bore an implacable malice against Uncas, and all the Mohegins, and for their sakes secretly against the English, so far as they durst discover it. In the year 1645, and 1646, they grew so insolent, that the Commissioners of the united colonies were compelled to raise forces to go against them, but when they perceived that the English were in good earnest, they began to be afraid, and sued for peace, and submitted to pay tribute to satisfy the charges of preparation for the war, but were always very backward to make payment until the English were forced to demand it by new forces, so that it appeared they were unwilling to hold any friendly correspondence with the English, yet durst never make any open attempt upon them, until the present rebellion, wherein they had no small hand, is too evident, notwithstanding all their pretences to the contrary, as will appear in the sequel of this history. Thus it is apparent upon what terms the English stood with the Narragansets, ever since the cutting off Miantonimo, their chief Sachem's head by Uncas, it being done with the advice and counsel of the English, Anno 1643. As for the rest of the Indians, ever since the* suppression of the Pequods, in the year 1637, until the year 1675, there was always in appearance amity and good correspondence on all sides, scarce an Englishman was ever known to be assaulted or hurt by any of them, until after the year 1674, when the son of one Matoonas, who, as was supposed, being vexed in his mind that the design against the English, intended to begin 1671, did not take place, out of mere malice and spite against them, slew an Englishman travelling along the road, the said Matoonas being a Nipnet Indian, which Nipnets were under the command of the Sachem of Mount Hope, the author of all the present mischiefs. Upon a due enquiry into all the preceding transactions between the Indians and the English, from their first settling in these coasts, there will appear no ground of quarrel that any of them had against the English, nor any provocation upon one account or another; for when Plymouth colony was first planted, within three months after their first landing, March 16, 1620, Massasoit, the chief Sachem of all that side of the country, repaired to the English at Plymouth, and entered into a solemn league upon sundry articles, (printed in New-England's Memorial, 1689) which are as follows, viz. 1. That neither he nor any of his should injure or do hurt to any of their people. 2. That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender that they might punish him. 3. That if any thing were taken away from any of theirs, he should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to his. 4. That if any did unjustly war against him, they should aid him, and if any did war against them, he should aid them. 5. That he should send to his neighbor codfederates, to certify them of this, that they might not wrong them, but might likewise be comprised in these conditions of peace. 6. That when his men came to them upon any occa sion, they should leave their arms (which were then bows and arrows) behind them. 7. That in so doing, their Sovereign Lord, King' James, would esteem him as their friend and ally. This league the same Sachem, September 26, 1630, a little before his death, coming with his eldest son, afterwards called Alexander, did renew with the English at the Court of Plymouth, for himself and his son, and their heirs and successors: And after that he came to Mr. Brown's, who lived not far from Mount Hope, bringing his two sons, Alexander and Philip with him, desiring there might be love and amity after his death, between his sons and them, as there had been betwixt himself and them in former times: Yet it is very remarkable that this Massasoit, called also Woosamequen, (how much soever he affected the English) was never in the least degree well affected to the religion of the English, but would in his last treaty with his neighbors at Plymouth, when they were with him about purchasing some land at Swanzey, have had them engaged never to attempt to draw away any of his people from their old pagan superstition, and devilish idolatry, to the christian religion, and did much insist upon it till he saw the English were resolved never to make any treaty with him more upon that account, which when he discerned, he did not further urge it but that was a bad omen, that, notwithstanding whatever his humanity was to the English, as they were strangers, (for indeed they had repayed his former kindness to them, by protecting him afterwards against the insolences of the Narragansets) he manifested no small displacency of spirit against : them, as they were christians: which strain was evident more in his son that succeeded him, and all his people, insomuch that some discerning persons of that jurisdic tion have feared that nation of Indians would all be rooted out, as has since come to pass. The like may be observed concerning the Narragansets, who were always more civil and courteous to the English than any of the other Indians, though never have as yet received the least tincture of the christian religion, but have in a manner run the same fate with their neighbors of Mount Hope, there being very few of them left standing. Nor is it unworthy the relation, what a person of quality a- · mongst us hath lately affirmed, viz. One much conversant with the Indians about Merrimac river, being Anno 1660, invited by some Sagamores or Sachems to a great dance, (which solemnities are the times they make use of to tell their stories, and convey the knowledge of some past and most memorable things to posterity) Passaconaway, the great Sachem of that part of the country, intending at that time to make his last and farewell speech to his children and people, that were then all gathered together, addressed himself to them in this manner: "I am now going the way of all flesh, or ready to die, and not likely to see you ever met together any more: I will now leave this word of counsel with you, that you may take heed how you quarrel with the English, for though you may do them much mischief, yet assuredly you will all be destroyed, and rooted off the earth if you do; for I was as much an enemy to the English, at their first coming into these parts, as any one whatsoev er, and did try all ways and means possible to have de. stroyed them, at least to have prevented them sitting down here, but I could no way effect it, therefore I advise you never to contend with the English, nor make war with them :" And accordingly his eldest son Wanalancet by name, as soon as he perceived that the Indians were up in arms, withdrew himself into some remote place, that he might not be hurt by the English, or the enemies, or be in danger by them. This passage was thought fit to be inserted here, it having so near an agreement with the former, intimating some secret awe of God upon the hearts of some of the principal amongst them, that they durst not hurt the English, although they bear no good affection to their religion, wherein they seem not a little to imitate Balaam, who, whatever he uttered, when he was under the awful power of divine illumination, yet when left to himself, was as bad an enemy to the Israel of God as ever before. But to return. After the death of this Woosamequen, or Massasoit, his eldest son succeeded him about 20 years since, Alexander by name, who notwithstanding the league he had entered into with the English, together with his father, in the year 1639, had neither affection to the Englishmen's persons, nor yet to their religion, but had been plotting with the Narragansets, to rise against the English; of which the Governor and Council of Plymouth being informed, they presently sent for him to bring him to the Court; the person to whom that service was committed, was a prudent and resolute gentleman, the pres |