A Key into the Language of America, Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII. Of their Government and Iustice.
| Sâchim-maûog. | King, Kings. |
| Sachimaûonck, | A Kingdome or Monarchie. |
Obs. Their Government is Monarchicall yet at present the chiefest government in th… Counrey is divided betweene a younger Sachim, Miantunnômu, and an elder Sachim Caunoúnicus, of about fourescore yeeres old this young mans Uncle; and their agreemen… in the Government is remarkable:
The old Sachim will not be offended a… what the young Sachim doth; and the young… Sachim will not doe what hee conceives wil… displease his Uncle.
| Saunks. | The Queen, or Sachims Wife. |
| Sauncksquûaog. | Queenes. |
| Otan, -nash. | The towne, townes. |
| Otânick. | To the towne. |
| Sachimmaacómmock | A Princes house, |
which according to their condition, is farre different from the other house, both in capacity or receit; and also the finenesse and quality of their Mats.
| Ataúskawaw-wauog. | Lord, Lords. |
| Wauôntam. | A Wise man or Counsellour. |
| Wauóntakick. | Wise men. |
| Enàtch or eatch Keèn anawáyean. | Your will shall be law. |
| Enàtch neèn ánowa. | Let my word stand. |
| Ntinnume. | He is my man. |
| Ntacquêtunck ewò. | He is my subject. |
| Kuttáck quêtous. | I will subject to you. |
Obs. Beside their generall subjection to the highest Sachims, to whom they carry presents: They have also particular Protectors, under Sachims, to whom they also carry presents, and upon any injury received, and complaint made, these Protectors will revenge it.
| Ntannôtam. | I will revenge it. |
| Kuttannótous. | I will revenge you. |
| Miâawene. | A Court or meeting. |
| Wèpe cummiâawene. | Come to the meeting. |
| Miawêtuck. | Let us meet. |
| Wauwhautowash. | Call a meeting. |
| Miawêmucks. | At a meeting. |
| Miawéhettit. | When they meet. |
Obs. The Sachims, although they have an absolute Monarchie over the people; yet they will not conclude of ought that concernes all, either Lawes, or Subsides, or warres, unto which the people are averse, and by gentle perswasion cannot be brought.
| Peyautch naúgum. | Let himselfe come here. |
| Pétiteatch. | Let him come. |
| Mishauntowash. | Speake out. |
| Nanantowash. | Speake plaine. |
| Kunnadsittamen wèpe. | You must inquire after this. |
| Wunnadfittamútta. | Let us seach into it. |
| Neen pitch-nnadsittamen. | I will inquire into it. |
| Machissu ewo. | He is naught. |
| Cuttiantacompáwwem. | You are a lying fellow. |
| Cuttiantakiskquawquaw. | You are a lying woman. |
| Wepe cukkúmmoot. | You have stole. |
| Mat méshnawmônash | I did not see those things. |
| Màt mèsh nummám menash. | I did not take them. |
| Wepe kunnishquêko cummiskissawwaw. | You are fierce and quarrelsome. |
Obs. I could never discerne that excesse of scandalous sins amongst them, which Europe aboundeth with. Drunkennesse and gluttony, generally they know not what sinnes they be; and although they have not so much to restraine them (both in respect of knowledge of God and Lawes of men) as the English have▪ yet a man shall never heare of such crimes amongst them of robberies murthers, adulteries &c. as amongst the English: I conceive that the glorious Sunne of so much truth as shines in England, hardens our English hearts: for what the Sunne softeneth not, it hardens.
| Tawhitch yò enêan? | Why doe you so? |
| Tawhitch cummootóan? | Why doe you steale? |
| Tawhitch nanompaniêan? | Why are you thus idle or base? |
| Wewhepapúnnoke. | Bind him. |
| Wèpe kunnishaûmis. | You kild him. |
| Wèpe kukkem…eantin. | You are the murtherer. |
| …asaumitaúwhitch. | Let him be whipt. |
| …pponck quittauwhitch. | Let him be imprisoned. |
| Nippitch ewo. | Let him die. |
| Niphéttitch. | Let them die. |
| Niss-Nissoke. | Kill him. |
| Púm-púmmoke. | Shoot him. |
Obs. The most usuall Custome amongst them in executing punishments, is for the Sachim either to beat, or whip, or put to death with his owne hand, to which the common sort most quietly submit: though sometimes the Sachim sends a secret Executioner, one of his chiefest Warriours to fetch of a head, by some sudden unexpected blow of a Hatchet, when they have feared Mutiny by publike execution.
| Kukkeechequaûbenitch. | You shall be hanged. |
| Nippansinnea. | I am innocent. |
| Uppansinea-ewo. | He is innocent. |
| Matmeshnowaûwon. | I knew nothing of it. |
| NNnowaûntum. | I am sorry. |
| Nummachiemè. | I have done ill. |
| Aumaúnemoke. | Let it passe, or take away this accusation |
| Konkeeteatch Ewo. | Let him live. |
| Konkeeteáhetti | Let them live. |
Observation generall, of their Government.
The wildest of the sonnes of Men have ever found a necessity, (for preservation of themselves, their Families and Properties) to cast themselves into some Mould or forme of Government.
More particular:
Adulteries, Murthers, Robberies, Thefts,
Wild Indians punish these!
And hold the Scales of Iustice so,
That no man farthing leese.
When Indians heare the horrid filths,
Of Irish, English Men,
The horrid Oaths and Murthers late,
Thus say these Indians then.
We weare no Cloaths, have many Gods,
And yet our finnes are lesse:
You are Barbarians, Pagans wild,
Your Land's the Wildernesse.