History of the War with the Indians, Part 56
August. 12. This is the memorable day wherein Philip, the perfidious and bloudy Author of the War and wofull miseries that have thence ensued, was taken and slain, And God brought it to pass, chiefly by Indians themselves. For one of Philips men (being disgusted at him, for killing an Indian who had propounded an expedient for peace with the English) ran away from him, and coming to Road-Island, informed that Philip was now returned again to Mount-Hope, and undertook to bring them to the Swamp where he hid himself. Providence so disposed, as that Capt. Church of Plymouth was then in Road-Island, in order to recruiting his Souldiers, who had been wearied with a tedious march that week, But immediately upon this Intelligence, he set forth again, with a small company of English and Indians. It seemeth that night Philip (like the man in the Host of Midean) dreamed that he was fallen into the hands of the English, and just as he was saying to those that were with him, that they must fly for their lives that day, lest the Indian that was gone from him should discover where he was; Our Souldiers came upon him, and surrounded the Swamp (where he with seven of his men absconded) Thereupon he betook himself to flight; but as he was coming out of the Swamp, an English-man and an Indian endcavoured to fire at him, the English-man missed of his aime, but the Indian shot him through the heart, so as that he fell down dead. The Indian who thus killed Philip, did formerly belong to Squaw-Sachim of Pocasset, being known by the name of Alderman. In the beginning of the war, he came to the Governour of Plymouth, manifesting his desire to be at peace with the English, and immediately withdrew to an Island, not having ingaged against the English nor for them, before this time. Thus when Philip had made an end to deal treacherously, his own Subjects dealt treacherously with him. This Wo was brought upon him that spoyled when he was not spoyled. And in that very place where he first contrived and began his mischief, was he taken and destroyed, and there was he (like as Agag was hewed in pieces before the Lord) cut into four quarters, and is now hanged up as a monument of revenging Justice, his head being cut off and carried away to Plymouth, his Hands were brought to Boston. So let all thine Enemies perish O Lord! When Philip was thus slain, five of his men were killed with him, one of which was his chief Captains son, being (as the Indians testifie) that very Indian, who shot the first gun at the English, when the War began. So that we may hope that the War in those parts will dye with Philip.
A little before this, the Authority in that Colony had appointed the seventeenth of this instant to be observed as a day of publick Thanksgiving throughout that Jurisdiction, on the account of wonderful success against the Enemy, which the Lord hath blessed them with, ever since they renewed their Covenant with him; and that so they might have hearts raised and enlarged in ascribing praises to God, he delivered Philip into their hands a few dayes before their intended Thanksgiving. Thus did God break the head of that Leviathan, and gave it to be meet to the people inhabiting the wilderness, and brought it to the Town of Plimouth the very day of their solemn Festival: yet this also is to be added and considered, that the Lord (so great is the divine faithsulness) to prevent us from being lifted up with our successes, and that we might not become secure, so ordered as that not an English-man but an Indian (though under Churches influence) must have the honour of killing Philip. And the day before this, was attended with a doleful Tragedy in the Eastern parts of this Country; viz. at Falmouth in Casco-bay, where some of those treacherous and bloody Indians who had lately submitted themselves, and promised Fidelity to the English, killed and took Captive above thirty Souls. The chief Author of this mischief, was an Indian called Simon; who was once in the hands of the English, and then known to have been active in former Murders, having bragged and boasted of the mischief and murders done by him: we may fear, that God, who so awfully threatned Ahab, when he had let go out of his hand a Blasphemous Murderous Heathen, whom the Lord had devoted to destruction, was not well pleased with the English for concluding this, and other bloody Murderers, in the late Eastern peace. What the issue of this new flame thus breaking forth, shall be, or how far it shall proceed, is with him whose wisdom is infinite, and who doth all things well.
Thus have we a brief, plain, and true Story of the War with the Indians in New-England, how it began, and how it hath made its progress; and what present hopes there are of a comfortable closure and conclusion of this trouble; which hath been continued for a whole year and more. Designing only a Breviary of the History of this war; I have not enlarged upon the circumstances of things, but shall leave that to others, who have advantages and leasure to go on with such an undertaking.
Magna dabit, qui magna potest, mihi parva potenti,
Parvaque poscenti, parva dedisse sat est.
There is one thing admirable to consider; I mean the providence of God in keeping one of these three Ʋnited Colonies, in a manner untouched all this while: For Connecticut Colony hath not been assaulted by this Enemy, only a few houses in one deserted Plantation were burnt; and it is possible that one Indian alone might do that. Whether God intends another tryal for them, or for what reason he hath hither to spared them, no one may as yet determine. Christ said unto Peter, What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter: even so, although we do not at present fully perceive the meaning of this providence, yet hereafter it will be manifest. And albeit the same sins and provocations have been found with them that are to be charged upon others, nevertheless it must needs be acknowledged (for why should not that which is praise-worthy in Brethren be owned, that so God may have the glory of his grace towards and in his Servants?) they have in the management of this affair, acquitted themselves like men, and like Christians. It was prudently done of them, not to make the Indians who lived amongst them their Enemies, and the Lord hath made them to be as a Wall to them, and also made use of them to do great service against the common Enemies of the English. The Churches there have also given proof of their charity and Christianity, by a liberal Contribution towards the necessity of the Saints impoverished by this War in the other two Colo…ies, having collected and transported above a thousand Bushels of Corn, for the relief and comfort of those that have lost all through the Calamity of War; God will remember and reward that pleasant fruit. Nor have some of the Churches in this Colony (especially in Boston, which the Grace of Christ hath alwayes made exemplary in works of that nature) been unwilling to consider their poor Brethren according to their Ability.
To Conclude this History, it is evident by the things which have been expressed, that our deliverance is as yet perfected; for the Nipmuck Indians are not yet wholly subdued: Moreover, it will be a difficult thing, either to subdue, or to come at the River Indians, who have many of them withdrawn themselves, and are gone far westward, and whilst they and others that have been in hostility against us, remain unconquered, we cannot enjoy such perfect peace as in the years which are past. And there seems to be a dark Cloud rising from the East, in respect of Indians in those parts, yea a Cloud which streameth forth blood. But that which is the saddest thought of all, is, that of late some unhappy scandals have been, which are enough to stop the current of mercy, which hath been flowing in upon us, and to provoke the Lord to let loose more Enemies upon us, so as that the second error shall be worse then the first. Only God doth deliver for his own Names sake: the Lord will not forsake his people for his great Names sake; because it hath pleased the Lord to make us his people. And we have reason to conclude that Salvation is begun, and in a gracious measure carried on towards us. For since last March there are two or 3000. Indians who have been either killed, or taken, or submitted themselves to the English. And those Indians which have been taken Captive; & others also, inform that the Narragansets are in a manner rnined, there being (as they say) not above an hundred men left of them, who the last year were the greatest body of Indians in New-England, and the most formidable Enemy which hath appeared against us. But God hath consumed them by the Sword, and by Famine, and by Sickness, it being no unusual thing for those that traverse the woods to find dead Indians up and down, whom either Famine, or sickness, hath caused to dy, and there hath been none to bury them. And Philip who was the Sheba, that began and headed the Rebellion, his head is thrown over the wall, therefore have we good reason to hope that this Day of Trouble, is near to an end, if our sins doe not undoe all that hath been wrought for us. And indeed there is one sad consideration, which may cause humble tremblings to think of it, namely in that the Reformation which God expects from us it not so hearty and so perfect as ought to be. Divines observe, that whereas upon Samuels exhortations, the people did make but imperfect work of it, as to the Reformation of provoking evils, therefore God did only begin their deliverance by Samuel, but left scattered Philistines unsubdued, who afterwards made head and proved a sore scourge to the Children of Israel, untill Davids time, in whose Reign there was a full Reformation, and then did the Lord give unto his people full deliverance. Nevertheless a sad Cantstrophe will attend those that shall magnifie themselves against the people of the Lord of Hosts. It hath been observed by many, that never any (whether Indians or others) did set themselves to do hurt to New-England, but they have come to lamentable ends at last. New-England hath been a burthensome stone, all that have burthened themselves with it, have been cut in pieces. The experience of the present day, doth greatly confirm that observation, and give us ground to hope, that as for remaining enemies, they shall fare as others that have gone before them, have done. Yet this further must needs be acknowledged, that as to Victories obtained, we have no cause to glory in any thing that we have done, but rather to be ashamed and confounded for our own wayes. The Lord hath thus far been our Saviour for his Names sake, that it might not be profaned among the Heathen whither he hath brought us. And God hath let us see that he could easily have destroyed us, by such a contemptible enemy as the Indians have been in our eyes; yea he hath convinced us that we-our selves could not subdue them. They have advantages that we have not, knowing where to find us, but we know not where to find them, who nevertheless are alwayes at home, and have in a manner nothing but their lives and souls (which they think not of) to lose; every Swamp is a Castle to them, and they can live comfortably on that which would starve English-men. So that we have no cause to glory, for it is God which hath thus saved us, and not we our selves. If we consider the time when the enemy hath fallen, we must needs own that the Lord hath done it. For we expected (and could in reason expect no other) that when the Summer was come on, and the bushes and leaves of trees come forth, the enemy would do ten times more mischief then in the winter season; whenas since that, the Lord hath appeared against them, that they have done but little hurt comparatively. Had there not been, foreign a divine hand beyond all expectation manifested, we had been in a state most miserable this day. Also if we keep in mind the means and way whereby our deliverance hath thus been accomplished, we must needs own the Lord in all. For it hath not been brought to pass by our numbers, or skill, or valour, we have not got the Land in possession by our own Sword, neither did our omn arm save us, But God hath wasted the Heathen, by sending the destroying Angel amongst them, since this War began; and (which should alwayes be an humbling consideration unto us) much hath been done towards the subduing of the enemy, by the Indians who have fought for us, sometimes more then by the English. And no doubt but that a great reason why many of them have of late been desirous to submit themselves to the English, hath been, because they were afraid of the Mohaugs who have a long time been a Terror to the other Indians. I have received it from one who was returned out of Captivity this Summer, that the Indians where he was, would not suffer any fires to be made in the night, for fear lest the Mohaugs should thereby discern where they were, and cut them off.
Now, as the Lord, who doth redeem Israel out of all his troubles, hath graciously and gloriously begun our Salvation, so let him perfect it, in such a way, as that no honour at all may come unto us, but that great glory may be to his own blessed Name for ever. Let him bring health and cure unto this Jerusalem, and reveal the abundance of peace and truth: And it shall be unto him a Name of joy, a Praise and an honour before all the Nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that he will doe unto us, and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness, and for all the prosperity that he will procure. If we hearken to his voice in these his solemn Dispensations, it surely shall be so. Not unto us O Lord; not unto us, but unto thy Name give Glory, for thy mercy and for thy Truths sake, Amen!
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