Of Plymouth Plantation

In 1630, Ashley proceeds to gather “a good parcel of beaver” to ship back to England in his own name. The Pilgrims recognize that Ashley is trying to profit from the colony instead of helping them relieve their debts, but they have no choice but to continue working with him. No supplies arrive for the Pilgrims, leading some to believe that Ashley is neglecting his duties.

After some time, the Pilgrims elect to send Mr. Edward Winslow to England to investigate Ashley and Allerton’s behavior. They give Winslow authority to discharge Allerton from his duties to the Pilgrims. Then, in the summer, an English ship finally arrives. However, the ship has barely survived a storm, meaning that it’s lost most of its provisions. The sailors report that Allerton will soon be back in America aboard a ship called the White Angel. Shortly afterwards the White Angel arrives; however, Allerton insists that most of the ship’s goods aren’t intended for the Pilgrims. Around the same time, Ashley is arrested for selling guns to Indians, and sent away from America. He later drowns on a voyage home from Russia. The Pilgrims send letters to Mr. Winslow asking him to dismiss Allerton from “having anything to do with any of their business.”

Another milestone of 1630 is the execution of John Billington—the first use of the death penalty in the Plymouth Plantation. Bradford arranges for Billington to be tried for murder, and Billington is found guilty. John Winthrop, the governor of the Massachusetts Bay, advises Bradford to execute Billington immediately, since Billington, a “profane Londoner,” has been a troublemaker for a long time.

In the summer of 1630, disease breaks out in the colony of Charlestown. In a letter, a member of the Plymouth Plantation who is staying in Charlestown reports that many in Charlestown look to Plymouth for guidance in their time of crisis. Bradford concludes his chapter by celebrating how Plymouth grew “out of small beginnings” to become a respected colony.