USA > Maine > The history of Maine, from the earliest discovery of the region by the Northmen until the present time; including a narrative of the voyages and explorations of the early adventurers, the manners and customs of the Indian tribes, the hardships of the first settlers, etc > Part 4
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Griffin returned to the boat with the report which his timidity suggested. Under these circumstances Capt. Weymouth did not think it safe to land. There seems to have been no proof whatever of treachery : still, as the Indians might not be more reliable than the Europeans were, it was necessary to practise the utmost caution. The boat returned to the ship.
That day the crew caught, from the ship's side, a large num- ber of cod and haddock. They also took many large lobsters. A party was sent on shore for water, and returned with their
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cask filled from a clear crystal spring. Mussels abounded among the rocks, and in many of them they found small pearls.
It appears that the natives, from some unexplained reason, had their suspicions again aroused, that Capt. Weymouth might prove a foe in disguise. Two canoes, containing six men, cau- tiously approached the ship. They seemed afraid to go on board. At length two ventured to ascend the ship's side. Capt. Weymouth endeavored to lure the rest on board, but in vain. He exhibited to them a plate of savory pease, of which they were very fond : still they shook their heads. He gave them the pease. Rapidly they paddled ashore, and ate them. Having finished their repast, one of the Indians, a very hand- some, athletic, bold youth, returned with the can to the ship. He was lured to join the two in the cabin below, where they were entertained with food, and the exhibition of articles to excite their wonder. They know not that the cabin-door was locked against them, and that, by the foulest treachery, they were kidnapped.
Capt. Weymouth was not satisfied with but three victims. He manned one of his boats with a crew of eight of his stoutest men, and sent them on shore, as if to traffic with the natives. There were but three Indians on the shore. It will be remembered that three were already locked up in in the cabin. As the boat touched the land, one of the Indi- ans withdrew into the woods. The kidnappers approached the other two with signs of friendship, and, as proof of their brotherly intentions, sat down with them around their fire, and presented them with another can of pease. They all ate to- gether in the most friendly manner.
Watching their opportunity, and dividing their force, suddenly four of the crew sprang upon each one of their victims. The poor Indians made the most frantic resistance, and raised loud outcries for help. Their struggles were in vain. Their light clothing was soon torn from them. Naked, in the grasp of the men-stealers, they were dragged to the boat, and rowed to the ship. Here the convulsive struggles and shrieks were renewed. But the Indians were seized by the hair of the head, and
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dragged on board. " Thus," writes Rosier, the historian of the voyage, "we shipped five savages and two canoes, with all their bows and arrows." 1
Edmund Burke says, that to speak of atrocious crime in mild language, is treason to virtue. Every honest man's blood should boil with indignation in contemplating a crime so utterly atrocious and inexcusable as this. These young men had come from their homes at Pemaquid to visit the strangers, the tidings of whose arrival had reached them. One of them was a chief. They were all men of rank.
The first Indian who visited the Pilgrim Fathers at Ply- mouth, was Squantum, one of these unhappy captives. Fortu- nately he fell into kind hands in England, and, forgetting the crime of the men who stole him, became the warm friend of those who proved his benefactors. By them he was restored to his native country. It is believed that he became a sincere Christian. His final career is quite fully given in the Life of Miles Standish, as given in the " Pioneer and Patriot " series. With dying breath he prayed that the Lord would receive him to the Englishman's heaven.
Scarcely had these captives been made secure below, when, about one o'clock at noon, two large and highly decorated canoes were seen approaching. They composed a royal embassy sent by the head chief of the Pemaquid tribes. They were painted and dressed in the highest style of the barbarian court. One of them wore a very ingeniously constructed coronet, indi- cating that he was of royal blood. They came with an invita- tion for Capt. Weymouth to visit, with his ship, the home of their chief, which was distant but a few leagues. Little did they imagine, as they trod the deck of " The Archangel," bear- ing this kind invitation to the strangers, that five of their noblest men were languishing in a dark dungeon in the hold.
Weymouth, who was now anxious to get away from the region as soon as possible, before the knowledge of his villany should be spread abroad, declined the invitation. He allowed the
1 2 Belk. Biog., 135. Smith's Hist., p. 18. Prince's Ann., p. 15. Ancient Dominions, p. 68.
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embassy to retire unmolested. Probably he had not room enough, in his small and crowded ship, for more than five captives.
Immediately he made all sail, directing his course westerly. There are nowhere on the North-American continent, shores of more picturesque and sublime beauty than on the coast of Maine. No description can do justice to the wonderful variety of scenery presented by islands, craggy promontories, forest-crowned cliffs, inlets, bays, and coves. In the pleasant summers of Maine, there can be found no region on earth more delightful.
Through these charming views " The Archangel " moved cau- tiously along about twenty-six miles, until the mouth of the Kennebec, then called the Sagadahock, was reached. It appears that the Kennebec and the Androscoggin in the days of the Indians were considered as terminating at what is now called Merrymeeting Bay. The outlet from that bay to the ocean, now called the Kennebec, was then called the Sagadahock. The Androscoggin, from Lewiston Falls to Merrymeeting Bay, was formerly called the Pejepscot.1
Prince says that Weymouth entered the Sagadahock through Pemaquid River. This is a small stream but fourteen miles in length from its source in Pemaquid Pond to its mouth.2 Thus, by what may be called an inland passage, he reached the solitary waters of the river which may now be considered the second in importance in Maine. The historian gives a glowing account of the grandeur of the scenery continually opening before them. It was the season of pleasant June. The richest verdure crowned the banks and headlands. The winding stream presented many lovely coves and soft green meadows. Far in the distance the summits of towering mountains were seen.
" The river," he writes, " as it runneth up into the main very nigh forty miles, toward the great mountains, beareth in breadth a mile, sometimes three quarters, and a half at the narrowest. And you shall never have under four or five fathoms water hard by the shore, and on both sides, every half mile, very gallant coves."
1 Williamson's Hist. of Maine, vol.i. pp. 42-46.
2 New England Chron., p. 15.
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Soon after entering the river, " The Archangel " cast anchor ; and the captain took a boat, and, with a crew of seventeen well- armed men, rowed several miles up the stream. Then, touch- ing the shore, six men were left to guard the boat, while the remaining eleven, the captain included, set out to explore the country in the direction of some hills which they had seen from the ship, but which proved to be at a much greater distance than had been supposed. They travelled five miles inland, through a region which seemed to them exceedingly beautiful. The his- torian writes, in the quaint style of ancient days, -
" In our march we passed over very good ground, pleasant and fertile, fit for pasture, having but little wood, and that oak ; like stands, left in the pastures of England, good and great, fit timber for any use.
" And surely it did all resemble a stately park, wherein appear some old trees with high withered tops, and others flourishing with living green boughs. Upon the hills grew notable high timber trees, masts for ships of four hundred tons."
Such was the appearance of the primitive forest and the wide- spread fields, two hundred and seventy years ago, in the vicinity of the present beautiful and thrifty city of Bath. Soon after the boat returned from this exploring expedition to the ship, an Indian canoe appeared, rapidly approaching from one of the numerous inlets on the east. It was propelled by the paddles of many men, and contained the royal ambassador who had con- veyed the invitation to Capt. Weymouth to visit the head chief. He had heard of the captain's treachery and of the captivity of his friends. Eager eyes had watched the course of the ship. This Indian prince had followed in her track, that he might, if possible, rescue his kidnapped countrymen; and, if that were impossible, that he might warn other families, of the fiends who were hovering along their coasts.
Their tears and supplications were all in vain. They were as powerless as the lamb in the jaws of the wolf. With wailings they returned to the families of the kidnapped men with the full conviction that the white man was a demon more to be dreaded than the most ferocious beast or the most venomous reptile ; and that it was the consequent duty of the Indian to kill. the white man whenever and wherever he could.
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Weymouth had been sent to this country by good men. They wished to establish colonies here, to introduce friendly relations with the Indians, their brother men ; to do them good in all respects, and to engage in traffic with them which should be mutually advantageous. And such were the astounding meas- ures which Weymouth pursued for the promotion of these objects.
. The lapse of a century could not efface from the minds of the Indians a sense of the outrage of which they had been the vic- tims. The story descended from father to son. Desire for ven- geance burned in the Indian's breast. The very name of English- men became hateful. The sight of an Englishman, with his long and glittering sword and his death-dealing bullet, appalled them. If Weymouth had intended to render all future friendly inter- course with the Indians impossible, he could not have adopted measures better adapted to accomplish his ends.
To add to his infamy, he embarked in a boat, with a well- armed band, and ascended the river to the mouth of the Andros- coggin. There, with religious ceremonies, he planted the cross, the affecting emblem of Jesus Christ, -of that religion whose fundamental principle is that God is our common father, and all men are brothers. Thus he said to the Indian, " It is in the name of Jesus Christ that I have kidnapped your friends. It is Christianity which authorizes these deeds. Some of my coun- trymen will soon appear to teach you to embrace this religion."
Weymouth now made preparations to return to England. Early in the morning of the 14th of June, just as the dawn was reddening the horizon over the headland of Arrowsic, he weighed anchor. The tide, but not the wind, was in his favor. Two boats ahead towed " The Archangel " down the stream until noon, when the anchor was again cast. The next day, the wind favoring, " The Archangel " ran back to her former anchorage. On Sunday, June 16, 1605, Weymouth, with his captives, spread his sails for England.
There has been much discussion respecting the precise locality of these operations. The question will probably never be set- tled to the entire satisfaction of all the curious in antiquarian research. It is however safe to say, that it is not improbable
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that " The Archangel " entered its anchorage from Monhegan by Pemaquid Point between Liniken's Neck and Fisherman's Island. Anchor was then cast between this and Squirrel's Island. It was probably on the beach of this latter island, that the natives first appeared at their camp-fires. The two who were captured by violence were probably taken from the side of the cliff of Fisherman's Island. The Pentecost Harbor of Weymouth was the Townsend or Boothbay Harbor. This is situated between the Sheepscot and the Damariscotta Rivers.1
Weymouth on his homeward voyage, when about one hun- dred miles from land, found the water gradually shoaling. From one hundred fathoms it dwindled to twenty-four fathoms. One day he was becalmed. As his vessel rolled upon the mighty swells of the Atlantic, one of the sailors, Thomas King, cast out a hook. Almost instantly he drew up a very large fat codfish. Other hooks were cast out, and the fishes were taken almost as fast as the lines could be thrown and drawn. Thus those banks were discovered, swarming with the treasure of the deep, which have subsequently proved such a blessing to man- kind. Some time before this, continental fishermen had visited the coasts of Maine.
1 Ancient Dominions of Maine, p. 73.
CHAPTER III.
THE EXPEDITION OF GOVERNOR GEORGE POPHAM.
Fate of Weymouth's Captives -Formation of the Plymouth Company -Disas- trous Expeditions -Organization of Popham's Colony-First Sight of Land - Visit of the Indians-The Landing at Pemaquid-Suspicions of the Natives - First Religious Service in Maine - Unavailing Explorations - Ascending the Sagadahock - The Colony located -Search for the Penob- scot - Cruise through Casco Bay-Exploring the Androscoggin - Adven- tures with the Indians.
U PON the return of Weymouth to England, the report of his discoveries excited wide-spread and deep interest. It was indeed a glowing account which he could give; for the sun shines not upon more lovely bays and islands, hills and vales, than Maine presents when reposing beneath the genial skies of June and July. No one seemed disposed to question him too closely respecting his mode of capture of the Indian nobles. They were all men well-formed, good-looking, and of much native dignity of demeanor. The interest they excited was universal; and it is certain that some of them, if not all, were very kindly treated.
Three of them were received into the family of Sir Ferdi- nando Gorges, immediately upon the arrival of the ship at Plymouth. Gorges, whose name subsequently obtained much renown, was governor of that important naval depot. He was a young man but thirty years of age, and his conduct develops a very noble and truly Christian character. Sympathizing deeply in the wrongs the captives had suffered, he did every thing in his power to convert their calamity into a blessing. The account which he gives of the character which these untu- tored savages developed, is interesting and valuable. He writes : -
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" After I had those people some time in my custody, I observed in them an inclination to follow the better sort. In all their carriages there were manifest shows of great civility, far from the rudeness of our common peo- ple. The longer I conversed with them, the better hope they gave me of those parts where they did inhabit, for our uses, especially when I learned what goodly rivers, stately islands, and safe harbors those parts abounded with. These Indians were all of one nation, but of several families. This accident must be acknowledged to be the means of God of putting on foot and giving life to all our plantations." 1
The names of these captives from the shores of Pemaquid were Nahanada, Skitwarroes, Assecomet, Tisquantum, and Dehamida.2 The region which Weymouth had visited became a subject of all-absorbing interest in England. It was deemed the fairest clime in the New World, the most desirable spot for the location of colonies. It was said that nowhere on earth could be found more sunny skies, a more genial clime, or more fertile soil. The forests were of unspeakable grandeur, the water of crystal purity, and it was a luxury to breathe its salu- brious air.
Speedily an association of English gentlemen was formed to plant colonies in this newly found Eden. The hypocrisy of the nominal Christian Weymouth, by no means proves that there might not be other true Christian men, influenced by principles of heartfelt piety. The religion which Jesus taught undeniably is, that, to please God, men must try to do every thing that is right, and to avoid every thing that is wrong. There were many English gentlemen of the highest worth, who desired to send the glad tidings of the gospel to these their benighted breth- ren in the wigwam and the forest.
Several of these men associated themselves into a band called the Plymouth Company. They were intelligent and far-see- ing men, who believed that religion and civilization must go hand in hand. They would send to the shores of Pemaquid and the Sagadahock, the farmer, the carpenter, and the school- master, with the Bible, the Christian teacher, and the organized church.
James I. made a grant to this company of all the territory
1 See Drake's Book of the Indians, chap. ii. p. 2.
2 Voyage of Weymouth, by John McKeen, Esq., p. 332.
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between the thirty-fifth and the forty-fifth degrees of north lati- tude, including all the islands within one hundred miles of the coast. There was at the same time another company organized, called the Colony of Virginia.
Both companies were united under the supervision - of a committee of thirteen men residing in England. They were appointed by the crown, and took the name of the Council of Virginia. The government of each colony, or its interior affairs, was conducted by a council of thirteen select men residing in the colony. These rulers could coin money, import British goods free of duty, could lay taxes, and expel disorderly persons or intruders.
Lord Popham and Sir Ferdinando Gorges were prominent members of the Plymouth Colony. The first effort which was made to colonize seems to have been very feeble. A large ship was provided and well supplied, but carrying only thirty-one men, including the crew. Henry Chalons was the captain. This was indeed a small number to establish a colony. Two of Weymouth's captives, Dehamaida and Assecomet, were also placed on board this ship, to be returned to their native land. The destination of the expedition was the mouth of the Saga- dahock. The ship sailed from Bristol in the year 1606, prob- ably in the month of May.1
England was then at war with Spain. The ship fell in with a Spanish fleet, and was captured. The Spaniards were in the habit of making slaves of the Indians as they could catch them. The ship, with all its inmates, was carried as a prize to Spain.
The Plymouth Company, uninformed of the disaster which had befallen their ship, very soon sent out another, under Thomas Hanham. This ship bore a number of additional colonists with fresh supplies. It would seem that Hanham, upon reaching the Sagadahock, and hearing no tidings of Cha- lons, returned to England. "He did nothing more," writes Williamson, referring to the authority of Prince, " than to new- vamp and repeat the encouraging accounts of the country, and thereby enliven and perhaps invigorate the spirit of adventure."
1 Strackey, the historian of the voyage, says May. Williamson, giving Prince's Annals as his authority, says August.
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Lord John Popham, the most conspicuous member of the Plymouth Company, was chief justice of England, a man of wealth and of the highest rank. The next year, two vessels were fitted out to make another attempt to plant a colony at the mouth of the Sagadahock. One of these, called " The Gift of God," was commanded by George Popham, a brother of Lord Popham. Raleigh Gilbert, a nephew of Popham, was captain of the other, which was called "The Mary and John." One hundred and twenty " planters " were taken out in these ships, and a large supply of needful tools and provisions. There are some trivial diversities as to the details which are given of these operations.
Gorges says that there were three ships in the expedition. Others say, that, in consequence of some disappointment, two only were equipped. The vessels sailed from Plymouth, the 31st of May, 1607. Their course was directed to the island of Monhegan. The voyage was long but propitious. On the Banks they stopped to fish three hours. In that time they caught nearly two hundred large codfish, and said that they could have filled their ships in a very short time.
About noon of the 31st of July they came in sight of some island on the coast of Maine, where they cast anchor. About two hours afterward a boat was seen approaching from the shore, containing eight Indian men and a boy. They were many leagues distant from Pemaquid. It is not probable that these Indians had heard of the kidnapping crimes of Wey- mouth. At first they were very unwilling to trust themselves on board. They rowed around the ships, gazed upon them with much curiosity, but kept at a safe distance.
After this careful examination, they began to return towards the land. Soon they stopped, held a short consultation, and then, turning, slowly paddled back to the ship. Three of them ventured on board. The other six made for the shore, having by signs intimated that they would return the next day. The next day they came back, in another and larger boat, laden with beaver-skins. Several women were also on board. It would seem that Popham and Gilbert were very different. men from Weymouth.
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We infer from the brief narrative, that the natives were honorably treated, and the trade fairly conducted. It was a fraternal traffic. The ship's company was enriched by the furs ; and the natives retired delighted with they articles they had received in return.
As the sun of that blessed day was sinking in its serene glory, the moon rose full and unclouded in the east. The happy Indians returned to their lowly homes, rejoicing at the coming of the white men. The voyagers spread their sails, and, gliding over a moon-illuminated sea, cruised along the shore towards the south-west. The morning of the 3d of August, 1607, dawned beautifully upon them. They were swept gently along through enchanting scenery of islands, bays, and forest- crowned cliffs, which it would seem that God's hand had fashioned for the abode of peace and happiness.
The next morning they came to a headland, which they thus described : " The cape is low land, showing white, like sand. But yet it is all white rocks ; and a strong tide goeth in there."
It is supposed that this promontory seen in the west was what is now called Cape Smallpoint, the extreme western terminus of the town of Phippsburg. This is one of the boundaries of Sagadahock Bay. The ebb and flow of the tides are here remarkably strong. They cast anchor under the lee of an island, a few miles east of the cape, and near Pemaquid.1
It appears from Strackey's narrative, that Skitwarroes, one of the Indians kidnapped by Weymouth, was on board "The Mary and John," to be returned to his friends. He was undoubtedly familiar with all the localities of this region. Capt. Gilbert manned a boat with fourteen men, and, taking Skitwarroes as a guide, rowed across the bay, ten or twelve miles, to Pemaquid. Skitwarroes conducted them to a village of Indian wigwams containing about a hundred men, women, and children.
It will be remembered that two of Weymouth's captives, Nahanada and Assecomit, had been placed under the care of Capt. Chalons, to be restored to their native land. The ship was taken by the Spaniards, and they were carried to Spain. In
1 Ancient Dominions, p. 34.
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those days there were many private expeditions fitted out to the American coast for fishing and trading. In some unknown manner Nahanada had found his way back to his childhood's home. He was a chief of high rank, and chanced to be at that time in this little village. It is supposed that this was within the limits of the present town of Bristol.
As soon as the Indians caught sight of the white men they were terror-stricken. The women and children shrieked and ran ; the men seized their arms. The dispersion was like that caused by the leap of the wolf into the fold. The kidnapping Weymouth had taught them that the strangers were as much to be feared as demons from the world of woe. The terrified Indians did not recognize Skitwarroes in his European garb, and in the tumult did not distinguish his voice, calling out to them not to be alarmed.
But Nahanada caught sight of his fellow-captive, and the two instantly recognized each other. The most impressible white men could not have manifested more joy than these two Indian chiefs displayed, in thus unexpectedly meeting again. They threw themselves into each other's arms, and the fabled stoicism of the Indian entirely disappeared. The influence of the two soon restored tranquillity.
Both of these outraged chiefs had received in England the kindest treatment. They had fallen into the hands of true Christians, who fed them, clothed them, and instructed them. Every thing was done which could be done to repair the wrong which they endured. They had forgotten the crime of Wey- mouth in gratitude for the favors which had been lavished upon them in London. Thus the title of Englishmen became a pass- port to their hearts.
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