he Leyden Church by the merchants of Holland to
join them in that movement, and the petition to the States-General, when
presented by those merchants, was finally rejected, and the Mayflower
commenced her voyage intending to proceed to the Hudson. Is it
improbable that steps may have been taken to frustrate their intention,
and that arrangements may even have been made with the captain of that
vessel by Dutch agents in England, to alter her course, and land the
emigrants farther to the north?

We are aware that one to whose judgment we have usually deferred has
said that had the intelligence been early it would have been more
certain. But every student of history knows that _late_ intelligence is
often more reliable and authentic than _early_; and if it be asked from
what source did Morton obtain his information, we can only suggest that,
up to 1664, New Netherlands remained under the dominion of the Dutch,
and the history of that colony was in a great measure secret to the
English. But several of the prominent settlers of Plymouth had ere this
removed to Manhattan--as Isaac Allerton and Thomas Willet--and after the
reduction of the country and its subjection to England, from these
persons the _late_ and _certain_ intelligence may have been received, or
from access to documents which were before kept private.

The harbor in which the Mayflower now lay is worthy of a passing glance.
It is described by Major Grahame as "one of the finest harbors for ships
of war on the whole Atlantic coast. The width and freedom from
obstructions of every kind, at its entrance, and the extent of sea-room
upon the land side, make it accessible to vessels of the largest class
in almost all winds. This advantage, its capacity, depth of water,
excellent anchorage, and the complete shelter it affords from all winds
render it one of the most valuable harbors upon our coast, whether
considered in a commercial or a military point of view."

If to the advantages here enumerated could have been added a fertile
soil, and an extensive back country, suitably furnished with timber and
fuel, the spot to which this gallant bark was led would have proved as
eligible a site for a flourishing colony as could possibly have been
desired. But these advantages were wanting; and though our fathers
considered it an "extraordinary blessing of God" in directing their
course for these parts, which they were at first inclined to consider
"one of the most pleasant,