 | |  |
311
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFULL
Adventurers for the Countrey of
New England, in the Cities of
London, Bristow, Exceter, Plimouth,
Dartmouth, Bastable, Totneys, etc.
and in all other Cities and Ports,
in the Kingdome of England.
If the little Ant, and the sillie
Bee seek by their diligence thegood of their Commonwealth; much more ought Man. If they punish
the drones and sting them steales their labour; then blame not Man.
Little hony hath that hive, where there are more Drones then Bees:
and miserable is that Land, where more are idle then well imployed.
If the indeavours of those vermin be acceptable, I hope mine may be
excuseable; Though I confesse it were more proper for mee, To be
doing what I say, then writing what I knowe. Had I returned rich,
I could not have erred: Now having onely such fish as came to my
net, I must be taxed. But, I would my taxers were as ready to adventure
their purses, as I, purse, life, and all I have: or as diligent
to furnish the charge, as I know they are vigilant to crop the fruits
of my labours. Then would I not doubt (did God please I might
safely arrive in New England, and safely returne) but to || performe
somewhat more then I have promised, and approve my words by
deeds, according to proportion.
I am not the first hath beene betrayed by Pirats: And foure men
of warre, provided as they were, had beene sufficient to have taken
Sampson, Hercules, and Alexander the great, no other way furnisht
then I was. I knowe not what assurance any have do passe the Seas,
Not to bee subject to casualty as well as my selfe: but least this
disaster may hinder my proceedings, or ill will (by rumour) the behoofefull
worke I pretend; I have writ this little: which I did thinke
to have concealed from any publike use, till I had made my returnes
speake as much, as my pen now doth.
But because I speake so much of fishing, if any take mee for such
a devote
312
nothing is there to bee had which fishing doth hinder, but furder us
to obtaine. Now for that I have made knowne unto you a fit place
for plantation, limited within the bounds of your Patent and Commission;
having also received meanes, power, and authority by your
directions, to plant there a Colony, and make further search, and
discovery in those parts there yet unknowne: Considering, withall,
first those of his Majesties Councell, then those Cities above named,
and diverse others that have beene moved to lend || their assistance
to so great a worke, doe expect (especially the adventurers) the true
relation or event of my proceedings which I heare are so abused; I
am inforced for all these respects, rather to expose my imbecillitie to
contempt, by the testimonie of these rude lines, then all should condemne
me for so bad a Factor, as could neither give reason nor
account of my actions and designes.
[_]
4. Here, as often in Smith, the relative "that" has been dropped (see the beginning
of the next paragraph).
Yours to command,
John Smith.
| | |