Selection from William Bradford's Of Plymouth PlantationWilliam Bradford wrote an entire book, called Of Plymouth Plantation, about the first leyears in the Plymouth Colony. After you read the following selection from the book, answerthe questions that follow.On the MayflowerBeing thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon theirknees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the fast and furi-ous ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to settheir feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element. ...But here I cannot but stay and make a pause, and stand half amazed at this poorpeople's present condition; and so I think will the reader, too, when he well consid-ers the same. Being thus passed the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before in theirpreparation (as may be remembered by that which went before), they had now nofriends to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their weatherbeaten bod-ies; no houses or much less towns to repair to, to seek for succor. It is recorded inScripture as a mercy to the Apostle and his shipwrecked company, that the barbar-ians showed them no small kindness in refreshing them, but these savage barbar-ians, when they met with them (as after will appear) were readier to fill their sidesfull of arrows than otherwise. And for the season it was winter, and they that knowthe winters of that country know them to be sharp and violent, and subject to crueland fierce storms, dangerous to travel to known places, much more to search anunknown coast. Besides, what could they see but a hideous and desolate wilderness,full of wild beasts and wild men-and what multitudes there might be of them theyknew not. Neither could they, as it were, go up to the top of Pisgah to view from thiswilderness a more goodly country to feed their hopes; for which way soever theyturned their eyes (save upward to the heavens) they could have little solace or con-tent in respect of any outward objects. For summer being done, all things stand uponthem with a weatherbeaten face, and the whole country, full of woods and thickets,represented a wild and savage hue. If they looked behind them, there was the mightyocean which they had passed and was now as a main bar and gulf to separate themfrom all the civil parts of the world. If it be said they had a ship to succor them, it istrue; but what heard they daily from the master and company? But that with speedthey should look out a place (with their shallop) where they would be, at some neardistance; for the season was such that he would not stir from thence till a safe har-bor was discovered by them, where they would be, and he might go without danger;and that victuals consumed space but he must and would keep sufficient for them-selves and their return. Yea, it was muttered by some that if they got not a place intime, they would turn them and their goods ashore and leave them. Let it also beconsidered what weak hopes of supply and succor they left behind them, that mightbear up their minds in this sad condition and trials they were under; and they couldnot but be very small. It is true, indeed, the affections and love of their brethren atLeyden was cordial and entire towards them, but they had little power to help themor themselves; and how the case stood between them and the merchants at theircoming away hath already been declared.What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace? May not andought not the children of these fathers rightly say: “Our fathers were Englishmenwhich came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but What did the ship's captain urge the Pilgrims to do as soon as possible? Why was he in such a hurry?At the end of this selection, Bradford mentions two groups that the Pilgrims knew of but could expect littlhelp from. What two groups did he mention?Critical Thinking: Bradford speaks of an "apostle." To whom is he referring? What was the differencebetween the "barbarians" that greeted the apostle and those that met the Pilgrims?

From 1620 to 1691 Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in America. The region where…

What did the ship's captain urge the Pilgrims to do as soon as possible? Why was he in such a hurry? At the end of this selection, Bradford mentions two groups that the Pilgrims knew of but could expect littl help from. What two groups did he mention? Critical Thinking: Bradford speaks of an "apostle." To whom is he referring? What was the difference between the "barbarians" that greeted the apostle and those that met the Pilgrims?

What did the ship's captain urge the Pilgrims to do as soon as possible? Why was he in such a hurry? At the end of this selection, Bradford mentions two groups that the Pilgrims knew of but could expect littl help from. What two groups did he mention? Critical Thinking: Bradford speaks of an "apostle." To whom is he referring? What was the difference between the "barbarians" that greeted the apostle and those that met the Pilgrims?