University of Virginia Library

Chapter 13.
Their great supplies, present estate and accidents,
advantage.

WHO would not thinke but that all those trials had beene sufficient
to lay a foundation for a plantation, but we see many
men many mindes, and still new Lords, new lawes: for those 350.
men with all their cat- ∥ tell that so well arived and promised so much,
not being of one body, but severall mens servants, few could command
and fewer obey, lived merrily of that they had, neither planting
or building any thing to any purpose, but one faire house for the
Governour, till all was spent and the winter approached; then they
grew into

many diseases, and as many inconveniences, depending
only of a supply from England, which expected Houses, Gardens, and
Corne fields ready planted by them for their entertainment.

It is true, that Master John Wynthrop, their now Governour, a
worthy Gentleman both in estate and esteeme, went so well provided
(for six or seven hundred people went with him) as could be devised,
but at Sea, such an extraordinarie storme encountred his Fleet, continuing
ten daies, that of two hundred Cattell which were so tossed
and brused, threescore and ten died, many of their people fell sicke,
and in this perplexed estate, after ten weekes, they arrived in New-England
at severall times, where they found threescore of their
people dead, the rest sicke, nothing done, but all complaining, and
all things so contrary to their expectation, that now every monstrous
humor began to shew it selfe. And to second this, neare as many more
came after them, but so ill provided, with such multitudes of women
and children, as redoubled their necessities.

This small triall of their patience, caused among them no small
confusion, and put the Governour and his Councell to their utmost
wits; some could not endure the name of a Bishop, others not the
sight of a Crosse nor Surplesse, others by no meanes the booke of

common Prayer. This absolute crue, only of the Elect, holding all
(but such as themselves) reprobates and cast-awaies, now make more
haste to returne to Babel, as they tearmed England, than stay to
enjoy the land they called Canaan; somewhat they must say to excuse
themselves.

Those he found Brownists, hee let goe for New-Plimoth, who are
now betwixt foure or five hundred, and live well without want, some
two hundred of the rest he was content to returne for England, whose
clamors are as variable as their ∥ humours and Auditors; some say
they could see no timber of two foot diameter, some the Country is all
Woods, others they drunke all the Springs and Ponds dry, yet like to
famish for want of fresh water; some of the danger of the rattell
Snake; and that others sold their provisions at what rates they pleased
to them that wanted, and so returned to England great gainers out of
others miseries; yet all that returned are not of those humors.

Notwithstanding all this, the noble Governour was no way disanimated,
neither repents him of his enterprise for all those mistakes,
but did order all things with that temperance and discretion, and so
releeved those that wanted with his owne provision, that there is six
or seven hundred remained with him, and more than 1600. English
in all the Country, with three or foure hundred head of Cattell, as for
Corne they are very ignorant: If upon the coast of America, they doe
not before the end of this October

(for toies) furnish themselves with
two or three thousand bushels of Indian Corne, which is better than
ours, and in a short time cause the salvages to doe them as good
service as their owne men, as I did in Virginia, and yet neither use
cruelty nor tyranny amongst them; a consequence well worth putting
in practice: and till it be effected, they will hardly doe well. I
know ignorance will say it is impossible, but this impossible taske,
ever since the massacre in Virginia, I have beene a suter to have
undertaken, but with 150. men, to have got Corne, fortified the
Country, and discovered them more land than they all yet know or
have demonstrated: but the Merchants common answer was, necessity
in time would force the Planters doe it themselves, and rather
thus husbandly to lose ten sheepe, than be at the charge of a halfe
penny worth of Tarre.

Who is it that knowes not what a small handfull of Spaniards in
the West Indies, subdued millions of the inhabitants, so depopulating
those Countries they conquered, that they are glad to buy
Negroes in Affrica

at a great rate, in Countries farre remote from
them, which although they bee as idle and as devilish people as any
in the world, yet they cause them quickly to bee their best servants;
notwithstan- ∥ ding, there is for every foure or five naturall Spaniards,
two or three hundred Indians and Negros, and in Virginia and
New-England more English than salvages, that can assemble themselves
to assault or hurt them, and it is much better to helpe to plant
a country than unplant it and then replant it: but there Indians were
in such multitudes, the Spaniards had no other remedy; and ours
such a few, and so dispersed, it were nothing in a short time to bring
them to labour and obedience.

It is strange to me, that English men should not doe as much as
any, but upon every sleight affront, in stead to amend it, we make it
worse; notwithstanding the worst of all those rumours, the better
sort there are constant in their resolutions, and so are the most of
their best friends here; and making provision to supply them, many
conceit they make a dearth here, which is nothing so; for they would
spend more here than they transport thither. One Ship this Summer
with twenty cattell, and forty or fifty passengers, arived all well, and
the Ship at home againe in nine weekes: another for all this exclamation
of want, is returned with 10000. Corfish, and fourescore Kegs of
Sturgion, which they did take and save when the season was neare
past, and in the very heat of Summer, yet as good as can be. Since
another ship is gone from Bristow, and many more a providing to
follow them with all speed.

Thus you may plainly see for all these rumours, they are in no
such distresse as is supposed: as for their mischances, misprisions, or
what accidents may befall them, I hope none is so malicious, as
attribute the fault to the Country nor mee; yet if some blame us not
both, it were more than a wonder; for I am not ignorant that ignorance
and too curious spectators, make it a great part of their profession
to censure (however)

any mans actions, who having lost the
path to vertue, will make most excellent shifts to mount up any way;
such incomparable connivency is in the Devils most punctuall
cheaters, they will hazard a joint, but where God hathhis Church
they wil have a Chapel; a mischiefe so hard to be prevented, that I
have thus plainly adventured to shew my affe- ∥ ction, through the
weaknesse of my abilitie, you may easily know them by their absolutenesse
in opinions, holding experience but the mother of fooles, which
indeed is the very ground of reason, and he that contemnes her in
those actions, may finde occasion enough to use all the wit and
wisdome hee hathto correct his owne folly, that thinkes to finde
amongst those salvages such Churches, Palaces, Monuments, and
Buildings as are in England.