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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