in 1630 is assured, while all authorities agree without cavil that the may-Flower of Winthrop’s fleet in that year (1630) and the may-Flower of the Pilgrims were the same.  In the second “General Letter of Instructions” from the Massachusetts Company in England—­dated London, May 28, 1629—­to Governor Endicott and his Council, a duplicate of which is preserved in the First Book of the Suffolk Registry of Deeds at Boston, the historic vessel is described as “The may-Flower, of Yarmouth —­William Pierse, Master,” and Higginson, in his “Journal of a Voyage to New England,” says, “The fifth ship is called the may-Flower carrying passengers and provisions.”  Yarmouth was hence undoubtedly the place of register, and the hailing port of the may-Flower,—­she was very likely built there,—­and this would remain the same, except by legal change of register, wherever she was owned, or from what ever port she might sail.  Weston and Cushman, according to Bradford, found and hired her at London, and her probable owner, Thomas Goffe, Esq., was a merchant of that city.  Dr. Young remarks:  “The Mayflower Of Higginson’s fleet is the renowned vessel that brought the Pilgrim Fathers to Plymouth in 1620.”  Hon. James Savage says “The Mayflower had been a name of renown without forming part of this fleet [Winthrop’s, 1630], because in her came the devoted planters of Plimouth [1620] and she had also brought in the year preceding [1629] some of Higginson’s company to Salem.”  Goodwin’ says:  “In 1629 she [the Pilgrim may-Flower] came to Salem with a company of the Leyden people for Plymouth, and in 1630 was one of the large fleet that attended John Winthrop, discharging her passengers at Charlestown.”  Dr. Young remarks in a footnote:  “Thirty-five of the Leyden congregation with their families came over to Plymouth via Salem, in the may-Flower and Talbot.”

In view of such positive statements as these, from such eminent authorities and others, and of the collateral facts as to the probable ownership of the may-Flower in 1630, and on her earlier voyages herein presented, the doubt expressed by the Rev. Mr. Blaxland in his “Mayflower Essays,” whether the ship bearing her name was the same, on these three several voyages, certainly does not seem justified.

Captain William Pierce, who commanded the may-Flower in 1629, when she brought over part of the Leyden company, was the very early and intimate friend of the Pilgrims—­having brought over the Anne with Leyden passengers in 1623—­and sailed exclusively in the employ of the Merchant Adventurers, or some of their number, for many years, which is of itself suggestive.