Chapter 27

And to mend y^e matter, M^r. Allerton doth in a sorte wholy now deserte them; having brought them into y^e briers, he leaves them to gett out as they can. But God crost him mightily, for he having hired y^e ship of M^r. Sherly at 30^li., a month, he set forth againe with a most wicked and drunken crue, and for covetousnes sake did so over lade her, not only filling her hould, but so stufed her betweene decks, as she was walte, and could not bear sayle, and they had like to have been cast away at sea, and were forced to put for Millford Havene, and new-stow her, & put some of ther ordnance & more heavie goods in y^e botome; which lost them time, and made them come late into y^e countrie, lose ther season, and made a worse viage then y^e year before. But being come into y^e countrie, he sells trading comodities to any y^t will buy, to y^e great prejudice of y^e plantation here; but that which is worse, what he could not sell, he trustes; and sets up a company of base felows and maks them traders, to rune into every hole, & into y^e river of Kenebeck, to gleane away y^e trade from y^e house ther, aboute y^e patente & priviledge wherof he had dasht away so much money of theirs here; [189] and now what in him lay went aboute to take away y^e benefite therof, and to overthrow them. Yea, not only this, but he furnishes a company, and joyns with some consorts, (being now deprived of Ashley at Penobscote,) and sets up a trading house beyoned Penobscote, to cute of y^e trade from thence also. But y^e French perceiving that that would be greatly to their damage allso, they came in their begining before they were well setled, and displanted them, slue 2. of their men, and tooke all their goods to a good valew, y^e loss being most, if not all, M^r. Allerton's; for though some of them should have been his partners, yet he trusted them for their partes; the rest of y^e men were sent into France, and this was the end of y^t projecte. The rest of those he trusted, being lose and drunken fellows, did for y^e most parte but coussen & cheate him of all they got into their hands; that howsoever he did his friends some hurte hereby for y^e presente, yet he gate litle good, but wente by y^e loss by Gods just hand. After in time, when he came to Pli[=m]oth, y^e church caled him to accounte for these, and other his grosse miscarrages; he confessed his faulte, and promised better walking, and that he would wind him selfe out of these courses as soone as he could, &c.

This year also Mr. Sherley would needs send them over a new-acountante; he had made mention of such a thing y^e year before, but they write him word, that their charge was great allready, and they neede not increase it, as this would; but if they were well delte with, and had their goods well sent over, they could keep their accounts hear them selves. Yet he now sente one, which they did not refuse, being a yonger brother of M^r. Winslows, whom they had been at charge to instructe at London before he came. He came over in the White Angell with M^r. Allerton, and ther begane his first imploymente; for though M^r. Sherley had so farr befreinded Mr. Allerton, as to cause[DC] M^r. Winslow to ship y^e supply sente to y^e partners here in this ship, and give him 4^li. [p=]er tune, wheras others carried for 3. and he made them pay their fraight ready downe, before y^e ship wente out of y^e harbore, wheras others payed upon certificate of y^e goods being delivered, and their fraight came to upward of 6. score pounds, yet they had much adoe to have their goods delivered, for some of them were chainged, as bread & pease; they were forced to take worse for better, neither could they ever gett all. And if Josias Winslow had not been ther, it had been worse; for he had y^e invoyce, and order to send them to y^e trading houses.

This year their house at Penobscott was robed by y^e French, and all their goods of any worth they carried away, to y^e value of 400. or 500^li. as y^e cost first peny worth; in beaver 300^li. waight; and y^e rest in trading goods, as coats, ruggs, blankett, biskett, &c. It was in this maner. The m^r. of y^e house, and parte of y^e company with him, were come with their vessell to y^e westward to fecth a supply of goods which was brought over for them. In y^e mean time comes a smale French ship into y^e harbore (and amongst y^e company was a false Scott); they pretended they were nuly come from y^e sea, and knew not wher they were, and that their vesell was very leake, and desired they might hale her a shore and stop their leaks. And many French complements they used, and congees they made; and in y^e ende, seeing but 3. or 4. simple men, y^t were servants, and by this Scoth-man understanding that y^e maister & ye rest of y^e company were gone from home, they fell of comending their gunes and muskets, that lay upon racks by y^e wall side, and tooke them downe to looke on them, asking if they were charged. And when they were possesst of them, one presents a peece ready charged against y^e servants, and another a pistoll; and bid them not sturr, but quietly deliver them their goods, and carries some of y^e men aborde, & made y^e other help to carry away y^e goods. And when they had tooke what they pleased, they sett them at liberty, and wente their way, with this mocke, biding them tell their m^r. when he came, that some of y^e Ile of Rey gentlemen had been ther.[DD]

[DE] This year, on S^r Christopher Gardener, being, as him selfe said, descended of y^t house y^t the Bishop of Winchester came of (who was so great a persecutor of Gods saincts in Queene Maries days), and being a great traveler, received his first honour of knighthood at Jerusalem, being made Knight of y^e Sepulcher ther. He came into these parts under pretence of forsaking y^e world, and to live a private life, in a godly course, not unwilling to put him selfe upon any meane imployments, and take any paines for his living; and some time offered him selfe to joyne to y^e churchs in sundry places. He brought over with him a servante or 2. and a comly yonge woman, whom be caled his cousin, but it was suspected, she (after y^e Italian maner) was his concubine. Living at y^e Massachusets, for some miscariages which he should have answered, he fled away from authority, and gott amonge y^e Indeans of these parts; they sent after him, but could not gett him, and promissed some reward to those y^t should find him. The Indeans came to y^e Gov^r here, and tould wher he was, and asked if they might kill him; he tould them no, by no means, but if they could take him and bring him hither, they should be payed for their paines. They said he had a gune & a rapier, & he would kill them if y^ey went aboute it; and y^e Massachuset Indeans said they might kille him. But y^e Gov^r tould them no, they should not kill him, but watch their opportunitie, & take him. And so they did, for when they light of him by a river side, he got into a canowe to get from them, & when they came nere him, whilst he presented his peece at them to keep them of, the streame carried y^e canow against a rock, and tumbled both him & his peece & rapier into y^e water; yet he got out, and having a litle dagger by his side, they durst not close with him, but getting longe pols they soone beat his dagger out of his hand, so he was glad to yeeld; and they brought him to y^e Gov^r. But his hands and armes were swolen & very sore with y^e blowes they had given him. So he used him kindly, & sent him to a lodging wher his armes were bathed and anoynted, and he was quickly well againe, and blamed y^e Indeans for beating him so much. They said that they did but a litle whip him with sticks. In his lodging, those y^t made his bed found a litle note booke that by accidente had slipt out of his pockett, or some private place, in which was a memoriall what day he was reconciled to y^e pope & church of Rome, and in what universitie he tooke his scapula, and such & such degrees. It being brought to y^e Gov^r, he kept it, and sent y^e Gov^r of y^e Massachusets word of his taking, who sent for him. So y^e Gov^r sent him and these notes to y^e Gov^r ther, who tooke it very thankfuly; but after he gott for England, he shewed his malice, but God prevented him.

See y^e Gov^r leter on y^e other side.[DF]

S^r: It hath pleased God to bring S^r. Christopher Gardener safe to us, with thos that came with him. And howsoever I never intended any hard measure to him, but to respecte and use him according to his qualitie, yet I let him know your care of him, and y^t he shall speed y^e better for your mediation. It was a spetiall providence of God to bring those notes of his to our hands; I desire y^t you will please to speake to all y^t are privie to them, not to discovere them to any one, for y^t may frustrate y^e means of any further use to be made of them. The good Lord our God who hath allways ordered things for y^e good of his poore churches here, directe us in this arighte, and dispose it to a good issue. I am sorie we put you to so much trouble about this gentleman, espetialy at this time of great imploymente, but I know not how to avoyed it. I must againe intreate you, to let me know what charge & troble any of your people have been at aboute him, y^t it may be recompenced. So with the true affection of a frind, desiring all happines to your selfe & yours, and to all my worthy friends with you (whom I love in y^e Lord), I comende you to his grace & good providence, & rest

Your most assured friend, JOHN WINTHROP.

Boston, May 5. 1631.

By occation wherof I will take a litle libertie to declare what fell out by this mans means & malice, complying with others. And though I doubt not but it will be more fully done by my honourd friends, whom it did more directly concerne, and have more perticuler knowledg of y^e matter, yet I will here give a hinte of y^e same, and Gods providence in preventing y^e hurte that might have come by y^e same. The intelligence I had by a letter from my much hon^d and beloved friend, Mr. John Winthrop, Gov^r of y^e Massachusets.

S^r: Upon a petition exhibited by S^r. Christo: Gardner, S^r. Ferd: Gorges, Captaine Masson, &c., against you and us, the cause was heard before y^e lords of y^e Privie Counsell, and after reported to y^e king, the sucsess wherof maks it evident to all, that y^e Lord hath care of his people hear. The passages are admirable, and too long to write. I hartily wish an opportunitie to imparte them unto you, being m[=a]y sheets of paper. But y^e conclusion was (against all mens expectation) an order for our incouragmente, and much blame and disgrace upon y^e adversaries, w^ch calls for much thankfullnes from us all, which we purpose (y^e Lord willing) to express in a day of thanks-giving to our mercifull God, (I doubt not but you will consider, if it be not fitt for you to joyne in it,) who, as he hath humbled us by his late correction, so he hath lifted us up, by an abundante rejoysing, in our deliverance out of so desperate a danger; so as that w^ch our enemies builte their hopes upon to ruine us by, He hath mercifully disposed to our great advantage, as I shall further aquainte you, when occasion shall serve.

The coppy of y^e order follows.

At y^e courte at Whit-hall y^e 19. Jan: 1632.

Present

_Sigillum_ Lord Privie Seale Ea: of Dorsett Lo: Vi: Falkland Lo: Bp: of London Lord Cottinton M^r. Tre^r M^r. Vic Chamb^r M^r. Sec: Cooke Maister Sec: Windebanck

Wheras his Ma^tie hath latly been informed of great distraction and much disorder in y^t plantation in y^e parts of America called New-England, which, if they be true, & suffered to rune on, would tende to y^e great dishonour of this kingdome, and utter ruine of that plantation. For prevention wherof, and for y^e orderly settling of goverment, according to y^e intention of those patents which have been granted by his Ma^tie and from his late royall father king James, it hath pleased his Ma^tie that y^e lords & others of his most honourable Privie Counsell, should take y^e same into consideration. Their lordships in y^e first place thought fitt to make a comitie of this bord, to take examination of y^e matters informed; which comitties having called diverse of y^e principall adventurers in y^t plantation, and heard those that are complanants against them, most of the things informed being deneyed, and resting to be proved by parties that must be called from y^t place, which required a long expence of time; and at presente their lordships finding the adventurers were upon dispatch of men, victles, and marchandice for y^t place, all which would be at a stand, if y^e adventurers should have discouragmente, or take suspition that the state hear had no good opinion of y^t plantation; their lordships, not laying the faulte or fancies (if any be) of some perticuler men upon the generall govermente, or principall adventurers, (which in due time is further to be inquired into,) have thought fitt in y^e meane time to declare, that the appearences were so faire, and hopes so greate, y^t the countrie would prove both beneficiall to this kingdom, and profitable to the perticuler adventurers, as y^t the adventurers had cause to goe on cherfully with their undertakings, and rest assured, if things were carried as was pretended when y^e patents were granted, and accordingly as by the patentes it is appointed, his Majestie would not only maintaine the liberties & privileges heretofore granted, but supply any thing further that might tend to the good govermente, prosperitie, and comforte of his people ther of that place, &c.

WILLIAM TRUMBALL.

_Anno Dom_: 1632.

M^r. Allerton, returning for England, litle regarded his bound of a 1000^li. to performe covenants; for wheras he was bound by y^e same to bring y^e ship to [190] London, and to pay 30^li. per month for her hire, he did neither of boath, for he carried her to Bristoll againe, from whence he intended to sett her out againe, and so did y^e 3. time, into these parts (as after will appear); and though she had been 10. months upon y^e former viage, at 30^li. [p=]^r month, yet he never payed peney for hire. It should seeme he knew well enough how to deale with M^r. Sherley. And M^r. Sherley, though he would needs tye her & her accounte upon y^e generall, yet he would dispose of her as him selfe pleased; for though M^r. Winslow had in their names protested against y^e receiving her on y^t accounte, or if ever they should hope to preveile in shuch a thing, yet never to suffer M^r. Allerton to have any more to doe in her, yet he y^e last year let her wholy unto him, and injoyned them to send all their supplye in her to their prejudice, as is before noted. And now, though he broke his bonds, kepte no covenante, paid no hire, nor was ever like to keep covenants, yet now he goes and sells him all, both ship, & all her accounts, from first to last (and in effecte he might as well have given him y^e same); and not only this, but he doth as good as provide a sanctuary for him, for he gives him one years time to prepare his accounte, and then to give up y^e same to them here; and then another year for him to make paymente of what should be due upon y^t accounte. And in y^e mean time writs ernestly to them not to interupte or hinder him from his bussines, or stay him aboute clearing accounts, &c.; so as he in y^e mean time gathers up all monies due for fraighte, and any other debtes belonging either to her, or y^e Frindship's accounts, as his owne perticuler; and after, sells ship, & ordnans, fish, & what he had raised, in Spaine, according to y^e first designe, in effecte; and who had, or what became of y^e money, he best knows. In y^e mean time their hands were bound, and could doe nothing but looke on, till he had made all away into other mens hands (save a few catle & a litle land & some small maters he had here at Plimoth), and so in y^e end removed, as he had allready his person, so all his from hence. This will better appere by M^r. Sherley's leter.

S^r: These few lines are further to give you to understand, that seeing you & we, that never differed yet but aboute y^e White-Angell, which somewhat troubleth us, as I perceive it doth you. And now M^r. Allerton beeing here, we have had some confferance with him about her, and find him very willing to give you & us all contente y^t possiblie he can, though he burthen him selfe. He is contente to take y^e White-Angell wholy on him selfe, notwithstanding he mett with pirates nere y^e coast of Ierland, which tooke away his best sayles & other provissions from her; so as verily if we should now sell her, she would yeeld but a small price, besids her ordnance. And to set her forth againe with fresh money we would not, she being now at Bristoll. Wherfore we thought it best, both for you & us, M^r. Allerton being willing to take her, to accepte of his bond of tow thousand pounds, to give [191] you a true & perfecte accounte, and take y^e whole charge of y^e Whit-Angell wholy to him selfe, from y^e first to y^e last. The accounte he is to make and perfecte within 12. months from y^e date of this letter, and then to pay you at 6. and 6. months after, what soever shall be due unto you and us upon the foote of y^t accounte. And verily, notwithstanding all y^e disasters he hath had, I am perswaded he hath enough to pay all men here and ther. Only they must have patience till he can gather in what is due to him ther. I doe not write this slightly, but upon some ground of what I have seen (and perhaps you know not of) under y^e hands & seals of some, &c. I rest

Your assured friend, JAMES SHERLEY.

Des: 6. 1632.

But heres not a word of y^e breach of former bonds & covenants, or paimente of y^e ships hire; this is passt by as if no such thing had been; besids what bonds or obligments so ever they had of him, ther never came any into y^e hands or sight of y^e partners here. And for this y^t M^r. Sherley seems to intimate (as a secrete) of his abilitie, under y^e hands & seals of some, it was but a trick, having gathered up an accounte of what was owing form such base fellows as he had made traders for him, and other debts; and then got M^r. Mahue, & some others, to affirme under their hand & seale, that they had seen shuch accounts y^t were due to him.

Mr. Hatherley came over againe this year, but upon his owne occasions, and begane to make preparation to plant & dwell in y^e countrie. He with his former dealings had wound in what money he had in y^e patnership into his owne hands, and so gave off all partnership (excepte in name), as was found in y^e issue of things; neither did he medle, or take any care aboute y^e same; only he was troubled about his ingagmente aboute y^e Friendship, as will after appeare. And now partly aboute y^t accounte, in some reconings betweene M^r. Allerton and him, and some debts y^t M^r. Allerton otherwise owed him upon dealing between them in perticuler, he drue up an accounte of above 2000^li., and would faine have ingaged y^e partners here with it, because M^r. Allerton had been their agent. But they tould him they had been fool'd longe enough with such things, and shewed him y^t it no way belonged to them; but tould him he must looke to make good his ingagment for y^e Freindship, which caused some trouble betweene M^r. Allerton and him.

M^r. William Peirce did y^e like, M^r. Allerton being wound into his debte also upon particuler dealings; as if they had been bound to make good all mens debts. But they easily shooke off these things. But M^r. Allerton herby rane into much trouble & vexation, as well as he had troubled others, for M^r. Denison sued him for y^e money he had disbursed for y^e 6. part of y^e Whit-Angell, & recovered y^e same with damages.

Though y^e partners were thus pl[=u]ged into great ingagments, & oppresed with unjust debts, yet y^e Lord prospered their trading, that they made yearly large returnes, and had soone wound them selves out of all, if yet they had otherwise been well delt with all; as will more appear here after. [192] Also y^e people of y^e plantation begane to grow in their owtward estats, by reason[DG] of y^e flowing of many people into y^e cuntrie, espetially into y^e Bay of y^e Massachusets; by which means corne & catle rose to a great prise, by w^ch many were much inriched, and co[=m]odities grue plentifull; and yet in other regards this benefite turned to their hurte, and this accession of strength to their weaknes. For now as their stocks increased, and y^e increse vendible, ther was no longer any holding them togeather, but now they must of necessitie goe to their great lots; they could not other wise keep their katle; and having oxen growne, they must have land for plowing & tillage. And no man now thought he could live, except he had catle and a great deale of ground to keep them; all striving to increase their stocks. By which means they were scatered all over y^e bay, quickly, and y^e towne, in which they lived compactly till now, was left very thine, and in a short time allmost desolate. And if this had been all, it had been less, thoug to much; but y^e church must also be devided, and those y^t had lived so long togeather in Christian & comfortable fellowship must now part and suffer many divissions. First, those that lived on their lots on y^e other side of the bay (called Duxberie) they could not long bring their wives & children to y^e publick worship & church meetings here, but with such burthen, as, growing to some competente number, they sued to be dismissed and become a body of them selves; and so they were dismiste (about this time), though very unwillingly. But to touch this sadd matter, and handle things together that fell out afterward. To prevent any further scatering from this place, and weakning of y^e same, it was thought best to give out some good farms to spetiall persons, y^t would promise to live at Plimoth, and lickly to be helpfull to y^e church or comonewelth, and so tye y^e lands to Plimoth as farmes for the same; and ther they might keepe their catle & tillage by some servants, and retaine their dwellings here. And so some spetiall lands were granted at a place generall, called Greens Harbor, wher no allotments had been in y^e former divission, a plase very weell meadowed, and fitt to keep & rear catle, good store. But alass! this remedy proved worse then y^e disease; for w^{th}in a few years those that had thus gott footing ther rente them selves away, partly by force, and partly wearing y^e rest with importunitie and pleas of necessitie, so as they must either suffer them to goe, or live in continuall opposition and contention. And others still, as y^ey conceived them selves straitened, or to want acco[=m]odation, break away under one pretence or other, thinking their owne conceived necessitie, and the example of others, a warrente sufficente for them. And this, I fear, will be y^e ruine of New-England, at least of y^e churches of God ther, & will provock y^e Lords displeasure against them.