On the contrary, having formally rejected their petition, they thereby secured themselves against all suspicion of dealing unfairly by those who afterwards landed at Cape Cod.

It is to be hoped, therefore, that even for the credit of the Pilgrims, the idle tale will not be repeated." There were many indications that a conflict would ere long arise between the Dutch and the English.

The English repudiated entirely the Dutch claim to any right of possession on the Atlantic coast.

They maintained their right to the whole American coast, from the Spanish possessions in Florida, to the French posts in Canada.

The English government founded its claim upon the ground of first discovery, occupation and possession.