USA > Massachusetts > The history of Massachusetts, the colonial period. 1492-1692 v. I > Part 6
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1 Neal, vol. 1. 2 Calderwood, 255, 256.
8 Calderwood, 256, 473, ed. 1680; Sanderson's Life of James I., 295, 302; Neal, 1. 227.
* Burnet, Own Times, 1. 17, says
of James, he " was become the scorn of the age; and while hungry writers flattered him out of meas- ure at home, he was despised by all abroad, as a pedant without true judgment, courage, or steadiness."
55
THE HAMPTON COURT CONFERENCE.
favored arbitrary power, commenced spitting his venom CHAP. ujwon the principles of his youth. "I will have none of II. that liberty as to ceremonies," said he. "I will have one doctrine and one discipline, one religion in substance and in ceremony." "No. bishop, no king," was his favorite motto. Of the Scottish Presbytery, his " own pure kirk," he declared it "agreed with monarchy as well as God and the devil." And at the close of the second day of the con ference, speaking of the Puritans, he said : " I shall make them conform themselves, or I will harry them out of the land, or else do worse."1
On the third and last day of the Conference, the King Jan. 18. defended the Court of High Commission, the Articles of Religion, the Book of Common Prayer, and the oath ex-officio, and said : " If any, after things were well ordered, would not be quiet and show his obedience, the Church were better without him, and he were worthy to be hanged." The Puritans were repeatedly insulted by the King, and treated with the grossest indignity and inso- lence ; yet the loftiest bishops fed his vanity with fulsome flatteries and blasphemous eulogiums. " Undoubtedly," exclaimed Whitgift, the Ap. of Canterbury, "Your Majesty speaks by the special assistance of God's Spirit." Bp. Bancroft, on his knees, affirmed that "his heart melted within him with joy, because God had given England such a king as since Christ's time had not been." And James himself, in a foolish epistle to Mr. Blake, a Scotchman, boasted that he had " soundly peppered off the Puritans."2
In his speech at the opening of the first Parliament, the Mar. 19, King acknowledged the Roman Church to be his Mother 1603-4. Church, though defiled with some infirmities and corrup-
1 Barlow's Sum and Substance, wood, 474, et seq .; Sanderson's 36, 82, 83, 102 ; Sanderson's James James I., 303, 304; Neal's Puri- I., 303, 304; Whitelock, 286. tans; Strype's Whitgift, App., 239.
2 Barlow, 83, 92, 94, 98; Calder-
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56
PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE PURITANS.
CHAP. tions, and professed his readiness, if its priests would II. sake their " new and gross corruptions," to meet them !: way; but the Puritans, for "their discontent with present government, and impatience to suffer any supr ority," he declared to be "a sect insufferable in a w. governed commonwealth; " and in one of his letters says : " I had rather live like a hermit, than be a ki :.. over such a people as the pack of Puritans are that overru the lower house." 1
July 16, 1604.
Finally a proclamation was issued, ordering the Purita. clergy to conform before the last of November, or to di- pose of themselves and families in some other way, a: " unfit for their obstinacy and contempt to occupy suc. places." 2 In consequence of this edict, a large number c. ministers were ejected, some of whom had preached ten .. some twenty, and some even thirty years ; the bloodhound, of persecution were slipped from their leash, and the king- dom was converted into a general hunting-ground, with th. King himself to shout the " View! Halloo!" and the myr- midoms of office to join in the cry ; - the objects of his vengeance being the subjects of his realm, fleeing from
" A tyrant's and a bigot's bloody laws."
Without doubt this conduct of the King was consistent with his position, and with the policy of the Church of which he was the head. That it was, however, a mistaken policy - as mistaken as that of the Puritans, who perse- cuted dissidents from their faith- few, probably, of the candid members of the Episcopal Church will hesitate to acknowledge. The errors of past ages are lessons for the present. And we rejoice that a better spirit is beginning to be evinced among all sects of Christians.
1 King. James's Speech, p.4. Lond., 2 Barlow, 105 ; Sanderson's James 1604, in Stow, 840-1; Calderwood, I., 306.
. 478; Sanderson's James I., 319; Neal's Puritan's, vol. 1.
57
FLIGHT OF MR. SMITH.
Such being the " tender mercies" of the monarch into CHAP. whose hands the Puritans fell, what else could have been II. expected but stripes and banishment ? The Independent Churches at Scrooby and Gainsborough suffered with the rest; and, unable to conceal themselves from the inquisi- tions of the spy, beset in their houses, driven from their homes, and incarcerated in prisons, "so as their former afflictions were but as mole-hills to mountains in compari- son to those which now came upon them," they resolved to escape. Mr. Smith and his church were the first to depart, fleeing to Holland, and seeking a refuge at Amster- dam.1 Here, joining with the church under Francis John- son, which had been established several years, Mr. Smith became involved in contentions with his predecessors, and that division was produced which has been often, but unjustly, ascribed to the members of Mr. Robinson's Church.2
Mr. Robinson and his flock yet tarried for a season in England, hoping something would transpire to lull the fierce- ness of the storm which was raging ; but month after month passed away, and no abatement of its fury was visible. Accordingly, although thought by many "an adventure almost desperate, a case intolerable, and a misery worse than death," he resolved to flee to a land where tolera- tion, at least, if not perfect freedom, was accorded to all.
But it was easier to resolve than it was to effect an
1 Mr. Hunter, Founders, &c., 33, must be acknowledged, however, 89,. is of opinion that Mr. Smith that we are yet in want of more light before we can speak with con- fidence on any of these points ; and we have preferred in the text to use those vexatious words which imply uncertainty, rather than to risk broad assertions, which future investiga- tions may require to be modified. fled to Holland in 1604; but if the church at Gainsborough was not di- vided until 1606, as seems probable from the statement of Gov. Brad- ford, Mr. Smith without doubt con- tinued with it until that time, as we find no intimations of his leaving be- fore the separation took place ; and besides, the Proclamation of the King, which was the probable cause of his departure, was not carried into effect until after Nov. 1604. It
2 Baillie, Dissuasive, 54, was the originator of this charge. For its refutation see Cotton's Way, 6-8; Bradford, in Chiron. Pil., 450-1.
الأسد كانمخط بد حقيقات. لاف عدد (٠ ١٨حد)
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58
FIRST ATTEMPT TO REACH HOLLAND.
CHAP. escape ; for ports and havens were shut against them, s .. II. that they were compelled to seek secret means of convey- ance, fee mariners, and pay extraordinary rates for their passage. Thrice was the attempt made before they suc- ceeded.
Oct. 1607 .?
The first attempt1 was from Boston, in Lincolnshire, and " a great company " hired a ship, the master of which was to be in readiness to receive them at the time and place fixed for their embarkation. He came at length, but not on the day appointed, and took them in at night.2 But no sooner were they in his power than they were betrayed into the hands of the officers, who thrust them into open boats, rifled their goods, took away their books, searched them to their shirts for money, -"even the women farther than became modesty,"-and hurried them to the town " a spec- tacle and a wonderment to the multitnde, which came flock- ing on all sides to behold them." Here, after a month's imprisonment, during which the magistrates treated the fugitives courteously, the greater part were dismissed, only . seven of the principal men, of whom Mr. Brewster was one, being detained and bound over to the ensuing assizes.3
March. 1607-8. ? Early the next Spring + a second attempt was made. A Dutch ship from Zealand was hired, which then lay at Hull,
1 As the office of Mr. Brewster at Scrooby was vacated Sept. 30, 1607, we incline to the opinion that the first attempt to reach Holland was made that fall, and probably soon after he was removed from or resigned his situation as postmaster. Mr. Hunter, Founders, 132-3, speaks as if the first two attempts were cotemporancous ; but in this we think he is mistaken.
" It was not to " avoid suspicion " that they embarked at night. (Mem. Robinson, in 4 M. II. Coll., 1. 121.) It was the captain's act in taking them in at that time. Bradford, in Chron. Pil., 26.
3 Bradford, in Chron. Pil., 26-7, 465; Hutchinson, 2. 405; Mather, 1. 102.
4 We base the date in the text on the fact that Gov. Bradford,in Chron. Pil., 24, says the removal to Holland was effected partly in 1607; and from a document published by Mr. Hun- ter, 4 M. H. Coll., 1. 75, and Found- ers, &c. 19, 131, we learn that Mr. Brewster and others were cited to ap- pear before an ecclesiastical court Ap. 22, 1608, and were not present. It is probable, therefore, that he had left before that time, and if in 1607, as Gov. Bradford says, it may have been in March, 1607-8.
59
SECOND ATTEMPT TO REACH HOLLAND.
and the Captain was to take them in between Grimsby and Hall, " where was a large common, a good way distant from any town." The women, children, and goods were for- warded to this place by water, and the men followed by land. But the vessel in which the former sailed arriving a day too soon, and the waters being rough, the women, who were sea-sick, persuaded the seamen to put into a neighbor- ing creek, where the vessel grounded until the next noon. The Dutch Captain was at his post punctual to his appoint- ment,1 and fearing pursuit, he sent his boat to take in the men, who were walking on the shore. One boat-load passed to the vessel; and as she returned for more, " a great com- pany, both horse and foot, with bills, and guns, and other weapons," were espied rapidly approaching; and the Cap- tain, alarmed for his own safety, and swearing his country's oath -" Sacramente !" -" weighed his anchor, hoisted sails, and away." The few exiles on board, with no fare- well to wife or children, destitute of clothing except what they had on, and of money to provide for their future sup- port, after a storm of fourteen days, during seven of which nor sun, nor moon, nor stars were visible, were driven on the coast of Norway ; but eventually, through the blessing of God, they succeeded in reaching their destined haven. The men left behind for the most part escaped ; " but piti- ful it was to see the heavy case of these poor women in this distress ; what weeping and crying on every side ; some for their husbands that were carried away in the ship ; others not knowing what should become of them and their little ones ; others melted in tears, seeing their poor little ones hanging about them, crying for fear, and quaking with cold." They were apprehended ; hurried from place to
CHAP. Il.
1
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1 Mr. Hunter, Founders, 134, says the Dutch Captain deceived the em- igrants, and upon some real or pre- tended alarm sailed away ; but this
statement seems to us hardly justi- fied by the language of Gov. Brad- ford.
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THE ARRIVAL IN HOLLAND.
CHAP. place ; and, after enduring " misery enough," were suffere, 1I, to depart.1
Aug.,
1608.
The third attempt was more successful, and in August. 1608, we find Mr. Clifton, and probably Mr. Robinson. safely arrived and settled in Holland ; 2-a " new world " to them, because of its " uncouth language, different manner: and customs, and strange fashions and attires." Rejoicing. however, in their escape, they were soon united with their former companions, and are said to have become one with the original members of the church at Amsterdam.3
But though the members of the Scrooby church settled first at Amsterdam, their stay in that city was transient; for difficulties had already arisen there, and it was thought best to remove before they became personally involved in them.4 Leyden, "a fair and beautiful city, and of a sweet situation, made more famous by the University with which it was adorned," was the place to which their steps were turned ; and " though wanting in that traffic by sea which Amsterdam enjoyed, it was not so beneficial for their out- ward means of living and estates," yet as a peaceful retreat, free from oppression, it was resolved to make it their abode ; and the removal was probably effected in the spring of 1609.5
Their temporal circumstances in this strange land-" the battle ground of Europe," and "the amphitheatre of the world "-were the first to engage their attention. Most of them had been " only used to a plain country life, and the innocent trade of husbandry," and they were now in " the principal manufacturing town of the Netherlands, and one
1 Bradford, in Chron. Pil., 27-31. Mr. Brewster was probably among those who escaped at this time, and Mr. William Bradford.
" Mem. Robinson, in 4 M.II. Coll., 1. 122 ; Hunter's Founders, 4.1. : Mem. Robinson, in 4 M. II. Coll., 1. 123.
+ Bradford, in Chron. Pil., 34.
5 I base this on the statement of Bradford, in Prince, 26, who says the removal was effected " about the beginning of the twelve years truce," which was concluded Ap. 9, 1609. Morton, Mem., 2, says 1610.
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EMPLOYMENT OF THE PILGRIMS IN HOLLAND.
of the most important in Europe." A change of occupa- CHAP. tion, therefore, became necessary to nearly all ; and they II. " fell to such trades and employments as they best could, 1610. to
valuing peace and their spiritual comfort above any other 16:7. riches whatever." Mr. Robinson, their pastor, now ordained to the charge of the church,1 and not blessed with au abundance of temporal goods, was obliged to resort to some secular pursuit for support.2 Mr. Brewster, now chosen ruling elder, whose family was large and whose means were exhausted, engaged in teaching; and the youth of Leyden, with many gentlemen, both Danes and Germans, received his instructions, especially in the English tongue. Here, too, having established a printing press, he published several books, some of which, of a prohibited character, being ".vented underhandedly " in England, the ire of the Scotch Prince was aroused, and a " schout," at his instance, was employed by the magistrates of Leyden to apprehend the offender; but the "schout" being a " dull, ' drunken fellow," he "took one man for another," and by a fortunate mistake, Brewer, not Brewster, was " con- fined fast in the university's prison." 3
We must not, however, omit to notice here one of the exiles, who, though but a youth at this time, became subse- quently one of the first members of the Colony of Plymouth, and exerted for many years a decided influence upon its fortunes and destiny. We refer to William Bradford, best known as "Governor Bradford." Born at the little village of Austerfield, in Yorkshire, in 1588, he was trained by his grand parents and uncles, at the decease of his father, " to the affairs of husbandry," the occupation of his ancestors.
1 Robinson's Works, 1. 463-4; Bradford, in Chron. Pil., 36.
2 Mem. Robinson, in 4 M. II. Coll., 1. 124. This is a conjectural statement, 'yet highly probable, as even the learned Ainsworth was for
some time a porter in a bookseller's shop.
3 Bradford's Life of Brewster, in Chron. Pil., 466 ; Sir Dudley Carle- ton's Letters, 380, 386, 390, 437, ed. 1757.
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62
WILLIAM BRADFORD.
CHAP. His education was such as usually falls to the lot of persons II. of that class ; but by diligent application he became eminent
1617.
1610 to for learning, and attained "to a notable skill in the lan- guages." "The Dutch tongue was almost as vernacular to him as the English ; the Latin and the Greek he had mas- tered; but the Hebrew he most of all studied, "Because," he said, "he would sce with his own eyes the ancient oracles of God in their native beauty." He was also well versed in History, in Antiquity, in Philosophy, and in Theology. But the crown of all, was his holy, prayerful, watchful and fruitful walk with God, wherein he was exemplary." 1
Becoming interested in religion at the early age of twelve, he was soon a regular attendant upon the ministry of Mr. Clifton. Incurring for this the displeasure of his relatives and the scoffs of his neighbors, neither opposition nor scorn could deter him from his course. Joining the church before he was eighteen, he was with it during its exile ; and whilst in Holland, he is said by Mather to have learned the art of silk dycing, of a French Protestant, though we find no confirmation of this statement in earlier writers. On coming of age, his patrimonial estate was sold, and he engaged for a time in commercial pursuits ; and though unsuccessful, he philosophically considered "the consumption of his property as sent to prevent a consump- tion of his virtuc." He married in Holland ; but his first wife, Dorothy May, was unfortunately drowned at Cape Cod during his absence on a voyage of discovery. To his second wife, Alice, the widow of Constant Southworth, he is said to have been attached in his carlier years, and she came to America in the Anne, in 1623, to join with him her fortunes upon a new scene of action. He died in 1657, and his widow in 1670. His descendants are numerous, and many of them have attained to stations of respectability, honor and usefulness.2
1 Mather, Magnalia, 1. 104-5.
: See Mather, 1. 100-05; Bel-
knap's Biog., Art. Bradford; Moore's Gov's of N. Plym. and Mass. &c. &c.
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63
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PILGRIM CHURCH.
Of other members of the Pilgrim Church, we shall have CHAP. occasion to speak hereafter. It is impossible, at the present II. day, to state with exactness how many were connected with 1610 this Church, either in England or in Holland. No records to 1617. have descended to us from which a list of their names, or an account of their proceedings can be authentically drawn; 1 and for the want of such knowledge, it is as absurd as it is unnecessary to "forge ancient archives to stretch their lineage back, and to deduce it from the most illustrious houses."2 Their proudest pedigree is Massachusetts and America. "Si monumentum quæris, circumspice."
1 The number connected with the " Many worthy and able men there church in Holland, is supposed to have been not far from three hun- dred. Bradford, in : Chron. Pil., 455-6; Baylie's, Mem. Plym. Col., 1. 11; Hunter's Founders, 132.
Plutarch's Life of Numa. - Bradford, in Chron. Pil., 456, says :
were in both places, who lived and died in obscurity in respect of the world, as private Christians, yet were they precious in the eyes of the Lord, and also in the eyes of such as knew them."
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-* 2* 6كاس .. 24: سة ماسكات ة طبانية +SMC .
CHAPTER III.
THE EMIGRATION TO AMERICA.
CHAP. III. FOR several years the exiled Pilgrims abode at Leyden in comparative peace. So mutual was the esteem of both pastor and people, that it might be said of them "as of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the people of Rome ;- it was hard to judge whether he delighted more in having such a people, or they in having such a pastor." With their spiritual, their temporal interests were objects of his care, so that he was " every way as a common father to them." And when removed from them by death, as he was in a few years, they sustained "such a loss as they saw could not be easily repaired, for it was as hard for them to find such another leader and feeder, as the Taborites to find another Ziska."1
1617.
Eight years residence, however, in a land of strangers, subjected to its trials and burdened with its sorrows, satis- fied this little band that Holland could not be for them a permanent home. The "hardness of the place " discour- aged their friends from joining them. Premature age was creeping upon the vigorous. Severe toil cnfcebled their children. The corruption of the Dutch youth was perni- cious in its influence. They were Englishmen, attached to the land of their nativity. The Sabbath, to them a sacred institution, was openly neglected. 2 A suitable education was difficult to be obtained for their children. The truce
1 Bradford, in Chron. Pil., 36-8 ; Morton's Mem., 2.
2 Carleton's Letters, 380 ; Brandt. Hist. Ref., 3. 28, 290.
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THE PILGRIMS RESOLVE TO LEAVE HOLLAND.
with Spain was drawing to a close, and the renewal of hos- CHAP. tilities was seriously apprehended. But the motive above III. all others which prompted their removal, was a "great hope 1617. and inward zeal of laying some good foundation for the propagating and advancing of the Gospel of the kingdom of Christ in these remote parts of the world ; yea, though they should be but as stepping stones to others for perform- ing of so great a work." 1
For these reasons -and were they frivolous ?- a removal was resolved upon. . They could not in peace return to England. It was dangerous to remain in the land of their cxile. Whither then should they go ? Where should an asylum for their children be reared ? This question, so vital, was first discussed privately, by the gravest and wisest of the church ; then publicly, by all. The " casual- ties of the seas," the "length of the voyage," the " mise- ries of the land," the " cruelty of the savages," the " ex- pense of the outfit," the "ill-success of other colonies," and " their own sad experience " in their removal to Hol- land, were urged as obstacles which must doubtless be encountered. But, as a dissuasive from discouragement, it was remarked that "all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and must be both enter- prised and overcome with answerable courages. It was granted the dangers v.cre great, but not invincible ; for although there were many of them likely, yet they were not certain. Some of the things they feared might never befal them ; others, by providence, care, and the use of good means, might in a great measure be prevented ; and all of them, through the help of God, by fortitude and patience might cither be borne or overcome." 2
Whither should they turn their steps ? Some, and "none
' Bradford, in Chron. Pil., 44-8;
Winslow, in ibid., 381-2; Hubbard, 42, 44 ; Morton's Mem., 3-4.
2 Bradford, in Chron. Pil., 50.
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66
DISCUSSION OF THE QUESTION OF REMOVAL.
CHAP. of the meanest," were "earnest for Guiana." Others, of III. equal worth, were in favor of Virginia, " where the Eng- 1617. lish had already made entrance and beginning." But a majority were for " living in a distinct body by themselves, though under the general government of Virginia." For Guiana it was said, " the country was rich, fruitful, and blessed with a perpetual spring and a flourishing green- ness ;" and the Spaniards "had not planted there nor any- where near the same." Guiana was the El Dorado of the age. Sir Walter Raleigh, its discoverer, had described its tropical voluptuousness in the most captivating terms ; and Chapman, the poet, dazzled by its charms exclaims :
" Guiana, whose rich feet are mines of gold, Whose forehead knocks against the roof of stars, Stands on her tiptoe at fair England looking, Kissing her hands, bowing her mighty breast, And every sign of all submission making, To be the sister and the daughter both Of our most sacred maid."1
Is it surprising that the thoughts of the exiles were enraptured in contemplating this beautiful land ? Was it criminal to seck a pleasant abode ? But as an offset to its advantages, its " grievous diseases " and " noisome impediments " were vividly portrayed ; and it was urged that, should they settle there and prosper, the "jealous Spaniard " might displace and expel them, as he had already the French from their settlements in Florida ; and this the sooner, as there would be none to protect them, and their own strength was inadequate to cope with so powerful an adversary.
Against settling in Virginia it was urged that, " if they lived among the English there planted, or under their gov- ernment, they would be in as great danger to be persecuted
1 Quoted by Dr. Young, in Chron. Pil., 53, note.
67
AGENTS SENT TO ENGLAND FOR A PATENT.
for the cause of religion as if they lived in England, and CHAP. it might be worse ; and if they lived too far off, they should III. have neither succor nor defence from them." Upon the whole, therefore, it was decided to " live in a distinct body by themselves, under the general government of Virginia, and by their agents to suc His Majesty to grant them free liberty, and freedom of religion." 1
Accordingly John Carver, one of the deacons of the 1617. church, and Robert Cushman, a private member, were sent to England to treat with the Virginia Company for a grant of land, and to solicit of the King liberty of conscience. The friends from whom aid was expected, and to some of whom letters were written, were Sir Edwin Sandys, the distinguished author of the "Europea Speculum," Sir Robert Naunton, afterwards Secretary of State, and Sir John Wolstenholme, an eminent merchant, and a farmer of the customs. 2 Sir Ferdinando Gorges seems also to have been interested in their behalf, as he speaks of means used by himself before his rupture with the Virginia Company, to "draw into their enterprises some of those families that had retired into Holland, for scruple of conscience, giving them such freedom and liberty as might stand with their likings." 3
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