USA > Maine > The history of the state of Maine; from its first discovery, A. D. 1602, to the separation, A. D. 1820, inclusive, Vol. II > Part 11
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* Dummer's letter, September, 1720.
+2 Hutch. Hist. p. 203.
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acted collectively as legislators, nor as judges. The inhabitants A. D. 1720. were mostly Frenchmen, who could not understand English ; ig- norant, not one in an hundred able to write or even read; and dupes to their priests, as they would rather die than renounce the catholic religion. They were also miserable husbandmen and mechanics. Nay, the deep-rooted and habitual antipathies between the French and English, created collisions which neces- sarily rendered society unhappy, during the extended period of thirty years, in which Governor Phillips was in the chair.
The Acadians having strongly attached the natives to them by Trade at an assimilation of manners, an unity of worship, and an inter- Cape Bre- course in trade, were now prepared to make Cape Breton* the Causeau. ton and depot for their future fishery and trade. On the other hand, the English had formed a fishing establishment at Canseau, which was frequented, especially in the summer months, by many traders The Eng- from Massachusetts. Instigated by the French, the Indians in ed by the great numbers, attacked the place, August 7, and plundered it of Indians. fish and merchandize, to the amount of £20,000. August 7.
The news of this rapine, though evidently committed by the 'The people Mickmaks alone, greatly emboldened their western neighbors, and alarmed by in a still greater degree, alarmed the apprehensions of the inhab- itants. To allay their fears, Governor Shute despatched east- ward a small re-enforcement, giving the command of the whole to Colonel Shadrach Walton ; and when he met the General Court, November 2, he declared, he " had certain information, that the Nov. 2. " Indians were committing great outrages on our eastern settle- " ments, by killing cattle, and by threatening and insulting his " Majesty's subjects."f
Rale, the famous Jesuit, was deemed the principal instigator of these insults. He was a man of talents and learning ; and by acier and his condescending manners, religious zeal, and untiring persever- conduct. ance, he had greatly endeared himself to the tribe. He had re-
* Cape Breton was an Island still claimed by the French ; who contended that it did not pass to the English when the French resigned to them " all Nova-Scotia and Acadia, with its ancient boundaries." The F'rench took possession of it in August, 1713, and called it Isle-Royal .- See ante, treaty of Utrecht, 30th March, 1713 .- 2 Holmes' Am. Ann. p. 85-6.
t According to Charlevoix, the Indians sang the war-song in 1720; and the place of general rendezvous was at " Narantsouate," as he spells Nor ridgewock .- 4 New-France, p. 120.
lish plunder-
the Indians.
Rale's char-
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A. D. 1720. sided with them and been their tutelar father, thirty years ; and many of them he had taught to read and write. To render their devotion an incentive to violence, it is said, he kept a banner fig- ured with a cross, which was encircled by bows and arrows ; and while he was giving them absolution before they proceeded to war, or upon any hostile expedition, he was in the habit of sus- pending the flag from a tall standard at the door of his chapel ;* aware of the advantages gained, if he could give every bold sally of the Indians, the character of a crusade. Fond of epistolary cor- respondence, he kept up a constant intercourse with Vaudreuil, the Governor of Canada ; giving him an account of every settlement, fort, or other enterprise, commenced by the English ; and receiv- ing in return, advices how to incite and direct the Indians against the settlers. He sent Governor Shute a very bold letter, filled with curious logic, to prove the exclusive rights of the Indians to the country they inhabited. t
Measures proposed to seize him.
The different branches of the government were not agreed what course was best to be pursued against him. The House resolved to send a warrant to John Leighton, sheriff of York- shire, and orders unto Col. Walton, to attend him with a military guard of 150 men, and directed them to proceed to Norridge- wock, seize the Jesuit, and bring him to Boston dead or alive ;- offering them a reward of £500 for his body, besides the usual wages. If he could not be found, or if the tribe refused to pro- duce him, it was ordered, that several of the principal Indians be seized and conveyed to Boston. But the Council non-concurred the resolve, thinking a reward of £200, large enough ; and at the same time, believing, in view of the present posture of our affairs with this tribe, that it was inexpedient to send any armed force. The Board were extremely anxious to perpetuate peace ; while the Governor considered the resolve equivalent to a declar- ation of war, and a direct " invasion of the prerogative."} It
* 2 Belk. N. H. p. 41. t See appendix to JOHN PICKERING'S Essay on the Orthography of the Indian Languages in North-America, p. 40-2 : who having examined the Jesuit's MS. Dictionary of the " Abnaki" language, gives him the name RâLE, as the orthoepy, though often spelt Rasles and Ralle. Mr. Picker- ing says, that Dictionary is divided into two parts-1st, 205 leaves are French and Indian ; 2d, 25 leaves are Indian and French or Latin.
#2 Hutch. Hist. p. 219.
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would necessarily prevent a negotiation, which was still devoutly A. D. 1720. anticipated ; and hence, the proposition of the House was post- poned.
To the Indians at Penobscot, who as a tribe had not been con- The tribe at cerned in the late mischiefs, there was given the value of £40 addressed. Penobscot in presents ; also a courteous letter was addressed to them,-in hopes to perpetuate their forbearance. At the same time, it was represented to the General Court, by a memorial from the rep- resentatives of York, Kittery, Berwick, and Wells, that more than 100 men had volunteered or been detailed from these towns Soldiers in Maine. to join Col. Walton, leaving the places weak and exposed. The House therefore resolved, that they be relieved by substitutes from other counties, and that not another soldier be detached nor enlisted in Yorkshire. As to the propriety of these measures, and the expediency of attempting another conference with the Indians and sending them a missionary, all parties were well agreed :- in other respects there was no political concord be- tween the Governor and House.
It being at length discovered, that Notaries public, hitherto Notaries appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, were such civil offi- public. cers as ought to be chosen by the Legislature ; the House at once on their part made the election, and sent the list to the Council for their concurrence :- they being ever afterwards elected by the General Court. In the present instance, all the House intended, was to shew an independence of the Execu- tive ; and the most the Governor could do, was to raise doubts, if they ought by the charter to be sworn,-protesting against this fresh encroachment upon his prerogative.
An election, in the ensuing May, 1721, was made a subject of still greater scrutiny. This was the choice of Paul Dudley, Paul Dud- now the third time elected into the Council for Sagadahock. Jey, Coun. He was a son of the late Governor, and a Judge upon the su- Sagada- cillor for preme bench ; a man equally distinguished for his talents, learn- hock. ing and integrity. But he was the successor of Mr. Cooke, late Councillor for that Province ; and a supporter of Gov. Shute's administration. His residence was in Roxbury; and it was surmised, that he was not the proprietor of any lands within the territory for which he was elected. In the discussion before a Committee of the House, appointed to investigate the subject, the judge supposed the enquiry into his qualifications was too
A. D. 1721.
The case of
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A. D. 1721. late ; it should have been made, if ever, before the election, or certainly before he was sworn. He said he was willing to exhib- it his deed to any individual member, desirous to see it; but must decline to lay it upon the speaker's table, as required ; for it was well known, there were various claimants to tracts in Sag- adahock, and the House might vote his own deed insufficient, and prejudice the title. Dissatisfied entirely with this answer, the House voted it to be an affront, and his refusal to produce his deed, abundant evidence of his being a non-proprietor; and resolved, that his election was void. But in consequence of the Council's non-concurrence, he held his seat through the year ; and it is said, that afterwards every non-resident Councillor elect, made affidavit that he was a proprietor, before he took his seat and official oath at the Board.
People be- gin to re- move.
Party-spirit was yet only one of the many causes, which ren- dered the current spring gloomy. So many were the fears of a rupture with the Indians, that few or no new settlements were un- dertaken ; and some of those which had been revived, were des- ponding ; while several families had already submittted to an abandonment of their homes .* Nothing could present a greater discouragement ;- and the Governor about midsummer issued a Proclamation, requiring ' the inhabitants to remain upon their 'estates and keep possession of the country.' But who could expect obedience to a mandate so extraordinary ? If their own property and habitations had no allurements sufficient to prevent removals, it were unreasonable to expect, they would tarry mere- ly to form a barrier against the hostile natives.
Gov.Shute's proclama- tion.
Loans of bills.
Trade was again declining ; and the large loans of paper money, made by statute orders of the Legislature on a pledge of lands, were oppressive to debtors, though the government had been the gainer by a gradual depreciation. More than a year before this, it was ascertained, for instance, by the Commissioners of York- shire, Messrs. Preble, Leighton, Came and Plaisted, that this county had received loans to the amount of £100,000.+ As enterprise declined, and the prospect of a continued tranquillity receded, trespasses in the woods were less frequent ; and the
* Mr. Hutchinson (2 Hist. p. 209,) says, settlements were deserted, in 1720 .- Ib. p. 236.
t Yet they were to be discharged, if they would pay a balance in specie of £50, 19s. 9d. [9 Mass. Rec. 1719,]-a considerable sum at this period.
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Legislature with great coolness, declared it an encroachment upon A. D. 1721 his Majesty's rights, to fell trees fit for masts ; and then resolved, Mast-trees that whenever they were cut into logs, these should be taken into
and logs. custody for the use of the Province.
There was evidently a numerous peace-party among the In- Views of the dians themselves ; and some believed the tribes in general to be as Indians. averse to war as the colonists. The chiefs had frequent parleys with the inhab tants, and officers at the forts, in which they ex- hibited good sense and a just regard for their rights. " We have, " (said they,) fought for our lands three times, and if there be " need we are ready to fight for them again :" still 'we love the ' songs and " calumet" of peace, and are ready to give an carn- ' est of our sincerity.'
About this time, there was a great meeting of them at Nor- The Cani. ridgewock, for the choice of a chief to succeed Toxus, lately deceased. The old men and those averse to war, acting con- Boston. trary to the wishes of Rale, selected Oui-kou-i-rou-menit, a well known advocate for pacific measures. It was a joyful occasion ; and it would seem, there were English emissaries present. In the subsequent conference, the Sagamores agreed to inquire into the injuries committed by the Indians, and as a pledge of their fidelity, presented the English a lot of beaver skins, with a promise of 200 in all ; consenting to send also, four hostages to Boston, as sureties for the good behavior of the tribe, as well as for a reparation of the damages sustained by the inhabitants. May 18. Rale was extremely displeased with these transactions, and im- mediately despatched a runner, with a letter of particulars to the Governor of Canada.
When Vaudreuil received the intelligence, he pronounced the Vaudreuil's Sagamores, deluded dupes, who had basely betrayed the interests letter. of their tribe into the hands of the English. Nay, in his reply to Rale, he says, the faint hearts of your Indians in giving hos- tages for damages done those, who would drive them from their native country, have convinced me, that the present is a crisis in which a moment is not to be lost. Therefore I have applied to the villages of St. Francois and Becancourt, and prevailed upon them to support with vigor their brethren at Norridgewock, and send a deputation to the place appointed for negotiating the proposed treaty, who dare let the English know, they will have VOL. II. 14
bay send 4 hostages to
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A. D. 1721. to deal with other tribes than the one at Norridgewock, if they continue their encroachments.
To keep the Indians in a state of irritability, and inspire them the natives. with courage and firmness, the Governor and Intendant of Cana- Rale and da, sent Father de la Chase, and Lieut. de Croisel to Norridge- wock, with instructions to visit Penobscot, and engage their chiefs to be present at the anticipated negotiation, and strengthen their brethren ;- also to assure them, that if the French should not in fact join them, they will assist them with as much ammunition as may be needed. At this time the Indians had chapels at St. Francois, at Norridgewock, and at Penobscot,* lately built; in all which they were usually supplied with the instructions of cath- olic priests. Having received from these apostles, lectures strongly tinctured with Romish fanaticism, the Indians oftentimes left home, resolved to persist in their demands, and in their first talk with the Colonists, accordingly appeared obstinate and inso- lent. But either through a consciousness of the fair conveyances actually made to the English, or an ardent desire of quietude ; they presently softened to a better temper, and frequently gave the proprietors and settlers, fresh assurances of enjoying their lands without molestation. These favorable symptoms lasted till they saw Rale; and so often had his malignity, pride and offi- cious interference awakened among the Indians new complaints, that the people of the Province, for good reasons, ranked him " among the most infamous villains," and would have given more for his head, than for an hundred scalps of the natives.
August 4. 'The Indians sick.
About the first of August, a body of 200 Indians, borne in 90 visit Arrow- canoes, and attended by Rale, la Chase, Croisel, and Castine the younger, arrived at Padeshal's Island, in Georgetown. They were well armed, well clad, and appeared under French colors. The leaders proceeded to Arrowsick Island, and in the course of their interview with Captain Penhallow, the commander of the garrison, they presented him with a letter addressed to Governor Shute, purporting to be in the name of several tribes, and posi- tively declaring, that if the settlers did not remove in three weeks, Their threats the Indians would come and kill them all, destroy their cattle and burn their houses : for, added they, 'you Englishmen have taken
** Father Lauverjat was the missionary to the Penobscot tribe.'-Cor- respondence between him and Rale.
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' away the lands which the Great God has given our fathers and A. D. 1721. ' us.'
The escape of the hostages from their residence upon an Isl- Their host- and near Boston, soon afterwards, induced strong fears that a ages escape. storm was gathering, which would fall upon some unsuspecting, or unguarded part of the frontiers. Expresses were forthwith despatched into the eastern Provinces, to inform the soldiery, gar- risons, and people, of the escape, and caution them against sur- prise ; also to make reprizals of all Indians seen armed, and de- tain thiem, till the hostages either surrendered themselves or were recovered.
The General Court, being specially convened, resolved, Aug. The Indians 23d, upon a course of measures against the Indians, which they as rebels denounced termed, a prosecution for rebellion. Besides ordering 300 men to be raised for the eastern service, the legislature issued a man- datory proclamation, requiring the tribes to surrender Rale, and every Jesuit priest, and all rebels, and to make ample satisfaction for all injuries past ; or else the Indians, whereever found, would be seized and sent to Boston. If there were opposition, force must be repelled by force.
Some supposed this procedure rash ; and many good people remembered with pain, how many of the government's stipula- tions, made or renewed in the treaty of Arrowsick and at other times, had never been performed. No trading houses had been erected ; no smiths or armorers had been provided at the public charge for the accommodation of the Indians ; no places had been publicly established, where in a fair barter they could ex- change their furs and skins for provisions, ammunition, clothing and other articles. Perhaps traders had defrauded them, and hunters provoked them ; and the veins of war when once opened, could not be easily closed.
Though the hostages were taken and returned to the castle, Hostages and consequently the war measures relaxed ; the quota of 300 returned ; men were raised, and put under Col. Thaxter, and Lieut. Col. in pay. Goffe ; and the violence of prejudice against Rale, ran to such a height, that it was determined by the House, to have him brought to Boston a prisoner or a corpse, without farther delay. But the Governor scrupled, if any of these rash measures against the
yet 300 men
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A. D. 1721. tribes were expedient or prudent ; and the process to take the Jesuit was again postponed .*
younge ..
The case of As Castine the Youngert was with the party that lately ap- Castine the peared in array at Arrowsick Island ; some of our eastern soldie- ry, under the general order to seize such Indians as were seen in arms, took him into custody and sent him to Boston. To in- dict and try him for rebellion, or treachery, before the Superior Court in Suffolk, as the House were ready to order, would be putting him on trial in one county, contrary to law, for an of- fence committed in another ; and therefore a committee was ap- pointed to examine him. Castine was a cautious sensible man, favored with the gift of address; and in the investigation, he professed as he had uniformly done, the highest friendship and respect for the English. He affirmed, that he had lately return- ed from a tour abroad,-to prevent his tribe from doing mischief; and solemnly promised, that he would use his utmost endeavors to keep the Indians in a state of peace. It would have been diffi- cult, in fact, even to describe his offence, and it was unjust to de- tain him. His influence was great among the Sagamores ; his representations were plausible and apparently sincere : and at last he was discharged. The arrest of him was in itself cruel ; and any punishment inflicted upon him would have been a disgrace to the government.#
Attempts to take Ral ..
Early in the November session, the General Court resolved, that there were reason's still existing, sufficient to prosecute " the
* 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 244.
t See ante, A. D 1713. Charlevoix [4th vol. N. F. p. 115-17.] says the English despatched a vessel to his residence which was on the borders of the sea ; where Castine came on board, and they carried him to Boston. He was then brought to the bar, and interrogated : - ' why did you attend ' the conference ?- in what capacity ?- Did not Vaudreuil send you there ? ' -What means your French uniform ?'-Answer by Castine -I have al- ways lived with my kindred and people ; my mother was one of them ; I had the command of them ; and I would not fail to attend a meeting where their interests were at stake. But I received no orders from Vaudreuil to attend. My habit is only an uniform suited to my birth and condition ; for I have the honor of being an officer under the French king .- Charlevoix adds, that he was set at liberty after five months.
# Castine the younger, eldest son of Baron de St. Castine, lived with his maternal relations ; and in 1721, became acknowledged chief of the In- dians ; his muster roll imports him to be a chieftain, and " his coronet de- signates his claim to nobility."-8 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 256, new series.
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" Eastern Indians for their many breaches of covenant ;" and in A: D. 1721. December, a party was ordered to Norridgewock, under Col. Thomas Westbrook, to seize the notorious Rale. They arrived at the village undiscovered, but before they could surround his house, he escaped into the woods, leaving his books and papers, in his chest or "strong box," which they brought off without doing any other damage. Among the papers were his letters of correspondence with the Governor of Canada, by which it ap- peared, that he was deeply engaged in exciting the Indians to a rupture, and had promised to assist them .*
Since, however, there had not hitherto been in all these collis- ions any blood shed ; the government suddenly changed its more vigorous or violent measures, to schemes calculated to sof- ten the asperities of the Indians ; and sent a valuable present to Bomaseen, an old influential sachem of Norridgewock, in hopes to enlist his influence on the side of reconciliation. t
At the ensuing session, in May, a petition was presented to the A. D. 1722. May.
Legislature by John Smith and other proprietors of North-Yar- North-Yar- mouth, t praying that the township might be re-established, and seuilsd. mouth le- suitable persons appointed to revive and manage the resettlement, in lieu of the trustees designated under President Danforth ; and proposing to have the proprietary settlers augmented to sixty. Accordingly, William Tailer, Elisha Cooke, William Dudley, John Smith and John Powell were appointed trustees, who held their meetings in Boston, five years; but afterwards within the township. The heirs or assigns of Gendell, Royall, Lane, Shep- perd, and a few others, held their " old farms ;" otherwise no re- gard was paid to the original allotments, nor to quitrents. About 106 compact, or contiguous house-lots, severally of ten acres,
* 8 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 252, 2d series .- One book was a Dictionary of the Abenaques language ;- deposited in the library of Harv. College. + 2 Hutch. Hist. p 247.
# See ante, A. D. 1680 .- North-Yarmouth had laid waste, since it was destroyed by the Indians, A. D. 1688 .- The Rev. Ammi R. Cutter settled, Sept. 1730, and dying in 1763, was succeeded the next year, by Rev. Ed- ward Brooks; and he by Rev. T. Gilman, in 1769, who died in 1809. The next minister was Rev. F. Brown ;- afterwards, President of Dartmouth College. The town has been divided. Freeport was incorporated in 1789; Pownell, in 1808; Cumberland, in 1821 .- North-Yarmouth was first represented in the General Court in 1759; and in 1760, by Jeremiah Powell .- North-Yarmouth Records.
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A. D. 1722. were laid out ; to which were annexed marsh-flats, each of four acres, and portions of the whole township, equal to 500 acres to each individual, besides Island-rights. Lots were also appropri- ated for the use of the ministry, the first settled clergyman, and schools ; and it seems, the fort was finished, being now occupied by a small garrison. The progress of settlement was slow ; yet within the succeeding eight years, a meeting-house, fifty feet by forty, was erected, and the Rev. Mr. Cutter, ordained. North- Yarmouth was an important township, forming a connecting link between Georgetown and the towns westward upon the seaboard.
Exertions to revive new settlements suspended.
This was the last effort made for several years, to effectuate any new settlements. Our relations with the Indians were assum- ing a bad posture ; and unhappily for the Province, the Governor and House were far from entire concord, in a single measure. He had expected an established salary of £1,000 by the year, whereas he was allowed only an annual stipend of £500 in de- preciating currency, less in fact that £200 sterling. There had been a late instance, when he could not so much as obtain a vote of the House to give an Indian tribe £10, though it were for the purpose of perpetuating a peace. At length, tired of controversy, without popularity, pleasure, or emolument, he suddenly formed the resolution of leaving the chair, which he had filled six years Gov. Shute and two months ; and in December he embarked for England. Here he lived upon a liberal pension, to the advanced age of four- score years. If he were not endowed with great abilities for government, and if he sometimes indulged in amusements incon- sistent with his official station, he was a true lover of liberty ; and had it been his lot to rule in times when the waves of party-spirit had not run so high, his administration would not have been un- popular.
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