This material also corresponds to footnote #11 in the PDF and printed booklet editions of “Ditching Socialism in the New World,” and to footnote #11 in Heed the Pilgrims.
This material also corresponds to footnote #1 in the article titled “The Story of The Mayflower Compact, Which Was Adopted on November 11, 1620.”
In his account of the Pilgrims’ journey to the New World and their settlement at what would become known as Plymouth, Massachusetts, William Bradford (1590-1657) writes,
Having thus passed the vast ocean, and that sea of troubles before while they were making their preparations, they now had no friends to welcome them, nor inns to entertain and refresh their weather-beaten bodies, nor houses — much less towns — to repair to. It is recorded in scripture (Acts, xxviii) as a mercy to the apostle and his shipwrecked crew, that the barbarians showed them no small kindness in refreshing them; but these savage barbarians when they met with them (as will appear) were readier to fill their sides full of arrows than otherwise! As for the season, it was winter, and those who have experienced the winters of the country know them to be sharp and severe, and subject to fierce storms, when it is dangerous to travel to known places, — much more to search an unknown coast. Besides, what could they see but a desolate wilderness, full of wild beasts and wild men; and what multitude there might be of them they knew not! Neither could they, as it were, go up to the top of Pisgah, to view from this wilderness a more goodly country to feed their hopes; for which way soever they turned their eyes (save upward to the Heavens!) they could gain little solace from any outward objects. Summer being done, all things turned upon them a weather-beaten face; and the whole country, full of woods and thickets, presented a wild and savage view.
Bradford, William. Of Plymouth Plantation (pp. 74-75). Portcullis Books. Kindle Edition. Edited by Harold Padget. Book I, Chapter IX.
Paraphrase/Summary as presented in “Ditching Socialism in the New World”:
Even with God’s help, this wasn’t going to be easy—not by a long shot. Remember, none of us ever had been here before, nor had anyone else we knew. We had no friends to welcome us, nor were there any hotels to check into so we could rest and recover from our difficult voyage across the ocean. Moreover, winter’s cold winds and icy storms were about to bear down upon us! Not only that, but the land before us was more than unfamiliar. It was desolate and inhabited by wild animals, and, quite probably, wild men as well!
This material relates to footnote #2 in the article “Ditching Socialism in the New World.” It relates as well to footnote #11 in the PDF and printed booklet editions.
top image: Front page of William Bradford’s manuscript for Of Plymouth Plantation
Paraphrase copyright © 2019 by B. Nathaniel Sullivan. All rights reserved.