These foregoing conclusions were subscribed by the comissioners, for the severall jurisdictions, the 19 of Sept: 1644. EDWA: HOPKINS, Presidente. SIMON BRADSTREETE. WILLM. HATHORNE. The forenamed Narigansets deputies did further promise, that if, contrary to this agreemente, any of the Nyantick Pequents should make any assaulte upon Uncass, or any of his, they would deliver them up to the English, to be punished according to their demerits; and that they would not use any means to procure the Mowacks to come against Uncass during this truce. These were their names subscribed with their marks. 1 Bradford has omitted to record the promise of the Indians, which is in Plymouth Col. Rec., 1x. 30. The date is there given September 18. • Mohawks. • Plymouth Col. Rec., Ix. 29. The Indian names are given differently in this publication, viz. Pawpiamet, Chimough and Pumumshe. Weetowish is described as a Narragansett sachem, and Pummunish and Pawpiamet as two Narragansett captains. The "mark" of Weetowish is reproduced in the Plymouth Col. Rec. at this place, but it is quite different from that for Witowash, the same Indian, given on p. 48 of the Colony Records and on p. 387, infra. A glimpse is given of a division into parties in a letter from John Endecott to John Winthrop, June 23, 1644. "I understand by Mr. Thompson of our Towne, the sea man, that there is a great partie for the Kinge to the Eastward, and that they are making some preparations for some designes. They intertayned twoe of our Towne (Fayning themselues to be Caualiers) with much loue and good cheere, and they perceaue that something is in hand. They were plotting to take the Plimmoth pinnace, and were sorrie they missed their opportunitie. It is about Richmond Iland that which I speake of, but they haue a partie in all these partes." 4 Mass. Hist. Collections, vi. 148. T Anno Dom: ·1645· HE comissioners this year were caled to meete together at Boston, before their ordinarie time; 1 partly in regard of some differances falen betweene the French and the govermente of the Massachusets, about their aiding of Munseire Latore against Munsseire de Aulney,' and partly aboute the Indeans, who had broaken the former agreements aboute the peace concluded the last year. This meeting was held at Boston, the 28. of July. Besides some underhand assualts made on both sides, the Narigansets gathered a great power, and fell upon Uncass, and slew many of his men, and wounded more, by reason that they farr exseeded him in number, and had gott store of peeces, with which they did him most hurte. And as they did this withoute the knowledg and consente of the English, (contrary to former agreemente,) so they were resolved to prosecute the same, notwithstanding any thing the English said or should doe against them. So, being incouraged by ther late victorie, and promise of assistance from the Mowacks, (being a strong, warlike, and desperate people,) they had allready devoured Uncass and his, in their hopes; and surly they had done 1 The records describe this as an "extraordinary meeting," and was ordered (May 14, 1645) to be called by the Massachusetts government with particular reference to the French question. The Commissioners of that Colony were unprepared to state their case when the representatives assembled. The Commissioners from Plymouth were Thomas Prence and John Browne. John Winthrop presided over the sessions. 2 In this contest between the two French commanders New Plymouth took no part. But it called out the statement by Aulnay given in a note on p. 207, supra. That negotiated at Hartford in 1644, by the Commissioners, and that entered into by the Indians and the magistrates of Connecticut at the same place, September 21, 1638. 1 it in deed, if the English had not timly sett in for his aide. For those of Conightecute sent him 40 men, who were a garison to him, till the comissioners could meete and take further order. Being thus mett, they forthwith sente 3. messengers, viz. Sargent John Davis, Benedicte Arnold,' and Francis Smith, with full and ample instructions,' both to the Narigansets and Y? Humble Sirvant Uncass; to require them that they should either come in person or send sufficiente Benedict Axnold men fully instructed to deale in the bussines; and if they refused or delayed, to let them know (according to former agreements) that the English are engaged to assiste against these hostile invasions, and that they have sente their men to defend Uncass, and to know of the Narigansets whether they will stand to the former peace, or they will assaulte the English also, that they may provide accordingly. But the messengers returned, not only with a sleighting, but a threatening answer from the Narigansets (as will more appear hereafter). Also they brought a letter from Mr. Roger Williams, wherin he assures them that the warr would presenly breake forth, and the whole country would be all of a flame. And that the sachems of 1 Arnold went to the Narragansett and Niantick Indians. The instructions are printed in Plymouth Col. Rec., 1x. 32. 'The instructions read "or whether they will assault the English now with the Mohegans." The letter of Williams has not been preserved. The outbreak of the Indians threatened the Rhode Island settlement, because of its nearness to the tribes most deeply concerned. This proximity also placed Roger Williams in a proper relation to learn what were the real motives of the Narragansetts in undertaking a war with the English. To Winthrop he wrote that the Indians were seeking to avenge the death of Miantunomo. "The Narrigansets and Monhiggens, with their respective confederates, haue deepely implunged themselues in barbarous slaughters. For my selfe, I haue (to my vtmost) diswaded our neighbours, high and low, from armes, etc. but there is a spirit of desperacion fallen vpon them, resolued to revenge the death of their the Narigansets had concluded a newtrality with the English of Providence and those of Aquidnett Iland. Wherupon the comissioners, considering the great danger and provocations offered, and the necessitie we should be put unto of making war with the Narigansets, and being also carfull, in a matter of so great waight and generall concernmente, to see the way cleared, and to give satisfaction to all the colonies, did thinke fitte to advise with such of the magistrates, and elders of the Massachusets as were then at hand, and also with some of the cheefe millitary comanders ther; who being assembled, it was then agreed,1 First, that our ingagmente bound us to aide and defend Uncass. 2. That this ayde could not be intended only to defend him and his [in his] forte, or habitation, but (according to the comone acceptation of shuch covenants, or ingagments, considered with the grounds or occasion therof) so to ayde him as he might be preserved in his liberty and estate. 3ly. That this ayde [265] must be speedy, least he might be swalowed up in the mean time, and so come to late. 4ly. The justice of this warr being cleared to our selves and the rest then presente, it was thought meete that the case should be [briefly] stated, and the reasons and grounds of the warr declared and published. 5ly. That a day of humilliation should be apoynted, which was the 5 day of the weeke following. 6ly. It was then allso agreed by the comissioners that the whole number of men to be raised in all the colonies should be .300. Whereof from the Massachusets a 190. Plimoth, 40. Conightecute, .40. 40· New-Haven, 30. And considering that Uncass was in present danger, 40. men of this number were forthwith sente from the Massachusets for his sucoure; 2 and it was but neede, for the other prince, and recover their ransome for his life, etc. or to perish with him." This letter was written on June 25, 1645, and Williams urged the maintenance of peace. 4 Mass. Hist. Collections, vi. 266. 1 This Declaration is printed in Plymouth Col. Rec., 1x. 50. This paragraph after the opening sentence is almost word for word from the records of the Commissioners. 2 The forty men from Massachusetts were under the command of Lieutenant •40. from Conightecutt had order to stay but a month, and their time being out, they returned; and the Narigansets, hearing therof, tooke the advantage, and came suddanly upon him, and gave him another blow, to his further loss, and were ready to doe the like againe; but these 40. men being arrived, they returned, and did nothing. The declarations which they sett forth I shall not transcribe, it being very large, and put forth in printe,' to which I referr those that would see the same, in which all passages are layed open from the first. I shall only note their prowd carriage, and answers to the .3. messengers sent from the comissioners. They received them with scorne and contempte, and tould them they resoloved to have no peace without Uncass his head; also they gave them this further answer: that it mattered not who begane the warr, they were resolved to follow it, and that the English should withdraw their garison from Uncass, or they would procure the Mowakes against them; and withall gave them this threatening answer: that they would lay the English catle on heaps, as high as their houses, and that no English-man should sturr out of his dore to pisse, but he Humphrey Atherton and Sergeant John Davies. They were to go to Monhegan and remain there till Captain Mason should arrive, when they were to place themselves under his command, and then pro ceed to the Narragansett or Nian tick country where the rest of the mos force would meet them. The men raised in Plymouth and Massachu setts Bay (apart from the forty already sent) were to meet at Seecunck, now Rehoboth. As the Nianticks were regarded as the chief incendiaries and causes of the war, Mason's instructions directed him to punish them first. The Plymouth and Massachusetts forces were to go against the Narragansetts, "or to divide themselues as the service may require, and as oppertunity serueth." The action of the Massachusetts commissioners was not satisfactory to the General Court, which gave it a qualified approval only, at the same time securing the appointment of Major Edward Gibbons to the supreme command. Plymouth Col. Rec., 1x. 34-37. 1 A Declaration of Former Passages and Proceedings betwixt the English and the Narrowgansets, with their Confederates. 1645. |