to the conclusion that was made in y^e endd. To make any forcible
resistance was farr from their thoughts, (they had enough of y^t about
Kenebeck,) and to live in continuall contention with their freinds &
brethren would be uncomfortable, and too heavie a burden to bear.
Therfore for peace sake (though they conceived they suffered much in
this thing) they thought it better to let them have it upon as good
termes as they could gett; and so they fell to treaty. The first thing
y^t (because they had made so many & long disputs aboute it) they would
have them to grante was, y^t they had right too it, or ells they would
never treat aboute it. The[DP] which being acknowledged, & yeelded unto
by them, this was y^e conclusion they came unto in y^e end after much
adoe: that they should retaine their house, and have the 16. parte of
all they had bought of y^e Indeans; and y^e other should have all y^e
rest of y^e land; leaveing such a moyety to those [214] of New-towne, as
they reserved for them. This 16. part was to be taken in too places; one
towards y^e house, the other towards New-townes proporrtion. Also they
were to pay according to proportion, what had been disbursed to y^e
Indeans for y^e purchass. Thus was y^e controversie ended, but the
unkindnes not so soone forgotten. They of New-towne delt more fairly,
desireing only what they could conveniently spare, from a competancie
reserved for a plantation, for them selves; which made them the more
carfull to procure a moyety for them, in this agreement & distribution.
Amongst y^e other bussinesses that M^r. Winslow had to doe in England,
he had order from y^e church to provid & bring over some able & fitt man
for to be their minister. And accordingly he had procured a godly and a
worthy[DQ] man, one M^r. Glover; but it pleased God when he was prepared
for the viage, he fell sick of a feaver and dyed. Afterwards, when he
was ready to come away, he became acquainted with M^r. Norton, who was
willing to come over, but would not ingage him selfe to this place,
otherwise then he should see occasion when he came hear; and if he liked
better else wher, to repay y^e charge laid out for him, (which came to
aboute 70^li.) and to be at his liberty. He stayed aboute a year with
them, after he came over, and was well liked of them, & much desired by
them; but he was invited to Ipswich, wher were many rich & able men, and
sundry of his aquaintance; so he wente to them, & is their minister.
Aboute half of y^e charg was repayed, y^e rest he had for y^e pains he
tooke amongst them.
_Anno Dom: 1636._
M^R. ED: WINSLOW was chosen Gov^r this year.
In y^e former year, because they perceived by M^r. Winslows later
letters that no accounts would be sente, they resolved to keep y^e
beaver, and send no more, till they had them, or came to some further
agreemente. At least they would forbear till M^r. Winslow came over,
that by more full conferance with him they might better understand what
was meete to be done. But when he came, though he brought no accounts,
yet he perswaded them to send y^e beaver, & was confident upon y^e
receite of y^t beaver, & his letters, they should have accounts y^e
nexte year; and though they thought his grounds but weake, that gave him
this hope, & made him so confidente, yet by his importunitie they
yeelded, & sente y^e same, ther being a ship at y^e latter end of year,
by whom they sente 1150^li. waight of beaver, and 200. otter skins,
besids sundrie small furrs, as 55. minks, 2. black foxe skins, &c. And
this year, in the spring, came in a Dutch man, who thought to have
traded at y^e Dutch-forte; [215] but they would not suffer him. He,
having good store of trading goods, came to this place, & tendred them
to sell; of whom they bought a good quantitie, they being very good &
fitte for their turne, as Dutch roll, ketles, &c., which goods amounted
to y^e valew of 500^li., for y^e paymente of which they passed bills to
M^r. Sherley in England, having before sente y^e forementioned parcell
of beaver. And now this year (by another ship) sente an other good round
parcell that might come to his hands, & be sould before any of these
bills should be due. The quantity of beaver now sent was 1809^li.
waight, and of otters 10. skins, and shortly after (y^e same year) was
sent by another ship (Mr. Langrume maister), in beaver 0719^li. waight,
and of otter skins 199. concerning which M^r. Sherley thus writs.
Your leters I have received, with 8. hoggsheads of beaver by Ed:
Wilkinson, master of y^e Falcon. Blessed be God for y^e safe coming of
it. I have also seen & acceped 3. bills of exchainge, &c. But I must
now acquainte you how the Lords heavie hand is upon this kingdom in
many places, but cheefly in this cittie, with his judgmente of y^e
plague. The last weeks bill was 1200. & odd, I fear this will be more;
and it is much feared it will be a winter sicknes. By reason wherof it
is incredible y^e number of people y^t are gone into y^e cuntry & left
y^e citie. I am perswaded many more then went out y^e last sicknes; so
as here is no trading, carriers from most places put downe; nor no
receiving of any money, though long due. M^r. Hall ows us more then
would pay these bills, but he, his wife, and all, are in y^e cuntrie,
60. miles from London. I write to him, he came up, but could not pay
us. I am perswaded if I should offer to sell y^e beaver at 8s. p^r
pound, it would not yeeld money; but when y^e Lord shall please to
cease his hand, I hope we shall have better & quicker markets; so it
shall lye by. Before I accepted y^e bills, I acquainted M^r. Beachamp
& M^r. Andrews with them, & how ther could be no money made nor
received; and that it would be a great discredite to you, which never
yet had any turned back, and a shame to us, haveing 1800^li. of beaver
lying by us, and more oweing then y^e bills come too, &c. But all was
nothing; neither of them both will put too their finger to help. I
offered to supply my 3. parte, but they gave me their answer they
neither would nor could, &c. How ever, your bils shall be satisfied to
y^e parties good contente; but I would not have thought they would
have left either you or me at this time, &c. You will and may expect I
should write more, & answer your leters, but I am not a day in y^e
weeke at home at towne, but carry my books & all to Clapham; for here
is y^e miserablest time y^t I thinke hath been known in many ages. I
have kno[=w] 3. great sickneses, but none like this. And that which
should be a means to pacifie y^e Lord, & help us, that is taken away,
preaching put downe in many places, not a sermone in Westminster on
y^e saboth, nor in many townes aboute us; y^e Lord in mercie looke
uppon us. In the begining of y^e year was a great [216] drought, & no
raine for many weeks togeather, so as all was burnte up, haye, at
5^li. a load; and now all raine, so as much sommer come & later haye
is spoyled. Thus y^e Lord sends judgmente after judgmente, and yet we
cannot see, nor humble our selves; and therfore may justly fear
heavier judgments, unless we speedyly repente, & returne unto him,
which y^e Lord give us grace to doe, if it be his blessed will. Thus
desiring you to remember us in your prayers, I ever rest
Your loving friend,
JAMES SHERLEY.
Sep^t: 14. 1636.
This was all the answer they had from M^r. Sherley, by which M^r.
Winslow saw his hops failed him. So they now resoloved to send no more
beaver in y^t way which they had done, till they came to some issue or
other aboute these things. But now came over letters from M^r. Andrews &
M^r. Beachamp full of complaints, that they marveled y^t nothing was
sent over, by which any of their moneys should be payed in; for it did
appear by y^e accounte sente in An^o 1631. that they were each of them
out, aboute a leven hundered pounds a peece, and all this while had not
received one penie towards y^e same. But now M^r. Sherley sought to draw
more money from them, and was offended because they deneyed him; and
blamed them hear very much that all was sent to M^r. Sherley, & nothing
to them. They marvelled much at this, for they conceived that much of
their moneis had been paid in, & y^t yearly each of them had received a
proportionable quantity out of y^e larg returnes sent home. For they had
sente home since y^t accounte was received in An^o 1631. (in which all &
more then all their debts, w^th y^t years supply, was charged upon them)
these sumes following.
Nov^br 8. An^o 1631. By M^r. Peirce 0400^li. waight of
beaver, & otters 20.
July 13. An^o 1632. By M^r. Griffin 1348^li. beaver, & otters 147.
An^o 1633. By M^r. Graves 3366^li. bever, & otters 346.
An^o 1634. By M^r. Andrews 3738^li. beaver, & otters 234.
An^o 1635. By M^r. Babb 1150^li. beaver, & otters 200.
June 24. An^o 1636. By M^r. Wilkinson 1809^li. beaver, & otters 010.
Ibidem. By M^r. Langrume 0719^li. beaver, & otters 199.
-------- -----
12150^li.[DR] 1156.
All these sumes were safly rceived & well sould, as appears by leters.
The coat beaver usualy at 20^s. p^r pound, and some at 24^s.; the skin
at 15. & sometimes 16. I doe not remember any under 14. It may be y^e
last year might be something lower, so also ther were some small furrs
that are not recconed in this accounte, & some black beaver at higer
rates, to make up y^e defects. [217] It was conceived that y^e former
parcells of beaver came to litle less then 10000^li. sterling, and y^e
otter skins would pay all y^e charge, & they w^th other furrs make up
besids if any thing wanted of y^e former sume. When y^e former accounte
was passed, all their debts (those of White-Angelle & Frendship
included) came but to 4770^li. And they could not estimate that all y^e
supplies since sent them, & bills payed for them, could come to above
2000^li. so as they conceived their debts had been payed, with advantage
or intrest. But it may be objected, how comes it that they could not as
well exactly sett downe their receits, as their returnes, but thus
estimate it. I answer, 2. things were y^e cause of it; the first &
principall was, that y^e new accountante, which they in England would
needs presse upon them, did wholy faile them, & could never give them
any accounte; but trusting to his memorie, & lose papers, let things
rune into such confusion, that neither he, nor any with him, could bring
things to rights. But being often called upon to perfecte his accounts,
he desired to have such a time, and such a time of leasure, and he would
doe it. In y^e intrime he fell into a great sicknes, and in conclusion
it fell out he could make no accounte at all. His books were after a
litle good begining left altogeather unperfect; and his papers, some
were lost, & others so confused, as he knew not what to make of them him
selfe, when they came to be searched & examined. This was not unknowne
to M^r. Sherley; and they came to smarte for it to purposs, (though it
was not their faulte,) both thus in England, and also here; for they
conceived they lost some hundreds of pounds for goods trusted out in y^e
place, which were lost for want of clear accounts to call them in.
Another reason of this mischeefe was, that after M^r. Winslow was sente
into England to demand accounts, and to excepte against y^e Whit-Angell,
they never had any price sent with their goods, nor any certaine invoyce
of them; but all things stood in confusion, and they were faine to
guesse at y^e prises of them.
They write back to M^r. Andrews & M^r. Beachamp, and tould them they
marveled they should write they had sent nothing home since y^e last
accounts; for they had sente a great deale; and it might rather be
marveled how they could be able to send so much, besids defraying all
charg at home, and what they had lost by the French, and so much cast
away at sea, when M^r. Peirce lost his ship on y^e coast of Virginia.
What they had sente was to them all, and to them selves as well as M^r.
Sherley, and if they did not looke after it, it was their owne falts;
they must referr them to M^r. Sherley, who had received [218] it, to
demand it of him. They allso write to M^r. Sherley to y^e same purposs,
and what the others complaints were.
This year 2. shallops going to Coonigtecutt with goods from y^e
Massachusetts of such as removed theither to plante, were in an easterly
storme cast away in coming into this harbore in y^e night; the boats men
were lost, and the goods were driven all alonge the shore, and strowed
up & downe at high-water marke. But y^e Gov^r caused them to be gathered
up, and drawn togeather, and appointed some to take an inventory of
them, and others to wash & drie such things as had neede therof; by
which means most of y^e goods were saved, and restored to y^e owners.
Afterwards anotheir boate of theirs (going thither likwise) was cast
away near unto Manoanscusett, and such goods as came a shore were
preserved for them. Such crosses they mette with in their beginings;
which some imputed as a correction from God for their intrution (to y^e
wrong of others) into y^t place. But I dare not be bould with Gods
judgments in this kind.
In y^e year 1634, the Pequents (a stoute and warlike people), who had
made warrs with sundry of their neigbours, and puft up with many
victories, grue now at varience with y^e Narigansets, a great people
bordering upon them. These Narigansets held correspondance and termes of
freindship with y^e English of y^e Massachusetts. Now y^e Pequents,
being conscious of y^e guilte of Captain-Stones death, whom they knew to
be an-English man, as also those y^t were with him, and being fallen out
with y^e Dutch, least they should have over many enemies at once, sought
to make freindship with y^e English of y^e Massachusetts; and for y^t
end sent both messengers & gifts unto them, as appears by some letters
sent from y^e Gov^r hither.
Dear & worthy S^r: &c. To let you know somwhat of our affairs, you may
understand that y^e Pequents have sent some of theirs to us, to desire
our freindship, and offered much wampam & beaver, &c. The first
messengers were dismissed without answer; with y^e next we had diverce
dayes conferance, and taking y^e advice of some of our ministers, and
seeking the Lord in it, we concluded a peace & freindship with them,
upon these conditions: that they should deliver up to us those men who
were guilty of Stones death, &c. And if we desired to plant in
Conightecute, they should give up their right to us, and so we would
send to trade with them as our freinds (which was y^e cheefe thing we
aimed at, being now in warr with y^e Dutch and y^e rest of their
neigbours). To this they readily agreed; and that we should meadiate a
peace betweene them and the Narigansetts; for which end they were
contente we should give the Narigansets parte of y^t presente, they
would bestow on us (for they stood [219][DS] so much on their honour,
as they would not be seen to give any thing of them selves). As for
Captein Stone, they tould us ther were but 2. left of those who had
any hand in his death; and that they killed him in a just quarell, for
(say they) he surprised 2. of our men, and bound them, to make them by
force to shew him y^e way up y^e river;[DT] and he with 2. other
coming on shore, 9. Indeans watched him, and when they were a sleepe
in y^e night, they kiled them, to deliver their owne men; and some of
them going afterwards to y^e pinass, it was suddainly blowne up. We
are now preparing to send a pinass unto them, &c.
In an other of his, dated y^e 12. of y^e first month, he hath this.
Our pinass is latly returned from y^e Pequents; they put of but litle
comoditie, and found them a very false people, so as they mean to have
no more to doe with them. I have diverce other things to write unto
you, &c.
Yours ever assured,
JO: WINTHROP.
Boston, 12. of y^e 1. month, 1634.
After these things, and, as I take, this year, John Oldom, (of whom much
is spoken before,) being now an inhabitant of y^e Massachusetts, went
w^th a small vessell, & slenderly mand, a trading into these south
parts, and upon a quarell betweene him & y^e Indeans was cutt of by them
(as hath been before noted) at an iland called by y^e Indeans Munisses,
but since by y^e English Block Iland. This, with y^e former about the
death of Stone, and the baffoyling of y^e Pequents with y^e English of
y^e Massachusetts, moved them to set out some to take revenge, and
require satisfaction for these wrongs; but it was done so superfitially,
and without their acquainting of those of Conightecute & other
neighbours with y^e same, as they did litle good. But their neigbours
had more hurt done, for some of y^e murderers of Oldome fled to y^e
Pequents, and though the English went to y^e Pequents, and had some
parley with them, yet they did but delude them, & y^e English returned
without doing any thing to purpose, being frustrate of their
oppertunitie by y^e others deceite. After y^e English were returned, the
Pequents tooke their time and oppertunitie to cut of some of y^e English
as they passed in boats, and went on fouling, and assaulted them y^e
next spring at their habytations, as will appear in its place. I doe but
touch these things, because I make no question they wall be more fully &
distinctly handled by them selves, who had more exacte knowledg of them,
and whom they did more properly concerne.
This year M^r. Smith layed downe his place of ministrie, partly by his
owne willingnes, as thinking it too heavie a burthen, and partly at the
desire, and by y^e perswasion, of others; and the church sought out for
[220][DU] some other, having often been disappointed in their hops and
desires heretofore. And it pleased the Lord to send them an able and a
godly man,[DV] and of a meeke and humble spirite, sound in y^e truth,
and every way unreproveable in his life & conversation; whom, after some
time of triall, they chose for their teacher, the fruits of whose
labours they injoyed many years with much comforte, in peace, & good
agreemente.
_Anno Dom: 1637._
In y^e fore parte of this year, the Pequents fell openly upon y^e
English at Conightecute, in y^e lower parts of y^e river, and slew
sundry of them, (as they were at work in y^e feilds,) both men & women,
to y^e great terrour of y^e rest; and wente away in great prid &
triumph, with many high threats. They allso assalted a fort at y^e
rivers mouth, though strong and well defended; and though they did not
their prevaile, yet it struk them with much fear & astonishmente to see
their bould attempts in the face of danger; which made them in all
places to stand upon their gard, and to prepare for resistance, and
ernestly to solissite their freinds and confederats in y^e Bay of
Massachusets to send them speedy aide, for they looked for more forcible
assaults. M^r. Vane, being then Gov^r, write from their Generall Courte
to them hear, to joyne with them in this warr; to which they were
cordially willing, but tooke opportunitie to write to them aboute some
former things, as well as presente, considerable hereaboute. The which
will best appear in y^e Gov^r answer which he returned to y^e same,
which I shall here inserte.
S^r: The Lord having so disposed, as that your letters to our late
Gov^r is fallen to my lott to make answer unto, I could have wished I
might have been at more freedome of time & thoughts also, that I might
have done it more to your & my owne satisfaction. But what shall be
wanting now may be supplyed hereafter. For y^e matters which from your
selfe & counsell were propounded & objected to us, we thought not
fitte to make them so publicke as y^e cognizance of our Generall
Courte. But as they have been considered by those of our counsell,
this answer we thinke fitt to returne unto you. (1.) Wereas you
signifie your willingnes to joyne with us in this warr against y^e
Pequents, though you cannot ingage your selves without y^e consente of
your Generall Courte, we acknowledg your good affection towards us,
(which we never had cause to doubt of,) and are willing to attend your
full resolution, when it may most seasonably be ripened. (2^ly.)
Wheras you make this warr to be our peopls, and not [221] to conceirne
your selves, otherwise then by consequence, we do in parte consente to
you therin; yet we suppose, that, in case of perill, you will not
stand upon such terms, as we hope we should not doe towards you; and
withall we conceive that you looke at y^e Pequents, and all other
Indeans, as a co[=m]one enimie, who, though he may take occasion of
y^e begining of his rage, from some one parte of y^e English, yet if
he prevaile, will surly pursue his advantage, to y^e rooting out of
y^e whole nation. Therfore when we desired your help, we did it not
without respecte to your owne saftie, as ours. (3^ly.) Wheras you
desire we should be ingaged to aide you, upon all like occasions; we
are perswaded you doe not doubte of it; yet as we now deale with you
as a free people, and at libertie, so as we cannot draw you into this
warr with us, otherwise then as reason may guid & provock you; so we
desire we may be at y^e like freedome, when any occasion may call for
help from us. And wheras it is objected to us, that we refused to aide
you against y^e French; we conceive y^e case was not alicke; yet we
cannot wholy excuse our failing in that matter. (4^ly.) Weras you
objecte that we began y^e warr without your privitie, & managed it
contrary to your advise; the truth is, that our first intentions being
only against Block Iland, and y^e interprice seeming of small
difficultie, we did not so much as consider of taking advice, or
looking out for aide abroad. And when we had resolved upon y^e
Pequents, we sent presently, or not long after, to you aboute it; but
y^e answer received, it was not seasonable for us to chaing our
counsells, excepte we had seen and waighed your grounds, which might
have out wayed our owne.
(5^ly.) For our peoples trading at Kenebeck, we assure you (to our
knowledge) it hath not been by any allowance from us; and what we have
provided in this and like cases, at our last Courte, M^r. E. W. can
certifie you.
And (6^ly); wheras you objecte to us y^t we should hold trade &
correspondancie with y^e French, your enemise; we answer, you are
misinformed, for, besids some letters which hath passed betweene our
late Gov^r and them, to which we were privie, we have neither sente
nor incouraged ours to trade with them; only one vessell or tow, for
y^e better conve[=a]ce of our letters, had licens from our Gov^r to
sayle thither.[DW]
Diverce other things have been privatly objected to us, by our worthy
freind, wherunto he received some answer; but most of them concerning
y^e apprehention of perticuler discurteseis, or injueries from some
perticuler persons amongst us. It concernes us not to give any other
answer to them then this; that, if y^e offenders shall be brought
forth in a right way, we shall be ready to doe justice as y^e case
shall require. In the meane time, we desire you to rest assured, that
such things are without our privity, and not a litle greeveous to us.
Now for y^e joyning with us in this warr, which indeed concerns us no
other wise then it may your selves, viz.: the releeving of our freinds
& Christian [222] breethren, who are now first in y^e danger; though
you may thinke us able to make it good without you, (as, if y^e Lord
please to be with us, we may,) yet 3. things we offer to your
consideration, which (we conceive) may have some waight with you.
(First) y^t if we should sinck under this burden, your opportunitie of
seasonable help would be lost in 3. respects. 1. You cannot recover
us, or secure your selves ther, with 3. times y^e charge & hazard
which now y^e may. 2^ly. The sorrowes which we should lye under (if
through your neglect) would much abate of y^e acceptablenes of your
help afterwards. 3^ly. Those of yours who are now full of courage and
forwardnes, would be much damped, and so less able to undergoe so
great a burden. The (2.) thing is this, that it concernes us much to
hasten this warr to an end before y^e end of this somer, otherwise y^e
newes of it will discourage both your & our freinds from coming to us
next year; with what further hazard & losse it may expose us unto,
your selves may judge.
The (3.) thing is this, that if y^e Lord shall please to blesse our
endeaours, so as we end y^e warr, or put it in a hopefull way without
you, it may breed such ill thoughts in our people towards yours, as
will be hard to entertaine such opinione of your good will towards
us, as were fitt to be nurished among such neigbours & brethren as we
are. And what ill consequences may follow, on both sids, wise men may
fear, & would rather prevente then hope to redress. So with my harty
salutations to you selfe, and all your counsell, and other our good
freinds with you, I rest
Yours most assured in y^e Lord,
JO: WINTHROP.
Boston, y^e 20. of y^e 3. month, 1637.
In y^e mean time, the Pequents, espetially in y^e winter before, sought
to make peace with y^e Narigansets, and used very pernicious arguments
to move them therunto: as that y^e English were stranegers and begane to
overspred their countrie, and would deprive them therof in time, if they
were suffered to grow & increse; and if y^e Narigansets did assist y^e
English to subdue them, they did but make way for their owne overthrow,
for if they were rooted out, the English would soone take occasion to
subjugate them; and if they would harken to them, they should not neede
to fear y^e strength of y^e English; for they would not come to open
battle with them, but fire their houses, kill their katle, and lye in
ambush for them as they went abroad upon their occasions; and all this
they might easily doe without any or litle danger to them selves. The
which course being held, they well saw the English could not long
subsiste, but they would either be starved with hunger, or be forced to
forsake the countrie; with many y^e like things; insomuch that y^e
Narigansets were once wavering, and were halfe minded to have made peace
with them, and jo[=y]ed against y^e English. But againe when they
considered, how much wrong they had received from the Pequents, and what
an oppertunitie they now had by y^e help of y^e English to right them
selves, revenge was so sweete unto them, as it prevailed above all y^e
rest; so as they resolved to joyne with y^e English against them, & did.
[223] The Court here agreed forwith to send 50. men at their owne charg;
and w^th as much speed as posiblie they could, gott them armed, and had
made them ready under sufficiente leaders, and provided a barke to
carrie them provisions & tend upon them for all occasions; but when they
were ready to march (with a supply from y^e Bay) they had word to stay,
for y^e enimy was as good as vanquished, and their would be no neede.
I shall not take upon me exactly to describe their proceedings in these
things, because I expecte it will be fully done by them selves, who best
know the carrage & circumstances of things; I shall therfore but touch
them in generall. From Connightecute (who were most sencible of y^e hurt
sustained, & y^e present danger), they sett out a partie of men, and an
other partie mett them from y^e Bay, at y^e Narigansets, who were to
joyne with them. Y^e Narigansets were ernest to be gone before y^e
English were well rested and refreshte, espetially some of them which
came last. It should seeme their desire was to come upon y^e enemie
sudenly, & undiscovered. Ther was a barke of this place, newly put in
ther, which was come from Conightecutte, who did incourage them to lay
hold of y^e Indeans forwardnes, and to shew as great forwardnes as they,
for it would incorage them, and expedition might prove to their great
advantage. So they went on, and so ordered their march, as the Indeans
brought them to a forte of y^e enimies (in which most of their cheefe
men were) before day. They approached y^e same with great silence, and
surrounded it both with English & Indeans, that they might not breake
out; and so assualted them with great courage, shooting amongst them,
and entered y^e forte with all speed; and those y^t first entered found
sharp resistance from the enimie, who both shott at & grapled with them;
others rane into their howses, & brought out fire, and sett them on
fire, which soone tooke in their matts, &, standing close togeather,
with y^e wind, all was quickly on a flame, and therby more were burnte
to death then was otherwise slain; it burnte their bowstrings, and made
them unservisable. Those y^t scaped y^e fire were slaine with y^e sword;
some hewed to peeces, others rune throw with their rapiers, so as they
were quickly dispatchte, and very few escaped. It was conceived they
thus destroyed about 400. at this time. It was a fearfull sight to see
them thus frying in y^e fyer, and y^e streams of blood quenching y^e
same, and horrible was y^e stinck & sente ther of; but y^e victory
seemed a sweete sacrifice, and they gave the prays therof to God, who
had wrought so wonderfuly for them, thus to inclose their enimise in
their hands, and give them so speedy a victory over so proud & insulting
an enimie. The Narigansett Indeans, all this while, stood round aboute,
but aloofe from all danger, and left y^e whole [224] execution to y^e
English, exept it were y^e stoping of any y^t broke away, insulting over
their enimies in this their ruine & miserie, when they saw them dancing
in y^e flames, calling them by a word in their owne language, signifing,
O brave Pequents! which they used familierly among them selves in their
own prayes, in songs of triumph after their victories. After this servis
was thus happily accomplished, they marcht to the water side, wher they
mett with some of their vesells, by which they had refreishing with
victualls & other necessaries. But in their march y^e rest of y^e
Pequents drew into a body, and acoasted them, thinking to have some
advantage against them by[DX] reason of a neck of land; but when they
saw the English prepare for them, they kept a loofe, so as they neither
did hurt, nor could receive any. After their refreishing & repair to
geather for further counsell & directions, they resolved to pursue their
victory, and follow y^e warr against y^e rest, but y^e Narigansett
Indeans most of them forsooke them, and such of them as they had with
them for guids, or otherwise, they found them very could and backward in
y^e bussines, ether out of envie, or y^t they saw y^e English would make
more profite of y^e victorie then they were willing they should, or els
deprive them of such advantage as them selves desired by having them
become tributaries unto them, or y^e like.
For y^e rest of this bussines, I shall only relate y^e same as it is in
a leter which came from M^r. Winthrop to y^e Gov^r hear, as followeth.
Worthy S^r: I received your loving letter, and am much provocked to
express my affections towards you, but straitnes of time forbids me;
for my desire is to acquainte you with y^e Lords greate mercies
towards us, in our prevailing against his & our enimies; that you may
rejoyce and praise his name with us. About 80. of our men, haveing
costed along towards y^e Dutch plantation, (some times by water, but
most by land,) mett hear & ther with some Pequents, whom they slew or
tooke prisoners. 2. sachems they tooke, & beheaded; and not hearing of
Sassacous, (the cheefe sachem,) they gave a prisoner his life, to goe
and find him out. He wente and brought them word where he was, but
Sassacouse, suspecting him to be a spie, after he was gone, fled away
with some 20. more to y^e Mowakes, so our men missed of him. Yet,
deviding them selves, and ranging up & downe, as y^e providence of God
guided them (for y^e Indeans were all gone, save 3. or 4. and they
knew not whither to guid them, or els would not), upon y^e 13. of this
month, they light upon a great company of them, viz. 80. strong men, &
200. women & children, in a small Indean towne, fast by a hideous
swamp, which they all slipped into before our men could gett to them.
Our captains were not then come togeither, but ther was M^r. Ludlow
and Captaine Masson, with some 10. [225] of their men, & Captaine
Patrick with some 20. or more of his, who, shooting at y^e Indeans,
Captaine Trask with 50. more came soone in at y^e noyse. Then they
gave order to surround y^e swampe, it being aboute a mile aboute; but
Levetenante Davenporte & some 12. more, not hearing that co[=m]and,
fell into y^e swampe among y^e Indeans. The swampe was so thicke with
shrub-woode, & so boggie with all, that some of them stuck fast, and
received many shott. Levetenant Davenport was dangerously wounded
aboute his armehole, and another shott in y^e head, so as, fainting,
they were in great danger to have been taken by y^e Indeans. But
Sargante Rigges, & Jeffery, and 2. or 3. more, rescued them, and slew
diverse of y^e Indeans with their swords. After they were drawne out,
the Indeans desired parley, & were offered (by Thomas Stanton, our
interpretour) that, if they would come out, and yeeld them selves,
they should have their lives, all that had not their hands in y^e
English blood. Wherupon y^e sachem of y^e place came forth, and an old
man or 2. & their wives and children, and after that some other women
& children, and so they spake 2. howers, till it was night. Then
Thomas Stanton was sente into them againe, to call them forth; but
they said they would selle their lives their, and so shott at him so
thicke as, if he had not cried out, and been presently rescued, they
had slaine him. Then our men cutt of a place of y^e swampe with their
swords, and cooped the Indeans into so narrow a compass, as they could
easier kill them throw y^e thickets. So they continued all y^e night,
standing aboute 12. foote one from an other, and y^e Indeans, coming
close up to our men, shot their arrows so thicke, as they pierced
their hatte brimes, & their sleeves, & stockins, & other parts of
their cloaths, yet so miraculously did the Lord preserve them as not
one of them was wounded, save those 3. who rashly went into y^e
swampe. When it was nere day, it grue very darke, so as those of them
which were left dropt away betweene our men, though they stood but 12.
or 14. foote assunder; but were presenly discovered, & some killed in
y^e pursute. Upon searching of y^e swampe, y^e next morning, they
found 9. slaine, & some they pulled up, whom y^e Indeans had buried in
y^e mire, so as they doe thinke that, of all this company, not 20. did
escape, for they after found some who dyed in their flight of their
wounds received. The prisoners were devided, some to those of y^e
river, and the rest to us. Of these we send y^e male children to
Bermuda,[DY] by M^r. William Peirce, & y^e women & maid children are
disposed aboute in the townes. Ther have been now slaine & taken, in
all, aboute 700. The rest are dispersed, and the Indeans in all
quarters so terrified as all their friends are affraid to receive
them. 2. of y^e sachems of Long Iland came to M^r. Stoughton and
tendered them selves to be tributaries under our protection. And 2. of
y^e Neepnett sachems have been with me to seeke our frendship. Amonge
the prisoners we have y^e wife & children of Mononotto, a womon of a
very modest countenance and behaviour. It was by her mediation that
the[DZ] 2. English [226] maids were spared from death, and were kindly
used by her; so that I have taken charge of her. One of her first
requests was, that the English would not abuse her body, and that her
children might not be taken from her. Those which were wounded were
fetched of soone by John Galopp, who came with his shalop in a happie
houre, to bring them victuals, and to carrie their wounded men to y^e
pinass, wher our cheefe surgeon was, w^th M^r. Willson, being aboute
8. leagues off. Our people are all in health, (y^e Lord be praised,)
and allthough they had marched in their armes all y^e day, and had
been in fight all y^e night, yet they professed they found them selves
so fresh as they could willingly have gone to such another bussines.
This is y^e substance of that which I received, though I am forced to
omite many considerable circomstances. So, being in much straitnes of
time, (the ships being to departe within this 4. days, and in them the
Lord Lee and M^r. Vane,) I hear breake of, and with harty saluts to,
&c., I rest
Yours assured,
JO: WINTHROP.
The 28. of y^e 5. month, 1637.
The captains reporte we have slaine 13. sachems; but Sassacouse &
Monotto are yet living.
That I may make an end of this matter: this Sassacouse (y^e Pequents
cheefe sachem) being fled to y^e Mowhakes, they cutt of his head, with
some other of y^e cheefe of them, whether to satisfie y^e English, or
rather y^e Narigansets, (who, as I have since heard, hired them to doe
it,) or for their owne advantage, I well know not; but thus this warr
tooke end. The rest of y^e Pequents were wholy driven from their place,
and some of them submitted them selves to y^e Narigansets, & lived under
them; others of them betooke them selves to y^e Monhiggs, under Uncass,
their sachem, w^th the approbation of y^e English of Conightecutt, under
whose protection Uncass lived, and he and his men had been faithful to
them in this warr, & done them very good service. But this did so vexe
the Narrigansetts, that they had not y^e whole sweay over them, as they
have never ceased plotting and contriving how to bring them under, and
because they cannot attaine their ends, because of y^e English who have
protected them, they have sought to raise a generall conspiracie against
y^e English, as will appear in an other place.
They had now letters againe out of England from M^r. Andrews & M^r.
Beachamp, that M^r. Sherley neither had nor would pay them any money, or
give them any accounte, and so with much discontent desired them hear to
send them some, much blaming them still, that they had sent all to M^r.
Sherley, & none to them selves. Now, though they might have justly
referred them to their former answer, and insisted ther upon, & some
wise men counselled them so to doe, yet because they beleeved that [227]
they were realy out round sumes of money, (espetialy M^r. Andrews,) and
they had some in their hands, they resolved to send them what bever they
had.[EA] M^r. Sherleys letters were to this purpose: that, as they had
left him in y^e paiment of y^e former bills, so he had tould them he
would leave them in this, and beleeve it, they should find it true. And
he was as good as his word, for they could never gett peney from him,
nor bring him to any accounte, though Mr. Beachamp sued him in y^e
Chancerie. But they all of them turned their complaints against them
here, wher ther was least cause, and who had suffered most unjustly;
first from M^r. Allerton & them, in being charged with so much of y^t
which they never had, nor drunke for; and now in paying all, & more then
all (as they conceived), and yet still thus more demanded, and that with
many heavie charges. They now discharged M^r. Sherley from his agencie,
and forbad him to buy or send over any more goods for them, and prest
him to come to some end about these things.
_Anno Dom: 1638._
This year M^r. Thomas Prence was chosen Gov^r.
Amongst other enormities that fell out amongst them, this year 3. men
were (after due triall) executed for robery & murder which they had
committed; their names were these, Arthur Peach, Thomas Jackson, and
Richard Stinnings; ther was a 4., Daniel Crose, who was also guilty, but
he escaped away, and could not be found. This Arthur Peach was y^e
cheefe of them, and y^e ring leader of all y^e rest. He was a lustie and
a desperate yonge man, and had been one of y^e souldiers in y^e Pequente
warr, and had done as good servise as y^e most ther, and one of y^e
forwardest in any attempte. And being now out of means, and loath to
worke, and falling to idle courses & company, he intended to goe to y^e
Dutch plantation; and had alured these 3., being other mens servants and
apprentices, to goe with him. But another cause ther was allso of his
secret going away in this maner; he was not only rune into debte, but he
had gott a maid with child, (which was not known till after his death,)
a mans servante in y^e towne, and fear of punishmente made him gett
away. The other 3. complotting with him, ranne away from their maisters
in the night, and could not be heard of, for they went not y^e ordinarie
way, but shaped such a course as they thought to avoyd y^e pursute of
any [228]. But falling into y^e way that lyeth betweene y^e Bay of
Massachusetts and the Narrigansets, and being disposed to rest them
selves, struck fire, and took tobaco, a litle out of y^e way, by y^e way
side. At length ther came a Narigansett Indean by, who had been in y^e
Bay a trading, and had both cloth & beads aboute him. (They had meett
him y^e day before, & he was now returning.) Peach called him to drinke
tobaco with them, and he came & sate downe with them. Peach tould y^e
other he would kill him, and take what he had from him. But they were
some thing afraid; but he said, Hang him, rogue, he had killed many of
them. So they let him alone to doe as he would; and when he saw his
time, he tooke a rapier and rane him through the body once or twise, and
tooke from him 5. fathume of wampam, and 3. coats of cloath, and wente
their way, leaving him for dead. But he scrabled away, when they were
gone, and made shift to gett home, (but dyed within a few days after,)
by which means they were discovered; and by subtilty the Indeans tooke
them. For they desiring a canow to sett them over a water, (not thinking
their facte had been known,) by y^e sachems command they were carried to
Aquidnett Iland, & ther accused of y^e murder, and were examend &
comitted upon it by y^e English ther. The Indeans sent for M^r.
Williams, & made a greeveous complainte; his freinds and kinred were
ready to rise in armes, and provock the rest therunto, some conceiving
they should now find y^e Pequents words trew: that y^e English would
fall upon them. But M^r. Williams pacified them, & tould them, they
should see justice done upon y^e offenders; & wente to y^e man, & tooke
M^r. James, a phisition, with him. The man tould him who did it, & in
what maner it was done; but the phisition found his wounds mortall, and
that he could not live, (as he after testified upon othe, before the
jurie in oppen courte,) and so he dyed shortly after, as both Mr.
Williams, M^r. James, & some Indeans testified in courte. The Gov^rt in
the Bay were aquented with it, but refferrd it hither, because it was
done in this jurisdiction;[EB] but pressed by all means y^t justice
might be done in it; or els y^e countrie must rise & see justice done,
otherwise it would raise a warr. Yet some of y^e rude & ignorante sorte
murmured that any English should be put to death for y^e Indeans. So at
last they of y^e iland brought them hither, and being often examened,
and y^e evidence prodused, they all in the end freely confessed in
effect all y^t the Indean accused them of, & that they had done it, in
y^e maner afforesaid; and so, upon y^e forementioned evidence, were cast
by y^e jurie, & condemned, & executed for the same. And some of y^e
Narigansett Indeans, & of y^e parties freinds, were presente when it was
done, which gave them & all y^e countrie good satisfaction. But it was a
matter of much sadnes to them hear, and was y^e 2. execution which they
had since they came; being both for wilfull murder, as hath bene before
related. Thus much of this mater.
[229] They received this year more letters from England full of reneued
complaints, on y^e one side, that they could gett no money nor accounte
from M^r. Sherley; & he againe, y^t he was pressed therto, saying he was
to accounte with those hear, and not with them, &c. So, as was before
resolved, if nothing came of their last letters, they would now send
them what they could, as supposing, when some good parte was payed them,
that M^r. Sherley & they would more easily agree aboute y^e remainder.
So they sent to M^r. Andrews and M^r. Beachamp, by M^r. Joseph Yonge, in
y^e Mary & Anne, 1325^li. waight of beaver, devided betweene them. M^r.
Beachamp returned an accounte of his moyety, that he made 400^li.
starling of it, fraight and all charges paid. But M^r. Andrews, though
he had y^e more and beter parte, yet he made not so much of his, through
his owne indiscretion; and yet turned y^e loss[EC] upon them hear, but
without cause.
They sent them more by bills & other paimente, which was received &
acknowledged by them, in money[ED] & y^e like; which was for katle sould
of M^r. Allertons, and y^e price of a bark sold, which belonged to y^e
stock, and made over to them in money, 434^li. sterling. The whole sume
was 1234^li. sterling, save what M^r. Andrews lost in y^e beaver, which
was otherwise made good. But yet this did not stay their clamors, as
will apeare here after more at large.
It pleased God, in these times, so to blesse y^e cuntry with such access
& confluance of people into it, as it was therby much inriched, and
catle of all kinds stood at a high rate for diverce years together. Kine
were sould at 20^li. and some at 25^li. a peece, yea, some times at
28^li. A cow-calfe usually at 10^li. A milch goate at 3^li. & some at
4^li. And femall kids at 30^s. and often at 40^s. a peece. By which
means y^e anciente planters which had any stock begane to grow in their
estats. Corne also wente at a round rate, viz. 6^s. a bushell. So as
other trading begane to be neglected; and the old partners (having now
forbidden M^r. Sherley to send them any more goods) broke of their trade
at Kenebeck, and, as things stood, would follow it no longer. But some
of them, (with other they joyned with,) being loath it should be lost by
discontinuance, agreed with y^e company for it, and gave them aboute y^e
6. parte of their gaines for it; [230][EE] with y^e first fruits of
which they builte a house for a prison; and the trade ther hath been
since continued, to y^e great benefite of y^e place; for some well
fore-sawe that these high prises of corne and catle would not long
continue, and that then y^e co[=m]odities ther raised would be much
missed.
This year, aboute y^e 1. or 2. of June, was a great & fearfull
earthquake; it was in this place heard before it was felte. It came with
a rumbling noyse, or low murmure, like unto remoate thunder; it came
from y^e norward, & pased southward. As y^e noyse aproched nerer, they
earth begane to shake, and came at length with that violence as caused
platters, dishes, & such like things as stoode upon shelves, to clatter
& fall downe; yea, persons were afraid of y^e houses them selves. It so
fell oute y^t at y^e same time diverse of y^e cheefe of this towne were
mett together at one house, conferring with some of their freinds that
were upon their removall from y^e place, (as if y^e Lord would herby
shew y^e signes of his displeasure, in their shaking a peeces &
removalls one from an other.) How ever it was very terrible for y^e
time, and as y^e men were set talking in y^e house, some women & others
were without y^e dores, and y^e earth shooke with y^t violence as they
could not stand without catching hould of y^e posts & pails y^t stood
next them; but y^e violence lasted not long. And about halfe an hower,
or less, came an other noyse & shaking, but nether so loud nor strong as
y^e former, but quickly passed over; and so it ceased. It was not only
on y^e sea coast, but y^e Indeans felt it within land; and some ships
that were upon y^e coast were shaken by it. So powerfull is y^e mighty
hand of y^e Lord, as to make both the earth & sea to shake, and the
mountaines to tremble before him, when he pleases; and who can stay his
hand? It was observed that y^e so[=m]ers, for divers years togeather
after this earthquake, were not so hotte & seasonable for y^e ripning of
corne & other fruits as formerly; but more could & moyst, & subjecte to
erly & untimly frosts, by which, many times, much Indean corne came not
to maturitie; but whether this was any cause, I leave it to naturallists
to judge.
_Anno Dom: 1639. & Anno Dom: 1640._
These 2. years I joyne togeather, because in them fell not out many
things more then y^e ordinary passages of their co[=m]one affaires,
which are not needfull to be touched. [231] Those of this plantation
having at sundrie times granted lands for severall townships, and
amongst y^e rest to y^e inhabitants of Sityate, some wherof issewed from
them selves, and allso a large tracte of land was given to their 4.
London partners in y^e place, viz. M^r. Sherley, M^r. Beacham, M^r.
Andrews, & M^r. Hatherley. At M^r. Hatherley's request and choys it was
by him taken for him selfe and them in y^t place; for the other 3. had
invested him with power & trust to chose for them. And this tracte of
land extended to their utmoste limets that way, and bordered on their
neigbours of y^e Massachusets, who had some years after seated a towne
(called Hingam) on their lands next to these parts. So as now ther grue
great differance betweene these 2. townships, about their bounds, and
some meadow grownds that lay betweene them. They of Hingam presumed to
alotte parte of them to their people, and measure & stack them out. The
other pulled up their stacks, & threw them. So it grew to a controversie
betweene the 2. goverments, & many letters and passages were betweene
them aboute it; and it hunge some 2. years in suspense. The Courte of
Massachusets, appointed some to range their line according to y^e bounds
of their patente, and (as they wente to worke) they made it to take in
all Sityate, and I know not how much more. Againe, on y^e other hand,
according to y^e line of the patente of this place, it would take in
Hingame and much more within their bounds.
In y^e end boath Courts agreed to chose 2. comissioners of each side,
and to give them full & absolute power to agree and setle y^e bounds
betwene them; and what they should doe in y^e case should stand
irrevocably. One meeting they had at Hingam, but could not conclude; for
their comissioners stoode stiffly on a clawes in their graunte, That
from Charles-river, or any branch or parte therof, they were to extend
their limits, and 3. myles further to y^e southward; or from y^e most
southward parte of y^e Massachusets Bay, and 3. mile further. But they
chose to stand on y^e former termes, for they had found a smale river,
or brooke rather, that a great way with in land trended southward, and
issued into some part of y^t river taken to be Charles-river, and from
y^e most southerly part of this, & 3. mile more southward of y^e same,
they would rune a line east to y^e sea, aboute 20. mile; which will (say
they) take in a part of Plimoth itselfe. Now it is to be knowne y^t
though this patente & plantation were much the ancienter, yet this
inlargemente of the same (in which Sityate stood) was granted after
theirs, and so theirs were first to take place, before this inlargmente.
Now their answer was, first, that, however according to their owne plan,
they could noway come upon any part of their ancieante grante. [232]
Secondly. They could never prove y^t to be a parte of Charles-river, for
they knew not which was Charles-river, but as y^e people of this place,
which came first, imposed such a name upon y^t river, upon which, since,
Charles-towne is builte (supposing y^t was it, which Captaine Smith in
his mapp so named). Now they y^t first named it have best reason to know
it, and to explaine which is it. But they only tooke it to be Charles
river, as fare as it was by them navigated, and y^t was as farr as a
boate could goe. But y^t every runlett or small brooke, y^t should, farr
within land, come into it, or mixe their stremes with it, and were by
y^e natives called by other & differente names from it, should now by
them be made Charles-river, or parts of it, they saw no reason for it.
And gave instance in Humber, in Old England, which had y^e Trente, Ouse,
and many others of lesser note fell into it, and yet were not counted
parts of it; and many smaler rivers & broks fell into y^e Trente, &
Ouse, and no parts of them, but had nams aparte, and divisions &
nominations of them selves. Againe, it was pleaded that they had no east
line in their patente, but were to begine at y^e sea, and goe west by a
line, &c. At this meeting no conclution was made, but things discussed &
well prepared for an issue. The next year y^e same co[=m]issioners had
their power continued or renewed, and mett at Sityate, and concluded y^e
mater, as followeth.
_The agreemente of y^e bounds betwixte Plimoth and Massachusetts._
Wheras ther were tow comissiones granted by y^e 2. jurisdictions, y^e
one of Massachsets Govermente, granted unto John Endecott, gent: and
Israell Stoughton, gent: the other of New-Plimoth Govermente, to
William Bradford, Gov^r, and Edward Winslow, gent: and both these for
y^e setting out, setling, & determining of y^e bounds & limitts of y^e
lands betweene y^e said jurisdictions, wherby not only this presente
age, but y^e posteritie to come may live peaceably & quietly in y^t
behalfe. And for as much as y^e said comissioners on both sids have
full power so to doe, as appeareth by y^e records of both
jurisdictions; we therfore, y^e said comissioners above named, doe
hearby with one consente & agreemente conclude, detirmine, and by
these presents declare, that all y^e marshes at Conahasett y^t lye of
y^e one side of y^e river next to Hingam, shall belong to y^e
jurisdition of Massachusetts Plantation; and all y^e marshes y^t lye
on y^e other side of y^e river next to Sityate, shall be long to y^e
jurisdiction of New-Plimoth; excepting 60. acers of marsh at y^e mouth
of y^e river, on Sityate side next to the sea, which we doe herby
agree, conclude, & detirmine shall belong to y^e jurisdition of
Massachusetts. And further, we doe hearby agree, determine, and
conclude, y^t the bounds of y^e limites betweene both y^e said
jurisditions are as followeth, viz. from y^e mouth of y^e brook y^t
runeth into Chonahasett marches (which we call by y^e name of
Bound-brooke) with a stright & directe line to y^e midle of a great
ponde, y^t lyeth on y^e right hand of y^e uper path, or commone way,
y^t leadeth betweene Waimoth and Plimoth, close to y^e path as [233]
we goe alonge, which was formerly named (and still we desire may be
caled) Accord pond, lying aboute five or 6. myles from Weimoth
southerley; and from thence with a straight line to y^e souther-most
part of Charles-river,[EF] & 3. miles southerly, inward into y^e
countrie, according as is expresed in y^e patente granted by his
Ma^tie to y^e Company of y^e Massachusetts Plantation. Provided
allways and never y^e less concluded & determined by mutuall
agreemente betweene y^e said comissioners, y^t if it fall out y^t the
said line from Accord-pond to y^e sothermost parte of Charles-river, &
3. myles southerly as is before expresed, straiten or hinder any parte
of any plantation begune by y^e Gove^rt of New-Plimoth, or hereafter
to be begune within 10. years after y^e date of these ps^{nts}, that
then, notwithstanding y^e said line, it shall be lawfull for y^e said
Gov^rt of New-Plimoth to assume on y^e northerly side of y^e said
line, wher it shall so intrench as afforesaid, so much land as will
make up y^e quantity of eight miles square, to belong to every shuch
plantation begune, or to [be] begune as afforesaid; which we agree,
determine, & conclude to appertaine & belong to y^e said Gov^rt of
New-Plimoth. And wheras y^e said line, from y^e said brooke which
runeth into Choahassett saltmarshes, called by us Bound-brooke, and
y^e pond called Accord-pond, lyeth nere y^e lands belonging to y^e
tounships of Sityate & Hingam, we doe therfore hereby determine &
conclude, that if any devissions allready made and recorded, by either
y^e said townships, doe crose the said line, that then it shall stand,
& be of force according to y^e former intents and purposes of the said
townes granting them (the marshes formerly agreed on exepted). And y^t
no towne in either jurisdiction shall hereafter exceede, but containe
them selves within y^e said lines expressed. In witnes wherof we, the
comissioners of both jurisdictions, doe by these presents indented set
our hands & scales y^e ninth day of y^e 4. month in 16. year of our
soveraine lord, king Charles; and in y^e year of our Lord, 1640.
WILLIAM BRADFORD, GOV^R.
ED: WINSLOW.
JO: ENDECOTT.
ISRAELL STOUGHTON.
Wheras y^e patente was taken in y^e name of William Bradford, (as in
trust,) and rane in these termes: To him, his heires, and associats &
assignes; and now y^e noumber of free-men being much increased, and
diverce tounships established and setled in severall quarters of y^e
govermente, as Plimoth, Duxberie, Sityate, Tanton, Sandwich, Yarmouth,
Barnstable, Marchfeeld, and not longe after, Seacunke (called afterward,
at y^e desire of y^e inhabitants, Rehoboth) and Nawsett, it was by y^e
Courte desired that William Bradford should make a surrender of the same
into their hands. The which he willingly did, in this maner following.
Wheras William Bradford, and diverce others y^e first instruments of
God in the begi[=n]ing of this great work of plantation, togeather
with such as y^e allordering hand of God in his providence soone added
unto them, have been at very great charges to procure y^e lands,
priviledges, & freedoms from all intanglments, as may appeare by
diverse & sundrie deeds, inlargments of grants, purchases, and
payments of debts, &c., by reason wherof y^e title to y^e day of these
presents [234] remaineth in y^e said William Bradford, his heires,
associats, and assignes: now, for y^e better setling of y^e estate of
the said lands (contained in y^e grant or pattente), the said William
Bradford, and those first instruments termed & called in sondry orders
upon publick recorde, Y^e Purchasers, or Old comers; witnes 2. in
spetiall, the one bearing date y^e 3. of March, 1639. the other in
Des: the 1. An^o 1640. wherunto these presents have spetiall relation
& agreemente, and wherby they are distinguished from other y^e freemen
& inhabitants of y^e said corporation. Be it knowne unto all men,
therfore, by these presents, that the said William Bradford, for him
selfe, his heires, together with y^e said purchasers, doe only reserve
unto them selves, their heires, and assignes those 3. tractes of land
mentioned in y^e said resolution, order, and agreemente, bearing date
y^e first of Des: 1640. viz. first, from y^e bounds of Yarmouth, 3.
miles to y^e eastward of Naemschatet, and from sea to sea, crose the
neck of land. The 2. of a place called Acoughcouss, which lyeth in y^e
botome of y^e bay adjoyning to y^e west-side of Pointe Perill, and 2.
myles to y^e westerne side of y^e said river, to an other place called
Acushente river, which entereth at y^e westerne end of Nacata, and 2.
miles to y^e eastward therof, and to extend 8. myles up into y^e
countrie. The 3. place, from Sowansett river to Patucket river, (with
Cawsumsett neck,) which is y^e cheefe habitation of y^e Indeans, &
reserved for them to dwell upon, extending into y^e land 8. myles
through y^e whole breadth therof. Togeather with such other small
parcells of lands as they or any of them are personally possessed of
or intressed in, by vertue of any former titles or grante whatsoever.
And y^e said William Bradford doth, by y^e free & full consente,
approbation, and agreemente of y^e said old-planters, or purchasers,
together with y^e liking, approbation, and acceptation of y^e other
parte of y^e said corporation, surrender into y^e hands of y^e whole
courte, consisting of y^e free-men of this corporation of New-Plimoth,
all y^t other right & title, power, authority, priviledges,
immunities, & freedomes granted in y^e said letters patents by y^e
said right Honb^le Counsell for New-England; reserveing his & their
personall right of freemen, together w^th the said old planters
afforesaid, excepte y^e said lands before excepted, declaring the
freemen of this corporation, togeather with all such as shal be
legally admitted into y^e same, his associats. And y^e said William
Bradford, for him, his heiers, & assignes, doe hereby further promise
and grant to doe & performe whatsoever further thing or things, acte
or actes, which in him lyeth, which shall be needfull and expediente
for y^e better confirming and establishing the said premises, as by
counsel lerned in y^e lawes shall be reasonably advised and devised,
when he shall be ther unto required. In witness wherof, the said
William Bradford hath in publick courte surrendered the said letters
patents actually into y^e hands & power of y^e said courte, binding
him selfe, his heires, executors, administrators, and assignes to
deliver up whatsoever spetialties are in his hands that doe or may
concerne the same.
[235] In these 2. years they had sundry letters out of England to send
one over to end the buissines and accounte with M^r. Sherley; who now
professed he could not make up his accounts without y^e help of some
from hence, espetialy M^r. Winslows. They had serious thoughts of it,
and y^e most parte of y^e partners hear thought it best to send; but
they had formerly written such bitter and threatening letters as M^r.
Winslow was neither willing to goe, nor y^t any other of y^e partners
should; for he was perswaded, if any of them wente, they should be
arested, and an action of such a su[=m]e layed upon them as they should
not procure baele, but must lye in prison, and then they would bring
them to what they liste; or other wise they might be brought into
trouble by y^e arch-bishops means, as y^e times then stood. But,
notwithstanding, they weer much inclined to send, & Captaine Standish
was willing to goe, but they resolved, seeing they could not all agree
in this thing, and that it was waighty, and y^e consequence might prove
dangerous, to take M^r. Winthrops advise in y^e thing, and y^e rather,
because M^r. Andrews had by many letters acquaynted him with y^e
differences betweene them, and appoynted him for his assigne to receive
his parte of y^e debte. (And though they deneyed to pay him any as a
debte, till y^e controversie was ended, yet they had deposited 110^li.
in money in his hands for M^r. Andrews, to pay to him in parte as soone
as he would come to any agreement with y^e rest.) But M^r. Winthrop was
of M^r. Winslows minde, and disswaded them from sending; so they broak
of their resolution from sending, and returned this answer: that the
times were dangerous as things stood with them, for they knew how M^r.
Winslow had suffered formerley, and for a small matter was clapte up in
y^e Fleete, & it was long before he could gett out, to both his & their
great loss and damage; and times were not better, but worse, in y^t
respecte. Yet, that their equall & honest minds might appeare to all
men, they made them this tender: to refferr y^e case to some gentle-men
and marchants in y^e Bay of y^e Massachusetts, such as they should
chuse, and were well knowne unto them selves, (as they perceived their
wer many of their aquaintance and freinds ther, better knowne to them
then y^e partners hear,) and let them be informed in y^e case by both
sids, and have all y^e evidence y^t could be prodused, in writing, or
other wise; and they would be bound to stand to their determination, and
make good their award, though it should cost them all they had in y^e
world. But this did not please them, but they were offended at it,
without any great reasone for ought I know, (seeing nether side could
give in clear accountes, y^e partners here could not, by reason they (to
their smarte) were failed by y^e accountante they sent them, and M^r.
Sherley pretened he could not allso,) save as they conceived it a
disparagmente to yeeld to their inferiours in respecte of y^e place and
other concurring circomstances. So this came to nothing; and afterward
M^r. Sherley write, y^t if M^r. Winslow would mett him in France, y^he
Low-Countries, or Scotland, let y^e place be knowne, and he [236] come
to him ther. But in regard of y^e troubles that now begane to arise in
our owne nation, and other reasons, this did not come to any effecte.
That which made them so desirous to bring things to an end was partly to
stope y^e clamours and aspertions raised & cast upon them hereaboute;
though they conceived them selves to sustaine the greatest wrong, and
had most cause of complainte; and partly because they feared y^e fall of
catle, in which most parte of their estats lay. And this was not a vaine
feare; for they fell indeede before they came to a conclusion, and that
so souddanly, as a cowe that but a month before was worth 20^li., and
would so have passed in any paymente, fell now to 5^li. and would yeeld
no more; and a goate that wente at 3^li. or 50^s. would now yeeld but
8. or 10^s. at most. All men feared a fall of catle, but it was thought
it would be by degrees; and not to be from y^e highest pitch at once to
y^e lowest, as it did, which was greatly to y^e damage of many, and y^e
undoing of some. An other reason was, they many of them grew aged, (and
indeed a rare thing it was that so many partners should all live
together so many years as these did,) and saw many changes were like to
befall; so as they were loath to leave these intanglments upon their
children and posteritie, who might be driven to remove places, as they
had done; yea, them selves might doe it yet before they dyed. But this
bussines must yet rest; y^e next year gave it more ripnes, though it
rendred them less able to pay, for y^e reasons afforesaid.
_Anno Dom: 1641._
M^r. Sherley being weary of this controversie, and desirous of an end,
(as well as them selves,) write to M^r. John Atwode and M^r. William
Collier, 2. of y^e inhabitants of this place, and of his speatiall
aquaintance, and desired them to be a means to bring this bussines to an
end, by advising & counselling the partners hear, by some way to bring
it to a composition, by mutuall agreemente. And he write to them selves
allso to y^t end, as by his letter may apear; so much therof as
concernse y^e same I shall hear relate.
S^r. My love remembered, &c. I have writte so much concerning y^e
ending of accounts betweexte us, as I profess I know not what more to
write, &c. If you desire an end, as you seeme to doe, ther is (as I
conceive) but 2. waise; that is, to parfecte all accounts, from y^e
first to y^e last, &c. Now if we find this difficulte, and tedious,
haveing not been so stricte & carefull as we should and oughte to have
done, as for my owne parte I doe confess I have been somewhat to
remisse, and doe verily thinke so are you, &c. I fear you can never
make a perfecte accounte of all your pety viages, out, & home too &
againe, &c.[EG] So then y^e second way must be, by biding, or [237]
compounding; and this way, first or last, we must fall upon, &c. If we
must warr at law for it, doe not you expecte from me, nether will I
from you, but to cleave y^e heare, and then I dare say y^e lawyers
will be most gainers, &c. Thus let us set to y^e worke, one way or
other, and end, that I may not allways suffer in my name & estate. And
you are not free; nay, y^e gospell suffers by your delaying, and
causeth y^e professors of it to be hardly spoken of, that you, being
many, & now able, should combine & joyne togeather to oppress & burden
me, &c. Fear not to make a faire & reasonable offer; beleeve me, I
will never take any advantage to plead it against you, or to wrong
you; or else let M^r. Winslow come over, and let him have such full
power & authority as we may ende by compounding; or else, y^e accounts
so well and fully made up, as we may end by reconing. Now, blesed be
God, y^e times be much changed here, I hope to see many of you returne
to you^r native countrie againe, and have such freedome & libertie as
y^e word of God prescribs. Our bishops were never so near a downfall
as now; God hath miraculously confounded them, and turned all their
popish & Machavillian plots & projects on their owne heads, &c. Thus
you see what is fitt to be done concerning our perticulere greevances.
I pray you take it seriously into consideration; let each give way a
litle that we may meete, &c. Be you and all yours kindly saluted, &c.
So I ever rest,
Your loving friend,
JAMES SHERLEY.
Clapham, May 18, 1641.
Being thus by this leter, and allso by M^r. Atwodes & M^r. Colliers
mediation urged to bring things to an end, (and y^e continuall clamors
from y^e rest,) and by none more urged then by their own desires, they
tooke this course (because many scandals had been raised upon them).
They apoynted these 2. men before mentioned to meet on a certaine day,
and called some other freinds on both sids, and M^r. Free-man, brother
in law to M^r. Beachamp, and having drawne up a collection of all y^e
remains of y^e stock, in what soever it was, as housing, boats, bark,
and all implements belonging to y^e same, as they were used in y^e time
of y^e trad, were they better or worce, with y^e remaines of all
co[=m]odities, as beads, knives, hatchetts, cloth, or any thing els, as
well y^e refuse as y^e more vendible, with all debts, as well those y^t
were desperate as others more hopefull; and having spent diverce days to
bring this to pass, having y^e helpe of all bookes and papers, which
either any of them selves had, or Josias Winslow, who was their
accountante; and they found y^e sume in all to arise (as y^e things were
valued) to aboute 1400^li. And they all of them tooke a voluntary but a
sollem oath, in y^e presence one of an other, and of all their frends,
y^e persons abovesaid y^t were now presente, that this was all that any
of them knew of, or could remember; and Josias Winslow did y^e like for
his parte. But y^e truth is they wrongd them selves much in y^e
valuation, for they reconed some catle as they were taken of M^r.
Allerton, as for instance a cowe in y^e hands of one cost 25^li. and so
she was valued in this accounte; but when she came to be past away in
parte of paymente, after y^e agreemente, she would be accepted but a
4^li. 15^s. [238] Also being tender of their oaths, they brought in all
they know owing to y^e stock; but they had not made y^e like diligente
search what y^e stocke might owe to any, so as many scattering debts
fell upon afterwards more then now they know of.
Upon this they drew certaine articles of agreemente betweene M^r.
Atwode, on M^r. Sherleys behalfe, and them selves. The effecte is as
folloeth.
_Articles of agreemente made and concluded upon y^e 15. day of
October, 1641. &c._
Imp: Wheras ther was a partnership for diverce years agreed upon
betweene James Sherley, John Beacham, and Richard Andrews, of London,
marchants, and William Bradford, Edward Winslow, Thomas Prence, Myles
Standish, William Brewster, John Aldon, & John Howland, w^th Isaack
Allerton, in a trade of beaver skines & other furrs arising in
New-England; the terme of which said partnership being expired, and
diverse su[=m]es of money in goods adventured into New-England by y^e
said James Sherley, John Beachamp, & Richard Andrews, and many large
returnes made from New-England by y^e said William Bradford, Ed:
Winslow, &c.; and differance arising aboute y^e charge of 2. ships,
the one called y^e White Angele, of Bristow, and y^e other y^e
Frindship, of Barnstable, and a viage intended in her, &c.; which said
ships & their viages, y^e said William Bradford, Ed: W. &c. conceive
doe not at all appertaine to their accounts of partnership; and weras
y^e accounts of y^e said partnership are found to be confused, and
cannot orderley appeare (through y^e defaulte of Josias Winslow, y^e
booke keeper); and weras y^e said W. B. &c. have received all their
goods for y^e said trade from the foresaid James Sherley, and have
made most of their returnes to him, by consente of y^e said John
Beachamp & Richard Andrews; and wheras also y^e said James Sherley
hath given power & authoritie to M^r. John Atwode, with y^e advice &
consente of William Collier, of Duxborow, for and on his behalfe, to
put such an absolute end to y^e said partnership, with all and every
accounts, reconings, dues, claimes, demands, whatsoever, to y^e said
James Sherley, John Beacham, & Richard Andrews, from y^e said W. B.
&c. for and concerning y^e said beaver trade, & also y^e charge y^e
said 2. ships, and their viages made or pretended, whether just or
unjuste, from y^e worlds begining to this presente, as also for y^e
paimente of a purchas of 1800^li. made by Isaack Allerton, for and on
y^e behalfe of y^e said W. B., Ed: W., &c., and of y^e joynt stock,
shares, lands, and adventurs, what soever in New-England aforesaid, as
apeareth by a deede bearing date y^e 6. Nov^br. 1627; and also for and
from such sume and sumes of money or goods as are received by William
Bradford, Tho: Prence, & Myles Standish, for y^e recovery of dues, by
accounts betwexte them, y^e said James Sherly, John Beachamp, &
Richard Andrews, and Isaack Allerton, for y^e ship caled y^e White
Angell. Now y^e said John Attwode, with advice & counsell of y^e said
William Collier, having had much comunication & spente diverse days in
agitation of all y^e said differances & accounts with y^e said W. B.,
E. W., &c.; and y^e said W. B., E. W., &c. have also, with y^e said
book-keeper spente much time in collecting & gathering togeither y^e
remainder of y^e stock of partnership for y^e said trade, and what
soever hath beene received, or is due by y^e said attorneyship before
expresed, and all, and all manner of goods, debts, and dues therunto
belonging, as well those debts that are weake and doubtfull [239] and
desperate, as those y^t are more secure, which in all doe amounte to
y^e sume of 1400^li. or ther aboute; and for more full satisfaction of
y^e said James Sherley, John Beachamp, & Richard Andrews, the said W.
B. and all y^e rest of y^e abovesaid partners, togeither with Josias
Winslow y^e booke keeper, have taken a voluntarie oath, y^t within y^e
said sume of 1400^li. or theraboute, is contained whatsoever they
knew, to y^e utmost of their rememberance.
In consideration of all which matters & things before expressed, and
to y^e end y^t a full, absolute, and finall end may be now made, and
all suits in law may be avoyded, and love & peace continued, it is
therfore agreed and concluded betweene y^e said John Attwode, with y^e
advice & consent of y^e said William Colier, for & on y^e behalfe of
y^e said James Sherley, to and with y^e said W. B., &c. in maner and
forme following: viz. that y^e said John Attwode shall procure a
sufficiente release and discharge, under y^e hands & seals of y^e said
James Sherley, John Beachamp, & Richard Andrews, to be delivered fayer
& unconcealed unto y^e said William Bradford, &c., at or before y^e
last day of August, next insuing y^e date hereof, whereby y^e said
William Bradford &c., their heires, executors, & administrators, &
every of them shall be fully and absolutly aquited & discharged of
all actions, suits, reconings, accounts, claimes, and demands
whatsoever concerning y^e generall stock of beaver trade, paymente of
y^e said 1800^li. for y^e purchass, and all demands, reckonings, and
accounts, just or unjuste, concerning the tow ships Whit-Angell and
Frendship aforesaid, togeather with whatsoever hath been received by
y^e said William Bradford, of y^e goods or estate of Isaack Allerton,
for satisfaction of y^e accounts of y^e said ship called y^e Whit
Angele, by vertue of a [~l]re of attourney to him, Thomas Prence, & Myles
Standish, directed from y^e said James Sherley, John Beachamp, &
Richard Andrews, for y^t purpose as afforesaid.
It is also agreed & concluded upon betweene the said parties to these
presents, that the said W. B., E. W., &c. shall now be bound in
2400^li. for paymente of 1200^li. in full satisfaction of all demands
as afforesaid; to be payed in maner & forme following; that is to say,
400^li. within 2. months next after y^e receite of the aforesaid
releases and discharges, one hundred and ten pounds wherof is allready
in y^e hands of John Winthrop senior of Boston, Esquire, by the means
of M^r. Richard Andrews afforesaid, and 80^li. waight of beaver now
deposited into y^e hands of y^e said John Attwode, to be both in part
of paimente of y^e said 400^li. and y^e other 800^li. to be payed by
200^li. [p=]^r a[=n]ume, to such assignes as shall be appointed,
inhabiting either in Plimoth or Massachusetts Bay, in such goods &
comodities, and at such rates, as the countrie shall afford at y^e
time of delivery & paymente; and in y^e mean time y^e said bond of
2400^li. to be deposited into y^e hands of y^e said John Attwode. And
it is agreed upon by & betweene y^e said parties to these presents,
that if y^e said John Attwode shall not or cannot procure such said
releases & discharges as afforesaid from y^e said James Sherley, John
Bachamp, & Richard Andrews, at or before y^e last day of August next
insuing y^e date hear of, y^t then y^e said John Attwode shall, at y^e
said day precisely, redeliver, or cause to [240] be delivered unto ye
said W. B., E. W., &c. their said bond of 2400^li. and y^e said 80^li.
waight of beaver, or y^e due valew therof, without any fraud or
further delay; and for performance of all & singuler y^e covenants and
agreements hearin contained and expressed, which on y^e one parte and
behalfe of y^e said James Sherley are to be observed & performed,
shall become bound in y^e su[=m]e of 2400^li. to them, y^e said
William Bradford, Edward Winslow, Thomas Prence, Myles Standish,
William Brewster, John Allden, and John Howland. And it is lastly
agreed upon betweene y^e said parties, that these presents shall be
left in trust, to be kepte for boath parties, in y^e hands of Mr. John
Reanour, teacher of Plimoth. In witnes wherof, all y^e said parties
have hereunto severally sett their hands, y^e day and year first above
writen.