Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-06-08
PILGRIMS MADE
STRIDES DURING
HOLLAND EXILE
Light Thrown on 12-Year
Interim Spent on the
Continent.

LEYDEN, Holland, June S.-The days
spent by Americas Pilgrim fathers in
Holland in that twelveyea interim be-
tween their departure from England,
their unsuccessful attempt to cross the
ocean in the small ship Speedwell, which
so belied its name, and their final event
full journey in the memorable Mayfower.
were days Of obscurity, so far as the
average reader of history is concerned.
A study of the archives in the town
hall of the quaint city of Leyden, where
Pilgrim records have been kept, gives
evidence however, that in that time they
made for themselves the reputation Of
being a jealous, industrious and we'll
behaved people.
But King james ! of England evident
ly was not Of that opinion, or perhaps
he really was and merely wanted to get
them back to their English homes, for
through his ambassador, Sir Ralph Win
wood, he denounced them to the Coun-
ell of Holland as "ill-conditioned Brown
lists. not submissive to king and HER
Rrchy-banished men, who deserve no
sympathy"
This unkind characterization Of men
and women who were to make history
Of the most thrilling as we'll as the most
important variety, was forwarded to the
Dutch authorities at a time when the
Pilgrims, who had been sOJourning in
Amsterdam, desired to leave that city
and wrote to the Leyden magistrates
asking formal permission to come there
for a time.
1t was one Jan Van Hout, so the Rev.
J. Irwin Brown, pastor Of the Scots
church, Rotterdam, who has been max
ing a study Of this page Of Pilgrim
history, declares. who, supported by his
fellow magistrates wrote courteously
but firmly to King James ambassador.
In part. as follows:
at is, however. true that in February
last a petition was presented to us IN
the name of Jan Robarts q. E., John
Roblnsonl, minister Of the gospel. to-
eether with some people Of the Reformed
Christian faith. born In England, re-
questing that, as they intended taking
up their abode In Leyden. they might
be granted free permission 20 do So
I'VE answered officially. stating TINT
we did not refuse free entrance TO honest
PEOPLE that behaved honestly and sub
mitted to the statutes and ordinances OF
the city; and that therefore the entrance
Of the petitioners would be welcome and
agreeable 10 us.
This may be verified by the petition
and by our reply Of which we send your
excellency a copy.
We may add that no further steps
have been taken by us in this matter.
I'VE were not then aware. nor Indeed
ore we yet aware that the petitioners
have been bauished from England. or
that they belong to the sect OF the
Brownists
We, therefore, beg your excelency to
forward this Information with the &C.
rompanylng document 10 the lord adv0-
cate. 50 that no Misunderstanding may
arise between ourselves and their excel
iencies the ambassadors. or his majesty
himself: and tfat We may be held ex-
cused by their excellencies snd. conse-
quentiy, by his majesty"
In Holland, one Of the most enllght-
ened nations OF Europe az that time. the
rilcrlm fatbers-and mothers-learnec
The great lesson Of tolerance
And they learned an even deeper love
Of liberty than they had learned before
a. enthusiasm for individual freedom
which they carried far away overseas
Hsth them.
Also they learned many more tangible
things. including the accountability OF
ma gistrates 20 the people; the value Of
popular election, whether of ministers
or magistrates: the conservation Of min
ute labor to the commonwealth. or com
mon welfare. as IN the registration %
deeds and mortgages. and the personal
care Of the poor: and the duty and the
privilege that deyolve on thinking ana
responsible men 10 secure, and ieslonsly
10 gunrd-the freedom OF the press
They learned. too in "A state not rudi
iaentary but highly organized, that gov.
eminent, TO be just and equitable. must
he Of tho people, by the people. for tie
people.