Chapter 42

[S] June 11. O. S. is Lord's day, and therefore 't is likely the date of this letter should be June 10, the same with the date of the letter following.--_Prince._

[T] He was a minister.

[U] Of some 60 tune.

[V] Heb. 11.

[W] This was about 22. of July.

[X] It was well for them y^t this was not accepted.

[Y] This letter is omitted in Governor Bradford's _Collection of Letters._--_Prince._

[Z] In Governor Bradford's _Collection of Letters_, this is Edward Southworth.--_Prince._

[AA] He was governour in y^e biger ship, & M^r. Cushman assistante.

[AB] I thinke he was deceived in these things.

[AC] This was found true afterward.

[AD] In the manuscript it is "strive dayly," but a pen has been drawn through the latter word.

[AE] For Governor Bradford's list of passengers in the Mayflower, see Appendix, No. I.

[AF] Because y^ey tooke much of y^t fishe ther.

[AG] Epist: 53.

[AH] Act. 28.

[AI] Deu: 26. 5, 7.

[AJ] 107 Psa: v. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8.

[AK] Which was this author him selfe.

[AL] Page 17.

[AM] _Thing_ in the manuscript

[AN] She came y^e 9. to y^e Cap.

[AO] Nay, they were faine to spare y^e shipe some to carry her home.

[AP] _Yeeled_ in the manuscript.

[AQ] _Adventures_ in the manuscript.

[AR] I know not w^ch way.

[AS] _Adventures_ in the manuscript.

[AT] See how his promisss is fulfild.

[AU] _But y^e_ [he] _left not his own men a bite of bread._

[AV] The number is repeated in the Ms.

[AW] Mr. Hunter writes, "Here is an error in Bradford's pagination. He passes from 79 to 90. No part of the manuscript is here lost." 79 is repeated in the paging.

[AX] _W^th_ in the manuscript.

[AY] _They_ in the MS.

[AZ] I may not here omite how, notwithstand all their great paines & industrie, and y^e great hops of a large cropp, the Lord seemed to blast, & take away the same, and to threaten further & more sore famine unto them, by a great drought which continued from y^e 3. weeke in May, till about y^e midle of July, without any raine, and with great heat (for y^e most parte), insomuch as y^e corne begane to wither away, though it was set with fishe, the moysture wherof helped it much. Yet at length it begane to languish sore, and some of y^e drier grounds were partched like withered hay, part wherof was never recovered. Upon which they sett a parte a solemne day of humilliation, to seek y^e Lord by humble & fervente prayer, in this great distrese. And he was pleased to give them a gracious & speedy answer, both to their owne, & the Indeans admiration, that lived amongest them. For all y^e morning, and greatest part of the day, it was clear weather & very hotte, and not a cloud or any signe of raine to be seen, yet toward evening it begane to overcast, and shortly after to raine, with shuch sweete and gentle showers, as gave them cause of rejoyceing, & blesing God. It came, without either wind, or thunder, or any violence, and by degreese in y^t abundance, as that y^e earth was thorowly wete and soked therwith. Which did so apparently revive & quicken y^e decayed corne & other fruits, as was wonderfull to see, and made y^e Indeans astonished to behold; and afterwards the Lord sent them shuch seasonable showers, with enterchange of faire warme weather, as, through his blessing, caused a fruitfull & liberall harvest, to their no small comforte and rejoycing. For which mercie (in time conveniente) they also sett aparte a day of thanksgiveing. This being overslipt in its place, I thought meet here to inserte y^e same.

[The above is written on the reverse of page 103 of the original, and should properly be inserted here. This passage, "being overslipt in its place," the author at first wrote it, or the most of it, under the preceding year; but, discovering his error before completing it, drew his pen across it, and wrote beneath, "This is to be here rased out, and is to be placed on page 103, wher it is inserted."]

[BA] _On._

[BB] I. R.

[BC] This proved rather, a propheti, then advice.

[BD] _Contend_ in the manuscript.

[BE] In MS. also 145.

[BF] In MS. also 146.

[BG] He dyed afterwards at Bristoll, in y^e time of the warrs, of y^e sicknes in y^t place.

[BH] With her flages, & streamers, pendents, & wastcloaths, &c.

[BI] _And_ is repeated in the MS.

[BJ] _Adventures_ in the manuscript.

[BK] He means Mr. Robinson.

[BL] But this lasted not long, they had now provided Lyford & others to send over.

[BM] It is worthy to be observed, how y^e Lord doth chaing times & things; for what is now more plentifull then wine? and that of y^e best, coming from Malago, y^e Cannaries, and other places, sundry ships lading in a year. So as ther is now more cause to complaine of y^e excess and y^e abuse of wine (through mens corruption) even to drunkennes, then of any defecte or wante of the same. Witnes this year 1646. The good Lord lay not y^e sins & unthankfullnes of men to their charge in this perticuler.

[BN] This was John Oldome & his like.

[BO] M^r. Westons men.

[BP] _Notabe_ in MS.

[BQ] Plin: lib: 18. chap. 2.

[BR] Of wh^ch were many witneses.

[BS] Jer. 41. 6.

[BT] 121 is repeated in the paging of the original.

[BU] _Inurious_ in MS.

[BV] _Receive_ in the manuscript.

[BW] This was Lyford himselfe.

[BX] _Is it not_ in the MS.

[BY] _Bet-_ in MS.

[BZ] If I mistake not, it was not much less. [30^li in the manuscript.]

[CA] First written as in the text, then altered to _standerss_.

[CB] Note.

[CC] Here occurs another error in the paging of the original; 142 is omitted.

[CD] Below are the names of the adventurers subscribed to this paper, taken from Bradford's Letter-Book, 1 Mass. Hist. Coll., III. 48; being forty-two in number. The names of six of these persons are found subsequently among the members of the Massachusetts Company, viz. John White, John Pocock, Thomas Goffe, Samuel Sharpe, John Revell, and Thomas Andrews. Mr. Haven, who edited the Records of the Massachusetts Company, is of opinion that the first person on the list is the celebrated clergyman of Dorchester, the reputed author of the Planter's Plea. Emnu. Alltham is probably the same person named in the Council Records, under date January 21. 1622-3: "Emanuel Altum to command the Pinnace built for Mr. Peirce's Plantation." Smith speaks of "Captaine _Altom_" as commanding this vessell, but Morton says the name of the master of the Little James was Mr. Bridges, who it appears was drowned at Damariscove, in March, 1624. See Coll. of the Amer. Antiq. Soc., III. 26, 62, Preface; Felt's MS. Memoranda from the Council Records; Smith's Generall Historie, p. 239; Morton's Memorial, p. 48.

John White, John Pocock, Robert Kean, Edward Bass, William Hobson, William Penington, William Quarles, Daniel Poynton, Richard Andrews, Newman Rookes, Henry Browning, Richard Wright, John Ling, Thomas Goffe, Samuel Sharpe, Robert Holland, James Sherley, Thomas Mott, Thomas Fletcher, Timothy Hatherly, Thomas Brewer, John Thorned, Myles Knowles, William Collier, John Revell, Peter Gudburn, Emnu. Alltham, John Beauchamp, Thomas Hudson, Thomas Andrews, Thomas Ward, Fria. Newbald, Thomas Heath, Joseph Tilden, William Perrin, Eliza Knight, Thomas Coventry, Robert Allden, Lawrence Anthony, John Knight, Matthew Thornhill, Thomas Millsop.

[CE] The orthography of some of these words differs from the modern way of spelling them; and we have no means of ascertaining the accuracy of Bradford's copy from the original letter. This passage may be rendered thus:--

"Noble, worshipful, wise, and prudent Lords, the Governor and Councillors residing in New Plymouth, our very dear friends:--The Director and Council of New Netherland wish to your Lordships, worshipful, wise, and prudent, happiness in Christ Jesus our Lord, with prosperity and health, in soul and body."

[CF] Nov. 6. 1627. Page 238. [Reference is here made to the page of the original manuscript.]

[CG] 155 omitted in original MS.--COM.

[CH] Another leter of his, that should have bene placed before:--

We cannot but take notice how y^e Lord hath been pleased to crosse our proseedings, and caused many disasters to befale us therin. I conceive y^e only reason to be, we, or many of us, aimed at other ends then Gods glorie; but now I hope y^t cause is taken away; the bargen being fully concluded, as farr as our powers will reach, and confirmed under our hands & seals, to M^r. Allerton & y^e rest of his & your copartners. But for my owne parte, I confess as I was loath to hinder y^e full confirming of it, being y^e first propounder ther of at our meeting; so on y^e other side, I was as unwilling to set my hand to y^e sale, being y^e receiver of most part of y^e adventurs, and a second causer of much of y^e ingagments; and one more threatened, being most envied & aimed at (if they could find any stepe to ground their malice on) then any other whosoever. I profess I know no just cause they ever had, or have, so to doe; neither shall it ever be proved y^t I have wronged them or any of y^e adventurers, wittingly or willingly, one peny in y^e disbursing of so many pounds in those 2. years trouble. No, y^e sole cause why they maligne me (as I & others conceived) was y^t I would not side with them against you, & the going over of y^e Leyden people. But as I then card not, so now I litle fear what they can doe; yet charge & trouble I know they may cause me to be at. And for these reasons, I would gladly have perswaded the other 4. to have sealed to this bargaine, and left me out, but they would not; so rather then it should faile, M^r. Alerton having taken so much pains, I have sealed with y^e rest; with this proviso & promise of his, y^t if any trouble arise hear, you are to bear halfe y^e charge. Wherfore now I doubt not but you will give your generallitie good contente, and setle peace amongst your selves, and peace with the natives; and then no doubt but y^e God of Peace will blese your going out & your returning, and cause all y^t you sett your hands unto to prosper; the which I shall ever pray y^e Lord to grante if it be his blessed will. Asuredly unless y^e Lord be mercifull unto us & y^e whole land in generall, our estate & condition is farr worse then yours. Wherfore if y^e Lord should send persecution or trouble hear, (which is much to be feared,) and so should put into our minds to flye for refuge, I know no place safer then to come to you, (for all Europ is at varience one with another, but cheefly w^th us,) not doubting but to find such frendly entertainmente as shall be honest & conscionable, notwithstanding what hath latly passed. For I profess in y^e word of an honest man, had it not been to procure your peace & quiet from some turbulent spirites hear, I would not have sealed to this last deed; though you would have given me all my adventure and debte ready downe. Thus desiring y^e Lord to blesse & prosper you, I cease ever resting,

Your faithfull & loving friend, to my power, JAMES SHERLEY.

Des: 27.

[The above letter was written on the reverse of page 154 of the original manuscript.]

[CI] Peag.

[CJ] 1629, May 25, the first letter concerning the former company of Leyden people.--_Prince._

[CK] 1629-30, March 8th, the second letter concerning the latter company of Leyden people.--_Prince._

[CL] This word is here substituted for _recovering_ in the manuscript, on the authority of Bradford's Letter-Book.

[CM] This paragraph is written on the reverse of the page immediately preceding, in the original manuscript.

[CN] _Fractions_ in the manuscript.

[CO] Thomas Willett.

[CP] 177 is omitted in MS.

[CQ] Oporto, called by the Dutch _Port a port_.

[CR] Hubbard, on page 101, notices the execution of Billington as taking place "about September" of this year. "The murtherer expected that, either for want of power to execute for capital offences, or for want of people to increase the plantation, he should have his life spared; but justice otherwise determined, and rewarded him, the first murtherer of his neighbour there, with the deserved punishment of death, for a warning to others." The first offence committed in the colony was by Billington, in 1621, who, for contempt of the Captain's lawful command, with opprobious speeches, was adjudged to have his neck and heels tied together. Prince, I. 103, from Bradford's pocket-book.

[CS] This paragraph was written on the reverse of page 180 of the original manuscript, near this place.

[CT] W^th in manuscript.

[CU] This was about y^e selling y^e ship in Spaine.

[CV] They were too short in resting on M^r. Hatherleys honest word, for his order to discharg them from y^e Friendship's accounte, when he and M^r. Allerton made y^e bargane with them, and they delivered them the rest of the goods; and therby gave them oppertunitie also to receive all the fraight of boath viages, without seeing an order (to have such power) under their hands in writing, which they never doubted of, seeing he affirmed he had power; and they both knew his honestie, and y^t he was spetially imployed for their agente at this time. And he was as shorte in resting on a verball order from them; which was now denyed, when it came to a perticuler of loss; but he still affirmed the same. But they were both now taught how to deale in y^e world, espetially with marchants, in such cases. But in y^e end this light upon these here also, for M^r. Allerton had gott all into his owne hand, and M^r. Hatherley was not able to pay it, except they would have uterlie undon him, as y^e sequell will manifest.

[CW] This comission is abused; he never had any for shuch end, as they well knew, nether had they any to pay this money, nor would have paid a peny, if they had not pleased for some other respecte.

[CX] _o_ in MS.

[CY] The last two words not found in the MS. but obviously intended.

[CZ] About y^e Whit-Angell they all mette at a certaine taverne in London, wher they had a diner prepared, and had a conference with a factore aboute selling of her in Spaine, or at Port a porte, as hath been before mentioned; as M^r. Hatherley manifested, & M^r. Allerton could not deney.

[DA] Mr. Winslow deposed, y^e same time, before y^e Gov^r afore said, &c. that when he came into England, and the partners inquired of y^e success of y^e Whit Angell, which should have been laden w^th bass and so sent for Port. of Porting-gall, and their ship & goods to be sould; having informed them that they were like to faile in their lading of bass, that then M^r. James Sherley used these termes: Feck, we must make one accounte of all; and ther upon presed him, as agente for y^e partners in Neu-England, to accepte y^e said ship Whit-Angell, and her accounte, into y^e joynte partner-ship; which he refused, for many reasons; and after received instructions from New-Engl: to refuse her if she should be offered, which instructions he shewed them; and wheras he was often pressed to accept her, he ever refused her, &c.

[DB] So as a while before, wheras their great care was how to pay the purchase, and those other few debts which were upon them, now it was with them as it was some times with Saule's father, who left careing for y^e Asses, and sorrowed for his sonn. 1. Sam. 10. 2. So that which before they looked at as a heavie burthen, they now esteeme but a small thing and a light mater, in comparison of what was now upon them. And thus y^e Lord oftentimes deals with his people to teach them, and humble them, that he may doe them good in y^e later end.

[DC] This word is obscure in MS.

[DD] The above paragraph was written on the reverse of page 188 of the original manuscript.

[DE] The following account of Sir Christopher Gardiner, with the documents accompanying it, extending to page 357, does not appear in the text of the original manuscript,--having been perhaps inadvertently omitted,--but was written on the reverse of pages 189-191.

[DF] That is, in the original manuscript.

[DG] _Rea_-in the manuscript.

[DH] This letter was written on the reverse of folio 192 of the original manuscript, and may be properly inserted here.

[DI] March 22.

[DJ] The skin was sold at 14^s. and 15. y^e pound.

[DK] Ther was cause enough of these feares, which arise by y^e underworking of some enemies to y^e churches here, by which this Co[=m]ission following was procured from his Ma^tie. (See this paper in appendix, No. 11.)

[DL] And y^e skin at 14^s.

[DM] That is, "If you please."

[DN] The two paragraphs above were written on the reverse of folios 202 and 203 of the original manuscript, under this year.

[DO] Blank in the original.

[DP] _They_ in MS.

[DQ] Before this word in the margin appears a capital _N_.

[DR] Not correctly cast; it should be 12530^li.

[DS] 119 in MS.

[DT] Ther is little trust to be given to their relations in these things.

[DU] 120 in MS.

[DV] Mr John Reinor.

[DW] But by this means they did furnish them, & have still continued to doe.

[DX] _Be_ in manuscript.

[DY] But y^ey were carried to y^e West-Indeas.

[DZ] _They_ in the manuscript.

[EA] But staid it till y^e next year.

[EB] And yet afterwards they laid claime to those parts in the controversie about Seacunk.

[EC] Being about 40^li.

[ED] And devided betweene them.

[EE] 130 in MS.

[EF] Which is Charles River may still be questioned.

[EG] This was but to pretend advantage, for it could not be done, neither did it need.

[EH] M^r. Chancey came to them in y^e year 1638. and staid till y^e later part of this year 1641.

[EI] A leaf is here wanting in the original manuscript, it having been cut out.

[EJ] Exod: 21. 22. Deu: 19. 11. Num: 35. 16. 18.

[EK] "Confident"?

[EL] _8_ in MS.

[EM] _Conti[=c]_ in MS.

[EN] _Solicitations_ in MS.

[EO] This he means of y^e first adventures, all which were lost, as hath before been shown; and what he here writs is probable at least.

[EP] Being the conclusion, as will be seen, of page 252 of the original.

[EQ] Perhaps _write_ for _wrote_.

[ER] _The_ in the manuscript.

[ES] This was a misterie to them, for they heard nothing hereof from any side y^e last year, till now y^e conclution was past, and bonds given.

[ET] Substituted for _sundry_ on the authority of the original MS. Records.

[EU] _Comander_ in the MS.

[EV] Written 2 in MS.

[EW] Who dyed 3. of Octob. 1655.

[EX] The following memoranda are in a later hand.

[EY] Obviously intended for Cushman.

[EZ] See page 381. This document was written on the reverse of folio 201 et seq. of the original manuscript, and for the sake of convenience is transferred to this place.

[FA] A superfluous _and_ comes after "observed" in the manuscript.

[FB] _Edwards_ in the manuscript.

* * * * *

Transcriber's note:

Spelling is inconsistent and is left unchanged from the original printing of this book. The following are some common examples of questionable text.

Page 16 y^e not suffered to goe, [they?] Unchanged.

Page 24 any other riches whatsoever. And at lenght they came [length?] Unchanged.

Page 41 of our company to adyone him selfe; to the care & discretion [adyone] possibly ajoin? Unchanged.

Page 76 to rejecte y^e vioage. Judge therfore we beseech you indiferently [voiage?] Unchanged.

Page 84 to proceede on her viage. Those that went bak were [voiage?] Unchanged.

Page 98 who were salvages; but they fled from them, & ra[=n]e [savages?] Unchanged.

Page 113 and anone cursing his felows, saing he had done this [anone] anyone? Unchanged.

Page 156 and he would have borrowed a hh of corne of y^e Indeans, hh is probably hogshead. Both 'h's have a bar thru the ascender. Unchanged.

Page 208 somwaht blanke at it, but after some weeks, when [somwaht?] Unchanged.

Page 210 their doings & pactises hear; that it was evident they [pactises?] Unchanged

Page 214 this mische[=c]ous [mische[=e]ous]& most false slander: That because Unable to tell from the image whether it is a 'c' or 'e'. Left it as a [=c].

Page 304 And think not with 50^li. pound a yeare sent you over, to Duplication of li and pound. Unchanged

Page 351 maister & ye rest of y^e company were gone from ye rather than y^e here. Unchanged.

Page 371 of y^e season, and the fear y^e Indans were in of [Indans?] Unchanged.

Page 391 and y^e English Collonies, to right and defend them selves [fight?] Unchanged.

Page 416 knew to be an-English man, as also those y^t were Odd use of hyphen. Unchanged.