Hello and welcome to a history of the United States. Episode 25, Winslow, MD.

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couldn't do this show without you. As Plymouth Colony entered 1623, things were not looking bright.

They had been abandoned by their principal backer, Western, who was now funding the

rival colony of Wessegusset. The creation of this rival had led to a weakening of their

negotiating position and to increased hostility with the Indian tribes.

They were also struggling to get together a food supply and were paranoid about a possible invasion by the French.

They made their way through the winter, struggling and collecting the corn that Bradford had been able to purchase towards the end of the previous year.

It was difficult, since Standish, who recovered from the illness he caused in our last episode, was met with numerous attempts on his life.

As they entered spring, word came that a Dutch ship was in the region, and the pilgrims were very excited about this.

The Dutch and the English were on very friendly terms.

The ship happened to be stranded with Massasote,

which represented the perfect opportunity for the English to visit.

They had, after all, been on rocky ground with Massasoit ever since the pilgrims refused to hand over Squanto, but he was now dead.

It was an Indian tradition to visit a person of power when they were ill,

so the pilgrims decided to try and repair the relationship between themselves and Massasoit

and to make contact with the Dutch at the same time, killing two birds with one stone.

Winslow would head the expedition since he had visited Massachusetts before, and he was familiar

with the Dutch language.

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