OF PLYMOUTH PLANTATION
by William Bradford
1620-1647 Book Two / pp. 389 - 430
Anno.Dom: 1635. MR. WINSLOW was very wellcome to them in Eng-
land, and ye more in regard of ye large returne he
brought with him, which came all safe to their hands,
390 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
and was well sould. And he was borne in hand, (at
least he so apprehended,) that all accounts should be
cleared before his returne, and all former differences
ther aboute well setled. And so he writ over to
them hear, that he hoped to cleare ye accounts, and
bring them over with him; and yt the accounte of
ye White Angele would be taken of, and all things
fairly ended. But it came to pass [205] that, being
occasioned to answer some complaints made against
the countrie at Counsell bord, more cheefly concerning
their neigbours in ye Bay then them selves hear, the
which he did to good effecte, and further prosecuting
such things as might tend to ye good of ye whole, as
well them selves as others, aboute ye wrongs and in-
croachments that the French & other strangers both
had and were like further to doe unto them, if not
prevented, he prefered this petition following to their
Honrs that were deputed Comissioners for ye Planta-
tions.
To ye right honorable ye Lords Comissioners for ye Plan-
tations in America.
The humble petition of Edw: Winslow, on ye behalfe of
ye plantations in New-England,
Humbly sheweth unto your Lordships, yt wheras your peti-
tioners have planted them selves in New England under his
Matis most gratious protection; now so it is, right Honbl,
that ye French & Dutch doe indeaouer to devide ye land
betweene them; for which purpose ye French have, on ye
east side, entered and seased upon one of our houses, and
1635.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATIQN. 391
carried away the goods, slew 2. of ye men in another place,
and tooke ye rest prisoners with their goods. And ye Dutch,
on ye west, have also made entrie upon Conigtecute River,
within ye limits of his Majts lrs patent, where they have
raised a forte, and threaten to expell your petitioners thence,
who are also planted upon ye same river, maintaining posses-
sion for his Matie to their great charge, & hazard both of lives
& goods.
In tender consideration hereof your petitioners humbly pray
that your Lopps will either procure their peace wth those foraine
states, or else to give spetiall walTante unto your petitioners
and ye English Collonies, to right and defend them selves
against all foraigne enimies. And your petitioners shall
pray, &c.
This petition found good acceptation with most of
them, and Mr. Winslow was heard sundry times by
them, and appointed further to attend for an answer
from their Lopps, espetiaIly, having upon conferance
with them laid downe a way how this might be doone
without any either charge or trouble to ye state; only
by furnishing some of ye cheefe of ye cuntry hear
with authoritie, who would undertake it at their owne
charge, and in such a way as should be without any
publick disturbance. But this crossed both Sr Ferdi-
nandos Gorges' & Cap: Masons designe, and ye arch-
bishop of Counterberies- by them; for Sr Ferd: Gorges
(by ye arch-pps favore) was to have been sent over
generall Govr into ye countrie, and to have had means
from ye state for yt end, and was now upon dispatch
and conclude of ye bussines. And ye arch-bishops
392 HISTORY OF [Book II.
purposs & intente was, by his means, & some he
should send with him, (to be furnished with Episco-
pall power,) [206] to disturbe ye peace of ye churches
here, and to overthrow their proceedings and further
growth, which was ye thing he aimed at. But it so
fell out (by Gods providence) that though he in ye
end crost this petition from taking any further effecte
in this kind, yet by this as a cheefe means the plotte
and whole bussines of his & Sr Ferdinandos fell to ye
ground, and came to nothing. When Mr. Winslow
should have had his suit granted, (as indeed upon ye
pointe it was,) and should have been confirmed, the
arch-bishop put a stop upon it, and Mr. Winslow,
thinking to gett it freed, went to ye bord againe; but
ye bishop, Sr Ferd: and Captine Masson, had, as it
seemes, procured Morton (of whom mention is made
before, & his base carriage) to complaine; to whose
complaints Mr. Winslow made answer to ye good sat-
isfaction of ye borde, who checked Morton and re-
buked him sharply, & allso blamed Sr Ferd Gorges,
& Masson, for countenancing him. But ye bish: had
a further end & use of his presence, for he now be-
gane to question Mr. Winslow of many things; as
of teaching in ye church publickly, of which Morton
accused him, and gave evidence that he had seen and
heard him doe it; to which Mr. Winslow answered,
that some time (wanting a minster) he did exercise
his gifte to help ye edification of his breethren, when
1635.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 393
they wanted better means, wch was not often. Then
aboute mariage, the which he also confessed, that,
haveing been called to place of magistracie, he had
sometimes maried some. And further tould their
lordps yt mariage was a civille thinge, & he found no
wher in ye word of God yt it was tyed to ministrie.
Again, they were necessitated so to doe, having for
a long time togeather at first no minister; besids, it
I was no new-thing, for he had been so maried him
selfe in Holand, by ye magistrats in their Statt-house.
But in ye end (to be short), for these things, ye
bishop, by vemente importunity, gott ye bord at last
to consente to his comittemente; so he was comited
to ye Fleete, and lay ther 17. weeks, or ther aboute,
before he could gett to be released. And this was ye
end of this petition, and this bussines; only ye others
designe was also frustrated hereby, with other things
concurring, which was no smalle blessing to ye people
here.
But ye charge fell heavie on them hear, not only in
Mr. Winslows expences, (which could not be smale,)
but by ye hinderance of their bussines both ther and
hear, by his personall imploymente. For though this
was as much or more for others then for them hear,
and by them cheefly he was put on this bussines,
(for ye plantation kewe nothing of it till they heard
of his imprisonmente,) yet ye whole charge lay on
them.
394 HISTORY OF [Book II.
Now for their owne bussines; whatsoever Mr. Sher-
leys mind was before, (or Mr. Winslow apprehension
of ye same,) he now declared him selfe plainly, that
he would neither take of ye White-Angell from ye
accounte, nor [207] give any further accounte, till he
had received more into his hands; only a prety good
supply of goods were sent over, but of ye most, no
note of their prises, or so orderly an invoyce as for-
merly; which Mr. Winslow said he could not help,
because of his restrainte. Only now Mr. Sherley &
Mr. Beachamp & Mr. Andrews sent over a letter of
atturney under their hands & seals, to recovere what
they could of Mr. Allerton for ye Angells accounte;
but sent them neither ye bonds, nor covenants, or such
other evidence or accounts, as they had aboute these
matters. I shall here inserte a few passages out of
Mr. Sherleys letters aboute these things.
Your leter of ye 22. of July, 1634, by your trustie and our
loving friend Mr. Winslow, I have received, and your larg
parcell of beaver and otter skines. Blessed be our God,
both he and it came safly to us, and we have sould it in
tow parcells; ye skin at 14s. li. & some at 16.; ye coate at
20s. ye pound. The accounts I have not sent you them this
year, I will referr you to Mr. Winslow to tell you ye reason
of it; yet be assured yt none of you shall suffer by ye not
having of them, if God spare me life. And wheras you say
ye 6. years are expired yt ye peopl put ye trad into your &
our hands for, for ye discharge of yt great debte wch Mr.
Allerton needlesly & unadvisedly ran you & us into; yet it
was promised it should continue till our disbursments & in-
1635.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 395
gagements were satisfied. You conceive it is done; we feele
& know other wise, &c. I doubt not but we shall lovingly
agree, notwithstanding all yt hath been writen, on boath sids,
aboute ye Whit-Angell. We have now sent you a letter of
atturney, therby giving you power in our names (and to
shadow it ye more we say for our uses) to obtaine what may
be of Mr. Allerton towards ye satisfing of that great charge
of ye White Angell. And sure he hath bound him selfe,
(though at present I cannot find it,) but he hath often
affirmed, with great protestations, yt neither you nor we
should lose a peny by him, and I hope you shall find enough
to discharg it, so as we shall have no more contesting
aboute it. Yet, notwithstanding his unnaturall & unkind
dealing with you, in ye midest of justice remember mercie,
and doe not all you may doe, &c. Set us out of debte, and
then let us recone & reason togeither, &c. Mr. Winslow
hath undergone an unkind imprisonment, but I am perswaded
it will turne much to all your good. I leave him to relate per-
ticuleres, &c.
Your loving freind,
JAMES SHERLEY.
London, Sep: 7. 1635.
This year they sustained an other great loss from ye
French. Monsier de Aulnay coming into ye harbore of
Penobscote, and having before gott some of ye cheefe
yt belonged to ye house abord his vessell, by sutlty
coming upon them in their shalop, he gott them to
pilote him in; and after getting ye rest into his power
he tooke possession of ye house in ye name of ye king
of France; and partly by threatening, & other wise,
made Mr. Willett (their agente ther) to approve of
396 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
ye sale of ye goods their unto him, of which he sett
ye price him selfe [208] in effecte, and made an in-
ventory therof, (yett leaving out sundry things,) but
made no paymente for them; but tould them in con-
venient time he would doe it if they came for it. For
ye house & fortification, &c. he would not alow, nor
accounte any thing, saing that they which build on
another mans ground doe forfite ye same. So thus
turning them out of all, (with a great deale of com-
plemente, and many fine words,) he let them have
their shalop and some victualls to bring them home.
Coming home and relating all the passages, they here
were much troubled at it, & haveing had this house
robbed by ye French once before, and lost then above
500li. (as is before remembred), and now to loose
house & all, did much move them. So as they re-
solved to consulte with their freinds in ye Bay, and
if yey approved of it, (ther being now many ships
ther,) they intended to hire a ship of force, and seeke
to beat out ye Frenche, and recover it againe. Ther
course was well approved on, if them selves could bear
ye charge; so they hired a fair ship of above 300.
tune, well fitted with ordnance, and agreed with ye
mr. (one Girling) to this effect: that he and his com-
pany should deliver them ye house, (after they had
driven out, or surprised ye French,) and give them
peacable possession therof, and of all such trading
comodities as should ther be found; and give ye
1635.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 397
French fair quarter & usage, if they would yeeld. In
consideration wherof he was to have 700li. of beaver,
to be delivered him ther, when he had done ye thing;
but if he did not accomplish it, be was to loose his
labour, and have nothing. With him they also sent
their owne bark, and about 20. men, with Captaine
Standish, to aide him (if neede weer), and to order
things, if the house was regained; and then to pay
him ye beaver, which they keept abord their owne
barke. So they with their bark piloted him thither,
and brought him safe into ye harbor. But he was so
rash &, heady as he would take no advice, nor would
surer Captaine Standish to have time to summone
them, (who had comission & order so to doe,) neither
would doe it him selfe; the which, it was like, if it had
been done, & they come to affaire parley, seeing their
force, they would have yeelded. Neither would he
have patience to bring his ship wher she might doe
execution, but begane to shoot, at distance like a
madd man, and did them no hurte at all; the which
when those of ye plantation saw, they were much
greeved, and went to him & tould him he would doe
no good if he did not lay his ship beter to pass (for
she might lye within piston shott of ye house). At
last, when he saw his owne folly, be was perswaded,
and layed her well, and bestowed a few shott to good
purposs. But now, when he was in a way to doe
some good, his powder was goone; for though he had
398 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
. . * peece of ordnance, it did now [209] appeare he
had but a barrell of powder, and a peece; so he could
doe no good, but was faine to draw of againe; by
which means ye enterprise was made frustrate, and ye
French incouraged; for all ye while that he shot so
unadvisedly, they lay close under a worke of earth, &
let him consume him selfe. He advised with ye Cap-
taine how he might be supplyed with powder, for
he had not to carie him home; 80 he tould him he
would goe to ye next plantation, and doe his indeour
to procure him some, and so did; but understand-
ing, by intelligence, that he intended to ceiase on ye
barke, & surprise ye beaver, he sent him the powder,
and brought ye barke & beaver home. But Girling
never assualted ye place more, (seeing him selfe dis-
apoyented,) but went his way; and this was ye end
of this bussines.
Upon ye ill success of this bussines, the Govr and
Assistants here by their leters certified their freinds in
ye Bay, how by this ship they had been abused and
disapoynted, and yt the French partly had, and were
now likly to fortifie them selves more strongly, and
likly to become ill neigbours to ye English. Upon
this they thus writ to them as folloeth: --
Worthy Srs: Upon ye reading of your leters, & consid-
eration of ye waightines of ye cause therin mentioned, the
* Blank in the original.
1635.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 399
courte hath joyntly expressed their willingnes to assist you
with men & munition, for ye accomplishing of your desires
upon ye French. But because here are none of yours yt have
authority to conclude of any thing herein, nothing can be
done by us for ye presente. We desire, therfore, that you
would with all conveniente speed send some man of trust,
furnished with instructions from your selves, to make such
agreemente with us about this bussines as may be usefull
for you, and equall for us. So in hast we comite you to
God; and remaine
Your assured loving freinds,
JOHN HAYNES, Govr.
RI: BELLINGHAM, Dep.
Jo: WINTHROP.
THO: DUDLEY.
Jo: HUMFRAY.
WM: CODDINGTON.
WK: PINCHON.
ATHERTON HOUGHE.
INCREAS NOWELL.
RIC: DUMER.
SIMON BRADSTRETE.
New-towne, Octor 9. 1635.
Upon the receite of ye above mentioned, they pres-
ently deputed 2. of theirs to treate with them, giving
them full power to conclude, according to the instruc-
tions they gave them, being to this purposs: that if
they would afford such assistance as, togeather with
their owne, was like to effecte the thing, and allso
bear a considerable parte of ye charge, they would goe
on; if not, [210] they (having lost so much allready)
400 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
should not be able, but must desiste, and waite fur-
ther opportunitie as God should give, to help them
selves. But this came to nothing, for when it came
to ye issue, they would be at no charge, but sente
them this letter, and referd them more at large to
their owne messengers.
Sr: Having, upon ye consideration of your letter, with ye
message you sente, had some serious consultations aboute
ye great importance of your bussines with ye French, we
gave our answer to those whom you deputed to conferr wth
us aboute ye viage to Penobscote. We shewed our willing-
nes to help, but withall we declared our presente condition,
& in what state we were, for our abilitie to help; which we
for our parts shall be willing to improve, to procure you
sufficiente supply of men & munition. But for matter of
moneys we have no authority at all to promise, and if we
should, we should rather disapoynte you, then incourage you
by yt help, which we are not able to performe. We likewise
thought it fitt to take ye help of other Esterne plantations;
but those things we leave to your owne wisdomes. And for
other things we refer you to your owne comitties, who are
able to relate all ye passages more at large. We salute
you, & wish you all good success in ye Lord.
Your faithfull & loving friend,
RI: BELLINGHAM, Dep:
In ye name of ye Fest of the Comities.
Boston, Octobr 16. 1635.
This thing did not only thus breake of, but some
of their merchants shortly after sent to trad with
them, and furnished them both with provissions, &
1635.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 401
poweder & shott; and so have continued to doe till
this day, as they have seen opportunitie for their
profite. So as in truth ye English them selves have
been the cheefest supporters of these French; for
besids these, the plantation at Pemaquid (which lyes
near unto them) doth not only supply them with
what yey wante, but gives them continuall intelligence
of all things that passes among, ye English, (espetially
some of them,) so as it is no marvell though they
still grow, & incroach more & more upon ye English,
and fill ye Indeans with gunes & munishtion, to ye
great deanger of ye English, who lye open & unfor-
tified, living, upon husbandrie; and ye other closed up
in their forts, well fortified, and live upon trade, in
good securitie. If these things be not looked too, and
remeady provided in time, it may easily be conjectured
what they may come toe; but I leave them.
This year, ye 14. or 15. of August (being, Saturday)
was such a mighty storme of wind & raine, as none
living in these parts, either English or Indeans, ever
saw. Being like (for ye time it continued) to those
Hauricanes and Tuffons that writers make mention of
in ye Indeas. It began in ye morning, a litle before
day, and grue not by degrees, but came with violence
in ye begining, to ye great amasnaente of many. It
blew downe sundry [211] houses, & uncovered others;
diverce vessells were lost at sea, and many more in ex-
treme danger. It caused ye sea to swell (to ye south-
402 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
ward of this place) above 20. foote, right up & downe,
and made many of the Indeans to clime into trees for
their saftie; it tooke of ye borded roofe of a house
which belonged to the plantation at Manamet, and
floted it to another place, the posts still standing in
ye ground; and if it had continued long without ye
shifting of ye wind, it is like it would have drouned
some parte of ye cuntrie. It blew downe many hun-
dered thowsands of trees, turning up the stronger by
the roots, and breaking the hiegher pine trees of in
the midle, and ye tall yonge oaks & walnut trees of
good biggnes were wound like a withe, very strang
& fearfull to behould. It begane in ye southeast, and
parted toward ye south & east, and vered sundry ways;
but ye greatest force of it here was from ye former
quarters. It continued not (in ye extremitie) above
5. or 6. houers, but ye violence begane to abate. The
signes and marks of it will remaine this 100. years in
these parts wher it was sorest. The moone suffered
a great eclips the 2. night after it.
Some of their neighbours in ye Bay, hereing of ye
fame of Conightecute River, had a hankering mind
after it, (as was before noted,) and now understanding
that ye Indeans were swepte away with ye late great
mortalitie, the fear of whom was an obstacle unto
them before, which being now taken away, they be-
gane now to prosecute it with great egernes. The
greatest differances fell betweene those of Dorchester
1635.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 403
plantation and them hear; for they set their minde
on that place, which they had not only purchased of
ye Indeans, but wher they had builte; intending only
(if they could not remove them) that they should have
but a smale moyety left to ye house, as to a single
family; whose doings and proceedings were conceived
to be very injurious, to attempte not only to intrude
them selves into ye rights & possessions of others, but
in effect to thrust them out of all. Many were ye
leters & passages that went betweene them hear aboute,
which would be to long here to relate.
I shall here first inserte a few lines that was write
by their own agente from thence.
Sr: &c. Ye Masschuset men are coming almost dayly, some
by water, & some by land, who are not yet determined wher
to setle, though some have a great mind to ye place we are
upon, and which was last bought. Many of them look at
that which this river will not afford, excepte it be at this
place which we have, namly, to be a great towne, and have
comodious dwellings for many togeather. So as what they
will doe I cannot yet resolve you; for this place ther is none
of them say any thing to me, but what I hear from their
servants (by whom I perceive their minds). I shall doe what
I can to withstand them. I hope they will hear reason; as
that we were here first, and entred with much difficulty and
danger, [212] both in regard of ye Dutch & Indeans, and
bought ye land, (to your great charge, all ready disbursed,)
and have since held here a chargable possession, and kept
ye Dutch from further incroaching, which would els long be-
fore this day have possessed all, and kept out all others, &c.
404 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
I hope these & such like arguments will stoppe them. It was
your will we should use their persons & messengers kindly,
& so we have done, and doe dayly, to your great charge;
for ye first company had well nie starved had it not been for
this house, for want of victuals; I being forced to supply
12. men for 9. days togeather; and those which came last,
I entertained the best we could, helping both them (& ye
other) with canows, & guids. They gott me to goe with
them to ye Dutch, to see if I could procure some of them
to have quiet setling nere them; but they did peremtorily
withstand them. But this later company did not once speak
therof, &c. Also I gave their goods house roome according
to their ernest request, and Mr. Pinchons letter in their be-
halfe (which I thought good to send you, here inclosed).
And what trouble & charge I shall be further at I know
not; for they are coming dayly, and I expecte these back
againe from below, whither they are gone to veiw ye countrie.
All which trouble & charg we under goe for their occasion,
may give us just cause (in ye judgmente of all wise & un-
derstanding men) to hold and keep that we are setled upon.
Thus with my duty remembred, &c. I rest
Yours to be comanded
JOHNNATHA BREWSTER.
Matianuck, July 6. 1635.
Amongst ye many agitations that pased betweene
them, I shal note a few out of their last letters, & for
ye present omitte ye rest, except upon other occasion
I may have fitter opportunity. After their thorrow
veiw of ye place, they began to pitch them selves upon
their land & near their house; which occasioned much
expostulation betweene them. Some of which are such
as follow.
1635.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 405
Brethren, having latly sent 2. of our body unto you, to
agitate & bring to an issue some maters in difference be-
tweene us, about some lands at Conightecutt, unto which you
lay challeng; upon which God by his providence cast us,
and as we conceive in a faire way of providence tendered
it to us, as a meete place to receive our body, now upon
removall.
We shall not need to answer all ye passages of your larg
letter, &c. But wheras you say God in his providence cast
you, &c., we tould you before, and (upon this occasion)
must now tell you still, that our mind is other wise, and
yt you cast rather a partiall, if not a covetous eye, upon
that wch is your neigbours, and not yours; and in so doing,
your way could not be faire unto it. Looke yt you abuse
not Gods providence in such allegations.
Theirs.
Now allbeite we at first judged ye place so free yt we might
with Gods good leave take & use it, without just offence to
any man, it being the Lords [213] wast, and for ye presente
altogeather voyd of inhabitants, that indeede minded ye im-
ploymente therof, to ye right ends for which land was created,
Gen: 1. 28. and for future intentions of any, & uncertaine
possibilities of this or that to be done by any, we judging
them (in such a case as ours espetialy) not meete to be
equalled with presente actions (such as ours was) much less
worthy to be prefered before them; and therfore did we
make some weake beginings in that good worke, in ye place
afforesaid.
Ans: Their answer was to this effecte; That if it
was ye Lords wast, it was them selves that found it so,
& not they; and "have since bought it of ye right
406 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
oweners, and maintained a chargable possession upon
it al this while, as them selves could not but know.
And because of present ingagments and other hinder-
ances which lay at presente upon them, must it ther-
fore be lawfull for them to goe and take it from
them? It was well known that they are upon a barren
place, wher they were by necessitie cast; and neither
they nor theirs could longe continue upon ye same;
and why should they (because they were more ready,
& more able at presente) goe and deprive them of
that which they had wth charg & hazard provided, &
intended to remove to, as soone as they could & were
able?
They had another passage in their letter; they had
rather have to doe with the lords in England, to
whom (as they heard it reported) some of them should
say that they had rather give up their right to them,
(if they must part with it,) then to ye church of
Dorchester, &c. And that they should be less fearfull
to offend ye lords, then they were them.
Ans: Their answer was, that what soever they had
heard, (more then was true,) yet ye case was not so
with them that they had need to give away their rights
& adventurs, either to ye lords, or them; yet, if they
might measure their fear of offence by their practise,
they had rather (in that poynte) they should deal with
ye lords, who were beter able to bear it, or help them
selves, then they were.
1635.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 407
But least I should be teadious, I will forbear other
things, and come to the conclusion that was made in
ye endd. To make any forcible resistance was farr
from their thoughts, (they had enough of yt about
Kenebeck,) and to live in continuall contention with
their freinds & brethren would be uncomfortable, and
too heavie a burden to bear. Therfore for peace sake
(though they conceived they suffered much in this
thing) they thought it better to let them have it upon
as good termes as they could gett; and so they fell to
treaty. The first thing yt (because they had made so
many & long disputs aboute it) they would have them
to grante was, yt they had right too it, or ells they
would never treat aboute it. The which being ac-
knowledged, & yeelded unto by them, this was ye con-
clusion they came unto in ye end after much adoe:
that they should retaine their house, and have the 16.
parte of all they had bought of ye Indeans; and ye
other should have all ye rest of ye land; leaveing such
a moyety to those [214] of New-towne, as they re-
served for them. This 16. part was to be taken in too
places; one towards ye house, the other towards New-
townes proporrtion. Also they were to pay according
to proportion, what had been disbursed to ye Indeans
for ye purchass. Thus was ye controversie ended, but
the unkindnes not so soone forgotten. They of New-
towne delt more fairly, desireing only what they could
* They in MS.
408 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
conveniently spare, from a competancie reserved for
a plantation, for them selves; which made them the
more carfull to procure a moyety for them, in this
agreement & distribution.
Amongst ye other bussinesses that Mr. Winslow had
to doe in England, he had order from ye church to
provid & bring over some able & fitt man for to
be their minister. And accordingly he had procured
a godly and a worthy * man, one Mr. Glover; but it
pleased God when he was prepared for the viage, he
fell sick of a feaver and dyed. Afterwards, when he
was ready to come away, he became acquainted with
Mr. Norton, who was willing to come over, but would
not ingage him selfe to this place, otherwise then he
should see occasion when he came hear; and if he liked
better else wher, to repay ye charge laid out for him,
(which came to aboute 70li.) and to be at his liberty.
He stayed aboute a year with them, after he came
over, and was well liked of them, & much desired by
them; but he was invited to Ipswich, wher were many
rich & able men, and sundry of his aquaintance; so he
wente to them, & is their minister. Aboute half of
ye charg was repayed, ye rest he had for ye pains he
tooke amongst them.
* Before this word in the margin appears So capital N.
1636.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 409
Anno Dom: 1636.
MR. ED: WINSLOW was chosen Govr this year.
In ye former year, because they perceived by Mr.
Winslows later letters' that no accounts would be
sente, they resolved to keep ye beaver, and send no
more, till they had them, or came to some further
agreemente. At least they would forbear till Mr.
Winslow came over, that by more full conferance with
him they might better understand what was meete to
be done. But when he came, though he brought no
accounts, yet he perswaded them to send ye beaver,
& was confident upon ye receite of yt beaver, & his
letters, they should have accounts ye nexte year; and
though they thought his grounds but weake, that gave
him this hope, & made him so confidente, yet by his
importunitie they yeelded, & sente ye same, ther being
a ship at ye latter end of year, by whom they sente
1150li. waight of beaver, and 200. otter skins, besids
sundrie small furrs, as 55. minks, 2. black foxe skins,
&c. And this year, in ye spring, came in a Dutch
man, who thought to have traded at ye Dutch-forte;
[215] but they would not suffer him. He, having
good store of trading goods, came to this place, &
tendred them to sell; of whom they bought a good
quantitie, they being very good & fitte for their turne,
as Dutch roll, ketles, &c., which goods amounted to ye
valew of 500li., for ye paymente of which they passed
410 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
bills to Mr. Sherley in England, having before sente
ye forementioned parcell of beaver. And now this
year (by another ship) sente an other good round
parcell that might come to his hands, & be sould be-
fore any of these bills should be due. The quantity
of beaver now sent was 1809li. waight, and of otters
10. skins, and shortly after (ye same year) was sent by
another ship (Mr. Langrume maister), in beaver 0719li
waight, and of otter skins 199. concerning which Mr.
Sherley thus writs.
Your leters I have received, with 8. hoggsheads of beaver
by Ed: Wilkinson, mr. of ye Falcon. Blessed be God for ye
safe coming of it. I have also seen & acceped 3. bills of
exchainge, &c. But I must now acquainte you how the Lords
heavie hand is upon this kingdom in many places, but cheefly
in this cittie, with his judgmente of ye plague. The last
weeks bill was 1200. & odd, I fear this will be more; and
it is much feared it will be a winter sicknes. By reason
wherof it is incredible ye number of people yt are gone into
ye cuntry & left ye citie. I am perswaded many more then
went out ye last sicknes; so as here is no trading, carriors
from most places put downe; nor no receiving of any money,
though long due. Mr. Hallows us more then would pay
these bills, but he, his wife, and all, are in ye cuntrie, 60.
miles from London. I write to him, he came up, but could
not pay us. I am perswaded if I should offer to sell ye
beaver at 88. pr pound, it would not yeeld money; but when
ye Lord shall please to cease his hand, I hope we shall have
better & quicker markets; so it shall lye by. Before I ac-
cepted ye bills, I acquainted Mr. Beachamp & Mr. Andrews
with them, & how ther could be no money made nor
1636.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 411
received; and that it would be a great discredite to you,
which never yet had any turned back, and a shame to us,
haveing 1800li. of beaver lying by us, and more oweing
then ye bills come too, &c. But all was nothing; neither
of them both will put too their finger to help. I offered to
supply my 3. parte, but they gave me their answer they
neither would nor could, &c. However, your bils shall
be satisfied to ye parties good contente; but I would not
have thought they ,would have left either you or me at this
time, &c. You will and may expect I should write more,
& answer your leters, but I am not a day in ye weeke at
home at towne, but carry my books & all to Clapham; for
here is ye miserablest time yt I thinke hath been known in
many ages. I have know 3. great sickneses, but none like
this. And that which should be a means to pacifie ye Lord, ,
& help us, that is taken -away, preaching put downe in many
places, not a sermone in Westminster on ye saboth, nor in
many townes aboute us; ye Lord in mercie looke uppon
us. In ye begining of ye year was a great [216] drought,
& no raine for many weeks togeather, so as all was burnte
up, haye, at 5li. a load; and now all raine, so as much
sommer corne & later haye is spoyled. Thus ye Lord
sends judgmente after judgmente, and yet we cannot see,
nor humble our selves; and therfore may justly fear heavier
judgments, unless we speedyly repente, & returne unto him,
which ye Lord give us grace to doe, if it be his blessed
will. Thus desiring you to remember us in your prayers,
I ever rest Your loving friend,
JAMES SHERLEY.
Sept: 14. 1636.
This was all ye answer they had from Mr. Sherley,
by which Mr. Winslow saw his hops failed him. So
they now resoloved to send no more beaver in yt way
412 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
which they had done, till they came to some issue or
other aboute these things. But now came over let-
ters from Mr. Andrews & Mr. Beachamp full of com-
plaints, that they marveled yt nothing was sent over,
by which any of their moneys should be payed in;
for it did appear by ye accounte sente in Ano 1631.
that they were each of them out, aboute a leven
hundered pounds a peece, and all this while had not
received one penie towards ye same. But now Mr.
Sherley sought to draw more money from them, and
was offended because they deneyed him; and blamed
them hear very much that all was sent to Mr. Sher-
ley, & nothing to them. They marvelled much at this,
for they conceived that much of their moneis had been
paid in, & yt yearly each of them had received a pro-
portionable quantity out of ye larg returnes sent home.
For they had sente home since yt accounte was re-
ceived in Ano 1631. (in which all & more then all
their debts, wth yt years supply, was charged upon
them) these sumes following.
Novbr 18. Ano 1631. By Mr. Peirce 0400li. waight of beaver, & otters 20.
July 13. Ano 1632. By Mr. Griffin 1348li. beaver, & otters . . 147.
Ano 1633. By Mr. Graves 3366li. bever, & otters . . 346.
Ano 1634. By Mr. Andrews 3738li. beaver, & otters . . 234.
Ano 1635. By Mr. Babb 1150li. beaver, & otters . . 200.
June 24. Ano 1636. By Mr. Willkinson 1809li. beaver, & otters . . 010.
Ibidem. By Mr. Langrume 0719li. beaver, & otters . . 199.
______ ___
12150li.* 1156.
* Not correctly cast; it should be 12530li.
1636.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION 413
All these; sumes were saily rceived & well sould,
as appears by leters. The coat beaver usualy at 20s.
pr pound, and some at 24s.; the skin at 15. & some-
times 16. I doe not remember any under 14. It
may be ye last year might be something lower, so
also ther were some small furrs that are not recconed
in this accounte, & some black beaver at higer rates,
to make up ye defects. [217] It was conceived that
ye former parcells of beaver came to litle less then
10000li. sterling, and ye otter skins would pay all ye
charge, & they wth other furrs make up besids if any
thing wanted of ye former sume. When ye former
accounte was passed, all their debts (those of White-
Angelle & Frendship included) came but to 4770li.
And they could not estimate that all ye supplies since
sent them, & bills payed for them, could come to
above 2000li. so as they conceived their debts had
been payed, with advantage or intrest. But it may
be objected, how comes it that they could not as well
exactly sett downe their receits, as their returnes, but
thus estimate it. I answer, 2. things were ye cause
of it; the first & principall was, that ye new ac-
countante, which they in England would needs presse
upon them, did wholy faile them, & could never give
them any accounte; but trusting to his memorie, &
lose papers, let things rune into such confusion, that
neither he, nor any with him, could bring things to
rights. But being often called upon to perfecte his
414 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
accounts, he desired to have such a time, and such
a time of leasure, and he would doe it. In ye intrime
he fell into a great sicknes, and in conclusion it fell
out he could make no accounte at all. His books
were after a litle good begining left altogeather un-
perfect; and his papers, some were lost, & others so
confused, as he knew not what to make of them him
selfe, when they came to be searched & examined.
This was not unknowne to Mr. Sherley; and they
came to smarte for it to purposs, (though it was not
their faulte,) both thus in England, and also here;
for they conceived they lost some hundreds of pounds
for goods trusted out in ye place, which were lost for
want of clear accounts to call them in. Another rea-
son of this mischeefe was, that after Mr. Winslow
was sente into England to demand accounts, and to
excepte against ye Whit-Angell, they never had any
price sent with their goods, nor any certaine invoyce
of them; but all things stood in confusion, and they
were faine to guesse at ye prises of them.
They write back to Mr. Andrews & Mr. Beachamp,
and tould them they marveled they should write they
had sent nothing home since ye last accounts; for
they had sente a great deale; and it might rather be
marveled how they could be able to send so much,
besids defraying all charg at home, and what they
had lost by the French, and so much cast away at
sea, when Mr. Peirce lost his ship on ye coast of Vir-
1636.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 415
ginia. What they had sente was to them all, and to
them selves as well as Mr. Sherley, and if they did
not looke after it, it was their owne faIts; they must
referr them to Mr. Sherley, who had received [218]
it, to demand it of him. They allso write to Mr.
Sherley to ye same purposs, and what the others com-
plaints were.
This year 2. shallops going to Coonigtecutt with
goods from ye Massachusetts of such as removed
theither to plante, were in an easterly storme cast
away in coming into this harbore in ye night; the
boats men were lost, and ye goods were driven all
alonge ye shore, and strowed up & downe at high-
water marke. But ye Govr caused them to be gath-
ered up, and drawn togeather, and appointed some
to take an inventory of them, and others to wash
& drie such things as had neede therof; by which
means most of ye goods were saved, and restored to
ye owners. Afterwards anotheir boate of theirs (go-
ing thither likwise) was cast away near unto Manoan-
scusett, and such goods as came a shore were preserved
for them. Such crosses they mette with in their be-
ginings; which some imputed as a correction from
God for their intrution (to ye wrong of others) into
yt place. But I dare not be bould with Gods judg-
ments in this kind.
In ye year 1634, the Pequents (a stoute and war-
like people), who had made warrs with sundry of
416 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
their neigbours, and puft up with many victories,
grue now at varience with ye Narigansets, a great
people bordering upon them. These Narigansets held
correspondance and termes of freindship with ye Eng-
lish of ye Massachusetts. Now ye Pequents, being con-
scious of ye guilte of Captain-Stones death, whom they
knew to be an-English man, as also those yt were
with him, and being fallen out with ye Dutch, least
they should have over many enemies at once, sought
to make freindship with ye English of ye Massachu-
setts; and for yt end sent both messengers & gifts
unto them, as appears by some letters sent from ye
Govr hither.
Dear & worthy Sr: &c. To let you know somwhat of
our affairs, you may understand that ye Pequents have sent
some of theirs to us, to desire our freindship, and offered
much wampam & beaver, &c. The first messengers were
dismissed without answer; with ye next we had diverce dayes
conferance, and taking ye advice of some of our ministers,
and seeking the Lord in it, we concluded a peace & freind-
ship with them, upon these conditions: that they should de-
liver up to us those men who were guilty of Stones death,
&c. And if we desired to plant in Conightecute, they should
give up their right to us, and so we would send to trade
with them as our freinds (which was ye cheefe thing we
aimed at, being now in warr with ye Dutch and ye rest of
their neigbours). To this they readily agreed; and that
we should meadiate a peace betweene them and the Narigan-
setts; for which end they were contente we should give the
Narigansets parte of yt presente, they would bestow on us
1636.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 417
(for they stood [219]* so much on their honour, as they
would not be seen to give any thing of them selves). As
for Captein Stone, they tould us ther were but 2. left of
those who had any hand in his death; and that they killed
him in a just quarell, for (say they) he surprised 2. of our
men, and bound them, to make them by force to shew him
ye way up ye river; ! and he with 2. other coming on shore,
9. Indeans watched him, and when they were a sleepe in ye
night, they kiled them, to deliver their owne men; and some
of them going afterwards to ye pinass, it was suddainly blowne
up. Weare now preparing to send a pinass unto them, &c.
In an other of his, dated ye 12. of ye first month,
he hath this.
Our pinass is latly returned from ye Pequents; they put
of but litle comoditie, and found them a very false people,
so as they mean to have no more to doe with them. I have
diverce other things to write unto you, &:c.
Yours ever assured,
Jo: WINTHROP.
Boston, 12. of ye 1. month, 1634.
After these things, and, as I take, this year, John
Oldom, (of whom much is spoken before,) being now
an inhabitant of ye Massachusetts, went wth a small
vessell, & slenderly mand, a trading into these south
parts, and upon a quarell betweene him & ye Indeans
was cutt of by them (as hath been before noted) at
an iland called by ye Indeans Munisses, but since by
* 119 in MS.
! Ther is litle trust to be giyen to their relations in these things.
418 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
ye English Block Iland. This, with ye former about
the death of Stone, and the baffoyling of ye Pequents
with ye English of ye Massachusetts, moved them to
set out some to take revenge, and require satisfaction
for these wrongs; but it was done so superfitially, and
without their acquainting of those of Conightecute &
other neighbours with ye same, as they did litle good.
But their neigbours had more hurt done, for some
of ye murderers of Old orne fled to ye. Pequents, and
though the English went to ye Pequents, and had
some parley with them, yet they did but delude
them, & ye English returned without doing any thing
to purpose, being frustrate of their oppertunitie by ye
others deceite. After ye English were returned, the
Pequents tooke their time and oppertunitie to cut of
some of ye English as they passed in boats, and went
on fouling, and assaulted them the next spring at
their habytations, as will appear in its place. I doe
but touch these things, because I make no question
they will be more fully & distinctly handled by them
selves, who had more exacte knowledg of them, and
whom they did more properly concerne.
This year Mr. Smith layed downe his place of min-
istrie, partly by his owne willingnes, as thinking it
too heavie a burthen, and partly at the desire, and
by ye perswasion, of others; and the church sought
out for [220] * some other, having often been disap-
* 120 in MS.
1637.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION 419
pointed in their hops and desires heretofore. And it
pleased the Lord to send them an able and a godly
man,* and of a meeke and humble spirite, sound in
ye truht, and every way unreproveable in his life &
conversation; whom, after some time of triall, they
chose for their teacher, the fruits of whose labours
they injoyed many years with much comforte, in
peace, & good agreemente.
Anno Dom: 1637.
IN ye fore parte of this year, the Pequents fell
openly upon ye English at Conightecute, in ye lower
parts of ye river, and slew sundry of them, (as they
were at work in ye feilds,) both men & women, to
ye great terrour of ye rest; and wente away in great
prid & triumph, with many high threats. They allso
assalted a fort at ye rivers mouth, though strong and
well defended; and though they did not their pre-
vaile, yet it struk them with much fear & astonish-
mente to see their bould attempts in the face of
danger; which made them in all places to stand
upon their gard, and to prepare for resistance, and
ernestly to solissite their freinds and confederats in ye
Bay of Massachusets to send them speedy aide, for
they looked for more forcible assaults. Mr. Vane,
being then Govr, write from their Generall Courte
to them hear, to joyne with them in this warr; to
* Mr. John Reinor.
420 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
which they were cordially willing, but tooke oppor-
tunitie to write to them aboute some former things,
as well as presente, considerable hereaboute. The
which will best appear in ye Govr answer which he
returned to ye same, which I shall here inserte.
Sr: The Lord having so disposed, as that your letters to
our late Govr is fallen to my lott to make answer unto,
I could have wished I might have been at more freedome
of time & thoughts also, that I might have done it more to
your & my owne satisfaction. But what shall be wanting
now may be supplyed hereafter. For ye matters which from
your selfe & counsell were propounded & objected to us, we
thought not fitte to make them so publicke as ye cognizance
of our Generall Courte. But as they have been considered
by those of our counsell, this answer we thinke fitt to re-
turne unto you. (1.) Wereas you signifie your willingnes
to joyne with us in this warr against ye Pequents, though
you cannot ingage your selves without ye consente of your
Generall Courte, we acknowledg your good affection towards
us, (which we never had cause to doubt of,) and are will-
ing to attend your full resolution, when it may most season-
ably be ripened. (2ly.) Wheras you make this warr to be
our peopls, and not [221] to conceirne your selves, otherwise
then by consequence, we do in parte consente to you therin;
yet we suppose, that, in case of perill, you will not stand
upon such terms, as we hope we should not doe towards
you; and withall we conceive that you looke at ye Pequents,
and all other Indeans, as a comone enimie, who, though he
may take occasion of ye begining of his rage, from some
one parte of ye English, yet if he prevaile, will surly pursue
his advantage, to ye rooting out of ye whole nation. Ther-
fore when we desired your help, we did it not without
1637.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 421
respecte to your owne saftie, as ours. (3ly.) Wheras you
desire we should be ingaged to aide you, upon all like occa-
sions; we are perswaded you doe not doubte of it; yet as
we now deale with you as a free people, and at libertie, so
as we cannot draw you into this warr with us, otherwise
then as reason may guid & provock you; so we desire
we may be at ye like freedome, when any occasion may
call for help from us. And wheras it is objected to
us, that we refused to aide you against ye French; we con-
ceive ye case was not alicke; yet we cannot wholy excuse
our failing in that matter. (4ly.) Weras you objecte that
we began ye warr without your privitie, & managed it con-
trary to your advise; the truth is, that our first intentions
being only against Block Iland, and ye interprice seeming
of small difficultie, we did not so much as consider of taking
advice, or looking out for aide abroad. And when we had
resolved upon ye Pequents, we sent presently, or not long
after, to you aboute it; but ye answer received, it was not
seasonable for us to chaing our counsells, excepte we had
seen and waighed your grounds, which might have out wayed
our owne.
(5ly.) For our peoples trading at Kenebeck, we assure
you (to our knowledge) it hath not been by any allowance
from us; and what we have provided in this and like cases,
at our last Courte, Mr. E. W. can certifie you.
And (6ly); wheras you objecte to us yt we should hold,
trade & correspondancie with ye French, your enemise; we
answer, you are misinformed, for, besids some letters which
hath passed betweene our late Govr and them, to which we
were privie, we have neither sente nor incouraged ours to
trade with them; only one vessell or tow, for ye better con-
veace of our letters, had licens from our Govr to sayle
thither.*
* But by this means they did furnish them, & have still continued to doe.
422 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
Diverce other things have been privatly objected to us, by
our worthy freind, whertunto he received some answer; but
most of "them concerning ye apprehention of perticuler dis-
curteseis, or injueries from some perticuler persons amongst
us. It concernes us not to give any other answer to them
then this; that, if ye offenders shall be brought forth in a
right way, we shall be ready to doe justice as ye case shall
require. In the meane time, we desire you to rest assured,
that such things are without our privity, and not a litle
greeveous to us.
Now for ye joyning with ns in this warr, which indeed
concerns us no other wise then it may your selves, viz.:
the releeving of our freinds & Christian [222] breethren,
who are now first in ye danger; though you may thinke us
able to make it good without you, (as, if ye Lord please
to be with us, we may,) yet 3. things we offer to your
consideration, which (we conceive) may have some waight
with you. (First) yt if we should sinck under this burden,
your opportunitie of seasonable help would be lost in 3.
respects. 1. You cannot recover us, or secure your selves
ther, with 3. times ye charge & hazard which now ye may.
2ly. The sorrowes which we should lye under (if through
your neglect) would much abate of ye acceptablenes of your
help afterwards. 3ly. Those of yours, who are now full of
courage and forwardnes, would be much damped, and so
less able to undergoe so great a burden. The (2.) thing is
this, that it concernes us much to hasten this warr to an
end before ye end of this somer, otherwise ye newes of it
will discourage both your & our freinds from coming to us
next year; with what further hazard & losse it may expose
us unto, your selves may judge.
The (3.) thing is this, that if ye Lord shall please to
blesse our endeaours, so as we end ye warr, or put it in
a hopefull way without you, it may breed such ill thoughts
in our people towards yours, as will be hard to entertaine
1637.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 423
such opinione of your good will towards as, as were fitt to
be nurished among such neigbours & brethren as we are.
And what ill consequences may follow, on both sids, wise
men may fear, & would rather prevente then hope to re-
dress. So with my harty salutations to you selfe, and all
your counsell, and other our good freinds with you, I rest
Yours most assured in ye Lord,
JO : WINTHROP.
Boston, ye 20. of ye S. month, 1637.
In ye mean time, the Pequents, espetially in ye win-
ter before, sought to make peace with ye Narigansets,
and used very pernicious arguments to move them
therunto : as that ye English were stranegers and be-
gane to overspred their countries and would deprive
them therof in time, if they were suffered to grow
& increse; and if ye Narigansets did assist ye English
to subdue them, they did but make way for their
owne overthrow, for if they were rooted out, the
English would soone take occasion to subjugate them;
and if they would harken to them, they should not
neede to fear ye strength of ye English; for they
would not come to open battle with them, but fire
their houses, kill their katle, and lye in ambush for
them as they went abroad upon their occasions; and
all this they might easily doe without any or litle
danger to them selves. The which course being, held,
they well saw the English could not long subsiste, but
they would either be starved with hunger, or be forced
to forsake the countrie; with many ye like things; in-
424 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
so much that ye Narigansets were once wavering, and
were halfe minded to have made peace with them, and
joyed against ye English. But againe when they con-
sidered, how much, wrong they had received from the
Pequents, and what an oppertunitie they now had by
ye help of ye English to right them selves, revenge
was so sweete unto them, as it prevailed above all ye
rest; so as they resolved to joyne with ye English
against them, & did. [223] The Court here agreed
forwith to send 50. men at their owne charg; and
wth as much speed as posiblie they could, gott them
armed, and had made them ready under sufficiente
leaders, and provided a barke to carrie them provisions
& tend upon them for all occasions; but when they
were ready to march (with a supply from ye Bay)
they had word to stay, for ye enimy was as good as
vanquished, and their would be no neede.
I shall not take upon me exactly to describe their
proceedings in these things, because I expecte it will
be fully done by them selves, who best know the car-
rage & circumstances of things; I shall therfore but
touch them in generall. From Connightecute (who
were most sencible of ye hurt sustained, & ye pres-
ent danger), they sett out a partie of men, and an
other partie mett them from ye Bay, at ye Narigansets,
who were to joyne with them. Ye Narigansets were
ernest to be gone before ye English were well rested
and refreshte, espetially some of them which came last.
1637.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 425
It should seeme their desire was to come upon ye
enemie sudenly, -& undiscovered. Ther was a barke
of this place, newly put in ther, which was come from
Conightecutte, who did encourage them to lay hold of
ye Indeans forwardness and to shew as great forward-
nes as they, for it would incorage them, and expedi-
tion might prove to their great advantage. So they
went on, and so ordered their march, as the Indeans
brought them to a forte of ye enimies (in which most
of their cheefe men were) before day. They ap-
proached ye same with great silence, and surrounded
it both with English & Indeans, that they might not
breake out; and so assualted them with great courage,
shooting, amongst them, and entered ye forte with all
speed; and those yt first entered found sharp resist-
ance from the enimie, who both shott at & grapled
with them; others rane into their howses, & brought
out fire, and sett them on fire, which soone tooke in
their matts, &, standing close togeather, with ye wind,
all was quietly on a flame, and therby more were
burnte to death then was otherwise slain; it burnte
their bowstrings, and made them unservisable. Those
yt scaped ye fire were slaine with ye sword; some
hewed to peeces, others rune throw with their rapiers,
so as they were quickly dispatchte, and very few es-
caped. It was conceived they thus destroyed about
400. at this time. It was a fearfull sight to see
them thus frying, in ye fyer, and ye streams of blood
426 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
quenching ye same, and horrible was ye stinck &
sente ther of; but ye victory seemed a sweete sacri-
fice, and they gave the prays therof to God, who had
wrought so wonderfuly for them, thus to inclose their
enimise in their hands, and give them so speedy a
victory over so proud & insulting an enimie. The
Narigansett Indeans, all this while, stood round aboute,
but aloofe from all danger, and left ye whole [224 ]
execution to ye English, exept it were ye stoping of
any yt broke away, insulting over their enimies in this
their ruine & miserie, when they saw them dancing in
ye flames, calling them by a word in their owne lan-
guage, signifing, O brave Pequents! which they used
familierly among them selves in their own prayes, in
songs of triumph after their victories. After this ser-
vis was thus happily accomplished, they marcht to the
water side, wher they mett with some of their vesells,
by which they had refreishing with victualls & other
necessaries. But in their march ye rest of ye Pe-
quents drew into a body, and acoasted them, thinking
to have some advantage against them by reason of
a neck of land; but when they saw the English pre-
pare for them, they kept a loofe, so as they neither
did hurt, nor could receive any. After their refreish-
ing & repair to geather for further counsell & direc-
tions, they resolved to pursue their victory, and follow
ye warr against ye rest, but ye Narigansett Indeans
*Be in manuscript.
1637.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 427
most of them forsooke them, and such of them as they
had with them for guids, or otherwise, they found
them very could and backward in ye bussines, ether
out of envie, or yt they saw ye English would make
more profite of ye victorie then they were willing
they should, or els deprive them of such advantage as
them selves desired by having, them become tributaries
unto them, or ye like.
For ye rest of this bussines, I shall only relate ye
same as it is in a leter which came from Mr. Win-
throp to ye Govr hear, as followeth.
Worthy Sr: I received your loving letter, and am much
provocked to express my affections towards you, but strait-
nes of time forbids me; for my desire is to acquaints you
with ye Lords greate mercies towards us, in our prevailing
against his & our enimies; that you may rejoyce and praise
his name with us. About 80. of our men, haveing costed
along towards ye Dutch plantation, (some times by water,
but most by land,) mett hear & ther with some Pequents,
whom they slew or tooke prisoners. 2. sachems they tooke,
& beheaded; and not hearing of Sassacous, (the cheefe
sachem,) they gave a prisoner his life, to goe and find
him out. He wente and brought them word where he was
but Sassacouse, suspecting him to be a spie, after he was
gone, fled away with some 20. more to ye Mowakes, so our
men inissed of him. Yet, deviding them selves, and rang-
ing up & downe, as ye providence of God guided them (for
ye Indeans were all gone, save 3. or 4. and they knew not
whither to guid them, or els would not), upon ye 13. of this
month, they light upon a great company of them, viz. 80.
strong men, & 200. women & children, in a small Indean
428 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
towne, fast by a hideous swamp, which they all slipped into
before our men could gett to them. Our captains were not
then come togeither, but ther was Mr. Ludlow and Captaine
Masson, with some 10. [225] of their men, & Captaine
Patrick with some 20. or more of his, who, shooting at ye
Indeans, Captaine Trask with 50. more came soone in at
ye noyse. Then they gave order to surround ye swampe, it
being aboute a mile aboute; but Levetenante Davenporte &
some 12. more, not hearing that comand, fell into ye swampe
among ye Indeans. The swampe was so thicke with shrub-
woode, & so boggie with all, that some of them stuck
fast, and received many shott. Levetenant Davenport was
dangerously wounded aboute his armehole, and another shott
in ye head, so as, fainting, they were in great danger to
have been taken by ye Indeans. But Sargante Rigges, &
Jeffery, and 2. or 3. more, rescued them, and slew diverse
of ye Indeans with their swords. After they were drawne
out, the Indeans desired parley, & were offered (by Thomas
Stanton, our interpretour) that, if they would come out,
and yeeld them selves, they should have their lives, all
that had not their hands in ye English blood. Wherupon
ye sachem of ye place came forth, and an old man or 2. &
their wives and children, and after that some other women
& children, and so they spake 2. howers, till it was night.
Then Thomas Stanton was sente into them againe, to call
them forth; but they said they would selle their lives their,
and so shott at him so thicke as, if he had not cried out,
and been presently rescued, they had slaine him. Then
our men cutt of a place of ye swampe with their swords, and
cooped the Indeans into so narrow a compass, as they could
easier kill them throw ye thickets. So they continued all
ye night, standing aboute 12. foote one from an other, and
ye Indeans, coming close up to our men, shot their arrows
so thicke, as they pierced their hatte brimes, & their sleeves,
1637.] PLYMOUTH PLANTATION. 429
& stockins, & other parts of their cloaths, yet so miracu-
lously did the Lord preserve them as not one of them was
wounded, save those 3. who rashly went into ye swampe.
When it was nere day, it grue very darke, so as those of
them which were left dropt away betweene our men, though
they stood but 12. or 14. foote assunder; but were presenly
discovered, & some killed in ye pursute. Upon searching of
ye swampe, ye next morning, they found 9. slaine, & some
they pulled up, whom ye lndeans had buried in ye mire, so
as they doe thinke that, of all this company, not 20. did
escape, for they after found some who dyed in their flight
of their wounds received. The prisoners were devided, some
to those of ye river, and the rest to us. Of these we send
ye male children to Bermuda,* by Mr. William Peirce, & ye
women & maid children are disposed aboute in ye townes.
Ther have been now slaine & taken, in all, aboute 700.
The rest are dispersed, and the Indeans in all quarters so
terrified as all their friends are affraid to receive them. 2.
of ye sachems of Long Iland came to Mr. Stoughton and
tendered them selves to be tributaries under our protection.
And 2. of ye Neepnett sachems have been with me to seeke
our frendship. Amonge the prisoners we have ye wife &
children of Mononotto, a womon of a very modest counte-
nance and behaviour. It was by her mediation that the !
2. English [226] maids were spared from death, and were
kindly used by her; so that I have taken charge of her.
One of her first requests was, that the English would not
abuse her body, and that her children might not be taken
from her. Those which were wounded were fetched of soone
by John Galopp, who came with his shalop in a happie
houre, to bring them victuals, and to carrie their wounded
men to ye pinass, wher our cheefe surgeon was, wth Mr.
* But yey were carried to ye West-Indeas.
! They in the manuscript.
430 HISTORY OF [BOOK II.
Willson, being aboute 8. leagues off. Our people are all in
health, (ye Lord be praised,) and allthough they had marched
in their armes all ye day, and had been in fight all ye night,
yet they professed they found them selves so fresh as they
could willingly have gone to such another bussines.
This is ye substance of that which I received, though I am
forced to omite many considerable circomstances. So, being
in much straitnes of time, (the ships being to departe within
this 4. days, and in them the Lord Lee and Mr. Vane,) I
hear breake of, and with harty saluts to, &c., I rest
Yours assured,
Jo: WINTHROP.
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