Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647

Edward Winslow succeeds Bradford as Governor of Plymouth, but the colony continues to have troubles with Allerton. Letters from Sherley explain that he has had to lend Allerton even more money to cover the costs of an accident at sea. He therefore hopes the Pilgrims will "have the power, as [they] have the will, to take off this heavy burden which now lies upon [him] for [their] sakes" (163), i.e., to repay him. Sherley compliments the Pilgrims, however, on their successes and attributes much of the colonial growth that has taken place in Massachusetts to their efforts.

Meanwhile, new problems arise within Plymouth itself. A man named Roger Williams, who had joined the Plymouth congregation some years earlier and eventually become a minister, "began to hold some strange opinions [in 1633], and from opinion proceeded to practice. This caused some controversy between the church and him, and in the end some discontent on his part" (164). Williams eventually moves to Salem and stirs up controversy there as well. A more pressing issue, however, is an outbreak of an "infectious fever" (166) in Plymouth, which kills more than 20 settlers, including some of the original members of the Holland congregation: "This brought much sadness and mourning among them, and caused them to humble themselves and seek the Lord" (166).

The Pilgrims continue to expand their trading throughout 1633, partly in an attempt to pay off the new debts they have incurred. Having learned from the Dutch about economic prospects on what would become the Connecticut River, the Pilgrims explore the area and decide to establish a trading house there. Initially, the Pilgrims attempt to enter into a business contract with the people of the Massachusetts BayColony, but the deal falls through. In the meantime, however, the Dutch have begun to regret their decision not to develop the region themselves and establish a fort in an attempt to prevent the Pilgrims from continuing their trade. The two sides eventually come close to violence, but last- minute negotiations manage to divide up the region to everyone's satisfaction. Nevertheless, Bradford says that Plymouth would eventually lose control of the area as a result of being "thrust out by friends" (166).

In 1634, Thomas Price becomes governor, and the Pilgrims continue to receive letters of apology from Sherley regarding the position Allerton has placed them in. A more urgent problem, however, arises in Kennebec, where a man named Hocking from a settlement at Piscataqua begins to compete with the Pilgrims for trade. Because this infringes on Plymouth's patent, they send a group to stop Hocking, and violence breaks out. Hocking shoots and kills one of the Pilgrims, who in turn kill him. The Piscataqua settlers claim that the Pilgrims shot first and arrest one of them in connection to the incident. In response, Plymouth sends Captain Standish to settle the dispute, and Piscataqua writes to Plymouth agreeing to release the imprisoned man provided that Standish testifies in court. Standish does so, but his testimony further enflames public sentiment in Piscataqua against Plymouth. Acting on the advice of John Winthrop, the Governor of the Massachusetts BayColony, Plymouth eventually invites representatives from several colonies to meet in Boston to settle the dispute. Although the delegation from Piscataqua does not show up, the representatives who are present hold Hocking responsible for the deaths.

By this time, the Pilgrims' contract with the English partners has expired. That being the case, they send Winslow back to England to settle accounts and discuss how to pay off their remaining debt. As they wait for his return, however, the Pilgrims run into problems with a man named Captain Stone, who had been living in a Dutch colony. During one of the Pilgrims' trading expeditions to this colony, Stone tries to seize control of their boat and make off with the goods. The Pilgrims attempt to press charges against him, but the case is eventually allowed to "lapse" (172). Bradford reports that Stone was ultimately killed in a Pequot raid.

The final noteworthy event of 1634 is the decimation of a tribe located near the Plymouth trading house on the Connecticut River. The tribe falls victim to an outbreak of smallpox, and despite the interventions of the neighboring Pilgrims, nearly everyone dies of the disease. The Pilgrims, however, remain healthy "by the marvellous goodness and providence of God" (173).