An active friend of colonization schemes, and a man of prudence and industry, was employed by the Plymouth Company after his return from
Newfoundland, in 1618, to bring about, if possible, reconciliation with the Indians of
New England, and to make further explorations.
He sailed from
Plymouth with two vessels (one a small, open pinnace) in February, 1619, touched at Mohegan Island, and then visited the coast.
Dermer was accompanied from
England by Squanto; also by
Samoset, a native of
[
104]
Sagadahock, whom
John Mason, governor of
Newfoundland, had lately sent home, he having been one of
Hunt's captives.
Dermer succeeded, in a degree, and proceeded to explore the coast to
Virginia.
He sent home his ship from Mohegan Island, laden with fish and furs, and, leaving Squanto at
Saco, sailed southward.
Near
Cape Cod he was captured by
Indians, but ransomed himself by a gift of some hatchets.
Passing
Martin's (Martha's)
Vineyard, he navigated
Long Island Sound by the help of an Indian pilot, the first Englishman who had sailed upon these waters, and passed out to sea at
Sandy Hook.
Going through
Hell Gate he lost an anchor in “the dangerous cataract,” and the current was so swift that he did not stop at
Manhattan; but on his return from
Virginia (1620) he touched there and held a conference with some
Dutch traders “on Hudson's River.”
Dermer took occasion to warn the
Dutch that they were on English territory, when they replied that they found no Englishmen there, understood no such thing, and “hoped they had not offended.”
Dermer sent a journal of his proceedings to
Gorges, and thus, no doubt, hastened the procurement of the new charter for the
Plymouth Company (q. v.).
