New-Englands memoriall, or, A brief relation of the most memorable and remarkable passages of the providence of God manifested to the planters of New-England in America with special reference to the first colony thereof, called New-Plimouth : as also a nomination of divers of the most eminent instruments deceased, both of church and common-wealth, improved in the first beginning and after-progress of sundry of the respective jurisdictions in those parts, in reference unto sundry exemplary passages of their lives, and the time of their death / published for use and benefit of present and future generations, by Nathaniel Morton ...

1632.

THis year one Sir Christopher Gardiner (being as himself said) descended of the house of Gardiner Bishop of Win∣chester, who was so great a Persecutor of Gods Saints in Queen Maries dayes, arrived in New-England; he being a great tra∣veller received his first honor of Knight-hood at Jerusalem, be∣ing made Knight at the Sepulchre there: he came into these parts in pretence of forsaking the World, and to live a private life in a godly course, not unwilling to put himself upon any mean imployment, and take any pains for his living, and some∣times offered himself to joyn to the Church in sundry places: he brought over with him a servant or two, and a comely young woman whom he called his Cousin; but it was suspected (that after the Italian manner) she was his Concubine: he living at the Massachusets, for some miscarriages for which he should have answered, fled away from Authority and got a∣mongst the Indians in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth; the Government of the Massachusets sent after him but could not get him, and promised some reward to those that should finde him; the Indians came to the Governour of Plimouth and told where he was, and asked if they might kill him, but the said Gover∣nour told them no, they should not kill him by no means, but if they could take him alive and bring him to Plimouth, they should be payed for their pains; they said he had a Gun and a

Rapier, and he would kill them if they went about it, and the Massachusets Indians said they might kill him, but the Gover∣nour aforesaid told them no, they should not kill him, but watch their opportunity and take him, and so they did; for when they light on him by a River side, he got into a Cannoo to get from them, and when they came near him, whiles he presented his piece at them to keep them off, the stream carried the Cannoo against a Rock, and threw both him and his Piece and the Rapier into the water, yet he got out, and having a little dagger by his side, they durst not close with him; but getting long poles, they soon beat his dagger out of his hand: so he was glad to yield, and they brought him to the Governour at Plimouth, but his hands and arms were swelled and very sore with the blows they had given him, so he used him kindly, and sent him to a lodging where his arms were bathed and annointed, and he was quickly well again, and blamed the Indians for beating him so much: they said they did but a little whip him with sticks. In his lodging those that made his bed, found a little Note-book that by accident had slipped out of his pocket or some private place, in which was a memorial what day he was reconciled to the Pope and Church of Rome, and in what University he took his Scapula, and such and such a Degree; it being brought to the Governour, he kept it, and sent it to the Governour of the Massachusets with word of his taking, who sent for him; but afterwards he went for England and shewed his malice against New-England, but God prevented him; of which I thought meet to insert a Letter from Mr. Winthrop Governour of the Massachusets to Mr. Bradford the Governour of Plimouth (in reference to this matter) as also the Copy of an Order rela∣ting to the same as followeth. And first of the Letter.

SIR,

UPon a Petition exhibited by Sir Christopher Gar∣diner, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Captain Mason, &c. against you and us, the cause was heard before the Lords of the

Privy Council, and afterwards reported to the King; the success whereof makes it evident to all, that the Lord hath care of his peoople here; the passages are admirable and too long to write: I heartily wish for an opportunity to impart them unto you, being many sheets of Paper; but the conclusion was, against all mens expectation, an order for our encouragement, and much blame and disgrace upon the adversaries, which calls for much thankfulness from us, all which we purpose (God willing) to express in a day of thanksgiving to our merciful God, I doubt not but you will consider if it be not fit for you to joyn in it; who as he hath humbled us by his late correction, so he hath lifted us up by an abundant rejoycing in our delive∣rance out of so desperate a danger; so as that which our enemies built their hopes upon to ruine us by, he hath merci∣fully disposed to our great advantage, as I shall further ac∣quaint you when occasion shall serve.

The Copy of the Order follows.

At the Court at Whitehall, January 19. 1632.

Sigillum Crescent.

• Lord Privy-Seal.
• Earl of Dorset.
• Lord Vicount Falkland.
• Lord Bishop of London.
• Lord Cottinton.
• Mr. Trevers.
• Mr. Vice-Chamberlain.
• Mr. Secretary Cook.
• Mr. Secretary Windebank.

WHereas his Majesty hath lately been informed of great distraction and much disorder in the Plan∣tations in the parts of America called New-England, which if they be true, and suffered to run on, would tend to the dishonour of this Kingdome, and utter ruine of

that Plantation: for prevention whereof, & for the orderly setling of Government, according to the intention of those Patents which have been granted by his Majesty, & from his late Royal Father King James; It hath pleased his Majesty that the Lords and others of his most honou∣rable Privy Council should take the same into considera∣tion: Their Lordships in the first place thought fit to make a Committee of this Board, to take examination of the matters informed: which Committee having called divers of the principal Adventurers in that Plantation, and heard those that are complainants against them; most of the things informed being denied, and resting to be proved by parties that must be called from that place, which required a long expence of time, and at present their Lordships finding they were upon dispatch of Men, Victuals and Merchandise for that place, all which would be at a stand if the Adventurers should have discouragement, or take suspition that the State here had no good opinion of that Plantation; their Lordships not laying the fault, or fancies (if any be) of some particu∣lar men upon the General Government, or principal Ad∣venturers, which in due time is further to be enquired into; have thought fit in the mean time to declare, that the appearances were so fair, and hopes so great, that the Country would prove both beneficial to this Kingdome, and profitable to the particulars, as that the Adventurers had cause to go on cheerfully with their undertakings, and rest assured, if things were carried as was pretended when the Patents were granted, and accordingly as by the Patents it is appointed, His Majesty would not only maintain the Liberties and priviledges heretofore

granted, but supply any thing further that might tend to the good Government, prosperity and comfort of His people there of that place, &c.

William Tromball.