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Section 1 - [Wreck of the Little James]
Sentence 1: The time of new election of their officers for this year being come, and the number of their people increased, and their troubles and occasions therewith, the Governor desired them to change the persons, as well as renew the election, and also to add more Assistants to the Governor for help and counsel and the better carrying on of affairs.
Sentence 2: Showing that it was necessary it should be so; if it was any honour or benefit, it was fit others should be made partakers of it; if it was a burthen (as doubtless it was) it was but equal others should help to bear it, and that this was the end [Note 1] of annual elections.
Sentence 3: The issue was, that as before there was but one Assistant, they now chose five, giving the Governor a double voice; and afterwards they increased them to seven, which course hath continued to this day.
Sentence 1: They having with some trouble and charge new-masted and rigged their pinnace, in the beginning of March they sent her well victualed to the eastward on fishing.
Sentence 2: She arrived safely at a place near Damariscove, and was there well harbored, in a place where ships used to ride, there being also some ships already arrived out of England.
Sentence 3: But shortly after there |109| arose such a violent and extraordinary storm, as the seas broke over such places in the harbor as was never seen before, and drove her against great rocks, which beat such a hole in her bilge as a horse and cart might have gone in, and after drove her into deep water, where she lay sunk. [Note 2]
Sentence 4: The master was drowned, the rest of the men, all save one, saved their lives with much ado; all her provision, salt, and what else was in her was lost.
Sentence 5: And here I must leave her to lie till afterward.
Sentence 1: Some of those that still remained here on their Particular began privately to nourish a faction; and being privy to a strong faction that was among the Adventurers in England, on whom sundry of them did depend.
Sentence 2: By their private whispering they drew some of the weaker sort of the company to their side, and so filled them with discontent as nothing would satisfy them except they might be suffered to be in their Particular also; and made great offers, so they might be freed from the General.
Sentence 3: The Governor, consulting with the ablest of the General Body what was best to be done herein, it was resolved to permit them so to do upon equal conditions.
Sentence 4: The conditions were the same in effect with the former before related, only some more added, as that they should be bound here to remain till the general partnership was ended.
Sentence 5: And also that they should pay into the store, the one half of all such goods and commodities as they should any wise raise above their food, in consideration of what charge had been laid out for them, with some such like things.
Sentence 6: This liberty granted, soon stopped this gap; for there was but a few that undertook this course when it came to, and they were as soon weary of it.
Sentence 7: For the other had persuaded them and Mr. Weston together, that there would never come more supply to the General Body, but the Particulars had such friends as would carry all, and do for them I know not what.
Section 2 - [Winslow brings Cattle and Letters]
Sentence 1: Shortly after, Mr. Winslow came over and brought a pretty good supply, and the ship came on fishing - a thing fatal to this plantation. [Note 3]
Sentence 2: He brought three heifers and a bull, the first beginning of any cattle of that kind in the land, with some clothing and other necessaries, as will futher appear; but withal the report of a stong faction amongst the Adventurers against them, and especially against the coming of the rest from Leyden, and with what difficulty this supply was procured, and how, by their strong and long opposition, business was so retarded as not only they were now fallen to late for the fishing season, but the best men were taken up of the fishermen in the West country; and he was forced to take such a master and company for that employment as he could procure upon the present.
Sentence 3: Some letters from them shall better declare these things, being as followeth. [Note 4] |111|
Section 3 - [Objections of the "Particulars" Answered]
Sentence 1: With the former letter writ by Mr. Sherley, there were sent sundry objections concerning which he thus writeth: "These are the chief objections which they |112| that are now returned make against you and the country; I pray you consider them, and answer them by the first conveniency."
Sentence 2: These objections were made by some of those that came over on their Particular and were returned home, as is before mentioned, and were of the same suit with those that this other letter mentions.
Sentence 3: I shall here set them down, with the answers then made unto them, and sent over at the return of this ship.
Sentence 4: Which did so confound the objectors as some confessed their fault, and others denied what they had said and eat their words; and some others of them have since come over again, and here lived to convince themselves sufficiently, both in their own and other men's judgments.
Sentence 1: 1st objection was diversity about religion.
Sentence 2: Answer: We know no such matter, for here was never any controversy or opposition, either public or private (to our knowledge) since we came.
Sentence 1: 2nd obj.: Neglect of family duties on the Lord's Day.
Sentence 2: Ans.: We allow no such thing, but blame it in ourselves and others, and they that thus report it should have showed their Christian love the more if they had in love told the offenders of it, rather than thus to reproach them behind their backs.
Sentence 3: But (to say no more) we wish themselves had given better example.
Sentence 1: 3rd obj.: Want of both the sacraments.
Sentence 2: Ans.: The more is our grief, that our pastor is kept from us, by whom we might enjoy them; for we used to have the Lord's Supper every Sabbath, and baptism as often as ther was occasion of children to baptize. [Note 5]
Sentence 1: 4th obj.: Children not catechized nor taught to read.
Sentence 2: Ans.: Neither is true, for divers take pains with their own as they can.
Sentence 3: Indeed, we have no common school for want of a fit person, or hitherto means to maintain one; though we desire now to begin.
Sentence 1: 5th obj.: Many of the Particular members of the plantation will not work for the General.
Sentence 2: Ans.: This also is not wholly true, for though some do it not willingly, and others not honestly, yet all do it; and he that doth worst gets his own food and something besides.
Sentence 3: But we will not excuse them, but labour to reform them the best we can; or else to quit the Plantation of them.
Sentence 1: 6th obj.: The water is not wholesome.
Sentence 2: Ans.: If they mean, not so wholesome as the good beer and wine in London (which they so dearly love), we will not dispute with them; but else for water it is as good as any in the world (for aught we know) and it is wholesome enough to us that can be content therewith. [Note 6]
Sentence 1: 7th obj.: The ground is barren and doth bear no grass. |113|
Sentence 2: Ans.: It is here, as in all places, some better and some worse; and if they consider their woods in England, they shall not find such grass in them as in their fields and meadows.
Sentence 3: The cattle find grass, for they are as fat as need be; we wish we had but one for every hundred, that here is grass to keep. [Note 7]
Sentence 4: Indeed, this objection, as some other, are ridiculous to all here which see and know the contrary.
Sentence 1: 8th obj.: The fish will not take salt to keep sweet.
Sentence 2: Ans.: This is as true as that which was written, that there is scarce a fowl to be seen or a fish to be taken.
Sentence 3: Things likely to be true in a country where so many sail of ships come yearly a-fishing?
Sentence 4: They might as well say there can no ale or beer in London be kept from souring.
Sentence 1: 9th obj.: Many of them are thievish and steal one from another.
Sentence 2: Ans.: Would London had been free from that crime, then we should not have been troubled with these here.
Sentence 3: It is well known sundry have smarted well for it, and so are the rest like to do, if they be taken.
Sentence 1: 10th obj.: The country is annoyed with foxes and wolves.
Sentence 2: Ans.: So are many other good countries, too; but poison, traps and other such means will help to destroy them.
Sentence 1: 11th obj.: The Dutch are planted near Hudson's Bay [sic] and are likely to overthrow the trade.
Sentence 2: Ans.: They will come and plant in these parts, also, if we and other do not, but go home and leave it to them.
Sentence 3: We rather commend them than condemn them for it.
Sentence 1: 12th obj.: The people are much annoyed with mosquitoes.
Sentence 2: Ans.: They are too delicate and unfit to begin new plantations and colonies, that cannot endure the biting of a mosquito.
Sentence 3: We would wish such to keep at home till at least they be mosquitoproof.
Sentence 4: Yet this place is as free as any, and experience teacheth that the more the land is tilled, and the woods cut down, the fewer there will be, and in the end scarce any at all.
Sentence 1: Having thus dispatched these things, that I may handle things together, I shall here insert two other letters from Mr. Robinson, their pastor, the one to the Governor, and the other to Mr. Brewster their Elder.
Sentence 2: Which will give much light to their former things and express the tender love and care of a true pastor over them. [Note 8]
Section 4 - [Corn and Allotments of Land]
Sentence 1: |115| These things premised, I shall now prosecute the proceedings and affairs here..
Sentence 2: And before I come to other things, I must speak a word of their planting this year.
Sentence 3: They having found the benefit of their last year's harvest, and setting corn for their Particular, having thereby with a great deal of patience overcome hunger and famine.
Sentence 4: Which makes me remember a saying of Seneca's Epistle 123: "That a great part of liberty is a well governed belly, and to be patient in all wants." [Note 9]
Sentence 1: They began now highly to prize corn as more precious than silver, and those that had some to spare began to trade one with another for small things, by the quart, pottle [Note 1] and peck, etc.; for money they had none, and if any had, corn was prefered before it.
Sentence 2: That they might therefore increase their tillage to better advantage, they made suit |116| to the Governor to have some portion of land given them for continuance, and not by yearly lot.
Sentence 3: For by that means, that which the more industrious had brought into good culture (by much pains) one year, came to leave it the next, and often another might enjoy it; so as the dressing of their lands were the more slighted over and to less profit.
Sentence 4: Which being well considered, their request was granted.
Sentence 5: And to every person was given only one acre of land, to them and theirs, as near the town as might be; and they had no more till the seven years were expired.
Sentence 6: The reason was that they might be kept close together, both for more safety and defense, and the better improvement of the general employments.
Sentence 1: Which condition of theirs did make me often think of what I had read in Pliny of the Romans' first beginnings in Romulus's time.
Sentence 2: How every man contented himself with two acres of land, and had no more assigned them.
Sentence 3: And, Chapter 3, "It was thought a great reward, to receive at the hands of the people of Rome a pint of corn."
Sentence 4: And long after, the greatest present given to a Captain that had got a victory over their enemies, was as much ground as they could till in one day.
Sentence 5: And he was not counted a good, but a dangerous man, that would not content himself with seven acres of land.
Sentence 6: As also how they did pound their corn in mortars; as these people were forced to do many years beforethey could get a mill. [Note 3]
Section 5 - [Fishing, a Shipbuilder and a Salter]
Sentence 1: The ship which brought this supply was speedily disscharged, and with her master and company sent to Cape Ann (of which place they had got a patent, as before is showed) [Note 4] on fishing; and because the season was so far spent some of the planters were sent to help to build their stage, [Note 5] to their own hindrance.
Sentence 2: But partly by the lateness of the year, and more especially by the baseness of the master, one Baker, they made a poor voyage of it.
Sentence 3: He proved a very drunken beast, and did nothing (in a manner) but drink and guzzle and consume away the time and his victuals, and most of his company followed his example; and though Mr. William Peirce was to oversee the business and to be master of the ship home, yet he could do no good amongst them; so as the loss was great, and would have been more to them, but that they kept on a-trading there, which in those times got some store of skins, which was some help unto them.
Sentence 1: The ship-carpenter that was sent them was an honest and very industrious man, and followed his labour very diligently, and made all that were employed with him do the like.
Sentence 2: He quickly built them two very good and strong shallops, which after did them great service, and a great and strong lighter, and had hewn timer for two ketches.
Sentence 3: But that was lost, for he fell into a fever in the hot season of the year, and though he had the best means the place could afford, yet he died; of whom they had a very |117| great loss, and were very sorry for his death.
Sentence 4: But he whom they sent to make salt was an ignorant, foolish, self-willed fellow.
Sentence 5: He bore them in hand, he could do great matters in making salt-works, so he was sent to seek out fit ground for his purpose; and after some search he told the Governor that he had found a sufficient place, with a good bottom to hold water, and otherwise very convenient, which he doubted not but in a short time to bring to good perfection, and to yield them great profit; but he must have eight or ten men to be constantly employed.
Sentence 6: He was wished to be sure that the ground was good, and other things answerable, and that he could bring it to perfection; otherwise he would bring upon them a great charge by employing himself and so many men.
Sentence 7: But he was after some trial so confident as he caused them to send carpenters to rear a great frame for a large house to receive the salt, and such other uses.
Sentence 8: But in the end all proved vain; then he laid fault of the ground in which he was deceived; but if he might have the lighter to carry clay, he was sure then he could do it.
Sentence 1: Now though the Governor and some other foresaw that this would come to little, yet they had so many malignant spirits amongst them, that would have laid it upon them in their letters of complaint to the Adventurers, as to be their fault that would not suffer him to go on, to bring his work to perfection.
Sentence 2: For as he by his bold confidence and large promises deceived them in England that sent him, so he had wound himself into these men's high esteem here, so as they were fain to let him go on till all men saw his vanity.
Sentence 3: For he could not do anything but boil salt in pans, and yet would make them that were joined with him believe there was so great a mystery in it as was not easy to be attained, and made them do many unnecessary things to blind their eyes, till they discerned his subtlety.
Sentence 4: The next year he was sent to Cape Ann, and the pans were set up there where the fishing was; but before summer was out he burnt the house and the fire was so vehement as it spoiled the pans, at least some of them, and this was the end of that chargeable business.
Section 6 - [Rise and Fall of the Rev. John Lyford]
Sentence 1: The third eminent person (which the letters before mention) was the minister which they sent over, by name Mr. John Lyford.
Sentence 2: Of whom and whose doing I must be more large, though I shall abridge things as much as I can.
Sentence 3: When this man first came ashore, he saluted them with that reverence and humility as is seldom to be seen, and indeed made them ashamed, he so bowed and cringed unto them, and would have kissed their hands if they would have |118| suffered him; [Note 6] yea, he wept and shed many tears, blessing God that had brought him to see their faces, and admiring the things they ahd done in their wants, etc., as if he had been made all of love and the humblest person in the world.
Sentence 4: And all the while (if we may judge by his after carriages) he was but like him mentioned in Psalm x.10, "That croucheth and boweth, that heaps of poor may fall by his might."
Sentence 5: Or liketo that dissembling Ishmael, who, when he had slain Gedaliah, went out weeping and met them that were coming to offer incese in the house of the Lord, saying "Come to Gedaliah" when he meant to slay them. [Note 7]
Sentence 1: They gave him the best entertainment they could, in all simplicity, and a larger allowance of food out of the store than any other had; and as the Governor had used, in all weighty affairs, to consult with their Elder, Mr. Brewster, together with his Assistants, so now he called Mr. Lyford also to counsel with them in their weightiest businesses.
Sentence 2: After some short time he desired to join himself a member to the church here, and was accordingly received.
Sentence 3: He made a large confession of his faith, and an acknowledgment of his former disorderly walking and his being entangled with many corruptions, which ahd been a burthen to his conscience, and blessed God for this opportunity of freedom and liberty to enjoy the ordinances of God in purity among His People; with many more such like expressions.
Sentence 1: I must speak a word also of Mr. John Oldham, [Note 8] who was a copartner with him in his after courses.
Sentence 2: He had been a chief stickler in the former faction among the Particulars, and an intelligencer to those in England.
Sentence 3: But now, since the coming of this ship and he saw the supply that came, he took occasion to open his mind to some of the chief amongst them here, and confessed he had done them wrong both by word and deed, and writing into England.
Sentence 4: But he now saw the eminent hand of God to be with them, and His blessing upon them which made his heart smite him; neither should those in England ever use him as an intrument any longer against them in anything.
Sentence 5: He also desired former things might be forgotten, and that they would look upon him as one that desired to close with them in all things, with such like expressions.
Sentence 6: Now whether this was in hypocrisy, or out of some sudden pang of conviction, which I rather think, God only knows.
Sentence 7: Upon it they show all readiness to embrace his love, and carry towards him in all friendliness, and called him to counsel with them in all chief affairs, as the other, without any distrust at all.
Sentence 1: Thus all things seemed to go very comfortably and smoothly on amongst them, at which they did much rejoice.
Sentence 2: But this lasted not |119| long, for both Oldham and he [Note 9] rew very perverse, and showed a spirit of great malignancy, drawing as many into faction as they could.
Sentence 3: Were they never so vile or profane, they did nourish and back them in all their doings, so they would but cleave to them and speak against the church here.
Sentence 4: So as there was nothing but private meetings and whisperings amongst them; they feeding themselves and others with what they should bring to pass in England by the faction of their friends there, which brought others as well as themselves into a fool's paradise.
Sentence 5: Yet they could not carry so closely but much of both their doings and sayings were discovered; yet outwardly they still set a fair face of things.
Sentence 1: At length when the ship [Note 1] was ready to go, it was observed Lyford was long in writing and sent many letters, and could not forbear to communicate to his intimates such things as made them laugh in their sleeves, and thought he had done their errand sufficiently.
Sentence 2: The Governor and some other of his friends, knowing how things stood in England and what hurt these things might do, took a shallop and went out with the ship a league or two to sea, and called for all Lyford's and Oldham's letters.
Sentence 3: Mr. William Peirce being master of the ship (and knew well their evil dealing both in England and here) afforded him all the assistance he could.
Sentence 4: He found above twenty of Lyford's letters, many of them large and full of slanders and false accusations, tending not only to their prejudice, but to their ruin and utter subversion.
Sentence 5: Most of the letters they let pass, only took copies of them; but some of the most material they sent true copies of them and kept the originals lest he should deny them, and that they might produce his own hand against him.
Sentence 6: Amongst his letters they found the copies of two letters which he sent enclosed in a letter of his to Mr. John Pemberton, a minister and a great opposite [Note 2] of theirs.
Sentence 7: These two letters, of which he took the copies, were one of them writ by a gentleman in England to Mr. Brewster here, the other by Mr. Winslow to Mr. Robinson in Holland, at his coming away, as the ship lay at Gravesend.
Sentence 8: They lying sealed in the great cabin, whilst Mr. Winslow was busy about the affairs of the ship, this sly merchant takes and opens them, takes these copies and seals them up again; and not only sends the copies of them thus to his friend and their adversary, but adds thereto in the margin many scurrilous and flouting annotations.
Sentence 1: This ship went out towards evening, and in the night the Governor returned.
Sentence 2: They were somewhat blank at it, but after some weeks when they heard nothing, they then were as brisk as ever, thinking nothing had been known but all was gone current, and that the Governor went but to dispatch his own letters.
Sentence 3: The reason why the Governor and rest concealed these things the longer was to let things ripen that they |120| might better discover their intents and see who were their adherents.
Sentence 4: And the rather because amongst the rest they found a letter of one of their confederates, in which was written that Mr. Oldham and Mr. Lyford intended a reformation in church and commonwealth, and as soon as the ship was gone, they intended to join together and have the sacraments, etc.
Sentence 1: For Oldham, few of his letters were found (for he was so bad a scribe as his hand was scarce legible) yet he was as deep in the mischief as the other.
Sentence 2: And thinking they were now strong enough, they began to pick quarrels at everything; Oldham being called to watch (according to order) refused to come, fell out with the Captain, called him rascal and beggarly rascal, and resisted him, drew his knife at him; though he offered him no wrong nor gave him no ill terms, but with all fairness required him to do his duty.
Sentence 3: The Governor, hearing the tumult, sent to quiet it, but he ramped more like a furious beast than a man, and called them all traitors and rebels and other such foul language as I am ashamed to remember.
Sentence 4: But after he was clapped up a while, he came to himself and with some slight punishment was let go upon his behaviour for further censure.
Sentence 1: But to cut things short, at length it grew to this issue, that Lyford with his complices, without ever speaking one word either to the Governor, Church, or Elder, withdrew themselves and set up a public meeting apart on the Lord's Day; with sundry such insolent carriages, to long here to relate, beginning now publicly to act what privately they had been long plotting.
Sentence 1: It was now thought high time, to prevent further mischief, to call them to account.
Sentence 2: So the Governor called a court and summoned the whole company to appear.
Sentence 3: And then charged Lyford and Oldham with such things as they were guilty of; but they were stiff, and stood resolutely upon the denial of most things, and required proof.
Sentence 4: They first alleged what was writ to them out of England, compared with their doings and practices here, that it was evident they joined in plotting against them, and disturbing their peace, both in respect of their civil and church state, which was most injurious.
Sentence 5: For both they and all the world knew they came hither to enjoy the liberty of their conscience and the free use of God's Ordinances, and for that end had ventured their lives and passed though so much hardship hither to; and they and their friends had borne the charge of these beginnings, which was not small.
Sentence 6: And that Lyford for his part was sent over on this charge, and that both he and his great family was maintained on the same, and also was joined to the church and a member of them.
Sentence 7: And for him to plot against them, and seek their ruin, was most unjust and perfidious.
Sentence 8: And for |121| Oldham or any other that came over at their own charge, and were on their Particular: seeing they were received in courtesy by the Plantation, when they came only to seek shelter and protection under their wings, not being albe to stand alone.
Sentence 9: That they (according to the fable) like the hedgehog whom the cony in a stormy day in pity received into her burrow, would not be content to take part with her, but in the end with her sharp pricks forced the poor cony to forsake her own burrow; so these men, with the like injustice, endeavoured to do the same to those that entertained them.
Sentence 1: Lyford denied that he had anything to do with them in England, or knew of their courses, and made other things as strange, that he was charged with.
Sentence 2: Then his letters were produced and some of them read, at which he was struck mute.
Sentence 3: But Oldham began to rage furiously because they had intercepted and opened his letters, threatening them in very high language, and in a most audacious and mutinous manner stood up and called upon the people, saying, "My masters, were is your hearts? Now show your courage, you have oft complained to me so and so. Now is the time, if you will do anything, I will stand by you," etc.
Sentence 4: Thinking that everyone (knowing his humor) that had soothed and flattered him, or otherwise in their discontent uttered anything unto him, would now side with him in open rebellion.
Sentence 5: But he was deceived, for not a man opened his mouth, but all were silent, being strucken with the injustice of the thing.
Sentence 1: Then the Governor turned his speech to Mr. Lyford and asked him if he thought they had done evil to open his letters; but he was silent, and would not say a word, well knowing what they might reply.
Sentence 2: Then the Governor showed the people he did it as a magistrate, and was bound to it by his place, to prevent the mischief and ruin that this conspiracy and plots of theirs, would bring on this poor Colony.
Sentence 3: But he, besides his evil dealing here, had dealt treacherously with his friends that trusted him, and stole their letters and opened them, and sent copies of them, with disgraceful annotations, to his friends in England.
Sentence 4: And then the Governor produced them and his other letters under his own hand (which he could not deny) and caused them to be read before all the people, at which all his friends were blank, and had not a word to say.
Sentence 1: It would be too long and tedious here to insert his letters, which would almost fill a volume, though I have them by me.
Sentence 2: I shall only note a few of the chief things collected out of them, with the answers to them as they were then given.
Sentence 3: And but a few of those many, only for instance, by which the rest may be judged of. |121| [Note 3]
Sentence 1: First, he saith, the church would have none to live here but themselves; secondly, neither are any willing so to do if they had company to live elsewhere.
Sentence 2: Their answer was that this was false, in both the parts of it; for they were willing and desirous that any honest men may live with them, that will carry themselves peaceably and seek the common good, or at least do them no hurt.
Sentence 3: And again, there are many that will not live elsewhere so long as they may live with them.
Sentence 1: 2. That if there come over any honest men that are not of the Separation, they will quickly distaste them, etc.
Sentence 2: Their answer was as before, that it was a false calumniation; for they had many amongst them that they liked well of, and were glad of their company, and should be of any such like that should come amongst them.
Sentence 1: 3. That they excepted against him for these two doctrines raised from 2 Samuel xii.7.
Sentence 2: First that ministers must sometimes particularly apply their doctrine to special persons; secondly, that great men may be reproved as well as meaner.
Sentence 3: Their answer was that both these were without either truth or colour of the same, as was proved to his face, and that they had taught and believed these things long before they knew Mr. Lyford.
Sentence 1: 4. That they utterly sought the ruin of the Particulars; as appeareth by this, that they would not suffer any of the General either to buy or sell with them, or to exchange one commodity for another.
Sentence 2: Answer: This was a most malicious slander, and void of all truth, as was evidently proved to him before all men, for any of them did both buy, sell or exchange with them as often as they had any occasion; yea, and also both lend and give to them when they wanted.
Sentence 3: And this the particular persons themselves could not deny, but freely confessed in open court.
Sentence 4: But the ground from whence this arose made it much wrose.
Sentence 5: For he was in council with them, when one was called before them, and questioned, for receiving powder and buscuit from the gunner of the small ship which was the Compnay's, and had it put in at his window in the night; and also for buying salt of one that had no right to it, he not only stood to back him (being on of these Particulars) by excusing and extenuating his fault as long as he could, but upon this builds this mischievous and most false slander, that because they would not suffer them to buy stolen goods, ergo they sought their utter ruin.
Sentence 6: Bad logic for a divine!
Sentence 1: 5. Next he writes that he choked them with this: that they |122| turned men into their Particular and then sought to starve them and deprive them of all means of subsistence.
Sentence 2: To this was answered, he did them manifest wrong, for they turned none into their Particular; it was their own importunity and earnest desire that moved them, yea, constrained them to do it.
Sentence 3: And they appealed to the persons themselves for the truth hereof; and they testified the same against him before all present, as also that they had no cause to complain of any either hard or unkind usage.
Sentence 1: 6. He accuseth them with unjust distribution, and writeth that it was a strange difference, that some have been allowed 16 pounds of meal by the week, and others but four pounds; and then floutingly saith, "It seems some mens mouths and bellies are very little and slender over others."
Sentence 2: Answer: This might seem strange indeed to those to whom he writ his letters in England, which new not the reason of it; but to him and others here it could not be strange, who knew how things stood.
Sentence 3: For the first comers had none at all, but lived on their corn.
Sentence 4: Those which came in the Anne the August before, and were to live 13 months of the provisions they brought, had as good allowance in meal and pease as it would extend to, the most part of the year.
Sentence 5: But a little before harvest, when they had not only fish but other fruits began to come in, they had but 4 pounds, having their liberty to make their own provisions.
Sentence 6: But some of these which came last, as the ship carpenter, and sawyers, the salt men, and others that were to follow constant employments and had not an hour's time from their hard labours to look for anything above their allowance, they had at first 16 pounds allowed them; and afterwards, as fish and other food could be got, they had abatement, to 14 and 12; yea, some of them to 8 as the times and occasions did vary.
Sentence 7: And yet those which followed planting and their own occasions, and had but 4 pounds of meal a week, lived better than the other, as was well known to all.
Sentence 8: And yet it must be remembered that Lyford and his had always the hightest allowance.
Sentence 1: Many other things in his letters he accused them of, with many aggravations; as that he saw exceeding great waste of tools and vessels.
Sentence 2: And this, when it came to be examined, all the instance he could give was that he had seen an old hogshead or two fallen to pieces, and a broken hoe or two left carelessly in the fields by some; though he also knew that a godly, honest man was appointed to look to these things.
Sentence 3: But these things and such like was writ of by him, to cast disgrace and prejudice upon them, as thinking what came from a |123| minister would pass for current.
Sentence 4: Then he tells them that Winslow should say that there was not above seven of the Adventurers that sought the good of the Colony; that Mr. Oldham and himself had had much to do with them, and that the faction here might match the Jesuits for policy, with many the like grievous complaints and accusations.
Sentence 5: Then, in the next place, he comes to give his friends counsel and direction.
Sentence 1: And first, that the Leyden company (Mr. Robinson and the rest) must still be kept back, or else all will be spoiled.
Sentence 2: And lest any of them should be taken in privately somewhere on the coast of England, as it was feared might be done, they must change the master of the ship (Mr. Willian Peirce) and put another also in Winslow's stead for merchant, or else it would not be prevented.
Sentence 1: 2. Then he would have such a number provided as might oversway them here.
Sentence 2: And that the Particulars should have voices in all courts and elections, and be free to bear any office.
Sentence 3: And that every Particular should come over as an Adventurer; if he be but a servant; some other venturing £10, the bill may be taken out in the servant's name and then assigned to the party whose money it was, and good covenants drawn between them for the clearing of the matter; and this, saith he, would be a means to strengthen this side the more.
Sentence 1: 3. Then he tells them that if that Captain they spoke of should come over hither as a general, [Note 4] he was persuaded he would be chosen Captain; for this Captain Standish looks like a silly boy and is in utter contempt.
Sentence 1: 4. Then he shows that if by the forementioned means they cannot be strengthened to carry and overbear things, it will be best for them to plant elsewhere by themselves; and would have it articled by them that they might make choice of any place that they liked best within three or four miles' distance, showing there were far better places for plantation than this.
Sentence 1: 5. And lastly he concludes that if some number came not over to bear them up here, then there would be no abiding for them but by joining with these here.
Sentence 2: Then he adds, "Since I began to write, there are letters come from your company, wherein they would give sole authority in divers things unto the Governor here; which, if it take place, then vae nobis.
Sentence 3: But I hope you will be more vigilant hereafter, that nothing may pass in such a manner.
Sentence 4: I suppose" (saith he) "Mr. Oldham will write to you further of these things.
Sentence 5: I pray you conceal me in the discovery of these things," etc.
Sentence 1: Thus I have briefly touched some chief things in his letters, and shall now return to their proceeding with him.
Sentence 2: After the reading of his letters before teh whole company, he was demanded what he could say to these things. |124|
Sentence 3: But all the answer he made was, that Billington and some others had informed him of many things and made sundry complaints, which they now denied.
Sentence 4: He was again asked if that was a sufficient ground for him thus to accuse and traduce them by his letters and never say word to them, considering the many bonds between them.
Sentence 1: And so they went on from point to point, and wished him or any of his friends and confederates not to spare them in anything.
Sentence 2: If he or they had any proof or witness of any corrupt or evil dealing of theirs, his or their evidence must needs be there present, for there was the whole company and sundry strangers.
Sentence 3: He said he had been abused by other in their informations (as he now well saw) and so had abused them.
Sentence 4: And this was all the answer they could have, for none would take his part in anything, but Billington and any whom he named denied the things and protested he wronged them and would have drawn them to such and such things which they could not constnt to, though they were sometimes drawn to his meetings.
Sentence 1: Then they delt with him about his dissembling with them about the church, and that he professed to concur with them in all things, and what a large confession he made at his admittance, and that he held not himself a minister till he had a new calling, etc.
Sentence 2: And yet now he contested against them, and drew a company apart and sequestered himself, and would go minister the sacraments (by his Episcopal calling) without ever speaking a word unto them, either as magistrates or brethren.
Sentence 1: In conclusion, he was fully convicted, and burst out into tears, and confessed he "feared he was a reprobate, his sins were so great that he doubted God would not pardon them, he was unsavory salt," etc.
Sentence 2: And that he had "so wronged them as he could never make them amends," confessing all he had writ against them was "false and nought, both for matter and manner."
Sentence 3: And all this he did with as much fullness as words and tears could express.
Sentence 1: After their trial and conviction, the court censured them to be expelled the place; Oldham presently, [Note 5] though his wife and family had liberty to stay all winter or longer till he could make provision to remove them comfortably.
Sentence 2: Lyford had liberty to stay six months.
Sentence 3: It was, indeed, with some eye to his release if he carried himself well in the meantime, and that his repentance proved sound.
Sentence 4: Lyford acknowledged his censure was far less than he deserved.
Sentence 5: Afterwards, he confessed his sin publicly in the church, with tears more largely than before.
Sentence 6: I shall here put it down as I find it recorded by some who took it from his own words, as himself uttered them.
Sentence 7: Acknowledging |125| "That he had done very evil, and slanderously abused them; and, thinking most of the people would take part with him, he thought to carry all by violence and strong hand against them.
Sentence 8: And that God might justly lay innocent blood to his charge, for he knew not what hurt might have come of these his writings, and blessed God they were stayed."
Sentence 9: And that he spared not to take knowledge from any, of any evil that was spoken, but shut his eyes and ears against all the good; and if God should make him a vagabond in the earth, as was Cain, it was but just for he had sinned in envy and malice against his brethren as he did.
Sentence 10: And he confessed three things to be the ground and causes of these his doings: pride, vain-glory, and self-love.
Sentence 11: Amplifying these heads with many other sad expressions, in the particulars of them.
Sentence 12: So as they began again to conceive good thoughts of him upon this his repentance, and admitted him to teach amongst them as before; and Samuel Fuller (a deacon amongst them) and some other tenderhearted men amongst them, were so taken with his signs of sorrow and repentance, as they professed they would fall upon their knees to have his censure released.
Sentence 1: But that which made them all stand amazed in the end, and may do all others that shall come to hear the same (for a rarer precedent can scarce be shown) was, that after a month or two, notwithstanding all his former confessions, convictions, and public acknowledgments, both in the face of the church and whole company, with so many tears and sad censures of himself before God and men, he should go again to justify what he had done.
Sentence 2: For secretly he writ a second letter to the Adventurers in England, in which he justified all his former writings (save in some things which tended to their damage); the which, because it is briefer than the former, I shall here insert.
Sentence 1: Worthy Sirs: Though the filth of mine own doings may justly be cast in my face, and with blushing cause my perpetual silence; yet that the truth may not hereby be injured, yourselves any longer deluded, nor injurious dealing carried out still, with bold out facings, I have adventured once more to write unto you.
Sentence 1: First, I do freely confess I dealt very indiscreetly in some of my particular letters which I wrote to private friends, for the courses in coming hither and the like, which I do in no sort seek to justify, though stirred up thereunto in the beholding [of] the indirect courses held by others, both here and there with you, for effecting their designs.
Sentence 2: But am heartily sorry for it, and do to the glory of God and mine own shame acknowledge it.
Sentence 3: Which letters being intercepted by the Governor, I have for the same undergone the censure |126| of banishment.
Sentence 4: And had it not been for the respect I have unto you, and some other matters of private regard, I had returned again at this time by the pinnace for England; for here I purpose not to abide, unless I receive better encouragement from you than from the church (as they call themselves) here I do receive.
Sentence 5: I purposed before I came to undergo hardness; therefore I shall, I hope, cheerfully bear the conditions of the place, though very mean; and they have changed my wages ten times already. [Note 6]
Sentence 1: I suppose my letters, or at least copies of them, are come to your hands, for so they here report; which, if it be so, I pray you take notice of this, that I have written nothing but what is certainly true, and I could make so appear plainly to any indifferent [Note 7] men, whatsoever coulours be cast to darken the truth, and some there are very audacious this way; besides many other matters which are far out of order here.
Sentence 2: My mind was not to enlarge myself any further, but in respect of divers poor souls here, the care of whom in part belongs to you, being here destitute of the means of salvation.
Sentence 3: For howsoever the church are provided for to their content, who are the smallest number in the Colony, and do so appropriate the ministry to themselves, holding this principle, that the Lord hath not appointed any ordinary ministry for the conversion of those that are without.
Sentence 4: So that some of the poor souls have with tears complained of this to me, and I was taxed for preaching to all in general.
Sentence 5: Though in truth they have had no ministry here since they came, but such as may be performed by any of you by their own position, whatsoever great pretences they make.
Sentence 6: But herein they equivocate, as in many other things they do.
Sentence 1: But I exceed the bounds I set myself; therefore resting thus, until I hear further from you, so it be within the time limited me.
Sentence 1: Remaining yours ever, John Lyford, Exile
Sentence 2: Dated August 22, Anno 1624
Sentence 1: They made a brief answer to some things in this letter, but referred chiefly to their former.
Sentence 2: The effect was to this purpose: That if God in His providence had not brought these things to their hands (both the former and latter) they might have been thus abused, traduced and calumniated, overthrown and undone; and never have known by whom nor for what.
Sentence 3: They desired but this equal favour, that they would be pleased to hear their just defense, as well as his accusations, and weigh them in the balance of justice and reason, and then censure as they pleased.
Sentence 4: They had writ briefly to the heads of things before, and should be ready to give further |127| answer as any occasion should require; craving leave to add a word or two to this last.
Sentence 1: And first, they desire to examine what filth that was, that he acknowledgeth might justly be thrown in his face, and might cause blushing and perpetual silence; some great matter sure?
Sentence 2: But if it be looked into, it amounts to no more than a point of indiscretion, and that's all.
Sentence 3: And yet he licks off that too, with this excuse, that he was stirred up thereunto by beholding the indirect course here.
Sentence 4: But this point never troubled him here; it was counted a light matter, both by him and his friends, and put off with this, that any man might do so, to advise his private friends to come over for their best advantage.
Sentence 5: All his sorrow and tears here was for the wrong and hurt he had done us, and not at all for this he pretends to be done to you: it was not counted so much as indiscretion.
Sentence 1: 2. Having thus paid you full satisfaction, he thinks he may lay load of [Note 8] us here.
Sentence 2: And first complains that we have changed his wages ten time.
Sentence 3: We never agreed with him for any wages, nor made any bargain at all with him, neither know of any that you have made.
Sentence 4: You sent him over to teach amongst us, [Note 9] and desired he might be kindly used; and more than this we know not.
Sentence 5: That he hath been kindly used, and far better than he deserves from us, he shall be judged first of his own mouth.
Sentence 6: If you please to look upon that writing of his, that was sent you amongst his letters, which he calls a general relation, in which though he doth otherwiese traduce us, yet in this he himself clears us; in the latter end thereof he hath these words: "I speak not this," saith he, "out of any ill affection to the men, for I have found them very kind and loving to me."
Sentence 7: You may there see these to be his own words under his own hand.
Sentence 1: Secondly, it will appear by this, that he hath ever had a larger allowance of food out of the store for him and his than any, and clothing as his need hath required; a dwelling in one of our best houses, and a man wholly at his own command to tend his private affairs.
Sentence 2: What cause he hath, therefore, to complain, judge ye; and what he means in his speech we know not, except he alludes to that of Jacob and Laban. [Note 1]
Sentence 3: If you have promised him more or otherwise, you may do it when you please.
Sentence 1: 3. Then, with an impudent face he would have you take notice that in his letters he hath writ nothing but what is certainly true; yea, and he could make it so appear plainly to any indifferent men.
Sentence 2: This indeed doth astonish us and causeth us to tremble at the deceitfulness |128| and desperate wickedness of man's heart.
Sentence 3: This is to devour holy things, and after vows to inquire. [Note 2]
Sentence 4: It is admirable that after such public confession, and acknowledgment in court, in church, before God and men, with such sad expressions as he used and with such melting into tears, that after all this he should now justify all again.
Sentence 5: If things had been done in a corner, it had been something to deny them; but being done in the open view of the country and before all men, it is more than strange now to avow to make them plainly appear to any indifferent men.
Sentence 6: And here where things were done, and all the evidence that could be were present, and yet could make nothing appear, but even his friends condemned him and gave their voice to his censure; so gross were they, we leave yourselves to judge herein.
Sentence 7: Yet lest this man should triumph in his wickedness, we shall be ready to answer him when or where you will, to anything he shall lay to our charge, though we have done it sufficiently already.
Sentence 1: 4. Then he saith he would not enlarge, but for some poor souls here who are destitute of the means of salvation, etc.
Sentence 2: But all his soothing is but that you would use means that his censure might be released, that he might here continue, and under you (at least) be sheltered till he sees what his friends, on whom he depends, can bring about and effect.
Sentence 3: For such men pretend much for poor souls, but they will look to their wages and conditions; if that be not to their content, let poor souls do what they will, they will shift for themselves, and seek poor souls somewhere else among richer bodies.
Sentence 1: 5. Next he falls upon the church.
Sentence 2: That indeed is the burthensome stone that troubles him.
Sentence 3: First, he saith they hold this principle, that the Lord hath not appointed any ordinary ministry for the conversion of those without.
Sentence 4: The church needs not be ashamed of what she holds in this, having God's word for her wasrrant; that ordinary officers are bound chiefly to their flocks, Acts xx.28, and are not to be extravagants, to go, come and leave them at their pleasures, to shift for themselves or to be devoured of wolves.
Sentence 5: But he perverts the truth in this as in other things, for the Lord hath as well appointed them to convert, as to feed in their several charges; and he wrongs the church to say otherwise.
Sentence 6: Again, he saith he was taxed for preaching to all in general.
Sentence 7: This is a mere untruth, for this dissembler knows that every Lord's Day some are appointed to visit suspected places, and if any be found idling and neglect the hearing of the Word (through idleness or profaneness), they are punished for the same.
Sentence 8: Now, to procure all to come to hear, and then to blame him for preaching to all, were to play the mad men. |129|
Sentence 1: 6. Next, he saith, they have had no ministry since they came, whatsoever pretenses they make, etc.
Sentence 2: We answer, the more is our wrong, that our Pastor is kept from us by these men's means, and then reproach us for it when they have done.
Sentence 3: Yet have we not been wholly destitute of the means of salvation as this man would make the world believe.
Sentence 4: For our reverend Elder hath laboured diligantly in dispensing the Word of God to us, before he came; and since, hath taken equal pains with himself, in preaching the same.
Sentence 5: And, be it spoken without ostentation, he is not inferior to Mr. Lyford (and some of his betters) either in gifts or learning, though he would never be persuaded to take higher office upon him.
Sentence 6: Nor ever was more pretended in this matter.
Sentence 7: For equivocating, he may take it to himself; what the church holds they have manifested to the world in all plainness, both in open confession, doctrine and writing.
Sentence 1: This was the sum of their answer, and here I will let them rest for the present.
Sentence 2: I have been longer in these things than I desired, and yet not so long as the things might require; for I pass many things in silence, and many more deserve to have been more largely handled.
Sentence 3: But I will return to other things and leave the rest to its place.
Section 7 - [Salvage of the Pinnace]
Sentence 1: The pinnace [Note 3] that was left sunk and cast away near Damariscove as is before showed; some of the fishing masters said it was a pity so fine a vessel should be lost and sent them word that if they would be at the cost, they would both direct them how to weigh her and let them have their carpenters to mend her.
Sentence 2: They thanked them and sent men about it, and beaver to defray the charge, without which all had been in vain.
Sentence 3: So they got coppers to trim I know not how many tun of cask, and being made tight and fastened to her at low water, they buoyed her up; and then with many hands hauled her on shore in a convenient place where she might be wrought upon.
Sentence 4: And then hired sundry carpenters to work upon her, and other to saw plank, and at last fitted her and got her home.
Sentence 5: But she cost a great deal of money in thus recovering her, and buying rigging and sails for her, both now and when before she lost her mast; so as she proved a chargeable vessel to the poor Plantation.
Sentence 6: So they sent her home, and with her Lyford sent his last letter in great secrecy, but the party entrusted with it gave it the Governor.
Sentence 1: The winter was passed over in their ordinary affairs, without any special matter worth noting; saving that many who before stood something off from the church, now seeing Lyford's unrighteous dealing and malignity against the church, now tendered themselves to the church and were joined to the same; professing that it was not out of the dislike of anything that they had stood off so long, but a desire to fit themselves better for such a state, and they saw now the Lord called for their help. |130|
Sentence 1: And so these troubles produced a quite contrary effect, in sundry here, than these adversaries hoped for.
Sentence 2: Which was looked at as a great work of God, to draw on men by unlikely means, and that in reason which might rather have set them further off.
Sentence 3: And thus I shall end this year.
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