was one chosen in England to be joyned with them, to make the provisions for the Voyage.  His name was Master Martin.  He came from Billerike in Essexe; from which parts came sundry others to go with them; as also from London and other places, and therefore it was thought meet and convenient by them in Holand, that these strangers that were to goe with them, should appointe one thus to be joyned with them; not so much from any great need of their help as to avoid all susspition, or jealosie, of any partialitie.”  But neither Weston, Martin, Carver, nor Cushman seems to have been directly concerned in the purchase of the Speedwell.  The most probable conjecture concerning it is, that in furtherance of the purpose of the Leyden leaders, stated by Bradford, that there should be a small vessel for their service in fishing, traffic, etc., wherever they might plant the colony, they were permitted by the Adventurers to purchase the Speedwell for that service, and as a consort, “on general account.”

It is evident, however, from John Robinson’s letter of June 14, 1620, to John Carver, that Weston ridiculed the transaction, probably on selfish grounds, but, as events proved, not without some justification.

Robinson says:  “Master Weston makes himself merry with our endeavors about buying a ship,” [the Speedwell] “but we have done nothing in this but with good reason, as I am persuaded.”  Although bought with funds raised in Holland,

[Arber (The Story of the Pilgrim Fathers, p. 341) arrives at the conclusion that “The Speedwell had been bought with Leyden money.  The proceeds of her sale, after her return to London, would, of course, go to the credit of the common joint-Stock there.”  This inference seems warranted by Robinson’s letter of June 16/26 to Carver, in which he clearly indicates that the Leyden brethren collected the “Adventurers” subscriptions of Pickering and his partner (Greene), which were evidently considerable.]

it was evidently upon “joint-account,” and she was doubtless so sold, as alleged, on her arrival in September, at London, having proved unseaworthy.  In fact, the only view of this transaction that harmonizes with the known facts and the respective rights and relations of the parties is, that permission was obtained (perhaps through Edward Pickering, one of the Adventurers, a merchant of Leyden, and others) that the Leyden leaders should buy and refit the consort, and in so doing might expend the funds which certain of the Leyden Pilgrims were to pay into the enterprise, which it appears they did,—­and for which they would receive, as shown, extra shares in the Planters’ half-interest.  It was very possibly further permitted by the Adventurers, that Mr. Pickering’s and his partners’ subscriptions to their capital stock should be applied to the purchase of the Speedwell, as they were collected by the Leyden leaders, as Pastor Robinson’s letter of June 14/24 to John Carver, previously noted, clearly shows.