The Pilgrim Story / Being largely a compilation from the documents of Governor Bradford and Governor Winslow, severally and in collaboration; together with a list of Mayflower passengers.

by William Franklin Atwood

The Treaty With Massasoit

“1. That neither he nor any of his, should injure or do hurt to any of their people.

2. That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender that they might punish him.

3. That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, he should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to his.

4. That if any did unjustly war against him, they would aid him; if any did war against them, he should aid them.

5. That he should send to his Neighbor-Confederates to certify them of this that they might not wrong them, but might be likewise comprised of these Conditions of Peace.

6. That when his men came to them upon any occasion, they should leave their bows and arrows behind them as we should do our pieces when we came to them.

Lastly, that doing thus, King James, their Sovereign Lord, would esteem him his friend and ally.”

The Treaty with Massasoit, in its actual setting, “an unfinished building”

Early in April John Carver was re-elected governor and laws and regulations were made for the conduct of the colony. During this month Governor Carver died. He had come “out of the field very sick, it being a hot day; he complained greatly of his head and lay down, and within a few hours his senses failed, so as he never spoke more until he died. Whose death was much lamented, and caused great heaviness amongst them as there was cause. He was buried in the best manner they could, with some volleys of shot by all that bore arms; and his wife, being a weak woman, died within 5 or 6 weeks after him.”

William Bradford was chosen governor in his stead, and not having fully recovered from his recent severe illness, wherein he had been near the point of death, Isaac Allerton was chosen to be an assistant “unto him who, by renewed election every year, continued sundry years together.”

It may be stated that Bradford was re-elected to the same office no less than 30 times, for a total term of 33 years—every year from 1622.[11] He was Governor of Plimoth Colony continuously from 1627-1656 inclusive excepting for five years when he “by importunity gat off.”

On April 15th, the Mayflower left on her return voyage to England. During this month the first offence is recorded, that of John Billington who had defied the authority of Captain Standish. It seems however that the offence was more a matter of words or “opprobrious speeches” than of deeds.