1621. King of G. Britain, James I.-France, Lewis XIII.-Spain, Philip III. January 29. Dies Rose, the wife of captain Standish. Br January 31. This morning the people aboard the ship see two savages, (the first that we see at this harbor,) but cannot speak with them. M N. B. This month eight of our number die. Br February 9. This afternoon, our house for our sick people is set a fire by a spark lighting on the roof. M February 16. One of our people a fowling by a creek about a mile and half off, twelve Indians march by him towards the town; in the woods he hears the noise of many more, lies close till they are passed by, then hastens home and gives the alarm; so the people abroad return, but see none; only captain Standish and Francis Cook, leaving their tools in the woods, and going for them, find the savages had took them away; and towards night a great fire about the place where the man saw them. M February 17. This morning we first meet for appointing military orders, choose Miles Standish for our captain, give him power accordingly; and while we are consulting, two savages present themselves on the top of the hill over against us about a quarter of a mile off, making signs for us to come to them, we send captain Standish and Mr. Hopkins over the brook towards them, one only with a musket, which he lays down in sign of peace and parley, but the Indians would not stay their coming; a noise of a great many more is heard behind the hill, but no more come in sight. M February 21. Die Mr. William White, Mr. William Mullins, with two more. And the 25th dies Mary, the wife of Mr. Isaac Allerton. Br N. B. This month, seventeen of our number die. Br 1621. King of G. Britain, James I.-France, Lewis XIII.-Spain, Philip III. This spring there go ten or twelve ships from the west of England to fish on the northeastern coasts of New England; who get well freighted with fish and fur. Sm Pur About this time the Indians get all the Pawaws of the country, for three days together, in a horrid and devilish manner to curse and execrate us with their conjurations; which assembly they hold in a dark and dismal swamp, as we are afterwards informed. B March 7. The governor with five more go to the Great Ponds; and we begin to sow our garden seeds. M March 16. This morning, a savage boldly comes alone along the houses straight to the rendezvous, surprises us with calling out, welcome Englishmen! welcome Englishmen! having learned some broken English among the fishermen at Monhiggon; the first Indian we met with, his name Samoset, says he is a Sagamore or lord of Moratiggon, lying hence a day's sail with a great wind, and five days by land, and has been in these parts eight months; we entertain him, and he informs us of the country; that the place we are in is called Patuxet, that about four years ago all the inhabitants died of an extraordinary plague, and there is neither man, woman nor child remaining; as indeed we find none to hinder our possession, or lay claim to it. At night we lodge and watch him. M came. March 17. This morning we send Samoset to the Masassoits, our next neighbors, whence he The Nausites near southeast of us being those by whom we were first encountered as before related, are much incensed against the English; about eight months ago slew three Englishmen, and two more hardly escaped to Monhiggon; they 1621. King of G. Britain, James I.-France, Lewis XIII.-Spain, Philip IV. were sir F. Gorges' men, as our savage tells us.* He also tells us of the fight we had with the Nausites, and of our tools lately taken away, which we required him to bring. This people are ill affected to us because of Hunt, who carried away twenty from this place we now inhabit, and seven from the Nausites as before observed. He promises within a night or two to bring some of the Masassoits, with beaver skins to trade. M March 18. Samoset returns with five other men, who bring our tools with some skins and make shew of friendship; but being the Lord's Day, we would not trade, but entertaining them, bid them come again and bring more, which they promise within a night or two; but Samoset tarries with us. M March 21. This morning, the Indians not coming, we send Samoset to inquire the reason. In his absence, two or three savages present themselves on the top of the hill against us, with a shew of daring us; but captain Standish and another with their muskets going over, the Indians whet their arrows and make shew of defiance; but as our men advance they run away. M This day Philip III. king of Spain dies, aged forty-three, p ri and his son Philip IV. succeeds, aged sixteen. ri March 22. About noon, Samoset returns with Squanto, the only native of this place, one of the twenty Hunt had carried to Spain, but got into England, lived in Cornhill, London, with Mr. John Slanie, merchant, and can speak a little English, Whether these were not captain Dermer's company mentioned after June 30, last year. ri Riciolius; who say March 31. But I conclude they p Petavius. mean new style. 1621. King of G. Britain, James I.-France, Lewis XIII.-Spain, Philip IV. with three others; bring a few skins and signify that their great Sagamore Masassoit,* the greatest king of the Indians bordering on us, is hard by, with his brother Quadequina and their company. After an hour, the king comes to the top of an hill over against us, with a train of sixty men. We send Squanto to him, who brings word that we should send one to parley with him. We send Mr. Edward Winslow to know his mind, and signify that our governor desires to see him and truck and confirm a peace. Upon this the king leaves Mr. Winslow in the custody of Quadequina and comes over the brook with a train of twenty men, leaving their bows and arrows behind them. Captain Standish and master Williamson with six musketeers meet him at the brook, where they salute each other, conduct him to a house wherein they place a green rug and three or four cushions; then instantly comes our governor, with drum, trumpet, and musketeers; after salutations, the governor kissing his hand, and the king kissing him, they set down, the governor entertains him with some refreshments, and then they agree on a league of friendship, as follows. M I. That neither he nor his should injure any of ours. 2. That if they did, he should send the offender, that we might punish him. 3. That if our tools were taken away, he should restore them; and if ours did any harm to any of his, we would do the like to them. 4. If any unjustly warred against him, we would aid him; and if any warred against us, he should aid us. * The printed accounts generally spell him Massasoit, governor Bradford writes him Massasoyt and Massasoyet; but I find the ancient people from their fathers in Plymouth Colony pronounce his name Ma-sas-so-it. 1621. King of G. Britain, James I.-France, Lewis XIII.-Spain, Philip IV. 5. He should certify his neighbor confederates of this, that they might not wrong us, but be comprised in the conditions of peace. 6. That when their men come to us, they should leave their bows and arrows behind them, as we should leave our pieces when we come to them. 7. That doing thus, king James would esteem him as his friend and ally.* After this, the governor conducts him to the brook, where they embrace and part; we keeping six or seven hostages for our messenger. But Quadequina.coming with his troop, we entertain and convey him back, receive our messenger, and return the hostages. M March 23. This morning, diverse Indians coming over tell us, the king would have some of us come and see him; captain Standish and Mr. Isaac Allerton go venturously to them, whom they welcome after their manner; and about noon, M they return to their place called Sowams,† about forty miles off B to the westward. The king is a portly man, in his best years, grave of countenance, spare of speech. And we cannot but judge he is willing to be at peace with us, especially because he has a potent adversary the Narragansetts, who are at war with him, against whom he thinks we may be some strength, our pieces being terrible to them. But Samoset and Squanto tarry. M This day we meet on common business, conclude our military orders, with some laws convenient for our present state, and choose M or rather confirm B Mr. Carver our governor for the following year. MB * Governor Bradford in 1645, observes, this league hath lasted this twentyfour years. To which I may add, yea thirty years longer, viz. to 1675. + Sometimes called Sowams, and sometimes Pacanokik, which I suppose is afterwards called Mount Hope, and since named Bristol. |