The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-07

(From Fros,s Pictorial History Of the United sta,es)
First Emigration OF Foreigners 10 New
N England.
New England was settled by puritans, and from
Its earliest hour, II has retained much OF the spirit
and sturdily malntsined the leading principles OF
Its founders The .purltans, II will be recollected
by the student OF history, were the same men TO
whom England owed her first emancipation from
the tyranny OF the Stuart famly-the same men
whose political PRINCIPLES, sternly asserted, led to
the revolution of 1858, and thus gave TO our trans
atlantic progenitors whatever civil freedom they
now eDjoy-the same men whose descendantstook
the lead in the American revolution Of 1776, and
thus set an example, whose influence, after over
turning many ancient dynasties and changing the
whole political aspect of Europe, is still telt in the
more silent but certain progress of liberal princi-
pies, and the wider diffusion of equal rights.
In the year 1910, a congregation of these PEOPLE,
expelled by royal and ecclesiastical tyranny from
their native country, England, had removed to
themselves in peace under the ministry of their
pastor, Ohm Robinson. This excellent person may
be justly regarded as the founder OF the sect of In
dependents, or as II is customary to call them in
New England, Congregatlonalists The most
important feature of their ecclesiastical sys
tenn is the independence of each church or
congregation, of all bishops, synods, or coun-
ellis, and its direct dependence on the Head
Of the Christian church himself The preach
Ing of such doctrine could not but offend the
government OF England. 1t drew upon the devo-
ted heads Of its disciples the most determined per-
secuticn from Elizabeth and James, and exaspe-
rated the civil war, which, terminating in the de-
thronement Of Charles J., finally gave the ascen-
dancy 10 the purtans.
It was to avoid the persecution OF James, that
the English exiles composing Mr.. Robinson's con-
gregatlon, remained Tor ten years at Leyden. But,
al the end of that period, the same plous views
which had originally prompted their departure from
England, lncled them TO undertake more distant
migration The manners OF the Dutch, and espe-
n all p n a observance al
Sunday, made them apprehenslve that the lapse OF
single generation would obliterate every trace of
the puritan character among theli descendants. Ii
was determined, therefore, 10 seek new home
in some foreign dependency of England They at
first cast their eyes upon Guiana, OF which RAJ
leigh had given glowing descriptions; but subse-
queRtly decided TO seek an establishment in Virgil
MIA. Agents were despatched To England to obtain
permission from the kiug. James, although desl-
rous 10 promote the increase of the colony which
had been planted under his auspices, was unwilling
to sanction their religious opinions by taking them
under his protection The utmost he would prom
Use was, to connlve at their practices and refrain
from moesting them After accepting this preca-
rious security, they procured from the Plymouth
Company grant OF tract OF land, lying, as was
supposed, within the limits OF It's patent; partner
ship or jolnt-stock company was formed, IN dis
advantageous terms, with certain merchants III
London, in order to raise the funds necessary TO
defray the expenses of emigration and settlement.
Two vessels were obtained; the Speedwell of Six
ty, and the ay1ower OF one hundred and eighty
tons burthen; In which hundred and twenty of
their number were appointed to embark from an
English port tor America. These to act as
the pioneers of tte whole congregation. They
were destined 10 figure in the worlds history as
the celebrated Pilgrims of New England.
They sought Observation-Disclosures opportu-
nifty OF founding q small community OF puritans,
where, apart from all the world their peculiar doc
rnes could be transmitted from father to son with
out attracting the notice OF king or bishop But
they had higher destiny. They were, in fact,
10 m uffra tnltn dara
Of great empire, In which their own principles
should fiours for ages after, and more liberal
system of religious freedom should be learned and
taught by their descendants.
All things being prepared for the departure Of this
detachment OF the congregation from Delft haven,
where they took leave OF their friends, for the En-
glish port of embarkation, Robinson and his peo-
pie devoted their last meeting in Europe TO an act
of solemn and social worship, intended to impore
blessing from heaven upon the enterprise in
which they were about to engage
The pilgrims sailed from Delft haven on the 22d
of July, 1920, tor Southampton, whence, after re-
manning fortnight, they sailed for America; but
they were compelled by the bad condition of the
Speedwell and the treachery OF its captain, to put
back twice before their final departure The Speed
WE'LL was abandoned /; a portion OF the company
who were dlsmayed al the evident dangers OF the
voyage, were dismissed, reducing their number to
one hundred and one, including women and chill
dren. This company were all crowded into the
Mayhower, which set sail from Plymouth on the
9Th of September, 1920, bearing the founders of
New England across the Atlantic. Never did so
trail a bark carry 80 precious a burden.
y The voyage was long and bosterous, and the
captain Of their vessel, through ignorance or
treachery, instead OF landing them at Hudson's
river, whittier they were bound, carried them 10
the north as tar as Cape Cod, where they arrived
on the l1th OF November. This district not
included in the patent which they had obtained in
England; and 10 supply the want OF a more formal
title, they composed and signed written constltu-
ton OF government, recognising the authority Of
the English crown, and expressing their own com
blnation into body polite, November Ilth), and
their determination to enact all Just and necessary
laws, and to honor them by due obedience. They
then proceeded to elect John Carver for their COVER
nor, to serve Tor one year.
The selection OF a spot for their settlement was
attended with considerable difficulty and delay
On the Ilth of November, some man were sent on
shore TO obtain wood and make discoveries but
heyreturned at nigh, without having met with any
person or habiation. On the 18th, Captain Miles
5tandish, the military leader OF the colony, land
ing for the purpose OF exploration with sixteen
armed men, observed and followed some Indians
without overtaking them but coming upon de-
serted village, they found and examined some
graves, but left the arms and Implements, which
they found In them, undlsturbed, because they
would not be guilty Of violating the repositories Of
the dead. But when they found cellar, careful
w lined with bark and covered with a heap of
sand, in which four bushels OF seed corn were
well secured, after reasoning on the morality OF
the action, they took as much OF the corn they
could carry, intending, when they should find the
owners, 10 repay them to their satlstacton."t This
intention was subsequently fulfilled and TO the pro-
vldential discovery Of this seed they attrbu-
led che ultimate preservation Of the colony. During
he absence OF this exploring party, the wife OF
William White, gave birth TO q son, who, from the
circumstances OF his birth, was named Peregrne
Robinson although originally follower OF Brown,
afterwards expressly disclaimed the name OF Brownist
Tor himself and his people.
BslkEap