USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Lives of the governors of New Plymouth, and Massachusetts bay; from the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1620, to the union of the two colonies in 1692 > Part 8
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" After this, Tisquantum told us we should hardly in one day reach Packanokick,¿ moving us to go some
. Mr. Prince thinks this is a mistake, and that it ought to have been the 3d of July. l'rince, 105.
A Part of Middleborough, Mass.
; The same with Pokanoket. Indians words are spelled differently by dif -- ferent writers. I here follow the author from whom I copy.
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eight miles further, where we should find more store and better victuals than there. Being willing to hasten our journey, we went, and came thither at sunsetting, where we found many of the Namascheucks, (they so calling the men of Namaschet, ) fishing upon a ware which they had made on a river* which belonged to them, where they caught abundance of bass. These welcomed us also, gave us of their fish, and we them of our vic- tuals, not doubting but we should have enough wher- e'er we came. There we lodged in the open fields, for houses they had none, though they spent the most of the summer there. The head of this river is reported to be not far from the place of our abode; upon it are and have been many towns, it being a good length. The ground is very good on both sides, it being for the most part cleared. Thousands of men have lived there, which died in a great plague not long since; and pity it was and is to see so many goodly fields and so well seated without men to dress and manure the same.
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"The next morning we brake our fast, took our leave and departed, being then accompanied with some six salvages. Having gone about six miles by the river's side, at a known shoal place, it being low water, they spake to us to put off our breeches, for we must wade through. Here let me not forget the valour and courage of some of the salvages on the opposite side of the river; for there were remaining alive only two men, both aged. These two, espying a company of men entering the river, ran very swiftly, and low in the grass, to meet us at the bank, where, with shrill voices and great courage, stand- ing charged upon us with their bows, they demanded
* Taunton River.
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what we were, supposing us to be enemies, and thinking to take advantage of us in the water; but, seeing we were friends, they welcomed us with such food as they had, and we bestowed a small bracelet of beads on them. Thus far we are sure the tide ebbs and flows.
" Having here again refreshed ourselves, we proceed- ed in our journey, the weather being very hot for travel, yet the country so well watered that a man could scarce be dry, but he should have a spring at hand to cool his thirst, besides small rivers in abundance. The salvages will not willingly drink but at a spring-head. When we came to any small brook where no bridge was, two of them desired to carry us through of their own accords ; also, fearing we were or would be weary, offered to carry our pieces [guns]; also, if we would lay off any of our clothes, we should have them carried; and as the one of them had found more special kindness from one of the messengers, and the other salvage from the other, so they showed their thankfulness accordingly in affording us all help and furtherance in the journey.
" As we passed along, we observed that there were few places by the river but had been inhabited, by reason whereof much ground was clear, save of weeds, which grew higher than our heads. There is much good tim- ber, both oak, walnut tree, fir, beech, and exceeding great chestnut-trees.
" After we came to a town of Massasoyt's, where we eat oysters and other fish. From thence we went to Packanokick, but Massasoyt was not at home. There we stayed, he being sent for. When news was brought of his coming, our guide, Tisquantum, requested that at our meeting we should discharge our pieces. But one of
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us going about to charge his piece, the women and children, through fear, to see him take up his piece, ran away, and could not be pacified till he laid it down again, who afterward were better informed by our interpreter.
" Massasoyt being come, we discharged our pieces and saluted him, who, after their manner, kindly wel- comed us, and took us into his house, and set us down by him, where, having delivered our message and pre- sents, and having put the coat on his back and the chain about his neck, he was not a little proud to behold him- self, and his men also to see their king, so bravely attired.
"For answer to our message, he told us we were welcome, and he would gladly continue that peace and friendship which was between him and us; and for his . men, they should no more pester us as they had done; also, that he would send to Paomet, and would help us with corn for seed, according to our request.
" This being done, his men gathered near to him, to whom he turned himself and made a great speech ; they sometimes interposing, and, as it were, confirming and applauding him in that he said. The meaning whereof was (as far as we could learn) thus: Was not he, Massasoyt, commander of the country about them? Was not such a town his, and the people of it? And should not they bring their skins unto us? To which they answered, they were his, and would be at peace with us, and bring their skins to us. After this manner, he named at least thirty places; and their answer was as aforesaid to every one; so that, as it was delightful, it was tedious unto us.
" This being ended, he lighted tobacco for us, and fell to discoursing of England and of the King's Majesty, mar-
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selling that he would live without a wife. . Also he talked of the Frenchmen, bidding us not to suffer them to come to Narroghiganset, for it was King James's country, and he also was King James's man. Late it grew, but vic- tuals he offered none ; for, indeed, he had not any, being he came so newly home. So we desired to go to rest. Hle laid us on the bed with himself and his wife; they at the one end, and we at the other ; it being only planks, laid a foot from the ground, and a thin mat upon them. Two more of his chief men, for want of room, pressed by and upon us, so that we were worse weary of our lodging than of our journey.
"The next day, being Thursday, many of their sachims or petty governors came to see us, and many of their .men also. There they went to their manner of games for skins and knives. There we challenged them to shoot with them for skins, but they durst not, only they desired to see one of us shoot at a mark ; who, shooting with hail-shot, they wondered to see the mark so full of holes.
" About one o'clock Massasoyt brought two fishes that he had shot ; they were like bream, but three times so big, and better meat. [Probably the fish called Tataug.] These being boiled, there were at least forty looked for share in them ; the most eat of them. This meal only we had in two nights and a day; and had not one of us bought a partridge, we had taken our journey fasting. Very importunate he was to have us stay with him longer; but we desired to keep the Sab- bath at home, and feared we should either be light-headed for want of sleep; for what with bad lodging, the savages' barbarous singing, ( for they use to sing themselves asleep, )
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lice, and fleas within doors, and mosquitoes without, we could hardly sleep all the time of our being there; we much fearing that, if we should stay any longer, we should not be able to recover home for want of strength.
"On Friday morning, before sunrising, we took our leave and departed, Massasoyt being both grieved and ashamed that he could no better entertain us; and retain- ing Tisquantumn to send from place to place to procure truck for us, and appointed another [gvide], Tokamaha- mon, in his place, whom we had found faithful before and after upon all occasions."
This narrative gives us a just idea of the hospitality, and also of the poverty of the Indians. They gladly entertain strangers, with the best they can afford ; but it is familiar to them to endure long abstinence. Those who visit them must be content to fare as they do, or carry their own provisions and be willing to share it with them.
Mr. Winslow's next excursion was by sea to Mona- higon (or, as the name is now written, Monhegon, ) an island a few leagues cast of the mouth of the Kennebeck river, to procure a supply of bread from the fishing vessels, which resorted to the eastern coast in the spring of 1622. He obtained a supply, which, though not large, was readily given to the suffering colony, and, being prudently man- aged in the distribution, amounted to one quarter of a pound a day for each person till the next harvest. By means of this excursion, the people of New Plymouth ob- tained a knowledge of the eastern coast, of which they . afterwards availed themselves in the establishment of a beneficial traffic with the natives .*
· Prince, 119. Purchas, iv. 1836.
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In the spring of the following year, ( 1623, ) Mr. Wins- low made a second visit to Massasoit, on account of his sickness,* the particular circumstances of which are thus given in his own words :+
"News came to Plymouth that Massassowatt was like to die, and that, at the same time, there was a Dutch ship driven so high on the shore, by stress of weather, right before his dwelling, that, till the tides increased, she could not be got off. Now it being a commendable manner of the Indians, when any, especially of note, are dangerously sick, for all that profess friendship to them to visit them in their extremity, either in their persons, or else to send some acceptable persons to them ; therefore, it was thought meet, being a good and warrantable action, that, as we had ever professed friendship, so we should now maintain the same by observing this their laudable cus- tom : and the rather, because we desired to have some conference with the Dutch, not knowing when we should have so fit an opportunity.
"To that end, myself having formerly been there, and understanding in some measure the Dutch tongue, the governor [Bradford] again laid this service upon myself, and fitted me with some cordials to administer to him ; having one Master John Hampden,§ a gentleman of London, who then wintered with us, and desired much to see the country, for my consort, and Hobbamock for our guide. So we set forward, and lodged the first night at Namasket, where we had friendly entertainment.
. This visit was in March. Prince, 129.
! From the copy of Winslow's " Good Newes from New England," reprint- ed in Young's Chronicles of the Pilgrims.
; Thus spelled in Winslow's narrative.
§ Sec note, page 61, ante.
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" The next day, about one of the clock, we came to a ferry in Conbatant's# country, where, upon discharge of my piece, divers Indians came to us from a house not far off. They told us that Massassowat was dead and that day buried, and that the Dutch would be gone before we could get thither, having hove off their ship already. This news struck us blank, but especially Hobbamock, who desired we might return with all speed. I told him I would first think of it, considering now, that he being dead, Conbatant was the most like to succeed him, and that we were not above three miles from Mat- tapuyst,f his dwelling-place. Although he were but a hollow-hearted friend towards us, I thought no time so fit as this to enter into more friendly terms with him and the rest of the sachims thereabout ; hoping, through the blessing of God, it would be a means in that unsettled state, to settle their affections towards us ; and though it were somewhat dangerous, in respect of our personal safety, because myself and Hobbamock had been em- ployed upon a service against him, which he might now fitly revenge ; yet esteeming it the best means, leaving the event to God in his mercy, I resolved to put it in practice, if Master Hampden and Hobbamock durst at- tempt it with me, whom I found willing to that or any other course might tend to the general good. So we went towards Mattapuyst.
"In the way, Hobbamock, manifesting a troubled spirit, brake forth into these speeches. 'Neen womasu Sagimus,' &c. : ' My loving sachem ! many have I known,
* His name is spelled Corbitant, Cannbitant, Conbatant, and Conbutant. This ferry is probably the same which is now called Slade's Ferry, in Swansey .
t A neck of land in the township of Swansey, commonly pronounced Mat- tapoiset.
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EDWARD WINSLOW.
but never any like thee!' And turning to him, said, whilst I lived, I should never see his like amongst the In- dians ; saying he was no liar, he was not bloody and cruel like other Indians; in anger and passion he was soon reclaimed ; easy to be reconciled towards such as had offended him; ruled by reason, in such measure as he would not scorn the advice of mean men; and that he governed his men better with few strokes than others did with many; truly loving where he loved ; yea, he feared we had not a faithful friend left among the In- dians, showing how he oftimes restrained their malice &c., continuing a long speech, with such signs of lamen- tation and unfeigned sorrow, as it would have made the hardest heart relent.
".At length we came to Mattapuyst, and went to the Sachimo comaco, for so they call the sachim's place, though they call an ordinary house witeo; but Conbatant, the sachim, was not at home, but at Puckanokick, which was some five or six miles off. The squa-sachim, for so they call the sachim's wife, gave us friendly entertainment. Here we inquired again concerning Massassowat ; they thought him dead, but knew no certainty. Whereupon I hired one to go with all expedition to Puckanokick, that we might know the certainty thereof, and, withal, to acquaint Conbatant with our there being. About half an hour before sunsetting the messenger returned, and told us he was not yet dead, though there was no hope we should find him living. Upon this we were much revived, and set forward with all speed, though it was late within night we got thither. About two of the clock that afternoon, the Dutchman departed; so that in that respect our journey was frustrate.
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"When we came thither, we found the house so full of men as we could scarce get in, though they used their best diligence to make way for us. There were they in the midst of their charms for him, making such a hellish noise, as it distempered us that were well, and therefore unlike to case him that was sick. About him were six or eight women, who chafed his arms, legs, and thighs, to keep heat in him. When they had made an end of their charming, one told him that his friends the English were come to see him. Having understanding left, but his sight was wholly gone, he asked who was come? They told him Winsnow, (for they cannot pro- nounce the letter !, but ordinarily n in the place thereof. ) He desired to speak with me. When I came to him and they told him of it, he put forth his hand to me, which I took ; then he said twice, though very inwardly, ' Keen Winsnow ?' 'art thou Winslow ?? I answered ' ahhe,' that is, 'yes.' Then he doubled these words, ' Matta neen wonckunet namen, Winsnow !' that is to say, ' O Winslow, I shall never see thee again "' Then I called Hobbamock, and desired him to tell Massassowat that the governor, hearing of his sickness was sorry for the same ; and though, by reason of many businesses, he could not come himself, yet he sent me, with such things for him as he thought most likely to do him good in this his extremity; and whereof, if he please to take, I would presently give him; which he desired; and, having a confection of many comfortable conserves, &c. on the point of my knife, I gave him some, which I could scarce get through his teeth. When it was dissolved in his mouth, he swallowed the juice of it, whereat those that were about him much rejoiced, saying he had not
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swallowed any thing in two days before. Then I de- sired to see his mouth, which was exceedingly furred, and his tongue swelled in such a manner, as it was not possible for him to eat such meat as they had. Then I washed his mouth, and scraped his tongue, after which I gave him more of the confection, which he swallowed with more readiness. Then, he desiring to drink, I dissolved some of it in water, and gave him thereof. Within half an hour this wrought a great alteration in him, in the eyes of all that beheld him. Presently after his sight began to come to him. Then I gave him more, and told him of a mishap we had by the way, in break- ing a bottle of drink which the governor also sent him, saying, if he would send any of his men to Patuxet, I would send for more of the same; also for chickens to make him broth, and for other things which I knew were good for him, and would stay the return of his messen- ger if he desired. This he took marvellous kindly, and appointed some who were ready to go by two of the clock in the morning, against which time I made ready a letter, declaring therein our good success, and desi- ring such things as were proper. He requested me that the day following I would take my piece and kill him some fowl, and make him some English pottage, such as he had eaten at Plymouth, which I promised ; after his stomach coming to him, I must needs make him some without fowl before I went abroad. I caused a woman to bruise some corn and take the flower from it, and set over the grit or broken corn in a pipkin (for they have earthen pots of all sizes.) When the day broke, we went out, it being now March, to seek herbs, but could not find any but strawberry leaves, of which I gathered
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a handful and put into the same, and, because I had noth- ing to relish it, I went forth again and pulled up a sassa- fras root, and sliced a piece thereof and boiled it, till it had a good relish. Of this broth I gave him a pint, which he drank and liked it very well; after this his sight mended, more and more, and he took some rest. That morning he caused me to spend in going from one to another amongst those that were sick in the town, requesting me to wash their mouths also and give to each of them some of the same I gave him, saying they were good folk. This pains I took with willingness, though it were much offensive to me.
"The messengers were now returned, but finding his stomach come to him, he would not have the chickens killed, but kept them for breed. Neither durst we give him any physic, because his body was so much altered, not doubting now of his recovery if he were careful. Upon his recovery, he brake forth into these speeches: 'Now I see the English are my friends, and love me ; and whilst I live, I will never forget this kindness they have showed me.' At our coming away, he called Hob- bamock to him, and privately revealed the plot of the Massacheuseucks against Master Weston's colony, and so against us. But he would neither join therein nor give way to any of his. With this he charged him to ac- quaint me by the way, that I might inform the governor. Being fitted for our return, we took leave of him, who returned many thanks to our governor, and also to our- selves, for our labour and love ; the like did all that were about him. So we departed."
In the autumn of the same year, (1623,) Mr. Wins- low went to England, in the ship Ann, which sailed on
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the 10th September, as agent for the colony, to give an account of their proceedings, and of their condition and prospects, to the adventurers, and to procure such sup- plies as were necessary. While he was in England, he prepared for publication a narrative of the settlement and transactions of the colony at New Plymouth, under this title: " Good Newes from New England : or a true Relation of things very remarkable at the Plantation of Plimoth in New England. Shewing the wondrous Prori- dence and goodness of God, in their preservation and continuance, being delivered from many apparent deaths and dangers, &c. Written by E. W. who hath borne a part in the fore-named troubles, and there lived since their first Arrivall."
This narrative, which was first printed at London, in 1624, in 66 small quarto pages, embraces the history of the colony from the return of the ship Fortune, in December, 1621, to the 10th September, 1623, when the author sailed for England. The book, in an abridged and mutilated form, was re-printed, in 1625, by Purchas, in the fourth volume of his Pilgrims, and. has been of great service to succeeding historians. This abridgment was again published in 1802, in I Mass. Hist. Coll., viii. 239-276, and the omitted passages were sup- plied twenty years afterwards, in II Mass. Hist. Coll., ix. Young, in his Chronicles, reprints the work, "for the first time entire and in a legible form, from the original London edition." Mr. Winslow was induced to pub- lish this work, in order that the friends of the colony in England might have a continuation of the narrative from the point where Mourt's Relation ends, and also, to cor- rect the misrepresentations which had grown out of the
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breaking up and dispersion, a short time before, of Wes- ton's colony at Wessagusset, composed in chief of idle and vicious persons, " who as they were a stain to Old England that bred them, in respect of their lives and manners amongst the Indians, so, it is to be feared, will be no less to New England, in their vile and clamorous reports, because she would not foster them in their desir- ed idle courses." Appended to this work, is a " Rela- tion of such religious and civill Lawes and Customes, as are in practice amongst the Indians, adjoyning to them at this day. .As also what Commodities are there to be raysed for the maintenance of that and other Plantations in the said Country." This memoir excited great atten- tion at the time it was first published, and is even now, when the manners and customs of the aboriginals of New England are better understood, read with interest. In concluding, after speaking of the soil and productions of the country, he alludes to the extravagant hopes which too often influence the emigrant, and gives a salutary warning to all such as " with too great lightness undertake such courses ; who peradventure strain themselves and. their friends for their passage thither, and are no sooner there than seeing their foolish imaginations made void, are at their wit's end, and would give ten times so much for their return. And can any be so simple as to con- ceive that the fountains should stream forth wine or beer, or the woods and rivers be like butchers' shops, or fishmongers' stalls, where they might have things taken to their hands? If thou canst not live without such things, and hast no means to procure the one, and wilt not take pains for the other, nor hast ability to employ others for thee, rest where thou art; for as a proud heart, a
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dainty tooth, a beggar's purse, and an idle hand, be here intolerable, so that person that hath these qualities there, is much more abominable."
In the following spring, ( March, 1624,) Mr. Winslow returned in the ship Charity from England having been absent six months, bringing a good supply of clothing and other necessaries, and, what was of more value than any other supply, the first neat cattle ever brought into New England .* The colonists learned from Mr. Wins- low, that a strong party had been raised up against them amongst the adventurers, who were extremely anxious to prevent Robinson and the remainder of his church from emigrating to America. He brought letters from Robinson and Cushman. A carpenter came over for the . purpose of building two ketches, a lighter, and six or seven shallops, and a person also to make salt. The carpenter built his craft faithfully and speedily, but soon died. The other was ignorant, and did not bring his undertaking to any successful issue .;
During the summer of 1624, Mr. Winslow again went to England, where he had an opportunity of cor- recting a mistake which had been made in his former voyage. The adventurers had in the former vessel sent
. This fixes the date of the first importation of neat cattle, three heifers and a bull being brought over at this time. Bradford, in Prince, 116. The set- tlers were destitute of milk'the first four years. The first notice of horses, is in 1614. Before their introduction, (says Thacher,) it was not uncommon for peo- ple to ride on bulls ; and there is a tradition in the Old Colony, that when John Alden went to the Cape to be married to Priscilla Mullins, he covered his bull with a handsome piece of broadcloth, and rode on his back. On his return, he seated his wife on the bull, and led the uneouth animal by a rope fixed in the nose ring. This sample of primitive gallantry would ill compare with that of Abraham's servant, when, by proxy, he gallanted Rebekah on her journey, with a splendid retinue of damsels and servants seated on camels, Isaac going out to meet her. Gen. xxiv.
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