Endicott was at once dispatched, with a few followers, to take possession, and to prepare the way for a larger body to be sent in the succeeding year. The little band, with which he arrived in September, 1628, together with the old settlers already on the spot, made up a company of only fifty or sixty people, most of whom seem to have done little but “rub out the winter's cold by the Fire-side,” “turning down many a drop of the Bottell, and burning Tobacco with all the ease they could,” while they discussed the progress they would make in the summer.[286] There was, however, much sickness among them, which may have accounted in part for their close hearth-keeping. From what we know of Endicott's harsh manners and lack of wisdom in dealing with delicate situations, it may be assumed that his superseding of Conant in the office of local governor was not made more palatable by any grace in his announcement of the fact; and, in any case, ill-feeling developed between the old and new planters. This, however, was smoothed over by Conant's own tact, and affairs were adjusted “so meum and tuum that divide the world, should not disturb the peace of good Christians.”[287] Morton, owing to his unsympathetic neighbors, the Pilgrims, was temporarily in England, and so absent from his crew at Merry Mount; but Endicott promptly visited that very un-Puritan and somewhat dangerous settlement, and having hewn down the offending May-pole, “admonished them to look ther should be better walking.”[288] It is possible that, before winter set in, preparations may have been made for a second settlement at Charlestown to forestall the claims of Oldham in that locality.[289] Footnote 286: White, _Planter's Plea_, p. 43; E. Johnson, _Wonder-working Providence of Sions Saviour in New-England_ (ed. New York, 1910), p. 45. Footnote 287: W. Hubbard, _History of New England_ (1815), p. 110. Footnote 288: Bradford, _Plymouth_, p. 238. Footnote 289: The Robert Gorges claim had been sold in two parts, one to Sir Wm. Brereton and one to John Dorrell and John Oldham. J. G. Palfrey, _History of New England_ (Boston, 1859), vol. I, p. 294; _cf._ T. Prince, _Chronological History of New England_ (Arber reprint, London, 1897), p. 483; and Cradock's instructions in Young, _Chron. Mass._, pp. 147 _ff._, 171. Endicott's whole mission at this time, indeed, seems to have been merely to prepare the way for others; and in the following year, six ships were dispatched, carrying over four hundred people, with cattle and additional supplies.[290] Four clergymen, including Skelton and Higginson, were also sent, for the spiritual welfare of the colony, and the conversion of the Indians, which latter object, at this stage of the enterprise, was officially declared to be the main end of the plantation. Footnote 290: Prince, _New England_, p. 489; Young, _Chron. Mass._, pp. 132, 216. The number included 35 of the Leyden congregation bound for Plymouth.