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ORIGINAL NARRATIVES OF EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY
REPRODUCED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
General Editor, J. FRANKLIN JAMESON, Ph.D., LL.D,
DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON
WINTHROP'S JOURNAL
1630 — 1649 Volume II
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TITLE-PAGE OF THE "BAY PSALM-BOOK"
From a copy of the original in the New York Public Library
(Lenox Building)
ORIGINAL NARRATIVES OF EARLT AMERICAN HISTORY
WINTHROP'S JOURNAL
"HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND" 1630—1649
EDITED BY
JAMES KENDALL HOSMER, LLD.
CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND OF THE COLONIAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS
IVITH MAPS AND FACSIMILES
VOLUME II
NORMAL SCHOOL
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS NEW YORK 1908
^-^-ct
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS
Published June, 1908
FCl
Yi5
^U
NOTE
For the opportunity to reproduce the title-page of the "Bay Psalm-Book" we are indebted to Mr. Wilberforce Eames of the Lenox Library. This book of psalms, translated by various of the Massachusetts clergy, chiefly by Richard Mather, Thomas Welde and John Eliot, was the first book issued from the Cambridge Press set up by Stephen Daye in 1639; indeed, it was the first book printed in America north of Mexico. It superseded the version of Sternhold and Hopkins hitherto used at the Bay. Plymouth continued as before to use the psalm-book of Henry Ainsworth. The "Bay Psalm-Book" is exceedingly rare; only four perfect copies are known, only ten copies in all.
The second illustration is a facsimile of the first page of the memorable New England Confederation of 1643. It seems not to have been photographed before. Two manuscripts are in existence: one in the Connecticut State Library, the other in the oflSce of the Register of Deeds for Plymouth County, at Plymouth. It is the former which, by the kind consent of the State Librarian, Mr. George S. Godard, is reproduced in this volume. The document, which is in a fine state of preservation, is a manuscript of four pages, each of about 16 by 13 inches in size, and bears date Plymouth, September 5, 1672.
The last facsimile is of two pages from An Almanack for 1649, by Samuel Danforth, printed at Cambridge in 1649. The first almanac printed in the colonies was that for 1639, printed in that year by Stephen Daye, the second product of the Cambridge Press (the first was the freemen's oath). No copy is known to be extant of any issue before 1646. All the earlier issues exist in single copies only; that here reproduced is preserved in the Lenox Library. The
1^050
VI
NOTE
"Chronological Table" here shown may be taken as representing the average man's conception as to what had been the most important and memorable events of New England history in the period covered by these two volumes of the Journal of Governor
John Winthrop.
J. F. J.
CONTENTS
WINTHROP'S JOURNAL "HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND"
Edited by James Kendall Hosmer
1640
Dudley elected Governor; Gift to Winthrop
Lynn Planters, Dissatisfied, go to Long Island .
Difficulties with the Dutch ....
Rumors of Treachery on the Part of Miantonomo
Arrival of Thomas Gorges at Agamenticus
God's Providence shown in Explosion on Board the Mary Rose
Enmity shown by Sir Ferdinando Gorges and John Mason
Remorse and Confession of Captain John Underhill .
Visit to Boston of Miantonomo
Boundary settled between Massachusetts and Plymouth . The Book of Common Prayer devoured by Mice
1641
Settlement of Trouble in the Church of Dorchester .
New Meeting House in Boston
Public Spirit of Rev. Hugh Peter ..... Peter, Welde and Hibbins sent to England as Colonial Agents Troubles of Rev. Hanserd Knollys and Rev. Thomas Larkham Richard Bellingham elected Governor .... Action of Long Parliament stays Emigration to New England Departure of Peter, Welde, Hibbins and John Winthrop, Jr. Disputes between Connecticut and the Dutch . Providence Island, in the Caribbean, captured by the Spaniards Democratic Spirit shown at the Election of Bellingham Proprietors at Piscataqua offer to come under Massachusetts New Heresies of Mrs. Hutchinson and Friends at Aquidneck
John Underhill gives Trouble
Parliament confirms the Patent
3
4
5
6
8
9
10
12
14
16
18
22 23 23 25 27 31 31 32 32 33 36 38 39 41 42
Vll
VIU
CONTENTS
PAGE
LaTour makes Overtures for an Alliance 43
Bellingham's Peculiar Marriage 44
God's Judgment on the Crew of the Charles for Working on the Lord's Day 45
Trouble with Bellingham 46
The "Body of Liberties" established 48
Rev. John Cotton opposes William Hathorne 49
1642
Samuel Gorton at Providence
Turner, of Charlestown, drowns himself under Conviction of Sin New Haven helped at Delaware by a Penitent Pequot
Underbill departs for the Dutch
Winthrop elected Governor
Saltonstall calls in Question the Standing Council Rev. Richard Gibson, from the Church of England, makes Trouble Darby Field, First of White Men, ascends White Mountains Dispute over Sow between Capt. Keayne and Mistress Sherman Edward Bendall raises the Mary Rose by means of Diving-Bell Some of the Elders give Advice to Concord .... Wequash Cook, Indian Preacher, dies very comfortably . Cotton, Hooker and Davenport invited to Westminster Assembly Applications for Ministers from Virginia and Barbadoes . News from Connecticut of Hostile Indian Alliance . Cutshamekin, Passaconaway and Miantonomo are disarmed
Miantonomo questioned
Four Planters of Providence seek to come under Massachusetts Discouragement; God's Judgment on Traducers of New England
Nine Bachelors commence at Cambridge
Messengers arrive from LaTour
The White Mountains further explored
The Elders consider Saltonstall's Book on the Standing Council
Merchants Trading with LaTour threatened by d'Aulnay
Sin of Rev. Thomas Larkham of Dover
53 55 56 57 58 59 61 62 64 67 68 69 71 73 74 75 77 81 82 84 85 85 86 88
1643
News out of England causes Appointment of Days of Humiliation . . 91
Excessive Rain, Pigeons and Mice, causing Scarcity 92
Insanity of Mistress Onion, of Roxbury 93
Experiences of the Ministers who went to Virginia 94
War between Dutch and Indians; Roger Williams a Peace-maker . . 95
Parliament thanked for a Great Favor 97
A Confederation of the Colonies effected 98
Text of the Articles of Confederation 100
Arrival of LaTour with a Powerful Ship 105
Professing Friendship and seeking Alliance, he is Hospitably received . 106
Disapproval and Defence of the Favor shown him 108
CONTENTS
The "Sow Business" and the Magistrates' Negative ....
Two Sachems desire to be received under Massachusetts Government
Text of the Agreement with the Sachems .
Capt. Carman's Fight with a Turkish Ship described
CompHcations with LaTour and d'Aulnay .
LaTour charters Boston Ships and departs
War between Uncas and Miantonomo
Dutch complain of Connecticut's Encroachment
Miantonomo captured by Uncas ....
Miantonomo slain .......
Return of Ships chartered by LaTour
Mrs. Hutchinson and her Family killed by Indians near Manhattan
Assembly of Elders at Cambridge disapproves the Presbyterian Way
Gorton and Followers arrested and imprisoned in Boston .
Commissioners of the United Colonies remonstrate with the Swedes
Gorton and his Men Examined, dealt with, and characterized .
A Ship of the Earl of Warwick promotes Disorder . . . ,
1644
A Pinnace blown up, showing God's Judgment on profane Men
Return of Thomas Morton, an Ill-wisher and Traducer
Consultation as to Maintaining the Castle .
Overtures from Cutshamekin and other Sachems
Fortunes of the Plough Patent or Lygonia
Uneasiness about the Defenceless Castle
Letters from the Dutch denying ill Treatment of English
The Sad Case of Mary Latham
The Legislature becomes Bi-cameral ....
The Banishment of Rev. John Wheelwright rescinded
Canonicus and Pessacus purpose to war against Uncas
John Endicott elected Governor; Messengers sent to the Narragansetts
The Magistrates foil a plot of the Essex Deputies
Pumham asks aid against the Narragansetts
Dispute between Magistrates and Deputies as to the Vacancy
Simon Bradstreet and William Hathorne unwisely chosen Commissioners
Deputies refuse Powder to Plymouth and Aquidneck ...
Increase of Anabaptistry in spite of Penalty of Banishment
LaTour arrives to ask for Aid against d'Aulnay ....
Trouble in the Hampton Church over Rev. Mr. Batchellor
D'Aulnay at Penobscot robbed by Englishmen from Maine
English Vessel at Delaware turned back by the Dutch and Swedes .
A Letter, not Conciliatory, sent to d'Aulnay
Captain Stagg seizes a Bristol Ship in Boston Harbor
One Franklin executed for Murder of an Indentured Child
Endicott bewails Jarrings between Magistrates and Deputies
An Over-zealous Constable causes International Misunderstanding .
LaTour sails from Boston with Honors; Thomas Morton dealt with
X CONTENTS
PAGE
Arrival of the Lady LaTour causes more Complications .... 197
Roger Williams arrives with Friendly Letter from Men in Power . . 198
Awkward Complication as to a Ship from Dartmouth .... 199
A Supposed Friar arrives with a Message from d'Aulnay .... 201
Peace arranged between the Mohegans and Narragansetts . . . 204
More Trouble with LaTour 204
Lady LaTour departs 206
Power and Mercy of God shown in Recovery of Children . . . 209 General Court and Elders settle Powers of Magistrates, etc. . . .211
Winthrop and Deputies differ 217
Saltonstall tries to resign 218
1645
The Colony Powder destroyed, wherein is a Special Providence . . 220
The Church at Exeter admonished 221
An Advisory Commission appointed in England 222
John Winthrop, jr., establishes Iron- works 222
Public Schools established; Support for the College 224
Mistress Hopkins of Hartford goes Insane through Studies . . . 225
More Trouble with LaTour and d'Aulnay 225
Deputies arrogate the Right to choose Preacher at Election . . . 226
War in England diminishes the Supply of Laborers 228
Thomas Dudley chosen Governor 229
Trouble over Captaincy of the Hingham Train-band .... 229
Speech of Winthrop defining the Just Bounds of Liberty .... 237
Authority of the Magistrates weakened by Mutinous Practices . . . 240
Rev. Peter Hobart's Presbyterial Spirit 244
Commerce freed from Restraints 246
Angry Controversy with d'Aulnay, who captures LaTour's Fort . . 247
Wreck of the Seafort 248
Higginson, Bulkeley and George Downing depart for England . . . 250
The Castle repaired and strengthened 251
Negroes freed and Offenders punished on a Boston Slave-Ship . . . 252
Commissioners of United Colonies discuss Indian War and LaTour . . 254
Military Officers given full Authority in War Matters .... 254
Sir Henry Vane, the Younger, does New England a Service . . . 256
The New England Divines answer the Opponents of Congregationalism . 257
Laws as to Entertainment of Strangers, etc., maintained .... 259
Dispute between Massachusetts and Plymouth as to Title of Lands . . 261
1646
Rev. Peter Hobart of Hingham gives Further Trouble
Dispute as to Proprietorship of Lygonia
Harmony between Magistrates and Deputies; the Laws digested Negotiations with d'Aulnay .......
William Vassall and Others petition for Greater Freedom .
264 266 269 270 271
FACSIMILE REPRODUCTIONS
Title-page of the "Bay Psalm-Book." From a copy in the New York
Public Library (Lenox Building) Frontispiece
PAGE
First Page of the Articles of Confederation of the United Colo- nies OF New England. From the manuscript in the Connecticut State Library 100
A New England Chronology, from "An Almanack for 1649." From
the original in the New York Public Library (Lenox Building) . 340
WINTHROP'S JOURNAL
THE HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND"
I 630-1 649 Vol. H
KOKMAL SCHOOL
WINTHROPS JOURNAL
"THE HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND" I 630-1 649
1640
(3.) (May) 13.] The court of elections was at Boston, and Thomas Dudley, Esq., was chosen governor. Some trouble there had been in making way for his election, and it was obtained with some difficulty ; for many of the elders labored much in it, fearing lest the long continuance of one man in the place should bring it to be for Ufe, and, in time, hereditary. Beside, this gentleman was a man of approved wisdom and godliness, and of much good service to the country, and there- fore it was his due to share in such honor and benefit as the country had to bestow. The elders, being met at Boston about this matter, sent some of their company to acquaint the old governor with their desire, and the reasons moving them, clearing themselves of all dislike of his government, and seriously professing their sincere affections and respect towards him, which he kindly and thankfully accepted, concurring with them in their motion, and expressing his unfeigned desire of more freedom, that he might a little intend his private occa- sions, wherein (they well knew) how much he had lately suf- fered (for his bailiff, whom he trusted with managing his farm, had engaged him £2500 without his privity) in his outward estate. This they had heard of, and were much affected there- with, and all the country in general, and took course, (the elders agreeing upon it at that meeting,) that supply should be sent
3
4 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1640
in from the several towns, by a voluntary contribution, for free- ing of those engagements ; and the court (having no money to bestow, and being yet much indebted) gave his wife three thousand acres of land, and some of the towns sent in liberally, and some others promised, but could perform but little, and the most nothing at all. The whole came not to £500 whereof near half came from Boston, and one gentleman of Newbury, Mr. Richard Dummer, propounded for a supply by a more private way, and for example, himself disbursed £100.*
This first court there fell some difference between the gov- ernor and some of the deputies about a vote, upon a motion to have the fine of £200 imposed upon Mr. Robert Keaine to be abated. Some would have had it at £100, — others at 100 marks, others at 50, and because the governor put the lowest to the vote fii'st, whereas divers called for the highest, they charged the governor with breach of order, whereupon he grew into some heat, professing that he would not suffer such things, etc. The deputies took this as a menacing, and much offence they took at it ; but the next day he cleared his inten- tion to them, and all was quiet.
Mo. 4 (June).] Divers of the inhabitants of Linne, finding themselves straitened, looked out for a new plantation, and going to Long Island, they agreed with the Lord Sterling's agent there, one Mr. Forrett,^ for a parcel of the isle near the west end, and agreed with the Indians for their right. The Dutch, hearing of this, and making claim to that part of the island by a former purchase of the Indians, sent men to take possession of the place, and set up the arms of the Prince of Orange upon a tree. The Linne men sent ten or twelve men
^ This liberality to Winthrop, suffering thus heavily through his devotion to the public service, is the best possible evidence of the esteem in which he was held. The large gift of Richard Dummer, in particular, who had been dis- ciplined in the antinomian excitement, (see Vol. I., p. 215), is a sign, from a magnanimous sufferer, of appreciation of substantial worth in a persecutor.
=^Read Farrett. James Farrett, a Scotsman, was from 1637 to 1641 the agent of Lord Stirling for selling lands on Long Island. See Slafter, Sir Wil- liam Alexander, pp. 87-90.
1G40] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 5
with provisions, etc., who began to build, and took down the prince's arms, and, in place thereof, an Indian had drawn an unhandsome face. The Dutch took this in high displeasure, and sent soldiers and fetched away their men, and imprisoned them a few days, and then took an oath of them [blank] and so discharged them. Upon this the Linne men (finding them- selves too weak, and having no encouragement to expect aid from the English) deserted that place, and took another at the east end of the same island; and, being now about forty families, they proceeded in their plantation, and called one Mr. Pierson, a godly learned man, and a member of the church of Boston, to go with them, who with some seven or eight more of the company gathered (9)* into a church body at Linne, (before they went,) and the whole company entered into a civil combination (with the advice of some of our magistrates) to become a corporation.
• Upon this occasion, the Dutch governor, one William Kyfte, (a discreet man,) wrote to our governor complaint of the Eng- lish usurpations, both at Connecticut, and now also at Long Island, and of the abuse offered to the Prince's arms, etc., and thereupon excused his imprisoning our men. To which the governor returned answer, (in Latin, his letter being in the same,) that our desire had always been to hold peace and good correspondency with all our neighbors ; and though we would not maintain any of our countrymen in any unjust action, yet we might not suffer them to be injured, etc. As for our neigh- bors of Connecticut, etc., he knew they were not under our government, and for those at Long Island, they went volun- tarily from us, etc.^
' /. e., probably in November.
^ From another authority, we learn that the arms of the Prince of Orange were pulled down by Lieutenant Daniel Howe, who was at times deputy for Lynn in the General Court. The growth of the plantations, now causing en- croachment east and west, involved the English in disputes with Dutch and French neighbors. The occupation of Long Island (near Oyster Bay) was a menace to Manhattan.
6 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1640
This year there came over great store of provisions, both out of England and Ireland, and but few passengers, (and those brought very little money,) which was occasioned by the store of money and quick markets, which the merchants found here the two or three years before, so as now all our money was drained from us, and cattle and all commodities grew very cheap, which enforced us at the next general court, in the 8th month, to make an order, that corn should pass in payments of new debts; Indian at 4s. the bushel; rye at 5s., and wheat at 6s.; and that, upon all executions for former debts, the credi- tor might take what goods he pleased, (or, if he had no goods, then his lands,) to be appraised by three men, one chosen by the creditor, one by the debtor, and the third by the marshal.
One of the ships, which came this summer, struck upon a whale with a full gale, which put the ship a stays; the whale struck the ship on her bow, with her tail a Httle above water, and brake the planks and six timbers and a beam, and staved two hogsheads of vinegar.
(7.) (September.)] There was some rumor of the Indians plotting mischief against the Enghsh ; and, to strengthen this, the governor of Plymouth, a Mr. Bradford, wrote a letter to this effect : that he was informed, (and did believe it,) that the Naragansett sachem, Miantunnomoh, had sent a great present of wampum to the Mohawks, to aid him against the Enghsh, and that it was accepted, and aid promised. The Hke news was brought by Mr. Haynes, one of the magistrates upon Con- necticut, and many words were taken up from some Indians among us, which our fears interpreted the same way.* The governor and council gave no great credit to these suspicions, yet they thought fit to take order, strengthening the watches in all towns, and causing them to be ordered by the mihtary officers, (being before committed to the constables' charge,)
* Rumors thus accredited as to danger from this powerful tribe were certainly disquieting. We shall have occasion to note certain very harsh measures taken by the colonists, who felt they were environed by great perils.
1640] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 7
and withal sent Capt. Jenyson with three men and an Indian interpreter to the Naragansett sachems, to know the truth of their intentions, etc. They were very kindly entertained, but they would not speak with him in the presence of his Indian interpreter, because he was a Pequod, and a servant, and their enemy, and might discover their councils. So he made use of another interpreter. They denied all confederations with the Mohawks, etc., and professed their purpose to continue friend- ship with us, and not to use any hostility towards the EngHsh, except they began, etc., and promised to come to Boston (as he was desired) if Mr. Williams might come with him, (but that we had denied). Only Janemoh, the Niantick sachem, carried himself proudly, and refused to come to us, or to yield to any thing, only he said he would not harm us, except we invaded him.
The governor and council took from Cutshamekin the powder and shot they had bought of our people, with promise to pay for it, or restore it, etc.
This summer there came divers godly men, as they pre- tended, from Christophers with their families. The occasion was, one Mr. Collins, a young scholar, full of zeal, etc., preach- ing in the island, it pleased God, divers were wrought upon by him, but he and they being persecuted, and their hberty re- strained, they came away, and brought all their substance in tobacco, which came at so dead a market, as they could not get above two pence the pound (the freight came to one penny, observe,) nor could sell half at that rate. They arrived first at Quilipiack, (since called New Haven,) and so dispersed themselves here and there, and some returned to Ireland. Mr. Collins and one Mr. Hales (a young man very well conceited of himself and censorious of others) went to Aquiday, and so soon as Hales came acquainted with Mrs. Hutchinson, he was taken by her and became her disciple. Mr. Colhns was enter- tained at Hartford to teach a school, and hearing of Mrs. Hutch- inson's opinions, etc., wrote to Mr. Hales to beware of her.
8 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1640
Mr. Hales returned him answer, and the next morning he went away, without taking leave, and being come to Mrs. Hutchin- son, he was also taken with her heresies, and in great admira- tion of her, so as these, and other the Hke before, when she dwelt in Boston, gave cause of suspicion of witchcraft, for it was certainly known, that Hawkins's wife (who continued with her, and was her bosom friend) had much familiarity with the devil in England, when she dwelt at St. Ives, where divers ministers and others resorted to her and found it true.
This summer here arrived one Mr. Thomas Gorge,* a young gentleman of the inns of court, a kinsman of Sir Ferdinand Gorge, and sent by him with commission for the government of his province of Somersetshire. He was sober and well dis- posed; he staid a few days at Boston, and was very careful to take advice of our magistrates how to manage his affairs, etc. When he came to Acomenticus, now called Bristol,^ he found all out of order, for Mr. Burdett ruled all, and had let loose the reigns of liberty to his lusts, that he grew very notori- ous for his pride and adultery ; and the neighbors now finding Mr. Gorge well incHned to reform things, they complained of him, and produced such foul matters against him, as he was laid hold on, and bound to appear at their court at Sacoe : but he dealt so with some other of the commissioners, that, when the coiirt came, Mr. Vines and two more stood for him, but Mr. Gorge having the greater party on his side, and the jury finding him guilty of adultery and other crimes, with much labor and difficulty he was fined (under £30). He appealed unto England, but Mr. Gorge would not admit his appeal, but seized some of his cattle, etc. Upon this Mr. Burdett went
^ Thomas Gorges, in spite of his connection with Sir Ferdinando, preserved friendly relations with his Puritan neighbors, and is- remembered with honor by the historians of Maine. Richard Vines, too, a cavalier, seems to have been a respectable man. Perhaps the different bearing of the royalist agents to the Puritans may have been due in part to a recognition by them of the fact that the King was powerfully opposed, and that Massachusetts would have in Parlia- ment an ally to be reckoned with.
^ At present York, Maine,
1640] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 9
into England, but when he came there he found the state so changed, as his hopes were frustrated, and he, after taking part with the cavaUers, was committed to prison.
One Baker, master's mate of the ship [blank,] being in drink, used some reproachful words of the queen. The governor and council were much in doubt what to do with him, but having considered that he was distempered and sorry for it, etc., and being a stranger and a chief officer in the ship, and many ships were then in harbor, they thought it not fit to inflict corporal punishment upon him, but after he had been two or three days in prison, he was set an hour at the whipping post with a paper on his head, and so dismissed.
Mo. 5. (July) 27.] Being the second day of the week, the Mary Rose, a ship of Bristol, of about 200 tons, her master one Capt. [blank,] lying before Charlton, was blown in pieces with her own powder, being 21 barrels; wherein the judgment of God appeared, for the master and company were many of them profane scoffers at us, and at the ordinances of religion here; so as, our churches keeping a fast for our native country, etc., they kept aboard, at their common service, when all the rest of the masters came to our assemblies; likewise the Lord's day following ; and a friend of his going aboard next day and asking him, why he came not on shore to our meetings, his answer was, that he had a family of his own,. etc., and they had as good service aboard as we had on shore. Within two hours after this (being about dinner time) the powder took fire (no man Imows how) and blew all up, viz. the captain and nine or ten of his men, and some four or five strangers. There was a special providence that there were no more, for many principal men were going aboard at that time, and some were in a boat near the ship, and others were diverted by a sudden shower of rain, and others by other occasions. There was one man saved, being carried up in the scuttle, and so let fall in the same into the water, and being taken up by the ferry boat, near dead, he came to himself the next morning, but could not tell any thing
10 WINTHROFS JOURNAL [1640
of the blowing up of the ship, or how he came there. The rest of the dead bodies were after found, much bruised and broken. Some goods were saved, but the whole loss was estimated at £2,000. A 20s. piece was foimd sticking in a chip, for there was above £300 in money in her, and 15 tons of lead, and 10 pieces of ordnance, which a year after were taken up, and the hull of the ship drawn ashore.
This judgment of God upon these scomers of his ordi- nances and the ways of his servants (for they spake very evil of us, because they found not so good a market for their com- modities as they expected, etc.) gives occasion to mention other examples of like kind, which fell out at this and other times, by which it will appear how the Lord hath owned this work, and preserved and prospered his people here beyond ordinary ways of providence.
One Capt. Mason of London,' a man in favor at court, and a professed enemy to us, had a plantation at Pascataquack ; which he was at great charge about, and set up a sawmill, but nothing prospered. He provided a ship, which should have been employed to have brought a general governor, or in some other design to our prejudice, but in launching of it, her back was broken. He also employed Gardiner, and Morton, and others, to prosecute against us at council table, and by a quo warranto, etc., so as Morton wrote divers letters to his friends here, insulting against us, and assuring them of our speedy ruin, etc. But the Lord still disappointed them, and frustrated all their designs. As for this Mason, he fell sick and died soon after, and in his sickness he sent for the minister, and bewailed his enmity against us, and promised, if he recovered, to be as great a friend to New England as he had formerly been an enemy.
Sir Ferdinand Gorge also had sided with our adversaries against us, but underhand, pretending by his letters and
1 John Mason, of the Piscataqua, must not be confounded with John Mason of Connecticut, captain in the Pequot war.
1640] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 11
speeches to seek our welfare ; but he never prospered. He at- tempted great matters, and was at large expenses about his province here, but he lost all.
One Austin (a man of good estate) came with his family in the year 1638 to Quinipiack, and not finding the country as he expected, he grew discontented, saying that he could not sub- sist here, and thereupon made off his estate, and with his family and £1000 in his purse, he returned for England in a ship bound for Spain, against the advice of the godly there, who told him he would be taken by the Turks ; and it so fell out, for in Spain he embarked himself in a great ship bound for Eng- land which carried £200,000 in money, but the ship was taken by the Turks, and Austin and his wife and family were carried to Algiers, and sold there for slaves.^
The Lord showed his displeasure against others, though godly, who have spoken ill of this coimtry, and so discouraged the hearts of his people ; even the lords and others of Providence having spoken too much in that kind, thinking thereby to further their own plantation. They set out a ship the last year with passengers and goods for Providence, but it was taken by the Turks. Captain Newman, the same year, having taken good prizes in their service, returning home, when he was near Dover, was taken by a Dunkirker, and all lost. Mr. Humfrey, who was now for Providence with his company, raised an ill report of this country, were here kept, in spite of all their en- deavors and means to have been gone this winter, and his corn and all his hay to the value of £160 were burnt by his own
*"Here," says Savage in a foot-note, "ends the perfect text of the second venerable MS. of the author, which began in my Vol. I., p. 197 [Vol. I., p. 191, of this edition]. On the morning of the 10th November [1825], the original was destroyed by fire, and my copy, on which the labor of collation, equally faithful and pleasant, had been bestowed by me, three times, in different years, was also lost. Another copy, designed for the printers, shared the same fate, except that the few pages foregoing, having been sent to the press, were preserved. From this place to the end of the second volume of the original MS. [ fost, p. 207] the boast of a pure text, with correction of the grosser errors denoted in the margin, and supplying of omissions in the former edition, must be abandoned."
12 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1640
servants^ who made a fire in his barn, and by gunpowder, which accidentally took fire, consumed all; himself having at the court before petitioned for some supply of his want, whereupon the court gave him £250. Soon after also Providence was taken by the Spaniards, and the lords lost all their care and cost to the value of above £60,000/
Mo. 7. (September) 3.] Captain Underbill being brought, by the blessing of God in this church's censure of excommunica- tion, to remorse for his foul sins, obtained, by means of the elders, and others of the church of Boston, a safe conduct under the hand of the governor and one of the council to repair to the church. He came at the time of the court of assistants, and upon the lecture day, after sermon, the pastor called him forth and declared the occasion, and then gave him leave to speak: and indeed it was a spectacle which caused many weeping eyes, though it afforded matter of much rejoicing to behold the power of the Lord Jesus in his own ordinances, when they are dispensed in his own way, holding forth the authority of his regal sceptre in the simphcity of the gospel. He came in his worst clothes (being accustomed to take great pride in his bravery and neatness) without a band, in a foul linen cap pulled close to his eyes ; and standing upon a form, he did, with many deep sighs and abundance of tears, lay open his wicked course, his adultery, his hypocrisy, his persecution of God's people here, and especially his pride (as the root of all, which caused God to give him over to his other sinful courses) and contempt of the magistrates. He justified God and the church and the court in all that had been inflicted on him. He declared what power Satan had of him since the casting out of the church; how his presumptuous laying hold of mercy and pardon, before God gave it, did then fail him when the terrors of God came
^ So ended in disaster the scheme which had threatened the uprooting of New England, the hand of God in Winthrop's eyes being clearly visible in the misfortunes of the disaffected. I'he Providence referred to is the island Provi- dence, or Catalina, off the Nicaraguan coast.
1640] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 13
upon him, so as he could have no rest, nor could see any issue but utter despair, which had put him divers times upon resolu- tions of destroying himself, had not the Lord in mercy prevented him, even when his sword was ready to have done the execu- tion. Many fearful temptations he met with beside, and in all these his heart shut up in hardness and impenitency as the bondslave of Satan, till the Lord, after a long time and great afflictions, had broken his heart, and brought him to humble himself before him night and day with prayers and tears till his strength was wasted ; and indeed he appeared as a man worn out with sorrow, and yet he could find no peace, therefore he was now come to seek it in this ordinance of God. He spake well, save that his blubbering, etc., interrupted him, and all along he discovered a broken and melting heart, and gave good exhortations to take heed of such vanities and beginnings of evil as had occasioned his fall ; and in the end he earnestly and humbly besought the church to have compassion of him, and to deliver him out of the hands of Satan. So accordingly he was received into the church again ; and after he came into the court (for the general court began soon after) and made confes- sion of his sin against them, etc., and desired pardon, which the court freely granted him, so far as concerned their private judgment. But for his adultery they would not pardon that for example's sake, nor would restore him to freedom, though they released his banishment, and declared the former law against adultery to be of no force ; so as there was no law now to touch his life, for the new law against adultery was made since his fact committed. He confessed also in the congrega- tion, that though he was very familiar with that woman, and had gained her affection, etc., yet she withstood him six months against all his solicitations (which he thought no woman could have resisted) before he could overcome her chastity, but being once overcome, she was wholly at his will. And to make his peace the more sound, he went to her husband (being a cooper) and fell upon his knees before him in the presence of
14 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1640
some of the elders and others, and confessed the wrong he had done him, and besought him to forgive him, which he did very freely, and in testimony thereof he sent the captain's wife a token/
4. 5. 6.] It rained three days and nights together, and the tides were extraordinary high.
Mo. 9 (November).] It is before declared how the church of Boston sent messengers and a letter to their members at Aquiday, and how they refused to hear them, pretending them- selves to be no members, being now so far removed. Where- upon the elders and most of the church intended to have cast them out, as refusers to hear the church ; but some others de- sired that the church would write to them once again, which accordingly was done, and the letter drawn by Mr. Cotton, wherein he fully repeated all former proceedings, both of the church and of the court, and justified both, and condemned their errors and disturbance of the peace here, and their re- monstrance, and Mr. Wheelwright's sermon, (which formerly, among other his faihngs, being misled by their subtilty, etc., he had justified and commended,) and showed how the church had been wronged by them.
Miantunnomoh, the sachem of Naragansett, came, and was met at Dorchester by Captain Gibbons and a guard of twelve musketeers, and well entertained at Roxbury by the governor ; but when we came to parley, he refused to treat with us by our Pequod interpreter, as he had done before to Captain Jenyson, and the governor being as resolute as he, refused to use any other interpreter, thinking it a dishonor to us to give so much way to them. Whereupon he came from Roxbury to Boston, departing in a rude manner, without showing any respect or sign of thankfulness to the governor for his entertainment,
' This curious passage, held by Savage to be one of Winthrop's " best delinea- tions of manners," is not conclusive as to the sincerity of Underhill's repentance. Underhill is supposed to have lived until 1672, his later career being in Connecticut, on Long Island, and among the Dutch. He held offices of importance, and found opportunity to increase his fame as an Indian fighter.
1640] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 15
whereof the governor informed the general court, and would show him no countenance, nor admit him to dine at our table, as formerly he had done, till he had acknowledged his failing, etc., which he readily did, so soon as he could be made to un- derstand it, and did speak with our committees and us by a Pequod maid who could speak English perfectly. But it was conceived by some of the court that he kept back such things as he accounted secrets of state, and that he would carry home in his breast, as an injury, the strict terms he was put to both in this, and the satisfaction he was urged to for not observ- ing our custom in matter of manners, for he told us that when our men came to him, they were permitted to use their own fashions, and so he expected the same hberty with us. So as he departed and nothing agreed, only the former articles of peace were read to him and allowed by him with this addition, that if any of his men did set traps in our jurisdiction, etc., they should be hable to satisfy all dam- ages, etc.
Mo. 8 (October).] The elders had moved at a general court before, that the distinction between the two jurisdictions might be set down, that the churches might know their power, and the civil magistrate his. The same had been moved by the magis- trates formerly, and now at this court they presented a writing to that effect, to be considered by the court, wherein they declared that the civil magistrate should not proceed against a church member before the church had dealt with him, with some other restraints which the court did not allow of. So the matter was referred to further consideration, and it ap- peared, indeed, that divers of the elders did not agree in those points.^
At this court Mr. Ezekiel Rogers, pastor of the church in Rowley, being not kindly dealt with, nor justly, as he alleged,
^The passage illustrates the growth of ecclesiastical power at the expense of the civil authority, the theocratic feature of the polity becoming now pro- nounced.
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concerning the limits of their town, moved for further enlarge- ment for taking in a neck of land upon Merrimack near Co- chitawit/ for which end they desired their line might run square from Ipswich line. This line was granted, and he said it should satisfy, but within an hour after it was discovered that he was mistaken, and that such a line would not reach the neck, whereupon he came again and confessed his mistake, and still demanded the neck. The court was very doubtful what to do in it, having formerly granted a plantation at Cochitawit, and did not yield his request. Whereupon he pleaded justice, upon some promises of large accommodations, etc., when we desired his sitting down with us, and grew into some passion, so as in departing from the court, he said he would acquaint the elders with it. This behavior, being menacing, as it was taken, gave just cause of offence to the court, so as he was sent for, not by the officer, but by one of Rowley deputies. Before he came, he wrote to the governor, wherein he confessed his pas- sionate distemper, declared his meaning in those offensive speeches, as that his meaning was that he would propound the case to the elders for advice only about the equity of it, which he still defended. This would not be accepted, but the court would have him appear and answer: only they left him to take his own time, so the next day he came, not accompanied with any other of the elders, though many were then in town, and did freely and humbly blame himself for his passionate distem- per; and the court knowing that he would not yield from the justice of his cause, (as he apprehended it,) they would not put him upon any temptation, but accepted his satisfaction, and freely granted what he formerly desired.
A commission had formerly been granted to Mr. Endecott and Mr. Stoughton for joining with the commissioners of Plymouth, who met the second time at Scituate, and there came to a full agreement, which was certified this court, and recorded to this effect: That the bounds should be that branch of
^ Later Andover.
1640] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 17
Conyhassett creek nearest to Scituate, with 60 acres of marsh in the south side.*
The scarcity of money made a great change in all commerce. Merchants would sell no wares but for ready money, men could not pay their debts though they had enough, prices of lands and cattle fell soon to the one half and less, yea to a third, and after one fourth part.
Mo. 10. {December) 9.] The church of Watertown ordained Mr. Ivnolles,^ a godly man and a prime scholar, pastor, and so they had now two pastors and no teacher, chffering from the practice of the other churches, as also they did in their privacy, not giving notice thereof to the neighboring churches, nor to the magistrates, as the common practice was.
At the court of assistants one Hugh Bewett was banished for holding publicly and maintaining that he was free from original sin and from actual also for half a year before, and that all true christians after [blank] are enabled to live without committing actual sin.
15.] A pinnace called the Coach, being in her voyage to New Haven (late Quinipiack) between Salem and Cape Cod, sprang a leak, so as in the morning they found her hold half filled with water; whereupon the seamen and passengers be- took themselves to their skiff, being a very small one, and the wind then growing very high at S. W. Only one Jackson, a godly man and an experienced seaman, would not leave the vessel before he had tried the utmost, so getting them in again, and laying the bark upon the contrary side, they fell to get- ting out the water, which, it pleased God, they overcame, and having a fine fresh gale, they got safe back to Salem.
^ The full text of the agreement is given by Bradford, History of Plymouth Plantation, p. 351, of the edition in this series.
^ Rev. John Knowles, not to be confounded with Hanserd Knollys before mentioned. His ordination after this fashion, as colleague of the respected Phillips, is an extreme assertion of the spirit of Congregationalism; in this we may see the hand of Phillips, whose radical temper was manifest from the first. Savage finds here a confirmation of his belief that no essential difference separated the offices of preacher and pastor.
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Mr. Pelham's house in Cambridge took fire in the dead of the night by the chimney. A neighbor's wife hearing some noise among her hens, persuaded her husband to arise, which, being very cold, he was loth to do, yet through her great importunity he did, and so espied the fire, and came running in his shirt, and had much to do to awake any body, but he got them up at last, and so saved all. The fire being ready to lay hold upon the stairs, they had all been burnt in their chambers, if God had not by his special providence sent help at that very instant.
About this time a pinnace called the Make Shift, (so called because she was built of the wreck of a greater vessel at the Isle of Sable, and by that means the men saved,) being on a voyage to the southward, was cast away upon a ledge of rocks near Long Island, the goods were all lost, but the men were saved. No winter but some vessels have been cast away in that voyage.
About this time there fell out a thing worthy of observation. Mr. Winthrop the younger, one of the magistrates, having many books in a chamber where there was com of divers sorts, had among them one wherein the Greek testament, the psalms and the common prayer were bound together. He found the common prayer eaten with mice, every leaf of it, and not any of the two other touched, nor any other of his books, though there were above a thousand.^
Quere, of the child at Cambridge killed by a cat.
Mo. 8 (October).] We received a letter at the general court from the magistrates of Connecticut and New Haven and of Aquiday, wherein they declared their disHke of such as would have the Indians rooted out, as being of the cursed race of Ham,
* The mice, like the men, in New England, Winthrop thinks were charac- terized by most aggressive dissent; but Savage suggests that the mice, perhaps, " not liking psalmody and not understanding Greek, took their food from another part of the volume. ... If the cat [mentioned in the next line of text] had been in Winthrop's library, she might have prevented the stigma on the Common Prayer."
1640] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 19
and their desire of our mutual accord in seeking to gain them by justice and kindness, and withal to watch over them to prevent any danger by them, etc. We returned answer of our consent with them in all things propoimded, only we re- fused to include those of Aquiday in our answer, or to have any treaty with them.
Mo. 10 (December).] About the end of this month, a fishing ship arrived at Isle of Shoals, and another soon after, and there came no more this season for fishing. They brought us news of the Scots entering into England, and the calling of a parha- ment, and the hope of a thorough reformation, etc., whereupon some among us began to think of returning back to England. Others despairing of any more supply from thence, and yet not knowing how to live there, if they should return, bent their minds wholly to removal to the south parts, supposing they should find better means of subsistence there, and for this end put off their estates here at very low rates. These things, to- gether with the scarcity of money, caused a sudden and very great abatement of the prices of all our own commodities. Com (Indian) was sold ordinarily at three shillings the bushel, a good cow at seven or eight pounds, and some at £5, — and other things answerable (see the order of court in 8ber. (October) about these things) whereby it came to pass that men could not pay their debts, for no money nor beaver were to be had, and he who last year, or but three months before, was worth £1000, could not now, if he should sell his whole estate, raise £200, whereby God taught us the vanity of all outward things, etc.^
*The Parliament whose opening is referred to in this paragraph was the famous Long Parliament; the convening of this body was an event epoch-making for New as well as Old England. Since persecution no longer came from court and church, the main incentive to emigration was removed. The additions to the colony were henceforth not numerous: the body of twenty-thousand that were already estabhshed, a compact, homogeneous population, during the coming century and a half multiplied from within itself almost undisturbed. These are the people who have given character to the six north-eastern states of America, and influenced so widely the character and fortunes of our country in general. See Palfrey, History of New England, preface. Though king and bishop ceased
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One Taylor, of Linne, having a milch cow in the ship as he came over, sold the milk to the passengers for 2d the quart, and being after at a sermon wherein oppression was complained of, etc., he fell distracted. Quere, of the price, for 2d the quart was not dear at sea.
This evil was very notorious among all sorts of people, it being the common rule that most men walked by in all their commerce, to buy as cheap as they could, and to sell as dear.
A great ship called the Charles, of above 300 tons, brought passengers hither this year. The master was a plain, quiet man, but his company were very wicked, and did wrong the passengers much, and being at Pascataquack to take in clap- boards with another ship wherein Mr. Peter by occasion preached one Lord's day, the company of the Charles did use all the means they could to disturb the exercise, by hooting and hollooing, but in their return they were set upon by the Turks and divers of them killed.
A wicked fellow, given up to bestiality, fearing to be taken by the hand of justice, fled to Long Island, and there was drowned. He had confessed to some, that he was so given up to that abomination, that he never saw any beast go before him but he lusted after it.
Mr. Nathaniel Eaton, of whom mention is made before, be- ing come to Virginia, took upon* him to be a minister, but was given up of God to extreme pride and sensuality, being usually
to trouble, the colonies were still beset by embarrassments from over sea. The victory of Parliament at length was a victory which they welcomed; but the Presbyterians who now came into power were no friends to Congregationalism. In 1648, the Independents triumphed over the Presbyterians: these indeed the colonists might feel were brothers of their own household. They had followed the "New England way" in setting up the Commonwealth. See Thornton, Historical Relation of Neiv England to the English Commonwealth; also Borgeaud, The Rise of Modern Democracy in Old and New England. But Independency during the Commonwealth took on through Roger Williams, Vane, Cromwell and the rest, a tolerant temper not congenial to John Endicott and Nathaniel Ward, nor even to the more moderate minds of Winthrop and Cotton. Now, for twenty years. New England wrought out its own problems, but at last, at the -Restoration, the hand of the Stuart was again felt.
1640] ■ THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 21
drunken, as the custom is there.' He sent for his wife and children. Her friends here persuaded her to stay awhile, but she went notwithstanding, and the vessel was never heard of after.
* Virginia stands low in Winthrop's esteem; though, as Savage suggests, the charge of drunkenness is to be referred only to the clergy. The passage may be another illustration of the depth of the estrangement from the Church of England. The previous passage respecting Eaton is in Vol. I., pp. 310-315.
1641
Mo. 12. (February) 2.] The church of Dorchester being furnished with a very godly and able pastor, one Mr. Mather, and having invited to them one Mr. Burr, who had been a minister in England, and of very good report there for piety and learning, with intent to call him also to office, after he was re- ceived a member in their church, and had given good proofs of his gifts and godliness to the satisfaction of the church, they gave him a call to office, which he deferring to accept, in the mean time he delivered some points savoring of familism, wherein the church desiring satisfaction, and he not so free to give it as was meet, it was agreed that Mr. Mather and he should confer together, and so the church should be informed wherein the difference lay. Accordingly Mr. Burr wrote his judgment in the points in difference, in such manner and terms as from some of his propositions there could no other be gath- ered but that he was erroneous ; but this was again so qualified in other parts as might admit of a charitable construction. Mr. Mather reports to the church the errors which might be collected, without mentioning the qualification, or acquainting Mr. Burr with it before. When this was published, Mr. Burr disclaimed the errors, and Mr. Mather maintained them from his writings; whereupon the church was divided, some joining with the one, and some with the other, so as it grew to some heat and alienation, and many days were spent for reconcilia- tion, but all in vain. In the end they agreed to call in help from other churches, so this day there was a meeting at Dorchester of the governor and another of the magistrates, and about ten of the elders of the neighboring churches, wherein four days were spent in opening the cause, and such offences as had fallen out in the prosecution ; and in conclusion the magistrates and
22
1641] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 23
elders declared their judgment and advice in the case to this effect ; that both sides had cause to be humbled for their fail- ings, more particularly Mr. BmT for his doubtful and unsafe expressions, and backwardness to give clear satisfaction, etc., and Mr. Mather for his inconsideration, both in not acquainting Mr. Burr with his collections before he had published them to the church, and in not certifying the qualifications of those errors which were in his writings : for which they were advised to set a day apart for reconciliation. Upon this Mr. Mather and Mr. Burr took the blame of their failings upon themselves, and freely submitted to the judgment and advice given, to which the rest of the church yielded a silent assent, and God was much glorified in the close thereof; and Mr. Burr did again fully renounce those erroneous opinions of which he had been suspected, confessing that he was in the dark about these points, till God, by occasion of this agitation, had cleared them to him, which he did with much meekness and many tears.*
The church of Boston were necessitated to build a new meeting house, and a great difference arose about the place of situation, which had much troubled other churches on the like occasion, but after some debate it was referred to a com- mittee, and was quietly determined. It cost about £1000, which was raised out of the weekly voluntary contribution without any noise or complaint, when in some other churches which did it by way of rates, there was much difficulty and compulsion by levies to raise a far less sum.
The general fear of want of foreign commodities, now our money was gone, and that things were hke to go well in Eng- land, set us on work to provide shipping of our own, for which end Mr. Peter,^ being a man of a very public spirit and singular activity for all occasions, procured some to join for building a ship at Salem of 300 tons, and the inhabitants of Boston, stirred
* Burr, of good education and ability, gave promise of eminence, but died the year following this. 'Rev. Hugh Peter.
24 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1641
up by his example, set upon the building another at Boston of 150 tons. The work was hard to accomplish for want of money, etc., but our shipwrights were content to take such pay as the country could make. The shipwright at Salem, through want of care of his tackle, etc., occasioned the death of one Baker, who was desired with five or six more to help hale up a piece of timber, which, the rope breaking, fell down upon them. The rest by special providence were saved. This Baker, going forth in the morning very well, after he had prayed, told his wife he should see her no more, though he could not forsee any danger towards him.
The court having found by experience, that it would not avail by any law to redress the excessive rates of laborers' and workmen's wages, etc. (for being restrained, they would either remove to other places where they might have more, or else being able to live by planting and other employments of their own, they would not be hired at all,) it was therefore referred to the several towns to set down rates among themselves. This took better effect, so that in a voluntary way, by the coun- sel and persuasion of the elders, and example of some who led the way, they were brought to more moderation than they could be by compulsion. But it held not long.
Upon the great liberty which the king had left the parlia- ment to in England, some of our friends there wrote to us ad- vice to send over some to sohcit for us in the parliament, giving us hope that we might obtain much, etc. But consulting about it, we declined the motion for this consideration, that if we should put ourselves under the protection of the parliament, we must then be subject to all such laws as they should make, or at least such as they might impose upon us; in which course though they should intend our good, yet it might prove very prejudicial to us.^ But upon this occasion the court of assist-
* Jonathan Trumbull, revolutionary governor of Connecticut, noted this passage as characterized by the same independence of Parliament, that marked the men of his own time.
1641] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 25
ants being assembled, and advising with some of the elders about some coui'se to serve the providence of God, in making use of present opportunity of a ship of our own being ready bound for England, it was thought fit to send some chosen men in her with commission to negotiate for us, as occasion should be offered, both in furthering the work of reformation of the churches there which was now like to be attempted, and to satisfy our countrymen of the true cause why our engagements there have not been satisfied this year, as they were wont to be in all former time since we were here planted ; and also to seek out some way, by procuring cotton from the West Indies, or other means that might be lawful, and not dishonorable to the gospel for our present supply of clothing, etc., for the country was like to afford enough for food, etc. The persons designed hereto were Mr. Peter, pastor of the church of Salem, ^ Mr. Welde, the pastor of the church of Roxbury, and Mr. Hibbins of Boston. For this end the governor and near all the rest of the magistrates and some of the elders wrote a letter to the church of Salem, acquainting them with om' intentions, and desiring them to spare their pastor for that service. The governor also moved the church of Roxbury for Mr. Welde, whom, after some time of consideration, they freely yielded. But when it was propounded to the church of Salem, Mr. Endecott, being a member thereof, and having formerly op- posed it, did now again the like in the church. Some reasons were there alleged, as that officers should not be taken from their churches for civil occasions, that the voyage would be long and dangerous, that it would be reported that we were in such want as we had sent to England to beg relief, which would be very dishonorable to religion, and that we ought to trust God who had never failed us hitherto, etc. But the main reason, indeed, which was privately intimated, was their fear lest he should be
* Evidences abound of the great usefulness of Hugh Peter, who figures less in the dreary controversies than as the promoter of works of practical advantage. The reluctance of Salem to part with him can easily be understood.
26 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1641
kept there, or diverted to the West Indies, for Mr. Humfrey intended to go with him, who was already engaged that way by the lord Say, etc., and therefore it was feared he should fall under strong temptations that way, being once in England; and Mr. Humfrey discovered his intentions the more by falling foul upon Mr. Endecott in the open assembly at Salem for opposing this motion, and with that bitterness as gave great offence, and was like to have grown to a professed breach be- tween them, but being both godly, and hearkening to season- able counsel they were soon reconciled, upon a free and public acknowledgment of such failings as had passed. But the church, not willing to let their pastor go, nor yet to give a plain denial to the magistrates' request, wrote an answer by way of excuse, tendering some reasons of their unsatisfiedness about his going, etc. The agitation of this business was soon about the country, whereby we perceived there would be sinister in- terpretations made of it, and the ship being suddenly to depart, we gave it over for that season.
Mo. 2. (April) 13.] A negro maid, servant to Mr. Stough- ton of Dorchester, being well approved by divers years' experience, for sound knowledge and true godliness, was re- ceived into the church and baptized.
Some agitation fell out between us and Plymouth about Seacunk. Some of our people finding it fit for plantations, and thinking it out of our patent, which Plymouth men understand- ing, forbad them, and sent to us to signify that it was within their grant, and that we would therefore forbid ours to proceed. But the planters having acquainted us with their title, and offering to yield it to our jurisdiction, and assuring us that it could not be in the Plymouth patent, we made answer to Ply- mouth accordingly, and encouraged our neighbors to go on, so as divers letters passing between us, and they sending some to take possession for them, at length we sent some to Plymouth to see their patent, who bringing us a copy of so much as concerned the thing in question, though we were not fully
1641] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 27
satisfied thereby, yet not being willing to strive for land, we sat still.
There fell out much trouble about this time at Pascata- quack. Mr. Knolles had gathered a church of such as he could get, men very raw for the most part, etc. Afterwards there came amongst them one Mr. Larkham, who had been a minister at Northam near Barnstable in England, a man not savoring the right way of church disciphne, but being a man of good parts and wealthy, the people were soon taken with him, and the greater part were forward to cast off Mr. I^olles their pastor and to choose him, for they were not willing nor able to maintain two officers, so Mr. Knolles gave place to him, and he being thus chosen, did soon discover himself. He received into the church all that offered themselves, though men notoriously scandalous and ignorant, so they would promise amendment, and fell into contention with the people, and would take upon him .to rule all, even the magistrates (such as they were ;) so as there soon grew sharp contention between him and Mr. ICnolles, to whom the more rehgious still adhered, whereupon they were divided into two churches. Mr. Knolles and his company ex- communicated Mr. Larkham, and he again laid violent hands upon Mr. Knolles. In this heat it began to grow to a tumult, some of their magistrates joined with Mr. Larkham and as- sembled a company to fetch Capt. Underhill (another of their magistrates and their captain) to their court, and he also gathered some of the neighbors to defend himself, and to see the peace kept ; so they marched forth towards Mr. Larkham's, one carrying a Bible upon a staff for an ensign, and Mr. Kjiolles with them armed with a pistol. When Mr. Larkham and his company saw them thus provided, they proceeded no further, but sent to Mr. Williams, who was governor of those in the lower part of the river, who came up with a company of armed men and beset Mr. Knolles' house, where Capt. Underhill then was, and there they kept a guard upon them night and day, and in the mean time they called a court, and Mr. Williams sitting as
28 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1641
judge, they found Capt. Underbill and his company guilty of a riot, and set great fines upon them, and ordered him and some others to depart the plantation. The cause of this eager prosecution of Capt. Underhill was, because he had procured a good part of the inhabitants there to offer themselves again to the government of the Massachusetts, who being thus prosecuted, they sent a petition to us for aid.^
The governor and council considered of their petition,and gave commission to Mr. Bradstreet, one of our magistrates, Mr. Peter and Mr. Dalton, two of our elders, to go thither and to endeavor to reconcile them, and if they could not effect that, then to inquire how things stood, and to certify us, etc. They went accordingly, and finding both sides to be in fault, at length they brought matters to a peaceable end. Mr. Larkham was released of his excommunication and Capt. Underhill and the rest from their censures, and by occasion of these agitations Mr. Knolles was discovered to be an imclean person, and to have solicited the chastity of two maids, his servants, and to have used filthy dalliance with them, which he acknowledged before the church there, and so was dismissed, and removed from Pascataquack. This sin of his was the more notorious, because the fact, which was first discovered, was the same night after he had been exhorting the people by reasons and from scripture, to proceed against Capt, Underhill for his adul- tery. And it is very observable how God gave up these two, and some others who had held with Mrs. Hutchinson, in crying down all evidence from sanctification, etc., to fall into these unclean courses, whereby themselves and their erroneous opinions were laid open to the world.
Mr. Peter and Mr. Dalton, with one of Acomenticus, went
* Knollys, who in this small religious war bore as ensign a Bible upon a pole, was Hanserd Knollys, several times mentioned heretofore, and later con- spicuous in England. The reprobate and combative Underhill appears again, while Francis Williams had been appointed by Mason and Gorges as governor at Portsmouth and Dover. Winthrop's portrayal of dissenters from the Massa- chusetts orthodoxy must be taken with some abatement.
1641] THOMAS DUDLEY, GOVERNOR 29
from Pascataquack, with Mr. John Ward, who was to be entertained there for their minister; and though it be but six miles, yet they lost their way, and wandered two days and one night without food or fire, in the snow and wet. But God heard their prayers, wherein they earnestly pressed him for the honor of his great name, and when they were even quite spent, he brought them to the seaside, near the place they were to go to, blessed forever be his name.
Not long before a godly maid of the church of Linne, going in a deep snow from Meadford homeward, was lost, and some of her clothes found after among the rocks.
One John Baker, a member of the church of Boston, remov- ing from thence to Newbury for enlargement of his outward accommodation, being grown wealthy from nothing, grew there very disordered, fell into drunkenness and such violent conten- tion with another brother, maintaining the same by lying, and other evil courses, that the magistrates sent to have him appre- hended. But he rescued himself out of the officer's hands and removed to Acomenticus, where he continued near two years, and now at this time he came to Boston, and humbled himself before the church, confessing all his wickedness, with many tears, and showing how he had been followed with Satan, and how he had labored to pacify his conscience by secret confes- sions to God, etc., but could have no peace; yet could not bring his heart to return and make public acknowledgment, until the hand of God fell upon one Swain his neighbor, who fell into despair, and would often utter dreadful speeches against him- self, and cry out that he was all on fire under the wrath of God, but would never discover any other heinous sin, but that having gotten about £40 by his labor, he went into England and there spent it in wicked company, and so continued, and after a small time hanged himself. This Baker coming in, and seeing him thus dead, was so struck with it as he could have no rest, till he came and made his peace with the church and court. Upon his confession, the church was doubtful whether they
30 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1641
ought not to cast him out, his offences being so scandalous, not- withstanding they were well persuaded of the truth of his re- pentance; but the judgment of the church was, that, seeing he had excommunicated himself by deserting the church, and Christ had ratified it by giving him up to Satan, whereby the ordinance had had its proper effect, therefore he ought now to be received and pardoned, whereto the church agreed. Yet this man fell into gross distempers soon after.
Mr. Cotton out of that in Revelations 15. none could enter into the temple until, etc., delivered, that neither Jews nor any more of the Gentiles should be called until Antichrist were destroyed, viz. to a church estate, though here and there a proselyte.
Upon the Lord's day at Concord two children were left at home alone, one lying in a cradle, the other having burned a cloth, and fearing its mother should see it, thrust it into a hay stack by the door (the fire not being quite out) whereby the hay and house were burned and the child in the cradle before they came from the meeting. About the same time two houses were burned at Sudbury.
By occasion of these fires I may add another of a different kind, but of much observation. A godly woman of the church of Boston, dwelling sometimes in London, brought with her a parcel of very fine Hnen of great value, which she set her heart too much upon, and had been at charge to have it all newly washed, and curiously folded and pressed, and so left it in press in her parlor over night. She had a negro maid went into the room very late, and let fall some snuff of the candle upon the linen, so as by the morning all the linen was burned to tinder, and the boards underneath, and some stools and a part of the wainscot burned, and never perceived by any in the house, though some lodged in the chamber over head, and no ceiUng between. But it pleased God that the loss of this linen did her much good, both in taking off her heart from worldly comforts, and in preparing her for a far greater affliction by the untimely
1641] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 31
death of her husband, who was slain not long after at Isle of Providence.
Mo. 4. (June) 2.] The court of elections, Richard Belling- ham, Esq., chosen governor. See more a few leaves after.
This year the two ships were finished, one at Salem of 300 tons, and another at Boston of 160 tons.
The parhament of England setting upon a general reforma- tion both of church and state, the Earl of Strafford being be- headed, and the archbishop* (our great enemy) and many others of the great officers and judges, bishops and others, imprisoned and called to account, this caused all men to stay in England in expectation of a new world, so as few coming to us, all foreign commodities grew scarce, and our own of no price. Com would buy nothing: a cow which cost last year £20 might now be bought for 4 or £5, etc., and many gone out of the country, so as no man could pay his debts, nor the merchants make return into England for their commodities, which occasioned many there to speak evil of us. These straits set our people on work to provide fish, clapboards, plank, etc., and to sow hemp and flax (which prospered very well) and to look out to the West Indies for a trade for cotton. The general court also made orders about payment of debts, setting com at the wonted price, and payable for all debts which should arise after a time pre- fixed. They thought fit also to send some chosen men into England, to congratulate the happy success there, and to satisfy our creditors of the true cause why we could not make so current payment now as in former years we had done, and to be ready to make use of any opportunity God should offer for the good of the country here, as also to give any advice, as it should be required, for the settling the right form of church discipline there, but with this caution, that they should not seek supply of our wants in any dishonorable way, as by begging or the like, for we were resolved to wait upon the Lord in the use of all means which were lawful and honorable. The men
* Laud.
32 WINTHROFS JOURNAL [1G41
chosen were Mr. Hugh Peter, pastor of the church in Salem, Mr. Thos. Welde, pastor of the church in Roxbury, and Mr. Wilham Hibbins of Boston.^ There being no ship which was to return right for England, they went to Newfoundland, in- tending to get a passage from thence in the fishing fleet. They departed hence the 3d of the 6th month, and with them went one of the magistrates, Mr. John Winthrop, jun. This act of the court did not satisfy all the elders, and many others disliked it, supposing that it would be conceived we had sent them on begging; and the church of Salem was unwilhngly drawn to give leave to their pastor to go, for the court was not minded to use their power in taking an officer from the church without their consent, but in the end they and the other churches submitted to the desire of the court. These with other passengers to the number of forty went to Newfoundland, expecting to go from thence in some fishing ships. They ar- rived there in 14 days, but could not go altogether, so were forced to divide themselves and go from several parts of the island, as they could get shipping. The ministers preached to the seamen, etc., at the island, who were much affected with the word taught, and entertained them with all courtesy, as we understood by letters from them which came by a fishing ship to the Isles of Shoales about the beginning of October.
21.] A young man, a tanner in Boston, going to wash him- self in a creek, said, jestingly, I will go and drown myself now, which fell out accordingly ; for by the slipperiness of the earth, he was carried beyond his depth, and having no skill to swim, was drowned, though company were at hand, and one in the water with him.
Letters came from the governor, etc., of Connecticut for advice about the difference between them and the Dutch. The
* Here we take farewell of Hugh Peter. Thomas Welde acted in England with the Presbyterians, becoming estranged from Independency on account of its tolerance. His connection with Winthrop's Short Story of the Hutchinsonian troubles has been noted before.
1641] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 33
Dutch governor had pressed them hard for his interest in all Hartford, etc., as far as one might see from their house, alleging he had purchased so much of the Pequods, and threatened force of arms. They of the river alleged their purchase of other Indians, the true owners of the place, etc., with other arguments from our patent and that of Saybrook. We re- turned answer without determining of either side, but advising to a moderate way, as the yielding some more land to the Dutch house (for they had left them but 30 acres). But the Dutch would not be thus pacified, but prepared to send soldiers to be billeted at their house. But it pleased the Lord to disappoint their purpose, for the Indians falling out with them, killed four of their men at their fort Orange,^ whereof three were English, who had gone to dwell among them, whereby they were forced to keep their soldiers at home to defend themselves ; and Mr. Peter going for England, and being well acquainted with the chief merchants in Holland, undertook to pacify the West India company, but for want of commission from those of Hartford, the company there would not treat with him.
About this time three boys of Summer's Islands^ stole away in an open boat or skiff, and having been eight weeks at sea, their boat was cast away upon a strand without Long Island, and themselves were saved by the Indians.
A church being gathered at Providence in the West Indies, and their pastor, Mr. Sherwood, and another minister being sent prisoners into England by one Carter, the deputy governor, the rest of the church, being but five, wrote to our churches complaining of the persecution of their magistrates and others, and desiring our prayers and help from us, which moved the churches and magistrates more willingly to further those who were already resolved and preparing for that Island. Where- upon two small vessels, each of about 30 tons, with divers families and goods, so many as they could bestow, 30 men, 5
* Now Albany.
^ The Summer, or Somers, Islands were the Bermudas.
34 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1641
women, and 8 children, set sail for the Island, and touching at Christophers, they heard that a great fleet of Spanish ships was abroad, and that it was feared they had taken Providence, so as the master, Mr. Peirce, a godly man and most expert mariner, advised them to return, and offered to bear part of the loss. But they not hearkening to him, he repHed, Then am I a dead man. And coming to the Island, they marvelled they saw no colors upon the fort, nor any boat coming towards them, whereupon he was counselled to drop an anchor. He hked the advice, but yet stood on into the harbor, and after a second advice, he still went on ; but being come within pistol shot of one fort and haihng, and no answer made, he put his bark a stays, and being upon the deck, which was also full of pas- sengers, women and children, and hearing one cry out, they are traversing a piece at us, he threw himself in at the door of the cuddy, and one Samuel Wakeman, a member of the church of Hartford, who was sent with goods to buy cotton, cast himself down by him, and presently a great shot took them both. Mr. Peirce* died within an hour; the other, having only his thighs tore, lived ten days. Mr. Peirce had read to the com- pany that morning (as it fell in course) that in Genesis the last, Lo I die, but God will surely visit you and bring you back; out of which words he used godly exhortations to them. Then they shot from all parts about thirty great shot, besides small, and tore the sails and shrouds, but hurt not the bark, nor any person more in it. The other vessel was then a league behind, which was marvelled at, for she was the better sailer, and could fetch up the other at pleasure ; but that morning they could not by any means keep company with her. After this the passengers, being ashamed to return, would have been set on shore at Cape Grace de Dios, or Florida, or Virginia, but the seamen would not, and through the wonderful providence of God they came all safe home the 3d of 7ber following. This
* Apparently William Peirce, earlier master of the Lyon, the boldest and most trusted of the sea captains who at that time frequented the New England harbors.
1611 J RICHARD BELLINGHAM. GOVERNOR 35
brought some of them to see their error, and acknowledge it in the open congregation, but others were hardened. There was a special providence in that the ministers were sent prisoners into England before the Island was taken, for otherwise it is most probable they had been all put to the sword, because some Spaniards had been slain there a little before by the deputy governor his command, after the lieutenant had received them upon quarter, in an attempt they had made upon the Island, wherein they were repulsed with the loss of two or three hun- dred men. They took it after, and gave the people quarter and sent them home.
A like providence there was, though not so safe, in that divers godly people, in their voyage to the Island the year before, were taken prisoners by the Turks, and so their lives saved, paying their ransom.
This year divers families in Linne and Ipswich having sent to view Long Island, and finding a very commodious place for plantations, but challenged by the Dutch, they treated with the Dutch governor to take it from them. He offered them very fair terms, as that they should have the very same Uberties, both civil and ecclesiastical, which they enjoyed in the Massachu- setts, only liberty for appeal to the Dutch, and after ten years to pay the 10th of their corn. The court were offended at this, and sought to stay them, not for going from us, but for strength- ening the Dutch, our doubtful neighbors, and taking that from them which our king challenged and had granted a patent of, with Martha's Vineyard and other islands thereby, to the earl of Sterling, especially for binding themselves by an oath of fealty ; whereupon divers of the chief being called before the general court in 8ber, and reasons laid down to dissuade them, they were convinced, and promised to desist.
This summer the merchants of Boston set out a vessel again to the Isle of Sable, with 12 men, to stay there a year. They sent again in the 8th month, and in three weeks the vessel returned and brought home 400 pair of sea horse teeth, which
36 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1641
were esteemed worth £300, and left all the men well, and 12 ton of oil and many skins, which they could not bring away, being put from the island in a storm.
I must here return to supply what was omitted concerning the proceedings of the last court of elections. There had been much laboring to have Mr. Bellingham chosen, and when the votes were numbered he had six more than the others; but there were divers who had not given in their votes, who now came into the court and desired their liberty, which was denied by some of the magistrates, because they had not given them in at the doors. But others thought it was an injury, yet were silent, because it concerned themselves, for the order of giving in their votes at the door was no order of court, but only direc- tion of some of the magistrates ; and without question, if any freeman tender his vote before the election be passed and pub- lished, it ought to be received.
Some of the freemen, without the consent of the magistrates or governor, had chosen Mr. Nathaniel Ward* to preach at this court, pretending that it was a part of their hberty. The gov- ernor (whose right indeed it is, for till the court be assembled the freemen are but private persons) would not strive about it, for though it did not belong to them, yet if they would have it, there was reason to yield it to them. Yet they had no great reason to choose him, though otherwise very able, seeing he had cast off his pastor's place at Ipswich, and was now no minister by the received determination of our churches. In his sermon he delivered many useful things, but in a moral and pohtical discourse, grounding his propositions much upon the old Roman and Grecian governments, which sure is an error, for if religion and the word of God makes men wiser than their neighbors, and these times have the advantage of all
^ Nathaniel Ward, author of the Simple Coblcr of Aggawam, and credited with the main work in compiling the Body of Liberties, was the raciest and most enter- taining, if the narrowest and most intolerant, of the writers and speakers of New England. Naturally, the freemen desired much to hear him, and his counsels as to political and constitutional matters made impression.
1641] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 37
that have gone before us in experience and observation, it is probable that by all these helps, we may better frame rules of government for ourselves than to receive others upon the bare authority of the wisdom, justice, etc. of those heathen common- wealths. Among other things, he advised the people to keep all their magistrates in an equal rank, and not give more honor or power to one than to another, which is easier to ad- vise than to prove, seeing it is against the practice of Israel (where some were rulers of thousands, and some but of tens) and of all nations known or recorded. Another advice he gave, that magistrates should not give private advice, and take knowledge of any man's cause before it came to public hearing. This was debated after in the general court, where some of the deputies moved to have it ordered. But it was opposed by some of the magistrates upon these reasons: 1. Because we must then provide lawyers to direct men in their causes. 2. The magistrates must not grant out original process, as now they do, for to what end are they betrusted with this, but that they should take notice of the cause of the action, that they might either divert the suit, if the cause be unjust, or direct it in a right course, if it be good. 3. By this occasion the magis- trate hath opportunity to end many differences in a friendly way, without charge to the parties, or trouble to the court. 4. It prevents many difficulties and tediousness to the court to understand the cause aright (no advocate being allowed, and the parties being not able, for the most part, to open the cause fully and clearly, especially in public). 5. It is al- lowed in criminal causes, and why not in civil. 6. Wliereas it is objected that such magistrate is in danger to be preju- diced, answer, if the thing be lawful and useful, it must not be laid aside for the temptations which are incident to it, for in the least duties men are exposed to great temptations.
At this court it was ordered, that the elders should be desired to agree upon a form of catechism which might be put forth in print.
38 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1641
Offence being taken by many of the people that the court had given Mr. Humfrey £250, the deputies moved it might be ordered, that the court should not have power to grant any benevolences; but it was considered that the court could not deprive itself of its honor, and that hereby we should lay a blemish upon the court, which might do more hurt to the country by weakening the reputation of the wisdom and faithfuhiess of the court in the hearts of the people, than the money saved would recompense. There- fore it was thought better to order it by way of declaration, as if it were to deter importunity of suitors in this kind, that the court would give no more benevolences till our debts were paid, and stock in the treasury, except upon foreign occasions, etc.
There arose a question in the court about the punishment of single fornication, because, by the law of God, the man was only to marry the maid, or pay a sum of money to her father; but the case falling out between two servants, they were whipped for the wrong offered to the master in abusing his house, and were not able to make him other satisfaction. The like difficulty arose about a rape, which was not death by the law of God, but because it was committed by a boy upon a child of 7 or 8 years old, he was severely whipped. Yet it may seem by the equity of the law against sod- omy, that it should be death for a man to have carnal cop- ulation with a girl so young, as there can be no possibiHty of generation, for it is against nature as well as sodomy and buggery.
At this court the gentlemen, who had the two patents of Dover and Strawberry bank at Pascataquack in the name of the lords and themselves, granted all their interest of juris- diction, etc., to our court, reserving the most of the land to themselves.* Whereupon a commission was granted to Mr.
* Lords Saye and Brooke, and their associates, gave up to Massachusetts their rights of jurisdiction under the Hilton and Squamscot patents.
1641] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 39
Bradstreet and Mr. Simonds,* with two or three of Pascata- quack, to call a court there and assemble the people to take their submission, etc., but Mr. Humfrey, Mr. Peter, and Mr. Dalton had been sent before to understand the minds of the people, to reconcile some differences between them, and to pre- pare them. See more.
Mrs. Hutchinson and those of Aquiday island broached new heresies every year. Divers of them turned professed anabap- tists, and would not wear any arms, and denied all magistracy among Christians, and maintained that there were no churches since those founded by the apostles and evangehsts, nor could any be, nor any pastors ordained, nor seals administered but by such, and that the church was to want these all the time she continued in the wilderness, as yet she was. Her son Francis and her son-in-law Mr. Collins (who was driven from Barbadoes where he had preached a time and done some good, but so soon as he came to her was infected with her heresies) came to Bos- ton, and were there sent for to come before the governor and council. But they refused to come, except they were brought ; so the officer led him, and being come (there were divers of the elders present) he was charged with a letter he had written to some in our jurisdiction, wherein he charged all our churches and ministers to be antichristian, and many other reproachful speeches, terming our king, king of Babylon, and sought to possess the people's hearts with evil thoughts of our government and of our churches, etc. He acknowledged the letter, and maintained what he had written, yet sought to evade by con- fessing there was a true magistracy in the world, and that Christians must be subject to it. He maintained also that there were no gentile churches (as he termed them) since the apostles' times, and that none now could ordain ministers, etc. Francis Hutchinson did agree with him in some of these, but
^ Simon Bradstreet and Samuel Symonds, younger men now coming forward into prominent position, at a later time reached the highest positions, as governor and deputy-governor.
40 WINTHROFS JOURNAL [1641
not resolutely in all ; but he had reviled the church of Boston (being then a member of it) calling her a strumpet. They were both committed to prison ; and it fell out that one Stoddard, being then one of the constables of Boston, was required to take Francis Hutchinson into his custody till the afternoon, and said withal to the governor, Sir, I came to observe what you did, that if you should proceed with a brother otherwise than you ought, I might deal with you in a church way. For this insolent behavior he was committed, but being dealt with by the elders and others, he came to see his error, which was that he did conceive that the magistrate ought not to deal with a member of the church before the church had proceeded with him. So the next Lord's day in the open assembly, he did freely and very affectionately confess his error and his contempt of authority, and being bound to appear at the next court, he did the like there to the satisfaction of all. Yet for example's sake he was fined 20s., which though some of the magistrates would have had it much less, or rather remitted, seeing his clear repentance and satisfaction in public left no poison or danger in his example, nor had the commonwealth or any person sustained danger by it. At the same court Mr. Collins was fined £100 and Francis Hutchinson £50, and to remain in prison till they gave security for it. We assessed the fines the higher, partly that by occasion thereof they might be the longer kept in from doing harm, (for they were kept close prisoners,) and also because that family had put the country to so much charge in the synod and other occasions to the value of £500 at least: but after, because the winter drew on, and the prison was inconvenient, we abated them to £40 and £20. But they seemed not willing to pay any thing. They refused to come to the church assemblies except they were led, and so they came duly. At last we took their own bonds for their fine, and so dismissed them.^
^ From the Colony Records it appears that ColHns and Francis Hutchinson were forbidden to return to the colony on pain of death.
1641] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 41
Other troubles arose in the island by reason of one Nicholas Easton, a tanner, a man very bold, though ignorant. He using to teach at Newport, where Mr. Coddington their gov- ernor lived, maintained that man hath no power or will in himself, but as he is acted by God, and that seeing God filled all things, nothing could be or move but by him, and so he must needs be the author of sin, etc., and that a Christian is united to the essence of God. Being showed what blasphemous consequences would follow hereupon, they professed to abhor the consequences, but still defended the propositions, which discovered their ignorance, not apprehending how God could make a creature as it were in himself, and yet no part of his essence, as we see by familiar instances; the hght is in the air, and in every part of it, yet it is not air, but a distinct thing from it. There joined with Nicholas Easton Mr. Coddington, Mr. CoggeshalV and some others, but their minister, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Lenthall, and Mr. Harding, and some others dissented and publicly opposed, whereby it grew to such heat of contention, that it made a schism among them.
Mo. 7 (September).] Captain Underbill, coming to Boston, was presently apprehended by the governor's warrant to appear at the next court, and bound for his good behavior in the mean time, which was ill taken by many, seeing he did not stand presented by any man, and had been reconciled to the church and to the court, who had remitted his sentence of banishment, and showed their willingness to have pardoned him fully, but for fear of offence. And it was held by some of the magistrates, that the court, having reversed the sentence against him for former misdemeanors, had implicitly pardoned all other misde- meanors before that time, and his adultery was no more then but a misdemeanor; but to bind a man to his good behavior, when he stands reconciled to the church and commonwealth, was certainly an error, as it was also to commit such an one,
* All three of the men were of high repute in civil life, each serving his colony as governor.
42 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1641
being not presented nor accused. So easily may a magistrate be misled on the right hand by the secret whisperings of such as pretend a zeal of justice and the punishment of sin. The governor caused him to be indicted at the next court, but he was acquitted by proclamation.
Mo. 7. (Septemher) 11.] It being court time, about 7 or 8 in the evening there appeared to the southward a great light, about 30 or 40 feet in length ; it went very swift, and continued about a minute. It was observed by many in the bay and at Plymouth and New Haven, etc., and it seemed to all to be in the same position.
15.] A great training at Boston two days. About 1200 men were exercised in most sorts of land service; yet it was observed that there was no man drunk, though there was plenty of wine and strong beer in the town, not an oath sworn, no quarrel, nor any hurt done.
The parliament in England falling so readily to reform all public grievances, some of our people being then in London preferred a petition to the Lords' house for redress of that restraint which had been put upon ships and passengers to New England, whereupon an order was made, that we should enjoy all our hberties, etc., according to our patent, whereby our patent, which had been condemned and called in upon an erroneous judgment in a quo warranto, was now impHcitly revived and confirmed. This petition was preferred without warrant from our court.
7. (September) 2.] A day of thanksgiving was kept in all our churches for the good success of the parliament in England.
This year men followed the fishing so well, that there was about 300,000 dry fish sent to the market.
The lords and gentlemen that had two patents at Pascata- quack, finding no means to govern the people there, nor to restrain them from spoihng their timber, etc., agreed to assign their interest to us (reserving the greatest part of the propriety of their lands). So commissioners being sent thither, the whole
1641] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 43
river agreed to come under our jurisdiction under two proposi- tions. 1. If we took them in upon a voluntary submission, then they would have liberty to choose their own magistrates, etc. 2. If we took them in as being within the line of our patent, they would then submit to be as Ipswich and Salem, etc., and would have such liberties for felUng timber, etc., as they had enjoyed, etc., and so referred it to the next general court; and to have courts there as Ipswich and Salem had. And accordingly at the general court in the 3d month next, they sent two deputies, who, being members of the church there, were sworn freemen, and order made for giving the oath to others at their own court, the like liberty to other courts for ease of the people.^
Mo. 9. (November) 8.] Monsieur Rochett, a Rocheller and a Protestant, came from Monsieur La Tour, planted upon St. John's River up the great bay on this side Cape Sable. He brought no letters with him, but only letters from Mr. Shurt of Pemaquid, where he left his men and boat. He propounded to us, 1. Liberty of free commerce. This was granted. 2. Assistance against D'Aulnay of Penobscott, whom he had war with. 3. That he might make return of goods out of England by our merchants. In these two we excused any treaty with him, as having no letters or commission from La Tour. He was courteously entertained here, and after a few days departed.^
9.] Query, whether the following be fit to be published.
The governor, Mr. Bellingham, was married, (I would not mention such ordinary matters in our history, but by occasion of some remarkable accidents). The young gentlewoman was ready to be contracted to a friend of his, who lodged in his house, and by his consent had proceeded so far with her, when on the sudden the governor treated with her, and obtained her
* An important crisis both for Massachusetts and the New Hampshire settle- ments.
^ On Latour and D'Aulnay, see Vol. I., p. 163, note 1.
44 WINTHROFS JOURNAL [1641
for himself. He excused it by the strength of his affection, and that she was not absolutely promised to the other gentle- man. Two errors more he committed upon it. 1. That he would not have his contract published where he dwelt, contrary to an order of court. 2. That he married himself contrary to the constant practice of the country. The great inquest presented him for breach of the order of court, and at the court following, in the 4th month, the secretary called him to answer the prosecution. But he not going off the bench, as the manner was, and but few of the magistrates pres- ent, he put it off to another time, intending to speak with him privately, and with the rest of the magistrates about the case, and accordingly he told him the reason why he did not proceed, viz., being unwilling to command him publicly to go off the bench, and yet not thinking it fit he should sit as a judge, when he was by law to answer as an offender. This he took ill, and said he would not go off the bench, except he were com- manded.^
Ai'chibald Tomson, of Marblehead, carrying dung to his ground in a canoe upon the Lord's day, in fair weather and still water, it sunk under him in the harbor near the shores and he was never seen after.
One Knore, of Charlestown, coming down Mistick in a small boat laden with wood, was found dead in it: a good caveat for men not to go single in boats in such a season of the year, for it was very stormy weather.
9. (November) 12.] A great tempest of wind and rain from the S. E. all the night, as fierce as an hurricane. It continued very violent at N. W. all the day after. Divers boats and one bark were cast away in the harbor, but (which was a wonder to all) no dwelling house blown down, nor any person killed ; and the day after it came to S. E. again, and continued all the night with much wind and rain ; and thereupon (it being about the
* After such an experience of Bellingham, it is not strange that the colony should restore its chief dignity to Winthrop once more in May, 1642.
1641] RICHARD BELLINGHAINI, GOVERNOR 45
new moon) followed the highest tide which we had seen since our arrival here.
The summer past was very cool and wet, so as much Indian corn never ripened, though some stood till the 20th of this month. It was observed, that people who fed upon that corn were extraordinarily infected with worms in their bodies all the year following, which in some was well prevented by leaving their bread and feeding upon salt fish.
The Charles of Dartmouth, of 400 tons, lying at Pascata- quack to take in pipe staves, was forced from her anchors in the last tempest and driven upon the rocks ; yet all her masts were before taken down to be new masted. There rode by her a small ship which was safe. This small ship was before de- spised by the men of the greater, and they would needs unrig their ship upon the Lord's day, though they were admonished not to do it. In the same great tempest a shallop of 3 tons rode it out all night at the head of Cape Anne, and came in safe after.
Mr. Stephen Batchellor, the pastor of the church at Hamp- ton, who had suffered much at the hands of the bishops in England, being about 80 years of age, and having a lusty comely woman to his wife, did solicit the chastity of his neigh- bor's wife, who acquainted her husband therewith ; whereupon he was dealt with, but denied it, as he had told the woman he would do, and complained to the magistrates against the wo- man and her husband for slandering him. The church Hke- wise dealing with him, he stiffly denied it, but soon after, when the Lord's supper was to be administered, he did voluntarily confess the attempt, and that he did intend to have defiled her, if she would have consented. The church, being moved with his free confession and tears, silently forgave him, and com- municated with him : but after, finding how scandalous it was, they took advice of other elders, and after long debate and much pleading and standing upon the church's forgiving and being reconciled to him in communicating with him after
46 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1641
he had confessed it, they proceeded to cast him out. After this he went on in a variable course, sometimes seeming very penitent, soon after again excusing himself, and casting blame upon others^ especially his fellow elder Mr. Dalton, (who in- deed had not carried himself in this cause so well as became him, and was brought to see his failing, and acknowledged it to the elders of the other churches who had taken much pains about this matter). So he behaved himself to the elders when they dealt with him. He was off and on for a long time, and when he had seemed most penitent, so as the church were ready to have received him in again, he would fall back again, and as it were repent of his repentance. In this time his house and near all his substance was consumed by fire. When he had continued excommunicated near two years, and much agi- tation had been about the matter, and the church being divided, so as he could not be received in, at length the matter was re- ferred to some magistrates and elders, and by their mediation he was released of his excommunication, but not received to his pastor's office. Upon occasion of this meeting for media- tion, Mr. Wilson, pastor of Boston, wrote this letter to him, (the letter is worthy inserting).* ...
The general court held in the 10th month past was full of uncomfortable agitations and contentions. The principal occa- sion (for history must tell the whole truth) was from the gov- ernor, who being a gentleman of good repute in England for wisdom and godliness, finding now that some other of the magistrates bare more sway with the people than himself, and that they were called to be of the standing council for hfe, and himself passed by, was so taken with an evil spirit of emula- tion and jealousy (through his melancholic disposition) as he set himself in an opposite frame to them in all proceedings, which did much retard all business, and was occasion of grief to many godly minds, and matter of reproach to the whole court in the mouths of others, and brought himself low in the
* It is not preserved. Several pages of Winthrop's text are here omitted.
1641] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 47
eyes of those with whom formerly he had been in honor. Some instances I will give.
There fell out a case between Mr. Dudley, one of the coun- cil, and Mr. Howe, a ruling elder of the church of Watertown, about a title to a mill. The case is too long here to report, but it was so clear on Mr. Dudley's part, both in law and equity, (most of the magistrates also and deputies concurring therein,) as the elders, being desired to be present at the hearing of the case, they also consented with the judgment of the court, be- fore the case was put to vote, and some of them humbly ad- vised the court that it would be greatly to their dishonor, and an apparent injustice, if they should otherwise determine. Notwithstanding, he still labored to have the cause carried against Mr. Dudley, reproved some of the elders for their faithful advice, took upon him to answer all the arguments, but so weakly as many were ashamed at it, and in reading an order of court whereupon the issue of the case chiefly depended, he sought to help himself by such unworthy shifts, as interpreting some things against the very letter and common sense, wholly omitting the most material part, etc., refusing to put things to the vote that made against his purpose, etc., that all might see by what spirit he was led.
Another case fell out about Mr. Maverick of Nottles Island, who had been formerly fined £100 for giving entertainment to Mr. Owen and one Hale's wife, who had escaped out of prison, where they had been put for notorious suspicion of adultery,* as shall after be showed. The court upon his petition had referred it to the usual committee, who made return that their opinion was, the court might do well to remit it to £60, which he knew would please some of the council well, who had often declared their judgment that fines should be so imposed as they might upon occasion be moderated. So when
* Maverick, it must be supposed, believed the parties innocent. He was of a bold as well as humane spirit, and ready to suffer while sheltering those whom he thought persecuted.
48 WINTHROFS JOURNAL [1641
the petition was returned to him, he takes it and alters the sum from £60 to £80, without acquainting the court therewith, nor would say that he had done it, when the committee in- formed the court of the alteration, before the secretary charged him with it. Then he said, he did it in jest, and when the secretary said he had reformed it, and the court called to have it put to the vote, he refused, and stirred up much heat and contention about it, so in the end the court required the deputy to put it to the vote.
Upon these and other miscarriages the deputies consulted together, and sent up their speaker,^ with some others, to give him a solemn admonition, which was never done to any gov- ernor before, nor was it in their power without the magistrates had jomed.
These continual oppositions and delays, tending to the liindrance and perverting of justice, afforded much occasion of grief to all the magistrates, especially to Mr. Dudley, who being a very wise and just man, and one that would not be trodden under foot of any man, took occasion (alleging his age, etc.) to tell the court that he was resolved to leave his place, and therefore desired them against the next court of elections to think of some other. The court was much affected with it, and entreated him, with manifestation of much affec- tion and respect towards him, to leave off these thoughts, and offered him any ease and liberty that his age and infirmities might stand in need of, but he continued resolute. Thereupon the governor also made a speech, as if he desired to leave his place of magistracy also, but he was fain to make his own answer, for no man desired him to keep, or to consider better of it.'
This session continued three weeks, and established 100
* At this period, magistrates and deputies sat together in the General Court, the governor or deputy-governor presiding: the division into two bodies had not yet taken place. Savage understands by "speaker" here a temporary spokes- man.
^ Bellingham's unpopularity was plainly well-deaerved.
1641] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 49
laws, which were called the Body of Liberties.^ They had been composed by Mr. Nathaniel Ward, (sometime pastor of the church of Ipswich: he had been a minister in England, and formerly a student and practiser in the course of the common law,) and had been revised and altered by the court, and sent forth into every town to be further considered of, and now again in this court, they were revised, amended, and presented, and so established for three years, by that experience to have them fully amended and established to be perpetual.
At this session Mr. Hathorn, one of the deputies, and usu- ally one of their speakers, made a motion to some other of the deputies of leaving out two of their ancientest magistrates, because they were grown poor, and spake reproachfully of them under that motion. This coming to Mr. Cotton his knowledge, he took occasion from his text, the next lecture day, to confute, and sharply (in his mild manner) to reprove such miscarriage, which he termed a shghting or dishonoring of parents, and told the country, that such as were decayed in their estates by attending the service of the country ought to be maintained by the country, and not set aside for their poverty, being otherwise so well gifted, and approved by long experience to be faithful. This public reproof gave such a check to the former motion as it was never revived after. Yet by what fol- lowed it appeared, that the fire, from which it brake out, was only raked up, not quenched, as will be showed anon.
Mr. Hathorn^ and some others were very earnest to have some certain penalty set upon lying, swearing, etc., which the deputy and some other of the magistrates opposed, (not disUk-
^ For the Body of Liberties, prefaced by a learned and copious introduction by Francis C. Gray, see Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, third series, VIII. 191; also Whitmore, The Colonial Laws of Massachusetts (Boston, 1889); Old South Leaflets, No. 164; and American History Leaflets, No. 25.
^ William Hathorne, or Hawthorne, a leader in Salem till near the end of the century, was first speaker of the deputies, after the separation of the General Court into two bodies, presently to be described. He was the ancestor of Nathan- iel Hawthorne. The deputy-governor mentioned was John Endicott.
50 WINTHROFS JOURNAL [1641
ing to have laws made against these or any other offences, but in respect of the certain punishment,) whereupon Mr. Hathom charged him with seeking to have the government arbitrary, etc., and the matter grew to some heat, for the deputy was a wise and a stout gentleman, and knew Mr. Hathom his neighbor well, but the strife soon fell, and there was no more spoken of it that court. Yet this gave occasion to some of the magistrates to prepare some arguments against the course intended, of bringing all punishments to a certainty. The scope of these reasons was to make good this proposition, viz. All punishments, except such as are made certain in the law of God, or are not subject to variation by merit of cir- cumstances, ought to be left arbitrary to the wisdom of the judges.
Reason 1. God hath left a pattern hereof in his word, where so few penalties are prescribed, and so many referred to the judges; and God himself varieth the punishments of the same offences, as the offences vary in their circumstances ; as in man- slaughter, in the case of a riotous son proving incorrigible, in the same sin aggravated by presumption, theft, etc., which are not only rules in these particular cases, but to guide the judges by proportion in all other cases: as upon the law of adultery, it may be a question whether Bathsheba ought to die by that law, in regard to the great temptation, and the com- mand and power of the kings of Israel. So that which was capital in the men of Jabesh Gilead, Judges [xxi. 10] in not coming up to the princes upon proclamation, was but confis- cation of goods, etc., in Ezra 10. 8. See 2d Sam. 14. 6. 11.
Reason 2. All punishments ought to be just, and, offences varying so much in their merit by occasion of circumstances, it would be unjust to inflict the same pimishment upon the least as upon the greatest.
3. Justice requireth that every cause should be heard be- fore it be judged, which cannot be when the sentence and punishment is determined before hand.
1641] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 51
4. Such parts and gifts, as the word of God requires in a judge, were not so necessary, if all punishments were deter- mined beforehand.
5. God hath not confined all wisdom, etc., to any one gen- eration, that they should set rules for all others to walk by.
6. It is against reason that some men should better judge of the merit of a cause in the bare theory thereof, than others (as wise and godly) should be able to discern of it pro re nata.
7. Difference of times, places, etc., may aggravate or ex- tenuate some offences.
8. We must trust God, who can and will provide as wise and righteous judgment for his people in time to come, as in the present or forepassed times; and we should not attempt the hmiting of his providence, and frustrating the gifts of others by determining all punishments, etc.
Objection. In theft and some other cases, as cases capital, God hath prescribed a certain punishment.
Ans. 1. In theft, etc., the law respects the damage and injury of the party, which is still one and the same, though circumstances may aggravate or extenuate the sin. 2. In capital cases death is appointed as the highest degree of punish- ment which man's justice can reach.
Objection. Then we might as well leave all laws arbitrary at the discretion of the judge.
Ans. 1. The reason is not like. 1. God gave a certain law where he left the punishment arbitrary, so as we have a clear rule to guide the law where the punishment may be uncertain. The varying of the offence in the circumstances doth not vary the ground or equity of the law, nor the nature of the guilt, as it doth the measure of the reward. He is as fully guilty of theft who steals a loaf of bread for his hunger, as he that steals an horse for his pleasure.
Obj ection. The statutes in IJnglan^ .^t doyn 5^qigrtain pen- alty for most offences. > * '^ Nv
jilMALSCHOOLJ
52 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1641
Ans. 1. We are not bound to make such examples ourselves. 2. The penalty, commonly, is not so much as the least degree of that offence deserves: 12d. for an oath, 5s. for drunkenness, etc.
1642
Mo. 11 (January)]. Those of Providence, being all ana- baptists, were divided in judgment; some were only against baptizing of infants ; others denied all magistracy and churches, etc., of which Gorton, who had lately been whipped at Aquiday, as is before mentioned, was their instructer and captain/ These, being too strong for the other party, provoked them by injuries, so as they came armed into the field, each against other, but Mr. Williams pacified them for the present. This occasioned the weaker party to write a letter, under all their hands, to our governor and magistrates, complaining of the wrongs they suffered, and desiring aid, or, if not that, counsel from us. We answered them that we could not levy any war, etc. without a general court. For counsel we told them, that except they did submit themselves to some jurisdiction, either Plymouth or ours, we had no calling or warrant to interpose in their contentions, but if they were once subject to any, then
* Here enters upon the stage Samuel Gorton, an enthusiast of somewhat better birth and education than many of* his fellow-fanatics. He was scarcely less of an embarrassment to the come-outers about Narragansett Bay, than to the men of Plymouth and Massachusetts. Gorton underwent severe persecu- tion, which he endured heroically, the severities being among the least excusable of those inflicted by Puritan intolerance. A good account of Gorton, who reached considerable influence, is contained in the Dictionary of National Biography. See also Richman, Rhode Island, especially I. 144-148. No account of Gorton's whipping at Aquiday is to be found on any previous page of Winthrop; but Lechford, in his Plain Dealing, says of this Rhode Island experience, "there lately they whipt one Mr. Gorton, a grave man, for denying their power, and abus- ing some of their magistrates with uncivil terms; the governour, Mr. Coddington, saying, in court, you that are for the king lay hold on Gorton, and he again on the other side called forth, all you that are for the king lay hold on Coddington, whereupon Gorton was banished the island. So with his wife and children he went to Providence. They began about a small trespass of swine, but it is thought some other matter was ingredient." The case of Gorton makes it plain that even in and about Narragansett Bay there were bounds to the exercise of tolerance.
63
54 WINTHROP'S JOURNAL [1642
they had a calling to protect them. After this answer we heard no more from them for a time.
The frost was so great and continual this winter, that all the bay was frozen over, so much and so long, as the like, by the Indians' relation, had not been these 40 years, and it continued from the 18th of this month to the 21st of the 12th month (February) ; so as horses and carts went over in many places where ships have sailed. Capt. Gibbons and his wife, with divers on foot by them, came riding from his farm at Pullen point, right over to Boston, the 17th of the 12th month, when it had thawed so much as the water was above the ice half a foot in some places ; and they passed with loads of wood and six oxen from Muddy river to Boston, and when it thawed it removed great rocks of above a ton or more weight, and brought them on shore. The snow likewise was very deep, especially northward about Acomenticus, above three feet, and much more beyond. It was frozen also to sea so far as one could well discern.
To the southward also the frost was as great and the snow as deep, and at Virginia itself the great bay was much of it frozen over, and all their great rivers, so as they lost much cattle for want of hay, and most of their swine.
There was a shallop with eight men to go from Pascataquack to Pemaquid about the beginning of the frost, they would needs set forth upon the Lord's day, though forewarned, etc. They were taken with a N. W. tempest and put to sea about 14 days: at length they recovered Monhigen. Four of them died with cold, the rest were discovered by a fisherman a good time after, and so brought off the Island.
There was great fear lest much hurt might have been done upon the breaking up of the frost, (men and beasts were grown so bold,) but, by the good providence of God, not one person miscarried, save one Warde of Salem, an honest young man, who going to show a traveller the safest passage over the river, as he thought, by the salthouse, fell in, and, though he had a
1642] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 55
pitchfork in his hand, yet was presently carried under the ice by the tide. The traveller fell in with one leg while he went to help the other, but God preserved him. He had about him all the letters from England which were brought in a ship newly arrived at the Isle of Shoals, which sure were the occasion of God's preserving him, more than any goodness of the man. Most of the bridges were broken down and divers mills.
About this time one Turner of Charlestown, a man of about 50 years of age, having led a loose and disorderly hfe, and being wounded in conscience at a sermon of Mr. Shepherd's, he kept it in and did not discover his distress to such as might have offered him help, etc., nor did attend upon the pubHc means as he ought to have done, and after a good space he went out from his wife on the Lord's day at night, having kept at home all that day, and drowned himself in a little pit where was not above two feet water. . . .
Three men coming in a shallop from Braintree, the wind taking them short at Castle Island, one of them stepping for- ward to hand the sail, caused a fowling piece with a French lock, which lay in the boat, to go off. The whole charge went through the thigh of one man within one inch of his belly, yet missed the bone, then the shot (being goose shot) scattered a httle and struck the second man under his right side upon his breast, so as above 40 shot entered his body, many into the capacity of his breast. The third man being now only able to steer, but not to get home the boat, it pleased God the wind favored him so as he did fetch the governor's garden,^ and there being a small boat and men at that time, they brought them to Boston before they were too far spent with cold and pain, and beyond all expectation, they were both soon perfectly recovered, yet he who was shot in the breast fell into a fever and spit blood.
One John Turner, a merchant's factor of London, had gone from hence to the West Indies the year before in a small pin-
* Governor's Island.
56 WINTHROFS JOURNAL [1642
nace of 15 tons, and returned with great advantage in indigo, pieces of 8,^ etc. He said he got them by trade, but it was suspected he got them by prize. He prepared a bigger vessel and well manned in the beginning of winter, and putting to sea was forced in again three times. 1. By a leak. 2. By a contrary wind ; and 3. he spent his mast in fair weather, and having gotten a new at Cape Anne, and towing it towards the bay, he lost it by the way, and so by these occasions and by the frost, he was kept in all winter. Thereupon he gave over his voyage and went to Virginia, and there sold his vessel and shipped himself and his commodities in a Dutch ship for the West Indies.
Mo. 1. (March) 27.] Mr. William Aspenwall, who had been banished, as is before declared, for joining with Mr. Wheel- wright, being licensed by the general court to come and tender his submission, etc., was this day reconciled to the church of Boston. He made a very free and full acknowledgment of his error and seducement, and that with much detestation of his sin. The like he did after, before the magistrates, who were appointed by the court to take his submission, and upon their certificate thereof at the next general court, his sentence of banishment was released.
It is observable how the Lord doth honor his people and justify their ways, even before the heathen, when their proceed- ings are true and just, as appears by this instance. Those at New Haven, intending a plantation at Delaware, sent some men to purchase a large portion of land of the Indians there, but they refused to deal with them. It so fell out that a Pequod sachem (being fled his country in our war with them, and hav- ing seated himself with his company upon that river ever since) was accidentally there at that time. He, taking notice of the English and their desire, persuaded the other sachem to deal with them, and told him that howsoever they had killed his countrymen and driven him out, yet they were honest men,
* Pieces of eight reals, i. e., dollars.
1642] RICHARD BELLINGHAM, GOVERNOR 57
and had just cause to do as they did, for the Pequods had done them wrong, and refused to give such reasonable satisfaction as was demanded of them. Whereupon the sachem entertained them, and let them have what land they desired.
2. (April) 14.] A general fast was kept for our native country and Ireland and our own occasions.
The spring began very early, and the weather was very mild, but the third and fourth month proved very wet and cold, so that the low meadows were much spoiled, and at Connecticut they had such a flood as brake their bridges, and killed all their winter corn, and forced them to plant much of their Indian over.
The last winter divers vessels were cast away to the south- ward, one at Long Island, where 8 or 9 persons were drowned. These were loose people, who Hved by trucking with the Indians.
Mo. 3. (May) 9.] The ship Eleanor of London, one Mr. Inglee master, arrived at Boston. She was laden with tobacco from Virginia, and having been about 14 days at sea, she was taken with such a tempest, as though all her sails were down and made up, yet they were blown from the yards, and she was laid over on one side two and a half hours, so low as the water stood upon her deck, and the sea over-raking her continually, and the day was as dark as if it had been night, and though they had cut her masts, yet she righted not till the tempest assuaged. She staid here till the 4th of the (4) (June) and was well fitted with masts, sails, rigging, and victuals at such rea- sonable rates as the master was much affected with his enter- tainment, and professed that he never found the like usage in Virginia where he had traded these ten years.
Captain Underbill, finding no employment here that would maintain him and his family, and having good offers made him by the Dutch governor, (he speaking the Dutch tongue and his wife a Dutch woman,) had been with the governor, and being returned desired the church's leave to depart. The church, \m- derstanding that the EngUsh, at Stamford near the Dutch, had
58 WINTHROFS JOURNAL [1642
offered him employment and maintenance, (after their ability,) advised him rather to go thither, seeing they were our country- men and in a church estate. He accepted this advice. His wife, being more forward to this, consented, and the church furnished him out, and provided a pinnace to transport him; but when he came there he changed his mind, or at least his course, and went to the Dutch/
18.] The court of elections was. Mr. Winthrop was again chosen governor, and Mr. Endecott deputy governor. This being done, Mr. Dudley went away, and though he were chosen an assistant, yet he would not accept it. Some of the elders went to his house to deal with him. His answer was, that he had sufficient reasons to excuse and warrant his refusal, which he did not think fit to publish, but he would impart to any one or two of them whom they should appoint, which he did ac- cordingly. The elders acquainted the court with what they had done, but not with the reasons of his refusal, only that they thought them not sufficient. The court sent a magistrate and two deputies to desire him to come to the court, for as a counsellor he was to assist in the general court. The next day he came, and after some excuse he consented to accept the place, so that the court would declare that if at any time he should depart out of the jurisdiction, (which he protested he did not intend,) no oath, either of officer, counsellor, or as- sistant should hold him in any bond where he stood. This he desired, not for his own satisfaction, but that it might be a satisfaction to others who might scruple his liberty herein. After much debate the court made a general order which gave him satisfaction.
One Mr. Blinman, a minister in Wales, a godly and able man, came over with some friends of his, and being invited to Green's Harbor,^ near Plymouth, they went thither, but ere the
1 John Underhill thus disappears from the stage to dwell with the Dutch, his former associates no doubt gladly bidding him farewell. ^ Now Marshfield.
1642] JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 59
year was expired there fell out some difference among them, which by no means could be reconciled, so as they agreed to part, and he came with his company and sat down at Cape Anne, which at this court was estabhshed to be a plantation, and called Gloucester.
A book was brought into the com*t, wherein the institution of the standing council was pretended to be a sinful innova- tion. The governor moved to have the contents of the book examined, and then, if there appeared cause, to inquire after the author. But the greatest part of the court, having some intimation of the author, of whose honest intentions they were well persuaded, would not consent, only they permitted it to be read, but not to be spoken unto, but would have inquiry first made how it came into the court. "WTiereupon it was found to have been made by Mr. Saltonstall, one of the assist- ants, and by him sent to Mr. Hathom (then a deputy of the court) to be tendered to the court, if he should approve of it. Mr. Hathom did not acquaint the court with it, but dehvered it to one of the freemen to consider of, with whom it remained about half a year, till he delivered it to Mr. Dudley. This dis- covery being made, the governor moved again that the matter of the book might be considered, but the court could not agree to it except Mr. Saltonstall were first acquit from any censure concerning the said book. This was thought to be a course out of all order, and upon that some passages very offensive and unwarrantable were mentioned, about which also the court being divided, the governor moved to take the advice of the elders concerning the soundness of the propositions and argu- ments. This the court would not allow neither, except the whole cause were referred also, which he thought sure they would have accepted, for the cause being of a civil nature, it belonged to the court, and not to the elders, to judge of the merit thereof. In the end, a day or two after, when no further proceeding was otherwise hke to be had, it was agreed, that in regard the court was not jealous of any evil intention in Mr.
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Saltonstall, etc., and that when he did write and deliver it, (as was supposed,) there was an order in force, which gave hberty to every freeman to consider and dehver their judgments to the next court about such fundamental laws as were then to be estabUshed, (whereof one did concern the institution and power of the coimcil,) therefore he should be discharged from any censure or further inquiry about the same, which was voted ac- cordingly, although there were some expressions in the book which would not be warranted by that order, as that the coun- cil was instituted unwarily to satisfy Mr. Vane's desire, etc., whereas it was well known to many in the court, as themselves affirmed, that it was upon the advice and sohcitation of the elders, and after much deliberation from court to court. Other passages there were also, which were very unsound, reproach- ful and dangerous, and was manifested by an answer made thereunto by Mr. Dudley, and received at the next session of the court, and by some observations made by Mr. Norris, a grave and judicious elder, teacher of the church in Salem, (and with some difficulty read also in court,) who, not suspecting the author, handled him somewhat sharply according to the merit of the matter.
This summer five ships more were built, three at Boston, and one at Dorchester, and one at Salem.
A cooper's wife of Hingham, having been long in a sad mel- ancholic distemper near to phrensy, and having formerly at- tempted to drown her child, but prevented by God's gracious providence, did now again take an opportunity, being alone, to carry her child, aged three years, to a creek near her house, and stripping it of the clothes, threw it into the water and mud. But, the tide being low, the little child scrambled out, and tak- ing up its clothes, came to its mother who was set down not far off. She carried the child again, and threw it in so far as it could not get out ; but then it pleased God, that a yoimg man, coming that way, saved it. She would give no other reason for it, but that she did it to save it from misery, and withal
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that she was assured, she had sinned against the Holy Ghost, and that she could not repent of any sin. Thus doth Satan work by the advantage of our infirmities, which should stir us up to cleave the more fast to Christ Jesus, and to walk the more humbly and watchfully in all our conversation.
At this general court appeared one Richard Gibson a scholar, sent some three or fom' years since to Richman's Island^ to be a minister to a fishing plantation there belonging to one Mr. Trelawney of Plymouth in England. He removed from thence to Pascataquack, and this year was entertained by the fishermen at the Isle of Shoals to preach to them. He, be- ing wholly addicted to the hierarchy and discipline of England, did exercise a ministerial function in the same way, and did marry and baptize at the Isle of Shoals which was now found to be within our jurisdiction. This man being incensed against Mr. Larkham, pastor of the church at Northam, (late Dover,) for some speeches he delivered in his sermon against such hire- lings, etc., he sent an open letter to him, wherein he did scan- dalize our government, oppose our title to those parts, and pro- voke the people, by way of arguments, to revolt from us (this letter being showed to many before it came to Mr. Larkham). Mr. Gibson being now showed this letter, and charged with his offence, he could not deny the thing, whereupon he was com- mitted to the marshall. In a day or two after he preferred a petition, which gave not satisfaction, but the next day he made a full acknowledgment of all he was charged with, and the evil thereof, submitting himself to the favor of the court. Whereupon, in regard he was a stranger, and was to depart the country within a few days, he was discharged without any fine or other punishment.
Mo. 4. (June) 8.] One Nathaniel Briscoe, a godly young man, newly admitted a member of the church of Boston, being single, he kept with his father, a godly poor man, but minded
* Near Scarborough, Maine. Robert Trelawney and Moses Goodyear had here a grant, of disputed bounds, from the Council for New England, 1631.
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his own advantage more than his father's necessity, so as that his father, desiring in the evening to have his help the next day, he neglected his father's request, and rose very early next morning to go help another man for wages, and being loading a boat in a small creek, he fell into the water and was drowned.
About this time the adventurers to the Isle of Sable fetched off their men and goods all safe. The oil, teeth, seal and horse hides, and some black fox skins, came to near £1500.
One Darby Field, an Irishman, hving about Pascataquack, being accompanied with two Indians, went to the top of the white hill.* He made his journey in 18 days. His relation at his return was, that it was about one hundred miles from Saco, that after 40 miles travel he did, for the most part, ascend, and within 12 miles of the top was neither tree nor grass, but low savins, which they went upon the top of sometimes, but a continual ascent upon rocks, on a ridge between two valleys filled with snow, out of which came two branches of Saco river, which met at the foot of the hill where was an Indian town of some 200 people. Some of them accompanied him within 8 miles of the top, but durst go no further, telling him that no Indian ever dared to go higher, and that he would die if he went. So they staid there till his return, and his two Indians took courage by his example and went with him. They went divers times through the thick clouds for a good space, and within 4 miles of the top they had no clouds, but very cold. By the way, among the rocks, there were two ponds, one a blackish water and the other reddish. The top of all was plain about 60 feet square. On the north side there was such a precipice, as they could scarce discern to the bottom. They had neither cloud nor wind on the top, and moderate heat. All the country about him seemed a level, except here and there a hill rising above the rest, but far beneath them. He saw to the north a great water which he judged to be about * The first ascent of the White Mountains by a European.
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100 miles broad, but could see no land beyond it. The sea by Saco seemed as if it had been within 20 miles. He saw also a sea to the eastward, which he judged to be the gulf of Canada: he saw some great waters in parts to the westward, which he judged to be the great lake which Canada river comes out of. He found there much muscovy glass,^ they could rive out pieces of 40 feet long and 7 or 8 broad. When he came back to the Indians, he found them drying themselves by the fire, for they had a great tempest of wind and rain. About a month after he went again with five or six in his company, then they had some wind on the top, and some clouds above them which hid the sun. They brought some stones which they supposed had been diamonds, but they were most crystal. See after, another relation more true and exact.
Mo. 4 (June) 22.] In the time of the general court, in a great tempest of thunder and lightning, in the evening, the Hghtning struck the upper sail of the windmill in Boston by the ferry,^ and shattered it in many pieces, and, missing the stones, struck into the standard, rived it down in three parts to the bottom, and one of the spars; and the main standard being bound about with a great iron hoop, fastened with many long spikes, it was plucked off, broken in the middle, and thrown upon the floor, and the boards upon the sides of the mill rived off, the sacks, etc., in the mill set on fire, and the miller being under the mill, upon the ground, chopping a piece of board, was struck dead, but company coming in, found him to breathe, so they carried him to an house, and within an hour or two he began to stir, and strove with such force, as six men could scarce hold him down. The next day he came to his senses, but knew nothing of what had befallen him, but found himself very sore on divers parts of his body. His hair on one side of his head and beard was singed, one of his shoes torn off his foot, but his foot not hurt.
* Strictly, Muscovy glass was isinglass. Here mica is meant. ^The wind-mill was on Copp's Hill, opposite Charlestown.
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The Indians at Kennebeck, hearing of the general conspiracy against the Enghsh, determined to begin there, and one of them knowing that Mr. Edward Winslow did use to walk within the palisadoes, prepared his piece to shoot him, but as he was about it, Mr. Winslow not seeing him nor suspecting any thing, but thinking he had walked enough, went suddenly into the house, and so God preserved him.
At the same general court there fell out a great business upon a very small occasion. Anno 1636, there was a stray sow in Boston, which was brought to Captain Keayne: he had it cried divers times, and divers came to see it, but none made claim to it for near a year. He kept it in his yard with a sow of his own. Afterwards one Sherman's wife, having lost such a sow, laid claim to it, but came not to see it, till Captain Keayne had killed his own sow. After being showed the stray sow, and finding it to have other marks than she had claimed her sow by, she gave out that he had killed her sow. The noise hereof being spread about the town, the matter was brought before the elders of the church as a case of offence ; many wit- nesses were examined, and Captain Keajme was cleared. She not being satisfied with this, by the instigation of one George Story, a young merchant of London, who kept in her house, (her husband being then in England,) and had been brought before the governor upon complaint of Captain Keayne as living under suspicion, she brought the cause to the inferior court at Boston, where, upon a full hearing, Capt. Keayne was again cleared, and the jury gave him £3 for his cost, and he bringing his action against Story and her for reporting about that he had stolen her sow, recovered £20 damages of either of them. Story upon this searcheth town and country to find matter against Captain Keayne about this stray sow, and got one of his witnesses to come into Salem court and to con- fess there that he had forsworn himself; and upon this he peti- tions in Sherman's name, to this general court, to have the cause heard again, which was granted, and the best part of
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seven days were spent in examining of witnesses and debating of the cause; and yet it was not determined, for there being nine magistrates and thirty deputies, no sentence could by law pass without the greater number of both, which neither plaintiff nor defendant had, for there were for the plaintiff two magis- trates and fifteen deputies, and for the defendant seven magis- trates and eight deputies, the other seven deputies stood doubtful. Much contention and earnestness there was, which indeed did mostly arise from the difficulty of the case, in regard of cross witnesses, and some prejudices (as one professed) against the person, which bhnded some men's judgments that they could not attend the true nature and course of the evidence. For all the plaintiff's witnesses amounted to no more but an evidence of probabihty, so as they might all swear true, and yet the sow in question might not be the plaintiff's. But the defendant's witnesses gave a certain evidence, upon their certain knowledge, and that upon certain grounds, (and these as many and more and of as good credit as the others,) so as if this testimony were true, it was not possible the sow should be the plaintiff's. Besides, whereas the plaintiff's wife was ad- mitted to take her oath for the marks of her sow, the defendant and his wife (being a very godly sober woman) was denied the hke, although propounded in the court by Mr. Cotton, upon that rule in the law he shall swear he hath not put his
hands to his neighbor's goods. Yet they both in the open court solemnly, as in the presence of God, declared their innocency, etc. Further, if the case had been doubtful, yet the defendant's lawful possession ought to have been preferred to the plaintiff's doubtful title, for in equali jure mehor est conditio possidentis. But the defendant being of ill report in the country for a hard dealer in his course of trading, and having been formerly cen- sured in the court and in the church also, by admonition for such offences, carried many weak minds strongly against him. And the truth is, he was very worthy of blame in that kind, as divers others in the coimtry were also in those times, though
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they were not detected as he was ; yet to give every man his due, he was very useful to the country both by his hospitaUty and otherwise. But one dead fly spoils much good ointment. There was great expectation in the country, by occasion of Story's clamors against him, that the cause would have passed against the captain, but falUng out otherwise, gave occasion to many to speak unreverently of the court, especially of the mag- istrates, and the report went, that their negative voice had hin- dered the course of justice, and that these magistrates must be put out, that the power of the negative voice might be taken away. Thereupon it was thought fit by the governor and other of the magistrates to publish a declaration of the true state of the cause, that truth might not be condemned un- known. This was framed before the court brake up ; for pre- vention whereof, the governor tendered a declaration in nature of a pacification, whereby it might have appeared, that, howso- ever the members of the court dissented in judgment, yet they were the same in affection, and had a charitable opinion of each other; but this was opposed by some of the plaintiff's part, so it was laid by. And because there was much laboring in the country upon a false supposition, that the magistrate's negative voice stopped the plaintiff in the case of the sow, one of the magistrates published a declaration of the necessity of upholding the same. It may be here inserted, being but brief.*
^ The account here of a dispute over a very trivial matter must not be over- looked, since from the small occasion proceeded a memorable constitutional change. Captain Robert Keayne, a well-to-do and highly connected man, in- terested in many important events, often was the object of popular ill-will, at this time being under suspicion of extortion. The charge made against him by Mistress Sherman seemed to many well-based, and being pushed with vigor by her and her friend Story, brought about at last nothing less than a constitu- tional crisis. Among the magistrates Bellingham and Saltonstall sided with the people; but the magistrates in general opposing, much agitation arose as to the "negative vote," which ended in the establishment for the colony of the bi- cameral system, the magistrates to sit by themselves as a senate, and the deputies to constitute an independent house. This change, whose consummation Winthrop notes on a later page, has profoundly affected political development. Records of Massachusetts Bay, under date.
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Mo. 5. (July) 7.] From Maryland came one Mr. Neale with two pinnaces and commission from Mr. Calvert, the gover- nor there, to buy mares and sheep, but having nothing to pay for them but bills charged upon the Lord Baltimore in England, no man would deal with him. One of his vessels was so eaten with worms that he was forced to leave her.
Mr. Chancey of Scituate persevered in his opinion of dipping in baptism, and practised accordingly, first upon two of his own, which being in very cold weather, one of them swooned away. Another, having a child about three years old, feared it would be frightened, (as others had been, and one caught hold of Mr. Chancey and had near pulled him into the water,) she brought her child to Boston, with letters testimonial from Mr. Chancey, and had it baptized there.
21.] A general fast was kept by order of the general court and advice of some of the elders. The occasion was princi- pally for the danger we conceived our native country was in, and the foul sins which had broken out among ourselves, etc.
23.] Osamaken, the great sachem of Pakanocott in Plym- outh jurisdiction, came, attended with many men and some other sagamores accompanying him, to visit the governor, who entertained him kindly, etc.
The Mary Rose, which had been blown up and sunk with all her ordnance, ballast, much lead, and other goods, was now weighed and brought to shore by the industry and dihgence of one Edward Bendall of Boston. The court gave the owners above a year's time to recover her and free the harbor, which was much damnified by her; and they having given her over and never attempting to weigh her, Edward Bendall undertook it upon these terms, viz., if he freed the harbor, he should have the whole, otherwise he should have half of all he recovered. He made two great tubs, bigger than a butt, very tight, and open at one end, upon which were hanged so many weights as would sink it to the ground (600wt). It was let down, the diver sitting in it, a cord in his hand to give notice when they
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should draw him up, and another cord to show when they should remove it from place to place, so he could continue in his tub near half an hour, and fasxen ropes to the ordnance, and put the lead, etc., into a net or tub. And when the tub was drawn up, one knocked upon the head of it, and thrust a long pole under water, which the diver laid hold of, and so was drawn up by it ; for they might not draw the open end out of water for en- dangering him, etc.^ The case of the money, shot out of one of the guns, which came to a trial in the court at Boston, (8) (October) 27, see in the next leaf.
5. (July) 28.] A Dutch ship of 300 tons arrived here, laden with salt from the West Indies, which she sold here for plank and pipe staves. She brought two Spanish merchants, who being taken at sea, while they went in a frigate from Domingo to find an English ship which they had freighted there, and was by their agreement stolen out of the harbor, where she had been long embarred, they hired this Dutchman to bring them hither where they had appointed their ship to come, not daring to go into Spain or England. They staid here about a month, but their ship came not, so they went away again. We heard after that their ship had been 14 days beating upon our coast, and being put back, still, by N. W. winds, she bare up, and went for England, and arriving at Southampton, the parlia- ment made use of the treasure.
God would not suffer her to come to us, lest our hearts should have been taken with her wealth, and so have caused the Spaniard to have an evil eye upon us.
Some of the elders went to Concord, being sent for by the church there, to advise with them about the maintenance of their elders, etc. They found them wavering about removal, not finding their plantation answerable to their expectation, and the maintenance of two elders too heavy a burden for them. The elders' advice was, that they should continue and wait
^ A very early instance, perhaps the earliest on record, of the use of the diving- bell.
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upon God, and be helpful to their elders in labor and what they could, and all to be ordered by the deacons, (whose office had not formerly been improved this way amongst them,) and that the elders should be content with what means the church was able at present to afford them, and if either of them should be called to some other place, then to advise with other churches about removal.
One Wequash Cook, an Indian, hving about Connecticut river's mouth, and keeping much at Saybrook with Mr. Fen- wick, attained to good knowledge of the things of God and salvation by Christ, so as he became a preacher to other In- dians, and labored much to convert them, but without any effect, for within a short time he fell sick, not without suspicion of poison from them, and died very comfortably.
There was about £30 put into one of the guns of the Mary Rose, which was known all abroad. The guns being taken up and searched, they pulled out of one of them a wad of rope yarn. They handled it and found it very heavy, and began to undo it, but being very wet and foul they threw it down ; and about 8 or 9 days after, coming to try one of the gims, and finding this wad lying there, they thrust it in after the powder, and shot it off into the channel, but perceived part of it to break and fall short, and the rest fell into the middle of the channel. But the next low water there was taken up several pieces of gold and some silver. This was in a place where people passed daily, and never any found there before that time. Those who found the money refused to restore it to him who had bought and taken up the wreck. Where- upon he brought his action, and the money was adjudged to him.
Two ships arrived from England, but brought not above five or six passengers, save our own people, and very few goods, except rigging, etc., for some ships which were building here.
Now came over a book of Mr. Cotton's sermons upon
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the seven vials. Mr. Humfrey had gotten the notes from some who had took them by characters/ and printed them in London, he had 300 copies for it, which was a great wrong to Mr. Cotton, and he was much grieved at it, for it had been fit he should have perused and corrected the copy before it had been printed.
Mo. 6 (August).] Mr. Welde, Mr. Peter, and Mr. Hibbins, who were sent the last year into England, had procured £500 which they sent over in hnen, woollen, and other useful com- modities for the country, which, because the stock might be preserved and returned this year for a further supply, were put off together, for about eighty pounds profit, and the principal returned by Mr. Stoughton in the next ship.
By their means also, Mr. Richard Andrews, an haberdasher in Cheapside, London, a godly man, and who had been a former benefactor to this country, having 500 pounds due to him from the governor and company of Plymouth, gave it to this colony to be laid out in cattle, and other course of trade, for the poor.
Two fishermen drowned in a shallop, which was overset near Pascataquack.
24.] The ship Trial, about 200 tons, built at Boston by the merchants there, being now ready to set sail, (Mr. Thomas Coytmore^ master, and divers godly seamen in her,) Mr. Cotton was desired to preach aboard her, etc., but upon con- sideration that the audience would be too great for the ship, the sermon was at the meeting house.
A plantation was begun the last year at Delaware Bay by those of New Haven, and some 20 families were transported thither, but this summer there fell such sickness and mortality among them as dissolved the plantation. The same sickness and mortality befell the Swedes also, who were planted upon
* 7. e., in shorthand.
^ Thomas Coytmore, a worthy freeman whose widow became in 1647 the fourth wife of Winthrop.
1642) JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 71
the same river. The English were after driven out by the Swedes.
Mo. 7 (September).] Mr. William Hibbins, who was one of those who were sent over into England the year before, ar- rived now in safety, with divers others who went over then also. He made a public declaration to the church in Boston, of all the good providences of the Lord towards him in his voyage to and fro, etc., wherein it was very observable what care the Lord had of them, and what desperate dangers they were delivered from upon the seas, such as the eldest seamen were amazed; and indeed such preservations and dehverances have been so frequent, to such ships as have carried those of the Lord's family between the two Englands, as would fill a perfect volume to report them all.
6.] There came letters from divers Lords of the upper house, and some 30 of the house of commons, and others from the ministers there, who stood for the independency of churches, to Mr. Cotton of Boston, Mr. Hooker of Hartford, and Mr. Davenport of New Haven, to call them, or some of them, if all could not, to England, to assist in the synod there appoint- ed, to consider and advise about the settling of church govern- ment. Upon this such of the magistrates and elders as were at hand met together, and were most of them of opinion that it was a call of God, yet took respite of concluding, till they might hear from the rest. Whereupon a messenger was pres- ently despatched to Connecticut, and New Haven, with the letters, etc. Upon return, it was found that Mr. Hooker Hked not the business, nor thought it any sufficient call for them to go 3,000 miles to agree with three men, (meaning those three ministers who were for independency, and did solicit in the par- liament, etc.). Mr. Davenport thought otherwise of it, so as the church there set apart a day to seek the Lord in it, and thereupon came to this conclusion, that seeing the church had no other officer but himself, therefore they might not spare him.
Mr. Cotton apprehended strongly a call of God in it; though
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he were very averse to a sea voyage, and the more because his ordinary topic in Acts 13, led him to dehver that doctrine of the interest all chm'ches have in each other's members for mu- tual helpfulness, etc. But soon after came other letters out of England, upon the breach between the king and parlia- ment, from one of the former Lords, and from Mr. Welde and Mr. Peter, to advise them to stay till they heard further; so this care came to an end.^
There arrived another ship with salt, which was put off for pipe staves, etc., so by an unexpected providence we were sup- plied of salt to go on with our fishing, and of ships to take off our pipe staves, which lay upon men's hands.
There fell out a very sad accident at Weymouth. One Richard Sylvester, having three small children, he and his wife going to the assembly, upon the Lord's day, left their children at home. The eldest was without doors looking to some cat- tle; the middle-most, being a son about five years old, seeing his father's fowling piece, (being a very great one,) stand in the chimney, took it and laid it upon a stool, as he had seen his father do, and pulled up the cock, (the spring being weak,) and put down the hammer, then went to the other end and blowed in the mouth of the piece, as he had seen his father also do, and with that stirring the piece, being charged, it went off, and shot the child into the mouth and through his head. When the father came home he found his child lie dead, and could not have imagined how he should have been so killed, but the youngest child, (being but three years old, and could scarce speak,) showed him the whole manner of it.
* This invitation, extended by Owen, Goodwin and Nye, the three chief ministers of the Independents in England, to the three Hghts of the New England Congregationalism, to take part in the Westminster Assembly, is very significant. From the three, especially Cotton, had gone back to England a powerful influence, so much so that Independency in England was called " the New England way." At this period Independency was just rising into consequence, but afterwards it became dominant. It would have been a calamity to New England had Cotton, Hooker and Davenport at this time departed, and their presence in England could scarcely have affected the general result.
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There arrived in a small pinnace one Mr. Bennet, a gentle- man of Virginia, with letters from many well disposed people of the upper new farms^ in Virginia to the elders here, be- wailing their sad condition for want of the means of salvation, and earnestly entreating a supply of faithful ministers, whom, upon experience of their gifts and godliness, they might call to office, etc. Upon these letters, (which were openly read in Boston upon a lecture day,) the elders met, and set a day apart to seek God in it, and agreed upon three who might most likely be spared, viz., Mr. Phillips of Watertown, Mr. Tompson of Braintree, and Mr. Miller of Rowley, for these churches had each of them two. Having designed these men, they acquainted the general court herewith, who did approve thereof, and ordered that the governor should commend them to the governor and council of Virginia, which was done accordingly. But Mr. Phillips being not willing to go, Mr. Knolles, his fellow elder, and Mr. Tompson, with the consent of their churches, were sent away, and departed on their way 8ber (October) 7. to Taunton, to meet the bark at Narragansett. Mr. Miller did not accept the call. The main argument, which prevailed with the churches to dismiss them to that work, and with the court to allow and further it, was the advancement of the kingdom of Christ in those parts, and the confidence they had in the promise, that whosoever shall part with father, etc., for my sake and the gospel's, shall receive an hundred fold. We were so far from fearing any loss by parting with such de- sirable men, as we looked at them as seed sown, which would bring us in a plentiful harvest, and we accounted it no small honor that God had put upon his poor churches here, that other parts of the world should seek to us for help in this kind. For about the same time, two of our vessels which had been gone near a year, and were much feared to be lost, returned home with a good supply of cotton, and brought home letters with
' Perhaps the reading should be "of upper Norfolke." At any rate the chief signers of the letter were magistrates of that county.
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them from Barbadoes and other islands in those parts, intreat- ing us to supply them with ministers. But, understanding that these people were much infected with famihsm, etc., the elders did nothing about it, intending to inquire further by another vessel, which was preparing for those parts.
Mo. 7. (September) 1.] There came letters from the court at Connecticut, and from two of the magistrates there, and from Mr. Ludlow, near the Dutch, certifying us that the Indians all over the country had combined themselves to cut off all the English, that the time was appointed after harvest, the manner also, they should go by small companies to the chief men's houses by way of trading, etc., and should kill them in the houses and seize their weapons, and then others should be at hand to prosecute the massacre ; and that this was discovered by three several Indians, near about the same time and in the same manner; one to Mr. Eaton of New Haven, another to Mr. Ludlow, and the third to Mr. Haynes. This last being hurt near to death by a cart, etc., sent after Mr. Haynes, and told him that Englishman's God was angry with him, and had set Enghshman's cow to kill him, because he had concealed such a conspiracy against the English, and so told him of it, as the other two had done. Upon this their advice to us was, that it was better to enter into war presently, and begin with them, and if we would send 100 men to the river's mouth of Con- necticut, they would meet us with a proportionable number.
Upon these letters, the governor called so many of the mag- istrates as were near, and being met, they sent out summons for a general court, to be kept six days after, and in the mean time, it was thought fit, for our safety, and to strike some ter- ror into the Indians, to disarm such as were within our jurisdic- tion. Accordingly we sent men to Cutshamekin, at Brain tree, to fetch him and his guns, bows, etc., which was done, and he came wilhngly, and being late in the night when they came to Boston, he was put in the prison ; but the next morning, find- ing upon examination of him and divers of his men, no ground
1642] JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 75
of suspicion of his partaking in any such conspiracy, he was dismissed.
Upon the warrant which went to Ipswich, Rowley, and New- bury, to disarm Passaconamy, who hved by Merrimack, they sent forth 40 men armed the next day, being the Lord's day. But it rained all the day, as it had done divers days before, and also after, so as they could not go to his wigwam, but they came to his son's and took him, which they had warrant for, and a squaw and her child, which they had no warrant for, and therefore order was given so soon as we heard of it, to send them home again. They, fearing his son's escape, led him in a line, but he taking an opportunity, slipped his Une and escaped from them, but one very indiscreetly made a shot at him, and missed him narrowly. Upon the intelligence of these unwarranted proceedings, and considering that Passa- conamy would look at it as a manifest injury, (as indeed we conceived it to be, and had always shunned to give them any just occasion against us,) the court being now assembled, we sent Cutshamekin to him to let him know that what was done to his son and squaw was without order, and to show him the occasion whereupon we had sent to disarm all the Indians, and that when we should find that they were innocent of any such conspiracy, we would restore all their arms again, and to will him also to come speak with us. He returned answer that he knew not what was become of his son and his squaw, (for one of them was run into the woods and came not again for ten days after, and the other was still in custody,) if he had them safe again, then he would come to us. Accordingly about a fortnight after he sent his eldest son to us, who delivered up his guns, etc.
Mo. 7. {September) 8.] The general court being assembled, we considered of the letters and other intelligence from Con- necticut, and although the thing seemed very probable, yet we thought it not sufficient ground for us to begin a war, for it was possible it might be otherwise, and that all this might
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come out of the enmity which had been between Miantunnomoh and Onkus, who continually sought to discredit each other with the EngUsh. We considered also of the like reports which had formerly be-en raised almost every year since we came, and how they proved to be but reports raised up by the opposite factions among the Indians. Besides we found ourselves in very ill case for war, and if we should begin, we must then be forced to stand continually upon our guard, and to desert our farms and business abroad, and all our trade with the Indians, which things would bring us very low; and besides, if upon this in- telligence we should kill any of them, or lose any of our own, and it should be found after to have been a false report, we might provoke God's displeasure, and blemish our wisdom and integrity before the heathen. Further it was considered that our beginning with them could not secure us against them : we might destroy some part of their corn and wigwams, and force them to fly into the woods, etc., but the men would be still remaining to do us mischief, for they will never fight us in the open field. Lastly, it was considered that such as were to be sent out in such an expedition were, for the most part, godly, and would be as well assured of the justice of the cause as the warrant of their call, and then we would not fear their for- wardness and courage, but if they should be sent out, not well resolved, we might fear the success.
According to these considerations, we returned answer to Connecticut, and withal we sent two men with two interpreters, an Enghshman and an Indian, to Miantunnomoh, to let him know what intelhgence we had of his drawing the rest of the Indians into a confederation against us, and of his purpose to make his son sachem of Pequod, and of other things which were breaches of the league he made with us, and to desire him to come by such a time to give us satisfaction about them. If he refused to come, and gave them no satisfactory answer, then to let him know that if he -regarded not our friendship, he would give us occasion to right ourselves. And instruction
1642] JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 77
was given them, that if he gave them occasion, they should tell him the reason of our disarming the Indians, and excuse the injury done to Passaconamy, to be a mistake and v/ithout our order. The messengers coming to him, he carried them apart into the woods, taking only one of his chief men with him, and gave them very rational answers to all their prop- ositions, and promised also to come over to us, which he did within the time prefixed.
When he came, the court was assembled, and before his ad- mission, we considered how to treat with him, (for we knew him to be a very subtile man,) and agreed upon the points and order, and that none should propoimd any thing to him but the governor, and if any other of the court had any thing material to suggest, he should impart it to the governor.
Being called in, and mutual salutations passed, he was set down at the lower end of the table, over against the governor, and had only two or three of his counsellors, and two or three of our neighboring Indians, such as he desired, but would not speak of any business at any time, before some of his counsel- lors were present, alleging, that he would have them present, that they might bear witness with him, at his return home, of all his sayings.
In all his answers he was very deliberate and showed good understanding in the principles of justice and equity, and ingenuity withal. He demanded that his accusers might be brought forth, to the end, that if they could not make good what they had charged him with, they might suffer what he was worthy of, and must have expected, if he had been found guilty, viz., death. We answered, we knew them not, nor were they within our power, nor would we give credit to them, before we had given him knowledge of it, according to our agreement with him. He replied, if you did not give credit to it, why then did you disarm the Indians. We answered, for our security, and because we had been credibly informed that some of the eastern Indians had lately robbed divers English-
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men's houses at Saco, and taken away their powder and guns. This answer satisfied him. He gave divers reasons, why we should hold him free of any such conspiracy, and why we should conceive it was a report raised by Onkus, etc., and therefore offered to meet Onkus at Connecticut, or rather at Boston, and would prove to his face his treachery against the English, etc., and told us he would come to us at any time ; for though some had dissuaded him, assuring him, that the English would put him to death, or keep him in prison, yet he being innocent of any ill intention against the English, he knew them to be so just, as they would do him no wrong, and told us, that if we sent but any Indian to him that he liked, he would come to us, and we should not need to send any of our own men. He urged much, that those might be punished, who had raised this slander, and put it to our consideration what damage it had been to him, in that he was forced to keep his men at home, and not suffer them to go forth on hunting, etc., till he had given the English satisfaction, and the charge and trouble it had put the English unto, etc. We spent the better part of two days in treating with him, and in conclusion he did ac- commodate himself to us to our satisfaction ; only some diffi- culty we had, to bring him to desert the Nianticks, if we had just cause of war with them. They were, he said, as his own flesh, being allied by continual intermarriages, etc. But at last he condescended,* that if they should do us wrong, as he could not draw them to give us satisfaction for, nor himself could satisfy, as if it were for blood, etc., then he would leave them to us.
When we should go to dinner, there was a table provided for the Indians, to dine by themselves, and Miantunnomoh was left to sit with them. This he was discontented at, and would eat nothing, till the governor sent him meat from his table. So at night, and all the time he staid, he sat at the lower end of the magistrate's table. When he departed, we gave him
* Agreed.
1642] JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 79
and his counsellors coats and tobacco, and when he came to take his leave of the governor, and such of the magistrates as were present, he returned, and gave his hand to the governor again, saying, that was for the rest of the magistrates who were absent.
The court being adjourned for a few days, till we might hear from Miantunnomoh, (it was assembled again at such time as he came to Boston,) there came letters from Connecticut, cer- tifying us of divers insolencies of the Indians, which so con- firmed their minds in believing the former report, as they were now resolved to make war upon the Indians, and earnestly pressing us to delay no longer to send forth our men to join with them, and that they thought they should be forced to begin before they could hear from us again.
Upon receipt of these letters, the governor assembled such of the magistrates and deputies as were at hand, and divers of the elders also, (for they were then met at Boston upon other occasions,) and imparted the letters to them, with other letters sent from the governor of Plymouth, intimating some observa- tions they had, which made them very much to suspect, that there was such a plot in hand, etc. We all sat in consultation hereabout all the day, and in the end concluded, 1. That all these informations might arise from a false ground, and out of the enmity which was between the Naragansett and Monhigen. 2. Being thus doubtful, it was not a sufficient ground for us to war upon them. 3. That all these particular insolencies and wrongs ought to be revenged and repaired by course of justice, if it might be obtained, otherwise we should never be free from war. And accordingly, letters were sent back to our brethren at Connecticut, to acquaint them with our opinions, and to dissuade them from going forth, alleging how dishonor- able it would be to us all, that, while we were upon treaty with the Indians, they should make war upon them, for they would account their act as our own, seeing we had formerly professed to the Indians, that we were all as one, and in our late message
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to Miantunnomoh, had remembered him again of the same, and he had answered that he did so account us. Upon receipt of this our answer, they forbare to enter into war, but (it seemed) unwilhngly, and as not well pleased with us.
Although we apprehended no danger, yet we continued our mihtary watches, till near the end of 8ber (October), and restored the Indians all their arms we had taken from them : for although we saw it was very dangerous to us, that they should have guns, etc., yet we saw not in justice how we could take them away, seeing they came lawfully by them, (by trade with the French and Dutch for the most part,) and used them only for killing of fowl and deer, etc., except they brought themselves into the state of an enemy, therefore we thought it better to trust God with our safety than to save ourselves by imrighteous- ness.^
At this court we were informed of some English to the eastward, who ordinarily traded powder to the Indians, and lived alone under no government; whereupon we granted warrant to a gentleman, that upon due proof, etc., he should take away their powder, leaving them sufficient for their own occasions.
This court also took order, that every town should be fur- nished with powder out of the common store, paying for it in country commodities; likewise for muskets, and for mihtary watches, and alarms, etc. Presently upon this, there arose an alarm in the night upon this occasion. (7.) {September) 19. A man, travehing late from Dorchester to Watertown, lost his way, and being benighted and in a swamp about 10 of the clock, hearing some wolves howl, and fearing to be devoured of them, he cried out help, help. One that dwelt within hearing, over
* It is not known what reasons the Connecticut men had at this time for fearing an Indian outbreak. Uncas and Miantonomo, sachems respectively of the Mohegans and Narragansetts, were unfriendly and intrigued against each other. Massachusetts had good reason to be anxious, and no blame can attach to the magistrates for watching Miantonomo, who had managed to quiet the suspicions of his white neighbors.
1642] JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 81
against Cambridge, hallooed to him. The other still cried out, which caused the man to fear that the Indians had gotten some English man and were torturing him, but not daring to go to him, he discharged a piece two or three times. This gave the alarm to Watertown, and so it went as far as Salem and Dor- chester, but about one or two of the clock no enemy appearing, etc., all retired but the watch.
At this court also, four of Providence, who could not consort with Gorton and that company, and therefore were continually injured and molested by them, came and offered themselves and their lands, etc., to us, and were accepted under our government and protection. This we did partly to rescue these men from unjust violence, and partly to draw in the rest in those parts, either under ourselves or Plymouth, who now lived under no government, but grew very offensive, and the place was likely to be of use to us, especially if we should have occa- sion of sending out against any Indians of Naragansett and likewise for an outlet into the Naragansett Bay, and seeing it came without our seeking, and would be no charge to us, we thought it not wisdom to let it slip.^
The English of Southampton, on Long Island, having cer- tain intelligence of one of those Indians who murdered Ham- mond, who was put ashore there with others, when their pinnace was wrecked, sent Captain Howe, and eight or ten men to take him. He being in the wigwam, ran out, and with his knife wounded one of the English in the breast, and so behaved himself as they were forced to kill him.
22.] The court, with advice of the elders, ordered a general fast. The occasions were, 1. The ill news we had out of Eng- land concerning the breach between the king and parliament. 2. The danger of the Indians. 3. The unseasonable weather,
^ The settlement at Providence was anything but a happy family. The more moderate spirits were sometimes outraged; it was soon found that there must be limits to tolerance. The action of the four Providence men, which gave Massachusetts pretext for a protectorate, was taken in accordance with the advice recorded on p. 53, ante.
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the rain having continued so long, viz. near a fortnight together, scarce one fair day, and much com and hay spoiled, though indeed it proved a blessing to us, for it being with warm east- erly winds, it brought the Indian corn to maturity, which other- wise would not have been ripe, and it pleased God, that so soon as the fast was agreed upon, the weather changed, and proved fair after.
At this court, the propositions sent from Connecticut, about a combination, etc., were read, and referred to a committee to consider of after the court, who meeting, added some few cau- tions and new articles, and for the taking in of Plymouth, (who were now wiUing,) and Sir Ferdinando Gorges' province, and so returned them back to Connecticut, to be considered upon against the spring, for winter was now approaching, and there could be no meeting before, etc.
The sudden fall of land and cattle, and the scarcity of foreign commodities, and money, etc., with the thin access of people from England, put many into an unsettled frame of spirit, so as they concluded there would be no subsisting here, and accordingly they began to hasten away, some to the West Indies, others to the Dutch, at Long Island, etc., (for the gov- ernor there invited them by fair offers,) and others back for England. Among others who returned thither, there was one of the magistrates, Mr. Humfrey, and four ministers, and a schoolmaster. These would needs go against all advice, and had a fair and speedy voyage, till they came near England, all which time, three of the ministers, with the schoolmaster, spake reproachfully of the people and of the country, but the wind coming up against them, they were tossed up and down, being in lOber (December), so long till their provisions and other necessaries were near spent, and they were forced to strait allowance, yet at length the wind coming fair again, they got into the Sleeve,^ but then there arose so great a tempest at S. E. as they could bear no sail, and so were out of hope of
^ The English Channel, Fr. La Manche.
1642] JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 83
being saved (being in the night also). Then they humbled themselves before the Lord, and acknowledged God's hand to be justly out against them for speaking evil of this good land and the Lord's people here, etc. Only one of them, Mr. Phillips of Wrentham, in England, had not joined with the rest, but spake well of the people, and of the country; upon this it pleased the Lord to spare their lives, and when they expected every moment to have been dashed upon the rocks, (for they were hard by the Needles,) he turned the wind so as they were carried safe to the Isle of Wight by St. Helen's: yet the Lord followed them on shore. Some were exposed to great straits and foimd no entertainment, their friends for- saking them. One had a daughter that presently ran mad, and two other of his daughters, being under ten years of age, were discovered to have been often abused by divers lewd persons, and filthiness in his family. The schoolmaster had no sooner hired an house, and gotten in some scholars, but the plague set in, and took away two of his own children.
Others who went to other places, upon like grounds, suc- ceeded no better. They fled for fear of want, and many of them fell into it, even to extremity, as if they had hastened into the misery which they feared and fled from, besides the depriv- ing themselves of the ordinances and church fellowship, and those civil hberties which they enjoyed here; whereas, such as staid in their places, kept their peace and ease, and enjoyed still the blessing of the ordinances, and never tasted of those troubles and miseries, which they heard to have befallen those who departed. Much disputation there was about liberty of removing for outward advantages, and all ways were sought for an open door to get out at; but it is to be feared many crept out at a broken wall. For such as come together into a wilderness, where are nothing but wild beasts and beastlike men, and there confederate together in civil and church estate, whereby they do, implicitly at least, bind themselves to support each other, and all of them that society, whether civil or sacred,
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whereof they are members, how they can break from this with- out free consent, is hard to find, so as may satisfy a tender or good conscience in time of trial. Ask thy conscience, if thou wouldst have plucked up thy stakes, and brought thy family 3000 miles, if thou hadst expected that all, or most, would have forsaken thee there. Ask again, what liberty thou hast towards others, which thou likest not to allow others towards thyself; for if one may go, another may, and so the greater part, and so church and commonwealth may be left destitute in a wilderness, exposed to misery and reproach, and all for thy ease and pleasure, whereas these all, being now thy brethren, as near to thee as the Israelites were to Moses, it were much safer for thee, after his example, to choose rather to suffer affliction with thy brethren, than to enlarge thy ease and pleasure by furthering the occasion of their ruin.*
Nine bachelors commenced at Cambridge ; they were young men of good hope, and performed their acts, so as gave good proof of their proficiency in the tongues and arts. (8.) {Octo- ber) 5. The general court had settled a government or super- intendency over the college, viz., all the magistrates and elders over the six nearest churches and the president, or the greatest part of these. Most of them were now present at this first com- mencement, and dined at the college with the scholars' ordi- nary commons, which was done of purpose for the students' encouragement, etc., and it gave good content to all.^
At this commencement, complaint was made to the gov- ernors of two young men, of good quality, lately come out of England, for foul misbehavior, in swearing and ribaldry
^ A pathetic outpouring from the fatheriy heart of Winthrop over his straitened and apparently disintegrating colony.
^ This entry relates to the first commencement at Cambridge. The college was founded in 1636. Nowhere in the Journal is there mention of the benefac- tion of John Harvard. The act of 1642 vested the government in all the magis- trates of the jurisdiction {i. e., of Massachusetts), the teaching elders of the six nearest towns, and the president. One of the nine who were graduated was the celebrated George Downing.
1642] JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 85
speeches, etc., for which, though they were adulti, they were corrected in the college, and sequestered, etc., for a time.
6.] Here came in a French shallop with some 14 men, whereof one was La Tour his lieutenant. They brought letters from La Tour to the governor, full of compliments, and desire of assistance from us against Monsieur D'Aulnay. They staid here about a week, and were kindly entertained, and though they were papists, yet they came to our church meet- ing; and the heutenant seemed to be much affected to find things as he did, and professed he never saw so good order in any place. One of the elders gave him a French testament with Marlorat's notes, which he kindly accepted, and promised to read it.^
13.] Six ships went hence, laden with pipe staves and other commodities of this country; four went a little before. Of these, four were built in the country this year. Thus God pro- vided for us beyond expectation.
6.] Mention is made before of the white hills, discovered by one Darby Field. The report he brought of shining stones, etc., caused divers others to travel thither, but they found nothing worth their pains. Amongst others, Mr. Gorge and Mr. Vines, two of the magistrates of Sir Ferdinand Gorge his province, went thither about the end of this month. They went up Saco river in birch canoes, and that way, they foimd it 90 miles to Pegwagget, an Indian town,^ but by land it is but 60. Upon Saco river, they found many thousand acres of rich meadow, but there are ten falls, which hinder boats, etc. From the Indian town, they went up hill (for the most part) about 30 miles in woody lands, then they went about 7 or 8 miles
* La Tour and d'Aulnay, already mentioned as agents under the Chevalier Rasilly, for superintending the French claim to the eastward. They had quar- relled, and their English neighbors, as we shall see, were for years much embar- rassed by them. The Huguenot commentator, Augustin Marlorat (1506-1563), is the writer alluded to.
^ Pigwacket, or Pequawket, is now Fryeburg, Maine.
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upon shattered rocks, without tree or grass, very steep all the way. At the top is a plain about 3 or 4 miles over, all shattered stones, and upon that is another rock or spire, about a mile in height, and about an acre of ground at the top. At the top of the plain arise four great rivers, each of them so much water, at the first issue, as would drive a mill ; Connecticut river from two heads, at the N. W. and S. W. which join in one about 60 miles off, Saco river on the S. E., Amascoggen which runs into Casco Bay at the N. E., and Kennebeck, at the N. by E. The mountain runs E. and W. 30 or 40 miles, but the peak is above all the rest. They went and returned in 15 days.
8. (October) 18.] All the elders met at Ipswich; they took into consideration the book which was committed to them by the general court, and were much different in their judgments about it, but at length they agreed upon this answer in effect.*
Whereas in the book, there were three propositions laid down, and then the application of them to the standing council, and then the arguments enforcing the same: the propositions were these: —
1. In a commonwealth, rightly and religiously constituted, there is no power, office, administration, or authority, but such as are commanded and ordained of God.
2. The powers, offices, and administrations that are or- dained of God, as aforesaid, being given, dispensed, and erected in a Christian commonwealth by his good providence, propor- tioned by his rule to their state and condition, established by his power against all opposition, carried on and accompanied with his presence and blessing, ought not to be by them either changed or altered, but upon such grounds, for such ends, in that manner, and only so far as the mind of God may be manifested therein.
3. The mind of God is never manifested concerning the change or alteration of any civil ordinance, erected or estab-
*The Body of Lawes now comes in to give form and definiteness to the theocracy.
1642] JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 87
lished by him as aforesaid in a Christian commonwealth, so long as all the cases, counsels, services, and occasions thereof may be duly and fully ended, ordered, executed, and performed without any change or alteration of government.
In their answer they allowed the said propositions to be sound, with this distinction in the 1st. viz. That all lawful powers are ordained, etc., either expressly or by consequence, by particular examples or by general rules.
In the applications they distinguished between a standing council invested with a kind of transcendent authority beyond other magistrates, or else any kind of standing council distinct from magistrates ; the former they seem imphcitly to disallow ; the latter they approve as necessary for us, not disproportiona- ble to our estate, nor of any dangerous consequence for dis- union among the magistrates, or factions among the people, which were the arguments used by the author against our council. Some passages they wish had been spared, and other things omitted, which, if suppHed, might have cleared some passages, which may seem to reflect upon the present councils, which they do think not to be of that moment, but that the uprightness of his intentions considered, and the liberty given for advice, according to the rules of religion, peace, and pru- dence, they would be passed by.
Lastly, they declare their present thoughts about the mould- ing and perfecting of a council, in four rules.
1. That all the magistrates, by their calling and oflSce, to- gether with the care of judicature, are to consult for the provi- sion, protection, and universal welfare of the commonwealth.
2. Some select men taken out from the assistants, or other freemen, being called thereunto, be in especial, to attend by way of council, for the provision, protection, and welfare of the commonwealth.
3. This council, as counsellors, have no power of judicature.
4. In cases of instant danger to the commonwealth, in the interim, before a general court can be called, (which were meet
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to be done with all speed,) what shall be consented unto and concluded by this council, or the major part of them, together with the consent of the magistrates, or the major part of them, may stand good and firm till the general com't.
9. (November) 7.] Some of our merchants sent a pinnace to trade with La Tour in St. John's river. He welcomed them very kindly, and wrote to our governor letters very gratulatory for his lieutenant's entertainment, etc., and withal a relation of the state of the controversy between himself and Monsieur D'Aulnay. In their return they met with D'Aulnay at Pema- quid, who wrote also to our governor, and sent him a printed copy of the arrest* against La Tour, and threatened us, that if any of our vessels came to La Tour, he would make prize of them.
22.] The village at the end of Charlestown bounds was called Woburn, where they had gathered a church, and this day Mr. Carter was ordained their pastor, with the assistance of the elders of other churches. Some difference there was about his ordination; some advised, in regard they had no elder of their own, nor any members very fit to solemnize such an ordinance, they would desire some of the elders of the other churches to have performed it ; but others supposing it might be an occasion of introducing a dependency of churches, etc., and so a presbytery, would not allow it. So it was performed by one of their own members, but not so well and orderly as it ought.^
Divers houses were burnt this year, by drying flax. Among others, one Briscoe, of Watertown, a rich man, a tanner, who had refused to let his neighbor have leather for com, saying he had com enough, had his barn, and com, and leather, etc., burnt, to the value of 200 pounds.
Mr. Larkam of Northam, ahas Dover, suddenly discovering
* Arret, decree.
^ The ceremony is described with much fulness in a noted passage, book ii., ch. 22, of The W onder-W orking Providence of Sion's Saviour in New England, by Captain Edward Johnson of Woburn, one of the chief participants.
1642] JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 89
a purpose to go to England, and fearing to be dissuaded by his people, gave them his faithful promise not to go, but yet soon after he got on ship board, and so departed. It was time for him to be gone, for not long after a widow which kept in his house, being a very handsome woman, and about 50 years of age, proved to be with child, and being examined, at first refused to confess the father, but in the end she laid it to Mr. Larkam. Upon this the church of Dover looked out for another elder, and wrote to the elders to desire their help.
There arrived at Boston a small ship from the Madeiras with wine and sugar, etc., which were presently sold for pipe staves, and other commodities of the country, which were returned to the Madeiras: but the merchant himself, one Mr. Parish, staid divers months after. He had hved at the Madeiras many years among the priests and Jesuits, who told him, when he was to come hither, that those of New England were the worst of all heretics, and that they were the cause of the troubles in England, and of the pulling down the bishops there.* When he went away, he blessed God for bringing him hither, professing that he would not lose what he had gotten in New England for all the wealth in the world. He went away in a pinnace built here intending a speedy return. By the way his pinnace (being calked in the winter) proved very leaky, so as all the seamen, being tired out with pumping, gave her over, but Mr. Parish continued the pump, and so kept her up, till it pleased God they espied land, and so they came safe to Fayal.
10 (December).] Those of the lower part of the river Pas- cataquack invited one Mr. James Parker of Weymouth, a godly man and a scholar, one who had been many years a deputy for the public court, to be their minister. He, by advice of divers of the magistrates and elders, accepted the call, and went and taught among them this winter, and it pleased God to give
* A testimony from foreign parts as to the prevalence in Old England of the "New England way," during tlxe Civil War,
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great success to his labors, so as above 40 of them, whereof the most had been very profane, and some of them professed enemies to the way of our churches, wrote to the magistrates and elders, acknowledging the sinful course they had lived in, and bewailing the same, and blessing God for calling them out of it, and earnestly desiring that Mr. Parker might be settled amongst them. Most of them fell back again in time, em- bracing this present world.
This winter was the greatest snow we had, since we came into the country, but it lay not long, and the frost was more moderate than in some other winters.
1643
12 (February).] News came out of England, by two fishing ships, of the civil wars there between the king and the parlia- ment, whereupon the churches kept divers days of humiliation. But some of the magistrates were not satisfied about the often reiteration of them for the same cause, but they would not contend with the elders about it, but left the churches to their liberty.
1. (March) 5.] At 7 in the morning, being the Lord's day, there was a great earthquake. It came with a rumbling noise like the former, but through the Lord's mercy it did no harm.
The churches held a different course in raising the ministers' maintenance. Some did it by way of taxation, which was very offensive to some. Amongst others, one Briscoe of Water- town, who had his barn burnt, as before mentioned, being grieved with that course in their town, the rather because him- self and others, who were no members, were taxed, wrote a book against it, wherein, besides his arguments, which were naught, he cast reproach upon the elders and officers. This book he pubhshed underhand, which occasioned much stir in the town. At length, he and two more were convented before the court, where he acknowledged his fault in those reproachful speeches, and in publishing it, whereas it had been his duty to have acquainted the court or magistrates with his grievance, etc., (but for the arguments in the point, there was nothing required of him,) and was fined 10 pounds for that, and some slighting of the court, and one of the publishers, 40 shillings.
Corn was very scarce all over the country, so as by the end of the 2d month, many families in most towns had none to eat, but were forced to live of clams, muscles, cataos, dry fish, etc., and sure this came by the just hand of the Lord, to punish
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our ingratitude and covetousness. For corn being plenty divers years before, it was so undervalued, as it would not pass for any commodity: if one offered a shop keeper corn for any thing, his answer would be, he knew not what to do with it. So for laborers and artificers ; but now they would have done any work, or parted with any commodity, for corn. And the husbandman, he now made his advantage, for he would part with no corn, for the most part, but for ready money or for cattle, at such a price as should be 12d. in the bushel more to him than ready money. And indeed it was a very sad thing to see how little of a public spirit appeared in the country, but of self-love too much. Yet there were some here and there, who were men of another spirit, and were willing to abridge themselves, that others might be supplied. The immediate causes of this scarcity were the cold and wet summer, especially in the time of the first harvest ; also, the pigeons came in such flocks, (above 10,000 in one flock,) that beat down, and eat up a very great quantity of all sorts of English grain; much corn spent in setting out the ships, ketches, etc. ; lastly, there were such abundance of mice in the barns, that devoured much there. The mice also did much spoil in orchards, eating off the bark at the bottom of the fruit trees in the time of the snow, so as never had been known the like spoil in any former winter. So many enemies doth the Lord arm against our daily bread, that we might know we are to eat it in the sweat of our brows.
1. (March) 30.] The Trial, Mr. Coytmore master, arrived, and a week after one of the ketches. He sailed first to Fayal, where he found an extraordinary good market for his pipe staves and fish. He took wine and sugar, etc., and sailed thence to Christophers in the West Indies, where he put off some of his wine for cotton and tobacco, etc., and for iron, which the islanders had saved of the ships which were there cast away. He obtained hcense, also, of the governor. Sir Thomas Warner, to take up what ordnance, anchors, etc., he could, and was to
1643] JOHN WINTHROP, GOVERNOR 93
have the one half; and by the help of a diving tub, he took up 50 guns, and anchors, and cables, which he brought home, and some gold and silver also, which he got by trade, and so, thi'ough the Lord's blessing, they made a good voyage, which did much encourage the merchants, and made wine and sugar and cotton very plentiful, and cheap, in the country.
Two ketches also, which were gone to the West Indies for cotton, etc., arrived safe not long after, and made return with profit. Another ship also, called the Increase, sent to the Ma- deiras, returned safe, and two other ships, after, though they went among the Turks.
There was a piece of justice executed at New Haven, which, being the first in that kind, is not unworthy to be recorded. Mr. Malbon, one of the magistrates there, had a daughter about [blank] years of age, which was openly whipped, her father joining in the sentence. The cause was thus.^
The wife of one Onion of Roxbury died in great despair: she had been a servant there, and was very stubborn and self- willed. After she was married, she proved very worldly, aiming at great matters. Her first child was still-born, through her unruUness and falling into a fever. She fell withal into great horror and trembling, so as it shooK the room, etc., and crying out of her torment, and of her stubbornness and impro- fitableness imder the means, and her lying to her dame in deny- ing somewhat that in liquorishness she had taken away, and of her worldliness, saying that she neglected her spiritual good for a httle worldly trash, and now she must go to everlasting torments, and exhorted others to take heed of such evils, etc., and still crying out 0! ten thousand worlds for one drop of Christ, etc. After she had then been silent a few hours, she began to speak again, and being exhorted to consider of God's infinite mercy, etc., she gave still this answer, "I cannot for my life," and so died.
1 Winthrop has left a blank space in the manuscript, in which to insert the explanation, but does not give it,
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The three ministers which were sent to Virginia, viz., Mr. Tompson, Mr. Knolles, and Mr. James from New Haven, de- parted (8) {October) 7. and were eleven weeks before they ar- rived. They lay windbound sometime at Aquiday: then, as they passed Hellgate between Long Island and the Dutch, their pinnace was bilged upon the rocks, so as she was near foundered before they could run on the next shore. The Dutch governor, gave them slender entertainment; but Mr. Allerton of New Haven, ^ being there, took great pains and care for them, and procured them a very good pinnace and all things neces- sary. So they set sail in the dead of winter, and had much foul weather, so as with great difficulty and danger they arrived safe in Virginia. Here they found very loving and liberal entertainment, and were bestowed in several places, not by the governor, but by some well disposed people who desired their company. In their way the difficulties and dangers, which they were continually exercised with, put them to some question whether their call were of God or not; but so soon as they arrived there and had been somewhat refreshed, Mr. Tompson wrote back, that being a very melancholic man and of a crazy body, he found his health so repaired, and his spirit so enlarged, etc., as he had not been in the like condition since he came to New England. But this was to strengthen him for a greater trial, for his wife, a godly young woman, and a comfortable help to him, being left behind with a company of small chil- dren, was taken away by death, and all his children scattered, but well disposed of among his godly friends.
4. {June) 20.] Mr. Knolles returned from Virginia, and brought letters from his congregation and others there to our elders, which were openly read in Boston at a lecture, whereby it appeared that God had greatly blessed their ministry there, so as the people's hearts were much inflamed with desire after the ordinances, and though the state did silence the ministers, because they would not conform to the order of
* Isaac Allerton, formerly of Plymouth.