USA > Maine > The history of the state of Maine; from its first discovery, A. D. 1602, to the separation, A. D. 1820, inclusive, Vol. I > Part 59
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Repulse and disas- ters.
The fleet, overtaken in the St. Lawrence by a violent tempest, was dispersed ; two or three vessels were sunk ; one was wreck- ed upon Anticosta ; some were blown off to the West Indies ; and the residue of the shattered squadron were more than a month on their way home; Sir William himself not arriving in Boston till the 19th of November. His losses by the smallpox, the camp-distemper and other sickness, by the enemy and by ship- wreck, were two or three hundred men; and the expenses of the expedition, like its disasters, were great. In a few weeks Sir William sailed for England, to solicit the king's assistance towards another expedition.
So confident had the public been of success, that no adequate provision had been made for the payment of the troops. The
* 1 Trumbull's Conn. p. 383 .- 1 Williams' Vt. p. 296 .- 2 Mather's Mag- nalia, p. 522 .- He says, " 32 sail." + 1 Hutchinson's History, p. 356.
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administration of Andros had emptied the treasury ; an Indian A. D. 1690. war, which had now raged more than two years in Maine, had filled that Province with embarrassments, and Massachusetts with perplexities ; and the late disasters, without booty or glory, were lying with oppressive weight upon the government. Nay, though " ten single rates" had been levied and assessed the preceding spring, there was no money in the public chest, to pay the sol- diery ; and it is said, there was considerable danger of a mutiny.
In this extremity, the General Court of Massachusetts, Dec. First paper 10, laid upon the people a tax of £40,000; and in anticipation moneys of payment issued " Bills of Credit," or public notes, as a sub- stitute for money, differing in amount from 2s. to £10. ;- the first ever sent into circulation by any of the colonies. These, paid out in discharge of public debts, it was expected, would be collected by the tax-gatherers and shortly returned into the treasu- ry .- Such is the origin of paper money ; till which, the colonial currency was sterling.
It soon depreciated in value, so that four dollars in the bills could be purchased by three in specie ; though it was afterwards equal to gold and silver, and so continued while the sums issued from year to year were not large .*
At the May-election, in 1691, the government was organized, May, 1691. under the declining shades of the colonial charter, for the last time. Bradstreet was re-elected Governor, and Danforth, Deputy- Governor and President of Maine; the present being the twelfth year, since Danforth's first appointment or election, to that office. Though his residence was in Cambridge, he was often in the Province, frequently consulted with his Council, and at stipu- lated times, met them and the General Assembly of Councillors and Deputies, under the provisions of the charter to Gorges. He had rendered himself highly acceptable to the Provincials, by his republican politics, his rigid virtues and his untiring exer- tions to promote their best interests, and to preserve the people from the ravages of the Indians. Among his official labors, the current spring, one was an endeavor to negotiate peace with some of the tribes ; and another was an examination of the garrisons.
. 1 Hutch. Hist. p. 357 .- Wheat was set at 5s .; rye 4s; corn 38. 6d .; oats 1s. 6d. per bushel .- 5 Mass. Rec. p. 122.
Last Gen- eral Court under the colony char- ter.
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A. D. 1691.
The people of Massachusetts were so strongly attached to the colonial charter, that they sent three agents to England and em- ployed Sir Henry Ashurst of the realm, for two years, to urge their pleas before the king in council, for its restoration, with some additional privileges. But their arguments and solicitations were pressed in vain. A new draft was reported, June 8th, by a com- mittee of Council, and shewn to the agents, who presented written objections to several of its particulars ; and hence a decision was de- layed three months, owing, however, principally to the king's absence in Flanders .* In the meantime, its provisions were fully considered and discussed by the committee and the agents ; and after his return, the important instrument, denominated the CHAR- TER OF WILLIAM AND MARY, or the PROVINCIAL CHARTER, pass- ed the seals, October 7th, 1691, and received the royal sanction. It was the celebrated Prescript, which was afterwards, for 89 years, the constitutional foundation and ordinance of civil government, for the united territories and people of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Maine, and Sagadahock ;- collectively called ' the Royal Province of Massachusetts Bay.'
October 7. Charter of William and Mary granted.
The Prov- inces and Islands it embraces.
The Province of Maine, in consequence of the purchase, was made a constituent part without objection, according to the boun- daries in the charter to Gorges, t together with the five northerly Isles of Shoals, as originally belonging to his patent. The coun- try, situated ' between the river Sagadahock [or Kennebeck] and Nova Scotia,' and extending ' northward to the river of Canada,'t or 48th degree of latitude, was inserted in the charter without any specific name, though usually called the Province of Saga- dahock,-now so much enlarged, beyond what primarily bore the same territorial name. It embraced the second principality in the twelve great Divisions of 1635,§ lying between Kennebeck and Pemaquid, and between the coast and a northern line run- ning westerly from the head of the latter river to Swan Island, in the Kennebeck ;- also, the ducal province of James II., being the residue of the whole territory between the last mentioned river, and St. Croix, || Schoodic or Nova Scotia, whose pro- vince had reverted to the crown on his abdication. TTMoreover,
* 1 Math. Mag. p. 179, 181 .- 9 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 273-4.
¿ See ante, A. D. 1639. # 1 Doug. Sum. p. 382.
į See ante, A. D. 1635. || Ante, A. D. 1664 and 1674.
TT So many have been the changes as to the governments within the present State of Maine, prior to the charter of William and Mary, that it
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to prevent the French from having a repossession of Acadia, or A. D. 1691. Nova Scotia, which, though it were resigned to them under the treaty of Breda, (1667,) had been lately captured by Phips ;-
becomes expedient, for the sake of perspicuity and reference to give a synopsis of them in this place-as it respects, I. the Province of Maine ; and, II. Sagadahock, as divided by the Penobscot, into two great sections, the Western and Eastern .- I. As to the Province of Maine,-1. Sir Ferdi- nando taking the 3c and 4th of the 12 divisions, in 1635, which he called New-Somersetshire, formed a government therein under William Gorges. -- 2. His charter of Maine and administration, in 1639-40 .- 3. The divis- ion of the Province by the river Kennebunk, under Rigby's claim, and his rule of Lygonia, after 1646, by Cleaves .- 4. Massachusetts, in 1652-3, as- sumes to govern Gorges' part; and, in 1658, Rigby's part also. - 5. The king's three commissioners, in 1665, took command of the whole .- 6. Mas- sachusetts, in 1668, resumed the government of the entire Province, and in 1677, purchased it .- 7. An administration, in 1679-80, is established un- der the executive trust of President Danforth .- 8. In 1686, President Dud- ley, and, after him, Governor Andros, were commissioned to govern it and other Provinces .- 9. Massachusetts, in 1689, ousted Andros of his power, and soon recommitted the government to Danforth .- II. (First,) Western Sagadahock, was-1. after 1631, principally under the rule of the Pemaquid proprietors .- 2. James, the Duke of York, in 1664, took his patent ; and the king's three Commissioners, the next year, assumed the government within it .- 3. Massachusetts, in 1674, established there, the county of Devonshire ; and the same year the Duke took a new patent ; Andros being ducal Governor, who assumed possession in 1680. In 1683, Governor Dungan succeeded him, who managed it by his agents, Palmer and West .- 4. Andros, in 1686, was commissioned Governor of New- England, including Maine and Sagadahock .- 5. In May, 1689, Massachu- setts took the government from him .- (Secondly,) Eastern Sagadahock, was, 1. embraced by the New-England patent, of 1620 .- 2. After the treaty of St. Germains, in 1632, it was claimed by the French, as a part of Nova Scotia .- 3. The whole, in 1654, was reduced to the possession of the English, by Major Sedgwick, under Lord Cromwell, and the govern- ment of it given to Col. Temple .- 4. Under the treaty of Breda, conclud- ed in 1667, it was claimed and possessed by France, as a part of Nova Scotia .- 5. In 1688, Penobscot was seized upon by Governor Andros, and the repossession of it completed by the English arms, under Phips, in 1690. -6. The charter of William and Mary, in 1691, embraces it .- 7. It was claimed by the French, as a part of Nova Scotia, under the treaty of Rys- wick, 1697 .- 8. Possession of Nova Scotia was recovered by the English forces under Nicholson, in 1710 ;- and the charter of William and Mary, ever after made effectual, as far east as St. Croix-the original extent of jurisdiction claimed.
VOL. I. 63
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A. D. 1691. that Province was also inserted in the charter .* In a few years, however, it was conceded by the Province of Massachusetts, to the entire exclusive dominion of the English crown. New- Hampshire, according to the wishes of her inhabitants, would have been put into the same charter, had it not been recently purchased of Mason's heirs, by Samuel Allen of London, who prevented its insertion.f In fine, the charter also included " all " Islands and inlets lying within ten leagues directly opposite the "main land within the said bounds ;" reserving to the crown, admiralty-jurisdiction and one fifth of all gold and silver ore and precious stones found therein ; and to all English subjects, a common right of fishery upon the seacoast, or "in any arms of the sea, or salt water rivers."
Remarks.
By the union of these colonial territories, a collective strength and importance were given to the Province, which might be con- sidered a counterbalance to some abridegment of privilege. Though the charter on its arrival was encountered by several strong objections, it met with general acceptance ; there being great solicitude for the establishment of a stable government. The last General Court of the colonial administration closed its session, May 6, 1692 ;} when all the public offices in the con- stituent sections of the new Province became extinct ;§ and,
40 Univ. Hlist. p. 62 .- The Chevalier Villebon hoisted the French flag * at Port-Royal, Nov. 26, 1691; having arrived from France to assume the command of Nova Scotia. t 1 Belk. N. H. p. 192.
# The whole number of Deputies in the Massachusetts General Court, was now only 29 .- The last Court holden at York, July 15th, 1690, under the administration of President Danforth, consisted of Major John Davis, Deputy-President, Captain Francis Hook, Major Charles Frost, and Captain John Wincoln, magistrates, or justices ; when they " ordered," that if any ordinary or tavern-keeper should sell any rum, flip or other strong liquor to an inhabitant of his town, except in case of sickness or other necessity, or more than one gill to a stranger, he should forfeit his license.
§ It is said, that during this contest, about the old and the new charter, originated, in Massachusetts, the two great political parties, Republicans and Loyalists .- Their politics, though assuming, subsequently, new appel- lations, continued unchanged to the Revolution. The warm adherents to the democratic principles in the old charter, were very highly esteemed by the people, as liberty-men ; their opponents, professing to be more loyal subjects,-enjoying, also, more of the king's favor, were denominated roy- alists, or prerogative-men.
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the returning prospect of political quiet and prosperity, was only A. D. 1691. darkened by a storm of savage warfare in the eastern region, which was already oppressing the inhabitants with intermingled bloodshed and distress.
Note 1 .- Form of an old-tenor bill .- ' This indented bill of - pounds, ' due from Massachusetts colony to the possessor, shall be in value equal to ' money ; and shall be accordingly accepted by the Treasurer, and Receivers ' subordinate to him, in all public payments, and for any stock at any time in ' the Treasury. Boston, in New-England, February the third, 1690 ;- By ' order of the General Court.'
Note 2 .- Abraham Shurte, Esq. died at Pemaquid, about 1680.
" The deposition of Abraham Shurte, aged fourscore years, or there- abouts, saith-
"That in the year 1626, Alderman Alsworth and Mr. Giles Elbridge of Bristol, merchants, sent over this deponent for their agent, and gave power to him to buy Monhegan, which then belonged to Mr. Abraham Jen- nings of Plymouth, who they understood was willing to sell it ; and having conference with his agent, about the price thereof; agreed to fifty pounds, and the patent to be delivered up; and gave him a bill upon Alderman Alsworth ; which bill being presented, was paid, as the aforesaid wrote me. The deponent further saith, that about the year 1629, was sent over unto him by the aforenamed Alderman Alsworth and Mr. Elbridge, a patent granted by the patentees, for twelve thousand acres of land at Pemaquid, with all Islands, islets adjacent, within three leagues; and for the delivery, was appointed Capt. Walter Neale, who gave me possession thereof; and bounded the twelve thousand acres for the use above named, from the head of the river of Damariscotta, to the head of the river of Muscongus, and between it to the sea. Moreover, it was granted by the same patent ; that every servant, that they, Alderman Alsworth and Mr. Elbridge did send over, one hundred acres of land, and to every one there born, fifty acres of land, for the term of the first seven years ; and to be added to the former twelve thousand acres-Likewise this deponent saith, that Damariscove was included, and belonging to Pemaquid ; it being an Island, situate and lying within three leagues of Pemaquid point ; and some years after, Mr. Thomas Elbridge coming to Pemaquid, to whom the patent by possession did belong and appertain, called a Court, unto which divers of the then inhabitants of Monhegan and Damariscove repaired, and continued their fishing, paying a certain acknowledgement-and farther saith not."
" Sworn to, the 25th December, 1662, by Abraham Shurte.
" Before me, RICHARD RUSSELL, Magistrate. " Boston, March 28, 1774, recorded in the Secretary's Office, in the Book of Patents, fol. 169.
J. WILLARD, Secretary."
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CHAPTER XXIII.
King William's war-The settlers and natives-Causes of the war -First skirmish at North-Yarmouth-Indians arrested-Re- prisals-New-Dartmouth and Sheepscot overthrown-Measures of Gov. Andros-Change of administration-Destruction of Dover-Captives first sold in Canada-Skirmish at Saco-Pem- aquid destroyed-The eastern people all withdraw to Falmouth -The eastern expeditions of Swain and Church-The Mohawks- Church has a battle with the enemy at Casco-Berwick destroyed -Capture of Fort Loyal and fall of Falmouth-The inhabi- tants between the peninsula and Wells, withdraw to the latter- Sufferings of captives-Attacks of the Indians at Wells, Ber- wick and Kittery-Church's 2d expedition-He destroys the forts at Pejepscot-A truce-Only 4 eastern towns remain-Cape Neddock burnt-Four companies in the public service-A part of York burnt-Wells attacked and defended with great bravery -Gov. Phips builds Fort William Henry-Church's 3d eastern expedition-Nelson at Quebec gives information of French ex- peditions anticipated-Saco fort built-A treaty-The Jesuits- Their imposition upon the Indians-Conduct of Capt. Chubb- He surrenders Fort William Henry-Church's 4th eastern expe- dition-He is superseded by Hawthorn-Maj. Frost killed-Last hostile acts of the Savages-Peace of Ryswick-Treaty with the Indians-Losses.
A. D. 1688. King Wil- liam's war. The Eng- Jish and In- dians.
THE second war with the Indians, long and distressing, com- monly called " king William's war," developes great varieties and strong features of character. To numbers living in that gen- eration, both colonists and natives, the wilds and solitudes of the country unbroken, were fresh in recollection. Born neighbors, they were more than half-acquainted with each other's disposi- tions, language and habits. In their intercourse, there were some instances of mutual confidence and particular friendship ; other- wise, the two people generally disagreed in every thing, except in the common endowments of nature.
An interval of ten years' peace had enabled the returning in- habitants of Maine, to repair the ruins of the last war, and in some degree to enlarge the borders of their settlements. They
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seemed to exult in their yearly advances upon the heavy-wooded A. D. 1688. forest ; in their fenced, though rough inclosures, and in their log- house cottages ; being quite contented in the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty, with the merest competency, the humblest comforts and their limited improvements-as the fruits of their own enterprize, fortitude and toil. Yet they were destitute of sanctuaries for divine worship, schools for their children, mills, bridges, and even passable roads. Framed houses, smooth fields, and large stocks of cattle, when the instances occurred, were in this age accounted wealth and luxury. Yes, and happily for them, their successes in times past, and the encouraging an- ticipations of the future, gave an inspiring influence to motives of courage and emulation. Apprehensions of attack or injury from the Indians, were the sources of their greatest troubles ; as a few garrisons and fortified habitations were, under the Divine protection, their principal, if not their only safeguard and shield.
The natives, on the contrary, ever contemning the arts of discipline and culture, were enraged to see the breaches between the waters and the woods, continually widened by the axe and the toils of the white men ; and to notice the advances of civ- ilization stealing upon them like approaching flames. Though it be true that the western Indians, by a coalition and intermar- riages with them had partly sustained a declining population : yet in a much greater degree, these emigrants had been exciting the resentments of the eastern Sagamores, and inflaming them against the settlers.
An union most remarkable, and altogether without precedent, The Saga- was found now to exist among the natives themselves. Most of mores and their com- the Newichawannocks, were lost among the Penacooks ; both of plaints. them being disposed to regard no longer the dying advice of Passaconaway and Rowles,* who had charged them to keep peace with the English. If Wonnolancet himself wisely observ- ed his father's council ; Kancamagus, another Sagamore of the tribe, surnamed John Hagkins, could not forget the seizure of the 400 Indians, and the fatal attack of the Mohawks, in the employ of the English. Taking affront also, from some ill usage he thought he had received, he paid no great attention to any dissuasives, nor to the presents made him by Massachusetts ; for
* Ante, Chap. 17. + Also called John Hawkins .- 1 Belk. N. H. p. 346.
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A. D. 1688. he had resolved to take arms. Netombomet,* the successor of Squando, complained, that the English interrupted the fishery belonging to his tribe in the Saco river ; and he and Robin Do- ney, a Sachem of the same tribe, were determined to avenge their Sagamores. injuries. The Anasagunticook Sagamore, Warumbee, who had succeeded Tarumkin, being encountered in his objections to en- croachments, by his own grant to Wharton, in 1684, was ready to exclaim boldly and loudly against the new neighboring settle- ment at North-Yarmouth ; for by the treaty of 1678, it was pre- tended, the English were only to enjoy their former possessions, not enlarge them. Hopehood, still living, Moxus and Bomaseen, Sagamores of the Canibas tribe, and Toxus,f a Sachem, or chief among the Indians about Norridgewock, were cherishing strong suspicions, that in the conveyances of lands upon Kenne- beck river by Monquine, Robinhood, Abagadusset and others, there was much deception practised. The Wawenocks, after the extensive sales of territory by their Sachems, Josle, Witte- nose, Obias, and others, became identified with the Canibas tribe ; and Jack Pudding or Sheepscot John, is the only Saga- more of theirs, mentioned at this period. The celebrated Ma- dockawando was at first an advocate for peace, engaging to nego- tiate a treaty, in which "Egeremett of Machias," and the three Etechemin tribes, would in all likelihood have joined ; had not the movement been prevented by Baron de Castine.
Causes of war.
All the Abenaques tribes, instigated by the French, moreover, uttered grievous complaints, that the corn, promised by the last treaty, had not been paid, and yet their own was destroyed by the cattle of the English ; and that they, being deprived of their hunting and fishing births, and their lands, were liable to perish of hunger .- No changes affected by the cultivator's hand, yielded any beauties to their eye. The wild scenery of nature, untouched by art, so captivating to the poet, the painter, and the rambler, must, for reasons self-evident, afford the untutored savage the only desirable places of residence. It was the land of their birth, their childhood and their fathers' graves. Bound to their native country by a thousand attachments, they resolved not to
* Called also by other names. + 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 80-1.
Moxus had also the name Edgeremet .- 2 Mag .- 530-543 .- Sull. p. 147, 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 359.
CHAP. XXIII.]
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leave it without a most desperate struggle. Hence, nothing dis- A. D. 1688 turbed them more, than new settlements and fortifications.
The plantation begun at North-Yarmouth, they thought to be Attack upon a direct encroachment. To deter the inhabitants from complet- mouth. North-Yar-
ing the rising garrison, which they were building on the eastern shore of Royall's river; the Indians proceeded to kill several cattle, about the settlement on the opposite side, and gave other indications of hostility. As the work still progressed with re- doubled efforts; a small party, about the middle of August,* August 13. waylaid two workmen, as they went one morning from the settle- The begin- ment, in search of their oxen, to labor on the garrison, and made war. them both prisoners. The rest of the savage party, well armed, rushing from the bushes towards the other men, who were going to work at the same place, accosted them with insolent language, and began to provoke a quarrel. Words were followed by a scuffle, in which at first an Indian gave one Larabee a violent push, who instantly raising his gun, shot his assailant dead. While in the act of firing, he was seized by another sturdy In- dian, whom Benedic Pulcifer struck with the edge of his broad- axe; and the skirmish became general, and some fell on both sides.
The English, perceiving themselves inferior in number to their foes, withdrew to a place of less exposure under the bank of the river, where they defended themselves with great bravery, till their ammunition was nearly expended. To a part of the contest, Capt. Walter Gendell, at the garrison, was an eyewitness. He had long been a fur trader with the Indians, and supposed, from the very friendly intercourse he had always had with them, they would not knowingly hurt him. Observing now his friends had ceased firing, he took a bag of ammunition, and hastened with a servant and a float to their assistance; standing upright, as the servant paddled, that the Indians might know him. But before they were entirely across, each received a fatal shot in his body, by particular aim ; and Gendell threw the ammunition ashore, hav- ing only time to say before he breathed his last, " I have lost my life in your service." Thus supplied, the planters were enabled
* One account says this was July .- Hutch. Coll. p. 566 .- But, 2 Math. Magnalia, p. 509, says it was in September; yet he says, the attack on Sheepscot, " was soon after ;" which was September 5th .- Sullivan, p. IS5, mistakes the year .- See 1 Hutch. Hist. p. 325.
ning of the
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A. D. 1688. to maintain their ground-the engagement continuing till dusk, when the Indians retreated .* Our loss was two killed, besides Capt. Gendell, whose death was deeply lamented. He was one of the trustees, to whom the township had been confirmed, and a man of enterprize and worth. Several of the Indians were killed, and the survivors passed the night upon Lane's Island. Here they had a horrid carousal, in which they butchered the two wretched men taken in the morning, and another brought with them ; leaving their mangled bodies above ground. It is said to have been an usage among the savages, to make as many of their prisoners victims, as they lost of their own men in battle.
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