[June 12.] The company arrived at _Salem_; and soon were in number more than fifteen hundred persons from different counties in England. Thy applyed themselves early to the forming of churches; but, the Rev. Mr. _Cotton_ (who come from _Boston_ in _Lincolnshire_ to take leave of his departing friends at _Southampton_) having told them to advise with the _Plymouthians_ and to do nothing to offend them, and a precedent existing in the church at _Salem_, they dismissed all the peculiarities of episcopacy, and preferred the congregational mode in general. However, they had no settled plan of church-discipline till after the arrival of Mr. _Cotton_, [1633.] who was considerd as a kind of oracle in both civil and sacred matters, and gradually moulded all their church administrations, and thus determined the ecclesiastic constitution of the colony; therein verifying what Mr. _Robinson_ had judiciously predicted, when he said “Many of those who have both wrote and preached against me and my people, were they in a place where they could have liberty and live comfortably, should do as we do.”[10] Governor _Winthrop_ inserted in his manuscript history, a couple of anecdotes, of an earlier date than Mr. Cotton’s arrival, which may amuse you. “July 30, 1631, Mr. _Ludlow_, in digging the foundation of his house at _Dorchester_, found two pieces of _French_ money, one was coined 1596. They were in several places, above a foot within the firm ground.” “June 13, 1632, At _Watertown_ there was in the view of divers witnesses, a great combat between a mouse and snake; and after a long fight, the mouse prevailed and killed the snake.” The minister of Boston, Mr Wilson a very sincere holy man, gives this interpretation—“The snake is the devil, the mouse is a poor contemptable people whom God has brought hither, and who shall overcome Satan here, and dispossess him of his kingdom.” “At the same time he told the governor, that before he resolved to come into the country, he dreamed that he was here, and saw a church arise out of the earth, which grew up and became a marvellous goodly church.” He might think his dream divine; but it is easily accounted for as a common event, arising with the church-building out of a lively imagination, warmed and directed by a preponderating inclination. If, instead of interpreting the combat, he had only mentioned, that the event suggested to him such thoughts, and such an improvement, he would have evidenced more judgment and an equal degree of wisdom in seizing the happy circumstance.