Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647

The Pilgrims at last hire two ships—one in Holland and one in England—and prepare to get underway. Their parting with those left behind is sad, but Bradford nevertheless praises it as a “lively and true expression of dear and unfeigned love" (33).

The Pilgrims first travel to England to pick up their second ship and to meet with their representatives there. Cushman defends agreeing to the altered terms, and Weston meets with the Pilgrims expecting his conditions will be accepted. The Pilgrims decline, however, and are forced to sell some of their belongings to clear their outstanding debts to Weston. Bradford then inserts a letter sent from the Pilgrims to their backers, explaining once more that they objected to the changed conditions as soon as they learned of them but could not back out of the agreement because they had already sold their homes by that point. To demonstrate their good faith, however, they offer to stay in the agreement longer than the agreed upon seven years if their profits in New England fall short of what they expect. Bradford also includes a letter from Robinson (who had remained in Leyden) to Carver, assuring him of the good will of his fellow travelers and promising to come to America himself as soon as possible.