The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-04-05
WAS II THE MAYFL0NER!
Point Raised That viii Interest
American Historians.
VESSEL BRINGING PILGRIM FATHERS
10 DOubt-The IcOnOclast Asks Many
PerpIexing Questions.

tE. J. Carpenter, IN the Boston transcripts
There is an icOnoclastic spirit abroad
which delights in destroying or mutt
lating our most cherished traditions.
1t is in just such sprit'that the ques-
tion is raised: Did the pilgrims come
to this country in the Mayflower?
At first thought, such question is
shocking to the patriotic as well as to
the historic sense. Such question
has never before been raised-tO
raise it seems almost blasphemy-
And yet, given as we are in the pres
ent day to critical researches into de-
tails of our colonial history, it is GER
tainly not an impropriety to discuss
the question of the vehicle by which
our pilgrim fathers reached these
shores, and the authority upon which
we have set the Mayflower before US
as an object Of veneration. A little
volume entitled "Mayhower Essays"
written by the Rev. G.. G. Blaxland.
at one time domestic chaplain to the
bishop Of London, and as such custO-
dian for some years Of the original
Bradford manuscript, contains a
brief note, in which attention is call
ed to the remarkable fact that in no
place in his narrative does Governor
Bradford record the name of the yes
sci in which the first party of Ply
mouth colonists made their voyage.
An examination Of the history shows
this statement to be correct. Brad
ford'S description 0f the two ships in
" hich the colonists set sail is exceed
ingly meager
Sat length, after much trayeel and
these debats, all things were got
ready and provided. A small ship Of
some sixty tune was bought and fit
ted in Holland, which was intended as
to serve to help to transport them, so
to stay in We cuntre and attend upon
fishing and shuch other affairs as
might be for ye good s. benefit Of ye
colonie when they came ther. An
other was hired in London, of burden
8 score; and all other things gott in
readiness. Thus hoysing sale,
with a prosperous winde they came in
short time to Southampton, wher
they found the bigger ship come from
: London, lying ready, with all the rest
of the company All things be-
ing now ready, & every business dis
patched the company was called To-
gether Then they ordered and
distributed d their company for either
D shipe, as they conceived for ye best.
And chose a Gov. and or assistants
for each ships, to order ye people by
We way, and see to ye dispossing of
there provisions, and shuch like af-
fairs. All which was not only with
j. ye liking Of ye MASTERS of ye ships,
c but according to their desires. Which
being done they sett sayle from
thence aboutte ye of August.
B ing thus put to sea they had not
gone farr, but Mr.. Reinolds ye Mr.. OF
d ye Lesser ship complained that he
d found his ship so leak as he burst not
q put farther to sea till she was mend
d ed. So We Mr.. of ye bigger ship (cal'
B. ed Mr.. jones', being consulted with,
IS they both resolved to put into Dart
e mouth s. have her ther searched anC
mended, which accordingly was done
to their great charg & lose of time
:, and i fair winde. "
! The narrative proceeds with thu
statement that the company agar
), put TO sea, but when "ahose one hun
!, !, dred leagues without the Lands End
the master Of "ye small ship agair
complained Of leaks, and both ships
came about and put into Plymouth
Here the smaller vessel was pro
nounced unseaworthy and abandoned
!. a portion Of her company and of thu
10 provisions were placed on board th'
q larger vessel, and at length tina
departure was made. In all thi
le narrative detailed as it is in othe
10 particulars, the two vessels Of tn
ex. edition are designated as thl
osmaller ship" and the "bigger ship,
Of but nowhere Is the name OF eithe