not go in the Speedwell, he was ready to do it. A review of his life, so far as we have any knowledge of it, satisfactorily shows us that such was the temper, spirit and action of the man. Some historical writers have committed an error in imputing unworthy motives and feelings to those who returned to London in the Speedwell, which Dr. Young, in his valuable work,— "Chronicles of the Pilgrims," has very fully refuted. As Robert Cushman was one of that number, we quote Dr. Young's remarks in extenso. Neal, in his History of New England, says: "Mr. Cushman and his family and some others that were more fearful, went ashore and did not proceed on the voyage." Baylies, in his History of Plymouth, also says, "about twenty of the passengers were discouraged and would not re-imbark." There is no ground for such an imputation on the courage or perseverance of any of the emigrants; and it is a matter of regret that Mr. Bancroft (in his History of the United States) should have lent to it the sanction of his authority. He says, " the timid and the hesitating were all freely allowed to abandon the expedition. Having thus winnowed their numbers of the cowardly and the disaffected," &c. Yet Robert Cushman, one of the most energetic and resolute of the Pilgrims, "who was as their right hand," as Gov. Bradford said, and who came over in the next ship, the Fortune, in Nov. 1621, was among those thus "winnowed." The dismissal of a part was a matter of necessity, as the Mayflower could not carry the whole. Bradford, as quoted by Prince, says, "they agree to dismiss her (the Speedwell) and those who were willing to return to London, though this was very grievous and discouraging." And he further says, "it was resolved by the whole to dismiss the lesser ship and part of the company with her." "It was the captain and crew of the Speedwell, not his passengers, that were unwilling to go."-Young's Chronicles. The reputation and character of Robert Cushman is thus fully vindicated and placed in its true light. Having thus determined who should go in the Mayflower, "another sad parting took place. The Speedwell goes back to London and the Mayflower proceeds on her voyage.' On Wednesday the 6th of September, O. S., 1620, "their troubles being blown over, and now all being compact in one ship, they put to sea again with a prosperous wind." The subject of this article having returned to London, we now leave this little Pilgrim band of one hundred1 persons (twenty having returned in the Speedwell) and the ship in which they had taken passage and which in after years became so famous, to meet them again, in fifteen months, at their new home at Plymouth, in New England. For some months we hear nothing of Mr. Cushman, either from Bradford's Journal or by contemporaneous correspondence. He was, we may reasonably suppose, actively engaged, as he was wont to be, in having the care of his Pilgrim associates and in promoting the interests of the Puritan cause. But early in the year 1621 the subject of emigration to America received considerable public attention. The hope of great profits from the fur trade and the fisheries excited the ambition of some, while a desire to extend the benefits of Christianity and civilization among the aborigines of North America, induced others to turn their attention westward, across the Atlantic, and to encourage emigration to that unknown land. Mr. Cushman being the devoted friend and agent of the Pilgrims who had gone before him to their new residence, and being desirous to persuade others to "go and do likewise," wrote and published in England an article on the subject of settling in America, which is here given entire in order to show the state of the issue before the public of England, as well as something of his ability and industry. REASONS AND CONSIDERATIONS TOUCHING THE LAWFULNESS Forasmuch as many exceptions are daily made against the going into and inhabiting of foreign desert places, to the hindrances of plantations abroad, and the increase of distractions at home; it is not amiss that some which have been ear-witnesses of the exceptions made, and are either agents or abettors of such 1 Not 101, as is generally said. One hundred sailed, one died on the passage, and one child was born; - so that exactly one hundred arrived at Cape Cod. This is conclusively shown by referring to the list of those who signed the compact at Cape Cod, and the number of persons in the family of each, taken from Gov. Bradford's manuscript. See Dr. N. B. Shurtleff's Historical Tract, "The Passengers of the Mayflower." removals and plantations, do seek to give content to the world, in all things that possibly they can. And although the most of the opposites are such as either dream of raising their fortunes here to that than which there is nothing more unlike, or such as affecting their home-born country so vehemently, as that they had rather with all their friends beg, yea, starve in it, than undergo a little difficulty in seeking abroad; yet are there some who, out of doubt in tenderness of conscience, and fear to offend God by running before they be called, are straitened and do straiten others from going to foreign plantations. For whose cause especially I have been drawn, out of my good affection to them, to publish some reasons that might give them content and satisfaction, and also stay and stop the wilful and witty caviller; and herein I trust I shall not be blamed of any godly wise, though through my slender judgment I should miss the mark, and not strike the nail on the head, considering it is the first attempt that hath been made (that I know of) to defend those enterprises. Reason would, therefore, that if any man of deeper reach and better judgment see further or otherwise, that he rather instruct me than deride me. And being studious for brevity, we must first consider, that whereas God of old did call and summon our fathers by predictions, dreams, visions, and certain illuminations, to go from their countries, places and habitations, to reside and dwell here or there, and to wander up and down from city to city, and land to land, according to his will and pleasure; now there is no such calling to be expected for any matter whatsoever, neither must any so much as imagine that there will now be any such thing. God did once so train up his people, but now he doth not, but speaks in another manner, and so we must apply ourselves to God's present dealing, and not to his wonted dealing; and as the miracle of giving manna ceased, when the fruits of the land became plenty, so God having such a plentiful storehouse of directions in his holy word, there must not now any extraordinary revelations be expected. But now the ordinary examples and precepts of the scriptures, reasonably and rightly understood and applied, must be the voice and word, that must call us, press us, and direct us in every action. Neither is there any land or possession now, like unto the possession which the Jews had in Canaan, being legally holy and appropriated unto a holy people, the seed of Abraham, in which they dwelt securely, and had their days prolonged, it being by an immediate voice said, that he (the Lord) gave it them as a land of rest after their weary travels, and a type of eternal rest in heaven. But now there is no land of that sanctimony, no land so appropriated, none typical; much less any that can be said to be given of God to any nation, as was Canaan, which they and their seed must dwell in, till God sendeth upon them sword or captivity. But now we are all, in all places, strangers and pilgrims, travelers and sojourners, most properly, having no dwelling but in this earthern tabernacle; our dwelling is but a wandering, and our abiding but as a fleeting, and in a word our home is nowhere but in the heavens, in that house not made with hands, whose maker and builder is God, and to which all ascend that love the coming of our Lord Jesus. Though then there may be reasons to persuade a man to live in this or that land, yet there cannot be the same reasons which the Jews had; but now, as natural, civil and religious bands tie men, so they must be bound, and as good reasons for things terrene and heavenly appear, so they must be led. And so here falleth in our question, how a man that is here born and bred, and hath lived some years, may remove himself into another country. I answer, a man must not respect only to live, and do good to himself, but he should see where he can live to do most good to others; for, as one saith, "He whose living is but for himself, it is time he were dead." Some men there are who of necessity must here live, as being tied to duties either to church, commonwealth, household, kindred, &c.; but others, and that many, who do no good in none of those, nor can do none, as being not able, or not in favor, or as wanting opportunity, and live as outcastsnobodies, eye-sores, eating but for themselves, teaching but themselves, and doing good to none, either in soul or body, and so pass over days, years and months, yea, so live and so die. Now such should lift up their eyes and see whether there be not some other place and country to which they may go to do good, and have use towards others of that knowledge, wisdom, humanity, reason, strength, skill, faculty, &c. which God hath given them for the service of others and his own glory. But not to pass the bounds of modesty so far as to name any, though I confess I know many, who sit here still with their talent in a napkin, having notable endowments both of body and mind, and might do great good if they were in some places, which here do none, nor can do none, and yet through fleshly fear, niceness, straitness of heart, &c. sit still and look on, and will not hazard a drachm of health, nor a day of pleasure, nor an hour of rest to further the knowledge of the sons of Adam in that new world, where a drop of the knowledge of Christ is most precious, which is here not set by. Now what shall we say to such a profession of Christ, to which is joined no more denial of a man's self? But some will say, What right have I to go, live in the heathens' country? Letting pass the ancient discoveries, contracts and agreements which our Englishmen have long since made in those parts, together with the acknowledgment of the histories and chronicles of other nations, who profess the land of America from the Cape de Florida unto the Bay of Canada (which is south and north three hundred leagues and upwards, and east and west further than yet hath been discovered) is proper to the king of England, yet letting that pass, lest I be thought to meddle further than it concerns me, or further than I have discerning, I will mention such things as are within my reach, knowledge, sight and practice, since I have travailed in these affairs. And first, seeing we daily pray for the conversion of the heathens, we must consider whether there be not some ordinary means and course for us to take to convert them, or whether prayer for them be only referred to God's extraordinary work from heaven. Now it seemeth unto me that we ought also to endeavor and use the means to convert them; and the means cannot be used unless we go to them, or they come to us. To us they cannot come, our land is full; to them we may go, their land is empty. This then is a sufficient reason to prove our going thither to live, lawful. Their land is spacious and void, and there are few, and do but run over the grass, as do also the foxes and wild beasts. They are not industrious, neither have art, science, skill or faculty to use either the land or the commodities of it; but all spoils, rots, and is marred for want of manuring, gathering, ordering, &c. As the ancient patriarchs, therefore, removed from straiter places into more roomy, where the land lay idle and waste, and none used it, though there dwelt inhabitants by them, as Gen. xiii. 6, 11, 12, and xxxiv. 21, and xli. 20, so is it lawful now to take a land which none useth, and make use of it. And as it is a common land, or unused and undressed country, so we have it by common consent, composition and agreement; which agreement is double. First, the imperial governor, Massasoit, whose circuits, in likelihood, are larger than England and Scotland, hath acknowledged the King's Majesty of England to be his master and commander, and that once in my hearing, yea, and in writing, under his hand, to Captain Standish, both he and many other kings which are under him, as Pamet, Nauset, Cummaquid, Narrowhiggonset, Namaschet, &c., with divers others |