USA > Virginia > The generall historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer isles: with the names of the adventurers, planters, and governours, from their first beginning, an. 1584. To this present 1626. With the proceedings of those severall colonies > Part 21
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Vol. 2-FE
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226
Their conditions of peace.
sasoyts with him, with certaine skinnes, and certaine tooles they had got that we had left in the woods at their alarums: much friendship they promised and so departed, but Samosel would not leauc vs, but fained himselfe sicke, yet at last he went to entreat the Saluages come againe to confirme a peace: now the third time, as we were consulting of our Mar- shall orders, two Saluages appeared, but when we went to them they vanished: not long after came Samoset and Squin- to, a natiue of Patuxet where we dwell, and one of them carried into Spaine by Hunt, thence brought into England, where a good time he lined; and now here signified vnto vs, their great Suchem of Massasout, with Quadaquina his bro- ther, and all their men, was there by to see vs: not willing to send our Governour, we sent Edward Wollisto with pre- sents to them both, to know their minds, making him to vi- derstand by his Interpreters how King lunes did salute him and was his friend; after a little conference with twenty of his men, he came ouer the brooke to our Plantation, where we set him vpon a rug, and then brought our Gouernour to him with Drums and Trumpets; where after some circum- stances, for they vse few compliments, we treated of peace with them to this effect.
That neither he nor any of his should iniury or doe hurt to any of vs; if they did, he should send vs the offender, that we might punish him, and we would doo the like to him: it any did vniustly warre against bim, we would aid him, as he should vs against our enemies, and to send to his neighbour confederates to certifie them of this, that they might likewise be comprised in these conditions, that when any of them came to vs, they should loque their Bow and Arrowes be- hinde them, as we would out perces when we came to them. all which the King seemed to like well of, and was applaud- ed of his followers, in his person hee is a very lusty man, iu his best yeeres, an able body, graue of countenance, and spare of specch: in li attire little differing from the rest: af- ter all was done, the Governonr conducted him to the brooke. but kept our hostage till our messengers returned: in like manner we vsed Quoddaquins, so all departed good friends.
Two of Hispeople would hatte staied with ys, but wee would not permit them, only Someezt and Squanto wee entertained kindly; as yet wee haue found they hitend to keepe promise, for they have not buurt one men they have found stra ring
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227
A journey to Pakanoki.
in the Woods, and are afraid of their powerfull Aduersaries the Narrohiggansets, against whom hee hopes to make vse of our helpe. The next day Squanto went a fishing for Eelcs, and in an hogre he did tread as many out of the One with his feet as he could lift with his hand, not hauing any other instrument.
But that we might know their habitations so well as they ours, Stephen Hopkins and Edicord Winslo had Squantum for their guide and Interpreter; to Packanoki, the habitation of the King of Massisout, with a red horsemans coat for a pre- sent, to entreat him by reason we had not victuall to enter- taine them as we would, he would defend his people so much from visiting vs: and if hee did send, he should alwaies send with the Messenger a copper Chaine they gaue him, that they might Know he caine from him, and also give them sonie of his Corne for seede: that night they lodged at Numascet, some fifteene miles off: by the way we found ten or tivelue wo- men and children that still would pester vs till we were weary of them, perceiung it is the manner of them, where victuall is to bee gotten with most ease, there they will liue: but on that Riuer of Namaschet haue beene many habitations of the Saluages that are dead, and the land lies waste, and the Ri- uer abounding with great plenty of fish, and hath beene much frequented by the French.
The next day trauelling with sixe or seuen Indians, where we were to wade oner the River, did dwell onely two old men of that Nation then liuing, that thinking vs enemies, sought the best adnantage they could to fight with vs, with a wonderfull shew of courage, but when they knew vs their friends they kindly welcomed vs: after we came to a towne of the Massasoits, but at Pakanoki the King was not: towards night he arrived and was very proud, both of our message and presents, making a great oration to all his people, Was not he Massasoit, Commander of the country about him, was not such a towne his, and the people of it, and 20. townes more he named was his? and should they not bring their skins to vs? to which they answered, they were his and they would; victuall they had none, nor any lodging, but a poore planke or two, a foot high from the ground, wheron his wife and he lay at the one end. we at the other, but a thin Mat vpon them, two more of his chiefe men pressed by and vpon vs, so that we were worse weary
228
Their voyage to Nawsit.
of our lodging then of our journey. Although there is such plenty of fish and fowle and wild beasts, vet are they so lasie they will not take paines to catch it till meere hunger con- straine them for in two or three daies we had scarce a meales meat, whereby we were so faint, we were glad to be at home: besides what for the fleas, and their howling-and singing in the night in their houses, and the Musketas without doores, our heads were as light for want of sleepe, as our bellies empty for want of meat. The next voiage we made was in a Shallop with ten men to Naicsit, sixteene miles from vs, to fetch a Boy was lost in the Woods we heard was there, whom Aspinet their King had bedecked like a saluage. but very kindly he brought him to vs, and so returned weil to Patuyet [Patuxet.]
[1621] Immediately after the arriuall of the last ship, they sont another of fiue and Gfty tans to supply them: with seuen and thirty persons they set sode in the bushming of July, but being crossed by westernly winds, ic was the end of August ere they could passe Plimoth, and arrived in New-England at New-Plimoth, now so called the 11. of Nouember, where they found all the people they left so ill, lusty and well for all their ponerties, except six that died: a moneth they stayed ere they returned to England, loaded with Clap-boord, Wainscot and Wallout with about three hogs-heads of Beuer skinnes the 13. of December: and drawing neere our coast was set on by a French man set out by the Marquesse of Cera, Gouernour of Ile Der, where they kept the ship, im- prisoned the Master and company, tooke from them to the value of 500 pound, and after 14, daies sent them home with a poore supply of victuall, their owne being deuoured by the Marquesse and his hungry seruants.
Now you are to vaderstand this 37. brought nothing, but relied wholly on vs to make vs more miserable then before, which the Sachem Couunacus no sooner understood, but sent to Tusquantum our Interpreter, a bundle of new arrowes in a Snakes skinne; T'usquantum being absent, the Messenger departed, but when we understood it was a direct challenge, we returned the skin full of powder and shot, with an absolute dedance, which caused vs finish our fortification with all ex pedition. Si, betviss nur mo Salvages, Ta. quantum and Hobbumoc. ge w such great emulation, we had much adue to know wnien best to trust. In a journey we vadertooke,
229
Their journey to the Tomne of Namnaschet.
in our way we met a Saluage of Tusquantums, that had cut his face fresh bleeding, to assure vs Massasoyt our supposed friend, bad drawne his forces to Packanokick to assault vs .-- Hobomak as confidently assured vs it was false, and sent his wife as an espy to see; but when she percelucd all was well, shee told the King Massasoyt how Tusquantum had abused him, divers Saluages also hee had caused .to belecto we would destroy them, but he would doe his best to appease vs; this he did onely to make his Country-men beleene what great power hee had with vs to get bribes on both sides. 10 make peace or warre when he would, and the more to pos- sesse them with feare, he perswaded many we had buried the plague in our store house, which wee could send when we listed whither wee would, but at last all his knauery be- ing disconered, Messasoundt sent his knife with Messengers for his head or him, being his subiect; with much adoe we appeased the angry King and the rest of the Saluages, and freely forgave Tusquantum, because he speaking our Jan- guage we could not well be without him.
A journey to the Towne of Namaschet, in defence of the King of Massasoyt, against the Narrohiggan- ses, and the supposed death of Squantum.
A GREAT difference there was betwist the Narrohigginses and the Massasoytes, that had alwaies a icalousie: Combatant one of their pretty Sachems was too conuersant with the Nur- rohigganses, this Coubutant lined much at Namaschet, and much stormed at our peace with his King and other : also at Squantum, and Tokamahamon, and Hobonak our friends, and chiefe occasioners of our peace, for which he sought to murther Hobomak, yet Tokumahamon went to him vpon a rumour he had taken Masasoyt prisoner, or forced him from his Country, but the other two would not, but in priuate to see if they could heare what was become of their King: lodg- ing at Namaschet they were discovered to Combatant, who surprized the house and tooke Squentin, saving, i have were dead the English had lost their tongue; Hobomak spring that.
230
They surprise the Saluages.
and Coubatant held a knife at his brest, being a strong lusty fellow, brake from them and came to New-Plimoth, full of - sorrow: for Squantum, whom he thought was slaine.
The next day we sent ten men with him armed to be re- uenged of Coubatant, who conducted vs neere Namaschet, where we rested and refreshed our selues til- midnight, and then we beset the house as we had resolved; those that entred the house demanded for Combatant, but the Saluages were halfe dead with feare, we charged them not to stirre, for we came to hurt none but Coubutant for killing Squantum, some of them seeking to escape was wounded, but at last perceiu- ing our ends, they told vs Coubutant was gone and all his men, and Squantum was yet lining, and in the towne: in this hurly burly we discharged two pieces at randome, which much terrified all the inhabitants except Squantum and To- kamahamon, who though they knew not the end of our comming, vet assured themselues of our bonesties. that we would not hurt them; the women and children hung about Hobomal, calling him friend, and when they saw we would hurt no women, the young youths cryed we are women; to be short, we kept them all, and whilest we were searching the house for Coubutant, Hobomak had got to the top, and called Squantum and Tokamahamon, which came vnto vs accompanied with others, some armed, others naked, those that had bowes we tooke them from them, promising them againe when it was day: the house wee tooke for our quarter that night and discharged the prisoners, and the next mor- ning went to breakfast to Syventums boas ; thither came all them that loued vs to welcome vs, but all Combatants faction was fled, then we made them plainly know the cause of our comming, and if their King Mossasoyt were not well, we would be renenged ypon the Narrohiggansets, or any that should doc iniury to Hobonta' Squantum, or any of their friends: as for those were wounded we were sorry for it, and offered our Sargion should beale them, of this offer a mon and a woman accepted, that went home with vs, accompa - nied with Squantum, and many other knowne friends, that offered vs all the kindnesse they could.
From the West of England there is gone ten or twelve ships to fish, which were all well fraughted: those that came first at Bilbor. nord . seventeene pound a single share, besides Powers, Otters, and Martins skinnes: but some of the rest thai
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Notes and Observations.
came to the same ports, that were all ready furnished, so glutted the market. that the price was abated, yet all return- ed so well contented, that they are a preparing to goe acaine. [1622] There is gone from the West Country onely to tell. fue and thirtie ships, and about the last of Aprill two more from London; the one of one hundred tunnes, the other of thir- tie with some sixtie Passengers to supply the Plantation. Now though the Turke and French hath beene some w hat too bu- sie in taking our ships, would all the Christian Princes Le truly at vnitie, as his Rovall Majestic our soveraigne king James desireth, seuentie Saile of good ships were sufficient to fire the most of his Coasts in the Levant, and make such a guard in the Straights of Hellespont, as would make the great Turke himselfe more affraid in Constantinople then the smallest Red-Crosse that crosses the Seas would be, ei- ther of any French Pickaroun, or the Pirats of Algere.
eln abstract of diners Relations sent from the Colony in New-England, July 16. 1622.
SINCE the massacre in Virginia, though the Indians con- tinue their wonted friendship, yet wee are more wary of them then before; for their hands hath beene imbrued in much Eng- lish bloud, onely by too much confidence, but not by force, and we have had sinall supplies of any thing but men. Here I must intreat a little your fauours to digresse, they did not kill the English in Virginia, because they were Christians: but for their weapons and Copper, which were rare nouel- ties: but now they feare we may beat them out of their dens, which Lions and Tigers will not admit but by force. But must this be an argument for an English man, and dispon- rage any in Virginia or News-England: No, for I hane tried them both, as you may reade at large in the Intmile of ITr- ginia; notwithstanding since I came from theace, the Ho- nourable Company hath beene hustle sites to his Mais- tie, to get vagabonds and condemned men to go thither; nas, so the businesse hath barne so abused, that so much scorned was the name of Virginie come dit Nue to be Fringed ere
232
They lived two yeeres without supply.
they would goe thither, and were: Yet for all the worst of spight, detraction, and discouragement, and this lamentable massacre, there is more honest meu now suiters to goe, then euer hath beene constrained knaues. And it is not vnknowne to most. men of understanding, how happy many of those Collumners hath thought themselves that they might be ad- mitted; and yet pay for their passage to goe now to Virginia, and I feare mee there goeth too many of those, that hath shifted heere till they could no longer; and they will vso that qualitie there till they hazard all.
To range this Country of New- England in like manner, 1 had but eight, as is said, and amongst their bruit conditions, I met many of their silly encounters, and I giue God thankes, without any hurt at all to me, or any with inee. When your West-Countrev men were so wounded and tormented with the Saluages, though they had all the Politicke directions that had beene gathered from all the secret informations could be heard of, yet they found little, and returned with nothing. I speak not this out of vaine-glory, as it may be some gleaners, or some who were neuer there may censure me: but to let all men be assured by those examples, what those Saluages are, that thus strangely doe murder and be- tray our Countrey-men: but to the purpose;
The Paragon with thirtie seuen men sent to releeue them. miscaried twice vpou our English Coast, whereby they failed of their supplies. It is true, there hath beene taken one thon- sand Bases at a draught; and in one night twelve Hogsheads of Herrings: but when they wanted all necessaries both for fishing and sustinance, but what they could get with their naked industry, they indared most extreme wants, hauing beene now neere two yeeres without any supply to any pur- pose, it is a wonder how they should subsist, much lesse so to resist the Saluages, fortifie themselues, plant sixtie acres of Corne, besides their Gardens that were well replenished with many vsuall fruits. Bat in the beginning of luly came in two ships of Master festons, though we much wanted our selues, yet we releeued them what we could: and to re- quite vs, they destroied our Corne and Fruits then planted. and did what they could to haue done the like to vs. Al last they were transported to Wichasuscusset at the Masse- chusets, where they abused the Saluages worse then vs. We kauing neither Trade, nor scarce any thing remaining, God
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How the Saluuges contrive to murder all the English. 233
sent in one Master Iones, and a ship of Westons had beene at Monahigan amongst the Fisher-men, that for Beuer skinnes and such Merchandize as wee had, very well refresh- ed as, though at deere rates. Weston left also his men a small Barke, and much good prouision, and so set saile for England. Then wee ioyned with them to trade to the Sealaward of Cape Cod, twice or thrice wee were forced to returne; first by the death of their Gouernor; then the sick- nesse of Captaine Standish. At last our Gouernor Master Bradford vndertooke it himselfe to haue found the passage betwixt the Shoules and the Maine, then Tusquantum our Pilot died, so that we returned to the Massachusets, where we found the trade spoiled, and nothing but complaints be- twixt the Saluages and the English. At Naiset, we were kindly vsed and had good trade, though we lost our Barge, the Saluages carefully kept both her wracke, and some ten Hogsheads of Corne three moneths, and so we returned some by land, some in the ship.
Captaine Standish being recouered, went to fetch them . both, and traded at Nimasket and Monomete, where the peo- ple had the plague, a place much frequented with Dutch and French. Here the Sachem put a man to death for killing his fellow at play, wherein they are so violent, they will play their coats from their backs, and also their wiues, though many miles from them. But our prouision decaying, Stan- dish is sent to Muttachist, where they pretended their wonted loue; yet it plainly appeared they intended to kill him. Es- caping thence, wee went to Monomete, where we found nothing but bad countenances. Heare one Withiramat a notable villaine, would boast how many French and English hee had slaine: This Champion presenting a Dagger to the Sachem Canacum he had got from the English, occasioned vs to understand how they had contrived to murder all the English in the Land, but having such a faire opportunitie, they would begin here with vs. Their scornfull vsage made the Captaine so passionate to appease his anger and choler, their intent made many faire excuses for satisfaction Scur a lusty Saluage, alwaies seeming the most to effect vs, bestow- ed on vs the best presents he had without any recompence, saying; Hee was rich enough to bestow such fauours on his friends, vet had vndertaken to kill the Captaine himselfe, but our vizilencies so preuented the advantage they expected,
Vol. 2-F F
234
The sicknesse of King Massasowat:
we safely returned, little suspecting in him any such treach- ery.
During this time a Dutch ship was driuen a shore at Mas- sasowat, whose King lay very sicke, now because it is a ge- nerall custome then for all their friends to visit them: Master Winslow, and Master Homiden, with Habamok for their guide, were sent with such Cordialls as they' had to salute him; by the way they so oft beard the King was dead, Hi- bamok would breake forth in those words, My louing; Sacheat, my louing Sachem, many haue I knowne, but neuer any like thee, nor shall euer see the like amongst the Saluages: for be was no lier, nor bloudy and cruell like other Indians, in anger soone reclaimed, he would be ruled by reason not scorul- ing the aduice of meane men, and gouerned his men better with a few strokes, then others with many: truly louing where he loued, yea he feared wee had not a faithfull friend left amongst all his Countrey-men, shewing how oft he had res- trained their malice; much more with much passion he spoke to this purpose, till at last we arrived where we found the Dutchmen but newly gone, and the house so full we could hardly get in. By their charmes they distempered vs that were well, much more him that was sicke, women rubbing him to keepe heat in him; but their charmes ended, vnder- standing of vs, though he had lost his sight, his vnderstand- ing failed not; but taking Winslow by the hand, said, Art thou Winslow, Oh Winslow, I shall nouer see thee againe! Hobamock telling him what restauratiues they had brought, he desired to taste them, with much adoe they got a little Confexion of many comfortable Conserues into his mouth, as it desolued he swallowed it, then desoluing more of it in water, they scraped his tongue, which was al furred and swolne, and washed his mouth, and then gaue him more of it to eat, and in his drinke, that wrought such an alteration in him in two or three honres, his eies opened to our great contents: with this and such brothes as they there provided for him, it pleased (rod be recovered: and thus the manner of his sickenesse and cure caused no small admiration amongst them.
During the time of their stay to see his recouery, they had sent to New Plimoth for diuers good things for him, which. he tooke so kindly, that he fully reucaled all the former con- spiracies against s- to which he had often beone moved;
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The valeur and courage of Captaine Standish. 235
and how that all the people of Powmet, Nareset, Succonet, Muttachist, Manamet, Augawam, and Caparac. were ioyn- ed to murder vs: therefore as we respecicd our lives, kill them of Massachuset that were the authors; for take away the principals and the plot will cease, thus taking our leaues, and arriving at our fort, we found our braue liberall friend of Pamet drawing Standish to their Ambuscados, which being thus discouered, we sent him away, as though he knew nor suspected any thing. Them at the Massachusets, some were so vilde they serued the Saluages for victuall, the rest sent vs word the Salgages were so insolent, they would as- sault them though against their Commission, so fearefull they were to breake their Commission, so much time was spent in consultations, they all were famished, till Wassapi- newat againe came and told them the day of their execution was at hand.
'Then they appointed Standish with eight chosen men, vn- der colour of Trade to catch them in their owne trap at Mus- sachuset, and acquaint it with the English in the Towne, where arriving he found none in the Barke; and most of the rest without Armes, or scarce clothes, wandering abroad, all so sencelesly secure, he more then wondered they were not all slaine. with much adoe he got the most of them to their Towne. The Saluages suspecting their plots discoured, Pecksnot a great man, and of as great a spirit, came to Hubu- mak, who was then amongst them, saying; Tell Standish we know he is come to kill ys, but let him begin when he dare. Not long after many would come to the Fort and whet their Kniues before him, with many brauing speeches. One amongst the rest was by Wittowramat bragging he had a Knife, that on the handle had the picture of a womans fare, but at home [ haue one hath killed both French and English, and that hath a mans face on it, and by and by these two must marrie: but this here, by and by shall see, and by and by eat, but not speake; Also Pecksnot being of a greater stature then the Captaine, told him, though he were a great Captaine he was but a little man, and I though no Suchem, yet I am of great strength and courage. These things Standish bare pa- tiently for the present; but the next day seeing he could not get many of them together, but these two Roarers and two more being in a convenient roome, and his company about him, Standish seased on Pecksnots Knife then hanging about
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The Saluages ouer commed.
his necke, wherewith he slew him, and the rest slew Wirtu- wamat and the other Saluage, but the youth they tooke, who being Brother to Winavamm. and as villanous as himself, was hanged. It is incredible how many wounds they inder- ed, catching at their weapons without any feare o: brott. ill the last gasp. Habamack stood by all this time verv silent, but all ended, he said, Yesterday Pecksnot bragged of his strength and stature, but I see you are big enough to lay him on the ground.
The Towne he left to the guard of Westons people: three Saluages more were slaine; vpon which rumour they all fled from their houses. The next day they met with a file of Saluages that let fly their Arrowes, shot for shot till Hoba- mack shewed himselfe, and then they fled. For all this, a Saluage Boy to shew his innocency, came boldly into vs and told vs: Had the English Fugitives but finished the three Canowes they were a making. to have taken the ship, they would have done as much to all the English, which was the onely cause they had forborne so long. But now consulting and considering their estates, those that went in the Pinnace to Barty Hes to get passage for England, the rest to You Plimoth, where they were kindly entertained. The Suchem Obtakeest, and Powas, and divers other were guilty. the three fugitives in their fury there slew; but not long after so distracted were those poore scattered people, they left their habitations, liuing in swamps, where with cold and infinito diseases they endured much mortalidio, suing for peace, and crying the God of England is angry with them. Thus you see where God pleases, as some flourish, others perish.
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