Towards the end of the period the exiles began to think of a second emigration, and this time it was not persecution that suggested the thought.

In expectation of the renewal of hostilities with Spain, the streets of Leyden sounded with the beating of drums and preparations of war.

Although Holland afforded them religious freedom, they won their subsistence at the price of unremitting toil, which might be made even harder by renewal of hostilities.

A more sentimental reason was found in the desire to perpetuate their existence as a religious body of Englishmen.
By the summer of 1617 the majority of the Scrooby congregation had fully decided to emigrate, and it only remained to determine the new place of residence.

Some talked of Guiana, others of New York, but the majority inclined to Virginia; and the conclusion was to emigrate as a distinct body to a place under the London Company, but not so near Jamestown as to be troubled by the Episcopalian planters there.
With this design they sent two of their number, John Carver and Robert Cushman, to London, and Sir Edwin Sandys tried to obtain for them a patent recognizing their religious rights.