Page:Good Newes from New England.djvu/51

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for which they had beene publiquely ſtocked and whipt, and yet was there ſmall amendment. This was about the end of February, at which time they had ſpent all their bread and corne, not leauing any for ſeed, neither would the Indians lend or ſell them any more vpon any termes. Hereupon they had thoughts to take it by violence, and to that ends ſpiked vp euery entrance into their Towne (being well impaled) ſaue one, with a full reſolution to proceed. But ſome more honeſtly minded, adviſed Iohn Sanders their Over-ſeer firſt to write to Plimoth, and if the Gouernour adviſed him thereunto, he might the better doe it. This courſe was well liked, and an Indian was ſent with all ſpeede with a letter to our Gouernour, the contents whereof were to this effect; That being in great want, and. their people daily falling downe, he intended to goe to Munhiggen, where was a Plantation of Sir Ferdi: Gorges, to buy bread from the Ships that came thither a fiſhing, with the firſt opportunitie of wind; but knew not how the Colony would be preſerued till his returne: he had vſed all meanes both to buy and borrow of Indians whom hee knew to be ſtored, and he thought maliciouſly with-held it, and therefore was reſolued to take it by violence, and onely waited the returne of the Meſſenger, which he deſired ſhould be haſtned, crauing his advice therein, promiſing alſo to make reſtitution afterward. The Gouernour vpon the receipt hereof, asked the Meſſenger what ſtore of corne they had, as if he had intended to buy of them; who anſwered very little more then that they reſerued for ſeed, hauing alreadie ſpared all they could. Forth-with the Gouernour and his Aſſiſtant ſent for many of vs to adviſe with them herein, who after ſerious conſideration, no way approuing of this intended courſe, the Gouernour anſwered his Letter, and cauſed many of vs to ſet our handes thereto, the contents whereof were to this purpoſe; Wee altogether diſliked their intendment, as being againſt the law of God and Nature, ſhewing how it would croſſe the worthy ends and proceedings of the Kings Maiestie, and