The Popham Colony : $b a discussion of its historical claims, with a bibliography of the subjectPoole, William Frederick
History
The Popham Colony : $b a discussion of its historical claims, with a bibliography of the subject
Poole, William Frederick
Maine -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
And now comes a long dissertation on the blessings that have been
experienced in Maine, by Massachusetts extending its government over
it. Some of these moral reflections may be true, but many of the
inhabitants of that territory did not then see it. I certainly agree
with him in his appreciation of the energy and intelligence of the
settlers of Maine and their descendants. They are equal to, and very
much resemble, those of the other New England States; but what this
has to do with Popham, he don't tell us. And, finally, he undertakes
in a note to give the writer of that famous letter about the ship a
kick, by stating that a writer in a Portland paper has had his article
badly printed by having it done so far from home; and, when revised,
he will give it the attention it deserves. Very kind.
Having made a somewhat rapid survey of his three or four heavy
columns, "a mighty maze, and yet without a plan," I will look at his
famous first attack, or, as the writer in the Portland Advertiser
calls it, "the fire of his skirmish line;" and will now give his
assertions there a passing notice, glancing over his attack on the
Memorial Volume, the defence of Gorges, and his abuse of their
authors, who are perfectly able to defend themselves, and may do so
hereafter. He talks strongly about "historical verities:" let us see
how fairly he treats authentic history. And first, will he tell us
where he finds the colonists called "convicted felons," "cowards, Old
Bailey convicts and knaves?" and that "they had saved their necks by
emigrating," etc., etc.? Can he point to the book and the page for
these "historical verities"? He may it is true quote a writer who
says "many of them were endangered of the law." So were many of the
Plymouth colonists,--to their honor, when we consider what law was,
and what protection human rights had under James I.
Again, let us look at his assertions relative to that "pretty
pinnace." In his "first consideration," he argues that a sea-worthy
vessel was never built by the colonists; and, by inference, would make
us believe that it was not built at all, saying "there was not time
between the 15th of December and spring to build a sea-worthy
vessel,"--when not a person but himself who ever perused "Brief
Relation" or "Strachey" doubted the building and sailing for England
of such a ship. Next, "that they had no need of a vessel." As if they
did not know their own wants better than we do. Can there be much
doubt it was the intention of the projectors to have a vessel built,
and that for this purpose they sent over "Master Digby and the
carpenters"? And then he coolly states she was built of "green pine,"
and repeatedly calls her a "fishing boat," and implies that she went a
fishing. Will he also give his authority for these statements? Every
reader of history knows these assertions are untrue; and till he can
clear himself of this charge, let him not undertake to lecture others
on "historical verities."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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