Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation' Part 18

4^ly. In furder consideration of y^e discharge of y^e said debtes, every severall purchaser doth promise and covenante yearly to pay, or cause to be payed, to the above said parties, during y^e full terme of y^e said 6. years, 3. bush.e.l.ls of corne, or 6^li. of tobaco, at y^e undertakers choyse.

5^ly. The said undertakers shall dureing y^e afforesaid terme bestow 50^li. per annum, in hose and shoese, to be brought over for y^e collonies use, to be sould unto them for corne at 6^s. per bush.e.l.l.

6^ly. That at y^e end of y^e said terme of 6. years, the whole trade shall returne to y^t use and benefite of y^e said collonie, as before.

Lastly, if y^e afforesaid undertakers, after they have aquainted their freinds in England with these covenants, doe (upon y^e first returne) resolve to performe them, and undertake to discharge y^e debtes of y^e said collony, according to y^e true meaning & intente of these presents, then they are (upon such notice given) to stand in full force; otherwise all things to remaine as formerly they were, and a true accounte to be given to y^e said collonie, of the disposing of all things according to the former order.

M^r. Allerton carried a coppy of this agreemente with him into England, and amongst other his instructions had order given him to deale with some of their speciall freinds, to joyne with them in this trade upon y^e above recited conditions; as allso to imparte their further ends that moved them to take this course, namly, the helping over of some of their freinds from Leyden, as they should be able; in which if any of them would joyne with them they should thankfully acceptt of their love and partners.h.i.+p herein. And with all (by their letters) gave them some grounds of their hops of the accomplishmente of these things with some advantage.

_Anno Dom: 1628._

After M^r. Allertons arivall in England, he aquainted them with his comission and full power to conclude y^e forementioned bargan & purchas; upon [154] the veiw wherof, and y^e delivery of y^e bonds for y^e paymente of y^e money yearly, (as is before mentioned,) it was fully concluded, and a deede[CF] fairly ingrossed in partchmente was delivered him, under their hands & seals confirming the same. Morover he delte with them aboute other things according to his instructions. As to admitt some of these their good freinds into this purcha.s.s if they pleased, and to deale with them for moneys at better rates, &c. Touching which I shall hear inserte a letter of M^r. Sherleys, giving light to what followed therof, writ to y^e Gov^r as followeth.

S^r: I have received yours of y^e 26. of May by M^r. Gibs, & M^r.

Goffe, with y^e barrell of otter skins, according to y^e contents; for which I got a bill of store, and so tooke them up, and sould them togeather at 78^li. 12^s. sterling; and since, M^r. Allerton hath received y^e money, as will apear by the accounte. It is true (as you write) that your ingagments are great, not only the purcha.s.s, but you are yet necessitated to take up y^e stock you work upon; and y^t not at 6. or 8. p^r cent. as it is here let out, but at 30. 40. yea, & some at 50. p^r cent. which, were not your gaines great, and G.o.ds blessing on your honest indeaours more then ordinarie, it could not be y^t you should longe subsiste in y^e maintaining of, & upholding of your worldly affaires. And this your honest & discreete agente, M^r.

Allerton, hath seriously considered, & deeply laid to mind, how to ease you of it. He tould me you were contented to accepte of me & some few others, to joyne with you in y^e purcha.s.s, as partners; for which I kindly thanke you and all y^e rest, and doe willingly accepte of it.

And though absente, shall willingly be at shuch charge as you & y^e rest shall thinke meete; and this year am contented to forbear my former 50^li. and 2. years increase for y^e venture, both which now makes it 80^li. without any bargaine or condition for y^e profite, you (I mean y^e generalitie) stand to y^e adventure, outward, and homeward. I have perswaded M^r. Andrews and M^r. Beachamp to doe y^e like, so as you are eased of y^e high rate, you were at y^e other 2.

yeares; I say we leave it freely to your selves to alow us what you please, and as G.o.d shall blesse. What course I rune, M^r. Beachamp desireth to doe y^e same; and though he have been or seemed somwhat harsh heretofore, yet now you shall find he is new moulded. I allso see by your letter, you desire I should be your agente or factore hear. I have ever found you so faithfull, honest, and upright men, as I have even resolved with my selfe (G.o.d a.s.sisting me) to doe you all y^e good lyeth in my power; and therfore if you please to make choyse of so weak a man, both for abillities and body, to performe your bussines, I promise (y^e Lord enabling me) to doe y^e best I can according to those abillities he hath given me; and wherin I faile, blame your selves, y^t you made no better choyce. Now, because I am sickly, and we are all mortall, I have advised M^r. Allerton to joyne M^r. Beachamp with me in your deputation, which I conceive to be very necessary & good for you; your charge shall be no more, for it is not your salarie maks me undertake your [156[CG]] bussines. Thus contending you & yours, and all G.o.ds people, unto y^e guidance and protection of y^e Allmightie, I ever rest,

Your faithfull loving freind, JAMES SHERLEY.[CH]

London, Nov. 17. 1628.

With this leter they sent a draught of a formall deputation to be hear sealed and sent back unto them, to authorise them as their agents, according to what is mentioned in y^e above said letter; and because some inconvenience grue therby afterward I shall here inserte it.

To all to whom these pr[=e]ts shall come greeting; know yee that we, William Bradford, Gov^r of Plimoth, in N.E. in America, Isaak Allerton, Myles Standish, William Brewster, & Ed: Winslow, of Plimoth aforesaid, marchants, doe by these presents for us & in our names, make, subst.i.tute, & appointe James Sherley, Goldsmith, & John Beachamp, Salter, citizens of London, our true & lawfull agents, factors, subst.i.tutes, & a.s.signes; as well to take and receive all such goods, wares, & marchandise what soever as to our said subst.i.tutes or either of them, or to y^e citie of London, or other place of y^e Relme of Engl: shall be sente, transported, or come from us or any of us, as allso to vend, sell, barter, or exchaing y^e said goods, wares, and marchandise so from time to time to be sent to such person or persons upon credite, or other wise in such maner as to our said agents & factors joyently, or to either of them severally shall seeme meete.

And further we doe make & ordaine our said subst.i.tuts & a.s.signes joyntly & severally for us, & to our uses, & accounts, to buy and consigne for and to us into New-Engl: aforesaid, such goods and marchandise to be provided here, and to be returned hence, as by our said a.s.signes, or either of them, shall be thought fitt. And to recover, receive, and demand for us & in our names all such debtes & sumes of money, as now are or hereafter shall be due incidente accruing or belonging to us, or any of us, by any wayes or means; and to acquite, discharge, or compound for any debte or sume of money, which now or hereafter shall be due or oweing by any person or persons to us, or any of us. And generally for us & in our names to doe, performe, and execute every acte & thing which to our said a.s.signes, or either of them, shall seeme meete to be done in or aboute y^e premissies, as fully & effectually, to all intents & purposes, as if we or any of us were in person presente. And whatsoever our said agents & factors joyntly or severally shall doe, or cause to be done, in or aboute y^e premisses, we will & doe, & every of us doth ratife, alow, & confirme, by these presents. In wittnes wherof we have here unto put our hands & seals. Dated 18. Nov^br 1628.

This was accordingly confirmed by the above named, and 4. more of the cheefe of them under their hands & seals, and delivered unto them. Also M^r. Allerton formerly had authoritie under their hands & seals for y^e transacting of y^e former bussines, and taking up of moneys, &c. which still he retained whilst he was imployed in these affaires; they mistrusting neither him nor any of their freinds faithfullnes, which made them more remisse in looking to shuch acts as had pa.s.sed under their hands, as necessarie for y^e time; but letting them rune on to long unminded or recaled, it turned to their harme afterwards, as will appere in its place.

[157] M^r. Allerton having setled all things thus in a good and hopfull way, he made hast to returne in y^e first of y^e spring to be hear with their supply for trade, (for y^e fishermen with whom he came used to sett forth in winter & be here betimes.) He brought a resonable supply of goods for y^e plantation, and without those great interests as before is noted; and brought an accounte of y^e beaver sould, and how y^e money was disposed for goods, & y^e paymente of other debtes, having paid all debts abroad to others, save to M^r. Sherley, M^r. Beachamp, & M^r.

Andrews; from whom likwise he brought an accounte which to them all amounted not to above 400^li. for which he had pa.s.sed bonds. Allso he had payed the first paymente for y^e purcha.s.s, being due for this year, viz. 200^li. and brought them y^e bonde for y^e same canselled; so as they now had no more foreine debtes but y^e abovesaid 400^li. and odde pownds, and y^e rest of y^e yearly purcha.s.s monie. Some other debtes they had in y^e c.u.n.trie, but they were without any intrest, & they had wherwith to discharge them when they were due. To this pa.s.s the Lord had brought things for them. Also he brought them further notice that their freinds, the abovenamed, & some others that would joyne with them in y^e trad & purcha.s.s, did intend for to send over to Leyden, for a competente number of them, to be hear the next year without fayle, if y^e Lord pleased to blesse their journey. He allso brought them a patente for Kenebeck, but it was so straite & ill bounded, as they were faine to renew & inlarge it the next year, as allso that which they had at home, to their great charge, as will after appeare. Hithertoo M^r. Allerton did them good and faithfull service; and well had it been if he had so continued, or els they had now ceased for imploying him any longer thus into England. But of this more afterwards.

Having procured a patente (as is above said) for Kenebeck, they now erected a house up above in y^e river in y^e most convenientest place for trade, as they conceived, and furnished the same with co[=m]odities for y^t end, both winter & so[=m]er, not only with corne, but also with such other commodities as y^e fishermen had traded with them, as coats, s.h.i.+rts, ruggs, & blankets, biskett, pease, prunes, &c.; and what they could not have out of England, they bought of the fis.h.i.+ng s.h.i.+ps, and so carried on their bussines as well as they could.

This year the Dutch sent againe unto them from their plantation, both kind leterss, and also diverse comodities, as suger, linen cloth, Holand finer & courser stufes, &c. They came up with their barke to Manamete, to their house ther, in which came their Secretarie Rasier; who was accompanied with a noyse of trumpeters, and some other attendants; and desired that they would send a boat for him, for he could not travill so farr over land. So they sent a boat to Manonscussett, and brought him to y^e plantation, with y^e cheefe of his company. And after some few days entertainmente, he returned to his barke, and some of them wente with him, and bought sundry of his goods; after which begining thus made, they sente often times to y^e same place, and had entercourse togeather for diverce years; and amongst other comodities, they vended [158] much tobaco for linen cloath, stuffs, &c., which was a good benefite to y^e people, till the Virginians found out their plantation. But that which turned most to their profite, in time, was an entrance into the trade of Wampampeake; for they now bought aboute 50^li. worth of it of them; and they tould them how vendable it was at their forte Orania; and did perswade them they would find it so at Kenebeck; and so it came to pa.s.s in time, though at first it stuck, & it was 2. years before they could put of this small quant.i.ty, till y^e inland people knew of it; and afterwards they could scarce ever gett enough for them, for many years togeather. And so this, with their other provissions, cutt of they trade quite from y^e fisher-men, and in great part from other of y^e stragling planters. And strange it was to see the great allteration it made in a few years amonge y^e Indeans them selves; for all the Indeans of these parts, & y^e Ma.s.sachussets, had none or very litle of it,[CI] but y^e sachems & some spetiall persons that wore a litle of it for ornamente.

Only it was made & kepte amonge y^e Nariganssets, & Pequents, which grew rich & potent by it, and these people were poore & begerly, and had no use of it. Neither did the English of this plantation, or any other in y^e land, till now that they had knowledg of it from y^e Dutch, so much as know what it was, much less y^t it was a co[=m]oditie of that worth & valew. But after it grue thus to be a comoditie in these parts, these Indeans fell into it allso, and to learne how to make it; for y^e Narigansets doe geather y^e sh.e.l.ls of which y^ey make it from their shors. And it hath now continued a current comoditie aboute this 20.

years, and it may prove a drugg in time. In y^e mean time it maks y^e Indeans of these parts rich & power full and also prowd therby; and fills them with peeces, powder, and shote, which no laws can restraine, by reasone of y^e ba.s.snes of sundry unworthy persons, both English, Dutch, & French, which may turne to y^e ruine of many. Hithertoo y^e Indeans of these parts had no peeces nor other armes but their bowes & arrowes, nor of many years after; nether durst they scarce handle a gune, so much were they affraid of them; and y^e very sight of one (though out of kilter) was a terrour unto them. But those Indeans to y^e east parts, which had co[=m]erce with y^e French, got peces of them, and they in the end made a commone trade of it; and in time our English fisher-men, led with y^e like covetoussnes, followed their example, for their owne gaine; but upon complainte against them, it pleased the kings majestie to prohibite y^e same by a stricte proclaimation, commanding that no sorte of armes, or munition, should by any of his subjects be traded with them.

Aboute some 3. or 4. years before this time, ther came over one Captaine Wolastone, (a man of pretie parts,) and with him 3. or 4. more of some eminencie, who brought with them a great many servants, with provissions & other implments for to begine a plantation; and pitched them selves in a place within the Ma.s.sachusets, which they called, after their Captains name, Mount-Wollaston. Amongst whom was one M^r. Morton, who, it should seeme, had some small adventure (of his owne or other mens) amongst them; but had litle respecte [159] amongst them, and was sleghted by y^e meanest servants. Haveing continued ther some time, and not finding things to answer their expectations, nor profite to arise as they looked for, Captaine Wollaston takes a great part of y^e sarvants, and transports them to Virginia, wher he puts them of at good rates, selling their time to other men; and writs back to one M^r. Ra.s.sdall, one of his cheefe partners, and accounted their marchant, to bring another parte of them to Verginia likewise, intending to put them of ther as he had done y^e rest. And he, w^th y^e consente of y^e said Rasdall, appoynted one Fitcher to be his Livetenante, and governe y^e remaines of y^e plantation, till he or Rasdall returned to take further order theraboute. But this Morton abovesaid, haveing more craft then honestie, (who had been a kind of petie-fogger, of Furnefells Inne,) in y^e others absence, watches an oppertunitie, (commons being but hard amongst them,) and gott some strong drinck & other junkats, & made them a feast; and after they were merie, he begane to tell them, he would give them good counsell. You see (saith he) that many of your fellows are carried to Virginia; and if you stay till this Rasdall returne, you will also be carried away and sould for slaves with y^e rest. Therfore I would advise you to thruste out this Levetenant Fitcher; and I, having a parte in the plantation, will receive you as my partners and consociats; so may you be free from service, and we will converse, trad, plante, & live togeather as equalls, & supporte & protecte one another, or to like effecte. This counsell was easily received; so they tooke oppertunitie, and thrust Levetenante Fitcher out a dores, and would suffer him to come no more amongst them, but forct him to seeke bread to eate, and other releefe from his neigbours, till he could gett pa.s.sages for England.

After this they fell to great licenciousnes, and led a dissolute life, powering out them selves into all profanenes. And Morton became lord of misrule, and maintained (as it were) a schoole of Athisme. And after they had gott some good into their hands, and gott much by trading with y^e Indeans, they spent it as vainly, in quaffing & drinking both wine & strong waters in great exsess, and, as some reported, 10^li. worth in a morning. They allso set up a May-pole, drinking and dancing aboute it many days togeather, inviting the Indean women, for their consorts, dancing and frisking togither, (like so many fairies, or furies rather,) and worse practises. As if they had anew revived & celebrated the feasts of y^e Roman G.o.ddes Flora, or y^e beasly practieses of y^e madd Bacchinalians. Morton likwise (to shew his poetrie) composed sundry rimes & verses, some tending to lasciviousnes, and others to y^e detraction & scandall of some persons, which he affixed to this idle or idoll May-polle. They chainged allso the name of their place, and in stead of calling it Mounte Wollaston, they call it Merie-mounte, [160]

as if this joylity would have lasted ever. But this continued not long, for after Morton was sent for England, (as follows to be declared,) shortly after came over that worthy gentlman, M^r. John Indecott, who brought over a patent under y^e broad seall, for y^e govermente of y^e Ma.s.sachusets, who visiting those parts caused y^t May-polle to be cutt downe, and rebuked them for their profannes, and admonished them to looke ther should be better walking; so they now, or others, changed y^e name of their place againe, and called it Mounte-Dagon.

Now to maintaine this riotous prodigallitie and profuse excess, Morton, thinking him selfe lawless, and hearing what gaine y^e French & fisher-men made by trading of peeces, powder, & shotte to y^e Indeans, he, as y^e head of this consorts.h.i.+p, begane y^e practise of y^e same in these parts; and first he taught them how to use them, to charge, & discharg, and what proportion of powder to give y^e peece, according to y^e sise or bignes of y^e same; and what shotte to use for foule, and what for deare. And having thus instructed them, he imployed some of them to hunte & fowle for him, so as they became farr more active in that imploymente then any of y^e English, by reason of ther swiftnes of foote, & nimblnes of body, being also quick-sighted, and by continuall exercise well knowing y^e hants of all sorts of game. So as when they saw y^e execution that a peece would doe, and y^e benefite that might come by y^e same, they became madd, as it were, after them, and would not stick to give any prise they could attaine too for them; accounting their bowes & arrowes but bables in comparison of them.

And here I may take occasion to bewaile y^e mischefe that this wicked man began in these parts, and which since base covetousnes prevailing in men that should know better, has now at length gott y^e upper hand, and made this thing co[=m]one, notwithstanding any laws to y^e contrary; so as y^e Indeans are full of peeces all over, both fouling peeces, muskets, pistols, &c. They have also their moulds to make shotte, of all sorts, as muskett bulletts, pistoll bullets, swane & gose shote, & of smaler sorts; yea, some have seen them have their scruplats to make scrupins them selves, when they wante them, with sundery other implements, wherwith they are ordinarily better fited & furnished then y^e English them selves. Yea, it is well knowne that they will have powder & shot, when the English want it, nor cannot gett it; and y^t in a time of warr or danger, as experience hath manifested, that when lead hath been scarce, and men for their owne defence would gladly have given a groat a l which is dear enoughe, yet hath it bene bought up & sent to other places, and sould to shuch as trade it with y^e Indeans, at 12.

pence y^e li.; and it is like they give 3. or 4.^s y^e pound, for they will have it at any rate. And these things have been done in y^e same times, when some of their neigbours & freinds are daly killed by y^e Indeans, or are in deanger therof, and live but at y^e Indeans mercie.

[161] Yea, some (as they have aquainted them with all other things) have tould them how gunpowder is made, and all y^e materialls in it, and that they are to be had in their owne land; and I am confidente, could they attaine to make saltpeter, they would teach them to make powder. O the horiblnes of this vilanie! how many both Dutch & English have been latly slaine by those Indeans, thus furnished; and no remedie provided, nay, y^e evill more increased, and y^e blood of their brethren sould for gaine, as is to be feared; and in what danger all these colonies are in is too well known. Oh! that princes & parlements would take some timly order to prevente this mischeefe, and at length to suppress it, by some exemplerie punishmente upon some of these gaine thirstie murderers, (for they deserve no better t.i.tle,) before their collonies in these parts be over throwne by these barbarous savages, thus armed with their owne weapons, by these evill instruments, and traytors to their neigbors and c.u.n.trie. But I have forgott my selfe, and have been to longe in this digression; but now to returne. This Morton having thus taught them y^e use of peeces, he sould them all he could spare; and he and his consorts detirmined to send for many out of England, and had by some of y^e s.h.i.+ps sente for above a score. The which being knowne, and his neigbours meeting y^e Indeans in y^e woods armed with guns in this sorte, it was a terrour unto them, who lived straglingly, and were of no strenght in any place. And other places (though more remote) saw this mischeefe would quietly spread over all, if not prevented. Besides, they saw they should keep no servants, for Morton would entertaine any, how vile soever, and all y^e sc.u.me of y^e countrie, or any discontents, would flock to him from all places, if this nest was not broken; and they should stand in more fear of their lives & goods (in short time) from this wicked & deboste crue, then from y^e salvages them selves.

So sundrie of y^e cheefe of y^e stragling plantations, meeting togither, agreed by mutuall consente to sollissite those of Plimoth (who were then of more strength then them all) to joyne with them, to prevente y^e further grouth of this mischeefe, and suppress Morton & his consortes before y^ey grewe to further head and strength. Those that joyned in this acction (and after contributed to the charge of sending him for England) were from Pascataway, Namkeake, Winisimett, Weesagascusett, Natasco, and other places wher any English were seated. Those of Plimoth being thus sought too by their messengers & letters, and waying both their reasons, and the co[=m]one danger, were willing to afford them their help; though them selves had least cause of fear or hurte. So, to be short, they first resolved joyntly to write to him, and in a freindly & neigborly way to admonish him to forbear these courses, & sent a messenger with their letters to bring his answer. But he was so highe as he scorned all advise, and asked who had to doe with him; he had and would trade peeces with y^e Indeans in dispite of all, with many other scurillous termes full of disdaine. They sente to him a second time, and bad him be better advised, and more temperate in his termes, for y^e countrie could not beare y^e injure he did; it was against their comone saftie, and against y^e king's proclamation. He answerd in high terms as before, and that y^e kings proclamation was no law; demanding what penaltie was upon it. It was answered, more then he could [162] bear, his majesties displeasure. But insolently he persisted, and said y^e king was dead and his displeasure with him, & many y^e like things; and threatened withall that if any came to molest him, let them looke to them selves, for he would prepare for them. Upon which they saw ther was no way but to take him by force; and having so farr proceeded, now to give over would make him farr more hautie & insolente. So they mutually resolved to proceed, and obtained of y^e Gov^r of Plimoth to send Captaine Standish, & some other aide with him, to take Morton by force.

The which accordingly was done; but they found him to stand stifly in his defence, having made fast his dors, armed his consorts, set diverse dishes of powder & bullets ready on y^e table; and if they had not been over armed with drinke, more hurt might have been done. They so[=m]aned him to yeeld, but he kept his house, and they could gett nothing but scofes & scorns from him; but at length, fearing they would doe some violence to y^e house, he and some of his crue came out, but not to yeeld, but to shoote; but they were so steeld with drinke as their peeces were to heavie for them; him selfe with a carbine (over charged & allmost halfe fild with powder & shote, as was after found) had thought to have shot Captaine Standish; but he stept to him, & put by his peece, & tooke him. Neither was ther any hurte done to any of either side, save y^t one was so drunke y^t he rane his owne nose upon y^e pointe of a sword y^t one held before him as he entred y^e house; but he lost but a litle of his hott blood. Morton they brought away to Plimoth, wher he was kepte, till a s.h.i.+p went from y^e Ile of Shols for England, with which he was sente to y^e Counsell of New-England; and letters writen to give them information of his course & cariage; and also one was sent at their co[=m]one charge to informe their Ho^rs more perticulerly, & to prosecute against him. But he foold of y^e messenger, after he was gone from hence, and though he wente for England, yet nothing was done to him, not so much as rebukte, for ought was heard; but returned y^e nexte year. Some of y^e worst of y^e company were disperst, and some of y^e more modest kepte y^e house till he should be heard from. But I have been too long aboute so un-worthy a person, and bad a cause.

This year M^r. Allerton brought over a yonge man for a minister to y^e people hear, wheather upon his owne head, or at y^e motion of some freinds ther, I well know not, but it was without y^e churches sending; for they had bene so bitten by M^r. Lyford, as they desired to know y^e person well whom they should invite amongst them. His name was M^r.

Rogers; but they perceived, upon some triall, that he was crased in his braine; so they were faine to be at further charge to send him back againe y^e nexte year, and loose all y^e charge that was expended in his. .h.i.ther bringing, which was not smalle by M^r. Allerton's accounte, in provissions, aparell, bedding, &c. After his returne he grue quite distracted, and M^r. Allerton was much blamed y^t he would bring such a man over, they having charge enough otherwise.

M^r. Allerton, in y^e years before, had brought over some small quantie of goods, upon his owne perticuler, and sould them for his owne private benefite; which was more then any man had yet hithertoo attempted. But because he had other wise done them good service, and also he sould them among y^e people at y^e plantation, by which their wants were supplied, and he aledged it was the [163] love of M^r. Sherley and some other freinds that would needs trust him with some goods, conceiveing it might doe him some good, and none hurte, it was not much lookt at, but past over. But this year he brought over a greater quant.i.tie, and they were so intermixte with y^e goods of y^e generall, as they knew not which were theirs, & w^ch was his, being pact up together; so as they well saw that, if any casualty had beefalne at sea, he might have laid y^e whole on them, if he would; for ther was no distinction. Allso what was most vendible, and would yeeld presente pay, usualy that was his; and he now begane allso to sell abroad to others of forine places, which, considering their co[=m]one course, they began to dislike. Yet because love thinkes no evill, nor is susspitious, they tooke his faire words for excuse, and resolved to send him againe this year for England; considering how well he had done y^e former bussines, and what good acceptation he had with their freinds ther; as also seeing sundry of their freinds from Leyden were sente for, which would or might be much furthered by his means. Againe, seeing the patente for Kenebeck must be inlarged, by reason of y^e former mistaks in the bounding of it, and it was conceived, in a maner, y^e same charge would serve to inlarge this at home with it, and he that had begane y^e former y^e last year would be y^e fittest to effecte this; so they gave him instructions and sente him for England this year againe. And in his instructions bound him to bring over no goods on their accounte, but 50^li. in hose & shoes, and some linen cloth, (as y^ey were bound by covenante when they tooke y^e trad;) also some trading goods to such a value; and in no case to exseed his instructions, nor ru[=n]e them into any further charge; he well knowing how their state stood. Also y^t he should so provide y^t their trading goods came over betimes, and what so ever was sent on their accounte should be pact up by it selfe, marked with their marke, and no other goods to be mixed with theirs. For so he prayed them to give him such instructions as they saw good, and he would folow them, to prevente any jellocie or farther offence, upon the former forementioned dislikes.

And thus they conceived they had well provided for all things.

_Anno Dom: 1629._

M^r. Allerton safly arriving in England, and delivering his leters to their freinds their, and aquainting them with his instructions, found good acceptation with them, and they were very forward & willing to joyne with them in y^e partners.h.i.+p of trade, & in y^e charge to send over y^e Leyden people; a company wherof were allready come out of Holand, and prepared to come over, and so were sent away before M^r.

Allerton could be ready to come. They had pa.s.sage with y^e s.h.i.+ps that came to Salem, that brought over many G.o.dly persons to begine y^e plantations & churches of Christ ther, & in y^e Bay of Ma.s.sachussets; so their long stay & keeping back [164] was recompensed by y^e Lord to ther freinds here with a duble blessing, in that they not only injoyed them now beyond ther late expectation, (when all their hops seemed to be cutt of,) but, with them, many more G.o.dly freinds & Christian breethren, as y^e begining of a larger harvest unto y^e Lord, in y^e increase of his churches & people in these parts, to y^e admiration of many, and allmost wonder of y^e world; that of so small beginings so great things should insue, as time after manifested; and that here should be a resting place for so many of y^e Lords people, when so sharp a scourge came upon their owne nation. But it was y^e Lords doing, & it ought to be marvellous in our eyes.

But I shall hear inserte some of their freinds letters, which doe best expresse their owne minds in these thir proceedings.

_A leter of M^r. Sherleys to y^e Gov^r._

May 25, 1629.[CJ]

S^r: &c. Here are now many of your and our freinds from Leyden coming over, who, though for y^e most parte be but a weak company, yet herein is a good parte of that end obtained which was aimed at, and which hath been so strongly opposed by some of our former adventurers. But G.o.d hath his working in these things, which man cannot frustrate. With them we have allso sent some servants in y^e s.h.i.+p called the Talbut, that wente hence latly; but these come in y^e May-flower. M^r.

Beachamp & my selfe, with M^r. Andrews & M^r. Hatherly, are, with your love and liking, joyned partners with you, &c.

Your deputation we have received, and y^e goods have been taken up & sould by your friend & agente, M^r. Allerton, my selfe having bine nere 3. months in Holland, at Amsterdam & other parts in y^e Low-Countries. I see further the agreemente you have made with y^e generallitie, in which I cannot understand but you have done very well, both for them & you, and also for your freinds at Leyden. M^r.

Beachamp, M^r. Andrews, M^r. Hatherley, & my selfe, doe so like and approve of it, as we are willing to joyne with you, and, G.o.d directing and inabling us, will be a.s.sisting and helpfull to you, y^e best y^t possiblie we can. Nay, had you not taken this course, I doe not see how you should accomplish y^e end you first aimed at, and some others indevored these years past. We know it must keep us from y^e profite, which otherwise by y^e blessing of G.o.d and your indeaours, might be gained; for most of those that came in May, & these now sente, though I hope honest & good people, yet not like to be helpfull to raise profite, but rather, ney, certaine must, some while, be chargable to you & us; at which it is lickly, had not this wise & discreete course been taken, many of your generalitie would have grudged. Againe, you say well in your letter, and I make no doubte but you will performe it, that now being but a few, on whom y^e burthen must be, you will both menage it y^e beter, and sett too it more cherfully, haveing no discontente nor contradiction, but so lovingly to joyne togeither, in affection and counsell, as G.o.d no doubte will blesse and prosper your honest labours & indeavors. And therfore in all respects I doe not see but you have done marvelously discreetly, & advisedly, and no doubt but it gives all parties good contente; I mean y^t are reasonable & honest men, such as make conscience of giving y^e best satisfaction they be able for their debts, and y^t regard not their owne perticuler so much as y^e accomplis.h.i.+ng of y^t good end for which this bussines was first intended, &c. Thus desiring y^e Lord to blese & prosper you, & all yours, and all our honest endeavors, I rest

Your unfained & ever loving friend, JAMES SHERLEY.

Lon: March 8. 1629.[CK]

[165] That I may handle things together, I have put these 2. companies that came from Leyden in this place; though they came at 2. severall times, yet they both came out of England this year. The former company, being 35. persons, were s.h.i.+ped in May, and arived here aboute August.

The later were s.h.i.+ped in y^e begining of March, and arived hear y^e later end of May, 1630. M^r. Sherleys 2. letters, y^e effect wherof I have before related, (as much of them as is pertinente,) mentions both.

Their charge, as M^r. Allerton brought it in afterwards on accounte, came to above 550^li. besids ther fetching hither from Salem & y^e Bay, wher they and their goods were landed; viz. their transportation from Holland to England, & their charges lying ther, and pa.s.sages. .h.i.ther, with clothing provided for them. For I find by accounte for y^e one company, 125. yeards of ka.r.s.ey, 127. ellons of linen cloath, shoes, 66.

[p=]^r, with many other perticulers. The charge of y^e other company is reckoned on y^e severall families, some 50^li., some 40^li., some 30^li., and so more or less, as their number & expencess were. And besids all this charg, their freinds & bretheren here were to provid corne & other provissions for them, till they could reap a crope which was long before. Those that came in May were thus maintained upward of 16. or 18. months, before they had any harvest of their owne, & y^e other by proportion. And all they could doe in y^e mean time was to gett them some housing, and prepare them grounds to plant on, against the season. And this charg of maintaining them all this while was litle less then y^e former sume. These things I note more perticulerly, for sundry regards. First, to shew a rare example herein of brotherly love, and Christian care in performing their promises and covenants to their bretheren, too, & in a sorte beyonde their power; that they should venture so desperatly to ingage them selves to accomplish this thing, and bear it so cheerfully; for they never demanded, much less had, any repaymente of all these great sumes thus disbursed. 2^ly. It must needs be that ther was more then of man in these acheevements, that should thus readily stire up y^e harts of shuch able frinds to joyne in partners.h.i.+p with them in shuch a case, and cleave so faithfullie to them as these did, in so great adventures; and the more because the most of them never saw their faces to this day; ther being neither kindred, aliance, or other acquaintance or relations betweene any of them, then hath been before mentioned; it must needs be therfore the spetiall worke and hand of G.o.d. 3^ly. That these poore people here in a wilderness should, notwithstanding, be inabled in time to repay all these ingagments, and many more unjustly brought upon them through the unfaithfullnes of some, and many other great losses which they sustained, which will be made manifest, if y^e Lord be pleased to give life and time. In y^e mean time, I cannot but admire his ways and workes towards his servants, and humbly desire to blesse his holy name for his great mercies. .h.i.thertoo.

[166] The Leyden people being thus come over, and sundry of y^e generalitie seeing & hearing how great y^e charg was like to be that was that way to be expended, they begane to murmure and repine at it, notwithstanding y^e burden lay on other mens shoulders; espetially at y^e paying of y^e 3. bush.e.l.ls of corne a year, according to y^e former agreemente, when y^e trad was lett for y^e 6. years aforesaid. But to give them contente herein allso, it was promised them, that if they could doe it in y^e time without it, they would never demand it of them; which gave them good contente. And indeed it never was paid, as will appeare by y^e sequell.

Concerning M^r. Allertons proceedings about y^e inlarging & confirming of their patent, both y^t at home & Kenebeck, will best appere by another leter of M^r. Sherleys; for though much time & money was expended aboute it, yet he left it unaccomplisht this year, and came without it. See M^r. Sherleys letter.

Most worthy & loving freinds, &c.

Some of your letters I received in July, & some since by M^r. Peirce, but till our maine bussines, y^e patent, was granted, I could not setle my mind nor pen to writing. M^r. Allerton was so turrmoyled about it, as verily I would not nor could not have undergone it, if I might have had a thousand pounds; but y^e Lord so blessed his labours (even beyond expectation in these evill days) as he obtained y^e love & favore of great men in repute & place. He got granted from y^e Earle of Warwick & S^r. Ferdinando Gorge all that M^r. Winslow desired in his letters to me, & more also, which I leave to him to relate. Then he sued to y^e king to confirme their grante, and to make you a corporation, and so to inable you to make & execute lawes, in such large & ample maner as y^e Ma.s.sachusett plantation hath it; which y^e king graciously granted, referring it to y^e Lord Keeper to give order to y^e solisiter to draw it up, if ther were a presidente for it. So y^e Lord Keeper furthered it all he could, and allso y^e solissiter; but as Festus said to Paule, With no small sume of money obtained I this freedom; for by y^e way many ridells must be resolved, and many locks must be opened with y^e silver, ney, y^e golden key. Then it was to come to y^e Lord Treasurer, to have his warrente for freeing y^e custume for a certaine time; but be would not doe it, but refferd it to y^e Counsell table. And ther M^r. Allerton atended day by day, when they sate, but could not gett his pet.i.tion read. And by reason of M^r.

Peirce his staying with all y^e pa.s.sengers at Bristoll, he was forct to leave y^e further prosecuting of it to a solissiter. But ther is no fear nor doubte but it will be granted, for he hath y^e cheefe of them to freind; yet it will be marvelously needfull for him to returne by y^e first s.h.i.+p y^t comes from thence; for if you had this confirmed, then were you compleate, and might bear such sway & goverment as were fitt for your ranke & place y^t G.o.d hath called you unto; and stope y^e moueths of base and scurrulous fellowes, y^t are ready to question & threaten you in every action you [167] doe. And besids, if you have y^e custome free for 7. years inward, & 21. outward, y^e charge of y^e patent will be soone recovered, and ther is no fear of obtaining[CL]

it. But such things must work by degrees; men cannot hasten it as they would; werefore we (I write in behalfe of all our partners here) desire you to be ernest with M^r. Allerton to come, and his wife to spare him this one year more, to finish this great & waighty bussines, which we conceive will be much for your good, & I hope for your posteritie, and for many generations to come.

Thus much of this letter. It was dated y^e 19. March, 1629.