BOOK I. also with respect to the Ottowaus, Nanticooks, Munsees, Menomonees, Missifaugas, Saukies, Ottagaumies, Killisti1633. noes, Nipegons, Algonkins, Winnebagoes and other Indians. The various tribes, who evidently spoke the same original language, had different dialects; yet, perhaps, they differed little more from each other, than the style of a Londoner now does from that of his great grandfather. The want of letters and of a sufficient correspondence between the several nations may well account for all the variations to be found among the natives in New-England, and between them and the other tribes which have been mentioned. All the New-England Indians expressed the pronouns both substantive and adjective by prefixes and suffixes, or by letters or syllables added at the beginnings or ends of their nouns. In this respect there is a remarkable coincidence between this and the Hebrew language, in an instance in which the Hebrew entirely dif fers from all the ancient and modern languages of Europe. From this affinity of the Indian language, with the Hebrew, from their anointing their heads with oil, their dancing in their devotions, their excessive howlings and mourning for their dead, their computing time by nights and moons, their giving dowries to their wives, and causing their women at certain seasons to dwell by themselves, and some other circumstances, the famous Mr. John Eliot, the Indian apostle, was led to imagine that the American Indians were the posterity of the dispersed Israelites.* They used many figures and parables in their discourses, and some have reported that, at certain seasons, they used no knives, and never brake the bones of the creatures which they eat. It has also been reported, that in some of their songs the word Hallelujah might be distinguished.†

Affinity of the Indian

and Hebrew lan

guages.

The Indian language abounds with gutterals and strong aspirations, and their words are generally of a great length,‡ which render it peculiarly bold and sonorous. The Indian speeches, like those of the eastern nations, generally were adorned with the most bold and striking figures, and have not been inferior to any which either the English or French have been able to make to them. The Indians in general, throughout the continent, were much given to speech making. As eloquence and war were, with them,

Dr. Edwards' observations on the Indian language. * Magnalia b. iii. p. 192, 193.

+ Hutchinson vol. i. p. 478.

+ Nummatchekodtantamoonganunonash was a single word, which in English, signifies, Our lusts. Noowomantammoonkanunnonnash was another, signifying, Our loves. Kummogkodonattóottummooctiteaongannunnonash was another, expressing no more than, Our question. Magnala b. iii. p. 193.

the foundations of all consequence, the whole force of their Book I. genius was directed to these acquisitions. In council, their opinions were always given in set speeches; and to 1633. persons whom they highly respected, it was not unusual, on meeting and parting, or on matters of more than common importance, to address their compliments and opinions in formal harangues. The Indians commonly spake with an unusual animation and vehemence.

in the In

The Indians in New-England, rarely if ever admitted L and R the letters L and R into their dialect; but the Mohawks, not used whose language was entirely different, used them both. dan diaSome of the western Indians, who speak the same language lect of N. radically, with the Moheagans, use the L. The Mohea- England. gan language abounds with labials, but the Mohawk differs entirely from this, and perhaps from every other, in this respect, that it is wholly destitute of labials. The Mohawks esteemed it a laughable matter indeed, for men to shut their mouths that they might speak.*

The Indians in Connecticut, and in all parts of New- Burial of England, made great lamentations at the burial of their the dead. dead. Their manner of burial was to dig holes in the ground with stakes, which were made broad and sharpened at one end. Sticks were laid across the bottom, and the corpse, which was previously wrapped in skins and mats, was let down upon them. The arms, treasures, utensils, paint and ornaments of the dead, were buried with them, and a mound of earth was raised upon the whole. In some instances the Indians appear to have used a kind of embalming, by wrapping the corpse in large quantities of a strong scented red powder. In some parts of NewEngland, the dead were buried in a sitting posture with their faces towards the east. The women on these occa- Mourning. sions painted their faces with oil and charcoal, and while the burial was performing, they, with the relatives of the dead, made the most hideous shrieks, howlings and lamentations. Their mourning continued, by turns, at night and in the morning, for several days. During this term all the relatives united in bewailing the dead.

taries.

When the English began the settlement of Connecticut, Indians of all the Indians both east and west of Connecticut river, Connectiwere tributaries, except the Pequots, and some few tribes cut tribuwhich were in alliance with them. The Pequots had spread their conquests over all that part of the state east of the river. They had also subjugated the Indians on the sea coast, as far eastward as Guilford. Uncas therefore, * Golden's history vol. i. p. 16.

Neal's history N. E. vol. i: p. 29.

BOOK I. after the Pequots were conquered, extended his claims as far as Hammonasset, in the eastern part of that township.* 1633. The Indians in these parts were therefore tributaries to the Pequots.

Mohawks surprise Faugus

set.

The Mohawks had not only carried their conquests as far southward as Virginia, but eastward, as far as Connecticut river. The Indians therefore, in the western parts of Connecticut, were their tributaries. Two old Mohawks, every year or two, might be seen issuing their or ders and collecting their tribute, with as much authority and haughtiness as a Roman dictator.

It is indeed difficult to describe the fear of this terrible nation, which had fallen on all the Indians in the western parts of Connecticut. If they neglected to pay their tribute, the Mohawks would come down against them, plunder, destroy, and carry them captive at pleasure. When they made their appearance in the country, the Connecticut Indians would instantly raise a cry from hill to hill, a Mohawk! a Mohawk! and fly like sheep before wolves, without attempting the least resistance. The Mohawks would cry out, in the most terrible manner, in their language, importing "We are come, we are come, to suck your blood." When the Connecticut Indians could not escape to their forts, they would immediately flee to the English houses for shelter, and sometimes the Mohawks would pursue them so closely as to enter with them, and kill them in the presence of the family. If there was time to shut the doors they never entered by force, nor did they, upon any occasion, do the least injury to the English.

When they came into this part of the country for war, they used their utmost art to keep themselves undiscovered. They would conceal themselves in swamps and thickets, watching their opportunity, and all on a sudden, rise upon their enemy and kill or captivate them, before they had time to make any resistance.

About the time when the settlement of New-Haven commenced, or not many years after, they came into Connecticut, and surprised the Indian fort at Paugusset. To prevent the Connecticut Indians from discovering them, and that not so much as a track of them might be seen, they marched in the most secret manner, and when they came near the fort travelled wholly in the river. Secreting themselves near the fort, they watched their opportunity, and suddenly attacking it, with their dreadful yellings and violence, they soon took it by force, and killed and captiManuscripts of Mr. Ruggles.

+ Colden's history vol. i. p. 3. ‡ Wood's prospect of N. England.

vated whom they pleased. Having plundered and des- Book I. troyed, at their pleasure, they returned to their castles, west of Albany.

1633.

the Indi

settle

As the Indians in Connecticut were slaughtered and Motives oppressed, either by the Pequots or Mohawks, they were inducing generally friendly to the settlement of the English among ans to them. They expected, by their means, to be defended permit the against their terrible and cruel oppressors. They also English found themselves benefited by trading with them. They ments. furnished themselves with knives, hatchets, axes, hoes, kettles and various instruments and utensils which highly contributed to their convenience. They could, with these, perform more labor in one hour or day, than they could in many days without them. Besides, they found that they could exchange an old beaver coat, or blanket, for two or three new ones of English manufacture. They found a much better market for their furs, corn, peltry, and all their vendible commodities.

The English were also careful to treat them with justice and humanity, and to make such presents to their sachems and great captains, as should please and keep them in good humor.

By these means, the English lived in tolerable peace with all the Indians in Connecticut, and New-England, except the Pequots, for about forty years.

The Indians, at their first settlement, performed many Indian acts of kindness towards them. They instructed them in kindness. the manner of planting and dressing the Indian corn. They carried them upon their backs, through rivers and waters; and, as occasion required, served them instead of boats and bridges. They gave them much useful information respecting the country, and when the English or their children were lost in the woods, and were in danger of perishing with hunger or cold, they conducted them to their wigwams, fed them, and restored them to their families and parents. By selling them corn, when pinched with famine, they relieved their distresses and prevented their perishing in a strange land and uncultivated wilder

ness.

H

BOOK I.

1634.

May.

CHAPTER IV.

The people at Dorchester, Watertown and Newtown, finding themselves straitened in the Massachusetts, determine to remove to Connecticut. Debates in Massachusetts relative to their removal. The general court at first prohibited it, but afterwards gave its consent. The people removed and settled the towns of Windsor, Hartford and Weathersfield. Hardships and losses of the first winters.

UCH numbers were constantly emigrating to NewEngland, in consequence of the persecution of the puritans, that the people at Dorchester, Watertown and Newtown, began to be much straitened, by the accession of new planters. By those who had been at Connecticut, they had received intelligence of the excellent meadows upon the river: they therefore determined to remove, and once more brave the dangers and hardships of making settlements in a dreary wilderness.

Upon application to the general court for the enlargement of their boundaries, or for liberty to remove, they, at first, obtained consent for the latter. However, when it was afterwards discovered, that their determination was to plant a new colony at Connecticut, there arose a strong Septem- opposition; so that when the court convened in September, there was a warm debate on the subject, and a great division between the houses. Indeed, the whole colony was affected with the dispute.

ber.

Arguments Mr. Hooker, who was more engaged in the enterprise for removing to Con- than the other ministers, took up the affair and pleaded for nec cut. the people. He urged, that they were so straitened for accommodations for their cattle, that they could not support the ministry, neither receive, nor assist any more of their friends, who might come over to them. He insisted that the planting of towns so near together was a fundamental error in their policy. He pleaded the fertility and happy accommodations of Conncecticut: That settlements upon the river were necessary to prevent the Dutch and others from possessing themselves of so fruitful and important a part of the country; and that the minds of the people were strongly inclined to plant themselves there, in preference to every other place, which had come to their knowledge.

Arguments

On the other side it was insisted, That in point of conagainst it. science they ought not to depart, as they were united to