Today's NEHGS eNews includes the following lovely passage written on July 4, 1632 by New England Puritan leader John Winthrop. (The website version the eNews link will take you to is currently a few issues behind, but will eventually catch up to the one to which I refer, which is Vol. 10, No. 19).
Say what you want about the difficulties of family separation, and the desirability of reunion, and I will agree with you. But I marvel at the arrogance, duplicity, bullying, and blackmail from a leader who was loved and respected by so many. (Actually, it reminds me of a modern-day religous leader some of us know. Let the reader understand. Perhaps more strong, innovative leaders than we'd like to believe are a curious admixture of high intelligence, charismatic personality, stubborn will, and arrogant self-righteousness.)I have much difficulty to keep John Galloppe here by reason his wife will not come [to the New England colony]. I marvel at the woman’s weakness that she will live miserably with her children there, when she might live comfortably here with her husband. I pray persuade and further her coming by all means: if she will come let her have the remainder of his wages, if not, let it be bestowed to bring over his children, for so he desires: it would be above £40 loss for him to come for her.
The reader doesn't understand, and he's too tired to think about it. ;-)
Don't try. It's an inside -- not joke, but story. Janet can explain if you really want to know. It's about how heroes are still human, and how the character traits that make for a strong leader often have an unpleasant flip side. That side doesn't make them villains, but it does serve as an antidote to idol worship.
