THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 17 



in the raging epidemic of 8hip-fever, which scourged us^ 

 during the tirst desolate winter of our plantation. Saya 

 Nathaniel Morton, in his Brief Relation or Xew England's 

 Memorial : " This year sundry ships came out of England, 

 and arrived at yeumskak, (now called Salem"), where 

 Mr. John Endecot had chief command, and by infection 

 that grew amongst the Passengers at Sea, it spread alsa 

 among them on shore, of which many died, some of the 

 Scurvey, and others of infectious Feavers. Mr. Endecot^ 

 understanding that there was one at Plimouth that had 

 skill in such Diseases, sent thither for him ; at whose 

 request he was sent unto them. And afterwards, ac- 

 (luaintance and Christian Love and Correspondency came 

 on betwixt the Governour, and the said Mr. Endecot; 

 which was furthered by Congratulatory Letters that 

 passed betwixt each other ; one whereof, because it shews 

 the beginning of their Christian Fellowship, I shall here 

 insert." 



Now it is not my purpose to tax your patience with 

 long-drawn recitals. This is the Pilgrims' day and theirs 

 is the honor and glory of it. They deserve it all. No- 

 body — certainly no Massachusetts Bay Puritan, — would 

 withhold a tittle of the praise they are enjoying. But 

 may it not be, in the exuberance of joy, that the merits 

 of old Governor Endecott and his little band of rigid 

 old Puritans may have been permitted, for the moment, 

 to pass a little into the shade ? Let us read this letter, 

 if you will bear with me for a moment, slowly and 

 lovinoflv tosether. It is not lonir. It is Governor 

 Endecott's letter to Governor Bradford in recognition of 

 the great kindness described by Morton in the passage I 

 have read. It will do us good to hear it. It will be 

 worth the time if it do no more than call to mind the 

 lofty strain of courtesy, — the stately, otiicial dignity 



K6SEX INST. BlI-I-ETIN, VOL. XX VIII 2 



