[1]An immense body of literature, both popular and scholarly, has been written on the story of the Pilgrims, and much of it is excellent. One of the most comprehensive accounts is also one of the most enjoyable; George F. Willison’s _Saints and Strangers_ (New York, 1945) combines exhaustive scholarship with style and wit. [2]In the Biblical sense of “God’s chosen people,” or simply, “members of a Christian church.” [3]So-called because they were unknown to members of the Leyden congregation, having been enlisted by the sponsors of the expedition. [4]The Pilgrims originally embarked in two ships at Southampton, 5 August 1620, but because the _Speedwell_ leaked dangerously they put in at Dartmouth for repairs. When they returned to the open sea, they discovered that she still shipped water. Turning to the nearest port, they reluctantly decided to abandon the _Speedwell_ as unseaworthy, and many of the party transferred to the already crowded _Mayflower_, while a few decided to defer their emigration. The successful voyage from Plymouth began 6 September, with their third departure from the homeland. [5]Thomas Prince, _A Chronological History of New England_ ... (Boston, 1736), vol. I, pt. 2, p. 71, fn. 38. [6]Although portions of the book have been reprinted frequently, the only other presentation of the full text was a facsimile in an edition limited to 285 copies, prepared by Henry M. Dexter, and entitled _Mourt’s Relation_ (Boston, 1865). It is a heavily annotated volume, and Dexter’s monumental effort has aided a generation of scholars, but his meticulous attention to “faithful reproduction of the original, letter for letter” makes it formidable to any but a dedicated student. The best known and most widely available edition includes annotation and uniform spelling, but is marred by some minor omissions and transpositions: Alexander Young, _Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers_ (Boston, 1841), pp. 110-249. [7]Presumably, the initials of John Peirce. Peirce was a London businessman one of the “merchant adventurers” who had contributed to the _Mayflower’s_ first voyage. It is possible that he underwrote the printing of the book; it is certain that the patent to lands occupied by the Pilgrims—as virtual squatters for almost a year—was finally issued in his name, in trust for the settlers. They were delighted to receive this confirmation of their legal rights, and may have dedicated the book to him in gratitude. Only later did they learn of the many devious ways in which he tried to cheat them. [8]Acknowledging their indebtedness to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and his partners in the Council for New England, (formerly, the Second Virginia Company, and the Plymouth Company), who exercised legal authority over the area, which had previously been called “Northern Virginia.”