side the seas [not in London, as before
alleged]; and that he was seen yesterday, at Leyden, but, as yet, is
not there settled," etc.

On September 13, 1619 (N.S.), he says: "I have used all diligence to
enquire after Brewster; and find he keeps most at Amsterdam; but
being 'incerti laris', he is not yet to be lighted upon. I
understand he prepares to settle himself at a village called
Leerdorp, not far from Leyden, thinking there to be able to print
prohibited books without discovery, but I shall lay wait for him,
both there and in other places, so as I doubt but either he must
leave this country; or I shall, sooner or later, find him out."

On September 20, 1619 (N.S.), he says: "I have at length found out
Brewster at Leyden," etc. It was a mistake, and Brewster's partner
(Thomas Brewer), one of the Merchant Adventurers, was arrested
instead.

On September 28, 1619 (N.S.), he states, writing from Amsterdam:
"If he lurk here for fear of apprehension, it will be hard to find
him," etc.

As late as February 8, 1619/20, there was still a desire and hope
for his arrest, but by June the matter had become to the King--and
all others--something of an old story. While, as appears by a
letter of Robert Cushman, written in London, in May, 1619, Brewster
was then undoubtedly there, one cannot agree, in the light of the
official correspondence just quoted, with the conclusion of Dr.
Alexander Young ("Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers," vol. i.
p. 462), that "it is probable he [Brewster] did not return to
Leyden, but kept close till the MAYFLOWER sailed."

Everything indicates that he was at Leyden long after this; that he
did not again return to London, as supposed; and that he was in
hiding with his family (after their escape from the pursuit at
Leyden), somewhere among friends in the Low Countries. Although by
July, 1620, the King had, as usual, considerably "cooled off," we
may be sure that with full knowledge of the harsh treatment meted
out to his partner (Brewer) when caught, though unusually mild (by
agreement with the authorities of the University and Province of
Holland), Brewster did not deliberately put himself "under the
lion's paw" at London, or take any chances of arrest there, even in
disguise. Dr. Griffis has lent his asse