The Mayflower and Her Log | Page 6

Robertson and Chief Justice
Marshall, and is occasionally repeated in this day. "There was no

community of goods, though there was labor in common, with public
supplies of food and clothing." Neither is there warrant for the
conclusion of Goodwin, that because the holdings of the Planters' half
interest in the undertaking were divided into L10 shares, those of the
Adventurers were also. It is not impossible, but it does not necessarily
follow, and certain known facts indicate the contrary.
Rev. Edward Everett Hale, in "The Pilgrims' Life in Common," says:
"Carver, Winslow, Bradford, Brewster, Standish, Fuller, and Allerton.
were the persons of largest means in the Leyden group of the emigrants.
It seems as if their quota of subscription to the common stock were
paid in 'provisions' for the voyage and the colony, and that by
'provisions' is meant such articles of food as could be best bought in
Holland." The good Doctor is clearly in error, in the above. Allerton
was probably as "well off" as any of the Leyden contingent, while
Francis Cooke and Degory Priest were probably "better off" than either
Brewster or Standish, who apparently had little of this world's goods.
Neither is there any evidence that any considerable amount of
"provision" was bought in Holland. Quite a large sum of money, which
came, apparently, from the pockets of the Leyden Adventurers
(Pickering, Greene, etc.), and some of the Pilgrims, was requisite to pay
for the SPEEDWELL and her refitting, etc.; but how much came from
either is conjectural at best. But aside from "Hollands cheese,"
"strong-waters" (schnapps), some few things that Cushman names; and
probably a few others, obtained in Holland, most of the "provisioning,"
as repeatedly appears, was done at the English Southampton. In fact,
after clothing and generally "outfitting" themselves, it is pretty certain
that but few of the Leyden party had much left. There was evidently an
understanding between the partners that there should be four principal
agents charged with the preparations for, and carrying out of, the
enterprise,--Thomas Weston and Christopher Martin representing the
Adventurers and the colonists who were recruited in England (Martin
being made treasurer), while Carver and Cushman acted for the Leyden
company. John Pierce seems to have been the especial representative of
the Adventurers in the matter of the obtaining of the Patent from the
(London) Virginia Company, and later from the Council for New
England. Bradford says: "For besides these two formerly mentioned,

sent from Leyden, viz., Master Carver and Robert Cushman, there was
one chosen in England to be joyned with them, to make the provisions
for the Voyage. His name was Master Martin. He came from Billerike
in Essexe; from which parts came sundry others to go with them; as
also from London and other places, and therefore it was thought meet
and convenient by them in Holand, that these strangers that were to goe
with them, should appointe one thus to be joyned with them; not so
much from any great need of their help as to avoid all susspition, or
jealosie, of any partialitie." But neither Weston, Martin, Carver, nor
Cushman seems to have been directly concerned in the purchase of the
SPEEDWELL. The most probable conjecture concerning it is, that in
furtherance of the purpose of the Leyden leaders, stated by Bradford,
that there should be a small vessel for their service in fishing, traffic,
etc., wherever they might plant the colony, they were permitted by the
Adventurers to purchase the SPEEDWELL for that service, and as a
consort, "on general account."
It is evident, however, from John Robinson's letter of June 14, 1620, to
John Carver, that Weston ridiculed the transaction, probably on selfish
grounds, but, as events proved, not without some justification.
Robinson says: "Master Weston makes himself merry with our
endeavors about buying a ship," [the SPEEDWELL] "but we have done
nothing in this but with good reason, as I am persuaded." Although
bought with funds raised in Holland,
[Arber (The Story of the Pilgrim Fathers, p. 341) arrives at the
conclusion that "The SPEEDWELL had been bought with Leyden
money. The proceeds of her sale, after her return to London, would, of
course, go to the credit of the common joint-Stock there." This
inference seems warranted by Robinson's letter of June 16/26 to Carver,
in which he clearly indicates that the Leyden brethren collected the
"Adventurers" subscriptions of Pickering and his partner (Greene),
which were evidently considerable.]
it was evidently upon "joint-account," and she was doubtless so sold, as
alleged, on her arrival in September, at London, having proved
unseaworthy. In fact, the only view of this transaction that harmonizes

with the known facts and the respective rights and relations of the
parties is, that permission was obtained (perhaps through Edward
Pickering, one of the Adventurers, a merchant of