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CHIEF OF THE PILGRIMS.

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CHIEF OF THE PILGRIMS:

THE LIFE AND TIME

WILLIAM BREWSTER,

RULING ELDER OP THE PILGRIM COMPANY THAT POUNDED
NEW PLYMOUTH, THE PARENT COLONY OF
NEW ENGLAND, IN 1620.

BY THE

Eev. ASHBEL STEELE, A. M.,
WASHINGTON CITr, D. C.

Ilktstrattb toitlj gibt Sttd mxb J^onr Dtljw ©irgrafaings.

PHILADELPHIA:
J. B. LIPPINCOTT AND CO.
1857.

17^ ^9

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 185Y, by
J. B. LIPPINCOTT AND CO.,
in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States in
and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

CL-hi^ ^^'^«>

TO

JAMES BREWSTER, Esq.,

OF NEW HAVEN, CONN.,

BRIEF ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE GENEROUS AID RENDERED BY HIM,

m ^alnmt

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,

THE AUTHOR.

At a meeting of a number of the descendants of Elder
William Brewster, held in Norwich, Connecticut, Septem
ber 13, 1853, chiefly to take measures for procuring a suitably
written life of that eminent and revered ancestor, the following
resolution, among others, was adopted : —
" Whereas no Biography, containing even all the marked incidents
of Elder Brewster's life, has ever yet been written ; and, whereas,
additional facts have been lately brought to light, and faithful re
search may bring forth others, as materials for the purpose; therefore,
Resolved, That James Brewster, Esq., New Haven, Conn., Chairman,
William Brewster, Esq., Rochester, New York,
Austin Brewster, Esq., Preston, Conn.,
Samuel C. Brewster, Esq., Syracuse, New York,
Sir Christopher S. Brewster, Paris, France,
(With ten other gentlemen named, of the connection,)
be a Committee to devise a plan, and provide means as they may
deem best for securing such Biographic History."
In accordance with this resolution, arrangements were en
tered into with the present writer ; he having previously made
preparations for the work ; while to the Committee, the Author
is much indebted for means wherewith to extend his researches
in all directions, and to all supposable sources, on both sides
of the " Atlantic," for the desired information.

Vlll

COMMENDATORY.
" Whatever skill and diligence can do will be done by the
Rev. Ashbel Steele, to whom has been assigned the duty of
preparing'an ample account of the Life of Brewster."
Founders of New Plymouth, p. 144. By Eev. Joseph Hunter, Fellow of the
Society of Antiquarians, Assistant Keeper of her Majesty's Records, &c.
London, 1854.
From Sir David Brewster, LL.D., &c., Scotland.
"To Rev. Ashbel Steele, Washington, D. C, United States.
" I shall look forward with much interest to your Life of
your distinguished relative — the history of so interesting a
person as Elder Brewster.
Believe me to be, dear sir,
Ever most truly yours,
D. BREWSTER.
St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews.
February 4th, 1854."

INTRODUCTION.

Significant were the words of Governor Brad-
ford, when, after more than thirty years' inter
course with Elder William Brewster, he declared,
in his History, " I should say something of his
life, if to say a little were not worse than to be
silent. But I cannot wholly forbear, though
haply more may be done hereafter."^
To say a little, then, the governor confesses,
could give no just idea of Elder Brewster's varied,
self-sacrificing, and not uneventful life ; nor indeed
of the movements of the period with which he was
connected. Therefore, while yielding to the con
straining impulse to say something for that present
purpose, in terms not to be mistaken did he
¦ Bradford's " History of Ply- chusetts Historical Society, Eos-
mouth Plantation," lately recover- ton, 1856, p. 409.
ed and published by the Massa-

X INTRODUCTION.
announce that a more full and worthy delineation
of the character and deeds of this noble Christian
pioneer ought, in due time, to be given.
That full and just delineation, however, did not
appear. And that generation passed away, and
the next ; and with them perished valuable letters
and records, with the knowledge of many things
which would give life and freshness to the history.
Still, no othei hand undertook the task. A brief
and worthy sketch, indeed, along with sketches of
other worthies, was afterwards drawn by the pen
of Dr. Belknap ; yet the life or biography proper
was never written.
The causes of such neglect or delay at the tim'e
were, doubtless, the cares, labors, and incessant
occupations of mind and body, incident to the
settlement of a country strange and new ; where,
in the presence of savage foes, the first means of
living were to be provided, wildernesses were to
be converted into the abodes of civilized man,
highways from settlement to settlement to be con
structed, temples for divine worship to be reared,
and the school-house and college to be erected.
Tradition, too, was then fresh and credible. So

INTRODUCTION. XI
that, while the narratives of the deeds and trials
of their fathers, their fathers' fathers, and their
fathers' neighbors, could, from memory, be re
peated at their labors by day, and for entertain
ment at night, there was not felt, as now, the need
or importance of the accurately written personal
histories, even of those most distinguished. In
after years, other causes operated to deter those
best qualified from the undertaking.
But that state of things no longer exists. Tra
dition has long since become deceptive. The time
has arrived when, along with mental culture, and
more abundant means and leisure, public attention
is awakened, and awakening more and more, to
subjects of original inquiry. Historic facts and
incidents, as far as they can be obtained, are now
demanded. Kecords are searched, libraries are
ransacked, remains of long neglected, worm-eaten
scripts,' and registers in time-honored Bibles, as
well as oldest cemetery inscriptions, are now
sought for with an avidity in this country before
unknown. In the case before us, the interest is becoming
equally evident. And, to meet the demand,,

XU INTRODUCTION.
though parts of the materials for such a life con
nected with the time of Elder Brewster as might
at first have been written, have perished — though,
in addition to the waste of so many years, sad has
been the havoc wars have made with manuscripts,
public and private, yet the chief facts were put
upon record ; others, also, of much interest, have
been lately brought to light. In place of those
lost, we have what, if not equally life-like and
romantic, are even more important. We can now
trace most valuable results that have been de
veloped, which our forefathers could not know,
and most precious principles that have been
evolved and reduced to practice, which at no
early period could have been so clearly presented,
or, if presented, would have been so generally
appreciated. As, therefore, this portion of biographic history
was not then written, no period since could have
been so favorable for its execution as the present.
As to the manner of its present execution, the
•writer has felt and acted on the principle, that, to
bring out the individual character truly and im
partially, he must lay aside prejudice, if he had

INTRODUCTION. XIU
any ; must enter understandingly into the views of
the person or persons concerned; must examine
candidly their honestly declared motives; must,
as far as practicable, place himself in the scenes,
and sympathize with them in the trials and suffer
ings, which they passed through, whatever he may
think of some of their opinions. All this must
he do and feel, or he cannot be fitted to write of
them, nor make allowance for the infirmities of
even good men, or for the errors and customs of
the age, not fitted to discern, delineate, or even
appreciate the character of the fathers of New
England, or especially of him who was a father of
those fathers, and the subject of this narrative.
For himself personally would the writer add,
that, being connected in marriage with a descend
ant of the Elder,^ and being himself descended
from a granddaughter of the Pilgrim governor,
2 Mrs. Clara Brewster Steele, son of Joseph Brewster, of Pres-
by whose zeal in collecting family ton, Conn., near the Thames, son
history, and at whose earnest of Jonathan Brewster, of Preston,
suggestion this work was first Conn., son of Benjamin Brewster,
commenced; — a daughter of the of Norwich, Conn., son of Jona-
late Jacob Brewster, Esqr., of than, the oldest son of Elder Wm.
Otsego Co., N. y., who was son of Brewster.
Stephen (one of eight brothers).

xiv INTRODUCTION.
Bradford, and having for years desired to see such
a work, and labored long to collect from all
sources, far and near, the scattered materials, at
length, by loss of voice, laid aside from the active
duties of the Christian ministry, and called upon
by many of the Brewster name to undertake the
task, he yielded to the call, and the result is before
the reader.
The purpose has been to present facts, not
theory, not facts mingled with philosophical dis
quisitions, but in connected narrative, and in style
suited to the nature of the work.
And here would the writer express his grateful
acknowledgments to kind friends who have fa
vored him —
To Peter Force, Esq., of Washington, D. C, for
free access to his extensive and unrivalled collec
tions in the department of early American history :
To Professor Joseph Henry, LL.D., Secretary
of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C,
for the use of valuable sets of books from the
library of that Institution :
To the librarians of the State Department and

INTRODUCTION, XV
Congress Libraries; also of the American Anti
quarian Society at Worcester, Massachusetts; of
the Mass, Historical Society, Boston; and Mr.
Moore, librarian of the New York Historical So
ciety :
Likewise to the Rev. Joseph Hunter, one of the
Vice Presidents of the Society of Antiquarians, of
London, and assistant keeper of the Queen's Re
cords ; and
To Cardinal Brewster, Esq., of Halstead Lodge,
Halstead, Essex, England, for valuable com
munications, the results of long continued re
searches in the Fatherland.
Also to all those other kind friends who have
made valuable suggestions in reference to the
work, WAsraNGTON, D. C, June, 185T.

CONTENTS.

Action of Brewster meetins  yii
Prefatory introduction  ix
Acknowledgments  xiv
CHAPTER I.
1560—1584.
Great results from small beginnings ; great principles wrought
out amid stem conflicts  33
Ancient Brewster families ....... 36
William Brewster's probable relationship  38
Time of his birth  39
His education before entering, and while at, the university . 40
His entrance into court life in the service of the Ambassador
Davison  42
CHAPTER II.
1584^1585.
Time of Brewster's entering the service of Mr. Davison . . 43;
Davison's mission to the Netherlands in 1584; Brewster probably
accompanies him. State of Western Europe at this time . 44
Causes and character of the mission  ^1
CHAPTER III.
1585.
" The Court"  51
Brewster's position at court  53
Deputation from the Low Countries to England .... 54
Negotiations, treaty, and Davison's embassy to Holland in 1585 55
Brewster attends him  56
2

XVlll

CONTENTS.

Difficulties in the embassy met and overcome .
Mr. Davison takes command of the cautionary towns
The ceremony at Flushing 
The keys of Flushing committed to Brewster
Sir Philip Sidney's appointment as governor
Diplomatic school for Brewster 
CHAPTER IV.
1585.
The Earl of Leicester sets out for Holland .
His reception and entertainment at Flushing
At Middleburg 
At Dort, Rotterdam, Delft, and the Hague .
The ambassador's position and duties ; also Brewster
The earl accepts the vice-royalty
The anibassador's and Brewster's return to England,
chain 
Stern conflict of opinions at the court of Elizabeth
Brewster continues with Mr. Davison

Page 57 585959 6061

CHAPTER V.
1586.
Davison Secretary of State. Duties of secretaries . r^
Brewster's position under him 
Qualifications, character, and confidential services of Brewster
Critical condition of the Queen and the kingdom
Davison's duties ; Brewster's implied ....
Brewster's associates, George Cranmer and Edwin Sandys ; their
characters ~ 

75
77 787980 81

CHAPTER VI.
1586—1587.
The spirit pervading the secretary's office ; influence for good . 85
Davison on the commission (but not present), for the trial of the
Queen of Scots  87
Receives the warrant for her execution ; Elizabeth's state policy
in the case  88
Queen of Scots executed. Davison fined and committed to the
Tower  91
The effect on Brewster  92

CONTENTS.

XIX

CHAPTER VII.
1587.

Page

Brewster's continuance with, and kind attentions to, the fallen
secretary  no
The powerful influence brought to bear for Davison's release and
restoration by Burleigh, Earl of Essex, and others . . 95
Queen's final refusal ; high testimony to Davison's ability and
character  gy
Brewster leaves the metropolis  gg

CHAPTER VIII.
1588—1590.
The place to which Brewster retired  \oq
Brewster at Scrooby, in Nottinghamshire ..... 103
Historical reminiscences of Scrooby and Scrooby Manor . . 104
Description of the locality by a modern tourist .... 107

CHAPTER IX.
1590—1606.
Brewster's exertions for the promotion of religion in Scrooby
and its neighborhood 
Archbishop Sandy's statement ....
A Rev. James Brewster, and an older Wm. Brewster,
ministers at and near Scrooby
Richard Barnard ; John Smith or Smythe .
Brewster's secular employment ; his marriage .
Origin of the postal system in England
Length of his official terms ; salaries
Continued development of character .

and

other

109110
111
113
115116117
118

CHAPTER X.
1559—1606.
Controversies respecting ceremonies in the National Church
Difficulties attending further reforms ....
Propositions debated in the convocation of the clergy in 1662
Queen's opposition to further reforms ....
Also to the so-termed prophesyings 
Action of the High Commission Court respecting non-conformists

119
121
122123
124
125

XX CONTENTS. Page
Intolerance of both parties in the contest ; some redeeming ex
ceptions  • • 126
Elizabeth's sense of right when unprejudiced .... 131
CHAPTER XI.
1603—1607.
The controversy under James I. of England, and his ' treatment
of the non-conformists  132
His outrage on civil rights, and its consequences . , . 133
Additional elements in the controversy  134
Chief Justice Coke's action respecting the High Commission
Court  135
William Brewster leaves the national church .... 136
Justice to the present Church of England (note, 137) . . 138
CHAPTER 511.
1606—1608.
Brewster, arid the organization of the Scrooby separation . . 139
The time of his joining them defined  140
Clifton their first pastor ; oppressive treatment ; Brewster's effi
cient aid  . 142
To escape from oppression they resolve to cross to the Nether
lands  143
Their first effort to remove ; disappointment ; betrayal ; im
prisonment  144
Second effort ; painful separation of the company . . . 146
Tempestuous passage to Holland  147
Distress of those left behind, and their cause thereby made
known  148
All at length meet in Amsterdam  149
CHAPTER xril.
1608.
Amsterdam and the condition of the emigrants there . . . 150
Unexpected difficulties occasion their removal thence to Leyden 152
Leyden and its environs  I53
Its University ; condition of this people in Leyden . . . 155
Mr. Robinson recognized as their pastor, and Mr. Brewster chosen
ruling elder .  jgg .

CONTENTS.

XXI

Page
His temporal condition ; instructs students of the University in
English  157
The condition and number of their congregation . . . 159

CHAPTER XIV.
1609—1618.
State of religious toleration in Holland
Condition of our emigrant company in this respect
The Arminian and Calvinistic controversy
Mr. Robinson, pastor of the emigrant compa,ny, takes
in the University .....
The Synod of Dort 
Its condemnation of the Arminians .
King James sent a delegation to it .
The Leyden Company interested in its proceedings
The persecuting spirit not universal in Holland .

part

in it.

160 162
163165166 167168
169169

CHAPTER XV.
1615—1618.
Brewster engaged in publishing  171
The principal works published by him  1 72
Efforts of King James, through his ambassador, to suppress these
publications, and arrest Brewster  175
Brewster's visit to England  177
Troubles of Mr. Brewer, coadjutor and friend of Brewster . .178
Arbitrary attempts to control the press ; its futility ; free dis-
ousgion ; mightiness of truth . . . . . .179

CHAPTER XVI.
1617—1619.
Elder Brewster's object in visiting England
Particular reasons why the company leave Holland .
Objections to leaving Holland considered and answered
The question agitated — to what country they shall go
They apply to the Virginia Company for a grant
King James' answer 
Letter of Sir Edwin Sandys to Robinson and Brewster
Their reply, specifying their condition, and their purpose in
founding a new colony 

181
182185187 189190191192

XXll CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVII.
1619—1620.
Difficulties which the pilgrim company's agents met with in
England, in respect to their proposed enterprise . . . 196
Robinson's and Brewster's letter to friends in London on the
subject  197
Statement of their church organization and usages, furnished for
the Privy Council  198-9
Perplexed affairs of the Virginia Company ..... 200
Brewster goes to London to negotiate with that company . . 201
The patent obtained  202
The Leyden Company make arrangements to go and commence
a colony in North Virginia ....... 203
They enter into an engagement with the merchant adventurers . 204
New perplexities  205
Preparations for departure ; terms of agreement . . . 206
Winslow's report of Robinson's address as they are about to
leave Leyden  208
CHAPTER XVIII.
1620.
The farewell feast at Leyden on the eve of departure

The term " pilgrims" applied to themselves
Entertainment at Delft Haven ....
Embarkation on board the Speedwell .
Brewster — life's changes ; quick passage to England

211 212
213 214
216

CHAPTER XIX.
1620.
The Speedwell and Mayflower with the emigrants at Southampton 218
All prepared, these vessels set sail for North America . . 219
Twice forced to put back on account of the Speedwell's disability ;
they dismiss her, and the main body proceed in the May
flower  220
Incidents of the voyage  221
They arrive at Cape Cod  223
Prevented from going to North Virginia  224 '
The compact on board the Mayflower, in the harbor of Cape Cod 225

CONTENTS. XXlll
CHAPTER XX.
1620. Page
At Cape Cod, Saturday, Nov. 11, examining party sent on shore 228
Their first Sabbath in the New World  229
The discomforts and discouraging prospects of the pilgrim com
pany  230
Their first week's labors, and first exploring parties 'and their
discoveries  231
The second and third week, and second exploring party . . 232
Exposures ; discoveries ; incidents  233
Fourth week at the cape ; third exploring expedition . . 235
Attacked by the Indians ; or, first encounter .... 236
Proceeding in their exploration, find the harbor of New Ply
mouth; perils  237
Find shelter near, and on Clark's Island ; fifth Sabbath . . 238
CHAPTER XXI.
1620—1621.
Dec. 11, 0. S., 21, N. S., last exploring party land on the main
shore ; examine for a place of settlement ; return to the cape 240
Incidents ; weigh anchor ; arrive in the new found harbor . 241
Sixth Sabbath past ; explore for a place of settlement . . 242
Location selected  243
Resolved to build ; storms intervene ; at length at work in
earnest  244
Alarms; deprivations; divided into families . . . . 2J5
Each erect their own dwelling ; the Elder not excepted . . 246
Hardships and exposures ; sickness succeeds .... 247
Rapid increase in number of deaths ; notice of the number ; the
Elder's position, attentions, and anxieties .... 248
What in this extremity of trial must have been his reflections . 249
CHAPTER XXII.
1621.
Progress in building amidst all bereavements and hindrances . 253
Intercourse with the natives  255
Mystery solved  256
Visit from Samoset ; important information .... 257
Visit of King Massasoit  260

XXIV CONTENTS.

Ceremonies, and conclusion of a treaty  261
Appearance, dress, characteristics of the Indians matters of deep
interest to the pilgrim company  262
CHAPTER XXIII.
1621.
Tisquantum and Hobbamock, friends and interpreters . . 265
Embassies to the neighboring Indians  266
Conspiracy against their friends and King Massasoit ; armed ex
pedition in their defence  266-7
Peaceful results  • • 268
Autumn advanced ; first summer's provision gathered ; the first
thanksgiving day appointed  269
Entertain their Indian friends  270
CHAPTER XXIV.
1621—1622.
Arrival of the ship Fortune ; thirty-five of their Leyden and
other friends, and the Elder's eldest son, passengers . . 272
Inadequate supply of provisions for them all ... . 273
The colony threatened by the Narragansetts .... 274
Preparation for defence ; erection of bulwarks, &o. . . . 275
Approach of famine  276
In extremity  277
Indians less friendly  278
Erection of their fort on Fort Hill ; visit from the Weston colonists 279
Visited by an exploring vessel ; some relief .... 280
CHAPTER XXV.
1623.

Third year ; stirring incidents

282

Bad conduct of the Weston colonists ...... 283
Sickness of Massasoit ; Winslow visits him .... 284
Administers to his relief  285
Massasoit's revelation of a leagued conspiracy .... 286
Determination of a council of the Plymouth colonists on this
startling intelligence  . 287
Captain Standish dispatched with men ; the chief conspirators
put to death ; views of this responsible' movement . .289

CONTENTS. XXV

A distressing drought, this third summer of their settlement,
occasions another extremity  291
A day of fasting and supplication  293-4
Merciful deliverance ; refreshing showers ; revival of the parched
corn  295
A day of thanksgiving  296
Arrival of the "Ann and Little James," bringing other connec
tions and friends ; their welcome  297
CHAPTER XXVI.
1624.
Letter from Mr. Robinson- to Elder Brewster respecting the ad
ministering of the sacraments  300
The Elder's official duties specified ; his manner of performing
them ; their results ; official costume . . . . 303^
Mr. Lyford sent over to officiate as minister at New Plymouth,
and his reception  305
His deceptive course causing excitement ; judgment passed on
him here and in England  306
Testimony to the Elder's abilities, learning, and faithfulness . 307 ¦•
Election of governor with assistants ; introduction of neat kine ;
grant to each of the colony one acre of land . . . 308
Marriage in the Elder's family ; condition of the colony . . 309 '
CHAPTER XXVII.
1625—1626.
State of affairs within the colony favorable ; but between the
colony and the merchant adventurers extremely unfavorable 311
Great efforts to meet thei*- obligations  312
Loss of a valuable cargo captured by the Turks ; increase in
their church ; marriage of the Elder's second daughter . 313
A. D. 1626. Unexpected news of the death of their pastor in
Holland  314
His character ; his and Elder Brewster's views in relation to the
Church of England, and of others that separated, as written
by their own hands  315-20
Death of James the First ; loyalty of the pilgrim leaders . . 321
Review of some of the king's acts in which Brewster and the
colonists had been interested  323
Crisis in the affairs of the colony  326

XXVI CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
1627. Page
Dissolution of the company of London adventurers ; the colonists'
plan of making payments ....... 328
Happy results ; new division of land . . • • • . 330
¦' Death of Mrs. Brewster  ¦ 331
Friendly letters, &o., from the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam 332
Establishment of a trading post at Manomet .... 333
" Sewan" or " Wampum," the Indian currency .... 334
Another trading post on the Kennebec River .... 335
Plan to meet expenses of bringing over friends still remaining in
Holland  336
Visit of De Rasieres from the colony of New Amsterdam . . 337
His description of the Plymouth settlement .... 338
Of their manner of assembling for worship .... 341
CHAPTER XXIX.
1629.
Arrival of Mr. Smith, the first regular minister, at Plymouth . 343
Notice of the Virginia colony and other colonies . . . 344
First English poem in America, written by Geojge Sandys . . 346
Growing agitations in England cause further emigration . . 348
Settling of the Massachusetts colony  349
Wrestling Brewster ; seeming evidence of his marriage and resi
dence in the new settlement of Portsmouth, N. H. . . 350
CHAPTER XXX.
1632—1633.
Enlargement of the Plymouth colony  352
Settlement of Duxbury  353
New congregation organized ; the Elder partially located there . 354
Governor Winthrop's visit to Plymouth ; his description of their
mode of worship ; administration of the Sacrament ; pro
phesying or explaining of Scripture  355
Difficulties on the northern border with the French . . . 357
Occurrences in Europe ........ 358
Death of the Elder's daughter, Mrs. Allerton ; agitation regard
ing Roger Williams ; remark on the rights of every organized
l^ody  331

CONTENTS. XXVH
CHAPTER XXXI.
1634—1636.
\Page larriage of the Elder's son Love  364
Death of his daughter, Mrs. Prince  365
Fac-simile of his name with a scriptural sentence . . . 366
Brewster's continued mental vigor and occupations at this period ;
one of the committee for providing a code of laws . . 367
The mode of government up to this time  368
Duties of magistrates, and privileges of the people . . . 370
CHAPTER XXXII.
1636—1643.
Further notice of the Elder's three sons, Jonathan, Love, and
Wrestling  372-3
The Elder's literary associates, Rev. Messrs. Williams, Raynor,
Norton, Dr. Cliaunoey, Bradford, Winslow, &c. . . 374-5
The character of his library  376
The large works specified  377-8
State of the English mind ; English literature ; Bacon . 379-80
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The last days of Elder Brewster  381
Results of what he had witnessed, especially in this colony • 382
His closing hours, as given by one present . . . 383-4
The place, the scenery, and the associations .... 385
The burial  388
Assembly at the house of the governor in reference to the peace
ful settlement of his estate  389
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Brief retrospect, or marked development  390
Marked Providences alluded to ; precise period of the pilgrim
movement  391
The great purpose of the enterprise and developments . 392-3
Not the individual merely, but the germ of a nation ; the chief
purpose, the founding of their church views and order, un
disturbed  394
The tribute due to them for their earnest, devoted, not faultless,
but sincere, heroic efforts  395-6

XX Vlll CONTENTS. Page
The development of principles, institutions, the marked features
of a new people ......... 397
The prestige of New Plymouth ; the interest therein imperishable 398

APPENDIX I.

Names of the passengers who came in the Mayflower in 1620,
with some brief incidents  401
APPENDIX II.
Names of those who came in the Fortune in 1621, with informa
tion preserved respecting some of them .... 407
APPENDIX III.
List of those who came in the Ann and the Little James in 1623 408
APPENDIX IV.
Families and names of members of the colony in 1627 . .410
APPENDIX V.
Extracts from Webster in reference to the Mayflower and Elder
Brewster  415

ILLUSTRATIONS.

} '

Page
1. Embarkation op the Pilgrims, engraved from Wier's painting i
AT the National Capitol, D. C. Explanation, see page 215.
2. Wkentham Hall, England . ^  37
3. Coat Armor  38
4. View of Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England . . . 107
5. View of Leyden, Holland . . ^  154
6. Delft Haven  213
7. Bay and Harbor of New Plymouth, New England . . 241
8. View from Plymouth Burial Hill  340
9. View of the old Brewster Place, near Plymouth, taken from
Captain's Hill  387

ELDEE BEEWSTEE.

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.

CHAPTER I.

He that of greatest works is finisher.
Oft does them by the weakest minister :
Great floods have flown
From simple sources. Shakspeaee.
From smallest beginnings, which appear to most
men at the time unworthy of notice, often issue
the most important results. Some most precious
principles, which now guide communities and
governments, have had this origin. And in the
history of fallible men, the progress of these prin
ciples is shown to have been often marked by the
fiercest struggles and contests of the age ; while
yet in another age the descendants of the contend
ing parties have united in their adoption.
In these struggles and conflicts, the resistance
of those in power has generally issued in acts of
violence and tyranny; and the assaults of the
weaker as they grew stronger have led to rebellion
or bloody revolution. In these ways, and at this
dear rate, has much of man's wisdom been learned.
3

34 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
When Elizabeth, in all the conservative pride
of prerogative which marked the race of the
Tudors, sternly rejected further reforms in some
rites and ceremonies in the Church of England,
and adopted the policy which her successor,
James, endeavored to follow, she little imagined
what would be the contest then begun ; a contest
that was to carry one king from his throne to the
block, and send another to live in exile ; — a con
test which was to result in the establishment of
broad popular principles in her own kingdom, and
to plant on this distant continent a hardy race,
whose claims of legalized liberty would at length
be satisfied only with a republican form of govern
ment, and the right to worship God in such order
as they alone should choose:
Yet we live at a time when we can look back
with some degree of calmness upon the contest
and the results. The age of Elizabeth and James,
of Cartwright and Hooker, of Laud and Baxter,
with that of Charles and Cromwell, has passed
away, and with it, for the most part, the bitter
ness of the contest.
And we claim, now, since the tempest is over,
and the sympathizers with each party are living
peaceably together under good governments, that
we can begin tp estimate justly the sincerity and
zeal, the heroic endurance and chivalrous course,
then manifested as traits of our common ancestry.
Great principles were indeed at stake. We
speak not here of the right or the wrong at the

CANDID VIEW OF THE TIME. 85
first, or of the right or the wrong in the sanguin
ary revolution that followed, or in the counter
revolution. We ascribe not to the acts of any
one party all the peculiar blessings since enjoyed.
We notice not the faults of one side only. But
we speak historically of the facts. And we trace
with deepest reverence the marks of an Overrul
ing Hand in bringing good out of evil, while we
deeply regret the mistakes, the bitterness, the mis
deeds of men as earnest, as zealous, as courageous
as the world ever saw. And we speak thus in
reference to another fact : that, among the persons
early and deeply afi'ected by the contest, was an
individual, then unknown to fame, yet destined to
lead that hand, which, in the New World, and on
the shore of New England, was to lay one of the
foundations for these mighty results. That indi
vidual was Elder WiUiam Brewster, the subject of
this narrative.
"This William Brewster," says an English anti
quarian, "was the most eminent person in the
movement,' and who, if that honor is to be given
to any single person, must be regarded as the
Father of New England." " And independently of
this movement, there is enough in the connections
which he had formed in England to make him an
object of interest."^
' Rev. Joseph Hunter, Fellow of author of Collections concerning
the Society of Antiquarians of the Founders of New Plymouth ;
London, &c., and of the Mass. also Mass. Hist. Coll., 4 series,
Hist. Society, and an Assistant vol. 1st, 64, 65.
Keeper of Her Majesty's Records ;

36 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Of the immediate parentage of William Brew
ster no satisfactory information has been preserved,
though there are grounds for very probable con
jecture. Among the old English families inhabiting the
northeastern parts of Suffolk County, and the ad
joining parts of Norfolk, on the eastern coast of
England, were the ancient Brewster family and
their connections located, ranking among the early
" English Landed Gentry." • As early as the forty-
eighth year of Edward the Third, or in the year
1315, John Brewster was witness to a deed in the
Parish of Henstead, in Suffolk, and not long after,
in the reign of Richard the Second, a John Brew
ster was presented to the Rectory of Godwich, in
the county of Norfolk. In the list of the gentry
of Norfolk, returned to Henry the Sixth, was Gal-
fridus Brewster; and the Norfolk branch became
connected by marriage with the distinguished
Houses of De Narburgh, Spelman, Gleane, and
Coke, of Holkham. But in the county of Suffolk,
we find, further, that Robert Brewster, of Mutford,
possessed also lands in Henstead, and that Wm.
Brewster, of Henstead, and Robert Brewster, of
RushmerCj died possessed of these estates, prior
to the year 1482. This Robert had married the
daughter and co-heiress of Sir Christopher Ed
monds. Not fifty years after, Humphrey Brewster, of
this connection, purchased the Manor and Liv
ing of Wrentham, not far distant, and in 1550,

' ^PJ^^^*\ ; Mil

v.~

ANCIENT BREWSTER FAMILY. 37
I
built Wrentham Hall, where his descendants con
tinued to reside until 1810, when this venerable
mansion was taken down, and the estate sold ; the
income of the proprietors being derived from more
than twenty parishes in th^two counties.
To this family belonged the lordship of the Ma
nors of Wrentham and the advowsons of the parish
church. In this parish church repose the remains
of Humphrey Brewster, over which was placed a
monument to his memory on his death, in 1593,
with an effigy in brass, retained therein to this
day.' From this Suffolk connection, a branch became
established at Castle Hedingham, in Essex, near
the time with that at Wrentham, and formed con
nections with the knightly families of Corbel, Clop-
ton, Seckford, Quarles, Wentworth, of Nettleshurd
Hall, and others of similar rank. In this vicinity,
have descendants of this branch continued to re-

' English paraphrase of an old Latin inscription to the memory of
Humphrey Brewster : —
" Sculptor, why gravest thou marbles, or why rear
Thy useless structures to his memory here ?
Hath he not made himself a monument
More lasting far than brass or adamant ?
This house, his gift, where through the coming years
The word of God shall bless his people's ears.
This temple for a sepulchre he hath.
And holy prayers shall be his epitaph.
Wouldst thou aught else to represent his fame ?
Take the strange bird, that from his funeral flame.
With life and youth renewed, is said to fly.
For emblem of its immortality. "

38

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.

Argent

Sable -—

Ermine

side, and the name of William generally kept up,
to the present time, now more than 300 years.
Of it is the present Cardinal Brewster, Esq., of
Halstead, Essex.^ ^ ^ Both the Wren
tham and Heding
ham branches were
families of the same
coat-armor, bearing
a chevron ermine
between three silver
6toiles, on a sable
field, viz: stars break
ing through the
darkness of night.
That our WiUiam Brewster was most probably
of this connection, seems to be indicated by the
fact that an old copy of the same coat-of-arms (and
it appears to be a very old copy) has been preserved
from time immemorial in one branch of the Brew
ster family in this country.* Other indications, in
addition to something of tradition, favoring the

' Burke's Landed Gentry of
England and Ireland, 2 vols., Lon
don. Articles, Brewsters of Wren
tham and Hedingham, and Sup
plement, Corrigenda, &c. Also
communications of Cardinal Brew
ster, Halstead Lodge, Halstead,
confirmatory of the foregoing state
ments, and containing many inte

resting particulars of the Brewsters
of England.
* This old copy of said coat-of-
arms is now in the possession of
Dr. George G. Brewster, Ports
mouth, New Hampshire, U. S.,
who has also furnished particulars
respecting his branch of the
family, from the year 1629.

HIS CONNECTIONS AND BIRTH. 39
idea of this relationship, wiU be noticed in the
course of this narrative.
Of other branches of the original family, one
was settled in Barking, Essex County, and pos
sessed the manors of Wi^ifield and Condovers ;
one settled in Lincolnshire, about the year 1560 ;
one in Kent, in the time of Elizabeth, and owned
lands in Luddenham, Linstead, Linham, and other
parishes. Of the original stock, it is highly probable, was
the Scottish branch, of which is that distinguished
philosopher. Sir David. Brewster. And such was
probably the case in respect to Sir Francis Brew
ster, Lord-Mayor of Dublin.*
But that "other branch," with which we are
now concerned, "was established," says Burke,
"in the United States of America by WiUiam
Brewster, the ruling Elder and spiritual guide of
the Pilgrim Fathers, who, in 1620, went out to
America, and were founders of New England."
From the summary thus presented, of the
principal connections of the Brewster name at
that early period, we pass to the chief subject of
our history.
William Brewster, called also subsequently
Elder William, was born, according to 'the most
reliable records and dates, about the year 1560, a

' Thurloe's State Papers and Whitlaw's Dublin, vol. ii., Appen
dix.

40 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
little more than a year after Elizabeth came to
the throne.®
Of the place of his nativity, no record has been
discovered. And respecting his education, very
brief, indeed, is the |fatement preserved; but,
though brief, it is clear and explicit. First was
his preparation for the University; though at
what school, or under what masters, is not
specified. Yet among his preparatory "attain
ments," were " the knowledge of the Latin tongue,
and some insight into the Greek."^ And his
knowledge of the Latin, as the term was then
understood, was the being able not only to read
and write that language, but to speak it readily,
and even more grammaticaUy, than the then
native English.
Of Brewster's mastery of Latin in all these
particulars, we have full evidence in his ready
use of it afterwards in HoUand, as well as from
the character, and large number of Latin works
retained to the last in his library. This know
ledge of it was the requirement of the time at the
Universities, and was especiaUy needful for one
designed for that course of life for which he was
apparently intended.^

^ See note. Chap, xxxiii., on the Latin. Many of the most im-
date of his death. portant works, in literature and
' Bradford, 409, 412. science, were still written in that
' Much of the conversation and language. To a large extent it
epistolary correspondence among was the language of the court,
the learned of this period was in and of diplomatic intercourse, as

EDUCATION, CAMBRIDGE, RELIGION. 41
He also acquired " some insight into the Greek."
The fact that Greek literature was then less cul
tivated than at subsequent periods, accounts for
the less attainment in it here mentioned.
Corresponding with these preparatory attain
ments in the languages, must have been his pro
gress in mathematical and other branches re
quired. Thus prepared, he entered the University of
Cambridge. It is not known into which of its
then fourteen colleges or halls (now seventeen)
young Brewster was received, yet in whichever it
may have been, no privileges or opportunities of
advancing in knowledge, classical or scientific, we
are well assured, were suffered by him to pass
unimproved. Nor could his feelings while- at
Cambridge, be uninfluenced, or his tastes uncul
tivated, amidst its gathered specimens of art, its
noble gardens, its verdant lawns, its venerable
shades, and refreshing walks by the slow winding
" Cam." But the highest attainment, that which moulded
his character, and became the moving principle of
his subsequent life, was his imbibing there the
spirit of the Christian reUgion', in the Avords of
the historian, " then being first seasoned with the

well as of the universities. Of the court of Elizabeth, we have a
the state of learning generally at favorable view in Hallam's Litera-
the universities, at this period, ture, and Sir Roger Ascham's Trea-
and also of its encouragement at tise on the same subject.

42 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
seeds of grace and virtue."' Nor in this respect,
was Brewster's case at aU singular. Many and
eminent were the examples of like religious in
fluence at the time in the universities ; of which,
history and numerous biographies of that period
bear ample testimony.
How long Brewster remained at Cambridge
University is undefined ; but considering the many
years usually passed there, and his probable age
on leaving, the time indefinitely expressed in his
friend's memoir, may imply a period sufficiently
long, though not longer than to take his first
degree. Thus qualified, he left the University " for the
Court," where he entered the service of one of
the Queen's ambassadors, Mr. Wm, Davison,
afterwards one of her principal Secretaries of
State. And henceforth for a time we must trace
Brewster's course almost wholly by that of his
patron, and through a most eventful period of
that statesman's life.
' Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantations, 409.

CHAPTER II,
Call some of young years, to train them up in that trade, and so
fit them for weighty affairs. — Bacon.
We are to glance at the time and the general
state of things when Brewster entered the scenes
of public life. He was now in the service of Mr.
Davison at the "Court." To be placed in this
position, he must have had family influence, or
have been recommended by peculiar qualifications,
perhaps both. At what particular time he entered
the service of that statesman, can now be deter
mined only by other concurrent facts and dates,
which, compared, prove it to haye been at one of
two periods — either in the autumn of 1584, or
early in the summer of 1585, If at the former
period, which seems more than probable, it must
have been in accordance with the following re
corded facts : —
On the last of September, 1584, after an embassy
or continuation of embassies of about two years
in Scotland, Mr, Davison returned to the court of
England.^ Here, then, was an opportunity (and it
¦ Saddler's State Papers, vol. iii. vol. i. p. 156, No. 291 ahd Nos.
166, and Catalogue of Harl. MSS., immediately preceding.

44 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
was the first that had occurred in these years) for
Brewster to become engaged in his service at the
court.' On this supposition, however, his stay
here, at this time, was but short. Two months
had scarcely elapsed after this ambassador's return
from Scotland, when he was called to enter on
another mission to the Netherlands : a confidential
mission, preparatory to a succeeding one, in which
Brewster is known to have been engaged. And
this preparatory mission, important in its results,
and of no little historic interest, not having been
noticed by any historian here known, merits, in
this place, a more particular attention.^
There had now arrived one of those eventful
periods in England's history, which attracted the
special attention of surrounding nations then, nor
has it ceased to do so even to the present time ;
to Queen Elizabeth, it was one of the most critical
of her whole reign.
Throughout Western Europe, jealousies and em
bittered feelings, between so-caUed Catholics and
Protestants, existed to an extent scarcely kept
within control. In England, the excitement and
^ Unless Brewster's entrance where we should surely expect to
upon service with the Ambassador find this mission noticed, we not
commenced thus early, Bradford's only do not find it, but we find an
expression, " divers years," would attempt to alter dates from manu-
be restricted to a term of about script documents which relate to
two years, a restriction which it, so as to make them conform to
these words will scarcely admit. a mission in the next year. (See
" Even in the Life of Secretary Life of Davison, pp. 19, 20, 21, and
Davison, by Sir N. H. Nicholas, notes.)

DAVISON, BREWSTER  CONDITION .OF EUROPE. 45
danger were much increased by the long-continued
imprisonment of Mary, Queen of Scots, the fruitful
source of party intrigues and plots, and of hopes
and fears depending on her life. As to France,
the awfully thrilling sensation caused by the never
to be forgotten massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve,
had scarcely yet subsided; nor were there wanting,
in the ruling party at that court, the readiness and
will to strike some other kindred blow. Pope
Pius V. had also issued his " Bull," pronouncing
Queen Elizabeth a heretic, and absolving her
Catholic subjects from their oath of allegiance to
her government.* In Gerriiany, after some cessa
tion from internal conflicts and so-called religious
wars, now again were aroused the hatred and pas
sions of kindred against kindred, ready for deadly
strife.* Spain, watchful and suspicious of Eliza
beth's course, provoked and provoking, and ready
to arm against her, was, at the time, the most
powerful kingdom in Europe. Under the stern,
intolerant Philip the Second, were held almost
the entire commerce of the East, and the control
of the gold and richest possessions of the New
World. Over the Low Countries of Holland, called also
the United Provinces or Netherlands, he claimed
by inheritance absolute sway ; and here, in viola-
* Turner's Eng., xii. 300, 340, ^ Kohlrausch's Germany, p.
350, 371. See the document in 307.
Burnet's Hist, of the Reformation,
Record 309.

46 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
tion of long established rights and privileges, he
had introduced, and by his agents had exercised,
the bloody atrocities of the Inquisition. In these
states, now mostly Protestant, had the Prince of
Orange headed a confederacy of defence against
this long continued persecution and tyranny. Here
had been awakened a spirit of religious liberty,
maddened, at times, indeed, into anarchy, but at
length merging into patriotic efforts for independ
ence, which could not easily be crushed. And
now there was a struggle, as for life, to cast off the
Spanish yoke. In this, the states at length found
themselves contending single-handed against the
whole power of the Spanish monarchy. Spain's
veteran troops, that had before spread devastation
over city and country, under the cruel and butcher
ing Alva, were again assembling in force against
them under the more politic, but not less skilful
and determined Duke of Parma.®
At this critical conjuncture, and to the conster
nation of the confederated states, their great leader,
their country's hope, William, Prince of Orange,
fell — ^basely assassinated by a supposed emissary of
Spain.' Almost in despair, they cast their eyes
8 Brandt, Holinshed and Ry- 1584 (N. S.), by Belthazar Ger-
mer, at this period, Strype's An- rand, a Burgundian, and a sup-
nals, iii. , parti., 304, 306, and 317; posed Spanish emissary. The King
Malte Brun, iii. 1094 and 1106. of Spain had oflFered a reward
Ranke, 143. of 25,000 ducats to any one who
' The Prince of Orange was would take the Prince's life.
treacherously assassinated at his Strype's Annals, iii., part i., 304,
own house, at Delft, July 10th, 306, 309, 417.

MISSION TO THE NETHERLANDS. 47
abroad for help. And foul deeds like this ever
excite an interest and sympathy for the sufferers,
wherever selfishness and bigotry have not closed
the heart against them.
Elizabeth had aided them, but only cautiously
and covertly. They applied to France, but were
refused. Elizabeth and her council, sympathizing with
them, and sensible of her own exposed condition
should the Spanish arms there again prevail, re
solved on offering protection.
Such were the circumstances, such the views
and feelings that prompted the present mission.
And Mr. Davison was selected for its execution.^
He had much experience, first as a diplomatic
agent at the Hague; next in a mission and
residence at Antwerp ; afterwards in an embassy
to the Low Countries, where he became well-
known and highly esteemed ; lately he had
returned from one of much difficulty in Scotland.
With great prudence and skiU had he negotiated
important treaties, giving unusual satisfaction to
all parties concerned. And now to him was
committed the present trust ; one in the wise and
discreet execution of which, a worthy and patriotic
people might be preserved from despair and
despotism, their numerous Protestant churches
from desolation, and Elizabeth and her people's
* Biographia Britannioa, article Davison ; and Strype, as referred to
before.

48 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
positiofll'strengthened ; but in failure of which,
the whole might be involved in inextricable
difficulty and danger. Hence the importance, as
well as the object of the mission.
Accordingly, even before the close of the year,
the ambassador proceeded to the Netherlands.
Among the objects claiming his immediate atten
tion was the condition of the Elector of Cologne,
Gebhard Truchsis, or Truxis, who was also the
archbishop. Entertaining Protestant views, he
had influenced many others in the same way. For
this, and the crime of marrying, he had been
deposed, and forced to seek protection in the
Confederated States.' In this emergency, a
warrant from the Queen authorized Mr. Davison
to take up and deliver to the Elector, 6000 pounds
towards the relief of his troubled estate, and the
furtherance of the common cause."^" On the '12th
of the following January, the ambassador reported
his conference with the States Delegates •^'^ and on
the 9th of March received further special commu
nications respecting the matters to be transacted.^^
On the 10th, at the Hague, he communicated the
welcome intelligence of the Queen's intention,
under the circumstances, to support the oppressed
s Catalogue, Harl. MSS. i. pt. " Catalogue, Cott. MSS. Galba
126, 156, with Strype's Annals, iii. C. viii. 2, p. 222.
pt. 11, 275, and Leicester Corres- '^ Catalogue, Harl. MSS. i. 126 ;
pondence, 15, 134, 373, 376. . 285, 47.
'" Catalogue, Harl. MSS. vol. i.
p. 126, and 156 : Dec. 29, 1584.

ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS MISSION. 49
people of the Netherlands.^^ Before the«close of
April, the States General proposed to offer Eliza
beth the sovereignty ; but she, on hearing it, declared
to the ambassador through the Earl of Leicester
her marked displeasure, supposing that he had
sought this offer from the states ; but her ministry
justified him, and satisfied her, on the ground
that it was only rendering to her the same honor
that before had been proffered to the French King.
Now also was suggested the Earl of Leicester's
project of an expedition to the Low Countries.^*
Thus, the way being made clear, and the pre
liminaries settled for the needed aid, a warrant
from the Queen of the 24th of April authorized
the ambassador's return.-^*
Accordingly having been the bearer of aid to
the needy, having met the States General, or
Delegates in council, ascertained their purposes,
condition, and resources, made known to them
the mind of his sovereign, procured answers to the
propositions presented, and treated of all the
matters to be transacted in accordance with his
instructions, he returns again to England, and in
due time reports at court the results of this
mission. And supposing, as we have done, that young
Brewster was with him, this constituted his first
>3 Catalogue, Cott, MSS. Galba, "* Catalogue, Cott. MSS. Galba,
C. viii. 16, 35, p. 303, &o. C. viii. No. 46.
» Catalogue, Harl. MSS. i. 126,
p. No. 285, 49.
4

50 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
experience in connection with diplomatic life.
And the view here given, presents more clearly
than could otherwise be done, the first steps in
the important movements soon to follow, in a
portion of which he is known to have acted,
though a subordinate, yet an honorable part.
Something may yet be discovered in the Harleian,
or other manuscripts, to confirm our supposition.
If so, born about the year 1560, and coming to
the court in the autumn of 1584, he was in his
24th year when he entered the service of Mr.
Davison. In either case Brewster came into the active
scenes of life, not when all around was as the
calm unruffled sea, but when the broad surface
of all Europe was as the heaving ocean ; and ere
long he must himself feel its surging billows, and
taste its bitter waters. And deeply engraven
upon his mind must have been the apprehensions,
as well as effects of tyranny and religious intole
rance now manifested in the Netherlands, and
which called forth the sympathies of England, in
view of the threatening contest.

CHAPTER III.
Great honors are great burdens. — Jonson.
We have spoken of the " Court." The court
of Elizabeth, it is well known, was at this time
one of distinguished eminence. There was the
Queen of strong mind and lion heart — quick to
discern, though at times imperious — passionate,
and not a^^^^ without guile. There were her
chief Officers of State, consisting of not a few of
the noted men of the age — a Cecil, now Lord
Burleigh of the Treasury ; a Walsingham and a
Smith, now Secretaries of State ; Mildmay, Sadler,
Hatton, Bromley, with the lords of the house
hold, and ladies of the court, and others that
have left their marks upon the age. There also
assembled, at her majesty's summons, the Privy
Council, consisting of twelve of those principal
officers of state, with an undefined number of the
lords, all of royal choice ; whose duties were,
under oath, to advise the sovereign according to
their best skill, knowledge, and discretion, with
out partiality or corruption, and to observe, keep,
and do, all that good and true counsellors ought

52 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
to do for the sovereign's honor and the public
good !^
As to place, "The Court" was wherever the
Queen was at the time resident ; whether at
Westminster, Whitehall, Greenwich, Richmond,
Windsor, Nonsuch, or other royal residences ; and
at each of these were the offices and apartments,
for all state purposes and attendants, as well as
for the royal household.^
Of the Privy Council, then eminently the great
Council of State, Mr. Davison appears to have
held for the time the office of Clerk — an office of
high trust, usually committed to tried statesmen,
of whose diligence and discretion as well as
abilities, there had been full proof. Such proof
had he given in more than eighteen years of
responsible service.* And at this period, Brewster
is clearly known to have been in his service. It is
the only other period in which he could have been
connected with Mr Davison " at Court," pre
viously to going on a specified embassy to the
Low Countries.*
' Records of the Time, Black- » Strype's Annals, iii. part 1.
gtone's Com. The Privy Council 420, and Life of Davison.
became afterwards gradually - Brad. 410. The chronological
changed, and was for the most order of Bradford's statements, to
part merged in the Ministerial accord with historic facts and
Council; and this again in time dates, must be made to stand
yielded to the present so called thus : 1st. Brewster went from the
Cabinet Council. Hallam's Con- University to the Court, and thera
stitutional History, ii. 347. he entered the service of Mr.
* Beatsou'3 Political Index, i. Davison ; 2d. He attended Mr.
298. Davison on the embassy to the

BREWSTER WITH DAVISCN AT THE COURT. 53
What then, it may be asked, was now and here
3^oung Brewster's position'? We say not that it
was such that he became particularly acquainted
with the princely and the great ; but that he was
at least an active observer behind the scenes ; also
(what was matter of much greater interest to him
self), that he had all the advantages, and the
accompanying influence not only of the acquaint
ance, but of the esteem and marked friendship of
his honored patron.^
Thus situated, and qualified with solid and
classical attainments, no doubt he was engaged
with mind and pen, in duties relating to Mr.
Davison's position in connection with the Council.
Here, all would be calculated to call forth his
mental energies, to excite his youthful curiosity,
and prompt to the most circumspect deportment.
Here for the time were opportunities for ad
vancing in the knowledge of men and things, and
of the operations of Government, in matters civil,
political, and ecclesiastical, equal to his utmost
capacity to improve.
But what, among other subjects, now engaged
the special attention of the Queen, Court, and
Council'? What other than the subject of the
late negotiation and stiU further action in respect
to the Low Countries V DaUy was the condition
of the Confederated States waxing worse and
Low Countries, as specified ; and ' Brad., 409.
last, he was with that statesman, ^ Strype's Annals, iii. part ii.
when he was Secretary of State. 363.

54 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
worse. Town after town was falling into the
hands of their stern and cruel enemy. The noble
city of Antwerp, the great emporium of the States
and of Western Germany, was besieged and in
danger. In the pressing emergency, deputies,
with full powers to act, had hastened to England. '^
Met by the Queen at Greenwich, at her feet they
plead their cause. They brought to view her
former favors — their present danger — her assur
ances of anxious care for their defence and
preservation, lately signified to them by her
ambassador; the mutual interests of the two
countries ; the threatened overthrow of their
Protestant faith ; their hopeful prospects if further
aided; but desperate condition if unaided; and,
waiving all former objections, they again proffer
to her the sovereignty. On the terms specified
they urge its acceptance as a work most royal and
magnificent — acceptable to God, to Christianity
all helpful, and worthy of immortal commenda
tion.^ Elizabeth heard with deep interest their plea.
She declined the sovereignty; but on due delibera
tion assented to an alliance. Accordingly com
missioners were deputed from the Privy Council
to treat with the Deputies." The eyes of all
Europe were fixed upon her. It was a bold and
' Rymer's Foedera, xv. 802. Old French. Holinshed, iv. 416,
^ Speech of States' Deputies to 419, and 619.
Queen Elizabeth at Greenwich, » Cottonian MSS. Galba, C. vii.
June 29th, 1585 ; the original in 55.

TREATT AND EMBASSY. 50
daring step. The King of Sweden said : " Queen
Elizabeth has now taken the diadem from her
head, and ventured it upon the doubtful chance
of war."^" Some of her Council were for declining
the hazardous connection. She had herself at
first hesitated ; but at length concurring with
those in its .favor, she determined upon the heroic
act.-^^ At the magnificent palace of "Nonsuch,"
was the treaty negotiated, the Queen herself being
often present at the conferences. Here also, for
most of the time, was Mr. Davison — officially con
cerned and well qualified to act.^^ And here
doubtless was Mr. Brewster also occupied in his
Patron's service.
By the 10th of August the treaty was con
cluded,^* and Davison was soon clothed with
powers as her majesty's ambassador to carry its
stipulations into execution.^* Five thousand foot,
and one thousand horse, were to be dispatched to
the aid of the States, to be paid at first by the
Queen, while the port of Flushing with the fortress
of the Ramikins, in Zealand, and the Brill, with
its forts in Holland, were to be put into the hands
of the English, as precautionary sureties, until the
I" Campden's Elizabeth, folio, '^ Corps Universale Diploma-
321. tique, tome v. partie i. p. 454,
" " Threw herself into the pres- and further stipulations on the
ent war for their sakes, with the 18th of the same month.
greatest Prince and Potentate in " Strype's Annals, iii. part i.
Europe." Cabala, part ii. 34. 436. Murdin, 783. " Life of
'^ Leicester Correspondence, let- Davison, 15."
ter xviii. 126, xliii. 117.

56 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
repayment of the incurred expenses. Hence
were they called the " Cautionary Towns."
Scarcely, however, had the treaty been concluded,
when the* startling news arrived of the fall of Ant
werp. This unexpected intelligence, causing de
spondency in the States, and fears in England,
hastened the departure of the embassy and a por
tion of the military force.^^
In this embassy was Brewster. In the quaint
old style of our historian it is recorded: "He
attended Mr. Davison when he was senit in embas
sage by the Queen into the Low Countries, in the
Earl of Leicester's time, as for other weighty affairs
of state, so to receive possession of the Caution
ary Towns."^® The embassy was to proceed to the
Hague, by the way of Flushing, to counteract there
and elsewhere, as quickly as possible, the sad effects
of the faU of Antwerp, and the wily policy of the
conquering enemy. All along, as might be ex
pected, had Spanish agencies been at work, in
every practicable way, to undermine the efforts of
the States, and to oppose the infiuence of the
EngUsh."
'^ See references in preceding son, sent of special message into
note 14. Antwerp surrendered the Low Countries, with 40 shil-
August 7th, 1585 (Sup. N. S.); lings diet." Murdin's State Pa-
Sir John Norris was appointed to pers, 783.
the command of the forces Aug. '^ Bradford, 410.
12tli ; this, and the ambassador's " Davison's instructions in
urgent instructions, indicate that Strype's Annals, iii. part ii. 363,
the embassy must have left Eng- and his letters to the court of this
Land by about the middle of this date in Cabala and Leicester Cor-
month. Burleigh's treasury entry respondence.
was; "Aug. 1585. Mr. W. Davi-

DIFFICULTIES IN THE EMBASSY OVERCOME. 57
Assertions were confidently made that the
Spanish arms would now again prevail. Slander
ous reports were put in circulation respecting the
acts and purposes of Elizabeth. Artful insinua
tions were uttered that, on getting possession of
the important towns, as stipulated, the very keys
to the heart of the country, the Queen would hold
the States in complete subjection; or else, that she
would desert, and leave them to their fate, or
make a selfish treaty with Spain, without their
knowledge, whenever it would serve her private
ends. Efforts were also made to destroy confidence,
and cause dissatisfaction among the people them
selves, in respect to their own rulers, as well as
between their rulers and the English queen. At
tempts there were, too, and at times threatening
to be successful, to awaken jealousies between their
leaders — to estrange them from each other, and
thus to break their strong bond of union. Others,
again, who could be reached by more base and
sordid motives, were stealthily appealed to on the
score of interest : as heavy taxes, the expenses of
the war — even the sacrifice of their estates, if con
quered — all of which would be saved by submis
sion. These influences were to be met, and met they
were successfully. The ambassador's weU-known
character, his sympathizing interest in their behalf,
his wise counsels, gentlemanly deportment, and
prompt action, aided powerfully in checking oppo-

58 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
sition, dispelling fears, strengthening their hopes,
and calling forth all the combined energies of the
patriotic. Here were lessons for Brewster, in the school of
diplomacy, and in conferences with chief men and
rulers, as the embassy journeyed from Flushing to
the Hague.^^
From the Hague, the ambassador reported the
success of his negotiations for the execution of the
treaty and the delivery of the Cautionary Towns.
In the mean time, instructions had been forwarded
to him from the Queen, with authority to receive
and take possession of those towns in her majesty's
name." Accordingly, on returning to the Briel, he
thus reported again : —
" In the evening I received the keys, which I
this day have committed to Mr. Henry Norris, with
the government of the place by provision, till her
majesty shall otherwise dispose thereof."^
But at Flushing was the transfer in which, from
Brewster's known connection therewith, we are
most interested. While at the Briel, the ambas
sador received possession, and placed its govern
ment in the hands of another; at Flushing, he
was not only to receive possession and take upon
himself the civil government, but to take command
also of its fortifications, until the arrival of its
'^ Letters, &c., last referred to. ™ Extract from the MSS., kindly
'^ Cottonian MSS. Galba, C. viii. forwarded by Mr. Hunter, of Lon-
69 and 73, and Cabala, part ii. 34, don.
Sept. 24, 1585.

CAUTIONARY TOWNS TAKEN IN POSSESSION. 59
future governor. And this transfer appears to
have been attended with something of an imposing
ceremony. On the morning of October 19th, 1585 (Count
HoUock, or Hohenloe, and the young Prince
Maurice, son of the lately assassinated chief, being
present and assenting), the English troops marched
forth from their quarters, in good and quiet order,
to the principal church. There, in solemn manner,
was administered to them the oath of fidelity in
respect to the present peculiar trust. This solemn
act, in this sacred place, being performed in the
presence of all assembled, they next marched to
the fortifications, and took armed positions and
possession, while the troops of the States quietly
retired ; " and, in token and sign" of the transfer
and possession, the keys were also delivered to the
ambassador in due form, and accordingly received
by him in her majesty's name. And thus, all con
curring, was concluded, in quietness and peace, a
transaction which was evidently one of great deli
cacy — to both parties a matter of no little anxiety. ^^
Connected with this, was the further occurrence,
that the ambassador, after keeping the keys for
some time, " committed them to Brewster ;" and
he, as deputy, and as indicating his sense of the
responsibility and of faithfulness to the trust,
slept, the first night, with them under his pillow."^
" Cabala, part ii. Sand 34; Cot- 78; Leicester Correspondence, 61
tonian MSS. Galba, C. viii. 73, 75, and 74.
" Bradford, p. 410.

60 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Thus early appears the position which Brewster
held in the ambassador's confidence, while engaged
in this special mission.
How long William Brewster kept the keys of
Flushing is not stated ; but, from various sources,
we learn that Sir Philip Sidney, one of the noblest
of England's worthies, and, for his years, one of
the wisest, was commissioned on the 9th, and
arrived to take command on the 18th of the fol
lowing November, when to him were the keys of
this important military post transferred by the
ambassador, probably from the hands of Brewster.^''
The main purpose of this mission being now
accomplished, the embassy is anxiously looking for
permission to return. Private considerations- in
duced a request for it, which, however, was not
yet granted.^
From the first movement in the preparatory
mission, through the whole course of the negotia
tions to the final carrying of the treaty into effect,
had Mr. Davison been the main responsible agent.
Great wisdom, discretion, and tact, were required
amid all the conflicting interests, in avoiding the
jealousy of neighboring neutral states, and in pro
voking as little as possible the threatening wrath
of Italy and Spain. And " in this, which was
'" Rymer's Fcedera, xv. 802, and same time Governor at the Brill,
Sir Philip's Report ; Harlein MSS.; but did not arrive until after the
Lodge's Memoirs, iii. 9. Sir Tho- 12th of January following ; Lei-
mas Cecil, son of the Lord Trea- cester Correspondence, 38, 51.
surer, was commissioned at the ^' Cabala, ii. 3, 34.

DIPLOMATIC SCHOOL. 61
without question one of the most perplexing trans
actions of that whole reign, the ambassador con
ducted things in such a happy dexterity as to merit
the strongest acknowledgments on the part of the
States, at the same time that he rendered the
highest service to his royal mistress."^^
In such a service, under such a patron, was
Brewster acquiring enlarged views, and acquaint
ance with other manners, customs, and conditions
of society, civil and religious, and laying up in
store practical wisdom, of no small advantage to
himself and others, in his future life.
'^ Biographia Britannica, article Davison; and Cabala, with Lei
cester Correspondence as before quoted.

CHAPTER IV.
Knights, with a long retinue of their squires.
In gaudy liveries march, and quaint attires. — Drydeit.
Between the time when William Brewster
kept the keys of Flushing, just mentioned, and
that of the next incident recorded respecting him,
were other occurrences too marked to be omitted.
To pass such unnoticed here, would be to pass
over much that throws light upon this part of the
narrative. Connected with these, there comes
before us another personage as the chief actor —
the Earl of Leicester. Our historian's allusion to
him specifies the time, and the fact of Brewster's
continued connection with the embassy.
The earl, at the time high among the highest
in the Queen's personal favor, had been com
missioned on the 2d of October, as her General-
in-Chief and Counsellor in the Low Countries.-^
After many hindrances, and one mortifying deten
tion by the Queen, he assembled on the 6th of
Dec. his numerous and splendid train, at Col
chester, in Essex, all zealous for this famed expedi-
' 2d, and 22d Oct. Rymer, xv. 799, 802.

LEICESTER GOES INTO THE NETHERLANDS. 63
tion. Moving onward, they arrived on the 8th
at Harwich, and, the day after, embarked for
Flushing in Zealand.^ On the 10th, with a
numerous fleet of ships and transports, they
entered that noted port. There landing, the
gallant band, in which was the Earl of Essex,
with "lords, knights, captains, and choice
soldiery," was greeted with shouts of welcome,
.displays of banners, ringing of bells, and roar of
cannon — all evincing the gratitude and joy of the
people of Zealand, for England's aid in their time
of need.
The Earl of Leicester, received and entertained
by Prince Maurice, and Sir PhiUp Sidney, now
the governor, was lodged at the residence of the
ambassador; who, with Sir Philip, bore to him
the relationship of cousin. Here the ambassador,
attended by Brewster, became connected with the
civic and martial train, to aid and counsel the
earl in his diplomatic intercourse with the States.
Here also commenced a splendid pageant, in the
manner of a triumphal progress, from Flushing
through the States of Zealand and Holland even
to Amsterdam.
The next day, after a large assemblage and
discourse at the principal church, foUowed by a
' Admiral Burroughs' Journal, ten days must be added for the
in Appendix to Leicester Corre- New Style. This will be the case
spondence ; and Holinshed, iv. throughout the work, unless
640, &c. The dates here given otherwise specified.
being according to the Old Style,

64 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
banquet, the earl and a large body of attend
ants, with the embassy, embarked for Middleburg.
Passing the fortress of the Ramikins, a demonstra
tion greeted them, limited, but not less signal
than that of the day previous at Flushing.
Landing at Middleburg in grand procession, they
entered its gates amidst gorgeous display and pre
sentations of national standards, roar of artillery,
drums beating, trumpets sounding, and every
practicable demonstration, civic and military; the
best estates of the country attending. Amidst all
this, conspicuous on every side, were numerous
and expressive mottoes. Underneath the arms of
England, emblazoned, and linked by chains to the
arms of the States, and as most strikingly signifi
cant of the hopes of the present alliance, was this :
" Quos Deus conjunxit, homo non separet ;"
"Whom God hath joined together, let no man
put asunder."^
It was the season of Christmas, according to the
old computation ; and the hospitalities were with
out limit. The authorities of the States first
feasted the earl and his train in the States House,
where most sumptuous was the fare, and grotesque
the devices; castellated structures of crystal,
emitting silvery streams ; animals prepared in full
size and very form, of every eatable description,
from earth, sea, and air, served up with all their
' Holinshed, iv. 640, and Leicester Corres. ; a part of the marriage
ceremony.

RECEPTIONS ANb ENTERTAINMENTS. 65
varied accompaniments, in true olden Dutch style,
amid speaking representations of England's aid —
distress reUeved, and of gratitude to the Great
Giver. In short, in the words of the accurate old
chronicler, "There were devices of aU kinds,
music of all sorts, variety of all things, and
Avondrous welcomes."
In return, the earl entertained the authorities
and others most royaUy after the English manner;
and then, less publicly, the widow of the late
Prince of Orange, and her youthful son Maurice,
and their train. Thus were mingled associations
of deep sad interest in the past, with grateful
acknowledgments of the divine mercy, in the aid
proffered for the future.*
The earl having passed seven days here, and
" dispatched his weighty affairs," again embarked
with his train, upon the waters of Lake Bies-
Bosch, or Bugersveld,^ and for the next four days,
wended his way through mists, over a country
deeply submerged, his course impeded by the
old foundations of houses, churches and castles,
' It should be remembered that ^ This was a lake of about 12
the Prince of Orange, while living, square leagues in extent, caused
feeling that his life was in con- on the 19th of Nov., 1421, by the
tinual danger from the hands of rupture of several dykes ; in con-
assassins, had solicited the pro- sequence of which 72 villages tod
tection of Elizabeth for his iaugh- a population of 100,000 souls were
ters in case he should be taken submerged. Malte-Brun, vol. iii.
from them. For this Elizabeth gave 1093.
her pledge ; which, when the time
came, she promptly and generous
ly redeemed. Strype's Annals.
5

66 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
until at length, saluted by numerous Dutch ships-
of-war, he arrived on the 22d at Dort. Here also
was he greeted with joyous welcomes, displays,
and bountiful entertainments, too numerous to be
here described.
Passing on thence, a varied and equally im
posing reception awaited him at Rotterdam. In
the midst of demonstrations in this noted city, as
characteristic, and most conspicuous, was the
newly-erected statue of the great Erasmus, in a
pulpit, holding forth the word of truth, with his
own paraphrase of the Gospel in hand, and the
peculiarly appropriate motto, "Erasmus, Rotter
dam." Onward he moved the next day ; and on arriving
at night, illuminations^ and other modes of recep
tion equaUy marked, met the train at Delft. The
earl was here conducted to the very house where,
the year before, as we have already noticed, the
Prince of Orange was assassinated.
Here, too, the States feasted the guests, and they
in turn the States. There were present chief men
and ladies, with orators, setting forth with glowing
tongue, both in Latin and native Dutch, the
grounds of the English aUiance, and the expected
results in withstanding the conquering enemy, and
in securing their dearly cherished liberties and
rights. Three days having passed here, the train again
" Holinshed, iv. 643 and 645.

THE ambassador's POSITION AND DUTIES. 67
moved onward, and at night entered Donhage, or
the Hague, illuminated with torches and fireworks,
connected with still other curiously devised modes
of expressing their country's joy in their country's
style. At this celebrated place, long the princely seat
of the House of Orange, the earl resolved to keep
his standing court. From it, he reports to the
Queen his progress and prospects.
Respecting Brewster's patron, the ambassador,
the eaiTs declarations were that without his con
tinued presence and aid, rueful indeed would be
his own condition: "Without Mr. Davison, I con
fess myself quite maimed ; his credit is marvellous
great here. He is, I assure you, the most sufficient
man to serve her majesty that I know, of aU our
nation; for he knoweth all parts of these coun
tries, and all persons of any account, with their
humors, and hath great credit among them all."^
In diplomatic conferences and discussions, where
the French only could be spoken, the ambassadoj
answered for the earl in that language.
Such being the case in respect to Brewster's
patron, we have some further idea what must have
' Holinshed, iv. ; also Leicest. neously attributes to the ambassa-
Cor., 33, 59, 64, 69, 77. Here dor what the earl said, not of him,
would the writer point out an but of another person, viz. , of Dr.
error in the Catalogue of the Har- Bartholomew Clerk, of the civil
lein MS., No. 285, fol. 171. It is law. Compare said No. of the
an error which might occasion Catalogue, with p. 33, and note 75
great injustice to Mr. Davison's of Leicest. Corres.
character as a statesman. It erro-

68 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
been his own condition in all this course of splendid
receptions, magnificent entertainments, and mili
tary pomp, himself discreet, modest, retiring, yet
an observer, and in some respects a partaker, while
" attending" upon his appropriate duties.
Omitting the notice of . other demonstrations in
the earl's further progress, or excursions from the
Hague, passing by even the fantastic devices at
Amsterdam, we give a passing glance at but one
more, that at Leyden, It was now the 3d of Jan
uary, 1586, three weeks from the commencement
of this gorgeous pageant, when the earl, attended
by 300 horse commanded by many of the elite of
England, proceeded to this ancient city. Met on
the way and escorted thither by Burgomasters,
Marshals, and chief citizens, in their robes and
gala dress, they enter and pass along its decorated
streets, lined on each hand and overhead with
hangings and adornings of costliest material, while
over the earl moved a splendid canopy. Amidst
such, and corresponding modes of reception, he
arrived at his munificently prepared lodgings. But
of all the demonstrations and tokens of welcome
here, we mark one peculiar to the place and most
expressive. Eleven years before, this city had endured, from
the Spanish forces, one of the most terrible
sieges on record. And now were set forth before
their guests, as in drama, the successive events and
scenes in that memorable siege; the battles and
slaughter; the progress of the enemy; the failure

LEYDEN ; DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT. 69
of food ; the hunger, thirst, and famine ; the sol
diers in frenzy seizing upon chUdren in their
mother's arms ; the pestilence, burials, even the
hardened Spaniards beholding them from beyond
the walls with pity ; then messages from the enemy
to surrender, but promptly rejected; at length, signs
of their utter extremity, and for speedy help, made
from the highest tower, and discovered by the
Prince of Orange, at Delft, and answered favorably
by the device of a carrier dove ; then, along with
commotions discovered in the camp of the enemy,
are heard the crash of faUing walls and dykes, and
the sound of inrushing waters ; and presently are
seen coming on the spreading flood, with a favor
ing gale, at the opportune moment, boats with
men and provisions for their full relief. Then fol
lowed the quick dispersion of the enemy ; and all
is closed with spontaneous acknowledgments of
God's providential hand in this their great deliver
ance.^ And this was Leyden; a place again to
' Ranke, p. 146, Brandt, &c. It by citizens to surrender, such was
was by the cutting of the dykes, the awful havoc of the famine,
and letting in of the waters, and answered: "Friends, here is my
a high wind blowing most provi- body ; divide it among you to
dentially from the direction of satisfy, your hunger, but banish
Delft, that the boats were wafted all thoughts of surrendering to
direct to Leyden, with men and the cruel, perfidious Spaniard."
ammunition, &c. The Spaniards Taking the advice, they answered
seeing this retired. Malte Brun, the enemy — they would hold out
note Leyden. In the extremity as long as they had one arm to
of the siege, their noble magistrate, eat and another to fight. London
Adrian De Ver, when appealed to Encyclopedia, article Leyden.

70 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
come under notice as the residence of Brewster
and his friends in years to come.
These pageants passed; affairs at the Hague
demanded the earl's and ambassador's attention.
The States having lost their own distinguished
leader, were in consultation about placing Leicester
in the chief command — not stopping short of con
ferring upon him the vice-royalty. To this the
ambassador, not being informed of the Queen's
injunction to the contrary, appears to have tacitly
assented." And soon, on the part of the States,
was the plan matured.
On a set day, authorized deputies met the earl
and presented to him, in set form and speech, their
proposals. With some show of hesitation, he
accepted the overtures, and then, with almost regal
pomp and ceremony, was he invested with nearly
absolute authority (under Elizabeth) over the States
of the Netherlands ; a proceeding that provoked
the Queen's highest displeasure.
This done, the ambassador and suite must hasten
their return to' England, Already had he been
detained too long by the earl, while the Queen and
her council were impatiently awaiting his arrival
home, to learn by him the true state of affairs,
aside from the gorgeous receptions and pageantry,
which of late had been the burden of the earl's

' In all this matter the earl dor, concealing the queen's injunc-
acted according to the promptings tion, and urging other considera-
of his own ambition, and most tions. Leicester Corres., pp. 121,
deceptively towards the ambassa- 168, 175, 333, 335.

AMBASSADOR, BREWSTER, GOLD CHAIN. 71
communications. Another and higher place, also,
had the Queen in view for the ambassador.^"
On the eve of departure, about the 1st of Febru
ary, occurred the next incident recorded in respect
to Brewster. The States would not have the am
bassador depart without some token of their high
appreciation of his official course. Accordingly,
says Bradford, "at his return, the States honored
him with a gold chain, and he committed it to
Brewster, and commanded him to wear it when
they arrived in England, as they rode through the
country, till they came to the court."^^ Aside from
the honor bestowed upon the ambassador, what did
his committal of the chain to Brewster signify, but
a mark of honor and a token of his high estima
tion of the ability and faithfulness with which
Brewster had executed the duties assigned him
during the mission.
And what did the ambassador's commanding him
to wear the chain signify, but that the latter would
have modestly declined the honor, unless thus com
manded'? An honorable testimony, surely, from
him who bestowed to him who received!
The embassy now left for England. From the
direction, as above given, it would appear to have
been their purpose to pass, by the way of the
Brill (the usual course), over to Harwich, and
'» Leicester Cor., Ill, 77, 123. by the States to Brewster, but they
'' Bradford, 410. Some writers evidently misunderstood the pas-
have, indeed, understood Bradford sage.
to say that the chain was given

72 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
thence to ride across the county of Essex, 70 miles,
to London.^^ Yet whatever may have been the
ambassador's intention, their return finally was
otherwise. Their passage from the Brill to
London was wholly by water. He thus writes to
the earl : " After my departure from your lord
ship, I was detained at the Brill, some five or six
days by the wind and weather." " The Friday
following I put to the seas, and by God's goodness
had so happy a passage, as the next morning, by
ten or eleven o'clock, we anchored at the Recei
vers, within Margate, and the same night, about
midnight, came to Gravesend, apd from thence
immediately with the tide hither, where I arrived
the next morning early."^*
Arrived in London, the ambassador, having
signified to Mr. Secretary his readiness to report
himself at court, had access to the Queen the
same evening.
We pause not here to describe this agitating
interview with the Queen, nor those that followed,
nor the stern conflicts of opinion between her and
her chief counsellors, respecting the course to be
pursued with the Earl of Leicester. Sufficient is
it to say, that it was not until after strong con
tests, in which Mr. Davison expressed his readi
ness to retire to private life, and even Burleigh,
that able man of the age, and the Queen's long
" This would accord literally " Letter to the Earl, Feb. 17th,
with the words of Bradford. 1586, Leicester Cor., 117.

AT COURT; queen's CONFLICT WITH COUNCIL. 73
tried and most trusty counsellor in extremities,
declared he would resign his place and leave public
service, unless her majesty would yield to their
united counsels in the present emergency. It
was not until this had passed, and the Queen had
gradually yielded, that matters were again amica
bly arranged.-^*
On the settlement of this strongly contested and
sorely agitating question depended Brewster's

" Leicester Correspondence,
124, 197, 193. It was one
characteristic of Elizabeth, that
she was slow — very slow — in
adopting any important course of
action ; but when she had adopted
it, she was imperative in enforcing
compliance. The keeping of this
in mind will help to explain many
of her acts as a sovereign. It was
her own declaration to Parliament :
" My manner is, to deliberate long
upon that which is but once to
be resolved." [Hansard's Pari.
Hist., i. 843.] In the present
case, the Queen was doubtless
right in regard to her displeasure
at Leicester's acceptance of su
premacy in the States. Her
honor was at stake. Consistency
was to be maintained in the eyes
of the Princes of Europe, to whom
she had issued her manifesto dis
claiming all idea of rule in the
Netherlands. Leicester had con
cealed and gone contrary to her
injunctions. Therefore, said she,
" I may not endure that a man
shall alter my commission, and

the authority that I gave him,
and without me." Again, " It is
sufficient to make me infamous to
all princes, having protested to
the contrary." On the other
hand, the counsellors were right,
in continuing, in this extremity,
the pledged aid to the States.
This was the prior concern. With
this nothing should interfere.
Leicester had disobeyed ; but he
could be privately dealt with, or
recalled in time, or the matter be
settled in some other way. The
States also, had, it was true, mis
calculated, and had taken a false
step. But they should not there
fore be made to feel rebuke and
discouragement, or any fear of
England's desertion. The safety
of the Queen's own kingdom even
forbade this. For other par
ticulars, and further specimens of
Elizabeth's keen perception, and
masterly seizing, and setting forth
of the gist of a complicated argu
ment, see particularly in Leicester
Cor., 173, and 175.

74 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
continued position. Thus he remained with Mr.
Davison, ready for any future service to which he
might be called.^^ He had seen much of men and
things in this year and a half's embassy abroad,
and had doubtless profited by all that he had
passed through. ¦5 Bradford, 410.

CHAPTER V.
Modesty winneth good report. — Tupper.
After several weeks of retirement at his
country place, in Stepney, Mr. Davison, at the de
sire of the Queen, appeared again at court, and
was soon after made one of her majesty's principal
Secretaries of State, and also a member of her
Privy Council.^
And Brewster having " continued with him,"
had now a further appointment in his service.^
What his new position and duties were, we are
again to learn chiefly from those of his patron.
" The Secretaries of State having under their
management and direction the most important
affairs of the kingdom, were therefore obliged to
attend constantly on the sovereign. They received
and dispatched whatever came to hand either from
the crown, the church, the army, or whatever
related to private grants, pardons and dispensa
tions. They received petitions to the sovereign,
which, on being read, were returned to them. All
' Camden's Annals, 488, and ^ Bradford, 410.
Leicester Cor., 142, 343, 451, 455.

76 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
was executed according to the sovereign's direction.
They had also authority to commit persons for
treason and other offences against the state.
They were members of the Privy Council, which
Avas seldom or never held, unless one of them was
present. Business and correspondence within the
kingdom were managed by either of the secretaries
without distinction. But of foreign affairs, all
was divided into two provinces or departments.
Northern and Southern, comprising all kingdoms
and states having intercourse with Great Britain ;
each secretary receiving all letters and addresses
from, and preparing and forwarding all dispatches
to the several princes and states included within
its province."^
Placed in this high position, Mr. Davison was
contemporary with the far famed Sir Francis
Walsingham. " And these offices, it may be
affirmed" (says the learned Dr. Kippis), "were
now as well filled as in any period that can be
assigned in our history; and yet by persons of
very different, or rather opposite dispositions;
Walsingham being a man of great art and
intrigue, and not displeased to be thought such;
whose capacity was deeper than those who under
stood it best apprehended it to be. Davison, on the
other hand, had a just reputation for wisdom and
probity; and though he had been concerned in
many intricate affairs, yet preserved a character
' London Encyclopsedia, article Secretary.

SECRETARY DAVISON; BREWSTER. 77
SO unspotted, that to this time, nothing he had
done could draw on him the least imputation."*
And not only had he this high unblemished
character as a statesman, but his " virtue, religion,
and worth," in the words of the Earl of Essex,
" were taken to be so great, as that no man had
more general love than he."^
With such a Christian statesman, and in the
high duties of the secretary's office, it was Brews
ter's privilege now to be employed. Already has
it been specified as the duty of a secretary of
state, to attend constantly on the sovereign.^ For
this purpose, " in aU the royal houses, the Secre
taries of State had each his apartment as well for
his own accommodation, as his office, and those
who attended upon it. They had each of them
two under secretaries and clerks, attending the
office, and of their own choice, without any
dependence upon any other; and those places
were of considerable profit."' Consequently, now,
at whichever of the royal residences the Queen
might be, Secretary Davison was present with
those holding appointment under him ; all attend
ing upon their respective duties.
Which of those positions, specifically, Brewster
* Biographia Britannica, article he " went to the court oon-
Davison, v. 6. tinually," as the case and daily
6 The Earl's Letter to King duty required. Life of Davison.
James, in article Davison, v. 6. do. ' Beatson's Political Index, i.
s To this end, Mr. Davison had 398.
" a house in London," from which

78 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
held, it would be gratifying to us to know: but
we must be content with Bradford's statements,
which designate, not, indeed, the office by name,
but, what is of far more consequence, the confi
dential nature of his duties, and his rare qualifica
tions for their performance.
First, "the secretary found him so discreet and
faithful that he trusted him above all others that
were about him." Next, " he only employed him
in all matters of greatest trust and secrecy." In
a position of such trust, and employed in matters
of state thus confidential, a position at aU times
important, but especially so in the critical circum
stances in which the Queen and her kingdom were
now placed, Brewster stands before us, a person of
no little interest.
In addition to this, in social intercourse, " the
secretary esteemed him rather as a son than as a
servant," or official subordinate ; " and, for his
wisdom and piety, he would converse with him in
private more like a familiar friend than as a mas
ter."* Discretion, faithfulness, wisdom, and piety,
not favoritism, then, won for him the place and
this high confidence.
But it is not only on the outward position and
duties of his high trust, putting his rare qualities
to a test, that we here look; but we are enabled
to look within, to see something of the inner man.
We mark the principles and qualities in the youth,
8 Bradford, 409, 410.

BREWSTER S DUTIES ; QUEEN; KINGDOM. 79
which, developing more and more, became, in after
life, the prominent characteristics of the matured
man. It was now the summer of 1586, and Brewster
was in about his 26th year, and his patron in his
48th. We have already remarked upon this period
as one most critical and trying to the Queen and
to the kingdom. This and the following year were
years of peculiar perplexities. No one can read
the Parliamentary debates, in either House, during
the time, and the addresses and messages between
them and the Queen and Council, without being
made sensible of this fact.^
Philip of Spain, aroused by Elizabeth's alliance
with the United Provinces, and the aid she had
sent them, was secretly preparing immense arma
ments, naval and miUtary, not only to reduce those
States again to submission, and punish them for
their so-called rebellion, but to carry, with alL
energy, the war into England. Hence the mighty
" armada," ere long to hover in terrific power as
over one vast scene of prey and plunder, over the
whole southern coast of the kingdom. In concert
with this mighty armament, had a league (as was
believed) been entered into in France, Italy
Spain, and Germany, to put down Protestantism
in Europe, and dethrone Elizabeth, or at least to
provide a Roman Catholic successor to the English
' Hansard's Parliamentary Debates, and Simon D'Ewes' Journal,
during the years 1586 and 1587.

80 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
throne.^" Plots to this end had been formed, and
were believed to be still forming, in England —
plots even to assassinate the Queen, as the Prince
of Orange before had been.
To discover and foil these attempts, to forestall
the movements of her powerful and combining
enemies, caUed for all the penetration, activity,
and skill of Elizabeth's wisest statesmen. For the
first of these tasks, the other and more aged secre
tary, Walsingham, was peculiarly fitted, and in
these he chose to take the principal part. But
the affairs connected with the Earl of Leicester,
the providing against the disappointment felt in
the Low Countries, as well as in England, in con
sequence of his humiliating inefficiency, misman
agement, and the inglorious results, after his
pompous beginnings, these fell to the share of
Secretary Davison. Adding to the great perplexity
and danger, the fate of the Queen of Scots was
now to be determined. She was believed to be,
at this very critical period, in secret correspond
ence with the enemies of the Queen and of the
Protestant faith.-^^
To name other particulars here would be need
less. Sufficient is it to have alluded to these, in
connection with the current duties of the day, to
indicate what must have been a portion, at least,
of those " matters of greatest trust and secrecy,"
'" Ranke, 153, 160, 187. Acta " Life of Davison, and Leices.
Regia, and Turner's History Eng., Corres.
in the same years.

EDWIN SANDYS AND GEORGE CRANMER. 81
in which Brewster was "employed" in the office
of Secretary Davison.
But before proceeding further, we will bring to
notice two persons, one of whom is about this time
received into the secretary's office, and the other
becomes afterwards Brewster's valued and efficient
friend. Some fifteen years before, or about the year 1571,
two truly Christian Bishops, Jewel and Sandys,
who had once, for their Protestant faith, been in
long and dreary exile together from country and
home, in the time of the Roman Catholic Mary,
and had there formed a stronger than earthly
friendship, met often in affectionate intercourse
after their return ; the former incidentally, near the
time of the above date, made mention of a young
Richard Hooker, of whom he had been the patron.
And such an account of his learning, life, and
manners did he give, that Sandys, though educated
and having strong attachments at Cambridge,
resolved that his son Edwin should be sent to
Oxford, and "by aU means be a pupil of Mr,
Hooker." " For," said he, " I will have a tutor
for my son that shall teach him learning by instruc
tion, and virtue by example; and my greatest care
shaU be of this last ; and (God wiUing) this Richard
Hooker shall be the man to whose hands I will
commit my Edwin." Scarcely had two years passed
when the resolve was carried into execution.-^^
" Walton's Life of Hooker, and notes prefixed to his Ecclesiastical
Polity. Oxford ed., p. 66.

82 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Hooker, now in his 19th year, and, for his age,
one of the maturest scholars in the university, had
under his tuition other pupils, among whom was
young George Cranmer, grand nephew of the
martyred archbishop of that name. With such a
teacher and such pupils, most happily passed the
years of their preparatory, and most of their uni
versity course, to the great advantage of all, "but
especially," says Walton, " of his first two, his dear
Edwin Sandys and his as dear George Cranmer."
In the mean time, there grew up between the
pupils and their tutor a friendship, so fouuded on
religious principles, and so free from selfish ends,
a friendship so blessed and spiritual, matured
through many years in that university, until it
became, says Walton, " so improved and perfected,
that it. even bordered upon heaven." The time
coming when they must leave the halls of learning
for the active duties of life, Sandys and Cranmer,
stiU united, travel together on the Continent;
together visit France, Germany, and Italy ; to
gether search out the state of religion in each,
and gather stores of knowledge for future use ; and
together, after three years' absence, they return to
England, And here we have reached the point for which,
and what follows, this notice of them has been
introduced. Cranmer enters the service of Secretary Davison,
and becomes an associate in office with Brewster,

BREWSTER'S ASSOCIATES. 83
Sandys, Cranmer's endeared friend, might now, if
he had not before, become acquainted with
Brewster. Cranmer, henceforth Brewster's com
panion in office, is engaged with him in its
responsible, and to their chief, most hazardous
duties. Edwin Sandys becomes the author of the
" Europse Speculum," or " View of the State of
Religion in the Western Parts of Europe," and in
time. Sir Edwin Sandys, and an eminent states
man ; " a man (says Fuller), right-handed to any
great employment, with a commanding pen,
corresponding with Hooker respecting his great
work, also a member of Parliament, and as con
stant in attendance as the speaker himself, a
patriot advocating legal rights at home, and
colonial settlements and rights abroad ; and-though
sometimes displeasing to King James, yet after
all faithful to his country without being false to
his sovereign."^^
But his friendly and Christian correspondence
with Brewster it was, and active efforts for him
and his people, hereafter to be noticed, that will
cause his name to be handed down with gratitude
and honor, by the Pilgrims' descendants to the
latest posterity.
Cranmer's name stands connected with one of
the most critical transactions of Secretary Davison's
" Fuller's Worthies, article Sandys, also Chalmer's Annals of Vir
ginia. Bancroft's United States, i. 156, 158, 191.

84 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
life." That period being past, he becomes
secretary to Sir Henry Killegrew's embassy to
France. Aids or counsels Hooker also in respect
to his " Ecclesiastical Polity ;" of which his epistle
or treatise, addressed to him in 1589, is ample
evidence.''* But ere long his career, and with it
the great hopes entertained of him, were brought
to an unexpected close. Having been solicited
by Lord Mountjoy, he accompanied that personage
as his secretary to Ireland; where, at the battle
near Carlingford, he fell mortaUy wounded, and
soon after expired.
But William Brewster's course, less marked and
brilliant at the time, indeed, than were those of
his two associates, especially that of his friend.
Sir Edwin, was yet, as the event will show, of
much longer duration and more eventful, far
more trying to flesh and blood, and of immensely
greater interest in its far-reaching results,
¦* The execution of the Queen going to my Lord Chancellor's,
of Scots. " The next morning I until I heard from her." Davi-
received a letter from Cranmer son's Apology. Biog. Britannica,
my servant, whom I left at court, v. 10.
signifying to me her majesty's '* Introduction to Hooker's
pleasure, that I should forbear works, 64, 72.

CHAPTER VI

True dignity is never gained by place,
And never lost when honors are withdrawn. — ^Massingek.

Let us enter the official apartments of Secretary
Davison at court, and try to ascertain, as far as
we may, the spirit or governing principle by
which affairs were there conducted.
A little examination enables us to discover,
underneath and mingling with all the multifarious
plans of business, anxious consultations, and
intercourse with the Queen, with the several
departments, and with other nations — a powerful
element, which no political combinations, no arts,
or crooked policy could overcome ; a firm principle,
not officiously or obtrusively, but mildly pervading
all. It was none other than Christian principle.
Of its pervading influence in the manner men
tioned, the correspondence of the office, and the
well known character of the secretary, bear
ample testimony. And that in this there was
united action, as far as we can discover, appears
from the character of Cranmer, as developed in
his college life with Hooker and Sandys, and in
his continental tour, the influence of which was

86 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
now brought into the office, EquaUy evident is
the fact from the character which Brewster
brought with hifti from the university and from
his service in the Netherlands.
Thus far, at least, amidst the ambitions of the
court, the intrigues and base acts of such as
Leicester, the wiles and craft of Walsingham, in
this office was felt, and from it went forth an
influence grateful to every Christian patriot. Here
was a green spot (we trust there were otherg) on
which the eye of every real lover of his country
could rest with elevated and cheering satisfaction.
And we may here reiterate, how in hours of
retirement, and apparently in his family, the
secretary conversed with Brewster, not only upon
affairs of the office and of state, but upon the
concerns of religion, A rare privilege surely it
was to the young man, to be permitted in free
social intercourse, thus to gather instruction from
the experienced Christian statesman. Nor can we
doubt that a similar privilege was enjoyed by
Cranmer, and that probably there were occasional
visits from Sandys,
And on the Lord's day, and in the house of
prayer, how must it have been'? and also, as
Christ's disciples and as Christian friends at the
Lord's table,^ the elevated in station with the more
' That the Secretary, and these from the fact that this was
his assistants in office were thus required by law, but from what is
communicants in the established known of their lives.
church, is evident, not merely

GREAT AND AGITATING QUESTIONS. 87
humble in position ; the Lord himself being the
maker of them aU '?
Who can estimate in all this the amount of
influence for good, at home and abroad, discreetly
exerted'? Who shall estimate the strengthening
influence upon the mind of Brewster 1
But the summer of 1586 was drawing to a
close. Great questions agitated the court and the
nation. These could not but absorb the chief
attention of the secretary and all in his employ.
On the 5 th of October, Mr. Davison had been
appointed on the commission to try the Queen of
Scots ; but he appears not to have been present at
the trial. If he approved of it, it is more than
we can discover ; he seems at least to have left the
responsibility to others. Yet the trial took place ;
the fearful sentence was passed.
It is not for us to examine here the reasons, the
justice or injustice, poUcy or impolicy, of that
transaction. It has been matter of discussion and
of divided opinion from that day to the present.
And that Queen's pitiable condition and end
have awakened sympathy wherever the sad tale
has been told.
It is due, however, to historic truth, to say that,
after the trial and sentence, both houses of ParUa-
ment, after a long discussion of the question, unit
edly petitioned, nay, importunately urged Queen
Elizabeth to have the sentence put in execution.
Elizabeth, d,elaying long, apparently in great doubt
and perplexity, answered: " That, moved with some

88 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
commiseration for the Scottish Queen, in respect
to her former dignity and great fortunes in her
younger years, her nearness of kindred, and also
her sex, her highness could be weU pleased^ to
forbear taking her life, if by any other means to
be devised by the great council of the realm, the
safety of her majesty's person and government
might be preserved without ruin and destruction."
To this, after "many speeches" and "debates,"
both Houses, by their committees, replied, "all
with one consent," that " they could find no other
way than what was set down in their petition;"
" that the sentence be put in speedy execution."
"And if the same be not put in speedy execution,
her most loving and dutiful subjects shall thereby,
so far as man's reason can reach, be brought into
utter despair of the continuance among them of
the true religion of Almighty God, and of her
majesty's life, and the safety of her faithful sub
jects."^ Elizabeth, still hesitating and delaying, sends to
them, again, one of her answerless answers : " If
I shall say unto you that I mean not to grant your
petition, by my faith I should say unto you more
than perhaps I mean. And if I should say unto
you I mean to grant your petition, I should then
tell you more than it is fit for you to know. And
" Hansard's Pari. Hist., i. pp. operating, see also Ranke's Hist.
838, 839, 841, 843, 844. As an of the Popes, p. 167. Also Hal-
illustration of the state of the lam's Const. Hist., vol. i. pp. 154,
public mind, and the causes then 155, &c.

QUEEN OF scot's EXECUTION. 89
thus I must deliver unto you my answer answer-
less.''^* During all these proceedings, the unhappy Queen
of Scots had not one advocate in either House that
would or durst plead in her favor. The current
against her was so strong that it would have over
thrown all opposers, and involved them in the
same ruin. Nay, there was evident fear on the
part of the Commons that some method might be
proposed, or foreign influence exerted, to prevent
the execution. Therefore, many of them were
for taking measures to cut off all attempts at such
interference. On the 2d of December, Parliament
was adjourned, and the Queen and court were left
to act on their own responsibility in the approatih-
ing crisis.
Reports of leagues abroad, and plots at home,
and of the threatening Spanish invasion, were the
topics of the day.* But how the sentence against
the condemned Queen was to be put in execution,
became the absorbing theme. Some were for put
ting her out of the way privately. This course
was proposed or advocated by Leicester (now re
turned from the States) and was concurred in by
Walsingham. ^ Davison, if the execution was to
take place, was for the legal course only. Long
and decidedly did he argue with the Queen in the
" Hansard, as before. argument with the Queen, in his
'' See the last and preceding Apology; Davison's Life, Appeu-
references, and Mr. Davison's own dix.

90 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
council chamber, and in more retired interviews,
on this point.*
The year closed, and that of 1587 opened with
fearful forebodings. For more than six weeks was
the public mind held in suspense.
At length the time arrived. It was the time of
peril to Secretary Davison, and a turning point in
the life of Brewster.
EUzabeth resolved on the long delayed execu
tion. She had tried, in various ways, to shun the
responsibility, and to escape from the odium of the
final act. Walsingham escaped it, having declared
himself sick.
In the turn of affairs, on Secretary Davison was
made to rest the chief burden of attending to the
legal process. Her majesty summoned him to
bring the warrant for her signature, and having
signed it, she directed him to bear it to the Lord
Chancellor, for the great seal; still pressing the
idea of its execution privately. Borne to the
chancellor, and the seal being affixed, and her
majesty informed of the fact, she seemed to blame
the haste of the secretary, still suggesting some
other way of proceeding, yet giving no counter-
direction. Davison, as directed, mformed and
consulted with Walsingham, and there being no
hint to stay proceedings, and he, not willing to
assume the responsibility of acting alone, advised
with the chief members of the Privy Council, and
' See preceding note.

sacrifice of secretary DAVISON. 91
left with them the warrant. They sent it to the
named officials to proceed therewith. The execu
tion soon followed — that act which Bishop Burnet
pronounces the "greatest blemish of this reign.'"*
Two days had passed, when information arrived ^
of the execution. The Queen, at first quiet, at
length broke out into the most violent expressions
of grief, blaming and threatening the chief mem
bers of her council. As an evasion, and to disarm
resentment abroad, she pronounced the act, " that
miserable accident." But there must be a victim;
and, as if to confirm her assertion, and shield her
self, the able, upright, noble-hearted Davison must
be sacrificed. Committed to the tower, and soon
after brought to trial before the Star Chamber
Court, and charged with revealing the Queen's
counsels to her privy counsellors, and with pre-
suinption in having executed her majesty's order,
he finds himself in this dilemma: that, to prove
himself to have been faithful and upright, he must
prove his royal mistress to have been unscrupulous
and false. This he would not do; but, with a
noble purpose of soul, he committed himself to
the court and the Queen's clemency, resolved to
suffer all for his country's and her majesty's sake,
trusting that in the end her sense of right, and
consciousness that he was suffering for her sake,
would cause her to make all honorable amends.
The court, though pronouncing him to be a
8 Burnet's History of the Reformation, vol. i. p. 592.

92 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
good, able, honest man, yet influenced by state
policy, and to shield the Queen, fined him 10,000
marks, and committed him to the tower, during
her majesty's pleasure.'^
The effects of all this upon the mind of Brew
ster may be easily conceived. Sharing largely, no
doubt, in the secretary's sentiments, day by day,
and step by step, must he have marked the whole
proceeding. With pained heart must he have felt
its blighting influence. The generous and patri
otic impulses of youth must have been chilled in
him, on discovering such ungrateful returns, from
the highest in power, for the most devoted service.
While to see his loved patron sacrificed, his estate
ruined, his good name apparently blasted, his noble
form and fine voice almost paralyzed at the unex
pected blow,' must have produced upon his mind
— ^wrought in upon his inmost soul, an impression
which no circumstances could remove, no time
obliterate.

' Camden's Annals of Elizabeth; of Davison, in Biographia Bri-
State Trials, article Davison ; Ra- tannioa ; and Sir Nicolas H.
pin's Strictures on Camden, and Nicholas' Life of Davison, p. 158.
the Court's Decision, ii. 302, 303, ^ State Trials, art. Davison, i.
368, 359 ; Dr. Kippis' Vindication, p. 1230.

CHAPTER VII,
The gloomiest day hath gleams of light. — Mrs. Hemans.
We left William Brewster, last, in a sorely try
ing condition. Hitherto his course had apparently
been one of prosperity; but now, the patron with
whom he had been so intimately and honorably
connected being thrust from his high office, and
committed to the Tower, his own cherished plans
in life were broken up, and his fair prospects
blighted. '
What was he to do'? Shall he, as the world
in general does, and as perhaps many friends may
have advised, desert the fallen, shun such inter
course as would connect himself with him, and,
joining the general current, push his way to office
under some other chief? Such is not Christian
friendship — such was not Brewster's. The histo
rian records it, and it was worthy of record : " He
remained with Mr. Davison some good time after
that he was put from his place, doing him many
faithful offices of service in the time of his trou
bles."^ ' Bradford, 410.

94 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Thus is presented another trait in Brewster's
character, a nobleness of soul, readiness to make
sacrifices for others' good, especially in aiding and
comforting the depressed and afflicted, and that
too, not merely from the impulse of the moment,
which soon ends, but (as in this case) by many
offices of service, faithfully continued.
Precisely what these many offices of service were,
we are not told. Yet, from the circumstances, we
may well suppose them to have been : visiting him
often in his prison, unobtrusively sympathizing
with him and offering all personal attentions, and
aid in securing valued papers and scattered re
mains, if any, of his ruined estate.
To the Tower, then, to which Davison had been
committed — that far-famed Tower of London, the
varied history of which, and the strangely con
trasted and thriUing scenes within which, would
fill volumes with facts " stranger than fiction" — to
that vast pile, on the bank of the Thames — not,
indeed, to its regal apartments, but to its drearier
halls and cells, Brewster evidently went, foUowing
his revered friend, seeking, by all the acts which
faithful friendship could devise, to alleviate his
trials. Specifically how long these many offices of friend
ship were continued by Brewster is undetermined.
The recorded expression, " some good time after,"
though of value, like many others equally tantaliz
ing in the writings of Bradford, conveys but a very
indefinite idea. To suppose it to have been until

EFFORTS TO RESTORE BREWSTER'S PATRON. 95
all hope of Mr. Davison's release and restoration
to office was at an end, would seem, indeed, at
first thought, to be reasonable, yet it is found to
be improbable. There was hope of his restoration,
even strong hope, long continued.
No sooner had the Lord Chancellor Burleigh,
chief among counseUors, heard of the committal,
than he wrote to the Queen most urgently in his
behalf. " I cannot in duty forbear to put your
majesty in mind that, if Mr. Davison be committed
to the Tower, who best knoweth his own cause, the
example will be sorrowful to all your faithful serv
ants, and joyful to your enemies." " Sure I am, and
I presume to have some judgment therein, I know
not a man in the land so furnished universally for
the place.^ Neither know I any that can come near
him." And if this did not reach the Queen, the
following did: "What your majesty minded to
him in your displeasure, I hear to my grief; but
for a servant in that place, I think it hard to find
a like qualified person: whom to ruin in your
heavy displeasure, shall be more your majesty's
loss than his."^
The Earl of Essex also put forth his powerful
influence with the Queen to the same end. And
so encouraged was he of success, that he informed
Mr. Davison, " he dared promise himself it would
be done ;" or even " a better state" or office pro
s' That is, the Secretaryship. 372, or Oxford ed., vol. iii. part i.
' Strype's Annals, vol. iii. p. p. 542.

96 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
vided.* And lest the Queen should object on
account of her official declaration to James of
Scotland, the earl addressed that prince in relation
to the deprived Secretary — a " man beloved of the
best and most religious of the land ; of whose suffi
ciency in council and matters of state, the Queen
confessed she had not in her kingdom such another;"
adding, " If, to a man so worthy in himself, and so
esteemed of all men, my words might, avail, I
would assure your majesty you would get great
honor and great love, not only in England, but in
all parts of Christendom where Mr. Davison is
known, if you would now be the author of his
restoring to his place." And this bears dp,te more
than two years after the committal. Even in 1590,
more than three years after that event, this earl,
with other chief men of the council, made another
strong effort.^
The veteran Secretary Walsingham had died;
and even the place made vacant by Davison's re
moval, appears, through this earl's influence, to
have been kept vacant. The effort, therefore, now
was, that Davison might succeed Walsingham.
Indeed, it is stated that he was in some way em
ployed in performing the duties of that place dur-
ing Walsingham's long sickness, though not appear
ing in the presence of the Queen.
But Sir Robert Cecil, son of the ChanceUor
Burleigh, was now the rival candidate. At length,
* Cabala, part i. pp. 213, 215. = Camden's Annals, p. 621, and Cabala.

DAVISON NOT RESTORED; HIS CHARACTER. 97
after a strong contest, the place was refused to
Davison, and given to Cecil.®
The Queen informed the earl, " he must rest
satisfied, for she was thus resolved;" though she
had confessed to him that, on the former occasion,
Davison had been " the man of her own choice,"
and " that which was laid to his charge, was
merely for her safety both of state and person.'"

' Aikin's Court of Elizabeth, ii.
230. ' Earl of Essex's Letters, Cabala,
part ii.; also A. Strickland's
Queens of Eng., vii. 113. Sir
Robert was appointed in full at
Nonsuch, 2d of August, 1591.
For the reader whose interest
has been so far awakened as to
call for something more respecting
Mr. Davison, a few additional facts
are here subjoined. First, his
ability and skilfulness as a states
man. After the full, clear, un
biased statements of his great
worth, acknowledged ability, tried
skill and wisdom, declared by
Burleigh, Leicester, and the Earl
of Essex, though differing from
him in many things, also by the
Queen and the council generally,
it is with no little regret that we
are obliged to impute to court
influence, or prejudice, the dero
gatory intimations in Camden's
History. Says Dr. Kippis, " What
ever motives those authors might
have had who lived near those
times, to palliate or conceal the
circumstances of that action which
7

proved the cause of Mr. Davison's
fall, we lie under no temptation,
and are free from any inclination
to hide or throw a shade over
truth. Bringing into open day
these singular and interesting
points, we not only rectify partial
accounts contained in private me
moirs, and supply the deficiencies
in general histories, but apply to
their proper use, and bring to
public view, in an agreeable light,
these remains of those stirring
times, which might otherwise lie
hid in studies, and be at most
known only to very few."
As to further particulars. On
the rejection of his last appeal to
the Queen, in 1590, he gave up all
hope of further public life. How
long he was confined in the tower
we know not, but there are inti
mations of his being at liberty
after about two years. As to his
depressed condition, from loss of
place and property. Lord Arthur
Gray reports that when the Queen
was applied to by Lord Burleigh,
"to relieve his low estate," the
objection was that, "though he

98

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.

Thus, it was not until after three years of expec
tation, and strong hope justly entertained by
Davison and his powerful friends, that the pros
pect of his restoration was cut off and the hope
relinquished. What influence this long continued expectation
had finaUy, upon the plans and movements of
Brewster, or whether he was induced in any extent
to await the movements in the case, we are left to

was in tolerably good favor with
her," yet, " in respect to her begun
course, she might not, with honor
saved, make show of it." And
when urged to do it privately, she
replied, " Her court was so fraught
with lynxes' eyes that the motives
of her doing so would be dis
covered." (Catalogue, Harleian
MSS., vol. i. p. 155.) A proof of
her persevering determination
(cruel as it was to him) to main
tain consistency before the world.
No relief, therefore, could he ob
tain, except, probably, a pension
of £100 per annum, during the
Queen's life. It was not until
James, her successor, came to the
throne — James, whom every con
sideration respecting his mother's
execution might have urged to the
contrary, yet who knew Davison
and the circumstances well — not
until his accession that there
was granted the full relief. And
grateful, indeed, to his wounded
spirit must the boon have been —
a testimony to the world of his
deserts and innocence. But the

boon came too late to be long
enjoyed. His end was near. He
died in December, 1608, and on
the 28th of that month was buried
in Stepney, Middlesex, probably
over 70 years of age.
That he was a man of learning as
well as a statesman, his numerous
writings testify. They have been
preserved, for the most part, in the
Harl. and other collections in the
British Museum. Highly con
nected in marriage, he and his
lady were both cousins to the
Earl of Leicester and Sir Philip
Sydney. He had also an interest
ing and intelligent family. One
son became an author of note.
But, what is most of all, his life,
his writings, his public services,
iall testify that, in all circum
stances, in high prosperity as in
deepest adversity, he was the en
lightened, noble-hearted, consist
ent Christian. — Life of Davison ;
Aikin's Court of Elizabeth, ii.
166, 167. Miss Strickland's Note,
in vii. p. 63, needs correction.

BREWSTER RETIRED FROM LONDON. 99
conjecture. Yet who, in the prospect of that
restoration, was so likely to receive some promi
nent position under him, as the tried, highly
qualified and confidential Brewster"? But we have
said thus much on this point for the further pur
pose of bringing out facts, and showing in what
estimation Secretary Davison was held by his
contemporaries, even by the highest and ablest in
the land. This is but justice to his character,
justice to historic truth.
AVhatever idea we may form as to how long
Brewster continued with the fallen secretary dur
ing his troubles, the time at length came when he
must leave.
No longer officially connected with any one, but
left free to form anew his plans in life, we are now
to trace his course as he leaves the great metro
polis for the retirement of the country.
Bidding adieu to the scenes of the court, and its
lately absorbing, but now painful associations ;
bidding adieu to him whose confiding friendship
and official favors he had so worthily and long
enjoyed, and to whom he had now made grateful
returns; disappointed in his expectations in public
life ; taught thus many painful but salutary les
sons, he goes forth, not to be a recluse, but, with
the energy of maturing manhood, to be the means
of good in some other field, wherever his lot might
be cast.

CHAPTER VIII,
'Tis a goodly scene —
Yon river, like a silvery snake, lays out
His coil, i' th' sunshine lovingly ; it breathes
Of freshness in this lap of flowery meadows. Sir a. Hunt.
And whither did Brewster go as he left London
and his former patron"? It is recorded "he went
and lived in the country, amongst his friends and
the good gentlemen of those parts."^ But where
in the country were those ^friends and good gentle
men"? On this point, many had been the inquiries,
great the curiosity excited, vague the conjectures
(and all to little purpose) until the discoveries dur
ing the last few years. Morton, Cotton Mather,
Hubbard, with Belknap and others, had left to us
little more than that most indefinite expression,
"in the North of England." It is to the un
tiring researches of an antiquarian of London'^ we
owe it, that facts, dates, and circumstances are
brought to light so numerous and particular as to
enable us to point out with fullest confidence, not
' Bradford, 410. occasion to refer often in these
* Hunter, to whom we have statements.

PLACE TO WHICH RREWSTER RETIRED. 101
only the county and district, but the very village
and house where our William Brewster resided.
Extracts from Bradford's history specified that
the religious company of emigrants who assembled
around Brewster "were of sundry towns and vil
lages in Nottinghamshire, and of Lincolnshire,
and Yorkshire, Avhere they border nearest to
gether."^ This defines the district of country to
be in and around the northern part of Nottingham
shire, where, and where only, these three counties
and the villages "border nearest" to each other.
But it was " not," says he to whom we owe the
discovery, " until I found out another condition of
place in another part of the writings of Bradford,
and then brought some historical and topographical
knowledge to bear oil the question, that I ascer
tained, as I conceive, beyond all possibility of
doubt, the actual village, and the very house."
It was this : " They ordinarily met at his (Brew
ster's) house on the Lord's day, which was a manor
of the Bishops."* A bishop's manor, or manor
house, is no vague expression; it is something
fixed, notorious, and remarkable, and is, moreover,
rare in any district, " and I," he adds, " who have
some acquaintance with the whole country which
can be said to be near the adjoining borders of
these counties, can affirm with confidence that
' See Bradford, in his recovered History, p. 9, where the language
is still more express than in Young or Prince.
* Bradford, 411 ; in Young, 465.

102 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
there was no episcopal or archiepiscopal manor in
that part of England except one, which one, in
Brewster's time, appertained to the Archbishop of
York; this one was at the ancient village of
Scrooby, in the Hundred of Bassetlaw."^
Confirmatory of the above, was the further dis
covery, on the assessment roll of that period for
Scrooby, of a William Brewster, older than our
William, who may have been a relative, perhaps
his father, and also, on the church records, near
by, of a Rev. Henry Brewster and a Rev. James
Brewster, who were successively rectors, and may
have been his relatives. And close by was Auster-
field, the known birth-place and residence of Brad
ford ; while other names of emigrants were from
the same portion of country*
Still more to the purpose, we shall find Brew
ster holding an office under the Queen, until the
very year and month when the future "elder,"
with his people, left for Holland, and when his
connection with that office ceased.
And yet more specifically, we shaU find on
record, " WiUiam Brewster," with two others, " of
Scrooby, Brownists or Separatists" (the terms
then applied to them), fined £20, each, for non
appearance on an ecclesiastical citation. All of
this wiU appear, as we proceed, with accumulating
evidence from a variety of other circumstances too
numerous to admit of doubt. Well might Mr,
^ Hunter's Founders of New Plymouth, 15, 18, and Tracts.

BREWSTER AT SCROOBY, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. 103
Hunter add, " No reasonable doubt, therefore, can
ever arise, that the seat and centre of the religious
community, which afterwards planted itself on the
shores of New England, was at this Nottingham
shire village of Scrooby."
In the northern part of Nottinghamshire then,
near a mile and a half south of a projecting point
of Yorkshire, and but a short distance from the
verge of Lincolnshire, and at the small viUage of
Scrooby, was evidently the place where our
WiUiam Brewster went. Here were his friends,
and " the good gentlemen of those parts." Here
was the bishop's manor, afterwards caUed by
Bradford, Brewster's house; and here are we to
trace his course for some seventeen, perhaps
nineteen succeeding years.
As to Scrooby itself, though with the exception
of its being on the great northern road from
London to York, and thence by Berwick to
Scotland, it has scarcely been noticed in modern
times; yet such was not the case anciently; nor
from the interest now manifested, is it Ukely to be
so hereafter.
" Scrooby Manor," even as far back as William
the Conqueror, if not earUer, was a possession of
the Archbishops of York, and was to them a place
of frequent sojourn, as well as a convenient
resting-place in their journeys. Noted for field
game, and the easy access to the Hatfield chase, it
had long been on these accounts a favorite resort.
Here slept Margaret, Queen of Scotland,

104 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
daughter of Henry Seventh, on her way to that
kingdom. Here Cardinal Wolsey, when dismissed
by his imperious master to his northern diocese,
passed weeks " ministering many deeds of charity,
attending on Sundays in some neighboring parish
church, and then dining in some honest man's
house in the town, causing great alms to be
distributed to the poor :" and who is said to have
uttered soon after, those memorable words: "Had
I served the God of Heaven as faithfuUy as I did
my master on earth. He had not forsaken me in
my old age as the other hath done."^ At this
manor house lodged Henry the Eighth himself, on
his northern progress in 1541. This same year
the tourist Leland, in passing, gives of the manor,
church, and neighborhood this description : " From
Mattersy, I rode a mile in low wash and some
what fenny ground, and a mile or more further
by higher ground to Scrooby." " In the mean
townlet of Scrooby I marked two things, the
parish church, not big, but very well builded of
square poUshed stone." " The second, was a
great manor place, standing within a moat, and
belonging to the Archbishop of York, builded in
two courts, whereof the first is very ample ; and all
builded of timber, saving the front of the haU,
that is of brick ; to the which, one ascends by steps
of stone." " The inner court building, as far as I
marked, was of timber, and was not in compass
^ Hunter, and Life of Wolsey.

bishop's manor, SCROOBY. 105
past the fourth part of the outer court." Northerly,
"a mile or more is Bawtry; a little beyond
Scrooby manor place, I passed by a ford over the
river, and betwixt the palings of two parks
belonging to Scrooby."^ Very much in accordance
with this description doubtless was the appearance
of the place in the time of Brewster.
At the Reformation, some kind of title to the
manor seems to have been in the crown ; for the
Protestant Archbishop Holdgate purchased of the
King the mansion, lordship, and manor, with the
appurtenances, to himself and Barbary his wife,
and the successors in the see.* Great, however, was
the change which took place as to the future
prospects of Scrooby and its manor, in the time of
Elizabeth. To this " See" was Archbishop Sandys (father
of Sir Edwin and five other sons) promoted in
1576. Some six years later, Elizabeth desired of
him this manor for the Earl of Leicester. The
archbishop decUned giving the desired lease,
specifying as reasons, the heavy expenses he had
incurred in repairs and improvements, the depriva
tion of residence to himself, and the great loss it
would be to ^the see (£60,000 including South-
weU) f " too much," says he, " most gracious
sovereign — too much to puU from a bishopric
inferior to many in revenue, but superior in charge
' Leland's Itinerary, vol. i. p. ^ Strype's Ecclesiastical Memo-
36. rials, iii. 250.
9 (Query— £6000).

106 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
and countenance." Yet before the close of the
same year (1582), he leased the manor, two parks,
miUs and Lound Woods to his eldest son. Sir
Samuel Sandys. And this resulted finaUy in the
alienation of the manor fr'om the see. Perhaps
he thought it better (for he had the power) thus
to place it under lease, than that it should be
transferred to such an one as the Earl of Leicester,
Here accordingly for a time appears to have been
the residence of Sir Samuel, In the church stands
a monument to Penelope, one of the Sandys
family, who died in 1690,^"
Under Sir Samuel it was, as appears some few
years later, that the manor was held by Brewster :
not, indeed, " a district of country, throughout
which were enjoyed certain feudal privileges, but
the manor place,"^^ including, doubtless, its lands
and parks. And this suggests not only an
acquaintance, but business transactions, between
Brewster and the Sandys family.
Tracing the history of this manor-place a little
further, we find, that after William Brewster's
occupancy some fifteen, perhaps nineteen years,
it was at length gradually neglected, and finally
suffered to go to decay. One hundred years later
— ^while the park still remained, the house had
nearly fallen to the ground. In 1813 nothing
remained, marking the ancient abode of splendor
'" Biographia Britannica, article Sandys, and Strype's Annals, iii.
pt. ii. 64-70. Hunter, 18, 22, 139, and Bartlett.
" Hunter.

W%f

PRESENT ASPECT OF SCROOBY. 107
and hospitality, but some small part incorporated
into a farm-house, and in the garden, an old
mulberry tree, planted, tradition said, by the
haughty Wolsey.^^^ Finally, as seen and described
by a tourist's eye and pen,^^ in the summer of
1853, Scrooby presents to view one of those rich
pastoral districts, common in England, which with
no marked features of hiU and dale, the hand of
industry has covered with such exuberant crops of
grain, in fields neatly divided by green hedge
rows, as it is delightful to behold. On the lowest
level, lower than the surrounding cornfields — where
once yrexe fenny wastes — the retreat of abundance
of wild fowl, and other varieties of game, justifying
its celebrity as a hunting seat, now are seen rich
reclaimed marsh lands of vivid green, whereon
are groups of grazing cattle, and where the glassy
" Idle" (viz, stream of the cornfields)^* winds its
slow and mazy coils through the plain, between
Scrooby and Austerfield — Austerfield concealed
among the trees, and Scrooby marked out by its
gracefully constructed church, rising above the
green level, with its gray sky-pointing spire, and
where the bridge over the Idle adds beauty to the
view. And divided from the gardens of the
" Beauties, &c., of England and general: ydlan signifying the
Wales, vol. xvi. 324, and Hunter, place where corn is stacked, ydle,
" Rev. W. H. Bartlett's "Pil- a granary. The river Idle had
grim Fathers," pp. 35-40. its name then from the grain with
" Id, or yd (says Thornton which its bordering fields abounded
speaking of this river) signifies even from the earliest times.
seges [Latin] corn, or grain in Thornton's Nottinghamshire, 414.

108 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
village by what was evidently once a moat (but now
dry), and bounded on one side by the river, and
on the other by the railroad (the church in the
background), is seen the large inclosed area or
square, and, nearly in its centre, a group of
sycamores, marking, as understood, the ancient
site of the manor buildings. Here is now pointed
out to the visitor, taking a nearer view, a farm
house, and a row of willows, as occupying the
place where stood the old hall. Evidently dis
cernible as is the site, it is not so with respect to
any part of the structure once upon it. Only
some fragments of richly carved work, which
doubtless anciently adorned the halls of state,
could now be found, put to the ignoble use of
propping up the roof of a cowhouse. Beyond
these insignificant relics is no trace of the " great
Manor-House of the Bishops," Such was Scrooby
once, and such is it now.

CHAPTER IX.

Do good for good's own sake, looking not to worthiness or love.
TUPPER.

Returning to the time when Brewster became
a resident in Scrooby, we trace next his course
here in comparative retirement. It is interesting
to find that he came not hither as a disappointed,
useless dependant upon friends; but with fixed
Christian principles and purposes, and with expe
rience in the influential walks of life, and in the
strength of young manhood, to do good, to devise
plans, and meet the calls of the time and place for
benevolent exertion. And ample was the field
before him.
Here " he lived in good esteem among his friends
and the good gentlemen of those parts." This was
their voluntary tribute to his life and character.
But next, in quaint style and few words, we
have summed up for us his individual efforts for
nearly twenty years. " He did much good in the
country where he lived in promoting and further
ing religion, not only by his practice and example,
and provoking and encouraging others, but by pro-

110 LIFE AND time OF ELDER BREWSTER.
curing good preachers to the places thereabout,
and drawing on of others to assist and help for
ward in such a work, he himself most commonly
deepest in the charge, and sometimes above his
ability." " In this state he continued many years,
doing the best good he could, and walking accord
ing to the light he saw."^
As a counterpart, and most strikingly iUustrative
of this brief statement, and of the " great need" of
these very exertions, we have the following from
Archbishop Sandys himself in a discourse before
the Queen only a short time previous. " The
mother City of the Realm" (London) " is reason
ably furnished with good preachers. Certain
other cities, not many in number, are blessed too,
though not in like sort. But the silly (that is,
ignorant) people of the land otherwhere, especially
in the north parts, pine away and perish for want
of this saving food. They are much decayed for
want of prophecy.^ Many there are that hear not
a sermon for seven years, I might say seventeen.
Their blood will be required at somebody's hand."^
Such was the state of things, and such the call on
every hand, for vigoroois exertion. Hence in his
own sphere were the exertions of Brewster; by
j)ersonal example, self-sacrificing efforts, influence
with others in ways and modes ever most effective;
' Bradford, pp, 410, 411. » Strype's Annals, iii. part ii.
' See this term fully explained, pp. 69, 70.
note, p. 124.

SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO DO GOOD. Ill
and all was in due order and consistency with the
requirements of the Established Church.
But who were the active ministers in this por
tion of the country '? And who were those whom
Brewster and his friends were instrumental in
procuring for the needy churches around them "?
For a period of about twelve years, ending in
August, 1588, had Archbishop Sandys been the
ecclesiastical superior — a truly learned and dis
tinguished divine, also faithful, laborious in his
Master's vineyard, and a favorer of timely reforms
in the established ceremonies — ^had his life been
longer spared, or had his immediate successors
been of like views and spirit, doubtless some, at
least, of the difficulties that followed would have
been avoided.
Already have we noticed the Rev. Henry Brew
ster as the Vicar of Sutton-upon-Lound, to which
Scrooby was ecclesiastically annexed.* He had
continued in that station for more than thirty
years, ending with the spring of 1598. To him
succeeded the Rev. James Brewster. That either
of these was related to our William, or that this
James succeeded to the vacant charge aided by
any infiuence of William, we have no reliable
evidence. The only direct indications of relation
ship are the name, their residence at the time in
the same vicinity ; and in respect to James, near
ness of age, and resemblance of signatures, which
< Hunter, pp. 58 and 73.

112 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
is indeed striking.^ And this James had married
a Welbeck; and the Welbecks appear to have
been from Suffolk, the original location of the
early Brewsters. Presented, some years before, by
Archbishop Sandys to the mastership of the richly
endowed Bawtry Hospital, but having surrendered
the same to the crown, under the claim of the
commissioners for concealed lands, he, with others,
afterwards received it back from the crown for
private possession. A long contest in law ensu
ing, both the surrender and transfer were declared
to be illegal. Our William must have been ac
quainted with these transactions respecting his
namesake, and perhaps brother; and also with
the further fact of James Brewster's presentation
to the additional Vicarage of Gringley-on-the-Hill,
near at hand.*
One minister, whom Brewster and friends may
perhaps have been instrumental in procuring for
«
" Fao similes —

' Hunter, 73, 86 ; other facts, ford, near the seat of the Sandys
lately discovered by Cardinal in Essex Co., seem to confirm the
Brewster, Esqr., relative to James connection stated, or intimate ac-
Brewster's residence at Chelms- qualntance.

NEIGHBORING MINISTERS. 113
the vicarage of Worksop, a neighboring parish,
south of Scrooby, was Richard Barnard. He had
been educated at Cambridge by the aid of two
eminently pious daughters of Sir Christopher
Wray, Chief Justice of England, and was ap
pointed to that vicarage in 1601. Eminently
successful as a minister and writer, wavering, and
at one time declining to conform to some of the
prescribed ceremonies, but at length conforming,
he became a close observer of the movements of
the times, and especially at Gainsborough and
Scrooby. One of his esteemed treatises was the
" Faithful Shepherd." Others have been reprinted
even in our own day. At length presented to the
Rectory of Batcome, " as a minister who, in the
opinion of the patron, would best discharge the
duties to the edification of the parishioners," he
there became best known as " Barnard of Batcome,
in Somersetshire."^
To Gainsborough, on the border of Lincolnshire,
came, during this period, as a minister, a Mr. John
Smith, whether as rector or not is uncertain.
Bradford describes him as " a man of able gifts,
and a good preacher, eminent in his time, but
whose inconstancy, unstable judgment, and being
suddenly carried away, soon overthrew him."* He
gathered, after some time, a separate congregation,
and removed to Amsterdam, in Holland. Whether

' Hunter, pp. 36, 40.
8 Bradford, in Young, pp. 22, 450, and Hunter, 38.
8

114 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
he came to Gainsborough through any influence
from Scrooby, or whether there was at this time
any particular intercourse, other than acquaintance,
between him and the Scrooby people, we find no
specific evidence. Bradford's statements, and Mr.
Smith's own language towards brethren who dif
fered from him, lead to the conclusion that his
uncharitable temper and course, could not long be
congenial with the spirit of Brewster. But of him
more will appear hereafter.
Of the Rev. Mr. Clifton, for years a laborious,
effective, and fervent preacher, and Rector of Bab-
worth, near Scrooby, and of the time and cause of
his separation from the established church, we
shall also have occasion to speak in another place.
Other names might be added of ministers in this
vicinity at this period ; but whether any of them
could be included in the terms of our last inquiry,
needs further evidence.
But whence had Brewster the means for such
active exertions, such liberal expenditures, as have
been mentioned'? His was no old Nottingham
shire name, connected with landed estates, the
usual source of income of the time and place, nor
have we indications of his having extensive wealth
in any other form.® The inquiry becomes stiU
more pertinent, since he had in the mean time
entered the married state, an event ever one of the
most important and memorable in life ; yet, as in
his case, calling for additional sources of income.
' Hunter, p. 38.

MARRIAGE; POST OF SCROOBY. 115
In what year this marriage took place, or with
what family, no record has been discovered. The
Christian name of Mary, and the other designation,
" Mrs. Brewster," are the only ones left us of the
partner of his life. Probably their marriage was
before the year 1594; since at, or before that
time, we may, from all circumstances, suppose
them to have become the occupants, and Mrs,
Brewster the lady of the manor-place.
But had Brewster no particular secular engage
ments, no regular business transactions, making
large demands upon his attention, and as a means
of increased income"? Bradford's memoir, unin-
tentionaUy doubtless, would lead us to suppose he
had not. Yet, what was long unknown, late dis
coveries enable us to state : that not sacred studies
and Christian efforts and devotion alone occupied
his time and thoughts. He held, under the Queen
and her successor, a responsible office.
Among the earliest accounts of the post depart
ment, commencing in the year 1594, wherein were
entered the names of the officers on the great post
roads of the realm, William Brewster is found to
have held the office of post of Scrooby.^" It was
then, however, an office of the court or government ;
and not, as afterwards developed, a department for
the accommodation of the public. Not until more
than thirty years later was it, that provision was
made for the conveyance therewith of private cor-
'« Hunter, p. 71.

116 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
respondence ; nor until the time of Cromwell that
private passengers were thereby accommodated."
More varied, however, were the duties, requiring
greater responsibilities and capacity in those be
ginnings of the postal system, than those of the
postmaster of the present day. When recently
established by Elizabeth, few were the offices or
posts, " dotted here and there about the country"
on the great routes, and with no cross routes.
Each post, therefore, must provide in his own dis
trict for all special dispatches, and distant de
liveries, as well as for government messengers or
privileged passengers, at certain rates of charge.
Being a court appointment, Brewster must have
had influence at court to be placed in this office.
To perform its various incumbent duties, required
the services of employees under him, and suitable
accommodations, livery, and attendant servants.
And this accounts for his occupancy of the manor
place; where had been the residence of archbishops,
the stopping-place of royalty and its train ; a place
not suited for a private gentleman, but well cal
culated for Brewster's official position.
" English Quarterly Review, or. It should be added, that while
the Eclectic, for Oct. 5, 1855 ; also, at first the post department was
"The Post-office," London, 1842, for the court, there was a pre-estab-
pp. 7, 8, 9, and 17. One of the ear- lished and comparatively efficient
liest advertisements for convey- system among merchants and
' ance of passengers is in the " Mer ¦ others, for private purposes.—" P.
curius Politicus," of April 1,^1658, Office" as above, pp. 8 and 9.
as follows : "Passengers by stage
coach to Bawtry, in three days, for
30 shillings."

TERM OF OFFICE AT SCROOBY. 117
Respecting his office, in the early accounts of
the postmaster general, are found entries in his
name for flve terms and part of a sixth ; three of
them for three years, two for two years each, and
six months of the succeeding term ; in all, thirteen
years and six months. The flrst entry is —
"April, 1594, to April, 1597.— (Old style.)
" William Brewster, post of Scrooby, for his
ordinary wages, serving Her Majesty all the time
aforesaid, at 20 pence per diem, £91 6s. 8d."
Similar are the other entries, except that in the
third term, the wages were advanced to two shil
lings sterling, per diem, and in the last his connec
tion with the office closed on the last of September,
1607, when one Francis Hall succeeded for the
completion of that term.^^
Very pertinently has it been remarked, that,
had the names of the posts or postmasters been
entered a few years earlier, we could then have
ascertained the precise date of Brewster's flrst
appointment. This would have shown how soon,
after the fall of Davison, he was provided for by this
'2 Hunter's Founders, &c., 66- JEIOO per annum.
¦ 69. Of Clerk of the Council, £50 per
Note. — Are any surprised at the annum.
apparent smallness of the salary Of a Clerk, £5 per annum.
in these entries ? let such bear in While the rate of a Master Me-
mind the difference, 1st, in the chanic's wages was 1 shilling per
value of the currency, between day. — Johnson's Life and Times of
that day and this ; and next as to Chief Justice Coke, ii. p. 149.
the salaries generally, for instance :
The salary of the principal Secre
taries of State was then —

118 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
office. What we now know is, that on the 1st of
AprU, 1594, he was in full possession of the office;
and that on the last of September, 1607, he r^-
signed or was removed, just six months after the
commencement of a new term.^^ Evidently, there
fore, was the resignation or removal for some cause.
It was at the very season when he, and a portion
of his people, were on the point of leaving for Hol
land. So exactly do the dates and facts on record
in England, correspond with those (when given)
in the history of Bradford.
From the view now taken of this period of
Brewster's residence at Scrooby, we have brought
before us, not only his continued course of life,
public and private, but a further insight into the
principles by which he was guided, and by which
he influenced the movements of others.
Advancing to the maturity of manhood, we see
developed in him more and more, readiness to do
good, persevering firmness, and characteristic libe
rality. Here, too, were developed the affections of the
married relation, the tender assiduities of the father,
and the kindliness of the Christian neighbor. Here
evidently, were born his five children ; and these
are all of whom we have any information. And
here amid the agitation and troubles of those trying
times was he, according to his convictions of right,
faithful in the service of his country, and in his
duty to his God. "3 Hunter, p. 67.

CHAPTER X.
" Differences of opinion may continue to exist ; but when was it
otherwise ? Never, while men are permitted to think freely. It is
not difference of opinion that makes the difficulty. It is the effort to
enforce our opinion on somebody else." — Dr. S. Bowman.
We have now arrived at a period in the life of
Brewster when a change took place in respect to
his connection with the established church, of
which, up to this time, he had been an active
member. And the question comes up, what were
the causes, or influencing and attending circum-
.stances of this change"?
If we look back to the first days of Elizabeth,
we find a controversy early commencing; the
effects of which, from the way ih which it was
conducted, were at length sorely felt throughout
the kingdom; nor is its sad influence entirely
gone even at the present day.
It was not, however, a controversy respecting
Christian doctrines ; for in these the English
reformers were very generally agreed. Under the
capricious and dogmatically imperious Henry
VIII. the opportunity for a reformation had been
afforded, and was so 'continued and improved
under the youthful Edward VI. and again under

1 20 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Elizabeth, that Protestantism, in its clear develop
ment of Christian truth, had become established.
Nor was it a controversy respecting a uniformity
of worship to be established by law. On this
point, says the constitutional historian Hallam,
" Both parties agreed too well in asserting the
necessity of a uniformity of public worship, and of
calling in the sword of the magistrate for the
support and defence of their several principles."
" Neither party were for admitting the liberty of
conscience, and freedom of profession, which is
every man's right, as far as consistent with the
peace of the government."^
Nor did this controversy relate to church
endowments; no small portions of which had
already gone into the possession of the State ; and
of which many a royal favorite, or grasping
nobleman, or unrewarded partisan, was allowed to
make still further spoils. On this point, the
general voice of the reformers now was for
securing and faithfully applying all that remained,
to promote the restored faith of the reformation.
Not in respect to any of these — was this con
troversy, but in respect to the further reforms in
church ceremonies and discipline. This was a
subject on which, from the nature of the case and
of men's varied modes of thinking, differences of
opinion might be expected ; not only as to the
' Constitutional History of Eng!, pp. 115, 122, Harper's ed.

DIFFICULTIES AS TO FURTHER REFORMS. 121
extent, but as to the rapidity, with which such
reforms should be effected.^
Besides, special difficulties attended this ques
tion. It was one great object of the Reformers to
unite the largest portion of the people practicable,
in one reformed national church ; while not a
small part of the nation still adhered to the old
system ; and not a few who favored the reforma
tion were yet, from custom, strongly attached to
some ceremonies, which others would at once
discard.^ In this state of things, there were those,
and they were among the most efficient, who were
for giving themselves first, and in the ways most
effectual, to the work of enlightening with
scriptural truth the great body of the people,
leaving these further reforms to follow in more
favorable times.*
But there was another and still greater diffi
culty. The church, as a church, could not legis
late for itself. By general consent and acts of
Parliament, the sovereign was, to an extent by
no means clearly defined, the head of the Church,
as well as of the State.^ Changes, or further
reforms, therefore, must have the concurrence of
the sovereign, and the sanction of Parliament.
But, notwithstanding all these difficulties, a
numerous and increasing portion of the nation,
including at first a large number of the bishops,
» Burnett, pp. 831, 837. ' ' Hallam, pp. 105, 107, 188-9.
8 Ibid. Act of Supremacy, and Notes.
* Ibid.

122 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
with perhaps a minority that finaUy grew into a
majority in Parliament, were decidedly in favor of
some further change.
In the year 1562, or fourth of Elizabeth's reign,
the matter was regularly and ably discussed in the
National Convocation of Clergy. Among the
points debated, were propositions: —
"To discontinue holidays, except Sundays and
the feasts that related to Christ."
" That the minister, in officiating, should always
turn his face towards the people."
" That the ceremony of the cross in baptism be
omitted." " That kneeling at the communion be left to the
discretion of the ordinary."
" That it be sufficient for the minister, in minis
tering, to use the surplice."
" That the use of organs be removed."
The chief reasons given were on the ground of
superstitious use and abuse. Other points of re
form were debated. On taking the votes upon the
reform 'pxoTpositions, forty-three were for them, and
thirty-five against them. But the proxies being
counted, there wexefor the -pro'positioiiisf fty-eight,
against them, fifty-nine. Thus, says Burnett, " while
there was a majority for them of eight, of those
who were present and heard the debates, these
were outvoted by a majority of one proxy of an
absent person." And what is not a little remark
able, it is noted on the record, "that those who
voted against the propositions, seemed to do so on

RESULT OF DEBATES IN CONVOCATION. 123
the ground that to vote for them would be to act
contrary to what had been authorized, or assuming
authority to alter what had been settled by the
legislature."® To all such reforms, however, though most of
the bishops then favored them, Q,ueen Elizabeth
was decidedly opposed. "LoAdng magnificence in
everything herself," claiming under the act of
supremacy almost absolute power, urging on the
archbishop and others inclined to her views, she
presented to every such movement an effectual
resistance. To the Queen were the consequences chargeable.
Says the same constitutional writer: "It is incon
sistent vv'ith veracity to dissemble that the Queen
alone was the cause of retaining those observances
to which the great separation from the Anglican
establishment is ascribed."^ The immediate con
sequences were that, whereas great liberty in these
respects had been previously allowed, conformity
to all the prescribed ceremonies was soon rigidly
enforced ; and many were the suspensions, and
not a few of able and highly esteemed ministers,
for non-conformity.* There were but two lines to
be taken when things had been brought to this
pass, says the same authority, " either to relax and
modify the regulations which gave offence, or to
^ Burnett, p. 829. to conform, though some were in
' Hallam, 107, 110. Strype, in time restored. Burnett, 831, 838.
years, 1559, 1560. In London » Ibid.
alone, of 98 ministers, 38 refused

124

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.

enforce a more punctual observance of them."
And " far more probably would the former course
have prevented a great deal of that mischief, which
the second manifestly aggravated. For in this
early stage, the advocates of a simpler ritual, had
by no means assumed the shape of an embodied
faction, but numbered the most learned and dis
tinguished portion of the hierarchy."^

8 Hallam, 108, 110. As a strik
ing illustration of the spirit of the
Queen's proceedings, we have the
following in another particular :
" In several of the dioceses, the
clergy, encouraged by their
bishops, were accustomed to hold
religious meetings, in which were
discussions and expositions of par
ticular texts of Scripture. These
meetings were public ; a mode
rator, appointed by the bishop,
presided, and closed the exercises
by a summary of the discussion
and his decision. These exercises
were called prophesyings : that is,
explaining or interpreting the
Scriptures. It was contended that
setting forth the meaning of Scrip
ture, and the grounds of their
faith, in this manner, both in
structed and edified the people as
yet but poorly taught therein, and
also supplied, to some extent, the
great deficiencies in learning
among many of the pastors them
selves. To these meetings and
exercises the Queen was decidedly
opposed ; and she directed Arch
bishop Parker to put them down.

" Parkhurst, Bishop of Norwich,
as one, was unwilling to comply. A
letter also from several of the Privy
Council, as Sir Thomas Smith,
Sir Walter Mildmay, Bishop San
dys, and others, advised him not
to hinder them, so long as nothing
contrary to the church wa s taught
in them. Parker hearing of this
advice, contrary to the Queen's
and his instructions, instituted
such inquiries after the authors of
the advice as resulted, at the time,
in the discontinuance of the pro
phesyings. But the succeeding
archbishop, Grindal, 'b.ore the
whole brunt of the Queen's dis
pleasure, rather than obey her in
this matter, conceiving that, under
suitable rules, the abuses to which
they were liable might be avoided.
But the Queen would hear of no
middle course, and insisted that
the prophecyings should be
stopped, and that fewer licenses
for preaching should be given" (no
parish minister being then allowed
to preach discourses, except the
homilies, without such license).
(Burn's Eccl. Law, iii. 268.)

EXTREME MEASURES. 125
But now, the controversy became more and
more earnest and bitter from year to year. Not
withstanding the efforts of many clergy and lay
men to prevent extremes ; notwithstanding such
statesmen as Burleigh, Walsingham, Mildmay,
and others of like mind, labored to influence the
Queen, and those who sided with her, to more
tolerant measures ; notwithstanding all efforts at
home, in connection with counsels of learned men
abroad, for unity and peace, extreme measures
were resorted to, party lines were drawn, those
who plead for forbearance were overborne, passion
in many took the place of reason, while there was
a stiir more rigid enforcement of compliance on
the part of the Queen and court, attended with
provocations unwarrantably exasperating on the
part of extreme opposers.'^" Nor was this all. To
enforce conformity in extreme cases the powers of
the High Commission Court were brought into
exercise in a manner before unknown. Designed,
when reconstructed under Elizabeth, to restrain
those who adhered to the Roman sway, its power
was now turned as a keen-edged sword against
" Archbishop Grindal steadily re- Parker and Grindal ; also as con
fusing to comply, was for about five densed in Hallam, 119, 120 ; Harp.
years sequestered from the exer- ed.
cise of his jurisdiction, until, by a '" Burnet, 830, 840 ; Hallam,
kind of submission, he was re- 121, 124, 136 ; Bacon on the Con-
stored a little before his death ; troversies of the Church of Eng-
the Queen herself issuing circu- land ; Strype's Annals, iii. pt. i.
lars to the bishops, commanding 260, 270, and Appendix, iii. pt. ii.
obedience in putting an end to the '268.
prophesyings." Strype's Lives of

126 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
non-conforming and separating Protestants. By
means of this court chiefly were effected the fineSj
suspensions, deprivations, imprisonments, and even
executions, for non-conforming. "This mode of
procedure," says Hallam, " was wholly founded on
the canon law, and so repugnant was this to the
rules of our English law, and to the principles of
natural equity, that no species of ecclesiastical
tyranny seems to have excited so much indigna-
tion."ii From various parts of the kingdom now came
remonstrances and appeals to members of the
Privy Council, in behalf of censured as well as
deprived ministers, expressing deep concern for
the cause of truth, of the Church, of the State,
and of humanity. Of these most earnest appeals,
that from the magistrates and gentlemen of the
county of Suffolk, in the year 1583, preserved in
the Annals of Strype, may be taken as a specimen.-''*
" "The germ of this court marshalled with the worst male-
seems to have been a commission factors ; presented, indicted, ar-
granted by the (Roman Catholic) raigned, and condemned for mat-
Mary to certain bishops and ters, as we presume, of very
others to inquire, and to punish, slender moment. Some for leav-
&c." "The primary model was ing the holidays unbidden, some
the Inquisition," do. 122, note; see for singing the psalm Nunc
Strype's Documentary Annals, ii. Dimittis in the morning, some for
¦217, 218 ; also in relation to the turning the questions in baptism
illegality of the oath ex officio, concerning faith from the infants
and to penalties not according to to the godfathers, which is but you
law. for thou, some for leaving out the
" The following is an extract r — cross in baptism, some for leaving
" Ministers of the Word, by out the ring in marriage. Where-
what malice we know not, are upon the law, neither the law-

APPEALS; BITTERNESS OF CONTROVERSY. 127
Even Lord Burleigh declared to the Queen, in
relation to those ministers, " I am bold to think
that the bishops in these dangerous times take a
very ill and unadvised course in driving them
from their cures.'"^ More pointed was his letter
on the subject to Whitgift, to which was returned
a long, but to that statesman by no means a satis
factory, answer.-'*
Years passing on, increasingly bitter, and often
most grossly personal on both sides, did the con
troversy become. Some redeeming examples there
were, some praiseworthy exceptions.

maker, in our judgments, had
ever regard, but meant indeed to
bridle the enemy. Yet now (a
most pitiful thing to see), the
back of this law turned to the
adversary, and the edge, with all
the sharpness, laid upon the sound
and true-hearted subject.
" We grant order to be the rule
of the Spirit of God. We desire
one uniformity in all the duties
of the church, the same being
agreeable to the proportion of
faith. But if these weak cere
monies (and their like) be so in
different as their use, or not use,
may be left to the discretion of
the ministers, we think it, in duty
(and under your favorable correc
tion we speak it), very hard to
have them go under so hard hand
ling, to the utter discredit of the
whole ministry and profession of
truth. And, which is more, we,
that be magistrates, and under

her majesty, have, as we think,
equivalency of voice, and know
that law and justice is one, and
may not be avoided, do forbear to
speak what we know, lest, by our
severing in opinion, law should be
rent, and justice cut in twain ;
and so the minds of the people,
which are so easily distracted,
carried hither and ttiiither, to the
moving of further inconvenience ;
and so, by our silence, ministry
and magistracy brought into open
contempt." " Harleian Miscellany, vii. 58 ;
Strype, Ann., iii. pt. i. 262.
"Unjust, indeed, would it be to
censure the archbishop for inter
fering to protect the discipline of
his own church, had but the
means adopted for that purpose
been consonant to equity."
I* Strype's Whitgift, 157, 163,
166 ; Hallam, 125 ; Fuller, book
9, p. 174.

128 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
That noble declaration of Hooker, the very an
nouncement of which comes home to the heart of
every unbiased reader or hearer, deserves to be
emblazoned in letters of gold on every book of
controversy : " There will come a time when three
words, uttered with charity and meekness, shall
receive a far more blessed reward than three
thousand volumes, written with disdainful sharp
ness of wit."^^
But other consequences followed. Truly, says
Hallam again, " When these obnoxious rites came
to be enforced with unsparing rigor, and even
those Avho voluntarily renounced the temporal ad-
A^antages of the establishment, were hunted from
their private conventicles, they began to consider
the national system of ecclesiastical regimen as
itself in fault, and to transfer to the institution of
Episcopacy that dislike they felt for some of the
prelates."^® At length, the opposition became fixed.
The hour for liberal concessions was suffered to
pass away. Intolerance " taught men to question
the authority that oppressed them, till the battle
was no longer to be fought for a tippet and a sur
plice, but for the whole ecclesiastical hierarchy,
interwoven as it was with the temporal constitu
tion of England.""
'° Ecclesiastical Polity, preface, treme opposition had separated
chap. 3. themselves and become organized
'5 Constitutional History, 113, privately in separate societies,
^t seq. notwithstanding the stringent
" Ibid. Some few of the ex- application of the law.

ON INTOLERANCE IN RELIGION. 129
Would that we could here end this necessary
view of the relative circumstances of the time, but
no ! Toleration in respect to religion was then by
neither party understood, advocated, or apparently
known.^^ Nor had history, from the commence
ment of the Romish sway, with two exceptions
only — and those by laymen — furnished any other
example.^' How strange that Christians, disciples
of the same Divine Master, should ever, for any
conscientious differences, persecute or shed the
blood of Christians ! Where had been hidden that
Master's stern rebuke to his disciples, on their sug
gestion of commanding fire from heaven upon those
who would not receive him ? " Ye know not what
manner of spirit ye are of. The Son of Man is not
come to destroy men's lives, but to save them !"
Where was concealed that counsel, standing out
in such bold relief on the Gospel page"? " Take
heed ! If this counsel or this work be of men, it
wUl come to naught ; but if it be of God, ye can
not overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to
fight against God!" Where was that inspired
appeal of St. Paul to those who would judge their
brethren, though differing in minor matters "? " Who
art thou that judgest another man's servant "? To
his own master he standeth or falleth : Yea, he

'' Similar was the intolerance chusetts colony in New England,
ixrider Presbyterian sway in the though not, perhaps, in the same

Revolution ; also, under the Inde- degree.
pendents in the time of Cromwell ; '^ The Emperor Maximilian and
and we must add, in the Massa- Henry IV. of France.

130 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
shall be holden up ; for God is able to make him
stand!" Where were those truths so specific, of
such high obligation, uttered as by the voice from
heaven V"° How had they been buried in darkness
so deep that even the light of the Reformation had
scarcely yet disclosed them to the eye, or fixed
them upon the conscience ! Alas ! they were to be
learned, like some other most precious truths — in
bitterest confiicts, from scenes of deepest agony.
They must be wrought in upon the judgment,
burned in upon the souls of men by their revolting
consequences ; even by victimized fellow-beings in
imprisonment, on the rack, or at the stake. Such
had been the course under the Romish sway.
Would that there were no similar cases under
Protestant, rule ; of Protestant subjects, even under
a Protestant princess ; that as to Copping, Thacker,
Dennis, Penry, Barrow, and Greenwood, whatever
were judged to be their legal offences, the Pro
testant cause of England might have been free
from any responsibility of their blood."^
But there is one brighter spot amid the dark
^ Luke, ix. 52, 56 ; Acts, v. alleged seditious writings. Of
35, 38, 39 ; Romans, xiv. 4. , Dennis, we have not the particu-
^' Copping and Thacker were 4ars. Barrow and Greenwood were
called Anabaptists, and indicted executed under the law of the 23d
and sentenced to be executed, for of the Queen, and for spreading
denying the Queen's ecclesiastical seditious writings. As to the mode
supremacy, and for distributing of procedure, Hallam remarks, " an
the condemned books of the noted oppressive and sanguinary law
Robert Brown. — Strype's Annals, was made, and a construction put
iii. 186 ; also. Fuller and Stowe. upon it contrary to all common
Penry, in the same manner, for sense."

queen's sense of RIGHT WHEN UNBIASED. 131
shades of this dark picture. If it be true, as Brad
ford relates, it presents an example (and there are
many) of Elizabeth's quick apprehension of justice
and right, Avhen unbiased by passion or prede
termination. " Asking the learned Dr. Reynolds, what he
thought of those two men, Barrow and Greenwood,
who had some time before been executed; and
seeing him loth to answer, she charged him upon
his allegiance to speak. He answered, that he
was persuaded, if they had lived they would have
been two as worthy instruments for the church of
God, as have been raised up in this age. Her
majesty sighed and said no more.^^ Afterwards
riding to the park, and past the place where they
were executed, she demanded of the Earl of Cum
berland, who was present when they suffered, ' what
was their end"?" He answered, 'A very godly end,
and prayed for your majesty and the State.'
Again, demanding of the archbishop, on his con
science, what he thought of them, he answered,
' He thought they were the servants of God, but
dangerous to the State.' 'Alas!' said she, 'shall
we put the servants of God to death "?' 'And this,'
adds Bradford, ' was the true cause why no more
were put to death in these days.' "^
2' The same Dr. Reynolds whom thorized translators of the Bible
King James afterwards combated into English.
at the Hampton Court, and who '^ Bradford, in Young, 432.
was subsequently one of the au-

CHAPTER XI.
I am told thou callest thyself a king.
Know, if thou art one, that the poor have rights :
And power, in all its pride, is less than justice. Hill's Meeope.
James of Scotland, coming to the English
throne without Elizabeth's capacity for govern
ment, with perhaps the strangest mixture on
record of sense and of silliness, of much acquired
knowledge, and low pedantic meannesses, of high
pretensions to religion, with sad want of it-^bred
a Presbyterian, yet discarding that, and arrogating
to himself the highest church as well as state
prerogatives ; — James, manifesting such character
istics, soon disappointed all expectations — of the
court party most agreeably, of the opposite party,
most sadly.
Among the very first acts of his government,
was the committal of that "great error of throw
ing away one of the best opportunities for healing
the wounds of the English church." Instead of
attempting to heal, he aggravated them. On his
coming into the kingdom a petition was presented
to him from 825 clergymen — a petition couched
in terms of devoted loyalty, asking for redress of

JAMES' OUTRAGE ON CIVIL RIGHTS. 133
some certain abuses, and for certain ceremonial
reforms, none of them inconsistent with the
principles of the establishment, and nearly the
same as, but for one proxy, would have passed in
the convocation of 1562. And the aggravating
act was (what Hallam has pronounced, " the most
enormous outrage on the civil rights of these
men") the committal to prison of ten of those who
presented the petition.-'^
Also at the famous Hampton Court conference,
held professedly to debate the points in question,
whatever might be the merits of the case, we are
constrained to acknowledge the " indecent and
partial behavior of the King," even as related by
Barlow; but more aggravating, as stated by
Harrington, an eye witness.^ We see the vain-
glorying of the man, and the rashness and want of
wisdom in the sovereign — rashness in adding
insult to rejection, provoking an opposition
founded in the deepest, strongest, most enduring
elements of man's nature. Stop the current, dam
up the waters of the flowing stream, give them no
vent ; they accumulate until they reach a height,
and attain a weight and power, that will sooner or
later break forth and overbear all opposition.
What might have been used to fertilize and
beautify will in its fury and power, spread desola
tion indiscriminately over aU that shall lie in its
#
' Hallam, pp. 173, 174 ; also » Do. and in Fuller, ii. p. 78,
Bacon's Tracts, vol. i. p. 387, as &c.,and Antique Nug£e, part i. p.
to the desired reforms. 181.

134 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
way. Streams of thought, accumulating currents
of mind, coming from sources permanent and deep,
long pent up, and arbitrarily forced back to
revolve and react, and gather strength, at length
acquire a might no power on earth can control.
A weak King, with state and church courtiers,
makes the attempt: of his own sovereign wiU,
taking counsel only of such as are interested to
flatter him, he takes upon himself to dictate to
Parliament. By proclamations with courts sub
servient to his will to give them the force of law,
he presses the strictest conformity in matters of
religious observances upon men conscientiously
differing. As a. partisan, he stigmatizes as Puritans
all that body in the church who concurred not in
his imperious views, and the non-conforming as
" novelists," as " scarcely to be endured," " a sect
insufferable in any well governed commonwealth ;"
and not to be tolerated in the kingdom.* Subse
quent history relates the results.
About this time another element made its ap
pearance in the controversy. Able men and states
men, in and out of Parliament, saw their constitu
tional rights, their chartered liberties, trespassed
upon, violated, even the existence of them denied.
Those who would assert those rights, and defend
those liberties, were stigmatized as political Puri
tans. Hence this new element soon coalesced from
•
' See his Proclamations at this Strype's Documentary Annals, ii.
period ; Fuller, iii. 189, 192 ; 60, and note.
Pictorial Hist, of Eng., iii. 15.

NEW ELEMENTS IN THE CONTROVERSY. 135
sympathy with the other ; and a union of Church
Puritans and State Puritans, followed.*
Ere long these elements were strengthened from
another source. Not only some lower courts, but
the Star Chamber and High Commission especially
(as we have before noticed) had long been subser
vient to the sovereign's will in giving decisions
and enforcing penalties against the non-conformists.
But a chief justice of the Common Pleas was at
length found on the bench, with sufficient weight
of character, depth of legal knowledge, and, what
is more, with an uprightness of purpose, and stern
determination to vindicate the law, and the rights
of the subject. This was none other than Chief
Justice Coke. By his decisions it was shown and
maintained, that the Court of High Commission,
in enforcing those penalties, was in many particu
lars acting by usurped authority.
Mighty was the struggle; but constitutional
right and law were, in part at least, and for a little
time, triumphant. The sovereign concurred. The
force of his proclamations, issued without authority
of Parliament, was weakened.^
It was about the commencement of this last

* Rapin, il. 424, 440. 618. It may here be added, that
* Life of Chief Justice Coke, by in all this, the English nation, and
Lord Mansfield ; more particularly we ourselves, owe to Chief Justice
in Johnson's Life of Sir Edward Coke a debt of gratitude due to
Coke, i. 206-236, and ii. 102, 139. no other. In opposition to all the
Coke's Institutes, pt. iv. page 324, exercises of an arbitrary power
opposed to acts of Bancroft ; Re- by King, Council, and High Com
ports, pt. xii., vii. pp. 19, 41. mission, especially in " cases Ec-
Strype's Doo. Annals, pt. ii. 601, clesiastical," did he most manfully

136

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.

train of circumstances, in this long, sad controversy,
and under the pressure of the measures renewedly
enforced by deprivations, fines, imprisonments, and
conflscations, that William Brewster left the
Established Church.
For " many years" had he been engaged actively,
yet orderly (and while holding office under Govern
ment), in furthering the cause of religion in the
church, in procuring worthy ministers for the des
titute, and in doing good according to his power;
living the while in high esteem among the best in
that portion of the land. With an observant eye
had he beheld all that was passing. He had pro-

vindicate the prerogatives of the
Court of Common Pleas, and the
principles of the common law.
Most firmly did he withstand the
arts, persuasions, proffered favors,
and menaces of the highest 'and
most powerful, until at length King
James declared his wiU to " reform
the High Commission in divers
points, and reduce it to certain
spiritual causes."
To the liberties of the people it
was matter of vital concern. Thus
checked in its illegal proceedings,
this court became gradually more
and more unpopular, until by the
act of 16th of Charles I. it was
finally abolished. The second
section of the act declared it to be
a " court by which the King's sub
jects sustained great and insuffer
able wrongs and oppressions."
The attempt afterwards by James
II. to revive it, proved one of the

causes that hurled him from his
throne. Annexed are some specimens of
Coke's Maxims.
" No proclamation can be offeree
against an act of Parliament."
"If a proclamation is issued
contrary to law, the law is to be
obeyed, and not the proclamation."
"No subject, though ever so
powerful or subtle, ever confronted
or jostled with the law of England,
but the same, in the end, infallibly
broke his neck."
" The High Commission cannot,
by force of the act of 1st Elizabeth,
send a pursuivant to* arrest any
person subject to their jurisdiction,
but ought to proceed by cita
tion." — Reports, pt. xii. pp. 19,41.
For one instance of Coke's acts
in point, see Bradford in Young,
447.

BREWSTER LEAVES THE NATIONAL CHURCH. 137
bably sympathized with those who wished for
further reforms. But it was not, as Bradford in
forms us, until the enforcement of conformity, by
the King, in the aggravating manner mentioned,
through Brancroft as primate, and by the very
bishop of the diocese in which he lived, not until
this, that he began to "look into the unlawfulness"
of the course pursued, and to call in question the
authority of courts and canons.® It was not until
the suspension, deprivation, and silencing of some
of those very ministers with whom he had asso
ciated, on whose ministry he had attended, from
whoift he had heard with profit the preached word,
and whom he esteemed and loved, as good, yet
persecuted ministers of Christ — it was not until
all this, and till no prospect of a final change for
the better could be seen,'' that he left the national
church. When, withdrawing quietly, yet decid
edly, he entered into connection with that separate
organization, of which the aged and confessedly
pious, but lately deprived Clifton was the first
pastor — of which Robinson also became the min
ister, and he himself, in time, and in another land,
the ruling elder.
Such appear to have been the facts — such the
circumstances of the case presented.^
* Bradford, 410. ^ It is but justice to state here,
' Walsingham had died in 1589, what could not so'properly appear
Burleigh in 1598, and Whitgift in in the text, that much more than
1604, and the extreme court party was asked for in the Milenary peti-
were now in full power. tion was in after times provided

138

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.

for by law ; in the various acts of
toleration, charitable allowances
were extensively made for differ
ences of opinion in matters of
religious worship.
And justice to the cause of truth
demands this still further state
ment, in respect to the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United
States of America : that far more
than was at first objected to in
England was here set aside, or left
discretionary. Moreover, in its
organization, a lay representation
was provided for, equal to that of
its clerical representation, in all
its legislative assemblies and con
ventions. Thus constituted, it
has been found, on comparison,
to bear the nearest resemblance
practicable to the organization of
the general and state governments.
And in respect to both of these
branches of the Christian church,
we may add here the views of a
distinguished antiquarian, and
minister of the congregational
order, Thomas Robins, D. D., of
New England, for many years
Librarian of the Connecticut His
torical Society, Hartford. In his
"Historical View of the First
Planters of New Englanlll," on re
ferring to the " causes which in
duced certain Puritans to separate
from the Church of England," and
to the arbitrary measures of the
English hierarchy of that day, he
says : " No reflection is intended on
the present Church of England,

which now possesses a very differ
ent character from that which it
sustained previous to the revolu
tion. It now deserves great vene
ration for its noble exertions in
the cause of evangelical truth,
and as an immovable barrier to
infidelity. Still less wiU it be
thought, by the candid reader,
that any unfriendly designs are
entertained towards the Episcopal
Church in this country, which
never had any share in those pre-
latical usurpations." — Preface of,
&c., p. V.
Hallam, in closing a chapter on
the Constitutional View of the Con
troversy, remarks : " I am v€ry sen
sible that such freedom as I have
used, cannot be pleasing to such
as have sworn allegiance to either
the Anglican or the Puritan party ;
and that even candid and liberal
minds may be inclined to suspect
that I have not sufficiently ad
mitted the excesses of one side to
furnish an excuse for those of the
other. Such readers I would gladly
refer to Lord Bacon's 'Advertise
ment touching the Controversies
of the Church of England,' written
in the time of Elizabeth, in that
tone of dispassionate philosophy,
which the precepts of Burleigh
had sown in his deep and fertile
mind, and taught him to apply."
Hallam's Con. Hist., p. 136 ; Bacon,
ii. 375, 382, 387, &c., or pp. 411,
414, 417, 418, &o., Amer. ed.

CHAPTER XII,
There's no impossibility to him
Who stands prepared to conquer every hazard :
The fearful are the failing. — Mrs. Hale.
There is a turning point in a man's life of far
higher moment to him than any other; a point
from which is marked his character for better or
for worse ever after. Temporarily, with Brewster,
had he remained in England, that turning point
might have been at the fall of Davison ; but now
had he arrived at another, which casts that far
into the shade. This was his connection with the
separate religious organization just noticed. And
this it was, however little suspected then, that led
to results which were to distinguish the man to aU
ensuing time.
It was about the year 1606, evidently, when
this organization or connection took place; and
when Brewster was in about his 47th year.
Bradford's various statements brought together,
specify the time too plainly to be any longer
mistaken. First, "after they were joined together in
communion, he [Brewster] was a special stay and

140 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
help to them. They ordinarily met at his house
on the Lord's day (which was a manor of the
bishops) ; and with great love he entertained
them ;" Morton adds, " and continued so to do
whilst they could stay in England."^ This covers
the whole time from their own separate organiza
tion until their arrangement to leave the country.
In another place, Bradford, speaking of this
separate organization, and the trials they soon had
to endure, specifies the length of time mentioned.
" So after they had continued together about a
year, seeing that they could no longer continue
in that condition, they resolved to get over into
HoUand, which was in the year 1607 and 1608.^
Prince adds: "This faU [1607] they began to
fly over to Holland." Here we have, then, the
date of their first attempt at removal, and the
intervening year between that removal and their
separate organization; leaving the year 1606, as
that -v^herein their organization was completed,
and when Brewster became connected with them.
If there was, as appears, another earlier organiza
tion, it was that perhaps with which Mr. Smith,
already alluded to, was chiefly connected.
Strikingly confirmatory of the above are the
coincident historical facts — as the extremes of
enforcement of rigid conformity at the time, and
of prosecutions for non-conformity; — likewise,
' Bradford, pp. 411, 412 ; Mor- » Bradford, pp. 10, 11 ; and
ton, in Young, 465. Prince, p. 23, 1st ed.

TIME OF JOINING THE SCROOBY SEPARATION. 141
Bradford's computation of " above 36 years in which
Brewster bore his part in weal and woe with this
people," carrying us back to the very year 1606;
also the facts brought to light by Hunter, the
resignation or removal of Brewster as " Post of
Scrooby," on the last of September, 1607 ; the
season of his departure thence, thus allowing for
an intervening year; also the fine imposed on
" Brewster, Brownist, or Separatist," the 22d of
the next " April, 1608," for non-appearance at
Southwell, and unpaid — for he had removed.^
Finally Robinson's coming thither from Norwich,
and his connection with this people about the
same year, 1606; all these help to confirm the
conclusions drawn.*
The time thus defined, and the intermediate
year brought prominently to view, so also is the
place where this church or congregation " ordi
narily assembled on the Lord's day," viz., Brew
ster's house, still called the Bishop's Manor. Here
now meeting for worship in its stately manorial
5 Dean, afterwards Bishop Hall, < Bradford, p. 410. Those 36
writing to Mr. Robinson, and years and about one month, taken
others, after they had arrived in from April, 1643 (old style),
Amsterdam, says ; " We hear of that is, 1642 and one month,
your separation, and mourn." He leave the year 1606; the time
calls it " The late separation at given in the previous statement.
Amsterdam :" again, " A late Hunter's Founders of N. Ply-
separation, not the first.'' Bp. mouth, 68, 72, and Mass. Hist,
Hall's work, vii. 171, 175, 385. Col., i. 4th series, pp. 75, 117. See
And Mr. Robinson answered, " The also Strype's Annals, and Rapin,
separation we hav(j made .... is as to the pressure of conformity
indeed late and new." Ans. to at this particular period.
Bp. Hall's Epist.

142 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
hall, or in some one of its spacious apartments,
the venerable Clifton, whose ministry had long
before been blessed to many of them, appears to
have officiated as their first pastor, assisted by
Robinson as their teacher or minister.^ Here also
were called forth the marked liberality and affec
tionate attentions of Brewster, not only in furnish
ing a place of worship, but " in providing for them
when they came together, himself bearing the
great charge," and running the risk of conse
quences. Soon, however, were they made to feel the con
sequences of separation. Soon were the strictest
interpretations of the law, with the far more
stringent proclamations and ecclesiastical instruc
tions for minutest inquiry, put in force.® Accord
ingly, says one of their number, " some were taken
and clapt into prison, others had their houses
beset, and watched night and day, they barely
escaping, while the most part were fain to fly
and leave all — habitations, friends, and means of
living." James' words were to be verified in their
case : " I will make them conform, or I will harry
them out of the kingdom, or else do worse;"
words big with meaning, and to be attended with
^ Bradford, p. 10, and in Young, also intimates, errata, p. 254, 1st
453, and in Hunter, pp. 42-45. ed.
From the Plymouth Church Re- ^ See specimens of the questions
cords, the intimations are clear to which answers were demanded
that Mr. Clyfton was considered to in Strype and in Calamy.
be their first Pastor ; as Prince

SYMPATHY AND AID; PREPARE TO LEAVE. 143
final consequences, of which neither he nor they
could then have formed any conceptions.
In these trials, Brewster was a further " special
stay and help to them." In these were his sym
pathies awakened, new acts of kindness called forth,
and the closest bonds of union cemented. While
thus harassed, and seeing no hope of anything
better, by joint consent they resolved to go into
the Low Countries. There, they heard, was free
dom of religion for all ; thither had others gone
from London and other parts for the same cause.
But to go from country, homes, friends, livings,
all that was familiar and dear, to go under^the de
clared opprobrium of violators of law, and into a
country known to them only by hearsay (Brewster
excepted), into a country dear of living, subject to
the miseries of war, of strange language, and as
strange modes of life, was sorely trying, and
thought by many to be an " adventure almost des
perate."^ Not the least discouraging was the fact
that " they were not acquainted with the trades
nor traffic by which that country subsisted,"
having been accustomed " only to a plain country
life and the trade of husbandry."^
Yet, though troubled, they were not dismayed.
Would they escape from persecution, and enjoy
their worship in their own chosen way, they must
go. There was but the one alternative. They
' Bradford, 10. this people as altogether agricul-
* Ibid., 11. This last is deci- tural ; any other must have been
sive as to the trade or calling of learned afterwards.

144 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
had views of church organization, ceremonies,
and discipline, which the King and bishops by
him promoted would not tolerate. They deter
mined to flee. Whatever may be thought of their
faults, their minds were guided by a strong, de
finite, fixed purpose, conscientiously entertained,
and equal to any sacrifice it might require.'
EquaUy strong was their faith in an Almighty arm
to guide and protect, and in the Divine mercy
finally to bless them.
But resolved, and prepared to go, they en
countered another trial. The ports were shut
against them. They could go only in private ways,
at great risk of seizure, and at extraordinary rates
of passage, attended otherwise with heavy expense.
Still nothing could deter them. And now followed
their various efforts for removal.
Brewster, with a large company, having chartered
for their sole use a ship at Boston, in Lincolnshire,
the nearest port for their purpose, repaired thither
at the time appointed ; but neither the captain nor
ship were there to receive them. After long delay,
and increased expense, the captain appeared, and
in the night, took them and their goods on board.
When on board, he betrayed them to the search
officers, with whom he had made agreement for
the purpose. Taken by these officials, and placed
in open boats, they were searched; their goods
ransacked, and their persons rifled for money, even
to their innermost garments, and the women be-
s Bradford, 9-11.

DISAPPOINTMENT, BETRAYAL, IMPRISONMENT. 145
yond the bounds of modesty. Most probably the
wife and children of Brewster were of the number. .
Plundered of their money, books, and to a large
extent of their goods, they were taken back into
the town, and made a spectacle of wonder to the
multitudes who came, flocking on all sides to see
them. In this plight were they presented before
the magistrates ; when messengers with informa
tion thereof were dispatched to the Lords of the
Council. The magistrates treated them very courteously,
and showed them every favor in their power, but
could not release them without orders from the
Council Board, and must therefore commit them
to prison. A month were they there detained.
After which, most of the company being dismissed,
and sent whence they came, Brewster and six
others held in durance, were bound over to the
Court of Assize.
" He was the chief person of the company, and
sneered the greatest loss." The books mentioned,
are supposed to have been mostly his. He was
" one of the seven kept longest in prison" — " suf
fering most." Thus passed the flrst winter of their
attempted removal.^"
The next spring (1608) a portion of the same
company, with others, attempted again to pass into
Holland. Arranging matters more cautiously than
before, and meeting with a Dutchman at Hull,
"> Bradford, pp. 11, 12, and 412.
10

146 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
with his ship from Zealand, thejr informed him of
their condition, and with him made an agreement ;
hoping to find him more faithful than they had
their own countryman.
Assured of this, at a certain day they agreed to
meet him on a large common on the border of the
Humber, between Grimsby and Hull. Against
the appointed time, were the women and children
of the company forwarded with their goods, in a
small hired barque, while the men were to meet
them by land. The barque arriving before the
ship, and the sea being rough, the sickened women
induced the boatmen to put into a creek, where at
low water they were left aground. In the morning
came the ship. The master, finding the barque to
be grounded till return of tide, but seeing the men
walking upon the shore, and ready, sent for them,
meanwhile, by boat. Having received on board
as many as could first come by the boat, while pre
paring to send for the remainder, he spied a large
body of men, horse and foot, armed, and in close
pursuit. Uttering his country's oath, the captain
quickly weighed anchor, hoisted sail, and put to
sea. Trying indeed was now the condition of those
on shore.
The men on board, in deep distress at being
taken from their wives and children, now left to the
mercy of their pursuers, could but shed manly tears,
while at the same time, they found themselves for
the most part destitute, penniless, and without

SECOND EFFORT TO REMOVE; PERILS AT SEA. 147
change of raiment. But vain were all regrets and
longings to be back. There was no remedy.
Not long, however, had they to brood over what
had passed. Their own perilous condition soon
claimed all attention. A fearful storm followed.
Seven days they saw neither sun, moon, nor stars.
Driven by the tempest near to the coast of Norway,
even the mariners themselves were often in despair.
Once, with cries and shrieks, they gave up all for
lost, the ship sinking as if foundered and past re
covery. " But when man's help and hope failed,"
says the narrator, apparently present," " then the
Lord's power and mercy appeared in their re
covery." Greatly to the encouragement of the
mariners, the ship rose again. " And did modesty
permit," says he, " I might declare with what fer
vent prayers some cried unto the Lord in their
distress ; especially when the briny waters were
running into their mouths and ears, and the mari
ners were crying out, ' We sink ! we sink !' When
they, without distraction, but with great faith,
cried, ' Yet, Lord, thou canst save ; yet. Lord, thou
canst save.' "
The ship soon recovered; the violence of the
storm began to abate ; and greatly were their af
flicted minds comforted. In the end, some four
teen days from their departure, were they brought
to their desired haven, where the people came
flocking, and wondering at their deliverance, so
" Bradford, the future governor, then about 18 years of age.

148 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
long, furious, and destructive had the tempest
been.^^ But we return to those so abruptly left by the
shore of the Humber. Such of the men as were
left, and would be exposed to the greatest danger
from their pursuers, eluded their grasp by escape ;
while those who best could, remained to assist the
destitute and helpless.
Pitiable was the condition of the poor women
and children ; some weeping, and crying that hus
bands, fathers, and protectors, were taken from
them, and to what trials those were exposed they
knew not, nor what was now to become of them
selves and their little ones ; others were in tears
from sympathy, and on seeing the young and de
fenceless hanging upon them, quaking with fear
and cold, while the troop were upon them and ap
prehending them.
Whether Brewster was in this company, Ave can
not discover ; yet it seems probable, since " he was
the first in all adventures, and forwardest in any."^'
This helpless company, thus apprehended, were
next taken from place to place, hurried from one
justice to another, until at length the officers were
in a dilemma, not knowing what to do with them.
'^ Ibid., pp. 13, 14. Also, Mor- Bradford not now extant, and says,
ton in Young, 465. expressly respecting Brewster : " I
" Bradford, 14, and Morton in could say much of mine own
Young, 465. knowledge ; but shall content my-
It should be borne in mind that self with the hon. testimony of Mr.
we have reason to trust Morton, Wm. Bradford." Mem., p. 132,
on points omitted in Bradford's old ed.
history, for he had writings by

DILEMMA; CONSEQUENCES; MEET IN HOLLAND. 149
To imprison so many women and innocent children
for no other cause in respect to a large portion of
them, than that they would go with their husbands
or parents, appeared not only unreasonable, but
aU men would cry out against it. To send them
to their homes was as difficult ; for, as they alleged
truly, they had none, having sold aU in order to
their removal. In the end, having passed from
one constable to another, after great trouble, glad
were the officers to be rid of them on any terms ;
and thus was forced a way for their final release.
As a consequence of these exposures and trials,
not only in the country, but at Boston, Grimsby,
Hull, and other places of note, their case and cause
became widely known. On many minds deep and
lasting was the impression, especially as connected
with their patient endurance and irreproachable
lives. Some of them, indeed, shrunk disheartened
from their confficts ; but others came forth with
fresh courage, greatly animating the remainder.^*
Such, and other trials like these, did Brewster
and this people endure. Amidst such they com
menced their movements, in all of which his agency
was conspicuous ; through such did they resolutely
pass, notwithstanding all opposition, until at length,
some at one time and place, and some at another,
they arrived in Holland ; there meeting again to
gether as in a secure retreat, according to their
desires, and to their no smaU rejoicing.
'" Bradford, pp. 14, 15.

CHAPTER XIII.
"Hope without an object cannot live." — Coleridge.
Brewster with his pastor, and the emigrant
company, arrived at Amsterdam, in Holland, in
the summer of 1608. They were "the last to
come over," having tarried " longest in England, to
help the weakest over before them."^
And now they began to realize the fact, that
they were indeed strangers in a strange land, with
a people of strange speech, manners, dress, diet—
a people proverbially patient, of untiring industry
and most rigid economy, ' saving all gains in all
manner of ways.' A country they found, densely
populated, differing externally, in habits and
modes of labor, from all to which they had been
accustomed in the rural life of their English
inland homes. Situations in business they also
found preoccupied, and in them much rivalry.
Unfavorable, therefore, were their prospects of
immediate employment, or of obtaining a com
fortable living.
But their purpose was fixed, patiently to
' Bradford, p. 16.

AMSTERDAM; THEIR CONDITION IN THAT CITY. 151
accommodate themselves to their new circumstances,
and to surmount all difficulties. They beheld a
city risen from an insignificant village, built upon
piles over a salt marsh, around a dam across the
mouth of the river Amstel (and hence its name
Amsterdam, from the dam of the Amstel), and
now by unexampled industry grown into a mighty
mart renowned for its increasing commerce,
accumulated wealth, and stately buildings. They
beheld its harbor enlivened, and wharves lined
with ships, from every known clime; and on its
scores of canals in place of streets, water craft
fioating without number, of every form and for
every -needed purpose. Hither had fled from the
blood-stained streets and blackened ruins of
Antwerp, large numbers of the Protestant popula
tion of that captured and plundered city, bringing
with them their arts, manufactures, and skill in
trade. Hither had come not a few like themselves, to
find a safe retreat from persecution, fr'om France,
Germany, and even from England. Thus had
Amsterdam become in Holland, what Antwerp
had been in Flanders, the grand emporium of
Europe.^ But while they saw all this, other things
demanded their immediate attention. They were
to provide at once for the necessities of themselves
and families, and to arrange their church order
2 Bradford, 11 and 16, and Malte Brun, iii. 1000, 1103, &c. .

152 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
and worship, to enjoy which in peace they had
come to Holland.
But in this latter chief purpose, they met with
an unexpected hindrance. Mr. Smith and his
company, of whom we have already spoken, had
arrived here some time before them. And years
before his arrival, had another, older separate
congregation, come from London, and been here
settled. With this older separate company Smith
and his people "were already involved in con
tention," which " no means that Robinson and
Brewster could use would allay." Besides, in that
older church itself were the flames of contention
likely to break out, which afterwards lamentably
came to pass. "Which things Robinson and
Brewster foreseeing, prudently resolved to remove
thence, before they became involved in them."*
Scarcely, therefore, had they been here an
entire year, when, to escape from contention, and
live in peace among themselves, they sought
another place of abode. Thus soon breaking up
all local plans and arrangements already made,
and gathering all again together, they removed to
Leyden, another city next in size to Amsterdam,
about 38 miles distant.
This removal, and the reasons given, were cha
racteristic of the men acting from principle and
desire of peace, though they knew it would be to
» Bradford, 16 and 17.

REMOVAL TO LEYDEN; THE CAUSES. 153
the prejudice of their worldly interests then, and,
to appearance, in future, as the event proved.*
Here, also, is shown the fact that, with neither
of those separately organized bodies (though sym
pathizing with them in most things), with neither
of them did this company under Clifton, now
under Robinson and Brewster, become united.^
Nor did they approve, it appears, of the rigid
notions of some of those Separatists in respect to
modes of dress, as well as in respect to the mode
of baptism, and to some particulars in church
government, which caused those contentions.''
It was early in the summer of 1609 when this
emigrant company, with perhaps a few exceptions,
came to Leyden. Here, again, they saw an ancient
city, situated in the midst of the district of Rhine-
land, a district presenting a vast level expanse of
the richest meadows in the world, adorned with
seventy vUlages, with their towers and spires
rising to view out of tufted groves, and the whole
specked with interminable flocks and herds, a
view extending until lost in the bluish haze
beyond the cities of Delft and the Hague.
Of the city itself, built on thirty islands formed
by river and canals, and connected by numerous
* "Valuing peace (says Brad- the Memoirs of Robinson, pre-
ford) and spiritual comfort above fixed to his works, and in Mass.
all earthly riches." Hist. Coll., 4th series, i. 123. See
' Bradford, 16, 17; Prince's An- further in Chap. XXVII. of this
nals, 26, 27. These facts are here work.
stated thus particularly, since they « Bradford, in Young, 445-6-7,
have been inaccurately stated in and 450.

154 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
bridges, there is a partial view in the annexed
print. In the foreground are seen, on the right,
the main street, through the centre, the New
Rhine, with its slow moving current, bearing on
its surface various water craft, the other, or Old
Rhine, being concealed from sight. Of the many
churches, St. Peter's, on the extreme right, and
St. Pancras on the left, lift their huge masses
above aU inferior buildings — (St. Peter's dating
back into the 12th century, and where the pastor,
Robinson, was to be at length buried). On every
side are ranges of buildings, high and low, public
and private, with picturesque old gables in true
Dutch style, of red brick, fantastically inlaid with
stone-work, in some of which were doubtless, for
a time, the abodes of the pilgrims. Other fine
streets met the eye, with shady walks and noble
edifices; and skirting the whole were walls,
towers, and armed battlements, while beyond was
spread out the level sea of verdure, with countless
windmills, and densely populated burghs and
hamlets. " A beautiful city," says the historian, " a fair
beautiful city, of a sweet situation."^
Hither, also, as well as to Amsterdam, adding
greatly to its active population, had fled large
numbers of Protestants, artisans, manufacturers,
merchants, and men of science froA faUen Ant
werp. ' Bradford, 17 ; Bartlett's Pilgrim Fathers, 75, 79, &o.

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T'^'-
LEYDEN; UNIVERSITY; HARDSHIPS HERE. 155
But the chief glory of Leyden was its university.
Founded soon after the siege and almost super
human defence of 1574, now drawing numerous
students from its own and the surrounding states,
already, with its eminent professors and other ad
vantages, was it in the enjoyment of a high and
justly earned reputation throughout the learned
world,* Here, also, must have come up vividly to
the mind of Brewster, historic recollections of the
embassy to this vicinity, with which he was con
nected some twenty-three years before.
Still, though our emigrant band, to use their
own words, saw around them "goodly cities,
strongly armed" and " abounding in all kinds of
wealth," not long could those goodly sights detain
their thoughts from their own reduced condition.
Many were their discouragements here also,
greater even externally than when they were in
Amsterdam. By extra expenditures and deten
tions in England, loss of goods, imprisonment, high
rates of passage, and this last removal, had their
means been sadly diminished, nay, well nigh ex
hausted. Lonely strangers were they still in a
strange land, and still unacquainted, for the most
part, with the trades and modes of procuring sub-
" Malte Brun, article Leyden, While this appears to have been
and Notes ; Bradford, 17, and the fact in respect to him, a state-
Brandt, ment usually, connected with it,
Ibid. It is said that the yet in respect to Brewster, is not so,
youthful Bradford, in this neoes- and will be corrected in its proper
sity learned the trade of silk place.
dyeing.

156 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
sistence. Looking around, stern poverty rose up
before them as a strong man armed, whom they
could not escape, with whom they must contend.
And with him, in faith and patience, did they most
resolutely contend. Betaking themselves at once
to such trades and employments as best they could,
at length, " with hard, and long-continued labor,"
and with sore " conflicts and misgivings in some,"
did they succeed in obtaining a competency.
In these trials and conflicts, how was it with
Brewster himself, who had shared most largely in
their losses, made the greatest sacriflces, been most
forward in every enterprise, spent most liberally
for the general good; whose wisdom in council,
discretion in action, and public experience, had
won their entire confidence, their affectionate re
gard; nay, without whom, probably, they could
never have made this formidable movement.
On coming to Leyden, and on the full organiza
tion of their church or congregation in their own
chosen way, " Mr. Robinson was duly recognized
as sole pastor, and Mr. William Brewster chosen
as their ruling elder."^ The aged Clifton, their
first pastor, whose course of life was now almost
run, had concluded to remain in Amsterdam."
Thus chosen to be their ruling elder, Brewster was

' Bradford, p. 17. pass his few declining years at
'" Bradford, p. 17. Clifton came Amsterdam, where he died, 20th
into Holland, Aug. 1608 ; and May, 1616, and his wife, 3d Sept.,
though connected with this con- 1613. Hunter, 44.
gregation or church, concluded to

ROBINSON PASTOR; BREWSTER RULING ELDER. 157
henceforth designated by the terms, " The Elder,"
"Elder Brewster," and " Elder William Brewster."
Nor was the name or position by any means no
minal, in respect to him or them. While it im
posed upon him duties, in their view sacred and
important, as their lay ruler, and in certain con
tingencies as their instructor, it bound him volun
tarily to them, and they to him, in ties deemed by
them among the strongest and dearest.-'^
But how was it as to his temporal affairs "? In
this respect, whatever may have been his portion
of wealth, whether greater or smaller while in
England, by expenditures for himself and others,
already noticed," we find that, by this time, his
condition could be no more favorable than that of
his brethren. Briefly, says one who knew, " after
he came into Holland, having spent the most of
his means," and "having a great charge, and many
children, he suffered much hardship."^^
This " great charge," in addition to his own
family (of at least seven, with himself), seems to
imply numerous dependants, or domestics, appa
rently a portion of his household while in England,
and still here dependent upon him.
But what rendered his own condition peculiar,
and his present hardships the greater, was the
manner of his early training, with the refinements
to which he had been accustomed, unfitting him
" For a particular account of ization, see their own statements
this office in their church organ- in Chaps. XVII. and XXVII.
>2 Bradford's Hist., 412.

158 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
for these " laborious employments," in which others,
more hardy, could readily engage. Yet amidst it
all, while using every means of alleviation within
his reach, he presented (what must have had a
most salutary influence upon his companions in
trial) " an example of cheerful contentment with
his lot."i^
But at length, in the good providence of God,
and in time of greatest need, was opened to him
the way of relief.
Already have we noticed, in his early education,
his knowledge of the Latin. And now, the in
creased intercourse, commercially and politically,
between Holland and England, caUsed a desire and
demand among the students of the university, and
others of influence, for a knowledge of the Eng-
Hsh. To Elder Brewster, peculiarly qualified, was thus
presented the opportunity to meet this demand.
Both he and they being masters of the Latin, it
was at once a ready medium of communication to
this end ; and to him they resorted, as other studies
would permit. To facilitate their progress, he
. prepared rules, or a grammar, after the Latin
manner, by which their acquisition of the English
became rapid and highly satisfactory. We can
easily imagine how, and with what interest, he
became thus engaged with gentlemen of the uni
versity ; as the record states, " Danes and Germans,
" Bradford's Hist., 412.

HOUR OF NEED; RELIEF; EFFORTS FOR GOOD. 159
some of families of high distinction," they in stu
dious attendance upon his instructions ; and all
resulting in a manner equally beneficial to the
instructor and the instructed.-'* It was in a way
suited to his early training, tastes, and studies.
Here also must his early experience and inter
course in diplomatic life have added greatly to the
interest in his course of instruction.
How soon after his removal to Leyden this course
was commenced, we are unable to discover. Nor
are we informed as to many other particulars of
his Ufe, during the several current years between
1610 and 1617. A general view, however, we
have, from incidental statements. In them all he
is presented before us as exemplary in his duties
to his family, ready to improve all opportunities of
doing good, but especially active, in connection
with his pastor, in promoting the edification and
increase, and, as ruling elder, in preserving, by
mild yet firm discipline, the unity and peace of
their congregation.
By these means, from their smaU beginnings
increasing by accessions from England and other
sources, their number, in time, amounted to about
three hundred communicating members.^*
" Brad., 412.
'5 Bradford, p. 17, and Winslow, in Young, 455, 456.

CHAPTER XIV,
To give religion her unbridled scope,
Nor judge by statute a believer's hope. — Cowpee.
And how was it as to the state of religion and
religious toleration in Holland at this period ?
How matters stood politically during the em
bassy of Mr. Davison, when WiUiam Brewster
attended him thither nearly thirty years before,
we then had occasion to notice. Then came into
view the fearful struggle with Spain. That
struggle was continued. During its continuance
many of the Protestant inhabitants were mas
sacred ; fair districts were overrun ; yet, with the
partial aid of England, the United Provinces had
asserted their independence, and obtained a twelve
years' truce'. With their independence, they had
established, to a great extent, civil and religious
liberty. Here was now an external, though not an entire
internal, toleration of all who professed the Chris
tian name. Here were Roman Catholics who had
helped to assert their liberties, and were quietly
partaking of the accompanying privileges. Here
were Lutherans, though the Dutch felt a strong

EXTENT OF TOLERATION IN HOLLAND. 161
antipathy to them, stronger even than had been
_ felt towards them in England. Here were French
Protestants and English, of different names ; Ana
baptists, and many others, with their peculiarities.
Here was now our Pilgrim company at Leyden ;
also another English church or congregation, that
came to Leyden the same year. AU who came
thither and lived peaceably under the protection
afforded, and aided in the support of the State,
were tolprated. Indeed, such indiscriminate tole
ration was made, at the time, the subject of re
proach and ridicule, a theme of poetic sarcasm,
particularly as to Amsterdam.-^
In all this, the government acted not merely
from regard to the Protestant cause, but also on
grounds of political policy, and with shrewd cal
culation^ of commercial interest.^ Hence, not
withstanding the desolations of war, and the
limited extent and power of the States compared
with Spain, great multitudes continually flocked
hither, many in aid of the Protestant faith, some
to escape from imprisonments and persecutions at
home, and not a few for barter and commerce.
From these accessions were the ranks of their
armies filled, their losses supplied; even in time
' "A common harbor of all " Amsterdam, Turk, Christian, Jew,
opinions, of all heresies," says Staple of all sects, and mint of
one ; "a cage of unclean birds ;" schism, grew."
" all strange religions flock thi- Note in Young, 23, 24.
ther," says another; "the great ' Leicester Correspondence.
mingle mangle of religion," says
a third. Hence that sarcasm —
11

162 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
of war, agriculture and the arts flourished, and the
Dutch were extending their commerce, and dis
coveries, and colonies, with persevering energy, to
the distant regions of the earth.
But, along with their civil liberties and general
external toleration in respect to religion, the
States had their internally established Protestant
Church, the legally established Church of the
Netherlands, constituted under the Presbyterian
form. Accordingly, its church edifices were- pro
vided, and pastors chiefly supported, by the State
or by law. Congregations of foreigners also, on
application, were usually provided for in like
manner. Chaplains of the Church of England for
English troops and garrisons, as well as English
congregations, were thus accommodated or aided.
Our emigrant company, however, appear not to
have been thus favored, certain influences prevent
ing. No church edifice was opened to them, no
aid provided for their pastor's support.
A church establishment there was then in Hol
land, as in other countries at this period, not a
peacefully established religion, indeed, for " to speak
of such in the confusion of those times, would be
to speak of settled estates in an earthquake." In
this state church had the "Netherlands' Confes
sion of Faith and Catechism" been adopted, as
scriptural, perhaps, as could then have been re
ceived or composed. " Its articles had been drawn
originaUy by their most moderate and judicious
divines, with a scope in the main like the EngHsh,

ARMINIAN AND CALVINIAN CONTROVERSY. 163
equally removed from the extremes of latitudina-
rianism on either' side." On those "high mys
terious points commonly called Calvinistic" (in
which sense they had been adopted), differences
of opinion were both allowed and entertained.
And it has been remarked that "it was from
that intrinsic liberty of speech and of thought,
which was in fact never fairly or legally withheld
from the Belgic churches, that such discrepancies
of judgment arose." And from the long line of
facts we are bold to say, that " such will ever arise,
on the same subjects, among different members of
the same establishment, as long as the laws and
sentiments of that establishment shall be in a
liealthy state; as long as they shall rest upon a
true scriptural base."^ And here is ever the field,
and here the call, for the continual exercise of
Christian charity towards all the pious members of
the body — charity " the bond of perfectness,"
without which all zeal — all else, is as nothing. It
is the voice of history ; it is the voice of God.
To come to the point before us, our emigrant
company found the established church of the
Netherlands now in the midst of a most agitating
controversy. It was a controversy that had
agitated and shaken, and continued to convulse,
large portions of the Romish church, between the
rival organizations of Louvain, Douay, and the
Jansenists on the one side, and the order of the
' Review of Bp. Hall and Arminius, Christ. Obs., vol. xxvii. 647.

164

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.

Jesuits on the other ; a controversy upon the deep
points of predestination and grace.*
This controversy had become rife in the
University of Leyden, and was beginning to pre
vail throughout the States. Arminius, from
whom, among Protestants, the system took its
name in contrast with that of Calvin, had been in
this university a distinguished divinity professor.
As a coincidence that may be remembered, he
was born, as appears, in the same year as William
Brewster, and in the same in which the celebrated
Melancthon died. And the year that our com
pany came to Leyden, Arminius died.^

" Dupin. Eccle. Hist. 17th
Century. Book i. and Book iii.
chap, ii.— ix.
'' Born in 1560, he was trained
first by a pious mother, next by
a Protestant minister from the
Roman Church, next six years at
tbe Leyden University, then for
his promising talents and piety
was adopted by the Burgomasters
of Amsterdam, and by them sent
to Geneva. One year he was at
Basle, again three years at Geneva,
under the distinguished Beza from
whose Calvinistic sentiments he
seems not then to have expressed
the slightest dissent. Then tra
velling to Rome, and returning
to the city of his adoption, he was
made pastor of one of its principal
churches. Here laboring success
fully for years, and called upon to
answer the writings of some

brethren at Delft who dissented
from the high Calvinistic ground,
he undertook the task, and the
result was, through painful agita
tions and struggles, a gradual
relinquishment of those dis
tinguishing views, and the adop
tion of others for which he became
famous, and for which he suffered.
In the inidst of much censure
from some, loss of favor from
others, yet for his learning and
piety highly esteemed by many,
he was, in 1602, elected to the
high divinity chair at Leyden.
Here candidly and learnedly he
advocated his views, while the
other learned divinity professor,
equally devoted and sincere,
advocated the opposite. And the
deeply agitating controversy ex
tended not only through the
university, but through the State.

PROGRESS OF THE CONTROVERSY IN HOLLAND. 165
In this Arminian controversy, our pilgrim
company could not but become deeply interested ;
in it their pastor became personally engaged.
With Episcopius, the successor and eloquent
advocate of the views of Arminius, Mr. Robinson
came into direct contact, and engaged in full
discussion. " Great," says Bradford, " were the troubles
raised, greatly molesting the whole State, and
Leyden in particular, where was the chief univer
sity." Frequent and warm were the disputations
in the various schools ; and such was the excite
ment, that while the two professors, Episcopius
and Poliander, were themselves teaching daily in
the university, the one for, and the other against
the views of Arminius, few of the disciples of the
one would listen to the teachings of the other.
Taking opportunity constantly to hear the read
ings of both, being well grounded in the contro
versy, and seeing the force of all the arguments,
the pastor of the emigrant company, himself quick
of apprehension and ready of speech, was desired
by Poliander and the chief ministers of the city,
to take part in the discussion. Loth as a stranger
to do this, yet importuned, when Episcopius, the
Arminian professor, put forth his theses, and his
full strength to discuss and defend them, their
pastor yielded ; and, adds the perhaps too partial
The very year of the arrival of his sorrows, and his life. See
our emigrant band in Leyden, references under note 7, on page
(1609) Arminius closed his labors, 167.

166 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
historian, " on several public occasions he so suc
ceeded, and had the victory, that many praised
God for the conquest for truth."^
This procured their pastor much honor from
those learned men and others interested. And it
is intimated that, were it not for giving offence to
the King of England, they would have shown him
and his people other public favors. But the con
troversy ended not here. Many and earnest were
the attempts, by private conference and by au
thority of local assemblies, to reconcile the differ
ences : yet all to little purpose. The call was for
a National Synod. And a .national synod was
finally assembled — the far-famed Synod of Dort.
Delegates were invited to it from all Protestant
churches of Europe, the Lutherans excepted.
The followers of Arminius summoned to this
synod appeared as members. But, to their disap-
]jointment, full and free discussion of the points at
issue was not -permitted. The majority assumed
the attitude of judges, and, without free discussion,
passed sentence of condemnation. And it was a
condemnation not only of the tenets of their differ
ing brethren (of which, had full discussion been
first allowed, they as an organized body had a right
to judge), but a sentence of condemnation also
upon the persons holding those tenets : men learned,
conscientious, sincere (whether right or wrong),
men against whose mild deportment and piety no
accusation could stand.
^ Bradford, p. 20, &c.

BARNEVELT EXECUTED, OTHERS PERSECUTED. 167
Under the sentence thus passed, the principal
favorers of the tenets of Arminius must suffer.
At the Hague, within four days of the close of the
principal sessions of the synod, that distinguished
statesman and advocate, the mild and guileless
Barnevelt, the very beau ideal of historical por
traiture, for integrity to his conscience, and to his
country, was brought to the scaffold and beheaded.'^
The learned Grotius, one of the ablest Christian
scholars of the day, and the well known Hogen-
beets, were also sentenced tp imprisonment for life.
Ministers of churches, professors in their universi
ties, were deprived of their places, and banished
the country, with no time allowed even to arrange
their affairs, or take leave of their families.
To this synod King James had sent a chosen
delegation ; another specimen of his strange acts,
showing how he could "insult the laws of God
and the realm" in sending forth and enforcing
upon the nation " his Book of Sunday Sports," at
one time, and use all his power to put down every
thing Presbyterian, as well as to exterminate
everything Puritan in the church of the realm at
another time, and yet almost at the same period,
send a delegation to a Presbyterian synod in
another land, with instructions to sustain it in its
original form and creed against all innovations.
The delegation itself would do honor to any
' Beheaded May, 1619. See tures in Christian Observer, Lon-
particulars in Brandt's Hist., vol. don, vol. xxvii. pp. 346, 349.
iii. 301, 303, and 307, and Sfcrio-

168 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
cause : Bishops Carlton and Hall, with Doctors
Davenant and Ward, heads of colleges at Cam
bridge, whose influence and mild counsels in
private were on the side of unity and peace.*
Another proof, that personal and political ends,
not Christian principle or church preference, Avere
the controlling motives with the King.
James could persecute, not for doctrines, but for
differences of opinion as to ceremonies ; the synod of
Dort could condemn and persecute equally good
men, not for ceremonies, but for deviations in opinion
from the received Genevan points of faith. It was
the remaining barbarous custom of the times.
Toleration in these respects, even in Holland, was
yet unknown.
It has been more than insinuated that the pastor
of our separate company took side with the
persecutors,, and favored the persecuting acts of
the synod.^ But of this there is no evidence ; and
without evidence the supposition is altogether
gratuitous. That Mr. Robinson contended earnestly for the
Genevan system — conscientiously believing it to
be the truth, is matter of historic fact, as we
have already seen. But that he, or Elder
Brewster, had any agency in or favored the con
demning sentence upon the persons of the de
fenders of the views of Arminius, we have reason
8 See Bishop Hall, as well as « ji^ss. Hist. Collection, vol.
Mr. Hale on the Synod of Dort ; xxix. p. 59.
also Brandt, iii. 5, 32, 112, 283, 3.

VIEWS OF PASTOR AND ELDER ; SOUN.D CONCLUSIONS. 169
to think from the writings of the one, and the
whole discreet and benevolent life of the other,
was not the fact.
To say that they held views generally termed
Calvinistic, is to say not only what was the fact in
regard to them, but also in regard to the great
body of the Church of England from which they
had separated. Of this latter fact every reader of
the Church of England's history is aware, and that
the views thus termed had been there held gene
rally from the beginning of the Reformation to the
time of which we are now speaking. In such
views this people had doubtless been educated
while in that church. Doctrinally, on this point,
there was then little difference between them.^"
This, however, in no way necessarily connected
them with the extreme action of the synod.
Nor was the persecuting spirit of the synod
universally prevalent in HoUand. Not long before
had the magistrates of Leyden, when called upon
to coerce by force of law those wKo differed from
the majority on points of religious faith, answered :
" The design of the States undoubtedly is, that
none should be persecuted on account of their
religion." In good sound terms, they answered further:
" We do not find that we have any authority to
proceed against, and punish by law, those who
'" Even James declared this in people in their articles, see Chap.
his Proclamation; so did this xxvii. seq.

179 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
have not behaved otherwise than well in their
civil and burgher-like capacities."
" There are no better means to root out heresy
than temper and moderation ; for we have often
seen that certain books were little minded at first,
but afterwards, when condemned as heretical, they
came into repute and credit."
"Force will not make Christians, but only fill
the world with vile hypocrites under the name of
Christians."^^ Such, we believe, from every recorded act of his
life, to have been the matured mind of Brewster.
Discussions, in which he must have been en
gaged, are one thing; disputes even are another
thing ; to persecute those who differ from us, is still
more emphatically another. This latter is the
work of the enemy of God and man. History
gives the evidence. Discussion, frank, candid, free,
for the eliciting of truth, is the source of good,
often of incalculable good ; dispute, the source of
incalculable evil.

" Brandt, vol. i. 384. the Elder's own hand ; showing
We have in possession sermons, him to have entertained like tole-
with marginal notices, of evident rant views. See also the Seven
approval, written, we believe, in Articles, Chap, xxvii.

CHAPTER XV.
But mightiest of the mighty means,
On which the arm of progress leans,
 is the press. — Dk. Bowrixg.
Going back to the time when we left Elder
Brewster instructing students of the university,
Danes and Germans, in the English language, we
are to notice him next engaged in another respon
sible undertaking.
Writers have said, and it has often served to
give point to oratorical phrase, that, in their great
extremity, the future governor, Bradford, learned
the trade of silk-dyeing, and Elder Brewster, the
trade of printing.^ However true the statement
may have been in respect to Bradford, it was not
strictly true in respect to the Elder. First is the
fact that Bradford was scarcely twenty years old,
while the Elder was now over fifty, probably fifty-
five. But attention to the language of the histo
rian corrects the error. Along with his engage
ments in the way of instruction, it is added, " He
also had means to set up printing by the help of
some friends, and so had employment enough, by
' Mather's Magualia, Belknap, and others.

172 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
reason of many books which would not be allowed
to be printed in England."^
To set up printing, by means furnished by friends,
and on account of many books that might be
printed, designates, in modern phrase, a publisher,
including in some cases the duties of editor. And
this corresponds with the facts ; though in setting
up an establishment of this nature, some know
ledge of the typographic art might probably have
been acquired.
And it is matter of interest to know something
of the works which he published. Being, as might
be expected, of a religious character, portions of
them had reference to the main controversies of
the day ; yet were they for the most part eminently
practical. Some of them were in Latin, others in
English, two of them large and expensive works.
First, was a Commentary, in Latin, on the Pro
verbs of Solomon, by Cartwright, with a preface
by Polyander, 1513 pages quarto, published by
him at Leyden, Choralis Street (or place). A, D,
1617, A practical work much esteemed at the
time ; a second edition of which was published in
Amsterdam, in 1638,^ (Below are the original
titles of the Latin works.)

2 Bradford, pp. 412, 413. clarissimi viri Johannis Poliandri,
» " Commentarii Succincti et S. Theologiae Professoris Leidensis,
Deluoidi. in Proverbia Salamonis. Lugduni Batavorum. Apud Gu-
Authore ThomS, Cartwrightio, S. S. lielmum Brewsterum in vico Cho-
Theologise in Academia Canta- rali, 1617, 8vo.," pp. 1513. A
brigiensi quondam Professore. copy of this work, and of this
Quibus adhibata est Prsefatio edition, was deposited, in 1828,

BOOKS PUBLISHED BY THE ELDER. 173
2d. "Confutation of the Remists' Transla
tion, Glosses, &c., of the New Testament," by Cart
wright, 1618, in folio. When this large and learned
work ,was published by the Elder, no complete
work of the kind had appeared in English to meet
the urgent demand. It was printed in the beauti
fully clear, fair type of the Leyden press of that
period, resembling in this respect the far-famed
El^ver editions of the Classics, which have never
been excelled. On the broad margin are pointed
out successively the portions of Scripture read for
the lessons on Sundays and other special days, in
the Church of England service, commencing with
the Sundays in Advent, Christmas, and thus pro
ceeding in order throughout the year.* In this
with Dr. Kendall, Pastor at Ply- blamed his jealousy to deprive
mouth, Mass. Another copy of the Church of so learned pains of
the Amsterdam edition of 1638 is him whose judgment would so
in the Pilgrim Hall, of the same solidly, and affections so zealous-
place, ly, confute the public adversary.
¦* The old church historian. Distasteful passages might be ex-
Fuller, says : " Now came forth punged, whilst it was a pity so
the Remish (Roman) translation good fruit should be blasted in
of the New Testament. Secretary the bud for some bad leaves.
Walsingham solicited Mr. Thomas Thus disheartened, Cartwright de-
Cartwright to undertake the re- sisted ; but afterwards, encouraged-
futing of this Translation." To by a noble lord and others, he re-
aid in the matter, " he sent him sumed and perfected the work as
an hundred pounds out of his own far as the 15th chapter of the
purse. Whitgift, learning what Revelations." And, adds Fuller,
Cartwright was writing, prohibited "many years lay this worthy
his further proceeding therein, work neglected, and the copy
Many commended his care not to mouse-eaten, whence the printer
intrust the defence of the doctrine excused some defects in his edi-
of England to a pen so disaffected tion, which, though late, came
to the discipline thereof. Others forth in the year 1618 ; a book

174 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
work, as well as in the following treatises, the
publisher's name was omitted.
3d. A smaller treatise in Latin " Concerning
the true and genuine Religion of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ ;" of which, the evidence is
clear that he was the publisher.^
4th. A treatise in both Latin and English,
called "The People's Plea for the Exercise of
Prophecying," by Mr. Robinson, his pastor. It
sets forth, as its title suggests, in a moderate and
guarded manner, yet fully and decidedly the
arguments for that exercise, and which this
people maintained while in Holland, and long
afterwards,^ 5th. " Ames' Reply to Grevinchovius," on the
Arminian controversy, in Latin. '^
which, notwithstanding the afore- " Brewster doth avow,'' says Sir
said defects, is so complete that Dudley Carleton. Letters, p. 380.
the Remists durst never return A copy of this, as well as of other
the least answer thereto." works printed by him, appears to
Fuller's Church History, vol. have been in the Elder's library
iii. pp. 68-70. Such was the at his decease.
work which Elder Brewster res- ^ An original copy of this work
cued and published this year at is in the hands of Dr. Shurtleft',
Leyden. A copy of this same Boston, date 1618, name of place
edition (1618), by the Elder, and publisher not given ; but the
without name, is in the Pilgrim date and evidences, internal and
Society Hall, Plymouth, New Eng- external, leave little or no doubt
land. See also Strype's Whitgift, of its being from the Elder's press.
pp. 482, 484, and Sir Dudley Carle- ' "Amissii in Grevinohovium,"
ton's Letters, pp. 380, 390. by William Ames, at Leyden.
' " De vera et genua Jesu Christi We are not certain which of two
Domini et Salvatoris nostri Re- kindred works of this noted
ligione," "1618, Sine Locum," writer is here meant. But from
says the Bodleian Catalogue, vol. the title and dates and place of
iii. 254. The publishing of this, publication mentioned in the

HIS PUBLICATIONS OPPOSED BY KING JAMES. 175
Such were the principal works published by
Elder Brewster, at Leyden, in the year 1617 and
1618. We omit the notice of others, of which we
have not full evidence. It was a class of works
which had at the time no small influence, nay
whose influence has been continued through
successive writers, and will continue indefinitely,
as a wave of the ocean, once raised, ceases not
its motion, but moves onward, combining with
others, until it shall reach earth's utmost limits,
to end we know not when or where.
That more works were not published by him,
was owing to causes as widely diverse as the
jealousy of James, and his arbitrary efforts to
control the press even in Holland, on the one
hand, and the first germs of thought with ma
turing plans for planting a new colony on the far
off shores of the New World, on the other.
At the Hague, near to Leyden, resided at this
time Sir Dudley Carleton, ambassador from
England. Discovering that books, not allowed
to be published in England, were issued from the
press, and circulated at Leyden, and that some of
them were apparently provided for the English
market, he informed his majesty of the fact.
James, keenly alive to everything of the kind,
directed the ambassador to use all influence to
have the printing of such books prohibited ; and
Bodleian Catalogue, we conclude Ames, and Sir Dudley Carleton's
it must have been that of 1617, or Letters in respect to the writings
~ 1618. See said Catalogue, art. of Ames. <

176 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
not only this, but to have the persons engaged
therein sought for and committed to prison. To
this, the then Prince of Orange, with some of the
chief rulers, unwilling to displease the King, and
as a personal matter, assented; though at the
expense of their national independence.*
The character of some of the works published
by Brewster, led the ambassador to suspect that
others, still more obnoxious to his master, had
been published by him. Accordingly he reported
as such to his court, among those we have already
noticed, two others^ on grounds of suspicion. But
in respect to neither of them was there proof
presented. Of the one most obnoxious, we have
direct incidental proof to the contrary .¦^''
But William Brewster must be sought for ; his
publishing house closed, and he if found committed
to prison. On the 22d July (1619) the ambas
sador reported: " A William Brewster, a Brownist,
hath been for some years an inhabitant and
printer at Leyden, but is now within three weeks
8 Sir Dudley Carleton's Letters tise, " The Perth Assembly,"
to Secretary Naunton, July 22, Winslow, who was then present
and Sept. 12 and 18, 1619. and one of the chief men of the
s De Regimine Ecclesise Scoti- company, and who would have
cause Brevis Relatio. To this known whether or no the sus-
treatise there was a reply by picion had any foundation, states
Archbishop Spotiswood. Of its incidentally that it was published
publication by Brewster, we have by a certain minister from Scot-
said there was only suspicion, land. Winslow's Brief Narration,
Sir Dudley does not even speak in Young, p. 395. Sir Dudley's
confidently. Letters, July 22, Sept. 12 and 18,
" Of this most offensive trea- 1619.

SIR D. carleton's REPORT; BREWSTER ABSENT. 177
removed from thence, and gone back to dwell in
London, where he may be found out and exa
mined." Again, August 20th: "I have made
good inquiry after William Brewster, at Leyden,
and am well assured that he is not returned
thither; neither is it likely he will, having
removed from thence both his family and goods."
And again, September 12: ''In my last I
advertised your honor that Brewster was taken at
Leyden ; which proved an error, in that the schout
who was employed by the magistrates for his
apprehension, being a dull drunken feUow, took
one man for another."^^
Among the facts here reported, are some par- .
ticulars, which were more than Sir Dudley knew.
And well it is that, even in these apparently small
matters, we have other accurate history to correct
the errors. Elder Brewster had indeed gone to
London; and there had been, not three weeks
merely as above, but for some five months,-'^ And
he was there, not on account of the ambassador's
movements in respect to him, but for other
purposes than Sir Dudley appears to have known
or suspected.
But who were the friends that furnished the
" Sir Dudley's Letters to England) in February, 1619, and
Secretary Naunton, 380, 386, 389. returned late in the same year, p.
'2 Bradford, p. 30; and in Young, 59. His remark at bottom of p.
pp. 57, 68, 71. In a note. Dr. 468 differs, indeed, from this, as.
Young says Cushman and Brew- to the Elder's return, but without
ster were sent (by the Leyden evidence.
emigrants as their agents to
12

178 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
means for this printing establishment "? And what
were the consequences to them "? The ambassador's
letters give the answer in respect to the chief of
them. " Thomas Brewer (says he), a professed
Brownist,^^ a gentleman of a good house, both of
land and living, a man of means, and who bore
the charge, is apprehended, and being a university
man, is made fast in the university prison." " The
printing house, which was not an open shop, was
also searched; the types, books, and papers were
seized and searched as well as sealed." After
undergoing inquisitorial scrutiny, and all without
criminating proof. Brewer himself was " remanded
into England."
Here, however, the officers of the University
took their stand, claiming the exercise of their
chartered rights. And the ambassador, unable
to prevail as he wished on account of the popular
opposition, yielded to a compromise. Brewer, in
prison, harassed, importuned, and not knowing
how long this might be continued, at length con
sented to go " of his own accord" to England to
be examined in the matter, and to go, not as a
prisoner, but as a freeman, in charge of some con
fidential person, and not to be ill used in body or
goods, nor placed in any common prison, but
'3 Letters, pp. 389, 393, 395, 398, knew really of the faith and
&o. We cannot but notice how principles of these men, much
often, by way of stigma. Sir less of their aims, and what might
Dudley uses the reproachful term be the final results.
Brownist, showing how little he

BREWER — Brewster's friend — apprehended. 179
suffered to return in due time, and not at his own
charge." The ambassador concurring, and giving
pledge accordingly, and promising particular favor
if all was done as desired. Brewer departed for
England, and was favorably received and finally
discharged, much to the satisfaction of the officers
of the University, though, it would seem, not to
the full content of Sir Dudley.^^ Such was the
treatment of Brewster's friend. Had Brewster been
found at Leyden, the facts show what treatment
he would have received from the same source.
It was only one of the thousand attempts to
control, by arbitrary force, the freedom of the
press. That great principle, or axiom, had not
yet been conceived, or, if conceived, had not been
acted upon, that truth, in man's present state — aU
contested truth — must come into full, free, open,
unrestricted conflict with error, and that this con
flict must be gone through in order that truth
may be felt to be truth, and that it may not only
have, but be- seen to have, the victory. Any forced
checks upon such full, free, candid discussion, only
delay the victory of truth ; all arbitrary restraints
upon press or speech but retard its final triumph.
Every historic instance proclaims this fact.
The only check which the case justly admits is
as to manner and temper ; and that check should
be firm and effective. It is unlicensed manner,

» Do., Letters, pp. 395, 398.
'* Do., pp. 406, 423, 482, &c. He went in the care of Sir William
Zouch. '

180 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
and uncontrolled iemper, not free discussion, that
cause the mischief. Truth has nothing to fear.
Is error at times mighty "? It is might " stolen from
seeming truth." Truth itself is mightier; par
taking of the nature, it has also the power and
pledged support of Him who is almighty.

CHAPTER XVI.
The world was all before them, where to choose
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide. — Miltok.
We have said that Elder Brewster was in Eng
land, and for a very important purpose. It was a
purpose which, if carried into successful execution,
would change his own entire temporal condition,
and that of the people with whom he was con
nected. Early in the year 1617, we trace the beginnings
of thought in his own and his pastor's mind,
which, at length, grew into a conviction, that
Holland was not suited to their habits, and could
not meet their desires, as a permanent home.
Nine years of trial and experience had they
already passed through, and eight of them in
Leyden, In this time, some of their number had
been removed by death, others were becoming ad
vanced in years. The " twelve years' truce" be
tween the States and Spain would, before long,
come to a close,-'^ when the long bloody war might
again be resumed, and they might be involved in
' This truce was signed April 9th, 1609, to end at the close of that
month, in 1621,

182 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
its calamities, " Taught by experience (say they),
our prudent governors (their pastor and ruling
elder), with some of the sagest members, began
deeply to apprehend, and wisely to foresee, the
dangers, and to think of a timely remedy,"^
In the " agitation of thought, and after much
discourse" (at first in private conference), the in
clination for removal became strong; "not (says
one of them) out of any newfangledness, or other
such like giddy humor, by which men are often
times transported to their great hurt and danger,
but for sundry weighty and solid reasons."
" First, the hardness of their present place and
country, to them so great, that few would come to
continue with them ; while, could a place of better
and easier living be found, such discouragements
would be removed."
" Second, though in general their , people bore
all difficulties cheerfully and resolutely in their
best strength, old- age was coming on some ; great
and continued labors and trials were hastening it
before its time on others." It was, therefore, "ap
parent that in the then state of things there was
danger of ere long being " scattered, or of sink
ing under their burdens."
" Third, over them was the task-master Neces
sity, forcing them to become task-masters not only
to servants, but, in a measure, to their children,
wounding the heart of many a father and mother,
" Bradford, p. 22, and Winslow in Young, pp. 381-2.

REASONS FOR REMOVING FROM HOLLAND. 183
and producing sad consequences. Children of best
dispositions and gracious inclinations, who were
learning to bear the yoke in their youth, and
willing to share in their parents' labors, were yet,
at times, so oppressed with labor, that, though
with minds free and willing, their bodies became
bowed under the weight and early disfigured, the
vigor of nature being exhausted in the very bud."
But what was to them of all sorrows the heaviest
to be borne, " many of their children, by the sur
rounding temptations, and the great licentiousness
of the youth of the country, and their evil ex
ample, were drawn away, grew headstrong, leaving
their parents, some becoming soldiers, others sail
ing on far-distant voyages, others taking to worse
courses, to their parents' grief, their souls' danger,
and the dishonor of God, all foreboding a degene
rate and corrupt posterity."^
To these reasons were added " their great desire
to live under the protection of England, and to
retain the language and the name of Englishmen ;"
likewise " their inability here to give their chil
dren such an education as they had themselves re
ceived ;" also " their grief at the profanation of the
Sabbath in HoUand."*

' Bradford, pp. 22-24. " It falls out in these towns of
* Winslow's Brief Narrative, in Holland that Sunday, which is
Young, pp. 381-2. Of the pro- elsewhere the day of rest, proved
fanation of the Sabbath, the Eng- always the day of labor ; for they
lish divines took notice, and the never knew yet how to observe
Assembly, at the Synod of Dort. the Sabbath."— Letters to Secre-
Even SirDudleyCarletonreported: tary Naunton, p. 380.

184 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
But the last, not least, of the reasons was (and
the Christian's heart warms at the noble sentiment),
" A great hope and inward zeal they had of laying
some good foundation, or, at least, to make some
way thereunto, for propagating and advancing the
Gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote
parts of the world; yea, though they should be
but stepping-stones unto others for the performing
of so great a work.""
Such were their principal reasons for removing
from Holland. The deep feeling and discussions
on the subject by the pastor and elder, and other
chief members, had been confidentially and dis
creetly kept from the public until some wise and
feasible course could be resolved upon. On the
subject being made known and generally discussed,
many and various were the opinions, many the
doubts and fears.® Some, for well-weighed reasons,
and with hopes of the future, though distant, ad-
5 Bradford, p. 24. These were Justice Marshall was, at first, in
the reasons, as given by them- his Life of Washington, led into
selves, for removing from Holland, error by those writers ; but after
That they were the true reasons he had obtained the facts, as his
and all-sufficient, can never be impartial mind ever would do, he
doubted by any who have exa- corrected the error. See his His-
mined the original authorities in tory of the American Colonies, p.
the case. Douglas, Chalmers, in 78 ; also Dr. Young's Summary,
his Annals of Virginia, Robertson, note, p. 48, of his Chrons. of the
of Scotland, and others, not hav- Pilgrims.
ing the original sources of infer- ^ n^j^.^ p. 25, and Winslow, p.
matiou, misled all who copied 382.
their statements. Even Chief

OBJECTIONS TO REMOVAL CONSIDERED. 185
vocated at once the founding of a new settlement
by themselves in some newly discovered portion of
the earth, beyond the seas ; and they labored to
arouse and encourage others accordingly.
Others raised objections, and sought to divert
attention from the project, alleging "it was a
great design, subject to inconceivable dangers, to
the casualties and hardships of the sea, unendura
ble by their aged and feeble men and women, the
liability to famine, destitution and want, to sick
ness from change of climate and diet and only water
to drink. And should all this be overcome, there
was still the exposure to the barbarous and trea
cherous savages, who, unreliable as friends, and
merciless as enemies, were not content to kill, but
must cruelly torment, roast, and eat the flesh of
their victims, with other practices too horrible to
be contemplated."
It was objected further, that for such a voyage
and its bare necessaries, larger sums would be re
quired than the sale of all their possessions could
procure. And yet supplies must also be provided
for the future as well as for the present. Added
to these, were the ill success and lamentable mise
ries that had lately befallen others on the Ame
rican coast. And, had they not already been
taught a lesson of caution by bitter experience in
coming into Holland, the hardships here endured,
even in this civilized, enlightened, and rich,
though stranger land, in securing a comfortable

186 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
living"? What then must be the trials when away,
few and solitary, in a far-off wilderness V
To all of which objections it was answered:
" All great and honorable actions are accompanied
with great difficulties, difficulties to be met and
conquered with corresponding courage. Granting
the dangers to be great, they were not desperate;
and the difficulties to be many, they were not
invincible ; many of them probable only, not
certain. Some things feared might never befall
them ; others by providence, care, and good use of
means, might in a great measure be prevented;
all of them by fortitude, patience, and divine help,
could be borne, or overcome."
" True, such attempts were not to be made but
upon good grounds and urgent reasons, not rashly
or lightly, or from curiosity or hope of gain, as
with many." Besides, their cbndition was not
ordinary; their ends were good and honorable;
their caUing lawful and urgent; therefore they
might look for God's blessing upon their under
taking. Should they lose their lives therein, yet
could they have comfort; their endeavors were
upright. They now lived here but as men in
exile, in poor condition. The twelve years' truce
having nearly expired, as great miseries might
here befaU them, amid the preparations for war,
' Such as the attempted settle- ham ; and other sad failures after
ment at Sagadahock, under the great sufferings and losses.
patronage of Chief Justice Pop-

INQUIRY TO WHAT COUNTRY THEY SHOULD GO. 187
and its always uncertain events ; while the
Spaniard might prove as cruel as the savages of
America; and the famine and pestilence as sore
here with less liberty in providing a remedy.
Such, and other like things being alleged and
answered,, the "major part determined to put the
design into execution ; and by the best means in
their power."
But to what country should they go"? First,
every movement in the matter was begun and
ended in prayer. Too deep were the interests
involved, and the consequences were too lasting,
for Christians to do otherwise. Next by mutually
and openly conferring together, and casting their
thoughts abroad over the world, they examined
the advantages and disadvantages of the many
places suggested.
Some, and thSy not the meanest of the
company, were earnest for Guiana, a country
lately discovered or explored by Sir Walter
Raleigh, and by him described in glowing colors,
as a country most to be desired, lying between the
Amazon and the Orinoco, in South America. Its
rich plains with flnest grass, its goodly groves, its
beautiful hills and vales, and flowing streams, its
flocks of gentle deer, the sweet music of its birds
issuing from every tree, its gentle eastern gales,
its very stones rich with the promise of mineral
Stores — all constituted " a region which (says Sir
Walter) I am resolved cannot be equalled, for
health, air, riches, pleasure, by any region either

188 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
east or west."* It was the very El Dorado of the
Spaniards ; and, here had the English, as well as
the Dutch, their claims.
Others of the company were in favor of some
part of Virginia, where English settlements had
already been commenced.^
Respecting Guiana it was answered, that
though the country was unquestionably fruitful
and pleasant, and might more easily than any
other yield maintenance and riches, yet the heats
of a tropical climate, and exposures to diseases
there prevalent, were iU suited to English con
stitutions. And even were they there, and well
established, the jealous Spaniard would not suffer
them to remain long in peace, and might destroy
them in their weak estate, as he had the French
in Florida,^''

* Bradford, p. 27 ; Raleigh's Western District. It was ob-
Works, vol. viii. Guiana. served by a distinguished officer
^ The first permanent settle- of the American army : " I think
ment at Jamestown, was in 1607, we owe no great thanks to our
about the time of the removal of forefathers, for settling in the
our Leyden Company from Eng- cold bleak region, and on the
land to Holland. hard soil of the North ; when they
'" Bradford, p. 28. The mas- could have chosen for themselves
sacre was that of French Hugue- the rich soil, the easy living, the
nots in E. Florida, in 1650. On the choice fruits, and the greater
choice and comparative advau- wealth of the Tropical climates."
tages of a Northern or a Southern It was answered by way of in-
and Tropical, location, 'the dis- quiry: " In what consists the best
cussion of which we have just good, truest eminence — the high-
noticed,' the author remembers a est glory of a people ? Is it in
spirited debate, at a oompli- the ease, the pleasure, the luxury,
mentary dinner in Florida at the the rapidly acquired wealth, just
'residence of the Judge of the mentioned? These are usually

APPLICATION TO THE VIRGINIA COMPANY. 189
Respecting Virginia, the answer was, that the
Church of England was there exclusively estab
lished, and there they might be in danger of
troubles or persecutions, with less opportunity of
defence than in England itself Thus there were
objections and difficulties on every side.
But at length they arrived at this conclusion —
To apply to the Virginia Company, of London,
for a grant to plant themselves separately under
its general government, and petition his majesty
for a grant of liberty or " freedom of religion."
To this course were they encouraged by prospects
of favor and aid from persons high in rank and
influence, among whom were Sir Edwin Sandys,
Elder Brewster's faithful and highly esteemed
friend, and Sir Robert Naunton, the principal
Secretary of State.^-^
Accordingly, in fhe autumn of 1617, were two
messengers sent to London, to make application
to the Virginia Company, These found the Vir
ginia Company desirous to arrange with them,
followed by enervation of mind not under such circumstances,
and body, as experience has that true patriotism, the higher
proved. Is it not rather in the virtues, and the spirit of the
fruits and rewards of industrious Christian religion are more fully
— if you please, of necessitous developed?" "It maybe so," was
exertions ? exertion calling into the answer.
vigorous exercise every faculty of " Bradford, 29, and notes.
mind and body ; taxing the Other names may be added, as
energies in all the ways of cul- Sir John Wolstonholme, Sir Fulke
ture, of invention, of scientific Greville, the chancellor, after-
discoveries ; resulting in the wards Lord Brooke.
noblest productions of each f Is it

190 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
and willing to grant a patent with as ample privi
leges, and to further their enterprise as far, as was
in their power. Some chief men of the company
believed their suit to his majesty for liberty in
religion, conflrmed by the King's broad seal, could
also be obtained. This latter application, how
ever, though supported by the Secretary of State
and others, of high influence with the King and
the archbishop, failed of success, though they
prevailed so far as to be assured " that his majesty
would connive at them, and not molest them, pro
vided they carried themselves peaceably."^^
This being aU that they could then obtain, the
agents returned to Leyden, and reported the whole
state of the matter, with their difficulties, and the
efforts of their worthy friends in their behalf; also
the advice of those friends to go forward in their
enterprise. It was the month of November; and on the
messengers' return to Leyden, Sir Edwin Sandys
sent, and probably by them to their pastor, and
"^ Bradford, p. 29. Winslow the' enlargement of the Gospel by
relates that when Sir Robert all due means ; " his majesty said,
Naunton was urging with James this was a good and honest motion,
the request of the Leyden Com- and asked what profits might
pany, "to live under his govern- arise therefrom in the region in-
ment and protection, and to enjoy tended. " To which it was answer-
liberty of conscience in America," ed^fishing. To which he replied,
adding that " they could not live with his usual asseveration, " So
60 comfortably under any other God' have my soul, 'tis an honest
government," and that their en- trade; 'twas the apostle's own
deavor would be the advancement- calling." — Winslow, in Young, pp.
of his majesty's dominions, and 382, 383.

SIR E. SANDYS' LETTER. 191
the Elder, the following truly Christian and
encouraging letter; expressive of his warm con
tinued friendship for Brewster with his pastor, and
of his deep interest and readiness to aid in
their proposed undertaking. The letter with the
annexed answer, throws much light upon this
important period of Brewster's and this people's
. history. to mr. john robinson and mr. william brewster.
After my hearty salutations,
The agents of your congregation, Robert
Cushman, and John Carver, have been in com
munication with divers select gentlemen of his
majesty's council for Virginia; and by the writing
of seven articles,''^^ subscribed with your names,
have given them that good degree of satisfaction,
which hath carried them on with a resolution to
set forward your desire in the best sort that may
be for your own and the public good ; divers par
ticulars whereof we leave to their faithful report,
having carried themselves here with that good
discretion as is both to their own, and their credit
from whom they came. And whereas, being to
treat for a multitude of people, they have re
quested further time to confer with them that are
to be interested in this action, about the several
particulars, which in the prosecution thereof, will
" See these seven articles, Chap, xxvii. They were lately recovered
from oblivion by Mr. Bancroft, from the state paper office, England.

192 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
fall out considerable, it hath been very wiUingly
assented unto; and so they do now return unto
you. If therefore it may please God so to direct
your desires, as that on your parts there fall out
no just impediments, I trust by the same direction
it shall likewise appear that on our parts all
forwardness to set you forward — shall be found in
the best sort which with reason may be expected;
And so I betake you with this design (which I
hope verily is the work of God) to the gracious
protection and blessing of the Highest,
Your loving friend,
EDWIN SANDYS.
London, Nov. 12th, 1617.

to sir edwin, the pastor and elder returned the
following answer.
Right Worshipful,
Our humble duties remembered, in our own,
our messengers, and our church's name, with all
thankful acknowledgment of your singular love,
expressing itself as otherwise, so more especially
in your great care and earnest endeavor of our
good in this weighty business about Virginia;
which the less able we are to requite, we shaU
think ourselves the more bound to commend in
our prayers unto God for recompense; whom as
foi: the present you rightly behold in oiu- endeavors,
so shall we not be wanting on our parts (the same
God assisting us) to return aU answerable fruit

LETTER TO SIR EDWIN SANDYS. 193
and respect unto the labor of your love bestowed
upon us.
We have, with the best speed and consideration
withal that we could, set down our requests in
writing, subscribed, as you willed, with the hands
of the greatest part of our congregation ; and have
sent the same unto the Council by our agent, a
deacon of our church, John Carver; unto whom
we have also requested a gentleman of our company
to adjoin himself; to the care and discretion of
which two we do refer the prosecuting of the busi
ness. Now, we persuade ourselves, right worship
ful, that we need not to provoke your godly and
loving mind to any further or more tender care of
us ; since you have pleased so far to interest us in
yourself, that, under God, above all persons and
things in the world, we rely upon you, expecting
the care of your love, the counsel of your wisdom,
and the help and countenance of your authority.
Notwithstanding, for your encouragement in the
Avork so far as probabilities may lead, we will not
forbear to mention these instances of induce
ment : —
1st. We verily believe and trust the Lord is
with us ; unto whom and whose service we have
given ourselves in many trials, and that he will
graciously prosper our endeavors according to the
simplicity of our hearts therein.
2d. We are well weaned from the delicate milk
of our mother country, and inured to the difficulties
13

194 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
of a strange and hard land, which yet, in great
part, we have by patience overcome.
3d. The people are, for the body of them, in
dustrious and frugal, we think we may safely say,
as any company of people in the world.
4th. We are knit together as a body in a more
strict and sacred bond and covenant of the Lord,
of the violation whereof we make great conscience,
and by virtue whereof we do hold ourselves strictly
tied to all care of each other's good, and of the
whole, by every one, and so mutually.
5th, and lastly. It is not with us as with other
men, whom small things can discourage, or small
discontentments cause to wish themselves at home
again. We know our entertainment in England
and Holland.
We shall much prejudice both our arts and
means by removal ; if we should be driven to re
turn, we should not hope to recover our present
helps and comforts, neither indeed look ever to
attain the like in any other place during our lives,
which are now drawing towards their periods.
These motives we have been bold to tender unto
you, which you in your wisdom may also impart
to any other our worshipful friends of the Council
with you, of all whose godly disposition and loving
towards our despised persons, we are most glad,
and shall not fail by all good means to continue
and increase the same.
We shall not be further troublesome, but do,
with the renewed remembrance of our humble

FINAL MOTIVES TO REMOVAL. 195
duties to your worship, and (so far as in modesty
we may be bold) to any other of our well-wiUers
of the Council with you, we take our leaves, com
mitting your persons and counsels to the guidance
and protection of the Almighty.
Your much bounden in all duty.
JOHN ROBINSON.
WILLIAM BREWSTER.
'Leyden, the \bth of December, 1617.

CHAPTER XVII.
Men judge actions always by events :
But when we manage by a just foresight.
Success is prudence, and possession right. — Higgons.
The letter of Sir Edwin Sandys to the pastor
and elder at Leyden having been answered, the
bearers of that answer to London were empowered
to use aU suitable means to procure the desired
charter, with defined religious privileges.^
But the affairs of the Virginia Company in
London were becoming daily more and more com
plicated, and the conflicting movements of its
honorable Council involved in discouraging diiE-
culties.'^ At the same time, his majesty's Privy Council
commenced action on the subject of the Leyden
people. Certain of its honorable members, who
had received some unfavorable impressions respect
ing them, " desired of them further explanations,"
especially on three particular points.
Mr. Robinson and Brewster, " grieved that such
' Bradford, 31, 36. Those who bore this answer constituted the 2d
agency. ^ Ibid., 36, 37.

ROBINSON AND BREWSTER's LETTER, 197
unjust insinuations had been made against them,"
yet " glad of the opportunity of clearing themselves
in the matter," immediately furnished a statement
of their principles and views as desired.
Their statement was in two forms or " declara
tions," accompanied by the following letter, ad
dressed to Sir John Wolstonholme, a friend of their
proposed enterprise, and one of the principal mem
bers of the Virginia Council: —
Right Worshipful:
With due acknowledgments of our thankful
ness for your singular care and pains in the
business of Virginia, for our, and we hope the
common good, we do remember our humble duties
unto you, and have sent, as is desired, a further
explanation of our judgments in the three points
specified by some of his majesty's honorable Privy
Council. And although it be grievous unto us
that such unjust insinuations are made against us,
yet we are most glad of the occasion of making
our just purgation unto the so honorable person
ages. The declarations we have sent inclosed;
the one more brief and general, which we think
the fitter to be presented, the other something more
large, and in which we express some small acci
dental differences, which, if it seem good unto you
and other of our worshipful friends, you may send
instead of the former. Our prayer unto God is
that your worship may see the fruit of your worthy
endeavors, which on our parts we shall not fail to

198 life AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
further by all good means in us. And so praying
that you would please, with the convenientest speed
that may be, to give us knowledge of the success
of the business with his majesty's Privy Council,
and accordingly what your further pleasure is,
either for our direction or furtherance in the same,
so we rest.
Your worships in all duty,
JOHN ROBINSON.
WILLIAM BREWSTER.'
Leyden, Jan. 2T.
Ano. 1617, Old Style.*
THE FIRST BRIEF STATEMENT.
Touching the ecclesiastical ministry, namely, of
pastors for teaching, elders for ruling, and deacons
for distributing the church's contribution, as also
for the two Sacraments, baptism, and the Lord's
Supper, we do wholly and in all points agree with
the French Reformed Churches, according to their
public confession of faith.
The oath of supremacy we shall willingly take
if it be required of us, and that convenient satis
faction be not given by our taking the oath of
allegiance,^ JOHN ROBINSON. '
WILLIAM BREWSTER.
' Bradford's History, 33, 34. these oaths ; Constitutional His-
* 1618, New Style. tory, p. 73, note. Harper's ed.
^ See p. 34, and Hallam, on

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF THIS PEOPLE. 199
THE SECOND WAS AS FOLLOWS :—
Touching the ecclesiastical ministry, &c., as in
the former, we agree in all things with the French
Reformed Churches, according to their public con
fession of faith ; though some small differences be
to be 'found in our practices, not at all in the sub
stance of the things, but only in some accidental
circumstances. 1. As first, their ministers do pray with their
heads covered, ours uncovered.
2. We choose none for Governing Elders but
such as are able to teach ; which ability they do
not require.
3. Their elders and deacons are annual, or, at
most, for two or three years ; ours perpetual.
4. Our elders do administer their office in ad
monitions and excommunications for public scan
dals publicly and before the congregation ; theirs
more privately, and in their consistories.
5. We do administer baptism only to such
infants as whereof the one parent, at the least, is of
some church, which some of their churches do not
observe, though in it our practice accords with
their public confession, and the judgment of the
most learned amongst them. Other differences,
worthy mentioning, we know none in these points.
Then about the oath, as in the former.
(Subscribed) JOHN R(OBINSON.)
W(ILLIAM) B(REWSTER.)«
s Bradford, 34, 35.

200 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
On the reception of these communications in
England, and while the agents and friends of the
Leyden people were taking every opportunity to
forward their application, untoward occurrences in
the Virginia Council baffled all their efforts. " So
disturbed had the company and council become by
factions and dissensions among themselves^' that
nothing else could receive attention. In this state
of things, long and sadly were the hopes of this
people delayed. Messengers passed and repassed
for furthering their purpose, but all to little effect.
To their great discouragement, affairs were at a
stand."^ In the mean time. Sir Edwin Sandys was " chosen
treasurer and governor" of the company.*
Amidst these great discouragements, and the
sad contests in the Virginia Company, the Leyden
people delegated their ruling elder to unite with
' The occasion of this great of his honors, became angry, and
trouble in the Virginia Company, raised a faction to contest the
(says Cushman, one of the Leyden election. In the heat of this con-
agents), was this: "Sir Thomas test they were neither ready nor
Smith, who had all along been fit to engage in business. " "What
the governor and treasurer of the will be the issue," adds Cushman,
company, and held, at the time, " is yet uncertain. It is most
other high offices, repining under likely Sir Edwin will carry the
his burthens and troubles, and day; and if so, things will go
wishing the company to ease him well in Virginia ; otherwise, they
of this office, the company took will go ill enough." Letter in
the occasion to choose Sir Edwin Bradford, p. 37 ; note in Young,
Sandys in his stead. The votes 68, 69, Chalmers' Annals of Vir-
were, for Sir Edwin, 60, for Sir ginia.
John Wolstenholme, 16, Alderman ^ Sir Edwin was elected April
Johnston, 24. Sir Thomas, find- 28, 1619.
ing that he had lost some portion

ELDER RREWSTER SENT TO NEGOTIATE. 201
Mr. Cushman in their pending, and now to them
most important negotiation. Hence the cause of
his absence from Leyden, when Sir Dudley Carle
ton sought for him, and his continued absence
from February until late in the autumn of 1619,
perhaps longer.^
In his abilities, discretion, and integrity, they
had the fullest confidence. In experience in pub
lic life, and in knowledge of men and things, he
had among them no equal. While the mutual
friendship between the Elder and Sir Edwin, and
the deep interest of the latter in the success of
their contemplated purpose, rendered this appoint
ment most opportune.
During this summer, then, and amidst the con
tinued conflicts and delays mentioned, the Elder
was in London with his powerful friends and the
other agent, furthering their application for a
patent, and awaiting the issue. While there, he
appears to have written letters fuU and explicit,
respecting the whole matter. Our knowledge of
them now, however, comes from the communication
of the other messenger. " I doubt not but Mr.
Brewster hath written to Mr. Robinson. But I
think myself bound also to do something, lest I be
thought to neglect you." Again, " Mr. Brewster
is not well at this time ; whether he wUi come
back to you, or go into the north, I yet know not."
FinaUy, "Having summarily pointed at things
s See Bradford, pp. 30, 36, 38, 43, Notes. Young's Notes, pp. 57, 59,

202

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,

which Mr, Brewster (I think) hath more largely
written of to Mr. Robinson, I leave you to the
Lord's protection." " London, May 8, Ano. 1619."
At length, they succeeded in obtaining the long
desired patent. It was granted under the seal of
the Old Virginia Company of London, " not in
any of their own names, but, by the advice of some
friends, in the name of Mr. John Wincob (a^ gen
tleman in the service of the Countess of Lincoln),
who intended to go with them."^-"^
On obtaining the patent, with the previous as
surance of the King's connivance as to religious
liberty, the Elder and his associate appear to have
returned very soon to Leyden.^^ Along with the

'" Cushman's Letter in Bradford,
pp. 36-38.
" "But he never went." (Brad-
- ford, p. 41.) This countess was a
lady eminent for piety and intelli
gence, and a friend to the cause.
Two of her daughters, Susan and
Arabella, married two of the sub
sequent principal colonists of Mas
sachusetts. Lady Arabella died in
1630, about six weeks after her
arrival, deeply lamented. A sup
posed reason why the patent was
not taken in the name of the
Leyden people is, that they were
not now within the English realm.
This patent, in the end, after the
emigrants failed to reach their in
tended location in North Virginia,
near the mouth of the Hudson
River, ceased to be of any further
use. Young's Notes, pp. 74, 75.

" Winslow says expressly ; " Our
agents returning, we sought the
Lord by a public and solemn fast ;''
these agents were now Brewster
and Cushman, as just mentioned.
In Bradford, the same is imme
diately afterwards implied. On
deciding who were to remove, and
who were to remain, "the greater
number required the pastor to
stay." "The other desired the
Elder, Mr. Brewster, to go with
them, which was also condescend
ed unto." Again, says Winslow,
" The minor part, with Mr. Brew
ster, resolved to enter upon this
great work." (In Young, p. 384.)
Dr. Young concludes (note on
page 59) : " Cushman and Brew
ster — sent in Feb., 1619— returned
late in the same year," and he
admitted to the author, that Wier

BREWSTER RETURNED; WHO TO REMOVE FIRST. 203
patent, came propositions from such merchants
and friends in London, as would either go them
selves, or adventure with them, and on whom they
might depend for means and shipping. At the
same time, the people were requested to prepare
for their departure with all speed.
On receipt of these, a solemn assembly was
called, for the purpose of humbly seeking God's
gracious guidance. No important step would they
take in the matter without thus publicly asking
Divine direction. Their pastor addressed them in
a manner suited to their condition, bringing before
them considerations calculated to strengthen them
against their fears, and to encourage them in their
resolutions. The question was next taken, who should go
flrst, and who should remain ; those to go to offer
themselves freely. It being the minor part that
offered themselves, as they only could at first be
ready, they desired their ruling elder, Brewster,
to go with them officially, as their spiritual guide ;
to which assent was given, he having himself re
solved, with them, to enter upon this great work."
It was also covenanted that the minor part, on
going, should be an absolute church of themselves,
as weU as those who remained, the difference in
number not being great ; also, that if any of those
was right in his representation of statements combined ; see p. 42
the Elder in his admirable em- of Bradford, and Winslow in
barkation scene. Young, p. 384, quoted preceding
'" Bradford and Winslow's note 12.

204 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
remaining should come to them, or if any of them
selves should return, " they should be reputed as
members" still with either. And the promise of
those remaining to those going was, " The Lord
giving them life, means, and opportunity, they
would come also as soon as they could.""
About this period, certain merchants and others,
in Holland, " made them large offers to induce
them to go into Zealand," " or to go under them
to Hudson's River," whither they would freely
transport them, and furnish every family with
cattle and other conveniences.-^^
But an agent arriving from London at this time,
a Mr. Weston, in. behalf of himself and certain
merchant adventurers, persuaded them, after much
intercourse, to set aside all other proposals, as he,
and those adventurers and friends, would provide
the shipping, money, and whatever was needful,
for their removal. Accordingly, at his suggestion,
articles of agreement were drawn up for the pur
pose, and approved by both parties, and a messen
ger was dispatched with them to London, with
instructions to receive the money, arrange for
shipping, and all else for the voyage. Those who
" Bradford, 42 ; Winslow adds, endeavor to help over such as
" If the Lord frown upon our pro- were poor and ancient and willing
ceedings, then those that went to come." In Young, 383.
were to return, and the brethren '^ Bradford, pp. 42, 43, and
that remained were to assist and note ; also 48, and particularly
be helpful to them ; but if God Winslow in Young, 385, and
should be pleased to favor them Broadhead's History of New York,
that went, then they also should 123, &c.

AGREEMENT WITH MERCHANT ADVENTURERS. 205
were to go prepared with all speed, selling their
estates, and putting their money into a common
stock, under the direction of appointed managers.
Stringent, indeed, were the conditions of the agree-
ment finaUy required by the London agent ; yet
harder were two modifications afterwards admitted
by their own agent to suit the " merchant adven
turers," though without authority from the com
pany at Leyden.'"
Now, however, a new trouble arose. A new
company was formed in England, with a grant
from the King, of the northern part of what had
been under the Virginia grant, and this, with
other tracts, was henceforth to be named New
England. In consequence, some were now for
uniting with this new company, while some in
England, that were to go with them, declined ;
other merchants and friends, that had offered to
adventure means, withdrew, presenting excuses,
some because they would not go to Guiana, others
because they would go to Virginia, while others
would do nothing if they went not to Virginia.^'^
" In the midst of these distractions, they of Ley
den who had put off their estates, and laid out
their money, were brought into great straits,
greatly fearing the issue to which things might
come."^* Yet the great cause of discontent was the alter
ing of the conditions of the agreement, at Leyden,.
» Bradford, 43, 45. " Bradford, p. 45.
" Ibid., 44, 45.

206

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,

by their agent in London, to meet the demands of
the merchant adventurers. That the reader may
have a view of them as thus altered, they are pre
sented below.^^
The oppressive modifications were that aU their

'3 "Ano. 1620. The adventur
ers and planters do agree that
every person that goeth, being
aged sixteen years and upward, be
rated at ten pounds, and ten
pounds to be rated a single share.
" That he that goeth in person,
and furnisheth himself out with
ten pounds, either in money or
other provisions, be accounted as
having twenty pounds in stock,
and in the division shall receive
a double share.
"The persons transported, and
the adventurers, shall continue
their joint stock and partnership
together the space of seven years
(except some unexpected impedi
ment do cause the whole company
to agree otherwise) ; during which
time, all profits and benefits that
are gotten by trade, traffic, truck
ing, working, fishing, or any other
means, of any 'person or persons,
shall remain still in the common
stock until the division.
" That, at their coming there,
they choose put such a number of
fit persons as may furnish their
ships and boats for fishing upon
'the sea ; employing the rest in
their several faculties upon the
land, as building houses, tilling
and planting the ground, and

making such commodities as shall
be most useful for the colony.
" That, at the end of the seven
years, the capital and profits, viz.,
the houses, lands, goods, and chat
tels, be equally divided betwixt
the adventurers and planters ;
which done, every man shall be
free from other of them of any
debt or detriment concerning this
adventure. " Whosoever cometh to the Co
lony hereafter, or putteth any into
the stock, shall, at the end of the
seven years, be allowed propor-
tionably to the time of his so
doing. " He that shall carry his wife,
children, or servants, shall be
allowed for every person now aged
sixteen years and upward, a single
share in the division ; or, if he
provide them necessaries, a double
share ; or if they be between ten
and sixteen years old, then two of
them to be reckoned for a person,
both in transportation and divi
sion. "That such children that now
go, and are under the age of ten
years, have no other share in the
division but fifty acres of un-
manured land.
" That such persons as die before

AGREEMENT ALTERED; NEW TRIALS; SAD DELAYS. 207
houses and improved lands, even home lots and
gardens, were to belong to the company of adven
turers and planters, to be divided, as all other pro
perty, at the end of seven years ; and that, instead
of having two days in a week for their own private
employment, for the comfort of themselves and
families, the whole six days should be devoted
wholly to the common service.
To such conditions were the Elder and his
company constrained to submit, in order to their
transportation, and this for a settlement in the
far off wilds of the new hemisphere.
The month of June had arrived, and yet
additional trials, of faith and patience, must be
endured. Between the differences of those who
received the funds and made outlays for provisions,
and the long delays by Mr. Weston in providing
shipping, precious time was lost, and piteous was
the case of many who had embarked their little
all in the enterprise.'^"
At length, after hindrances and trials more
numerous than have been mentioned,^' preparations
were concluded, and notice accordingly sent to
Leyden,
the seven years be expired, their meat, drink, apparel, and all pro-
executors to have their parts or visions, out of the common stock
share at the division, proportion- and goods of the said colony."
ably to the time of their life in Bradford, 45, 46.
the colony. ^° Bradford, pp. 48, 58.
"That all such persons as are "' Ibid., 62.
of this colony are to have their

208 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
A smaU ship, the Speedwell, of about sixty tons
burden, was purchased, and fitted in Holland;
while the Mayfiower, of one hundred and eighty
tons, was hired in London, All being ready at
Leyden, they passed another day in deep devotion,
their pastor addressing them from the words of
the Prophet, " I proclaimed a fast, that we might
humble ourselves before our God, and seek of him
a right way. for us, and for our children, and for
all our substance,"^^ words aptly suited to the
occasion ; and on which " he dwelt most im
pressively and profitably, a good portion of the
day." Says Winslow, who was present, " among other
wholesome instructions and exhortations, he used
these or like expressions. * * Being now ere long
to part asunder, and the Lord knowing whether
ever he should live to see our faces again, he
charged us before God and his blessed angels, to
follow him no further than he followed Christ:
and if God should reveal anything to us by any
other instrument of his, to be as ready to receive
it as ever we were to receive any truth by his
ministry ; for he was very confident the Lord had
more truth and light yet to break forth out of his
Holy Word.
" He took occasion also miserably to bewail the
state and condition of the reformed churches,
who were come to a period in religion, and would
^ Bradford, p. 59.

SUMMARY OF THE PASTOR's FAREWELL ADDRESS. 209
go no further than the instruments of their
reformation. As, for example, the Lutherans —
they could not be drawn to go beyond, what
Luther saw: for whatever part of God's will he
had further imparted, and revealed to Calvin, they
will rather die than embrace it. And so also, the
Calvinists, l(hey stick where he left them ; a misery
much to be lamented; for though they were
precious lights in their times, yet God had not
revealed his whole will to them ; and were they
now living, they would be as ready and willing to
embrace further light, as that they had received.
" He also put us in mind of our church
covenant, at least that part of it whereby we
promise and covenant with God, and one with
another, to receive whatsoever light or truth shall
be made known to us from His written word ; but
withal exhorted us to take heed what we received
for truth, and well to examine and compare it,
and weigh it, with other Scriptures of truth, before
we receive it. For, saith he, it is not possible,
the Christian world should come so lately out of
such thick anti-christian darkness, and that full
perfection of knowledge should break forth at once.
" Another thing he cammended to us, that we
should use all means to avoid and shake off the
name of Brownist, being a mere nickname and
brand, to make religion and the professors of it,
odious to the Christian world. ' And to that end,'
said he, ' I should be glad if some godly minister
would go over with you before my coming; for there
14

210 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
will be no difference between the unconformable
ministers and you, when they come to the practice
of the ordinances out of the kingdom.' So (he)
advised us by all means to endeavor to close with
the godly part of the kingdom of England, and
rather to study union than division ; to wit, how
near we might possibly without sin close with
them, than in the least measure to effect division
or separation from them. And be not loth to
take another pastor or teacher, for that flock that
hath two shepherds is not endangered but secured
by it."
Such were the expanded views and teachings of
the pastor of this Leyden Company, Such were
doubtless the views of Brewster, And to show
that they partook not of the spirit of the " rigid
Separatists," Winslow testifies on another occa
sion : " If any joining us formerly, and with the
manifestation of their faith, and profession, held
forth separation from the Church of England, I
have divers times heard either Mr, Robinson, our
pastor, or Mr, Brewster, our elder, stop them forth
with, showing them that we required no such
things at their hands ; but only to hold faith in
Christ Jesus, holiness in the fear of God, and sub
mission to every ordinance and appointment of
God ; leaving the Church of England to them
selves and to the Lord, before whom they should
stand or fall, and to whom we ought to pray to
reform what was amiss amongst them.'"^^
" V/inslow's Brief Narrative, in Young, 396, 399, and 400.

CHAPTER XVIII.
" A slow developed strength awaits
Completion in a painful school ;
Phantoms of other forms of rule.
New majesties of mighty states." — Tenityson.
All things being ready, and the time having
arrived for these voyagers to the New World to
depart, those that were to remain, prepared a feast
for those that were to go. It was at their " pas
tor's house, which was large," and where probably
they had usually assembled for worship. " Earnest
were the prayers for each other, and mutual the
pledges." Tears flowed indeed; but they re
freshed themselves with appropriate psalms, making
melody in their hearts, as well as with the voice ;
" many of the congregation being very expert in
music." " Indeed (said Winslow), it was the
sweetest melody that ever mine ears heard !"^ True
was all this to the instincts of nature, under the
guidance of grace. When deeply oppressed, the
soul finds relief in devotion, and refreshment in
melody, fitting melody, plaintive at first, to touch
soothingly the cords of the sorrowing heart, then
' Winslow in Young, p. 384.

212 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
gradually merging into the animating, and then
into the invigorating and soul-inspiring. Thus
refreshed and strengthened to put in execution
their great resolve, the departing company left
Leyden for the haven of Delft, their place of em
barkation; — left that " goodly and pleasant city,"
where for eleven years'they had had their resting-
place, bidding adieu to loved countenances, sun
dering strong ties of attachment cemented by trials,
and recollections of joys and sorrows past. No
wonder, under the circumstances, that a deep feel
ing of loneliness came over them, as of "pilgrims"
without country or home.
Pilgrims indeed they were ; not in the classical
sense, derived from heathen use, nor from the
periods of the Church's sad declensions, nor as
used in the romances of the crusades, nor in the
sense of the devotees of the prophet of Mecca;
but in the primary sense, as well as in the
divinely inspired use — "Strangers and sojourners,"
" strangers and pilgrims on the earth." This was
the inspired language to which their minds re
verted when they declared that " they knew they
were pilgrims here, and in the sorrow of departing
lifted their eyes towards heaven as their dearest
country, and quieted their spirits."^
' Bradford, p. 59. Objections The term is not Greek, or Roman,
have been made on classical but of German or Belgic origin,
grounds, to the use of the term ;3i7- from pelgrim (or Teutonic) pil-
grims, and to its application to this gram. Its first and general mean-
people, but to little purpose. ing is, a traveller, a wanderer, also

CALLED PILGRIMS; DEPART FROM LEYDEN. 213
On the 21st of July, 1620, they were on their
way to Delft, and thence to the Haven of Delft,
their brethren from Leyden accompanying them.^
Arriving at Delft Haven, again their brethren
prepared for them a social feast. "Little sleep
was there to most of them that night." Friendly
entertainment. Christian discourse, and expressions
of deep affection in parting, "held their eyes
waking." " Never," says Winslow, " I persuade
myself, never people on earth lived more lovingly
together, and parted more sweetly than we, the
Church of Leyden." " Often seeking, not rashly.

one who travels on a religious ac
count, and one who, on that ac
count, is a sojourner in another
land. In accordance with this
primary definition, is its use in
our translation of the Old and New
Testament ; a sojourner and wan
derer in another land ; or, a so
journer on the earth in reference
to a heavenly home. Accordingly,
the terms, " strangers and sojourn
ers," " strangers and pilgrims," are
considered to be nearly synony
mous, especially in Gen. xxii. 4 ;
Ps. xxxix. 19 ; 1st Peter, ii. 11 ;
Heb. xi. 13-16. In this sense it
is used in that generally adopted
hymn —
*' Guide me, O thou great Jehovah !
Pilgrim through this barren laud."
In this sense only is it used in
Bunyan's inimitable allegory.
Such, also, is the use of the term
pilgrimage. " Few and evil have

been the days of the years of my
pilgrimage." Shakspeare used it with still
greater license : " In prison thou
hast spent a pilgrimage," and Dry-
den, " Painting is a long pilgrim
age." The terms are extensively
used indeed in a classical sense,
as of journeying to some shrine
for purposes of penance and devo
tion; as in heathen, Mohammedan,
and corruptly Christian usage ;
but not such is its primitive, bib
lical, or Protestant application.
^ The mode by which they were
conveyed doubtless was by the
"Trackchuit" (canal boat), the
canal passing from Leyden direct
ly through Delft to Delft Haven ;
this being then, and for ages since,
the almost only mode of travelling
in that country under like circum
stances.

214 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
but deliberately, the mind of God in prayer, and
finding His gracious presence with us, and His
blessing upon us."''
The morning of the 22d dawned upon them
favorably. After prayer by their pastor, and many
tears, they repaired to their little ship, lying at
the quay ready to receive them, accompanied not
only by their brethren from Leyden, but by some
even from Amsterdam, who had come to take
leave of them (and to many it was a final leave).
Going on board amidst sighs and sobs, their grief
became too deep for utterance.
" Loath to separate, yet the wind being fair, and
the tide admonishing, their pastor falls down upon
his knees, and they all with him, while he, with
watery cheeks, commends them most fervently to
the Lord and his blessing." Then, with mutual
embraces and short leave-takings, they part.
With sails set, the ship recedes from the quay,
while three volleys from the small arms and three
pieces of ordnance announce their departure.^

¦* In Young, pp. 88, 380. The painter seized the moment
* "Bradford and Winslow. Of when, on the deck of the

the "Embarkation of the Pil- well, just ready to depart, all were
grims" (the interesting scene of kneeling in prayer. True to his-
which has just been described), tory in minutest particulars, true
that superior historical painting, to nature, and to the customs and
by Professor Wier, in the rotunda costumes of the times, as well as
of our National Capitol at Wash- true to the higher attainments of
iiigton, presents a most graphic the art, this historical painting
and striking view. From it is the stands before u^ in this country
faithfully executed engraving for unrivalled.
our frontispiece ; which see. The figure with outstretched

EMBARKATION OF THE PILGRIMS.

215

The last silent tokens, as long as their eyes
coul4 discern them, were the lifting up of hands
to each other, even as their hearts were for each
to the Most High, while they passed out upon the
broad Mouse, and were borne away to the sea.

hands and devout look, nearest
the foreground of the central
group, is Mr. Robinson, their pas
tor, earnestly commending them
to the grace and blessing of the
Almighty. He remained in Hol
land. Their ruling elder, William
Brewster, in like earnest devotion,
is near the centre of this group,
with open Bible in his hands, and
a look of deep emotion, firm pur
pose, and holy trust.
Between these two is Mr. Car
ver, afterwards governor.
On the right and left of Carver
are the youthful Bradford, subse
quently governor, and his wife.
On the right of the elder are
Mrs. Brewster and child, in feeble
thealth. Further to his right, in the fore
ground, and kneeling side by side,
are Mr. and Mrs. White.
Prominent in the middle
ground, on the elder's extreme
right, are Mr. and Mrs. Winslow,
she in bridal attire ; and right
and left of them, two lads under
their care. •
Back of the elder are Mr. Ful
ler, the physician, and his wife,
to be separated for a season.

On the left of the pastor are
Mrs. Carver, child, and boy.
Farthest on his left, and pro
minent in the foreground, is the
brave Miles Standish, in military
garb, with his beautiful wife Rose .
In the back ground, to the right
of these, is seen the Captain of
the Speedwell, giving orders to a
seaman, while children, domes
tics, spectators, &c., in the dis
tance, with various implements on
the deck, fill up the scene.
But the painting must be
studied to realize its truthfulness
and excellence. As far as prac
ticable, however, in so small a
space, clear ideas of it may be
gathered from the engraving for
the frontispiece.
It should also be added here,
that in England a painting has
been executed on the subject of
the "Departure of the Pilgrims."
Of its merits, compared with that
of our own countryman, we are
unable to speak. Being, as we
understand, .a national work, it is
undoubtedly worthy of the subject,
and of the people who have called
for its execution, and given it a
location in their National Museum.

216 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
On shore, the pastor and the remainder of his sad
dened flock returned to Leyden, while the Dutch
strangers, that stood on the quay as spectators,
had not been able to refrain from " tears" at the
view of that parting.
In all this, what must have been the emotions
of their elder 'i Deeply must he have felt the re
sponsibility of his position, while, as their spiritual
leader and instructor, though a layman, he was
now committed with them, and they with him, to
the uncertainties of the voyage, and to the greater
uncertainties and trials of a settlement beyond the
seas, in a savage land.
Scarcely, however, could he have had time to
collect his thoughts of the past, and of the memo
rable present, and to glance dimly at the future,
when the Speedwell, with the pilgrim band, ap
proached and passed the Briel, There, doubtless,
he must have called to mind the time when, in
younger years, he was with the ambassador while
receiving possession of that town and its fortresses,
and also when leaving the country for England
and the court, himself buoyant with youthful
hope, bearing the golden chain in token of faithful
service, and with brightest prospects of advance
ment to higher positions.
What had he since passed through"? What
changes had been his'? What strange contrasts
in life ] What unlooked-for occurrences 1 What,
even in the past twelve years, in the land he was

ARRIVAL AT SOUTHAMPTON. 217
now leaving, ending with the last painful scene,
this very day, at the Haven of Delft ]
But the Speedwell speeds rapidly on her course.
Ere long, with " a prosperous wind," after a short
passage, they are on the coast of England, and in
the port of Southampton.

CHAPTER XIX.
Perseverance is a Roman virtue.
And plucks success
E'en from the spear-proof crest of rugged danger. — Havard.
Arrived at Southampton, an ancient seaport on
the southern coast of England, the Leyden Com
pany met their companions and others with the
larger ship, the Mayflower, from London. Joyful
was their meeting, and mutual were the congratu
lations. Seven days had these friends been await
ing their arrival.^
Here were they again in England, the land of
their birth, after twelve years of voluntary exile,
for their distinctive views, in a land of strangers.
Yet they had little time for reflection upon scenes
and events and associations of early life : now was
the time for stern resolve and action.^ They were
to leave again immediately as exiles for life, beyond
the vast and yet seldom frequented ocean.
Proceeding with the necessary arrangements for
the voyage, they authorized the needed outlays,
and prepared to depart. In the mean time there
arrived from Mr. Robinson, in Leyden, a most
' Bradford, 60. 2 n,;^ gQ-l.

PARTING LETTER; SET SAIL; FORCED TO RETURN. 219
affectionate and earnest parting letter, which was
read to the company, to the profit of many, and
acceptance of all. And now on distributing the
whole company on board the two ships, they chose
for each a manager with assistants, to order the
people and provisions, and all else of a like nature
that might be for the best good of the whole.^
About the 5th of August, some thirteen days
after their embarkation at Delft Haven, the pil
grim company, numbering, with the additions from
London, about one hundred and twenty, set sail
from Southampton. But further disappointments
awaited them. Scarcely were they at sea, when the
master of the SpeedweU declared his ship to be so
leaky, that he dare not proceed.* Both masters, on
consultation, resolved to put into the harbor of
Dartmouth, an old town of note on the southern
coast of England. Here a week longer was passed
during the Speedwell's repairs, an unexpected loss
of time, as well as expenditure of means ; after
which both vessels again put to sea.
Nor was this all. After having proceeded over
" a hundred leagues off the Land's End," the mas
ter of the Speedwell again complained of her leak
age, and declared that he must return or sink.
Upon this, both vessels put back into the harbor of
Plymouth, another port on the southwestern coast of
England ; which, for beauty of situation, strength,
wealth, and historic incident, had no rival in that
3 Bradford, 62-8. ' Ibid., 68.

220 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
part of the kingdom. Judging the Speedwell to
be unseaworthy, they there dismissed her. Those
who " were willing," and some who " were weak
est," though it was grievous and discouraging,
went back to London, in all about twenty, Mr.
Cushman and family being of the number. The
others joined those in the Mayflower, arranging
themselves and provisions as they could.^
September the 6 th, after kind treatment from
friends at that place, and another sad parting, the
now entire Mayflower company set sail again.^
Henceforth, few things are known of what took
place on board during their long and dreary voyage.
The few facts recorded, however, furnish some in
teresting insight into their condition and trials on
the deep.
One hundred passengers, added to the ship's
captain and men, with provisions for all, and the
implements and effects for settling a colony, all
compacted together in one small ship, of but 180
tons, can give no very favorable idea of internal
convenience or comfort. Yet, with a fair wind,
they proceeded prosperously at first, until about
half way over the sea, though the usual sea sick
ness was to them no stranger. Then commenced
" cross winds and fierce storms." Encountering
these, the ship labored, and her upper works
^ Bradford, pp. 69, 70. No slight she performed service to the great
censure has been passed upon the profit of her owners.
master of the Speedwell ; as after- ^ Bradford, p. 74. Prince, p. 80.
wards, when put in proper trim.

IN PERILS AT SEA ; THE ELDEr's POSITION. 221
became leaky. A main beam amidships was bent
and cracked. The mariners manifested fears of
the ability of the ship and much distraction and
difference of opinion. Though willing to do what
they could, they were yet loath to hazard their lives
to any extremity. Perceiving this, the chief of the
pilgrim company consulted with the officers of the
ship as to the danger, and whether to return or to
proceed. All opinions and reports being examined,
and the captain being in favor of further exertions,
various expedients were used to lessen the danger.
By a huge iron screw, brought by some passengers
from Holland, the wrenched mainbeam was brought
into its place. With this and other appliances,
they so strengthened and tightened their laboring
bark, that, - committing themselves to the will of
God, they resolved to proceed. Yet often after
wards, in fierce storms and winds, and high run
ning seas, was their frail weakened vessel unable
to bear sail, and forced to lie by for days together.''
And how, during all this time, was their elder
chiefiy occupied ¦? Doubtless, as we would expect,
as their counsellor, their instructor, and spiritual
guide; with whom, and by whose resolve to go
with them, they had undertaken this arduous enter
prise. Doubtless he led their daily devotions, as
winds and sea, and other circumstances would per
mit, and spoke to them from portions of the Word
of truth aptly suited to each new occurrence, and
' Bradford, pp. 75, 76.

222 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
in way and manner best calculated to instruct, to
cheer, and to edify.^
Among the incidents of the voyage, was one
that appears to have left on the minds of both
navigators and passengers a strong impression. /A
certain stout, able-bodied, yet haughty and profane
young seaman, was constantly treating these people
with contempt, and in their sickness daily " cursing
and execrating them," not hesitating to tell them
he hoped to help cast half of them overboard
before they came to their journey's end, and "to
make merry" with what they should leave. If
spoken to ever so gently respecting this treatment,
"he would curse the more bitterly." This young
seaman was " smitten by a grievous disease," before
half of the voyage was completed, and died in
great "desperation," and "was himself the first to
be thrown overboard," to the " astonishment of all
his fellows," who marked it as being by "the just
hand of God."^
As another incident, a stout young man, of the
passengers (John Howland), coming above the grat
ings, as the ship lay to in a raging storm, was, by
a sudden lurch of the ship, cast into the sea ; yet,
catching hold of the topsail halliards that hung
-overboard, running out at length, and holding to
them, even though fathoms under water, he was
drawn up by them to the surface, and, by boat-
hooks and other means, was raised on board, and
8 Bradford, p. 413. s Bradford, p. 75.

INCIDENTS OF THEIR VOYAGE. 223
his life preserved. Thus rescued, in the providence
of God, he lived many years a valuable member of
their community.^"
On the 6th of November, one month after leav
ing Plymouth and the English coast, died William
Button, a youth in the family of Mr. Fuller, their
physician. He was the first and only one of their
own company whose mortal remains they were
called upon during the passage to commit to the
great deep.
One also was born during the passage at sea, a
child of Mr, and Mrs. Hopkins, who thence named
him " Oceanus,"^^ child of the ocean. Thus was the
number of the Mayflower company continued the
same. At dawn of day, on the 9 th of November, land
was discovered from the Mayflower's deck. It proved
to be the cape, not long before named Cape Cod,
from the abundance of that fish caught on its coast.
Cheering indeed to the suffering passengers was
the sight, after so long a confinement in their
crowded and storm-worn ship.
But as it was their intention to find a place for
settlement near the Hudson river, on consultation,
the ship's course was directed southward, the wind
and weather favoring. Sailing this course half of
the day, they found themselves among the perilous
shoals and breakers off the southerly portion of
that cape. Apparently in much peril, and the
¦» Bradford, p. 76. " IWd., p. 448.

224 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
favorable wind failing them, they resolved to turn
back, and bear up again for the point of the cape,
thankful to free themselves from the threatening
dangers before the night should overtake them.''^
On the 11th day of November, 1620, sixty-five
days, or more than nine weeks after their last de
parture from the shores of England, they entered,
and anchored in safety, in the Harbor of Cape
Cod. Here arrived, before all other movements, " they
fell on their knees, and blessed the God of heaven,"
who had brought them through all their trials and
perils on the deep, to their present place of safety."
Truly, with interest no less deep than when, at
their embarkation, Robinson committed them to
the guidance and keeping of the Most High, Brew
ster, their elder, now bowed with them —
" At prayer, at prayer," upon the Mayflower's deck.
" Holy man 1
Heart on thy lips, and Bible in thy hand.
Pour forth, as far as feeble speech can do.
The intense emotion of the ocean-toss'd
And care-worn group that thus encircles thee.'"*
Next, being out of the jurisdiction of the Vir
ginia grant, and their patent, which cost them so
much, giving them no authority here, and expect
ing, even from the first, under that patent, to
organize for themselves a civil government, as a
colony, and to choose, for the time, their own
" Bradford, p. 77, and Winslow " Bradford, pp. 77, 78.
in Young, p. bs5. " Mrs. Sigonrney.

THE COMPACT ON BOARD THE MAYFLOWER. 225
magistrates,^^ and now especiaUy, seeing signs of
insubordination and faction in some — not from
Leyden, but of the "strangers that joined them
from London," who were not well affected towards
them and their purpose, they proceeded at once to
accomplish this most important object. In the
Cape Harbor, and before going on shore, they drew
up, and signed this solemn compact : —
" In the name of God, amen.
"We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal
subjects of our dread sovereign lord, King James,
by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and
Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c., having
undertaken, for the glory of God, and the advance
ment of the Christian faith, and honor of our King
and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in
the northern parts of Virginia," do, by these pre
sents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of
God and one of another, covenant and combine
ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our
better ordering and preservation, and furtherance
of the ends aforesaid; and, by virtue hereof, to
'^ Robinson's Parting Letters, in for that work." And Bradford, p.
Bradford, pp. 66 and 67. " You are 89.
to become a body politic, using '^ In Bradford, pp. 89, 90. To
among yourselves civil govern- settle in the then northern parts
ment." " You are, at least for the of Virginia was their first purpose,
present, to have only them, for yet it did not fail still to form one
your ordinary governors, which of the reasons for the present pro-
yourselves shall make choice of ceeding.
15

226 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal
laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices,
from time to time, as shall be thought most meet
and convenient for the general good of the colony,
unto which we promise all due submission and
obedience. "In witness whereof, we have hereunder sub
scribed our names, at Cape Cod, the 11th of No
vember, in the year of the reign of our sovereign
lord. King James, of England, France, and Ire
land, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-
fourth. Ano. Dom. 1620.""
Such was the compact, the "foundation of their
government," drawn up and signed by this people,
on board the Mayflower, before setting foot on the
cape shore. Herein, for the first time, and as the
first example in the world's history, were the
dreams of philosophers for such a purpose realized,
and made matter of fact.
" Never were any civilized people placed more
completely in a state of nature than this Uttle
band of pilgrims, as they have been justly caUed.
They had, indeed, literaUy, a world before them,
but that world was a wilderness, and Providence
was their only guide."^^
" See Bradford, 89, 90. King James had signed a patent
" Pitkin's Political and Civil for the incorporation of the adven-
History of the United States of turers to the northern Colony of
America, i. p. 32. "About a week Virginia, or New England." This
before, or on the 3d of Nov., 1620, was the great civil basis of all the

GERM OF AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONS ; ITS AUTHOR. 227
In the instrument itself are the marks of a ready
hand, of a sound practical, and even far reaching
mind. All is expressed in terms fuU, comprehen
sive, complete, and capable of application without
limit. Good authorities have pronounced it to
have been the Germ of American Constitutions.^^
And who probably was the man by whom this
instrument was chiefly penned 1 Who other than
he who alone had seen public life, was early trained
in the principles of government and diplomacy,
and concerned in the forming and executing of
treaties, and who had been foremost, and most
confided in by this people, for his wisdom and
abiUty, though perhaps the meekest of their whole
company — who other than their ruling elder"?
And the reason why he was not chosen to be
their first governor, says Hutchinson, was that
" He was their ruling elder, which seems to have
been the bar to his being their governor; civil and
ecclesiastical office in the same person being then
deemed incompatible."^" While in his place as
elder they could furnish no substitute ; to them as
a church, his position and office were the most
important,^^
subsequent patents of this portion ^ Hutchinson's History, ii. p.
of the country. But the Pilgrims 460.
did not hear of this until the ^' "The power of the Church,
arrival of the Fortune, a year in effect, was superior to the
later. In Young, pp. 80, 101. civilpower."— Judge Baylie's Ply
's " It contained the elements of mouth, i. p. 227.
those forms of government pecu
liar to the New World."— Pitkin's
History, i. p. 33, and others.

CHAPTER XX.
" In the wilderness astray.
In the lonely waste they roam.
Hungry, fainting by the way.
Far from refuge, shelter, home."
It is Saturday evening, the 11th of November.
The solemn compact has been drawn and signed,
and a governor of the pilgrim band chosen. A
party of some sixteen men, armed for defence in
case of emergency, have gone on shore, the first of
their company to set foot on New England's soil.
These examined their locality, and the character
of the nearest land. Their ship is in the little bay
or harbor of the cape ; they are on this strange
neck of land of sickle shape. Southwesterly is the
Great Cape Bay, while over the land, north and
easterly, is the broad ocean. The soil they find to
be black earth, and sand hills, wooded variously
to the water's edge. At night they return on
board, and report the not altogether favorable
prospect ; while they bring with them for their
needed fuel, and as their first fruits of the New
World, the gratefully fragrant cedar.^
' Juniperus Virginiana, or, red cedar. Brad, in Young, pp. 118,122,
124.

FIRST SABBATH AT THE CAPE ; DREARY PROSPECT. 229
The next day was the Sabbath, their first Sab
bath on this wilderness ' coast. And it was the
province of the Elder to lead their devotions, and
present to them holy truths adapted to their new
condition. On the next Monday morning they awoke afresh
to the arduous work before them.
Lately the discomforts, sickness, andhards hips of
a long sea voyage, in their small, crowded barque,
and the often threatening dangers of the sea, had
largely occupied their anxious thoughts. Yet
hope, and a good purpose, had cheered them on.
Now, thankful for their preservation through all
these, and for their present prospects of an un
molested home, yet already they began to realize
that it was to be to them a hard-earned, dear-bought
home. On every side were to be seen naught but
wild forests, bleak sands, or the briny deep. No
defined place, no houses, not even huts, to receive
them. And this was but the beginning. Dread
winter was at hand ; a winter in such a climate as
they had never seen ; though, in the providence
of God, the present was comparatively mild.
But where was to be the place of settlement 1
Where shelter from the coming snows, wintry
blasts, damps and chiUs^ Where protection from
prowling savage beasts, and far more dreaded
savage menl^
The shipmaster's warning voice, too, was heard,
2 Bradford, pp. 78, 79.

230 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
that he would ere long leave them, and that their
stores of provisions could not long suffice.
And why was all this ] Why had they come
thus late, on the very, verge of winter, upon this
rock-bound, and soon to be to them, an ice-bound
coast 1 Not for any want of foresight, or of wis
dom of plan on their own part, but from the un
faithfulness and delays of others.
The troubles in the Virginia Council, the griev
ous delays of the contracting agent in furnishing
the shipping, the detentions on the coast of England
by the failure of the SpeedweU, finally, the unex
pected prevention of their going to a more southerly
location, were the true causes.
Yet now they were here, veith the new trials
staring them in the face. And was there heard
among them any desponding voice'? It appears
not.^ We see but evidences to the contrary, with
yet stronger resolution, increased patience, and
firm trust in an Almighty arm. They were no
ordinary men or women. Their ruling elder and
pastor had truly said to Sir Edwin Sandys, " It is
not with us as with other men, whom small things
can discourage, or small discontentments cause to
wish themselves at home again." "We verily
believe and trust the Lord is with us, unto whom
and whose service we have given ourselves, and
that he will graciously prosper our endeavors ac-
' The distinction between the officers and men, is to be all along
emigrant company, and the ship's borne in mind.

FIRST EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 231
cording to the simplicity of our hearts therein."
With such trust and heroic resolve, were their
trials met, and plans of action promptly formed.
From the Mayflower, as the centre of operations,
they commenced their first week's labors. There
was no time for delay. Their large shallop, which
had been cut down, and stowed away, and greatly
injured in storms, and as a lodging-place for pas
sengers, was unshipped and hauled to land, for
repairs and sailing rig — a work of many days.
The men and women repaired to the shore by way
of relief, and for refreshing and cleansing processes
needful after such a voyage.*
An exploring party of sixteen men, voluntarily
formed and fully armed under their energetic
Capt. Standish, went forth by permission, and with
much counsel and. caution, to examine the wild
cape and coast. For three days they explored
woods, forded creeks, traversed vales, climbed
sand hills, followed the trails of discovered natives,
until, after many adventures, with torn armor,
weary, worn, and wet, yet in safety, they returned
to the ship ; to the great relief and joy of the
anxious company. They had found strange graves,
various implements of human construction, some
lately cultivated fields, and traces of natives and of
other men unknown, also, one dfesolated station of
defence, and, to their great relief from suffering,
springs, and a pond of fresh water. They had
* Bradford, p. 80, and in Young, 125, 138.

232 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
found, and brought with them, some wild fruits,
with small portions of concealed corn,' a ship's
kettle, and had seen various wild fowl, the Avild
deer, and, at a distance, the dreaded Indian savage.
They also had found another harbor,^ but no satis
factory place for settlement.
The repairs on shore progressing, Sunday inter
venes, the second in the New World; when all
are again on board the Mayflower to unite in their
accustomed worship, and listen to the words of
truth.'' The second week presented an equally busy
scene. Repairs were urged forward ; tools put in
order, timber sought out and sawed; and there
was constant going to and from the shore. Much
wading, however, on account of shoal water, ex
posing to wet and cold, and the frequent chilling
storms, laid the foundations of diseases from which
many never recovered.
Sunday, November 26th, succeeded (the third
in the Cape Harbor), and was doubtless improved
as usual. Would that we had a sketch of the
exercises and addresses of the Elder, on these
various occasions !
On the next Monday, the second and larger ex
ploring expedition went forth in their scarcely
completed shallop, consisting of some thirty-four
men, including nine of the ship's crew, with Capt.
' Maize, the first that they had ever seen.
" Pamet Harbor. Brad., p. 82, and in Young, 135.
' Bradford, p. 413.

SECOND EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 233
Jones in command. Proceeding down the interior
coast, cross winds and rough freezing weather
attended them by water ; while steep hills, deep
vales, numerous creeks, and lately fallen snow,
were encountered by land. Thus exploring in
military armor and order, by day, feeding chiefly
on wild game, and lodging under the forest pines,
as best they could, at night, they examined further
locations, and made other discoveries. By cleaving
the frozen earth with their cutlasses, they found
other concealed stores of corn, but no good harbor
or location for the emigrant colony.
On the third day, sending back their shallop to
the ship, with some fifteen of the weakest and sick,
with Capt. Jones, who was urgent to return, the
remaining eighteen resolutely continued their
laborious examinations amidst aU the exposures.
Following the Indian trails farther into the interior,
and returning by other ways, they discovered open
corn-fields, deserted huts, with signs of foreigners
that had been on the coast, and various objects of
curiosity, and also more land suitable for cultivation,
but no other harbor than the shallow one of Pamet.
And, having gathered additional mementos of their
discoveries, they resorted to their shallop, now re
turned, and on the fifth day arrived again, worn
and fatigued, on board the Mayflower, and there
made another not very encouraging report.*
In none of these exploring expeditions does it
' Bradford, 82-3 ; in Young, pp. 1.^8, 145.

234 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
appear that the Elder was engaged. It has been
said, indeed, that " he was able to use his armor
as well as his Bible." But probably such enter
prises were deemed unsuitable to his position ;
they would certainly have interfered with his
appropriate duties, required most wherever was
the largest portion of the company.
It belongs to the history of the colony, and not
to this narrative, to mark the minute particulars of
these explorations. Yet, who felt in them all a
deeper interest, or a more anxious concern as to
the hazardous exposures and the final result, than
their Elder]
Among the providential incidents connected with
these expeditions, was the discovery of corn; which,
otherwise, could not have been obtained ; and which, ,
as seed for the next spring's planting, proved to be
the means of preserving the colony from perishing
by famine. This they gratefully acknowledged.
And on the first opportunity, about six months
after, they repaid the natives to their full satisfac
tion, and secured thereby their respect and confi
dence. During the absence of this latter exploring party,
there was born on board the Mayflower, a son of
Mr. and Mrs. White, the first-born child of the
colony, and they called him Peregrine, a stranger,
or wanderer ; and on Monday, Dec. 4th, died
Edward Thompson, a servant of Mr. White, being
the first tieath since their arrival.
On the next day was a narrow escape from ex-

INCIDENT; FOURTH SABBATH; THIRD EXPLORATION. 235
plosion. A son of the Billington family (not from
Leyden, but of London) mischievously found his
way to the powder, in the absence of his father,
there making squibs, discharging pieces, one even
in his father's cabin, where was powder in cask,
and scattered around with fiints and iron, while the
fire between decks was also within a few feet, and
many people near, and yet all were mercifuUy pre
served.^ The latter exploring party having made their
report, a full discussion followed as to place for
settlement. Different locations were advocated,
particularly the one last discovered ; but no one,
yet seen or known, proved satisfactory to the ma
jority, pressing, even, as were all the circumstances
for a speedy decision. Accordingly, another expe
dition was determined upon, to explore the whole
remaining circuit of Cape Cod Bay.
Another Sabbath intervened, the fourth since
their ship had been moored in the Cape Harbor,
and all were again on board, resting and profiting
by that holy day.
By the sixth of December was the third explor
ing expedition ready. Organized, armed, and fitted
out in their shallop, they set forth, ten of them
selves and two of their own seamen, with the two
master's mates, the master gunner, and three sail
ors, of the ship's company.^"
With difficulty, and late in the day, did they
9 Bradford, in Young, p. 148. '" Ibid., p. 149.

236 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
clear from the harbor. Chilly and baffiing winds,
Avith a rough sea, caused sore sickness with some,
and frozen garments upon all. Getting under the
weather shore, they skirted down the coast, and
discovered the bay of Wellfieet. Crossing its
mouth, and draAving near to the shore, they espied
Indians, who fled at their approach. Landing,
after much trouble, they prepared their barricade,
fire, and food, set their sentinels, and reposed for
the night. The following day the bay was sounded,
the adjacent land explored, with success similar to
that of their previous explorations. And again,
the second night, they constructed their barricade,
kindled their fire, and with weary limbs betook
themselves to rest. Near midnight the sentinel's
cry was heard — " Arm ! arm !" Aroused and stand
ing to their arms, one or two pieces being dis
charged, they heard no more, and concluded that
what they heard was the howl of wild beasts.
At earliest dawn, and after prayer, while preparing
their morning meal, suddenly they heard again the
strange though varied cry. It was the battle cry,
the "hideous yell," the savage warwhoop — by them
heard for the first time. Immediately was raised
the alarm — " Indians ! Indians !" Some seized
their arms ready at hand, and discharged them,
defending the barricade. Others ran for theirs to
the shallop, when the foe, wheeling upon them,
sent thick and fast among them the flying arrows.
For their relief, the mail-clad men rushed forth,
cutlass in hand, and presently those that ran for

FIRST ENCOUNTER ; SERIES OF PERILS. 237
their muskets came up, discharging them in return.
The Indians soon recoiled. One alone, more bold
than his fellows, still launched forth his arrows
from behind a tree, standing three shots from the
aimed musket, till one shivered the tree's side
about his ears, Avhen, with a shriek, he fled. The
foe, thus foiled, retreated, and soon was out of sight.
Thus delivered from their savage assailants, and
providentially preserved even from wounds, with
only some coats pierced with arrows, the exploring
party returned solemn thanks and praise to God
for their deliverance.
They named the place " the First Encounter."^'^
Then taking to their shallop, they proceeded on
their expedition, coasting along the whole southern
portion of the bay, but discovering no good harbor.
The air in the mean time became thick Avith snoAV
and rain. Being informed by the pilot of a good
haven further onward, on the northwestern side,
which could be reached before night, they pressed
forward, the wind and storm increasing. At length,
the sea running high, their rudder-hinges broke,
and they Avere obliged, though with difficulty, to
guide their disabled craft with oars. Night was
coming on, and the storm still increasing, yet the
pilot bid them be of good cheer — he saw the harbor.
Bearing Avhat sail they could, to enter ere it was
dark, their mast gave way and broke i;i pieces, and
their sail went overboard. All were now in peril.
" Bradford, pp. 84, 87, and in Young, 158, 159.

238 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Still, mercifully spared, they recovered themselves,
and the flood being Avith thera, they pressed for
the entrance. Entering, and bearing northward,
the pilot discovered new dangers, and exclaimed,
"The Lord be. merciful! my eyes never saw this
place before," Running towards shore, with a
cove full of breakers before them, the lusty steers
man "called to the rowers to about with her if
they were men, else they were all cast away." This
quickly done, he bade them row lustily, with good
heart, for a fair sound was before them. Entering
that, though dark and rainy, they bore up under
the lea of a smaU island, where their disabled shal
lop rode out the night in safety.
But we pause not here. The exploring party,
having moored their little barque, were now suffer
ing from wet and cold, with no means of relief
While some feared to go on shore, lest they should
fall into the hands of the Indians, others, weak,
and not able to continue as they were, took to the
land and kindled a fire, where, at length, their
companions joined them, forced to follow by the
piercing wind, changed, to the cold northwest.
Here, the next morning, the sun rose upon
them in brightness, and they were comforted and
cheered, in contrast with the suffering and dangers
of the last day and night. Finding themselves to
be on an island, secure from the Indians, they
dried their clothing, put in order their pieces, re
freshed themselves, and rested, giving thanks to
their Almighty Deliverer for his continued mercies.

GRATEFUL FOR DELIVERANCE ; FIFTH SABBATH. 239
And this being the last day of the week, they pre
pared here to keep the Sabbath.
The Sabbath came ; it was the fifth to the pil
grim band in the New World. And while the
main portion of their company was with the Elder
on board the Mayflower at the Cape, this exploring
party, now separated for the first time from their
brethren on the Lord's day, here, among this island's
forest trees, offered their prayers and praises to the
same Almighty Father, Deliverer, and Guide.

CHAPTER XXI.
" They little thought how pure a light,
With years, should gather round that day ;
How love should keep their memories bright.
How wide a realm their sons should sway.'' — Beyant.
We left the last exploring party on the little
islet, afterwards named Clark's Island. On the
next day, sounding the harbor into which they
had entered with so much peril, and finding it
fitted for shipping, they landed on the main shore
of the inner bay.
It was on the llth of December, old style, or the
2lst, new style — a day since made memorable from
that event in the annals of New England.
Examining the main shore, they judged it to be
suitable for their settlement, the best that they
could find, and which the advanced season and
their present necessities made them glad to accept.
Returning, therefore, across the broad bay, they
brought to their companions the encouraging news
of their discovery.
And now all were again on board of the May
flower, in the harbor of Cape Cod. The report of
this last exploring expedition Avas received. It
brought comfort to all the pilgrim company. But

THE PILGRIMS ARRIVE IN PLYMOUTH BAY. 241
sorrow had also come to the heart of at least one
of those brave explorers. The wife of William
Bradford, soon after his departure on this expedi
tion, had fallen overboard, and Avas drowned. Two
others also had been taken from the emigrant
company. Prompt to act on the information receiA'ed, on
the 15th of the month (old style), they weighed
anchor, and the ship was under sail for their
newly discovered port; but, before arriving, ad
verse winds forced them back.
The next day, Saturday the 16th, they sailed
again, and ere night they were in their intend.ed
haven. It was just flve weeks from the day of
their arrival and the signing of their compact in
the harbor of the Cape. And to them Avhat a
period of anxiety, of trial of faith, and of enduring
effort, had these last five weeks been !
Now arrived, and safely moored in their new
location, they saw around them a bay, hook-shaped,
and larger than that at the Cape, which they had
just left, and in it tAvo fair islands, wooded and
uninhabited. On the mainland, on the hills and
in the vales, were seen the tall oak, the pine, the
beech, walnut, with other trees of the forest to
them as yet unknown ; and there was also, to ap
pearance, a kindly soil. No wonder that they,
wanderers, storm-tossed, long wearied and worn,
should look upon that' which was before them as
"a most hopeful place," "a goodly land." But
16

242 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
night soon closed in upon them. The following
day Avas the Sabbath, their sixth in New England,
and the first in their new home; Avhere newly
awakened emotions, and thoughts of deep interest,
must have been felt by each Avorshipper, and
marked the address of their elder.
On Monday, portions of the company landed,
perhaps on the same rock (the noAV far-famed,
though diminished, Plymouth rock), Avhereon the
discovering party had set foot on the previous
Monday. Marching along the main land, armed,
and in order of defence, they discoA'ered no Indians,
or Indian habitations, but forests extending inland,
and open grounds and fields near shore, where in
habitants had lived and planted corn. Searching
for a place for settlement, they found no navigable
stream as desired ; but saAv running brooks, fresh
and SAveet, and soil of various kinds, in some places
rich, in others, clay, sand, and gravel; also, fruit
trees, vines, and berries. But over all was the
dreary garb of winter.
Again, the next day, as the point of location in
respect to soil, navigation, and defence, was im
portant, they searched further, some by water and
some by land, in a northAvesterly course, for the
desired place. Coming to a beatable stream, which
they entered and named after their ship's captain,
Jones' River, they found on its borders a location
more desirable than the one" explored the day pre
vious ; but on reflection it Avas deemed to be too

PLACE OF SETTLEMENT SELECTED. 24-3
far inland and exposed to be occupied in their pre
sent Aveak condition. Next, at the desire of some,
crossing the harbor to the island first discovered,
they examined also its suitableness for their pur
pose. But returning on board again at night, still
undecided, they resolved that on the next morning,
after some further examination, the matter of
location should be determined. There Avas no
time for delay.
Accordingly, on Wednesday, the 20th, after
solemnly invoking the guidance of the Most High,
they repaired again to the main land ; and after a
brief scrutiny, determined on the place by a ma
jority of voices. It Avas that first explored, and
on the high ground facing the bay ; " where (says
one of them) are cleared lands, delicate springs,
and a SAveet brook running under the hill-side, Avith
fish in their season; Avhere Ave may harbor our
shallops and boats. On the further side is much
corn ground." Near at hand " is a high hill, on
Avhich to plant our ordnance. Thence Ave may see
into the bay, and far out at sea, and have a glimpse
of the distant cape. Our greatest labor will be
the bringing of Avood. What people inhabit here
Ave know not, as we have yet seen none." And
this was to be Ncav Plymouth.
On the ground, therefore, now selected, they im
mediately made their rendezvous, not far from
their first landing-place, "leaving some tAventy
of their people that very night, and resolved in
the morning that aU should come on shore and

244 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
build. "^ Each day was important. But disap
pointments and hindrances in the advance of winter
must naturally be expected. Storms and tempests
followed. Sad were the exposures during the tAvo
following days and nights, of the poorly protected
ones on shore, while no little anxiety was felt by
those on shipboard.
December the 23d, the storms ceasing, they com
menced, and henceforward urgently carried on, as
weather would permit, their toilsome work of
building. All were in earnest : they came on
shore ; they felled trees ; they hewed ; they sawed ;
they rived; they carried ; each laboring according
to his skill and ability.
First was prepared their common house for
rendezvous, and in Avhich to store their goods.
There was a street projected eastward fi'om the
hill towards their landing-place. On each side of
this, were building plats laid off, and drawn for
by lot.^ Next were foundations laid, and the work
pressed forward, each for his own dwelling. The
holy Sabbath was the only day of rest ; and this
was often interrupted by alarms of savages, and
the frequent flying to arms. Christmas came and
went with no relaxation from labor, no kind cheer
to greet them. Cold water only was their drink ;
and not till after the day's toil, and an alarm-cry
' Bradford and Winslow, in ^ Bradford and Winslow in
Young, pp. 166, 168. Precisely Young, p. 173.
when the name was given to the
settlement, we cannot discover.

EXPOSED CONDITION; SEVERE LABORS. 245
of " Indians !" was it, that even on that day, to a
portion of them returning on board, did the captain
distribute some beer, but none to those on shore.
Next Avas constructed the rude platform for
their ordnance on the after-named fort, or " Burial
HiU." To lessen, as far as possible, the number of
dwellings to be constructed, aU Avere apportioned
or arranged in nineteen families. It was also de
termined that every man should build his own
habitation. Thus urged on by their own exposed condition,
and by reason of the shortness of time that the
ship could remain Avith them, day after day, and
Aveek after Aveek, did they Avork as they could —
work as for life; or worse consequences Avould
follow.^ Besides, in this work, all must be done Avith
their own hands — ^by their own bodily strength.
No ox had they, no horse, no beast of burden, to
relieve from the most oppressive labors. The
materials must be gathered Avherever they could
be found, and no smaU portion of them from very
inconvenient distances.
Such were some of the labors and hardships of
this people in commencing their new settlement.
And was the "Elder," by reason of his position,
freed from any of these labors 1 It appears not.
As he had been "first" and "forwardest" in their
* Bradford and Winslow, in Young, pp. 169, 170.

246 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
adventures, and suffered the greatest loss Avhile in
England, and " had endured equal hardships with
them in Holland," so in this wilderness, he bore his
part in weal and Avoe Avith this poor people. On
removing into this country, " he was in no Avay un-
Avilling to take his part, and to bear his burden
Avith the rest."* To the agreement "that every
man should build his own house," no exception
Avas made in favor of the Elder.
His own family, as it came in the Mayflower,
consisted of himself, Mrs. Brewster, and two young
sons, Love and Wrestling, and two boys placed
Avith him by the name of Moore^ (the remainder
of them being still in England or Holland). With
the aid of these youths, it Avould seem (and with
such additional assistance as might be obtained
from some others more skilled in the AVork), he
erected his OAvn dwelling.
Nor should the fact be omitted that no income
appears to have been received by him from the
people. Literally true, in his case, Avere the words
of an apostle, " these hands have ministered to my
necessities, and to them that were AAdth me."
Added to all this, Avere his constant and efficient
labors on the Lord's day. Emphatically is it said
of him that, in this, he did more in a few years
than do many in all their lives.^
But sorer, sadder trials than any yet mentioned,
" Bradford, 412, 413, and in Young, 465, &c.
" See both Appendixes, Brad., pp. 447, 451.
6 Bradford, p. 4] 3.

SICKNESSES; DEATHS; EXTREME TRIALS. 247
had their Elder and his companions noAv to
endure. From exposures to Avet and cold, amid
frequent storms AA^hile on the cape, and equal, if not
greater exposures in their labors here, and likcAvise
from Avant of suitable dAvellings and healthful food,
sickness had begun to make fearful raA^ages in the
ranks of the pilgrim company. Commencing
almost from the time of their landing, and increas
ing, under various forms, for nearly three months,
it became general, and its effects alarmingly fatal.
In the chief extremity, "the living were scarce
able to bury the dead ; the Avell not sufficienlf to
attend upon the sick ; seven only remained in
health." Of these scA^en, the record distinguishes,
along with the brave and hardy Miles Standish,
their revered Elder BrcAvster. "Tender-hearted
and compassionate to the afflicted, as a nursing
father he shrunk not from the most self-denying
offices." Touchingly does Bradford allude to them,
" as sparing no pains night or day, but, Avith abund
ance of toil and hazard of their own health, they
brought for the sick their wood, made their fires,
dressed their meat, made their beds, clothed and
unclothed them; in a Avord, did all homely and
necessary offices for them, which the dainty cannot
endure to hear named; and all this willingly and
cheerfully, shoAving herein their true love unto
their brethren ; unto Avhom myself, Avith the others,"
he adds, " were mercifully beholden in our low and
sick condition. Yet these Avere preserved Avithout
any infection."

248 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
During this period, including Mrs. Bradford,
who was drowned, there died in December, six;
in January, eight; in February, seventeen; in
March, thirteen; and before the close of Spring,
six others, among whom, to their great sorrow,
Avere their first governor, Mr. Carver, and his wife;
in all fifty, just one-half of the emigrant band that
arrived in the Mayflower on the llth of November.''
In the time of their greatest mortality, two or
three died in a day. Faithful, patient, noble-
hearted women, weakened by deprivations and
suffering, some in the bloom of life, yielded to the
fatal maladies, and often in the triumphs of faith.
Ere the return of their ship to England, Bradford,
Standish, Allerton, and Winslow, were left widowers.
And what must have been the Elder's feelings
as he beheld the sufferings and sad diminishing of
his little flock] What the deep workings of
thought, trials of faith, and continued purpose of
himself and companions, during this fearful
period % Would we reach the nature and depth
of those struggling thoughts, or give utterance to
those feelings and purposes, Ave must take the pre
ceding facts, and, pondering them deeply and with
' Bradford, 91, and notes ; also AVhose death was much lament-
in Young and Prince. " In this ed, and caused great heaviness
month of April came Governor amongst them, as there was cause.
Carver out of the field sick. He He was buried in the best manner
complained greatly of his head, they could, with some volleys of
and lay down, and within a few shot by all that bore arms." —
hours his senses failed, so as he Brad., 101.
never spoke more till he died.

DEEP AA'ORKINGS OF THOUGHT EXPRESSED. 249
a soul tried by a like ordeal, go in mind to the
place, and fix the attention upon some one of
those most trying scenes through which he Avas
caUed to pass. Let it be (says one), near the
close of their first spring month.' A diminished
procession of the pilgrims is seen coming from the
abode and following the remains of another of
their most dearly beloved and newly dead to that
bank of graves where was buried what was
mortal of their dear departed ones during the first
year, and near the place Avhere their feet first trod
this soil. Here they pause to take the last look.
The Mayflower is still riding at anchor full in
vicAV, but soon to sail to their fatherland, and
leave them alone, the living and the dead, to the
weal and woe of their new home. The afflicted
and bereaved gather around their venerated Elder,
dearer to them now than ever. They listen to his
voice, subdued yet animated by firm faith and
hope, whilst, in tones that reach hearts as noble
as his own, he gives utterance to his struggling
emotions : " ' Man is altogether vanity.'^ He
passeth aAvay as a shadow. His only true home
is Heaven. Strangers and pilgrims indeed are we
on the earth. Still the spot on which we stand, this
shore, this now familiar scene, this whole land,
becomes dearer daily, were it only for the precious
8 Partly in the words of the ^ The Elder's own motto.
pilgrims themselves, and partly
in those of one of New England's
gifted sons, at Plymouth.

250 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREAVSTER.
dust Avhich we have here committed to its bosom.
Here, rather than elscAvhere, Avould I sleep Avhen
my own hour shall come. Here Avould I have my
body repose, with these endeared ones who have
shared in our exceeding labors, and Avhose burdens
are noAv unloosed forever. I Avould be near them
in the last day, and haA^e a part in their resurrec
tion. " Fearful, indeed, has been our loss. Unutterable
and long has been our anguish ; many our mingled
agonies, tears, and prayers. Our departed ones
are at rest. For some divine purpose Ave yet
remain. It is on my mind that the darkest of our
night is past ; the morning is at hand. The
dreary Avinter is departing; the balmy breath of
spring is returning. The sore sickness is stayed.^"
Thankful to Almighty God should Ave be that our
case is not worse, that so many of our number yet
live, and among them some of our best and wisest.
" Cheering is the fact, that among you all, the
living and the dead, not one, even when disease
had seized him, and sharp anguish had made his
heart. as that of a little child, not one repented of
the step Ave took, or desired, yea, could have been
persuaded to go back by yonder ship to their former
homes. Evident is it to me, that it is our Master's
Avill that we stand or fall here. Our very condi
tion was not unthought of even in Holland. And
in our heaviest trials has not the Divine Presence
been with US'? Did not His providential hand
1" Bradford, p. 99.

FAITH AND HOPE IN THE DARKEST HOUR. 251
open for us the Avay through every difficulty 1 In
that bitterest hour of embarkation, did Ave not see
His boAV in the cloud, the bright bow of promise
and hope, whose arch spanned for us the broad
ocean, and is over us still ¦? Wherefore let us
stand in our lot. We believe this movement to
be from Him. If he prosper us, Ave shall be the
means of planting here a Christian colony and a
pure church, as Ave believe, in this vast wilderness,
and of extending hence its precious blessings to
these savage heathen.
" Blessed will it be for us, blessed for this land,
for this vast continent ! Nay, from generation to
generation Avill the blessing descend. Generations
to come shall look back to this hour, and these
scenes of agonizing trial, this day of smaU things,
and say, ' Here was our beginning as a people.
These Avere our fathers. Through their trials we
inherit our blessings. Their faith is our faith ;
their hope our hope ; their God our God.' The
prospect brightens before me ; it ends not on
earth ; it enters heaven ! Let us go hence, then,
to Avork Avith our might, that which Ave have to
do. No small undertaking is it, that we have in
hand. The opportunity for Avorking Avill soon be
past, and we shall be called to our account, and, if
faithful, to our roAvard."^^
" In Young, pp. 87, 241. Do. do. Company said, " The thing was of
do., 473-4, 268. Bradford, p. 51. God." Young, 383; see also pp.
In A'oung, AVins., &c., 272, 382, 59, 60. Again in Young, 95, 47,
384. The Council of the Virginia 121, 246. " Let it not be grievous

252 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREAVSTER.
With subdued emotions, calmly and Avith firm
faith, they turn from those graves ; the MayfloAver
is sent aAvay ; and those men of stern resolve and
high purpose, press ouAvard in their incessant im
perious labors.

to you, that you have been instru- world's end." — Letter from Ley-
ments to break the ice for others, den. Brad., 145.
The honor shall be yours to the

CHAPTER XXII.
" AVise men ne'er sit and wail their loss.
But cheerly seek how to redress their harm." Shakspeaee.
Under the appalling circumstances which avc
have just been noticing, it is matter of wonder,
that with the slender means, reduced number, and
enfeebled strength of the colonists, amid the cold
and storms of winter, with attendance upon the
sick and dying, and due offices for the dead, so
much should have been accomplished.
Before the close of May, from the raw materials
of earth and forest, and wild grass for thatching,
gathered wherever it could be found, they had
built their " common house," or " general rendez
vous" for goods and lodging ; a house for the sick,
and two for storing provisions ; and they had made
such further progress, that, before the close of
summer, they could look down their ncAvly-formed
street^ upon seven private dwellings, completed and
occupied, and others in the course of preparation.^
And having almost from the first discovered

' Now Leyden Street.
' Bradford and Winslow, in Young, pp. 173, 179, 230.

254 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Indians peering about, causing alarm and a pain
ful sense of insecurity, they had made provision
for defence. On the hill rising abruptly Avestward
from the head of their street, to the height of one
hundred and sixty feet, they had Avith much labor
constructed their platform, and with the aid of
the Captain and his men before the MayfloAver
sailed, they had brought on shore and drawn up
thither, their " minion," or largest piece of ord
nance, and others smaller, and there mounted
them, to command the harbor, and the entire
range of vale and plain beloAV. It was a work, the
completion of which caused such a feeling of grati
tude and relief, that, notwithstanding the cloud of
gloom that had hung over them, it was made the
occasion of a cheering feast.®
Before the close of May, likewise, fields had
been prepared and planted ; twenty acres of Indian
corn or maize, and six of barley and peas ; while
at the same time they Avere compelled by hunting
and fishing, and often Avith poor success, to search
for most of their daily food.''
Military order, too, had been established, and
Captain Standish called to the command, Avith
orders to drill the men, station guards, and nightly
Avatch, and execute all else that in this department
might be required.
In like manner had they in general meetings,
" Brad, and AVinslow, in Young, ' Brad., p. 100, and AVinslow in
181. Young, 230.

HOW MUCH ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED. 255
from time to time, by a majority of votes, estab
lished such " laws and orders as they thought meet
for their present condition, as a body politic"
under the croAvn of England, and according to the
compact entered into on their first arrival.
Moreover, Avith much labor, personal risk, and
expenditure of means, had they sought after and
kindly treated such native Indians as could be
found, cultivating friendly relations with them,
and removing, as fast as possible, their prejudices
and enmities.^
Such is a part (it would require many pages to
give a detailed A-icAV of the whole), of what this
small company had accomplished within five
months, amidst opposing elements, sickness, and
death — an amount of bodily and mental labor in
their circumstances truly Avonderful. Where is
there a parallel 1
But their intercourse Avith the natives demands
a more extended notice. To be the means, Avhere-
ever they should go, of carrying, as far as they
could, the blessings of the Christian religion, so
dear to themselves, to the uncivilized heathen
Indians, was one of the prominent purposes of the
Elder and his people. It AA^as a worthy idea, con
ceived and long dwelt upon before they left Hol
land, and of Avhich they never lost sight.®
Yet hoAV Avas this to be done'? Hoav reach

° See the journal in Young.
8 Bradford, pp. 24, 90, and Cushman in AToung, pp. 246, 248.

256 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
them amidst the prejudices, oppositions, and en
mities of their savage state'? The unprincipled
and viUanous conduct of certain captains and
seamen on the coast in plundering and destroying
some, and in carrying aAvay captive a number of
others, had fixed in the breasts of these savages,
otherwise unscrupulous, enmities too deep and
strong to be easily overcome.'^ This, in connection
probably with their own propensities to Avar and
revenge, had caused the attack upon the pilgrim
explorers on the Cape. Coming to the present
place of settlement, and finding traces indeed of
natives — grounds once planted, but for some time
deserted, huts going to decay, but no inhabitants,
no possessors of the soil in the Avhole neighbor
hood, and having a sight even of only a few
transient wanderers, or some scattered bands,
ranging around them at a distance, serving only
to excite alarm — our emigrant company had yet
no opportunity of opening any intercourse with
them. Indeed, this Avhole condition of things
was to themselves a matter of mystery.'
It was not until the 16th of March that this
mystery began to be solved. Assembled, on that
day, to complete their military arrangements, to
their surprise, a tall Indian, in his nude savage
state, with bow and arrows, came boldly along the
line of their houses directly to their rendezvous,
' Bradford, 96, and in A'ouug, ^ j^ Young, pp. 170, 171, 179,
p. 186. 181.

SAMOSEt'S opportune and FRIENDLY VISIT. 257
caUing out in broken EngHsh, "Welcome, EngUsh-
men! welcome. Englishmen!" As boldly would
he have entered their rendezvous had he not been
prevented. Being the first savage with whom
they had spoken, he, of course, caused no little
excitement. Free of speech, and of seemly
manners, to their inquiries as far as each could
understand the other, he ansAvered that " he was
not of these parts," but from " the eastward, one
day's sail with a great wind, but five days by
land," Avhere " Englishmen came with 'ships to fish,
Avith Avhom he Avas acquainted, and of whom he
had learned his English." He signified to them
also that he was a Sagamore, or a kind of chief
there, and that his name was Samoset. He like
wise informed them of the whole country in
general, and of each particular portion, and of
their sagamores, number of men and strength, that
the place where they now were was called Patuxet,
and that about four years before aU the inhabitants
had died of an extraordinary plague, and there
was neither man, woman, nor child remaining;
therefore there were none to claim, none to hinder
possession by the English.^ He also informed
them that it was the people called Nausites, on
the Cape, that first assaulted their exploring com
pany; that this tribe had' been incensed by the
EngHsh, and slain three of Sir F. Gorge's men,
and that one Capt. Hunt had carried aAvay and
s Brad, and Winslow in A'oung, pp. 182-186.
17

258 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER, BREWSTER.
sold for slaves seven of their men, and twenty
from this present place. And (showing his knoAv-
ledge of what was taking place around them), he
informed them respecting some tools Avhich some
of the company had left in the fields on a late
alarm, and Avhich had been taken away.
Deeply interesting and important to the new
settlers was all this information. It solved the
mystery as to what had become of the inhabitants
of this portion of country. The facts, they after
wards learned, had before been known in England.
With kindness did they receive and entertain
their strange visitor, setting before him such food
as they could, which they thought would be most
acceptable, and of Avhich he partook with good
relish. But at night, as he was not inclined to go,
who should entertain the nude Indian guest in his
family, was a delicate question. At length disposed
of, the next day, with presents, and promising to
come again and bring others to trade with them,
he departed. And Samoset, as good as his word,
returned the day after, Avith five other tall Indian
men, with painted faces, clad in skins of the deer
and the wild-cat, with feathers standing up fan-Hke
in their hair, and other like strange appendages.
These also were kindly received; and partaking
heartily of the food provided, gave tokens of readi
ness for social acquaintance, singing and dancing
after their manner. Yet it being Sunday, and
there being no trading on that day, they were
kindly dismissed, as they best could be, Avith pre-

OTHER INDIANS; INDIAN POWWOW. 259
sents, and military attendance for a short distance,
by way of distinction, for Avhich they returned
thanks, and departed, glad, and promising to come
again. Still Samoset would tarry." On the third
day, those Indians not returning, Samoset was re
quested to go for them. On the same day appeared
armed savages, in threatening attitude, on a neigh
boring hill, causing much arlarm.
Previously, and unknown to the colonists at the
time, a great assembly, or "poAVWOW," of Indian
conjurers from all the country, had been held for
three days in a dark dismal swamp, in order to
curse and execrate, according to their savage rites,
and in their most horrid manner, the settlers of
New Plymouth.
Samoset returning, brought with him three
other Indians, one of them named Tisquantum or
Squanto. He, the only remaining native of the
place they now occupied, had been one of those
twenty taken and carried away captive by Capt.
Hunt. Released, and after dwelling for a time in
England, where he had learned some English, he
had, not long before, by various ways, returned to
this his native soil. Of more immediate and spe
cial consequence to the new colonists than they
could be aware, was the A'isit of these two Indians
(Samoset and Tisquantum) at the present time.
This the train of events wiU soon show.
Assembled on that same day, March 22d, for
"> In Young, 187, 189. "

260 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
their public business, the governor and company
were informed, by Samoset and Tisquantum (both
able to aid as interpreters), that the great Sagamore
Massasoit, King of all the bordering Indians, with
his brother, Quadequina, and aU their train of
attendants, were near at hand.
An hour after. King Massasoit appeared on the
hill over against them, with a train of sixty war
riors. The pilgrim company unwilling to send
their governor to them, and they unwilling to
come to him, Tisquantum was dispatched with a
message of inquiry respecting their desire and pur
pose. Answer was returned that the King desired
some one to be sent for a parley. The dignified
and courtly Winslow Avas dispatched, with refresh
ments, and presents, and a message to King Mas
sasoit and brother, that King James saluted Mas
sasoit with Avords of love and peace, and would
receive him as a friend and ally; also that the
governor desired to see him, to confirm a peace
with him, and to trade with him as his next
neighbor. King Massasoit, pleased with the message,
though imperfectly interpreted, and receiving the
presents and partaking of the refreshments with
his company, retained Mr. Winslow in the custody
of his brother (hostages having been previously
retained by the governor for his safety), and with
twenty of his men, unarmed, descended the hill,
and advanced to the stream between them and the
New Town. There met by Capt. Standish, with

KING MA-SAS-0-IT; RECEPTION AND TREATY. 261
a small band of musketeers, who saluted him, and
he them, they passed the stream, and were escorted
to the house prepared for their reception.
Here had been placed a green rug and cushions
as seats of state. Immediately the governor ar
rived with drum, trumpets, and musketeers. The
parties saluted each other, the governor kissing
the King's hand, and the King kissing him. Both
being seated, and refreshments ordered, the gover
nor, in due state ceremony, drank to him, and he
heartily, in return, to the governor. Next, after
partaking of some meat, and the King also giving
of the same to his attendants, the parties treat of
peace and an alliance. Simple in word ^nd form
was the treaty ; the work of a few hours, the first
of the kind in New England. And worthy was it
of the parties concerned ; and to both did it long
continue a source of mutual blessing.^.^
The treaty being concluded, and the ceremony
ended, the governor conducted the King back to
" Articles of this Treaty : — against him, we would aid him ;
1st. That neither the King, nor if any did war against us, he
any of his, should injure or do should aid us.
hurt to any of our people. 5th. He should send to his
2d. That if any of his did any neighboring confederates to certify
hurt to any of ours, he should them of this, that they might not
send the offender that we might wrong us, but might be likewise
punish him. comprised in the conditions of
3d. That if anything was taken peace.
from any of ours, he should cause 6th. That when their men come
it to be restored, and we would do to us, they should leave their
the like to his. bows and arrows behind them. —
4th. If any did unjustly war Bradford, 94.

262 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
the brook, when they embraced each other, and
the King departed.
But all did not end here. Word arrived that
the King's brother, Quadequina, was coming with
his attendants. Accordingly, he too was received,
and conducted to the place of reception, and en
tertained in like manner. He was a young man,
well-formed, tall, of a modest and comely counte
nance, and manifested satisfaction with all, except
the guns of the musketeers, which, at his signs of
dislike, were put aside.-'^ This entertainment over,
he also was escorted to the brook, as the king, his
brother, had been; when all retired, though two of
the Avarriors were inclined to remain. All this
time were the Indian women, who attended Mas-
¦sasoit and his men, in the forest not far distant,
beyond the hill.
Strange to the whole pilgrim company — man,
woman, and child — must this day's sight have
been, and deep the excitement throughout the
settlement. They had this day seen, in the most
favorable light, not in war, but in peace, a savage
king, attended by his no less savage warriors,
himself grave of countenance, of few words, lusty,
and strong, in his best years, clad in skins of the
bear, fox, and deer, with head oiled and face
painted. Around his neck, as the badge of king
ship, was the great chain of white bone beads.
'^ These it was that struck invincibly fearless and brave
terror, more than all things else, chiefs and warriors of the savage
into the hearts of the otherwise tribes of New England.

'm^ i.,:,/as.

THE INDIAN WARRIORS. 263
Suspended from this chain, and nearly in contact
with his long, smooth, black hair, and falling
backwards, hung that other appendage, a bag of
tobacco, from which to take for himself and offer
to others a portion as friendship's token. At his
breast hung his long huge knife. And not unlike
him Avere his warriors; some clad in garments
nearly as whole and in shape as when on the wild
beasts from which they had been taken ; others of
them were almost in nature's nakedness ; while all
faces were painted, wholly or partially, and vari
ously (a savage characteristic) , black, white, yellow,
red, in lines, crosses, or in strange figures, accord
ing to each one's fancy. All were in form erect
and tall, strong of muscle and nerve, ready at call
to string the bow, to sound the terrific war-whoog,
and fiercely speed the arrow in battle, or swift of
foot ¦ to pursue in hunting the bear, the wolf, or
the deer.
Wild and uncultivated they were as their own
native forests; wily, and, when aroused by passion,
fierce and cruel as the savage beasts with whose
fur-skins they were clad, though among them were
some with better qualities, yet aU in the darkness
of heathenism.
Such were the native Indians whom our fore
fathers now met, with whom they had now to
deal, whose friendship they desired to gain, whose
highest good they would seek to promote, whose
respect and confidence they must secure, and
against Avhom, should unAvelcome necessity com-

264 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
pel, they must be ready to protect themselves, and
those, whom of all else on earth, they held most
dear. This day had a step been taken, the wisest and
best that, in their condition, could be conceived
for their intended purpose. And of it, who had a
more enlarged view, or in it, a deeper interest,
than their elder "?

CHAPTER XXIII.

" Then glory to the steel
That shines in the reaper's hand ;
And thanks to God, who has blessed the sod,
And crowns the harvest land." — Eliza Cook.

From the month of May of this their first year,
to November, the prospects of the pilgrim colony
became gradually more encouraging. With the
genial breezes of summer came health to the en
feebled survivors. Their Indian friend, Tisquan
tum, made his abode with them, and taught them
how to plant and nurture the Indian corn, or
maize, a grain then new to them, and with the
cultivation of Avhich they were unacquainted.
He also informed them when and where to take
fish from the bay. In these ways, and with wild
game, and such other products of the soil as in
dustry could procure, the colonists were beginning
to obtain a comfortable supply of food.
Other valuable services were rendered them by
this Indian friend. Also Hobbamock, another In
dian, became useful as an interpreter and guide,
in opening an intercourse with the various neigh
boring nations or tribes around them.
Accordingly, first, about midsummer, an em-

266 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
bassy was dispatched Avith presents to their neigh
bor and ally. King Massasoit, in his OAvn country,
to'Confirm their alliance, to promote and regulate
friendly intercourse, and to learn his residence,
strength, and power.^
Another embassy was dispatched to the Nausites,
on the Cape, with whom they had their first en
counter. With them it was their purpose to
cultivate, if possible, a friendly intercourse, and to
reward them in full for the corn discovered and
taken in their time of need on their first arrival at
the Cape ; also, to recover a lost boy, who had
strayed away from the colony, and wasnoAV with
that people.^
Both of these embassies Avere attended with
success, though with much hardship, and the latter
with imminent danger.
Scarcely had the messengers returned, however,
from this last mission, when the colonists found
themselves involved in a most unexpected diffi
culty. Information came that Massasoit, their
ally, was driven from his country by the powerful
Narragansetts, whose country bordered upon his ;
and that a conspiracy was likewise formed against
him by one of his own chiefs, who was an enemy
of the colonists.
Their two friends, Tisquantum and Hobbamock,
' Massasoit's dominion extended where now stands the town of
over nearly all the country, from Warren, in Rhode Island.
Cape Cod proper to Narragansett ^ Bradford in Young, 214-18.
Bay, while his residence was

EXPEDITION OF STANDISH. 267
on going forth to ascertain the facts of the case,
Avere seized by the conspiring chief; and, while
the latter made his escape, Tisquantum was treated
with violence, scornfully taunted with being the
white men's friend, and with brandished knife,
threatened with immediate death.^
Informed of aU this, the governor and company
held consultation as to what was to be done. To
suffer their ally to be thus overcome, and not at
tempt his relief — their friendly interpreter, and at
times, official messenger, to be thus seized, abused,
and perhaps slain, even on their account, and not
attempt to rescue him, would be to confess to these
savages their weakness, and the worthlessness of
their friendship.
An armed expedition, under Captain Standish,
was therefore at once resolved upon ; and a chosen
band of ten men marched forth the next morning,
and reached the abode of the conspirators the next
night. Immediately surrounding and taking the
place by surprise, they released their friend; but
the chief ones sought for were gone.
No lives Avere lost ; only a few who attempted
to escape, contrary to the warning given, received
some wounds. Thus was the conspiracy broken
up, while the report of the fire-arms filled those
around them with fear. Having treated with
kindness the unoffending, and Avarned all others
against the like proceedings in future, they returned
3 Bradford, 103 ; in Young, 219.

268 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
(after having been refreshed), accompanied by their
friends and such of the wounded as voluntarily
accepted their offer to come and be healed by their
physician.* Another and peaceful expedition Avas next sent
to the people of the Massachusetts, Avho occupied
the country north of their settlement. " From
these they had heard words of threatening," but
they would cultivate peace with them, and arrange
terms of mutual intercourse and traffic. This ex
pedition was also successful; as explorers, they
obtained a knowledge of the Massachusetts Bay,
Avith " better harbors," and made report of the place,
wishing, says the governor, " they had been there
seated ; but the Lord, who assigns to all men the
bounds of their habitations, had appointed it for
another use."^
These bold and fearless movements, made gene
rally in a trustful and confiding manner, the mes
sengers being often in the poAver, and relying on
the good faith and honor of those among whom
they went, so Avon upon the noble-hearted and
brave among the Indians, while their prompt action,
and the terror of their guns, so wrought upon the
fears of the evil-minded, that, before the close of
the year, all the surrounding princes and people,
following the example of Massasoit, came or sent
to treat of peace and friendship. In all this their
* Bradford, 104, and in Young, » Bradford, 105 ; in Young, 224,
220, &c. 229.

PUBLIC THANKSGIVING. 269
Elder appears to haA-e been their special counsellor
and adviser.
At length, autumn being far advanced, and their
first summer's harvest of Indian corn being gathered
in, they fitted their houses, and made their arrange
ments against the coming winter. And noAV, while
some were employed in service abroad, and some
in fishing, to furnish for each family a goodly
supply, others again Avere engaged in hunting,
procuring, among other game, water fowl, wild
turkey, and venison. Of meal, or Indian corn,
one peck a week for each person was the appor
tioned supply. Of other meal, or wheat, they had
none ; nor Had they any mill for grinding ; there
fore their corn must be pounded or mashed by
their OAvn hands. Yet even this supply, being
deemed sufficient for the present colonists, caused
some of them to write home to their friends, in
England, in more glowing terms than was prudent
or warrantable. The effect was, that these de
scriptions of plenty induced subsequent emigrants
to come without bringing with them their needful
stores,® The provision for the Httle colony being secured
for the ensuing winter, their governor set apart a
day for public thanksgiving. Accordingly, with
the fruits of their labors, the thankful feast was
prepared, that aU might in a special manner rejoice
together, under a grateful sense of these tokens of
6 Hilton, in Young, 250.

270 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
divine mercy. It Avas their first thanksgiving or
harvest festival in the New World.^ And we may
well conjecture what were the feelings, and what
the theme of the Elder, as, assembled in their
" Common House,"^ he led the devotions of these
worshippers, and spoke to them words befitting the
occasion. The occasion was HkcAvise improved, as a fit
time, to interest and favorably influence the neigh
boring Indians. "Among other recreations," says
Winslow, " we exercised our arms ; many of the
Indians coming amongst us, and with them came
their greatest King, Massasoit, accompanied by
some ninety men, whom for three days we enter
tained and feasted. They also Avent out and killed
five deer, which they brought to the plantation,
and bestowed on our governor, and upon the cap
tain and others. And though it be not always so
plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet, by
the goodness of God, we are so far from want that
we often wish our friends partakers with us."'
Thus are we brought to the conclusion of the
first year's trials, hardships, and sufferings of the
pilgrim company, with the loss of life, and the
present temporary relief.
During all this, we have marked the " Elder's"
' Winslow, in Young, 231. worship from the 21st of January
' This was the best place for preceding. Prince, 97 ; Russell's
assembling which they yet had Guide to Plymouth.
been able to prepare. In it they ' Young, 231, 232.
appear to have held their public

CLOSE OF FIRST YEAr's TRIALS. 271
position and prevailing influence ; an influence un
obtrusive, yet ever actiA^e, ever felt, and possessed
by no other. All along, in the mind's eye, we
have seen him ever present, as the leader of their
public devotions, whether on shipboard or in their
rudely constructed place of worship on shore, as
their constant instructor in the Divine Word:
"teaching publicly twice on every Sabbath*""
We have marked, also, his position not only as
ruling elder, but as counsellor, ever interested,
always consulted in every affair of importance.^^
We have found him likewise ministering most
patiently and affectionately at the bedside of the
sick, and, with all the alleviations that Christian
faithfulness could impart, sympathizing with them,
and sharing in their trials. And thus closes the
first year of the first English colony on the coast
of New England.
'" Bradford, 413. with their Elder, Mr. Brewster
" "As the governor had used, (together with his assistants)." —
in all weighty affairs, to consult Bradford, p. 172.

CHAPTER XXIV.
* "Much danger makes great hearts most resolute." Marston.
On the 9th of November, just one year from the
day Avhen the pilgrim company first beheld lahd in
the New World, a little ship was seen standing in
from sea, which immediately caused no little com
motion. The first notice of its approach reached
the little colony from the Indians on the Cape.
Was it friend or foe'? The Indian informers
thought it to be a Frenchman, and boding no good.
In the colony were doubts and conjectures, they
not expecting any one then from their fatherland.^
Passing the point of the Cape, the ship stood on
its course for the Plymouth Bay. Towards it
every eye was directed. The governor ordered
the great signal gun to be fired, to call home from
their AVork every one that was abroad. Every
man, every boy even, that could handle a gun,
was ready, with full purpose, if she Avere an enemy,
to stand firm on the defence. But on drawing
near, to their great relief and joy, she proved to be
' Brad, in Prince, 114. Though French were looked upon as secret
not at the time open enemies, the foes, especially in the New AVoi'ld.

ARRIVAL OF THE SECOND LITTLE SHIP, FORTUNE. 273
a friend. It Avas the little ship Fortune, bringing
additional members to the colony ; to many fami
lies, respected and endeared ones, from whom, more
than a year since, they had parted.^
To the colony, weakened in numbers and
strength, and surrounded by dangers, it was an
event marked, and of deep concern. It was so in
particular to the family of the Elder. To him
and Mrs. BroAvster came, among the passengers,
their eldest son, Jonathan, and to the others an
elder brother. Of the Elder's family, therefore,
noAV present, Avere himself, his wife, and their
three sons. From their daughters, they were still
separated. Hoav soon, or Avhen, Lucretia, the Avife
of Jonathan, came Avith her son William, there
appears to be no record.
Often are favors and mercies the occasions of
additional trials. Joyful and welcome as Avas the
reception at this time of dear friends and connec
tions, greatly as it added to the strength of the
colony, it was soon apparent that a great scarcity
of food must foUoAV. With no knowledge or ex
pectation of the arrival this season of additional
consumers, no provision had been made for addi
tional suppHes, especiaUy for a number nearly
equaUing their OAvn. On board the Fortune, no
provision had been made even for her own return,
much less for the wants of those Avhom she had
brought. 2 Bradford, pp. 105-6.
18

274 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
They soon dispatched the ship homcAvard, hoAv-
ever, laden with the avails of their hard earnings
and self-denying efforts, as the best returns in their
power to the merchant adventurers, for their first
outlay in England. The value of their returns, in
beaver, wainscotting, choice Avood, and other
articles, Avas five hundred pounds.'
The ship being dispatched, and their stores of
proA'isions examined, the supply for all until the
next summer's harvest of corn, eight months dis
tant, was found to be only for six months, on half
alloAvance, and upon this were they now placed ;
all taking it patiently.
Not long after the return of the Fortune, came
reports to Plymouth that the Narragansetts, a
nation bordering upon the bay of that name, and
Avho could assemble five thousand Avarriors, were
assuming a threatening attitude, and were prepar
ing to attack them, notwithstanding the peace
that people sought Avith them the preceding sum
mer. From Canonicus, their chief Sachem, came,
by a messenger, as significant of his purpose, a
bundle of new arrows wrapt in a snake-skin. The
governor, suspecting, but not knowing, its' import,
on coilsultation, returned for answer that he had
heard of the Sachem's many threatenings — that
'•' On her way homewards, how- all that was worth taking ; but
ever, this second emigrant ship to the vessel and those on board
the colony, and the first to take (among whom was Mr. Cushman)
returns of freight to their creditors, ' were allowed to return to England,
was taken by the French, and where they arrived on the 17th of
carried into' France, despoiled of February. — In Bradford, 118, 122.

CHALLENGING MESSAGE; WORKS OF DEFENCE. 275
himself and people Avished to live in peace, but if
the Sachem would not live peaceably with him, as
his other neighbors did, he might do his utmost.
Learning afterwards from the interpreter the sig
nificance of the suspicious token, the governor, on
taking counsel, returned the snake-skin filled with
powder and shot, with a corresponding message.
The savage king, receiving the message, but
fearing the charged skin, would neither touch nor
suffer it to remain in his kingdom ; but one and
another posted it from place to place, until it came
back to the settlement entire, as it had been sent.*
In this state of things it was that the yet feeble
colony adopted measures, in February of this
second year, to inclose with paling their whole
town. Outside of this paling, encircling the top
of the hill and the toAvn underneath, Avere arrange
ments for four jetties or bulwarks, from which to
defend the whole. In these were gates, to be
locked at night, Avhile watch also was kept by
day. Next was a general muster day, and the organiz
ation of their men in four companies, each under
its own leader, and all under the command of
their well-skiUed Capt. Standish.^
The men, trained and drilled, were assigned
their respective posts of duty, to be ready on any
emergency or alarm. Special arrangement was
also made in case a stealthy foe should attempt
* Bradford, 111.
5 The origin of the New ^England militia system.

276 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
the destruction of their dwellings by fire. The
elder had his armor, as the others, to be used in
case of necessity.^
Thus, with great additional labor, was their
town inclosed, including a garden for each family,
and the Avhole put in a state of defence. And all
Avas done while upon short allowance. In the
mean time, to keep their promise with their Mas
sachusetts Indian neighbors of coming to trade
with them, and to secure, even though it might be
but a small supply of food, they sent out, amidst
much danger, another expedition thither, which
had the effect of securing, for the time, the body
of that people in their favor.
By the last of May, their stores of food were
gone, even on their half allowance. Adding to
their difficulties, a boat from a fishing ship, bound
eastward, appeared passing before the town, caus
ing alarm and fear that it was from the French in
league with the Indians. It brought, however,
not enemies; yet seven additional men for the
colony, but no food even for their own sustenance.
By this boat came the startling noAvs of the
terrible massacre by the Indians of near four
hundred of the English in the Colony of Virginia.
This, of course, added to the alarm of the Ply
mouth Colonists in their present extremity, their
stores of provisions being consumed, and famine
^ In the inventory of his estate estate, they were assigned to his
were the items of his armor sped- son Jonathan, as his eldest born.
find, and in the division of his ' — Plymouth Records.

ANOTHER GRIEVOUS EXTREMITY; RELIEF. 277
staring them in the face. " Without bread, Avith
abated strength, the flesh of some swollen, all
were in fearful apprehension." Yet how often in
man's extremity is God's opportunity! In the
letter by this same boat that brought the seven
additional destitute men, and in Avhich was the
information respecting the Virginia massacre,
were kind expressions Of the interest of the
writer, though a stranger, in the welfare of the
Plymouth Colony.
Influenced by these kind expressions, imme
diately was Mr, Winslow dispatched with the
colony boat, and with a message of thanks to the
kind stranger, informing him of theii\extreme con
dition, and the desire to purchase provisions.
Readily and kindly did the Captain [Huddleston]
part with such as his ship could spare, and asked
of others at the fishing station to do the same.
The boat returned, bringing such relief, as, with
great care, availed them until the ripening of their
growing corn, though but one-fourth of a pound
of bread a day for each. " Without this relief
(in Winslow's words), some had starved," " And
had we not been in a place where divers sorts
of shell-fish are, that may be taken with the
hand, we must have perished, unless God had
raised some unknoAA'n or extraordinary means for
our preservation."^ ' Winslow, in Young, 293-4 ; Bradford, 124-5.

218 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
The month of June of this year appears to have
been the season of the colony's greatest extremity.
The threatenings of famine, at other times, were
remarkably relieved, in the good providence of
God, before such long endurance. At such a time
it was, Avhen they had no bread, no vegetables but
a few groundnuts, no meat, and only such shell
fish and herring as could be caught by hand, that
Elder Brewster lived months together, even with
no drink but water. Yet in calmest submission
to his lot, he Avould thank God that they were
enabled to " suck of the abundance of the seas, and
of treasures hid in the sand."^
It was in this extremity of weakness, and while
affected by news of the awful massacre in Virginia,
that the evil-disposed Indians around New Ply
mouth began to throw out their insulting speeches ;
intimating how easy it would be now to cut them
off. Even King Massasoit appeared less friendly
to them than formerly. Too critical, indeed, was
the state of things now, not to cause the deepest
concern. Therefore, they resolved to erect on the hill,
Avithout delay, a strong timber fort, whereon their
ordnance should be still more advantageously
mounted, and from which a few men would be
able to defend the whole settlement from assault,
while the rest of the company might be more
safely employed in their daily labors.^ This, amid
' Belknap's Menloir of Brewster. Deuteronomy, xxxiii. 19.
^ Brad, and Winslow, in Young, 295.

AGAIN THREATENED ; NEW FORT. 279
aU their deprivations and labors, was the great
work of the second year, begun with eagerness and
general approbation, and with the hope that being
once finished, and with a continual guard, it would
utterly discourage the savages from again attempt
ing to rise against them. It Avas strong and
comely, with a flat roof and battlements, with
guard and watch rooms. Yet what added greatly
to the interest in its construction, was, its ground
story fitted for their place of public worship.
Here for years their elder led their devotions, and
in the words of their governor, " taught both
powerfully and profitably," to the great content
ment of the hearers and their comfortable edifica
tion. "Yea, many were brought to God by his
ministry; he doing more in their behalf in a year,
than many do in all their lives."^"
Here, again, we are to mark another trial, fol
lowed by Avhat was esteemed by them, in their
sad destitution, another merciful providence.
Near the first of July, came into their harbor, two
ships with men, sent by Mr. Thomas Weston,
their former agent, to found another colony near
by them, on Massachusetts Bay-, From these were
landed some sixty men, stout and strong, but Avith
many sick. They were hospitably received, and
the sick provided for by the best means in their
power; out of respect to their condition and to
Mr, Weston.
'0 Bradford, 413.

280 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
While some of them Avere variously employed
with their ships, the most of them remained for
months, and became not only burdensome, from
their rude, disorderly behavior, but from their
wasteful and stealthy depredations upon the ripen
ing corn, which, with great labor and care, the
poorly provided Plymouth people Avere raising for
their OAvn supply.
After the departure of these ungrateful visitors,
from these and other causes, a scanty harvest en
sued; and, notwithstanding all their diligence,
gloomy was the prospect before them as to the
coming winter and spring. Famine, it appeared,
must again ensue. To uncertainties they dare not
trust. No market was there within their reach,
to which they could apply, except to the Indians ;
and for this they had no articles of trade.
But now came in a ship (one Master Jones,
commander), sent to explore the coast, and having
on board stores of knives and beads for this pur
pose. Of him they most gladly purchased, though
at the dear rate of over two-fold per cent. There
fore, now Avere they fitted again to trade for
beavers, and some supply of corn to relieve present
and future necessities.^^

" Bradford, 127. his return he gratefully acknow-
In this ship was a gentleman lodged the same, thus : " To your-
passenger, Mr. John Poory, who self and Mr. Brewster, I must ac-
had been secretary in Virginia, knowledge myself many ways
and was now on his return to indebted, whose books I would
England. Having received favors have you think very well bestowed
from the Elder and governor, after on him, who esteemeth them such

MR. JOHN POORY; DEATH OF TISQUANTU-M. 2S1

jewels, &c." * * "God have you
all in his keeping.
Your unfeigned and firm friend,
J. POORY."
August 28th, 1622.
In one of the ensuing expedi
tions, in November, to purchase
corn on the cape, Tisquantum fell
sick of the Indian fever, at Mana-

moick (now Chatham), where he
died ; desiring the governor to
pray for him, that he might go to
the Englishman's God in heaven ;
bequeathing various of his things
to sundry of his English friends as
remembrances of his love. Greatly
was his loss felt. — Brad., 128.

CHAPTER XXV,
Timely advised, the coming evil shun. — Pkiok.
This third year of the Pilgrims in New Eng
land was full of stirring incidents ; and their con
dition Avas one of continued though varied trials.
A moment's glance shoAvs it to have been such as
to cause the most anxious thoughts and concern
of the Avhole body; and of no one more than of their
Elder. New dangers now surrounded them. Firm
as was their trust in the divine mercy and care,
equally firm was their conviction that their
progress, if not their very existence, depended,
humanly speaking, upon their own most strenuous
exertions to procure subsistence ; also to keep up
and extend a friendly influence and intercourse
among their Indian neighbors, and to guard
against the combinations of such savage foes as
wished for their destruction.
In these circumstances, while there Avas caution,
their course was still open, bold, and confiding, so
open and confiding as to attract the attention, and
even wonder, of the natives.'- With this were
¦ Winslow, in Young, 325.

WESTON PEOPLE; NEW TRIAL; ANOTHER PLOT. 283
united kindness, uprightness in dealing, and hos
pitable entertainment; in short, a striving to
manifest before them the principles of their
religion.^ In this manner already had they won, as we
have seen, and were winning, the friendship of not
a few, the respect and confidence of more, while
others had been kept in check from combining to
exterminate them.
But much of the influence of their upright
course, kind and hospitable treatment, was now
sadly counteracted by the base conduct of some of
their own countrymen, men of another plantation
lately commenced, called the " Weston Plantation."
By these were their trials and dangers greatly
increased. These men had been sent out by Mr. Weston
to plant another English colony. They came (as
we haA'e seen) to Plymouth the preceding summer,
and proved themselves to be mostly unprincipled,
indolent, and ungovernable men. On settling in
the Massachusetts country, bordering upon the
remaining Indian settlements of that name, their
conduct had almost immediately provoked a quar
rel with their Indian neighbors. The disaffection
soon became so great between the two, that plun
ders were committed on both sides, and blood was
shed. A league, not yet known to the English,
2 AU the lands occupied by the to them by the Indians, according
first settlers, or possessed by this to the forms of law. — Russell,.
colony, were amicably conveyed keeper of the Plymouth Records.

284 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
was noAV formed by warriors of the various.tribes
for the extermination of the Weston people.
Among the chiefs thus leagued, as afterwards dis
covered, Avas a noted insulting savage named
Wituwamat, Avho boasted of his valor, and derided
the Aveakness of the English. He had before im
brued his hands in the blood both of the English
and French. Captain Standish, while abroad at
Manomet for food, barely escaped being assassin
ated at his instigation,^
This secret league or plot to exterminate the
Weston people, and finally the Plymouth Colony,
Avas disclosed by an incident of no little interest.
King Massasoit, the ally of the English, had
fallen sick and Avas likely to die. The governor,
hearing of it, dispatched Mr. WinsloAV, with a
companion and Hobbamock, an interpreter,, to
visit him, and, if it might be, administer to his
comfort.* On this friendly but self-denying errand,
the messengers went, through forests and un
friendly settlements, and arrived late the second
night at Massasoit's dwelling. " They found him
extremely low, his sight gone, his teeth set, having
for two days taken nothing," In his house were
men assembled performing charms or incantations,
with fiendish noises ; " enough (says one messen
ger), to sicken those that were well, and not likely
to ease him that was sick ; while the women were
« Winslow, 310.
* Winslow's Narrative, in Young, 313, &c.

MASSASOIT SICK; WINSLOW VISITS HIM. 285
chafing him to keep heat in him." Made- to
understand that WinsloAV had come, Massasoit
put forth his hand as Winslow approached, utter
ing "Keen Winsnoiv?" (Art thou WinsloAv"?)
Being answered yes, " Oh, Winsnow," he uttered
again in his native speech, " I shall never see thee
again." It being made knoAvn to him that the
governor, hearing of his sickness, had sent mes
sengers to him with some things which, if he
Avoiild take, might do him good, he signified his
desire to receive them. Such " confectionary" as
they had brought Avas prepared and introduced
between his teeth, and some dissolved, which he
was made to swalloAv, As he called for drink,
more of the same Avas administered. Little by
little he began to revive, which gave encourage
ment. For tAvo days nothing but hard meat,
Avhich he could not receive, had been offered him.
Ere long his sight began to come to him. Mr.
Winslow continued to administer to his relief as
far as his medical knowledge would permit, adapt
ing his efforts to the neglected condition and
necessities of the patient. And he had the satis
faction of seeing, as well as those present, his
efforts crowned with success. As the sick man's
appetite returned, he called for food, and requested
Mr, Winslow to prepare him some English pottage.
The request being complied with, though with
much difficulty for want of materials with Avhich
to prepare it, he drank of the savory dish, and
Avith increasing benefit. Benefited himself, he

286 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
desired Mr. Winslow to go among his sick people,
and do the same for them; and this was done,
notwithstanding the self-denying and forbidding
nature of the office, owing to the neglected and
filthy condition of the sufferers. At the end of
two days and nights, the royal patient was so far
restored, that, amid warm expressions of thank
fulness from Massasoit and his people, the messen
gers took their leave, while many, gathering
together on report of the case from far and near,
manifested their wonder at seeing with their own
eyes the reality of the king's unexpected recovery.
Most opportune was this visit of duty and kind
ness. Before the messengers' arrival, one sachem
had chidingly said to him that " he might now see
how hollow-hearted the English were. If they
were indeed such friends as they pretended, they
Avould have visited Massasoit in his sickness."
With these and other arguments had such ones
tried to turn him from them. But noAV, upon his
recovery, Massasoit answered, " Now I see the
English are my friends, and love me ; while I live
I will never forget this kindness theyhaA'e shown
me." But there were other words spoken of
deepest concern to the people of Plymouth.
Ere Mr. Winslow had left, Massasoit had called
to him the faithful interpreter Hobbamock, and,
in presence of only a few of his council, had dis
closed to him the secret plot, and charged him to
make it knoAvn to Mr. Winslow on his way home-
Avard ; Avhich Avas, that six of the surrounding

MASSASOIT REVEALS THE PLOT ; HIS ADVICE. 287
tribes, led on by those of the Massachusetts, had
leagued together to cut off the Weston people,
and, lest those of Plymouth should avenge it, to
cut them off also ; and further, that he himself
had been urged since his sickness to join with
them, but Avould not. " And he advised his
friends at Plymouth, by all means, as they valued
their own lives and the lives of their countrymen,
to have the instigators of the plot dispatched at
once. Then the plot would cease; otherAvise, it
would be too late."^
Important was this information, and marked the
Providence thus manifested while, and only while,
they were in the course of their plain duty. Had
not this mission been undertaken, this plain duty
performed, this plot Avould not have thus been
made known to them. Therefore, it staiids out
among others a marked case, teaching a striking
lesson. The messengers, returning, reported the success
of their mission, but especially the fearful dis
closure by Massasoit. From the Weston people
came also messages, confessing their wretched con
dition and danger.^ Another sachem, brother of
the Massachusetts chief, signified the same.^
It was the 23d of March, the yearly court day,
when the governor communicated the startling in-
6 Winslow, in Young, 320-324.
s Winslow, in Young, 328 ; Bradford, 130.
' Ibid., 330.

288 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
telligence to the whole company, and asked their
advice. "A troublesome and grievous business it
was," says Winslow ; " but especially, for that we
knew no other means to deliA'er our countrymen,
and preserve ourselves, but by returning their ma
licious and cruel purposes upon their own heads,
and causing them to fall into the same pit they
had digged for others : though it grieved us much
to shed the blood of those whose good we ever
intended and aimed at, as a principle, in all our
proceedings. But they must come to a conclusion,
however sudden it might seem ; the fear being that
the exterminating work would be commenced
before they could inform the Weston people of
their danger,^
The court publicly resolved that a " matter of
such weight be committed to the governor, with a
certain select council, to do as they should conclude
to be best." Already had the governor and coun
cil plead most earnestly with the Weston settlers
not in any extremity to deal unjustly or provok-
ingly with the Indians around them ; " it being,"
said they, " against the laAv of God and nature."
" It would cross the worthy ends and proceedings
of the King's majesty and council for this place — •
the peaceably enlarging of his dominions, and the
propagation of the knowledge of God, and the
glad tidings of salvation, which Ave and they were
bound to seek, and Avere not to use such means as
8 Ibid., 331, and Bradford, 131, 132.

PLOT FOR EXTERMINATION FRUSTRATED. 289
would breed a distaste in the savages against our
persons and possessions."^
But the extremity had come, and the people of
Plymouth must act, or all must suffer. Order was
given to Captain Standish to take men and go, not
in a manner to excite suspicion, but first to the
Weston people, and inform them of the plot, and
examine, "so as to judge of the certainty of it;"
" but forbear, if possible, until he could make sure
of the bloody Wituwamat.""
Arriving at the Weston settlement, and inform
ing them of the purposes of his coming, seeing
HkcAvise their deplorable condition, the conspirators
often coming and going, the captain scrutinized
appearances, heard the taunts of the savages who
came, aAvaited the arrival of the two bitterest con
spirators, Wituwamat and Pecksuot, and skilfully
prepared for the encounter. Those two, now com
ing and daring the captain to do what he could,
tauntingly insulted him from day to day. He
bore all patiently until a favorable moment, when
he and his men seized, and after a severe struggle
slew these chief conspirators."
Fearfully responsible was the whole proceeding ;
especiaUy so Avas the concluding act. Self pre
servation, and the extremity of the case, were the
reasons assigned. As to the results, the plot was
broken up, the colonists relieved, and the death of
9 Winslow, in Young, 328, 329. " Ibid., 337, 339.
'0 Ibid., 332. 19

290 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
these chief movers in the conspiracy put a stop to
further proceedings among those who had leagued
together in this project of extermination.
The Weston people likewise abandoned their
plantation, the most of them resolving to seek their
way home, with such food as the captain could
spare, while some few accompanied him and his
men to Plymouth. " Thus ended this plantation
in one year: all able-bodied men, who boasted of
their strength, and Avhat they Avould bring to pass,
in comparison with the people at Plymouth, who
had many Avomen, children, and weak ones with
them."!^ What Elder Brewster felt and judged respecting
this first shedding of the blood of the native
savages, even under the necessities of the case, and
to prevent a probable general massacre, we cannot
noAV discover. But their pastor in Holland, on
hearing of it (and it is a testimony of the workings
of a benevolent Christian heart), wrote to them,
" He hoped the Lord had sent the captain among
them for good, if they used him right ; but doubted
whether there Avas not wanting that tenderness of
the life of man, made after the image of God,
which was meet ;" and concludes thus : " 0 how
happy a thing had it been that you had converted
some before you had killed any."^^
' From this tragic affair, we turn to more peaceful,
though still bitterly trying scenes.

'2 Bradford, 132. 164-5, in which is much that
'" See his Letter in Bradford, partakes of the same spirit.

EVILS OF LABOR AND SUPPLY IN COMMON. 291
Having all along been disappointed in their ex-
pectations of obtaining food from England, the
colonists had been taught, by sad experience, the
necessity of a more extensive cultivation and en
riching of their own soil ; a soil which had proved
to be hot the most fertile.
Actual experience had also taught them that
the practice of cultivating their fields in common,
and gathering the produce into a common store
for distribution, was not the wisest. It was there
fore ordered that, aU being ranged in families, each
family should have its enlarged allotment of land,
and plant, and trust for food to its own exertions ;
while at the harvest, each should bring a specified
portion to the public store for the maintenance of
their chief officers and men engaged in fishing,
and for other necessities. This latter arrangement
was required in connection with their gains in
trade and other ways, to secure means for making
returns to the " merchant adventurers" in London.
The plan now adopted met with encouraging
success. Greater industry, especiaUy in the case
of some that had been burdensome, Avas soon mani
fested. Even women and children entered the
fields to share in the labors. Wherefore more was
planted than in the former way, and their future
prospects became brighter.
As the third summer advanced, however, not
withstanding their increased industry in planting,
in hopes of large supplies, sore disappointment
aAvaited them again. They were to meet trial in

292 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
another form. Even these people must be taught
stiU more practically the meaning of that declara
tion — "I will be inquired of by you, saith the
Lord." So they viewed and improved the occur
rence. Says Bradford, " By the time our corn is
planted, our food is spent, not knowing at night
where to have a bit in the morning, and have
neither bread nor corn for three or four months
together ; yet bear our wants with cheerfulness,
and rest on Providence."
" Having but one boat left, we divide our men
into several companies, each take their turn to
go out and fish, and return not till they get some,
though they be five or six days out; knowing
there is nothing at home, and to return empty
would be a great discouragement. When they
stay long, or get but little, the rest go a digging
shell-fish, and thus we live the summer, only send
ing one or two to range the woods for deer ; they
now and then get one, which we divide among the
company ; in winter, we are helped with fowl and
groundnuts. "^^
Having in weakness and want completed their
first planting, they awaited the kindly showers
upon the fields to " bring forth the blade, then the
ear, and then the full corn in the ear ;" but the
needed rain came not ; " their grounds became
parched," their young corn withered. Day by day,
even from May to July, the parching heat increased;
" Prince, 135. Bradford, 134-7.

THE GREATEST EXTREMITY IN WANT OF FOOD. 293
the " heaveos became as brass over their heads, and
the earth as ashes under their feet." At length
nearly all hope was at an end, and threatened
famine was before them.
In their own language, " Now our hopes Avere
overthrown, and we discouraged, and our joy
turned into mourning." " To add to this, a supply
that Avas sent unto us, many months since, having
two repulses before, Avas a third time in company
Avith another ship, three hundred leagues at sea,
and now, in three months' time, is no further
heard of; only the signs of a wreck were seen on
the coast, which could not be judged to be any
other than the same, seemingly thus to deprive us
at once of all future hopes. The most courageous
Avere now discouraged ; because God, who hither
to had been our only shield and supporter, now
seemed in his anger to arm himself against us.
And who can withstand the fierceness of His
wrath V"^
Hobbamock, their friend and interpreter, living
among them, said, " I am much troubled for the
English, for I am afraid they wiU lose all their
corn by the drought, and so they will be starved."^"
"These and like considerations," continues
Winslow, " moved not only every good man pri
vately to enter into examination of his own estate
between God and his conscience to humiliation
'" Winslow, in Young, 348, 349. '^ Bradford, 141, 142, note.

294 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
before him, but also to humble ourselves together
before the Lord by fasting and prayer.""
It was about the middle of July. A day of
fasting was set apart by public authority. It was
no new observance with them, but was the first
for the like occasion. It was founded on the
" hope that the same God Avho had stirred them
up thereunto would be moved thereby in mercy to
look down upon them, and grant the request of
their dejected spirits, if their continuance there
might consist with his glory and their good."
xlssembled thus for humiliation and prayer,
how especially and with what long pleading
earnestness the Elder poured forth the soul's con
fessions and entreaties for mercy, and spoke to the
hearts of his people from the Word of Truth, we
need scarcely be reminded.
Peculiarly striking (says one of them) was his
manner of laying open the heart and conscience
before God in confessions of sin, and begging the
mercies of God in Christ for pardon}^
" But, O ! (exclaims Winslow) the mercy of
our God, who was as ready to hear as we to pray."
The morning was clear, and it so continued ; the
heat unabated ; not a cloud or sign of rain to be
seen ; the drought as likely to continue as ever ;
yet the exercises on this special occasion, as of
life and death, being continued eight or more
hours ere their close, the clouds gathered, the
" Winslow, in Young, 349. '« Bradford, p. 414.

THE REMARKABLE RELIEF. 295
heavens were overcast, and before the next
morning passed, gentle showers were distiUing
upon the earth, and so it continued some fourteen
days, with seasonable weather intervening. "It
Avere hard to say whether our withered corn or
drooping affections were most quickened and
revived; such were the bounty and goodness of
our God." So revived and recovered Avere the
fruits and corn, as still to give promise of a joyful
harvest. Even by the Indians it Avas viewed as a
matter of remark and astonishment. Being in
the town, and asking the reason of the day's
solemnity, as it was but three days from Sunday,
and when informed, seeing what had followed,
they confessed the goodness of the Christians'
God compared with the answers to their own in
cantations, Hobbamock, who had before ex
pressed his fears for the English, after the relief
came, expressed himself in this manner : " Noav I
see Englishman's God is a good God, for he hath
heard you and sent you rain, and without storms,
tempest, or thunder beating down your corn.
Surely your God is a good God."
Still ftirther, this people's experience had indeed
verified the proverbial saying, that trials and afflic
tions come not single; and now, they could say
their acknowledged mercies came not alone.
In this their extremity. Captain Standish arrived
from an expedition among the Indians with such
supply as would relieve their famishing state until
the ncAvly revived corn should ripen.

296 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Fears also had been entertained that certain
persons in England, among whom Avas one Mr.
Pierce, for private ends, had succeeded in obtain
ing new grants of poAvers, and a new patent for
New Plymouth, by which the patentee would hold-
the lands in perpetuity, and the colonists now
settled on them would become only tenants, and
be deprived of the liberties, rights, and privileges
which had cost them so dear.^^ But now, infor
mation reached them that, in ways most remark
able, and which they deemed truly providential,
every such attempt had been frustrated, every
project brought to naught.
For " these many signs of God's favor and ac
ceptation," to use their own words again, especially
for that great one of relief from threatened famine,
another day was now set apart for special acknow
ledgment, a day of thanksgiving by public autho
rity, considering that it would be great ingratitude
to be content to pass over with only private
thanksgiving that which by private prayer only
had not been obtained.
And with what grateful hearts this next day of
thanksgiving Avas kept, we need no other evidence
than the circumstances of the case, and the cha
racter of the worshippers and of the leader of
their worship ; " a day," concludes Winslow,
" Avherein we returned glory, honor, and praise,
Avith all thankfulness, to our good God, who dealt
'" Bradford, 138-9.

OTHER ANXIETIES; SAFE ARRIVAL OF FRIENDS. 297
SO graciously Avith us ; whose name, for /these and
all other mercies, be blessed and praised evermore.
Amen."^" But along with all these incidents of struggle
and relief, there was stUl to the Elder, as well as to
many of the company, another remaining cause of
anxious concern. They had heard from time to
time of the fitting out of one or more ships from
England with other members of their families,
and others of their company, left in Holland and
England ; and they had heard of the changes and
delays of their, sailing. And now for three
months nothing further had been heard of them,
except by a Captain West,^^ lately arrived, who
informed them of his meeting those ships at sea,
and of the storm that foUowed, and their probable
shipwreck. Fourteen days, from the arrival of
Captain West, did the Elder and his family, with
others, pass between hope and fear; when, to
their great relief, the ship Ann arrived (and soon
after, the Httle James), bringing to the colony 60
passengers, and to the Elder his two daughters,
Patience and Fear.^^ The joyous welcome that
followed from the warm-hearted, affectionate
father and the tender and now feeble mother,
taking to their hearts and homes in this new
world their only, long looked-for, almost despaired-
of daughters, after three years' separation, and
2° Winslow, in Young, 351. =^ Winslow, in Young, 351-353 ;
^' Winslow, do., 348 ; Bradford, and Bradford, 142-3, and notes.
141.

298 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
now come to them across the perilous ocean, in
health, in the freshness of young womanhood, can
all be better imagined than described.
But with what deep concern must these loving
daughters have beheld the traces of care, exposure,
and famishing want in the faded complexions and
emaciated forms of their dearest ones, the cause of
which was too plain in the poor and scant fare set
before them. " The best dish we could present
them," says Bradford, speaking of the whole, "is
a lobster or piece offish, without bread, or anything
else but a cup of fair spring water."
" When these passengers see our poor and low
condition, they are much dismayed, and full of
sadness." " Only our old friends rejoice to see us,
and that it is no worse, and now hope we shall
enjoy better days together."^^
Of Elder Brewster personally he says: "He
bore his burden with the rest, living many times
without bread or corn, months together; having
many times nothing but fish, and often wanting
that also."
But the autumn harvest, revived by the gentle
showers, and ripened by the favorable weather
that followed, came in plentifully at last, to the
great joy of all hearts.
By the same ship also came a letter, signed by
thirteen of their yet absent friends, in which they
write: "Let it not be grievous to you that you have
" Bradford, 145, 146.

LETTERS FROM LEYDEN. 299
been instruments to break the ice for others who
come after with less difficulty ; the honor shall he
yours to the world's end." " The same God Avho
hath so marvellously preserved you fr'om seas, foes,
and famine, will still preserve you, and make you
honorable amongst men, and glorious in bliss at
the last day."-* 2* Bradford, 145.

CHAPTER XXVI.
" That is the best history which is collected out of letters." — Baeonius.
In the spring of 1624, arrived the last known
letter (of the 20th of December previous), from
their pastor in Holland, addressed to Elder Wm.
Brewster at Plj'^mouth, New England, Its first
and last portions related to the Elder and members
of his family individually, while an important
portion had respect to him, and the Plymouth
congregation officially. And these portions, being
all that relate to our purpose, are as follows : —
to elder brewster.
" Loving and dear Friend and Brother:
That which I most desired of God in regard
of you, namely, the continuance of your life and
health, and the safe coming of those sent unto
you — that I most gladly hear of, and praise God
for the same. And I hope Mistress Brewster's
weak and decayed state of body will have some
repairing by the coming of her daughters;* and
the provisions in this and former ships I hear are
' Daughters Patience and Fear Brewster, as stated in the preceding
chapter.

Robinson's last letter to the elder. 301
made for you, which makes us with the more
patience bear our languishing state, and the defer
ring of our desired transportation, Avhich I call
desired rather than hoped for, whatsoever you are
borne in hand by any others. For, first, there is
no hope at all that I know, or can conceive of, of
any new stock to be raised for that end; so that
all must depend upon returns from you, in which
are so many uncertainties as that nothing with
any certainty can thence be concluded." * * * *
"Now, touching the question propounded by you,
I judge it not lawful for you, being a ruling elder
(as Romans xii. 7, 8, and 1 Timothy v. 17, opposed
to the elders that teach and exhort, and labor in
the word and doctrine, to which sacraments are
annexed), to administer them, nor convenient, if
it Avere laAvful. AVhether any learned man will
come unto you or not, I know not ; if any do, you
must Consilium capere in arena — (Take counsel
in the time of action). ******" Be you
most heartily saluted, and your wife with you,
both from me and mine. Your God and ours,
and the God of all his, bring us together, if it be
his will, and keep us in the mean while, and always
to his glory, and make us serviceable to his ma
jesty, and faithful to the end. Amen.
Your very loving brother
JOHN ROBINSON."
"Lr,YDEN, December 20th, 1623."
2 See the whole letter in Bradford, 165-7.

302 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Here we have a further insight into some of the
circumstances of the Elder's family at the time, and
a testimony of the high and affectionate regard in
Avhich he himself Avas held.
And the official decision was one of no small
concern to the Plymouth congregation. To the
question which the Elder had propounded to Mr.
Robinson (for his own satisfaction, or that of
others), whether it were lawful or expedient for
him as ruling elder to administer the Christian
sacraments, Mr. Robinson answered, he judged it
not lawful, nor convenient if it were lawful.
We leave the statement as it stands, as a
recorded fact without discussion, without any
added opinion, without gloss or disguise, a witness
of their pastor's judgment in the case.^
Connected with this judgment of the pastor in
Holland, stands the other fact that the Elder acted
in accordance with it ; declining to do the duties
of the pastoral office in respect to the sacraments,
however plausible the arguments for doing so, or
urgent the circumstances might seem to be. He
had not been ordained to that office: he would not
assume it. And as to his declining the pastoral
office, Avriters have suggested his extreme modesty
' Could facts be always stated so many faithful, truthful wit-
in historic writing just as they nesses, ever ready to be used for
were, history would take the the eliciting or establishing of
place, and have the authority, truth. Immensely would this
which belongs to it. Facts would course lessen the fields of angry
thus stand forth unperverted as controversy.

ELDER S OFFICIAL DUTIES; SUCCESSFUL RESULTS. 303
as the cause.* Yet in this, also, he doubtless acted
conscientiously. The whole course of his life
shows that he was not the man to do otherwise.
The pastor, indeed, hoped that himself, or some
other one, would ere long come to supply the defi
ciency. When it was objected against them, by
some in England, that they had not the Sacra
ments, they answered: "The more is our grief that
our pastor is kept from us, by whom we might
enjoy them; for we used to have the Lord's supper
every Sabbath, and baptism as often as there Avas
occasion of children to baptize."^
With the facts before us in relation to the parts
of the pastoral office which Elder Brewster did not
perform, according to their order of church govern
ment, we next notice more specifically than we
have yet done, the official duties which he did per
form, and likewise how he performed them, and
the results. Here we have the words of both pas
tor and elder, defining their A'iews of the duties
of the office : —
1st. As to " ruling or governing." " Our elders
do administer their offlce in admonitions and ex
communications, for public scandals, publicly, and
before the congregation."^ In relation to Elder
Brewster, says Bradford, " For the government of
the church, which Avas most proper to his office,
he was careful to preserve good order in the same,
and to preserve purity, both in the doctrine and
* See Morton, Hubbard, Belknap, &c.
^ Bradford, 161, and Plymouth Church Records.
6 Bradford, 35.

304 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
communion, and to suppress any error or conten
tion that might begin to rise up amongst them."
And as to the results of his labors in this particular,
it is added, "God gave good success to his en
deavors, and he saw the fruit of his labors herein
all his days."
2d. As to "_teaching." "We choose none for
governing elders but such as are able to teach."
Accordingly, says Bradford, of their elder, " when
the church had no other minister, he taught twice
every Sabbath, and that both powerfully and pro
fitably, to the great contentment of the hearers,
and their comfortable edification." As to method,
"he was very plain and distinct in what he taught;
by which means he became the more profitable to
his hearers." In manner, " he was easy of speech,
of grave and deliberate utterance, effective in
arousing the affections." " In prayer, both public
and private, he was singularly gifted in laying open
the heart and conscience before God, in the humble
confession of sin, begging the mercies of God, in
Christ, for pardon. He was not long and tedious,
but divided his prayers, except upon solemn and
special occasions, as on days of fasting and humilia
tion." And as the fruits of these labors, it is
added : " Many were brought to God by his min
istry; he did more in this behalf in a year than
many do in all their lives."^
' Bradford, 413, and 414, and 34, bands; these are mentioned in
35. As to his official costume, he the Inventory.
appears to have worn a gown and

MR. LYFORD SENT TO BE THEIR MINISTER. 305
From this statement of his position and labors,
and their results, we here pass over A'arious inci
dents, however interesting, concerning the colony
in general, and proceed to those Avhich, henceforth,
more than others, concerned the Elder and his
church in particular.
Mr. WinsloAV having been in England near the
close of the last year, and returning in the spring,
brought with him, by the urgent request of a por
tion of the " merchant adventurers," a minister
named Lyford. Apparently he Avas intended by
them to supply the place of Mr. Robinson. His
subsequent course, hoAvever, proA'cd him to be of
no more credit to those Avho sent, than benefit to
those Avho received him.
Complaisant, humble, shedding many tears, and
blessing God that he had been brought to see their
faces, he was received by them and entertained to
the best of their ability. Admitted at his desire
into their church, he blessed God for the oppor
tunity and freedom of enjoying the ordinances
in purity among them. A larger aUowance Avas
made him for maintenance than to any other of
the colony. And as the governor had been ac
customed to consult in weighty matters Avith Elder
Brewster, in councU, with the assistants, he now
caUed Mr. Lyford to the same. Not long after,
however, it Avas discovered that their confidence in
him was misplaced. He privately formed a party,
Avithout notifying either the Elder or governor,
AvithdroAV and held separate pubHc meetings, and
20

306 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
wrote letters to certain ones in England against
the colony. Yet upon being accused of this last,
he denied it ; but being confronted by his own
letters, was confounded. When tried and con
victed, he confessed all ; and in the end he was
sentenced to expulsion, though with leave to re
main six months. On this being done, he declared
that his sentence was far less than he deserved,
and that what he had written against them was
false. A like confession he also made before their
church; and such were the appearances of his
sincerity and repentance, that he was restored to
his place of teacher as before. But after a while,
he again relapsed, and again wrote to England,
affirming the truth of what he had before written,
which caused the " adventurers" yet further trouble.
He was invited the next season, as minister, to
a new plantation at Nantasket. In the mean time
Mr. Winslow, being again in England, the " ad
venturers" there took the matter in hand ; when
on Lyford's former misbehavior in Ireland being
.disclosed, for which' he had been forced to leave
ihat kingdom, it was resolved by the Moderators,
to whom the case was committed for decision, that
liis conduct at New Plymouth was sufficient cause
for his rejection, and that this further disclosure
rendered him unmeet longer to do the duties of
the ministry. We may well imagine how sore a
trial all this must have been to the Elder, Avho
doubtless presided in all their church meetings on

RESULTS OF THE LYFORD DIFFICULTY. 307
the subject, and must have witnessed and passed
through the excitement caused by it in his New
Plymouth congregation. Greatly must he have
feared its effects likewise among those friendly or
unfriendly to their principles of church order in
England.* What might have been the result in the Ply
mouth colony had the company in England sent
over an enHghtened and worthy minister, imbued
with the spirit of his Divine Master, and truly
sympathizing with this people in their trials, yet
conscientiously attached to the ChurCh of England,
while he disapproved of the oppressive acts of the
court, and of the course of all who sustained those
acts, we are not called upon to decide, or even to
conjecture. Our business is with what did, and
not with what might have taken place.
Of Elder Brewster's public labors during this i
period, even while in connection with the other
minister, we have ample testimony in the following
record : " Our revered Elder hath labored dili
gently in dispensing the word of God unto us be
fore he (Lyford) came ; and since hath taken equal
pains with himself in preaching the same ; and be
it spoken without ostentation, he is not inferior to
s Bradford, 171, 173, 175, 192, of any further care or aid for the
196. The result was, the breaking colony.— Bradford, 196.
up of the company of merchant Mr. Lyford went from Plymouth
adventurers, and the relinquish- and officiated at Nantasket, then
ment, by the greater part of them, at Naumkeug, or Salem, and thence
to Virginia, where he died.

308 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Mr. Lyford (and some of his superiors)," either in
gifts or learning, though he would never be per
suaded to take higher office upon him."*"
At the election of officers this spring (1624) the
governor desired the people to elect another than
himself, as the opportunity to do this was the
object of a yearly election. If it were an honor
or benefit to be elected, it was meet that others
should be partakers ; if a burden, others should
help to bear it. But they elected the same
governor with five assistants in place of one, and
gave the governor a double vote .'**
This spring, also, Mr. Winslow brought over
with him from England four neat kine, " the first
in the land,"*^ a fact which brings vividly to mind
the sore deprivation hitherto endured in this par
ticular, and of the now anticipated luxury of milk,
cream, and butter.
At this time, the people requested of the
governor land for continued possession, and not
by lot yearly, as before; and hence was granted
one acre to each person, and as near the town as
practicable, for safer and easier defence.*^
The acre granted to the Elder, as Avell as those
to some others, might probably be yet recognized"
by the necessary search. No more land Avas
granted until the expiration of the seven years,
9 Original "letters." '^ Bradford, 158.
'1 Bradford, 187-8. >3 Do., 167.
" Prince, 145; and Bradford,
156.

MARRIAGE AND OTHER INCIDENTS. 309
or rather until the closing of the term of the
original contract with the adventurers in London.
As to the amount or extent of the " fisheries"
on the coast of Noav England this year, the report
presents the number of fifty ships from England.'*
Few of them, however, visited New Plymouth.
On the ^th of August of this year, Avas an
occurrence in the family of the Elder, an event of
no small interest in every family wherever it takes
place. It was the marriage of his daughter, Pa-
tienceJBrewster, with Mr. Thomas Prince. Thus
were they "bride and bridegroom, pilgrims for
life, henceforward to travel together." Mr. Prince
came to the colony more than four years previous
ly, in the ship Fortune, had brought a respectable
patrimony, and was now in his 24th year. He
Avas frequently elected assistant to the governor,
and afterwards governor.*^ It was the ninth mar
riage in the colony. At the close of this year,
there were in the colony about 180 persons, 32
dwelling-houses, and a well built fort of Avood,
Hme, and stone, on " Fort HiU" (now Burial Hill),
Avith a fair " watch tower," as Avell as the com
modious room for public worship. The town had
been surrounded by palisades, about half a mile in
compass ; and they had just returned a ship of 180
tons, with a valuable cargo, to the " adventurers"
in London,

'* Prince.
'* Moore's Memoirs of American Governors, 139.

310 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
The settlement was healthful, not one of their
company having died since the close of the first
year, notwithstanding their extreme suffering and
want. All of which success no one could have
viewed with more interest than he who, from the
first, had been a chief promoter of the under-
takins:.

CHAPTER XXVII.
Human life is checkered at the best,
And joy and grief alternately preside. — Teacy.
During the year 1625, the affairs of the Ply
mouth colony Avere internally more encouraging
than in any previous year. They had general
health, were at peace with the Indians, and their
planting had resulted in a good supply of corn.
But externally, in respect to their connection with
the merchant adventurers in London, their pros
pects were assuming a gloomy aspect. Many of
those adventurers had entered into the agreement,
at first, as a mere business speculation, and for
large profits, and had found themselves dis
appointed. The losses at sea, including the loss
of a large portion of what the new colonists had
been able to return to them, Avith the unsettled
and trying times, had discouraged or embarrassed
others. While party spirit and contentions,
greatly aggravated by the late Lyford difficulty,
caused disaffection and deep chagrin in many
more. The largest portion of them, therefore,
discouraged, disappointed, or alienated, Avithdrew,

312 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
and broke up the connection.* It is true that the
case of the adventurers was hard, but harder had
been that of the colonists. These had entered
into the engagement on hard terms, at first.^
Their losses by death had been many ; and, after
five long years of unexampled trials and efforts,
still further aid Avas needed by them from abroad.
In this state of things, those of the adventurers
who stood firm to their original purpose, and Avere
disposed to act further in the business, finding
themselves left Avith a debt of 1400 pounds, now
addressed the New Plymouth people accordingly :
" The thing we feared is come upon us, and the
evil Ave strove against has overtaken us, yet avc
cannot forget you, nor our friendship and fellow
ship together." " You and we are left to bethink
ourselves what course to take in the future, that
your lives and our moneys be not lost." " We
hope you Avill do your best to free our engage
ments. Let us all endeavor to keep an honest
cause, and see what time will bring forth, and
how God in his providence Avill work for us. We
are still persuaded you are the people that must
make a plantation in those remote places when all
others fail and return. And your experience of
God's providence and preservation is such as Ave
hope your hearts will not fail you, though your
friends should forsake you (which Ave ourselves
' Brad., 196-200. 2 See on page 206.

DILEMMA; ANOTHER LOSS AT SEA. 313
shall not do whilst we live, so long as your
honesty so well appeareth)."^ * * *
In return, fresh efforts were made by the
colonists to meet the expectations of those friends
in whose hands the claims and remaining business
of that association Avere now left. All that these
could obtain in the way of trade was immediately
collected and forwarded by the returning ship.
But here again were both adventurers and colon
ists to meet Avith another discouragement. This
ship, after a prosperous voyage, even into the
entrance of the English Channel, was captured
with her freight of beaver and other furs and
lading, by a Turkish man-of-war, and her men
carried into captivity. In this state of their
affairs, war threatening the country, and the
plague raging frightfully in London, and all busi
ness at a stand, little could the colonists' agent do
in procuring the means, and making purchases,
even at exorbitant prices, for the next season's
supply of clothing and goods for trade. Some
first steps, however, Avere taken towards a final
compromise with the remaining first adventurers.
In their church, under the continued direction
and teaching of their elder, notwithstanding the
check received from Lyford's untoward course, the
number of members appears to have increased.*
This year also Avas there another marriage in the
Elder's family, that of his other remaining daughter,
' Brad., 198-200. ¦¦ Bradford, 189.

314 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Fear Brewster, to Mr. Isaac Allerton, the flrst, and
for several years, the only assistant to the governor.
He was in about his 36th year, had lost his first
wife about five years before, soon after their land
ing from the MayfloAver, was one of their principal
men, much engaged in public affairs, and was sub
sequently confidential agent in England.*
Passing on to the year 1626, and early in that
year, we find the first arrival of information of
two occurrences which had taken place more than
a year before, so long was it ere the news reached
them. The first, and that which most intimately
concerned them as a congregation, was the death
of their pastor in Holland.
Sad to them, and unexpected, was this news.
Sudden and discouraging was his death. He had
been strongly attached to them, and they to him.
Now in the prime of life, he had proved himself
to be a man of marked ability, piety, and varied
attainments. All along had he desired, and they
of Plymouth expected him to come to them, with
the remaining portion of their people in Leyden,
and minister to the Avhole again, as he before had
done ; but want of means, and the opposing influ
ence of those who had chief control among the
merchant adventurers, had prevented. That ex
pectation was now at an end. Their elder was
now officially, as he had been before virtually, the
chief teacher and guide of the pilgrim band.
^ Prince and Bradford.

POSITION AND PRINCIPLES OF THE PILGRIMS. 315
Here it is matter worthy of inquiry, what were
the religious characteristics of Mr. Robinson, with
Avhom the Elder had been intimately associated
for at least 13 years, in England and Holland, and
with whom he had held most friendly correspond
ence now some four years more 1 Also, what were
his and the Elder's position in relation to brethren
of the Church of England 1 And what was their
distinctive position in relation to the other sepa
rate congregations with whom they were classed 1
That they held, doctrinaUy, the great principles
then held in the Church of England, has already
been stated. Were there any doubts on this point,
they must at once be dispelled by the foUowing
" seven articles which the Church of Leyden sent
to the Council of England, to be considered of in
respect of their judgments occasioned about their
going to Virginia." These are the " seven articles"
mentioned by Sir Edwin Sandys in his letter to
Mr. Robinson and the Elder, Nov. 12, 1617, and
lately brought to light. We present them here
entire, with the original spelling and contractions,
as an important addition to our history in this con
nection, and as a matter of curiosity to some of
our readers, showing the manner in which the En
glish language was Avritten even by good scholars
of that day: —

316 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,

[STATE PAPER OFFICE, AMERICA AND WEST INDIES,
VIRGINIA.]
Seven Artikes which y^ Church of Leyden sent
to y^ CounseU of England to bee considered of in
respeckt of their judgments occationed about their
going to Virginia.
1. To y"' confession of fayth published in y" name
of y" Church of England & to every artikell the'erof
Avee do w"^ y^ reformed churches wheer wee live
& also els Avhere assent wholy,
2. As Avee do acknolidg y^ docktryne of fayth
theer tawght so do wee y^ fruites and effeckts of
y'' same docktryne to y^ begetting of saving fayth in
thousands in y" land (conformistes & reformistes)
as y^ ar called w"' whom also as w'^ our bretheren
wee do desyer to keepe sperituall communion in
peace and Avill pracktis. in our parts all lawfuU
thinges. 3. The King's Majesty wee acknolidg for Su-
preame Governor in his Dominion in all causes
and over all parsons, and y' none maye decklyne or
apeale from his authority or judgment in any cause
whatsoever, but y' in all thinges obedience is dcAve
unto him, ether active, if y" thing commanded be
not agaynst God's woord, or passive yf itt bee,
except pardon can bee obtayned.
4. Wee judg itt lawfull for his Majesty to
apoynt bishops, civill overseers, or officers in
awthoryty onder hime, in y^severall provinces.

SEA'EN ARTICLES OF THE LEYDEN CHURCH. 317
dioses, congregations or parrishes to oversee y^
Churches and governe them civilly according to y"
LaAves of y" Land, untto Avhom y'^ ar in aU thinges
to geve an account «&: by them to bee ordered
according to Godlynes.
5. The authoryty of y'= present bishops in y"
Land Avee do acknolidg so far forth as y" same is
indeed derived from his Majesty untto them and
as y" proseed in his name, Avhom wee will also
theerein honor in all things and hime in them.
6. Wee beleeve y' no sinod, classes, convocation
or assembly of EcclesiasticaU Officers hath any
poAver or awthoryty att all but as y'^ same by y"
Majestraet geven unto them.
7. Lastly, wee desyer to geve untto all Superiors
dew honnor to preserve y° unity of y^ speritt w"'
all y' feare God, to have peace w"" all men what
in us lyeth & wheerein Avee err to bee instructed
by any. Subscribed by JOHN ROBINSON. and
WILLIAM BREWSTER.8

^ See in the Collections of the debted for the discovery of the
New York Historical Society, Se- original manuscript of Bradford's
cond Series, vol. iii., just pub- History of the Plymouth Colony,
lished. and of Mr. Anderson, who more
Mr. Bancroft, in presenting the distinctly announced to the world
copy of the original to this society that the original manuscript of
for publication, remarks : " None that long lost work was in the
of the successors of Prince seem library of the Bishop of London.
to have been aware of the exist- " These Seven Articles, not in-
ence of this document. It escaped serted in Bradford's History,"
the notice of Bishop Wilberforce, though "referred to on" pages 30
to whom America is deeply in- and 31, " seem to have slumbered

318

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.

But were Mr. Robinson, the Elder, or their
people, Brownists, or " rigid separatists," as many
writers have called them'? or did they say and
teach — as did Robert Brown, or Mr. Smith, or other
rigid separatists — that the Church of England Avas
no true church, that it was sinful or wrong to attend
its worshipping assemblies, or hear the preaching
of the Word therein V Though this has been in
part answered, yet here again it is meet that they

unnoticed for more than two cen
turies, among the Virginia vol
umes in the State Paper Office in
Westminster. The copy I send
you was made for me by Sir.
Sainsbury, a clerk in that office,
in whose accuracy I have entire
confidence." — ^Mr. Bancroft's Let
ter preparatory to said Articles,
New York, Oct. 3, 1856.
' The language of the extreme
separatists was ; " We confidently
deny that ever the English nation,
or any one of our predecessors,
were of the faith of Christ, or at
any time believed visibly in a
true constituted church, but were
come of the race of the pagans, till
Rome the mother came, and put
upon us her false baptism, worship,
and ministry, and so our case is
simply paganish." "Your Church
of England, being of Antichrist's
constitution, is a false church —
hath a false constitution, a false
ministry, a false worship, a false
government, and a false baptism,
tlie door and entry into the church ;
and so all is false in your church."

— Letter from two of Mr. Smith's
Church, in Hunter's Appendix, p.
171. And the very bitter language,
(such as we like not to quote, did
not historic faithfulness require
it), used by that same Mr. Smith,
even against Mr. Robinson and his
people, because they would not go
to the same extreme as himself,
was such as this : " Be it known,
therefore, to all the separation,
that we account them, in respect
to their constitution, to be as very
a harlot as either her mother, the
Church of England, or her grand
mother, Rome is, &c." — Smith's
" Character of the Beast." Bp.
Hall's works, vol. vii. 385, ix. 409.
One reason of Mr. Robinson and
people's removing from Amster
dam to Leyden, was the extreme
rigidness, in some particulars, of
Mr. Smith and others who were
there before them. — Brad., in
Young, 441, 446 ; and Winslow,
in Prince, 87, 88. How different
from all this was the language of
Robinson and his people !

MODERATED, NOT EXTREME VIEWS. 319
should speak for themselves. " For myself (says
Mr. Robinson), I beUeve with my heart before
God, and profess with my tongue, and have before
the world, that I have one and the same faith,
hope, spirit, baptism, and Lord, which I had in
the Church of England, and none other ; that I
esteem so many in that church, of what state or
order soever, as are truly partakers of that faitli,
(as I account many thousands to be), for my Chris
tian brethren, and myself, a feUow member with
them of that one mystical body of Christ, scattered
far and wide throughout the world, that I have
always, in spirit and affection, all Christian felloAA'-
ship and communion with them, and am most
ready in all outward actions and exercises of reli
gion, lawful and lawfully to be done, to express
the same ; and withal, that I am persuaded the
hearing of the word of God there preached, in the
manner and upon the grounds formerly mentioned,
both lawful, and upon occasion necessary for me
and all true Christians, withdrawing from that
hierarchical order of church government and
ministry, and the appurtenances thereof, &c."^
Such, then, were his distinctive views, " And,"
says Winslow, "if any joiiiing to us formerly,
either when we lived at Leyden, in HoUand, or
since we came to Noav England, have with the
manifestation of their faith and profession of holi-
' Robinson's works. Treatise England ;" also in Young's Chroni-
" Of the Lawfulness of Hearing of cles. Notes 400-401.
the Ministers of the Church of

320 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREAVSTER.
ness, held forth therewith separation from the
Church of England, I have divers times, both in
the one place and the other, heard either Mr.
Robinson, our pastor, or Mr. BrcAvster, our elder,
stop them forthAvith, shoAving them that Ave re
quired no such things at their hands, leaving the
Church of England to themselves, and to the Lord^
before Avhom they should stand or fall.'" The
application to them of the terms " Brownists,"
" rigid separatists," he pronounces " another gross
mistake." "Very injurious it is (says Bradford),
to call those after his (Brown's) name, Avhose per
son they ncA^er knew, and whose writings, fcAV, if any
of them ever saw, and whose errors and backslid-
ings they have constantly borne witness against."*"
And Robinson adds, again, on parting with them
at Leyden, " Use all means to avoid and shake off
the name of Brownist, being a mere nickname and
brand to make religion and the professors of it
odious to the Christian world."** Hence they
have been called semi- (half) separatists ; and Mr.
Robinson, a " principal overthrower of the Brown
ists," "ruining the rigid separation," by "allow
ing the lawfulness of communicating with the Church
q/" England in the Word and prayer. "^^
Thus much, at least, justice to the cause of

(( V

5 Winslow, in Young, 389, 400. '" Bradford, in Young, 444.
Tis true (says he), Mr. Robinson " In Young, 397-8.
was more rigid in his course and '^ Prince's Annals, 87.
way at firstthan towards his latter
end."

DEATH OF KING JAMES; HIS ACTS. 321
historic truth, justice to their late pastor, justice
to the Elder, and to the distinctive views of them
selves and people, seem to have been demanded,
in order to show their position relative to the
Established Church, and other separating congre
gations with whom, in many things, they sym
pathized. But there was another occurrence, within a
month after the preceding, the news of which
came by the same ship from England, and which
also deeply concerned the New Plymouth colony.
On the 27th of March, old style, 1625 (being
on Sunday), died James the First of England; and
he Avas succeeded by his only remaining son, the
first Charles.*^
During aU the twenty-two years of James' reign
in England, as well as during some twenty of the
preceding years of Elizabeth, had Brewster been
an observer of their public measures ; and in some
of them had he been personally interested. One
of these measures, pressed to extremes by James,
had caused the pilgrim movement, and the Elder's
present position in the Noav World,
What his reflections now were (for he was a
man of reflection), on hearing of the death of his
earthly sovereign, and while casting his thoughts
back, and reviewing the whole period, it would be
interesting to know, and we might perhaps easily
conjecture, but we have no recorded evidence,
13 Prince Maurice, of Orange, also died this same year.
21

322 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
The CAddence is clear, however, that towards that
sovereign, in his legitimately approved acts, he
had himself ever shown a spirit of loyalty ; one
arbitrary measure only excepted; and in respect
to that, he had been willing to suffer.
Even while in Holland, self-exiled, and under
the protection of the states, he and his pastor gave
evidence how "grievous it was to them to live
from under the state, " away fr'om the people and
the institutions of England. And, in view of
their removal from Holland to some other land,
no tempting offers of gain, no inducements what
ever, could draw him or his people from their
desire and purpose to live under England's govern
ment and shield. With their oAvn hands did
pastor and elder write to those in authority, ex
pressing all this,** and their wilHngness, not only
to take anew " the oath of allegiance" (submis
sion and obedience to the king as temporal sove
reign, independent of any other power on earth),
but " the oath of supremacy (say they) we shall
Avillingly take if it be required of us" — acknow
ledging the king as civiUy the head of the church,*^
The practical carrying out of the same was shown
in the flrst and last words of the solemn compact
on board the Mayflower, To the same effect was
the late joint letter to the Weston people, urging
them to fulfll the "worthy ends of the king's
jnajesty and honorable council for New England,
" Winslow, in Young, 381.
'^ Bradford, 34, as well as the Seven Articles.

REFLECTIONS UPON THE ACTS OF JAMES. 323
in the peaceable enlargement of his majesty's
dominions, and the propagation of the Christian
faith," as their bounden duty. Upon all this,
therefore, would the Elder look back, in respect
to king and country, with an approving conscience.
Even in respect to that, wherein was the offend
ing point — that, where men. Christian men,
thought, judged, and acted differently, in respect
to obedience to sovereign authority enforcing by
arbitrary will a certain church order and cere
mony — even in this (whatever different minds
might judge to be right or wrong), he Avould feel
that himself had quietly submitted to the penal
ties ; acting with no ill will to his sovereign, but
with faithfulness to his God.*^
But other things than these from the past would
his memory bring up for revicAV. With regrets
had he seen the day when that sovereign, leaving
the Protestant states to struggle for themselves,
and violating his pledges to the Protestant cause,
had negotiated long to unite his son to a princess
of Spain, and finaUy contracted for him a marriage
with a French princess, to bring into his court the
infiuence of an opposite faith, at the same time
neglecting his own Protestant daughter, suffering
her dominion (the Palatinate) to be despoUed, and
that daughter and her children to be driven for
shelter wherever she could find it.
'^ This was the teaching of Luther; it was also the teaching of
Robinson; see his "Just and Necessary Apology."

324 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
He had seen the day when his majesty could
barter away for his own personal use, the treaty
claim upon Holland, left by Elizabeth, of over
£800,000, surrendering ingloriously, for one-third
of that sum, those cautionary towns, and even
that Flushing and its fortresses, of which he
(Brewster) had once held the keys in the service
of the Queen.
He had seen the day Avhen his sovereign had
resorted to the high-handed acts of committing to
the Tower eminent statesmen, like his friend. Sir
Edwin Sandys, for asserting the right of freedom
of debate on matters of state in their places in
Parliament.*^ He had seen the time when the King, in places
lately filled by such able statesmen as Elizabeth
assembled about her, had, from mere humor or
fancy of a fine person, raised suddenly to posts of
highest honor and trust, and endowed with
princely estates the low and the ignorant;*^ coun-
" Parliamentary Records of have in his new position. The
1620-22. archbishop told him he had three
'^ The case of Villiers, entitled lessons to give him: First, to
Buckingham, is a striking illus- pray without ceasing for the
tration. We introduce the inci- king's prosperity, and for grace to
dent as narrated by the historian serve his master faithfully. Se-
Rapin. Raised suddenly by the condly, to labor continually to
King from obscurity to a high preserve a good union between
office of state, with no other quail- the King, Queen, and Prince.
fications than an attractive person. Thirdly, to tell the King nothing
and such qualities as struck the but the truth. Then the bishop
fancy of the sovereign, Villiers caused him to repeat these three
applied to the archbishop (Ab- lessons before him, to see if he
bott) for instruction how to be- retained them. The King, hear-

BRIGHT SPOTS IN JAMES' COURSE. 325
tenancing, also, in his court revolting intermix
tures of profanity, excess, and licentiousness, with
professions of religion.
All this, and far more, equally painful to con
template, had the Elder witnessed in his late sove
reign's course. Again, on the other hand, along
the line of that course he had seen bright spots
(for some bright spots there really were). Among
' ' these he could call to mind that act by Avhich
James yielded to the firm decision of Chief Justice
Coke and his associates, and gave the first bloAV,
which Avas a prelude to the final death blow, to
the illegal power of the High Commission Court.
And yet there had been another act, which shone
conspicuously above all others in the King's life.
At his suggestion, and under his authority, Avas
undertaken and executed, by some of the ablest
scholars in his kingdom, " the authorized transla
tion of the Holy Scriptures into the English lan
guage :" a translation unrivalled in its faithfulness
to the originals, in its majestic dignity yet sim
plicity of style — most Avisely suited to reach the
minds and hearts of the learned and unlearned ;
a Avork that has even done more than all others to
develop the power, scope, and beauty of the En-
' 'gUsh tongue. Of which work, though nearly
250 years have elapsed since its completion, there
ing of this, said the lessons were could afterwards say, he was too
worthy of a bishop. And yet of much of a Puritan for him.
this very bishop King James

326 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
could even now, after all the researches of later
times, be made but few improvements.
Yet, to glance no further at those acts in the
life of James, which evidently, from all the cir
cumstances, and from the volumes in his library,
shared the thoughts and contemplations of the
Elder, we shall allude to but one fact more. It
was the apprehension of still more oppressive mea
sures under the reign of his son. And how fully '
these apprehensions were realized, the history of
Charles the First bears but too abundant testi
mony. Returning again to affairs of immediate concern
in the colony, Ave find them still internally improv
ing. Their grounds, by diligent cultivation, yielded
an encouraging harvest ; and there was some sur
plus with which to trade with the natives. But
in respect to their connection with the adventurers
in London, all was becoming extremely embarrass
ing. Indeed, there was now an approaching crisis.
One year more would end the seven years, when,
according to the original agreement, all that
belonged to the colony would be subject to a
general division and distribution among the share
holders in England as well as themselves. Thus
the lands they had cultivated, the houses they had
built amidst so much suffering, and their whole
stock, might, to a large extent, go into the hands
of others. And, more than all, their name and
character for integrity and honesty, as Christians,
would be called in question, if all claims upon

CRISIS IN THEIR TEMPORAL AFFAIRS. 327
them were not fairly satisfied. It was a matter
which deeply concerned all, governor and people,
the Elder and his church. Determined to show
all fidelity on their part, they sent a special agent,
the Elder's son-in-law, Mr. AUerton, the first
assistant of the governor, to England, with power
and instructions to negotiate, and "make such
composition with the adventurers" as he best could,
and in aU due form, with writings drawn, signed,
and sealed, but subject to their own examination
and approval on his return.*^ Under their own
names and seals, also, they empowered him to ob
tain a loan, with which to purchase the needed
supplies of clothing and goods. In this condition
ends the sixth year of the New Plymouth Colony.^"
'3 Capt. Standish, as agent, had made some beginning in this
matter the year previous.
2° Brad., 208, 210.

CHAPTER XXVIII.'
" The wise and active conquer difficulties,
By daring to attempt them." — Rowe.
It is the spring of 1627. The New Plymouth
colonists have found themselves involved, one and
all, in difficulties differing from all through which
they had hitherto passed. The London Associa
tion, on which they had depended for ' further aid,
was broken up ; the interest and credit of their
own little colony were at stake ; and a pecuniary
crisis was before them. An agent dispatched to
London with powers to bring matters to a settle
ment, and to assume the necessary responsibility,
had with great efforts executed the mission, and
returned. The terms of the settlement were, that the colo
nists pay 1800 pounds sterling, in yearly payments
of 200 pounds each, for nine years. On these
terms they would be released from their former
agreement ; their lands, houses, and all their effects
be secured to themselves. These terms, as favor
able as could have been expected, Avere now at a
general meeting, accepted and ratified.
But who, in their poor condition, would assume

¦ TRYING EMERGENCY; THE WISE EXPEDIENT. 329
the obHgations to meet these payments, and " dis
charge their other engagements, and supply the
yearly wants of the plantation "?"
In this emergency. Governor Bradford, and
Elder Brewster, with some five others, came for-
Avard, and "jointly bound themselves, in behalf of
the rest, for the payments." Great was the risk,
but they shrank not from it.*
And now, having assumed the responsibility,
how, under the circumstances, were the means to
be procured'? All was in an uncertain condition
amongst them. They had other large liabilities ;
and with great difficulty had they been able to
meet their daily expenditures.
Yet these tried pilgrims were equal to the task.^
Put to the test, they devise the plan, not by tax,
not by forced labor, which, as far as it had been
tried, had failed , but by a plan laid deep in the
first elements of man's nature, calculated to bring
into action personal interest and privileges with
the highest public good. It would enlist the hopes
and desires of personal advancement with a sense
of duty, justice, and the nobler emotions, in one
' Mass. Hist. Coll., 1st series, when they were at lowest, they
iii. 46, 47, 48 ; and Bradford, this began to rise again, and being
year. stripped (in a manner) of all hu-
2 Says Bradford, '! To look hu- man helps and hopes, he brought
manly on the state of things as things about, otherwise, in his
they presented themselves, it is a Divine Providence, as they were
marvel.it did not wholly dis- not only upheld and sustained, but
courage and sink them. But they their proceedings were both ho-
gathered up their spirits, and the nored and imitated by others ;" p.
Lord so helped them;, as now 208, &c.

330 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
combined, patient, and zealous effort. By this
plan, the' Governor and Elder, with the few others
mentioned, proposed to receive into partnership
with themselves, all the first colonists, with every
young man of prudence among them, and give to
each a share in all that belonged to the colony,
with the right to each head of a family to purchase
a share for his wife, and one for each child ; also
to divide at once to each shareholder equal portions
of land, with title to his own habitation and im
provements, on condition of his meeting his own
specified share in the responsibility, by certain
portions of the fruits of his industry; the chief
ones in the movement reserving to themselves the
management of the trade of the colony, in order
to meet with its avails, the pledged engagement.
Simple as this plan may appear, it had in it the
simplicity of wisdom. It was received with gene
ral satisfaction, and adopted. Each shareholder
drew by lot his or her portion of land, in addition
to the homestead and smaU allotment before
granted. Each drew also his share in the pre
ciously valued domestic cattle in the colony.^
Under this arrangement the colonists passed
from a state of dejection and fear to one of en
couragement and hope. Fresh energies were
awakened, new personal interests were enlisted,
^ The number of acres now al- according to the currency of that
lowed was twenty each ; the num- time, compared to the present,
ber of shareholders was 156. The about $160.
value of a certain red cow was,

HAPPY RESULTS; MEMORIAL OF MRS. B. 331
each went to his field of labor with the prospect,
in due time, of an unencumbered home ; the forests
gave Avay, the growing corn succeeded, Avhile new
channels for trade were opened, and ere long the
happiest results crowned their united efforts.*
But we pass fi-om this community of action and
interest, in which the Elder had a twofold share,
to an intervening occurrence in his own family.
From the list of the names of all of the colonists
liAdng to whom grants of land were now made,
Mrs. Brewster's name is missing.^ She had died,
then, before this date. Hoav long before (though
since the arrival of her daughters) we knoAV not.
Yet, though no record gives the date, and no stone
marks the place of deposit of her earthly remains,
she lives in the remembrance of her descendants
as a Christian mother, and the revered companion
of the Pilgrim Elder — as one of the faithful band,
who, from a home of plenty in England, accom
panied her husband through all the self-sacrificing
trials of the twelve years in Holland, the perils of
the sea, and the still sorer trials of this new colony.
At length, after having nurtured a worthy family,
with enfeebled health, her spirit departed from this
to a better world, leaving the Elder to finish singly
his still longer pilgrimage on earth in the further
service of his people and their God, Peace be to
thy ashes, mother! and aU due regard to thy
* See Bradford, 217 ; Prince, ^ See the list in Hazzard, and
161, 166, Baylie's, i. 262.

332 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
memory! will every descendant of thine say.
Though we have not seen thee, or the place of
thy sepulture, may we meet thee in joy at the
resurrection morn.
Early in this year came messengers and letters
from the governor of the Dutch plantation, signed
by Isaac De Rasieres, Secretary.
Some four years before this date, and some three
years after the arrival of the pilgrim company, the
Dutch from Amsterdam and other parts of Holland,
had commenced a settlement at the mouth of the
river Hudson, and called it New Amsterdam, after
the chief city of their own country.^
Our Plymouth people had heard of them by
Avay of the Indians, but could never meet with
them, or in any other way learn anything from
them until the present time.
But now had come congratulatory letters, in
French and Dutch, with a friendly deputation, and
kind tokens of regard, fi'om their governor and
council, proposing amicable intercourse and trade.
These were answered in Dutch, in accordance with
the same fr-iendly spirit, with all due acknowledg
ments, and also with expressions of grateful re
membrance of the years when many of themselves
had received good and courteous treatment from
their coilntrymen in Holland ; " for which," says
the answer, "we, and our children after us, are
* The regular settlement at New said to have been in 1623, though
Amsterdam (after its capture by the Dutch had carried on trade in
the English named New York) is those parts some years earlier.

TRADE AND TRADING POSTS. 333
bound to be thankful to your nation, and shall
never forget the same, but shaU heartily desire
your good and prosperity, as our oAvn, forever."^
As the governor, with some fevi^ others, among
Avhom was the Elder, became pledged for the pay
ment of the debts, they became doubly interested
in the trade of the colony. By that trade chiefly,
in connection with any accruing produce of their
lands, were the pledged payments to be met.
Accordingly, for the conducting of that trade,
Avhile most of the people who Avere noAV partners
ill the new compact were engaged in planting, tAvo
prominent trading posts were established. One of
these Avas at Manomet, called also Aptuxcet, some
twenty miles south of Plymouth. Here, on a
small but navigable stream of the same name, was
the singularly favorable point where coasting
vessels, coming from the Sound of Long Island,
New Amsterdam (afterwards New York), and the
Southern Colony, and passing up the Buzzard's
Bay, could flnd a landing place nearest to the
waters of Cape Cod Bay, Over this neck of land,
called the Suez of New England,^ Avas a land
carriage of only about six and a half miles.
Thus, in the transportation of all their light
articles of traffic, was avoided the far longer and
more dangerous passage around that singularly
' Brad., 222(»225. See the Let- ^ Russell's Plymouth, and in
ters, also, in the Mass. Hist. Col., Young, 305.
iii. 51, 53, dated March 19 (N. S.)
and August 14, 1627.

334 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
formed peninsula of Malabar and Cape Cod.^
Here, at Manomet, then, in the wilds of the
Indian country, Avith the Indian village near at
hand, and the seat of a sagamore on the adjacent
hill, they built their hewn plank trading-house
and their coasting " Barque," placing there men to
plant and trade in peace, to the mutual benefit of
themselves and the native Indians,
There, too, -was first made known to them,
shortly after, that noAV medium of trade in place
of money, the noted " Sewan" or " Wampum,"*"
Avhich proved to be especially beneficial, " It Avas
not profitable at first," says Bradford, " till the in
land Indians came to know it ; and then we could
scarce procure enough for many years together,"
" Strange it is to see the great alteration it in a
foAV years makes among the savages ; for the Mas
sachusetts, and others in those parts, had scarce
any, it being -only made and kept among the
Pequots and Narragansetts, who grew rich and
^ Brad., 221, and in Young, centre, to be strung like beads.
306-7, and notes ; and Mass. Hist. The purple was of twice the value
Coll., viii. 122, 123. of the white. A fathom of this
'" This Sewan, Wampum, or stringed money was valued at
Wampumpeague, as a kind of about five shillings. Three pur-
Indian money, was made of the pie shells or six white ones
beautifully polished portions of passed for an English penny. Of
the shell of the small clam, called the like material were made some
quahog ; some say also of the peri- of the most valuable ornaments of
winkles. It was both of the pur- the natives. — Mass. Hist. Coll., i.
pie and the white shell, of con ve- 152, iii. 54, 231 ;' Thatcher, 70;
nient size, and graceful shape, Young, 305-7.
with a drilled opening in the

WAMPUM, OR INDIAN MONEY, 335
potent by it ; whereas the rest who use it not are
poor and beggarly,"^* A striking evidence surely,
from an eye witness, how greatly a circulating
medium, be it what it may, promotes industry,
improvement, and prosperity.
Thus, and at this place, were the beginnings of
New England's commerce. Here, the very ground
on which stood the pilgrims' first trading-house,
can noAV be pointed out. On it may the traveller
pause and reflect how things then were! how
they now are ! Now, on Avhat sea, to what coast
of the habitable globe, have not their descendants
carried the products of their soil and industry,
outstripping all other nations, with only England
as a rival 1
But there was also another trading post estab
lished nearly at the same time, some tAvo hundred
mUes northeasterly from Plymouth, on the River
Kennebec ; hence the name of the place, Kennebec.
From it was easy access to the natives far into the
interior, as weU as to the fishermen on the coast.
Here had previously been some profitable trade ;
but now, having obtained from England chartered
privileges, they erected their trading-house, and
stationed men, as at Manomet ; and here, with the
surplus maize now raised in the colony, and with
other commodities, and the use of wampum for
money, were exchanges made for furs, skins, and
other valuables ; and all equally advantageous to
" Bradford, 234.

336 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
themselves and the native Indians, especially those
of the interior.*^
Now, also, Avas there still another undertaking —
the assuming of an additional responsibility. Fami-
lies, and parts of families, of their friends were
yet in Holland, pleading and despondingly waiting
to come to them. The governor and some chief
friends, with the Elder, seriously considered the
matter, " not only how they might discharge the
great engagements which already lay heavily upon
them, but also how they might, if possible, devise
means to help over some of those friends and
brethren of Leyden." The matter being anxi
ously weighed, these men (knowing of no other
way) resolved to run the risk of "hiring the trade
of the colony for six years;" undertaking to pay,
in that time, the eighteen hundred pounds, and
the remaining debts of the plantation, amouiiting
to six hundred pounds more; keeping in mind
their purpose, as they informed some few of their
friends, of providing also for the coming of those
friends from Leyden ; and then to restore the
trade again to the company as the term should
expire. To the main resolution, laid before a
general meeting and discussed, consent was given,
and articles of agreement were signed. With in
creased energy these men, quaintly called in the
agreement, "undertakers," carried their purpose
into effect. And in time, by patient perseverance
" Bradford, 233 ; Thatcher, 70, 72.

UNEXAMPLED EVIDENCES OF ATTACHMENT. 337
through all difficulties, by self-denial, and Avith
some assistance from England, the whole Avas
effected.*^ The result was, that in the time, not
only was the amount of the first obligations, £2400,
discharged, but over £2600 more were expended
in removing their brethren thither — a proof of
strength of attachment, and of faithfulness to each
other, unexampled in the annals of any people.**
We have already noticed the opening of a cor
respondence with them, and the commencement of
friendly intercourse for purposes of trade, by the
Dutch colony at New Amsterdam.
On the 4th of October of the present year, came
another letter from the secretary, De Rasieres, in
forming the governor of his arrival in the barque
Nassau, at Frenchman's Point, on the head- waters
of Buzzard's Bay, near the Plymouth colony's trad
ing station at Manomet. Sent for at his request
by the colony boat, he arrived in her at Plymouth,
"with sound of trumpets," and honorably at--
tended. Appropriately received and entertained
for some days, he, with a skilful eye and master's
hand, draws up, by way of report, a description of
" "The chiefs of the colony £1800
(says Baylies), almost deprived 600
themselves of the common neces- 1400
saries of life to get their brethren 550
over, and to support them until 500
they were able to support them- 200
selves." » The various sums found men- £5050 paid in these six years,
tioned in Prince, are— (pages 168, besides £50 a year for company
192, 201)— clothing.
22

338 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
the location, the circumstances, prospects, and in
stitutions, civil and religious, of the pilgrim colony.
This report, unknown to our colonists, but made
at the time by this intelligent and unbiassed
foreigner, and lately brought to light from the
archives at the Hague, has furnished valuable
items in their history, nowhere else to be found.
" New Plymouth (says he) is on a large bay to
the north of Cape Cod, or Mallabear, west from
the north point of the cape, which can be easily
seen in clear weather. Directly before the com
menced town lies a sand bank, about twenty paces
broad, whereon the sea breaks violently with an
easterly or northeasterly wind. On the north side
lies a small island, where one must run close along
in order to come before the town ; the ships run
ning behind that bank, lie in a very good road
stead," " At the south of the town flows a small
river of fresh water, very rapid, but shaUow, taking
its rise from several lakes in the land above.
Where it empties into the sea, there come so many
herring, in April and the beginning of May, as is
quite surprising."
" The fish (caught in a singular manner) each
man takes according to the land he cultivates, and
deposits three or four in each hill, where he plants
his maize, Avhich grows therein luxuriantly; if
they lay not fish therein, the maize will not grow, ,
such is the nature of the soil."
" Their farms are not as good as ours, because
they are more stony, and consequently not so

DE raisiere's report. 339
suitable for the plough. But they have better
means of living than ourselves," " They apportion
their land according as each has means to con
tribute to the 18,000 guUders promised to those
who sent them out ; whereby they have their free
dom Avithout rendering an account to any one ;
only if the King should choose to send a governor
general, they would be obliged to acknoAvledge
him sovereign chief"
" Respecting trade, and payments from the pro
duce of their fields (he continues), the maize Avhich
they do not require for their own use,*^ is delivered
to the governor at three guilders (6 sliilHngs) the
bushel, who, in his turn, sends it in sloops to the
north, for the trade in skins amongst the savages;
reckoning one bushel of maize against one pound
of beaver skins." " When division is made ac
cording to what each has contributed, they are
credited for the amount yearly towards the reduc
tion of their obligation. With the remainder,
they purchase what next they require, and which
the governor takes care to provide every year."
" The tribes (of Indians) in their neighborhood
are better conducted than ours, because the English
give them the examiale of better ordinances, and a
better Ufe ; and who also, to a certain degree, give
them laws, by means of the respect which they
" "All the while, this people means to grind by the help of
were (still) forced to pound their wind or water. — Hubbard, Mass..
corn in mortars ;" not having Hist. Coll., ii. v. 99.

340 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
from the very first have established amongst
them."*« " Their government is after the English form.
The governor has his council, which is chosen
every year by the entire community, by election or
prolongation of term. In the inheritance they
place aU the children in one degree, only the eldest
son has an acknowledgment for his seniority of
birth." " They have stringent laws and ordinances in
respect to violation of the marriage vow, and the
like, which laws they enforce very strictly indeed,
even among the tribes that live amongst them."
" The town itself, of New Plymouth, lies on the
slope of a hill, stretching east towards the sea,
with a broad street about a cannon's shot (800
yards) long leading down the hill ; with a (street)
crossing in the middle northAvards to the rivulet,
and southwards to the land. The houses are con
structed of hewn planks, with gardens inclosed
behind, and at the sides with hewn planks, so that
their houses and courtyards are arranged in very
good order; with a stockade, against a sudden
attack ; and, at the ends of the streets, are three
wooden gates. In the centre^jon the cross street,
stands the governor's house, before which is a
square inclosure, upon which four 'patereros' are
mounted, so as to flank along the streets."

'S "Even to this day," says Hub- bounds of Plymouth colony." —
bard, "the hopefullest company of Mass. Hist. Coll., ii. v. 98-
.Christian Indians live within the

THE BURIAL HiLL.
riyxQoiitt .

MANNER OF ASSEMBLING FOR WORSHIP. 341
But the part of De Rasieres' description most
material to our purpose, relates to their place of
Avorship, and the order of their assembling ; bear
ing in mind that the minister mentioned Avas
Elder Brewster, and that this Avas the order of
things tAvice on the Sabbath.
" Upon the hUl they have a large square house,
with a flat roof, made of thick, saAvn planks, stayed
Avith oak beams, upon the top of Avhich they have
six cannons, which shoot iron balls of four and
flve pounds, and command the surrounding coun
try. The loAver part they use for their church,
Avhere they preach on Sundays, an-d the usual
holidays. " They assemble by beat of drum, each with his
musket or firelock, in front of the captain's door;
they have their cloaks on, and place themselves in
order three abreast, and are led by a sergeant
without beat of drum. Behind comes the goA^ern-
or, in a long robe ; beside him, on the right hand,
comes the preacher, with his cloak on, and on the
left hand, the captain, with his side arms and cloak,
and with a small cane in his hand ; and thus they
march in good order, and each sets his arms doAvn
near him. Thus they enter their place of worship,
constantly on their guard, night and day,"
Thus wrote " Isaack De Rasieres,"*'' messenger
" De Rasieres is said to have settled in Guilderland, on the
been a descendant of French Pro- river Waal, and hence they were
testant ancestry, who had fled called Walloons. He came on
from persecution in France, and from Holland the year before to

342

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,

and secretary of the colony of New Amsterdam — a
wise observer and reporter of what he saw and
heard at Noav Plymouth : — an account more spe
cific in some particulars, than is anywhere else to
be found on record.

New Netherlands, and on his ar
rival had become chief commissary,
next in rank to the governor, and
secretary of that colony. Soon
after his return from Plymouth,
owing to certain factions, he re
turned to Holland, and addressed
this communication to one of the
leading directors of the Dutch

West India Company, S. Blom-
maert. It found its way into the
royal library at the Hague, where
it was lately discovered, and was
soon translated and published in
the New York Hist. Soo. Coll., vol.
i., new series, p. 357, &c. The
preacher mentioned was Elder
Brewster.

CHAPTER XXIX.
I hear the tread of pioneers,
Of nations yet to be.
The first low wash of waves where soon
Shall roll a human sea. — Whittiek.
Passing on through the year 1628 into that of
1629, we find the Elder all along performing ably
and constantly all the duties of his position, " be
loved and honored among the people, taking great
pains in teaching and dispensing the Divine
Word,"* Their active counsellor, and one of the
chief in all that concerned their civil and temporal
interests, he yet manifested no cessation of effort
on account of advancing years.
Near the beginning of July (1629), there came
incidentally to New Plymouth one Mr. Ralph
Smith, a clergyman, lately from England. Elder
Brewster, always declining to be any other than
their Elder, and Mr. Smith, being a " grave man,"
and an accredited minister, was kindly entertained,
and chosen, after some trial, to be their Pastor.^
This connection, bringing some relief to the
Elder, continued for about six years. But Mr.
• Bradford, 256. ' Bradford, 263.

344 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Smith proving (to use the words of Cotton), " to
be, though a grave man, yet of Ioav gifts and
parts," the Elder, as a far abler man, would still
be often caUed upon to expound the Scriptures,
as well as rule in their church, as before. Having
an ordained Pastor, however, they could now have
the Christian ordinances.
Elder Brewster, relieved in part from his long
accustomed labors, could now arrange more effect
ively his private concerns, and more deliberately
mark occurrences outside of the little colony.
Other colonies there were which had attracted, or
were noAV to attract, special attention.
We pause not here to inquire Avhat may long
before have been his thoughts respecting the colo
nies of South America, near to which some of
their own company had once advocated their re
moval, where golden fruits and golden mines had
attracted a world-wide notice. Nor would we
stop to inquire what may have been his and his
people's views respecting the French settlements
in Canada, stretching far into the interior, shut
ting in, as it were, the prospects of the English
on this continent, , There were other nearer, and,
in some respects, kindred colonies; one, long since
commenced, others now about to be commenced,
the success or failure of which was a matter of
deep interest. Of the Dutch colony we have
already had a passing notice.
Respecting the colonizing spirit of his own
nation, he could look back to the times of Eliza-

OTHER COLONIES; VIRGINIA. 345
beth, when such bold spirits as Sir Walter
Raleigh, and afterwards the far-famed Capt.
Smith, for love of adventure and fame, went forth
to explore, and plant the English standard in
parts unknown. Others, too, had gone forth in
pursuit of wealth, a larger number still, to re
trieve broken fortunes, and some to be chiefs or
leaders in new enterprises. Yet all these latter
attempts to colonize, though sustained by Avealth
and power, and some by men of ablest talents, all
these, with one exception, had BroAvster seen
come to a miserable end.
Respecting this one, it Avas in the very year
when himself and pilgrim band were leaving Eng
land, exiles for their own church system, that
men were on their way, chiefly for adventure, to
plant themselves on the shores of Virginia, sup
ported by one of the most powerful companies of
the time in England. But of their failures, suf
ferings, and almost entire extirpation by savage
foes, and by their own recklessness ; of their times
of despair, and revived hopes, and preservation by
fresh aid and large additions, Ave speak not further
than to state again that, while the Virginia colo
nists were afterwards suffering most, the pilgrim
company were also enduring the greatest priva
tions. While the former became fltted to their
more southerly location, the other, tried and
inured to hardship, and cemented together by the
strongest bond that earth can witness, became
fitted to be the pioneers on the stern shores of
New England,

346 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER,
Connected with that Virginia company, and
one of its chief promoters, and most earnest in
making it the means of advancing the cause of
religion, was Sir Edwin Sandys; at the same
time, he showed himself the warm friend of the
Elder, exerting himself to promote his and his
people's purposes in their removal and settlement,^
In Virginia, also, for a time, was George
Sandys, the worthy brother of Sir Edwin, and
doubtless an acquaintance of Brewster, an active
and laborious agent for that colony. Being an ac
complished man of letters, he, in the year of King
James' death, and of the accession of the first
Charles, after devoting " the days to his majesty's
service," wrote the first English poem in the New
World, In other words, he translated the Meta
morphoses of Ovid into English verse ; a work of
merit, though he modestly termed it " the sweet-
tongued Ovid's counterfeit." In its dedication to
his king, he offers it as a production " lim'd by
that unperfect light, which was snatched from the
hours of night and repose ;" " for the day was not
mine," says he ; "a double stranger (it is) sprung
from the stock of the ancient Romans, but bred in
the New World, of the rudeness whereof it cannot
but participate, especially having wars and tumults
to bring it to light, instead of the Muses,"*
" Gr. Chalmer's Annals of Vir- in the invaluable collection of
ginia, and our preceding state- Peter Force, Esq., of Washington
ments. City ; a collection nowhere equal-
' First edition, London, 1626 ; led, it is believed, in all that per-

INTEREST FELT IN THE VIRGINIA COLONY, 347
Nearly at the same time was there another
person, named Brewster, of some note in the Vir
ginia colony, whether a relative or acquaintance
of the Elder, we know not. Cavalierly treated,
however, by the acting governor, and by the
power of martial law in time of peace, it required
an appeal to the council in England to extricate
him from a fatal dilemma. To this end returning
to England, he appears not again to have visited the
shores of that colony.
Without even glancing at the history of this
settlement, it is sufficient here to remark, that
between it and New Plymouth there was early
and frequent intercourse ; ships on the coast Avere
passing and repassing;^ while the success of the
Plymouth people appears finally to have given no
small encouragement to those in Virginia, When
dangers threatened, or calamities befell the one, as
in the great massacre of 1622, there was great
sympathy felt, if there could not be direct aid, by
their northern neighbors. Nor was sympathy all.
Between them, as colonies of the same nation and
blood, enduring similar trials, many were the acts
of kindness, not hindered by the fact that in
church organization and order the one was con
nected with the Church of England, from which
the other had separated,®
tains to the first colonial settle- " Chalmers, 38.
ments of North America down to ^ Brad., 123-5, 151-154, 218-
the time of the American Revolu- 219.
tion.

248 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
But there were noAv beginnings of other colo
nies nearer home, and still nearer in habits of
thought, in which the Elder and Plymouth people
felt a peculiar interest.
Growing agitations in England, on subjects and
rites, civil and religious, were the moving causes.
Charles , the First, and those who acted with him,
had now determined on enforcing conformity more
rigidly, systematically, and indiscriminately, than
had ever been done before. Consequently, many
ministers, and among them not a few learned and
able men, who had been suspended and oppressed
for non-conformity, were, with their people who
thought Avith them, disposed to leave their country,
and find liberty in other lands.
Added to this, was the increasingly bitter con
flict between King and Parliament, now agitating
the nation. The lines of division, which had some
beginning in the days of Elizabeth, but had become
still more distinctly marked in the late reign of
James, were now assuming a threatening aspect.
The agitation was beginning to reach the heart of
the nation. The opposing elements Avere diversely
combining and mustering their forces. On the
one side was the King, vacillating, at one time
claiming and exercising above all law, the highest
stretch of arbitrary power, at another time yield
ing, and then forfeiting his word. With him were
the court Avith courtly advisers civil and ecclesias
tical, and the hitherto larger, but noAV lessening
portion of the nation. On the other side was the

CAUSES OF EMIGRATION TO NEW ENGLAND. 319
Parliament, with a daily increasing portion of the
people, petitioning for, and finally demanding con
cessions, and defined limitations of the royal pre
rogatives. In the conflict, argument met argument; will
met will ; the strongest passions were moved ; the
long gathering storm Avas seen slowly rising;
thoughtful men were becoming fearful ; the war
ring elements, it was believed, must soon meet;
and if so, terrible must be the contest. In this
state of things it was, that many were disposed to
escape, while they could, from the coming struggle:
some to the continent, others to the far off wilds
of the west. If from the causes first mentioned
resulted the settlement of Virginia, from the latter
combination of causes were planted additional
colonies in New England.^
In these additional settlements, of which Massa
chusetts was the principal, a deep interest was felt
by that at Plymouth. With its chief rulers and
ministers, as well as many of its people, was Elder
Brewster noAV brought into acquaintance and cor
respondence. And even earlier than this, it would seem, had
he become personally interested in another settle
ment farther north, the germ of New Hampshire,
at Portsmouth.
' See the period, Charles the opinions, chiefly, that first peopled
First, Pictorial History of Eng. New England."
" It was the concussion of religious

350

LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.

In this year (1629), is the name of Wrestling
Brewster found in Portsmouth, and there soon after
settled with a family. It has been stated by various
writers that the Elder's son, of this name, died
young — " died in his youth" — " died without a
family." How, indeed, he could have removed
thither, and become located, and' there left a family,
and no writer had knowledge of it, we are unable
to explain; but facts, of late brought to light,
seem to show that such may have been the case.^

^ The statements and facts are
these : Governor Bradford, in the
Appendix of his History, page 451,
speaking of Elder Brewster's
family (those that had died, and
those that were living in 1650),
has this brief statement : " His
son Wrestling died a young man,
unmarried." Subsequent writers,
in varied language, have said the
same. He was numbered in the
Elder's family, at Plymouth, on
the division of cattle, in 1627.
That he died young is admitted ;
but in relation to his dying un
married, other facts prove, either
that the governor was here mis
taken, or that there was another
person, of the same name, about
the same age, in this country at
the same time. The proofs of this
are : —
1st. A deed of land in Ports
mouth, New Hampshire, commenc
ing in the words following : " Ports
mouth, sixth day of December,
Anno Domini one thousand six
hundred twenty and nine, and in

the highly favored fifth year of
the raigne of our soveraign Lord
Charles the first, King of England,
and Scotland, and France, and
Ireland, and defender of the faith,
&c. &c.," (by which) "Joseph and
Hannah S. Pendleton" (convey to)
" Wrestling Brewster eighty acres
of land, for £8, adjoining to land
previously belonging to said
Wrestling." These lands have descended by
inheritance in the Brewster family
in Portsmouth, who claim to be
descendants of this Wrestling
Brewster, until within the memory
of the present generation.
2d. There are parts of a family
record, still preserved, showing
that said Wrestling Brewster was
married, in 1630, to Emla Story;
that they had a sou, John Brew
ster, born Jan. 20th, 1631, and a
daughter, born May 3d, 1636, and
named Love Lucretia (the names
of the Elder's second son. Love, and
of his eldest son's wife, Lucretia)
— a most significant fact surely.

WRESTLING BREWSTER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. 351

3d. There have been preserved,
among the old papers belonging
to said family, bills, receipts, and
accounts, relating to this Wrestling
Brewster's transactions in busi
ness. All these documents and papers
are in the possession of Dr. George
Gaines Brewster, of Portsmouth,
New Hampshire, from whom the
author obtained the use of such as
pertained to the present purpose.
With the evidence before us,
the writer is inclined to the opi
nion that Wrestling Brewster of

the pilgrim company and the
Wrestling Brewster of Portsmouth,
N. H.,were the same person; and
that his removal to that place, and
marriage there, were in some way
unknown to the governor. That,
dying soon after the year 1636,
and having received all the patri
mony that would come to him, as
was the case with the Elder's
daughters and their children, no
notice would be taken of him or
his in the settlement of the Elder's
estate. See also note 4, on page 38.

CHAPTER XXX,
" The axe rang sharply 'mid these forest shades.
Which from creation toward the sky had tower'd
In unshorn beauty." — Mks. Sigodknet.
From the date in the last chapter to the begin
ning of the year 1632, no marked occurrence
appears in the Elder's life, requiring particular
notice. His studies, duties, and labors were evi
dently continued with unabated efficiency as last
mentioned. The body of the colonists were likewise pursuing
their onward course, laboriously, but improvingly;
Avhile the chief ones, who had assumed the heavy
indebtedness of the whole undertaking, were ex
tricating themselves from embarrassment, and
meeting their liabUities, though suffering heavy
losses, by some of their unfaithful agents,*
But in this year (1632) were the increase and
prosperity greater than in any former year. Many,
desiring to escape from the increasing troubles in
England, and encouraged by the success that was
beginning to attend the emigrating enterprise,
were now arriving in this and the neighboring
' Bradford, 284, 290,

ENLARGEMENT OF THE PILGRIM COLONY, 353
colony. Consequently, the products of their fields
were noAv in increasing demand ; their cattle had
a ready sale at high prices; goods from abroad
became more plentiful ; more lands were required
for cultivation. The town, in which they had thus
far lived compactly,. could no longer contain them
Avith their new additions. Fears of the savage
natives in their vicinity had diminished. The
more enterprising now penetrated the surrounding
forests, seeking out new locations, and more en
larged farms.^ There were, indeed, some occur
rences unfavorable to the first settlement, particu
larly the removal of many in order to secure better
lands. Across the harbor, on the north side of the
Plymouth Bay, and in fair sight of their first homes,
Avas commenced the next principal settlement.
There, bordering on the bay, and nearest towards
Plymouth, were the lands allotted to the brave
Captain Miles Standish, including what is called
"Captain's HiU" (a place of no Httle interest).
This new town received the name of Duxbury,
doubtless from the town of the same name, the
seat of the captain's connections in England.
Adjoining the captain's land northerly, and
bordering on the Bay of Duxbury, including what
from that day to this has been caUed ".the Nook,"
lay the farm aUotted to their venerable Elder
Brewster. Bordering upon his, Avas that of his
2 Bradford, 302, 303 ; also, Mass. Historic Collection, iii. 7 ; and AVin-
sor's Duxbury. 23

354 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
eldest son, Jonathan. Here, on his own allotted
acres, could the Elder Avith his other son, be often
seen aiding in the labors of clearing away the
forests, perhaps never before cleared since their
first growth, after the earth's creation.
Here was erected a new dwelling for himself, in
his widower state, and his son Love ; and here,
also, as in the first and older settlement, as his
other duties would permit, would he aid in plant
ing their newly cleared fields. Most favorable
for this purpose was the location, proving to be
on lands among the best in the colony.*
In this growing settlement, too far distant for
constant attendance upon public worship at Ply
mouth, was soon organized, though with many
objections and hindrances, another church of the
same order. Of this church also, it appears Brew
ster became, as in Plymouth, the ruling elder.*
Thus, while attending to family and other duties,
as an active pioneer in the New World, was he
continuing his accustomed duties as the only ruling
elder of the colony.
And clear evidence is there, that though advanc
ing in years, no small portion of his time was
' Mass. Hist. Coll., 2d series, land, presented it to the wife of
vol. vii. Appendix, pp. 74-5. the author.
Some years ago was found in the Who were the Elder's indented
.garden of this farm, a small silver servants, we know not ; but in the
spoon, bearing the initials "I. B." year 1636, we find his record:
Being valued as an ancient relic " Sold to Jonathan Brewster, as
¦of the Brewster name, Mr. M. servant, J. Bundy, for five years."
£oule, the present owner of the * Winsor's Duxbury.

GOVERNOR winthrop's visit; SACRAMENT. 355
devoted to reading and study, as well as to medi
tation and devotion. His principal residence Avas
yet in Plymouth.
We now turn to another incident of which we
have particular record. In a former chapter, on
the visit of De Rasieres, the secretary of the
Dutch colony to New Plymouth, we had a view of
the assembling of the pilgrim congregation on the
Sabbath morning, and their marching in order to
their place of worship on Fort Hill. We now
have an opportunity to take an observation within
(probably in the same place), and to notice some
particulars of their mode of teaching, and order
of worship.
It was on the occasion of a visit from the gover
nor of the Massachusetts colony to the governor
and chief men of the Plymouth colony ; and the
account of it is from Governor Winthrop himself.
"On Thursday, October 25th, 1632, came
Governor AVinthrop, with Mr. WUson, pastor of
Boston, and other friends, to Plymouth. Governor
Bradford, with WUHam Brewster, their ruHng
elder, and some others, came forth to meet us
without the town." " They conducted us to the
governor's house, where we are entertained to
gether, and are feasted each day at several houses."
" On the Lord's day Avas the Sacrament, in which
we partook.' In the afternoon, Mr. Roger Wil
liams proposes a question ; Mr, Smith, their pas
tor, speaks briefly -upon it; and then Mr. WiUiams
prophesies (that is, explains); afterwards, the

356 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
governor of Plymouth (who had studied the He
brew and antiquities), speaks, on the question,"
" After him. Elder Brewster (a man of learning)
speaks; then tAvo or three of the congregation."
" Then the Elder desires Governor Winthrop and
Mr. Wilson to speak on the same, which they did.*
This ended, the deacon, Mr. Fuller,® puts the con
gregation in mind of the duty of contributing for
the poor, and the support of public worship, when
the governor, and all the others, go to the deacon's
seat, deposit their gifts, and return. After which,
the exercises are brought to a close. "^
The peculiarity in this public speaking, one
after another, by members of their church, says
Prince, " they had from Mr. Robinson, their for
mer pastor, in Leyden, founded on the primitive
practice of the church at Corinth, according to St.
Paul. But, growing in knowledge, and, I suppose
(says he), in the apprehension that such a practice
was peculiarly accommodated to the age of inspi
ration, to which they never pretended, they after
wards gradually lay it aside."
Should it seem to be entering into particulars
too minutely to introduce here those apparently
small matters, and some others that may follow,
the remark may be met by that maxim, worthy of
being kept in mind : " That small things in the
beginnings of communities, civil or ecclesiastical,
^ Alluding to Acts xiii. 14, 15. ' Prince, Mass. Hist. Coll., 2d
^ Mr. Fuller was the physician series, vol. 7th, appen., 70, "71.
of the colony.

SMALL THINGS IMPORTANT; FRENCH INTRUSION. 357
are of far higher importance, and more worthy of
note, having more influence in after times, than far
greater matters, when a people or nation has be
come established." What the influence of prece
dent is in legislation, such is the influence of even
small acts or habits adopted in the origin of a
people. They often form the peculiarities or
habits in after generations, even when the origin
of them has been forgotten, or the original prac
tice has been discontinued.
While the chief men of the older and of the
younger colony were thus cultivating friendly
feelings and relations, and consulting on matters
of deep interest to them both, events were trans
piring on 'their northern borders, in England, and
on the continent, causing many anxious thoughts
and fears.
On their northern borders, the king and court
of England had, by a late treaty with France,
given up to that power the Canadas, including
also Nova Scotia, Port Royal, and Cape Breton.
These portions of the New World, most valuable
for trade, fisheries, and naval stores, were thus
yielded up, merely to settle the question respect
ing one-half of the queen's dowry.
One of the sad fruits of these proceedings to the
Plymouth people, was the treacherous robbery of
their trading post at Penobscot. Under pretence
of distress, and for repairs, a French vessel put in
at that place. Finding that the chief men of the
post were absent, and only three or four servant

358 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
men left in charge, the Frenchmen, violating all
the principles of hospitality, with the greatest ap
parent politeness, commenced by admiring the
arms, and the manner in which they were arranged,
asking if they were loaded ; then, taking them
down from their places, they threatened death to the
abashed servants if they resisted, and compelled
them to help to carry on board the vessel the goods,'
beaver, and stores, amounting to 500 pounds ster
ling ; and then left with a taunting message for
the Plymouth owners, among whom was the Elder.
To all of them it Avas a sore loss and hindrance in
payment of their assumed responsibilities.^
Turning to England, the agitating and absorbing
theme still was, the contest between the King and
royalist party on the one side, and the Parlia
ment and their supporters on the other. In this
contest, the minds of all were becoming more and
more involved, and the opposite parties more and
more alienated. Prejudices and passions on both
sides arousing the strongest elements of man's
nature, caused some to gird themselves the more
resolutely for the contest, and others to escape
from it to the noAv colonies, to build new states ;
notwithstanding the efforts of the government to
prevent it. Many, therefore, were the hopes and
fears, of the effects on the new settlements.
On the continent, especially in Germany, and
even to the borders of Holland, under the protec-
* Mass. Hist. Coll., 2d series, vii. Appen. 62 ; connected with the
general history of the times.

SYMPATHIES WITH OCCURRENCES IN EUROPE. 359
tion of which the pilgrim band had passed so many
years, and where yet were not a few of their dear
friends, had ruthless wars against human rights,
liberty of conscience, and of the Protestant cause,
been again raging Avith overwhelming power and
awful cruelties.
Again, and avoAvedly, had it been the purpose of
the Emperor, Ferdinand II. , and his general- in-
chief. Count Tilly, as it before had been that of
Philip IL, of Spain, to exterminate the Protestant
power, drive its adherents from the continent, or
force them to renounce their faith.
In their distressed and weakened state, Gustavus
Adolphus had come forth from Sweden, with his
small but heroic army, to their rescue. With a
rapidity almost incredible, he had met and routed,
in battle after battle, the Emperor's veteran forces,
and their great commander ; until he had restored
nearly the whole of Central Germany to their
rights, and liberty to worship God, whether Catho
lics or Protestants, in the way which they should
choose. He was hailed everywhere by the Pro
testants, as, under the Divine Hand, the great
deliverer of their country. Thus proceeding, he
proclaimed wherever he came liberty of conscience
and of worship to aU, Catholics and Protestants ;
making no distinction, his maxims being, " Every
one is orthodox who conforms to the laws ;" and
" that to keep men from going to hell Avas not the
calling of princes, but that of the ministers of
religion."

360 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
On taking a Catholic town, to those who would
induce him to treat its burghers with harshness,
his answer was : " I am come to loosen, not to
rivet afresh the fetters of bondage. Let them live
as they have lived heretofore ; I give no new laAvs
to them who know how to live as their religion
teaches."^ Progressing thus, victorious over the
hearts of the people, as over the arms of the enemy,
on the 6th of Nov. of this very year (1632), in the
hour of victory over the mighty Wallenstein, he
fell on the field of battle, sorely lamented all over
Protestant Europe, and even in the new colonies
on the far off shores of New England.
All these victories, as well as the subsequent
reverses, were, to all our colonists, matters, next
to their own, of absorbing interest.*"
While these events, of so much interest to
them, were transpiring in England and in Ger
many, trains were being laid — not only for bring
ing into exercise the controUing poAver of the
king and his ecclesiastical advisers over the colo
nies, but, more than all (and what these colonists
now began to fear) — trains or plans for increas
ing the French power; thus threatening to make
the northern parts of America French instead of
English — as truly French as South America was
Spanish.** ^ Kohlrausch's Hist. Germany, " Of this the records of the
337. time bear full testimony. This
'" This is evident, not only from led to what was here colloquially
the history of the colony, but from called the French war.
the volumes on the subject in the
Elder's library.

BEREAA'EMENT; ROGER AVILLIAMS. 361
Passing on now to the summer of 1633, Ave
come to the next recorded event, personaUy affect
ing the Elder ; it was the death of his daughter.
Fear AUerton, She had been married to Mr,
Isaac Allerton about seven years. Called hence
thus early in life, she left an only son, Isaac Aller
ton, jun., who afterAvards became a resident with
his Grandfather Brewster, and was probably, in
part, fitted by him to enter the college at Cam
bridge, Mass., where he was a graduate in the
year 1650.
We have next to notice an occurrence of some
historical interest, which engaged the particular
attention of the Plymouth church, and brought
out their views on one point in respect to one of
the Christian Sacraments.
It was, to say the least, an unpleasant occur
rence, causing differences of opinion, and no little
agitation of feeling, in the Plymouth company.
Associated for the last two years as teacher
with Mr. Smith, their pastor, was one Mr. Roger
Williams, Avho had begun to advance some opin
ions which they had never entertained, but to
Avhich they had been opposed even while in Hol
land. These were, the extreme of separation fr-om
the Church of England, " pronouncing it sinful to
attend its worship, or have with it any fellowship ;
also renouncing any authority of the magistrates
in matters of church order, and advocating a dif
ferent mode of baptism, and some other minor
points." Finding himself opposed in sentiment

362 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
to the pastor and Elder, and to the greater part of
the people, he asked to be dismissed to the Salem
people, where he had before officiated. The sub
ject became matter of public discussion. He was
a man in many respects highly gifted, zealous,
eloquent, and as such had been recommended
from highly respectable sources in England, but
in some things eccentric, exclusive, and extreme.
As might be expected, some became attached to
him and his views. Asking for a dismission to
Salem, and the matter coming to a public discus
sion in their church, some were in favor of, and
others opposed to, his leaving. The counsel of
Elder Brewster was called for in the emergency,
and given, which was to grant the desired dismis
sion, grounded on the considerations that Mr.
Williams' continuance with them "might cause
divisions, that he might (as he feared would be the
case) run the same course of rigid separation (as it
Avas then called), Anabaptistry, which Mr. John
Smith, the Separatist, of Amsterdam, had done."
And this afterwards came to pass, as the Elder
feared and foresaw. ,
From the great respect for the Elder, and con
fidence in the wisdom of his counsel, the Ply
mouth church consented to Mr. Williams' dismis
sion, and liberty to go to the people of Salem.
This act, with the remark of the Elder, has by
some been censured, but Avith no good reason.
Such censurers forget the maxim, fair, just, and
universally applicable, that every organized body

elder's COUNSEL IN ROGER WILLIAMS' CASE. 363
has the right to dismiss from its connection any who
may cause division, or who may disagree with its
standards. Nor was it uncharitable, in discussing
the subject in their church assembly, to give the
reasons of their action in the case, especially as
the dismission was asked for, and was attended
with no personal injury. He went from them in
peace, with those who chose to go with him. The
consciences of those from whom he differed were
to be as much respected as his who differed from
them. In this, the action of the Plymouth people
appears to have been blameless.
As to the treatment Mr, Williams afterwards
received from the Massachusetts colony, that is
altogether another question, one Avhich we are not
here called upon to discuss. Had the only ques
tion with them been respecting the great principle
of toleration, for which Mr. Williams was a dis
tinguished advocate, and for which his name may
deservedly be held in honorable memory, it would
be easy to vindicate him as being in the right.
But when we take into account his extreme and
exclusive views of separation, his uncharitable
language at this time to those who differed from
him in opinion ; his disrespectful acts, as AveU as
treatment, towards the magistrates of Massachu
setts ; the steps he took to change the rites and
church order of that people, with .whom he was
next associated, the question assumes another as
pect. And Avith this statement we leave the
point at issue — favoring neither extreme.

. CHAPTER XXXI.
"The world is full of meetings such as this,
A thrill, a voiceless challenge and reply.
And sudden partings after." — Willis.
In this year, 1634, were two occurrences in
Elder Brewster's family, presenting a strange con
trast ; yet they are such as do at times meet in
families less numerous than his : a marriage and a
death. The marriage, the last in his family, Avas that of
his second son. Love Brewster, on the 15th of May,
to Miss Sarah CoUier, lately from England. Her
father, Mr. William Collier, had been one of the
company of merchant adventurers, so often men
tioned in these pages. He had not, like some of
that company, engaged in that enterprise solely for
purposes of gain, but from a good motive, and to
promote a good work. Nor had he deserted the
cause in the time of its deep depression and per
plexities. On the contrary, he had continued
steadfast ; and -had only the year before this, come
over and cast in his lot among this people. A
man of wisdom and experience, already had he
been chosen one of the governor's assistants, and

A MARRIAGE AND A DEATH. 365
Avas possessed, probably, of more property than
most others of the colony.* The marriage of his
daughter, with a son of the Elder, appears to have
been satisfactory to both families. On the Elder's
part there was a covenant endowment, or pledge
to the bridal pair, that his house in Duxbury, in
AA'hich they Avere to reside, and one-half of his
estate and lands, should he theirs, after his own de
cease. With such prospects did the young couple
commence the married life.^
The death referred to (and how near it was to the
date of the marriage we cannot say, except that it
Avas soon afterwards) Avas that of his daughter Pa
tience, or Mrs. Prince, the last daughter, and the
last female of the Elder's own family. Already
bereaved of his wife and his other daughter, in the
loss of this only remaining one in the prime of
life, he must have felt a saddening void nothing
earthly could fill. She had been married (in 1624)
to Mr, Prince, who is this present year elected
governor of Plymouth. She now leaves to his care
three children, daughters, under circumstances
deeply affecting to parent and grandparent.* None
but those similarly situated can realize the feelings
of desolation which, even cheerful and resigned as
the Elder usually was, this additional bereavement
' Brad., 308, and note ; Baylies, ^ Prince, Bradford, and Life of
i. 214, and Winsor's Duxbury. Gov. Prince.
2 Court Record of this date, with
that of the settlement of the Elder's
estate.

366 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
must have caused. About this period it appears to
have been, and under the impression of all that he
had passed through in life, and perhaps in reference
to the loss, in their early years, of these endeared
ones, that he wrote across the title-page of one of
the Latin volumes* in his library this sentence,
affixing thereto his name : —
It is the Hebrew, partly translated into Latin, of
a portion of the ¦4th verse of the 144th Psalm,
Englished thus : —
" Man is all vanity ;" and the same is illustrated
in the words that follow, " His days pass away as
a- shadow." Thus bereaved, the Elder's lingering affections,
though greatly weaned from earth, would now
naturally rest more upon his sons, with the one of
whom just married he not long after took up his
residence.^ We have at length arrived at a period in the
life of this venerated man, and in the settlement
of the Plymouth colony, when small matters may
* The Harmonized Commentary " Plymouth Rec. of settlement
on the History of the Four Evan- of his estate ; and Winsor.
gelists, in the library of Yale Col
lege.

ACTIVITY, MENTAL ENERGY, IN ADVANCED AGE. 367
be passed by, as no longer affecting his position or
character. And after mentioning a few additional
transactions, Ave may draw towards the close of our
narrative. He is now in his 74th year, and yet, for years
to come, we find him still in the active perform
ance of his appropriate duties, as the Ruling
Elder at Plymouth and at Duxbury — nay, in the
whole colony. In Duxbury he Hkewise appears
to have been their spiritual teacher, from their first
organization until the calling of their first minister,
in 1637.«
Nor was this all. The dates and subjects of the
volumes in his library, shoAV that, even at this
period of life, his thoughts, reading, and investiga
tions Avere not confined to what related to his offi
cial duties alone. His mind took a wider range.
It acted upon all the various agitating questions
of the time, not only respecting their OAvn colony,
but those around them, and in connection with the
Indian tribes, and respecting changes abroad, that
required corresponding action at home. Hence,
with remarkably robust health, as well as mental
vigor, he continued to be the wise and experienced
counsellor, the conciliatory medium in matters of
debate, and active assistant in matters of legisla
tion. On the appointment of a special committee, for
revising their former acts and establishing a code
8 Baylies, i. 278, and Winsor's Duxbury,

368 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
of laws for the colony, in the autumn of 1636, he
was selected as one of its prominent members.''
Important was the occasion of this appointment.
Up to this period, in the words of Judge Baylies,
" The Plymouth colony may be considered to have
been but a voluntary association, ruled by the
majority." It ,"had adopted no constitution, or
instrument of government, except the compact
signed in the cabin of the Mayflower." That
compact specified no controlling principles but
allegiance to the King, and the power in the
majority to elect such officers and enact such laws
and constitutions as should, from time to time, by
such majority, be deemed expedient. Scarcely
had they, up to this date, availed themselves of
their delegated powers, under their patent, to enact
laws, A few laws only, and such as were of the
most urgent necessity, had been established. All
matters of general interest were decided at general
meetings of the whole, called courts, in which the
governor presided. These courts decided matters
judicially, except when committed to a jury. With
the acknowledged royal authority, there . appears
to have been, tacitly, a general acknowledgment
of that of the laws of England in general, but
practically, here was, under the King, a pure
" democracy."^ Such was the civil rule.

' Felt's Ecclesiastical Hist., i. s Baylies, i. 154, 241, 225, 227,
290. 233.

THE STRONGEST OF ALL BONDS OF UNION. 369
But the fact is to be borne in mind that New
Plymouth was settled by a church. At first the ec
clesiastical government had chief influence. " The
power of their church Avas, in effect, superior to
the civil ; but in terms, it was conflned to cases of
discipline, or the infliction of censure only, or final
exclusion. As to the maintenance of their min
isters, the attachment of the people insured that,
without the coercion of laAV," In short, it was
their union as a religious society, more than all
else, that kept them together. It Avas true of the
Leyden emigrants, as their pastor and the Elder
had said, "We are knit together as a body in a
more strict and sacred bond and covenant, of the
violation of which we make great conscience, and
by virtue of which we do hold ourselves straitly
bound to all care of each other." Failings they
had, but what colony ever had fewer 1^ In this
body, after they left Leyden, through all the first
period, the Elder was the centre of influence-^
the guiding spirit. And afterwards, he had co
ordinate rule in effect with their pastors.
Such had been the state of things hitherto.
But,. in the words, of Judge Baylies, "as the set
tlements expanded, as trade increased, as strangers
came in in pursuit of gain, without any reference
to the ordinances of reHgion, and who, regardless
of their spiritual good, pursued their temporal
interests, the authority thus founded became im-
3 President Dwight's Travels, i.. Letter xii.
24

370 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREAVSTER.
paired; the selfish principles of man, interwoven
in his system, became predominant." " Disputes
would occur; Avrongs would exist; and such
authority would be questioned and found inade
quate." The period now arrived when all perceived
the necessity of defining the limits of the power,
and prescribing the actual duties of the magis
trates ; of securing the civil rights and privileges
of the people ; of establishing fundamental and
organic laAVS, civil and criminal, and of providing
for their execution ; thus " placing their govern
ment on a stable foundation." This was the im
portant work of their committee. This they
accomplished, and the laAvs which they proposed
Avere duly enacted.
The first Tuesday in June was made the legal
day of election of governor and seven assistants,
to " rule and govern the plantation as prescribed
by laAv." " The election was confined to the free
men." To be a freeman, the individual must be
" at least 21 years of age, of a sober and peaceable
conversation, orthodox in the fundamentals of reli
gion, and have a certain ratable estate."
But to enter into particulars respecting the
specified duties of the governor, of the assistants,
of the construction of their courts and juries, the
choosing of inferior officers, with their duties, the
mode of legislation, and the laws enacted, would
be foreign to our purpose, even though the Elder
Avas one among the originators, as Avell as pro
moters of the system adopted.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION COMPLETED. 371
FinaUy, it was provided that all " be done, di
rected, and made, in the name of our sovereign
lord the King," each freeman, as well as officer of
every grade, acting under oath of fidelity to the
King, -and to the laws and interests of the colony.'"
In this state of things, the Indians around them
began, ere long, through their infiuence, to adopt
a mode of government in some respects similar,
and to follow their example in morals, laws, and
judicial courts, with the proper officers.**
'" See the laws, &c., and Judge parison with our more verbose
Baylies' Memoir of New Ply- forms: —
mouth, i. 227-240. " I, Hihoudi, you Peter Water-
" The following is a curious man, Jeremy Wicket, quick you
specimen of a "Warrant" issued take him, fast you hold him,
by an Indian magistrate, and di- straight you bring him before me.
rected to an Indian constable, Hihoudi." — Thatcher, 146.
which will not suffer by a com-

CHAPTER XXXII.
" Learning is more profound
When in few solid authors 't may be found.
A few good books, digested well, do feed
The mind." — R. Heath.
During the next seven years — from 1636 to the
close of 1643 — were many incidents, in which it
might be shown that the Elder had a personal, or
by no means a remote interest. Indeed, so inter
woven were his life, labors and character from the
first, with the interest and progress of the colony,
that whatever concerned that concerned him.
But we pass those incidents, to notice here the
position of his remaining family, and yet more
particularly his literary acquaintances and associa
tions. The eldest of his three sons had become one of
the weU-informed, active, business men of the
colony, and an enterprising agent in extending the
new settlements, and in opening sources of trade,
especially on the yet Avild shores of the Connecti
cut, Again, he was one of the public-spirited.
Christian men of the new town of Duxbury, and
,one of its deputies to the colony or legislative

SONS  JONATHAN, LOVE, AND WRESTLING, 373
court. When occasion required, he Avas a coun-
seUor before the judicial tribunals. In after years,
he held yet more elevated positions in the colony
of Connecticut. Removing thither near the close
of 1648, or early in 1649, to the new settlement of
New London, he was made keeper of its records, a
deputy with the younger Winthrop to their colony
court, and an associate judge ; to him were also
committed other public trusts. Having established,
by appointment, a trading post on the banks of the
Thames, on lands purchased of Uncas, the chief
of the Mohegans, and thenceforth called Brewster's
Neck, he there, at length, resided until his death,
near the year 1661.*
The next son, Loa'o, dcA'oted himself to the cul
tivation of the paternal acres in Duxbury, forming
there (with his father) a family home, and, as far
as the new country would afford, an abode of com
fort, social and cheerful ; and where, in due time,
a portion of the estate became his own and his
children's inheritance.^
Respecting the other son. Wrestling, of whom
' On this tract, lying between ing the place have been exchanged
the Thames and the Poquetanock for a noble monument, erected to
Cove, and on the plain near its his memory, and that of his wife
centre, was set apart a burial- Lucretia — a testimony honorable
place, where evidently rests his to the descendants by whom the
dust, and by his side that of his work has been accomplished.—
wife, surrounded by the remains See Hist, of Duxbury, of New Lon-
of their children, and children's don, and Conn. Court Records.
children, to the present generation. ' Plym. Court Records, and
Lately, the crumbling stones mark- Winsor's Duxbury.

374 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
there are conflicting statements, we have already
spoken.^ But Avho Avere the Elder's literary associates'?
Among such the mental powers are most developed ;
mind meets mind, thought meets thought, culti
vated mental energies meet correspondig energies.
As had been the case in England and in Hol
land, so was it to some extent in the New World,
his associates included some of the able men and
scholars of the day.
Among such, for a time, at Plymouth, was Roger
Williams, of original mind, liberal education, a
pupil of Chief Justice Coke, eloquent, though er
ratic ; but of whom we have before had occasion
to speak more particularly.*
The pastor at Plymouth, at this time, was Mr,
Raynor, educated at Magdalen College, Cambridge ,
ordained to the ministry in the Church of Eng
land, and characterized as a man of great humility,
worth, and piety.^
Another and more eminent man was Dr. Chaun-
cey, from Trinity CoUege, Cambridge, where he
had taken his degrees in the arts and in divinity ;
and where, for his attainments in the languages,
he Avas made professor of Hebrew, and afterwards
lecturer in Greek, and held other corresponding
positions. He was also the friend of Archbishop
Usher; but, for his Puritan tendencies, falling
' Near the close of chap. xxix. ' Bradford and Morton.
* At the close of chap. xxx.

LITERARY ASSOCIATES. 375
under the displeasure of Laud and the High Com
mission Court, he left for New England. Being
solicited, he officiated for some time as teacher at
Plymouth ; yet entertaining opinions decidedly in
favor of baptism only by immersion, and unwUling,
by any compromise, to continue permanently Avith
this people Avho differed from him in that particu
lar, he removed thence to Scituate. Notwithstand
ing, on account of his learning, he was chosen not
long after to the presidency of the New England
Cambridge College (now Harvard University).**
The Rev. John Norton, Avho officiated also for
a time at Plymouth, was a scholar of the first
standing at the University of Cambridge, and
curate for some time of Starford, Hertfordshire.
Declining a fellowship in the university, and .
" marrying a lady of estimable qualiflcations and
character," he came to New England, and to Ply
mouth, and finally succeeded Mr. Cotton in Bos
ton. That he Avas a writer of pure and elegant
Latin is sufficiently evident from his Latin treatise,
on the questions of Appolonius, for the divines of
Zealand. Of him, as the author of various other
works, the church historian. Fuller, says : " Of all
the authors I have perused, none to me was more
informative than Mr. John Norton, one of no less
learning than modesty."'
Likewise the Rev. Ralph Patridge, Avho had
6 Baylies, i. 313, 314 ; also. Felt ; 'Baylies, i. 314, 315; Mass.
Bradford and Mass. Hist. Coll., iv. Hist. Coll., 2d series, vi. 640, 641.
Ill, 112 ; x! 31. . et ca-.tera.

376 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
been for tAventy years a minister of the established
church, and eminent for scholarship and piety,
but Avho, for non-conformity (according to his own
Avords), Avas "hunted like a partridge upon the
mountains," fled to New England, and was now,
during all these years, the pastor of their church
in Duxbury, and the near neighbor and associate
of the Elder.'
Such, with Governors Bradford and Winslow,
who, though not educated at a university, were
yet men of extensive reading and knowledge of
other languages, and, for that day, were no mean
writers ; — such, even • in this far-off wilderness,
were some of the chief scholars and literary asso
ciates of Elder Brewster.'
But that we may haA-e a further and more just
idea of his own attainments as a scholar, we must
examine the character of his library. A library,
procured and used in circumstances like his, could
be no untrue index of his mind. Gathered Avhen
books were comparatively scarce and costly, and
preserved through all the trying scenes, losses, and
deprivations, to which he had been subjected, his
' Felt, AVinsor's Duxbury, and ter of Gorges' settlement, Wey-
Bradford. mouth, but who resided at Ply-
^ We have noticed the earliest mouth about a year, where he
literary production of George San- wrote in 1623, and, on his return
dys in the Virginia colony, and to England, published this poeti-
we should not here pass unnoticed cal description, the translation of
the first classical Latin poem on which is not worthy of the origi-
New England (Nova Anglia), by nal. — See Mass. Hist. Coll., i. 125-
William Morell, Episcopal minis- 139.

SUMMARY OF THE ELDER S LIBRARY. 377
Avas surely most creditable to its possessor. Por
tions of it appear to have been lost on leaving
England ; gifts from it had probably been made to
friends, and to members of his family ; yet with
some additions from time to time, the inventory,
at the close of his life, shoAvs it to have consisted
of oyer _/b?«" hundred volumes ;*" a choice treasure,
indeed, to the colony, as Avell as to its owner.
Yet to say that it consisted of four hundred
volumes gives but a very indistinct idea of its
value or character. To say, also, that of these
four hundred volumes sixty-four were in Latin,
with some in Greek and Hebrew, while it gives
a clearer, furnishes still a very unsatisfactory
estimate.** On examining the works enumerated, and sepa
rating them into classes according to the subjects
of which they treat, Ave find, first, that of the
sixty-four volumes in Latin, &c., no less than
thirty-eight were versions of the Sacred Scriptures,
oF expositions and illustrations of them, critical
and practical ; and of these, not a few were huge
quartos and folios, of fi'om 1200 to 1500 closely
printed pages each. They were such as Beza's
Greek and Latin Version of the New Testament
with Notes ; a work appraised, even in the inven
tory, at a sum amounting to $20, present currency ;
Malaratus' Latin edition of the Noav Testament,
'" Plymouth Court Records, have said of it^ only adding that
book Wills vol. i. 53-59. the inventory of the same was on
" And this is all that writers record.

378 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
and Notes, at the same rate of valuation, $24;
Tremelius and Junius' edition or translation in
Latin of the " Holy Bible," including also Beza's
translation of the New Testament, with Notes, in
all nearly 1600 folio pages, $18.
The commentators, annotators, and illustrative
writers were such as Beza, Musculus, Peter Mar
tyr, Erasmus, Calvin, Chrysostom, Piscator, Ste-
phanus, Scultetus, Parens, Molerinus, not to men
tion various harmonies, and other works of similar
character. Taking these into view, and the fact
that these were among the best editions and ex
positions at that period, and that there were yet
very few like them in the English language, we
are enabled to form some distinct idea of the
Elder's reading and acquirements in this depart
ment of Christian literature.
Along with these Avere other Latin works, such
as the Syntagma of Vigandus, the work of Pola-
nus, two volumes folio, the Clavis, or Key to cer
tain portions of Scripture, by Flacius Illyricus, in
folio, and others, illustrating or setting forth vari
ous points of doctrine ; also treatises on church
order and polity, history, natural philosophy, and
the languages, giving a further view of the culture
of his mind, and acquirements, not only in biblical,
but other various departments.
And we are to add to these, next, the three
hundred and forty volumes or treatises in the
English language. Of the English Avorks, nearly
sixty volumes Avere large folios and quartos, and of

BOOKS; LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AGE, 379
like class and character with those Avhich we have
just noticed in Latin, such as the Refutation of
the Remish Translation of the New Testament,
published by himself, in some 1600 pages folio,
with kindred works in divinity, systematic and
practical; also controversies with the Roman
Church ; discussions on the Reformation ; on the
controversies of the times in England and Hol
land; on toleration, controversies between them
selves and the extreme separatists; church and
civil history, philosophy, advancement of learning,
views of the times, doings at court and in Parlia
ment, with numerous other writings of the day,
civil, religious, devotional, political, and colonial,
as well as those pertaining to the arts, trade, and
every-day life. Such is a very brief view of his
library.*^ It was at a time, too, when English literature
Avas acquiring character, and making a rapid ad
vance on a broad and solid basis. The English
mind was breaking loose from the fetters of arbi
trary systems, and the dominant power of half
civilized customs, and struggling forth into the
open fields, not only of adventure, but of original
'2 It had been designed to place of those identical volumes which
the entire inventory of the Elder's he possessed can now be discover-
library in the appendix ; but the ed. The principal one which the
additional expense it would occa- writer has seen, is in the library
siou, and the difficulty in ascer- of Yale College, with the Elder's
taining the true titles of some of name, written with his own hand,
the works, will prevent the exe- across the title page, as we have
cution of that design. Very few before mentioned.

380 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
investigation and discovery in science and arts,
and of discussion of principles of government and
law. Pre-eminent among original thinkers Bacon
arose, a sun in the firmament of science and lite
rature, to send forth, Avith some darkening shades,
its enlightening and expanding beams over aU
succeeding ages.
Of his works, valuable portions were in the
Elder's library, occupying evidently a share of his
thoughts and meditations. And if, at such a
period, and amidst such workings of mind, ex
tremes and extravagancies sometimes followed,
and errors were committed, it can be no matter of
Avonder; it Avould be something above human
were it otherwise. They were explorers, prepar
ing the way for others.
Subsequent periods have brought forth works
in all departments of science, law, government,
divinity, history, poetry, fiction, such as have
become the glory of the English name, but the
chief beginnings were in the age of Avhich we are
speaking.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
The soul, immortal as its sire.
Shall never die. Montgomehy.
We now approach the close of Elder Brewster's
lon^ and not uneventful life. His last years were
passed in the enjoyment of the high esteem and
reverential regard of the whole colony — nay, of
all the colonies. His was also the blessing of
remarkable health, kept up to the last by tempe
rate habits, continued mental exercise, active
industry, and even labor in the fields.
His closing years were marked by great serenity
and peace. Eventful and agitating as had been
the scenes through which he had passed, and fear
ful as were the prospects abroad of the future, he
ever trusted in God, and was not dismayed.
He had seen forty years in the sixteenth century,
and forty-three, at least, in the seventeenth ; and
had thus witnessed nearly three long and most
remarkable reigns of English sovereigns, and their
memorable acts. In the times of Elizabeth, the
period of great men, of thrilling events, and heroic
deeds, he received his early training. Through
alternate periods of peace, and of trials, public and

382 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
private, in his own country and in Holland, his
mental energies had been matured. In this
western world, through suffering and endurance
that passed description, he had lived to see a
Christian colony planted; the savage foe to a large
extent appeased, conciliated, and in several cases
encouragingly influenced by Christian instruction
and example. From that one poor settlement had
others arisen, now numbering eight towns. Instead
of one small church, he could now behold eight
Christian folds, with their pastors. In room of
the smaU number of fifty souls, spared through
the first season, Avere now eight thousand, with a
constitution, established laws, and a government
defined. A neighboring colony, first encouraged
by its example, now rivalled their own; while
other infant colonies were rising in strength, and
already uniting with them in confederacy, for pro
tection against native and foreign foes.*
Along Avith their churches, he had witnessed
the establishment of schools, to be the glory of
New England ; and not only these, but a college,
and its graduating classes, showing their purpose,
that freedom, education, and religion, should go
hand in hand.^

' Bradford, 416. States. Its first graduating class
^ Cambridge College, or Harvard took their degrees in 1642. Zeal-
University, first named after Cam- ously sustained by nearly all the
bridge University, England, where first settlers of New England, it
most of its founders had been edu- furnished, for a long time, most of
cated, was established in 1638 ; their educated men, for the min-
being the oldest in the United istry, and the other learned pro-

LIFE S CLOSING HOURS. 383
Thus could he look over the past scenes of his
life and times ; the conflicts, the sad errors, as weU
as heroic acts of the age ; the faults, as AveU as
sterling virtues of his own people ; and could look
forAvard with hope that, though they themselves
had "sown in tears," their children "Avould reap
in joy."
And now his days were drawing to a close. His
Avork on earth was done. Not sadly, but peacefully,
and in the full possession of his faculties, his spirit
Avas called to depart.^ It was a privilege to mark
the closing scene. Interesting particulars come to
us from one evidently present, and Avho had been
his junior companion for nearly half a century.
"I am to begin this year," he says, "Avith that
Avhich was a matter of great sadness and mourning
unto them all" — the "death of their reverend
fessions. The Elder's grandson, confirmation, also, from the fact
Isaac Allerton, was here graduated, that the Court Records show the
in 1650. inventory of his estate to have
^ Bradford gives the date of the been taken on the 10th and 18th
Elder's death thus : " About the of May, 1644, and the letters
18th of April, 1643." Morton, of administration to have been
secretary of the colony, wrote in granted at the next annual meet-
the church " Records, April 16th, ingof the court, "June 5th, 1644."
1644." Again, as to his age, Bradford
We should take Bradford's date says : " He was near fourscore
to be the correct one, had not he years of age (if not all out) when
himself said again afterwards, he died." Morton writes that the
" He died, having lived some 23 or Elder was " aged 84 at his death."
24 years here in this country." As Bradford's words indicate
Now, even 22 years and 5 months that he did not speak from exact
would bring us to April, 1644, as knowledge, and Morton speaks
Morton recorded it. This latter positively, and had been twenty
date seems to receive some further years in the colony when the

384 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Elder, and my dear and loving friend, William
BroAvster: a man that had done and suffered much
for the Lord Jesus, and the Gospel's sake, and had
borne his part, in weal and woe, with this poor
persecuted church above thirty-six years, in Eng
land and Holland, and in this wilderness, and done
the Lord and them faithful service in his place
and calling." " Upheld to a great age, notwith
standing the many troubles and sorrows he had
passed through, he had this blessing added to all
the rest, to die in his bed in peace, in the midst
of his friends, who mourned and wept over him,
and administered to him what help and comfort
they could, and he again, while he could, recom-
forted them. His sickness was not long. Until
the last day he did not wholly keep his bed ; and
his speech continued until a little more than half
a day, when it failed; and at about 9 or 10 that
evening, without a pang, as a man fallen into a
sound sleep, he sweetly departed this life unto a
better."* How true, in such a case, are the words
of Young —
" The death-bed of the just, undrawn
By mortal hand, merits a Divine.
Angels should paint it ; angels ever there.
Dare I presume ? . .
Elder died, and was for many Church Records and Court Re-
years the keeper of the records, cords, compared with Bradford,
we are inclined to give his dates 408, and Appendix, 451, and Mor-
the preference. Consequently, ton's Memorial.
deducting the age 84 from the * See Bradford, 408.
year 1644, leaves 1560 as the year
of Elder Brewster's birth.

HAPPY DEPARTURE. 385
. . I pause —
Is it his death-bed ? No, it is his shrine.

You see the man ; you see his hold on heaven.
Sweet peace, and heavenly hope, and humble joy
. . beam on his soul.
AVhat more than human peace !
His comforters he comforts ; . .
. . unreluctant gives, not yields
His soul.
Whence this ?
His God sustains him in his final hour ;
His final hour brings glory to his God ;
' He sleeps,'^ . .
. . In Jesus sweetly sleeps.
To waken at the resurrection morn."
Let us approach the place, and view the scene
where the venerable pioneer passed his closing
years, and where his immortal part took its de
parture to the " spirit land."
North of Plymouth, some three miles by Avater,
and nearly eight by land, is the picturesque point
or neck of land, extending southerly into Plymouth
Bay. As Ave draw near, from either direction,
there looms up conspicuously before us, the noted
" Captain's Hill ;" an elevation, oval-shaped, rising
to the height of 180 feet. Ascending this hiU, we '
have from its summit, on all sides, a view, Avhich
for variety, extent and beauty, has in this part of
the country no equal.
Far away over the waters, eastward, may be
discerned in a clear atmosphere, skirting the ho
rizon, the highlands of Cape Cod, We can almost
•^ Young, Night the 2d.
25

386 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
see its sickle-shaped harbor, where the pilgrims
first entered, and formed their compact ; and where
for fiA'e long weeks lay moored their sea-worn
barque. Nearer, and within clear view, we trace
Avhere the last of their exploring expeditions, after
coasting the whole southern circuit of the Cape
Bay, approached in their frail disabled shaUop, in
the raging storm, to enter the waters of the Ply
mouth Bay. No lighthouse, or fair twin lights
Avere there, as now, on the " Gurnet's Point," to
guide them inward in safety. We trace where
they pressed onward amidst fears and perils and
bare escape from the roaring breakers. Still
nearer before us is the memorable Clark's Islet,
under whose lee they found shelter. Further
south, rises to view the green point of Manomet.
Nearer, on the right, is the outer, and next the
inner Plymouth Harbor, where at length the
" Mayflower" entered, and found her winter's
moorings, and whence these emigrants landed,, and
built, amidst sufferings and deaths, the first town
of New England."
• Returning to our stand-point, we see at our feet,
including the hUl, with all to the right or south,
the lands allotted to the brave Capt. Standish,
Descending the hill a few paces eastward and
midway betAveen its northern and southern ex
tremities, Ave have full before us, extending to the
8 Of the beauty of this landscape, tion, and from its position as
an idea may be formed from the marked on the map of Plymouth
annexed view of its eastern por- Bay, p. 241.

OLD BREWSTER PLAGE

PLACE, AND ITS INTERESTING ASSOCIATIONS. 387
Avater's edge, and around northerly, including the
so-caUed "Nook," the grounds allotted to the
Elder. On them, prominent before us, stands a
gray, decaying farm-house, with its appendages ;
not that built by the Elder, but evidently its re
presentative, and near the site of the original.''
Here but lately had been the haunts of the red
man ; here, in full view of scenes that could not
fail to bring vividly to mind the past of their oAvn
fresh history, the Elder passed his closing years.
Here he drank in more and more the spirit of that
Word, and the grace of that Redeemer, in whose
faith he had lived ; here he gave his last counsels ;
here bid adieu to all of earth.
We draw near the scene. We join in thought
the sympathizing company. The death of one so
greatly loved and revered could not but be deeply
felt throughout the colony. " It was the sorest
loss that had hitherto befallen them."' From all
the scattered settlements they came, testifying their
sense of their bereavement, and accompanying the
remains to their final resting-place. They speak
of the departed, of his early and matured piety,
his sound learning, his acquaintance with men and
life, from the peasant to the court; also, of his
gentle manners, discreet, calm, social, innocent
life and conversation. They caU to mind his
humiHty, undervaluing himself rather than others;
and yet his firmness of purpose and unconquerable
' See the engraved view of the * Hubbard, Mass. Hist. Coll., 2d
old Brewster Place. ser. vi. 663, 664.

388 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
perseverance in what his judgment and conscience
approved ; how he shunned no responsibility laid
upon him, shrunk from no personal sacrifice for
those with whom he sympathized, sharing in all
their depriA'ations, and yet, withal, manifesting no
repulsive austerities, no spirit of dictation. Their
memories could bring up to view the many cases
of his deep and effective sympathy for those re
duced to Avant, or afflicted or oppressed. As their
ruling elder, they could call to mind his mode
of government — ^firm, yet never severe ; and his
manner and ability as a teacher, affectionate, per
suasive; in effect, powerful, in all, eminently
successful. In short, there could ' be but one con
clusion, peculiarly fitted had he been to be their
spiritual guide, in all that they had passed through.^
With such reflections, we must suppose, and
with arrangements partaking of primitive sim
plicity, they accompanied the remains in long pro
cession, Avinding around on the bay's western shore
to the Plymouth Burial HiU.*" There doubtless
had been deposited, more than seventeen years
before, the remains of his beloved wife, and sub
sequently those of his two daughters. There, too,
in years gone by, in the basement of that fort, he
had led their devotions ; there his voice, noAV
silent, they had often heard proclaiming the life-
^ See Bradford's Corresponding from several expressions in the
Historic Refiections, pp. 413, 414, record of the settlement of his
91,12,412. estate.— Vol. L of Deeds^&c., pp.
'O This last is satisfactorily as- 198, 199.
certained by necessary inferences

THE INTERMENT; AMICABLE AGREEMENT. 389
giving Avord. Noav they were performing for him
the last sad offices of love. Few Avere the rites of
sepulture. No monument CA^er marked the place ;
but his memory remains less perishable than the
adamant. The solemnities ended, the chief part of the
assembly, Avith -the " tAVo only surviving sons,
returned from the burial, to the house of the
governor." The Elder having left no will, different vicAvs
were entertained by the two sons in respect to the
division of the estate. At the house of the
governor, in the presence of the ministers of Dux
bury, Marshfleld, and Plymouth, and of the present
and subsequent governors, Bradford, WinsloAV, and
Prince ; also, their military chief. Miles Standish,
and a numerous company — the two brothers,
after a frank and friendly statement by each of the
entire facts of the case, entered into an amicable
arrangement for the harmonious division of the
estate between them, " to the great satisfaction of
the whole assembly:" a matter of note in the
colony, and an example of peaceable proceeding
worthy of the descendants of the Elder,**
¦1 See settlement of the Elder's his share in the undivided lands
estate ; record referred to .last, as one of the purchasers of the
Though a minor consideration, it patent and plantation of New Ply-
may be added that the estate, as mouth. In addition to this were
divided between the two sons, con- his books, household furniture,
sisted of his house, &c., in Dux- farming utensils, and cattle, ap-
bury, with one hundred and eleven praised at £150 00s. Id. currency
acres of upland, besides marsh of that day.
lands belonging to him, and also

CHAPTER XXXIV.
I like most its history ; for who understands any phenomenon if he
is not master of the course of its development ? — Goethe.
We have traced the life, and taken a glance at
the times of the Pilgrim elder. We have gone
back to the period Avhen he Avas living and acting.
We have marked the surroundings and the deve
lopment of principle that influenced the man, that
moulded his character, that moved him to act, or
led him to endure. Standing as at one of the
great starting points in this portion of the world's
history, we have viewed men agitated, changing,
yet many of them clinging to the domineering
sway of ages past, and all of them unconscious
how largely " old things were to pass away," and
equally unconscious what were to be " the new."
There standing, we have viewed the instrument or
instruments prepared. We have seen the first
movement, as " a little cloud gathering, small as
a man's hand," even over Scrooby's fenny soil.
We traced thence its course, as moved or forced
by winds adverse or favoring, from England to
Holland, and from Holland to this western world.
Here, increasing slowly at first, until joined by

marked providences. 391
others, it at length spread forth far and wide across
this entire hemisphere.
In this vioAV, we have marked Avith deep reve
rence the evident providences of God, traced by
discipline at every point, bringing good out of evil ;
providences which, without presuming to scan, we
gratefully acknowledge as facts standing out in
bold relief on the pages of this portion of our
history. And we mark one, and not the least of
those providences, in the precise period of the pil
grim movement.
Had this portion of the new continent been
thrown open and taken in possession earlier, before
the Reformation, how unmistakably different Avould
have been its destination, history, and character!
Hither would then have been transferred the rank
growths of despotism, and ignorance alike of real
religious and political rights and duties. Hither
would have come the debasing maxims, supersti
tions, and corruptions, which degraded the fairest
portions of Europe, to be here flxed, we know not
how firmly or how long.
On the other hand, had this movement been at
a later period, when the demands for room in the
Old World had become more pressing, when the
causes and facilities for emigration had greatly
increased, and the prospects of immediate gain
more sure and tempting, how then would this noAV
land have been flooded with the inroUing tides of
emigrants of diverse nations, races, and languages,
of opposite customs, conflicting laws, interests, pre-

392 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREAVSTER.
judices, and institutions! While no one people
would have been here of enlightened views, and
sufficiently established, to quietly receive, and
happily mould the heterogeneous masses into one
united Avhole.
Or if some conquering power might, in such
case, have forced its sway over the rest, how would
its arbitrary dictates and military rule, instead of
the mild laws of this Republic, have been even
now going forth as of old : " The King and our
Council, unto all the people, nations, and languages
of our kingdom, do send our royal decrees."
Nay, had the pilgrim movement been even one
generation later, such were the claims, so extended
Avere the settlements of the French, so strong their
chain of posts, and their influence among the
Indian tribes, from New Foundland to the farthest
lakes, that, instead of a New England, as now,
this, would have been an Acadie or a new France.^
But Avhat, at length, was the special purpose of
the pilgrim movement I and what the correspond
ing development "? Here is historically the im
portant point around which all the rest centres.
It was a twofold purpose, as the facts show.
They left England for Holland to escape persecu-
¦ For the grounds of this latter possessions. Nor was the struggle
statement, see Bancroft, or Hil- much less severe on the part of
dreth, at the period mentioned, the Virginia colony, to maintain
As things were, the northern Eng- itself against the combined attacks
lish colonies were but just able, of the Indians and French.
after long contests, to keep their

TWOFOLD PURPOSE; CAUSES AND RESULTS. 393
tion. In Holland they found indeed Avhat they
thus sought, protection and toleration; but they
found there, also, after twelve years of exertion in
overcoming difficulties, that they were but an
isolated company; and what Avas more, that their
posterity would evidently soon degenerate, would
lose their English name and character, and become
absorbed in the Dutch. This became to them
matter of profound griefs To avoid this, and find
an asylum, and found a civil commonwealth by
themselves, in some unoccupied portion of the
earth, was the immediate design. That design,
put in execution, led to the memorable results.
Already had they chosen and become accustomed
to be guided by their own officers in their church
system ; and were therefore prepared for the same
course in their civil organization. What some
few enlightened statesmen and philosophers were
speculating upon in theory, respecting constitu
tional liberty and law by the free choice of the
governed, this brave, earnest-souled people were
working out in practice.^ Not all at once could
the problem be solved, but step by step. Yet as
circumstances favored, they had minds to seize the
opportunity ; therein exercising man's right and
duty under their earthly sovereign, and in unques
tioning obedience to the teachings of the Divine
Word. 2 Winslow, in Young, p. 381 ; liberal views in France ; Bacon
and Bradford, 24. was now meditating and preparing,
3 More had written his Utopia ; though he never completed his
L'Hopital had made known his New Atlantis.

394 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Before they crossed the ocean, a civU organization
under the King was clearly in view.* But the first
move, the germ, was in the compact formed ere they
landed from the Mayfiower. Thenceforth' Avere
its principles developed more and more ; the germ,
planted in the favoring soil of the New World,
became the tree ; the tree in due time sent forth
its branches ; these, linked with others of kindred
groAVth, multiplied and spread. Hence the deve
lopment of this broad republic.
Not then the individual man merely, not the
founding of a little colony only, is it, that here
attracts the attention, but the germ of a nation ;
the rising of a power and of institutions on a new
and Avide theatre, which have changed the face of
a continent, which seem destined to affect the whole
race. But there was another, and in the minds of the
pilgrims a still greater purpose in the movement.
It Avas to found their church, where they and
theirs after "them, with all Avho should unite
with them, might, Avithout hindrance or danger
of a degenerate end, AVorship God in mode and
Avith a ministry after their own choice ; and also
be the means, " though they should be but as step
ping stones for others in the great work," of carry
ing the blessings of the Gospel to the native savage
heathen.^ ¦* Bradford, p. 66. specified purpose of the Virginia
^ AVinslow in Young, 382 ; and colony ; and the same was the
Bradford, 24. This was also the case in the other subsequent colo-

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS. 395
Here Avas the chief moving cause. For these
combined purposes especially, they left Holland
for this far-off Avilderness. For these they labored,
endured, suffered. Brave hearts, earnest, devoted,
heroic souls, had they, those pilgrim fathers, strong
in faith and hope, thus to go through all they did,
so patiently, so perseveringly, so unflinchingly.
We say not that they Avere Avithout faults ; but
Avho had less 1 We pretend not that they under
stood the broad principles of religious toleration in
their full extent and clearness; but what com
munity then understood them better 1 They were
in advance of their brethren in England, much in
advance of what was afterwards manifested by
their sister colony of Massachusetts, with whom,
in this respect, they have been unjustly classed."

nies. In this work the Plymouth croft, truly) carried with them to
colony did much, but chiefly by the New World, the moderation
example, counsel, and Christian which they had professed in their
intercourse within their bounda- dealings with the court. There is
Ties. a marked difference in this respect
Some five years later (in 1549), between the government of the
was organized the first society in Old Colony, as that of Plymouth
England, of which the recorder of was called, and the government of
London, Wm. Steele, Baron, and Massachusetts." "The pilgrims
afterwards Lord Lieutenant of Ire- at Plymouth were never betrayed
land, was for a long time the first into the excesses of religious per-
president ; and by the aid of which secution." " Mr. Anderson, in his
the two distinguished Elliots, History of the Church of England
father and son, as well as others, in the Colonies (vol. i. pp. 453,
became successful missionaries. — 454), of his first edition, has seen
See Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. i. pp. fit to attempt to refute the remark.
168, 226; and 3d series, vol. iv. But in this he has only committed
pp 161, 196, 200, et al. a double injustice in consequence
5 " The Pilgrims (says Mr. Ban- of a mistake of his own, in con-

396 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
" To judge them fairly (to use the words of
Prescott), we must not do it by the lights of our
own age. We must carry ourselves back to theirs,
and take the point of view afforded by the civil
ization of their time. Thus only can we arrive
at impartial criticism in reviewing generations that
are past. We must extend to them the same
justice we shall have occasion to ask from posterity,
when, by the light of a higher ciA'-ilization (should
we not say Christianization'?) posterity shall survey
the dark or doubtful passages of our own history,
which hardly arrest the eye of a contemporary."
Accordingly, whatever may be our distinctive
A'iews or opinions of church polity, whatever our
estimate of some of their peculiar practices, yet
over all, and above all sectional or denominational
considerations, how much is there in which Ave
may all unite in yielding to those fathers our high
regard and veneration.
founding the two colonies of the to the views of the Baptist "per-
Massachusetts Bay and New Ply- suasion, lived with them undis-
mouth. " " Should this notice turbed : except such as openly
reach the eye of Mr. Anderson (he interfered with, and would subvert
adds), I hope he will take pains their own church organization and
to see for himself the error of the order. Strangers and visitors of
statements which his misappre- other religious belief, were hos-
hension has led him to make, and pitably received and entertained
prove his substantial candor by by them for months together ; to
the correction which historic truth the great increase of their own
requires." — New York Hist. Coll., deprivations and self-denial. The
2d series, vol. iii. close of the Letter restriction was, that none but their
on the Leyden Articles. own church members should be
In the Plymouth colony, persons voters, or eligible to office ; though
belonging to the Church of Eng- this restriction was at times dls-
land, and those who were inclined pensed with and finally removed.

PROMINENCE OF THE PILGRIM MOVEMENT. 397
We trace, indeed, some dark lines in the onward
course of development in some portions of their
descendants — defections from the humility, unity,
and some of the most dearly cherished principles
of those first founders. Yet we trace also as cha
racteristics the mighty elements of energy, perse-
verence, zeal, Avith an unextinguished impress of
their religious character. We trace the develop
ment of most valued principles, and of a power of
expansion without limit, along with institutions
Avhich are the glory of our land.'
But, finally, the movement itself stands out
prominently before us as one of a peculiarly
marked character. Many were the enterprises
near that period, many the leaders influenced by
various motives, for the founding of new settle
ments, new colonies, hoav states, in new portions
of the earth. Not a few adventurers came to the
stern coasts of Noav England; but of them all
there was but one only designated pilgrim hand, but
one Elder Brewster.^
' Said Burke of them, in their successful industry, accumulating
subsequent development in con- wealth in many countries, than
nection with other colonies : the colonies of yesterday, than a
" Nothing in the history of man- set of miserable outcasts, a few
kind is like their progress. For years ago, not so much sent as
my part, I never cast an eye on thrown out on the bleak and bar-
tlieir flourishing commerce, and ren shore of a desolate wilderness,
their cultivated and commodious three thousand miles from all
life, but they seem to me rather civilized intercourse."
ancient nations, grown to perfeo- ' This is not only true in re-
tion through a long series of for- spect to the Elder, in the eminent
tunate events, and a train of sense here implied, but equally

398 LIFE AND TIME OF ELDER BREWSTER.
Imperishable is their memorial. Theirs were
deeds and sufferings which have laid hold of men's
feelings and sympathies with a force unrivalled,
undiminished. Though soon surpassed in num
bers and wealth, and finally absorbed by the
younger Bay colony, the interest in this first
colony remains the deepest, the prestige of Ply
mouth continues pre-eminent. Thither, more than
elsewhere, the pilgrim visitor directs his steps.
Where those pious founders trod, labored, prayed,
he pauses and reflects with a more than classic
interest. " To abstract the mind," said the stern
Dr. Johnson, when standing on the Isle of lona,
" to abstract the mind from all local knoAvledge
Avould be impossible if it Avere endeaA'ored, and be
foolish if it were possible. Far from me and my
friends be such frigid philosophy as may conduct
us indifferent or unmoved over any ground which
has been dignifled by Avisdom, bravery, or virtue.
That . man is little to be envied whose patriotism
Avould not gain force upon the plains of Marathon,
or whose piety would not grow warmer among the
ruins of lona ;" may we not add, or amidst the
scenes of the struggles and endurances of the
Pilgrim founders of New Plymouth'?
true historically in another sense. Cushman, not being chosen until
He was their only Elder from the some five years after his decease,
formation of their- Society ; his that is, in 1649. — Bradford, in
successor at Plymouth, Mr. Thos. Young, 456, and Thatcher, 67.

APPENDIX

APPENDIX,

APPENDIX No. I.
LIST OF PASSENGERS IN THE MAYFLOWER ;
Being the names of those who came over first, in the year 1620, and
were the founders of New Plymouth, which led to the planting of
the other New England Colonies. This list of their " names" and
families, was preserved by Governor Bradford at the close of his
History, and is here presented in the order in which he placed them.
The value of such an accurate list cannot be too highly estimated. —
See his History, Appendix No. 1.
Mr. John Carver — who was chosen their first Governor on their
arrival at Cape Cod. He died the first
spring.
Katherine, his wife — she died a few weeks after her husband,
in the beginning of summer.
Desire Minter — ^afterwards returned to her friends, in poor
health, and died in England.
John Howland — man servant, afterwards married the daughter
of John Tillie, and had ten children.
Roger Wilder — man servant, died in the first sickness.
William Latham — a boy, after more than twenty years visited
England, and died at the Bahama Islands.
A maid servant — who married, and died one or two years after.
Jasper More — who died the first season.
Mr. William Brewster— their Ruling Elder ; lived some twenty-
three or four years after his arrival.
Mary, his wife— died between 1623 and 162T.
26

402 APPENDIX I.
Love Brewster — a son, married, lived to the year 1650, had
four children.
Wrestling Brewster — youngest son. (See note at the close of
Chapter XXIX.)*
(-Richard afterwards married,
Richard More ) ^° °"*' • r, ^^^ ^^^ ^ °'' ™°^^ children.
and Brother f P^^*^®*^ "^^^ i His brother died the first
) the Elder. . ,
L winter.
Mr. Edward Winslow — Mr. W. afterwards chosen Governor,
died in 1655, when on a commission
to the West Indies.
Elizabeth, his wife — died the first winter. Mr. W. left two
children by a second marriage.
fG. Sonle married and
had eight children.
E. Story died in the
- first sickness.
Ellen More — a little girl placed in Mr. Winslow's family, sister
of Richard More, died soon after their arrival.

George Soule, ) two men in Wins-
Elias Story i low's family.

Mr. William Bradford — their second Governor, author of the
history of the Plymouth Colony,
lived to the year 1657.
Dorothy, his wife — who died soon after their arrival. Gov.
Bradford left a son in England to come
afterwards — had four children by a se
cond marriage.
Mr. Isaac Allerton — chosen first assistant to the Governor ;
Mary, his wife — who died in the first sickness ;
Bartholomew — son, married in England ;
{Remember married in Salem,
had three or four children ;
Mary married in Plymouth,
had four children ;
John Hook — servant boy, died in the first sickness.
* The Elder's remaining children came over afterwards : The author
proposes to publish hereafter a full Genealogy of the descendants of
the Elder.

PASSENGERS IN THE MAYFLOWER — 1620. 403
Mr. Samuel Fuller— their Physician: his wife and child re
mained, and came over afterwards ;
they had two more children.
William Butten — servant, died on the passage.
John Crackston — ;who died in the first sickness ;
John Crackston — ^his son, who died some five or six years after.
Capt. Myles Standish — who lived to the year 1656 ; chief in
military affairs;
Rose, his wife — died in the first sickness : Capt. Standish had
four sons living in 1650, by a second mar
riage.

Mr. Christopher Martin and
his wife,
Solomon Prower) ,
J- servants
John Langemore )

>¦ all died soon after their arrival.

Mr. William MuUins, )
his wife, v these three died the first winter ;
Joseph, a son )
Priscilla — a daughter, survived and married John Alden ;
Robert Carter — servant, died the first winter.
Mr. William White — died soon after landing ;
Susanna, his wife — afterwards married to Mr. E. Winslow;
Resolved, a son — married, and had five children.
Peregrine, a son — was born after their arrival at Cape Cod,
he cannot therefore be numbered among
the passengers proper — married, and had
two children before 1650.
William Holbeck and| gg^^^^ts, both died soon after landing.
Edward Thomson )
, „ , TT 1 • J ) both lived over twenty years after
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, and (^ . ^t,j ^f
„ , , ,. .; f their arrival, and had a son andfour
Elizabeth, his wiie V , , , , .... ,
z daughters born in this country ;

404 APPENDIX I,
Giles, and ) by a former (Giles married— had four children.
Constantial marriage. I Constantia married — had 12 children.
Damaris, a son, and | ^jjii^^en by the present marriage.
Oceanus, born at sea)
_,, , T^ . -, ., (E. Doty by a second marriage had
Edward Doty, and ) serv- ) , ., , ^ r.- T c
^. 1 T ... 1 ( ^ \ seven children ; after his term oi
Edward Litster ) ants. ; . ' ^. . .
^ service^went to Virginia.
Mr. Richard Warren — his, wife and five daughters were left,
and came over afterwards. They also
had two sons ; and the daughters
married here.
John Billington — he was not from Leyden, or of the Leyden
Company, but from London. (Bradford in
Y— 149.)
Ellen, his wife ;
John, his son — who died in a few years ;
Francis, the second son — married, and had eight children.
' [• both died soon after their arrival ;
Ann, his wife ) I Henry lived, married, had
seven children ;
Humility returned to Eng
land.

Henry Samson, ") two children.
Humility Cooper) their cousins

John Tillie and") , n j- j r^ ii, i,
J- both died soon after they came on shore ;
his wife )
Elizabeth — their daughter, afterwards married John Howland.

Francis Cooke — who lived until after 1650 ; his wife and other
children came afterwards ; they had six or
more children.
John, his son — afterwards married — had four children.

PASSENGERS IN THE MAYFLOWER — 1620. 405

Thomas Rogers — died in the first sickness
Joseph, his son — was living in 1650, .
married and had si.x
children.

Mr. Rogers' other
children came
afterward,?, and
had families.

Thomas Tinker, \
wife, and ^ all died in the first sickness.
son )
,....' r both died in the first sickness.
Alice, hi", wife )
'[ both died in the first sickness ;
his wife )
Mary — their daughter, lived, married, and had nine children ;
another married daughter came afterwards.

r >
' >¦ both died in the first. sickness.

Edward Fuller,
his wife
Samuel — their son, married — had four children.

John Turner, '
Two sons, names not given ; all three died in the first sickness.
A daughter came some years afterwards to Salem and there
married.
Francis Baton,
Sarah, his wife — she died the first winter ; by a third marriage
he left three children.
Samuel, a son — married and had one child.

Moses Fletcher,
John Goodman,
Thomas Williams,
Digerie Priest,
Edmond Margeson,
Richard Britterige,
Richard Clarke,

These seven died in the general sickness ;
the wife of D. Priest and children came
afterwards, she being the sister of Mr.
Allerton.

William Trevore and
— Ely

406 APPENDIX I.
Peter Brown — lived some fourteen years after, was twice mar
ried, and left four children.
Richard Gardiner — became a seaman, and died abroad.
Gilbert Winslow — after living here a number of years, return'ed
to England.
John Alden — "a hopeful young man," hired at Southampton,
married Priscilla Mullens, as mentioned, and
had eleven children.
John Allerton,
Thomas English. two seamen — are commonly, but in
correctly reckoned in the number of
the first company of passengers for
the Colony; Bradford himself says:
"Two other seamen were hired to
stay a year ; * * when their time
was out they both returned."
Accordingly, he says of the Mayflower company: " These
being about a hundred souls, came over in the first ship."
Afterwards he adds : "Of these one hundred persons who came
over in this first ship together, the greatest half died in the
general mortality, and most of them in two or three months'
time." Omitting those two hired sailors who returned, and counting
the person that died and the child that was born while on the
passage as one passenger, we have the exact number — one hun
dred of the Pilgrim Company, " who came over in the first
ship." And, as fifty-one died the first season, this enumera
tion makes good those other words of the historian, that, "the
greater half died in the general mortality. " — See his Appendix,
pp. 450, 455.

PASSENGERS IN THE SHIP FORTUNE — 1621. 407

APPENDIX No. II.
LIST OF PASSENGERS THAT ARRIVED, AFTER ONE YEAR, IN
THE SECOND SMALL SHIP "FORTUNE;"
Being parts of families, with others, left in England or Holland the
year before. They arrived at New Plymouth, on the llth of Nov.
1621.
John Adams,
William Bassite (Bassett, probably two in his family),
William Beale,
Edward Bompasse,
Jonathan Brewster — the oldest son of Elder Brewster. (See
pp. 273, 372.)
Clement Brigges (Briggs),
John Cannon,
William Ooner.
Robert Cushman — for several years the Leyden Company's
agent in England. He returned in the
Fortune to act still further as agent for
the Company — was of great service in
various ways ; but died before coming
again to settle in the Colony.
Thomas Cushman — son of Robert, about twelve years old —
came with his father in the Fortune, be
came an exemplary man in the Colony, '
and succeeded Elder Brewster in the
eldership, in 1649.
Stephen Dean,
Philip De La Noye (Delano),
Thomas Flavell and
Son.
Widow Ford and three children-
William,Martha, and
John.

408 APPENDIX III,
Robert Hickes,
William Hilton,
Bennet Morgan,
Thomas Morton,
Austin Nicholas
William Palmer (probably two in his family),
William Pitt,
Thomas Prince, or Prence — married the Elder's daughter. Pa
tience ; was afterwards Governor.
Moses Simonson (Simmons),
Hugh Statie (Stacy),
James Steward (Stewart),
William Tench,
John Winslow — brother of Mr. Edward Winslow.
William Wright. — See in Bradford, 105, 106, and in Young,
p. 235.

APPENDIX No. III.
The following is au alphabetical list of those who came over in the
" Ann," and " Little James." The vessels parted company at sea ; the
" Ann" arrived the latter part of June, and the " Little James" some
week or ten days later ; part of the number were the wives and
children of persons already in the Colony,
Anthony Annable — afterwards settled in Scituate.
Edward Bangs — settled in Eastham.
Robert Bartlett,
_, . ^ ' [ daughters of Elder Brewster.
Patience Brewsteri)
Mary Bucket,
Edward Burcher,
Thomas Clarke. This Thomas Clark's grave-stone is the oldest
on the Plymouth Burial Hill.
Christopher Conant,

PASSENGERS IN THE ANN AND LITTLE JAMES. 409
Cuthbert Cuthbertson — was a Hollander.
Anthony Dix,
John Faunce,
Manasseh Faunce,
Goodwife Flavell — probably the wife of Thos. Flavell, who
came in the Fortune.
Edmund Flood,
Bridget Fuller — apparently the wife of Samuel Fuller, the
Physician.
Timothy Hatherly,
William Heard,
Margaret Hickes ) the wife of Robert Hickes, who came in
and her children ) the Fortune.
William Hilton's wife and two children. He had sent for them
before his death.
Edward Holman,
John Jenny — had " liberty, in 1636, to erect a mill for grinding
and beating of corn upon the brook of Ply
mouth."
Robert Long,
Experience Mitchell,
George Morton — he brought with him his son Nathaniel and
four other children.
Nathaniel Morton — son of George M., and afterwards Secretary
of the Colony.,
Thomas Morton, Jr. — son of Thomas M., who came in the
Fortune.
Ellen Newton,
John Oldham — a man of some note afterwards.
Frances Palmer — wife of Wm. Palmer, who came in the For
tune.
Christian Penn,
Mr. Perce's two servants,
Joshua Pratt,
James Rand,
Robert Rattlifi^e,
Nicholas Snow — settled in Eastham.

410 APPENDIX IV.
Alice South worth — (widow, afterwards the second wife of Gov.
Bradford.)
Francis Sprague — settled in Duxbury.
Barbara Standish — i. e. second wife of Capt. Standish, married
after her arrival.
Thomas Tilden,
Stephen Tracy,
Ralph Wallen.
Those who came in the first ships, the Mayflower, the For
tune, the Ann, and Little James, are distinctly called the old
comers, or the fore-fathers. — See Hazzard 's State Papers, I.,
pp. 101-103 ; and Young's Notes (p. 352) of his Chron. of
the Pilgrims.

APPENDIX No. lY.
At a general Court held on the 22d of May, 1627, a division of the
cattle belonging to the Colony, proportionably to each share-holder,
was concluded upon, and also twenty acres of land to each. This
division being put upon record, it is believed that the record pre
sents the name of every family and person then belonging to the
Colony proper. The names taken from the Record are as follows : —
Francis Cooke,
Hester Cooke, his wife,
John Cooke,
Jacob Cooke,
Jane Cooke,
Hester Cooke,
Mary Cooke.
Isaac Allerton,
Fear Allerton — his wife, a daughterof Elder Brewster,
Bartholomew Allerton,
Mary Allerton,
Sarah Allerton.

NAMES OF FAMILIES AND PERSONS IN 1627. 411
Cuthbert Cuthbertson,
Sarah Cuthbertson,
Samuel Cuthbertson,
Mary Priest,
Sarah Priest.
Myles Standish,
Barbara Standish, his wife,
Charles Standish,
Alexander Standish,
John Standish.
Edward Winslow,
Susanna Winslow, his wife,
John Winslow,
Edward Winslow,
Resolved White,
Peregrine White.
John Howland,
Elizabeth Howland, his wife,
John Howland, Jr.,
Desire Howland.
John Alden,
Priscilla Alden,
Elizabeth Alden,
John Alden.
William Brewster,
Love Brewster,
Wrestling Brewster,
Jonathan Brewster,
Lucretia Brewster, his wife,
William Brewster,
Mary Brewster

' y children of Jon. and L. B.
7 ¦'

Thomas Prince,
Patience Prince, daughter of the Elder,
Rebecca Prince,

412 .2 APPENDIX ly.
Humility Cooper,
Henri Sampson.
John Adams,
Eleanor Adams,
James Adams.
John Winslow,
Mary Winslow.
William Bassett,
Elizabeth Bassett,
William Bassett, Jr.,
Elizabeth Bassett, Jr.
Francis Sprague,
Anna Sprague,
Mercy Sprague.
Stephen Hopkins,
Elizabeth Hopkins, his wife,
Giles Hopkins,
Caleb Hopkins,
Deborah Hopkins.
Nicholas Snow,
Constance Snow.
William Palmer,
Frances Palmer, his wife,
William Palmer, Jr.
John Billington,
Helen Billington,
Francis Billington.
Samuel Fuller,
Bridget Fuller,
Samuel Fuller, Jr.

NAMES OF FAMILIES AND PERSONS IN 1627. 413
Peter Browne,
Martha Browne,
Mary Browne.
John Ford,
Martha Ford.
Anthony Anable,
Jane Anable,
Sarah Anable,
Hannah Anable,
Damaris Hopkins.
Richard Warren,
Elizabeth Warren, his wife,
Nathaniel Warren,
Joseph Warren,
Mary Warren,
Ann Warren,
Sarah Warren,
Elizabeth Warren,
Abigail Warren,
John Billington.
George Sowle (Soule),
Mary Sowle,
Zacheriah Sowle.
Francis Eaton,
Christian Eaton, his wife,
Samuel Eaton,
Rachel Eaton.
Stephen Tracy,
Tripbasa Tracy,
Sarah Tracy,
Rebecca Tracy.

414 ,4 APPENDIX IV,
Ralph Wallen,
Joyce Wallen,
Sarah Morton.
William Bradford, the Governor,
Alice Bradford, his wife,
William Bradford, Jr.,
Mercy Bradford.
Manasses Kempton,
Julien Kempton.
Nathaniel Morton,
John Morton,
Ephraim Morton,
Patience Morton.
John Jenne,
Sarah Jenne, his wife,
Samuel Jenne,
Abigail Jenne,
Sarah Jenne.
Robert Hicks,
Margaret Hicks,
Samuel Hicks,
Ephraim Hicks,
Lydia Hicks,
Phebe Hicks.
Moses Simonson (Simmons),
Philip De La Noye (Delano),
Experience Mitchell,
John Faunce,
Joshua Pratt,
Phineas Pratt,
Edward Bompassee,
John Crackstone,
Abraham Pierce,
Thomas Clarke,

EXTRACTS FROM WEBSTER'S SPEECH IN 1850. 415
Clement Briggs,
Edward Doten (Doty),
Edward Holdman (Holman),
Richard More,
John Shaw,
Robert Bartlett,
Thomas Prence,
Joseph Rogers,
Thomas Cushman,
William Latham,
Stephen Deanej
Edward Bangs.

APPENDIX No. V.
EXTRACTS FROM WEBSTER'S SPEECH AT THE PILGRIM
FESTIVAL, NEW YORK, 1850.
" Gentlemen : There was, in ancient times, a ship that
carried Jason to the acquisition of the Golden Fleece. There
was a flag-ship at the battle of Actium which made Augustus
Caesar master of the world. In modern times there have been
flag-ships which have carried Hawke, and Howe, and Nelson,
of the other continent, and Hull, and Decatur, and Stewart of
this, to triumph. What are they all, in the chance of remem
brance among men, to that little bark, the Mayflower, which
reached these shores in 1620 ? Yes, brethren, that Mayflower
was a flower destined to be of perpetual bloom ! Its verdure
will stand the sultry blasts of Summer and the chilling winds
of Autumn. It will defy Winter. It will defy all climate and
all time, and will continue to spread its petals to the world,
and to exhale an everlasting odor and fragrance to the last
syllable of recorded time." ******
" Gentlemen, brethren of New England, whom I have come
some hundreds of miles to meet this night, let me present to
you one of the most distinguished of those personages who
came hither on the deck of the Mayflower. Let me fancy that
I now see Elder William Brewster entering the door at the

416 APPENDIX r.
further end of this hall ; a tall erect figure, of plain dress, with
a respectful bow, mild and cheerful, but of no merriment that
reaches beyond a smile. Let me suppose that his image stood
now before us, or that it was looking in upon this assembly.
'Are ye,' he would say, with a voice of exultation, and yet
softened with melancholy, 'are ye our children? Does this
scene of refinement, of elegance, of riches, of luxury, does all
this come from our labors ? Is this magnificent city, the like
of which we never saw nor heard of on either continent, is
this but an offshoot from Plymouth Rock ?
"Quis jam locus * * * *
Quse regio in terris nostri non plena laboris ?"
Is this one part of the great reward for which my brethren
and myself endured lives of toil and of hardship ? We had
faith and hope. God granted us the spirit to look forward,
and we did look forward. But this scene we never anticipated.
Our hopes were on another life. Of earthly gratifications we
tasted little ; for human honors we had little expectation. Our
bones lie on the hill in Plymouth churchyard, obscure, un
marked, secreted, to preserve our graves from the knowledge of
savage foes. No stone tells where we lie. And yet, let me
say to you who are our descendants, who possess this glorious
country and all it contains, who enjoy this hour of prosperity
and the thousand blessings showered upon it by the God of
your fathers, we envy you not, we reproach you not. Be rich,
be prosperous, be enlightened, * * if such be your allot
ment on earth ; but live, also, always to God and to duty.
Spread yourselves and your children over the continent,
accomplish the whole of your great destiny, and if it be that
through the whole you carry Puritan hearts with you, if you
still cherish an undying love of civil and religious liberty, and
mean to enjoy them yourselves, and are willing to shed your
heart's blood to transmit them to your posterity, then will you
be worthy descendants of Carver, and Allerton, and Bradford,
and the rest of those who landed from stormy seas on the
Rock of Plymouth.'"
THE END.

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