Spencer's+Paper

Of the Landing of the Mayflower XVII  Upon arrival at the safe harbor, those aboard the ship rejoiced, for they had long awaited this day. The captain sent a small ship to secure the beach, for he knew not what dangers would await them, and thus decided to clear the beach of any threats. Determining the area safe, he signaled for the passengers to leave the ship and come ashore, who, upon reaching land, knelt down and immediately thanked God for delivering them safely to their new home. The men spent the rest of the day removing provisions from the ship, of which the following were still of use and in good condition:

//Foodstuffs, of which enough was available to provide several month’s sustenance for the whole company of these good people //:
 * Fine wheat flour, packed to keep from spoilage by moisture and pests,
 * Rice,
 * Currants,
 * Sugar,
 * Prunes,
 * Cinnamon,
 * Ginger,
 * Pepper,
 * Cloves
 * Green Ginger,
 * Oil,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Butter,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Holland Cheese, or "old cheese",
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Wine Vinegar,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Canarie Sack,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Aqua Vitae,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Fine Wines,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Pure water,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Lemon Juice,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">White Biscuit,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Oatmeal,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Bacon,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Beef, packed in vinegar,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Legs of Mutton, packed with butter in earthen pots.

//<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Tools, of various designs for use in the construction of permanent dwellings and buildings, and for raising crops, and for repairing those tools, of which enough were in sufficient supply to keep these good people from want of new tools //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">:
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">hoes,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> rakes,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">mallets,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">nails,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">shovels,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">adzes,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">saws of various design,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">woodaxes,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">planers,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">grinding wheels,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">knives.

//<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Armor and weapons, and supplies for the latter, for hunting game, or for protection against wild beasts or hostile forces or savages: //
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">seven fowling pieces,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">ten muskets,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">five bags of flints,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">eight barrels of lead, to make ammunition and shot,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">four barrels of gundpowder,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">steel chestplates and helmets,
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">one cannon of medium caliber.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> With these supplies unloaded, the men proceeded to establish camp on a point of land. All of the passengers were glad to remain on shore, for many were easily sickened by the rolling waves, and would rather leave than spend the night on the ship. A watch was established about the perimeter of the camp, so that any dangers would be visible to the watchmen, and appropriately dealt with. Thus the night passed without incident, although reports were made of strange noises heard by several members of the watch.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;">XVIII <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The next morning, all members of the company of immigrants arose and gathered for a prayer by the preacher, and thanked the good Lord for delivering them to this place without injury to themselves. The captain then proceeded to lay out plots for the immigrants, and ordered a central storehouse be built to preserve and keep safe the valuable supplies and resources that they had brought ashore, so that it might not be spoilt by the water or the sun. Immediately the men began to fell trees for this structure; it was to be twenty feet by twenty feet, with a wooden frame and walls of wattle and daub and a thatch roof. However, construction of this building was stopped, for a large storm was approaching, and all members of this company had to retreat to the boat, to the dismay of most. The food and supplies were covered with several lengths of canvas sheets to stay dry. Thus the next several days passed, with many of the passengers once again falling ill, due to the cold and wet weather, and the unpleasant conditions of the boat. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Several days later, the storm stopped, and all rejoiced and thanked the Lord once more. They thus returned to land and proceeded to complete the frame of the structure in the next four days. However, to their dismay, a storm once again halted the construction, and all were forced to return to the ship. After the storm had passed, all returned to the shore and proceeded to help in the construction of the common house; however the cold was dangerously chilling, and many fell sick. Those who could work labored on, and in two weeks time the common house was finally finished. All who could fit inside managed to; the cramped conditions thus being displeasing, the men decided to each build their own house. For the next few months, the pattern of harsh storms and calm continued, yet all the able-bodied continued working on until Spring came, when they finally finished their endeavors and completed their homes. All was good in this place, and all would continue to be so for a great many years in this town called Plymouth.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Sources: [] [] [|http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mosmd/index.htm#part2]