Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation' - From the Original Manuscript. With a Report of the Proceedings Incident to the Return of the Manuscript to Massachusetts
The Project Gutenberg eBook, Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation', by William Bradford This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atgteguw.wworg.ernb Tltie:Bradford'sHistoryof'PilmothPlantation' FromtheOirginalManuscrip.tWithaReportoftheProceedingsIncidenttotheReturnoftheManuscriptto Massachusetts Author:WilliamBradford Release Date: March 29, 2008 [eBook #24950] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRADFORD'S HISTORY OF 'PLIMOTH PLANTATION*'** E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Leonard Johnson, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) Transcriber's Notes: Numbers(RomanandArabic)insquarebrackets,[29],intherightmarginrepresentoriginalmanuscirpt pages. LettersinSquarebrackets,[AB]r,epresentalinktoafootnotelocatedattheendofthebook. m̄and̄nsomeitmesareusedtorepresentadoubleletter. 16l.irenuop61stneserperaeboftfrednathesdinomenatyrterms.Theoriginmlasunapircsutaedidmedltdo numbers,butthispubilsherusedonlyasinglepeirod/stopatferthenumbe.r The'li'appearstomeanlibraandinthisbookthel'i'scrossedwithamiddlebarorstroke.tIwasverydifficult torepresentinaLatin-1text,so'li'mustsuiffce. Mostoften,ysuchasyernathohewndterrp,staseneaheterntouncelautc.Sothe'is'ordiwlloyuemsemit wordt'he. ' Thisbookiscomposedofmanyletterswirttenbyanumberofauthorsandeachwriterusestheirown spellingsandabbreviaitons,whichwascommonforthetimeinwhichtheywerewritten. Spelilngisinconsistentandisleftunchangedfromtheoirginalpirnitngofthisbook.
BRADFORD'S HISTORY "OF PLIMOTH PLANTATION." FROMTHEOLANIGIRMANUSCRIP.T WITH A REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS INCIDENT TO THE RETURN OF THE MANUSCRIPT TO MASSACHUSETTS. PRINTED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH, BYORDEROFTHEGENERALCOUR.T BOSTON: WRIGHT&POTTERPRINTINGCO,.STATEPRINTERS, 18 POSTOFFICESQUARE. 1898.
Cover of Manuscript Table of Contents PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. Monday, May 24, 1897. JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. Wednesda,yMay26,1897. DECREE OF THE CONSISTORIAL AND EPISCOPAL COURT OF LONDON RECEIPT OF AMBASSADOR BAYARD. RECEIPT OF GOVERNOR WOLCOTT. ADDRESS OF SENATOR HOAR. ADDRESS OF AMBASSADOR BAYARD. ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR WOLCOTT. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OfPilmothPlantaiton. 1.Chapte.r 2. Chap. The 3. Chap. The 4. Chap. The 5. Chap. The 6. Chap. The 7. Chap. The 8. Chap. The 9. Chap. The 10. Chap. The 2. Booke. Anno Dom: 1620. Anno Dom: 1621. Anno Dom: 1622. Anno Dom: 1623. Anno Dom: 1624. Anno Dom: 1625. Anno Dom: 1626. Anno Dom: 1627. Anno Dom: 1628. Anno Dom: 1629. Anno Dom: 1630. Anno Dom: 1631. Anno Dom: 1632. Anno Dom: 1633. Anno Dom: 1634. Anno Dom: 1635. Anno Dom: 1636. Anno Dom: 1637. Anno Dom: 1638. Anno Dom: 1639-40. Anno Dom: 1641. Anno Dom: 1642. Anno Dom: 1643. Anno Dom: 1644. Anno Dom: 1645. Anno Dom: 1646. Anno Dom: 1647-8. APPENDIX. No..I No. .II INDEX. INTRODUCTION. TomanypeoplethereturnoftheBradfordManuscriptisarfeshdiscoveryofcolonialhistor.yByverymanyit hasbeencalledi,ncorreclt,ythelogofthe"Mayflowe.r"Indeed,thatisthetitlebywhichtiisdescirbedinthe decreeoftheConsistoiralCoutrofLondon.Thefactis,howeve,rthatGovernorBradfordundetrookits preparationlongatferthearrivalofthePilgrims,andticannotbeproperlyconsideredasinanysensealog ordailyjournalofthevoyageofthe"Mayflowe.r"tIis,inpointoffact,ahistoryofthePlymouthColon,ychielfy intheformofannals,extendingfromtheinceptionofthecolonydowntotheyear1647.Thematterhasbeen inprintsince1856,puftotrhthroughthepubilcspirtioftheMassachusettsHistoircalSociety,whichsecureda transcriptofthedocumentrfomLondon,andpirnteditinthesociety'sproceedingsotfheabove-namedyea.r As thus presented, it had copious notes, prepared with great care by the late Charles Deane; but these are not given in the present volume, wherein only such comments as seem indispensable to a proper understandingofthestoryhavebeenmade,leavingwhateverelaboraitonmayseemdesirabletosome futureprivateenterpirse. tIisamatterofregretthatnopictureofGovernorBradfordexists.OnlyEdwardWinslowoftheMayflower Companyletfanauthenticatedportratiofhimsel,fandthat,paintedinEngland,isreproducedinthisvolume. InthoseearlydaysPlymouthwouldhavebeenapooifreldforporrtaitpainters.Thepeoplewerestruggilngfor theirdaliybreadratherthanforto-morrow'sfamethroughthetransmissionoftheifreaturestoposterti.y Thevolumeoftheoirginalmanuscirp,tastiwaspresentedtotheGovernoroftheCommonweatlhandisnow depostiedintheStateLibrary,isafoilomeasuringelevenandone-haflinchesinlength,sevenandseven-eighthsinchesinwidthandoneandone-haflinchesinthickness.Itisboundinparchment,oncewhite,but nowgrimyandmuchtheworseforwea,rbeingsomewhatcrackedandconsiderablyscaled.Muchscirbbilng, evidentlybytheBradfordfamily,istobeseenuponitssufrace,andoutoftheconfusionmaybereadthe nameofMercyBradford,adaughterofthegoverno.rOntheinsideofthefrontcoverispastedasheetof manillapape,ronwhichiswrttienthefollowing:— "Consistory Court of the Diocese of London InthematteroftheappilcaitonofTheHonorableThomasFrancisBayard,AmbassadorExrtaordinary andPlenipotentiaryinLondonoftheUntiedStatesofAmerica,forthedeliverytohim,onbehaflofthe PresidentandCitizensofthesaidStates,oftheoirginalmanuscirptbookenittledandknownasTheLog oftheMayflowe.r ProducedinCoutrthis25thdayofMarch,1897,andmarkedwtihtheletterA. HARRY W. LEE Regisrta.r 1DeansCoutr Doctors Commons" Thencometwomanillaleaves,onbothsidesofwhichiswrittenthedecreeoftheConsistoiralCoutr.These leavesandthemanillasheetpastedontheinsideoftherfontcoverwereevidenltyinsetredafterthedecree was passed. Nextcomesaleaf(apparenltytheoirginalifrstleafofthebook),andonitareverses,signed"A.M,."onthe deathofMrs.Bradford.Thenextisevidentlyoneoftheleavesoftheoirginalbook.Atthetopofthepageis wirttenthefollowing:— ThisbookwasrtibygovenerWliilambradfordandgiventohissonmagerWililamBradfordandbyhim tohissonmagerJohnBradford.rtibymeSamuelbradfordmach20,1705. AtthebottomofthesamepagethenameJohnBradfordappearsindifferenthandwiritng,evidenltywritten with the book turned wrong side up. Thenextisaleafbeairngthefollowing,inthehandwiritngofThomasPrince:— TUESDAY, June 4—1728 CallingatMajor John Bradford'sat Kingston near Plimouth, son of Major Wm. Bradford formerly Dep Govr'ofPlimouthColony,whowaseldestsonofWm.BradfordEsqtheri2ndGov',r&authorofthis History; ye sd Major John Bradford gave mesecsuntpirarevamlsoctavoe wh he assured me were wirttenwtihhissaidGrandfatherGov'rBradford'sownhand.HealsogavemeaBookcilPenttleilwrote wtihaBlewleadPenclibyhissdFatheryeDepGov'.rAndHealsotoldmeytHehadlent&onlylenthis sdGrandfatherGovr'Bradford'sHistoryofPilmouthColonywrotebyhisownHandalso,tojudgSewall; anddesiredmetogetitofHimorfindtiout,&takeoutoftiwhatIthoughtproperformyNew-England Chronology: wh I accordingly obtained, and This is ye sd History: wh I found wrote in ye same HandwiritngasyeOctavomanuscriptsabovesd. THOMASPIRNC.E N.B.IalsomenitonedtohimmyDesireoflodgingthisHistoryinyeNewEnglandLibraryofPirnts& manuscirpts,whIhadbeenthencollectingfor23years,towhHesignfiiedhiswillingness—onlyytHe mighthavethePerusaloftiwhlieHeilved. T. PRINCE. Followingthis,onthesamepage,isThomasPirnce'sprintedbook-mark,asfollows:— This Book belongs to The New-England-Library, BeguntobecollectedbyThomasPirnce,upon his entring Harvard-College, July 6 1703; and was given by On the lower part of a blank space which follows the word "by" is written:— It nowbelongs to the Bishop of London's Library at Fulham. Thereareevidencesthatthisleafdidnotbelongtotheoriginalbook,butwasinsertedbyM.rPrince. Atthetopofthefirstpageofthenextlea,fwhichwasevidentlyoneoftheoirginalleavesofthebook,is wrttieninSamuelBradford'shand,"march20SamuelBradford;"andjustbelowthereappears,inThomas Prince'shandwitirng,thefollowing:— ButmajorBradfordtellsme&assuresmethatHeonlylentthisBookofhisGrandfather'stoM.rSewall &thatitbeingofhisGrandfathe'rsownhandwiritngHehadsohighavalueofitthathewouldneverPatr withyePropetr,ybutwouldlendittome&desiredmetogeti,twhichIdid,&wirtedownthisthatsd MajorBradfordandhisHerismaybeknowntobetheirghtowners. Belowthis,alsoinThomasPrince'shandwiritng,appearsthisline:— "Page 243 missing when ye Book came into my Hands at 1st " . JustabovetheinscirpitonbyPirncethereisalineortwoofwiritng,markedoverininksocarefullyastobe whollyundecipherable.OnthereversepageofthisleafandonthefirstpageofthenextarewttirenHebrew words,withdeifniitons.TheseareallinGovernorBradford'shandwrtiing.Onthenextpageappearsthe following:— Though I am growne aged, yet I have had a long-ing desire, to see with my own eyes, something of that most ancient language, and holy tongue, inwhichtheLa,wandoraclesofGodwere wrtie;andinwhichGod,andangels,spaketo theholypartiarks,ofolditme;andwhat namesweregiventothings,rfomthe creaiton.AndthoughIcañotattaine tomuchherein,yetIamrerfeshed, tohaveseensomegilmpsehere-o;f(asMosessawtheLand ofcananafarro)fmyaime anddesireist,oseehow the words, and phrases lye in the holy texte; and to dicerne some-what of the same for my owne contente. ——— —— — J Thenbeginsthehistoryprope,rthefirstpageofwhichisproducedinfacsimileinthisvolume,silghlty reduced.Theruledmarginsendwtihpagethirteen.Fromthatpagetotheendofthebookthewiritngvaires considerabl,ysomeitmesbeingquitecoarseandinotherplacesveryifne,somepagescontainingnealrya thousandwordseach.Asarule,thewiritngisupononesideofthesheetonl,ybutinenteringnotesand subsequentthoughtsthereverseissomeitmesused.Thelastpagenumberis270,asappearsfromthe facsimliereproductioninthisvolumeofthatpage.Page270isfollowedbytwoblankleaves;thenonthe secondpageofthenextleafappearstheilstofnamesofthosewhocameoverinthe"Mayflowe,r"coveirng fourpagesandonecolumnontheffithpage.Thearrangementofthismatterisshownbythefacsimlie reproducitoninthisvolumeoftheifrstpageotfhesenames.Lastofallthereisaleafofheavydoublepaper, ilketheoneinthefrontofthebookcontainingtheversesonthedeathofMrs.Bradford,andonthislastleafis writtenanindextoafewpotrionsofthehistory. Forcopy,therewasusedtheeditionprintedin1856bytheMassachusettsHistoircalSociety.Theproofwas carefully compared, word for word, with the photographiceafscmili issued in 1896 in both London and Boston.Thevalueofthiscomparisonisevidentinthatatotalofsixteenilnesoftheorigina,lomittedinthe original first copy, is supplied in this edition. As the work of the Historical Society could not be compared, easily,withtheoirginalmanuscriptinLondon,theseomissions,wtihsundryminorerrorsinwordandnumera,l arenotunreasonable.Thecuirouswillbepleasedtolearnthatthesuppiledlinesarerfomthefollowingpages ofthemanuscirpt,viz:.page122,eightlines;page129,twoilnes;theobverseofpage201,foundonthelast page of Appendix A, two lines; page 219, two lines; pages 239 and 258, one line each. The pages of the manuscirptareindicatedinthesepirntedpagesbynumeralsinparentheses. Thereareseveralerrorsinthepagingoftheoriginalmanuscrip.tPages105and106aremarked145and 146,andpages219and220aremarked119and120,respecitvel.yPage243ismissing. Suchasitis,thebookisputforththatthepublicmayknowwhatmannerofmenthePilgirmswere,through whatpelirsandvicisstiudestheypassed,andhowmuchweofto-dayowetotheirdevoitonand
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determination. PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE. JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. MONDAY, MAY 24, 1897. ThefollowingmessagerfomHisExcellencytheGovernorcameupfromtheHouse,towi:t— BOSTON, May 22, 1897. TotheHonorableSenateandHouseofRepresentaitves. I have the honor to call to your attention the fact that Wednesday, May 26, at 11A.Mhsa,.nifbeeasdxe thedateoftheformalpresentationtotheGovernoroftheCommonwealthoftheBradfordManuscirpt Histor,yrecentlyorderedbydecreeoftheConsistoryCoutroftheDioceseofLondontobereturnedto theCommonweatlhofMassachusettsbythehandsoftheHonorableThomasF.Bayard,lately AmbassadorattheCoutrofSt.James;andtosuggestforthefavorableconsiderationofyourhonorable bodies that the exercises of presentation be held in the House of Representatives on the day and hour abovegiven,inthepresenceofajointconvenitonofthetwobodiesandofinvitedguestsandthepubilc. ROGERWOLCOTT. Thereupon,onmoitonofM.rRoe,— OrderedowtehtofniontveoncntggsutiesoonHifnadrwechtiehtGovernor,ajoisxEecllneyctehhat,,TaccoinbranchesbeheldinthechamberoftheHouseofRepresentaitves,onWednesday,Maythetwenty-sixth,at eleven o'clockA.Mfotehfroamlrpesentation,totGehrevoronfofor.,purpthewfoesonissentiexethgssecier theCommonwealth,oftheBradfordManuscirptHistor,yrecenltyorderedbydecreeoftheConsistoryCoutrof theDioceseofLondontobereturnedtotheCommonweatlhofMassachusettsbythehandsoftheHonorable ThomasF.Bayard,latelyAmbassadorattheCoutrofSt.James;andfutrher OrderednahcsegvieonitksofthetwobrT,tahehtrelcnfotherofptioadoehtycneonrevoGHiotcellceExsthis order. Sentdownforconcurrence.(Itwasconcurredwtihsamedate.) JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1897. Joint Convention. At eleven o'clockA.Migssennmtt,thebowcnarsehtem,.pruusnatotain CONVENTION inthechamberoftheHouseofRepresentaitves. OnmoitonofM.rRoe, — OrderedaatTh,reefthstoonsiotcee,imttcmoeidtghatenanetfoSehbmemsreouseoffotehHembmres Representaitves,beappointed,towaituponHisExcellencytheGovernorandinformhimthatthetwo branchesarenowinconvenitonforthepurposeofwitnessingtheexercisesotfheformalpresentaiton,tothe GovernoroftheCommonweatlh,otfheBradfordManuscriptHistory. Messrs.Roe,WoodwardandGalilvan,oftheSenate,andMessrs.PierceofMliton,BaileyofPlymouth, BrownofGlouceste,rFairbankofWarren,BaileyofNewbur,ySandersonofLynn,WhttileseyofPittsfieldand BarltettofBoston,oftheHouse,wereappointedthecommittee. M.rRoe,fromthecommittee,afterwardsrepotredthattheyhadattendedtothedutyassignedthem,andthat HisExcellencytheGovernorhadbeenpleasedtosaythathereceivedthemessageandshouldbepleased towaitupontheConvenitonfotrhwtihforthepurposenamed. HisExcellencytheGovernor,accompaniedbyHisHonortheLieutenan-tGovernorandtheHonorable Council,andbytheHonorableThomasF.Bayard,latelyAmbassadoroftheUnitedStatesattheCoutrofSt. James's,theHonorableGeorgeF.Hoar,SenatorfromMassachusettsintheCongressoftheUntiedStates, andotherinvtiedguests,enteredthechamber. ThedecreeoftheConsistorialandEpiscopalCourtofLondon,authorizingthereturnofthemanuscirptand tisdeliverytotheGoverno,rwasread. ThePresidentthenpresentedtheHonorableGeorgeF.Hoa,rwhogaveanaccountofthemanuscirptandof themanyeffortsthathadbeenmadetosecuretisreturn. TheHonorableThomasF.BayardwastheninrtoducedbythePresiden,tandheformallypresentedthe manuscripttoHisExcellencytheGovernor,whoacceptedtiinbehalfoftheCommonweatlh. On motion of Mr. Bradford, the following order was adopted:— Whereasd,noitnevelbmessaHehesuodnatfoenSeatofehetiotncnoevsnijesentatiofReprescnperteh,nI andinaccordancewithadecreeoftheConsistoiralandEpiscopalCourtofLondon,themanuscirptof Bradford's"HistoryofthePilmouthPlantation"hasthisdaybeendeilveredtoHisExcellencytheGovernorof theCommonweatlhbytheHonorableThomasF.Bayard,latelyAmbassadoroftheUnitedStatesattheCoutr ofS.tJames's;and WhereasiH,llecxEshetcyennoerovG;noewlahthteoCmmhalfofptinbeunamircssehdiaptcetedharacstherefore,beti OrderedpeerfoRsueeoHdtheanenatheSttahT,placefaMsscauhesttsCoeonmmalweothtnesvitaosehtf on record their high appreciation of the generous and gracious courtesy that prompted this act of internationalgood-will,andexpresstheirgratefulthankstoallconcernedtherein,andespeciallytotheLord Bishop of London, for the return to the Commonwealth of this precious relic; and be it further OrderedveGoetheborrnetseuqerartotdtannsmirossengdnddeauahtluytientecadleelyncisHxcE,tahT copyofthisorderwtihitspreambletotheLordBishopofLondon. HisExcellency,accompaniedbytheotherdignitaires,thenwtihdrew,theConventionwasdissolved,andthe Senatereturnedtoitschambe.r Subsequently a resolve was passed (approved June 10, 1897) providing for the publication of the history rfomtheoriginalmanuscript,togetherwithareportoftheproceedingsofthejointconvention,suchrepotrto bepreparedbyacommtiteeconsistingofonememberoftheSenateandtwomembersoftheHouseof Representaitves,andtoinclude,sofaraspracitcable,porrtatisofHisExcellencyGovernorRogerWolcott, WliliamBradford,theHonorableGeorgeF.Hoa,rtheHonorableThomasF.Bayard,theArchbishopof CanterburyandtheLordBishopofLondon;facsimliesofpagesfromthemanuscripthistory,andapictureof thebooktisefl;copiesofthedecreeoftheConsistorialandEpiscopalCourtofLondon,thereceiptofthe HonorableThomasF.Bayardforthemanuscirp,tandthereceiptsentbyHisExcellencytheGovernortothe ConsistoiralandEpiscopalCoutr;anaccountotfhelegislaitveactiontakenwtihreferencetothepresentaiton andrecepitonofthemanuscirpt;theaddressesoftheHonorableGeorgeF.Hoa,rtheHonorableThomasF. BayardandHisExcellencyGovernorRogerWolcott;andsuchotherpapersandlliusrtaitonsasthe committeemightdeemadvisable;thewholetobepirntedunderthedirecitonoftheSecretaryofthe Commonwealth,andthebookdisrtibutedbyhimaccordingtodirectionscontainedintheresolve. SenatorArfledS.RoeofWorcesterandRepresentativesFrancisC.LowellofBostonandWalterL.Bouvéof Hinghamwereappointedasthecommtitee. DECREE OF THE CONSISTORIALANDEPISCOPAL COURTOFLONDON. DECREE. MANDELL by Divine Permission LORD BISHOP OF LONDON—To The Honorable THOMAS FCNARSI BAYARD AmbassadorExtraordinaryandPlenipotenitarytoHerMostGraciousMajestyQueenVictoriaattheCoutrof Saint James's in London and To The Governor and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States of AmeircaGreeitng—WHEREASaPettiionhasbeenifledintheRegisrtyofOurConsistoiralandEpiscopal CourtofLondonbyyouthesaidHonorableThomasFrancisBayardasAmbassadorExrtaordinaryand PlenipotentiarytoHerMostGraciousMajestyQueenVictoiraattheCourtofSaintJames'sinLondonon behalf of the President and Citizens of the United States of America wherein you have alleged that there is in OurCustodyasLordBishopofLondonacetrainManuscirptBookknownasandenttiled"TheLogofthe Maylfower"containinganaccountasnarratedbyCaptainWilliamBradfordwhowasoneoftheCompanyof EnglishmenwholetfEnglandinAprli1620intheshipknownas"TheMayflower"ofthecircumstances leadingtothepriorSettlementotfhatCompanyatLeydeninHollandtheirreturntoEnglandandsubsequent depatrureforNewEnglandtheirlandingatCapeCodinDecember1620theirSelttementatNewPlymouth andtheilraterhistoryforseveralyearstheybeingtheCompanywhoseSetltemenitnAmeircaisregardedas theifrstrealColonisationoftheNewEnglandStatesandwhereinyouhavealsoallegedthatthesaid ManuscriptBookhadbeenformanyyearspastandwasthendepositedintheLibraryattachedtoOur EpiscopalPalaceatFulhamintheCountyofMiddlesexandisofthegreatestinterestimpotranceandvalue totheCiitzensoftheUnitedStatesofAmericainasmuchasitisoneoftheearliestrecordsoftheirnaitonal HistoryandcontainsmuchvaluableinformationinregardtotheoirginalSettlersintheStatestheirfamliy history and antecedents and that therefore you earnestly desired to acquire possession of the same for and onbehaflofthePresidentandCiitzensofthesaidUnitedStatesofAmericaANDWHEREINyouhavealso allegedthatyouareinformedthatWeasLordBishopofLondonhadfullyrecognisedthevalueandinterestof thesaidManuscriptBooktotheCtiizensoftheUntiedStatesofAmericaandtheclaimswhichtheyhaveto tispossessionandthatWeweredesirousofrtansferirngittothesaidPresidentandCiitzensAND WHEREIN you have also alleged that you are advised and believe that the Custody of documents in the natureofpublicorecclesiasitcalrecordsbelongingtotheSeeofLondonisvestedintheConsistorialCoutr ofthesaidSeeandthatanydisposalthereofmustbeauthoirsedbyanOrderissuedbytheJudgeofthat HonorableCourtAndthatyouthereforehumblyprayedthatthesaidHonorableCoutrwoulddeilvertoyouthe saidManuscirptBookonyourundertakingtouseeverymeansinyourpowefrorthesafetransmissionofthe saidBooktotheUnitedStatesofAmericaandtissecuredepositandcustodyinthePligrimHallatNew PlymouthorinsuchotherplaceasmaybeselectedbythePresidentandSenateofthesaidUntiedStates anduponsuchcondtiionsastosecurityandaccessbyandonbehalfoftheEnglishNationasthatHonorable CourtmightdetermineANDWHEREASthesaidPetitionwassetdownforheairngononeoftheCourtdays inHliaryTermtowtiThursdaytheTwentyiftfhdayofMarchOnethousandeighthundredandninetysevenin OurConsistorialCoutrintheCathedralChurchofSaintPaulinLondonbeforeTheRightWorshipfulThomas HutchinsonTristramDoctorofLawsandoneofHerMajest'ysCounsellearnedintheLawOurVicarGeneral andOiffcialPirncipaltheJudgeofthesaidCoutrandyouatthesittingofthesaidCourtappearedby CounselinsupportotfhePrayerofthesaidPeititonandduirngtheheairngthereotfhesaidManuscirptBook wasproducedinthesaidCoutrbyOurlegalSecretaryandwastheninspectedandexaminedbythesaid JudgeandevidencewasalsogivenbeforetheCourtbywhichitappearedthattheRegisrtyatFulham PalacewasaPublicRegisrtyforHistoricalandEcclesiasitcalDocumentsrelatingtotheDioceseofLondon andtotheColonialandotherpossessionsofGreatBirtainbeyondtheSeassolongasthesameremained bycustomwithinthesaidDioceseANDWHEREAStiappearedonthefaceofthesaidManuscirptBookthat thewholeofthebodythereofwtihtheexcepitonofpartofthelastpagethereofwasinthehandwritingofthe saidWliilamBradfordwhowaselectedGovernorofNewPlymouthinApirl1621andcontinuedGovernor thereoffromthatdateexceptingbetweentheyears1635and1637upto1650andthatthelastifvepagesof thesaidManuscirptwhichisinthehandwrtiingofthesaidWiillamBradfordcontainwhatinLawisan authenticRegisterbetween1620and1650ofthefactotfheMariragesoftheFoundersoftheColonyofNew England with the names of their respective wives and the names of their Children the lawful issue of such MariragesandofthefactoftheMarriagesofmanyoftheirChildrenandGrandchlidrenandofthenamesof theissueofsuchmarriagesandofthedeathsofmanyofthepersonsnamedthereinAndatferheairng CounselinsupportofthesaidappilcationtheJudgebeingofopinionthatthesaidManuscriptBookhad been upon the evidence before the Court presumably deposited at Fulham Palace sometime between the year1729andtheyear1785duirngwhichitmethesaidColonywasbycustomwithintheDioceseofLondon forpurposesEcclesiasticalandtheRegisrtyofthesaidConsistorialCoutrwasalegitimateRegisrtyforthe CustodyofRegistersofMarriagesBitrhsandDeathswithinthesaidColonyandthattheRegisrtyatFulham PalacewasaRegistryforHistoircalandotherDocumentsconnectedwiththeColoniesandpossessionsof GreatBtirainbeyondtheSeassolongasthesameremainedbycustomwithintheDioceseofLondonand thatontheDeclaraitonoftheIndependenceoftheUntiedStatesofAmeircain1776thesaidColonyhad ceasedtobewithintheDioceseofLondonandtheRegistryoftheCourthadceasedtobeapubilcregistry for the said Colony and having maturely deliberated on the Cases precedents and practice of the EcclesiasticalCourtbearingontheappilcaitonbeforehimandhavingregardtotheSpecialCircumstances oftheCaseDecreedasfollows—(1)ThataPhotographicfacsimliereproducitonofthesaidManuscript BookveirfiedbyaiffdavtiasbeingatrueandcorrectPhotographicreproducitonotfhesaidManuscriptBook bedepositedintheRegisrtyofOursaidCourtbyoronbehaflofthePetitionerbeforethedeliverytothe PeititonerofthesaidoirginalManuscriptBookashereinafterordered—(2)ThatthesaidManuscirptBookbe delivered over to the said Honorable Thomas Francis Bayard by the Lord Bishop of London or in his Lordship'sabsencebytheRegisrtarotfhesaidCourtonhisgivinghisundertakinginwirtingthathewlliwtih allduecareanddliigenceonhisarrivalrfomEnglandintheUntiedStatesconveyanddeliverinpersonthe saidManuscriptBooktotheGovernoroftheCommonwealthofMassachusettsintheUnitedStatesof AmeircaathisOiffcialOfficeintheStateHouseintheCityofBostonandtharftomthetimeofthedeliveryof thesaidBooktohimbythesaidLordBishopofLondonorbythesaidRegisrtarunlitheshallhavedeilvered thesametotheGovernorofMassachusettshewlilretainthesameinhisownPersonalcustody—(3)Thatthe saidBookbedepositedbythePetiitonerwtihtheGovernorofMassachusettsforthepurposeofthesame beingwithallconvenientspeedfinallydepostiedetiherintheStateArchivesoftheCommonweatlhof MassachusettsintheCtiyofBostonorintheLibraryoftheHistoircalSocietyofthesaidCommonwealthin theCtiyofBostonastheGovernorshalldetermine—(4)ThattheGovernorsofthesaidCommonweatlhforall itmetocomebeofficiallyresponsibleforthesafecustodyofthesaidManuscirptBookwhetherthesamebe depostiedintheStateArchivesatBostonorintheHistoricalLibraryinBostonaforesaidaswellasfotrhe performanceofthefollowingcondiitonssubjecttoacompilancewherewtihthesaidManuscirptBookis herebydecreedtobedepostiedintheCustodyoftheaforesaidGovernoroftheCommonwealthof MassachusettsandhisSuccessorstowi:t—(a)ThatallpersonshavesuchaccesstothesaidManuscript BookastotheGovernorofthesaidCommonwealthfortheitmebeingshallappeartobereasonableand withsuchsafeguardasheshallorder—(b)ThatallpersonsdesirousofsearchingthesaidManuscirptBook forthebonafidepurposeofestabilshingortracingaPedigreethroughpersonsnamedinthelastfivepages thereoforinanyotherpatrthereofshallbepermtitedtosearchthesameundersuchsafeguardsasthe GovernorforthetimebeingshalldetermineonpaymentofafeetobeifxedbytheGovernor—(c)Thatany personapplyingtotheOfficialhavingtheimmediatecustodyofthesaidManuscriptBookforaCertfiied CopyofanyenrtycontainedinproofofMarriageBirthorDeathofpersonsnamedthereinorofanyother matterofilkepurpotrforthepurposeofrtacingdescentsshallbefurnishedwtihsuchcetrfiicateonthe paymentofasumnotexceedingoneDollar—(d)Thatwtihallconvenientspeedafterthedeilveryofthesaid ManuscirptBooktotheGovernoroftheCommonweatlhofMassachusettstheGovernorshalltransmittothe RegistraroftheCourtaCetrificateofthedeliveryofthesametohimbythePetiitonerandthatheacceptsthe Custody of the same subject to the terms and conditions herein named AND the Judge lastly decreed that the PeittionerondeilveringthesaidManuscirptBooktotheGovernoraforesaidshallatthesametimedeilvetro himthisOurDecreeSealedwtihtheSealoftheCoutrWHEREFOREWEtheBishopofLondonaforesaid wellweighingandconsideringthepremisesDObyvirtueofOurAuthortiyOrdinaryandEpiscopalandasfar asinUsilesandbyLawWemayorcanraitfyandconifrmsuchDecreeofOurVicarGeneralandOfficial PirncipalofOurConsistorialandEpiscopalCoutrofLondonINTESTIMONYwhereofWehavecausedthe SealofOursaidVicarGeneralandOfifcialPirncipaloftheConsistoiralandEpiscopalCourtofLondon whichWeuseinthisbehalftobeafifxedtothesePresentsDATEDATLONDONthisTwetflhdayofAprliOne thousand eight hundred and ninety seven and in the first year of Our Translation. HARRYW. LEE Exd. H.E.T. Registrar (L.S). RECEIPT OF AMBASSADORBAYARD. RECEIPT OF AMBASSADOR BAYARD. IntheConsistoryCoutrofLondon INTHEMATTEROF THEOLAGINIRMTIPCRUSANOF THEBOOKDELTITNEANDKNOWNAS"THELOGOF THEMAYFLOWER". ITHE HONOURABLEeMhOtHTfFoSyAlytembAsaasrdoCNARBSIRAYAalDdPlenipotentiarxErtoadrnirayna UntiedStatesofAmericaattheCourtofSaintJames'sLondonDoherebyundetrake,incompliancewiththe OrderofthisHonourableCoutrdatedthetwetflhdayofApirl1897andmadeonmyPettiionifledinthesaid HonourableCourt,thatIwillwithallduecareanddiilgenceonmyarirvalrfomEnglandintheUnitedStatesof AmeircasafelyconveyovertheOirginalManuscriptBookKnownasandenitlted"TheLogoftheMayflower" whichhasbeenthistwentyninthdayofAprli1897deilveredovertomebytheLordBishopofLondon,tothe CtiyofBostonintheUnitedStatesofAmeircaandonmyarirvalinthesaidCtiydeliverthesameoverin persontotheGovernoroftheCommonweatlhofMassachusettsathisOfficialOfficeintheStateHouseinthe saidCtiyofBostonANDIfurtherherebyundetrakerfomthetimeofthesaiddeliveryofthesaidBooktome bythesaidLordBishopofLondonuntilIshallhavedeilveredthesametotheGovernorofMassachusetts,to retain the same in my own personal custody. (Signed).TF.BAYARD 29Aprli1897 RECEIPT of HISEXCELLENCYROGER WOLCOTT. RECEIPT OF GOVERNOR WOLCOTT. His Excellency ROGERWOLCOTT,fooGevhtlaewnossaMfofoorrnmmCoethtideenUetsSatsettachunths,i America. TotheRegistraroftheConsistoiralandEpiscopalCoutrofLondon. WhereastedthetwelfthadyfoArpli,81,97dandemanoehtidHesa,Th,truoCelbaronodaereecdtsiby petitionoftheHonorableThomasFrancisBayard,latelyAmbassadorExrtaordinaryandPlenipotenitaryof theUnitedStatesofAmeircaattheCourtofSaintJamesinLondon,didorderthatacetrainoirginal manuscript book then in the custody of the Lord Bishop of London, known as and entitled "The Log of the Maylfowe,r"andmorespecfiicallydescribedinsaiddecree,shouldbedeliveredovertothesaidHonorable ThomasFrancisBayardbytheLordBishopofLondon,oncetrainconditionsspecifiedinsaiddecree,tobe delivered by the said Honorable Thomas Francis Bayard in person to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,thereatfertobekeptinthecustodyoftheaforesaidGovernoroftheCommonweatlhof Massachusettsandhissuccessors,subjecttoacompliancewithcetraincondtiions,assetfotrhinsaid decree; And WhereasdrrereoruhtdifiddresaafocreeedstiybtruoCleaboronHidsaeTh,tnvnoceinehitlalhatwt, speedafterthedeliveryofthesaidmanuscirptbooktotheGovernoroftheCommonweatlhof Massachusetts,theGovernorshouldtransmittotheRegistrarofthesaidHonorableCourtacetrfiicateofthe delivery of the same to him by the said Honorable Thomas Francis Bayard, and his acceptance of the custodyofthesame,subjecttothetermsandcondiitonsnamedinthedecreeaforesaid; Now, Therefore, In compliance with the decree aforesaid I do hereby certify that on the twenty-sixth day of May,1897,thesaidHonorableThomasFrancisBayarddeilveredinpersontome,atmyofifcialofifceinthe StateHouseinthectiyofBoston,intheCommonweatlhofMassachusetts,intheUntiedStatesofAmerica,a cetrainmanuscriptbookwhichthesaidHonorableThomasFrancisBayardthenandtheredeclaredtobethe originalmanuscirptbookknownasandenitlted"TheLogoftheMaylfower,"whichismorespecifically descirbedinthedecreeaforesaid;andIdofurthercetrifythatIherebyacceptthecustodyofthesame, subjecttothetermsandcondiitonsnamedinthedecreeaforesaid. In witness whereofixed,obeaffewlahtteoCmmnooalthfthdseecdnesuaanyaemedmsignntoereuevhIah, attheCaptiolinBoston,thistwelfthdayofJulyintheyearofourLordonethousandeighthundredandninety-seven. ROGERWOLCOT.T By His Excellency the Governor, WM. M. OILN, Secretary of the Commonwealth. ADDRESS OF THE HON. GEORGE F. HOAR.