Aprill 7. 1643.
This leter was write y^e year after y^e agreement, as doth appear; and
what his judgmente was herein, y^e contents doth manifest, and so I
leave it to y^e equall judgmente of any to consider, as they see cause.
Only I shall adde what M^r. Sherley furder write in a leter of his,
about y^e same time, and so leave this bussines. His is as followeth on
y^e other side.[EP]
[253] Loving freinds, M^r. Bradford, M^r. Winslow, Cap: Standish, M^r.
Prence, and y^e rest of y^e partners w^th you; I shall write this
generall leter to you all, hoping it will be a good conclude of a
generall, but a costly & tedious bussines I thinke to all, I am sure
to me, &c.
I received from M^r. Winslow a letter of y^e 28. of Sept: last, and so
much as concernes y^e generall bussines I shall answer in this, not
knowing whether I shall have opportunitie to write perticuler letters,
&c. I expected more letters from you all, as some perticuler
writs,[EQ] but it seemeth no fitt opportunity was offered. And now,
though y^e bussines for y^e maine may stand, yet some perticulers is
alltered; I say my former agreemente with M^r. Weld & M^r. Peters,
before they[ER] could conclude or gett any grante of M^r. Andrews,
they sought to have my release; and ther upon they sealed me a bond
for a 110^li. So I sente my acquittance, for they said without mine
ther would be no end made (& ther was good reason for it). Now they
hoped, if y^ey ended with me, to gaine M^r. Andrews parte, as they did
holy, to a pound, (at which I should wonder, but y^t I observe some
passages,) and they also hoped to have gotten M^r. Beachamps part, & I
did thinke he would have given it them. But if he did well understand
him selfe, & that acounte, he would give it; for his demands make a
great sound.[ES] But it seemeth he would not parte with it, supposing
it too great a sume, and y^t he might easily gaine it from you. Once
he would have given them 40^li. but now they say he will not doe that,
or rather I suppose they will not take it; for if they doe, & have
M^r. Andrewses, then they must pay me their bond of 110^li. 3 months
hence. Now it will fall out farr better for you, y^t they deal not
with Mr. Beachamp, and also for me, if you be as kind to me as I have
been & will be to you; and y^t thus, if you pay M^r. Andrews, or y^e
Bay men, by his order, 544^li. which is his full demande; but if
looked into, perhaps might be less. The man is honest, & in my
conscience would not wittingly doe wronge, yett he may forgett as well
as other men; and M^r. Winslow may call to minde wherin he forgetts;
(but some times it is good to buy peace.) The gentlemen of y^e Bay may
abate 100^li. and so both sids have more right & justice then if they
exacte all, &c. Now if you send me a 150^li. then say M^r. Andrews
full sume, & this, it is nere 700^li. M^r. Beachamp he demands 400^li.
and we all know that, if a man demands money, he must shew wherfore,
and make proofe of his debte; which I know he can never make good
proafe of one hunderd pound dew unto him as principall money; so till
he can, you have good reason to keep y^e 500^li. &c. This I proteste I
write not in malice against M^r. Beachamp, for it is a reall truth.
You may partly see it by M^r. Andrews making up his accounte, and I
think you are all perswaded I can say more then M^r. Andrews
concerning that accounte. I wish I could make up my owne as plaine &
easily, but because of former discontents, I will be sparing till I be
called; & you may injoye y^e 500^li. quietly till he begine; for let
him take his course hear or ther, it shall be all one, I will doe him
no wronge; and if he have not on peney more, he is less loser then
either M^r. Andrews or I. This I conceive to be just & honest; y^e
having or not having of his release matters not; let him make such
proafe of his debte as you cannot disprove, and according to your
first agreemente you will pay it, &c.
Your truly affectioned friend,
JAMES SHERLEY.
London, Aprill 27. 1643.
_Anno Dom: 1643._
I am to begine this year whith that which was a mater of great saddnes
and mo[=u]ring unto them all. Aboute y^e 18. of Aprill dyed their Reve^d
Elder, and my dear & loving friend, M^r. William Brewster; a man that
had done and suffered much for y^e Lord Jesus and y^e gospells sake, and
had bore his parte in well and woe with this poore persecuted church
above 36. years [254] in England, Holand, and in this wildernes, and
done y^e Lord & them faithfull service in his place & calling. And
notwithstanding y^e many troubls and sorrows he passed throw, the Lord
upheld him to a great age. He was nere fourskore years of age (if not
all out) when he dyed. He had this blesing added by y^e Lord to all y^e
rest, to dye in his bed, in peace, amongst y^e mids of his freinds, who
mourned & wepte over him, and ministered what help & comforte they could
unto him, and he againe recomforted them whilst he could. His sicknes
was not long, and till y^e last day therof he did not wholy keepe his
bed. His speech continued till somewhat more then halfe a day, & then
failed him; and aboute 9. or 10. a clock that ev[=i]ng he dyed, without
any pangs at all. A few howers before, he drew his breath shorte, and
some few minuts before his last, he drew his breath long, as a man falen
into a sound slepe, without any pangs or gaspings, and so sweetly
departed this life unto a better.
I would now demand of any, what he was y^e worse for any former
sufferings? What doe I say, worse? Nay, sure he was y^e better, and they
now added to his honour. _It is a manifest token_ (saith y^e Apostle, 2.
Thes: 1. 5, 6, 7.) _of y^e righeous judgmente of God that you may be
counted worthy of y^e kingdome of God, for which ye allso suffer; seing
it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them y^t
trouble you: and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when y^e Lord
Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels._ 1. Pet. 4.
14. _If you be reproached for y^e name of Christ, hapy are ye, for y^e
spirite of glory and of God resteth upon you._ What though he wanted y^e
riches and pleasurs of y^e world in this life, and pompous monuments at
his funurall? yet y^e memoriall of y^e just shall be blessed, when y^e
name of y^e wicked shall rott (with their marble monuments). Pro: 10. 7.
I should say something of his life, if to say a litle were not worse
then to be silent. But I cannot wholy forbear, though hapily more may be
done hereafter. After he had attained some learning, viz. y^e knowledg
of y^e Latine tongue, & some insight in y^e Greeke, and spent some small
time at Cambridge, and then being first seasoned with y^e seeds of grace
and vertue, he went to y^e Courte, and served that religious and godly
gentlman, M^r. Davison, diverce years, when he was Secretary of State;
who found him so discreete and faithfull as he trusted him above all
other that were aboute him, and only imployed him in all matters of
greatest trust and secrecie. He esteemed him rather as a sonne then a
servante, and for his wisdom & godlines (in private) he would converse
with him more like a freind & familier then a maister. He attended his
m^r. when he was sente in ambassage by the Queene into y^e
Low-Countries, in y^e Earle of Leicesters time, as for other waighty
affaires of state, so to receive possession of the cautionary townes,
and in token & signe therof the keyes of Flushing being delivered to
him, in her ma^tis name, he kepte them some time, and co[=m]itted them
to this his servante, who kept them under his pilow, on which he slepte
y^e first night. And, at his returne, y^e States honoured him with a
gould chaine, and his maister co[=m]itted it to him, and co[=m]anded him
to wear it when they arrived in England, as they ridd thorrow the
country, till they came to y^e Courte. He afterwards remained with him
till his troubles, that he was put from his place aboute y^e death of
y^e Queene of Scots; and some good time after, doeing him manie
faithfull offices of servise in y^e time of his troubles. Afterwards he
wente and lived in y^e country, in good esteeme amongst his freinds and
y^e gentle-men of those parts, espetially the godly & religious. He did
much good in y^e countrie wher he lived, in promoting and furthering
religion, not only by his practiss & example, and provocking and
incouraging of others, but by procuring of good preachers to y^e places
theraboute, and, drawing on of others to assiste & help forward in such
a worke; he him selfe most comonly deepest in y^e charge, & some times
above his abillitie. And in this state he continued many years, doeing
y^e best good he could, and walking according to y^e light he saw, till
y^e Lord reveiled further unto him. And in y^e end, by y^e tirrany of
y^e bishops against godly preachers & people, in silenceing the one &
persecuting y^e other, he and many more of those times begane to looke
further into things, and to see into y^e unlawfullnes of their callings,
and y^e burthen of many anti-christian corruptions, which both he and
they endeavored to cast of; as y^ey allso did, as in y^e begining of
this treatis is to be seene. [255] After they were joyned togither in
comunion, he was a spetiall stay & help unto them. They ordinarily mett
at his house on y^e Lords day, (which was a manor of y^e bishops,) and
with great love he entertained them when they came, making provission
for them to his great charge. He was y^e cheefe of those that were taken
at Boston, and suffered y^e greatest loss; and of y^e seven that were
kept longst in prison, and after bound over to y^e assises. Affter he
came into Holland he suffered much hardship, after he had spente y^e
most of his means, haveing a great charge, and many children; and, in
regard of his former breeding & course of life, not so fitt for many
imployments as others were, espetially such as were toylesume &
laborious. But yet he ever bore his condition with much cherfullnes and
contentation. Towards y^e later parte of those 12. years spente in
Holland, his outward condition was mended, and he lived well &
plentifully; for he fell into a way (by reason he had y^e Latine tongue)
to teach many students, who had a disire to lerne y^e English tongue, to
teach them English; and by his method they quickly attained it with
great facilitie; for he drew rules to lerne it by, after y^e Latine
maner; and many gentlemen, both Danes & Germans, resorted to him, as
they had time from other studies, some of them being great mens
so[=n]es. He also had means to set up printing, (by y^e help of some
freinds,) and so had imploymente inoughg, and by reason of many books
which would not be alowed to be printed in England, they might have had
more then they could doe. But now removeing into this countrie, all
these things were laid aside againe, and a new course of living must be
framed unto; in which he was no way unwilling to take his parte, and to
bear his burthen with y^e rest, living many times without bread, or
corne, many months together, having many times nothing but fish, and
often wanting that also; and drunke nothing but water for many years
togeather, yea, till within 5. or 6. years of his death. And yet he
lived (by y^e blessing of God) in health till very old age. And besids
y^t, he would labour with his hands in y^e feilds as long as he was
able; yet when the church had no other minister, he taught twise every
Saboth, and y^t both powerfully and profitably, to y^e great contentment
of y^e hearers, and their comfortable edification; yea, many were
brought to God by his ministrie. He did more in this behalfe in a year,
then many that have their hundreds a year doe in all their lives. For
his personall abilities, he was qualified above many; he was wise and
discreete and well spoken, having a grave & deliberate utterance, of a
very cherfull spirite, very sociable & pleasante amongst his freinds, of
an humble and modest mind, of a peaceable disposition, under vallewing
him self & his owne abilities, and some time over valewing others;
inoffencive and i[=n]ocente in his life & conversation, w^ch gained him
y^e love of those without, as well as those within; yet he would tell
them plainely of their faults & evills, both publickly & privatly, but
in such a maner as usually was well taken from him. He was tender
harted, and compassionate of such as were in miserie, but espetialy of
such as had been of good estate and ranke, and were fallen unto want &
poverty, either for goodnes & religions sake, or by y^e injury &
oppression of others; he would say, of all men these deserved to be
pitied most. And none did more offend & displease him then such as would
hautily and proudly carry & lift up themselves, being rise from nothing,
and haveing litle els in them to comend them but a few fine cloaths, or
a litle riches more then others. In teaching, he was very moving &
stirring of affections, also very plaine & distincte in what he taught;
by which means he became y^e more profitable to y^e hearers. He had a
singuler good gift in prayer, both publick & private, in ripping up y^e
hart & conscience before God, in the humble confession of sinne, and
begging y^e mercies of God in Christ for y^e pardon of y^e same. He
always thought it were better for ministers to pray oftener, and devide
their prears, then be longe & tedious in the same (excepte upon sollemne
& spetiall occations, as in days of humiliation & y^e like). His reason
was, that y^e harte & spirits of all, espetialy y^e weake, could hardly
continue & stand bente (as it were) so long towards God, as they ought
to doe in y^t duty, without flagging and falling of. For y^e govermente
of y^e church, (which was most [256] proper to his office,) he was
carfull to preserve good order in y^e same, and to preserve puritie,
both in y^e doctrine & comunion of y^e same; and to supress any errour
or contention that might begine to rise up amongst them; and accordingly
God gave good success to his indeavors herein all his days, and he saw
y^e fruite of his labours in that behalfe. But I must breake of, having
only thus touched a few, as it were, heads of things.
I cannot but here take occasion, not only to mention, but greatly to
admire y^e marvelous providence of God, that notwithstanding y^e many
changes and hardships that these people wente throwgh, and y^e many
enemies they had and difficulties they mette with all, that so many of
them should live to very olde age! It was not only this reve^d mans
condition, (for one swallow maks no summer, as they say,) but many more
of them did y^e like, some dying aboute and before this time, and many
still living, who attained to 60. years of age, and to 65. diverse to
70. and above, and some nere 80. as he did. It must needs be more then
ordinarie, and above naturall reason, that so it should be; for it is
found in experience, that chaing of aeir, famine, or unholsome foode,
much drinking of water, sorrows & troubls, &c., all of them are enimies
to health, causes of many diseaces, consumers of naturall vigoure and
y^e bodys of men, and shortners of life. And yet of all these things
they had a large parte, and suffered deeply in y^e same. They wente from
England to Holand, wher they found both worse air and dyet then that
they came from; from thence (induring a long imprisonmente, as it were,
in y^e ships at sea) into New-England; and how it hath been with them
hear hath allready beene showne; and what crosses, troubls, fears,
wants, and sorrowes they had been lyable unto, is easie to conjecture;
so as in some sorte they may say with y^e Apostle, 2. Cor: 11. 26, 27.
they were _in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perills of
robers, in perills of their owne nation, in perils among y^e heathen, in
perills in y^e willdernes, in perills in y^e sea, in perills among
false breethern; in wearines & painfullnes, in watching often, in hunger
and thirst, in fasting often, in could and nakednes._ What was it then
that upheld them? It was Gods vissitation that preserved their spirits.
Job 10. 12. _Thou hast given me life and grace, and thy vissitation hath
preserved my spirite._ He that upheld y^e Apostle upheld them. _They
were persecuted, but not forsaken, cast downe, but perished not._ 2.
Cor: 4. 9. _As unknowen, and yet knowen; as dying, and behold we live;
as chastened, and yett not kiled._ 2. Cor: 6. 9. God, it seems, would
have all men to behold and observe such mercies and works of his
providence as these are towards his people, that they in like cases
might be incouraged to depend upon God in their trials, & also blese his
name when they see his goodnes towards others. Man lives not by bread
only, Deut: 8. 3. It is not by good & dainty fare, by peace, & rest, and
harts ease, in injoying y^e contentments and good things of this world
only, that preserves health and prolongs life. God in such examples
would have y^e world see & behold that he can doe it without them; and
if y^e world will shut ther eyes, and take no notice therof, yet he
would have his people to see and consider it. Daniell could be better
liking with pulse then others were with y^e kings dainties. Jaacob,
though he wente from one nation to another people, and passed thorow
famine, fears, & many afflictions, yet he lived till old age, and dyed
sweetly, & rested in y^e Lord, as infinite others of Gods servants have
done, and still shall doe, (through Gods goodnes,) notwithstanding all
y^e malice of their enemies; _when y^e branch of y^e wicked shall be cut
of before his day_, Job. 15. 32. _and the bloody and deceitfull men
shall not live out halfe their days_. Psa: 55. 23.
By reason of y^e plottings of the Narigansets, (ever since y^e Pequents
warr,) the Indeans were drawne into a generall conspiracie against y^e
English in all parts, as was in part discovered y^e yeare before; and
now made more plaine and evidente by many discoveries and
free-conffessions of sundrie Indeans (upon severall occasions) from
diverse places, concuring in one; with such other concuring
circomstances as gave them suffissently to understand the trueth therof,
and to thinke of means, how to prevente y^e same, and secure them
selves. Which made them enter into this more nere union & confederation
following.
[257] Articles of Confederation betweene y^e Plantations under y^e
Govermente of Massachusets, y^e Plantations under y^e Govermente of
New-Plimoth, y^e Plantations under y^e Govermente of Conightecute, and
y^e Govermente of New-Haven, with y^e Plantations in combination
therwith.
Wheras we all came into these parts of America with one and y^e same
end and aime, namly; to advance the kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ,
& to injoye y^e liberties of y^e Gospell in puritie with peace; and
wheras in our setling (by a wise providence of God) we are further
disperced upon y^e sea coasts and rivers then was at first intended,
so y^t we cannot, according to our desires, with convenience
comunicate in one govermente & jurisdiction; and wheras we live
encompassed with people of severall nations and strang languages,
which hereafter may prove injurious to us and our posteritie; and for
as much as y^e natives have formerly committed sundrie insolencies and
outrages upon severall plantations of y^e English, and have of late
combined them selves against us; and seeing, by reason of those
distractions in England (which they have heard of) and by which they
know we are hindered from y^t humble way of seeking advice or reaping
those comfurtable fruits of protection which at other times we might
well expecte; we therfore doe conceive it our bounden duty, without
delay, to enter into a presente consociation amongst our selves, for
mutuall help & strength in all our future concernments. That as in
nation and religion, so in other respects, we be & continue one,
according to y^e tenor and true meaning of the insuing articles. (1)
Wherfore it is fully agreed and concluded by & betweene y^e parties or
jurisdictions above named, and they joyntly & severally doe by these
presents agree & conclude, that they all be and henceforth be called
by y^e name of The United Colonies of New-England.
2. The said United Collonies, for them selves & their posterities, doe
joyntly & severally hereby enter into a firme & perpetuall league of
frendship & amitie, for offence and defence, mutuall advice and
succore upon all just occasions, both for preserving & propagating y^e
truth of y^e Gospell, and for their owne mutuall saftie and wellfare.
3. It is further agreed that the plantations which at presente are or
hereafter shall be setled with[in] y^e limites of y^e Massachusets
shall be for ever under y^e Massachusets, and shall have peculier
jurisdiction amonge them selves in all cases, as an intire body. And
y^t Plimoth, Conightecutt, and New-Haven shall each of them have like
peculier jurisdition and govermente within their limites and in
refference to y^e plantations which allready are setled, or shall
hereafter be erected, or shall setle within their limites,
respectively; provided y^t no other jurisdition shall hereafter be
taken in, as a distincte head or member of this confederation, nor
shall any other plantation or jurisdiction in presente being, and not
allready in combination or under y^e jurisdiction of any of these
confederats, be received by any of them; nor shall any tow of y^e
confederats joyne in one jurisdiction, without consente of y^e rest,
which consete to be interpreted as is expresed in y^e sixte article
ensewing.
4. It is by these conffederats agreed, y^t the charge of all just
warrs, whether offencive or defencive, upon what parte or member of
this confederation soever they fall, shall, both in men, provissions,
and all other disbursments, be borne by all y^e parts of this
confederation, in differente proportions, according to their
differente abillities, in maner following: namely, y^t the
comissioners for each jurisdiction, from time to time, as ther shall
be occasion, bring a true accounte and number of all their males in
every plantation, or any way belonging too or under their severall
jurisdictions, of what qualitie or condition soever they be, from 16.
years old to 60, being inhabitants ther; and y^t according to y^e
differente numbers which from time to time shall be found in each
jurisdiction upon a true & just accounte, the service of men and all
charges of y^e warr be borne by y^e pole; each jurisdiction or
plantation being left to their owne just course & custome of rating
them selves and people according to their differente estates, with due
respects to their qualities and exemptions amongst them selves, though
the confederats take no notice of any such priviledg. And y^t
according to their differente charge of each jurisdiction &
plantation, the whole advantage of y^e warr, (if it please God to
blesse their indeaours,) whether it be in lands, goods, or persons,
shall be proportionably devided amonge y^e said confederats.
5. It is further agreed, that if these jurisdictions, or any
plantation under or in combynacion with them, be invaded by any enemie
whomsoever, upon notice & requeste of any 3. [258] magistrats of y^t
jurisdiction so invaded, y^e rest of y^e confederats, without any
further meeting or expostulation, shall forthwith send ayde to y^e
confederate in danger, but in differente proportion; namely, y^e
Massachusets an hundred men sufficently armed & provided for such a
service and journey, and each of y^e rest forty five so armed &
provided, or any lesser number, if less be required according to this
proportion. But if such confederate in danger may be supplyed by their
nexte confederates, not exeeding y^e number hereby agreed, they may
crave help ther, and seeke no further for y^e presente; y^e charge to
be borne as in this article is exprest, and at y^e returne to be
victuled & suplyed with powder & shote for their jurney (if ther be
need) by y^t jurisdiction which imployed or sent for them. But none of
y^e jurisdictions to exceede these numbers till, by a meeting of y^e
co[=m]issioners for this confederation, a greater aide appear
nessessarie. And this proportion to continue till upon knowlege of
greater numbers in each jurisdiction, which shall be brought to y^e
nexte meeting, some other proportion be ordered. But in such case of
sending men for presente aide, whether before or after such order or
alteration, it is agreed y^t at y^e meeting of y^e comissioners for
this confederation, the cause of such warr or invasion be duly
considered; and if it appeare y^t the falte lay in y^e parties so
invaded, y^t then that jurisdiction or plantation make just
satisfaction both to y^e invaders whom they have injured, and beare
all y^e charges of y^e warr them selves, without requiring any
allowance from y^e rest of y^e confederats towards y^e same. And
further, y^t if any jurisdiction see any danger of any invasion
approaching, and ther be time for a meeting, that in such a case 3.
magistrats of y^t jurisdiction may su[=m]one a meeting, at such
conveniente place as them selves shall thinke meete, to consider &
provid against y^e threatened danger, provided when they are mett,
they may remove to what place they please; only, whilst any of these
foure confederats have but 3 magistrats in their jurisdiction, their
requeste, or summons, from any 2. of them shall be accounted of equall
force with y^e 3. mentioned in both the clauses of this article, till
ther be an increase of majestrats ther.
6. It is also agreed y^t, for y^e managing & concluding of all affairs
propper, & concerning the whole confederation, tow comissioners shall
be chosen by & out of each of these 4. jurisdictions; namly, 2. for
y^e Massachusets, 2. for Plimoth, 2. for Conightecutt, and 2. for
New-Haven, being all in church fellowship with us, which shall bring
full power from their severall Generall Courts respectively to hear,
examene, waigh, and detirmine all affairs of warr, or peace, leagues,
aids, charges, and numbers of men for warr, divissions of spoyles, &
whatsoever is gotten by conquest; receiving of more confederats, or
plantations into combination with any of y^e confederates, and all
things of like nature, which are y^e proper concomitants or
consequences of such a confederation, for amitie, offence, & defence;
not inter-medling with y^e govermente of any of y^e jurisdictions,
which by y^e 3. article is preserved entirely to them selves. But if
these 8. comissioners when they meete shall not all agree, yet it
concluded that any 6. of the 8. agreeing shall have power to setle &
determine y^e bussines in question. But if 6. doe not agree, that then
such propositions, with their reasons, so farr as they have been
debated, be sente, and referred to y^e 4. Generall Courts, viz. y^e
Massachusets, Plimoth, Conightecutt, and New-haven; and if at all y^e
said Generall Courts y^e bussines so referred be concluded, then to
be prosecuted by y^e confederats, and all their members. It was
further agreed that these 8. comissioners shall meete once every year,
besids extraordinarie meetings, (according to the fifte article,) to
consider, treate, & conclude of all affaires belonging to this
confederation, which meeting shall ever be the first Thursday in
September. And y^t the next meeting after the date of these presents,
which shall be accounted y^e second meeting, shall be at Boston in y^e
Massachusets, the 3. at Hartford, the 4. at New-Haven, the 5. at
Plimoth, and so in course successively, if in y^e meane time some
midle place be not found out and agreed on, which may be comodious for
all y^e jurisdictions.
7. It is further agreed, y^t at each meeting of these 8. comissioners,
whether ordinarie, or extraordinary, they all 6. of them agreeing as
before, may chuse a presidente out of them selves, whose office & work
shall be to take care and directe for order, and a comly carrying on
of all proceedings in y^e present meeting; but he shall be invested
with no such power or respecte, as by which he shall hinder y^e
propounding or progrese of any bussines, or any way cast y^e scailes
otherwise then in y^e precedente article is agreed.
[259] 8. It is also agreed, y^t the comissioners for this
confederation hereafter at their meetings, whether ordinary or
extraordinarie, as they may have comission or opportunitie, doe
indeaover to frame and establish agreements & orders in generall cases
of a civill nature, wherin all y^e plantations are interessed, for y^e
preserving of peace amongst them selves, and preventing as much as may
be all occasions of warr or difference with others; as aboute y^e free
& speedy passage of justice, in every jurisdiction, to all y^e
confederats equally as to their owne; not receiving those y^t remove
from one plantation to another without due certificate; how all y^e
jurisdictions may carry towards y^e Indeans, that they neither growe
insolente, nor be injured without due satisfaction, least warr breake
in upon the confederats through such miscarriages. It is also agreed,
y^t if any servante rune away from his maister into another of these
confederated jurisdictions, that in such case, upon y^e certificate of
one magistrate in the jurisdiction out of which y^e said servante
fledd, or upon other due proofe, the said servante shall be delivered,
either to his maister, or any other y^t pursues & brings such
certificate or proofe. And y^t upon y^e escape of any prisoner
whatsoever, or fugitive for any criminall cause, whether breaking
prison, or getting from y^e officer, or otherwise escaping, upon the
certificate of 2. magistrats of y^e jurisdiction out of which y^e
escape is made, that he was a prisoner, or such an offender at y^e
time of y^e escape, they magistrats, or sume of them of the
jurisdiction wher for y^e presente the said prisoner or fugitive
abideth, shall forthwith grante such a warrante as y^e case will
beare, for y^e apprehending of any such person, & the delivering of
him into y^e hands of y^e officer, or other person who pursues him.
And if ther be help required, for y^e safe returning of any such
offender, then it shall be granted to him y^t craves y^e same, he
paying the charges therof.
9. And for y^t the justest warrs may be of dangerous consequence,
espetially to y^e smaler plantations in these United Collonies, it is
agreed y^t neither y^e Massachusets, Plimoth, Conightecutt, nor
New-Haven, nor any member of any of them, shall at any time hear after
begine, undertake, or ingage them selves, or this confederation, or
any parte therof, in any warr whatsoever, (sudden[ET] exegents, with
y^e necessary consequents therof excepted, which are also to be
moderated as much as y^e case will permitte,) without y^e consente
and agreemente of y^e forementioned 8. comissioners, or at the least
6. of them, as in y^e sixt article is provided. And y^t no charge be
required of any of they confederats, in case of a defensive warr, till
y^e said comissioners have mett, and approved y^e justice of y^e warr,
and have agreed upon y^e su[=m]e of money to be levied, which sume is
then to be paid by the severall confederats in proportion according to
y^e fourth article.
10. That in extraordinary occasions, when meetings are summoned by
three magistrates of any jurisdiction, or 2. as in y^e 5. article, if
any of y^e comissioners come not, due warning being given or sente, it
is agreed y^t 4. of the comissioners shall have power to directe a
warr which cannot be delayed, and to send for due proportions of men
out of each jurisdiction, as well as 6. might doe if all mett; but not
less then 6. shall determine the justice of y^e warr, or alow y^e
demands or bills of charges, or cause any levies to be made for y^e
same.
11. It is further agreed, y^t if any of y^e confederats shall
hereafter breake any of these presente articles, or be any other ways
injurious to any one of y^e other jurisdictions, such breach of
agreemente or injurie shall be duly considered and ordered by y^e
comissioners for y^e other jurisdiction; that both peace and this
presente confederation may be intirly preserved without violation.
12. Lastly, this perpetuall confederation, and y^e severall articles
therof being read, and seriously considered, both by y^e Generall
Courte for y^e Massachusets, and by y^e comissioners for Plimoth,
Conigtecute, & New-Haven, were fully alowed & confirmed by 3. of y^e
forenamed confederats, namly, y^e Massachusets, Conightecutt, and
New-Haven; only y^e comissioners for Plimoth haveing no co[=m]ission
to conclude, desired respite till they might advise with their
Generall Courte; wher upon it was agreed and concluded by y^e said
Courte of y^e Massachusets, and the comissioners for y^e other tow
confederats, that, if Plimoth consente, then the whole treaty as it
stands in these present articls is, and shall continue, firme & stable
without alteration. But if Plimoth come not in, yet y^e other three
confederats doe by these presents [260] confeirme y^e whole
confederation, and the articles therof; only in September nexte, when
y^e second meeting of y^e co[=m]issioners is to be at Boston, new
consideration may be taken of y^e 6. article, which concerns number of
comissioners for meeting & concluding the affaires of this
confederation, to y^e satisfaction of y^e Courte of y^e Massachusets,
and y^e comissioners for y^e other 2. confederats, but y^e rest to
stand unquestioned. In y^e testimonie wherof, y^e Generall Courte of
y^e Massachusets, by ther Secretary, and y^e comissioners for
Conightecutt and New-Haven, have subscribed these presente articles
this 19. of y^e third month, comonly called May, Anno Dom: 1643.
At a meeting of y^e comissioners for y^e confederation held at Boston
y^e 7. of Sept: it appearing that the Generall Courte of New-Plimoth,
and y^e severall towneshipes therof, have read & considered & approved
these articles of confederation, as appeareth by co[=m]ission from
their Generall Courte bearing date y^e 29. of August, 1643. to M^r.
Edward Winslow and M^r. William Collier, to ratifie and confirme y^e
same on their behalfes. We, therfore, y^e Comissioners for y^e
Massachusets, Conightecutt, & New Haven, doe also, for our severall
goverments, subscribe unto them.
JOHN WINTHROP, Gov^r. of y^e Massachusest.
THO: DUDLEY.
GEO: FENWICK.
THOMAS GREGSON.
THEOPH: EATON.
EDWA: HOPKINS.
THOMAS GREGSON.
These were y^e articles of agreemente in y^e union and confederation
which they now first entered into; and in this their first meeting,
held at Boston y^e day & year abovesaid, amongst other things they had
this matter of great consequence to considere on: the Narigansets, after
y^e subduing of y^e Pequents, thought to have ruled over all y^e Indeans
aboute them; but y^e English, espetially those of Conightecutt holding
correspondencie & frenship with Uncass, sachem of y^e Monhigg Indeans
which lived nere them, (as y^e Massachusets had done with y^e
Narigansets,) and he had been faithful to them in y^e Pequente warr,
they were ingaged to supporte him in his just liberties, and were
contented y^t such of y^e surviving Pequents as had submited to him
should remaine with him and quietly under his protection. This did much
increase his power and augmente his greatnes, which y^e Narigansets
could not indure to see. But Myantinomo, their cheefe sachem, (an
ambitious & politick man,) sought privatly and by trearchery (according
to y^e Indean maner) to make him away, by hiring some to kill him.
Sometime they assayed to poyson him; that not takeing, then in y^e night
time to knock him on y^e head in his house, or secretly to shoot him,
and such like attempts. But none of these taking effecte, he made open
warr upon him (though it was against y^e covenants both betweene y^e
English & them, as also betweene them selves, and a plaine breach of y^e
same). He came suddanly upon him with 900. or 1000. men (never
denouncing any warr before). Y^e others power at y^t presente was not
above halfe so many; but it pleased God to give Uncass y^e victory, and
he slew many of his men, and wounded many more; but y^e cheefe of all
was, he tooke Miantinomo prisoner. And seeing he was a greate man, and
y^e Narigansets a potente people & would seeke revenge, he would doe
nothing in y^e case without y^e advise of y^e English; so he (by y^e
help & direction of those of Conightecutt) kept him prisoner till this
meeting of y^e comissioners. The comissioners weighed y^e cause and
passages, as they were clearly represented & sufficently evidenced
betwixte Uncass and Myantinomo; and the things being duly considered,
the comissioners apparently saw y^t Uncass could not be safe whilst
Miantynomo lived, but, either by secrete trechery or open force, his
life would still be in danger. Wherfore they thought he might justly put
such a false & bloud-thirstie enimie to death; but in his owne
jurisdiction, not in y^e English plantations. And they advised, in y^e
maner of his death all mercy and moderation should be showed, contrary
to y^e practise of y^e Indeans, who exercise torturs and cruelty. And,
[261] Uncass having hitherto shewed him selfe a freind to y^e English,
and in this craving their advise, if the Narigansett Indeans or others
shall unjustly assaulte Uncass for this execution, upon notice and
request, y^e English promise to assiste and protecte him as farr as they
may aga[=i]ste such violence.
This was y^e issue of this bussines. The reasons and passages hereof are
more at large to be seene in y^e acts & records of this meeting of y^e
comissioners. And Uncass follewd this advise, and accordingly executed
him, in a very faire maner, acording as they advised, with due respecte
to his honour & greatnes. But what followed on y^e Narigansets parte
will appear hear after.
_Anno Dom: 1644._
M^R. EDWARD WINSLOW was chosen Gov^r this year.
Many having left this place (as is before noted) by reason of the
straightnes & barrennes of y^e same, and their finding of better
accommodations elsewher, more sutable to their ends & minds; and sundrie
others still upon every occasion desiring their dismissions, the church
begane seriously to thinke whether it were not better joyntly to remove
to some other place, then to be thus weakened, and as it were insensibly
dissolved. Many meetings and much consultation was held hearaboute, and
diverse were mens minds and opinions. Some were still for staying
togeather in this place, aledging men might hear live, if they would be
contente with their condition; and y^t it was not for wante or
necessitie so much y^t they removed, as for y^e enriching of them
selves. Others were resolute upon removall, and so signified y^t hear
y^ey could not stay; but if y^e church did not remove, they must;
insomuch as many were swayed, rather then ther should be a dissolution,
to condescend to a removall, if a fitt place could be found, that might
more conveniently and comfortablie receive y^e whole, with such
accession of others as might come to them, for their better strength &
subsistence; and some such like cautions and limitations. So as, with
y^e afforesaide provissos, y^e greater parte consented to a removall to
a place called Nawsett, which had been superficially veiwed and y^e good
will of y^e purchassers (to whom it belonged) obtained, with some
addition thertoo from y^e Courte. But now they begane to see their
errour, that they had given away already the best & most co[=m]odious
places to others, and now wanted them selves; for this place was about
50. myles from hence, and at an outside of y^e countrie, remote from all
society; also, that it would prove so straite, as it would not be
competente to receive y^e whole body, much less be capable of any
addition or increase; so as (at least in a shorte time) they should be
worse ther then they are now hear. The which, with sundery other like
considerations and inconveniences, made them chaing their resolutions;
but such as were before resolved upon removall tooke advantage of this
agreemente, & wente on notwithstanding, neither could y^e rest hinder
them, they haveing made some begi[=n]ing. And thus was this poore church
left, like an anciente mother, growne olde, and forsaken of her
children, (though not in their affections,) yett in regarde of their
bodily presence and personall helpfullness. Her anciente members being
most of them worne away by death; and these of later time being like
children translated into other families, and she like a widow left only
to trust in God. Thus she that had made many rich became her selfe
poore.
[262] _Some things handled, and pacified by y^e co[=m]issioner this
year._
Wheras, by a wise providence of God, tow of y^e jurisdictions in y^e
westerne parts, viz. Conightecutt & New-haven, have beene latly
exercised by sundrie insolencies & outrages from y^e Indeans; as,
first, an Englishman, runing from his m^r out of y^e Massachusets, was
murdered in y^e woods, in or nere y^e limites of Conightecute
jurisdiction; and aboute 6. weeks after, upon discovery by an Indean,
y^e Indean sagamore in these parts promised to deliver the murderer to
y^e English, bound; and having accordingly brought him within y^e
sight of Uncaway, by their joynte consente, as it is informed, he was
ther unbound, and left to shifte for him selfe; wherupon 10.
Englishmen forthwith coming to y^e place, being sente by M^r. Ludlow,
at y^e Indeans desire, to receive y^e murderer, who seeing him
escaped, layed hold of 8. of y^e Indeans ther presente, amongst whom
ther was a sagamore or 2. and kept them in hold 2. days, till 4.
sagamors ingaged themselves within one month to deliver y^e prisoner.
And about a weeke after this agreemente, an Indean came presumtuously
and with guile, in y^e day time, and murtherously assalted an English
woman in her house at Stamford, and by 3. wounds, supposed mortall,
left her for dead, after he had robbed y^e house. By which passages
y^e English were provoked, & called to a due consideration of their
owne saftie; and y^e Indeans generally in those parts arose in an
hostile maner, refused to come to y^e English to carry on treaties of
peace, departed from their wigwames, left their corne unweeded, and
shewed them selves tumultuously about some of y^e English
plantations, & shott of peeces within hearing of y^e towne; and some
Indeans came to y^e English & tould them y^e Indeans would fall upon
them. So y^t most of y^e English thought it unsafe to travell in those
parts by land, and some of y^e plantations were put upon strong watchs
and ward, night & day, & could not attend their private occasions, and
yet distrusted their owne strength for their defence. Wherupon
Hartford & New-Haven were sent unto for aide, and saw cause both to
send into y^e weaker parts of their owne jurisdiction thus in danger,
and New-Haven, for conveniencie of situation, sente aide to Uncaway,
though belonging to Conightecutt. Of all which passages they presently
acquainted y^e comissioners in y^e Bay, & had y^e allowance &
approbation from y^e Generall Courte ther, with directions neither to
hasten warr nor to bear such insolencies too longe. Which courses,
though chargable to them selves, yet through Gods blessing they hope
fruite is, & will be, sweete and wholsome to all y^e collonies; the
murderers are since delivered to justice, the publick peace preserved
for y^e presente, & probabillitie it may be better secured for y^e
future.
Thus this mischeefe was prevented, and y^e fear of a warr hereby
diverted. But now an other broyle was begune by y^e Narigansets; though
they unjustly had made warr upon Uncass, (as is before declared,) and
had, y^e winter before this, ernestly presed y^e Gove^r of y^e
Massachusets that they might still make warr upon them to revenge the
death of their sagamore, w^ch, being taken prisoner, was by them put to
death, (as before was noted,) pretending that they had first received
and accepted his ransome, and then put him to death. But y^e Gove^r
refused their presents, and tould them y^t it was them selves had done
y^e wronge, & broaken y^e conditions of peace; and he nor y^e English
neither could nor would allow them to make any further warr upon him,
but if they did, must assiste him, & oppose them; but if it did appeare,
upon good proofe, that he had received a ransome for his life, before he
put him to death, when y^e comissioners mett, they should have a fair
hearing, and they would cause Uncass to returne y^e same. But
notwithstanding, at y^e spring of y^e year they gathered a great power,
and fell upon Uncass, and slue sundrie of his men, and wounded more, and
also had some loss them selves. Uncass cald for aide from y^e English;
they tould him what y^e Narigansets objected, he deney the same; they
tould him it must come to triall, and if he was inocente, if y^e
Narigansets would not desiste, they would aide & assiste him. So at this
meeting they [263] sent both to Uncass & y^e Narrigansets, and required
their sagamors to come or send to y^e comissioners now mete at Hartford,
and they should have a faire & inpartiall hearing in all their
greevances, and would endeavor y^t all wrongs should be rectified wher
they should be found; and they promised that they should safly come and
returne without any danger or molestation; and sundry y^e like things,
as appears more at large in y^e messengers instructions. Upon w^ch the
Narigansets sent one sagamore and some other deputies, with full power
to doe in y^e case as should be meete. Uncass came in person,
accompanyed with some cheefe aboute him. After the agitation of y^e
bussines, y^e issue was this. The comissioners declared to the
Narigansett deputies as followeth.