A simple Cobbler’s View of Immigration

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A Simple Cobbler’s View of Immigration 
29 January 1647 
 
Nathaniel Ward (1578–1653) studied law at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, but eventually 
entered the ministry as a puritan. When in 1631 he refused to follow the prescribed liturgy of the 
Church of England in his church near London, Bishop William Laud removed him from the 
ministry. Ward sailed to Massachusetts where he settled in the town of Agawam, which was 
renamed Ipswich in 1634. He later served on the committee that produced the Body of Liberties 
in 1641. In the following years, he moved to Boston where he wrote 
The Simple Cobler of 
Aggawam
, a satire in which he presented himself as a frontier shoemaker delivering his opinions 
on the burning issues of the day. He argued for religious intolerance, as he believed that 
tolerance would confuse and corrupt the nation; and he also favored a return of the king to the 
throne and compromise between the Presbyterians and Congregationalists. On the question of 
immigration to New England, he saw no reason why dissidents should be allowed into the colony 
to cause unnecessary disturbances. His book, published in London on 29 January 1647, was 
immediately popular and went through three editions in its first year. For the excerpt below see 
Nathaniel Ward, 
The Simple Cobler of Aggawam in America
, P.M. Sall, ed. (Lincoln: 
University Nebraska), 6–9. 
 
The Simple Cobler of Aggawam in America 
The next perplexed Question, with pious and ponderous men, will be: What should bee done for 
the healing of these comfortlesse exulcerations [ulcerations]. I am the unablest adviser of a 
thousand, the unworthiest of ten thousand; yet I hope I may presume to assert what follows 
without just offence. 

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First, such as have given or taken any unfriendly reports of us 
New-English
,
 
should doe well to 
recollect themselves. Wee have beene reputed a Colluvies [jumble] of wild Opinionists, swarmed 
into a remote wildernes to find elbow-roome for our phanatick [fanatic] Doctrines and practises: 
I trust our diligence past, and constant sedulity [perseverance] against such persons and courses, 
will plead better things for us. I dare take upon me, to bee the Herauld of 
New-England 
so farre, 
as to proclaime to the world, in the name of our Colony, that all Familists, Antinomians, 
Anabaptists, and other Enthusiasts shall have free Liberty to keepe away from us, and such as 
will come to be gone as fast as they can, the sooner the better. 
Secondly, I dare averre, that God doth no where in his word tolerate Christian States, to give 
Tolerations to such adversaries of his Truth, if they have power in their hands to suppresse them. 
Here is lately brought us an Extract of a 
Magna Charta, 
so called, compiled between the Sub-
planters of a 
West-Indian 
Island [probably Bermuda]; whereof the first Article of constipulation, 
firmly provides free stable-room and litter for all kinde of consciences, be they never so dirty or 
jadish; making it actionable, yea, treasonable, to disturbe any man in his Religion, or to 
discommend it, whatever it be. Wee are very sorry to see such professed prophanenesse in 
English 
Professors, as industriously to lay their Religious foundations on the ruine of true 
Religion; which strictly binds every conscience 
to contend earnestly for the Truth: to preserve 
unity of spirit, Faith and Ordinances, to be all like minded, of one accord; every man to take his