The Mayflower and Her Log; July 15, 1620-May 6, 1621 — Volume 2

This is is history book. The ship MAY-FLOWER was evidently chartered about the middle of June, 1620 at London, by Masters Thomas West Robert Cushman acting together in behalf of the Merchant Adventurers (chiefly of London) and the English congregation of 'Separatists' (the 'Pilgrims'), at Leyden in Holland who, with certain of England associated, proposed to colony in America. Professor Arber, when he says, in speaking of Cushman and Weston, 'the hiring of the MAY-FLOWER, when they did do it, was their act alone, and the Leyden church nothing to do with it, ' seems to forget that Cushman and his associate Carver had no other function or authority in their conjunction with Weston and Martin, except to represent the Leyden congregation. Furthermore, it was the avowed wish of Robinson (see his letter dated June 14, 1620, to John Carver), that Weston 'may [should] presently succeed in hiring' [a ship], which was equivalent to hoping that Carver and Cushman--Weston's associates representing Leyden--would aid in so doing. Moreover, Bradford expressly states that: 'Articles of Agreement, drawn by themselves were, by their [the Leyden congregation's] said messenger [Carver] sent into England, who together with Robert Cushman were to receive moneys and make provisions, both for shipping.