nt. One of the others,
therefore, named Ralph Smith, who was a man of much piety, and judged
orthodox by the Puritans, went to Plymouth, and offered himself as
pastor to the inhabitants. He was chosen by the people to be their
spiritual leader, and became the first regularly-appointed preacher who
officiated among these, the earliest settlers in New England.

Two or three small vessels were, about this time, built by the men of
Plymouth for their own use, and proved of great service to them, as
their connection with other colonies of Europeans on the American coast
became more extensive and profitable. A friendly intercourse with the
Dutch settlers at the mouth of the great river Hudson had also lately
been established, to the great satisfaction of the Plymouthers, and to
the mutual advantage and comfort of both parties. It was commenced by
the men of Holland soon after their formal settlement near the Hudson,
where they erected a village, and a fortress called Fort Amsterdam.
From thence they addressed a courteous letter to their old connections,
the English exiles from Leyden; and invited them to an occasional
barter of their respective goods and productions, and also offered them
their services in any other way that could be useful.

Governor Bradford--who still by annual election retained his important
office--returned an equally friendly reply to these overtures: and at
the same time tendered his own and his people's grateful
acknowledgements of all the kindness and hospitality that they had
received during their residence in Holland, in years gone by. The
following year they were surprised and gratified by a visit from De
Brazier, the Secretary of the Dutch colony, who anchored at Manomet, a
place twenty miles to the south of New Plymouth, and from thence sent
to request the Pilgrims to send a boat for him. His ship was well
stocked with such wares as were likely to be acceptable to the English;
and, according to the custom of the times, he was attended by several
gaily dressed trumpeters, and a numerous retinue of servants. The new
pinnace, which had recently been built at Manomet, was immediately
dispatched for the welcome visitors, and he was hospitably entertained
by his new friends for three days; after which the Governor, attended
by Rodolph and some others, returned with him to his vessel, to make
their purchases, and to give in exchange for their European goods, such
furs, and skins, and tobacco, as they