Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/78

54 Sir Edwin Sandys, it did not require long to bring them to the fixed determination to embark fofor [sic] America.

Having failed in an application to the Dutch government to allow them to emigrate to New Netherland, the Puritans debated for some time between Guiana, famed for its wealth, and Virginia; at length they decided on the latter colony. As it had, however, been settled by Episcopalians, and the public profession of adherence to the Church of England was required and enforced by penalties, they sent over agents to England, to endeavor to make terms with the Virginia Company, and to insure for themselves liberty of conscience in case of their removal to their colony. The Company, desirous of attaching to the soil so valuable a body of emigrants, whose steadiness and character they appreciated, endeavored to obtain, through their influence with the heads of Church and State, an assurance of toleration; but without success. Brewster soon after proceeded to England to obtain as favorable a patent as possible. This was readily granted by the Virginia Company, although the patent taken out was never of any practical use. The next difficulty was to procure means, which could only be done by entering into an arrangement with some London merchants, whose terms were not very favorable to the emigrants. The whole property acquired in the colony was to belong to a joint-stock for seven years; and the services of each emigrant were only to be held equivalent to every ten pounds furnished by the capitalists. Upon these rather hard terms they now prepared to set out for the New World.

It was thought best that Robinson should remain with such of the congregation as were deemed unfit for pioneers, or were unable to find room in the vessels. A small ship, the Speedwell had been purchased in Holland, and was now ready to convey the emigrants to Southampton. Those appointed to go accordingly left Leyden, accompanied by their brethren to Delft Haven, where they were joined by members of the church at Amsterdam. The night was spent in mutual encouragement and Christian converse; and next day, July 22d, the wind being fair, they got ready to go on board, The parting with Robinson and their brethren was very affecting. A fair breeze soon carried them to Southampton, where they remained a few days, and were joined by the larger vessel, the Mayflower. They here received a touching letter from Robinson, which was read to the assembled company.

The passengers were distributed be. tween the two vessels, which soon got under way; but the Speedwell, proving to be unseaworthy in every respect, they were obliged to put into Dartmouth, and then into Plymouth. Leaving there a portion of their company, and crowding as many into the Mayflower as could be accommodated, they again, early in September, launched forth upon the trackless ocean. The voyage was tedious and full of danger, owing to the equinoctial gales, whose