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
of y^e fire without, that if necessitie required they might have them
out with all speed. For y^ey suspected some malicious dealling, if not
plaine treacherie, and whether it was only suspition or no, God knows;
but this is certaine, that when y^e tumulte was greatest, ther was a
voyce heard (but from whom it was not knowne) that bid them looke well
aboute them, for all were not freinds y^t were near them. And shortly
after, when the vemencie of y^e fire was over, smoke was seen to arise
within a shed y^t was joynd to y^e end of y^e storehouse, which was
watled up with bowes, in y^e withered leaves wherof y^e fire was
kindled, which some, ru[=n]ing to quench, found a longe firebrand of an
ell longe, lying under y^e wale on y^e inside, which could not possibly
come their by cassualtie, but must be laid ther by some hand, in y^e
judgmente of all that saw it. But God kept them from this deanger, what
ever was intended.
Shortly after Captaine Gorges, y^e generall Gov^r, was come home to y^e
Massachusets, he sends a warrante to arrest M^r. Weston & his ship, and
sends a m^r. to bring her away thither, and one Captain Hanson (that
belonged to him) to conducte him along. The Gov^r & others hear were
very sory to see him take this course, and tooke exception at y^e
warrante, as not legall nor sufficiente; and withall write to him to
disswade him from this course, shewing him y^t he would but entangle and
burthen him selfe in doing this; for he could not doe M^r. Weston a
better turne, (as things stood with him); for he had a great many men
that belonged to him in this barke, and was deeply ingaged to them for
wages, and was in a ma[=n]er out of victails (_and now winter_); all
which would light upon him, if he did arrest his barke. In y^e mean time
M^r. Weston had notice to shift for him selfe; but it was conceived he
either knew not whither to goe, or how to mend him selfe, but was rather
glad of y^e occasion, and so stirred not. But y^e Gov^r would not be
perswaded, but [107] sent a very formall warrente under his hand &
seall, with strict charge as they would answere it to y^e state; he also
write that he had better considered of things since he was hear, and he
could not answer it to let him goe so; besids other things that were
come to his knowledg since, which he must answer too. So he was suffered
to proceede, but he found in the end that to be true that was tould him;
for when an inventorie was taken of what was in y^e ship, ther was not
vitailes found for above 14. days, at a pare allowance, and not much
else of any great worth, & the men did so crie out of him for wages and
diate, in y^e mean time, as made him soone weary. So as in conclusion it
turned to his loss, and y^e expence of his owne provissions; and
_towards the spring_ they came to agreement, (after they had bene to y^e
eastward,) and y^e Gov^r restord him his vessell againe, and made him
satisfaction, in bisket, meal, and such like provissions, for what he
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