rather desire to learn to beware by other men's harms, and to amend that wherein they have failed; as we desire to serve one another in love, so take heed of being enthralled by other imperious persons, especially if they be. discerned to have an eye to themselves. It doth often trouble me to think that in this business we are to learn, and none to teach. But better so than to depend upon such teachers as Mr. Blackwell was. Such a stratagem he made for Mr. Johnson and his people at Emden; much was their subversion. But though he then cleanlily yet unhonestly plucked his neck out of the collar, yet at last his foot is caught.

Here are no letters come. The ship Captain Argall came in is yet in the west parts. All that we hear is but his report. It seemeth he came away secretly. The ship that Mr. Blackwell went in will be here shortly. It is as Mr. Robinson once said; he thought we should hear no good of them.

Mr. Brewster is not well at this time. Whether he will go back to you or go into the north, I yet know not. For myself, I hope to see an end of this business ere I come, though I am sorry to be thus from you. If things had gone roundly forward, I should have been with you within this fourteen days. I pray God direct us, and give us that spirit which is fitting such a business.

Thus having summarily pointed at things which Mr. Brewster, I think, hath more largely writ of to Mr. Robinson, I leave you to the Lord's protection.

Yours, in all readiness, &c.

London, May the 8th, 1619.

ROBERT CUSHMAN.

On the 4th of September, 1619, a Mr. "Sabin Starsmore," a Puritan, writing from prison, to Dea. Carver, dated "From my chamber in Wood-street counter," says respecting his imprisonment," Somewhat I have written to Mr. Cushman, how the matter still continues," &c.

After great procrastination and long and tedious negotiation, the prospects of the Leyden Church brighten, and success seems to crown the labors and the trials of their agents. A patent is finally obtained, under the grant seal of the Virginia Company, and "connived at " by the King and his ministers, by which they were allowed to settle in America. And although religious liberty, in terms, was not granted them, yet if they behaved

1 One of the prisons in London.

themselves quietly and were faithful subjects of his majesty, King James I. they were not to be molested, although their creed and form of worship were essentially unsound and heretical.

The patent was not taken out in the names of any of Mr. Robinson's Church-probably on account of their living out of the realm- but in the name of John Wincob, a religious gentleman (belonging to the Countess of Lincoln,) who intended to emigrate with the Puritans.

"But Providence so ordered it," as Gov. Bradford's Journal says, "He never went, and the patent,2 in his name, was never used, although it had cost them so much labor and charge."

But a determination to emigrate had so completely filled the minds of the Leyden Puritans that they were not to be daunted by misfortunes or rebuffs. They felt that their cause was right, and that God would finally, in his own good time, aid and prosper them.

"Up in each girded breast

There sprang a rooted and mysterious strength, –
A loftiness, to face a world in arms,
To strip the pomp from sceptres, - and to lay
Upon the sacred altar the warm blood
Of slain affections, where they rise between
The soul and God."

The Pilgrims, by Mrs. Sigourney.

Thus situated, they looked for other ways to accomplish their objects. The project of settling in the New World began to be somewhat popular; it gains friends and friendly opinions. "Mr. Thomas Weston, merchant, of London, and other friends and merchants make proposals for their transmigration, and they were requested to prepare to go.'

993

On the receipt of these things by one of the messengers, they had a solemn meeting and a day of humiliation to seek the Lord for his direction. Their paster, Rev. Mr. Robinson, took for his text, 1st Samuel, 23: 3 and 4. "And David's men said unto him, See, we be afraid here in Judah. How much more if we

1 Nothing is known of John Wincob, except that he was a protege of the Countess of Lincoln, and was probably her Steward, or private Secretary, as we

now say.

"Where

Nothing further is known of this patent. Hubbard's History says, it is, or how it came to be lost, is not known to any that belong to the Colony." It was probably dated the latter part of the year 1619.

Prince's Chronology.

come to Kilah, against the host of the Philistines. Then David asked counsel of the Lord again." From that text he taught many things very aptly and befitting to their present occasion and condition, to strengthen them against their fears, and encourage them in their resolution."

Having determined to emigrate to America, the question arose, who should go first; for so large a number could not all go at once. Winslow's Brief Narrative says, "The youngest and strongest part to go, and they that went should offer themselves freely."

As the largest number could not go, it was arranged that their Pastor, Rev. Mr. Robinson, should remain, and their Ruling Elder, William Brewster, should go; and that those who go first were to constitute an absolute Church of themselves. "The Church at Plymouth thus became the First Independent or Congregational Church in America."2

The great object that was ever uppermost in the minds of the Puritans, undoubtedly was, "freedom of religious belief and worship." Yet their secular wants in their new home, as well as means for the purpose of getting there, must be provided for. To accomplish the latter, a kind of joint stock company was formed, composed of those who were to emigrate, on the one hand, and those who were to furnish the capital, on the other. The latter were called "The Merchant Adventurers," of whom little is known. Capt. John Smith, writing in 1624, says, "The adventurers who raised the stock to begin and supply this plantation, were about 70,- some gentlemen, some merchants, some handicraftsmen; some adventuring great sums, some small, as their estate and affections served."

"These dwell mostly about London. They are not a corporation, but knit together by a voluntary combination, in a society without constraint or penalty, aiming to do good and plant religion."3

"The conditions on which those of Leyden engaged with the merchants, the adventurers, were hard enough at the first, for the poor people who were to adventure their persons as well as their

1 Bradford's Journal.

3 Smith's Hist. Virginia.

2

* Young's Chronicles.

estates. Yet were their agents forced to change two of them, although it was very unsatisfactory and distasteful to them. The altering of these two conditions was very afflicting to them who were concerned in the voyage. But Mr. Cushman, their principal agent, answered their complaints peremptorily, that unless they had so ordered the conditions, the whole design would have fallen to the ground." The Puritans submitted, therefore, from necessity; but the sequel of the transaction shows that while the adventurers made but little profit from the investment, " yet those that adventured their lives in carrying on the business of the plantation, were much the greatest sufferers."

66

The contract between the adventurers and those who were to emigrate, is contained in ten articles of agreement. They provide generally, that "their joint stock and partnership shall continue for seven years; that every person that goeth, over sixteen years of age, shall be rated at £10, and that £10 shall be accounted a single share. At the end of seven years the entire property of the Association is to be equally divided among the adventurers."2

Hard as were these terms, they were the best that could be obtained; and it is fortunate for the cause of civil and religious liberty in after ages, that they knew little how hard they would prove to those who consented to accept them.

We have given a more particular account of the preliminary contract and arrangements of the Puritans, because the subject of this article-Robert Cushman-was the principal agent and manager in that affair. And from what he did we may form a tolerably accurate opinion of his abilities and character, and his standing with his associates.

The agents of the Leyden Company, Messrs. Cushman and Brewster, having formed the Association or Joint Stock Company in England, which was to furnish the money, went back to Ley

1 Bradford's Journal.

The two conditions, the alteration of which was so "afflictive" to those who were to form the settlement, related to a division of their houses, improved lands and gardens; and 2d, that the planters should have two days in the week for their own private employment. These two provisions were in the original agreement, but were stricken out, as Robert Cushman told them, from absolute necessity. We can easily see that it must have been a severe trial to submit to such hard terms. But necessity they said, having no law, they were constrained to be silent.

den with the articles of agreement, ten in number, Mr. Weston,' a wealthy merchant of Leyden with them, "and the people agree with him on articles, both for shipping and money, to assist in their transportation."

The preliminaries being then all arranged, and the persons selected who were to commence this hazardous and uncertain enterprise," they send Mr. Carver and Mr. Cushman to England to receive the money and provide for the voyage: Mr. Cushman at London, Mr. Carver at Southampton. Those who are to go first, prepare with speed, sell their estates, put their money in the common stock, to be disposed of by their managers for making general provisions. There was also one Mr. Martin2 chosen in England to join unto Mr. Carver and Cushman. He came from Billerica, in Essex, from which county came several others, as also from London and other places to go with them."3

But in this great and difficult work, like most others, delays and disappointments often occurred; they are among the incidents of humanity, designed, undoubtedly, for our benefit; and the Pilgrims could not expect to be exempt from the ordinary laws of our creation. But to them, doubtless, it was as troublesome as to those who live 230 years later.

"June 4, 1620. Mr. Robinson writes to Mr. Carver, and complains of Mr. Weston's neglect in getting shipping in England; for want of which they are in a piteous case at Leyden. And Samuel Fuller, Edward Winslow, William Bradford and Isaac Allerton write from Leyden to Mr. Carver and Cushman, June 10, that the coming of Mr. Nash and their pilot is a great encouragement to them."

The shipping that Mr. Robinson so much desired, was undoubtedly a vessel to carry the emigrants from Leyden to Southampton. The "Speedwell" was finally obtained in Holland for that purpose. She was commanded by an English captain by

1 Thomas Weston, one of the most active of the Merchant Adventurers. He advanced £500 to promote the interest of Plymouth Colony; but afterwards became inimical to his former friends.

Christopher Martin, who with his wife and two children, came over in the Mayflower. His name stands the ninth in the subscription to the compa signed at Cape Cod, Nov. 11, 1620, O. S., and he died Jan. 8, 1621. - Young Chronicles.

Bradford's Journal.