THE 
 
 '< ' '' 
 
 OF THE 
 
 EMBARCATION OF THE PILGRIMS 
 
 FROM 
 
 DELFT-HAVEN IN HOLLAND; 
 PAINTED BY 
 
 ROBT. U. W22IR, 
 
 In conformity to an Act of Congress for filling the vacant panels iu the 
 Botunda of the Capitol 
 
 WASHIJVGTOJV. 
 
 " With these men came the germ of our Republic." 
 
 NEW YORK : 
 
 Wm. G. Boggs, Printer, Evening Post Buildings, 23 and 26 Pine Street. 
 
 1843.
 
 UCSB LIBRARY 
 
 THE 
 
 PICTURE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FROM 
 
 DELFT-HAVEN IN HOLLAND; 
 FAINTED BT 
 
 ROBT. W. WEIR, 
 
 In conformity to an Act of Congress for filling the vacant panels in the 
 Rotunda of the Capitol 
 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 u With these men came the germ of our Republic." 
 
 NEW YORK: ^ 
 
 
 
 Wm. O. Boggs, Printer, Evening Post Buildings, 23 and 25 Pine Street 
 
 1843.
 
 
 
 
 m 
 


 
 In selecting this subject for one of the national pictures, the artist was 
 influenced by the high moral character of the scene, and the great events 
 which grew out of the principles imparted by the actors in it to their 
 descendants, and which finally led to that separation from the dominion 
 of the old world which made us an independent people. It was also desir- 
 able that there should be at least onepicture in our National Hall, whose 
 subject should commemorate an event connected with the history of our 
 eastern states; since they were the first to grapple in that struggle for 
 liberty, the achievement of which, is our glory and boast. 
 
 In depicting a scene so momentous in our early history, it has been my 
 endeavor to preserve truth; the character of each individual is drawn in 
 accordance with his acts, and the costume and accessaries are in keeping 
 with the time and place; among the latter is the screw, which was after- 
 wards transferred to the Mayflower, and was the probable means of pre- 
 serving the ship* and the fluke of the anchor, indicating the bow of the 
 
 
 
 vessel, as well as being the emblem of hope, the bow of promise, and upon 
 the sail is written " God with ws." 
 
 * " But after they had enjoyed fair winds for a season, they met with many contrary winds and 
 fierce storms, with which their ship was shrewdly shaken, and had her upper works made very 
 leaky, and one of the main beams of her mid-ships was bowed and cracked, which put them to 
 some fear that she would not be able to perform the voyage : on which the principal of the seamen 
 and passengers had serious consultation what to do, whether to return or hold on ; But the ship 
 proving strong underwater, by a screw (which one of the passengers had brought from Holland.) 
 the aid beam was brought into his place again ; which being done, and well secured by the Car- 
 penter, they resolved to hold on their voyage," &c.
 
 FROM THE NEW ENGLAND MEMORIAL. 
 
 IN the year 1602, divers godly Christians 'of our English na- 
 tion, in the north of England, being studious of reformation, and 
 therefore not only witnessing against human inventions, and ad- 
 ditions in the worship of God ; but minding jnost the positive 
 and practical part of divine institutions, they entered into cove- 
 nant to walk with God, and one with another, in the enjoyment 
 of the ordinances of God. But finding by experience they could 
 not peaceably enjoy their own liberty in their native country, with- 
 out offence to others that were differently minded ; they took up 
 thoughts of removing themselves and families into the Nether- 
 lands, which accordingly they endeavoured to accomplish, but 
 met with great hindrance ; yet after some time, the good hand of 
 God removing obstructions, they obtained their desires ; arriving 
 in Holland, they settled themselves in the city of Leyden, in the 
 year 1610, and there they continued divers years in a comfortable 
 condition, enjoying much sweet society and spiritual comfort in 
 the ways of God, living peaceably amongst themselves, and being 
 courteously entertained, and lovingly respected by the Dutch, 
 amongst whom they were strangers, having for their pastor, Mr. 
 John Robinson, a man of a learned, polished, and modest spirit, 
 pious and studying of the truth, largely accomplished with suita- 
 ble gifts and qualifications to be a shepherd over this flock of 
 Christ ; having also a fellow-helper with him in the eldership, 
 Mr. William Brewster, a man of approved piety, gravity, and in- 
 tegrity, very eminently furnished with gifts suitable to such an 
 office. 
 
 But notwithstanding their amiable and comfortable carrying 
 on, (as hath been said) although the church of Christ on earth 
 in Holy Writ is sometimes called heaven, yet there is always in 
 their most perfect state, here in this lower world, very much 
 wanting as to absolute and perfect happiness, which is only re- 
 served for the time and place of the full enjoyment of celestial 
 glory ; for, although this church was at peace, and in rest at this 
 time, yet they took up thoughts of removing themselves into 
 America with common consent ; the proposition of removing 
 thither being set on foot, and prosecuted by the elders upon just 
 and weighty grounds ; for although they did quietly and sweetly 
 enjoy their church liberties under the States, yet they foresaw 
 that Holland would be no place for their church and posterity to 
 continue in comfortably, at least in that measure that they hoped 
 to find abroad ; and that for these reasons following, which I 
 shall recite as received from themselves. 

 
 First : Because themselves were of a different language from 
 the Dutch where they lived. 
 
 Secondly : Because their countrymen, who came over to join 
 them, by reason of the hardness of the country, soon spent their 
 estates, and were then forced either to return back to England, or 
 to live very meanly. 
 
 Thirdly : That many of their children, through the extreme 
 necessity that was upon them, although of the best dispositions, 
 and graciously inclined, and willing to bear part of their parents' 
 burthens, were oftentimes so oppressed with their labours, that 
 although their spirits were free and willing, yet their bodies bowed 
 under the weight of the same, and became decrepid in their early 
 youth, and the vigour of nature consumed in the very bud. And 
 that which was very lamentable, and of all sorrows most heavy 
 to be borne was, that many by these occasions and the great licen- 
 tiousness of youth in that country, and the manifold temptations 
 of the place, were drawn away by evil examples into extravagant 
 and dangerous courses, getting the reins on their necks, and de- 
 parting from their parents. 
 
 Fourthly : That their posterity would in a few generations be- 
 come Dutch. 
 
 Fifthly and lastly, and which was hot the least, a great hope 
 and inward zeal they had of laying some good foundation, or at 
 least to make some way thereunto for the propagating and ad- 
 vancement of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote 
 parts of the world, yea, although they should be but as stepping- 
 stones unto others for the performance of so great a work. 
 
 The reasons of their removal abovenamed being debated Srst 
 in private, and though weighty, were afterwards propounded in 
 publick ; and after solemn days of humiliation observed both in 
 publick and private, it was agreed, that part of the church should 
 go before their brethren into America, to prepare for the rest; 
 and if in case the major part of the church did choose to go over 
 with the first, then the pastor to go along with them ; but if the 
 major part stayed, that he was to stay with them. 
 
 All things being got ready and provided, a small ship was 
 bought and fitted out in Holland, of about sixty tons, called the 
 Speedwell^ as to serve to transport some of them over, so also to 
 stay in the country, and attend upon fishing, and such other af- 
 fairs as might be for the good and benefit of the colony when 
 they came thither. 
 
 And the time being come that they must depart, they were ac- 
 companied with most of their brethren out of the city unto a town 
 called 'Delft-Haven, where the ship lay ready to receive them. 
 The next day the wind being fair, 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 : yet comfortable and sweet it was to see such 
 lively and true expressions of dear and unfeigned love. 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 leave one 
 of another, whicli proved to be the last leave to many of them. 
 Thus hoisting sail with a prosperous gale of wind, they came in 
 a short time to Southampton, where they found the bigger ship 
 come from London. 
 
 At their parting, their pastor, Mr. John Robinson, wrote a let- 
 ter to the whole company, which is here inserted 
 
 Loving- Christian friends : 
 
 I do heartily, and in the Lord salute you, as being those 
 with whom I am present in my best affections, and most earnest 
 longing after you, though I be constrained for a while to be 
 bodily absent from yon : I say constrained ; God knowing how 
 willingly and much rather than otherwise, I would have borne 
 my part with you in this first brnnt, were I not by strong neces- 
 sity held bc\ck for the present. Make account of me in the mean 
 time as a man divided in myself, with great pain, and as (natural 
 bonds set aside) having my better part with you : arid although I 
 doubt not but in your godly wisdoms you both foresee and re- 
 solve upon that which concerneth your present state and condi- 
 tion, both severally and jointly ; yet have I thought but my duty 
 to add some further spur of provocation to them that run well 
 already, if not because you need it, yet because I owe it in love 
 and duty. And first, as we are daily to renew our repentance 
 with our God, especially for our sins known, and generally for 
 our unknown sins and transgressions ; so doth the Lord call us 
 in a singular manner, upon occasion of such difficulty and dan- 
 ^ ^ ger as lieth upon you, to both a more narrow search and careful 
 reformation of your ways in his sight, lest he calling to remem- 
 brance our sins forgotten by us, or unrepented of, take advantage 
 against us, and in judgment leave us for the same to be swallowed 
 up in one danger or other : whereas, on the contrary, sin being 
 taken away by earnest repentance, and the pardon thereof from 
 the Lord sealed up to a man's conscience by his spirit, great shall 
 be his security and peace in all dangers, sweet his comforts in all 
 distresses, with happy deliverance from all evil, whether in life 
 or death. Now next after this heavenly peace with God and our 
 own consciences, we are carefully to provide for peace with all 
 
 i 
 
 * 
 
 *% 
 
 *.*-
 
 
 7 
 
 > 
 
 men, what In us Heth, especially with our associates ; and for 
 that watchfulness must be had, that \ve neither at all in ourselves 
 do give, no, nor easily take offence being given by others. Wo 
 be to the world for offences, for although it be necessary, consi- 
 dering the malice of Satan and man's corruption, that offences 
 come, yet wo unto the man, or woman either, by whom the of- 
 fence cometh, saith Christ, Matt, xviii. 7, and if offences in the 
 unreasonable use of things, in themselves indifferent, be more to 
 be feared than death itself, as the apostle teacheth, 1 Cor. ix. 15, 
 how much more in things simply evil, in which neither the 
 honour of God, nor love of man is thought worthy to be regarded ? 
 Neither yet is it sufficient that we keep ourselves by the grace of 
 God from giving offence, except withal we be armed against the 
 taking of them when they are given by others. For how imper- 
 fect and lame is the work of grace in that person, who wants 
 charity to cover a multitude of offences 1 as the scripture sneaks. 
 Neither are you to be exhorted to this grace, only upon the com- 
 mon grounds of Christianity, which are, that persons ready to 
 take offence, either want charity to cover offence, or wisdom duly 
 to weigh human frailty; or lastly, are gross though close hypo- 
 crites, as Christ our Lord teacheth, Matt. vii. 1. 2, 3, as indeed, 
 in my own experience, few or none have been found which sooner 
 give offence, than such as easily take it ; neither have they ever 
 proved sound and profitable members in societies, who have nou- 
 rished this touchy humour. But besides these, there are divers 
 motives provoking you above others to great care and conscience 
 this way ; as first, you are many of you strangers as to the per- 
 sons, so to the infirmities one of another, and so stand in need of 
 more watchfulness this way, lest when such things fall out iti 
 men and women as you suspected not, you be inordinately af- 
 fected with them, which doth require at your hands much wis- 
 dom and charity for the covering and preventing of incident of- 
 fences that way. And lastly, your intended course of civil com- 
 munity will minister continual occasion of offence, and will be 
 as fuel for that fire, except you diligently quench it with brotherly 
 forbearance; and if taking offence causelessly or easily at man's 
 doings, be so carefully to be avoided ; how much more heed is 
 to be taken that we take not offence at God himself? Which 
 yet we certainly do, so oft as we do murmur at his providence 
 in our crosses, or bear impatiently such afflictions as wherewith 
 he pleaseth to visit us. Store up therefore patience against the 
 ovil day, without which, we take offence at the Lord himself in 
 his holy and just works. A further thing there is carefully to be 
 ^provided for, viz: that with your common employments, you 
 join common affections truly bent upon the general good, avoid- 
 ing, as a deadly plague of your both common and special com- 
 forts, all retiredness of mind for proper advantage, and all singu- 
 

 
 UCSB LIBRARY 
 
 I . - . 
 
 larly affected any manner of way ; let every man repress in him- 
 self, and the whole body in each person, as so many rebels 
 against the common good, all private respects of men's selves, 
 not sorting with the general convenience. And as men are care- 
 ful not to have a new house shaken with any violence, before it 
 be well settled, and the parts firmly knit ; so be you, I beseech 
 you, much more careful that the house of God, (which you are, 
 and are to be,) be not shaken with unnecessary novelties, or other 
 oppositions at the first settling thereof. 
 
 Lastly, whereas you are to become a body politick, using 
 amongst yourselves civil government, and are not furnished with 
 special eminency above the rest, to be chosen by you into office 
 of government; let your wisdom and godliness appear not only 
 in choosing such persons as do entirely love, and will promote the 
 common good ; but also, in yielding unto them all due honour 
 and obedience in their lawful administration, not beholding in 
 them the ordinariness of their persons, but God's ordinance 
 for your good; not being like the foolish multitude who 
 more honour the gay coat, than either the virtuous mind of man, 
 or the glorious ordinance of God. But you know better things, 
 and that the image of the Lord's power and authority, which the 
 magistrate beareth, is honourable, in how mean persons soever; 
 and this duty you both may the more willingly, and ought the 
 more conscionably to perform, because you are (at least for the 
 present) to have them for your ordinary governours, which your- 
 selves shall make choice of for that work. 
 
 Sundry other things of importance I could put you in mind of, 
 and of those before mentioned in more words ; but I will not so 
 far wrong your godly minds, as to think you heedless of these 
 things, there being also divers amongst you well able to admo- 
 nish both themselves and others of what concerneth them. These 
 few things therefore, and the same in few words, I do earnestly 
 commend to your care and conscience, joining therewith my daily 
 incessant prayers. unto the Lord, that he who hath made the hea- 
 vens and the earth and the sea, and all rivers of waters, and whose 
 providence is over all his works, especially over all his dear chil- 
 dren for good, would so guide and guard you in your ways, as 
 inwardly by his spirit, so outwardly by the hand of his power, 
 as that you, and we also, for and with you may have after matter 
 of praising his name all the days of your and our lives. Fare 
 you well in Him in whom you trust, and in whom I rest. 
 
 An unfeigned well wisher to your happy success in this hope- 
 ful voyage. 
 
 JOHN ROBINSON.