Part 32

nothing be done to y^e infringing or prejudice of y^e liberties of any place. And for y^e clearing of conscience, y^e law of God is, y^t y^e preist lips must be consulted with, and therfore it was desired that y^e 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 y^e justice of their cause, and y^e equitie of their freinds, as they put them selves upon it, & appointed a time, of which they gave notice to y^e severall places a month before hand; viz. Massachusets, Salem, & Pascataway, or any other y^t they would give notice too, and disired them to produce any evidence they could in y^e case. The place for meeting was at Boston. But when y^e day & time came, none apered, but some of y^e magistrats and ministers of y^e Massachusets, and their owne. Seeing none of Passcataway or other places came, (haveing been thus desired, & conveniente time given them for y^t end,) M^r. Winthrop & y^e rest said they could doe no more then they had done thus to requeste them, y^e 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 y^e opinione of each one demanded, both magistrats, and ministers, though they all could have wished these things had never been, yet they could not but lay y^e blame & guilt on Hockins owne head; and withall gave them such grave & godly exhortations and advice, as they thought meete, both for y^e presente & future; which they allso imbraced with love & thankfullnes, promising to indeavor to follow y^e same. And thus was this matter ended, and ther love and concord renewed; and also M^r. Winthrop & M^r. Dudley write in their behalfes to y^e Lord Ssay & other gentl-men that were interesed in y^t plantation, very effectually, w^th which, togeather with their owne leters, and M^r. Winslows furder declaration of things unto them, they rested well satisfied.

[203] M^r. Winslow was sente by them this year into England, partly to informe and satisfie y^e Lord Say & others, in y^e former matter, as also to make answer and their just defence for y^e 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 y^e partners in England, that the terme of their trade with y^e company here was out, and therfore he was sente to finishe y^e accounts with them, and to bring them notice how much debtore they should remaine on y^t accounte, and that they might know what further course would be best to hold. But y^e issue of these things will appear in y^e next years passages. They now sente over by him a great returne, which was very acceptable unto them; which was in beaver 3738^li. waight, (a great part of it, being coat-beaver, sould at 20^s. p^r pound,) and 234. otter skines;[DL] which alltogeather rise to a great sume of money.

This year (in y^e foreparte of y^e same) they sente forth a barke to trad at y^e Dutch-Plantation; and they mette ther with on Captaine Stone, that had lived in Christophers, one of y^e West-Ende Ilands, and now had been some time in Virginia, and came from thence into these parts. He kept company with y^e Dutch Gove^r, and, I know not in what drunken fitt, he gott leave of y^e Gov^r to ceaise on their barke, when they were ready to come away, and had done their markett, haveing y^e valew of 500^li. worth of goods abord her; having no occasion at all, or any collour of ground for such a thing, but having made y^e Gov^r drunck, so as he could scarce speake a right word; and when he urged him hear aboute, he answered him, _Als 't u beleeft_.[DM] So he gat abord, (the cheefe of their men & marchant being ashore,) and with some of his owne men, made y^e rest of theirs waigh anchor, sett sayle, & carry her away towards Virginia. But diverse of y^e 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 have their goods carried away, before our faces, whilst our Gov^r is drunke? They vowed they would never suffer it; and so gott a vessell or 2. and pursued him, & brought him in againe, and delivered them their barke & goods againe.

After wards Stone came into y^e Massachusets, and they sent & commensed suite against him for this facte; but by mediation of freinds it was taken up, and y^e suite lett fall. And in y^e company of some other gentle-men Stone came afterwards to Plimoth, and had freindly & civill entertainmente amongst them, with y^e rest; but revenge boyled within his brest, (though concelled,) for some conceived he had a purpose (at one time) to have staped the Gov^r, and put his hand to his dagger for that end, but by Gods providence and y^e 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 Coonigtecutt River; and how they carried themselves I know not, but y^e Indeans knoct him in y^e head, as he lay in his cabine, and had thrown y^e covering over his face (whether out of fear or desperation is uncertaine); this was his end. They likewise killed all y^e rest, but Captaine Norton defended him selfe a long time against them all in y^e cooke-roome, till by accidente the gunpowder tooke fire, which (for readynes) he had sett in an open thing before him, which did 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 y^e men, they made a pray of what they had, and chafered away some of their things to y^e 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 y^e cheef sachem w^th y^e shott of a murderer.[DN]

I am now to relate some strang and remarkable passages. Ther was a company of people lived in y^e country, up above in y^e 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 y^e begining of winter to live with them, to gett their trade, and prevente them for bringing it to y^e 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 sicknes, 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 y^e Dutch men allmost starved before they could gett away, for ise and snow. But about Feb: they got with much difficultie to their trading house; whom they kindly releeved, being allmost spente with hunger and could. Being thus refreshed by them diverce days, they got to their owne place, and y^e Dutch were very thankfull for this kindnes.

This spring, also, those Indeans that lived aboute their trading house there fell sick of y^e small poxe, and dyed most miserably; for a sorer disease cannot befall them; they fear it more then y^e plague; for usualy they that have this disease have them in abundance, and for wante of bedding & li[=n]ing and other helps, they fall into a lamentable condition, as they lye on their hard matts, y^e poxe breaking and mattering, 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 y^e 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 y^e dead; but would strivie as long as they could, and when they could procure no other means to make fire, they would burne y^e 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 y^e way, & not be able to gett in againe. But those of y^e English house, (though at first they were afraid of y^e 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 y^e haszard of them selvs. The cheefe Sachem him selfe now dyed, & allmost all his freinds & kinred. But by y^e marvelous goodnes & providens of God not one of y^e English was so much as sicke, or in y^e least measure tainted with this disease, though they dayly did these offices for them for many weeks togeather. And this mercie which they shewed them was kindly taken, and thankfully acknowledged of all y^e Indeans that knew or heard of y^e same; and their m^rs here did much comend & reward them for y^e same.

_Anno Dom: 1635._

M^r. Winslow was very wellcome to them in England, and y^e more in regard of y^e large returne he brought with him, which came all safe to their hands, and was well sould. And he was borne in hand, (at least he so apprehended,) that all accounts should be cleared before his returne, and all former differences ther aboute well setled. And so he writ over to them hear, that he hoped to cleare y^e accounts, and bring them over with him; and y^t the accounte of y^e White Angele would be taken of, and all things fairly ended. But it came to pass [205] that, being occasioned to answer some complaints made against the countrie at Counsell bord, more cheefly concerning their neigbours in y^e Bay then them selves hear, the which he did to good effecte, and further prosecuting such things as might tend to y^e good of y^e whole, as well them selves as others, aboute y^e wrongs and incroachments that the French & other strangers both had and were like further to doe unto them, if not prevented, he prefered this petition following to their Hon^rs that were deputed Comissioners for y^e Plantations.

To y^e right honorable y^e Lords Comissioners for y^e Plantations in America.

The humble petition of Edw: Winslow, on y^e behalfe of y^e plantations in New-England,

Humbly sheweth unto your Lordships, y^t wheras your petitioners have planted them selves in New England under his Ma^tis most gratious protection; now so it is, right Hon^bl, that y^e French & Dutch doe indeaouer to devide y^e land betweene them; for which purpose y^e French have, on y^e east side, entered and seased upon one of our houses, and carried away the goods, slew 2. of y^e men in another place, and tooke y^e rest prisoners with their goods. And y^e Dutch, on y^e west, have also made entrie upon Conigtecute River, within y^e limits of his Maj^ts [~l]rs patent, where they have raised a forte, and threaten to expell your petitioners thence, who are also planted upon y^e same river, maintaining possession for his Ma^tie to their great charge, & hazard both of lives & goods.

In tender consideration hereof your petitioners humbly pray that your Lo^pps will either procure their peace w^th those foraine states, or else to give spetiall warrante unto your petitioners and y^e English Collonies, to right and defend them selves against all foraigne enimies. And your petitioners shall pray, &c.

This petition found good acceptation with most of them, and Mr. Winslow was heard sundry times by them, and appointed further to attend for an answer from their Lo^pps, espetially, having upon conferance with them laid downe a way how this might be doone without any either charge or trouble to y^e state; only by furnishing some of y^e cheefe of y^e cuntry hear with authoritie, who would undertake it at their owne charge, and in such a way as should be without any publick disturbance. But this crossed both S^r Ferdinandos Gorges' & Cap: Masons designe, and y^e arch-bishop of Counterberies by them; for S^r Ferd: Gorges (by y^e arch-pps favore) was to have been sent over generall Gov^r into y^e countrie, and to have had means from y^e state for y^t end, and was now upon dispatch and conclude of y^e bussines. And y^e arch-bishops purposs & intente was, by his means, & some he should send with him, (to be furnished with Episcopall power,) [206] to disturbe y^e peace of y^e churches here, and to overthrow their proceedings and further growth, which was y^e thing he aimed at. But it so fell out (by Gods providence) that though he in y^e end crost this petition from taking any further effecte in this kind, yet by this as a cheefe means the plotte and whole bussines of his & S^r Ferdinandos fell to y^e ground, and came to nothing. When M^r. Winslow should have had his suit granted, (as indeed upon y^e pointe it was,) and should have been confirmed, the arch-bishop put a stop upon it, and M^r. Winslow, thinking to gett it freed, went to y^e bord againe; but y^e bishop, S^r Ferd: and Captine Masson, had, as it seemes, procured Morton (of whom mention is made before, & his base carriage) to complaine; to whose complaints M^r. Winslow made answer to y^e good satisfaction of y^e borde, who checked Morton and rebuked him sharply, & allso blamed S^r Fer^d Gorges, & Masson, for countenancing him. But y^e bish: had a further end & use of his presence, for he now begane to question M^r. Winslow of many things; as of teaching in y^e church publickly, of which Morton accused him, and gave evidence that he had seen and heard him doe it; to which M^r. Winslow answered, that some time (wanting a minster) he did exercise his gifte to help y^e edification of his breethren, when they wanted better means, w^ch was not often. Then aboute mariage, the which he also confessed, that, haveing been called to place of magistracie, he had sometimes maried some. And further tould their lord^ps y^t mariage was a civille thinge, & he found no wher in y^e word of God y^t it was tyed to ministrie. Again, they were necessitated so to doe, having for a long time togeather at first no minister; besids, it was no new-thing, for he had been so maried him selfe in Holand, by y^e magistrats in their Statt-house. But in y^e end (to be short), for these things, y^e bishop, by vemente importunity, gott y^e bord at last to consente to his comittemente; so he was comited to y^e Fleete, and lay ther 17. weeks, or ther aboute, before he could gett to be released. And this was y^e end of this petition, and this bussines; only y^e others designe was also frustrated hereby, with other things concurring, which was no smalle blessing to y^e people here.

But y^e charge fell heavie on them hear, not only in M^r. Winslows expences, (which could not be smale,) but by y^e hinderance of their bussines both ther and hear, by his personall imploymente. For though this was as much or more for others then for them hear, and by them cheefly he was put on this bussines, (for the plantation k[=e]we nothing of it till they heard of his imprisonmente,) yet y^e whole charge lay on them.

Now for their owne bussines; whatsoever M^r. Sherleys mind was before, (or M^r. Winslow apprehension of y^e same,) he now declared him selfe plainly, that he would neither take of y^e White-Angell from y^e accounte, nor [207] give any further accounte, till he had received more into his hands; only a prety good supply of goods were sent over, but of y^e most, no note of their prises, or so orderly an invoyce as formerly; which M^r. Winslow said he could not help, because of his restrainte. Only now M^r. Sherley & M^r. Beachamp & M^r. Andrews sent over a letter of atturney under their hands & seals, to recovere what they could of M^r. Allerton for y^e Angells accounte; but sent them neither y^e bonds, nor covenants, or such other evidence or accounts, as they had aboute these matters. I shall here inserte a few passages out of M^r. Sherleys letters aboute these things.

Your leter of y^e 22. of July, 1634, by your trustie and our loving friend M^r. Winslow, I have received, and your larg parcell of beaver and otter skines. Blessed be our God, both he and it came safly to us, and we have sould it in tow parcells; y^e skin at 14^s. li. & some at 16.; y^e coate at 20^s. y^e pound. The accounts I have not sent you them this year, I will referr you to M^r. Winslow to tell you y^e reason of it; yet be assured y^t none of you shall suffer by y^e not having of them, if God spare me life. And wheras you say y^e 6. years are expired y^t y^e peopl put y^e trad into your & our hands for, for y^e discharge of y^t great debte w^ch M^r. Allerton needlesly & unadvisedly ran you & us into; yet it was promised it should continue till our disbursments & ingagements were satisfied. You conceive it is done; we feele & know other wise, &c. I doubt not but we shall lovingly agree, notwithstanding all y^t hath been writen, on boath sids, aboute y^e Whit-Angell. We have now sent you a letter of atturney, therby giving you power in our names (and to shadow it y^e more we say for our uses) to obtaine what may be of M^r. Allerton towards y^e satisfing of that great charge of y^e White Angell. And sure he hath bound him selfe, (though at present I cannot find it,) but he hath often affirmed, with great protestations, y^t neither you nor we should lose a peny by him, and I hope you shall find enough to discharg it, so as we shall have no more contesting aboute it. Yet, notwithstanding his unnaturall & unkind dealing with you, in y^e midest of justice remember mercie, and doe not all you may doe, &c. Set us out of debte, and then let us recone & reason togeither, &c. M^r. Winslow hath undergone an unkind imprisonment, but I am perswaded it will turne much to all your good. I leave him to relate perticuleres, &c.

Your loving freind, JAMES SHERLEY.

London, Sep: 7. 1635.