Of Plymouth Plantation: Book 2, Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

In spring, the Pilgrims prepare for a voyage to Massachusetts Bay, the purpose of which is to trade with the Massachusetts Indians—though Hobbamok warns the Pilgrims that the Massachusetts might form an alliance with the Narragansett Indians against the Pilgrims. Soon after, the Pilgrims get word that Corbitant and Massasoyt are leading an attack against the Pilgrims, with the Narragansett Indians’ help. However, no attack materializes.

The Pilgrims begin to see that Squanto is manipulating the Indians for his own ends, making them believe that the Pilgrims are all-powerful. Soon afterwards, the Indians turn on Squanto, and Squanto begins to spend more time on the Pilgrim settlement.

The Pilgrims’ supplies run low, and they wait for another ship to arrive. Toward the end of May, a boat arrives, which has come from a fishing vessel sent by Weston. The boat, containing seven passengers, brings the Pilgrims a letter from Mr. Weston, explaining that he has sent the seven passengers. However, Weston warns the Pilgrims that some of these passengers are selfish and ungodly, and also adds that the remaining English reformers living in Leyden are “cold” and “backward.”

The boat brings another letter from Weston to John Carver, explaining that many of the “adventurers” (i.e., investors) have been convinced to invest more money in the Virginia Company settlement, while others have become discouraged and broken off their investments altogether. Weston now asks that Carver convince his Pilgrims to ratify a charter, such that they would have to provide more profits in the short term. Weston makes it clear that he will only send more supplies to Plymouth Plantation when Carver gives word that his colonists have complied.

William Bradford receives a third letter from Weston, this one addressed to him. Weston, now aware that Carver is dead, explains to Bradford that he has sold his shares in the Virginia Company, meaning that “I am quit of you.” He advises Bradford to break off the current joint stock agreement, as is his right. Finally, Weston mentions intercepting a letter that his former colleagues tried to send in secret to the colonists. In this letter, dated April 10, 1621, Weston’s former colleagues address Bradford and Brewster. They warn the Pilgrims to prepare for a visit from Weston—they fear that Weston will sail to America, pretending to still have some stake in the Company, and bring back supplies. Weston, commenting upon this letter, insists that the letter is wrong—he would never steal from the Pilgrims.

Bradford receives one more letter, this one from Robert Cushman. Cushman greets Bradford warmly, and mentions that Weston intends to sail to America on the next available boat, though Cushman isn’t sure why. He instructs Bradford not to give any supplies to Weston’s men, and to instruct Squanto to spread word that Weston and his men aren’t affiliated with the Pilgrims.

A ship arrives, sent by Weston, and the Pilgrims decide to welcome and entertain the ship, even though its men are disorganized. The men offer the Pilgrims some supplies in return for the Pilgrims’ hospitality, but the Pilgrims refuse to accept. Shortly afterwards, a boat arrives at Plymouth, bearing word from colonists in Virginia. The Pilgrims send a boat of their own to Virginia, where they obtain food and other supplies. In the end, the Pilgrims are able to feed themselves for a while, despite Weston’s refusal to send more supplies.

The Pilgrims build a fortress to protect themselves from Indian attacks. By the time the fortress is completed, the harvest is near. However, the harvest yields little food—certainly not enough to feed the colony for a year. Later in the year, a ship arrives from Virginia, selling knives. The Pilgrims trade beaver skins for the knives, and then trade knives for corn from the Indians.

By the end of the harvest, the settlers who arrived on Weston’s ship earlier in the year have settled in Massachusetts. They experience famine, and write to Bradford, begging to trade with the Pilgrims. Bradford consents, and enlists the Massachusetts settlers to sail with him, along with Squanto, in search of more corn. The voyage is thwarted, however, by a storm, and the ship only makes it to the Manamoick Bay, where the group obtains corn and beans. During the voyage, Squanto dies of “Indian fever.” Before dying, he begs Bradford to pray for him to meet “the Englishman’s God in heaven.”

In February of 1623, the Massachusetts Bay settlers send word that they’re considering warring with the Indians to ensure that they have enough food. Bradford emphatically replies that the colonists shouldn’t war with the Indians.