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f England originally supplied the population of Australia。
The settlers who established themselves on the shores of New England all belonged to the more independent classes of their native country。 Their union on the soil of America at once presented the singular phenomenon of a society containing neither lords nor common people； neither rich nor poor。 These men possessed； in proportion to their number； a greater mass of intelligence than is to be found in any European nation of our own time。 All； without a single exception； had received a good education； and many of them were known in Europe for their talents and their acquirements。 The other colonies had been founded by adventurers without family； the emigrants of New England brought with them the best elements of order and morality …they landed in the desert accompanied by their wives and children。 But what most especially distinguished them was the aim of their undertaking。 They had not been obliged by necessity to leave their country； the social position they abandoned was one to be regretted； and their means of subsistence were certain。 Nor did they cross the Atlantic to improve their situation or to increase their wealth； the call which summoned them from the comforts of their homes was purely intellectual； and in facing the inevitable sufferings of exile their object was the triumph of an idea。
The emigrants； or； as they deservedly styled themselves； the Pilgrims； belonged to that English sect the austerity of whose principles had acquired for them the name of Puritans。 Puritanism was not merely a religious doctrine； but it corresponded in many points with the most absolute democratic and republican theories。 It was this tendency which had aroused its most dangerous adversaries。 Persecuted by the Government of the mother…country； and disgusted by the habits of a society opposed to the rigor of their own principles； the Puritans went forth to seek some rude and unfrequented part of the world； where they could live according to their own opinions； and worship God in freedom。
A few quotations will throw more light upon the spirit of these pious adventures than all we can say of them。 Nathaniel Morton； *f the historian of the first years of the settlement； thus opens his subject：
＇Footnote f： 〃New England's Memorial；〃 p。 13； Boston； 1826。 See also 〃Hutchinson's History；〃 vol。 ii。 p。 440。＇
〃Gentle Reader； … I have for some length of time looked upon it as a duty incumbent； especially on the immediate successors of those that have had so large experience of those many memorable and signal demonstrations of God's goodness； viz。； the first beginners of this Plantation in New England； to commit to writing his gracious dispensations on that behalf； having so many inducements thereunto； not onely otherwise but so plentifully in the Sacred Scriptures： that so； what we have seen； and what our fathers have told us （Psalm lxxviii。 3； 4）； we may not hide from our children； showing to the generations to come the praises of the Lord； that especially the seed of Abraham his servant； and the children of Jacob his chosen （Psalm cv。 5； 6）； may remember his marvellous works in the beginning and progress of the planting of New England； his wonders and the judgments of his mouth； how that God brought a vine into this wilderness； that he cast out the heathen； and planted it； that he made room for it and caused it to take deep root； and it filled the land （Psalm lxxx。 8； 9）。 And not onely so； but also that he hath guided his people by his strength to his holy habitation and planted them in the mountain of his inheritance in respect of precious Gospel enjoyments： and that as especially God may have the glory of all unto whom it is most due； so also some rays of glory may reach the names of those blessed Saints that were the main instruments and the beginning of this happy enterprise。〃
It is impossible to read this opening paragraph without an involuntary feeling of religious awe； it breathes the very savor of Gospel antiquity。 The sincerity of the author heightens his power of language。 The band which to his eyes was a mere party of adventurers gone forth to seek their fortune beyond seas appears to the reader as the germ of a great nation wafted by Providence to a predestined shore。
The author thus continues his narrative of the departure of the first pilgrims： …
〃So they left that goodly and pleasant city of Leyden； *g which had been their resting…place for above eleven years； but they knew that they were pilgrims and strangers here below； and looked not much on these things； but lifted up their eyes to Heaven； their dearest country； where God hath prepared for them a city （Heb。 xi。 16）； and therein quieted their spirits。 When they came to Delfs… Haven they found the ship and all things ready； and such of their friends as could not come with them followed after them； and sundry came from Amsterdam to see them shipt； and to take their leaves of them。 One night was spent with little sleep with the most； but with friendly entertainment and Christian discourse； and other real expressions of true Christian love。 The next day they went on board； and their friends with them； where truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting； to hear what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound amongst them； what tears did gush from every eye； and pithy speeches pierced each other's heart； that sundry of the Dutch strangers that stood on the Key as spectators could not refrain from tears。 But the tide （which stays for no man） calling them away； that were thus loth to depart； their Reverend Pastor falling down on his knees； and they all with him； with watery cheeks commended them with most fervent prayers unto the Lord and his blessing； and then； with mutual embraces and many tears they took their leaves one of another； which proved to be the last leave to many of them。〃
＇Footnote g： The emigrants were； for the most part； godly Christians from the North of England； who had quitted their native country because they were 〃studious of reformation； and entered into covenant to walk with one another according to the primitive pattern of the Word of God。〃 They emigrated to Holland； and settled in the city of Leyden in 1610； where they abode； being lovingly respected by the Dutch； for many years： they left it in 1620 for several reasons； the last of which was； that their posterity would in a few generations become Dutch； and so lose their interest in the English nation； they being desirous rather to enlarge His Majesty's dominions； and to live under their natural prince。 … Translator's Note。＇
The emigrants were about 150 in number； including the women and the children。 Their object was to plant a colony on the shores of the Hudson； but after having been driven about for some time in the Atlantic Ocean； they were forced to land on that arid coast of New England which is now the site of the town of Plymouth。 The rock is still shown on which the pilgrims disembarked。 *h
＇Footnote h： This rock is become an object of veneration in the United States。 I have seen bits of it carefully preserved in several towns of the Union。 Does not this sufficiently show how entirely all h