Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation': From the Original Manuscript. With a Report of the Proceedings Incident to the Return of the Manuscript to MassachusettsBradford, William
History
Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation': From the Original Manuscript. With a Report of the Proceedings Incident to the Return of the Manuscript to Massachusetts
Bradford, William
Massachusetts -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
This ship was brought by M^r. John Peirce, and set out at his owne
charge, upon hope of great maters. These passengers, & y^e goods the
company sent in her, he tooke in for fraught, for which they agreed with
him to be delivered hear. This was he in whose name their _first
patente_ was taken, by reason of aquaintance, and some aliance that some
of their freinds had with him. But his name was only used in trust. But
when he saw they were hear hopfully thus seated, and by y^e success God
gave them had obtained y^e favour of y^e Counsell of New-England, he
goes and sues to them for _another patent_ of much larger extente (in
their names), which was easily obtained. But he mente to keep it to him
selfe and alow them what he pleased, to hold of him as tenants, and sue
to his courts as cheefe Lord, as will appear by that which follows. But
y^e Lord marvelously crost him; for after this first returne, and y^e
charge above mentioned, when shee was againe fitted, he pesters him
selfe and taks in more passengers, and those not very good to help to
bear his losses, and sets out y^e 2. time. But [99] what y^e event was
will appear from another leter from one of y^e cheefe of y^e company,
dated y^e 9. of Aprill, 1623. writ to y^e Gov^r hear, as followeth.
Loving freind, when I write my last leter, I hope to have received one
from you well-nigh by this time. But when I write in Des: I litle
thought to have seen M^r. John Peirce till he had brought some good
tidings from you. But it pleased God, he brought us y^e wofull tidings
of his returne when he was half-way over, by extraime tempest, werin
y^e goodnes & mercie of God appeared in sparing their lives, being
109. souls. The loss is so great to M^r. Peirce, &c., and y^e companie
put upon so great charge, as veryly, &c.
Now with great trouble & loss, we have got M^r. John Peirce to assigne
over y^e grand patente to y^e companie, which he had taken in his owne
name, and made quite voyd our former grante. I am sorie to writ how
many hear thinke y^t the hand of God was justly against him, both y^e
first and 2. time of his returne; in regard he, whom you and we so
confidently trusted, but only to use his name for y^e company, should
aspire to be lord over us all, and so make you & us tenants at his
will and pleasure, our assurance or patente being quite voyd &
disanuled by his means. I desire to judg charitably of him. But his
unwillingnes to part with his royall Lordship, and y^e high-rate he
set it at, which was 500^li. which cost him but 50^li., maks many
speake and judg hardly of him. The company are out for goods in his
ship, with charge aboute y^e passengers, 640^li., &c.
We have agreed with 2. marchants for a ship of 140. tunes, caled y^e
_Anne_, which is to be ready y^e last of this month, to bring 60.
passengers & 60. tune of goods, &c.
This was dated Aprill 9. 1623.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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