two rowes of houses for more safety we devided by lott the plot of ground whereon to build our Towne After the proportion formerly allotted wee agreed that every man should build his owne house thinking by that course men would make more hast then working in common the common house in which for the first we made our Rendevous being neere finished wanted onely couering it being about 20. foote square some should make morter and some gather thatch so that in foure dayes halfe of it was thatched frost and foule weather hindred vs much this time of the yeare seldome could wee worke halfe the weeke Thursday the eleuenth William Bradford being at worke for it was a faire day was vehemently taken with a griefe and paine and so shot to his huckle-bone It was doubted that he would haue instantly dyed hee got colde in the former discoveries especially the last and felt some paine in his anckles by times but he grew a little better towards night and in time through Gods mercie in the vse of meanes recovered Friday the 12. we went to worke but about noone it began to raine that it forced vs to giue over worke This day two of our people put vs in great sorrow and care there was 4. sent to gather and cut thatch in the morning and two of them Iohn Goodman and Peter Browne having cut thatch all the fore noone went to a further place and willed the other two to binde vp that which was cut and to follow them so they did being about a myle and an halfe from our Plantation but when the two came after they could not finde them nor heare any thing of them at all though they hallowed and shouted as loud as they could so they returned to the Company and told them of it whereupon Master Leaver three or foure more went to seeke them but could heare nothing of them so they returning sent more but that night they could heare nothing at all of them the next day they armed 10. or 12. men out verily thinking the Indians had surprised them they went seeking 7. or 8 myles but could neither see nor heare any thing at all so they returned with much discomfort to vs all These two that were missed at dinner time tooke their meaâ—e in their hands and would goe walke and refresh themselues so going a litle off they finde a lake of water and having a great Mastiffe bitch with them and a Spannell by the water side they found a great Deere the Dogs chased him and they followed so farre as they lost themselues and could not finde theâ— way backe they wandred all that after noone being wett and at night it did freeze and snow they were slenderly apparelled and had no weapons but each one his Cicle nor any victuals they ranged vp and downe and could finde none of the Salvages habitationâ— when it drew to night they were much perplexed for they could finde neither harbour nor meate but in frost and snow were forced to make the earth their bed and the Element their covering and another thing did very much terrifie them they heard as they thought two Lyons roaring exceedingly for a long time together and a third that they thought was very nere them so not knowing what to do they resolved to climbe vp into a tree as their safest refuge though that would prone an intollerable colde lodging so they stoode at the trees roote that when the Lyons came they might take their opportunitie of climbing vp the bitch they were faine to hold by the necke for shee would haue beene gone to the Lyon but it pleased God so to dispose that the wilde Beastes came not so they walked vp and downe vnder the Tree all night it was an extreame colde night so soone as it was light they trauailed againe passing by many lakes and brookes and woods and in one place where the Salvages had burnt the space of 5. myles in length which is a fine Champion Countrey and even In the after-noone it pleased God from an high Hill they discovered the two Iles in the Bay and so that night got to the Plantation being ready to faint with travaile and want of victuals and almost famisâ—â—ed with colde Iohn Goodman was faine to haue his shooes cut off his feete they were so swelled with colde and it was a long while after ere he was able to goe those on the shore were much comforted at their returne but they on ship-boord were grieved as deeming them lost but the next day being the 14. of Ianuary in the morning about sixe of the clocke the winde being very great they on ship-boord spied their great new Râ—ndevous on fire which was to them a new discomfort fearing because of the supposed losse of the men that the Salvages had fiered them neither could they presently goe to them for want of water but after 3. quarters of an houre they went as they had purposed the day before to keepe the Sabboth on shore because now there was the greater number of people At their landing they heard good tidings of the returne of the 2. men and that the house was fiered occasionally by a sparke that flew into the thatch which instantly burnt it all vp but the roofe stood and little hurt the most losse was Maister Carvers and William Bradfords who then lay sicke in bed and if they had not risen with good speede had beene blowne vp with powder but through Gods mercy they had no harme the house was as full of beds as they could lie one by another and their Muskets charged but blessed be God there was no harme done Munday the 15. day it rayned much all day that they on ship-boord could not goe on shore nor they on shore doe any labour but were all wet Tuesday wednesday thursday were very faire Sun-shinie dayes as if it had beene in Aprill and our people so many as were in health ought chearefully The 19. day we resolved to make a Shed to put our common provision in of which some were alreadie set on shore but at noone it rayned that we could not worke This day in the evening Iohn Goodman went abroad to vse his lame feete that were pittifully ill with the cold he had got having a little Spannell with him a little way from the Plantation two great Wolues ran after the Dog the Dog ran to him and betwixt his leggs for succour he had nothing in his hand but tooke vp a sticke and threw at one of them and hit him and they presently ran both away but came againe he got a paiâ—e bord in his hand and they sat both on their tayles grinning at him a good while and went their way and left him Saturday 20. we made vp our Shed for our common goods Sunday the 21. we kept our meeting on Land Munday the 22. was a faire day we wrought on our houses and in the after-noone carried vp our hogsheads of meale to our common store
night then we thought to carry him on ship-boord wherewith he was well content and went into the Shallop but the winde was high and water scant that it could not returne backe we lodged him that night at Steven Hopkins house and watched him the next day he went away backe to the Masasoits from whence he sayd he came who are our next bordering neighbours they are sixtie strong as he sayth the Nausites are as neere South-east of them and are a hundred strong and those were they of whom our people were encountred as we before related They are much incensed and provoked against the English and about eyght moneths agoe slew three English men and two more hardly escaped by flight to Monhiggon they were Sir Ferdinando Gorge his men as this Savage told vs as he did likewise of the Huggerie that is Fight that our discoverers had with the Nausites of our tooles that were taken out of the woods which we willed him should be brought againe otherwise we would right our selues These people are ill affected towards the English by reason of one Hunt a master of a ship who deceived the people and got them vnder colour of â—ruking with them twentie out of this very place where we inhabite and seaven men from the Nausites and carried them away and sold them for slaues like a wretched man for 20. pound a man that cares not what mischiefe he doth for hiâ— profit Saturday in the morning we dismissed the Salvage and gaue him a knife a bracelet and a ring he promised within a night or two to come againe and to bring with him some of the Massasoyts our neighbours with such Beuers skins as they had to trucke with vs. Saturday and Sunday reasonable fayre dayes On this day came againe the Savage and brought with him fiue other tall proper men they had every man a Deeres skin on him and the principall of them had a wild Cats skin or such like on the one arme they had most of them long hosen vp to their groynes close made and aboue their groynes to their wast another leather they were altogether like the Irish-trouses they are of complexion like our English Gipseys no haire or very little on their faces on their heads long haire to their shoulders onely cut before some trussed vp before with a feather broad wise like a fanne another a fox tayle hanging out these left according to our charge giuen him before their Bowes and Arrowes a quarter of a myle from our Towne we gaue them entertaynement as we thought was sitting them they did eate liberally of our English victuals they made semblance vnto vs of friendship and amitie they song danced after their maner like Anticks they brought with them in a thing like a Bow-case which the principall of them had about his wast a little of their Corne pownded to Powder which put to a little water they eate he had a little Tobacco in a bag but none of them drunke but when he listed some of them had their faces paynted blacke from the forehead to the chin foure or fiue fingers broad others after other fashions as they liked they brought three or foure skins but we would not trucke with them at all that day but wished them to bring more and we would trucke for all which they promised within a night or two and would leaue these behind them though we were not willing they should and they brought vs all our tooles againe which were taken in the Woods in our mens absence so because of the day we dismissed them so soone as we could But Samoset our first acquaintance eyther was sicke or fayned himselfe so and would not goe with them and stayed with vs till Wednesday morning Then we sent him to them to know the reason they came not according to their words and we gaue him an hat a payre of stockings and shooes a shirt and a peece of cloth to tie about his wast The Sabboth day when we sent them from vs wee gaue every one of them some trifles especially the principall of them we carried them along with our Armes to the place where they left their Bowes and Arrowes whereat they were amazed and two of them began to slinke away but that the other called them when they tooke their Arrowes we bad them farewell and they were glad and so with many thankes giuen vs they departed with promise they would come againe Munday and tuesday proved fayre dayes we digged onâ— grounds and sowed our garden seeds Wednesday a fine warme day we sent away Samoseâ— That day we had againe a meeting to conclude of lawes and orders for our selues and to confirme those Military Orders that were formerly propounded and twise broken off by the Savages comming but so we were againe the third time for after we had beene an houre together on the top of the hill over against vs two or three Savages presented themselues that made semblance of daring vs as we thought so Captaine Standish with another with their Muskets went over to them with two of the masters mates that follows them without Armes having two Muskets with them they wherted and rubbed their Arrowes and Strings and made shew of defiance but when our men drew nere them they ranne away Thus we were againe interrupted by them this day with much adoe we got our Carpenter that had beene long sicke of the scurvey to fit our Shallop to fetch all from aboord Thursday the 22. of March was a very fayre warme day About noone we met againe about our publique businesse but we had scarcâ— beene an houre together but Samoset came againe and Squanto the onely natiue of Patuxat where we now inhabite who was one of the twentie Captiues that by Hunt were carried away and had beene in England dwelt in Cornehill with master Iohn Slaâ—ie a Marchant and could speake a little English with three others and they brought with them some few skinnes to trucke and some red Herrings newly taken and dryed but not salted and signified vnto vs that their great Sagamore Masasoyt was hard by with Quadequina his brother and all their men They could not well expresse in English what they would but after an houre the King came to the top of an hill over against vs and had in his trayne sixtie men that wee could well behold them and they vs we were not willing to send our governour to them and they vnwilling to come to vs so Squanto went againe vnto him who brought word that wee should send one to parley with him which we did which was Edward Winsloe to know his mind and to signifie the mind and will of our governour which was to haue trading and peace with him We sent to the King a payre of Kniues and a Copper Chayne with a Iewell at it To Quadequina we sent likewise a Knife and a Iewell to hang in his eare and withall a Pot of strong water a
good quantitie of Bisket and some butter which were all willingly accepted our Messenger made a speech vnto him that King IAMES saluted him with words of loue and Peace and did accept of him as his Friend and Alie and that our Governour desired to see him and to trucke with him and to confirme a Peace with him as his next neighbour he liked well of the speech and heard it attentiuely though the Interpreters did not well expresse it after he had eaten and drunke himselfe and giuen the rest to his company he looked vpon our messengers sword and armour which he had on with intimation of his desire to buy it but on the other side our messenger shewed his vnwillingnes to part with it In the end he left him in the custodie of Quadequina his brother and came over the brooke and some twentie men following him leaving all their Bowes and Arrowes behind them We kept six or seaven as hostages for our messenger Captaine Standish and master Williamson met the King at the brooke with halfe a dosen Musketiers they saluted him and he them so one going over the one on the one side and the other on the other conducted him to aâ— house then in building where we placed a greene Rugge and three or foure Cushions then instantly came our Governour with Drumme and Trumpet after him and some few Musketiers After salutations our Governour kissing his hand the King kissed him and so they sat downe The Governour called for some strong water and drunke to him and he drunke a great draught that made him sweate all the while after he called for a little fresh meate which the King did eate willingly and did giue his followers Then they treated of Peace which was 1. That neyther he nor any of hiâ— should iniure or doe hurt to any of our people 2. And if any of his did hurt to any of ours he should send the offender that we might punish him 3. That if any of our Tooles were taken away when our people were at worke he should cause them to be restored and if ours did any harme to any of his wee would doe the like to them 4. If any did vniustly warre against him we would ayde him If any did warre against vs he should aydeys 5. He should send to his neighbour Confederates to certifie them of this that they might not wrong vs but might be likewise comprised in the conditions of Peace 6. That when their men came to vs they should leaue their Bowes and Arrowes behind them as wee should doe our Peeces when we came to them Lastly that doing thuâ— King IAMES would esteeme of him as his friend and Alie all which the King seemed to like well and it was applauded of his followers all the while he sat by the Governour he trembled for feare In his person he is a very lustie man in his best yeares an able body graue of countenance and spare of speech In his Attyre little or nothing differing from the rest of his followers only in a great Chaine of white bone Beades about his necke and at it behinde his necke hangs a little bagg of Tobacco which he dranke and gaue vs to drinke his face was paynted with a sad red like murry and oyled both head and face that hee looked greasily All his followers likewise were in their faces in part or in whole painted some blacke some red some yellow and some white some with crosses and other Antick workes some had skins on them and some naked all strong tall all men in appearance so after all was done the Governour conducted him to the Brooke and there they embraced each other and he departed we diligently keeping our hostages wee expected our messengers comming but anon word was brought vs that Quaddequina was comming and our messenger was stayed till his returne who presently came and a troupe with him so likewise wee entertained him and convayed him to the place prepared he was very fearefull of our peeces and made signes of dislike that they should be carried away whereupon Commandement was given they should be layd away He was a very proper tall young man of a very modest and seemely countenance and he did kindely like of our entertainement so we convayed him likewise as wee did the King but diuers of their people stayed still when hee was returned then they dismissed our messenger Two of his people would haue stayed all night but we would not suffer it one thing I forgot the King had in his bosome hanging in a string a great long knife hee marveiled much at our Trumpet and some of â—â—men would sound it as well as they could Samoset and Squanto they stayed al night with vs and the King and al his men lay all night in the woods not aboue halfe an English myle from vs and all their wiues and women with them they sayd that within 8. or 9. dayes they would come and set corne on the other side of the Brooke and dwell there all Summer which is hard by vs That night we kept good watch but there was no appearance of danger the next morning divers of their people came over to vs hoping to get some victuales as wee imagined som of them told vs the King would haue some of vs come see him Captaine Standish and Isaack Alderton went venterously who were welcommed of him after their manner he gaue them three or foure ground Nuts and some Tobacco Wee cannot yet conceiue but that he is willing to haue peace with vs for they haue seene our people sometimes alone two or three in the woods at worke and fowling when as they offered them no harme as they might easily haue done and especially because hee hath a potent Adversary the Nâ—â—â—hâ—gâ—â—seis that are at warre with him against whom hee thinkes wee may be some strength to him for our peeces are terrible vnto them this morning they stayed till ten or eleuen of the Clocke and our Governour bid them send the Kings kettle and filled it full of pease which pleased them well and so they went their way Fryday was a very faire day Samoset and Squanto still remained with vs Squanto went at noone to fish for Eeles at night he came home with as many as he could well lift in one hand which our people were glad of they were fat sweet he trod them out with his feete and so caught them with his hands without any other Instrument This day we proceeded on with our common businesse from which we had beene so often hindred by the Salvageâ— comming and concluded both of Military orders and of some Lawes and Orders as wee thought behoofefull for our present estate and condition and did likewise choose our Governour for this yeare which was Master Iohn Carver a man well approoved amongst vs. A IOVRNEY TO PACKANOKIK The Habitation of the Great King MASSASOYT As also our Message the Answere and intertainement wee had of
they should continue long in that estate it would indanger the liues of many and breed diseases and infection amongst vs. Againe we had yet some Beere Butter Flesh and other such victuals left which would quickly be all gone and then we should haue nothing to comfort vs in the great labour and toyle we were like to vnder-goe at the first It was also conceived whilst we had competent victuals that the Ship would stay with vs but when that grew low they would be gone and let vs shift as we could Others againe vrged greatly the going to Anguum or Angoum a place twentie leagues off to the North-wards which they had heard to be an excellent harbour for ships better ground and better fishing Secondly for any thing we knew there might be hard by vs a farre better seate and it should be a great hindrance to seate where wee should remoue againe Thirdly The water was but in ponds and it was thought there would be none in Summer or very little Fourthly the water there must be fetched vp a steepe hill but to omit many reasons and replies vsed heere abouts It was in the ende concluded to make some discovery within the Bay but in no case so farre as Angoum besides Robert Coppin our Pilot made relation of a great Navigable River and good harbour in the other head land of this Bay almost right over against Cape Cod being a right line not much aboue eight leagues distant in which hee had beene once and because that one of the wild men with whom they had some trucking stole a harping Iron from them they called it theeuish harbour And beyond that place they were enioyned not to goe whereupon a Company was chosen to goe out vppon a third discovery whilest some were imployed in this discovery it pleased God that Mistris White was brought a bed of a Sonne which was called Peregrine The fift day we through Gods mercy escaped a great danger by the foolishnes of a Boy one of Francis Billingtons Sonnes who in his Fathers absence had got Gun-powder and had shot of a peice or two and made squibs and there being a fowling peice charged in his fathers Cabbin shot her off in the Cabbin there being a little barrell of powder halfe full scattered in and about the Cabbin the fire being within foure foote of the bed betweene the Deckes and many sâ—ints and Iron things about the Cabbin and many people about the fire and yet by Gods mercy no harme done Wednesday the sixt of December it was resolved our discoverers should set forth for the day before was too fowle weather and so they did though it was well ore the day ere all things could be readie So ten of our men were appointed who were of themselues willing to vndertake it to wit Captaine Standish Maister Carver William Bradford Edward Winsloe Iohn Tilley Edward Tilley Iohn Houland and three of London Richard Warren Steeuen Hopkins and Edward Dotte and two of our Sea-men Iohn Alderton and Thomas English of the Ships Company there went two of the Masters Mates Master Clarke and Master Copin the Master Gunner and three Saylers The narration of which Discovery followes penned by one of the Company Wednesday the sixt of December wee set out being very cold and hard weather wee were a long while after we lunched from the ship before we could get cleare of a sandie poynt which lay within lesse then a fuâ—long of the same In which time two were very sicke and Edward Tilley had like to haue founded with cold the Gunner was also sicke vnto Death but hope of truking made him to goe and so remained all that day and the next night at length we got cleare of the sandy poynt and got vp our sayles and within an houre or two we got vnder the weather shore and then had smoother water and better sayling but it was very cold for the water frose on our clothes and made them many times like coats of Iron wee sayled sixe or seaven leagues by the shore but saw neither river nor creeke at length wee meâ—t with a tongue of Land being flat off from the shore with a sandy poynt we bore vp to gaine the poynt found there a fayre income or rode of a Bay being a league over at the narrowest and some two or three in length but wee made right over to the land before vs and left the discovery of this Income till the next day as we drew neare to the shore wee espied some ten or twelue Indians very busie about a blacke thing what it was we could not tell till afterwards they saw vs and ran to and fro as if they had beene carrying some thing away wee landed a league or two from them and had much adoe to put a shore any where it lay so full of flat sands when we came to shore we made vs a Baricado and got fire wood and set out our Sentinells and betooke vs to our lodging such as it was we saw the smoke of the fire which the Savages made that night about foure or fiue myles from vs in the morning we devided our company some eight in the Shallop and the rest on the shore went to discouer this place but we found it onely to be a Bay without either river or creeke comming into it yet we deemed it to be as good an harbour as Cape Cod for they that â—ounded it found a ship might ride in fiue fathom water wee on the land found it to be a levill soyle but none of the fruitfullest 5 wee saw two beckes of fresh water which were the first running streames that we saw in the Country but one might stride over them we found also a great fish called a Grampus dead on the sands they in the Shallop found two of them also in the bottome of the bay dead in like sort they were cast vp at high water and could not get off for the frost and ice they were some fiue or sixe paces long and about two inches thicke of fat and fleshed like a Swine they would haue yeelded a great deale of oyle if there had beene time and meanes to haue taken it so we finding nothing for our turne both we and our Shallop returned We then directed our course along the Sea-sands to the place where we first saw the Indians when we were there we saw it was also a Grampus which they were cutting vp they cut it into long rands or peeces about an ell long and two handfull broad wee found here and there a peece scattered by the way as it seemed for hast this place the most were minded we should call the Grampus Bay because we found so many of them there wee followed the tract of the Indians bare feete a good way on the sands as length we saw where they strucke into the Woods by the side of a Pond as wee went to view the place one sayd hee thought hee saw an Indian-house
in this brooke much good fish in their seasons on the further side of the river also much Corne ground cleared in one field is a great hill on which wee poynt to make a plat-forme and plant our Ordinance which will command all round about from thence we may see into the Bay and farre into the Sea and we may see thence Cape Cod our greatest labour will be fetching of our wood which is halfe a quarter of an English myle but there is enough so farre off what people inhabite here we yet know not for as yet we haue seene none so there we made our Randevous and a place for some of our people about twentie resolving in the morning to come all ashore and to build houses but the next morning being Thursday the 21. of December it was stormie and wett that we could not goe ashore and those that remained there all night could doe nothing but were wet not having dai-light enough to make them a sufficient court of gard to keepe them dry All that night it blew and rayned extreamely it was so tempestuous that the Shallop could not goe on land so soone as was meet for they had no victuals on land About â—â— a Clocke the Shallop went off with much adoe with provision but could not returne it blew so strong and was such foule weather that we were forced to let fall our Anchor and ride with three Anchors an head Friday the 22. the storme still continued that we could not get a-land nor they come to vs aboord this morning Good wife Alderton was delivered of a sonne but dead borne Saturday the 23. so many of vs as could went on shore felled and carried tymber to provide themselues stuffe for building Sunday the 24. our people on shore heard a cry of some Savages as they thought which caused an Alarm and to stand on their gard expecting an assault but all was quiet Munday the 25. day we went on shore some to fell tymber some to saw some to riâ—e and some to carry so no man rested all that day but towards night some as they were at worke heard a noyse of some Indians which caused vs all to goe to our Muskets but we heard no further so we came aboord againe and left some twentie to keepe the court of gard that night we had a sore storme of winde and rayne Munday the 25. being Christmas day we began to drinke water aboord but at night the Master caused vs to haue some Beere and so on boord we had diverse times now and then some Beere but on shore none at all Tuesday the 26. it was foule weather that we could not goe ashore Wednesday the 27. we went to worke againe Thursday the 28. of December so many as could went to worke on the hill where we purposed to build our platforme for our Ordinance and which doth command all the plaine and the Bâ—y and from whence we may see farre into the sea and might he easier impayled having two rowes of houses and a faire streete So in the afternoone we went to measure out the grounds and first we tooke notice how many Families they were willing all single men that had no wiues to ioyne with some Familie as they thought fit that so we might build fewer houses which was done and we reduced them to 19. Families to greater Families we allotted larger plots to every person halfe a pole in breadth and three in length and so Lots were cast where euery man should lie which was done and staked out we thought this proportion was large enough at the first for houses and gardens to impale them round considering the weaknes of our people many of them growing ill with coldes for our former Discoveries in frost and stormes and the wading at Cape Cod had brought much weakenes amongst vs which increased so every day more and more and after was the cause of many of their deaths Fryday and Saturday we fitted our selues for our labour but our people on shore were much troubled and discouraged with rayne and wett that day being very stormie and cold we saw great smokes of fire made by the Indians about six or seaven myles from vs as we coniectured Munday the first of Ianuary we went betimes to worke we were much hundred in lying so farre off from the Land and faine to goe as the tyde served that we lost much time for our Ship drew so much water that she lay a myle and almost a halfe off though a ship of seaventie or eightie tun as high water may come to the shore Wednesday the third of Ianuary some of our people being abroad to get and gather thatch they saw great fires of the Indians and were at then Corne fields yet saw none of the Savages nor had seene any of them since wee came to thâ—s Bay Thursday the fourth of Ianuary Captaine Miles Standish with foure or fiue more went to see if they could meet with any of the Savages in that place where the fires were made they went to some of their houses but not lately inhabited yet could they not meete with any as they came home they shot at an Eagle and killed her which was excellent meat It was hardly to be discerned from Mutton Fryday the fifth of Ianuary one of the Saylers found aliue vpon the shore an Hering which the Master had to his supper which put vs in hope of fish but as yet we had got but 〈◊〉 Cod we wanted small hookes Saturday the sixt of Ianuary Master Marten was very sicke and to our iudgement no hope of life so Master Carver was sent for to come abourd to speake with him about his accompts who came the next morning Munday the eight day of Ianuary was a very fayre day and we went betimes to worke master Iones sent the Shallop as he had formerly done to see where fish could be got they had a great storme at Sea and were in some danger at night they returned with three great Seales and an excellent good Cod which did assure vs that we should haue plentie of fish shortly This day Francis Billington having the weeke before seene from the top of a tree on an hie hill a great sea as he thought went with one of the Masters mates to see it they went three myles and then came to a great water devided into two great Lakes the bigger of them fiue or sixe myles in circuit and in it an I le of a Cable length square the other three miles in compasse in their estimation they are fine fresh water full of fish and foule a brooke issues from it it will be an excellent helpe for vs in time They found seaven or eight Indian houses but not lately inhabited when they saw the houses they were in some feare for they were but two persons and one peece Tuesday the 9. Ianuary was a reasonable faire day and wee went to labour that day in the building of our Towne in
house The rest of the weeke we followed our businesse likewise Munday the 29. in the morning cold frost and sleete but after reasonable fayre both the long Boate and the Shallop brought our common goods on shore Tuesday and wednesday 30. and 31. of Ianuary cold frosty weather and sleete that we could not worke in the morning the Master and others saw two Savages that had beene on the Iland nere our Ship what they came for wee could not tell they were going so farre backe againe before they were desâ—ried that we could not speake with them Sunday the 4. of February was very wett and rainie with the greatest gusts of winde that ever we had since wee came forth that though we rid in a very good harbour yet we were in danger because our Ship was light the goods taken out and she vnballased and it caused much daubing of our houses to fall downe Fryday the 9. still the cold weather continued that wee could doe little worke That after-noone our little house for our sicke people was set on fire by a sparke that kindled in the roofe but no great harme was done That evening the master going ashore killed fiue Geese which he friendly distributed among the sicke people he found also a good Deere killed the Savages had cut off the hornes and a Wolfe was eating of him how he came there we could not conceiue Friday the 16. day was a faire day but the northerly wind continued which continued the frost this day after-noone one of our people being a fouling and having taken a stand by a creeke side in the Reeds about a myle and an halfe from our Plantation there came by him twelue Indians marching towards our Plantation in the woods he heard the noyse of many more he lay close till they were passed and then with what speed he could he went home gaue the Alarm so the people abroad in the woods returned armed themselues but say none of them onely toward the euening they made a great fire about the place where they were first discovered Captaine Miles Standish and Francis Cooke being at worke in the Woods comming home left their tooles behind them but before they returned their tooles were taken away by the Savages This comming of the Savages gaue vs occasion to keepe more strict watch and to make our peeces and furniture readie which by the moysture and rayne were out of temper Saturday the 17 day in the morning we called a meeting for the establishing of military Orders amongst our selues and we chose Miles Standish our Captaine and gaue him authoritie of command in affayres and as we were in consultation here abouts two Savages presented themselues vpon the top of an hill over against our Plantation about a quarter of a myle and lesse and made signes vnto vs to come vnto them we likewise made signes vnto them to come to vs whereupon we armed our selues and stood readie and sent two over the brooke towards them to wit Captaine Standish and Steven Hopkins who went towards them onely one of them had a Musket which they layd downe on the ground in their sight in signe of peace and to parley with them but the Savages would not tarry their comming a noyse of a great many more was heard behind the hill but no more came in sight This caused vs to plant our great Ordinances in places most convenient Wednesday the 21. of February the master came on shore with many of his Saylers and brought with him one of the great Peeces called a Minion and helped vs to draw it vp the hill with another Peece that lay on shore and mounted them and a saller and two bases he brought with him a very fat Goose to eate with vs and we had a fat Crane and a Mallerd and a dry'd neats-tongue and so wee were kindly and friendly together Saturday the third of March the winde was South the morning mistie but towards noone warme and fayre weather the Birds sang in the Woods most pleasantly at one of the Clocke it thundred which was the first wee heard in that Countrey it was strong and great claps but short but after an houre it rayned very sadly till midnight Wednesday the seaventh of March the wind was full East cold but faire that day Master Carver with fiue other went to the great Ponds which seeme to be excellent fishing places all the way they went they found it exceedingly beaten and haunted with Deere but they saw none amongst other foule they saw one a milke white foule with a very blacke â—â—ad this day some garden seeds were sowen Fryday the 16. a fayre warme day towards this morning we determined to conclude of the military Orders which we had began to consider of before but were interrupted by the Savages as we mentioned formerly and whilst we were buâ—â—ed here about we were interrupted againe for there presented himselfe a Savage which caused an Alarm he very boldly came all alone and along the houses straight to the Randevous where we intercepted him not suffering him to goe in as vndoubtedly he would out of his boldnesse hee saluted vs in English and bad vs well-come for he had learned some broken English amongst the English men that came to fish at Monchiggon and knew by name the most of the Captaines Commanders Masters that vsually come he was a man free in speech so farre as he could expresse his minde and of a seemely carriage we questioned him of many things he was the first Savage we could meete withall he sayd he was not of these parts but of Morattiggon and one of the Sagamores or Lords thereof and had beene 8. moneths in these parts it lying hence a dayes sayle with a great wind and fiue dayes by land he discoursed of the whole Country and of every Province and of their Sagamores and their number of men and strength the wind beginning to rise a little we cast a horsemans coat about him for he was starke naked onely a leather about his wast with a fringe about a span long or little more he had a bow 2 arrowes the one â—eaded and the other vnheaded he was a tall straight man the haire of his head blacke long behind onely short before none on his face at all he asked some beere but we gaue him strong water and bisket and butter and cheese pudding and a peece of a mallerd all which he liked well and had bin acquainted with such amongst the English he told vs the place where we now liue is called Patuxeâ— and that abouâ— foure yeares agoe all the Inhabitants dyed of an extraordinary plague and there is neither man woman nor childe remaining as indeed we haue found none so as there is none to hinder our possession or to lay claime vnto it all the afternoone we spent in communication with him we would gladly haue beene rid of him at night but he was not willing to goe this
for those were wounded we were sorry for it though themselues procured it in not staying in the house at our command yet if they would returne home with vs our Surgeon should heale them At this offer one man and a woman that were wounded went home with vs Tisquantum and many other knowne friends accompanying vs and offering all helpe that might be by carriage of any thing wee had to ease vs. So that by Gods good Providence wee safely returned home the morrow night after we set forth A RELATION OF OVR Voyage to the MASSACHVSETS And what happened there IT seemed good to the Company in generall that though the Massachusets had often threatned vs as we were informed yet we should goe amongst them partly to see the Countrey partly to make Peace with them and partly to procure their trucke For these ends the Governours chose ten men fit for the purpose and sent Tisquantum and two other Salvages to bring vs to speech with the people and interpret for vs. We set out about mid-night the tyde then seruing for vs we supposing it to be neerer then it is thought to be there the next morning betimes but it proued well neere twentie Leagues from New Plimmouth We came into the bottome of the Bay but being late wee anchored and lay in the Shallop not hauing seene any of the people The next morning we put in for the shore There we found many Lobsters that had beene gathered together by the Saluages which we made ready vnder a cliffe The Captaine set two Sentinels behind the cliffe to the landward to secure the Shallop and taking a guide with him and foure of our company went to seeke the Inhabitants where they met a woman comming for her Lobsters they told her of them and contented her for them She told them where the people were Tisquantum went to them the rest returned hauing direction which way to bring the Shallop to them The Sachim or Gouernour of this place is called Obbatinewat and though he liue in the bottome of the Massachuset bay yet he is vnder Massasoyt He vsed vs very kindly he told vs he durst not then remaine in any setled place for feare of the Terentines Also the Squa Sachim or Massachusets Queene was an enemy to him We told him of diuers Sachims that had acknowledged themselues to be King IAMES his men and if he also would submit himselfe we would be his safegard from his enemies which he did and went along with vs to bring vs to the Squa Sachim Againe we crossed the Bay which is very large and hath at lest fiftie Ilands in it but the certaine number is not knowne to the Inhabitants Night it was before wee came to that side of the Bay where this people were On shore the Saluages went but found no body That night also we â—id at Anchor aboord the Shallop On the morrow we went ashore all but two men and marched in Armes vp in the Countrey Hauing gone three myles we came to a place where Corne had beene newly gathered a house pulled downe and the people gone A myle from hence Nanepashemet their King in his life time had liued His house was not like others but a scaffold was largely built with pools and plancks some six foote from ground and the house vpon that being situated on the top of a hill Not farre from hence in a bottome wee came to a Fort built by their deceased King the manner thus There were pools some thirtie or fortie foote long stucke in the ground as thicke as they could be set one by another and with these they inclosed a ring some forty or fifty foote ouer A trench breast high was digged on each side one way there was to goe into it with a bridge in the midst of this Palliâ—ado stood the frame of an house wherein being dead he lay buryed About a myle from hence we came to such another but seated on the top of an hill here Nanepashemet was killed none dwelling in it since the time of his death At this place we stayed and sent two Saluages to looke the Inhabitants and to informe them of our ends in comming that they might not be fearefull of vs Within a myle of this place they found the women of the place together with their Corne on heapes whither we supposed them to be sted for feare of vs and the more because in diuers places they had newly pulled downe their houses and for hast in one place had left some of their Corne couered with a Mat and no body with it With much feare they entertained vs at first but seeing our gentle carriage towards them they tooke heart and entertained vs in the best manner they could boyling Cod and such other things as they had for vs. At length with much sending for came one of their men shaking and trembling for feare But when he saw we intended them no hurt but came to trucke he promised vs his skins also Of him we enquired for their Queene but it seemed shee was far from thence at lest we could not see her Here Tisquantum would haue had vs rifled the Saluage women and taken their skins and all such things as might be seruiceable for vs for sayd he they are a bad people and haue oft threatned you But our answere was Were they neuer so bad we would not wrong them or giue them any just occasion against vs for their words we little weighed them but if they once attempted any thing against vs then we would deale far worse then he desired Hauing well spent the day we returned to the Shallop almost all the Women accompanying vs to trucke who sold their coats from their backes and tyed boughes about them but with great shamefastnesse for indeed they are more modest then some of our English women are we promised them to come againe to them and they vs to keepe their skins Within this Bay the Salvages say there are two Riuers the one whereof we saw hauing a faire entrance but we had no time to discouer it Better harbours for shipping cannot be then here are At the entrance of the Bay are many Rockes and in all likelihood very good fishing ground Many yea most of the Ilands haue beene inhabited some being cleered from end to end but the people are all dead or remoued Our victuall growing scarce the Winde comming fayre and hauing a light Moone we set out at euening and through the goodnesse of GOD came safely home before noone the day following A LETTER SENT FROM New England to a friend in these parts setting forth a briefe and true Declaration of the worth of that Plantation As also certaine vsefull Directions for such as intend a VOYAGE into those Parts LOuing and old Friend although I receiued no Letter from you by this Ship yet forasmuch as I know you expect the performance of my promise which was to write vnto you truely and faithfully of all things
skill facultie c. which God hath giuen them for the seruice of others and his owne glory But not to passe the bounds of modestie so far as to name any though I coâ—fesse I know many who sit here still with their talent in a napkin hauing notable endowments both of body and minde and might doe great good if they were in some places which here doe none nor can doe none and yet through fleshly feare nicenesse straitnesse of heart c. sit still and looke on and will not hazard a dram of health nor a day of pleasure nor an houre of rest to further the knowledge and saluation of the sons of Adam in that New world where a drop of the knowledge of Christ is most precious which is here not set by Now what shall we say to such a profession of Christ to which is ioyned no more deniall of a mans selfe But some will say what right haue I to goe liue in the heathens countrie Letting passe the ancient discouerieâ— contracts and agreements which our English men haue long since made in those parts together with the acknowledgement of the histories and Chronicles of other nations who professe the land of America from the Cape De Florida vnto the Bay of Canadâ— which is South and North 300. leagues and vpwards and East and West further then yet hath beene discouered is proper to the King of England yet letting that passe lest I he thought to meddle further then it concerns me or further then I haue discerning I will mention such things as are within my reach knowledge sight and practice since I haue trauailed in these affaires And first seeing we daily pray for the conuersion of the heathens we must consider whether there be not some ordinary meanes and course for vs to take to conuert them or whether praier for them be only referred to Gods extraordinarie worke from heauen Now it seemeth vnto me that we ought also to endeuour and vse the meanes to conuert them and the meanes cannot be vsed vnlesse we goe to them or they come to vs to vs they cannot come our land is full to them we may goe their land is emptie This then is a sufficient reason to proue our going thither to liue lawfull their land is spatious and void there are few and doe but run ouer the grasse as doe also the Foxes and wilde beasts they are not industrious neither haue are science skill or facultie to vse either the land or the commodities of it but all spoiles rots and is marred for want of manuring gathering ordering c. As the ancient Patriarkes therefore remoued from straiter places into more roomthy where the Land lay idle and waste and none vsed it though there dwelt inhabitants by them as Gen. 13.6.11.12 and 34.21 and 41.20 so is it lawfull now to take a land which none vseth and make vse of it And as it is a common land or vnused vndressed countrey so we haue it by common consent composition and agreement which agreement is double First the Imperial Gouernor 〈◊〉 whose circuits in likelihood are larger then England and Scotland hath acknowledged the Kings Maiestie of England to be his Master and Commander and that once in 〈…〉 and in writing vnder his hand to Captaine Standish both he and many other Kings which are vnder him as Pamet Nauset Cammaquid Narrowhiggonset Namaschet c. with diuers others that dwell about the baies of Patuxet and Massachuset neither hath this beene accomplished by threats and blowes or shaking of sword and sound of trumpet for as our facultie that way is small and our strength lesse so our warring with them is after another manner namely by friendly vsage loue peace honest and iust cariages good counsell c. that so we and they may not only liue in peace in that land and they yeeld subiection to an earthly Prince but that as voluntaries they may be perswaded at length to embrace the Prince of peace Christ Iesus and rest in peace with him for euer Secondly this composition is also more particular and applicatorie as touching our selues there inhabiting the Emperour by aioynt consent hath promised and appointed vs to liue at peace where we will in all his dominions taking what place we will and as much land as we will and bringing as many people as we will and that for these two causes First because we are the seruants of Iames King of England whose the land as he confesseth is 2. because he hath found vs iust honest kinde and peaceable and so loues our company yea and that in these things there is no dissimulation on his part nor feare of breach except our securitie ingender in them some vnthought of trecherie or our vnciuilitie prouoke them to anger is most plaine in other Relations which shew that the things they did were more out of loue then out of feare It being then first a vast and emptie Chaos Secondly acknowledged the right of our Soueraigne King Thirdly by a peaceable composition in part possessed of diuers of his louing subiects I see not who can doubt or call in question the lawfulnesse of inhabiting or dwelling there but that it may be as lawfull for such as are not tied vpon some speciall occasion here to line there as well as here yea and as the enterprise is weightie and difficult so the honour is more worthy to plant a rude wildernesse to enlarge the honour and fame of our dread Soueraigne but chiefly to displaie the efficacie power of the Gospell both in zealous preaching professing and wise walking vnder it before the faces of these poore blinde Infidels As for such as obiect the tediousnesse of the voyage thither the danger of Pirats robberie of the sauages trecherie c. these are but Lyons in the way and it were well for such men if they were in heauen for who can shew them a place in this world where iniquitie shall not compasse them at the heeles and where they shall haue a day without griefe or a lease of life for a moment and who can tell but God what dangers may lie at our doores euen in our natiue countrie or what plots may be abroad or when God will cause our sunne to goe downe at noone daieâ— and in the midst of our peace and securitie lay vpon vs some lasting sâ—ourge for our so long neglect and contempt of his most glorious Gospell But we haue here great peace plentie of the Gospell and many sweet delights and varietie of comforts True indeed and farre be it from vs to denie and diminish the least of these mercies but haue we rendered vnto God thankfull obedience for this long peace whilst other peoples haue beene at wars haue we not rather murmured repined and fallen at iars amongst our selues whilst our peace hath lasted with forraigne power was there euer more suits in law