Franklin Library leather edition of William Bradford's "Of Plymouth Plantation 1620--1647," a Limited edition, Edited and Introduced by Samuel Eliot Morison, Calligraphy by Jeanne Greco, one of the 100 GREATEST MASTERPIECES OF AMERICAN LITERATURE series, published in 1983. Bound in burgundy leather, the book has matching moire silk end leaves, acid-free paper, Symth-sewn binding, a satin book marker, gold gilding on three edges---in near FINE condition. William Bradford, who lived from 1590---1657, was born in England. Bradford was twenty-seven years old when he departed with his wife, Dorothy May, on the MAYFLOWER.  He took part in the boat expedition that explored CAPE COD, including the one that scudded into Plymouth Bay before a snowstorm and landed in November 1620. Dorothy May is believed to have committed suicide after gazing for six weeks at the barren sand dunes of Cape Cod. A devout Christian "who read widely and thought deeply," Bradford often quoted the Old Testament.  Bradford's story is the only surviving account of the Plymouth settlers of the MAYFLOWER voyage.  John Carver was the designated governor of the group, but when he died the following year, BRADFORD was elected Governor. From 1621 to his death, Bradford was the principal leader of the PILGRIM FATHERS.  Other leaders included WILLIAM BREWSTER, who had had a university education, and was elder of the church; EDWARD WINSLOW, did the Pilgrims' diplomatic business; MYLES STANDISH provided the power to their politics, but Bradford was the man who made the major decisions.   The group might not have survived if two English-speaking Indians had not assisted. One of the Indians, SQUANTO, had been captured once and taken to England and he advised the group to take game and gather provisions, to use fish in planting and to organize their agricultural activities.  In the nearby territory of the Massachusetts Indians, an Englishman, THOMAS MORTON, had set up a trading post.  Morton was clever and well educated.  He traded liquor and arms to the Indians.  But more outrageous, to Bradford, was the MAYPOLE he erected.  Going "maying" meant the pursuit of wanton sexual activities in the woods.  Morton attached a lascivious verse to the Maypole, reading: "Lasses in beaver coats, come away, Ye shall be welcome to us night and day."  Governor Bradford and MILES STANDISH cut down the Maypole.  Bradford was a moderate and gentle man; he ruled firmly but with much understanding.  He generally opposed capital punishment, but he did order the first execution of an Englishman for murdering an Indian.  In 1629, Bradford obtained a patent from the NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL, conferring title to the land on which the colony was built.  Bradford believed that each responsible member of the community must exert what force he could to raise the life of the group to the highest spiritual level. Communal Bible reading was a frequent activity.  427 pages, including Thirteen (13) Appendix, a List of the Passengers on the MAYFLOWER, and an Index.  I offer Combined shipping.