THE BAY COLONY 23

self and his son Robert, the section around and
immediately north of Massachusetts Bay. An
expedition was at once launched. In September,
1623, Robert Gorges with six gentlemen and a
well-equipped and well-organized body of settlers
reached Plymouth, — the forerunners, it was hoped,
of a large number to come. This company of set-
tlers was composed of families, the heads of which
were mechanics and farmers, and with them were
two clergymen, Morrell and Blackstone, the whole
constituting the greatest enterprise set on foot
in America by the Council. Robert Gorges, bear-
ing a commission constituting him Governor-Gen-
eral over all New England, made his settlement
at Weston's old place at Wessagusset. Here
he built houses and stored his goods and began
the founding of Weymouth, the second permanent
habitation in New England and the first on
Massachusetts Bay. Unfortunately, famine, that
arch-enemy of all the early settlers, fell upon his
company, his father's resources in England proved
inadequate, and he and others were obliged to
return. Of those that remained a few stayed at
Wessagusset; one of the clergymen,William Black-
stone, with his wife went to Shawmut (Boston);
Samuel Maverick and his wife, to Winnissimmet