before related. The latter was said to be the only native of Patuxet
(the Indian name of Plymouth) living there at that period. His
captivity and residence in England had prepared him, by understanding
the English language, to render service to the colony. Squanto, it
appears, was the only person that escaped the great sickness at
Patuxet. The extent of its ravages, as near as can be judged, was from
Narraganset bay to Kennebec, or, perhaps, Penobscot, and is supposed
to have commenced about 1617, and its continuance between two and
three years, as it was nearly abated in 1619. According to the account
of the Indians, it was a terrific scene, the deaths occurring with
such frequency, that the living were not able to bury the dead. In the
language of an author of the time, "they died in heaps as they laid in
their houses, and the living, that were able to shift for themselves,
would runne away, and would let them dy, and let their carcasses ly
above the ground without buriall. For in a place where many inhabited,
there had been but one (referring to Squanto) left alive to tell what
became of the rest." When the pilgrims arrived in this country, their
bones were thick upon the ground in many places. Squanto, with another
Indian and several Englishmen, was employed, on one occasion, to go in
search of an English boy, who had been lost in the woods. Having been
informed of some Indians that the boy was at Nauset, they proceeded in
a vessel to that place, joined also by Iyanough, the sachem of
Cummaquid, and two of his men. Aspinet, the chief at Nauset, being
informed by Squanto that his English friends had come for the boy, he
came with a great train, and brought the boy with him, one carrying
him through the water. Not less than an hundred Indians appeared on
this occasion, half of whom attending the boy to the boat, the rest
standing aloof, with their bows and arrows, looking on. The child was
delivered up in a formal manner, covered with beads, and Aspinet
embraced the opportunity of making peace with the English, the latter
giving him a knife, as also one to the kind Indian who first
entertained the lost boy, and brought him to Nauset.
Squanto had shown his early attachment to the English, in his conduct
towards Captain Dermer, who visited the country the year before the
pilgrims arrived here. When the Indians would have killed him on some
occasion, Squanto successfully pleaded in his behalf. They had in view
the avenging of some murders, which a foreigner, an Englishman, had a
while before inflicted on their people. These two Indians, Samoset and
Squanto, remained with the English, instructing them how to live in
their country. Squanto became an important personage in the Indian
politics. He was in the main friendly to the English; but his devices
to enhance himself in the eyes of his new friends, or to make himself
great in the eyes of his countrymen, were not always wise, and were
not, unfrequently, mischievous. In 1622 he forfeited his life by
plotting to destroy that of Massasoit. On that occasion, the latter
went to Plymouth, burning with rage against Squanto, but the governor
succeeded in quieting him for that time. Soon after, he sent a
messenger to entreat the governor's consent to his being put to death;
but the latter would not be persuaded to yield to his request. Squanto
denied all knowledge of the plot. The English, however, seemed well
satisfied that Squanto had laid this shallow scheme to set them
against Massasoit, thinking they would destroy him, by which means he
expected to become chief sachem himself; and this seems the more
probable, as Massasoit was, for some time, irreconcilable, because
they withheld Squanto from him. When the English understood his
object, they assured the Indians that they did not concur in the plot,
and that they would do no injury to them, unless the Indians began
with the whites. Squanto was sharply reproved by the governor, but he
was so necessary to the welfare of the colony, in respect to its
intercourse with the Indians, that he was retained there.
The following instance is related of his manœuvres to possess his
countrymen with great fear of the English: He told them that the
English kept the plague buried in one of their store-houses, and that
they could send it at any time to any place, to destroy whatever
persons or people they would, though they themselves stirred not out
of doors. This piece of information was of course calculated to
inspire them with great terror. Some sagacious Indians at length
discovered the trick, by inquiring of the English respecting it.
Squanto died during an expedition or trading voyage, which was
undertaken among the Indians of Cape Cod, to buy corn in a time of
scarcity. He was pilot on this occasion. He was seized with sickness in
the midst of the undertaking, his disorder being a fever, and he
bleeding much at the nose, which the Indians reckon a fatal symptom, the
disease soon overpowered him. He desired the governor would pray for
him, that he might go to the Englishman's God. He bequeathed his effects
to sundry of his English friends, as remembrances of his affection.
"Thus died the famous Squanto, or Tisquantum, in December, 1622. To
him the pilgrims were greatly indebted, although he often, through
extreme folly and short-sightedness, gave them, as well as himself and
others, a great deal of trouble."
One of the most interesting personages of Indian history is Massasoit,
already spoken of incidentally. His visit to the pilgrims had been
previously announced through Samoset and Squanto. He was chief of the
Wampanoags, and resided at a place called Pokanet by the Indians,
which is now included in the town of Bristol, Rhode Island. He was a
friend to the English, and persevered in his friendship to the last.
His renown was more in peace than in war, and is for that reason more
precious in the memory of the wise and virtuous.
"It has often been thought strange that so mild a sachem as Massasoit
should have possessed so great a country, and our wonder has been
increased, when we consider that Indian possessions are generally
obtained by prowess and great personal courage. We know of none who
could boast of such extensive dominions, where all were contented to
consider themselves his friends and children. Powhatan, Pontiac, Little
Turtle, Tecumseh, and many more that we could name, have swayed numerous
tribes; but theirs was a temporary union in an emergency of war. That
Massasoit should be able to hold so many tribes together, without
constant war, required qualities belonging only to a few. That he was
not a warrior, no one will allow, when the testimony of Annawon is so
direct to the point; for that great chief gave Captain Church an account
of what mighty success he had formerly in the wars against many nations
of Indians, when he served Asuhmequin (Massasoit), Philip's father."
The limits of his country cannot be exactly pointed out, as
occasionally the Nipmucks, or inland Indians, owned his sway, and at
other times that of the Narraganset sachem. He possessed at least Cape
Cod, and all that part of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, between
Massachusetts and Narraganset bays, extending into the interior to
some distance between Pawtucket and Charles rivers. The distance is
not accurately known. This chief had several places of residence, but
the favorite one would appear to have been Mount Hope. It has always
been deemed a picturesque and beautiful locality. The Indian name,
Pokanoket, signifies the wood or land on the other side of the water.
There was a place in Middleborough, and another in Raynham, where
Massasoit spent some parts of the year, probably the summer.
It was of course in Massasoit's country that the pilgrim fathers had
arrived. With their object, and the nature of their movement, he
could not be supposed to be acquainted. These points he made some
attempts to ascertain, by sending occasionally some of his men to the
settlement at Plymouth. It was in this way that his introduction to
the English was brought about, the visit of Samoset and Squanto being
the preparation for the event. It was on the 22d of March, 1621, that
the great sagamore, with Quadequina, his brother, made his appearance
before them. Much caution was observed by each party in respect to the
meeting, as they were uncertain of one another's views. But presents
were made to the Indians, and much good will was expressed. The
following description of the scene has been given: "As Massasoit
proceeded to meet the English, they met him with six soldiers, who
saluted each other. Several of his men were with him, but all left
their bows and arrows behind. They were conducted to a new house which
was partly finished, and a green rug was spread on the floor, and
several cushions for Massasoit and his chiefs to sit down upon. Then
came the English governor, followed by a drummer and trumpeter, and a
few soldiers, and, after kissing one another, all sat down. Some
strong water being brought, the governor drank to Massasoit, who in
his turn drank a great draught, that made him sweat all the while
after. They now proceeded to make a treaty, which stipulated that
neither Massasoit nor any of his people should do hurt to the English,
and that if they did, they should be given up to be punished by them;
and that if the English did any harm to him or any of his people, they
(the English) would do the like to them." Massasoit is represented as
having trembled much on the occasion, through his fear of the English.
This was his first visit to the infant colony, and its consequences
seem to have been of the most propitious character. He ever afterwards
treated the English with kindness, and the compact was followed by a
long period of peace.
The only exception to his feelings of friendship for the new comers,
arose from the affair of Squanto, as has been already detailed.
Massasoit could not but feel aggrieved; but a sort of necessity seemed
to be laid upon them to secure the good offices of Squanto, and they
could not know, perhaps, how far he was implicated in wrong. Indeed,
it is stated that at one time they were about to deliver up Squanto to
Massasoit's men, but that the latter, in their impatience at the
delay, went off in a rage.
Sometime during the next summer, Massasoit was visited by several of the
English, among whom were Mr. Edward Winslow, Mr. Stephen Hopkins, and
Squanto, their interpreter. The object they had in view was to ascertain
his place of residence, in the event of having to call on him for
assistance, to cement and continue their begun friendship, and
particularly to induce him to restrain his men in regard to their visits
to the colony, as it was a time of scarcity, and they could not afford
to support such vagabonds. They took presents with them, in order to
render their visit agreeable to the sagamore, and such was the effect
produced. Massasoit was absent at the time, but, being immediately sent
for, he soon returned to meet his guests. The report of their guns, upon
hearing he was on the way, frightened the Indian women and children to
such a degree, that they all fled; but their salutation in the same
manner to Massasoit as he drew near, very greatly elated him. He
welcomed his guests with kindness, and took them into his house; but
they had sorry accommodations and scanty fare. Except tobacco for
smoking, their entertainment for the first night was only a supperless
bed, as he had no victuals to give them. Their bed, if it might be so
called, consisted only of planks, raised a foot from the ground, with a
thin mat upon them, with a mixed company to occupy it, so that they were
"worse weary of" their "lodgings, than of" their "journey." After
fasting two nights and one day, they partook of a scanty, but "timely"
meal of boiled fish. In the language of the times, it is related: "Very
importunate was he to have us stay with them longer. But we desired to
keep the Sabbath at home, and feared we should either be light-headed
for the want of sleep--for what with bad lodging, the savages' barbarous
singing (for they used to sing themselves to sleep), lice, and fleas,
within doors, and musketoes without, we could hardly sleep all the time
of our being there--we much fearing that if we should stay any longer,
we should not be able to recover home for want of strength. So that on
Friday morning, before the sun rising, we took our leave and departed,
Massasoit being both grieved and ashamed that he could no better
entertain us."
[Illustration: Governor Winslow's visit to Massasoit during his
sickness.]
A sickness with which this sachem was seized, in 1623, occasioned
another visit on the part of Mr. Winslow. He had been sent for by the
chief to visit him in his distress, accompanied by "one Master John
Hampden," then on a visit to the colony, and he took with him medicines
and cordials, such as were deemed necessary. As it was a custom, among
the Indians, for all the friends of a chief to attend on such occasions,
Mr. Winslow found on his arrival that the house was filled with people.
They were noisily engaged in practicing their charms or powows, and all
was confusion and uproar--a poor sedative, surely, for a sick man. To
keep heat in him, some half dozen women were busily employed in chafing
his arms, legs, and thighs. When they had made an end of their
incantations, the chief was told that his friends, the English, were
come to see him. Unable to see, but learning who it was, he desired to
speak with Mr. Winslow. The interview was touching in no small degree,
and especially as Massasoit said: "O, Winsow, I shall never see thee
again." Like other Indians, he could not articulate the liquid _l._ By
Winslow's kind exertions, however, his sickness began to abate, and the
sachem finally recovered, contrary to the expectations of himself and
all his friends.
For this attention of the whites, he ever felt grateful, viewing it as
the means of his recovery. He gave a striking proof of his
appreciation of the favor shown him, even before the departure of
Winslow, by informing Hobomok of a plot laid by some of his
subordinate chiefs for the purpose of destroying the two English
plantations. This he charged him to make known to the English, which
was done. Massasoit mentioned, at the same time, that he had been
urged to join in it, or give his consent to the plan; but that he had
steadily opposed it. The evils which that plot brought upon its
authors, will be seen in another place.
Massasoit manifested a great desire for the welfare of his people, as
appeared from his inducing Mr. Winslow to go among them, in the midst
of a prevailing sickness, and administer to them the medicines and
cordials which had proved so efficacious in his own case. This, his
paternal regard for his people, raised him still higher in the
estimation of the English. Many Indians, before Mr. Winslow left, came
to see their chief; some probably from a distance of an hundred miles.
A war, which commenced in 1632, between Massasoit and Canonicus, the
sachem of the Narragansets, was speedily terminated by the
interference of the English in behalf of their benefactor. Captain
Miles Standish led the force, and accomplished the object with little
bloodshed, although the Indians expected a serious contest.
Massasoit showed his kind feeling towards Mr. Williams, in giving up
the lands in dispute between him and the Narraganset sachem, since Mr.
Williams had bought and paid for all he possessed of the latter. His
title was precarious so long as Massasoit laid claim to the territory,
as it would then be considered as being within the jurisdiction of
Plymouth. The land thus given up, included that which is the island
called Rhode Island, Prudence island, and perhaps some others,
together with Providence. Agreeably to Massasoit's advice, in regard
to the Indian plot for the massacre of the whites, already referred
to, that a bold stroke should be struck, and the heads of the plot
destroyed, the daring Standish, with a party of only eight men, went
into the hostile country to effect the object. The party intended
secresy, but the Indians in some way obtained knowledge of it, or
mistrusted Standish's design. Accordingly, they began to prepare for
the conflict. One of them, Pecksuot, a man of great courage, called a
_paniese_, told Hobomok, _he understood the captain was there to kill
him and the rest of the Indians there_. "Tell him," said Pecksuot, "we
know it, but fear him not, neither will we shun him." By their conduct
before the English, in sharpening their knives and in their insulting
gestures and speeches, they showed how little apprehension they
entertained, especially as the English were so inconsiderable in
number. Pecksuot even told Standish, that though he were a great
captain, yet he was but a little man, and that he himself, though he
was no sachem, yet was a man of great strength and courage. Standish
little heeded what was said, but watched his opportunity, as the
parties were in a house together. After considerable manœuvring, he
could get advantage over but a few of the Indians. At length, having
got Pecksuot and Wittuwamat, a bloody Massachusetts' chief, both
together, with another man and a youth, brother to Wittuwamat, and
like him in character; and having about as many of his own company in
the same room, he gave the word to his men to commence the work. The
door was at once made fast, and Standish himself began the terrible
contest. Snatching from Pecksuot his own knife from his neck, though
with a desperate struggle, he pierced with it the athletic Indian, and
brought him to the floor. The rest killed Wittuwamat and the other
man, and took the youth, whom the captain caused to be hanged. After
this, other encounters were had with the scattered Indians, and some
three more were also killed.
In justice to the savages, it is worthy of remark, that they were
provoked to the conspiracy for which they were so severely dealt with,
by the unauthorized aggressions of Weston's men, a colony of sixty
Englishmen, who had come over a year or two before, under the
direction of Thomas Weston. He was at first a friend of the pilgrims,
but became at length their traducer. This company, after living upon
the ill-supplied settlers at Plymouth through the winter of 1621-22,
had made at Weymouth an inexpedient settlement. The pilgrims
prosecuted this bloody enterprise, under the excitement produced by
the horrible intelligence from Virginia of the great Indian massacre
in that colony. In view of this bloody tale, we cannot but regret the
necessity which our fathers felt for engaging in such a work; and we
cannot but be touched with the piety and humanity of the godly Mr.
Robinson, the father of the Plymouth church, in consequence of the
present affair, that "it would have been happy if they had converted
some before they had killed any."
Between the years 1649 and 1657, Massasoit sold to the English, at
different times, various tracts of land for a valuable consideration.
Indeed, being entirely subservient to the English, he claimed to hold
little or nothing of his own at length, and ceased to act in his own
name. He therefore scarcely appears in the records of the colony, during
the three or four last years of his life. He died, it is believed, in
1662, his son Alexander dying also the same year. Another son, the
celebrated Philip, succeeded him. Even Massasoit could be guilty of an
Indian trick, as the following instance, related by Governor Winthrop,
evinces: Mr. Winslow, on returning from a trading voyage southward, left
his vessel, and, traveling by land, called on his old friend Massasoit,
who agreed to accompany him during the remainder of the journey. While
they were on the way, Massasoit sent on one of his men forward to
Plymouth, for the purpose of surprising the people, by the announcement
of Winslow's death. As the declaration was believed at Plymouth, from
the manner in which the account was given, it produced unmingled grief
at the settlement. But shortly, what was their astonishment at seeing
him alive, in company with his Indian friend. When it was known that the
sachem had caused the sad news to be conveyed to them, they demanded the
reason of his conduct in practising such a deception. He gave as a
reply, that he might be more welcome when he did return, and that such
things were customary with his people.
Of Caunbitant, as one of the Indian chiefs in that region, something
deserves to be said. He was one of the most renowned captains within the
dominions of Massasoit. The place of his residence was Mettapoiset, in
the present town of Swansey. He ever looked upon the English with a
jealous eye, considering them as enemies and intruders on the soil, and
his plans appeared to be shaped for the destruction of the strangers, as
soon as he could find a fitting occasion. In the summer of 1621, he was
supposed to be in the interests of the Narragansets, and plotting with
them to overthrow Massasoit. He had much also to say against the
English, and the peace concluded between Nauset, Cummaquid, and the
latter. Against Squanto and Hobomok he indulged a deadly enmity.
Discovering, on one occasion, the house where Squanto was, he set a
guard around it, and secured him. Hobomok, seeing that Squanto was
taken, and Caunbitant holding a knife to his throat, being a strong man
broke away from them, and came to Plymouth, with the news of Squanto's
probable death. Upon this, the people sent an expedition of fourteen
men, under Standish, to rectify matters. After much toil, this small
handful of men arrived at the place where they expected to find
Caunbitant. They beset the house, and demanded of the chief if he were
there. The savages seemed to be struck dumb with fear. Upon being
assured that they sought only Caunbitant, and that every Indian was safe
who would be still, they at length, though a few of them endeavored to
escape, told the assailants that Caunbitant was returned home with his
whole train, and that Squanto was yet living, and in the town. The
attack being made in the night, carried terror to the hearts of the
Indians, as in the affray a couple of guns were discharged, some of them
never having heard the report of fire-arms before. While the English
were searching the house, Hobomok got on the top of it, and called
Squanto and another Indian, Tokamahamon, whom they sought. They both
appeared in a short time, together with several others, some armed and
others naked. The captured wigwam was held until daylight, when the
prisoners were released, and the little army marched into the town of
the Namaskets. Here it seems Squanto had a house to which they went, and
where they took breakfast. The issue of the whole was, the giving out of
a decree from the court that they held, in which they warned Caunbitant
of the consequences of offering violence to Tisquantum, Hobomok, or any
of Massasoit's subjects. Caunbitant seemed from this time to lay aside
his enmity to the English, or at least his open opposition, as on the
13th of September following he went to Plymouth, and signed a treaty of
amity, together with others. The English nevertheless always doubted his
sincerity.
What became of this sachem is not known to history. His name appears
no more on record after 1623, and it is supposed that he either fled
his country, or died about that time.