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 15
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Arrival at the fort.
* He was the son of Capt. James Frye of Andover. The death of this " amiable and promising young gentleman," was the more lamented, be- cause he had with him the journal of their march, which was lost.
t As their march was circuitous, it is stated by one account, that the dis- tance was forty miles ; but by Dr. Belknap, " about twenty-two miles," __ 2 Hist. N. H. p. 53.
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and pork, which gave seasonable relief, and renovated spirits, to A. D. 1725. the returning sufferers.
From this place they endeavored to proceed homeward ; and A return of after enduring the most severe famine and hardships, they arrived 17 home. one after another, at the outer settlements-where they met with every demonstration of joy. They were afterwards handsomely rewarded for their valor and sufferings ; and a generous provision was likewise made, for the widows and children of the slain .*
Such were the particulars of ' Lovewell's memorable fight,' or Decline of ' the battle of Pegwacket ;' which broke the heart and spirit of ques. the Abena the Sokokis natives. In a short time, they withdrew, and resided ° no more in those pleasant and ancient dwelling-places, till peace. After this event, the star of the tribe, pale and declining, gradu- ally settled in darkness. Their fate and the fall of Norridge- wock, struck the surviving warriors with terror ; and the broken Abenaques shivered on the brink of destruction.
Col. Tyng and Capt. White, with attendants from Dunstable, The bodies subsequently went to the spot ; and having found the bodies of and his slain of Lovewell twelve, buried them at the foot of an aged pine, and carved their companions names on the trees where the battle was fought.t At a short distance, they found three Indian graves which they opened ; one of the bodies being known, as that of their great warrior Paugus, It was perceived that the wounded savages had been removed ; tracks of blood being traced on the ground to a great distance .- The parties contended manfully, and won imperishable glory. Again and again has this place, so distinguished by departed valor, been visited by the stranger, eager to pay deserved tribute to the names of those, who have so richly added to our revenue of honor.
It was understood, that several of the Indians could not repress Chamber- their resentments at the losses they had sustained ; and especially young Pauw lain and the son of Paugus, was determined at some future period to sate gus.
* Wyman was presented with a silver hilted sword, and a captain's com- mission ; Lingfield was made an ensign; and the General Court granted £1,500,-to be distributed among the bereaved widows and children .- Penhallow .- Strange as it may seem, writers have observed, that a week before this engagement happened, it had been reported in Portsmouth at the distance of SO miles, with little variation from the truth .- 2 Belknap's N. H. p. 57,
{ Bullets have been cut out of the trees within a few years.
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A. D. 1725. his vengeance on Chamberlain for killing his father. By passing two or three days in the neighborhood, without any apparent bu- siness, he was suspected ; and Chamberlain had a hint of the probable design. Acquainted with the Indian character, he presently saw the snare, and therefore cut a spy-hole over his outer door, through which early on a subsequent morning, he dis- covered the Indian behind his wood-pile, with his gun aimed di- rectly at the door .- No more was heard of the savage ;- possi- bly the same old fusee sent both the father and the son to their long account. Chamberlain said he was never to be killed by an Indian. He told, that once when working at night in a saw- mill, he suddenly stooped, and an Indian fired over him without effect, though so near, that he in return broke the scull of the savage with a crow-bar .*
A more vig- orous prose- war. The events of this spring, and the unfavorable report of the cution of the Commissioners, lately returned from Canada, t prompted gov- ernment to a more vigorous prosecution of the war.# At the May session, the General Court resolved to replenish all the eas- tern garrisons with ammunition and provisions ; to offer volun- teers greater wages,-as means of ensuring a full and speedy en- listment ; to take into employ a larger number of friendly or chris- tian Indians ; and to send another expedition to Penobscot. As- sistance was also to be requested from the other New-England colonies ; and complaints spread before the king himself against the government of Canada,-on account of the succours and en- couragement afforded the Indians, and the unpardonable conduct of the French, in which they were allowed to purchase and treat English subjects, as slaves, even in times of national peace.§
'Thoughts of peace
The mission to Canada and the determinate spirit of the peo- ple, were not without good and extensive effects. Both the French and the Indians looked upon the course they had taken, with deep concern. The Indian hostages, who had been de- tained at Boston during the war,|| were extremely impatient of restraint ; and one of them and a captive were allowed on their parole to visit their countrymen. After an absence of two months and upwards, they returned, and reported, that 'the los-
* Rev. Thomas Symms' Hist. of the battle, p. 18. + Ante, A. D. 1724. # " This," said Lieut. Gov. Dummer, I hope with a Divine blessing, will bring the enemy to submission and equitable terms."
§ 11 Mass. Rec. p. 324 .- 2 Belk. N. H. p. 64. || Ante, A. D. 1721.
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' ses the tribes met with, and the daily terror they were under, A. D. 1725. ' made their lives miserable ;- that they were generally disposed ' to peace ;- and that Indians, lately met at Penobscot, had agreed ' to propose a negotiation.' Promising to return in twenty-three days with a delegation of chiefs, they were permitted again to visit their brethren.
Three unfortunate occurrences happening at this juncture, had A village on almost extinguished every hope of immediate peace. It would destroyed, Penobscot seem, that after Col. Westbrook and his party, had destroyed May. the principal Indian village at Penobscot, between two and three years since,* the French and natives had, with a diligence un- usual for them, established and built another, three leagues below, on the westerly bank of the same river. It was a pleasant, ele- vated and well chosen site,f a few rods from the water, and easily fortified by stockades. It was easier of access from the salt water than the former ; and was a league above the moutlı of the Kenduskeag stream, which an enemy could ford with con- venience, only in times of drought. Hearing of this village, re- puted to consist of six or seven cottages which had cellars and chimnies, a chapel, and between 40 and 50 wigwams, Capt. Jo- seph Heath, commanding at fort Richmond, proceeded with his company in May, " from Kennebeck across the country to Pe- nobscot, fell upon the deserted village of about 50 Indian houses," and committed them to the flames. The Tarratines who were a wary people, probably had some intimation of the expedition, for the party saw none of the native inhabitants.į It was a bold enterprize ; but it being ascertained on their return to the garrison at St. George's river, that a conference had been proposed by the Indians ;§ the particulars were never made topics of any considerable remark. The village destroyed, situate on " Fort- Hill," as the English have always called it, is supposed to have
* Ante, A. D. 1723.
t It is in Bangor. Being so near the head of the tide and bend of the river, above which is quick water, it was a resting place and resort of the Indians before the village was built. The appearance of Indian cornfields in the vicinity were apparent, when the place was first visited by some of the oldest present settlers. # See 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 286.
§ 11 Mass. Rec. p. 396-8.
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A. D: 1725. been the ancient Negas .* It was never repaired ; the Indians afterwards returning and reseating themselves at Old-town.
June 20. A flag of truce at- tacked.
The second occurrence, June 20th, reflected much dishonor upon the English character. This was a violent assault by a scout from the garrison at St. Georges', upon a party of Indians under a flag of truce, bound to the fort. There was for a few minutes a smart combat between them, in which one of the scout was killed and another wounded. The best excuse which could be rendered or framed for this error, was the honest jeal- ousy, excited by repeated instances of savage treachery.
Affray with Castine the younger.
Nor does the third exhibit a better dress or appearance. As the story is told-Castine the younger was in a small bark, at anchor near Naskeag point, [viz. the south-east point of Sedg- wick,] and had with him on board, an Indian boy, perhaps his own son, and an English lad, by the name of Samuel Trask, be- longing to Salem, whom he " had redeemed from the Indians." Though he was thoughtless of evil, the moment the crew of an approaching English sloop were near enough, they fired upon him, and obliged him and the boys to quit the bark, and flee into the woods for the safety of their lives. The master of the sloop, now changing his conduct, and hoisting a white flag, called unto him loudly to return ; offered him a safe-conduct in writing ; and declared, he only desired to have a free trade and intercourse with him. Yet shortly after he had ventured to go with the lads on board of the sloop, the master first threw him a bag of bis- cuit, and then took from him the young captive, exclaiming,- your bark and all it contains are in fact lawful prize, and your- self might be made a prisoner ;- so you may now think yourself favored, to go without molestation or further loss .- This insult, which was duly felt, was presently aggravated by one of the crew, who after going with them ashore, suddenly seized the In- dian boy and held him fast. Castine, perceiving the clench to be violent and unprovoked, shot the sailor dead, and escaped with the boy into the woods.t The conduct of these mariners, was a great reproach to them, and in every respect, the height of im-
* See ante, vol. 1, Chap. 18, p. 472-3; also ante, March, A. D. 1723 .- Some remains of this village are still apparent. Neither Penhallow, Belknap, nor Sullivan mentions Heath's expedition.
+ Penhallow's Indian War .- 1 Coll. N. II. Hist. Soc. p. 120.
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policy ; for the Indians were now entertaining thoughts of peace, A. D. 1725. and Castine, who still possessed great influence among them, had more than once attested his magnanimity, by instances of friend- ship, and a forbearing spirit towards the English .*
Although these events did indeed retard the second return of A confer- the Indian messengers to Boston, they at length arrived; and George's John Stoddard, and John Wainwright, were appointed Commis- fort. sioners to treat with the eastern Indians, and settle the prelimina- ries of peace. In about a week after their arrival at St. Georges' fort, July 2, they had a conference with a body of thirteen July 2. chiefs. The Commissioners first enquired-why the Indians had made war upon the settlers ?- ' Because,' said the Sagamores, ' you have taken our lands even so far as Cape-Newagen, where ' you have beaten two of our Indians to death.'-No, replied the Commissioners, we bought the lands, and have your fathers' deeds, and can shew them .- If our men did kill yours, it was wrong ; yet why did you take the hatchet, and not, according to treaty, first tell our government ?- ' We now tell you,' added the chiefs, ' we are for peace, and we propose to call our young men ' from the war.'-So pacific a temper induced the appointment of a meeting in Boston, at the end of forty days, to settle and sign tlie articles of a treaty.
In the mean time, the garrison at North-Yarmouth was furi- Other mis- ously assailed, though without any fatal effect. Also two vessels Indians. being seized by the enemy at Damariscove, were committed to the flames, and the masters and crews, consisting of seven men and a boy, were carried to Sagadahock and barbarously beat to death. Fortunately, however, this was among the last efforts of the eastern Indians ; and closed the scene of blood for the pres- ent year.
Early in November, four eminent Sagamores arrived at Bos- Nov. 10. ton, in behalf of the eastern Indians ' at Penobscot, Norridge- ' wock, St. John's, Cape Sables, and other tribes within New- ' England and Nova Scotia,' to negotiate a treaty with the gov- ernment of Massachusetts. In the discussion, which lasted more
* After this we hear no more of Castine .- See ante, A. D. 1726 ; also his character, A. D. 1713, ante. He was in France in 1722; [4 Charlevoix's N. F. p. 117 ;] and it is supposed he did not live very many years after his return.
VOL. IJ.
19
ence at St.
chief by the
Indian em- bassy at Boston.
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A. D. 1725. than a month,* the House proposed to open a trading house in the garrison at St. Georges', and immediately replenish it with articles necessary for the Indians to the amount of £700, in lieu of establishing an imaginary boundary line due west from Teconnet falls to Saco, so much insisted upon by the Sagamores. The delegates at last agreed to the substitute, provided the supplies were full and constant, and the trade fair and free.
The articles of the treaty.
A treaty was then concluded, in which the Indians engaged to abstain from all further hostilities ; to maintain a firm and invio- late friendship with the English, and never to combine against them. All captives on either side were to be set free without ransom and without delay ; and all the estates and possessions of the English in the eastern country were to be enjoyed by them unmolested ;- the Indians reserving to themselves the lands and liberties, not conveyed to the English nor possessed by them, together with " the privileges of fishing, hunting, and fowling, as formerly." The whole trade and intercourse between the par- ties were to be regulated by the government of Massachu- setts, and all wrongs sustained by either, were to be redressed in due course of law and justice. If any Indians, engaged in the late war, should refuse to accede to this treaty and ratify it, the chiefs from Penobscot pledged the faith of the tribe, that their young men should join the English, to bring the opposers into submission. The delegation, in behalf of the tribes named, then submitted to the English sovereign, in as full and ample a manner as their predecessors had done ; and agreed to ratify the treaty at Falmouth, in May ensuing.
Signed, Dec. 15.
It was signed, December 15, 1725, by the four Sagamore delegates ;+ and has since been denominated " Dummer's Trea- ty ;" than which, none other ever made by the parties, has been more celebrated or lasting.
These encouraging indications of a settled peace, induced the General Court to make provision without delay, for the establish-
* The Indians insisted, that the English should abandon Fort Richmond and the block-house at St. George .- But the House utterly refused to leave either .- 12 Mass. Rec. p. 88.
t Their names were Sauguaaram, alias Loron ; Arerus ; Francois Xa- vier ; and Meganumba.
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ment of trading houses at forts Richmond and St. Georges'; and A. D. 1726. to discharge in January, most of the troops from public service. Troops dis-
charged.
The conference appointed at Falmouth, for ratifying the treaty, owing to postponement and a refusal to meet the Sagamores at Pemaquid, was not opened till July 30th : and even at that late day, the Lieutenant-Governors of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, and a delegate from the Nova Scotia government,-a great num- ber of Councillors and Representatives,-" a fine train of young gentlemen,"-and a "good guard," had been in waiting at Fal- mouth nearly a fortnight. About forty chiefs of the Indians then appeared with Wenemovet, a Tarratine Sagamore, at their head ; who declared he had full power to act for the " Canibas [Nor- ridgewocks,] the Anasagunticooks, the St. Francois Indians, and the Wawenocks ; having received a letter and two belts of wam- pum, from Canada, as tokens of their wishes to be included in the treaty. Loron was their chief speaker, and the parleys were renewed daily, in which the chiefs discovered great shrewdness, wisdom and deliberation. On Saturday, they were reminded of the approaching Lord's day, when no business might be done .- Ay, said Loron, to-morrow is our sabbath too-we keep that day .- On Monday, their request was earnest, that none of our vessels in harbor, nor taverns ashore, be permitted to sell their young men liquors :- to which, Mr. Dummer assured them, positive orders should be given to that effect.
When all the paragraphs of the treaty were deliberately rehears- The ratifi- ed and interpreted to them, and the whole sufficiently discussed, treaty at it was ratified in the meeting-house," August 6, sealed and signed Falmouth. by William Dummer, John Wentworth, Paul Mascerene, and several Provincial Councillors ; and by Wenemovet, " chief Sachem," and twenty-five others of his associates. +
* All was " concluded with a public dinner."-Smith's Jour. p. 14.
+ This treaty is entire in Penhallow's Indian Wars .- 1 Coll. N. H. Hist. Soc. p. 123, 132 : and here his interesting " History of the wars of New- " England with the eastern Indians"-terminates. In the Secretary's office at Boston, the treaty itself may be seen with all the signatures, and the re- spective marks, or family figures of the Indians. Though it is represent- ed that all the chiefs or sachems present, were from Penobscot ; it is pre- sumed that Egeremet [or Agareemett,] one of the signers, was from Pas- samaquoddy, or Machias ; and that Francois Xavier, another signer, lived
cation of the
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A. D. 1726. Closing in- ferview,
At the close of the interview, Lieut, Governor Dummer put these enquiries :- Since the Abenaques are not represented, what measures will you take for the safety of our frontiers ?- Will you lay your commands on the other tribes to preserve the peace entire? and should any hostile acts be committed, will you resent such misdemeanors ?- Loron replied, 'your people must be care- ' ful. We shall make all the Indians know of the peace. They 'must keep it. Let any of the tribes rise against your people or 'ours, we shall make them set down by force. We understand 'what we speak, and not one word shall fail.'
French take umbrage,
The French took great umbrage at this treaty, and determin- ed to prevent its operations. Captives taken from the frontiers had been sold to them for trifles,-then large ransom demand- ed and paid, and plunder was made merchandize in Canada. In short, the French were the only gainers by these Indian wars ; and the Governor of Canada, availing himself of the first op- portunity, met ' the chiefs of the eastern Indians' from "nine castles"* or encampments, and told those who stood up in favor of the treaty, he would call away from their habitations all the missionaries ;- they never should have any more presents from his royal master, nor any further assistance or protection from his Governor. But he made the others a present of 800 lbs. of powder, and said, he had orders from his master to furnish them with what they needed to prosecute the war; adding, that " four parties had lately gone out against New-England."
Concluding instances of outrage.
The fruits of this policy were soon manifest in different places. One John Baptiste, his son, and three Indians, undertaking, in Au- gust, to seize a Plymouth fisherman, in a harbor of Nova-Scotia, were overcome, carried to Boston, tried for piracy, condemned, and executed. Two families were assaulted in October, at Ken- nebunk river, a mile below the present post road ; where Mrs. Baxter and her child were killed ; and John Durrell and several other persons were carried into captivity. Philip Durrell and his son went into the field, about two hours before sunset, leaving at home a family of four persons. Returning at twilight, he found
at St. John's. For the three Etechemin tribes, viz. the Tarratines, the Openangos and the Marechites, always acted in concert .- Sce ante, chap, 19, vol. I.
* See Rev. Dr. B. Colman's Letter .- 6 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 112.
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they were all gone, his house rifled and on fire .* It was after- A. D. 1726. wards ascertained, these outrages were committed by savages from St. Francois, and Becancourt, who were uniformly under the influence of the Canadian Governor.
In the frequent correspondence, which Mr. Dummer was hold- ing with the eastern Sagamores, they gave him the fullest assur- mores pro- mote the
'I he Saga-
ances of their determination to preserve and perpetuate the peace. peace. -Ahanquid wrote-that seven Indians had visited his tribe, to Ahanquid. move them to renew the war, but, said he, we have refused .- - Egeremet told Capt. Heath, that when the chief men of his tribe Egeremet. returned from hunting, he would find out what Indians had been guilty of the late wicked actions .- Wenunganet wrote thus from net. Wenunga St. George to Mr. Dummer :- " We look upon such Indians as " much our enemies as yours, and think ourselves as much in " danger from them as any of your people do. We are resolved " to have satisfaction, for the wrong done."-Morcus, the chief Sagamore at Kennebeck, told Capt. Giles, he had sent by Cana- Morcus. vas to the Anasagunticooks and those tribes-not to hurt the En- glish, for he had received from them great kindness. Yes, said he, and I will stand by the peace so long as God gives me breath. -Loron wrote to Mr. Dummer ;- ' Never let the trading houses Loron. ' deal in much rum. It wastes the health of our young men. It ' unfits them to attend prayers. It makes them carry ill both to ' your people and their own brethren. This is the mind of our ' chief men. I salute you, great Governor, and am your good ' friend.'-Wivurna, another Sachem, who had been a brave and Wivurna's bloody warrior, possessed a soul alive to true honor and great- 16. ness ; being himself softened and charmed by a spirit of firmness and justice witnessed in Mr. Dummer. His letter to the Lieut. Governor, October 16th, is, for its good sense and peculiar Indian style, worthy to be transcribed .-- Brother-" I am fully satisfied ; " for all the blood, that before lay boiling in my breast, is flow- " ed away. Now I much labor for peace in our land. Should " any windy clouds arise, I would make haste to inform you,- " that they might do us no harm. In three things you make my " heart glad. My grandson, that was dead, is alive and returned " to me safe. Canavas, that was taken, comes home well ;- he " is encouraged to do good service. Your kindness to me and
letter, Oct.
* Doctor Coleman's letter .- Sullivan, p. 230.
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A. D. 1726. " my people, I am thankful for. I am now old and gray-headed ; " -- I have seen many good gentlemen, English, French, and In- " dians,-and many of them are dead. But of all, I have not " found like Governor Dummer, for steadfastness and justice. If I " were a Sagamore and young, the first thing I did, should be to " see you. But as I am old and not able to travel, I heartily salute " you, my good friend. Farewell. WIVURNA."
The Indians losses.
The commencement of winter closed the hostile movements of the Indians. Their courage, their humanity, and their other military virtues, had not appeared in either of the wars to better advantage. Their hardships and sufferings had been great and numerous. It is true there are many instances in which they had acquired to themselves glory, yet it is certain, the fortune of war, especially in the sequel, had greatly turned against them. Two villages on the Penobscot had been laid in ashes; the fate of Norridgewock and Pegwacket was memorable; and a cotem- porary writer of reputation, Mr. Penhallow, in his review of the four Abenaques tribes, supposes, "that one third of them had been destroyed in this war." They made no figure, nor took much part in the treaty ;- the Etechemin tribes, especially the Tarratines taking the lead, and assuming a paramount control.
The colony burdens of the war.
In maintaining the war, the principal pecuniary disbursements were made by the Province of Massachusetts bay. New-Hamp- shire had contributed according to her ability ; though the de- mands upon her were not so frequent and great; nor did she suf- fer so much, as in former wars. This was owing partly to the more extended frontiers of Massachusetts and Maine ; and partly to the more successful stand everywhere made against the com- mon enemy. The whole charge of the war, according to Mr. Penhallow, has been estimated to exceed £170,000; besides watches and wards, the erection and repairs of garrisons and block-houses, which in the aggregate have been computed at £75,000. A disproportion of the latter sum was evidently borne by the people of Maine.
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