in the place afterward Thus were they not only preserved in many perils themselves but became instrumental also for the preservation of most of that Garison who with their goods by their means with the help of a small party of Plimouth Forces sent thither after the six were killed as is mentioned before were soon after transported safely to Roud Island Many outrages were that Summer committed upon their Neighbours at Taunton and Namasket yet it pleased God to protect this poor Town of Bridge-water from any other hurt till the beginning of April next when themselves with their Neighbours of Taunton and Rehoboth were strongly solicited to desert their Dwellings and repair down to the Towns by the Sea side but God encouraged them to keep their stations notwithstanding the extream danger then presented It is reported that Philip gave order that Taunton and Bridge-water should not be destroyed till the last which is all the favour to be expected from an enemy but these things are only in the hands of God and not to be determined by man April 9. being Lords day A small party of the Enemy came down upon the said Bridge-water burnt an out-house and barn broke up and rifled several other houses in the same quarter of the Town which are notwithstanding yet remaining they sent out a party of their men to pursue them that night and many dayes after but could not hear of them May 7. the Lords day also no doubt but the betterness of the day will increase the badness of their deed attempted thereon they had intelligence of a great body of Indians dispersed that way with intent to have fallen upon the Town that very day but were casually prevented by a great deal of rain that fell the night before however they were resolved to foreslow no opportunity wherefore on the next day May 8. about three hundred of them one Tisguogen being their chief Leader at 8 or 9 in the morning made an assault upon the east end of the Town on the South side of the River many of the Inhabitants stayed at home that morning because of the intelligence the day before and so were the more ready to entertain them some that not taking that warning vertured into the field about their occasions were in danger of surprizal but by the special favour of God escaped and came time enough to help defend their own and their neighbours dwellings being shot at and hard pursued a considerable way The Indians presently began to fire the town but it pleased God so to spirit and encourage several of the Inhabitants issuing out of their Garison houses that they fell upon them with great resolution and beat them off at the same instant of time the Lord of Hosts also fighting for them from heaven by sending a storm of thunder and rain very seasonably which prevented the burning of the houses which were fired The Souldiers also fighting under the banner of Gods special protection were so successful in repelling the Enemy that they neither had any of the Inhabitants killed or taken and but one wounded The Indians by this stout resistance being beaten off to the skirts of the Town made a fresh onset upon another quarter thereof on the north side of the River where they had done much more mischief but that God stirred up sundry of the people to venture out of their fortified houses who fired upon the enemy and beat them from their dwellings so as in the evening they drew off to an out-house three miles distant from the town the next day the Inhabitants expected another assault but the enemy having burned the house barn where they kept their Rendezvouze over night one house more not far distant they marched all clear away for that time Thus it pleased God so to order his dispensations toward this small Town as a brand plucked out of the fire that they did but just taste of this bitter cup which others drank deeper of yet had they not such mercy as these had mixed therewith under God the courage of the Inhabitants was a great means of their preservation for they fired so stoutly upon the Enemies that they durst not come very near any of the Garisoned Houses saluting them only at a distance God was eminently seen upholding the spirits of all sorts men and women so as no consternation of minde was seen upon any of them during the whole time of the dispute In this assault they lost but thirteen dwelling-houses whereof five only were in the Town the rest being out-houses and deserted for the present with some few Barns and some of their Cattle all which was a very inconsiderable loss in comparison of what befell others and themselves might have endured if God had not by his special favour prevented July 14 15. Another party of Indians came down upon the North-west side of the Town but with no better success for they had no Commission from the Lord of Hosts to touch any of the persons of the Inhabitants their power reaching only to the slaying of their Cattle at this time July 18 19 20. They sent our parties after the Enemy to pursue them by their Track who fell upon some of them On the twentieth they took sixteen whereof two were men on this day they had to assist them it seems some of the Bay Indians sent them from Captain Brattle some of the Captives informed that there were but 70 or 80. in the Company and but ten or twelve men amongst them but within a few dayes these Bridge-water-men shall finde better success in pursuit of their Enemies when Philip himself shall hardly escape their hands as shall be seen afterwards While one party of the Enemy thus acted their part in and about Plimouth Colony towards the Sea-coast other parties of them were not idle in the Massachusets Colony where they assaulted many places doing what mischief they could by firing of Houses and killing several persons in the inland Plantations March 2. They assaulted Groton the next day over night Major Willard with seventy Horse came into the Town forty Foot also came up to their relief from Watertown but the Indians were all fled having first burned all the Houses in the Town save four that were Garisoned the Meeting-house being the second house they fired Soon after Capt. Sill was sent with a small Party of Dragoons of 8 Files to fetch off the Inhabitants of Groton and what was left from the spoyle of the enemy having under his conduct about sixty Carts being in depth from front to reer above two mile when a party of Indians lying in ambush at a place of eminent advantage fired upon the front and mortally wounded two of the vaunt Carriers who dyed both the next night and might had God permitted have done eminent damage to the whole Body it being a full hour before the whole Body could be drawne up which was done with care and Courage but the Indians after a
who is yet alive November 1. 1675. Capt. Henchman marched out of Boston intending to visit the Indians about Hassenemesit the third day they saw some fires of the Indians yet could not meet with them that made them the 4 th day they marched to some part of the Indian Plantations called Hassenemesit the Captain would have taken up his quarters a mile on this side but some of his Officers over-ruled him to whose importunity he gave way and marched a mile further towards the Enemy and by that means saved the Millers youth taken the week before from Malberough for in the morning very early as the Scouts were looking out they spyed a Wigwam where some Indians that had carried away the youth had lodged all night in some Wigwam near by when the Indians saw our Souldiers they hasted away and left the Malberough youth behind them who by that means escaped their hands Our men under Capt. Henchman marched on to Poppachuog and finding the Indians all fled although they perceived by a Messenger accidentally sent back that the Indians followed them all that way they marched they came back to Mendham to settle things in that Town some of the Inhabitants informed them of some Indian Wigwams about ten miles off the Captain with Philip Curtice his Lieutenant resolved to give them a camisado in their Wigwams that night to that end they mounted two and twenty upon Horses riding up ten miles into the Woods and when they came near the Wigwams they dismounted and intended presently to march up and give an assault upon them after they had first made a shout to fright the Enemy they ordered one half to follow the Lieutenant the other to follow the Captain when they came within a quarter of a mile of the place their Dogs began to bark at which they stopd and by and by marching again intended presently to fire in upon them but the Captains foot slipping he could hardly recover himself when suddenly looking behind him he saw no man following of him the Lieutenant had five behind him who with those five resolutely fired on that side he was appointed to make the assault upon but they were repulsed by the Indians who firing out of their dens shot down the Lieutenant and another the rest presently ran away to a fence the Captain with all vehemency urged them to stay they replied they went back but only to charge yet went clear away by which means together with the cowardize of the former so sad a loss befell the Company which could not easily be repâ—…ed however the Enemy presently deserted the Wigwam and gave our men the next day an opportunity to fetch off their two dead men and bury them and so with grief and shame were constrained to return to their quarters at Mendham to whose Inhabitants they gave notice of 200 bushels of Corn belonging to the Indians that might have been preserved which for want of hands was lost by the fire that the Enemy might not be benefited thereby It appears by the foregoing passage that the time of our deliverance was not yet come and that God had further tryals to acquaint us with before he would turn his hand upon our Enemies But it pleased the Lord in mercy so to order things that they themselves fell into that pit they were digging for others as shall appear more fully in what follows The English Plantations about Hadly being for the present set a little at liberty by the Indians drawing off like Seamen after a Storm counted it their best course to repair their tackling against another that may be next coming wherefore the Inhabitants concluded it the safer way to make a kind of Barricado about their Towns by setting up Pallizadoes or cleft wood about eight foot long as it were to break the force of any sudden assault which the Indians might make upon them which counsel proved very successful for although it be an inconsiderable defence against a Warlike Enemy that hath strength enough and confidence to besiege a place yet it is sufficient to prevent any sudden assault of such a timerous and barbarous Enemy as these were for although they did afterwards in the Spring break through those Pallizadoes at North-Hampton yet as soon as ever they began to be repulsed they saw themselves like Wolves in a Pound that they could not fly away at their pleasure so as they never adventured to break through afterward upon any of the Towns so secured As for those of Springfield they were now and then Alarmed with a few skulking Indians lurking about in the adjacent Woods as once at the Long Meadow where half a score of them were seen about an house remote from the Town who were pursued by a party of the English toward Windsor and so escaped after the English had made one shot upon them not knowing certainly how many they killed So at another time a few of those barbarous wretches kill'd a poor man belonging to Springfield as he was going to his house to look after his Corn on the other side of the River and after they had killed the man they burnt down his house yet attempted no further mischief upon that part of the Town that had escaped the fury of the Flames October 5. By which it is evident that all the number of Indians that had assaulted them befoâ—e had not drawn themselves for the present to their winter quarters some to the Dutch River but the greatest number of them to be sure were found in the winter at the Narrhaganset Fort where we shall leave them for the present till the Forces of the United Colonies shall fire them out of their nests The Souldiers continuing some time at Hatfield after this victory as we may well call it for it seems to have given the first check to the rage of the heathen within the Jurisdiction of the united Colonyes they have been observed ever since to have been on the losing hand seldome or never daâ—ing to meet our Souldiers in the open Field unless when they have very great advantage as to their numbers or covert of the woods and bushes although like some ranging Beasts they have done much mischief several times since when they were ready to expire or when the pangs of death were coming upon them our forces therefore being all called home save some left for garisoning the towns thereabouts The Commissioners of the united Colonyes taking into serious Consideration the present state of things viz. that there were before this time so many hundreds gathered together into one Body and that there was great reason to fear if they were let alone till the next spring they might all rise together as one man round about us and that one Town after another might easily be destroyed before any help could be dispatched to them On the one hand the sharpness of the winter in these parts was well weighed so extream that it might hazard the loss of a thousand
and so to Nashaway and the Washakem Ponds where we have notice Indians were and so to return unto this place whereby your Honours Letter that came to me yesterday morning I understood that provision was ordered for us and which we found to our great relief which we found last night coming hither weary and hungry The commanded Party we left at Quonsiquomon where they intended to stay awhile for the last Scouts we sent out Eleven Prisoners we had in all two of the oldest by counsel we put to death the other nine the Commissary is ordered to convey to Boston with the Baggage horses and some of their attendants not fit for the Service Daniel Henchman It appears plainly by the contents of the said Letter as well as by many other testimonyes that about this time the Indians our Enemyes who hitherto had been linked together as Brethren in iniquity and cruelty were now strangly divided and seperated the one from the other some impute it to an assault made upon them by the Mohawkes who falling upon Philip with the Inland Indians slew about fifty of them whereupon they of Philips Company resolved to return to their own Country and doe what mischief they could to the English thereabouts This was reported by an Indian brought to Seaconk June 29. 1676. taken at Providence Others are ready to think that it was upon some quarrel amongst themselves occasioned by an evill spirit sent from God upon them that thereby they might being scattered the more easily be taken and ruined by the English now that the time of vengeance was come when they shall be called to an account for all their former outrages and crueltyes for now is the snare hastning upon them wherein they shall be hampered in their own devices so to be taken and destroyed it cannot but be acknowledged as a very remarkable Providence that Capt. Henchman in his late expedition to Hadly killed and took about eighty four of the Enemy without the loss of any one of his own men the like favourable success hapned to Major Talcot in his passage from Norwich to Quabaog as was said before and soon after his return But by that time our Forces were returned home as far as Sudbury they were ordered upon the solicitation of the Governour of Plimouth two Companies of them at least to march away immediately to Dedham and so to Seaconk or Rehoboth to joyn with Major Bradford in the pursuit of Philip who was it seems with many hundreds of his Barbarous Followers fallen upon the English Plantations thereabouts and whither also a little before Capt. Brattle with a Troop of Horse and Captain Mosely with a Foot Company were sent up from Boston to pursue after them now flocking in great numbers into those Woods there was at this time no small hope of surprizing Philip several reports being brought that he was seen in this and that place not with above twenty or thirty men attending on him but his time was not yet fully come nor had he as yet fully accomplished all that mischief he was like to be suffered to do For upon July 1 st 1676. a party of his Indians committed an horrid and barbarous Murder upon Mr. Hezekiah Willet in Swanzy an hopeful young Gentleman as any in those parts they used frequently to keep a Sentinel on the top of their House from a watch-Watch-house built thereon whence they could discover any Indians before they came near the house but not hearing of the Enemy in those parts for a considerable time that necessary piece of circumspection was omitted that day whereby that deserving person was betrayed into their cruel hands for within a quarter of an hour after he went out of his own doors within sight of his House he was shot at by three of them at once from every one of whom he received a mortal wound they after their barbarous manner took off his head and carried it away with them which yet was soon after recovered leaving the Trunk of his body behind as a sad monument of their inhumane cruelty the same Indians not being above thirty in number took away a Negro belonging to the same Family who being faithful to his Masters and the Countries interest ventured his life to make his escape which was the preservation of many others for the said Negro being a little acquainted with their Language discovered to the English after his escape Philips purpose to seize such and such places in the first place to assault Taunton which in all probability had been in great danger if their treacherous plots and purposes had not so wonderfully been made known before hand The said Negro affirmed that there was near a thousand of them for he observed that although they had killed twenty head of Neat Cattle over night yet there was not any part of them left the Next day at eight of the Clock in the morning by this special Providence the Enemy was defeated of their purpose and never after had any opportunity of doing any considerable damage to the English in that part of the Country So as after this day we may truly date the time of our Deliverance and beginning of Revenges upon the Enemy Now is their own turne come when it shall be done unto them as they have served us They that before led others into Captivity must themselves hence forth goe into Captivity And they that killed with the Sword must themselves be killed with the Sword as in the Sequel of this Narrative will abundantly be manifest The History of which before we shall any farther pursue we must a little while wait upon our Friends those Forces sent from Connecticut in their return back into their own Colony which before it be done some things should be premised concerning the occasion of their coming and the Success that did attend them in their march thither Our Friends and Brethren of that Colony although they had never actually felt half of those miseries that befell the people of the other two yet never denyed their Assistance to the suppressing of the common Enemy yea sometimes they did afford it before it was expresly desired according to the Tenor of the Articles of Confederation and Rules of common prudence considering that if the fire of this War were not timely extinguished it would endanger their own Fabrick Therefore according to Agreement the Councel of that Colony ordered their successful Commander Major Talcot to meet with our Forces at Brookfield or Quabaog in order to the pursuing of the Enemy in those parts In the way as they were from Norwich marching thither Divine Providence so far smiled upon the Enterprize as to give them an opportunity to surprize fifty one of the Enemy of whom nineteen were slain without the loss of any one of their own Company which could not but much enhanse the price of the victory to the Conquerers The like Success had their friends which they left behind the Volunteers gathered out of
greatest part of his Company escaped awâ—y into the woods leading into the Nipmuck Country altogether unknown to the English Forces that lay encamped on the other side of the Swamp About an hundred or more of the women and Children which were like to be rather burdensome then serviceable were left behind who soon after resigned up themselves to the mercy of the English Philips escape thus from Pocasset could not long be concealed after the day appeared there being much champaign Land through which he was to pass so as being discovered to some of Râ—hoboth the Inhabitants presently followed him together with a Party of the Mohegins that a little before came to Boston offâ—ring their Service against Philip and were sent up into those parts to be oâ—dered by Capt. Henchman but before they came to him were easily perswaded to go along with any of the English that were engaged in the pursuit of Philip News also thereof was carryed to Capt. Henchman who as soon as he could get over with six files of men rowing hard all or most part of the day to get to Providence followed after the enemy The Mohegins with the men of Rehoboth and some of Providence came upon their Reer over night slâ—w about thirty of them took much plunder from them without any considerable losse to the English Capt. Henchman came not up to them pursuing them only by the Track till the Skirmish was over and having marched twenty two miles that day was not well able to go any further that night on the other hand the Forces that came from Rehoboth and that belonged to Plimouth having left their horses three miles off could not goe back to fetch them without much loss of time and therefore looking at it altogether bootless to go after them in the morning returned back the next day leaving Capt Henchman with his six Files and the Mohegins to pursue the Chase to Nipsatchet which he did the next morning Capt. Henchman that he might the better engage the Mohegins to march with him thirty miles gave them half his provision and was himself recruited again by the care of Capt. Edmunds of Providence Leiutenant Brown who brought provision after him to the Nâ—pmuck Forts Mr. Newman the Minister of Rehoboth deserved not a little Commendation for exciting his neighbours and friends to pursue thus far after Philip animating of them by his own example and presence But what the reason was why Philip was followed no further it is better to suspend then too critically to enquire This is now the third time when a good opportunity of suppressing the Rebellion of the Indians was put into the hands of the English but time and chance hapneth to all men so that the most likely meanes are often frustrated of their desired end All humane endeavours shall arive at no other success then the Counsel of God hath preordained that no flesh might glory in their own Wisdome but give unto God the praise of all their Sucesses and quietly bear whatever Miscariages he hath ordered to befall them It appears by the issue of these things that although this wound was not incurable yet much more bloud must be taken away before it could be healed But by this means Philip escaped away to the Westward kindling the flame of Warre in all the Western plantations of the Massachusets Colony wherever he came so that by this fatal accident the fire that was in a likely way to be extinguished as soon almost ' as it began did on the sudden break out through the whole Jurisdiction of the Massachusets both Eastward and Westward endangering also the neighbour Colony of Connecticut which hath also suffered somewhat by the sury of this Flame though not considerable to what the other Colonyes have undergone While things after this manner proceeded in and about the Colony of Plimouth the Commissioners of the rest of the Colonyes were consulting and advising what was to be done for preventing the mischief threatned from spreading any further fearing as indeed there was too much cause that although Philip only appeared to make the first attempt yet more either already were or soon might be be perswaded to joyn with him in acting this bloudy Tragedy It hath been already declared what hath been done for the securing of the Narhagansets those that were sent as Messengers on that errand alwayes reported that the elder people were in appearance not only inclinable to peace but seemed very desirous thereof insomuch as their two eldest Sachems expressed much joy when it was concluded but as since hath appeared all this was but to gain time and cover their treacherous intents and purposes that they might in the next Spring fall upon the English plantations all at once as some prisoners lately brought in have owned and confessed nor have any of those Indians with whom the present War hath been ever regarded any agreements of peace made with the English further then out of necessity and slavish fear they were compelled thereunto as may be seen by the Records of the united Colonyes from the year 1643 to the present time notwithstanding all their fair pretences for Ninigret the old Sachem of the Narhagansets who alone of all the rest of that Country Sachems disowned the present war and refused to have any hand therein yet was it proved to his face be-before the Commissioners in the years 1646 and 1647 that he had threatned they would carry on the war against the Mohegins whatever were the mind of the Commissioners and that they would kill the English Cattle and heap them up as high as their Wigwams and that an English man should not stir out of his doors to piss but they would kill him all which he could not deny yet did this old Fox make many promises of peace when the dread of the English ever since the Pequod-war moved him thereunto foreseeing as he is said to have told his neighbours that they would all be ruined if they made War with the English as is since come to pass However the good hand of God was seen in so ordering things that the Narhagansets were for the present restrained from breaking out into open Hostility against the English at that time when Philip bâ—gan which if they had then done according to the eye of reason it would have been very difficult if possible for the English to have saved any of their inland plantations from being utterly destroyed Thus hath God in his Wisdome suffered so much of the rage of the Heathen to be let loose against his people here as to become a Scourge unto them that by the wrath of men praise might be yeilded to his holy Name yet hath he in his abundant goodness restrained the remainder that it should not consume The next thing in order to be related is the calamity that befel the Village of Brookfiâ—ld which notwithstanding all the care that was taken â—ell into the hands of the perfideous Nipnet Indians
by which means they got thither a little before the Indians who quickly came flocking into the Town with full intent to destroy it with fire and Sword But by special providence the Inhabitants were all gathered to the principal house of the Village there being scarce twenty in the Town before the barbarons Miscreanâ—s came upon them immediately setting fire upon all the dwelling houses with most of the other Buildings in the Town save that one into which the Inhabitants were retired the which they several times attempted to born but were almost miraculously defeated of their purpose by the immediate hand of God In the Mount of the Lord it shall be seen For when they had for two dayes assaulted that poor handfull of helpless people both night and day pouring in shot upon them incessantly with gunns and also thrusting poles with Fire-brands and rags dipt in brimstone tyed to the ends of them to fire the house At last they used this devilish Stratagem to fill a Cart with hemp flax and other combustible matter and so thrusting it backward with poles spliced together a great length after they had kindled it But as soon as it had begun to take fire a Storm of rain unexpectedly falling pâ—t out the Fire or else all the poor people about seventy souls would either have been consumed by merciless flames or else have fallen into the hands of their cruel enemyes like Wolves continually yelling and gaping for their prey Thus was that distressed Company strangely delivered who have for ever cause to say with the Psalmist Blessed be the Lord who hath not given us a prey to their teeth our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the Fowlers the snare is broken and we are escaped For the next night Major Willard by accident hearing of the danger the People were in as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 came with forty eight Dragoons to their relief The occasion which brought Major Willard and Capt. Parker of Groton with forty six more so timely to their relief was this Major Willard in pursuance of his Commission from the Governour and Council was upon Wednesday August the 4 th in the morning marching out after some Indians to the Westward to secure them just as they were setting forth some of Malberough who had intelligence by those that were going to Connecticot and forced to return what distress Brookfield was in and knowing of Major Willards purpose to go out that morning from Lancaster sent a Post to acquaint him therewith which though it did not find him in the Town yet overtook him before he had gone above four or five miles from the place whereupon conceiving it more needful to succour Brookfield in so eminent danger then to proceed further upon his intended design he altered his course and marched directly thither being about thirty miles distant when the tidings were brought him so he arrived there that night very seasonably about an hour afâ—er it was dark or else in probability they had all perished before the relief sent up from Boston could have reached them which was not till three dayes after The providence of God lâ—kewise in bringing in the said Major so safely as well as seasonably to their relief was very remarkable For the Indians had subtilly contrived to cut off all relief sent before it could come at them by laying Ambushes and placing their Scours at two or three miles distance round the Town About an hundred of them were lodged at an house not far off in the way toward Boston to cut off any Succour that might come from thence but it is supposed they were so intense upon the Project they were about for firing the House concludâ—ng it would without fail take place that either they did not minde their business of Watching or making such a noâ—se for joy thereof that they did not hear their Sentinels when they shot off their Guns at two miles dâ—stance It is said that another party of the Indians let the Major and his Company purposely pass by them without any opposition waiting for the blow to be given at their first approach near the house then to have themselves fallen upon their Rear and so to have out them all off before the besieged understood any thing thereof But it pleased God so to order things in providence that to notice was taken of them bâ— the Besiegeâ—s nor were they at all discerned by them till they had made themselves kâ—own to their Friends and were admitted within the Court of Guard which when the Enemy had notice of they poured in their shâ—t abundantly upon them but they were now sheltered from the danger thereof only it seems their Houses were exposâ—d to their fury so as many of them were â—maimed and killed as were most of the Cattle belonging to the Inhabitants of the place soon after This Honoured Person Major Willard continued at Brookfield after this famous exploit for the preservation of the poor besieged at Brookfield divers weeks to order such Companies as were sent up that way for the securing of the Plantations on that side of the Country and not long after he went himself also to Hadly upon the like service of the Country in the present War But after some time spent in those parts he returned back to his own place to order the affairs of his own Regiment much needing his presence and leaving the Forces about Hadly under the command of the Major of that Regiment But to return to what was in hand before after the Indians understood that succours were come in to the beseiged they fired all that they had left standing for their own shelter while they had beseiged the place before mentioned ran all away into their own dens in the neighbouring woods however it was confessed by one of themselves that the enemy had eighty of their men killed and wounded in this business But ere we pass any further in pursuit of the History of these matters it will not be amiss to let the Reader understand the horrible perfidious and treacherous dealing of these Nipnet Indians who of all other had the least reason as to any pretence of injury yet did most deceitfully and barbarously joyn with Philip and his Indians after they had been several times sent unto by the Governour and Council of the Massachusets by the advice of Plimouth to have prevented their Râ—sing as well as the rising of the Narhagansets and also had faithfully promised not to meddle in the quarrel as may more fully appear by the Engagement under the hands of their Sachems some time before Capt. Hutchinson and Capt. Wheeler were sent up to them which by reason of the hast and unskilfullness of the Messengers on that behalf sent is not so fit for publick view but the account of it from their return under their hand and oath July 24.75 when Leiut Ephraim Gurtice spake with five of the Nipnet Sachems four too many to govern so
whereof one being of Philips Company was put to death The Messenger that was sent was fairly dismissed with the express mention of what tearms they must expect if they desired a peace Jan. There came two Messengers from them as they said to make way for a treaty of Peace who laid the blame upon Canonchet that came down to Boston in October last to confirm the peace with the Commissioners of the united Colonyes as if he had misinformed them viz. that they were not by the former treaty to have delivered up the Wompanoogs or Philips Indians untill the said Canonchets Brother one of the Hostages at Hartford was released This was but a meer pretence for he and they too better understood the particulars of the agreement For by chance the Articles which they had of the peace concluded with them were found open whether purposely or accidentally was not known in a Wigwam in the Fort when it was taken so as they could hot be ignorant of the Articles of the Agreement Jan. 5. An English child of about three or four years old taken from Warwick was sent in to put the better pretence upon the treaty mentioned Jan. 8. The Messengers were sent back and told what they must trust to In the afternoon a Messenger came from Ninigret the old Sachem of Narrhagansets who brought a letter from Mr. Stanton the Interpreter signifying the reallity of the said Ninigret his friendship to the English and the streights of the enemy that corn was two shillings a pint with them Yet notwithstanding all their difficultyes they rather delayed the time till they could get away then really endeavoured the making a peace as was soon manifest For that young insolent Sachem Canonchet and Panoquin said they would fight it out to the last man rather then they would become Servants to the English Jan. 10. Fresh supplyes of souldiers came up from Boston wading through a sharp storm of snow that bit some of them by the heels with the frost The next day one that came with them going out with the Scouts fell amongst the Indians Barns in one of which as he was groping to find corn for the relief of his horse he catched hold of an Indians hair under the leaves who presently held up his hands when the souldier was drawing his sword to spare his life which was granted but after he was brought to the Head-quarters he would owne nothing but what was forced out of his mouth by the woolding of his head with a cord wherefore he was presently judged to dye as a Wompanoog Jan. 12. Another Messenger came from Canonicus desiring the space of a month longer wherein to issue the treaty which so provoked the Commander of our Forces that they resolved to have no more Treatyes with the enemy but prepare to assault them with Gods assistance as soon as ever the season would permit and it was high time to take up that resolution for within a few dayes after they understood by some that were taken Prisoners that the enemy were gone or going into the Nipmuck Country Within a few dayes after about the 16 th Jan. the scouts brought in one Joshuah Tift a Renegado English-man of Providence that upon some discontent amongst his neighbours had turned Indian married one of the Indian Squaws renounced his Religion nation and natural Parents all at once fighting against them He was taken by Capt. Fenner of Providence who with some of his neighbours were pursuing some Indians that had driven away their Cattle This Tift being one of the Company was wounded in the knee and so was seized by the English he had in his habit conformed himself to them amongst whom he lived After examination he was condemned to dy the death of a Traitor As to his Religion he was found as ignorant as an Heathen which no doubt caused the fewer tears to be shed at his Funeral standers by being unwilling to lavish pitty upon him that had divested himself of nature it self as well as Religion in a time when so much pitty was needed elsewhere and nothing left besides wherewith to relieve the Sufferers Jan. 21. Capt. Prentice his Troop being abroad met with a Party of the enemy of whom they took two Prisoners and killed nine in which exploit something hapned very remarkable for one W. Dodge of Salem riding in company with another Friend they hapned to meet with two Indians the said Dodge being better horsed then his friend made after the foremost leaving his friend to deal with the hindmost but his Pistol missed firing whereupon the Indian taking him by the leg turn'd him off his horse and getting upon him was about killing him with his knife which W. Dodge by chance espyed and came time enough to rescue his friend and dispatch the Indian lying upon him and yet overtook the first Indian he was pursuing time enough to doe his business also by that meanes he did three good offices at once saved the life of one Friend and slew two of his Enemyes But within two or three dayes after the weather much altering from what it was induced our Forces to take the first opportunity to pursue the enemy who as they understood by Messengers from Providence were now upon their flight into the Nipmuck Country But so many difficultyes were cast in their way that they could not be ready time enough to prevent the mischief they did at Warwick as they took their Farewell of their Country For Jan. 27. They dispoyled Mr. Carpenter of two hundred sheep and fifty head of Neat Cattle and fifteen horses all which they drove along with them and were gone too far to be rescued before our Forces set out Two that belonged to the said Carpenter were wounded and one of the enemies slain As they marched after the enemy they found a good house burned with a barn belonging to it They perceived also that the enemy dealt much in Horse-flesh meeting with no less then sixty horses heads in one place which they had left behind them Our Souldiers in their pursuit came upon their Reer killed and took about seventy of them yet never could come to charge them for they would presently betake themselves into Swamps and not two of them run together so as they saw it was an endless work to proceed further in the chase of such an enemy but our Forces having pursued them into the woods between Marlborough and Brookfield in the Road toward Connecticut were constrained to turn down to Boston in the beginning of February for want of provision both for themselves and their horses which gave an occasion to the losse of those lesser Towns that were destroyed by the Napnet Indians who presently joyned with the Narrhagansets upon their first approach as shall be related afterwards About the tenth of February next some hundreds of the Indians whether Nipnets or Nashaway men is uncertain belonging to him they call Sagamore Sam and possibly some of the stoutest of the
few more shot made without doing harm retired and made no further assault upon them being the same Party of Indians which the day before had burned some part of Chelmsford Soon after this Village was deserted and destroyed by the enemy yet was it a special providence that though the carts were guarded with so slender a Convoy yet there was not any considerable loss sustained The Surprizall of Groton was after this manner On March 2. The Indians came in the night and rifled eight or nine houses and carried away some cattle and alarmed the Town On March 9. About ten in the morning a parcel of Indians having two dayes lurked in the town and taken possession of three out-houses and feasted themselves with corn divers swine and poultry which they there seized laid an ambush for two Carts which went from their garison to fetch in some hay attended with four men two of which espying the enemy made a difficult escape the other two were set upon and one of them slain stript naked his body mangled and dragged into the high-way and laid on his back in a most shamefull manner the other taken Captive and after sentenced to death but the enemy not concuring in the manner of it execution was deferred and he by the providence of God escaped by a bold attempt the night before he was designed to slaughter and fled to the Garison at Lancaster the cattle in both towns wounded and five of them slain outright March 13. Was the day when the enemy came in a full body by there own account 400. and thought by the Inhabitants to be not many fewer The town was at this time having been put into a fright by the sad Catastrophe of Lancaster the next bordering town gathered into five Garisons four of which were so near together as to be able to command from one to the other between which were the cattle belonging to those Families driven into pastures which afterward proved their preservation the other was near a mile distant from the rest This morning the Indians having in the night placed themselves in several parts of the town made their Onset which began near the four Garisons for a body of them having placed themselves in Ambuscado behind a hill near one of the Garisons two of them made discovery of themselves as if they had stood upon discovery At this time divers of the people nothing suspecting any such matter for the day before many had been upon discovery many miles and found no signs of an Enemy being so near were attending their occasions some foddering their cattle some milking their Cows of whom the Enemy might easily have made a seizure but God prevented they having another design in hand as soon after appeared These two Indians were at length espyed and the Alarm given whereupon the most of the men in the next Garison and some also of the second which was about eight or nine pole distant drew out and went to surprize these two Indians who kept their station till our men reached the brow of the hill then arose the ambush and discharged a volley upon them which caused a disorderly retreat or rather a rout in which one was slain and three others wounded mean while another ambush had risen and come upon the back side of the Garison so deserted of men and pulled down the Palizadoes The Souldiery in this rout retreated not to their own but passed by to the next Garison the women and children mean while exposed to hazard but by the goodness of God made a safe escape to the other fortified house without any harm leaving their substance to the enemy who made a prey of it and spent the residue of the day in removing the corn and houshold-stuff in which loss five Familyes were impoverished and firing upon the other Garison here also they took some Cattle No sooner was the signal given by the first volley of shot but immediately in several parts of the town at once did the smoakes arise they firing the houses In the afternoon they used a stratagem not unlike the other to have surprised the single Garison but God prevented An old Indian if an Indian passed along the street with a black sheep on his back with a slow pace as one decrepit They made several shot at him but missed him at which several issued out to have taken him alive but the Watchman seasonably espying an ambush behind the house gave the signal whereby they were prevented The night following the enemy lodged in the town some of them in the Garison they had surprized but the Body of them in an adjacent valley where they made themselves merry after their savage manner The next morning they gave two or three Volleyes at Capt. Parkers Garison so marched off fearing as was thought that supply might be nigh at hand This assault of theirs was managed with their wonted subtlety and barbarous cruelty for they stript the body of him whom they had slain in the first onset and then cutting off his head fixed it upon a pole looking towards his own land The corpse of the man slain the week before they dug up out of his grave they cut off his head and one leg and set them upon poles and stript off his winding sheet An Infant which they found dead in the house first surprised they cut in pieces which afterward they cast to the swine There were about forty dwelling houses burnt at that time besides other buildings This desolation was followed with the breaking up of the town and scattering of the Inhabitants and removal of the Candlestick after it had been there seated above twelve years Concerning the surprizing of Groton March 13. There was not any thing much more material then what is already mentioned save only the insolency of John Monoco or one eyed John the chief Captain of the Indians in that design who having by a sudden surprizal early in the morning seized upon a Garison house in one end of the Town continued in it plundering what was there ready at hand all that day and at night did very familiarly in appearance call out to Capt. Parker that was lodged in another Garison house and entertained a great deal of Discourse with him whom he called his old Neighbour dilating upon the cause of the War and putting an end to it by a friendly peace yet oft mixing bitter Sarcasmes with several blasphemous scoffs and taunts at their praying and worshipping God in the meeting house which he deridingly said he had burned Among other things which he boastingly uttered that night he said he burnt Medfield though it be not known whither he was there personally present or no Lancaster and that now he would burn that Town of Groton and the next time he would burn Chelmsford Concord Watertown Cambridge Charlstown Roxbury Boston adding at last in their Dialect What Me will Me do not much unlike the proud Assyrian if his power had been equal to
pursuit of the Enemy hath added another fatal blow to this poor Country The same day another party of the English coming from Brookefield whithey they were sent as a Convoy with Provision for the Garison were in danger likewise of falling into the hands of the same Indians yet riding upon a good speed and keeping their Guns always ready presented against them they met they never durst fire at them only three or four having unadvisedly first discharged their gunns against the Enemy and falling too much in the reer of their Company were cut off and lost It is reported by some that afterwards escaped how they cruelly tortured five or six of the English that night yet whatever their success was this day it was observed by some at that time their Prisoners and since released that they seemed very pensive after they came to their Quarters shewing no such signs of rejoycing as they usually were wont to doe in like case whither for the loss of some of their own Company in that dayes enterprise said to be an hundred and twenty or whither it were the Devil in whom they trusted and to whom they made their address the day before by sundry Conjurations of their Powawes or whither it were by any dread that the Almighty sent upon their spirits upon their execrable Blasphemies which t is said they used in the torturing of some of their poor Captives bidding Jesus come and deliver them out of their hands from death if he could we leave as uncertain though some have so reported yet sure it is that after this day they never prospered in any attempt they made against the English but were continually scattered and broken till they were in a manner all consumed After this time however they had braved it before they seemed to apprehend that it was scarce feasible for them to withstand the power of the English and therefore seemed more inclinable to a peace by several overtures made by them if they knew how to have brought it about For during these encounters they were willing to admit of some kind of treaty with the English about the releasing of sundry of their Captives which they took at Lancaster in February last and elsewhere To that end sundry attempts were made by help of several of the Praying Indians as they use to be called about the redemption of some of the women and children which were at time in their possession by degrees something was effected that way possibly their own present sufferings and wants that were upon them might induce them thereunto For by this time the Spring of the year came on their provision was all spent and they forced to live wholly upon ground-nuts and upon the flesh of the English creatures both horse neat cattle which they daily plundered The Ground-nuts running up to seed in the summer began to grow so sticky as they were scarce eatable the flesh also of the English cattle proving unwholsome for their Bodyes filling them with sundry diseases One of them having eaten much horse-flesh complained that he had before eaten horse and now horse began to eat him meaning some deadly disease growing upon his eating such ranke flesh unwholsome for their Bodyes especially without salt as their usual manner is The fishing season also began now to come in wherein they use to take abundance of all sorts with which those great Rivers up the Country are abundantly stored they use to take thereof and drying it in the smoak make provision thereof for the greatest part of the year and if the warr continued they could not but see they should utterly be cut off therefrom and that if the planting season also were lost they should be in great want of summer fruits sc beans and squashes besides their corn with which they were wont to live all the latter part of the summer Upon all considerations they seemed pretty inclinable to hearken to a peace though some were apt to think they would never have kept it further then would stand with their own advantage and that their present desire thereof was only to gain time A person formerly acquainted with the Indians about Lancaster did adventure upon the forementioned overtures to goe amongst them to try if he could not prevail with them for the redemption of the Ministers wife taken Captive in Febraury last from Lancaster and through the favour of him who having the hearts of all in his hand inclines them as he pleases obtained the desired end upon an inconsiderable sum which gave encouragement to the Councell to send two Messengers on the like errand the same week to procure the redemption of others not without success The former viz. Mrs. Rowlandson being brought to Boston upon the Election day May 3 d. it was generally looked at as a smile of providence and doubtless was a return of prayer and answer of faith with which her husband had been upheld and supported from the day of her Captivity his two children also were returned back not long after more by the over-ruling hand of God that turns the Captivity of his people as the streames of the South and sometimes inclining them to pitty his Servants that are of themselves more cruell then the Sea-monsters then by any other contrivance of mans policy And yet notwithstanding motions of this nature about the redemption of some of our Prisoners still in their hands there was no cessation of armes between us About this time Letters were sent down from Connecticut Colony informing the General Court then assembled at Boston that some of the Mohawkes a sort of fierce and savage Indians yet mortal enemyes to these we were at warrs withall had fallen upon some of Philips Party and destroyed many of them likewise that many of them were destroyed by Feavers and Fluxes with other distempers falling amongst them which was some reviving to our hopes that the foot of our enemy should slide in due time and that destruction was hastning upon them though still they were permitted to do mischief in sundry particular places of the Country which must be minded as we pass along Those Indians that were our professed enemies after they had been beaten out of the Narrhaganset Country Febr. 1. tarried awhile at Winimazeag a place two days journey north of Quabaog where they divided themselves into two Companies one of them tarried on that side the Country the other made toward Plimouth Colony taking Medfield in their way from whence as they marched along they met with a notable repulse at Boggiston a small Hamlet or Company of Farms not far from the said Medfield where they attempted a Garrison but meeting with stout resistance they left the enterprize and kept on their way toward Plimouth Colony where they scattered themselves up and down waiting for opportunityes to spoil and destroy the English Plantations on that side of the Country Besides what is already mentioned on May 11. a party of them assaulted the town of
the three Towns by the Sea side New-London Stonington and Norwich and who were some of them released by Major Talcot when he first began his March that they might the better in the absence of the Army guard their own Towns for before the return of the Forces under Major Talcot to that side of the Country they had made two Expeditions against their Enemyes the Narrhagansets that were sculking up and down on that side of the Country In one of which they killed and took above thirty the most of which being men are said to have been slain by them In the other about forty-five the most of which probably were women and Children but being all young Serpents of the same brood the subduing or taking so many ought to be acknowledged as another signal victory and pledge of Divine favour to the English But to return it was not without the special direction of Providence that those Hartford Forces were sent to those Western Towns a week before those of the Massachusets could get thither for otherwise one or more of those Towns might have been lost seeing that on the twelfth of June soon after if not the next day after they arrived there The Enemy as if resolved to try the utmost of their power violently assaulted the Town of Hadly with a body of about seven hundred men at five or six in the morning laying an Ambush at one end of the Town while the greater part of them were alarming the other But the Connecticut Forces being at that time quartered in the Towns thereabouts who were English and friendly Indians Peqâ—ods and Mohegins about five hundred in all that were ready at hand besides those that had been quartered there ever since March who had been left by Major Savage when he left those parts under the Command and Charge of Captain Turner slain at the great Falls as is noted before but since commanded by Captain Swam These by their joynt and ready resistance wherein the Fence of Palizadoes surrounding the Town was no little advantage gave the Indians such a smart Repulse that they found the place too hot for them to abide it For the Souldiers or Towns-men within firing a piece of Ordnance it so affrighted the Salvages or a party of them against whom it was discharged that although they had just before surprized possessed an house at the North end of the Town if Information mistake not yet they instantly fled leaving some of their dâ—ad upon the place Not did they any considerable mischief with all their numbers save firing a Barne about that end of the Town and slaying two or three of the Souldiers or too daring Inhabitants who would against express order adventure to go without the Fortification It was accounted by some that were present near the time of that Assault a great over sight that having so fair an opportunity to chase the Enemy upon so considerable advantage it was let slip and not improved For Connecticut Souldieâ—s being all or most of them furnished with horses they might have been soon overtaken and many of them destroyed but God hid it from their Eyes The Commander in chief it is said quartered at one of the Towns on the West side of the River and did not apprehend the advantage till the Season was over Nor was any such thing as an Assault expected from the Enemy so early in the morning It being a general observation heretofore that they seldome or never vsed to make any Attempt in the night time part of which could not but be improved in way of preparation for such a designe But the Lord of Hosts who is wise in Counsel and wonderful in working would find some other way to destroy our Enemies wherein the hand of his Providence should more remarkeably be seen that so no flesh should glory in its own wisdom or strength but that Salvation might appear to be from the Lord alone The rest of this Month was spent without any other matter of moment happening therein The Governour and Council of the Massachusets taking into serious consideration the many merciful Oâ—currents that had been returned up-us notwithstanding the mixing of many dispensations of a contrary nature accounted themselves bound to make some publick acknowledgment thereof to him whose Name alone is worthy to be praised The 29 th of that month of June was set apart as a day of publick Thanksgiving to God who had remembred his people thus in their low Estate And that matter of Thanksgiving might not be wanting at the day appointed the very day before were most of our English Captives brought back from the Indians and many more soon after to the number of sixteen whose mouths might then well be filled with Laughter and their Tongues with singing both of themselves and all that were any wayes concerned in their welfare And as this day appointed for solemn and publick Thanksgiving was ushered in by several special mercies so also was it followed with many remarkable benefits For besides the preserving the Town of North-Hampton March the fourteenth and Hadly June the twelfth by the opportune sending of our Forces the very night before they were Assaulted The saving the people of Marlborough from being cut off was very observable when Mr. Graves by his occasional going from the Sermon being forced thereunto by the extremity of the Tooth Ach March 26. discovered the Indians ready to Assault the Town and so else the people might have been cut off had not that Accident Intervened It is certain that after the end of this Month the power of the Enemy began every where to fail for the Body of the Enemy that had lurked about Connecticut River all this Spring being visited with sundry diseases disappointed of their fishing and put by their planting began to fall at variance amongst themselves the Hadly and Pocumtuck Indians quarrelling with Philip for fetching all this mischief about and occasioning the English and them to fall out with whom they had alwayes good Correspondence and lived lovingly together but now they were like to be ruined by the War This quarrel proceeded to that height that from that time forward those several Indians that had for so long time been combined together resolved now to part and every one to shift for themselves and return to their own homes Philip to Mount-hope and the Narrhagansets to their own Country again the Nipnets and the River Indians bending their course some Westward others North-ward towards Pennicook upon Merrimack intending to shift for themselves as well as they could for the future all which is like to be the real and true state of the Case with the Indians which were our Enemies for the next News we heard of Philip was that he was gotten back to Mount-Hope now like to become Mount-Misery unto him and his Vagabond Crew and that his Friends and Allyes that had hitherto stood as Neuters waiting only which way the Scale of Success and Victory would
For although this year he hath shewn his anger against the English and not only against the Indians yet he hath begun to save us and I have found by experience twice in the like case when we sought him by Fasting and Prayer he hath given us Rain and never denyed us Then Vncas made a great speech to the Indians which were many confessing that if God should then send rain it could not be ascribed to their powawing but must be acknowledged to be an answer of our prayers This day the clouds spread more and more and the next day there was such plenty of rain that our River rose more then two foot in height By all that is recorded in the Narrative foregoing there are none into whose hands it shall come but will be sensible that the present time hath been a day of great rebuke trouble to the poor people sojourning in this wilderness upon whom sundry calamities have broke in at once this last as well as in the former years in many places they have been visited with sickness and mortality more then in many years before depriving them of many worthy and usefull persons amongst others the loss of Mr. John Winthrope the late worthy Governour of the Colony of Connecticut is as it ought much lamented by all who dyed at Boston April 5. 1676. in the 73. year of his age whither he was occasionally called the last winter to sit with the rest of the Commissioners of the united Colonyes to consult about the great affairs of them now newly engaged in these troubles from the Heathen He was the eldest son of the famous Governour of the Massachusets deceased March 26 1649. Proles similima Paronti The memory of the Father though he dyed so long ago yet lives still in the minds of the surviving Generation and is like to continue much longer by the remembrance of the eminent virtues found in this the eldest of his off-spring who being not long after or about that time called to take up his residence in that Colony was by the importunity of the people there prevailed with to accept of the Governours place which for a long time after he held over that Colony though annually chosen thereunto being so well furnished with many excellent endowments as well moral as political and philosophical which rendred him most fit to be an healer of that people Though we are dealing in another subject yet shall not pass by his Tomb as we goe along without paying the homage due to the memory of so honourable a Gentleman After all the forementioned Calamityes and troubles it pleased God to alarme the town of Boston and in them the whole Country by a sad Fire accidentally kindled by the carelesness of an Apprentice that sate up too late overnight as was conceived which began an hour before day continuing three or four in which time it burned down to the ground forty six dwelling houses besides other Buildings together with a Meeting house of considerable bigness some mercy was observed mixt with the judgment for if a great rain had not continued all the time the roofs and walls of their ordinary buildings consisting of such combustable matter that whole end of the town had at that time been consumed Whereby we see that God by his providence can turn our dwellings into ashâ—s without the help of either forreign or domestick enemies Which consideration may awaken all from security and confidence in these uncertain and unstable possessions that have no firmer Foundation that may so soon after their first erection be eaten up by the flames of fire before the iron teeth of time have had leisure to devour and feed upon them God grant that by the Fire of all these Judgments we may be purged from our Dross and become a more refined people as Vessels fitted for our Masters use A SUPPLEMENT Concerning the WARRE with the PEQUODS Reader I Could willingly have now expected that my Indenture being cancelled I might have had a discharge from any further labour of this nature but least I be found to have falsified my word passed in the Title of the Narrative according to the Civilians Rule Nihil dicitur factum quamdiu aliquid super est ad agendum as also that other Non absolutus est debitor qui multa reddit sed qui omnia being some intimation hath already been made of great trouble with the Pequod Indians at the first setling of the Plantations upon Connecticut River that I may make even though not over measure I shall in the last place give this following account thereof either left under the hands of such as commanded in chief in that action or from the mouthes of some faithful Witnesses that were not only then present but personally concerned and engaged in that Service THere was a Nation of the Indians in the Southern parts of New-England called Pequods seated on a fair Navigable River twelve miles to the Eastward of the mouth of the great and famous River of Connecticot who as was commonly reported about the time when New-England was first planted by the English being a more fierce cruel and warlike People then the rest of the Indians came down out of the more inland parts of the Continent and by force seized upon one of the goodliest places near the Sea and became a terrour to all their Neighbours on whom they had exercised several acts of in humane cruelty insomuch that being fleshed with Victories over their Fellow-Indians they began to thirst after the blood of any Forreigners English and Dutch that accidentally came amongst them in a way of Trade or upon other Accounts In the year 1634. they treacherously and cruelly murthered Captain Stone and Captain Norton who came occasionally with a Bark into the River to Trade with them Not long after within the compass of the next year they in like treacherous manner slew one Mr. Olaham formerly belonging to New-Plimouth but at that time an Inhabitant of the Massachusets at Block Island a place not far from the mouth of their Harbour as he was fairly Trading with them besides some other such like acts of perfideous cruelâ—y towards some of â—he Dutch that had formerly been trading up Connecticut River by which practises perceiving that they began to stink in the nosthrils of their Neighbours whose revenge they now began to fear and not willing to have to deal with too many Enemies at once they imitated the subtlety of the Children of Amâ—on when they began to stink beâ—ore David endeavouring to strengthen themselves with allyance of some of those they had formerly provoked that by their assistance they might defend themselves against the rest not doubting but to make their part good with their forreign Enemies if they could be reconciled to their Indian Neighbours the Narrhagansets or other home-bred Enemies if they could but fortifie themselves by a League of Friendship with any of their forreign Neighbours that were newly come to plant in
these parts To this end they sent Messengers with gifts to the Massachusets in the latter end of the same year 1634. the first Messengers were dismissed without an answer but they being sensible of their own danger and of the great importance a peace with the English of the Massachusets might be pursued the business very earnestly sending Messengers a second time who offered much Wampam Indians Money and Beaver with these second Messengers the Governour and Council of the Massachusets had much conference many dayes and at last after the best advice they could take amongst themselves concluded a Peace and Friendship with them upon these Conditions 1. That they should deliver up to the English those persons amongst them that were guilty of Captain Stones Death and the rest that were with him 2. That if the English desired to Plant in Connecticut they should give up their right to them 3. That the English should thence forward Trade with them as their Friends which was a chief thing aimed at the said Pequods being at that time in War with the Dutch and the rest of their Neighbours on the Reasons forementioned to these conditions they readily agreed and also cunningly insinuated their desire that their new Confederates the Massachusets should mediâ—ie a peace for them with the Narrhagansets intimating likewise then willingness that a part of the Present which they promised to send should be given to them standing so much upon their honour that they would not be seen to give any thing themselves such was the pride and height of Spirit lodged in this company of Treacherous Villains the Dregs and Lees of the Earth and Drosse of Mankinde As for Capt. Stone 's death they stily evaded the guilt of it falsly adding that there were but two left that had any hand therein and that it was a just quarrel wherein he was slain for said they he surprised some of our men and would by force have compelled them to shew him the way up the River whereupon the said Stone coming ashore with two more was watched by nine of our men say they who finding them asleep in the night slew them to deliver our own men one of whom going afterward to the Barque it was suddenly blown up whereas the truth of the matter was thus The said Capt. Stone formerly belonging to Christophers in the West-Indies occasionally coming to these parts as he passed between this place and Virginia put in at that River where the Indians after they had been often on board his Vessell to trade with him at the last came friendly on board as they used to doe but finding the Captain asleep in his Cabbin took the opportunity to murther him as he lay casting a Covering over him that he might not be discerned by the rest whom they presently after dispatched one after another all but Capt. Norton who made stout resistance for a long time defending himself in the Cook-room of the Barke till the gun-powder which he had set in an open vessell to be more ready for his use accidentally took fire by which fatal accident he was so burned his eyes so blinded that he could not make any longer resistance but forthwith fell into the hands of these cruel and bloud-thirsty wretches who after they had taken away his life made a prey of all that was in the Vessell As for Mr. Oldman he was indeed murthered at an Island called by the Indians Manisses since known among the English by the name of Block-Island but those that murthered him probably Inhabitants of the said Island fled presently to the Pequods by whom they were sheltered and so became also guilty themselves of his bloud which ere long was revenged by them as is in the next place to be declared The English of the Massachusets after the peace concluded with the Pequods sent a Barke thither for trade that trial might be made of the reality of their friendship but they found them treacherous and false and that no advantage was to be had by any commerce with them insomuch as they took up a resolution never more to have to doe with them which the said Indians perceiving made no account of the former peace but took all advantage to do us mischief not only by harbouring those who had murthered Mr. Oldham but surprizing many of the English in the year 1636. when Connecticut River began first to be planted divers of whom were killed nine at one time in April 1637. by them about Wethersfield when the Plantation then first began so as they could not pass up and down the River without a Guard but they would be in danger of being cut off or carried away as two Maids were said to be thirty men have been killed by them in all those who fell into their hands alive were cruelly tortured after a most barbarous manner by insulting over their Prisoners in a blasphemous wise when in their dying Agonies under the extremity of their pains their flesh being first flashed with knives and then filled with burning Embers they called upon God and Christ with gasping groans resigning up their Souls into their hands with which words these wretched Caâ—tifs used to mock the English afterward when they came within their hearing and view About the same time some Agents sent over by the Lord Say and the Lord Brook built a Fort at the mouth of Connecticut River wherein was placed one Lieutenant Gardiner and a convenient number of Souldiers to secure the place intended soon after to be planted but all the winter following scil in the end of the year 1636. they were little better then besieged by the said Salvages not daring to stir out of command of the Fort but they were ready to be seized by these their barbarous Enemies At one time the Lieutenant himself with ten or twelve of the Souldiers marching out of the Fort with an intent to pass over a Neck of Land to burn the Marshes as soon as ever they were passed over the streight of the Neck they espyed a Company of Indians making towards the said Istmus which if they could not recover they see they must all perish whereupon returning back with all speed they very narrowly escaped and were two or three of them killed notwithstanding before they could get back into the Fort which was presently surrounded with multitudes of them but the discharging of a piece of Ordnance gave them warning to keep further from the Walls sometimes they came with their Canooes into the river in view of the Souldiers within the Fort and when they apprehended themselves out of reach of their gunns they would imitate the dying groans invocations of the poor Captive English which the English Souldiers were forced with silent patience to bear not being then in a capacity to requite their insolent blasphemyes But they being by these horrible outrages justly provoked to indignation unanimously agreed to joyn their Forces together to root them out of the earth with