Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation' Part 29

So as here upon they went on to hasten y^e preparations, according to y^e former agreemente, and sent to Plimoth to send forth their 40. men with all speed, to lye at Seacunke, least any deanger should befalle it, before y^e rest were ready, it lying next y^e enemie, and ther to stay till y^e Ma.s.sachusetts should joyne with them. Allso Conigtecute & Newhaven forces were to joyne togeather, and march with all speed, and y^e Indean confederats of those parts with them. All which was done accordingly; and the souldiers of this place were at Seacunk, the place of their rendevouze, 8. or 10. days before y^e rest were ready; they were well armed all with snaphance peeces, and wente under y^e camand of Captain [266] Standish. Those from other places were led likwise by able comanders,[EU] as Captaine Mason for Conigtecute, &c.; and Majore Gibons was made generall over y^e whole, with such comissions & instructions as was meete.

Upon y^e suden dispatch of these souldiears, (the present necessitie requiring it,) the deputies of y^e Ma.s.sachusetts Courte (being now a.s.sembled i[=m]ediatly after y^e setting forth of their 40. men) made a question whether it was legally done, without their comission. It was answered, that howsoever it did properly belong to y^e authority of y^e severall jurisdictions (after y^e warr was agreed upon by y^e comissioners, & the number of men) to provid y^e men & means to carry on y^e warr; yet in this presente case, the proceeding of y^e comissioners and y^e comission given was as sufficiente as if it had been done by y^e Generall Courte.

First, it was a case of such presente & urgente necessitie, as could not stay y^e calling of y^e Courte or Counsell. 2^ly. In y^e Articles of Confederation, power is given to y^e comissioners to consult, order, & determine all affaires of warr, &c. And y^e word _determine_ comprehends all acts of authority belonging therunto.

3^ly. The comissioners are y^e judges of y^e necessitie of the expedition.

4^ly. The Generall Courte have made their owne comissioners their sole counsell for these affires.

5^ly. These counsels could not have had their due effecte excepte they had power to proceede in this case, as they have done; which were to make y^e comissioners power, and y^e maine end of y^e confederation, to be frustrate, and that mearly for observing a ceremony.

6^ly. The comissioners haveing sole power to manage y^e warr for number of men, for time, place, &c., they only know their owne counsells, & _determinations_, and therfore none can grante co[=m]ission to acte according to these but them selves.

All things being thus in readines, and some of y^e souldiers gone forth, and the rest ready to march, the comissioners thought it meete before any hostile acte was performed, to cause a presente to be returned, which had been sente to y^e Gove^r of the Ma.s.sachusetts from y^e Narigansett sachems, but not by him received, but layed up to be accepted or refused as they should carry them selves, and observe y^e covenants. Therfore they violating the same, & standing out thus to a warr, it was againe returned, by 2. messengers & an interpretour. And further to let know that their men already sent to Unca.s.s (& other wher sent forth) have hitherto had express order only to stand upon his & their owne defence, and not to attempte any invasion of y^e Narigansetts country; and yet if they may have due reperation for what is past, and good securitie for y^e future, it shall appear they are as desirous of peace, and shall be as tender of y^e Narigansets blood as ever. If therefore Pessecuss, Innemo, writh other sachemes, will (without further delay) come along with you to Boston, the comissioners doe promise & a.s.sure them, they shall have free liberty to come, and retourne without molestation or any just greevance from y^e English. But deputies will not now serve, nor may the preparations in hand be now stayed, or y^e directions given recalled, till y^e forementioned sagamors come, and some further order be taken. But if they will have nothing but warr, the English are providing, and will proceede accordingly.

Pessecouss, Mixano, & Witowash, 3. princ.i.p.all sachems of y^e Narigansett Indeans, and Awasequen, deputie for y^e Nyanticks, with a large traine of men, within a few days after came to Boston.

And to omitte all other circomstances and debats y^t past betweene them and the comissioners, they came to this conclusion following.

[267] 1. It was agreed betwixte y^e comissioners of y^e United Collonies, and y^e forementioned sagamores, & Niantick deputie, that y^e said Narigansets & Niantick sagamores should pay or cause to be payed at Boston, to y^e Ma.s.sachusets comissioners, y^e full sume of 2000. fathome of good white wampame, or a third parte of black wampampeage, in 4. payments; namely, 500. fathome within 20. days, 500. fathome within 4. months, 500. fathome at or before next planting time, and 500. fathome. within 2. years next after y^e date of these presents; which 2000. fathome y^e comissioners accepte for satisfaction of former charges expended.

2. The foresaid sagamors & deputie (on y^e behalfe of y^e Narigansett & Niantick Indeans) hereby promise & covenante that they upon demand and profe satisfie & restore unto Unca.s.s, y^e Mohigan sagamore, all such captives, whether men, or women, or children, and all such canowes, as they or any of their men have taken, or as many of their owne canowes in y^e roome of them, full as good as they were, with full satisfaction for all such corne as they or any of theire men have spoyled or destroyed, of his or his mens, since last planting time; and y^e English comissioners hereby promise y^t Unca.s.s shall doe y^e like.

3. Wheras ther are sundry differences & greevances betwixte Narigansett & Niantick Indeans, and Unca.s.s & his men, (which in Unca.s.s his absence cannot now be detirmined,) it is hearby agreed y^t Nariganset & Niantick sagamores either come them selves, or send their deputies to y^e next meeting of y^e comissioners for y^e collonies, either at New-Haven in Sep^t 1646. or sooner (upon conveniente warning, if y^e said comissioners doe meete sooner), fully instructed to declare & make due proofe of their injuries, and to submite to y^e judgmente of y^e comissioners, in giving or receiving satisfaction; and y^e said comissioners (not doubting but Unca.s.s will either come him selfe, or send his deputies, in like maner furnished) promising to give a full hearing to both parties with equall justice, without any partiall respects, according to their allegations and profs.

4. The said Narigansett & Niantick sagamors & deputies doe nearby promise & covenante to keep and maintaine a firme & perpetuall peace, both with all y^e English United Colonies & their successors, and with Unca.s.s, y^e Monhegen sachem, & his men; with Ossamequine, Pumham, Sokanoke, Cutshamakin, Shoanan, Pa.s.saconaway, and all other Indean sagamors, and their companies, who are in freinds.h.i.+p with or subjecte to any of y^e English; hearby ingaging them selves, that they will not at any time hearafter disturbe y^e peace of y^e c.u.n.try, by any a.s.saults, hostile attempts, invasions, or other injuries, to any of y^e Unnited Collonies, or their successors; or to y^e afforesaid Indeans; either in their persons, buildings, catle, or goods, directly or indirectly; nor will they confederate with any other against them; & if they know of any Indeans or others y^t conspire or intend hurt against y^e said English, or any Indeans subjecte to or in freinds.h.i.+p with them, they will without delay acquainte & give notice therof to y^e English co[=m]issioners, or some of them.

Or if any questions or differences shall at any time hereafter arise or grow betwext them & Unca.s.s, or any Endeans before mentioned they will, according to former ingagments (which they hearby confirme & ratifie) first acquainte y^e English, and crave their judgments & advice therin; and will not attempte or begine any warr, or hostille invasion, till they have liberty and alowance from y^e comissioners of y^e United Collonies so to doe.

5. The said Narigansets & Niantick sagamores & deputies doe hearby promise y^t they will forthw^th deliver & restore all such Indean fugitives, or captives which have at any time fled from any of y^e English, and are now living or abiding amongst them, or give due satisfaction for them to y^e comissioners for y^e Ma.s.sachusets; and further, that they will (without more delays) pay, or cause to be payed, a yearly tribute, a month before harvest, every year after this, at Boston, to y^e English Colonies, for all such Pequents as live amongst them, according to y^e former treaty & agreemente, made at Hartford, 1638. namly, one fathome of white wampam for every Pequente man, & halfe a fathume for each Pequente youth, and one hand length for each mal-child. And if Weequashcooke refuse to pay this tribute for any Pequents with him, the Narigansetts sagamores promise to a.s.siste y^e English against him. And they further covenante y^t they will resigne & yeeld up the whole Pequente c.u.n.trie, and every parte of it, to y^e English collonies, as due to them by conquest.

6. The said Narigansett & Niantick sagamores & deputie doe hereby promise & covenante y^t within 14. days they will bring & deliver to y^e Ma.s.sachusetts comissioners on the behalf of y^e collonies, [268]

foure of their children, viz. Pessecous his eldest son, the sone Ta.s.saquanawite, brother to Pessecouss, Awashawe his sone, and Ew.a.n.gsos sone, a Niantick, to be kepte (as hostages & pledges) by y^e English, till both y^e forementioned 2000. fathome of wampam be payed at y^e times appoynted, and y^e differences betweexte themselves & Unca.s.s be heard & ordered, and till these artickles be under writen at Boston, by Jenemo & Wipetock. And further they hereby promise & covenante, y^t if at any time hearafter any of y^e said children shall make escape, or be conveyed away from y^e English, before y^e premisses be fully accomplished, they will either bring back & deliver to y^e Ma.s.sachusett comissioners y^e same children, or, if they be not to be founde, such & so many other children, to be chosen by y^e comissioners for y^e United Collonies, or their a.s.signes, and y^t within 20. days after demand, and in y^e mean time, untill y^e said 4.

children be delivered as hostages, y^e Narigansett & Niantick sagamors & deputy doe, freely & of their owne accorde, leave with y^e Ma.s.sachusett comissioners, as pledges for presente securitie, 4.

Indeans, namely, Witowash, Pumanise, Jawashoe, Waughwamino, who allso freely consente, and offer them selves to stay as pledges, till y^e said children be brought & delivered as abovesaid.

7. The comissioners for y^e United Collonies doe hereby promise & agree that, at y^e charge of y^e United Collonies, y^e 4. Indeans now left as pledges shall be provided for, and y^t the 4. children to be brought & delivered as hostages shall be kepte & maintained at y^e same charge; that they will require Unca.s.s & his men, with all other Indean sagamors before named, to forbear all acts of hostilitie againste y^e Narigansetts and Niantick Indeans for y^e future. And further, all y^e promises being duly observed & kept by y^e Narigansett & Niantick Indians and their company, they will at y^e end of 2. years restore y^e said children delivered as hostiages, and retaine a firme peace with y^e Narigansets & Nianticke Indeans and their successours.

8. It is fully agreed by & betwixte y^e said parties, y^t if any hostile attempte be made while this treaty is in hand, or before notice of this agreemente (to stay further preparations & directions) can be given, such attempts & y^e consequencts therof shall on neither parte be accounted a violation of this treaty, nor a breach of y^e peace hear made & concluded.

9. The Narigansets & Niantick sagamors & deputie hereby agree & covenante to & with y^e comissioners of y^e United Collonies, y^t henceforth they will neither give, grante, sell, or in any maner alienate, any parte of their countrie, nor any parcell of land therin, either to any of y^e English or others, without consente or allowance of y^e co[=m]issioners.

10. Lastly, they promise that, if any Pequente or other be found & discovered amongst them who hath in time of peace murdered any of y^e English, he or they shall be delivered to just punishmente.

In witness wherof y^e parties above named have interchaingablie subscribed these presents, the day & year above writen.

JOHN WINTHROP, President.

HERBERT PELHAM.

THO: PRENCE.

JOHN BROWNE.

GEO: FENWICK.

EDWA: HOPKINS.

THEOPH: EATON.

STEVEN GOODYEARE.

PESSECOUSS his mark [Ill.u.s.tration:]

MEEKESANO his mark [Ill.u.s.tration:]

WITOWASH his mark [Ill.u.s.tration:]

AUMSEQUEN his mark [Ill.u.s.tration:] the Niantick deputy.

ABDAS his mark [Ill.u.s.tration:]

PUMMASH his mark [Ill.u.s.tration:]

CUTCHAMAKIN his mark [Ill.u.s.tration:]

This treaty and agreemente betwixte the comissioners of y^e United Collonies and y^e sagamores and deputy of Narrigansets and Niantick Indeans was made and concluded, Benedicte Arnold being interpretour upon his oath; Sergante Callicate & an Indean, his man, being presente, and Josias & Cutshamakin, tow Indeans aquainted with y^e English language, a.s.sisting therin; who opened & cleared the whole treaty, & every article, to y^e sagamores and deputie there presente.

And thus was y^e warr at this time stayed and prevented.

[269] _Anno Dom: 1646._

About y^e midle of May, this year, came in 3. s.h.i.+ps into this harbor, in warrlike order; they were found to be men of warr. The captains name was Crumwell, who had taken sundrie prizes from y^e Spaniards in y^e West Indies. He had a comission from y^e Earle of Warwick. He had abord his vessels aboute 80. l.u.s.tie men, (but very unruly,) who, after they came ash.o.r.e, did so distemper them selves with drinke as they became like madd-men; and though some of them were punished & imprisoned, yet could they hardly be restrained; yet in y^e ende they became more moderate & orderly. They continued here aboute a month or 6. weeks, and then went to y^e Ma.s.sachusets; in which time they spente and scattered a great deale of money among y^e people, and yet more sine (I fear) then money, notwithstanding all y^e care & watchfullnes that was used towards them, to prevente what might be.

In which time one sadd accidente fell out. A desperate fellow of y^e company fell a quarling with some of his company. His captine co[=m]anded him to be quiet & surcease his quarelling; but he would not, but reviled his captaine with base language, & in y^e end halfe drew his rapier, & intended to rune at his captien; but he closed with him, and wrasted his rapier from him, and gave him a boxe on y^e earr; but he would not give over, but still a.s.saulted his captaine. Wherupon he tooke y^e same rapier as it was in y^e scaberd, and gave him a blow with y^e hilts; but it light on his head, & y^e smal end of y^e bar of y^e rapier hilts peirct his scull, & he dyed a few days after. But y^e captaine was cleared by a counsell of warr. This fellow was so desperate a quareller as y^e captaine was faine many times to chaine him under hatches from hurting his fellows, as y^e company did testifie; and this was his end.

This Captaine Thomas Cromuell sett forth another vioage to the Westindeas, from the Bay of the Ma.s.sachusets, well maned & victuled; and was out 3. years, and tooke sundry prises, and returned rich unto the Ma.s.sachusets, and ther dyed the same so[=m]ere, having gott a fall from his horse, in which fall he fell on his rapeir hilts, and so brused his body as he shortly after dyed therof, with some other distempers, which brought him into a feavor. Some observed that ther might be somthing of the hand of G.o.d herein; that as the forenamed man dyed of y^e blow he gave him with y^e rapeir hilts, so his owne death was occationed by a like means.

This year M^r. Edward Winslow went into England, upon this occation: some discontented persons under y^e govermente of the Ma.s.sachusets sought to trouble their peace, and disturbe, if not innovate, their govermente, by laying many [270] scandals upon them; and intended to prosecute against them in England, by pet.i.tioning & complaining to the Parlemente. Allso Samuell Gorton & his company made complaints against them; so as they made choyse of M^r. Winslow to be their agente, to make their defence, and gave him comission & instructions for that end; in which he so carried him selfe as did well answer their ends, and cleared them from any blame or dishonour, to the shame of their adversaries. But by reason of the great alterations in the State, he was detained longer then was expected; and afterwards fell into other imployments their, so as he hath now bene absente this 4. years, which hath been much to the weakning of this govermente, without whose consente he tooke these imployments upon him.

_Anno 1647. And Anno 1648._

APPENDIX.

[ILl.u.s.tRATION:]

APPENDIX.

No. I.

[Pa.s.sengers of the Mayflower.]

The names of those which came over first, in y^e year 1620. and were by the blessing of G.o.d the first beginers and (in a sort) the foundation of all the Plantations and Colonies in New-England; and their families.

[Sidenote: 8.]

M^r. John Carver; Kathrine, his wife; Desire Minter; & 2. man-servants, John Howland, Roger Wilder; William Latham, a boy; & a maid servant, & a child y^t was put to him, called Jasper More.