OF PLYMOUTH PLANTATION

by William Bradford

1620-1647

Book Two / pp. 352 - 389

352                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

     * This year, on Sr Christopher Gardener, being, as

him selfe said, descended of yt house yt 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 ye Sepulcher ther.

He came into these parts under pretence of forsaking

ye world, and to live a private life, in a godly course,

not unwilling to put him selfe upon any meane imploy-

ments, and take any paines for his living; and some

time offered him selfe to joyne to ye 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 y0 Italian maner) was

his concubine.  Living at ye Massachusets, for some

miscariages which he should have answered, he fled

away from authority, and gott amonge ye Indeans of

these parts; they sent after him, but could not gett

him, and promissed some reward to those yt should

find him.  The Indeans came to ye Govr 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 yey went aboute it; and ye
 
 

     * The following acconnt of Sir Christopher Gardiner, with the documents

accompanying it, extending to page 357, does not appear in the text of the

original mannscript, -- having been perhaps inadvertently omitted, -- but was

written on the reverse of pages 189-191.

1631.]                  PLYMOUTH PLANTATION.                 353
 
 

Massachuset Indeans said they might kille him.  But

ye Govr 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 ye canow against

a rock, and tumbled both him & his peece & rapier

into ye 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 ye Govr.  But his hands and armes were swolen

& very sore with ye 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 ye Indeans for beating him

so much.  They said that they did but a litle whip

him with sticks.  In his lodging, those yt 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 ye pope & church of Rome, and in what universitie

he tooke his scapula, and such & such degrees.  It

being brought to ye Govr, he kept it, and sent ye

Govr of ye Massachusets word of his taking, who sent

for him.  So ye Govr sent him and these notes to ye

Govr ther, who tooke it very thankfuly; but after he

354                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

gott for England, he shewed his malice, but God pre-

vented him.

     See ye Govr leter on ye other side.
 
 

    Sr:  It hath pleased God to bring Sr. 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 yt he shall speed ye better for your medi-

ation.  It was a spetiall providence of God to bring those

notes of his to our hands; I desire yt you will please to

speake to all yt are privie to them, not to discovere them

to anyone, for yt may frustrate ye means of any further

use to be made of them.  The good Lord our God who hath

allways ordered things for ye 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, yt 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 ye 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,
 
 

* That is, in the original mannscript.

1631.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                355
 
 

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 ye matter, yet I will here give

a hinte of ye same, and Gods providence in preventing

ye hurte that might have come by ye same.  The

intelligence I had by a letter from my much hond

and beloved freind, Mr. John Winthrop, Govr of ye

Massachusets.
 
 

     Sr:  Upon a petition exhibited by Sr. Christo: Gardner, Sr.

Ferd: Gorges, Captaine Masson, &c., against you and us, the

cause was heard before ye lords of ye Privie Counsell, and

after reported to ye king, the sucsess wherof maks it evi-

dent to all, that ye 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 may

sheets of paper.  But ye conclusion was (against all mens

expectation) an order for our incouragmente, and much blame

and disgrace upon ye adversaries, wch calls for much thank-

fullnes from us all, which we purpose (ye 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 cor-

rection, so he hath lifted us up, by an abundante rejoysing,

in our deliverance out of so desperate a danger; so as that

wch 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 ye order follows.

356                                HISTORY  OF                       [BOOK II.
 
 

At ye courte at Whit-hall ye 19. Jan: 1632.
 
 

Present

Sigillum      Lord Privie Seale                    Lord Cottinton

Ea: of Dorsett                          Mr. Trer

Lo: Vi: Falkland                      Mr. Vic Chambr

Lo: Bp: of London                   Mr. Sec: Cooke

Maister Sec: Windebanck
 
 

      Wheras his Matie hath latly been informed of great dis-

traction and much disorder in yt plantation in ye parts of

America called New-England, which, if they be true, & suf-

fered to rune on, would tende to ye great dishonour of this

kingdome, and utter ruine of that plantation.  For pre-

vention wherof, and for ye orderly settling of goverment,

according to ye intention of those patents which have been

granted by his Matie and from his late royall father king

James, it hath pleased his Matie that ye lords & others of his

most honourable Privie Counsell, should take ye same into

consideration.  Their lordships in ye first place thought fitt

to make a comitie of this bord, to take examination of ye

matters informed; which comitties having called diverse of

ye principall adventurers in yt plantation, and heard those

that are complanants against them, most of the things in-

formed being deneyed, and resting to be proved by parties

that must be called from yt place, which reqaired a long

expence of time; and at presente their lordships finding the

adventurers were upon dispatch of men, victles, and mar-

chandice for yt place, all which would be at a stand, if ye

adventurers should have discouragmente, or take suspition

that the state hear had no good opinion of yt plantation;

their lordships, not laying the faulte or fancies (if any be)

of some perticuler men upou the generall govermente, or

principall adventurers, (which in due time is further to be

1632.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                357
 
 

inquired into,) have thought fitt in ye meane time to declare,

that the appearences were so faire, and hopes so greate, yt

the countrie would prove both beneficiall to this kingdom,

and profitable to the perticuler adventurers, as yt the ad-

venturers had cause to goe on cherfully with their under-

takings, and rest assured, if things were carried as was

pretended when ye 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 gover-

mente, prosperitie, and comforte of his people ther of that

place, &c.

WILLIAM TRUMBALL.
 
 

Anno Dom: 1632.

     MR. ALLERTON, returning for England, litle regarded

his bound of a 1000li. to performe covenants; for

wheras he was bound by ye same to bring ye ship to

[190] London, and to pay 30li. 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 ye 3. time, into these parts (as after will

appear); and though she had been 10. months upon

ye former viage, at 30li. pr month, yet he never payed

peney for hire.  It should seeme he knew well enough

how to deale with Mr. Sherley.  And Mr. Sherley,

though he would needs tye her & her accounte upon

ye generall, yet he would dispose of her as him selfe

pleased; for though Mr. Winslow had in their names

protested against ye receiving her on yt accounte, or if

358                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

ever they should hope to preveile in shuch a thing, yet

never to suffer Mr. Allerton to have any more to doe

in her, yet he ye 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 ye 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 ye same to them here; and then another year

for him to make pay mente of what should be due upon

yt accounte.  And in ye 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 ye mean time gathers up all monies due for fraighte,

and any other debtes belonging either to her, or ye

Frindship's accounts, as his owne perticuler; and after,

sells ship, & ordnans, fish, & what he had raised, in

Spaine, according to ye first designe, in effecte; and

who had, or what became of ye money, he best knows.

In ye 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

ye end removed, as he had allready his person, so all

1632.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                359
 
 

his from hence.  This will better appere by Mr. Sher-

ley's leter.
 
 

     Sr:  These few lines are further to give you to understand,

that seeing you & we, that never differed yet but aboute ye

White-Angell, which somewhat troubleth us, as I perceive

it doth you.  And now Mr. Allerton beeing here, we have

had some confferance with him about her, and find him very

willing to give you & us all contente yt possiblie he can,

though he burthen him selfe.  He is contente to take ye

White-Angell wholy on him selfe, notwithstanding he mett

with pirates nere ye coast of lerland, 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, Mr. 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 ye whole charge of ye Whit-Angell wholy to him selfe,

from ye first to ye last.  The accounte he is to make and

perfecte within 12. months from ye 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 yt accounte.

And verily, notwithstanding all ye 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 ye hands & seals of some, &c.  I rest

   Your assured friend,

JAMES SHERLEY.

     Des: 6. 1632.

360                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

     But heres not a word of ye breach of former bonds

& covenants, or paimente of ye 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 ye hands or sight of ye partners

here.  And for this yt Mr. Sherley seems to intimate

(as a secrete) of his abilitie, under ye 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 Mr. Mahue, & some others, to affirme under

their hand & seale, that they had seen shuch accounts

yt 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 ye countrie.  He with his former

dealings had wound in what money he had in ye patner-

ship into his owne hands, and so gave off all partner-

ship (excepte in name), as was found in ye issue of

things; neither did he medle, or take any care aboute

ye same; only he was troubled about his ingagmente

aboute ye Friendship, as will after appeare.  And now

partly aboute yt accounte, in some reconings betweene

Mr. Allerton and him, and some debts yt Mr. Allerton

otherwise owed him upon dealing between them in

perticuler, he drue up an accounte of above 2000li.,

and would faine have ingaged ye partners here with it,

because Mr. Allerton had been their agent. But they
 
 

1632.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                361
 
 

tould him they had been fool'd longe enough with such

things, and shewed him yt it no way belonged to

them; but tould him he must looke to make good his

ingagment for ye Freindship, which caused some trouble

betweene Mr. Allerton and him.

      Mr. William Peirce did ye like, Mr. 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

Mr. Allerton herby rane into much trouble & vexation,

as well as he had troubled others, for Mr. Denison sued

him for ye money he had disbursed for ye 6. part of

ye Whit-Angell, & recovered ye same with damages.

    Though ye partners were thus pluged into great in-

gagments, & oppresed with unjust debts, yet ye 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 ye people

of ye plantation begane to grow in their owtward

estats, by reason* of ye flowing of many people into

ye cuntrie, espetially into ye Bay of ye Massachusets;

by which means corne & catle rose to a great prise,

by wch many were much inriched, and comodities 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 ye

* Rea- in the mannscript.

362                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

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 ye bay,

quickly, and ye 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 ye church must also be

devided, and those yt had lived so long togeather in

Christian & comfortable fellowship must now part and

suffer many divissions.  First, those that lived on their

lots on ye other side of ye bay (called Duxberie) they

could not long bring their wives & children to ye 

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 after-

ward.  To prevent any further scatering from this

p1ace, and weakning of ye same, it was thought best to

give out some good farms to spetiall persons, yt would

promise to live at Plimoth, and lickly to be helpfull

to ye church or comonewelth, and so tye ye lands to

1632.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                363
 
 

Plimoth as farmes for the same; and ther they might

keepe their catle & tillage by some servants, and re-

taine their dwellings here.  And so some spetiall lands

were granted at a place generall, called Greens Harbor,

wher no al1otments had been in ye former divission, a

plase very weell meadowed, and fitt to keep & rear

catle, good store.  But alass! this remedy proved worse

then ye disease; for wthin a few years those that had

thus gott footing ther rente them selves away, partly

by force, and partly wearing ye rest with importunitie

and pleas of necessitie, so as they must either suffer

them to goe, or live in continuall opposition and con-

tention.  And others still, as yey conceived them selves

straitened, or to want accomodation, break away under

one pretence or other, thinking their owne conceived

necessitie, and the example of others, a warrente suffi-

cente for them.  And this, I fear, will be ye ruine of

New-England, at least of ye churches of God ther, &

will provock ye Lords displeasure against them.

    [193]  This year, Mr. William Perce came into ye

cuntry, & brought goods and passengers, in a ship

caled ye Lyon, which belonged cheefly to Mr. Sherley,

and ye rest of ye London partners, but these hear had

nothing to doe with her.  In this ship (besides beaver

which they had sent home before) they sent upwards

of 800li, in her, and some otter skines; and also ye

coppies of Mr. Allertons accounts, desiring that they

would also peruse & examene them, and rectifie shuch

364                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

things as they should find amise in them; and rather

because they were better acquaynted with ye goods

bought ther, and ye disbursments made, then they

could bee here; yea, a great part were done by them

selves, though Mr. Allerton brougt in ye accounte,

and sundry things seemed to them obscure and had

need of clearing.  Also they sente a booke of excep-

tions against his accounts, in such things as they could

manifest, and doubted not but they might adde more

therunto.  And also shewed them how much Mr. Aller-

ton was debtor to ye accounte; and desired, seeing

they had now put ye ship White-Angell, and all,

wholy into his power, and tyed their hands here, that

they could not call him to accounte for any thinge, till

ye time was expired which they had given him, and

by that time other men would get their debts of him,

(as sume had done already by suing him,) and he

would make all away here quickly out of their reach;

and therfore prayed them to looke to things, and gett

paymente of him ther, as it was all ye reason they

should, seeing they keept all ye bonds & covenants

they made with him in their owne hands; and here

they could doe nothing by ye course they had taken,

nor had any thing to show if they should goe aboute

it.  But it pleased God, this ship, being first to goe

to Verginia before she wente home, was cast away on

yt coast, not farr from Virginia, and their beaver was

all lost (which was ye first loss they sustained in that

1632.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                365
 
 

kind); but Mr. Peirce & ye men saved their lives,

and also their leters, and gott into Virginia, and so

safly home.   Ye accounts were now sent from hence

againe to them.  And thus much of ye passages of this

year.
 
 

A part of Mr. Peirce his leter* from Virginia.

     It was dated in Des: 25. 1632. and came to their

hand ye 7. of Aprill, before they heard any thing from

England.
 
 

      Dear freinds, &c.  Ye bruit of this fatall stroke that ye

Lord hath brought both on me and you all will come to your

ears before this cometh to your hands, (it is like,) and ther-

fore I shall not need to inlarg in perticulers, &c.  My whole

estate (for ye most parte) is taken away; and so yours, in

a great measure, by this and your former losses [he means

by ye French & Mr. Allerton].  It is time to looke aboute

us, before ye wrath of ye Lord breake forth to utter destruc-

tion.  The good Lord give us all grace to search our harts

and trie our ways, and turne unto ye Lord, and humble our

selves under his mightie hand, and seeke atonemente, &c.

Dear freinds, you may know yt all your beaver, and ye books

of your accounts, are swallowed up in ye sea; your letters

remaine with me, and shall be delivered, if God bring me

home.  But what should I more say?  Have we lost our

outward estates?  yet a hapy loss if our soules may gaine;

ther is yet more in ye Lord Jehova than ever we had yet

in ye world.  Oh that our foolish harts could yet be wained

from ye things here below, which are vanity and vexation
 
 

      * This letter was written on the reverse of folio 192 of the original manu-

script, and may properly be inserted here.

366                                HISTORY OF                        BOOK II.
 
 

of spirite; and yet we fooles catch after shadows, yt flye

away, & are gone in a momente, &c.  Thus with my con-

tinuall remembrance of you in my poore desires to ye throne

of grace, beseeching God to renew his love & favoure towards

you all, in & through ye Lord Jesus Christ, both in spirituall &

temporail good things, as may be most to the glory & praise

of his name, and your everlasting good.  So I rest,

Your afflicted brother in Christ,

                             WILLIAM PEIRCE.

Virginia, Des: 25. 1632.
 
 

Anno Dom: 1633.

      This year Mr. Ed:  Winslow was chosen Governor.

By the first returne this year, they had leters from

Mr. Sherley of Mr. Allertons further ill success, and

ye loss by Mr. Peirce, with many sadd complaints;

but litle hope of any thinge to be gott of Mr. Aller-

ton, or how their accounts might be either eased, or

any way rectified by them ther; but now saw plainly

yt the burthen of all would be cast on their backs. 

The spetiall passages of his letters I shall here inserte,

as shall be pertinente to these things; for though I am

weary of this tedious & uncomfortable subjecte, yet

for ye clearing of ye truth I am compelled to be more

larg in ye opening of these matters, upon wch [194]

so much trouble hath insued, and so many hard cen-

sures have passed on both sids.  I would not be par-

tiall to either, but deliver ye truth in all, and, as nere

as I can, in their owne words and passages, and so

leave it to the impartiall judgment of any that shall
 

1633.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                367
 
 

come to read, or veiw these things.  His leters are as

folow, dated June 24. 1633.
 
 

     Loving friends, my last* was sente in ye Mary & John,

by Mr. William Collier, &c.  I then certified you of ye great,

& uncomfortable, and unseasonable loss you & we had, in

ye loss of Mr. Peirce his ship, ye Lyon; but ye Lords holy

name be blessed, who gives & taks as it pleaseth him; his

will be done, Amen.  I then related unto you yt fearfull

accidente, or rather judgmente, ye Lord pleased to lay on

London Bridge, by fire, and therin gave you a touch of my

great loss; the Lord, I hope, will give me patience to bear

it, and faith to trust in him, & not in these slipery and un-

certaine things of this world.

     I hope Mr. Allerton is nere upon sayle with you by this;

but he had many disasters here before he could gett away;

yet ye last was a heavie one; his ship, going out of ye har-

bor at Bristoll, by stormie weather was so farr driven on ye

shore, as it cost him above l00li. before shee could be gott

off againe.  Verily his case was so lamentable as I could

not but afford him some help therin (and so did some were

strangers to him); besids, your goods were in her, and if

he had not been supported, he must have broke off his

viage, and so loss could not have been avoyded on all

sides.  When he first bought her, I thinke he had made

a saving match, if he had then sunck her, and never set

her forth.  I hope he sees ye Lords hand against him,

and will leave of these viages.  I thinke we did well in

parting with her; she would have been but a clogge to

ye accounte from time to time, and now though we shall

not gett much by way of satisfaction, yet we shall lose

no more.  And now, as before I have writte, I pray you

finish all ye accounts and reconings with him there; for here

* March 22.

368                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.

he hath nothing, but many debtes that he stands ingaged

to many men for.  Besids, here is not a man yt will spend

a day, or scarce an hower, aboute ye accounts but my selfe,

and yt bussines will require more time and help then I can

afford.  I shall not need to say any more; I hope you will

doe yt which shall be best & just, to which adde mercie,

and consider his intente, though he failed in many perticu-

lers, which now cannot be helped, &c.

     To morrow, or next day at furthest, we are to pay 3001i.

and Mr. Beachamp is out of ye towne, yet ye bussines I

must doe.  Oh the greefe & trouble yt man, Mr. Allerton,

hath brought upon you and us!  I cannot forgett it, and

to thinke on it draws many a sigh from my harte, and

teares from my eyes.  And now ye Lord hath visited me

with an other great loss, yet I can undergoe it with more

patience.  But this I have follishly pulled upon my selfe,

.&c.  [And in another, he hath this passage:] By Mr. Aller-

tons faire propositions and large [195] promises, I have

over rune my selfe; verily, at this time greefe hinders me

to write, and tears will not suffer me to see; wherfore, as

you love those that ever loved you, and yt plantation, thinke

upon us.  Oh what shall I say of that man, who hath abused

your trust and wronged our loves!  but now to complaine is

too late, nither can I complaine of your backwardnes, for

I am perswaded it lys as heavie on your harts, as it doth

on our purses or credites.  And had ye Lord sent Mr.

Peirce safe home, we had eased both you and us of some

of those debts; the Lord I hope will give us patience to

bear these crosses; and that great God, whose care &

providence is every where, and spetially over all those that

desire truly to fear and serve him, direct, guid, prosper,

& blesse you so, as yt you may be able (as I perswade

my selfe you are willing) to discharge & take off this great

& heavie burthen which now lyes upon me for your saks;

and I hope in ye ende for ye good of you, and many thou-
 
 

1633.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.               369
 
 

sands more; for had not you & we joyned & continued

togeather, New-England might yet have been scarce knowne,

I am persuaded, not so replenished & inhabited with honest

English people, as it now is.  The Lord increase & blesse

them, &e.  So, with my continuall praiers for you all, I rest

Your assured loving friend,

JAMES SHERLEY.

June 24. 1633.
 
 

      By this it apperes when Mr. Sherly sould him ye ship

& all her accounts, it was more for Mr. Allertons ad-

vantage then theirs; and if they could get any there,

well & good, for they were like to have nothing here.

And what course was held to hinder them there, hath

allready beene manifested.  And though Mr. Sherley

became more sinsible of his owne condition, by these

losses, and therby more sadly & plainly to complaine

of Mr. Allerton, yet no course was taken to help them

here, but all left unto them selves; not so much as to

examene &, rectifle ye accounts, by which (it is like)

some hundereds of pounds might have, been taken off.

But very probable it is, the more they saw was taken

off, ye less might come unto them selves.  But I leave

these maters, come to other things.

      Mr. Roger Williams (a man godly & zealous, having

many precious parts, but very unsettled in judgmente)

came over first to ye Massachusets, but upon some dis-

contente left yt place, and came hither, (wher he was

friedly entertained, according to their poore abilitie,)

and exercised his gifts amongst them, & after some

370                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

time was admitted a member of ye church; and his

teaching well approoved, for ye benefite wherof I still

blese God, and am thankfull to him, even for his

sharpest admonitions & reproufs, so farr as they agreed

with truth.  He this year begane to fall into some

strang oppiions, and from opinion to practise; which

caused some controversie betweene ye church & him,

and in ye end some discontente on his parte, by occa-

sion wherof he left them some thing abruptly.  Yet

after wards sued for his dismission to ye church of

Salem, which was granted, with some caution to them

concerning him, and what care they ought to have of

him.  But he soone fell into more things ther, both

to their and ye goverments troble and [196] disturb-

ance.  I shall not need to name perticulers, they are

too well knowen now to all, though for a time ye

church here wente under some hard censure by his

occasion, from some that afterwards smarted them

selves.  But he is to be pitied, and prayed for, and

so I shall leave ye matter, and desire ye Lord to shew

him his errors, and reduse him into ye way of truth,

and give him a setled judgment and constancie in ye

same; for I hope he belongs to ye Lord, and yt he

will shew him mercie.

     Having had formerly converse and famliarity with

ye Dutch, (as is before remembred,) they, seeing them

seated here in a barren quarter, tould them of a river

called by them ye Fresh River, but now is known
 
 

1633.]          PLYIMOUTH  PLANTATION.                  371
 
 

by ye name of Conightecute-River, which they often

comended unto them for a fine place both for plantation

and trade, and wished them to make use of it.  But

their hands being full otherwise, they let it pass. But

afterwards ther coming a companv of banisbte Indeans

into these parts, that were drivene out from thence by

the potencie of ye Pequents, which usurped upon them,

and drive them from thence, thev often sollisited them to

goe thither, and they should have much trad, espetially

if they would keep a house ther.  And having now

good store of comodities, and allso need to looke out

wher they could advantage them selves to help them

out of their great ingagments, they now begane to send

that way to discover ye same, and trade with ye natives.

They found it to be a fine place, but had no great

store of trade; but ye Indeans excused ye same in re-

gard of ye  season, and the fear ye Indans were in of

their enemise.  So they tried diverce times, not with

out profite, but saw ye most certainty would be by

keeping, a house ther, to receive ye trad when it came

down out of ye inland.  These Indeans, not seeing

them very forward to build ther, solisited them of ye

Massachusets in like sorte (for their end was to be

restored to their countrie againe); but they in ye Bay

being but latly come, were not fitte for ye same; but

some of their cheefe made a motion to joyne wth the

partners here, to trad joyntly with them in yt river,

the which they were willing to imbrace, and so they

372                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

should have builte, and put in equall stock togeather. 

A time of meeting was appointed at ye Massachusets,

and some of ye cheefe here was appointed to treat with

them, and went accordingly; but they cast many fears

of deanger & loss and the like, which was perceived

to be the maine obstacles, though they alledged they

were not provided of trading goods.  But those hear

offered at presente to put in sufficiente for both, pro-

vided they would become ingaged for ye halfe, and

prepare against ye nexte year.  They conffessed more

could not be offered, but thanked them, and tould them

they had no mind to it.  They then answered, they

hoped it would be no offence unto [197] them, if them

sellves wente on without them, if they saw it meete.

They said ther was no reason they should; and thus

this treaty broake of, and those here tooke conveniente

time to made a begining ther; and were ye first English

that both discovered that place, and built in ye same,

though they were litle better then thrust out of it after-

ward as may appeare.

      But ye Dutch begane now to repente, and hearing

of their purpose & preparation, indeoured to prevente

them, and gott in a litle before them, and made a

slight forte, and planted 2. peeces of ordnance, threten-

ing to stopp their passage.  But they having made

a smale frame of a house ready, and haveing a great

new-barke, they stowed their frame in her hold, &

cords to cover & finishe it, having nayles & all other

1633.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                373
 
 

provisions fitting for their use.  This they did ye rather

that they might have a presente defence against ye

Indeans, who weare much offended that they brought

home & restored ye right Sachem of ye place (called

Natawanute); so as they were to incounter with a duble

danger in this attempte, both ye Dutch and ye Indeans.

When they came up ye river, the Dutch demanded

what they intended, and whither they would goe; they

answered, up ye river to trade (now their order was

to goe and seat above them).  They bid them strike,

& stay, or els they would shoote them; & stood by

ther ordnance ready fitted.  They answered they had

comission from ye Govr of Plimoth to goe up ye river

to such a place, and if they did shoote, they must obey

their order and proceede; they would not molest them,

but would goe one.  So they passed along, and though

the Dutch threatened them hard, yet they shoot not.

Coming to their place, they clapt up their house

quickly, and landed their provissions, and left ye com-

panie appoynted, and sent the barke home; and after-

wards palisadoed their house aboute, and fortified them

selves better.  The Dutch sent word home to ye Mon-

hatas what was done; and in proces of time, they sent

a band of aboute 70. men, in warrlike maner, with

collours displayed, to assaulte them; but seeing them

strengtened, & that it would cost blood, they came

to parley, and returned in peace.  And this was their

enterance ther, who deserved to have held it, and not

374                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

by freinds to have been thrust out, as in a sorte they

were, as will after appere.  They did ye Dutch no

wrong, for they took not a foote of any land they

bought, but went to ye place above them, and bought

that tracte of land which belonged to these Indeans

which they carried with them, and their friends, with

whom ye Dutch had nothing to doe.  But of these

matters more in another place.

     It pleased ye Lord to visite them this year with an

infectious fevoure, of which many fell very sicke, and

upward of 20. persons dyed, men and women, besids

children, and sundry of them of their anciente friends

which had lived in Roland; as Thomas Blossome,

Richard Masterson, with sundry [198] others, and in

ye end (after he had much helped others) Samuell

Fuller, who was their surgeon & phisition, and had

been a great help and comforte unto them; as in his

facultie, so otherwise, being a deacon of ye church,

a man godly, and forward to doe good, being much

missed after his death; and he and ye rest of their

brethren much lamented by them, and caused much

sadnes & mourning amongst them; which caused them

to humble them selves, & seeke ye Lord; and towards

winter it pleased the Lord ye sicknes ceased.  This

disease allso swept away many of ye Indeans from

all ye places near adjoyning; and ye spring before,

espetially all ye month of May, ther was such a

quantitie of a great sorte of flies, like (for bignes)

1634.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                375
 
 

to wasps, or bumble-bees, which came out of holes in

ye ground, and replenished all ye woods, and eate ye

green-things, and made such a constante yelling noyes,

as made all ye woods ring of them, and ready to deafe

ye hearers.  They have not by ye English been heard

or seen before or since.  But ye Indeans tould them

yt sicknes would follow, and so it did in June, July,

August, and ye cheefe heat of somer.

     It pleased ye Lord to inable them this year to send

home a great quantity of beaver, besids paing all their

charges, & debts at home, which good returne did

much incourage their freinds in England.  They sent

in beaver 3366li. waight, and much of it coat beaver,

which yeeled 20s. pr pound, & some of it above; and

of otter-skines* 346. sould also at a good prise.  And

thus much of ye affairs of this year.
 
 

Anno Dom: 1634.

    THIS year Mr. Thomas Prence was chosen Govr.

Mr. Sherleys letters were very breefe in answer of

theirs this year.  I will forbear to coppy any part

therof, only name a head or 2. therin.  First, he

desirs they will take nothing ill in what he formerly

write, professing his good affection towards them as .

before, &c.   21y.  For Mr. Allertons accounts, he is

perswaded they must suffer, and yt in no small sumes;

* The skin was sold at 14s. and 15. ye pound.

376                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

and that they have cause enough to complaine, but it

was now too late.  And that he had failed them ther

those here, and him selfe in his owne aimes.  And

that now, having thus left them here, he feared God

had or would leave him, and it would not be strang,

but a wonder if he fell not into worse things, &c.  3ly.

He blesseth God and is thank full to them for ye good

returne made this year.  This is ye effecte of his

letters, other things being of more private nature.

     I am now to enter upon one of ye sadest things that

befell them since they came; but before I begine, it

will be needfull to premise such parte of their patente

as gives them right and priviledge at Kenebeck; as

followeth:
 
 

     [199] The said Counsell hath further given, granted, bar-

ganed, sold, infeoffed, alloted, assigned, & sett over, and

by these presents doe clearly and absolutly give, grante,

bargane, sell, alliene, enffeofe, allote, assigne, and confirme

unto ye said William Bradford, his heires, associates, and

assignes, All that tracte of land or part of New-England

in America afforesaid, which lyeth within or betweene, and

extendeth it selfe from ye utmost limits of Cobiseconte, which

adjoyneth to ye river of Kenebeck, towards the westerne

ocean, and a place called ye falls of Nequamkick in America,

aforsaid; and ye space of 15. English myles on each side

of ye said river, commonly called Kenebeck River, and all ye

said river called Kenebeck that lyeth within the said limits

& bounds, eastward, westward, northward, & southward, last

above mentioned; and all lands, grounds, soyles, rivers,

waters, fishing, &c.  And by vertue of ye authority to us de-

1634.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                377
 
 

rived by his said late Matis Lres patents, to take, apprehend,

seise, and make prise of all such persons, their ships and

goods, as shall attempte to inhabite or trade with ye savage

people of that countrie within ye severall precincts and limits

of his & their severall plantations, &c.
 
 

     Now it so fell out, that one Hocking, belonging to

ye plantation of Pascataway, wente with a barke and

comodities to trade in that river, and would needs

press into their limites; and not only so, but would

needs goe up ye river above their house, (towards ye

falls of ye river,) and intercept the trade that should

come to them.  He that was cheefe of ye place forbad

them, and prayed him that he would not offer them

that injurie, nor goe aboute to infring their liberties,

which had cost them so dear.  But he answered he

would goe up and trade ther in dispite of them, and

lye ther as longe as he pleased.  The other tould him

he must then be forced to remove him from thence, or

make seasure of him if he could.  He bid him doe his

worste, and so wente up, and anchored ther.  The

other tooke a boat & some men & went up to him,

when he saw his time, and againe entreated him: to

departe by what perswasion he could.  But all in

vaine: he could gett nothing of him but ill words.

So he considred that now was ye season for trade

to come downe, and if he should suffer him to lye,

& take it from them, all ther former charge would be

lost, and they had better throw up all.  So, con-

378                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

sulting with his men, (who were willing thertoe,) he

resolved to put him from his anchores, and let him

drive downe ye river with ye streame; but comanded ye

men yt none should shoote a shote upon any occasion,

except he comanded them.  He spoake to him againe,

but all in vaine; then he sente a cuple in a canow to

cutt his cable, the which one of them performes; but

Hocking taks up a pece which he had layed ready,

and as ye barke shered by ye canow, he shote [200]

him close under her side, in ye head, (as I take it,)

so he fell downe dead instantly.  One of his fellows

(that loved him well) could not hold, but with a

muskett shot Hocking, who fell downe dead and never

speake word.  This was ye truth of ye thing.  The

rest of ye men carried home the vessell and ye sad

tidings of these things.  Now ye Lord Saye & ye Lord

Brooks, with some other great persons, had a hand in

this plantation; they write home to them, as much as

they could to exasperate them in ye matter, leaveing

out all ye circomstances, as if he had been kild without

any offenc of his parte, conceling yt he had kild another

first, and ye just occasion that he had given in offering

such wrong; at wch their Lordsps were much offended,

till they were truly informed of ye mater. 

      The bruite of this was quickly carried all aboute,

(and yt in ye worst maner,) and came into ye Bay

to their neighbours their.  Their owne barke coming

home, and blinging a true relation of ye matter, sundry

1634.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                379
 
 

were sadly affected with ye thing, as they had cause. 

It was not long before they had occasion to send their

vessell into ye Bay of ye Massachusetts; but they were

so prepossest with this matter, and affected with ye

same, as they comited Mr. Alden to prison, who was

in ye bark, and had been at Kenebeck, but was no

actore in ye bussines, but wente to carie them supply.

They dismist ye barke aboute her bussines, but kept

him for some time.  This was thought strang here,

and they sente Capten Standish to give them true in-

formation, (togeather with their letters,) and ye best

satisfaction they could, and to procure Mr. Alden's

release.  I shall recite a letter or 2. which will show

the passages of these things, as folloeth.
 
 

Good Sr:

     I have received your lres by Captaine Standish, & am

unfainedly glad of Gods mercie towards you in ye recovery

of your health, or some way thertoo.  For ye bussines you

write of, I thought meete to answer a word or 2. to your

selfe, leaving the answer of your Govr he to our courte, to

whom ye same, together with my selfe is directed.  I conceive

(till I hear new matter to ye contrary) that your patente may

warrente your resistance of any English from trading at

Kenebeck, and yt blood of Hocking, and ye partie he slue,

will be required at his hands.  Yet doe I with your selfe &

others sorrow for their deaths.  I thinke likewise yt your

generall lres will satisfie our courte, and make them cease

from any further inter medling in ye mater:  I have upon

ye same lre sett Mr. Alden at liberty, and his sureties, and

yet, least I should seeme to neglecte ye opinion of our court

380                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

& ye frequente speeches of others with us, I have bound

Captaine Staudish to appeare ye 3. of June at our nexte

courte, to make affidavid for ye coppie of ye patente, and

to manifest the circumstances of Hockins provocations; both

which will tend to ye clearing of your inocencie.  If any

unkindnes hath ben taken from what we have done, let it

be further & better considred of, I pray you; and I hope ye

more you thinke of it, the lesse blame you will impute to us.

At least you ought to be just in differencing them, whose

opinions concurr [201] with your owne, from others who

were opposites; and yet I may truly say, I have spoken wth

no man in ye bussines who taxed you most, but they are

such as have many wayes heretofore declared ther good

affections towards your plantation.  I further referr my selfe

to ye reporte of Captaine Standish & Mr. Allden; leaving

you for this presente to Gods blessing, wishing unto you

perfecte recovery of health, and ye long continuance of it.

I desire to be lovingly remembred to Mr. Prence, your Govr,

Mr. Winslow, Mr. Brewster, whom I would see if I knew

how.  The Lord keepe you all.  Amen.

     Your very loving freind in our Lord Jesus,

THO: DUDLEY.

New-towne, ye 22. of May, 1634.
 
 

Another of his about these things as followeth.

     Sr:  I am right sorrie for ye news that Captaine Standish &

other of your neigbours and my beloved freinds will bring

now to Plimoth, wherin I suffer with you, by reason of my

opinion, which differeth from others, who are godly & wise,

amongst us here, the reverence of whose judgments causeth

me to suspecte myne owne ignorance; yet must I remaine

in it untill I be convinced therof.  I thought not to have

shewed your letter written to me, but to have done my best

1634.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                381
 
 

to have reconciled differences in ye best season & maner I

could; but Captaine Standish requiring an answer therof

publickly in ye courte, I was forced to produce it, and that

made ye breach soe wide as he can tell you.  I propounded

to ye courte, to answer Mr. Prences lre, your Govr, but our

courte said it required no answer, it selfe being an answer

to a former lre of ours.  I pray you certifie Mr. Prence so

much, and others whom it concereth, that no neglecte or ill

maners be imputed to me theraboute.  The late lres I received

from England wrought in me divere fears* of some trials

which are shortly like to fall upon us; and this unhappie

contention betweene you and us, and between you & Pas-

cattaway, will hasten them, if God with an extraordinarie

hand doe not help us.  To reconcile this for ye presente

will be very difficulte, but time cooleth distempers, and a

comone danger to us boath approaching, will necessitate our

uniting againe.  I pray you therfore, Sr. set your wisdom

& patience a worke, and exhorte others to ye same, that

things may not proceede from bad to worse, so making our

contentions like ye barrs of a pallace, but that a way of

peace may be kepte open, wherat ye God of peace may have

enterance in his owne time.  If you suffer wrong, it shall

be your honor to bear it patiently; but I goe to farr in

needles putting you in mind of these things.  God hath done

great things for you, and I desire his blessings may be

multiplied upon you more & more.  I will commite no more

to writing, but comending my selfe to your prayers, doe rest,

             Your truly loving freind in our Lord Jesus,

THO: DUDLEY.

June 4. 1634.
 
 

     * Ther was cause enough of these feares, which arise by ye underworking

of some enemies to ye churches here, by which this Comission following was

procured from his Matie. (See this paper in appendix, No. 11.)

382                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

     By these things it appars what troubls rise her-

upon, and how hard they were to be reconciled; for

though they hear were hartily sorrie for what was

fallen out, yet they conceived they were unjustly

injuried, and provoked to what was done; and that

their neigbours (haveing no jurisdiction over them)

did more then was mete, thus to imprison one of

theirs, and bind them to [202] their courte.  But

yet being assured of their Christian love, and per-

swaded what was done was out of godly zeale, that

religion might not suffer, nor sine any way covered

or borne with, espetially ye guilte of blood, of which

all should be very consciencious in any whom soever,

they did indeavore to appease & satisfie them ye best

they could; first, by informing them ye truth in all

circomstances aboute ye matter; 2ly, in being willing to

referr ye case to any indifferante and equall hearing

and judgmente of the thing hear, and to answere it

els wher when they should be duly called therunto;

and further they craved Mr. Winthrops, & other of ye

reved magistrats ther, their advice & direction herein.

This did mollifie their minds, and bring things to a

good & comfortable issue in ye end.

     For they had this advice given them by Mr. Win-

throp, & others concurring with him, that from their

courte, they should write to the neigboure plantations,

& espetially that of ye lords, at Pascataway, and

theirs of ye Massachusets, to appointe some to give

1634.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                383
 
 

them meeting at some fitt place, to consulte & deter-

mine in this matter, so as ye parties meeting might

have full power to order & bind, &c.  And that noth-

ing be done to ye infringing or prejudice of ye liber-

ties of any place.  And for ye clearing of conscience,

ye law of God is, yt ye preist lips must be consulted

with, and therfore it was desired that ye ministers

of every plantation might be presente to give their

advice in pointe of conscience.  Though this course

seemed dangerous to some, yet they were so well

assured of ye justice of their cause, and ye equitie

of their freinds, as they put them selves upon it, &

appointed a time, of which they gave notice to ye

severall places a month before hand; viz. Massachu-

sets, Salem, & Pascataway, or any other yt they

would give notice too, and disired them to produce

any evidence they could in ye case.  The place for

meeting was at Boston.  But when ye day & time

came, none apered, but some of ye magistrats and

ministers of ye Massachusets, and their owne.  Seeing

none of Passcataway or other places came, (haveing

been thus desired, & conveniente time given them for

yt end,) Mr. Winthrop & ye rest said they could doe

no more then they had done thus to requeste them,

ye blame must rest on them.  So they fell into a fair

debating of things them selves; and after all things

had been fully opened & discussed, and ye opinione

of each one demanded, both magistrats, and ministers,

384                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

though they all could have wished these things had

never been, yet they could not but lay ye blame &

guilt on Hockins owne head; and withall gave them

such grave & godly exhortations and advice, as they

thought meete, both for ye presente & future; which

they allso imbraced with love & thankfullnes, prom-

ising to indeavor to follow ye same.  And thus was

this matter ended, and ther love and concord re-

newed; and also Mr. Winthrop & Mr. Dudley write

in their behalfes to ye Lord Ssay & other gentl-men

that were interesed in yt plantation, very effectually,

wth which, togeather with their owne leters, and Mr.

Winslows furder declaration of things unto them, they

rested well satisfied.

     [203] Mr. Winslow was sente by them this year

into England, partly to informe and satisfie ye Lord

Say & others, in ye former matter, as also to make

answer and their just defence for ye same, if any

thing should by any be prosecuted against them at

Counsell-table, or els wher; but this matter tooke

end, without any further trouble, as is before noted.

And partly to signifie unto ye partners in England,

that the terme of their trade with ye company here

was out, and therfore he was sente to finishe ye

accounts with them, and to bring them notice how

much debtore they should remaine on yt accounte,

and that they might know what further course would

be best to hold.  But ye issue of these things will

1634.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                385
 
 

appear in ye next years passages.  They now sente

over by him a great returne, which was very accep-

table unto them; which was in beaver 3738li. waight,

(a great part of it, being coat-beaver, sould at 20s.

pr pound,) and 234. otter skines;*  which alltogeather

rise to a great sume of money.

     This year (in ye foreparte of ye same) they sente

forth a barke to trad at ye Dutch-Plantation; and

they mette ther with on Captaine Stone, that had

lived in Christophers, one of ye West-Ende llands,

and now had been some time in Virginia, and came

from thence into these parts.  He kept company with

ye Dutch Gover, and, I know not in what drunken

fitt, he gott leave of ye Govr to ceaise on their barke,

when they were ready to come away, and had done

their markett, haveing ye valew of 500li. worth of

goods abord her; having no occasion at all, or any

collour of ground for such a thing, but having made

ye Govr drunck, so as he could scarce speake a right

word; and when he urged him hear aboute, he answered

him, Als 't u beleeft. ! So he gat abord, (the cheefe of

their men & marchant being ashore,) and with some

of his owne men, made ye rest of theirs waigh an-

chor, sett sayle, & carry her away towards Virginia.

But diverse of ye Dutch sea-men, which had bene often

at Plimoth, and kindly entertayned ther, said one to

another,  Shall we suffer our freinds to be thus abused,

         * And ye skin at 14s.      !That is, "If you please."

386                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

and have their goods carried away, before our faces,

whilst our Govr is drunke?  They vowed they would

never suffer it; and so gott a vessell or 2. and pur-

sued him, & brought him in againe, and delivered

them their barke & goods againe. 

       After wards Stone came into ye Massachusets, and

they sent & commensed suite against him for this

facte; but by mediation of freinds it was taken up,

and ye suite lett fall.  And in ye company of some

other gentle-men Stone came afterwards to Plimoth,

and had freindly & civill entertainmente amongst them,

with ye rest; but revenge boyled within his brest,

(though concelled,) for some conceived he had a pur-

pose (at one time) to have staped the Govr, and put

his hand to his dagger for that end, but by Gods

providence and ye vigilance of some was prevented. 

He afterward returned to Virginia, in a pinass, with

one Captaine Norton & some others; and, I know not

for what occasion, they would needs goe up Coonigte-

cutt River; and how they carried themselves I know

not, but ye Indeans knoct him in ye head, as he lay

in his cabine, and had thrown ye covering over his

face (whether out of fear or desperation is uncer-

taine); this was his end.  They likewise killed all ye

rest, but Captaine Norton defended him selfe a long

time against them all in ye cooke-roome, till by acci-

dente the gunpowder tooke fire, which (for readynes)

he had sett in an open thing before him, which did

1634.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                387
 
 

so burne, & scald him, & blind his eyes, as he could

make no longer resistance, but was slaine also by

them, though they much comended his vallour.  And

having killed ye men, they made a pray of what they

had, and chafered away some of their things to ye

Dutch that lived their.  But it was not longe before

a quarell fell betweene the Dutch & them, and they

would have cutt of their bark; but they slue ye cheef

sachem wth ye shott of a murderer.*

     I am now to relate some strang and remarkable pas-

sages.  Ther was a company of people lived in ye

country, up above in ye river of Conigtecut, a great

way from their trading house ther, and were enimise

to those Indeans which lived aboute them, and of

whom they stood in some fear (bing a stout people).

About a thousand of them had inclosed them selves

in a forte, which they had strongly palissadoed about.

3. or 4. Dutch men went up in ye begining of winter

to live with them, to gett their trade, and prevente

them for bringing it to ye English, or to fall into

amitie with them; but at spring to bring all downe

to their place.  But their enterprise failed, for it

pleased God to visite these Indeans with a great sick-

nes, and such a mortalitie that of a 1000. above 900.

and a halfe of them dyed, and many of them did rott

above ground for want of buriall, and ye Dutch men
 
 

   * The two paragraphs above were written on the reverse of folios 202 and

203 of the original manuscript, under this year.

388                                HISTORY OF                        [BOOK II.
 
 

allmost starved before they could gett away, for ise

and snow.  But about Feb: they got with much diffi-

cultie to their trading house; whom they kindly re-

leeved, being allmost spente with hunger and could.

Being thus refreshed by them diverce days, they got

to their owne place, and ye Dutch were very thankfull

for this kindnes.

     This spring, also, those Indeans that lived aboute

their trading house there fell sick of ye small poxe,

and dyed most miserably; for a sorer disease cannot

befall them; they fear it more then ye plague; for

usualy they that have this disease have them in abun-

dance, and for wante of bedding & lining and other

helps, they fall into a lamentable condition, as they

lye on their hard matts, ye poxe breaking and matter-

ing, and runing one into another, their skin cleaving

(by reason therof) to the matts they lye on; when

they turne them, a whole side will flea of at once,

[204] ( as it were,) and they will be all of a gore

blood, most fearfull to behold; and then being very

sore, what with could and other distempers, they dye

like rotten sheep.  The condition of this people was

so lamentable, and they fell downe so generally of

this diseas, as they were (in ye end) not able to help

on another; no, not to make a fire, nor to fetch a

litle water to drinke, nor any to burie ye dead; but

would strivie as long as they could, and when they

could procure no other means to make fire, they

.

1635.]                  PLYMOUTH  PLANTATION.                389
 
 

would burne ye woden trayes & dishes they ate their

meate in, and their very bowes & arrowes; & some

would crawle out on all foure to gett a litle water,

and some times dye by ye way, & not be able to gett

in againe.  But those of ye English house, (though

at first they were afraid of ye infection,) yet seeing

their woefull and sadd condition, and hearing their

pitifull cries and lamentations, they had compastion

of them, and dayly fetched them wood & water, and

made them fires, gott them victualls whilst they lived,

and buried them when they dyed.  For very few of

them escaped, notwithstanding they did what they

could for them, to ye haszard of them selvs.  The

cheefe Sachem him selfe now dyed, & allmost all his

freinds & kinred.  But by ye marvelous goodnes &

providens of God not one of ye English was so much

as sicke, or in ye least measure tainted with this dis-

ease, though they dayly did these offices for them for

many weeks togeather.  And this mercie which they

shewed them was kindly taken, and thankfully ac-

knowledged of all ye Indeans that knew or heard of

ye same; and their mrs here did much comend & re-

ward them for ye same.

Continue on to Book Two / pp. 389 - 430

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