NEW-ENGLANDS PLANTATION. Or a Short and Trve Description of the Commodities and Discommodities of that Countrey. Written by Mr. Higgeson,' a reuerend Diuine now there resident. Whereunto is added a Letter, sent by Mr. Graues, an Enginere, out of New-England. The third Edition, enlarged. LONDON. Printed by T. and R. Cotes for Michael Sparke, dwelling at the Signe of the Blew Bible in Greene Arbor. 1630. sm. 4to. pp. 25. 1 Mr. Higginson's name does not appear on the title-page of the first edition, printed the same year; nor is Graves's Letter printed in that edition. I have both editions before me, loaned me by Edward A. Crowninshield, Esq. of Boston. That they were actually distinct editions, and not merely different in their title pages, is demonstrated by the collation of the volumes, by which it appears that the typographical errors of the first edition are not to be found in the third. The appearance of three editions of this pamphlet in the course of a year, shows the interest with which the infant Plantation was regarded in England. TO THE READER. READER, Do not disdain to read this Relation; and 1630. look not here to have a large gate, and no building within, a full-stuffed title, with no matter in the book. But here read the truth; and that thou shalt find without any frothy, bombasting words, or any quaint, new-devised additions, only as it was written (not intended for the press) by a reverend divine now there living, who only sent it to some friends1 here which were desirous of his Relations; which is an epitome of their proceedings in the Plantation. And for thy part, if thou meanest to be no planter nor venturer, do but lend thy good prayers for the furtherance of it. And so I rest a well-wisher to all the good designs both of them which are gone, and of them that are to go." 2 M. S.3 1 Among them were Isaac Johnson and Increase Nowell, who was a relative, besides his parishioners at Leicester, and the persons who treated him so kindly at Yarmouth. See pages 65 and 220. 2 This indicates that the first edition of the book was printed before the sailing of Winthrop's fleet, that is, before April. 3 The initials of Michael Sparke, the publisher. See page 240. CHAP. CHAPTER XII. NEW-ENGLAND'S PLANTATION.1 2 LETTING pass our voyage by sea, we will now begin our discourse on the shore of New-England. 1629. And because the life and welfare of every creature July here below, and the commodiousness of the country Sept. whereas such creatures live, doth, by the most wise to ordering of God's providence, depend, next unto himself, upon the temperature and disposition of the four elements, Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, (for as of the mixture of all these all sublunary things are composed, so by the more or less enjoyment of the wholesome temper and convenient use of these consisteth the only well being both of man and beast in a more or less comfortable measure in all countries under the heavens,) therefore I will endeavour 1 This Relation was probably sent home on the return of the Four Sisters and Mayflower, which arrived in England before Nov. 20th. Of course it covers a space of only about three months, from the first of July to the middle or end of September. See pages 107 and 240. It is evident from page 238, that this Narrative was a continuation of the Journal of the Voyage. But the Journal, it seems, was not deemed of sufficient importance to be printed with it, and was accordingly omitted, and was never subsequently printed in England. THE SOIL OF NEW-ENGLAND. pro 243 XII. July to Sept. to show you what New-England is, by the consider- CHAP. ation of each of these apart, and truly endeavour, by God's help, to report nothing but the naked truth, 1629. and that both to tell you of the discommodities as well as of the commodities. Though, as the idle verb is, "Travellers may lie by authority," and so may take too much sinful liberty that way, yet I may say of myself, as once Nehemiah did in another case, "Shall such a man as I lie ?" No, verily. It becometh not a preacher of truth to be a writer of falsehood in any degree;1 and therefore I have been careful to report nothing of New-England but what I have partly seen with mine own eyes, and partly heard and inquired from the mouths of very honest and religious persons, who by living in the country a good space of time have had experience and knowledge of the state thereof, and whose testimonies I do believe as myself. 2 First therefore of the Earth of New-England, and all the appurtenances thereof. 3 It is a land of divers and sundry sorts all about Masathulets Bay, and at Charles river is as fat black earth as can be seen anywhere; and in other places And yet he was accused of exaggerating the advantages of the country. See Dudley's letter to the Countess of Lincoln, in a subsequent part of this volume. 2 Conant and his associates; perhaps, also, Gov. Bradford and others from the Colony of New-Plymouth, who came to Salem as messengers from the church to attend Higgin son's installation on the 6th of Aug. So spelt in the original; possi- |