[Tiot to be confovmded with Obbatjnnua\ : and, though
he lives in the bottom of the Massachuset Bay, yet
he is under Massasoyt. He used us very kindly. He
told us, He durst not then remain in any settled place ;
for fear of the Tarentines [The Tdrratines lived on the
Penobacot river, Maine]: also the Squa[w] Sachem, or
[the] Massaohusets' Queen, was an enemy to him.

We told him of divers Sachems that had [at Plymouth,
on the previov^lSth September,] acknowledged themselves
to be King James his men ; and if he also would submit
himself, we would be his safeguard from his enemies:
which he did ; and went along with us, to bring us to
the Squa[w] Sachem.

Again we crossed the Bay [from what is now Quincy
to Charlestown], which is very large ; and hath at lecLst
fifty islands in it, but the certain number is not known
to the inhabitants. Night it was, before we came to
that side of the Bay where this people were. On shore,
the savages went : but found nobody. That night also,
we rid at anchor aboard the shallop.



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New England in America. 485

On the morrow [of Friday, the 2lBt September], we
went ashore, all but two men ; and marched, in \ymdjeT\
arms, up in the country. Having gone three miles;
we came to a place where com [maize] had been
newly gathered, a house [vngwa/rri] pulled down, and the
people gone.

A mile from hence [i,e. at tohat is now Medford], ^
Nanepashemet their King, in his lifetime, had lived.
His house was not like others : but a scaffold was largely
built [a large scaffold was buUt] with poles and planks,
some six feet from [the] ground ; and the house, upon
that : [it] being situated on the top of a hill [, now called
Bock HiUl

Not far from hence, in a bottom [nea/r Mystic Pond,
in Medford], we came to a Fort, built by their deceased
King. The manner [of it was] thus :

There were poles, some tiiirty or forty feet long,
stuck in the ground as thick as they could be set one
by another : and with these, they inclosed a ring some
forty or fifty feet over. A trench, breast high, was
digged on each sida One way there was, to go into
it; with a bridge. In the midst of this pallizado
[palisade], stood the frame of a house [vrigwam];
wherein, being dead, he lay buried.

About a mile from hence, we came to such another ;
but seated on the top of a hilL Here Nanepashemet
was killed: none dwelling in it, since the time of his
death [in 1619].

At this place [now Medford] we stayed: and sent
two savages to look [for] the inhabitants ; and to inform
them of our ends in coming, that they might not be
fearful of us. Within a mile of this place, they found
the women of the place together, with their com on
heaps. Whither we supposed them to be fled for fear



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486 New England in Amerua.

of us : and the more, because in divers places they had
newly pulled down their houses : and, for haste in one
place, had left some of their com covered with a mat,
and nobody with it.

With much fear, they entertained us at first: but
seeing our gentle carriage \hthaviawr\ towards them,
they took heart and entertained us in the best manner
they could ; boiling cod, and such other things as they
had, for us.

At length, with much sending for, came one of their
men, shaking and trembling for fear : but when he saw
we intended them no hurt, but came to truck, he promised
us his skins also. Of him, we enquired for their Queen :
but it seemed she was far from thence. At least, we
could not see her.

Here Tisquantum would have had us rifle the savage
women ; and take their skins, and all such things as
might be serviceable for us: "for," said he, "they
are a bad people; and have often threatened yoa"

But our answer was, " Were they never so bad ; we
would not wrong them, or give them any just occasion
against us. For their words, we little weighed them:
but if they once attempted anything against us, then
we would deal far worse than he desired."

Having well spent the day, we returned to the
shallop: almost all the women accompanying us, to
truck. Who sold their coats from their backs; and
tied boughs about them : but with great shamefastness
\%hm\jtfajceidme%B\ ; for indeed they are more modest than
some of our English women are. We promised them, to
come again to them ; and they, us, to keep their skins
[i.c. beaver skins].

Within this Bay, the savages say, there are two
rivers [, the Mystic and the Charles] : the one [the Mystic]



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New England in AnUrica. 487

whereof we saw, having a fair entrance; but we had
no time to discover it. Better harbours for shipping
cannot be, than here are. At the entrance of the Bay
are many rocks; and, in all likelihood, very good
fishing ground. Many, yea, most, of the islands have
been inhabitated ; some being cleared from end to end :
but the people are all dead, or removed.

Our victaal[s] growing scarce, the wind coming fair,

and having a light moon ; we set out at evening : and,

through the goodness of QOD, came safely home, before

noon the day following \i.e, Satv/rday, 22nd

September 1621].



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A Letter sent from New England to a friend in

THESE PARTS [/.£. EnQLAND\ SETTINQ FORTH A BRIEF

AND TRUE Declaration of the worth of that
Plantation; as ai^o certain useful directions

FOR SUCH AS intend A VOYAGE
INTO THOSE PARTS.

[OVING and old friend. Although I received
no letter from you by this ship [the Fort^me]:
yet, forasmuch as I know you expect the
performance of my promise (which was to
write unto you truly and faithfully of all things) ; I
have therefore, at this time, sent unto you accordingly ;
referring you, for further satisfaction, to our more
large Relations [here printed at pp, 407-487].

You shall understand, that in this little time [from
the 16th of December, when the Mayflower arrived at
Plymovjth, to the 11th December 1621, the first Forefathers'
Anniversary] that a few of us have been here, we have
built seven dwelling houses ; and four for the use of the
Plantation : and have made preparation for divers others.

We set, last Spring, some twenty acres of Indian
com ; and sowed some six acres of barley and pease :
and, according to the manner of the Indians, we manured
our ground with herrings, or rather shads [alevrives] ;
which we have in great abundance, and take with great
ease at our doors [i.e. in the Town Brook\

Our com did prove well, and, GOD be praised ! we

488



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New England in America. 489

had a good increase of Indian com ; and our barley
[was] indifferently] good: but our pease [were] not
worUi the gathering ; for we feared they were too late
sown. They came up very well, and blossomed: but
the sun parched them in the blossom.

Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor [William
Bbadford] sent four men on fowling; that so we
might, after a more special manner, rejoice together,
after we had gathered tiie fruit of our labours \Whjai,
in England, would he caUed, a Harvest Festival. It
was the first New Englamd Thankegivi/ng Day\ They
four, in one day, killed as much fowl as, with a little
help besides, served the Company \by which ia here
intended, the aiovi fifty English people then left alive in
the Colony^ almost a week. At which time, amongst
other recreations, we exercised our Arms [i,e. drilled] ;
many of the Indians coming amongst us.

And, amongst the rest, their greatest King,
Massasott, with some ninety men ; whom, for three
days, we entertained and feasted. And they went out,
and killed five deer: which they brought to the
Plantation ; and bestowed on our Qovemor, and upon
' the Captain [Miles Standish], and others.

And although it be not always so plentiful as it was
at this time with us : yet, by the goodness of QOD, we
are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers
of our plenty.

We have found the Indians very faithful in their
Covenant of Peace with us; [and] very loving and
ready to pleasure us. We often go to them ; and they
come to us. Scmie of us have been fifty miles by land
in the country with them [i,e. to Sowamis in Pokanoket ;
see pp. 462-473] : the occasions and Relations whereof
you shall understand by our general and more full



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490 New England in America.

Declaration [aforesaid] of such things as are worth
the notmg.

Yea, it hath pleased GOD so to possess the Indians
with a fear of us, and love unto us, that not only the
greatest King amongst them, called Massasott ; but
also all the Princes and peoples round about us, have
either made suit unto us, or been glad of any occasion
to make peace with us : so that seven of them at once
have sent their messengers to us to that end. Tea, an
isle at sea, which we never saw [Capawaok, now caUed
Martha*8 Vineycurd], hath also, together with the former,
yielded willingly to^ be under the protection [of], and
subjects to, our Sovereign Lord King James. So that
there is now great peace amongst the Indians themselves,
which was not formerly ; neither would have been but
for us : and we, for our parts, walk as peaceably and
safely in the wood as in the highways in England. We
entertain them familiarly in our houses; and they, as
friendly, bestowing their venison on us.

They are a people without any religion, or knowledge
of any God [This error Winslow corrects at page 682] ;
yet very trusty, quick of apprehension, ripe witted, [and]
just. The men and women go naked ; only a skin about
their middles.

For the temper of the air here, it agreeth well
with that in Ei^land: and if there be any difference
at all, this is somewhat hotter in summer. Some
think it to be colder in winter: but I cannot, out of
experience, so say. The air is very clear ; and not foggy,
as hath been reported. I never, in my life, remember a
more seasonable year than we have here enjoyed : and
if we have once but kine, horses, and sheep ; I make no
question but men might live as contented here as in any
part ot the world.



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New England in America. 491

For fish and fowl, we have great abundance. Fresh
ood, in the summer, is but coarse meat with us. Our
Bay is full of lobsters all the summer ; and affordeth
variety of other fish. In September, we can take a
hogshead of eels in a night, with small labour ; and can
dig them out of their beds. All the winter, we have
mussels and othus [/ a WA«prvnt for clams] at our doors.
Oysters we have none near: but we can have them
brought by the Indians, when we will. All the
Spring time, the earth sendeth forth naturally very
good sallet herbs \i.e. vegetables like lettuce, endive,
&c. for eaUxd], Here are grapes, white and red, and
very sweet and strong also ;. strawberries, gooseberries,
raspas [raepberriee], Sbc ; plums of three sorts, white,
black, and red, being almost as good as a damson:
abundance of roses, red, white, and damask ; single, but
very sweet indeed.

The country wanteth only industrious men to employ
[cultivate it]. For it would grieve your hearts if (as I)
you had seen so many miles together, by goodly rivers,
uninhabited : and withal to consider those parts of the
world wherein you live, to be even greatly burdened
with abundance of people.

These things I thought good to let you understand ;
being the truth of things, as near[ly] as I could
experimentally take knowledge of ; and that you might,
on our behalf, give GOD thanks, who hath dealt so
favourably with us.

Our supply [reinforcement] of men from you, came
the 9th of November 1621. Putting in at Cape Cod,
some eight or ten leagues from us; the Indians that
dwell thereabout, [who] were they who were owners of
the com which we found in caves [? graves] : for which



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492 New England in America.

we have given them fall content, and are in great
league with them : they sent us word, There was a
ship near nnto them, but thou^t it to be a Frenchman
[a French ship] ; and indeed, for ourselves, we expected
not a friend so soon.

But when we perceived she made for our Bay, the
Glovemor [William Bradfobd] commanded a great
piece [a cavmon] to be shot off, to call home such as were
abroad at work. Whereupon every man, yea, boy that
could handle a gun, was ready ; with full resolution that,
if she were an EInemy, we would stand, in our just
defence, not fearing them. But GOD provided for us
better than we supposed.

These came all in health unto us; not any bdng
sick by the way, otherwise than by sea sickness : and
so continue at this time, by the blessing of QOD. The
goodwif e Ford was delivered of a son, the first night
she landed: and both of them [mother and chUd] are
very well.

When it pleaseth GOD, we are settled; and fitted
for the fishing business and other trading: I doubt
not but, by the blessing of GOD, the gain will give
content to all. In the mean time, that we have
gotten, we have sent by this ship [the Fortwae^ see
pp. 506-508] : and though it be not much ; yet it will
witness for us that we have not been idle ; considering
the smallness of our number all this summer [viz. 32
men cndy]. We hope the Merchants [the Adveniwrera]
will accept of it; and be incouraged to furnish us
with things needful for further employment: which
will also incourage us to put forth ourselves to the
uttermost.

Now because I expect your coming unto us with

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New England in America. 493

others of our friends ; whose company we much desire :
I [have] thought good to advertise you of a few things
needful.

Be careful to have [on board your ship] a very good
Bread-room, to put your biscuits in. Let your caske
\caskB\ for beer and water be ironbound ; for the first
tyre [<Ae lowest tier of casks in the ship], if not more.
Let not your meat be dry salted. None can better do it
than the sailors. Let your meal be so hard trodd[en] in
your cask that you shall need an adze or hatchet to
work it out with. Trust not too much on us for com at
this time : for, by reason of this last company that came
[the 36 persons in the Fortune], depending wholly upon
us, we shall have little enough till harvest. Be careful
to come by [be able to get at] some of your meal, to spend
[consmne] by the way. It will much refresh you.
Build your cabins as open as you can ; and bring good
store of clothes and bedding with you. Bring every
man a musket, or fowling piece. Let your piece be long
in the barrel ; and fear not the weight of it, for most
of our shooting is from stands [props for the viuskets].
Bring juice of lemons; and take it fasting. It is of
good use. For hot [distilled] waters, Anniseed Water
is the best.; but use it sparingly. If you bring anything
for comfort in the country ; butter, or sallet [salad] oil,
or both, are very good. Our Indian com, even the
coarsest, maketh as pleasant meat as Bice: therefore
spare that, unless to spend by the way. Bring
paper and linseed oil, for your windows; with cotton
yam for your lamps. Let your shot be most[ly]
for big fowls; and bring store [plenty] of powder
and shot

I forbear further to write, for the present ; hoping to
see you by the next return [of a ship here]. So I take



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494 AVw England in America.

my leave; eommending you to the Lord, for a safe
conduct onto us :

Besting in him

Your loving friend,

E. W. [Edwabd Winslow.]

Plymouth, in New England/
this 11th of December
1621.



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Reasons ^d Considebations touching the

lawfulness [rightfulness] of removing

OUT OF England into the parts

OF America.

«|^^ORASMUCH as many Exceptions
'^^^ M ^yrQ ^^^ daily made against the going
Preamble, wj ^^^ into, and inhabiting of, foreign
desert places ; to the hinderances
of Plantations abroad and the increase of distractions at
home : it is not amiss that some (which have been Ear
witnesses of the Exceptions made ; and are Agents, or
Abettors, of such Removals and Plantations) do seek to
give content to the World, in all things that they possibly
can.

And although most of the opposites [opponents] are
such as either dream of raising their fortunes here, to
that than which there is nothing more unlike[ly]; or
such as affecting their homebom country so vehemently
as that they had rather, with all their friends, beg, yea
starve in it, than undergo a little difficulty in seeking
abroad: yet are there some who (, out of doubt, in
tenderness of conscience and fear to offend GOD, by
running before they be called) are straitened; and do
straiten [hinder] others from going into foreign
Flsmtations.

For whose cause, especially ; I have been drawn, out
of my good affection to them, to publish some Reasons
that might give them content and satisfaction ; and also

495



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496 The lawfulness of Plantations



K.Oiiiluiiui.



Stay and dtop the wiUf ul and witty caviller [mptious
objector]. And herein I trust I shall not be blamed of
any godly wise [man] though, through my slender
judgement, I should miss the mark ; and not strike the
nail on the head : considering it is the first attempt that
hath been made, that I know of, to defend those
enterprises. Reason would therefore, that if any man,
of deeper reach and better judgement, see further, or
otherwise; that he [would] rather instruct me, than
deride me.

Cautions, And, being studious for brevity, we
must first consider. That whereas GOD, of old, did
oen. xiL 1, 2; Call and summou our fathers by predictions,
*°MaS^ii^'i9 dr©was, visions, and certain illuminations,
PwJ.cT. IS. to go from their countries, places, and
habitations, to reside and dwell here, or there ; and
to wander up and down from city to city, and
land to land, according to his will and pleasure:
now there is no such calling to be expected, for any
matter whatsoever; neither must any so much as
imagine that there will now be any such thing.

GOD did once so train up his people: but now

he doth not ; but speaks in another manner.

' * And so we must apply ourselves to

GOD's present dealing ; and not to his wonted

dealing. And as the miracle of giving manna ceased,

when the fruits of the land became plenty

[plervteoua] : so GOD, having such a plentiful

storehouse of directions in his holy Word ; there must

not now any extraordinary revelations be expected. But

now the ordinary examples and precepts of the Scriptures,

reasonably and rightly understood and applied, must be

the Voice and Word that must call us, press us, and

direct ps in every action.



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The lawfulness of Plantations. 497

Neither is there any land or possession now, like
onto the possession which the Jews had in Caanan;
being legally holy, and appropriated unto a q^ ^^ 3
holy people, the Seed of Abraham: in
which they dwelt securely, and had their days prolonged.
It being by an immediate Voice said. That he, the Lord,
gave it them, as a land of rest after their weary travels ;
and a type of eternal rest in heaven.

But now there is no land of that sanctimony
[aomctUy] ; no land, so appropriated ; none, typical : mudi
less any that can be said to be given of QOD to any
nation, as was Caanan ; which they and their seed must
dwell in, till QOD sendeth upon them Sword or
Captivity. But now we are all, in all places,
strangers and pilgrims, travellers and sojourners : most
properly, having no dwelling but in this ,(w. ^ j^
earthen tabernacle. Our dwelling is but a
wandering; and our abiding, but as a fleeting [a
hastening oAJoay] ; and, in a word, our home so w«rt ike
is nowhere but in the heavens; in that JjJJJ* ^^^
house not made with hands, whose maker bi < mimi >ndia-
and bmlder is GOD ; and to which all ascend, ^^^^ ^
that love the Coming of our Lord Jesus. <«■-

Though then there may be reasons to persuade a man
to live in this or that land ; yet there cannot be the same
reasons which the Jews had : but now as natural, civil,
and religious bands tie men ; so must they be bound ;
and as good reasons for things terrene and heavenly
appear, so they must be led.

Objection. And so here falleth in our question, How
a man, that is here bom and bred, and hath lived some
years [here], may remove himself into another country ?

ATiawer. I answer, A man must not respect only to

The Pilgrim Fathen. 2 i



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49^ The lawfulness of Plantations, b.

live and do good to himself ; but he shotdd see where he
can live to do most good to others : for, as one saith, " He
whose living is but for himself ; it is time he were dead."
Some men there are who, of necessity, must here
live ; as being tied to duties, either to Church,
Common Wealth, household, kindred, &c. But others,
and that many, who do no good in none of those
i.wbMpmoot [Call"^]> iior can do none; as being not
mA7 hence able, or uot in favour, or as wanting
"°*^^* opportunity: and living as outcasts,

nobodies, eyesores ; eating but for themselves ; teaching
but themselves ; and doing good to none, either in soul
ot body ; and so pass over days, years, and months ;
yea, so live and so die.

Now such should lift up their eyes and see. Whether

there be not some other place and country
•iiLd^lS*' to whi^ *^W naay go, to do good: and

have use towards others, of that knowledge,
wisdom, humanity, reason, strength, skill, faculty, <&c. ;
which GOD hath given them for the service of others,
and his own glory ?

But not to pass the bounds of modesty so far
as to name any, though I confess I know many who sit

here still, with their talent in a napkin,

having notable endowments, both of body
and mind; and might do great good if they were in
some places ; which here do none, nor can do none : and
yet, through fleshly fear, niceness [faetidiousneaa or
dairUineasjf straitness [ruirrcyumese] of heart, &c,sit still
and look on ; and will not hazard a dram of health, nor
a day of pleasure, nor an hour of rest, to further the
knowledge and salvation of the sons of Adam
^^^^ J in that New World ; where a drop of the

knowledge of Christ is most precious, which



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The lawfulness of Plantations. 499

is here not set by. Now what shall we say to such a
Profession of Chbist, to which is joined no more denial
of a man's self ?

Objection, But some will say, What right have I
to go [and] live in the heathen's country ?

AiMiuer. Letting pass the ancient discoveries,
c(mtracts, and agreements which our Englishmen have,
long since, made in those parts ; together with the
acknowledgement of the EEistories and Chronicles of
other nations ; who profess [acknowledge] the land of
America, from Cape de Florida unto the Bay of Canada
[Chdfof 8t Lawre7U)e] — ^which is South and North, 300
leagues and upwards ; and East and West, further than
yet hath been discovered — ^is proper [belonga] to the
King of England. Yet letting that pass, lest I be
thought to meddle further than it concerns me, or
further than I have discerning: I will mention such
things as are within my reach, knowledge, sight, and
practice, since I have travailed [labov/red] in these affairs.

And first, Seeing we daily pray for the conversion
of the heathens ; we must consider, Whether
there be not some ordinary means and q^^^^,
course for us to take to convert them: or
whether prayer for them, be only referred to QOD's
extraordinary work from heaven ? Now it seemeth unto
me, that we ought also to endeavour and use the means
to convert them : and the means cannot be used, unless
we go to them, or they come to us. To us, they cannot
come: our land is fuU. To them, we may go: their
land is empty.

This then is a sufficient reason to prove our going
thither to live, lawful [moraUy rigkt\ Their
land is spacious and void, and there are
few : and [they] do but run over the grass, as do also



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5CX) The lawfulness of Plantations, b.

the foxes and wild beasts. They are not industrious :
neither have art, science, skil], or facnlty to use either
the land, or the commodities of it ; but all spoils, rotsy
and is marred, for want of manaring, gathering;
ordering, &a As the ancient Patriarchs therefore
removed from straiter places into more roomthy, where
the land lay idle and waste, and none used; iiiongh
there dwelt inhabitants by them, as Gen. xiii 6, 11, 12
and xxziv. 21, and xlL 20 : so is it lawful now to take a
land, which none useth ; and [to] make use of it.

And as it is a common land or unused, and [an]

undressed [vmcultivated] country; so we

mTto^to b« ^^® i*> ^y common consent, compo6iti<m»