Brown-Crocker

hat manner of men were these who started civilization on the Cape? They were, first of all, men to whom Democracy, as a theory of government or as a way of life, was unheard of. No royal parent ever scanned the eligibility of the suitors for the hand of his daughter with greater care than the Plymouth Government scanned the applicants for admission to its towns. Before any man might own land or build a house in these new settlements, he must pass inspection by the General Court or its local representatives. This law was no dead letter in the statute book — it was vigorously and unceremoniously enforced. Every town appointed a couple of substantial citizens to the unpleas- ant duty of ejecting undesirables. If a newcomer, whether through ignorance, arrogance, or mere thoughtlessness, failed to consult these officials and began to build his house unsanc- tioned, he was promptly 'warned out of the town,' regardless of his desirability, and was obliged to leave his house unfinished until he should have complied with the law.1 Such was the fate of Richard Child, of Yarmouth — a worthy character who subsequently was admitted and allowed 'to enjoy his cottage.' In 1639, the committee on personnel took exception to 'Old Worden (dead), Burnell, Wright, and Wat Deville.' Two early guardians of Barnstable's exclusiveness — William Crocker and Thomas Huckins — found themselves called upon to perform the same ruthless duty. If the town official proved too tolerant in judging applicants for admission, the watchful eye of Ply- mouth detected the weakness and promptly let the town know of its displeasure. In 1639, some recruits slipped by the local authorities in Sandwich and established themselves as land- owners inthe town. Instantly Sandwich was complained of for having admitted men who were 'unfit for church society.' The Colonial Court was entirely arbitrary in making decisions of this sort. Every man must have the 'leave and liking' of the Governor and his assistants, or out he went.