PREFACE TO THIS EDITION.

THE gracious hand of Divine Providence in the preservation of the New-England Colonies in their infant state, gloriously appears from the facts, briefly, but faithfully transmitted down to us, by one of our venerable forefathers in the following Narrative of the troubles with the Indians in New-England, 'a very numerous and barbarous people, dispersed through the wilderness in every part of the land.

These Savages began a War with the first English Adventurers, while they were few in number, yea very few, and strangers in the land. This rendered their deliverance an event truly great and memorable.

They were saved indeed as by fire: Their loss of men and substance, compared with their numbers and ability, was very great, and long severely felt.

Heavy as the public expences were to support the War, these were but a very inconsiderable part of the burdens and charges to which particular towns, families and indi. viduals were necessarily subjected, in guards, garrisons, and watchings in their own defence.

The whole Country was the seat of War, and every man procured his eopardy of his life.

Like Nehemiah's

each one toiled with his weap

on of war in one hand, and his instrument of labor in the other; exposed every moment to death, from a watchful unseen foe.

In the frequent alarms which spread from town to

A 2

town, some escaping from danger, ran into greater: others met their own fate in their attempts to relieve their neighbors in the same, or different scattered settlements.

This was the deplorable state of the New-England colonies, a very few towns excepted; a distress, more easily conceived than expressed, and indeed scarcely conceivable by the greater part of the present generation, since the then hideous wilderness is become a fruitful field, and well settled towns overspread the land.

The reader unacquainted with this country in its uncultivated state, may here inquire, Why the first settlers thus exposed themselves, by making disjoined and very distant settlements? Necessity led to this: The lands near the sea coasts were generally less fertile, and found hard to subdue: therefore, for present subsistence in their feeble condition, they were obliged to seek the borders of rivers and streams, for the sake of intervals and meadows, both on account of their fertility, and of their being open and prepared for immediate improvement.

They were also encouraged in making these scattered settlements by the general friendly disposition of the Na tives, who freely sold their lands, for which a valuable consideration was paid, without exception, where a claim was made.

The Indians perceived their interest in admitting thei English neighbors, as they fu

much easier subsistence; and

m with means o

Most care was take

by the several governments of the united colonies, to pre vent every occasion of distrust.

The Pequod War was confined to the westerly parts . of Connecticut,*

Philip's War, as it is called, began in Plymouth Colony, but spread through Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, and Province of Maine, in extent above 300 miles. And within the compass of one year, the numerous tribes of Savages within the limits of New-England, were drawn into this war against us, a very few excepted.

Surely we may say, had not the Lord been on our side, when men thus rose up against us, they had quickly swallowed us up.

Our Fathers, indeed had come out of great tribulation, into this wilderness, which, under providence, was a means of improving them in faith, fortitude and patience, to endure hardships beyond a parallel, until they obtained deliverance: And some of the first adventurers lived to see the wilderness become a fruitful field.

But this was not their intended rest: They had sublimer views; They looked for another and better country, that is an heavenly. And however they may have been misrepresented, by ignorant or ill designing persons, they were men of whom the world was not worthy.

The cruel charges of peculiar bigotry, and a persecuting spirit, wantonly alleged against them, are founded on facts not truly stated.

According to the natural course of things in this depraved and mutable state, their descendants at this day, as might be expected, have in a measure, departed from that simplicity of manners, by which their renowned an

*Not far from New-London.

eestors were justly distinguished: But notwithstanding it may with truth be asserted, that no instance can be produced, in the present or any past age, among like numbers, where good order has so universally prevailed, as in the New-England colonies, even in populous and opulent towns, especially our capital.

We of this province, with inconsiderable intermissions, from that early period, at unknown expence and loss, have been called to defend our lives and properties against the incursions of more distant savages. Our trust hath been in the name of the Lord our fathers' God and Deliverer ; and hitherto he hath delivered us. May we never be unmindful of his signal benefits!

We are now under the smiles of divine Providence increased to a multitude of people.

Our many frontier settlements are continually exposed to savage invasion : And though we trust not to our own bow; yet as prudence directs, we are all armed and prepared for a defensive War. And yet, having the wormwood and the gall still in remembrance, no people more ardently wish and pray, that Wars may forever cease, and peace on earth, and good will among men universally prevail.

Boston, May 20, 1775.