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 64
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* Humphrey Scammon, his wife and two sons were carried away cap- tive from Saco into Canada, where they were detained till the next year.
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THE HISTORY
[VOL. 1.
A. D. 1697. directed to protect the eastern forts and frontiers, by ranging par- ties, and by every other possible expedient. It is true, a French fleet did arrive at Newfoundland, July 24th, but it proceeded no further, and every part of the enterprize failed.
Sept. 9. March at- tacked at Damaris- cotta.
March ranged the eastern coast, and, September 9th, landed his men at Damariscotta. But ere they were fully ashore, a body of Indians, rising unawares, from their covert, with the usual war-whoop, poured in a full volley upon the troops ;- in- stantly receiving a repulsive charge, as well aimed, which drove them either to the woods or to their canoes, leaving their dead behind them. Our loss was about 12 or 13 killed and as many wounded ;*- a bloody skirmish, which closed this year's preda- tory war in Maine.
Peace of Ryswick, Sept. 11.
The glad news of a peace, concluded at Ryswick, September 11th, between England, France, and the nations engaged with them in war, was proclaimed in Boston, on the 10th of Decem- ber. It was an event much more joyful, because of the devout belief entertained, that it would close the avenues of blood in America. The Canadian French could no longer take any open part in hostilities, though they might take some malignant satisfaction, in seeing the ' heretic puritans' worried or destroyed A. D. 1798. by the savages. Several acts of their barbarity and homicide, Close of the 2d Indian war. were in fact, committed in the succeeding spring at different places ;f but the last and only instances of Indian ferocity in Maine, during the year, 1698, occurred at Spruce-creek (Kit- May 9. tery). Here an old man was literally murdered, May 9; for his life was taken by a gigantic savage, after he had surrendered : His two sons, also, were hurried away into captivity. But the giant, who is reputed to have been seven feet in height, was, in a few hours, shot dead by his own gun, as he grasped the bar- rel reversed, and was endeavoring to pull his canoe towards him at the shore.
October 14. A confer- nobscot. The Indians gave intimations, at our outposts, in the summer ence at Pe- months, of their desire for peace. A conference was holden at Penobscot, Oct. 14, between Commissioners from Massachusetts, viz. Major Converse and Capt. Alden, and six Sagamores, at-
* 2 Mather's Magnalia, p. 553.
t See the story of Hannah Dustan .- 2 Math. Mag. p. 550-2 .- 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 101.
CHAP. XXIII.]
OF MAINE.
649
tended by a great number of their Indians. These sang the A. D. 1698. songs of peace ; though then in mourning for Madockawando and " several other Sachems of the east"-who had lately fallen victims to "the grievous unknown disease, which," according to Doct. Mather, " consumed them wonderfully." They said, Frontenac told them, there was to be war no longer, and all pris- oners must be released ; and they had resolved to fight no more. In the parley, the Commissioners insisted upon a return of all the prisoners, and a removal of the resident missionaries at Pe- nobscot, Norridgewock, and Androscoggin ; lest a treaty, if made, would be violated as heretofore through their instigation. They replied, the white prisoners will be free to go home, or stay with their Indian friends ; but the good Missionaries must not be driven away.
The Commissioners from Massachusetts, Col. Phillips and A treaty Major Converse, taking passage from Boston in the Province Mare-point. ratified at galley, met the Sagamores of Penobscot,* Kennebeck, Andros- coggin and Saco, at Mare-point [now in Brunswick]; and on the 7th of January, 1699, signed and ratified the treaty of Au- gust 11, 1693, with additional articles. They cast many reflec- tions upon the French, and confessed their own follies and offen- ces to be great ; saying, 'we do most humbly throw ourselves ' upon the king's Majesty and mercy, and ask his pardon and ' protection. We renew our allegiance to him, and promise to ' fulfil every article in the recited treaty.'-All the prisoners present were then exchanged ; among whom was Bomaseen, and the rest were to be restored in the spring.t Great numbers of scalps had been, from time to time, carried to Canada, for which the French government gave considerable premiums.
A. D. 1699.
In this long and bloody war, which lasted ten years, all the Ineidents of tribes eastward of the river Merrimack, inclusive, without excepting the war. even the Mickmaks, were partakers, either of self-will or through the influence of the French. The Sokokis and Anasagunti- cooks were the most forward to commence hostilities, and the Canibas, the most reluctant, to make peace. War is always a
* Those of Penobscot not expressed but included .- 2 Neal's N. E. p. 559-561 .- 2 Math. Mag. p. 556-7.
t Bomaseen and two others were on board the galley, who were not to be restored till the English captives were delivered .- 5 Mass. Rec. p. 582.
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THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
[VOL. I.
A. D. 1699. heavy tax upon the population of the Indians. Fights, fatigue, famine and sickness, occasion wastes which the natural increase among them in seasons of tranquillity never repair. For scalps and plunder they chiefly received arms and ammunition from the French-not unfrequently provisions and wages, and always en- couragement. Yet the Indians, on the whole, gain nothing by war, and the English lose everything but their character.
Losses.
If the people in Maine had some public garrisons, several stockaded forts, and a great number of fortified houses construct- ed of timber, shot proof to musquetry, with flankers at oppo- site angles, and also exterior entrenchments ;- these could not withstand a long siege, a few of them only remaining undemolished. They afforded tolerable asylums for the inhabitants ; but were uncomfortable dwelling-places for families; so much were the people crowded when within the walls. Many resigned their possessions to the destroyers, and departing, returned no more. All the towns and settlements, except Wells, York, Kittery and the Isles of Shoals, 'were overrun ;* and an untold number of domestic animals, was destroyed by a rapa- cious enemy. More dwellinghouses, in proportion to other losses, were, however, left unconsumed and standing, than in the for- mer war-though now tottering in ruins. About 450 people were either murdered, killed in battle or died of their wounds ;f and as many as 250, were, during the war, carried into captivi- ty ; some of whom perished of famine, hardships or disease. A few however, who were captured in their childhood, becoming attached to the society of the savages, chose to remain with them, and never would leave the tribes.}
* Assacombuit, himself a bloody warrior, it is said, had " killed and tak- " en in this war 150 men, women and chidren."
+ 2 Mather's Magnalia, 558 .- But he and Neal, [2 vol. N. E. 544-562] are too low. By enumeration our loss was more than 700.
Į An Anecdote .- Several Indian women, suffering with hunger in the late war, and seeing horses upon the peninsula of Casco, requested their husbands, to shoot a few of them, ' for we, said they, want some roast meat.' One, driven into a corner, was caught, which a young Indian wished to have the pleasure of riding. The mane and tail were clipt and twisted into a halter, and the savage mounted. Fearful of being thrown, he had his feet tied fast together under the body of the horse ; when the unbroken animal being let go, galloped off with such furious speed, that both were presently out of sight, and nothing was over found of either, except one of the rider's limbs, which the Indians buried in Capt. Brackett's cellar.
APPENDIX.
No. 1.
LETTERS PATENT TO SIEUR DE MONTS,
LIEUTENANT GENERAL OF ACADIA AND THE CIRCUMJACENT COUNTRY, NOVEMBER 8, 1603. [Translated from L'Escarbot's History of New-France.]
HENRY, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarre :- To our dear and well beloved the Sieur de Monts, Gentleman in ordinary of our Bed-Chamber, Greeting .- As our greatest care and labor, since our accession to this Crown is, and always has been, to maintain and preserve it in its ancient dignity, greatness and splendor ; to extend and enlarge, as far as lawfully may be done, the boundaries and limits thereof; We, being long informed of the situation and condition of the country and territory of Acadia ; -moved hereunto above all things by a peculiar zeal, and a de- vout and firm resolution, which we have taken with the aid and assistance of God, the Author, Distributor and Protector of all Kingdoms and States ; to cause to be converted, brought over and instructed in Christianity, and in the belief and profession of our Faith and Religion,-the people who inhabit that country, at pres- ent a barbarous race, atheists, without Faith or Religion ; and to draw them from the ignorance and infidelity wherein they now are. Having also from the reports of Captains of vessels, pilots, mer- chants and others, who a long time ago have visited, frequented and trafficked with the people who are found there, long understood how profitable, convenient and useful may be to us, to our States and subjects, the possession, residence and occupancy of those places, for the great and apparent benefit which will accrue from the great frequentation and connection with the people there, and the traf- fick and commerce which may by this means be safely carried on and negotiated .- We, for these causes, fully confiding in your great prudence, and in the knowledge you possess of the quality, con- dition, and situation of the said country of Acadia; from the di- vers voyages, travels and visits you have made into those parts, and others, neighboring and circumjacent,-assuring ourself that this our resolution and intention being made known unto you, you will be able attentively, diligently, and not less courageously and valorously to execute, and bring to the perfection we desire; we have expressly appointed and established,-and by these presents
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signed with our own hand, we do appoint, ordain, make, constitute and establish you, our Lieutenant General, to represent our person in the country, territory, coasts and confines of Acadia, from the 40th, to the 46th degree,-and within this extent, or any part thereof, as far inland as may be practicable, to establish, extend and make known our name, power and authority,-and thereunto subject, cause to submit and obey, all the people of the said land, and circumjacent country ; and by virtue hereof, and by all other lawful ways, to call, instruct, move and stir them up to the knowl- edge of God, and to the light of the christian faith and religion ; to establish it there, and in the exercise and possession of it, to maintain, keep and preserve the said people, and all others inhab- iting said places ; and in peace, quiet and tranquillity to command there, as well by sea as by land ; to order, determine and cause to be executed every thing which you shall judge can and ought to be done to maintain, keep and preserve the said places under our power and authority, by the forms, ways and means prescribed by our ordinances. And for your assistance in the premises, to ap- point, establish and constitute all necessary officers, as well in affairs of war, as in justice and policy, in the first instance, and from thence in future to nominate and present them to us for our approba- tion ; and to give such commissions, titles and grants as shall be necessary.
And as circumstances shall require, yourself, with the advice of prudent and capable persons, to prescribe under our good pleasure, laws, statutes and ordinances, (conformable to ours as far as may be) especially in such matters and things as are not provided for by these presents ; to treat, and effectually contract peace, alliance and confederation, good friendship, correspondence and communication with the said people, and their princes, or others having power and command over them ; to maintain, keep and carefully observe the treaties and alliances you shall stipulate with them, provided they on their part faithfully observe them; and in default thereof to make open war against them, to compel and bring them back to such reason as you shall judge fit for the honor, obedience and service of God, and the establishing, upholding and preserving our said authority among them ; at least to visit and frequent them by yourself and all our subjects, in all security, liberty, frequentation and communication ; to negotiate, and traffick there, amicably and peaceably ; to grant them favors and privileges, and bestow on them employments and honors. Which entire power above-said, we also will, and ordain, that you have over all our said subjects, and others
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APPENDIX.
who shall remove and inhabit there, to traffick, and trade, and reside in the said places ; to hold, take, reserve and appropriate to your- self what you shall wish, and shall see to be most convenient and fit for your rank, condition and use. To parcel out such parts and portions of said lands,-to give and attribute to them such titles, honors, rights, powers and faculties as you shall see fit, according to the rank, condition and merits of the people of the country or others ; especially to people, cultivate, and cause the said lands to be settled the most speedily, carefully and skilfully that time, places and conveniences will permit ; to this end, to make, or cause to be made the discovery and examination, of them, along the extent of the seacoasts, and other countries of the main land, that you shall order and prescribe, within the said limit of the 40th degree to the 46th or otherwise, as far as may be done along the said seacoasts, and into the main land ; carefully to search after and to distinguish all sorts of mines of gold and silver, copper and other metals and minerals ; to dig for and collect them, and purify and refine them for use ; to dispose of, as we have directed in the edicts and regu= lations that we have made in this kingdom, the profit and emolu- ment thereof, by yourself, or by those you may appoint for that pur- pose,-reserving unto us only the tenth part of the produce of the gold, silver and copper,-appropriating to yourself our portion of the other metals and minerals, to aid and relieve you in the great expen* ses, which the said charge may bring upon you. Meantime, for your safety and comfort, and for that of all our subjects, who shall go to those parts, and shall dwell and traffick in the said lands, as generally all others, who shall place themselves under our power and protection,-we authorize you to build and construct one or more forts, places, towns, and all other houses, dwellings and habita- tions, ports, havens, retreats and lodgements that you may consider proper, useful and necessary to the execution of the said enterprize ; to establish garrisons, and soldiers to protect them ; and to employ, for aid in the aforesaid purposes, vagabonds, idle and dissolute per- sons, as well from the towns as from the country,-and also those condemned to perpetual banishment or for three years at least, be- yond our realms-provided this be done by the advice and consent, and by the authority of our officers.
Besides the preceding (and that which is elswhere appointed, directed and ordained to you by the commissioners and authorities given you by our very dear cousin the Sieur de Danville," Admiral
* Anville is an error in Hazard's copy -- for it appears from history, that Charles Mont- morenci, Duc de Danville, was at that time Admiral of France.
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of France for that which expressly concerns the admirality in the achievement, expedition and execution of the said things)-to do generally for the conquest, peopling, settlement and preservation of the said land of Acadia, and of the coasts, circumjacent territories, and of their appurtenances and dependences, under our name and authority, all we ourselves could do, or cause to be done, if we were there present in person, even in cases requiring more special direction, than we have provided for by these presents ; to the con- tents of which we direct, ordain, and expressly enjoin all our jus- tices, officers and subjects to conform themselves, and obey you, and give attention to you in all the said things, their circumstances and dependencies.
To give you also in the execution of them all aid and comfort, main strength and assistance of which you shall have need, and shall be by you required,-all under the pains of rebellion and dis- obedience. And in order that no one may pretend cause of ignor- ance of this our intention, and be disposed to intermeddle in whole or in part, with the charge, dignity and authority, that we give you by these presents ; we have, of our certain knowledge, full power and royal authority, revoked, suppressed, and declared null and of no effect, henceforth and from the present time, all other powers and commissions, letters and despatches given and delivered to any person whomsoever, to discover, people and inhabit said lands, in the said extent contained within the said 40th degree, to the 46th degree, whatsoever they may be.
And furthermore, we direct and command all our said officers, of whatever rank or condition they may be, that these presents, or a certification thereof duly compared herewith, by some one of our beloved and faithful counsellors, notaries and secretaries, or other royal notary, they the said officers cause, at your request, ap- plication and suit, or at the suit of our attornies, to be read, publish- ed and registered in the registers of their several jurisdictions, au- thorities and districts, preventing as much as shall belong to them, all troubles and hindrances contrary hereunto. For such is our plea- sure. Given at Fontainbleau the eighth day of November, in the year of Grace, one thousand six hundred and three, and of our reign the fifteenth.
Signed, HENRY.
[And lower down-by the king, POTIER .- And sealed upon a sim- ple label, with yellow Wax.]
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APPENDIX.
No. 2.
SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER'S PATENT OF NOVA SCOTIA, SEPT. 10, 1621. [From John Palairet's Description of the English and French possessions in North America.]
JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c .- To all the Clergy and Laity of his Dominions-Greeting.
Be it known, that we have ever been careful to embrace every opportunity, that offered, for the honor and advantage of our king- dom of Scotland, and that we think there is no acquisition more easy and more innocent, than those which may be made by carry- ing new colonies into foreign and uncultivated countries, where are the necessaries of life; especially if such lands are either uninhab- ited or occupied by unbelievers, whom to convert to the Christian faith, is a duty of groat importance to the glory of God, &c.
For these causes, as well as in consideration of the good, faithful, and acceptable favors, which have been already and hereafter to be performed to us by our trusty and well beloved Councillor, SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER, KT. who is the first of our subjects of Scot- land, that undertook to carry over this foreign colony at his own expense, and has desired leave to cultivate lands and countries included within the limits undermentioned :-- We therefore, from our royal intention to extend the Christian religion, and to promote the wealth, prosperity and peace of the natural subjects of our said kingdom of Scotland, have, by the advice and consent of our cousin and councillor, John, Earl of Mar, &c. and of the other Lords-Commissioners of the said kingdom of Scotland, given, grant- ed and transferred, and by virtue of this present, issuing from us,- We do give, grant and transfer to the said William Alexander, his heirs, or all claimants by right of inheritance from him, all and sin- gular the lands of the Continent and Islands situate and lying in America, reckoning from the cape or promentory called Cape Sable, at 43º or thereabouts, from the equator towards the north, that is to say, from the said promontory along the seashore that runs from the west, as far as St. Mary's bay, and stretching from thence to the north, in a straight line, to the entrance or mouth of that great bay which washes the eastern coast, between the countries of the Souriquois and of the Etechemins, as far as to the river of St. Croix, and to the farthest source or spring, which first comes from the west to mingle its waters with those of that river ; from thence by a straight imaginary line, crossing the lands or running towards the
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north, as far as the first bay, river or spring which runs into the great river of Canada; and from thence continuing eastward to the sea along the shores of the river of Canada, to the river, bay, port or latitude, commonly known by the name of Gachepe or Gaspie ; and afterwards, from the south-east side as far as the Isles called Bacalaos or Cape Breton, leaving the said Isles on the right, and the gulf of the said great river of Canada or the great bay and the lands of Newfound- land or Terra Nova, with the Isles thereto appertaining, on the left ; and thence passing to the said cape or promontory of Cape Breton, turning to the south and west as far as the above mentioned Cape Sable, where begins the tract that is to be included and compre- hended, between the said seacoasts and their circumferences from the sea, to all the lands of the continent, with the rivers, bays, tor- rents, roads, isles or lakes situate about six leagues from any of the parts both of the said coasts and their circumferences either to the west, north or south, and from the south-east (in which situation is Cape Breton,) and from the southern part, where lies Cape Sable, all the seas and Islands to 40 leagues of said coasts, therein includ- ing the great Island commonly called the Island of Sable or Sab- lons, situate towards Carban, or south south-east, to about thirty leagues from the said Cape Breton in the ocean and at the 44th degree of latitude, or thereabouts .-- All which said lands shall for the future bear the name of NEW SCOTLAND, [Nova Scotia,] and be also divided into such parts and portions, and be called by such names as Sir William Alexander shall think fit; together with all the mines, as well the royal ones of gold and silver, as the other mines of iron, lead, copper, pewter, brass, &c. And if any doubts or questions shall hereafter arise upon the interpretation or con- struction of any clause, in the present letters patent contained, they shall all be taken and interpreted in the most extensive sense, and in favor of the said William Alexander, his heirs and assigns afore- said. Furthermore, we of our certain knowledge, our own mere notion, regal authority and royal power, have made, united, annex- ed, erected, created and incorporated, and we do, by these our let- ters patent, make, unite, annex, erect, create and incorporate, the whole and entire Province and lands of Nova Scotia, [New Scot- land] aforesaid, with all the limits thereof, seas, &c. officers and jurisdictions, and all other things generally and specially above mentioned, into one entire and free dominion and barony, to be called at all times hereafter, by the aforesaid name of Nova Scotia.
In witness whereof, we have to these our patents affixed our great seal, in the presence of our said cousins and councillors, Sir James,
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APPENDIX.
Marquis of Hamilton, George, Earl of Keith, Alexander, Earl of Dumformling, our Councillor, Thomas, Earl of Melros, &c. Secre- tary, our beloved and privy councillors, Mr. Richard Cockburn the keeper of the privy seal, &c.
Given at our castle at Windsor, the tenth day of September in the year of our Lord, 1621, and of our reign the 55th and 19th.
No. 3.
NARRATIVE OF MRS. HANNAH SWARTON'S CAPTIVITY, MAY 1690-Nov. 1695.
[Compiled from 2d vol. Doct. Mather's Magnalia.]
A NARRATIVE of Mrs. Hannah Swarton's* captivity, will give some idea of savage life and the sufferings of captives. In May, 1690, when the enemy beset Falmouth, her husband, herself and their family, consisting of four children, were dwelling at a short distance northerly of the fort. The Indians, on entering the house, killed her husband before her eyes ; and carried her, and her daughter and three sons into captivity .- My master (says she) was a Canada Indian, whose wife was an eastern native, partly bred up among the English at Black-point, but now turned papist. We presently moved off eastward. The provisions taken from our own and our neigh- bors' houses were soon consumed ; and even while they lasted, our direful afflictions deprived me of all appetite. My children were soon separated from me, and distributed among the captors; and though we were sometimes permitted to see each other, we were not allowed to converse much together or mingle our tears; for the sym- pathies of natural affection unrepressed, are always so affronting to Indians, that they would threaten us with instant death, if we wept. Though sunk with fatigue, we were, after a week or ten days, long destitute of any food, except ground-nuts, acorns, roots, wild weeds, and a little dogs' flesh ;- a sustenance which, though miserable in- deed, was yet quite insufficient to satisfy the cravings of hunger. At one time they killed a bear-afterwards they took a turtle and some fish-of which I was allowed to be in part a partaker. Once, a piece of moose's liver was given me-a refreshing morsel truly, to my hungry appetite. In our travels about the shores of Casco- bay, and through the country to Kennebeck, I was compelled to carry heavy burdens, and to go at their pace or be killed at once.
* Though Dr. Mather, [2 Magnalia, p. 306-12] calls her by that name ; yet query, if it were not Swarnton ?
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After my shoes and clothes became worn and tattered, my feet and limbs were often wounded and bleeding ; and by reason of toil and faintness, my pace was so checked, that I was often threatened with an uplifted tomahawk over my head. One John York, a fellow-suf- ferer, being entirely exhausted, was taken aside and despatched outright.
Once, my mistress and myself were left six days without food, except the tainted bladder of a moose. This being too tough and loathsome to eat, we boiled it and drank the broth. At length she directed me, to go and make a fire on a remote point of the shore, in hopes by the smoke to invite, fortuitously, a visit of the Indians. Espying a canoe, I beckoned it ashore, when the squaws in it came, and gave me a roasted eel ;- and never had I tasted meat more pal- atable. Through the whole summer and autumn, I was hurried up and down the wilderness ; for wherever an Indian happens to be, he is on the point of going somewhere else, never contented, nor at rest. They are no economists; they eat excessively, whenever possessed of enough, and then have nothing. In the season of fruit, I lived on wortleberries, and a kind of wild cherries, which grew on bushes ; being obliged also, to gather them for my mistress, so long as any remained. When winter commenced, they put upon me an Indian dress ; giving me a slight blanket, a pair of leathern stockings, and moccasins :- Yet many times, my limbs were nearly frozen. Even in their huts, the smoke and stench, cold and fam- ine, made suffering more extreme, and slavery more dreadful. A rush of recollections often filled my soul with anguish, which no tongue nor pen can describe. Woman-like, I reflected upon my- self with tears, that I ever left the privileges of my birth-place, and the smiles of kindreds,-public worship and the divine ordinances. But my native Beverly, was only sweet in name and in memory ; and as it was, through over-emulous desires, of adding to worldly substance that we had exchanged it, for a new settlement destitute of church privileges and the gospel ministry, I thought I had directly brought upon myself the judgments of a frowning God. Now bereaved of hus- band, children, home, and every thing but a miserable life; I was half-distracted. Languor, melancholy, famine and suffering, prey- ed upon my spirits and my life. Yet in my distress I cried often unto the Lord, (in the language of another, ) how long wilt thou hide thy facc from me ! how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me !
To aggravate, if possible, my grief and distress, when we arrived at Norridgewock, every English prisoner was removed from our company ; and I was told my oldest son was killed-a fate, Į
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feared, destined to all my children, while I had only Rachel's consolation, to weep for them.
From that place, I was obliged to take up a long and wretched journey, in the heart of winter, through the wilderness to Canada. I travelled in deep snow, over steep hideous mountains, through swamps and thickets, and among windfalls ; stepping from log to log, near a thousand in a day,-at the same time, carrying on my shoulders a heavy burden. So frequently did my feet and limbs bleed, that my tracks in the snow might be readily traced by the blood. Without tasting of domestic meat or bread, or having a comfortable night on the way, I arrived at last, about the middle of February, 1691, in the vicinity of Quebec ; where my master pitch- ed his wigwam, in sight of a few French habitations. Sent thither to beg food for him and his squaw, I found the inhabitants kind and generous. They fed me with refreshing food; and in the second visit, I tarried, by my master's consent, over night. The next morning I was called upon by an Englishman, who though a prisoner to the French, ventured to attend me about four miles to Quebec, and generously introduced me into the family of the Chief Justiciary of the Province. The Lady Intendant, paid my late Indian master a satisfactory ransom ; and I became her waiting servant.
Kind and attached to me, she soon joined with the priests and nuns, and strongly urged me to become a disciple of the catholic religion. This, to me, was a new species of trial ; and I presently found my- self transferred from one furnace of afflictions to another. I was hear- tily disposed to please my worthy mistress ; while I was in conscience and in duty bound not to betray my Lord, but contend earnestly for the faith, once delivered to the saints, I sometimes attended the papal worship; but at last withdrawing, I was treated with harder usage. More than once, the priests threatened to send me to France, where heretics, they said, have to take the flames.
At length, being able to procure an English bible, I searched and read the scriptures daily, which yielded me the refreshing waters of life :- A religion pure and simple-at an infinite remove from human merit and catholic rites. Col. Tyng of Falmouth, and Mr. Alden, fellow captives, were permitted to converse with me, and ap- peared to be firm in the protestant doctrines; strengthening me in the faith of them. Still, during this long period of more than four years, my religious belief was assailed again and again, and severely tried, by the superstitious friars. But an acquaintance, formed about that time with Margaret Stilson, a pious captive, prov-
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ed a balm to my afflicted soul. Oh the seasons, never to be forgot- ten, when we together perused the sacred volume, and in social prayer reciprocated the devout sentiments of the holy Psalmist ;- I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord : Truly he has chastened us sore, but he has not given us over to death.
To my inexpressible joy, when Capt. Cary arrived in a vessel to carry the English captives home from Quebec, I, with my youngest son, was admitted to a passage, leaving, however, three children- my only daughter, now about 20, supposed to be at Montreal, and my other two sons, if living, whom I had never seen since the morning after we were taken captive. We arrived at Boston in November, 1695, after an absence of five years and a half, from my beloved country-and the rapturous joys of friends, meeting on a return from Indian captivity, can be more easily imagined than told.
UH
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