Journal of the Settlements of Massachusets and Other Colonies, Journal (1 of 8)

Journal of the Settlements of Massachusets and Other Colonies · Journal (1 of 8)

GOVERNOR WINTHROP'S JOURNAL. Anno Domini, 1630. March 29th, Monday.

RIDING at the Cowes, near the Isle of Wight,1630. in the Arabella, a ship of 350 tons,Easter Monday. whereof Captain Peter Milburne was Master, being manned with 52 seamen and 28 pieces of ordnance. The wind coming to the N. by W. the evening before; in the morning there came aboard us, Mr, Cradock, the late Governor, and the Master of his two ships. Captain John Love, Master of the Ambrose, and Mr. Nicholas Thurlston, Master of the Jewel, and Mr. Thomas Beacher, Master of the Talbot, which three ships rode then by us; the Charles, the May-flower, the William and Francis, the Hopewell, the Whale, the Success, the Trial, being at Hampton and not ready. When, upon conference, it was agreed, that in regard it was uncertain when the rest of the fleet would be ready, four ships should consort together; the Arabella to be Admiral, the Talbot Vice-Admiral▪ the Ambrose, Rear-Admiral, and the Jewel a Captain; And accordingly articles of consortship were drawn between the said Captain and Master; whereupon Mr. Cradock took leave of us, and our Captain gave him a farewell with four or five shot.

About ten of the clock we weighed anchor and set sail, with the wind at N. and came to an anchor again over against Yarmouth, and the Talbot weighed likewise, and came and anchored by us. There we met with a ship of Hampton, called the Plantation, newly come from Virginia, the Captain saluted them, and he us again; and the Master, one Mr. Guerns, came on board the ship, and stayed with us about two or three hours, and in the mean time their ship came to an anchor by us.

p. 2In the morning about ten of the clock, the wind being come to the W. with fair weather, we weighed and rode nearer Yarmouth.Tuesday, 30th. When we came before the town the castle put forth a flag; our Captain saluted them, and they answered us again. The Talbot, which went further off saluted the castle also.

There we saw close by the shore of Isle of Wight, a Dutch ship of 1000 tons, being bound to the East-Indies, about two years since, in passing thither, the rudder struck upon a rock, and being forced to run ashore to save her men, could never be weighed since. Altho' she lies a great height above water, and yet she hath some men …oard her.

Wednesday, 31st.The wind continued W▪ and S. W. with rain. Our Captain and some of our …pany went to Yarmouth for supply of wood and other …ons; our Captain was still careful to fill our empty … with water.

Thursday April 1.The wind continued very strong at W. and by S. with much rain. We kept a fast aboard our ship and the Talbot. The wind continued still very high at W. and S. and rainy.Friday 2d. In the time of our fast, two of our landmen pierced a rundlet of strong water, **Rum or spirits.and stole some of it, for which we laid them in bolts all the night, and the next morning the principal was openly whipped, and both kept with bread and water that day.

Saturday 3d.The wind continued still at W. with continual storms and rain.

Sunday 4th.Fair clear weather. In the morning the wind W. and by N. but in the afternoon S. S. W. This evening the Talbot weighed and went back to the Cowes, because her anchor would not hold her, the tide set with so strong a wave.

Monday 5th.The wind still W. and by S. with fair weather. A maid of Sir Richard Saltonstall fell down at the grating by the cook-room, but the carpenter ran, who occasioned her fall unwittingly, caught hold of her with incredible nimbleness, and saved her, otherwise she had fallen into the hold.

Tuesday 6th.Captain Burleigh, Captain of Yarmouth-Castle, a grave comely gentleman and of great age, came aboard us and stayed breakfast, and offering us much courtesy, he departed, our Captain giving him four shot out of the forecastle for his farewell. He was an old sea Captain in Queen Elizabeth's time, and being taken prisoner at sea, was kept prisoner in Spain three years; himself and three of his sons, were Captains in Roe's voyage.

The wind was now come about to N. E. with very fair weather. In the afternoon Mr. Cradock came aboard us, told us that the Talbot, Jewel and Ambrose were fallen down into p. 3Stoke's Bay, intending to take their way by Helen's Point, and that they desired we would come back to them. Hereupon we came to council and wrote unto them to take the first opportunity of the wind to fall down to us, and Mr. Cradock presently went back to them, our Captain giving him three shot out of the steerage for a farewell.

Our Captain called over our landmen and tried them at their muskets and such as were good shot among them, were enrolled to serve in the ship, if occasion should be.

The lady Arabella and the gent…ewomen, and Mr. Johnston and some others went on shore to refresh themselves.

Fair weather, the wind Easterly,Wednesday 7th in the morning a small gale, but in the afternoon it came about to the South. This afternoon our other con…orts came up to us, and about 10 or 12 Flemings, and all anchored by us, and the Master of the Jewel and the Ambrose came aboard us, and our Captain and they went on shore. Towards night there came from the W. a Fleming, a small man of war, with a Brazil man which he had taken prize, and came to anchor by us.

About six in the morning,Thursday 8th. the wind being E. and by N. and fair weather, we weighed anchor and set sail, and before ten we got through the Needles, having so little wind as we had much to do to stem the tide, so as the rest of our fleet (we being nine in all, whereof some were small ships, which were bound for Newfoundland) could not get out all theirs till the ebb. In the afternoon the wind came S. and by W. and we were becalmed, so as not being able to get above three or four leagues from the Needles, our Captain tacked about, and putting his fore sheet aback stays, he stayed for the rest of the fleet, and as they came by us, we spake to them, and about 8 in the evening we let fall an anchor, intending to stop 'til the ebb, but before ten at night the wind came about to the N. a good gale, so we put up a light in the poop, and weighed and set sail, and by daylight we were come to Portland;… but the other ships being not able to hold up with us, we were forced to spare our mainsail, and went on with a merry gale. In the night we discovered, from the top, 8 sail astern of us, whom Captain Love told us he had seen at Dunninast in the evening. We supposing they might be Dunkirkers, our Captain caused the gun room and gun deck to be cleared, all the hammocks were taken down, our ordnance loaded, and our powder chests and fireworks made ready, and our landmen quartered among the seamen, and 25 of them appointed for musketteers, and every man written down for their quarter.

The wind continued N. with fair weahter▪ and after noon it calmed, and we still saw those eight ships to stand towards us, having more wind than we, they came up again, so that our Captain and the Masters of the consorts were more occasioned to think they might be Dunkirkers, for we were told at Yarmouth, that there were ten sail of them waiting for us; whereupon we all prepared for to fight with them, and took down some cabins which were in the way of our ordnance, and out of every ship were thrown fuel▪ matter as were subject to take fire, and we hove out our long boat, and put up our waste cloths, and drew forth our men and armed them with muskets and other weapons, and instruments for fireworks; and for an experiment our Captain shot a ball of wild fire fastened to an arrow, out of a cross-bow▪ which burnt in the water a good time. The lady Arabella and the other women and children were removed into the lower deck, that they might be out of danger. All things being thus fitted, we went to prayer upon the upper deck. It was much to see how cheerful and comfortable all the company appeared; not a woman or child that shewed fear, though all did apprehend the danger to have been great, if they had proved as might well be expected, for there had been eight against four, and the least of the enemy's ships were reputed to carry 30 brass pieces, but our trust was in the Lord of Hosts; and the courage of our Captain, and his care and diligence did much encourage us. It was now about one of the clock, and the fleet seemed to be within a league of us; therefore the Captain, because he would shew he was not afraid of them, and that he might see the issue before night should overtake us, tacked about and stood to meet them, and when we came near them we perceived them to be our friends; the Little Neptune, a ship of some twenty pieces of ordnance, and her two consorts, bound for the Streights; a ship of Hampshire, and a Frenchman and three other English ships bound for Canada and Newfoundland. So when we drew near; every ship as they met saluted each other, and the May-flower and ours discharged their small shot; and so (God be praised) our fear and danger was turned into mirth and friendly entertainment, our danger being then over. We espied two boats on fishing in the channel, so every of our four ships manned out a skiff, and we bought of them great store of excellent fish of divers sorts.

Saturday 10th.The wind at E. and by N. a handsome gale with fair weather. By 7 in the morning we were come over against Plymouth. About noon the wind slacked, and we were come within sight of the Lizard, and towards night it grew very … and a great fog, so as our ships made no way.

This afternoon Mr. Thurlston, the master of the Jewel came aboard our ship, and our captain went in his skiff aboard the Ambrose and the Neptune, of which one Mr. Andrew Cole was master. There he was told that the bark Warwick was taken by the Dunkirkers, for she came straight out of the Downes about 14 days since, intending to come to us to the Wight, but was never heard of since. She was a pretty ship of about 80 tons and 10 pieces of ordnance, and was set out by Sir Ferdinand Gorges, Captain Mason and others, so to have interrupted the trade of beaver. The master of her was one Mr. Weathrall, whose father was master of one of the cattle ships, which we left at Hampton.

This day two young men falling at odds and fighting, contrary to the orders which we had published and set up in the ship, were adjudged to walk upon deck till night with their hands tied behind them, which accordingly was executed; and another man for using contemptuous speech in our presence, was laid in bolts till he submitted himself and presented open confession of his offence.

I should have noted before, that the day we set sail from the Cowes, my son Henry Winthrop went on shore with one of my servants to fetch an ox and 10 weathers, which he had provided for our ship, and there went on shore with him, Mr. Pelham and one of his servants, they sent the cattle aboard, but returned not themselves. About three days after my servant and a servant of Mr. Pelham's came to us to Yarmouth, and told us they were all coming to us in a boat the day before, but the wind being so strong against them, as they were forced on shore in the night, and the two servants came to Yarmouth by land, and so came on ship-board, but my son and Mr. Pelham, we heard, went back to the Cowes and so to Hampton. We expected them 3 or 4 days after, but they came not to us, so we have left them behind, and suppose they will come after in Mr. Goffe's ships. We were very sorry they had put themselves upon such inconvenience when they were so well accommodated in our ship. This was not noted before, because we expected daily their return. And upon this occasion I must add here one observation, that we have many young gentlemen in our ship, who behave themselves well, and are conformable to all good orders.

About 10 at night it cleared up with a fresh gale at N. E. and by W. so we stood on our course merrily.

The wind at N. and by W. a very stiff gale.Sunday 11th. About 8 in the morning being gotten past Silla, and standing to the W. S. W. we met two small ships, which falling in among us, and the Admiral coming under our lee, we let him pass, but the Jewel and Ambrose perceiving him then to be a Brazil man and to take the wind of us, shot at them and made them stop and fall after us, and sent a skiff aboard them to know what they were. Our Captain fearing lest some mistake might arise, and lest they should take them for enemies which were friends, and so thro' the unruliness of the mariners some wrong might be done them, caused his skiff to be hauled out, and sent Mr. Graves, one of his mates and our pilot (a discreet man), to see how things were, who returned soon after, and brought with them the master of one of the ships and Mr. Love and Mr. Thurlston, when they were come aboard us, they agreed to send for the Captain, who came and shewed his commission from the Prince of Orange. In conclusion he proved to be a Dutchman, and his a man of war of Flushing, and the other ship was a pinnace he had taken laden with sugar and tobacco, so we sent them aboard their ships again, and held on our course. In this time (which hindered us five or six days) the Jewel and the Ambrose run foul of each other, so as we much feared the issue, but thro' God's mercy, they came well off again, only the Jewel had her foresail torn, and one of her anchors broken. This occasion, and the sickness of our minister and people put us all out of order this day so as we could have no services.

Monday Ap. 12th.The wind came large to the N. a stiff gale with fair weather. In the afternoon less wind, and our people began to grow well again. Our children and others that were sick, and lay groaning in the cabbins, we fetched out, and having stretched a rope from the steerage to the mainmast, we made them stand some of one side and some of the other, and swing it up and down till they were weary, and by this means they soon grew well and merry.

Tuesday 13th.The night before it was calm, and the next day calm close weather so as we made little way, the wind with us being West.

Wednesday 14th.The wind S. W. rainy weather in the morning. About 9 in the forenoon the wind came about to N.N.W. a stiff gale, so we tacked about and steered our course W. S. W. This day the ship heaved and set more than before, yet we had still some sick, and of these such as came upon deck and stirred themselves were presently well again; therefore our Captain set our children and grown men to some harmless exercises which the seamen were very active in, and did our people much good, tho' they would sometimes play the wag with them. Towards night we were forced to take in some sail to stay for the Vice-Admiral which was near a league a stern of us.

p. 7The wind still at N. N. W. fair weather, but less wind than the day and night before so as our ship made but little way. At noon our Captain made observation by the cross staff and found we were in 47. 37 minutes N. Lat.Thursday 15th.

All the forenoon our Vice-Admiral was much to Leeward of us, so after dinner we came up towards her, and having fetched her up and spoke with her, the wind being come to S. W. we tacked about and steered our course N. N. W. lying as near the wind as we could, and about 4 of the clock, with a stiff gale, we steered W. and by N. and at night the wind grew very strong which put us on to the W. amain.

About 10 at night, the wind grew so high and rain withal, that we were forced to take in our topsail, and having lower'd our mainsail and foresail, the storm was so great as it split our foresail and tore it to pieces, and the roll of the sea washed our tub overboard, wherein our fish was a salting. The storm still grew, and it was dark with clouds, tho' otherwise moon light, so as tho' it was Jewel's turn to carry the light this night, yet lest we should lose or go foul one of another we hung out a light upon our mizzen shrouds, and before midnight we lost sight of our Vice-Admiral.

Our Captain, so soon as he had set the watch at 8 in the evening, called his men and told them he feared we should have a storm, and therefore commanded them to be ready upon deck, if occasion should be, and himself was up and down the decks all hours of the night.

About 4 in the morning the wind tacked a little,Friday 16th. yet it continued still, and tho' in the afternoon it cleared with much wind, yet the sea was so high as it tossed us more than before, and we carried no more but our mainsail, yet our ship steered well with it, which some such ships could not have done.

About 4 in the afternoon the wind fell W. and by S. and rainy, we put on a new foresail and hoisted it up, and steered N. N. W. All the day our Rear-Admiral and the Jewel held up with us.

This night was very stormy. All the time of the storm some of our people were sick, tho' no men who kept under hatches, and there appeared no fear or disheartedness among them.

The wind S. W. very stormy and boisterous:Saturday 17th. all the time we bore no more sail but our mainsail and foresail, and we steered our course W. and by N. This day our Captain told me that our landmen were very nasty and slovenly, and that the gun deck where they lodged was so beastly and noisome with their victuals and beastliness, as would much endanger the health of the p. 8ship. Hereupon after prayer, we took orders, and appointed four men to see to it and to keep that room clean for three days, and then four others to succeed them and so on.

The wind continued all this day at S. W. a stiff gale; in the afternoon it cleared up, but very high. Our Captain about 4 o'clock sent one to the top to look for the Vice-Admiral, but could not descry him, yet he saw a sail about two leagues to Leeward which stood toward the N. E. We were this evening by our account about 90 leagues from Silla W. and by S. At this place there came a swallow and lighted upon our ship.

Sunday Ap. 18th.About 2 in the morning the wind N. W. so we tacked about and steered our course S. W. We had still much wind, and the sea went very high, which tossed our ship continually. After our evening service about 5 of the clock, the wind came about to the S. E. a good gale but rainy, so we steered our course W. S. W. and the ships way was about 9 leagues a watch (a watch is four hours) This day the Captain sent to top again to discover our Vice-Admiral, we discerned from thence to the Eastward a sail, but we knew not what she was.

About 7 of the clock the Jewel came up so near us as we could speak each to other, and after we eased some sail, so she went a head of us, and soon after 8 put forth her light.

Monday 19th.In the morning the wind came about to the N. W. a good gale and fair weather, so we held our course, but the ship made not so good way as when the wind was large.

This day by observation and account we found ourselves to be in 48 N. Lat. and 220 leagues W. from the meridian of London. Here I think good to note, that all the time since we came from the Wight we had cold weather, so as we could well endure our warmest clothes. I wish therefore that all such as shall pass this way in the spring have care to put up warm clothes, for nothing breeds more trouble and danger of sickness in this season, than cold. In the afternoon the wind came to S. W. a stiff gale with rain, so we steered Westerly, till night, then the wind came about to N. W. and we tacked again and stood S. W. Our Rear Admiral being to Leeward of us we bore up to him, he told us all their people were in health, but one of their cows was dead.

Tuesday 20th.The wind Southerly, fair weather and little wind▪ in the morning we steered S. and by E. in the afternoon W. and by N.

Wednesday 21st.Thick rainy weather, much wind at S. W. Our Captain over night had invited his consorts to have dined with him this day, but it was such foul weather as they could not come aboard us.

p. 9The wind still W. and by S. fair weather, then W. N. W. This day at noon we found ourselves in 47 degrees and 48 minutes, and having a stiff gale,Thursday 22. we steered S. W. about 4 leagues a watch all this day, and all the night following.

The wind still W. N. W. a small gale, with fair weather.Friday 23. Our Captain put forth his ancient in the poop, and hove out his skiff and lowered his topsails to give sign to his consorts, that they should come aboard us to dinner, for they were both a good way a stern of us, and our Vice-Admiral was not yet seen of us since the storm, tho we sent to the top every day to descry him.

About 11 of the clock our Captain sent his skiff and fetched aboard us the Masters of the other two ships, and Mr. Pincheon, and they dined with us in the round house, for the lady and gentlewomen dined in the great cabin.

This day and the night following we had little wind, so as the sea was very smooth, and the ship made little way.

The wind still W. and by N. fair weather and calm all that day and evening.Saturday 24. Here we made observation again and found we were in 45 20 N. Lat.

The wind Northerly, fair weather, but still calm;Sunday 25. we stood W. and by S. and saw two ships a head of us as far as we could descry. In the afternoon the wind came W. and by S. but calm still. About 5 of the clock the Rear-Admiral and the Jewel had fetched up the two ships, and by their saluting each other we perceived they were friends, for they were so far to the windward of us as we could only see the smoke of their pieces, but could not hear them. About 9 of the clock they both fell back towards us again, and we steered N. N. W. Now the weather began to be warm.

The wind still W. and by S. close weather and scarce any wind.Monday 26. The two ships which we saw yesterday were bound for Canada. Capt. Kirk was aboard the Admiral; they came up with us, and falling close under our lee, we saluted each other, and conferred together so long 'till the Vice-Admiral was becalmed by our sails, and we were foul one of another; but there being little wind and the sea calm; we kept them asunder with our oars &c. 'till they hove out their boat, and so towed their ship away. They told us for certain that the King of France had sent out six of his own ships to recover the fort from them.

About one of the clock Capt. Love sent his skiff aboard us, with a friendly token of love to the Governor, to desire our Captain to come aboard his ship, which he did, and then met p. 10the masters of the other ships and Capt. Kirk, and before night they all returned to their ships again, Capt. Love bestowing some shot upon them for their welcome.

The wind now blew a pretty gale, so as our ship made some way again, tho it were out of our right course N. W. and by N.

Tuesday 27.The wind still Westerly, a stiff gale with close weather, we steered W. N. W. About noon some rain and all the day very cold. We appointed Tuesdays and Wednesdays to catechise our people, and this day Mr. Philips began it.

Wednesday 28.All the night and this day till noon, the wind very high at S. W. close weather and some rain; between 11 and 12 in a shower the wind came W. N. W. so we tacked about and stood S. W.

Thursday 29.Much wind all this night at W. & by N. and the sea went very high, so as the ship rolled very much, because we sailed but with one course; therefore about 12, our Captain arose and caused the foretopsail to be hoisted, and then the ship went more steady.

In the morning the wind continued with a stiff gale▪ rainy and cold all the day. We had been now three weeks at sea, and were not come above 300 leagues, being about one third part of our way, viz. about 46 N. lat. and near the meridian of the T—s.

This night Capt. Kirk carried the light as one of our consorts.

Friday 30.The wind at W. N. W. a strong gale all the night and day, with storms now and then. We made observation and found we were in 44 N. lat. At night the wind scanted towards the S. with rain, so we tacked about and stood N. W. and by N.

May 1. Saturday.All the night much wind at S. S. W. and rain; in the morning the wind still stronger, so as we could bear little sail, and so it continued a growing storm all the day, and towar…s night so much wind as we bore no more sail but so much as should keep the ship stiff; then it grew a very great tempest with severe showers of rain intermixed and very cold.

Lord's-day 2.The tempest continued all this day, with the wind W. and by N. and the sea raged and tossed us exceedingly, yet thro' Gods mercy we were very comfortable and few or none sick, but had opportunity to keep the sabbath, and Mr. Philips prayed twice that day. The Ambrose and Jewel were separated far from us the first night, but this day we saw them again, but Captain Kirk's ship we saw not since.

Monday 3.In the night the wind abated, and by morning the sea was well asswaged, so as we bore our foresail again, and stood W. p. 11S. W. but all the time of the tempest we could make no way, but were driven to the leeward, and the Ambrose struck all her sail but her mizzen, and lay a hull; she broke her main yard. This day we made observation and found we were in 43 1-2 N. Lat. We set two sailors in the bolts, till night, with their hands bound behind them. A maid servant in the ship being stomach sick, drank so much strong water that she was senseless, and had near killed herself. We observed it a common fault in our grown people, that they gave themselves to drink hot waters very immoderately.

Much wind at S. W. close weather.Tuesday 4. In the morning we tacked about and stood N. W. and about 10 in the morning W. N. W. but made but little way in regard of the hard sea.

The wind W. and by S. thick foggy weather and rainy,Wednesday 5. so we stood N. W. and by W. At night the Lord remembered us, and enlarged the wind to the N. so we tacked about and stood our course W. and by S. with a merry gale in … sails.

The wind at N. a good gale and fair weather.Thurs. 6 We made observation and found we were 43 1-2 N. Lat. so we stood full W. & came in 24 hours about 30 leagues. Some things I observed here. 1st. that the declination of the pole star was much (even to the view) beneath what it is in England. 2d. that the new moon, when it first appeared, was much smaller than at any time I had seen it in England. 3d. that all the way we came, we saw fowls flying and swimming when we had no land near by 200 leagues. 4th. that whensoever the wind blew we had still cold weather, and the sun did not give so much here as in England.

The wind N. and by E. a small gale, very fair weather,Frid. 7. and towards night a still calm. This day the Captain and Mr. Love dined aboard the Jewel.

All the night calm,Sat. 8. in the morning the wind S. W. a handsome gale, so we tacked and stood N. W. and soon after the wind growing more large, we stood W. N. W. with a good gale. About four of the clock we saw a whale, who lay just in our ships way, the bunch of his back about a yard above water; he would not swim up, so we passed within a stones cast of him as he lay spouting up water.

The wind still S. W. a good gale,Lord's day 9. but close weather and some…rain, we held on our course W. N. W. about 9 it cleared up, and towards night a great fog for an hour or two. We were now in 44 1-2 N. Lat. and a little west of Cowes.

The wind S. S. W. a good gale and fair weather,Mond. 10. so we p. 12stood W. and by N. four or five leagues a watch, all this day. The wind increased and was a great storm all the night. About midnight our Rear-Admiral put forth two lights, whereby we knew that some mischance had befallen her. We answered her with two lights again, and came up to her, so near as we durst (for the sea went very high) and she lay by the lee, but she had broken some of her shrouds. Having hailed her, we learnt she had sprung a leak, so we went a little a head of her, and bringing our foresail a back stays, we stayed for her, and about two hours after she filled her sails, and we stood our course together, but our Captain went not to rest, till four of the clock, and some others of us slept but little that night.—

Tues. 11.The storm continued all this day, till three in the afternoon, and the sea went very high, so as our ship could make no way, being able to bear no more but our mainsail about midmast high. At three there fell a great storm of rain, we layed to the wind, and the wind shifting into the W. we tacked and stood into the hard sea, to avoid the rolling of our ship, and by that means we made no way, the sea beating us back as much as the wind put us forward. We had still cold weather, and our people were so acquainted with showers, as they were not sick, nor troubled, tho we were much tossed 48 hours together, viz. 24 during the storm, and as long the next night and day following.

Wed. 12.When we lay as it were a hull, for want of wind, and rolling continually in a high grown sea. This day was close and rainy.

Complaint was made to our Captain of some injury that one of the under officers of the ship had done to one of our landmen. He called him and examined the cause, and commanded him to be tied up by the hands, and a weight to be hanged about his neck; but at the intercession of the Governor, with some difficulty, he recalled his punishment. At night the wind blew at S. and by E. a handsome gale, with rain, so we put forth our sails and stood W. and by S.

Thurs. 13.Towards morning the wind came to the S. Westerly, with close weather and a strong gale, so as before noon we took in our topsails, the Rear-Admiral having split her fore-topsail, and we stood W. southerly.

Frid. 14.The wind W. S. W. thick foggy weather, and in the afternoon rainy. We stood W. and by S. and after W. and by N. about 5 leagues a watch. We were in 44 1-2 N. Lat. the sun set N. W. and by N. 1-3 Notherly, and towards night we stood W.

p. 13The wind Westerly all this day, fair weather, we tacked twice to small purpose.

As the 15th was.Sat. 15.

The wind at S. a fine gale and fair weather.L. Day 16. We stood W. and by S. We saw a great drift, so we hove out our skiff,Mond. 17. and it proved a firr log, which seemed to have been many years in the water, for it was all overgrown with barnicles and other trash. We founded here and found no ground at 100 fathom and more. We saw two whales. About 9 at night the wind grew very strong at S. W. and continued so with much rain till one of the clock, then it ceased raining, but the wind came round to the W. with more violence. In this storm we were forced to take in all our sails save our mainsail, and to lower that so much as we could.

In the morning the wind slacked,Tues. 18. but we could stand no nearer our course than N. and we had much wind all this day. In the afternoon we tacked and stood S. and by E. Towards night our Rear Admiral being near two leagues to leeward of us, we came up, and drawing near her, we descried scarce two leagues more to leeward two ships, which we conceived were those two of Captain Kirk's, which parted from us in the storm, May 2d. We had still cold weather.

The wind S. S. W. close and rainy, little wind.Wed. 19. We tacked again and stood W. but about noon the wind came full W. a very strong gale, so we tacked again and stood N. and by E. and at night we took off our main bonnet, and took in all our sails, save our main course, and mizzen. We were now in 44° 12. and by our account in the midway between the false back and the main back. All this night a great storm at W. and by N.

The storm continued all this day, the wind as it was,Thurs. 20. and rainy. In the forenoon we carried our forecourse and stood W. S. W. but in the afternoon we took it in, the wind increasing and the sea grown very high, and lying with the helm a weather, we made no way but as the ship drove. We had still cold weather.

In the great cabbin at 9 at night,Fast. &c. and the next day again, &c. The storm continued all this night.

The wind still N. W. little wind and close weather.Frid. 21. We stood S. W. with all our sails, but made little way, and at night it was a still calm. A servant of one of our company had bargained with a child to sell him a box worth 3d. for three biscuits a day all the voyage, and had received about 40, and had sold them and many more to some other servants. p. 14We caused his hands to be tied up to a bar, and hung a basket with stones about his neck, and so he stood two hours.

Sat. 22.The wind S. S. W. much wind and rain. Our-spritsail lay so deep in as it was split in pieces with a hard sea at the instant as our Captain was going forth of his cabbin very early in the morning to give orders to take it in. It was a great mercy of God, that it did split, for otherwise it had endangered the breaking of our bowsprit, and topmast at least, and then we had had no other way but to have returned for England, except the wind had come east.

About 10 in the morning in a very great fret of wind, it chopt suddenly into the W. as it had done divers times before, and so continued with a small gale and stood N. and by W. About 4 in the afternoon there arose a sudden storm of wind and rain, so violent as we had not a greater. It continued thick and boisterous all the night. About 7 we descried a sail a head of us towards the N. and by E. which stood towards us. Our Captain supposing it might be our Vice Admiral, hoisted up his main-sail which before was struck down aboard, and came up to meet her, when we dre… near her we put forth our ensign, and she tussled up to get the wind of us, but when she saw she could not she bore up, and hoisting up her foresail, stood away before the wind, yet we made all the signs we could, that we meant her no harm, but she would not hail us. She was within shot of us, so as we perceived she was a small Frenchman which we did suppose had been driven off the bank: when she was clear of us she stood her course again, and we ours. This day at 12 we made observation and were about 43 but the storm put us far to the N. again; still cold weather.

L. day 23.Much wind, still Westerly, and very cold weather.

Mond. 24.The wind N. W. and by N. a handsome gale, and close weather and very cold, we stood S. W. About noon we had occasion to lie by the lee to straighten our mizzen shrouds, and the Rear Admiral and Jewel being both to windward of us, bore up and came under our lee to enquire if any thing were amiss with us, so we heard the company was in health in the Jewel, but that two passengers were dead in the Ambrose, and one other.

Tues. 25.The wind still N. W. fair weather but cold. We went on with a handsome gale, at noon were in 43 1-2—and the variation of the compass was a point and half. All this day we stood W. S. W. a… out 5 or 6 leagues a watch, and towards p. 15night the wind enlarged, with a cold dash of snowy rain, and then we came in a smooth sea about 8 or 9 leagues a watch, and stood due West.

The wind still N. W. a good gale and fair weather,Wed. 26. but very cold still, yet we were about 43. At night we sounded, but found no ground.

The wind N. W. a handsome gale, fair weather.Thurs. 27. About noon it came about to the S. W. and at night rain, with a stiff gale, and it continued to rain very hard 'till it was near midnight. This day our skiff went aboard the Jewel for a hogshead of water which we borrowed, because we could not come by our own, and there came back in the skiff the master of the Jewel and Mr. Nowell, so our Captain stayed them to dinner and sent for Capt. Love, and about two hours after dinner▪ they went aboard their own ships, our Capt. giving Mr. Nowell three shot, because he was one of the owners of our ship. We understood now that the two which died in the Ambrose were Mr. Cradock's servants who were sick when they came to sea; and one of them should have been left at Cowes if any host would have received him. In the Jewel also one of the seamen died; he was a most profane fellow, and one who was very injurious to the passengers, tho much against the will of the master. At noon we tacked about and stood W. and by N. and so continued most part of that day and night following, and had much rain till midnight.

In the morning the wind veered to the W. yet we had a stiff gale and steered N. W. and by N.Frid. 28. It was so great a fog all this day, as we had lost sight of one of our ships, and saw the other some leagues to leeward: We had many fine showers of rain throughout this day. At night the wind cleared up, and we saw both our consorts fair by us; so the wind being very scant, we tacked and stood W. and by S. A child was born in the Jewel about this time.

The wind N. W. a stiff gale and fair weather,Sat. 29. but very cold. In the afternoon full N. and towards night N. and by E. so we stood W.

The wind N. and by E. a handsome gale,L. day 30. but close misty weather, and very cold, so our ship made good way in a smooth sea, and our three ships kept close together. By our account we were in the same meridian with Isle Sable, and 42 1-2.—

Wind N. W. a small gale, close and cold weather,Mond. 31. we sounded but had no ground. About noon the wind came N. and by E. a stiff constant gale and fair weather, so our ship's way p. 16was 7, 8, and sometimes 12 leagues a watch. This day about 5 at night we expected the eclipse, but there was not any, the sun being fair and clear from three 'till it set.

June 1. Tuesday.The wind N. E. a small gale, with fair clear weather; in the afternoon full S. and towards night a good gale. We stood W. and by N. A woman in our ship fell in travail, and we sent and had a midwife out of the Jewel. She was so far a head of us at this time (tho' usually we could spare her some sail) as we shot off a gun and lower'd our topsails, and then she trailed her sails and stayed for us. This evening … saw the new moon more than half an hour after sunset, being much smaller than it is at any time in England.

Wed. 2.The wind S. S. W. a handsome gale, very fair weather, but still cold; in the evening a great fog. We stood W. and by N. and W. N. W. Our Captain supposing us now to be near the N. coast, and knowing that to the S. there were dangerous shoals, fitted on a new main-sail, that was very strong and double, and would not adventure with his old sails as before when he had sea-room enough.

Thurs. 3.The wind S. and by W. a good steady gale, and we stood W. and by N. The fog continued very thick, and some rain with all. We sounded in the morning and again at noon, and had no ground; we sounded again about two, afternoon, and had ground about 80 fathom, a fine grey sand, so we presently tacked and stood S. S. E. and shot off a piece of ordnance to give notice to our consorts whom we saw not since last evening. The fog continued all this night, and a steady gale at S. W.

…. 4.About 4 in the morning we tacked again (the wind S. W.) and stood W. N. W. The fog continued all this day, so as we could not see a stones cast from us; yet the sun shone very bright all the day. We sounded every two hours, but had no ground. At night we tacked again and stood S.

Sat. 5.In the morning the wind came to the N. E. a handsome gale, and the fog was dispersed, so we stood before the wind W. and by N. all the afternoon being rainy. At night we sounded, but had no ground. In the great cabin thanksgiving.

It rained most part of this night, yet our Capt. kept abroad, and was forced to come in in the night to shift his cloaths. We sounded every half watch but had no ground.

L. day 6.The wind N. E. and after N. a good gale, but still foggy at times and cold. We stood W. N. W. both to make Cape Sable, if we might, and also because of the current, which, near the W. shore, sets to the S. that we might be the more clear from p. 17the southern shoals, viz. of Cape Cod. About 2 in the afternoon we sounded and had ground at about 80 fathom, and the mist then breaking up, we saw the shore to the N. about 5 or 6 leagues off, and were, as we supposed, to the S. W. of Cape Sable, and in 43 1-4—towards night it calmed and was foggy again, and the wind came S. and by E. we tacked and stood W. and by N. intending to make land at Aquaweticus, being to the N. of the Isles of Shoals.

The wind S. About 4 in the morning we sounded and had ground at 30 fathom, and was somewhat calm,Mond. 7. so we put our ship astays, and took, in less than two hours, with a few hooks, 67 codfish, most of them very great fish, some a yard and half long, being a yard in compass. This came very seasonably, our salt fish was now spent, and we were taking care for victuals this day (being a fish day). After this we sitted our sails and stood W N. W. with a small gale. The weather was now very cold. We sounded at 8 and had 50 fathom, and being calm we hove out our hooks again, and took 26 cods, so we all feasted with fish this day. A woman was delivered of a child in our ship, still born: The woman had divers children before, but none lived, and she had some mischance now, which caused this to come near a month before her time, but she did very well. At one of the clock we had a fresh gale at N. W. and very fair weather all that afternoon, and warm, but the wind failed soon. All the night the wind was W. and by S. a stiff gale, which made us stand to and again with small advantage.

The wind still W. and by S. fair weather,Tues. 8. but close and cold. We stood N. N. W. with a stiff gale, and about 3 in the afternoon we had sight of land to the N. W. about eight leagues, which we supposed was the Isle of Monhegan, but it proved Mount Manselle. Then we tacked and stood W. S. W. We had now fine sun-shine weather, and so pleasant a scene here as did much refresh us, and there came a smell off the shore like the smell of a garden. There came a wild pigeon into our ship, and another small land-bird.

In the morning the wind Easterly, but grew presently calm.Wed. 9. Now we had very fair weather and warm: About noon the wind came to S. W. so we stood W. N. W. with a handsome gale, and had the main land upon our starboard all that day about 8 or 10 leagues off. It is very high land, lying in many hills very unequal. At night we saw many small islands (being low-land) between us and the main, about or 6 leagues off us; and about three leagues from us towa…s the main, a small rock a little above water. At night we s…nded p. 18and had soft oozy ground at 60 fathom: so the wind being now set at W. we tacked again and stood S. S. W. we were now in 43 30.—This high land which we saw we judged to be at the W. cape of the great bay which goeth towards Port-Royal, called Mount Desert or Mount Manselle, and no island, but part of the main. In the night the wind shifted often.

Thurs 10.In the morning the wind S. and by W. till 5,—in the morning a thick fog; then it cleared up with fine weather, but somewhat close. After we had run for 10 leagues W. by S. we lost sight of the former land, but made other high land on our starboard as far off as we could descry, but we lost it again.

The wind continued all this day at S. a stiff steady gale, yet we bore all our sails and stood W. S. W. About 4 in the afternoon we made land on our starboard bow, called the Three Turks Heads, being a ridge of three hills upon the main, whereof the Southermost is the greatest: It lies near Aquaweticus. We descried also another hill more northward, which lies by Cape Porpus. We saw also ahead of us, scarce four leagues from shore, a small rock **called Bonne Islenot above a slight shot, over which hath a dangerous shoal to the E. and by S. of it, some two leagues in length: We kept our left—and weathered it, and left it on our starboard about two miles off. Towards night we might see the trees in all places very plainly and a small hill to the Southward of the Turks Heads. All the rest of the land to the S. was plain low land: Here we had a fine fresh smell from shore. Then lest we should not get clear of the ledge of rocks which lay under water from within a slight shot of the said rock, called Bonne Isle, which we had now brought N. E. from us towards Piscataquac, we tacked and stood S. E. with a stiff gale at S. and by W.

Frid. 11The wind still S. W. close weather; we stood to and again all this day within sight of Cape Anne. The Isles of Shoals were now within two leagues of us, and we saw a ship lie there at anchor, and 5 or 6 shallops under sail up and down. We took many mackarel, and met a shallop which stood from Cape Anne towards the Isles of Shoals, which belonged to some English fishermen.

Sat. 12.About 4 in the morning we were near our port: We shot off two pieces of ordnance, and sent our skiff to Mr. Pierce his ship which lay in the harbour, and had been here days before. About an hour after, Mr. Allerton came aboard us in a shallop as he was sailing to Penaquid. As we stood towards the harbour we saw another shallop coming to us, so we stood in to meet her, and passed thro the narrow streight between p. 19Baker's Isle and Little Isle, and came to an anchor a little within the Island.

After Mr. Pierce came aboard us, and returned to fetch Mr. Endicott, who came to us about 2 of the clock, and with him Mr. Shelton and Capt. Levett. We that were of the assistants, and some other gentlemen, and some of the women and our Captain, returned with them to **Salem.Nahumkeck, where we supped on a good venison pastry and good beer, and at night we returned to our ship, but some of the women stayed behind. In the morning the rest of the people went on shore upon the land off Cape Anne, which lay very near us, to gather store of strawberries. An Indian came aboard us and lay here all night.

In the morning the Sagamore of Agawam and one of his men came aboard our ship and stayed with us all day.Sund. 13. About 2 in the afternoon we descried the Jewel, so we manned out our skiff and wafted them in, and they went as near the harbour as the tide and wind would suffer.

In the morning early we weighed anchor,Mond. 14. and the wind being against us, and the channel so narrow as we could not well turn in; we warped in our ship and came to an anchor in the inward harbour. In the afternoon we went with the most of our company on shore, and our Capt. gave us 5 pieces.

We went to Mattachusetts,Thurs. 17. to find out a place for our sitting down. We went up Mistick river about six miles. We lay at Mr. Maverick's, and returned home on Saturday. As we came home, we came by Nataskott and sent for Capt. Squibb ashore. He had brought the West-country people, viz. Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Rosseter, Mr. Maverick, and ended a difference between him and the passengers, whereupon he sent his boat to his ship (the Mary and John) and at our firing gave us five pieces. At our return we found the Ambrose in the harbour at Salem.

The Mayflower and the Whale arrived safe in Charlton harbour. Their passengers were all in health,July 1. Thursday but most of their cattle dead (whereof a mare and horse of mine) some few horses came over in good plight.

The Talbott arrived here; she had lost 14 passengers.July 2. Frid.

My son Henry Winthrop, was drowned at Salem.

The Hopewell, and William and Francis arrived.Sat. 3.

The Trial arrived at Charlton, and the Charles at Salem.Mond. 5.

The Success arrived;Tues. 6. she had goats and lost of them, and many of her passengers were near starved, &c.

The Lyon went back to Salem.Wed. 7. Thurs. 8

We kept a day of Thanksgiving in all the plantations.

p. 20Captain Endicott and — Gibson were married by the Governor and Mr. Wilson.

Thurs. 18.The French ship called the Guiste came into the harbour at Charlton,Aug. 20. Sat. she had been 12 weeks at sea and lost one passenger and 12 goats; she delivered six.

Monday we kept a Court.

Frid. 27.We of the congregation kept a fast, and chose Mr. Wilson our teacher and Mr. Newell an elder, and Mr. Gager and Mr. Aspenwall, deacons. We used imposition of hands, but with this protestation by all that it was only as a sign of election and confirmation, not of any intent that Mr. Wilson should renounce his money he received in England.

Sept. 20.Mr Gager died.

About 2 in the morning, Mr. Isaac Johnson, died; his wife the lady Arabella of the house of Lincoln, being dead about one month before. He was a holy man, and wise, and died in sweet peace, leaving some part of his substance to the colony.

The wolves killed six calves at Salem, and they killed one wolf.

Thomas Morton adjudged to be imprisoned till he were sent into England, and his house burnt down for his many injuries offered to the Indians, and other misdemeanors, Captain Brooks, master of the Gift, refused to carry him.

French of Watertown had his wigwam burnt and all his goods. Billigton executed at Plimouth for murdering one.

Mr. Philips, Minister of Watertown, and others, had their hay burn.

The wolves killed some swine at Saugus: a cow died at Plimouth, and a goat at Boston with eating Indian corn.

Oct. 23.Mr. Rosseter one of the assistants died.

25.Mr. Colburne, who was chosen deacon by the congregation a week before, was invested by imposition of hands of the Minister and elder,

The Governor, upon consideration of the inconveniences which had grown in England by drinking one to another, restrained it at his own table, and wished others to do the like, so as it grew by little and little to disuse.

29.The Handmaid arrived at Plimouth, having been 12 weeks at sea, and spent all her masts, and of 28 cows she lost 10. She had about 60 passengers who came all well. John Grant, master, Mr. Gosse wrote me that his shipping this year had utterly undone him.

Nov. 11.The master came to Boston with Captain Standish and two gentlemen passengers who came to plant here, but having no testimony, we would not receive them.

p. 21Firmin of Watertown had his wigwam burnt. Divers had their hay-stacks burnt by burning the grass.

Three of the Governor's Servants were from this day to the 1st December abroad in their skiff among the Islands in bitter frost and snow,27 being kept from home by the N. W. wind, and without victuals: at length they got to Mount Woollaston, and left their boat there, and came home by land—Laus Deo.

The Governor and most of the assistants and others met at Roxbury,Dec. 6. and there agreed to build a town fortified upon the neck between that and Boston, and a committee was appointed to consider of all things requisite, &c.

The committee met at Roxbury, and upon further consideration, for reasons, it was concluded, that we could not have a town in the place aforesaid. 1. Because men would be forced to keep two families. 2. There was no running water, and if there were any springs they would not suffice the town. 3. The most part of the people had built already, and would not be able to build again: so we agreed to meet at Watertown that day sen'night, and in the mean time other places should be viewed.

Capt. Neale and three other gentlemen came hither to us, he came in the bark Warwich this summer to Piscataqua, sent as Governor there for Sir Ferdinand Georges and others.

We met again at Watertown, and here,21 upon view of a place a mile beneath the town, all agreed it a fit place for a beautiful town, and we took time to consider further about it.

Till this time there was for the most part, fair open weather,23 with gentle frosts in the night; but this day the wind came N. W. very strong, and some snow withall, but so cold as some had their fingers frozen, and in danger to be lost. Three of the Governor's servants coming in a shallop from Mistick, were driven by the wind upon Noddles Island, and forced to stay there all that night, without fire or food, yet thro God's mercy they came safe to Boston next day, but the fingers of two of them were blistered with cold, and one swooned when he came to the fire.

The rivers are frozen up,26 and they of Charlestown could not come to the sermon at Boston till the afternoon at high water. Many of our cows and goats were forced to be still aboard for want of houses.

Richard Garner a shoe-maker of Boston,28 and one of the congregation there, with one of his daughters a young maid and four others went towards Plimouth in a shallop, against the p. 22advice of their friends, and about the Gurnett's nose the wind overblew so much at N. W. as they were forced to come to a hillock at 20 fathom, but their boat drove and shaked out the stern and they were put to sea, and the boat took in much water, which did freeze so hard as they could not free her, so they gave themselve for lost, and commending themselves to God, they disposed themselves to die, but one of their company espying land near Cape Cod, they made shift to hoist up part of their sail, and by God's special providence were carried thro the rock to the shore, when some got on land, but some had their legs frozen into the ice, so as they were forced to be cut out. Being come on shore they kindled a fire, but having no hatchet, they could get little wood, and were forced to lie in the open air all night, being extremely cold. In the morning two of their company went towards Plimouth, supposing it had been within seven or eight miles, whereas it was near fifty miles from them. By the way they met with two Indian squaws, who coming home, told their husbands that they had met two English men: they thinking (as it was) that they had been shipwrecked, made after them, and brought them back to their wigwam, and entertained them kindly, and one of them went with them the next day to Plimouth, and the other went to find out their boat and the rest of their company, which were seven miles off, and having found them, he helped them what he could, and returned to his wigwam, and fetched them a hatchet, and built them a wigwam and covered it, and got them wood, for they were so weak and frozen, as they could not stir, and Garner died about two days after his landing, and the ground being so frozen as they could not dig his grave, the Indian hewed a hole about half a yard deep, with his hatchet, and having lain the corps in it, he laid over it a great heap of wood to keep it from the wolves. By this time the Governor of Plimouth had sent three men to them with provisions, who being come, and not able to launch their boat, (which with the strong N. W. wind was driven up to the high water mark) the Indian returned to Plimouth and fetched three more, but before they came they had launched their boat, and with a fair Southerly wind were gotten to Plimouth where another of their company died, his flesh being mortified with the frost; and the two who went towards Plimouth died also, one of them being not able to get hither, and the other had his feet so frozen as he died of it after. The girl escaped best, and one Harmer, a godly man of the congregation of B. lay long under the surgeon's hands, and it was above six weeks before he could get the boat from Plimouth; and in their return p. 23they were much distressed,1631. yet their boat was very well manned, the want whereof before was the cause of their loss.

A house at Dorchester was burnt down.January.

Mr. Freeman's house at Watertown was burned down,Feb. 11. but being in the day time, his goods were saved.

The ship Lyon, Mr. William Pierce, master,5 arrived at Nantasket. She brought Mr. Williams a godly man, with his wife, Mr. Throgmorton,—Perkins,—Augre and others with their wives and children, about twenty passengers, and about 200 tons of goods. She set sail from Bristol, December 1st. she had a very tempestuous passage, yet through God's mercy, all their people came safe, except Waye, his son, who fell from the spritsail yard in a tempest, and could not be recovered, tho he kept in sight, near a quarter of an hour: her goods came also in good condition.

The Governor went aboard the Lyon riding by Long-Island.8

The Lyon came to anchor before Boston,9 where she rode very …ell, notwithstanding the great drift of ice.

The frost broke up,10 and after that tho we had many storms and sharp frost, yet they continued not, neither were the waters frozen up as before. And it hath been observed ever since this bay was planted by the English, viz, seven years, that at this day the frost hath broken up every year. The poorer sort of people who lay long in tents, &c. were much afflicted with the scurvy, and many died, especially at Boston and Charlestown; but when this ship came and brought us good stores of juice of lemons, many recovered speedily. It hath been always observed, that such as fell into discontent, and lingered after their former condition in England, fell into the scurvy and died.

Captain Weldon,18 a hopeful young gentleman and a experienced soldier, died at Charlestown of a consumption, and was buried at Boston, with a military funeral.

Of the elder planters and such as came the year before, there were but two, and those servants, which had the scurvy in all the country. At Plimouth not one had it, nor out of those who came this year (whereof there were above sixty). Whereas at their first planting time near the half of their people died of it.

A shallop of Mr. Glover's was cast away upon the rocks, about Nahant, but the men were saved.

Of those which went back in the ships this summer, for fear of death or famine, &c. many died by the way and after they were landed, and others fell very sick and lean, &c.

The Ambrose, whereof Captain Love was master, being p. 24new masted at Charlestown, spent all her masts near Newfoundland, and had perished, if Mr. Pierce, in the Lyon, who was her consort, had not towed her home to Bristol. Of the other ships which returned, 3, viz. the Charles, the Success, and the Whale, were set upon by Dunkirkers, near Plimouth in England, and after a long fight, having lost many men, and being much torn, especially the Charles, they got into Plimouth.

Tonnage was at £.6 11.The provision which came to us this year, came at excessive rates, in regard of the dearness of corn in England, so as every bushel of wheat meal stood us in fourteen shillings, pease eleven and six-pence, &c.

22We held a day of thanksgiving for this shi…'s arrival, by order from the Governor and Council directed to all the plantations.

Mar…h 16.About noon the chimney of Mr. Sharp's house in Boston took fire (the splinters being not clayed at the top) and taking the thatch burnt it down, and the wind being N. W. drove the fire to Mr. Colburne's house, being rods off, and burn… that down also, yet they saved most of their goods.

23Chic…atabot came with his sannops and and squaws, and presented the Governor with a bushel of Indian corn. After they had all dined and had each a small cup of sacke and beer, and the men tobac…o, he sent away all his men and women, tho t… Governor would have stayed them, in regard to the rain and thunder; himself and one squaw and one sannop stayed all night, and being in English clothes, the Gov. set them at his own table, where he behaved himself as soberly, &c. as an Englishman. The next day after dinner he returned here, the Governor giving him cheese and pease and a mug and some other small things.…

26John Sagamore and James his brother, with divers sannop… came to the Governor to desire his letter for recovery of 20 beaver skins which one Watts in Englan… had forced him of. The Governor entertained them kindly and gave them his letter with directions to Mr. Dunning in England &c.

The night before alarm was given in divers of the plantations; it arose thro the shooting off some pieces at Watertown by occasion of a call which had lost, and the soldiers were sent out with their pieces to search the wilds from thence till they might find it.

29Sir Richard Saltonstall and his two daughters and one of his younger sons (his two eldest sons remained still in the country) came down to Boston and stayed that night at the Governors, and the next morning by 7 of the clock, accompanied with Mr. p. 25Pierce and others in two shallops, they departed to go to their ship riding at Salem [This ship set sail from Salem April 1, and arrived at London, all safe, April 29]. The Governor gave them three ducks at their setting sail, the wind being N. W. a stiff gale and full sea. Mr. Sharpe went away at the same time in another shallop.

About 10 of the clock Mr. Coddington and Mr. Wilson and divers of the congregation met at the Governor's, and there Mr. Wilson praying and exhorting the congregation to love &c. commended to them the exercise of prophecy in his absence and designed those whom he thought most fit for it (viz) the Governor, Mr. Dudley, and Mr. Newell the elder; then he desired the Governor to commit himself and the rest to God by prayer, which being done, they accompanied him to the boat, and so they went over to Charleston to go by land to the ship.

The beginning of this month we had very much rain and warm weather.April. It is a general rule that when the wind blows 12 hours in any part of the East it brings rain or snow in great abundance.

Wahquimacut,4 a sachem upon the river Q…onehtacut which lies W. of Naraganset, came to the Governor at Boston, with John Sagamore and Jack Strame (an Indian which had lived in England and had served Sir Walter Raleigh and was now turned Indian again) and divers of their sannops, and brought a letter to the Governor from Mr. Endicot to this effect; that the said Wahquimacut was very desirous to have some Englishmen come plant in his country, and offered to find them corn, and give them yearly eighty skins of beaver, and that the country was very fruitful, and wished that there might be two men sent with him to see the country. The Governor entertained them at dinner, but would send none with him. He discovered after, that the said Sachem is a very treacherous man and at war with the Pekoath (a far greater Sagamore): his country is at about five days journey from us by land.

At a court holden at Boston (upon information to the Governor that they of Salem had called Mr. Williams to the office of a teacher) a letter was written from the court to Mr. Endicot to this effect;1… that whereas Mr. Williams had refused to join with the churches at Boston, because they would not make a public declaration of their repentance for having communion with the churches of England while they tarried there; and besides had declared his opinion that the magistrate might not punish the breach of the sabbath nor any other offence that was a breach of the first table; and therefore they marvelled they would choose him without advising with the council, and p. 26withal desiring him that he would forbear to proceed until they had considered about it.

13Chickatabot came to the Governor, and desired to buy some English cloths for himself. The Governor told him that English Sagamores did not use to truck, but he called his taylor and gave him order to make him a suit of clothes, whereupon he gave the governor two large skins of coat beaver, and after he and his men had dined he departed, and said he would come again three days after for his suit.

14An order was made that no man should discharge a piece after sunset, except by occasion of alarm.

15Chickatabot came to the Governor again, and he put him into a very good new suit from head to foot, and after he sat meat before him, but he would not eat till the Governor had given thanks, and after meat he desired him to do the like, and so departed.

21The house of Jo. Page of Watertown was burnt by carrying a few coals from one house to another, a coal fell by the way and kindled in the leaves.

One Sir Christopher Gardiner, knight of the Golden being accused to have two wives in England, was sent for, but he had intelligence and escaped, and travelled up and down among the Indians about a week, but by means of the Governor of Plimouth, he was taken about Namascut, and brought to Plimouth, and from thence he was brought by Capt. Underhill and his Lieut. Dudley to Boston.May 4.

16There was an alarm given to all our towns in the night by occasion of a piece which was shot off, (but where could not be known) and the Indians having sent us word the day before that the Mohawks were coming down against them and us.

17A general court at Boston, the former Governor was chosen again and all the freemen of the commons were sworn to the government. At noon, Cheeseburrows house was burnt down, all the people being present.

27There came from Virginia into Salem a pinnace of 18 tons, laden with corn and tobacco, she was bound to the Northward, and put in here by foul weather; she sold her corn at 10s the bushel.

June 14.At a court Jo. Sagamore and Chickatabot being told at last court of some injuries that their men did to our cattle, and giving consent to make satisfaction &c. now one of their men was complained of for shooting a pig, for which Chickatabot was ordered to pay a small skin of beaver, which he presently paid.

p. 27At this court o…e Philip Ratlif a servant of Mr. Cradock, being convict ore tenus of most foul scandalous invectives against our churches and government, wa… censured to be whipped, lose his ears, and be banished the plantation, which was presently executed.

There came a shallop from Piscataqua which brought news of a small English ship come thither with provisions and some Frenchmen to make salt. By this boat Capt Neal,25 Governor of Piscataqua sent a packet of letters to the Governor, directed to Sir Christopher Gardiner, which when the Governor had opened he found it came from Sir Ferdinand Gorges (who claims a great part of the bay of Massachusetts). In the packet was one letter to Thomas Morton (sent prisoner before into England upon the Ld. Chief Justice's Warrant) by both which letters it appeared that he had some secret design to recover his pretended right, and that he reposed much trust in Sir Christopher Gardiner. These letters were opened because they were directed to one who was our prisoner and had declared himself an ill willer to our government.

There came to the Governor Capt. S of Dorchester,27 and brought letters out of the White Angel which was lately arrived at Sauco; she brought cows, goats and hogs, and much provisions for the Bay and for Plimouth. Mr. Allerton returned in this ship, and by him we heard that the Friendship which put out from Barnstable weeks before the Angel, was forced home again by extremity of foul weather, and so had given over her voyage. This ship the Angel set sail from

The Governor built a bark at Mistick▪ July 4.which was launched this day, and called the Blessing of the Bay.

A small ship of 60 tons arrived at Natascott Mr. Graves master, she brought ten passengers from London,6 they came with a patent to Sagadahock, but not liking the place, they came hither. This ship drew 10 feet and went up to Watertown, she run on ground twice by the way. These were the company called the husbandmen, the ship called the plough; most of them proved familists and vanished away.

Canonicus, so… to the great Sachem of Naraganset,13 came to the Governor's house with Jo. Sagamore, after they had dined he gave the Governor a skin, and the Governor requited him with a fair pewter pot, which he took very thankfully and stayed all night.

The Ship called the Friendship of Barnstable arrived at Boston, after she had been at sea 11 weeks,14 and beaten back again by foul weather. She set sail from Barnstable again about p. 28the middle of May; she landed here eight heifers and one calf and five sheep.

The White Angel came into the bay; she landed here 21 heifers.

21The Governor and deputy and Mr. Newell the elder of the congregation at Boston went to Watertown to confer with Mr. Philips, the pastor, and Mr. Brown, the elder of the congregation there, about an opinion which they had published that the churches of Rome were the true churches. The matter was debated before many of both congregations, and by the approbation of all the assembly except three, was concluded an error.

29The Friendship set sail for Christopher Islands, and ran on ground behind C—Island.

30The White Angel fell down for Plimouth, but the wind not favouring she came to an anchor by Long-Island, and ran on ground a week after, near Gurnett's nose.

Mr Ludlow in digging the foundation of his house at Dorchester, found two pieces of French money, one was coined in 1596, they were in several places above a foot within the firm ground.

Aug. 8.The Torentines to the number of one hundred, came in 30 canoes, and in the night assaulted the wigwam of the Sachem of Agawam, by—and slew seven men, and wounded John Sagamore and James and some others (whereof some died after) and rifled a Wigwam w…ere Mr. Cradock's men kept to catch sturgeon, took away t…eir nets and biscuit, &c.

A small bark of Salem, o… about 12 tons, coming towards the bay, Jo. Elston and two of Mr. Cradock's fishermen being in her, and two tons of stone, and three barrels of train oil, was overset in a gust, and being buoyed up by the oil, she floated up and down till then, when a boat coming by espied them and saved them.19 The Plough returned to Charlestown after she had been on her way to the C—Islands, about three weeks, and was so broke she could not return here.

31The Governor's bark, called the Blessing of the Bay, being of 30 tons, went to sea.

Sep. 6.The White Angel set sail from Marble Harbour. About this time last year, the company here set forth a pinnace to the parts about Cape Cod, to trade for corn, and it brought here about 80 bus. This year again the Salem pinnace, being bound hither for corn, was, by contrary winds, put into Plimouth, where the Governor, &c. fell out, not only forbidding them to trade, but also telling them that they would oppose them by force, even to the spending of their lives, &c. whereupon p. 29they returned and acquainting the Governor of Massachusetts with it, he wrote to the Governor of Plimouth this letter here inserted, with their answer which came about a month after.**This letter is not inserted. Edit.

The wolves did much hurt to calves and swine between Charles River and Mistick.

At the last court a young fellow was whipped for soliciting an Indian squaw to incontinency: her husband and she complained of the injury, and were Present at the execution, and very well satisfied. At the same court one Henry Lincon was whipped and banished for writing letters into England, full of slander against our government, and orders of our churches.

Mr. Shark of Pennaquid sent home James Sagamore's wife,1… who had been taken away at the surprize at Agawam, and wrote that the Indians demanded fathom of wampampeague and skins for her remission.

At a court one Josias Playstone and two of his servants were censured for stealing corn from Chickatabot and his men,27 who were present, the master to restore two fold, and to be degraded from the title of a gentleman, and fined five pounds, and his men to be whipped.

The Blessing went on a voyage to the eastward.Oct. 4.

The Governor being at his farm house at Mistick,11 walked out after supper and took a piece in his hand, supposing he might see a wolf (for they came daily about the house, and killed swine and calves, &c.) and being about half a mile off, it grew suddenly dark, so as in coming home he mistook his path, and went till he came to a little house of Sagamore John, which stood empty; there he stayed, and having a piece of match in his pocket (for he always carried about his match and compass, and in the former there spake need) he made a good fire and warmed the house, and lay down upon some old matts which he found there, and so spent the night, sometimes walking by the fire, sometimes singing psalms, and sometimes getting wood, but could not sleep. It was (thro God's mercy) a weary night, but a little before day it began to rain, and having no cloak, he made shift by a long pole to climb up into the house. In the morning there came thither an Indian squaw, but perceiving her before she had opened the door, he barred her out, yet she stayed there a great while essaying to get in, and at last she went away, and he returned safe home, his servant having been much perplexed for him, and having walked about, and shot off pieces and hollooed in the night, but he heard them not.

p. 30The Governor received a letter from Capt. Wiggin of Piscataqua, informing him of a murder committed the 3d of this month at Richman's isle,22 by an Indian Sagamore, called Squid Rapset and his company, upon one Walter Bagnell▪ called Great Walter, and one Jo. W who kept with him, they having killed them, burnt the house over them, and carried away their guns and what else they liked: he persuaded the Governor to send 20 men presently to take revenge, but the Governor advising with some of the Council, thought best to set still a while, partly because he heard that Capt. Neale &c. were gone after them, and partly because of the season (it being then frost and snow) and want of boots fit for that expedition. This Bagnell was sometimes servant to one in the Bay, and these three years had dwelt alone in the said isle, and had gotten about 400l. interest in government; he was a wicked fellow, and had much wronged the Indians.

25The Governor, with Capt. Underhill and other of the officers went on foot to Sagus, and next day to Salem, where they were bountifully entertained by Capt. Endicott, &c. and the 28th they returned to Boston by the fort at Sagus river, and so over to Mistick.

A plentiful crop.

30The Governor having erected a building of stone at Mistick, there came so violent a storm of rain for twenty-four hours from the N. E. and S. E. as (it being not finished, and laid with clay for want of lime) two sides of it were washed down to the ground, and much harm was done to other houses by that storm.

Nov. 2.The ship Lyon Wm. Pierce, master, arrived at Natascot, there came in her the Governor's wife, and oth…r of his children, and Mr. Eliot, a minister, and other families, being in all about 60 persons, who all …rived in good health, having been ten weeks at sea, and lost none of their company but two children, whereof one was the Governor's daughter Anne, about one year and half old, who died about a week after they came to sea.

3The wind being contrary the ship stayed at Long-Island, but the Governor's son came on shore, and that night the Governor went to the ship and lay aboard all night, and the next morning the wind coming fair, she came to an anchor before Boston.

4The Governor, his wife and children went on shore with Mr. Pierce in his ship boat, the ship gave them six or seven pieces. At their landing the Captains with their companies in arms entertained them with a guard and divers vollies of p. 31shot, and three drakes;—and divers of the assistants and most of the people of the near plantations, came to welcome them, and brought and sent, for divers days, great store of provisions, as fat hogs, kids, venison, poultry, geese, partridges, &c. so as the like joy and manifestation of love had never been seen in New-England: it was a great marvel that so much people and store of provisions could be gathered together at so few hours warning.

We kept a day of thanksgiving at Boston.11

The Governor of Plimouth came to Boston and lodged in the ship.17

Mr. Pierce went down to his ship which lay at Nantascot.23 Divers went home with him into England by Virginia, as Sir Richard Saltonstall, his eldest son and others, and they were six weeks in going to Virginia.

The congregation at Watertown, whereof Mr. G. Philips was pastor, had chosen one Richard Brown for their elder before named, who persisting in his opinion of the truth of the Romish church, and maintaining other errors withal, and being a man of a very violent spirit, the court wrote a letter to the congregation, directed to the pastor and brethren to advise them to take into consideration whether Mr. Brown were fit to be continued their elder or not, to which, after some weeks, they returned answer to this effect:—That if we would take the pains to prove such things as were objected against him, they would undertake to redress them.

The congregation being much divided about their Elder,Dec. 8. both parties repaired to the Governor for assistance, &c. whereupon he went to Watertown with the Deputy Governor and Mr. Nowel, and the congregation being assembled, the Governor told them, that being come to settle peace, &c. they might proceed in three distinct respects. 1 As the magistrates their assistance being desired. 2. As members of a neighbouring congregation. 3. Upon the answer which we received of our letter, which did no way satisfy us. But the Pastor, Mr. Phillips, desired us to set with them as members of a neighbouring congregation only, whereto the Governor, &c. consented. Then the one side which had first complained, were noticed to exhibit their grievances; which they did to this effect. That they could not communicate with their elder, being guilty of errors, both in judgment and conversation▪ after much debate of these things, at length they were reconciled, and agreed to seek God in a day of humiliation, and so to have a solemn writing, each party promising to reform what p. 32has been amiss,1632. &c. and the pastor gave thanks to God, an… the assembly broke up.

The Governor and some company with him went up by Charles River,Jan. 27. about eight miles above Watertown, and named the first brook, on the North side of the river (being a fair stream and coming from a pond a mile from the river) Beaver Brook, because the beavers had shorn down divers great trees there, and made divers dams across the brook. Thence they went to a great rock upon which stood a high stone cleft asunder, that four men might go thro, which they called Adam's chair, because the youngest of their company was Adam Winthrop. Thence they came to another brook, greater than the former, which they called Master's Brook, because the eldest of their company was one John Masters. Thence they came to another high pointed rock, having a fair ascent on the West side, which they called Mount Feake from one Robert Feake, who had married the Governor's daughter in law. On the West side of Mount Feake they went by a very high rock from whence they might see all over Whipcutt, and a very high hill due West about 40 miles off, and to the N. W. the high hills by Merrimack above 60 miles off.Feb. 7.

The Governor, Mr. Nowell, Mr. Eliot and others, went over Mistick river at Meadford, and going N. and by E. among the rocks about 2 or 3 miles, they came to a very great pond, having in the middle an Island of about one acre, and very thick with trees of pine and birch; and the pond had divers small rocks, standing up here and there in it, which they therefore called Spot Pond. They went all about it upon the ice. From hence towards the N. W. about 1-2 a mile, they came to the top of a very high rock, beneath which towards the N. lies a goodly plain, partly open land, and part woody, from whence there is a fair prospect, but it being then close and rainy, they could see but a small distance. This place they called Cheese Rock, because when they went to eat somewhat, they had only cheese, the Governor's man forgetting, from haste, to put up some bread.

The Governor and some other company went to view the country as far as Neponcett,14 and returned that night.

The Governor and assistants called before them at Boston divers of Watertown;17 the pastors and elder by letter, and the others by warrant. The occasion was for that a warrant being sent to Watertown for levying of 8l. part of a rate of 60l. ordered for the fortifying the new town; the pastor and elder &c. assembled the people and deliver'd their opinions, that it was not safe to pay money after that sort, for fear of bringing p. 33themselves into bondage, being come before the governor and council, after much debate they acknowledged their fault confessing freely that they were in an error, and made a retraction and submission under their hands, and were injoyned to read it in the assembly the next Lords day. The ground of their error was, for that they took this government to be no other but as of a mayor and aldermen, who have not power to make laws or raise taxations without the people; but understanding that this government was rather in the nature of a Parliament, and that no assistant could be chosen but by the freemen, who had power likewise to remove the assistants and put in others, and therefore at every general court (which was to be holden once every year) they had free liberty to consider and propound any thing concerning the same, and to declare their grievances without being subject to question, &c. they were fully satisfied, and so their submission was accepted, and their offence pardoned.

The first court after winter; it was ordered,March … that the courts (which before were every three weeks) should now be h…ld the first Tuesday in every month. Commissioners appointed to set out the bounds of the towns.

The bark Warwick, arrived at Natascott,14 having been at Piscataqua, and at Salem to sell corn which she brought from Virginia. At her coming into Natascott, with a S. E. wind she was in great danger, by a sudden gust, to be cast away upon the rocks, 19th. She came to Wi…ysemett.

Mr. Maverick one of the Ministers of Dorchester, in drying a little powder, which took fire by the heat of the fire pan, fired a small barrel of 2 or 3 lb. yet did no other harm but finged his clothes. It was in the new meeting-house, which was thatched, and the thatch only blacked a little.

At a court at Boston, the deputy Mr. Dudley,April … went away before the court was ended, and then the secretary delivered the Governor a letter from him directed to the Governor and assistants, wherein he declared a resignation of his deputyship and place of assistant, but it was not allowed. At this court an act was made expressing the Governors power, and the office of Secretary and Treasurer, &c.

The bark Warwick,9 and Mr. Maverick's pinnace went out towards Virginia.

The Governor received letters from Plymouth signifying that there had been a broil between their men at Sowamset and the Naraganset Indians, who set upon the English house there,1… to have taken Owsamequin the Sagamore of Packanoscott, who was fled thither with all the people for refuge▪ and that Capt. p. 34Standish being gone thither to relieve the three English which were in the house, sent home in all haste for more men and other provisions, upon intelligence that Canonicus, with a great army was coming against them; withal they wrote to our Governor for some powder, to be sent with all possible speed (for it seemed they were unfurnished). Upon this the Governor presently dispatched away the messenger with so much powder as he could carry,16 viz. 27lb.—The messenger returned and brought a letter from the Governor, signifying that the Indians were retired from Sowamsett to fight with the Pequins, which was probable, because John Sagamore and Chickatabott were gone with all their men to Canonicus who had sent for them.

A wear was erected by Watertown men, upon Charles River three miles above the town, where they took great store of s…ad.

May 1.The Governor and assistants met at Boston to consider of the Duputy his deserting his place. The points discused were two. The first, upon what grounds he did it. 2d. whether it were good or void. For the 1st. his main reason was for public peace, for he must needs discharge his conscience in speaking freely, and he saw that bred disturbance. For the 2d. it was maintained by all that he could not to leave his place, except by the same power which put him in▪ yet he could not be put from his contrary opinion, nor would be persuaded to continue till the general court, which was to be the 8th of this month.

Another question fell out with him about some bargains he had made with some poor men, members of the same congregation, to whom he had sold 7 bushels and an half of corn to receive ten for it after harvest, which the Governor and some others held to be oppressive usury, and within the compass of the statute, but he persisted to maintain it to be lawful, and there arose hot words about it, he telling the Governor that if he had thought he had sent for him to his house to give him such usage he would not have come there, and that he never knew any man of understanding, of other opinion, and that if the Governor thought otherwise of it, it was his weakness. The Governor took notice of these speeches and bore them with more patience than he had done upon a like occasion at another time. Upon this there arose another question about his house. The Governor having freely told him that he did not well to bestow so much …ost about wainscoting and adorning his house in the beginning of a plantation, both in regard of the necessity of public charges, and for example. His …nswer now was, that it was for the warmth of his …, and the charge was little, being but clapboards nailed to the walls in form of wainscot. p. 35These and other speeches passed before dinner. After dinner the Governor told him that he had heard that the people intended at the next general court to desire that the assistants might be chosen anew every year, and that the Governor might be chosen by the whole court and not by the assistants only. Upon this Mr. Ludlow grew into passion, and said that then we should have no government, but there would be an interim wherein every man might do … he pleased. This was answered and cleared in the judgment o… the rest of the assistants, but he continued stiff in his opinion, and protested he would then return back into England.

Another question fell out, which was this.A Dutch ship brought from Virginia, 2000 bushels of corn, which was sold at 4s. 6d. the bushel. Mr. Clark of Watertown had complained to the Governor, that Captain Patrick being removed out of their town to Newtown, did compel them to watch near Newtown, and desired the Governor that they might have the o…dering within their own town. The Governor answered him, that the ordering of the watch did proporly belong to the constable, but in those towns where the Captains dwelt, they had thought fit to leave it to them, and since Captain Patrick was removed, the constable might take care of it, but advised him withal to acquaint the deputy with it, and at the court it should be ordered. Clark went right home and told the Captain that the Governor had ordered that the constable should set the watch, (which was false) but the Captain answered somewhat rashly, and like a soldier, which being certified to the Governor by three witnesses, he sent a warrant to the constable to this effect,—that whereas some difficulty was fallen out, &c. about the watch, &c. he should according to his office, see due watch should be kept till the court had taken order in it. This much displeased the Captain, who came to this meeting to have it redressed. The Governor told the rest what he had done, and upon what ground, whereupon they refused to do any thing in it till the court.

While they were thus sitting together, an Indian brings a letter from Captain Standish then at Swansett, to this effect, that the Dutchmen (which lay for trading at A…ygansett or Naragansett) had lately informed him that many Pequins (who were professed enemies to the Naragansetts), had been there divers days and advised us to be watchful, &c. giving other reasons, &c.—Thus the day was spent and no good done, which was the more uncomfortable to most of them, because they had recommended this meeting to God in more earnest manner than ordinary at other meetings.

p. 36A general court at Boston.—Whereas it was at our first coming, agreed that the freemen should choose the assistants and they the Governor.May 8 The whole court agreed now, that the Governor and assistants should all be new chosen every year by the general court (the Governor to be always chosen out of the assistants) and accordingly the old Governor John Winthrop was chosen, accordingly all the rest as before, and Mr. Humphry and Mr. Coddington, because they were daily expected.

The Deputy Governor Thomas Dudley Esq. having submited the validity of his resignation to the vote of the court, it was adjudged a nullity, and he accepted of his place again, and the Governor and he being reconciled the day before, all things were carried very lovingly amongst all, and the people carried themselves with much silence and modesty.

John Winthrop the Governor's son was chosen an assistant.

A proposition was made by the people that every company of train-men might choose their own Captain and officers, but the Governor giving them reasons to the contrary, they were satisfied with it.

Every town may choose two men to be at the next court to advise with the Governor and assistants about the raising of a public stock, so as what they should agree upon should bind all &c. The Governor among other things used this speech to the people after he had taken his oath,—That he had received gratuities from divers towns, which he received with much comfort and content; he had also received many kindnesses from particular persons, which he would not refuse, least he should be accounted uncourteous &c. but he expressed that he received them with a trembling heart, in regard of God's rule, and the consciousness of his own inconformity, and therefore desired them that hereafter they would not take it ill if he did refuse presents from particular persons, except they were …rom the assistants, or from special friends, &c. to which no answer was made, but he was told after, that …any good people were much grieved at i… ▪ for that he n…er had any allowance towards the ch…ge of his place.

24The fortification upon the Corn Hill at Boston was begun.

25C…arlestown men came and wrought upon the fortification.

Roxbu…y the nex…, and Dorchester the next.

26The Wh…le a…ived with Mr. Wilson, Mr. Drummer and ab…ut 30 p…ssenge…s all in …, and of 70 cows lost but 2. She … from Hamp…on, April …th. Mr. Greaves was Master.

June 5The … and Francis▪ Mr. Thomas, Master, with about …, whereof Mr. Wilde and old Mr. Bat…helor, p. 37being aged 71, were with their families, and many other honest men. Also the Charles of Barnstable, with near 80 cows and 6 mares, Mr. Hatherly the merchant, and about 20 passengers, all safe, and in health. They set sa…, viz. the William and Francis from London, March the 9th. and the Charles from Portsmouth April 10th, and met near Cape Anne. Mr. Winslow of P…imouth came in the William and Francis.

The James Mr. Grant master, arrived,12 her passage was 8 weeks from Lon…on▪ He brought 60 he…ers and lost 40, and brought twelve passengers.

A day of thanksgiving in all the plan…ations by public authority,13 for the good success of the King of Sweeden and protestants in Germany, against the Emperor, and for the safe arrival of all the ships, they having not lost one person, nor one sick among them.

The French came in a pinnace to Penobscott and rifled a trucking house belonging to Plimouth, carrying thence 300 weight of beaver and other goods.

One Abraham Sheert of Penaquid, and one Captain Wright and others coming to Piscataquack, being bound for this Bay in a shallop with 200l. worth of commodities, one of the seamen going to light a pipe of tobacco, set fire on a barrel of powder which tore the bark in pieces, that man was never seen, the rest were all saved, but the goods lost.

A shallop of one Henry Waye of Dorchester having been missing all the winter, it was found that the men in her (being five) were all killed treacherously by the eastern Indians. Another shallop of his being sent out to seek out the other, was cast away at Aquawaticus, and two of the men drowned. A fishing shallop at Isle of shoals was overset. One Noddle an honest man of Salem, running wood in a canoe, in the South River was overturned and drowned.

The man that was blown away with the powder, in the boat at Piscataq, was after found with his hands and feet torn off. This fellow being wished by another to forbear to take any tobacco, till they came to the shore, which was hard by, answered that if the Devil should carry him away quick, he would take one pipe; some in the boat were so drunk and fast asleep, as they did not awake with the noise.

At a training at Watertown, a man of John Alden's,July. having a musket which had been long charged with pistol bullets, and knowing of it, gave fire, and shot three men, two into their bodies and one into his hand, but it was so far off, as the shot entered the skin and stayed there, and they all recovered.