"The experience that was had in ... the taking away of private property, and the possession of it in community, by a commonwealth ... was found to breed much confusion and discontent; and retard much employment which would have been to the general benefit.... For the young men that were most able and fit for labor and service objected that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children, without any recompense.... The strong man or the resourceful man had no more share of food, clothes, etc., than the weak man who was not able to do a quarter the other could; this was thought injustice. The aged and graver men, who were ranked and equalized in labor, food, clothes, etc., with the meaner and younger ones, thought it some indignity and disrespect to them." | by: | William Bradford
(c.1590-1657) American colonist, helped found the Plymouth Colony, signatory to the Mayflower Compact, served as Plymouth Colony Governor |
Date: | 1623 |
Source: | Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, 1606-1646.
http://mith.umd.edu/eada/html/display.php?docs=bradford_history.xml |
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