them the ease with
which it could be broken? And yet, reasoned some, "his word may be as
good as his bond; for if he purposes to injure us, though we have a seal
as broad as the house-floor, means will be found to recall or reverse
it." In this as in other matters, therefore, they relied upon
Providence, trusting that distance would prove as effectual a safeguard
as the word of a prince which had been so often forfeited.

Accordingly other agents were sent to procure a patent, and to negotiate
with such merchants as had expressed a willingness to aid them with
funds. On reaching England these agents found a division existing in
the Virginia Company, growing out of difficulties between Sir Thomas
Smith and Sir Edwin Sandys; and disagreeable intelligence had been
received from Virginia of disturbances in the colony which had there
been established. For these reasons little could be immediately
effected. At length, after tedious delays, and "messengers passing to
and fro," a patent was obtained, which, by the advice of friends, was
taken in the name of John Wincob, a gentleman in the family of the
Countess of Lincoln; and with this document, and the proposals of Mr.
Thomas Weston, one of the agents returned, and submitted the same to the
Church for inspection. The nature of these proposals has never
transpired, nor is the original patent--the first which the Pilgrims
received--known to be in existence. Future inquirers may discover this
instrument, as recently other documents have been rescued from oblivion.
We should be glad to be acquainted with its terms, were it only to know
definitely the region it embraced. But if ever discovered, we will
hazard the conjecture that it will be found to cover territory now
included in New York.

Upon the reception of the patent and the accompanying proposals, as
every enterprise of the Pilgrims began from God--a day of fasting and
prayer was appointed to seek divine guidance; and Mr. Robinson, whose
services were ever appropriate, discoursed to his flock from the words
in Samuel; "And David's men said unto him, See, we be afraid here in
Judah: how much more if we come to Keilah, against the host of the
Philistines?" Next followed a discussion "as to how many and who should
go first." All were ready and anxious to embark; but funds were wanting
to defray their expenses. It was concluded, therefore, that the youngest
and strongest should be the pioneers of the Church, and that the elde