Bradford's history of the Plymouth settlement, 1608-1650: Rendered into modern English by Harold PagetBradford, William
History
Bradford's history of the Plymouth settlement, 1608-1650: Rendered into modern English by Harold Paget
Bradford, William
Massachusetts -- History -- New Plymouth, 1620-1691; Pilgrims (New Plymouth Colony) -- Early works to 1800
Some of the adventurers have sent you herewith some directions for
your furtherance in the common enterprise,—like those whom St.
James speaks of, that bid their brother eat, and warm himself,
but give him nothing; so they bid you make salt, and uphold the
plantation, but send you no means wherewith to do it.... By the
next ship we intend to send more people on our own account, and to
take a patent; lest your people should be as inhuman as are some
of the adventurers, and should not permit us to dwell with them,
which would be such extreme barbarism that I will not let myself
think you have any such Pickerings among you. Yet to satisfy our
passengers I must perforce do it, and for some other reasons which
I need not write.... I find the rest so backward, and your friends
at Leyden so cold, that I fear you must stand on your own legs, and
trust (as they say) to God and yourselves.
Subscribed,
Your loving friend,
THOS. WESTON.
Several other things I pass over, being tedious and impertinent.
All this was but cold comfort with which to fill their hungry bellies
and a slender performance of his recent promise, and as little did
it either fill or warm them as those the Apostle James speaks of, to
which he refers.
There came by the same ship other letters, but of later date, one
from Mr. Weston and another from some of the other adventurers, as
follows.
_Mr. Weston in England to Mr. John Carver at New Plymouth_:
Mr. Carver,
Since my last, in order that we might more readily help the
company, at a meeting of some of the principal adventurers
a proposition was made and agreed to by all present, except
Pickering, that each man should further adventure the third part
of what he had formerly done. Some others followed Pickering’s
example and would adventure no more. Therefore, the greater part
of the adventurers being willing to support the enterprise, seeing
no reason why those who were willing, should carry on the business
of those who were unwilling, and whose backwardness discouraged
those who would go forward, and hindered other new adventurers
from joining, we, having well considered the matter, have resolved
according to the article in our agreement (that, by general
consent, the adventurers and settlers for just cause may break off
their joint stock), to break it off; and beg you to ratify and
confirm the same on your parts. This being done we shall the more
willingly proceed to provide you with necessary supplies. But in
any case you must agree to the articles and send them back under
your hands and seals by the first ship. So I end,
Your loving friend,
THOS. WESTON.
_Jan. 17th, 1621._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account