ad no alternative,
therefore, but to associate with others; and, as often happens in such
cases, wealth took advantage of their impoverished condition. By their
instructions the terms on which their agents were to engage with the
adventurers were definitely fixed, and no alteration was to be made
without consultation. But time was precious; the business was urgent;
it had already been delayed so long that many were impatient; and to
satisfy the merchants, who drove their bargain sharply and shrewdly,
some changes were made, and by ten tight articles the emigrants were
bound to them for the term of seven years. At the end of this period, by
the original compact, the houses and improved lands were to belong
wholly to the planters; and each colonist having a family to support was
to be allowed two days in each week to labor for their benefit. The last
is a liberty enjoyed by "even a Wallachian serf or a Spanish slave"; and
the refusal of the merchants to grant so reasonable a request caused
great complaint; but Mr. Cushman answered peremptorily that, unless they
had consented to the change, "the whole design would have fallen to the
ground, and, necessity having no law, they were constrained to be
silent." As it was, it threatened a seven years' check to the pecuniary
prosperity of the colony; but as it did not interfere with their civil
or religious rights, it was submitted to with the less reluctance,
though never acceptable.

At this critical juncture, while the Pilgrims were in such perplexity,
and surrounded by so many difficulties, the Dutch, who were perfectly
acquainted with their proceedings, and who could not but be sensible
that the patent they had obtained of the Virginia Company, if sanctioned
by the government of England, would interfere seriously with their
projected West India Company, and with their settlement at New
Netherland, stepped forward with the proposals of the most inviting and
apparently disinterested and liberal character. Knowing that but a
portion of the Church were preparing to embark for America, and that all
would be glad to emigrate in a body, overtures were made to Mr.
Robinson, as pastor, that he and his flock, and their friends in
England, would embark under the auspices of the Lords States-General,
themselves should be transported to America free of expense, and cattle
should be furnished for their subsistence on their arrival. These are
the "liberal offers" alluded to in general term