, and all her men were upon shars, and none was to have any wages but y^e m^r. 2^ly, wheras they mainly lookt at trade, they had sent nothing of any value to trade with. When the men came hear, and mette with ill counsell from M^r. Weston & his crue, with others of y^e same stampe, neither m^r. nor Gov^r could scarce rule [108] them, for they exclaimed that they were abused & deceived, for they were tould they should goe for a man of warr, and take I know not whom, French & Spaniards, &c. They would neither trade nor fish, excepte they had wages; in fine, they would obey no com̅and of y^e maisters; so it was apprehended they would either rune away with y^e vessell, or get away w^th y^e ships, and leave her; so as M^r. Peirce & others of their freinds perswaded the Gov^r to chaing their condition, and give them wages; which was accordingly done. And she was sente about y^e Cape to y^e Narigansets to trade, but they made but a poore vioage of it. Some corne and beaver they got, but y^e Dutch used to furnish them with cloath & better com̅odities, they haveing only a few beads & knives, which were not ther much esteemed. Allso, in her returne home, at y^e very entrance into ther owne harbore, she had like to have been cast away in a storme, and was forced to cut her maine mast by y^e bord, to save herselfe from driving on y^e flats that lye without, caled Browns Ilands, the force of y^e wind being so great as made her anchors give way and she drive right upon them; but her mast & takling being gone, they held her till y^e wind shifted.

Anno Dom: 1624.

The time of new election of ther officers for this year being come, and[BI] y^e number of their people increased, and their troubls and occasions therwith, the Gov^r desired them to chainge y^e persons, as well as renew y^e election; and also to adde more Assistans to y^e Gov^r for help & counsell, and y^e better carrying on of affairs. Showing that it was necessarie it should be so. If it was any honour or benefite, it was fitte others should be made pertakers of it; if it was a burthen, (as doubtles it was,) it was but equall others should help to bear it; and y^t this was y^e end of An̅uall Elections. The issue was, that as before ther was but one Assistante, they now chose 5. giving the Gov^r a duble voyce; and aftwards they increased them to 7. which course hath continued to this day.

They having with some truble & charge new-masted and rigged their pinass, in y^e begining of March they sent her well vitaled to the eastward on fishing. She arrived safly at a place near Damarins cove, and was there well harbored in a place wher ships used to ride, ther being also some ships allready arived out of England. But shortly after ther [109] arose such a violent & extraordinarie storme, as y^e seas broak over such places in y^e harbor as was never seene before, and drive her against great roks, which beat such a hole in her bulke, as a horse and carte might have gone in, and after drive her into deep-water, wher she lay sunke. The m^r. was drowned, the rest of y^e men, all save one, saved their lives, with much a doe; all her provision, salt, and what els was in her, was lost. And here I must leave her to lye till afterward.

Some of those that still remained hear on their perticuler, begane privatly to nurish a faction, and being privie to a strong faction that was among y^e adventurers in England, on whom sundry of them did depend, by their private whispering they drew some of the weaker sorte of y^e company to their side, and so filld them with discontente, as nothing would satisfie them excepte they might be suffered to be in their perticuler allso; and made great offers, so they might be freed from y^e generall. The Gov^r consulting with y^e ablest of y^e generall body what was best to be done hear in, it was resolved to permitte them so to doe, upon equall conditions. The conditions were the same in effect with y^e former before related. Only some more added, as that they should be bound here to remaine till y^e generall partnership was ended. And also that they should pay into y^e store, y^e on halfe of all such goods and comodities as they should any waise raise above their food, in consideration of what charg had been layed out for them, with some such like things. This liberty granted, soone stopt this gape, for ther was but a few that undertooke this course when it came too; and they were as sone weary of it. For the other had perswaded them, & M^r. Weston togeather, that ther would never come more supply to y^e generall body; but y^e perticulers had such freinds as would carry all, and doe for them I know not what.

Shortly after, M^r. Winslow came over, and brought a prety good supply, and the ship came on fishing, a thing fatall to this plantation. He brought 3. heifers & a bull, the first begining of any catle of that kind in y^e land, with some cloathing & other necessaries, as will further appear; but withall y^e reporte of a strong faction amongst y^e adventurers[BJ] against them, and espetially against y^e coming of y^e rest from Leyden, and with what difficulty this supply was procured, and how, by their strong & long opposision, bussines was so retarded as not only they were now falne too late for y^e fishing season, but the best men were taken up of y^e fishermen in the west countrie, and he was forct to take such a m^r. & company for that imployment as he could procure upon y^e present. Some letters from them shall beter declare these things, being as followeth.

With y^e former letter write by M^r. Sherley, there were sente sundrie objections concerning which he thus writeth. "These are the cheefe objections which they [112] that are now returned make against you and the countrie. I pray you consider them, and answer them by the first conveniencie." These objections were made by some of those that came over on their perticuler and were returned home, as is before mentioned, and were of y^e same suite with those y^t this other letter mentions.

I shall here set them downe, with y^e answers then made unto them, and sent over at y^e returne of this ship; which did so confound y^e objecters, as some confessed their falte, and others deneyed what they had said, and eate their words, & some others of them have since come over againe and heere lived to convince them selves sufficiently, both in their owne & other mens judgments.

1. obj. was diversitie aboute Religion. Ans: We know no such matter, for here was never any controversie or opposition, either publicke or private, (to our knowledg,) since we came.

2. ob: Neglecte of familie duties, one y^e Lords day.

Ans. We allow no such thing, but blame it in our selves & others; and they that thus reporte it, should have shewed their Christian love the more if they had in love tould y^e offenders of it, rather then thus to reproach them behind their baks. But (to say no more) we wish them selves had given better example.

3. ob: Wante of both the sacrements.

Ans. The more is our greefe, that our pastor is kept from us, by whom we might injoye them; for we used to have the Lords Supper every Saboth, and baptisme as often as ther was occasion of children to baptise.

4. ob: Children not catechised nor taught to read.

Ans: Neither is true; for diverse take pains with their owne as they can; indeede, we have no com̅one schoole for want of a fitt person, or hithertoo means to maintaine one; though we desire now to begine.

5. ob: Many of y^e perticuler members of y^e plantation will not work for y^e generall.

Ans: This allso is not wholy true; for though some doe it not willingly, & other not honestly, yet all doe it; and he that doth worst gets his owne foode & something besids. But we will not excuse them, but labour to reforme them y^e best we cane, or else to quitte y^e plantation of them.

6. ob: The water is not wholsome.

Ans: If they mean, not so wholsome as y^e good beere and wine in London, (which they so dearly love,) we will not dispute with them; but els, for water, it is as good as any in the world, (for ought we knowe,) and it is wholsome enough to us that can be contente therwith.

7. ob: The ground is barren and doth bear no grasse.

[113] Ans: It is hear (as in all places) some better & some worse; and if they well consider their words, in England they shall not find such grasse in them, as in their feelds & meadows. The catle find grasse, for they are as fatt as need be; we wish we had but one for every hundred that hear is grase to keep. Indeed, this objection, as some other, are ridiculous to all here which see and know y^e contrary.

8. ob: The fish will not take salt to keepe sweete.

Ans: This is as true as that which was written, that ther is scarce a foule to be seene or a fish to be taken. Things likly to be true in a cuntrie wher so many sayle of ships come yearly a fishing; they might as well say, there can no aile or beere in London be kept from sowering.

9. ob: Many of them are theevish and steale on from an other.

Ans: Would London had been free from that crime, then we should not have been trobled with these here; it is well knowne sundrie have smarted well for it, and so are y^e rest like to doe, if they be taken.

10. ob: The countrie is anoyed with foxes and woules.

Ans: So are many other good cuntries too; but poyson, traps, and other such means will help to destroy them.

11. ob: The Dutch are planted nere Hudsons Bay, and are likely to overthrow the trade.

Ans: They will come and plante in these parts, also, if we and others doe not, but goe home and leave it to them. We rather commend them, then condemne them for it.

12. ob: The people are much anoyed with muskeetoes.

Ans: They are too delicate and unfitte to begine new-plantations and collonies, that cannot enduer the biting of a muskeeto; we would wish such to keepe at home till at least they be muskeeto proofe. Yet this place is as free as any, and experience teacheth that y^e more y^e land is tild, and y^e woods cut downe, the fewer ther will be, and in the end scarse any at all.

Having thus dispatcht these things, that I may handle things togeather, I shall here inserte 2. other letters from M^r. Robinson their pastor; the one to y^e Gov^r, y^e other to M^r. Brewster their Elder, which will give much light to y^e former things, and express the tender love & care of a true pastor over them.