243 



the numbers of the native Indians who bad heretofore roamed 

 througb our fields and forests, as to render the planter's new 

 home here measurably safe and secure. 



Toil, danger, disease and other exposures, were to be endured : 

 but the courage, spirit and enthusiasm of the adventurers 

 proved equal to all emergencies. Conant, Palfrey, Balch, 

 Woodbury and Trask were at Cape Ann, before even Endicott 

 was sent over by the London Company. Abandoned by Kev. 

 John Lyford (who had returned to Virginia,) all but Conant 

 were about giving up in despair. But Conant's strong will and 

 determination persuaded and detained his desponding companions. 

 Counselled by Rev. John White to hold out for aid and supplies, 

 they bravely awaited the next tidings from England : and the 

 opportune arrival of Endicott infused into them new life and 

 hope ; with and under him a local government was framed 

 which answered every purpose, until Winthrop came along 

 with the original charter. 



Then was planted that political seed, the growth of which 

 from blossom to bud and from bud to fruit, all may now trace 

 historically in the recently published Records of Massachusetts. 

 By whose hand that seed was selected and whose agency at 

 London was paramount in wrapping it up in the folds of that 

 Parchment, (the charter of King Charles 1st) is the particular 

 subject which I incline to discuss for a while and to which I 

 invite your attention. 



The original patent was granted to Sir Henry Roswell and 

 others — three of whom sold out — and, through the influence of 

 Rev. J. White, a company was formed and a government was 

 organized (consisting of a Governor, Deputy Governor and 18 

 assistants) — ^and Mathew Cradock, a London Merchant, of vast 

 resources, great business capacity, and ardent and enthusiastic 

 in the pursuit of any enterprise undertaken by him, was the 

 first selected chief and Governor of the Company at London. 

 He it was, who selected John Endicott (his cousin by inter- 

 marriage) as the trusted agent and Governor of the Colony to 

 reside in New England, 



