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
On y^e other hand the old planters were affraid that their corne, when
it was ripe, should be imparted to y^e new-co[=m]ers, whose provissions
w^ch they brought with them they feared would fall short before y^e year
wente aboute (as indeed it did). They came to y^e Gov^r and besought him
that as it was before agreed that they should set corne for their
perticuler, and accordingly they had taken extraordinary pains ther
aboute, that they might freely injoye the same, and they would not have
a bitte of y^e victails now come, but waite till harvest for their owne,
and let y^e new-co[=m]ers injoye what they had brought; they would have
none of it, excepte they could purchase any of it of them by bargaine or
exchainge. Their requeste was granted them, for it gave both sides good
contente; for y^e new-co[=m]ers were as much afraid that y^e hungrie
planters would have eat up y^e provissions brought, and they should
have fallen into y^e like condition.
This ship was in a shorte time laden with clapbord, by y^e help of many
hands. Also they sente in her all y^e beaver and other furrs they had, &
M^r. Winslow was sent over with her, to informe of all things, and
procure such things as were thought needfull for their presente
condition. By this time harvest was come, and in stead of famine, now
God gave them plentie, and y^e face of things was changed, to y^e
rejoysing of y^e harts of many, for which they blessed God. And y^e
effect of their particuler planting was well seene, for all had, one way
& other, pretty well to bring y^e year aboute, and some of y^e abler
sorte and more [104] industrious had to spare, and sell to others, so as
any generall wante or famine hath not been amongst them since to this
day.
Those that come on their perticuler looked for greater matters then they
found or could attaine unto, aboute building great houses, and such
pleasant situations for them, as them selves had fancied; as if they
would be great men & rich, all of a sudaine; but they proved castls in
y^e aire. These were y^e conditions agreed on betweene y^e colony and
them.
First, that y^e Gov^r, in y^e name and with y^e consente of y^e company,
doth in all love and frendship receive and imbrace them; and is to
allote them competente places for habitations within y^e towne. And
promiseth to shew them all such other curtesies as shall be reasonable
for them to desire, or us to performe.
2. That they, on their parts, be subjecte to all such laws & orders as
are already made, or hear after shall be, for y^e publick good.
3. That they be freed and exempte from y^e generall imployments of the
said company, (which their presente condition of comunitie requireth,)
excepte commune defence, & such other imployments as tend to y^e
perpetuall good of y^e collony.
4^ly. Towards y^e maintenance of Go[~v]^rt, & publick officers of y^e
said collony, every male above y^e age of 16. years shall pay a bushell
of Indean wheat, or y^e worth of it, into y^e commone store.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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