Bradford was one of the leaders of the English Puritan Separatists who
we now call "The Pilgrims." This history was his personal journal, completed
around 1650, after he had served some 35 years as governor of the colony. The first
excerpt describes his feelings as he is on The Mayflower in 1620, on the night before they
land to start their puritan colony, the first utopian experiment in the Americas.
On the Mayflower
Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their
knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the fast and furious ocean,
and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on
the firm and stable earth, their proper element. And no marvel if they were thus joyful,
seeing wise Seneca was so affected with sailing a few miles on the coast of his own Italy,
as he affirmed, that he had rather remain twenty years on his way by land than pass by sea
to any place in a short time, so tedious and dreadful was the same unto him.
But here I cannot but stay and make a pause, and stand half amazed at this poor
people's present condition; and so I think will the reader, too, when he well considers
the same. Being thus passed the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before in their
preparation (as may be remembered by that which went before), they had now no friends to
welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their weatherbeaten bodies; no houses or
much less towns to repair to, to seek for succor. It is recorded in Scripture as a mercy
to the Apostle and his shipwrecked company, that the barbarians showed them no small
kindness in refreshing them, but these savage barbarians, when they met with them (as
after will appear) were readier to fill their sides full of arrows than otherwise. And for
the season it was winter, and they know that the winters of that country know them to be
sharp and violent, and subject to cruel and fierce storms, dangerous to travel to known
places, much more to search an unknown coast. Besides, what could they see but a hideous
and desolate wilderness, full of wild beasts and wild men--and what multitudes there might
be of them they knew not. Neither could they, as it were, go up to the top of Pisgah to
view from this wilderness a more goodly country to feed their hopes; for which way soever
they turned their eyes (save upward to the heavens) they could have little solace or
content in respect of any outward objects. For summer being done, all things stand upon
them with a weatherbeaten face, and the whole country, full of woods and thickets,
represented a wild and savage hue. If they looked behind them, there was the mighty ocean
which they had passed and was now as a main bar and gulf to separate them from all the
civil parts of the world. If it be said they had a ship to succor them, it is true; but
what heard they daily from the master and company? But that with speed they should look
out a place (with their shallop) where they would be, at some near distance; for the
season was such that he would not stir from thence till a safe harbor was discovered by
them, where they would be, and he might go without danger; and that victuals consumed
space but he must and would keep sufficient for themselves and their return. Yea, it was
muttered by some that if they got not a place in time, they would turn them and their
goods ashore and leave them. Let it also be considered what weak hopes of supply and
succor they left behind them, that might bear up their minds in this sad condition and
trials they were under; and they could not but be very small. It is true, indeed, the
affections and love of their brethren at Leyden was cordial and entire towards them, but
they had little power to help them or themselves; and how the case stood between them and
the merchants at their coming away hath already been declared.
What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace? May not and ought not
the children of these fathers rightly say: "Our fathers were Englishmen which came
over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto
the Lord, and He heard their voice and looked on their adversity," etc. "Let
them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good: and his mercies endure forever. Yea,
let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how He hath delivered them from the
hand of the oppressor. When they wandered in the desert wilderness out of the way, and
found no city to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in
them." "Let them confess before the Lord His lovingkindness and His wonderful
works before the sons of men."
How they sought a place of
habitation (1620)
Being thus arrived at Cape Cod the 11th of November, and necessity calling them to look
out a place for habitation (as well as the master's and mariner's importunity); they
having brought a large shallop with them out of England, stowed in quarters in the ship,
they now got her out and set their carpenters to work to trim her up; but being much
bruised and shattered in the ship with foul weather, they saw she would be long in
mending. Whereupon a few of them tendered themselves to go by land and discover those
nearest places, whilst the shallop was in mending; and the rather because as they went
into that harbor there seemed to be an opening some two or three leagues off, which the
master judged to be a river. It was conceived there might be some danger in the attempt,
yet seeing them resolute, they were permitted to go, being sixteen of them well armed
under the conduct of Captain Standish, having such instructions given them as was thought
meet.
They set forth the 15 of November; and when they had marched about the space of a mile
by the seaside, they espied five or six persons with a dog coming towards them, who were
savages; but they fled from them and ran up into the woods, and the English followed them,
partly to see if they could speak with them, and partly to discover if there might not be
more of them lying in ambush. But the Indians seeing themselves thus followed, they again
forsook the woods and ran away on the sands as hard as they could, so as they could not
come near them but followed them by the track of their feet sundry miles and saw that they
had come the same way. So, night coming on, they made their rendezvous and set out their
sentinels, and rested in quiet that night; and the next morning followed their track till
they had headed a great creek and so left the sands, and turned another way into the
woods. But they still followed them by guess, hoping to find their dwellings; but they
soon lost both them and themselves, falling into such thickets as were ready to tear their
clothes and armor in pieces; but were most distressed for want of drink. But at length
they found water and refreshed themselves, being the first New England water they drunk
of, and was now in great thirst as pleasant unto them as wine or beer had been in
foretimes.
Afterwards, they directed their course to come to the other shore, for they knew it was
a neck of land they were to cross over, and so at length got to the seaside and marched to
this supposed river, and by the way found a pond of clear, fresh water, and shortly after
a good quantity of clear ground where the Indians had formerly set corn, and some of their
graves. And proceeding further they saw new stubble where corn had been set the same year;
also they found where lately a house had been, where some planks and a great kettle was
remaining, and heaps of sand newly paddled with their hands. Which, they digging up, found
in them divers fair Indian baskets filled with corn, and some in ears, fair and good, of
divers colors, which seemed to them a very goodly sight (having never seen any such
before). This was near the place of that supposed river they came to seek, unto which they
went and found it to open itself into two arms with a high cliff of sand in the entrance
but more like to be creeks of salt water than any fresh, for aught they saw; and that
there was good harborage for their shallop, leaving it further to be discovered by their
shallop, when she was ready. So, their time limited them being expired, they returned to
the ship lest they should be in fear of their safety; and took with them part of the corn
and buried up the rest. And so, like the men from Eshcol, carried with them of the fruits
of the land and showed their brethren; of which, and their return, they were marvelously
glad and their hearts encouraged.
After this, the shallop being got ready, they set out again for the better discovery of
this place, and the master of the ship desired to go himself. So there went some thirty
men but found it to be no harbor for ships but only for boats. There was also found two of
their houses covered with mats, and sundry of their implements in them, but the people
were run away and could not be seen. Also there was found more of their corn and of their
beans of various colors; the corn and beans they brought away, purposing to give them full
satisfaction when they should meet with any of them as, about some six months afterward
they did, to their good content.
And here is to be noted a special providence of God, and a great mercy to this poor
people, that here they got seed to plant them corn the next year, or else they might have
starved, for they had none nor any likelihood to get any till the season had been past, as
the sequel did manifest. Neither is it likely they had had this, if the first voyage had
not been made, for the ground was now all covered with snow and hard frozen; but the Lord
is never wanting unto His in their greatest needs; let His holy name have all the praise.
. . .
The Mayflower Compact (1620)
I shall a little return back, and begin with a combination of made by them before they
came ashore; being the first foundation of their government in this place. Occasioned
partly by the discontented and mutinous speeches that some of the strangers amongst them
had let fall from them in the ship: That when they came ashore they would use their own
liberty, for none had power to command them, the patent they had being for Virginia and
not for New England, which belonged to another government, with which the Virginia Company
had nothing to do. And partly that such an act by them done, this their condition
considered, might be as firm as any patent and in some respects more sure.
The form was as followeth:
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN.
We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King
James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the
faith, etc.
Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and
Honor of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of
Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of
another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better
ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to
enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and
Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general
good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness
whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the llth of November, in the
year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the
eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.
After this they chose, or rather confirmed, Mr. John Carver (a man godly and well
approved amongst them) their Governor for that year. And after they had provided a place
for their goods, or common store (which were long in unlading for want of boats, foulness
of the winter weather and sickness of divers) and begun some small cottages for their
habitation; as time would admit, they met and consulted of laws and orders, both for their
civil and military government as the necessity of their condition did require, still
adding thereunto as urgent occasion in several times, and as cases did require.
In these hard and difficult beginnings they found some discontents and murmurings arise
amongst some, and mutinous speeches and carriages in other; but they were soon quelled and
overcome by the wisdom, patience, and just and equal carriage of things, by the Governor
and better part, which clave faithfully together in the main.
Treaty with the Indians (1621)
All this while the Indians came skulking about them, and would sometimes show
themselves aloof off, but when any approached near them, they would run away; and once
they stole away their tools where they had been at work and were gone to dinner. But about
the 16th of March, a certain Indian came boldly amongst them and spoke to them in broken
English, which they could well understand but marveled at it. At length they understood by
discourse with him, that he was not of these parts, but belonged to the eastern parts
where some English ships came to fish, with whom he was acquainted and could name sundry
of them by their names, amongst whom he had got his language. He became profitable to them
in acquainting them with many things concerning the state of the country in the east parts
where he lived, which was afterwards profitable unto them; as also of the people here, of
their names, number and strength, of their situation and distance from this place, and who
was chief amongst them. His name was Samoset. He told them also of another Indian whose
name was Sguanto, a native of this place, who had been in England and could speak better
English than himself.
Being after some time of entertainment and gifts dismissed, a while after he came
again, and five more with him, and they brought again all the tools that were stolen away
before, and made way for the coming of their great Sachem, called Massasoit. Who, about
four or five days after, came with the chief of his friends and other attendance, with the
aforesaid Squanto. With whom, after friendly entertainment and some gifts given him, they
made a peace with him (which hath now continued this 24 years) in these terms:
- That neither he nor any of his should injure or do hurt to any of their people.
- That if any of his did hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender, that they
might punish him.
- That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, he should cause it to be restored;
and they should do the like to his.
- If any did unjustly war against him, they would aid him; if any did war against them, he
should aid them.
- He should send to his neighbors confederates to certify them of this, that they might
not wrong them, but might be likewise comprised in the conditions of peace.
- That when their men came to them, they should leave their bows and arrows behind them.
After these thing he returned to his place called Sowams, some 40 miles from this
place, but Squanto continued with them and was their interpreter and was a special
instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation. He directed them how to
set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, and was also their
pilot to bring them to unknown places for their profit, and never left them till he died.
He was a native of this place, and scarce any left alive besides himself. He we carried
away with divers others by one Hunt, a master of a ship, who thought to sell them for
slaves in Spain. But he got away for England and was entertained by a merchant in London,
and employed to Newfoundland and other parts, and lastly brought hither into these parts
by one Mr. Dermer, a gentleman employed by Sir Ferdinando Gorges and others for discovery
and other designs in these parts.
New governor, first marriage
(1621)
In this month of April, whilst they were busy about their seed, their Governor (Mr.
John Carver) came out of the field very sick, it being a hot day. He complained greatly of
his head and lay down, and within a few hours his senses failed, so as he never spake more
till he died, which was within a few days after. Whose death was much lamented and caused
great heaviness amongst them, as there was cause. He was buried in the best manner they
could, with some volleys of shot by all that bore arms. And his wife, being a weak woman,
died within five or six weeks after him.
Shortly after, William Bradford was chosen Governor in his stead, and being not
recovered of his illness, in which he had been near the point of death, Isaac Allerton was
chosen to be an assistant unto him who, by renewed election every year, continued sundry
years together. Which I here note once for all.
May 12 was the first marriage in this place which, according to the laudable custom of
the Low Countries, in which they had lived, was thought most requisite to be performed by
the magistrate, as being a civil thing, upon which many questions about inheritances do
depend, with other things most proper to their cognizance and most consonant to the
Scriptures (Ruth iv) and nowhere found in the Gospel to be laid on the ministers as a part
of their office.
First harvest (1621)
They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and
dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all
things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were
exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of
which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to
come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came
first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was a great store
of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides they had about a
peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to the proportion. Which
made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England,
which were not feigned but true reports.
Private and communal farming
(1623)
All this while no supply was heard of, neither knew they when they might expect any. So
they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better
crop than they had done, that they might not still thus languish in misery. At length,
after much debate of things, the Governor (with the advice of the chiefest amongst them)
gave way that they should set corn every man for his own particular, and in that regard
trust to themselves; in all other thing to go on in the general way as before. And so
assigned to every family a parcel of land, according to the proportion of their number,
for that end, only for present use (but made no division for inheritance) and ranged all
boys and youth under some family. This had very good success, for it made all hands very
industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been by any means
the Governor or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far
better content. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little ones
with them to set corn; which before would allege weakness and inability; whom to have
compelled would have been thought great tyranny and oppression.
The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years and
that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanity of that conceit of Plato's
and other ancients applauded by some of later times; and that the taking away of property
and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if
they were wiser than God. For this community (so far as it was) was found to breed much
confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit
and comfort. For the young men, that were most able and fit for labor and service, did
repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and
children without any recompense. The strong, or man of parts, had no more in division of
victuals and clothes than he that was weak and not able to do a quarter the other could;
this was thought injustice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalized in labors
and victuals, clothes etc., with the meaner and younger sort, thought it some indignity
and disrespect unto them. And for men's wives to be commanded to do service for other men,
as dressing their meat, washing their clothes, etc., they deemed it a kind of slavery,
neither could many husbands well brook it. Upon the point all being to have alike, and all
to do alike, they thought themselves in the like condition, and one as good as another;
and so, if it did not cut off those relations that God hath set amongst men, yet it did at
least much diminish and take off the mutual respects that should be preserved amongst
them. And would have been worse if they had been men of another condition. Let none object
this is men's corruption, and nothing to the course itself. I answer, seeing all men have
this corruption in them, God in His wisdom saw another course fitter for them.
