Whereas in our last meeting and conference the other day, observing your sufficient reasons answering all objections, and your constant resolution to go on in our Plantation, they gave me so good content and satisfaction, that I am driven against my selfe, to confesse mine own error in standing out so long, whereby many of you (my friends) were engaged in the businesse before mee, at whose often instigations I was but little moved, and lightly estéemed of it till being in place, where observing the wise and prudent speech, of a worthy Gentleman, (well knowne to you all) a most painful mannager of such publike affayres within this Cittie, which moved so effectually, touching the publike utilitie of this noble enterprise, that withholding no longer, I yéelded my money and endeavours as others did to advance the same, and now upon more advised consideration, I must needes say I never accompted my poore meanes employed to better purpose, then (by Gods helpe) the successe of this may bee. . . .

So I wish and intreat all well affected subjects, some in their persons, others in their purses, cheerfully to adventure, and joyntly take in hand this high and acceptable worke, tending to advance and spread the kingdom of God, and the knowledge of the truth, among so many millions of men and women, Savage and blind, that never yet saw the true light shine before their eyes, to enlighten their minds and comfort their soules, as also for the honor of our King, and enlarging of his kingdome, and for preservation and defence of that small number our friends and countrimen already planted, least for want of more supplies we become a scorne to the world subjecting our former adventurers to apparent spoile and hazard, and our people (as a prey) to be sackt and puld out of possession. . . .

And now in discribing the naturall seate and disposition of the countrie it selfe: if I should say no more but with Caleb and Joshua, The land which we have searched out is a very good land, if the Lord love us, he will bring our people to it, and will give it us for a possession. . . .

The country it selfe is large and great assuredly, though as yet, no exact discovery can bee made of all. It is also commendable and hopefull every way, the ayre and clymate most sweete and wholsome, much warmer then England, and very agreeable to our Natures: It is inhabited with wild and savage people, that live and lie up and downe in troupes like heards of Deare in a Forrest: they have no law but nature, their apparell skinnes of beasts, but most goe naked: the better sort have houses, but poore ones, they have no Arts nor Science, yet they live under superior command such as it is, they are generally very loving and gentle, and doe entertaine and relieve our people with great kindnesse: they are easy to be brought to good, and would fayne embrace a better condition. . . .

And as for supplanting the savages, we have no such intent: Our intrusion into their possessions shall tend to their great good, and no way to their hurt, unlesse as unbridled beastes, they procure it to themselves: Wee purpose to proclaime and make it knowne to them all, by some publike interpretation that our comming thither is to plant our selves in their countrie: yet not to supplant and roote them out, but to bring them from their base condition to a farre better: First, in regard of God the Creator, and of Jesus Christ their Redeemer, if they will beleeve in him. And secondly, in respect of earthly blessings, whereof they have now no comfortable use, but in beastly brutish manner, with promise to defend them against all publike and private enemies. . . .

And now to our present businesse in hand, which so many stumble at, in regard of the continuall charge, I would have them know, that it cannot be great nor long, as the businesse may be handled. Two things are especially required herein, people to make the plantation, and money to furnish our present provisions and shipping now in hand: For the first wee neede not doubt, our land abounding with swarmes of idle persons, which having no meanes of labour to reléeve their misery, doe likewise swarme in lewd and naughtie practises, so that if we seeke not some waies for their forreine employment, wee must provide shortly more prisons and corrections for their bad conditions, for it fares with populous common weales, as with plants and trees that bee too frolicke, which not able to sustaine and feede their multitude of branches, doe admit an engrafting of their buds and sciences into some other soile, accounting it a benefite for preservation of their kind, and a disburdening their stocke of those superfluous twigs that suck away their nourishment. . . .

And as for the generall sort that shall goe to bee planters, bee they never so poore, so they be honest, and painefull, the place will make them rich: all kinde of Artificers wee must first imploy, are Carpenters, Ship-wrights, Masons, Sawyers, Brickemakers, Bricklayers, Plowmen, Sowers, Planters, Fishermen, Coopers, Smiths, Mettel-men, Taylers, Turners, and such like, to make and fitte all necessaries, for comfort and use of the Colony, and for such as are of no trades (if they bee industrious) they shall have there imployment enough, for there is a world of means to set many thousands a worke, partly in such things as I mentioned before, and many other profitable workes, for no man must live idle there. . . .

And consider well that great worke of freeing the poore Indians from the devourer, a compassion that every good man (but passing by) would shew unto a beast: their children when they come to be saved, will blesse the day when first their fathers saw your faces.