Indian Trouble
After the departure of the Fortune the Plymouth colony faced a serious
situation. Their provisions were not sufficient to meet the demands of
their suddenly increased numbers and the threat of attack hovered over
their little community.
The Narragansetts were not friendly with Massasoit and they resented the
intrusion of the white settlers. Their chief Canonicus by way of warning
sent a bundle of arrows wrapped in snake skin to which the Governor
replied by returning the skin with bullets wrapped therein, together
with the admonition that if they would prefer war to peace, they “could
begin when they would.” They however took the precaution to strengthen
their defences and the settlement was “impaled round by the beginning of
March.”
Captain Standish had, in the meantime, on advice of the Governor,
divided his small forces into “four squadrons and every one had their
quarter appointed unto which they were to repair upon any sudden alarm.
And, if there should be any cry of fire, a company were appointed for a
guard, with muskets, while others quenched the same, to prevent Indian
treachery.”
[Sidenote: 1622]
In May the Sparrow, a fishing vessel, arrived bringing seven more
passengers. In July two more vessels, the Charity, and the Swan,
belonging to Mr. Weston, arrived with about sixty men who were left at
the Plymouth settlement. They remained there through the summer when,
upon the return of one of Weston’s ships from Virginia, they were
transferred to Weymouth, their original destination.
These ships had brought the information that Mr. Weston had withdrawn
from the Merchant Adventurers and had acquired a patent to land in the
vicinity of Massachusetts Bay, that the men sent over were destined
therefore, that they were a rough lot and, according to a letter from
Mr. Cushman “were no men for them.” They were, however, as well provided
for as the circumstances under this added burden and their strained
supply of provisions would permit, until their removal to the Weymouth
Colony.
After their departure and when the supply of food was well nigh
exhausted, a fishing vessel came into the harbor, from which they were
able to secure a small supply of provisions that helped sustain them
until the next harvest. This vessel also brought report of the Indian
massacre in Virginia.
It was during the succeeding weeks that the fort was built on the hill
(Burial Hill). As Bradford says, “This summer they built a fort of good
timber both strong and comely, which was of good defence, made with a
flat roof and battlements on which their ordinance were mounted and
where they kept constant watch, especially in time of danger. It served
them also for a meeting-house and was fitted accordingly for that use.
It was a great work for them in this weakness and time of wants; but the
danger of the time required it, and both the continual rumors of the
fears from the Indians here, especially the Narragansetts, and also the
hearing of that great massacre in Virginia, made all hands willing to
despatch the same.”
[Illustration: Capt. Standish Slays Pecksuot]
The next harvest turned out to be a poor one owing partly to their
weakened condition and to other necessary work that they were called
upon to do. But again Providence came to the rescue. Another ship, the
Discovery, Captain Jones (Not Captain Christopher Jones of the
Mayflower) came into the harbor. She had been sent out from England to
“discover all the harbors between this and Virginia and the sholes of
Cape Cod and to trade along the coast where they could.”
From this ship they obtained articles which they in turn were able to
exchange with the Indians for corn which they sorely needed and for
beaver skins to apply to their obligations to the Adventurers.
The Swan, having been left by Mr. Weston at Weymouth and the colony
there being destitute of provisions, arrangement was made with the
Plymouth Colony to join them in a trading expedition along the Cape.
This was made under the direction of Governor Bradford who went with
them, taking Squanto as guide. At Chatham Squanto was stricken with
fever and died, wherein they sustained a great loss. They succeeded in
getting “about 26 or 28 hogsheads of corn and beans from the Indians,”
after which “the Governor took a few men and went to the inland places,
to get what he could, and to fetch it home at the spring, which did help
them something.”
[Sidenote: 1623]
The Plymouth Colony had been warned as to the type of men who composed
the Weymouth Colony. As it turned out, they were constantly fomenting
discord with the Indians and some even went so far as betray the
friendship of their Plymouth neighbors. They were repeatedly in want of
food and other supplies although having been at first well provided.
Bradford states: “Many sold their clothes and bed coverings; others (so
base were they) became servants to the Indians and would cut them wood
and fetch them water for a cap full of corn; others fell to plain
stealing, both night and day from the Indians, of which they grievously
complained.”
About this time word came that their friend Massasoit was gravely ill.
Following the Indian custom, Edward Winslow, together with one John
Hamden, with Hobomock for guide, went to his aid and through their
ministrations he recovered.
From Massasoit they learned of the conspiracy among the Indians which
had spread to the Cape Indians and which he had been unable to stop.
This conspiracy engendered by the treatment of the Indians by the Weston
colony provided that the colony should be wiped out and that the
Plymouth colony being likely to seek revenge, should also be
exterminated.
“He advised them therefore to prevent it, and that speedily, by taking
of some of the chief of them, before it was too late, for, he assured
them of the truth thereof.”
Whereupon, this news reaching Plymouth, Captain Myles Standish set out
with eight men for Weymouth where he “found them in miserable
condition.” The Indians were openly defiant and insulting. The meeting
resulted in the killing of several Indians including a large brave named
Pecksuot whom Captain Standish killed in hand to hand combat. Those who
remained of the Weston colony thought it best to take their leave and in
the Swan sailed away for the fishing grounds off the coast of Maine
provisioned with corn from the scanty store remaining with Standish.
Thus the Weston colony came to end.
Weston returning later, fell into the hands of the Indians who stripped
him of his belongings and reduced him to such extent that he appealed to
the Plymouth Colony for help. They gave him a generous supply of beaver
skins which he was able to exchange for supplies from the other vessels
along the coast which was “the only foundation for his future course.”
[Illustration: The First Cattle]