Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation' Part 34

[BB] I. R.

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

[BD] _Contend_ in the ma.n.u.script.

[BE] In MS. also 145.

[BF] In MS. also 146.

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

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

[BI] _And_ is repeated in the MS.

[BJ] _Adventures_ in the ma.n.u.script.

[BK] He means Mr. Robinson.

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

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

[BN] This was John Oldome & his like.

[BO] M^r. Westons men.

[BP] _Notabe_ in MS.

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

[BR] Of wh^ch were many witneses.

[BS] Jer. 41. 6.

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

[BU] _Inurious_ in MS.

[BV] _Receive_ in the ma.n.u.script.

[BW] This was Lyford himselfe.

[BX] _Is it not_ in the MS.

[BY] _Bet-_ in MS.

[BZ] If I mistake not, it was not much less. [30^li in the ma.n.u.script.]

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

[CB] Note.

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

[CD] Below are the names of the adventurers subscribed to this paper, taken from Bradford's Letter-Book, 1 Ma.s.s. Hist. Coll., III. 48; being forty-two in number. The names of six of these persons are found subsequently among the members of the Ma.s.sachusetts Company, viz. John White, John Poc.o.c.k, Thomas Goffe, Samuel Sharpe, John Revell, and Thomas Andrews. Mr. Haven, who edited the Records of the Ma.s.sachusetts Company, is of opinion that the first person on the list is the celebrated clergyman of Dorchester, the reputed author of the Planter's Plea. Emnu.

Alltham is probably the same person named in the Council Records, under date January 21. 1622-3: "Emanuel Altum to command the Pinnace built for Mr. Peirce's Plantation." Smith speaks of "Captaine _Altom_" as commanding this vessell, but Morton says the name of the master of the Little James was Mr. Bridges, who it appears was drowned at Damariscove, in March, 1624. See Coll. of the Amer. Antiq. Soc., III. 26, 62, Preface; Felt's MS. Memoranda from the Council Records; Smith's Generall Historie, p. 239; Morton's Memorial, p. 48.

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

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

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

[CF] Nov. 6. 1627. Page 238. [Reference is here made to the page of the original ma.n.u.script.]

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

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

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

Wherfore if y^e Lord should send persecution or trouble hear, (which is much to be feared,) and so should put into our minds to flye for refuge, I know no place safer then to come to you, (for all Europ is at varience one with another, but cheefly w^th us,) not doubting but to find such frendly entertainmente as shall be honest & conscionable, notwithstanding what hath latly pa.s.sed. For I profess in y^e word of an honest man, had it not been to procure your peace & quiet from some turbulent spirites hear, I would not have sealed to this last deed; though you would have given me all my adventure and debte ready downe.

Thus desiring y^e Lord to blesse & prosper you, I cease ever resting,

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

Des: 27.

[The above letter was written on the reverse of page 154 of the original ma.n.u.script.]

[CI] Peag.

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

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

[CL] This word is here subst.i.tuted for _recovering_ in the ma.n.u.script, on the authority of Bradford's Letter-Book.

[CM] This paragraph is written on the reverse of the page immediately preceding, in the original ma.n.u.script.

[CN] _Fractions_ in the ma.n.u.script.

[CO] Thomas Willett.

[CP] 177 is omitted in MS.

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