Of Plymouth Plantation · William Bradford
I am to begine this year whith that which was a mater of great saddnes and mouuring unto them all. Aboute y^e 18. of Aprill dyed their Reve^d Elder, and my dear & loving friend, M^r. William Brewster; a man that had done and suffered much for y^e Lord Jesus and y^e gospells sake, and had bore his parte in well and woe with this poore persecuted church above 36. years in England, Holand, and in this wildernes, and done y^e Lord & them faithfull service in his place & calling. And notwithstanding y^e many troubls and sorrows he passed throw, the Lord upheld him to a great age. He was nere fourskore years of age (if not all out) when he dyed. He had this blesing added by y^e Lord to all y^e rest, to dye in his bed, in peace, amongst y^e mids of his freinds, who mourned & wepte over him, and ministered what help & comforte they could unto him, and he againe recomforted them whilst he could. His sicknes was not long, and till y^e last day therof he did not wholy keepe his bed. His speech continued till somewhat more then halfe a day, & then failed him; and aboute 9. or 10. a clock that eviing he dyed, without any pangs at all. A few howers before, he drew his breath shorte, and some few minuts before his last, he drew his breath long, as a man falen into a sound slepe, without any pangs or gaspings, and so sweetly departed this life unto a better.
I would now demand of any, what he was y^e worse for any former sufferings? What doe I say, worse? Nay, sure he was y^e better, and they now added to his honour. It is a manifest token (saith y^e Apostle, 2. Thes: 1. 5, 6, 7.) of y^e righeous judgmente of God that you may be counted worthy of y^e kingdome of God, for which ye allso suffer; seing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them y^t trouble you: and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when y^e Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels. 1. Pet. 4. 14. If you be reproached for y^e name of Christ, hapy are ye, for y^e spirite of glory and of God resteth upon you. What though he wanted y^e riches and pleasurs of y^e world in this life, and pompous monuments at his funurall? yet y^e memoriall of y^e just shall be blessed, when y^e name of y^e wicked shall rott (with their marble monuments). Pro: 10. 7.
I should say something of his life, if to say a litle were not worse then to be silent. But I cannot wholy forbear, though hapily more may be done hereafter. After he had attained some learning, viz. y^e knowledg of y^e Latine tongue, & some insight in y^e Greeke, and spent some small time at Cambridge, and then being first seasoned with y^e seeds of grace and vertue, he went to y^e Courte, and served that religious and godly gentlman, M^r. Davison, diverce years, when he was Secretary of State; who found him so discreete and faithfull as he trusted him above all other that were aboute him, and only imployed him in all matters of greatest trust and secrecie. He esteemed him rather as a sonne then a servante, and for his wisdom & godlines (in private) he would converse with him more like a freind & familier then a maister. He attended his m^r. when he was sente in ambassage by the Queene into y^e Low-Countries, in y^e Earle of Leicesters time, as for other waighty affaires of state, so to receive possession of the cautionary townes, and in token & signe therof the keyes of Flushing being delivered to him, in her ma^tis name, he kepte them some time, and committed them to this his servante, who kept them under his pilow, on which he slepte y^e first night. And, at his returne, y^e States honoured him with a gould chaine, and his maister committed it to him, and commanded him to wear it when they arrived in England, as they ridd thorrow the country, till they came to y^e Courte. He afterwards remained with him till his troubles, that he was put from his place aboute y^e death of y^e Queene of Scots; and some good time after, doeing him manie faithfull offices of servise in y^e time of his troubles. Afterwards he wente and lived in y^e country, in good esteeme amongst his freinds and y^e gentle-men of those parts, espetially the godly & religious. He did much good in y^e countrie wher he lived, in promoting and furthering religion, not only by his practiss & example, and provocking and incouraging of others, but by procuring of good preachers to y^e places theraboute, and, drawing on of others to assiste & help forward in such a worke; he him selfe most comonly deepest in y^e charge, & some times above his abillitie. And in this state he continued many years, doeing y^e best good he could, and walking according to y^e light he saw, till y^e Lord reveiled further unto him. And in y^e end, by y^e tirrany of y^e bishops against godly preachers & people, in silenceing the one & persecuting y^e other, he and many more of those times begane to looke further into things, and to see into y^e unlawfullnes of their callings, and y^e burthen of many anti-christian corruptions, which both he and they endeavored to cast of; as y^ey allso did, as in y^e begining of this treatis is to be seene. After they were joyned togither in comunion, he was a spetiall stay & help unto them. They ordinarily mett at his house on y^e Lords day, (which was a manor of y^e bishops,) and with great love he entertained them when they came, making provission for them to his great charge. He was y^e cheefe of those that were taken at Boston, and suffered y^e greatest loss; and of y^e seven that were kept longst in prison, and after bound over to y^e assises. Affter he came into Holland he suffered much hardship, after he had spente y^e most of his means, haveing a great charge, and many children; and, in regard of his former breeding & course of life, not so fitt for many imployments as others were, espetially such as were toylesume & laborious. But yet he ever bore his condition with much cherfullnes and contentation. Towards y^e later parte of those 12. years spente in Holland, his outward condition was mended, and he lived well & plentifully; for he fell into a way (by reason he had y^e Latine tongue) to teach many students, who had a disire to lerne y^e English tongue, to teach them English; and by his method they quickly attained it with great facilitie; for he drew rules to lerne it by, after y^e Latine maner; and many gentlemen, both Danes & Germans, resorted to him, as they had time from other studies, some of them being great mens sonnes. He also had means to set up printing, (by y^e help of some freinds,) and so had imploymente inoughg, and by reason of many books which would not be alowed to be printed in England, they might have had more then they could doe. But now removeing into this countrie, all these things were laid aside againe, and a new course of living must be framed unto; in which he was no way unwilling to take his parte, and to bear his burthen with y^e rest, living many times without bread, or corne, many months together, having many times nothing but fish, and often wanting that also; and drunke nothing but water for many years togeather, yea, till within 5. or 6. years of his death. And yet he lived (by y^e blessing of God) in health till very old age. And besids y^t, he would labour with his hands in y^e feilds as long as he was able; yet when the church had no other minister, he taught twise every Saboth, and y^t both powerfully and profitably, to y^e great contentment of y^e hearers, and their comfortable edification; yea, many were brought to God by his ministrie. He did more in this behalfe in a year, then many that have their hundreds a year doe in all their lives. For his personall abilities, he was qualified above many; he was wise and discreete and well spoken, having a grave & deliberate utterance, of a very cherfull spirite, very sociable & pleasante amongst his freinds, of an humble and modest mind, of a peaceable disposition, under vallewing him self & his owne abilities, and some time over valewing others; inoffencive and innocente in his life & conversation, w^ch gained him y^e love of those without, as well as those within; yet he would tell them plainely of their faults & evills, both publickly & privatly, but in such a maner as usually was well taken from him. He was tender harted, and compassionate of such as were in miserie, but espetialy of such as had been of good estate and ranke, and were fallen unto want & poverty, either for goodnes & religions sake, or by y^e injury & oppression of others; he would say, of all men these deserved to be pitied most. And none did more offend & displease him then such as would hautily and proudly carry & lift up themselves, being rise from nothing, and haveing litle els in them to comend them but a few fine cloaths, or a litle riches more then others. In teaching, he was very moving & stirring of affections, also very plaine & distincte in what he taught; by which means he became y^e more profitable to y^e hearers. He had a singuler good gift in prayer, both publick & private, in ripping up y^e hart & conscience before God, in the humble confession of sinne, and begging y^e mercies of God in Christ for y^e pardon of y^e same. He always thought it were better for ministers to pray oftener, and devide their prears, then be longe & tedious in the same (excepte upon sollemne & spetiall occations, as in days of humiliation & y^e like). His reason was, that y^e harte & spirits of all, espetialy y^e weake, could hardly continue & stand bente (as it were) so long towards God, as they ought to doe in y^t duty, without flagging and falling of. For y^e govermente of y^e church, (which was most proper to his office,) he was carfull to preserve good order in y^e same, and to preserve puritie, both in y^e doctrine & comunion of y^e same; and to supress any errour or contention that might begine to rise up amongst them; and accordingly God gave good success to his indeavors herein all his days, and he saw y^e fruite of his labours in that behalfe. But I must breake of, having only thus touched a few, as it were, heads of things.
I cannot but here take occasion, not only to mention, but greatly to admire y^e marvelous providence of God, that notwithstanding y^e many changes and hardships that these people wente throwgh, and y^e many enemies they had and difficulties they mette with all, that so many of them should live to very olde age! It was not only this reve^d mans condition, (for one swallow maks no summer, as they say,) but many more of them did y^e like, some dying aboute and before this time, and many still living, who attained to 60. years of age, and to 65. diverse to 70. and above, and some nere 80. as he did. It must needs be more then ordinarie, and above naturall reason, that so it should be; for it is found in experience, that chaing of aeir, famine, or unholsome foode, much drinking of water, sorrows & troubls, &c., all of them are enimies to health, causes of many diseaces, consumers of naturall vigoure and y^e bodys of men, and shortners of life. And yet of all these things they had a large parte, and suffered deeply in y^e same. They wente from England to Holand, wher they found both worse air and dyet then that they came from; from thence (induring a long imprisonmente, as it were, in y^e ships at sea) into New-England; and how it hath been with them hear hath allready beene showne; and what crosses, troubls, fears, wants, and sorrowes they had been lyable unto, is easie to conjecture; so as in some sorte they may say with y^e Apostle, 2. Cor: 11. 26, 27. they were in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perills of robers, in perills of their owne nation, in perils among y^e heathen, in perills in y^e willdernes, in perills in y^e sea, in perills among false breethern; in wearines & painfullnes, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in could and nakednes. What was it then that upheld them? It was Gods vissitation that preserved their spirits. Job 10. 12. Thou hast given me life and grace, and thy vissitation hath preserved my spirite. He that upheld y^e Apostle upheld them. They were persecuted, but not forsaken, cast downe, but perished not. 2. Cor: 4. 9. As unknowen, and yet knowen; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yett not kiled. 2. Cor: 6. 9. God, it seems, would have all men to behold and observe such mercies and works of his providence as these are towards his people, that they in like cases might be incouraged to depend upon God in their trials, & also blese his name when they see his goodnes towards others. Man lives not by bread only, Deut: 8. 3. It is not by good & dainty fare, by peace, & rest, and harts ease, in injoying y^e contentments and good things of this world only, that preserves health and prolongs life. God in such examples would have y^e world see & behold that he can doe it without them; and if y^e world will shut ther eyes, and take no notice therof, yet he would have his people to see and consider it. Daniell could be better liking with pulse then others were with y^e kings dainties. Jaacob, though he wente from one nation to another people, and passed thorow famine, fears, & many afflictions, yet he lived till old age, and dyed sweetly, & rested in y^e Lord, as infinite others of Gods servants have done, and still shall doe, (through Gods goodnes,) notwithstanding all y^e malice of their enemies; when y^e branch of y^e wicked shall be cut of before his day, Job. 15. 32. and the bloody and deceitfull men shall not live out halfe their days. Psa: 55. 23.
By reason of y^e plottings of the Narigansets, (ever since y^e Pequents warr,) the Indeans were drawne into a generall conspiracie against y^e English in all parts, as was in part discovered y^e yeare before; and now made more plaine and evidente by many discoveries and free-conffessions of sundrie Indeans (upon severall occasions) from diverse places, concuring in one; with such other concuring circomstances as gave them suffissently to understand the trueth therof, and to thinke of means, how to prevente y^e same, and secure them selves. Which made them enter into this more nere union & confederation following.
Articles of Confederation betweene y^e Plantations under y^e Govermente of Massachusets, y^e Plantations under y^e Govermente of New-Plimoth, y^e Plantations under y^e Govermente of Conightecute, and y^e Govermente of New-Haven, with y^e Plantations in combination therwith.
Wheras we all came into these parts of America with one and y^e same end and aime, namly; to advance the kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ, & to injoye y^e liberties of y^e Gospell in puritie with peace; and wheras in our setling (by a wise providence of God) we are further disperced upon y^e sea coasts and rivers then was at first intended, so y^t we cannot, according to our desires, with convenience comunicate in one govermente & jurisdiction; and wheras we live encompassed with people of severall nations and strang languages, which hereafter may prove injurious to us and our posteritie; and for as much as y^e natives have formerly committed sundrie insolencies and outrages upon severall plantations of y^e English, and have of late combined them selves against us; and seeing, by reason of those distractions in England (which they have heard of) and by which they know we are hindered from y^t humble way of seeking advice or reaping those comfurtable fruits of protection which at other times we might well expecte; we therfore doe conceive it our bounden duty, without delay, to enter into a presente consociation amongst our selves, for mutuall help & strength in all our future concernments. That as in nation and religion, so in other respects, we be & continue one, according to y^e tenor and true meaning of the insuing articles. (1) Wherfore it is fully agreed and concluded by & betweene y^e parties or jurisdictions above named, and they joyntly & severally doe by these presents agree & conclude, that they all be and henceforth be called by y^e name of The United Colonies of New-England.
2. The said United Collonies, for them selves & their posterities, doe joyntly & severally hereby enter into a firme & perpetuall league of frendship & amitie, for offence and defence, mutuall advice and succore upon all just occasions, both for preserving & propagating y^e truth of y^e Gospell, and for their owne mutuall saftie and wellfare.
3. It is further agreed that the plantations which at presente are or hereafter shall be setled with[in] y^e limites of y^e Massachusets shall be for ever under y^e Massachusets, and shall have peculier jurisdiction amonge them selves in all cases, as an intire body. And y^t Plimoth, Conightecutt, and New-Haven shall each of them have like peculier jurisdition and govermente within their limites and in refference to y^e plantations which allready are setled, or shall hereafter be erected, or shall setle within their limites, respectively; provided y^t no other jurisdition shall hereafter be taken in, as a distincte head or member of this confederation, nor shall any other plantation or jurisdiction in presente being, and not allready in combination or under y^e jurisdiction of any of these confederats, be received by any of them; nor shall any tow of y^e confederats joyne in one jurisdiction, without consente of y^e rest, which consete to be interpreted as is expresed in y^e sixte article ensewing.
4. It is by these conffederats agreed, y^t the charge of all just warrs, whether offencive or defencive, upon what parte or member of this confederation soever they fall, shall, both in men, provissions, and all other disbursments, be borne by all y^e parts of this confederation, in differente proportions, according to their differente abillities, in maner following: namely, y^t the comissioners for each jurisdiction, from time to time, as ther shall be occasion, bring a true accounte and number of all their males in every plantation, or any way belonging too or under their severall jurisdictions, of what qualitie or condition soever they be, from 16. years old to 60, being inhabitants ther; and y^t according to y^e differente numbers which from time to time shall be found in each jurisdiction upon a true & just accounte, the service of men and all charges of y^e warr be borne by y^e pole; each jurisdiction or plantation being left to their owne just course & custome of rating them selves and people according to their differente estates, with due respects to their qualities and exemptions amongst them selves, though the confederats take no notice of any such priviledg. And y^t according to their differente charge of each jurisdiction & plantation, the whole advantage of y^e warr, (if it please God to blesse their indeaours,) whether it be in lands, goods, or persons, shall be proportionably devided amonge y^e said confederats.
5. It is further agreed, that if these jurisdictions, or any plantation under or in combynacion with them, be invaded by any enemie whomsoever, upon notice & requeste of any 3. magistrats of y^t jurisdiction so invaded, y^e rest of y^e confederats, without any further meeting or expostulation, shall forthwith send ayde to y^e confederate in danger, but in differente proportion; namely, y^e Massachusets an hundred men sufficently armed & provided for such a service and journey, and each of y^e rest forty five so armed & provided, or any lesser number, if less be required according to this proportion. But if such confederate in danger may be supplyed by their nexte confederates, not exeeding y^e number hereby agreed, they may crave help ther, and seeke no further for y^e presente; y^e charge to be borne as in this article is exprest, and at y^e returne to be victuled & suplyed with powder & shote for their jurney (if ther be need) by y^t jurisdiction which imployed or sent for them. But none of y^e jurisdictions to exceede these numbers till, by a meeting of y^e commissioners for this confederation, a greater aide appear nessessarie. And this proportion to continue till upon knowlege of greater numbers in each jurisdiction, which shall be brought to y^e nexte meeting, some other proportion be ordered. But in such case of sending men for presente aide, whether before or after such order or alteration, it is agreed y^t at y^e meeting of y^e comissioners for this confederation, the cause of such warr or invasion be duly considered; and if it appeare y^t the falte lay in y^e parties so invaded, y^t then that jurisdiction or plantation make just satisfaction both to y^e invaders whom they have injured, and beare all y^e charges of y^e warr them selves, without requiring any allowance from y^e rest of y^e confederats towards y^e same. And further, y^t if any jurisdiction see any danger of any invasion approaching, and ther be time for a meeting, that in such a case 3. magistrats of y^t jurisdiction may summone a meeting, at such conveniente place as them selves shall thinke meete, to consider & provid against y^e threatened danger, provided when they are mett, they may remove to what place they please; only, whilst any of these foure confederats have but 3 magistrats in their jurisdiction, their requeste, or summons, from any 2. of them shall be accounted of equall force with y^e 3. mentioned in both the clauses of this article, till ther be an increase of majestrats ther.
6. It is also agreed y^t, for y^e managing & concluding of all affairs propper, & concerning the whole confederation, tow comissioners shall be chosen by & out of each of these 4. jurisdictions; namly, 2. for y^e Massachusets, 2. for Plimoth, 2. for Conightecutt, and 2. for New-Haven, being all in church fellowship with us, which shall bring full power from their severall Generall Courts respectively to hear, examene, waigh, and detirmine all affairs of warr, or peace, leagues, aids, charges, and numbers of men for warr, divissions of spoyles, & whatsoever is gotten by conquest; receiving of more confederats, or plantations into combination with any of y^e confederates, and all things of like nature, which are y^e proper concomitants or consequences of such a confederation, for amitie, offence, & defence; not inter-medling with y^e govermente of any of y^e jurisdictions, which by y^e 3. article is preserved entirely to them selves. But if these 8. comissioners when they meete shall not all agree, yet it concluded that any 6. of the 8. agreeing shall have power to setle & determine y^e bussines in question. But if 6. doe not agree, that then such propositions, with their reasons, so farr as they have been debated, be sente, and referred to y^e 4. Generall Courts, viz. y^e Massachusets, Plimoth, Conightecutt, and New-haven; and if at all y^e said Generall Courts y^e bussines so referred be concluded, then to be prosecuted by y^e confederats, and all their members. It was further agreed that these 8. comissioners shall meete once every year, besids extraordinarie meetings, (according to the fifte article,) to consider, treate, & conclude of all affaires belonging to this confederation, which meeting shall ever be the first Thursday in September. And y^t the next meeting after the date of these presents, which shall be accounted y^e second meeting, shall be at Boston in y^e Massachusets, the 3. at Hartford, the 4. at New-Haven, the 5. at Plimoth, and so in course successively, if in y^e meane time some midle place be not found out and agreed on, which may be comodious for all y^e jurisdictions.
7. It is further agreed, y^t at each meeting of these 8. comissioners, whether ordinarie, or extraordinary, they all 6. of them agreeing as before, may chuse a presidente out of them selves, whose office & work shall be to take care and directe for order, and a comly carrying on of all proceedings in y^e present meeting; but he shall be invested with no such power or respecte, as by which he shall hinder y^e propounding or progrese of any bussines, or any way cast y^e scailes otherwise then in y^e precedente article is agreed.
8. It is also agreed, y^t the comissioners for this confederation hereafter at their meetings, whether ordinary or extraordinarie, as they may have comission or opportunitie, doe indeaover to frame and establish agreements & orders in generall cases of a civill nature, wherin all y^e plantations are interessed, for y^e preserving of peace amongst them selves, and preventing as much as may be all occasions of warr or difference with others; as aboute y^e free & speedy passage of justice, in every jurisdiction, to all y^e confederats equally as to their owne; not receiving those y^t remove from one plantation to another without due certificate; how all y^e jurisdictions may carry towards y^e Indeans, that they neither growe insolente, nor be injured without due satisfaction, least warr breake in upon the confederats through such miscarriages. It is also agreed, y^t if any servante rune away from his maister into another of these confederated jurisdictions, that in such case, upon y^e certificate of one magistrate in the jurisdiction out of which y^e said servante fledd, or upon other due proofe, the said servante shall be delivered, either to his maister, or any other y^t pursues & brings such certificate or proofe. And y^t upon y^e escape of any prisoner whatsoever, or fugitive for any criminall cause, whether breaking prison, or getting from y^e officer, or otherwise escaping, upon the certificate of 2. magistrats of y^e jurisdiction out of which y^e escape is made, that he was a prisoner, or such an offender at y^e time of y^e escape, they magistrats, or sume of them of the jurisdiction wher for y^e presente the said prisoner or fugitive abideth, shall forthwith grante such a warrante as y^e case will beare, for y^e apprehending of any such person, & the delivering of him into y^e hands of y^e officer, or other person who pursues him. And if ther be help required, for y^e safe returning of any such offender, then it shall be granted to him y^t craves y^e same, he paying the charges therof.
9. And for y^t the justest warrs may be of dangerous consequence, espetially to y^e smaler plantations in these United Collonies, it is agreed y^t neither y^e Massachusets, Plimoth, Conightecutt, nor New-Haven, nor any member of any of them, shall at any time hear after begine, undertake, or ingage them selves, or this confederation, or any parte therof, in any warr whatsoever, (sudden exegents, with y^e necessary consequents therof excepted, which are also to be moderated as much as y^e case will permitte,) without y^e consente and agreemente of y^e forementioned 8. comissioners, or at the least 6. of them, as in y^e sixt article is provided. And y^t no charge be required of any of they confederats, in case of a defensive warr, till y^e said comissioners have mett, and approved y^e justice of y^e warr, and have agreed upon y^e summe of money to be levied, which sume is then to be paid by the severall confederats in proportion according to y^e fourth article.
10. That in extraordinary occasions, when meetings are summoned by three magistrates of any jurisdiction, or 2. as in y^e 5. article, if any of y^e comissioners come not, due warning being given or sente, it is agreed y^t 4. of the comissioners shall have power to directe a warr which cannot be delayed, and to send for due proportions of men out of each jurisdiction, as well as 6. might doe if all mett; but not less then 6. shall determine the justice of y^e warr, or alow y^e demands or bills of charges, or cause any levies to be made for y^e same.
11. It is further agreed, y^t if any of y^e confederats shall hereafter breake any of these presente articles, or be any other ways injurious to any one of y^e other jurisdictions, such breach of agreemente or injurie shall be duly considered and ordered by y^e comissioners for y^e other jurisdiction; that both peace and this presente confederation may be intirly preserved without violation.
12. Lastly, this perpetuall confederation, and y^e severall articles therof being read, and seriously considered, both by y^e Generall Courte for y^e Massachusets, and by y^e comissioners for Plimoth, Conigtecute, & New-Haven, were fully alowed & confirmed by 3. of y^e forenamed confederats, namly, y^e Massachusets, Conightecutt, and New-Haven; only y^e comissioners for Plimoth haveing no commission to conclude, desired respite till they might advise with their Generall Courte; wher upon it was agreed and concluded by y^e said Courte of y^e Massachusets, and the comissioners for y^e other tow confederats, that, if Plimoth consente, then the whole treaty as it stands in these present articls is, and shall continue, firme & stable without alteration. But if Plimoth come not in, yet y^e other three confederats doe by these presents confeirme y^e whole confederation, and the articles therof; only in September nexte, when y^e second meeting of y^e commissioners is to be at Boston, new consideration may be taken of y^e 6. article, which concerns number of comissioners for meeting & concluding the affaires of this confederation, to y^e satisfaction of y^e Courte of y^e Massachusets, and y^e comissioners for y^e other 2. confederats, but y^e rest to stand unquestioned. In y^e testimonie wherof, y^e Generall Courte of y^e Massachusets, by ther Secretary, and y^e comissioners for Conightecutt and New-Haven, have subscribed these presente articles this 19. of y^e third month, comonly called May, Anno Dom: 1643.
At a meeting of y^e comissioners for y^e confederation held at Boston y^e 7. of Sept: it appearing that the Generall Courte of New-Plimoth, and y^e severall towneshipes therof, have read & considered & approved these articles of confederation, as appeareth by commission from their Generall Courte bearing date y^e 29. of August, 1643. to M^r. Edward Winslow and M^r. William Collier, to ratifie and confirme y^e same on their behalfes. We, therfore, y^e Comissioners for y^e Massachusets, Conightecutt, & New Haven, doe also, for our severall goverments, subscribe unto them.
JOHN WINTHROP, Gov^r. of y^e Massachusest. THO: DUDLEY. GEO: FENWICK. THOMAS GREGSON. THEOPH: EATON. EDWA: HOPKINS. THOMAS GREGSON.
These were y^e articles of agreemente in y^e union and confederation which they now first entered into; and in this their first meeting, held at Boston y^e day & year abovesaid, amongst other things they had this matter of great consequence to considere on: the Narigansets, after y^e subduing of y^e Pequents, thought to have ruled over all y^e Indeans aboute them; but y^e English, espetially those of Conightecutt holding correspondencie & frenship with Uncass, sachem of y^e Monhigg Indeans which lived nere them, (as y^e Massachusets had done with y^e Narigansets,) and he had been faithful to them in y^e Pequente warr, they were ingaged to supporte him in his just liberties, and were contented y^t such of y^e surviving Pequents as had submited to him should remaine with him and quietly under his protection. This did much increase his power and augmente his greatnes, which y^e Narigansets could not indure to see. But Myantinomo, their cheefe sachem, (an ambitious & politick man,) sought privatly and by trearchery (according to y^e Indean maner) to make him away, by hiring some to kill him. Sometime they assayed to poyson him; that not takeing, then in y^e night time to knock him on y^e head in his house, or secretly to shoot him, and such like attempts. But none of these taking effecte, he made open warr upon him (though it was against y^e covenants both betweene y^e English & them, as also betweene them selves, and a plaine breach of y^e same). He came suddanly upon him with 900. or 1000. men (never denouncing any warr before). Y^e others power at y^t presente was not above halfe so many; but it pleased God to give Uncass y^e victory, and he slew many of his men, and wounded many more; but y^e cheefe of all was, he tooke Miantinomo prisoner. And seeing he was a greate man, and y^e Narigansets a potente people & would seeke revenge, he would doe nothing in y^e case without y^e advise of y^e English; so he (by y^e help & direction of those of Conightecutt) kept him prisoner till this meeting of y^e comissioners. The comissioners weighed y^e cause and passages, as they were clearly represented & sufficently evidenced betwixte Uncass and Myantinomo; and the things being duly considered, the comissioners apparently saw y^t Uncass could not be safe whilst Miantynomo lived, but, either by secrete trechery or open force, his life would still be in danger. Wherfore they thought he might justly put such a false & bloud-thirstie enimie to death; but in his owne jurisdiction, not in y^e English plantations. And they advised, in y^e maner of his death all mercy and moderation should be showed, contrary to y^e practise of y^e Indeans, who exercise torturs and cruelty. And, Uncass having hitherto shewed him selfe a freind to y^e English, and in this craving their advise, if the Narigansett Indeans or others shall unjustly assaulte Uncass for this execution, upon notice and request, y^e English promise to assiste and protecte him as farr as they may agaiiste such violence.
This was y^e issue of this bussines. The reasons and passages hereof are more at large to be seene in y^e acts & records of this meeting of y^e comissioners. And Uncass follewd this advise, and accordingly executed him, in a very faire maner, acording as they advised, with due respecte to his honour & greatnes. But what followed on y^e Narigansets parte will appear hear after.
M^R. EDWARD WINSLOW was chosen Gov^r this year.
Many having left this place (as is before noted) by reason of the straightnes & barrennes of y^e same, and their finding of better accommodations elsewher, more sutable to their ends & minds; and sundrie others still upon every occasion desiring their dismissions, the church begane seriously to thinke whether it were not better joyntly to remove to some other place, then to be thus weakened, and as it were insensibly dissolved. Many meetings and much consultation was held hearaboute, and diverse were mens minds and opinions. Some were still for staying togeather in this place, aledging men might hear live, if they would be contente with their condition; and y^t it was not for wante or necessitie so much y^t they removed, as for y^e enriching of them selves. Others were resolute upon removall, and so signified y^t hear y^ey could not stay; but if y^e church did not remove, they must; insomuch as many were swayed, rather then ther should be a dissolution, to condescend to a removall, if a fitt place could be found, that might more conveniently and comfortablie receive y^e whole, with such accession of others as might come to them, for their better strength & subsistence; and some such like cautions and limitations. So as, with y^e afforesaide provissos, y^e greater parte consented to a removall to a place called Nawsett, which had been superficially veiwed and y^e good will of y^e purchassers (to whom it belonged) obtained, with some addition thertoo from y^e Courte. But now they begane to see their errour, that they had given away already the best & most commodious places to others, and now wanted them selves; for this place was about 50. myles from hence, and at an outside of y^e countrie, remote from all society; also, that it would prove so straite, as it would not be competente to receive y^e whole body, much less be capable of any addition or increase; so as (at least in a shorte time) they should be worse ther then they are now hear. The which, with sundery other like considerations and inconveniences, made them chaing their resolutions; but such as were before resolved upon removall tooke advantage of this agreemente, & wente on notwithstanding, neither could y^e rest hinder them, they haveing made some beginning. And thus was this poore church left, like an anciente mother, growne olde, and forsaken of her children, (though not in their affections,) yett in regarde of their bodily presence and personall helpfullness. Her anciente members being most of them worne away by death; and these of later time being like children translated into other families, and she like a widow left only to trust in God. Thus she that had made many rich became her selfe poore.
Some things handled, and pacified by y^e commissioner this year.
Wheras, by a wise providence of God, tow of y^e jurisdictions in y^e westerne parts, viz. Conightecutt & New-haven, have beene latly exercised by sundrie insolencies & outrages from y^e Indeans; as, first, an Englishman, runing from his m^r out of y^e Massachusets, was murdered in y^e woods, in or nere y^e limites of Conightecute jurisdiction; and aboute 6. weeks after, upon discovery by an Indean, y^e Indean sagamore in these parts promised to deliver the murderer to y^e English, bound; and having accordingly brought him within y^e sight of Uncaway, by their joynte consente, as it is informed, he was ther unbound, and left to shifte for him selfe; wherupon 10. Englishmen forthwith coming to y^e place, being sente by M^r. Ludlow, at y^e Indeans desire, to receive y^e murderer, who seeing him escaped, layed hold of 8. of y^e Indeans ther presente, amongst whom ther was a sagamore or 2. and kept them in hold 2. days, till 4. sagamors ingaged themselves within one month to deliver y^e prisoner. And about a weeke after this agreemente, an Indean came presumtuously and with guile, in y^e day time, and murtherously assalted an English woman in her house at Stamford, and by 3. wounds, supposed mortall, left her for dead, after he had robbed y^e house. By which passages y^e English were provoked, & called to a due consideration of their owne saftie; and y^e Indeans generally in those parts arose in an hostile maner, refused to come to y^e English to carry on treaties of peace, departed from their wigwames, left their corne unweeded, and shewed them selves tumultuously about some of y^e English plantations, & shott of peeces within hearing of y^e towne; and some Indeans came to y^e English & tould them y^e Indeans would fall upon them. So y^t most of y^e English thought it unsafe to travell in those parts by land, and some of y^e plantations were put upon strong watchs and ward, night & day, & could not attend their private occasions, and yet distrusted their owne strength for their defence. Wherupon Hartford & New-Haven were sent unto for aide, and saw cause both to send into y^e weaker parts of their owne jurisdiction thus in danger, and New-Haven, for conveniencie of situation, sente aide to Uncaway, though belonging to Conightecutt. Of all which passages they presently acquainted y^e comissioners in y^e Bay, & had y^e allowance & approbation from y^e Generall Courte ther, with directions neither to hasten warr nor to bear such insolencies too longe. Which courses, though chargable to them selves, yet through Gods blessing they hope fruite is, & will be, sweete and wholsome to all y^e collonies; the murderers are since delivered to justice, the publick peace preserved for y^e presente, & probabillitie it may be better secured for y^e future.
Thus this mischeefe was prevented, and y^e fear of a warr hereby diverted. But now an other broyle was begune by y^e Narigansets; though they unjustly had made warr upon Uncass, (as is before declared,) and had, y^e winter before this, ernestly presed y^e Gove^r of y^e Massachusets that they might still make warr upon them to revenge the death of their sagamore, w^ch, being taken prisoner, was by them put to death, (as before was noted,) pretending that they had first received and accepted his ransome, and then put him to death. But y^e Gove^r refused their presents, and tould them y^t it was them selves had done y^e wronge, & broaken y^e conditions of peace; and he nor y^e English neither could nor would allow them to make any further warr upon him, but if they did, must assiste him, & oppose them; but if it did appeare, upon good proofe, that he had received a ransome for his life, before he put him to death, when y^e comissioners mett, they should have a fair hearing, and they would cause Uncass to returne y^e same. But notwithstanding, at y^e spring of y^e year they gathered a great power, and fell upon Uncass, and slue sundrie of his men, and wounded more, and also had some loss them selves. Uncass cald for aide from y^e English; they tould him what y^e Narigansets objected, he deney the same; they tould him it must come to triall, and if he was inocente, if y^e Narigansets would not desiste, they would aide & assiste him. So at this meeting they sent both to Uncass & y^e Narrigansets, and required their sagamors to come or send to y^e comissioners now mete at Hartford, and they should have a faire & inpartiall hearing in all their greevances, and would endeavor y^t all wrongs should be rectified wher they should be found; and they promised that they should safly come and returne without any danger or molestation; and sundry y^e like things, as appears more at large in y^e messengers instructions. Upon w^ch the Narigansets sent one sagamore and some other deputies, with full power to doe in y^e case as should be meete. Uncass came in person, accompanyed with some cheefe aboute him. After the agitation of y^e bussines, y^e issue was this. The comissioners declared to the Narigansett deputies as followeth.
1. That they did not find any proofe of any ransome agreed on.
2. It appeared not y^t any wampam had been paied as a ransome, or any parte of a ransome, for Myantinomos life.
3. That if they had in any measure proved their charge against Uncass, the comissioners would have required him to have made answerable satisfaction.
4. That if hereafter they can make satisfing profe, y^e English will consider y^e same, & proceed accordingly.
5. The comissioners did require y^t neither them selves nor y^e Nyanticks make any warr or injurious assaulte upon Unquass or any of his company untill they make profe of y^e ransume charged, and y^t due satisfaction be deneyed, unless he first assaulte them.
6. That if they assaulte Uncass, the English are engaged to assist him.
Hearupon y^e Narigansette sachim, advising with y^e other deputies, ingaged him selfe in the behalfe of y^e Narigansets & Nyanticks that no hostile acts should be comitted upon Uncass, or any of his, untill after y^e next planting of corne; and y^t after that, before they begine any warr, they will give 30. days warning to y^e Gove^r of the Massachusets or Conightecutt. The comissioners approving of this offer, and taking their ingagmente under their hands, required Uncass, as he expected y^e continuance of y^e favour of the English, to observe the same termes of peace with y^e Narigansets and theirs.
These foregoing conclusions were subscribed by y^e comissioners, for y^e severall jurisdictions, y^e 19. of Sept: 1644.
EDWA: HOPKINS, Presidente. SIMON BRADSTREETE. WILL^M. HATHORNE. EDW: WINSLOW. JOHN BROWNE. GEOR: FENWICK. THEOPH: EATON. THO: GREGSON.
The forenamed Narigansets deputies did further promise, that if, contrary to this agreemente, any of y^e Nyantick Pequents should make any assaulte upon Uncass, or any of his, they would deliver them up to y^e 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.
WEETOWISH. PAMPIAMETT. CHINNOUGH. PUMMUNISH.
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End of part 25 of 26
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