Part 16

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.

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 co[=m]itted 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 fre[=i]dly 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 co[=m]one 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, ru[=n]ing 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 ma[=n]er 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 pi[=n]ass 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 ma[=n]ed, 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 co[=m]and 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 co[=m]odities, 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 A[=n]uall 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.

[110] Most worthy & loving freinds, your kind & loving leters I have received, and render you many thanks, &c. It hath plased God to stirre up y^e harts of our adventurers[BJ] to raise a new stock for the seting forth of this shipe, caled the Charitie, with men & necessaries, both for the plantation and the fishing, though accomplished with very great difficulty; in regard we have some amongst us which undoubtedly aime more at their owne private ends, and the thwarting & opposing of some hear, and other worthy instruments,[BK] of Gods glory elswher, then at the generall good and furtherance of this noble & laudable action. Yet againe we have many other, and I hope the greatest parte, very honest Christian men, which I am perswaded their ends and intents are wholy for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the propagation of his gospell, and hope of gaining those poore salvages to the knowledg of God. But, as we have a proverbe, One scabed sheep may marr a whole flock, so these malecontented persons, & turbulente spirits, doe what in them lyeth to withdraw mens harts from you and your freinds, yea, even from the generall bussines; and yet under show and pretence of godlynes and furtherance of the plantation. Wheras the quite contrary doth plainly appeare; as some of the honester harted men (though of late of their faction) did make manifest at our late meeting. But what should I trouble you or my selfe with these restles opposers of all goodnes, and I doubte will be continuall disturbers of our frendly meetings & love. On Thurs-day the 8. of Jan: we had a meeting aboute the artickls betweene you & us; wher they would rejecte that, which we in our late leters prest you to grante, (an addition to the time of our joynt stock). And their reason which they would make known to us was, it trobled their conscience to exacte longer time of you then was agreed upon at the first. But that night they were so followed and crost of their perverse courses, as they were even wearied, and offered to sell their adventurs; and some were willing to buy. But I, doubting they would raise more scandale and false reports, and so diverse waise doe us more hurt, by going of in such a furie, then they could or can by continuing adventurers amongst us, would not suffer them. But on y^e 12. of Jan: we had another meting, but in the interime diverse of us had talked with most of them privatly, and had great combats & reasoning, pro & con. But at night when we mete to read y^e generall letter, we had y^e loveingest and frendlyest meeting that ever I knew[BL] and our greatest enemise offered to lend us 50_{li}. So I sent for a potle of wine, (I would you could[BM] doe y^e like,) which we dranke freindly together. Thus God can turne y^e harts of men when it pleaseth him, &c. Thus loving freinds, I hartily salute you all in y^e Lord, hoping ever to rest,

Yours to my power, JAMES SHERLEY.

Jan: 25. 1623.

[111] _Another leter._

Beloved S^r., &c. We have now sent you, we hope, men & means, to setle these 3. things, viz. fishing, salt making, and boat making; if you can bring them to pass to some perfection, your wants may be supplyed. I pray you bend you selfe what you can to setle these bussinesses. Let y^e ship be fraught away as soone as you can, and sent to Bilbow. You must send some discreete man for factore, whom, once more, you must also authorise to confirme y^e conditions. If M^r. Winslow could be spared, I could wish he came againe. This ship carpenter is thought to be the fittest man for you in the land, and will no doubte doe you much good. Let him have an absolute comand over his servants & such as you put to him. Let him build you 2. catches, a lighter, and some 6. or 7. shalops, as soone as you can. The salt-man is a skillfull & industrious man, put some to him, that may quickly apprehende y^e misterie of it. The preacher we have sent is (we hope) an honest plaine man, though none of y^e most eminente and rare. Aboute chusing him into office use your owne liberty & discretion; he knows he is no officer amongst you, though perhaps custome & universalitie may make him forget him selfe. M^r. Winslow & my selfe gave way to his going, to give contente to some hear, and we see no hurt in it, but only his great charge of children.

We have tooke a patente for Cap Anne, &c. I am sory ther is no more discretion used by some in their leters hither.[BN] Some say you are starved in body & soule; others, y^t you eate piggs & doggs, that dye alone; others, that y^e things hear spoaken of, y^e goodnes of y^e cuntry, are gross and palpable lyes; that ther is scarce a foule to be seene, or a fish to be taken, and many such like. I would such discontented men were hear againe, for it is a miserie when y^e whole state of a plantation shall be thus exposed to y^e passionate humors of some discontented men. And for my selfe I shall hinder for hearafter some y^t would goe, and have not better composed their affections; mean space it is all our crosses, and we must bear them.

I am sorie we have not sent you more and other things, but in truth we have rune into so much charge, to victaile y^e ship, provide salte & other fishing implements, &c. as we could not provid other comfortable things, as buter, suger, &c. I hope the returne of this ship, and the James, will put us in cash againe. The Lord make you full of courage in this troublesome bussines, which now must be stuck unto, till God give us rest from our labours. Fare well in all harty affection.

Your assured friend, R. C.

Jan: 24. 1623.

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 co[=m]one 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.