Naunton (Principal Secretary of State to
     King James) for Sir Edward Sandys and the Leyden brethren (though
     officially seemingly active under his masters’ orders in pushing Sir
     Dudley Carleton, the English ambassador at the Hague, to an
     unrelenting search for Brewster) may have been of material aid to
     the Pilgrims in gaining their departure unmolested.  The only basis
     known for the positive expression of Goodwin resides in the
     suggestions of several letters’ of Sir Dudley Carleton to Sir Robert
     Naunton, during the quest for Brewster; the later seeming clearly to
     nullify the earlier.

Under date of July 22, 1619, Carleton says:  “One William Brewster, a Brownist, who has been for some years an inhabitant and printer at Leyden, but is now within these three weeks removed from thence and gone back to dwell in London,” etc.

On August 16, 1619 (N.S.), he writes:  “I am told William Brewster is come again for Leyden,” but on the 30th adds:  “I have made good enquiry after William Brewster and am well assured he is not returned thither, neither is it likely he will; having removed from thence both his family and goods,” etc.

On September 7, 1619 (N.S.), he writes:  “Touching Brewster, I am now informed that he is on this side the seas [not in London, as before alleged]; and that he was seen yesterday, at Leyden, but, as yet, is not there settled,” etc.

On September 13, 1619 (N.S.), he says:  “I have used all diligence to enquire after Brewster; and find he keeps most at Amsterdam; but being ‘incerti laris’, he is not yet to be lighted upon.  I understand he prepares to settle himself at a village called Leerdorp, not far from Leyden, thinking there to be able to print prohibited books without discovery, but I shall lay wait for him, both there and in other places, so as I doubt but either he must leave this country; or I shall, sooner or later, find him out.”

On September 20, 1619 (N.S.), he says:  “I have at length found out Brewster at Leyden,” etc.  It was a mistake, and Brewster’s partner (Thomas Brewer), one of the Merchant Adventurers, was arrested instead.

     On September 28, 1619 (N.S.), he states, writing from Amsterdam: 
     “If he lurk here for fear of apprehension, it will be hard to find
     him,” etc.

As late as February 8, 1619/20, there was still a desire and hope for his arrest, but by June the matter had become to the King—­and all others—­something of an old story.  While, as appears by a letter of Robert Cushman, written in London, in May, 1619, Brewster was then undoubtedly there, one cannot agree, in the light of the official correspondence just quoted, with the conclusion of Dr. Alexander Young ("Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers,” vol. i. p. 462),