Narrative of the Troubles with the Indians in New England, Narrative 2 (1 of 2)
A NARRATIVE OF THE TROUBLES With the Indians in NEW-ENGLAND, From Pascataqua to Pemmaquid.
THe Occasion, Rise and Progress of the Warr with the Indians in the Southern and Western parts of New-England, together with the Issue, and Success thereof, hath in the former part of this Narrative, been already declared. Before an Entrance be made into a Relation of those Troubles that befell the Eastern and Northern parts of the said Country from the Indians inhabiting those parts; it will be requisite to give some general Description of the place, as being less frequented, and so more unknown then the other, like Heraulds that use to Blazon the Field before they meddle with the Charge, as an Historian once said, That so the Reader may not miss the Truth in Story, by being unacquainted with the places whereon the discourse proceedeth; Briefly therefore, that more cost and pains be not spent in the surveying a barren, and Rocky Country, then will quit cost; The List or Border here being known to be more worth then the whole Cloth; That whole Tract of Land, being of little worth, unless it were for the Borders thereof upon the Sea-Coast, and some Spots and Skirts of more desireable Land upon the Banks of some Rivers how much soever it be valued by them that know nothing thereof, but by the uncertain and fallible Reports of such as have only Sayled by the Country, or viewed some of the Rivers and Havens, but never passed through the heart of the Continent. The whole being scarce worth half those mens lives, that have been lost these two last years, in hope to save it.
This North part of New-England, did first like Z…rah put forth its hand, thereby inviting the Adventurers to twist the Scariet Thred of their hopes about the same, by that Auspicious beginning they were ready to promise themselves great prosperity in having that Advantage before others, to plant and people that part of the Country.
But that fair opportunity was almost quite lost, by some Fatal, and mischievous Accidents, happening soon after that noble Enterprize was first set a foot, as hath been already in part, and may hereafter more fully be declared.
The first place that ever was possessed by the English, in hope of making a Plantation in those parts was a Tract of Land, on the Westside of the River of Kennibeck, then called Sag at a wocke, since Saga-de-hocke: other places adjoyning were soon after seized, and improved for Trading and fishing. The more remote, & furthest Northward at this time belonging to the English (Penobsot forty years since being surprized by the French, and by them held to this day) is called Pemmaquid, distant seven or eight Leagnes from Kennibeck, and is the utmost Boundary of New-England, being about forty Leagues distant from the mouth of Pascataqua River. That Pemmaquid is a very Commodious Haven for Ships, and hath been found very Advantagious to such as use to come upon these Coasts to make fishing Voyages; South West, or South East, from whence about six or seven Leagues lies an Island called Monhiggon, of much use on the same account for fishing, it lying three or four Leagues into the Sea from Damarils Cove, (a place of like Advantage for the Stages of Fishermen in former times) There have been for a long time seven or eight considerable dwellings about Pemmaquid, which is well accommodased with Pasture Land about the Haven for feeding Cattle, and some Fields also for Tillage; All the Land improvable for such uses being already taken up, by such a number of Inhabitants as is already mentioned.
In the mouth of the River of Kennibeck lies a considerable Island calced Aronick, some years since purchased by Major Clarke and Capt. Lake two Merchancs of Boston; on which they built several large dwellings with a Ware-house, and many other Edifices near the water side, It being intended by the Owners for a place of Trading, as well as Planti…g; there being many of late seated there, fit to c…rry on each designe, where also was built a fort, which if it had been carefuliy defended, might have proved the defence, and Security of all that side of the Country, as it used to be their Magazine, up higher beyond the River of Kennibeck, four Leagues Eastward toward Pemmaquid, in another considerable River called Ships-Coat, upon the Banks of which were many scattered Planters, who lately flying from their dwellings for fear of the Indians, left as was judged, a thousand head of neat Cattle for the use of the Indians, that made the late Insurrection against the Inhabitants of those parts, besides their Fields and Barns full of Corn
There is another River that issues into Kennibeck, a little higher up into the Country called Pegypscot, that comes down from behind Casco Bay. This Pegypicot is the seat of the Amoscogging Indians, who have had a great, if not the principal hand in the late mischiefs.
Some few Leagues to the South of Kennibeck lies that famous and spacious Haven called Casco Bay, the North East Cape of which is made by an Island called Saguin; The Southern or opposite point of Land is called Cape Elizabeth, which is in the Bosome of this Bay, being about eight or nine Leagues over at the mouth of it, and aboundance of small Islands, many of them being inhabited by Fishermen, and others; one of the principal of that sort, is called Iewels Island. There are many places about the Bay fit to make commodious habitations; and on the South side of it is a small Village called Falmouth; All, or most of it, lately destroyed by the Indians.
Not far from Casco to the Southward, or South-west, still is a River called Spurnuik, over against which lies Richmond Island, not far from the main Land, being divided therefrom by a small Channel soordable at Low water, It hath for a long time been the Seat of Mr. Iordan, in right of Mr. Winter, the former, if not the first promoter thereof whose daughter he married.
The next Plantation Southward is called Scarborough, a small Village seated upon black point, over against which is another point, for distinction from the former called blue point: This black point was lately the Seat of M. Iosselin, being a parcel of the Province of maine, or falling within the Prec…ncts thereof, and was formerly by Patent granted to the said Iosselin or his Predecessors, since purchased by Mr. Scotto of Boston.
Saco River lies next in order to Pascataqua, a Navigable River; where Major Philips had a commodious Scituation ately; at the mouth of which River lies winter Harbour, encompassed on one side by a Neck of Land, formerly the Propriety of one Mr. Winter whose Name it still retains, but lately purchased by Major Pendleton, where he enjoyed a very comfortable Seat and habitation.
There is another Harbour lying a little Southward of Saco made by that which is called Cape Porpuise; a convenient Sear for Fishermen, as are most of the other places above named. Between Cape Porpuise & Pascataqua there are but two small Towns more, (though ambitious of great Names the one called Wells, the other Yorke, Wells is seated upon a small River or Creek affording a small Harbour fit only for Barkes & smaller V…ssels; on each side of which Town lies a small River, the first called Kennihank, the second Maguncuck the other Town is called York, formerly known by the Name of Agamenticus, from an high Hill of that Name not far off therefrom. The point of Land which lies between the said Fowns, is called Cape Nidduck, making a small Harbour likewise, into which issues another pretty River, on the Banks of which is Sc…tuate the Town of Yorke. All or most of the forementioned Towns and Plan…ations are seated upon and neer, some River greater or lesser, whose streams are principally improved for driving of Saw-Mill…; Those late Inventions, so useful for destruction of Wood and Timber, specially of Firre Tr…es, which do so abound in those Coasts; that there is scarce a River or Creeke in those parts that hath not some of those Engine… …ected upon them.
The upper Branches of the samous River of Pascataqua, being also imployed all of them that way, namely, Sturgeon Creeke, Salmon F…lls, Newechewannick, Quechecho, Oyster River, Swamscot, Greenland, Lamprey-Eele River, together with the Towns of Exete…, and Dover, seated upon, or near some of the main Branches thereof, whose principal Trade is in Deale Boards, cut by those Saw-Mills, since their Rif… Timber is near all consumed. On each side of that brave Navigable River of Pascataqua down towards the mouth of it, are seated on the North side the Town of Kittary (a long scattering Plantation made up of several Hamlets) on the South side the Town of Portsmouth, to which belongs the great Island, lying in the mouth of the said River, a place of considerable Trade, these late years, the which together with Strawberry Bank the upper part of the said Town of Portsmouth, are the Magazine, and chief, or only place of Commerce & Trade for al the Pantations, betwixt it, and Casco Bay; All the said Plantations have in these last two years, viz. 1675. 1676. felt more or less of the Rage and Cruelty of the Barbarous and perfidious Indians belonging to that side of the Country, As shall more particularly be declared in what follows, after a short discourse of the first planting that side of the Country which may serve as a kind of Prologue to the following Tragedy.
This part of New-England began first to be planted about the same time with Virginia, viz. in the year 1606. There the first Letters Patents granted by the King for the Limitation of Virginia, did extend from 34 to 44 Degrees of North Latitude, and was divided into two parts, namely the first, and the second Colony; The former was appropriated to the City of London, The other, to the Cities of Bristol, Exeter, and Town of Plimouth, each of which had Laws, P…iviledges, and Authority for the Government, and advancing their several Plantations alike, As saith, Capt. Smith in his general History of Virginia, and New-England. This second Colony of New-England promising but little Advantage to the Vndertakers, by reason of its Mountainous and Rocky Scituation, found but few Adventurers forward to promote the planting thereof, after the death of Sir Iohn Popham, who was the first that ever procured men, or meant to possess it; for when the main Pillars are removed, what can be expected but that the whole building should fall to the ground. Yet, notwithstanding the discouragements the first Planters met withal in their first Winter seasoning, in that cold and rocky desert (which made them all return home in the year 1608) did Sir Francis Popham his Son, having the Ships and Provision which remained of the Company, and supplying what was necessary for his purpose, send divers times to the Coasts for Trade and Fishing, of whose loss or gain, as saith my Author, himself was best able to give account. And some of the Ships sent by him, and the Earl of Southhampton, with other Noble Adventurers, did bring home some of the Natives of the place in one of the next following years, by whose Informations, some of the first Vndertakers were encouraged once more to try the verity of their hopes, and see if possibly they might finde something that could enduce a fresh Resolution to prosecute so pious and Honourable a work.
But in the mean time before there was yet any Speech, or endeavour to settle any other Plantation in those parts, That about Saga de hock being thus abandoned for the present by the first Vndertakers, The Frenchmen immediately took the opportunity to settle themselves within our Limits, which being understood by those of Virginia, they discrectly taking into their consideration the inconveniences that might arise by suffering them to harbour there, Sir Samuel Argal was sent with Commission to displace them, which he with great discretion, de… …erity and Iudgement performed about the year 1613. The which made way for the Plantation at Nova Scotia, granted afterward… by King Iames to Sir William Alexander one of his Majesties most Honourable Council of Scotland. The said Argal seized the Forts which the Frenchmen had built at Mount Mansel, St. Croix, and Port Rual, and carried away their Ordnance, with other Provisions to the Colony of Virginia, to their great Benefit. The said places were held by the English divers years after, till about the year 1635. by Commission from the Scotch Lord a foresaid, but how his right came afterwards to be alienated to any of the French Nation, doth not concern us with Reference to the business in hand, further to enquire.
Things remaining in this posture for the space of near seven years, some of the first Adventurers apprehensive of better hopes of good that might ensne by a fresh Attempt, Resolved to set the designe a foot a second time, to which End several Ships were sent on that account in the year 1615. but with as bad Success as the former; for in the year before, viz. 1614. Capt. Smith desirous to promote the Colony of New-England, as well as that of Verginia came thither with two Vessels, and returned back to England in the lesser of them, with intent to be there again that next year, to promote the said Plantation; But after he was gone, one Thomas Hunt master of the Shi…p, he left behind, like a wicked Varlot, to prevent the carrying on the Plantation, that he & a few Merchants might wholly enjoy the benefit of the Trade of the Country, after he had made his Voyage, seized upon four & twenty of the poor Innocent Natives, that in confidence of his honesty, had put themselves into his hands, then clapping them under Hatches, carryed them away to Malego, whither he was bound with the fish he had made upon the Coast, for that Market: But this vile act, although it kept him for ever after from any more imployment in those parts, yet that was the least part of the mischief that attended his wicked practice; for upon the Arrival of the Adventurers Ships the next yeare; Two Natives of the place that had been some years in England, and coming back unto the said Ships, as soon as they understood the iniuty so Treacherously done to their Country-men, they contracted such an hatred against our whole Nation, that although one of the said Natives dyed soon after, yet the other called Epenow, studied how to be Revenged, which he so far found means to Effect, that he frustrated this second Attempt of setling a Plantation in these parts.
Yet did not the Adventurers cast off all hope of carrying on their designe, wherein Providence within a few years after so favoured them, that one or more of the Salvages called Tisquamtum and Samoset, carryed away by Hunt, was brought back to New-found Land, from whence he was soon after conveyed by the prudent endeavour of Capt. Mason (then Governour of the Plantation begun upon New-found Land) into the hands of some of the Adventurers by whose means they hoped to work a peace betwixt the said Natives on that Coast where the fire had been kindled before; for the Adventurers imployed Capt. Thomas Darmer, a prudent and industrious Gentleman to settle the affairs of the Plantatjon, now a third time revived again about Kennibeck, in the year 1619, or thereabouts. By his prudence and care a lasting peace was made betwixt the Natives of the place, and the English, who were but a little before so abhorred by them, for the wrong formerly received, so as the Plantation began at last to prosper, and continue in good liking, and Assurance of the Friendship of their Neighbours, that had been lately so exasperated against them. This Tisquanium forementioned, was not a little Instrumental, and helpful to the Plantation begun at New-Plimouth about the following year, viz. 1620. in their weak beginnings, there being frequent mention of his Name, as also of one Samoset, a Native of the same place, by the like Providence brought back to Kennibeck, and from thence with Tisquantum came to the New-planters at Patuxet, or Plimouth, and brought them into acquaintance with Massasoit, the great Sachem about those parts; without whose Friendship that new Plantation would hardly have subsisted long.
This Story premised is the more to be minded in this place, because the Friendship upon the means and occasious aforesaid, confirmed betwixt the Indians in these Eastern parts, & the English, had continued stedfast and Constant to this year, when it was broken by another Treacherous and wicked practice, of a like nature, and parrallel to that of the foresaid Hunt. As may more fully be declared afterwards.
Possibly the like saci…ction may prove the more probable means to procure a setled peace. But to return, whence this Digression hath been made. Some years were spent to bring things to this Issue: The Adventurers were put to much care and pains before they could get their Patent confirmed, and Renewed again; many Obstructions they met withal from some Interlopers that begen to look into the Trade of this Country, and would irregularly have had a share-therein, or made it common to all Traders, to which End they pe…i…ioned to a Parliament then called, to bring about their Ends, but at the last it was setled firmly in the hands of sundry Noble and worthy Patentees, Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, and Merchants, commonly known by the Name of the Councel of Plimouth, who had the absolute power under the King, for making all Grants, and disposing of all Lands from the 40th. to the 48th. Degrees of North Latitude; All which was accomplished about the year 1621. Some printed Relations that speak of these Transactions, write much of the flourishing state, and hopeful prosperity of this Plantation, published about forty or fifty years since, yet did it never appear by what followed, that any considerable Advantage did ever accrue to the first Vndertakers from this their New-Plantation of the Eastern parts, unless by the Trade of Fish, and Furrs, which latter continued not long; As for the former, The chief benefit redounded only to them that managed it by their own particular Stocks, and personal Endeavours: And if without offence it may be spoken, the multitude of Patents soon after granted to several Gentlemen of Brok…n Fortunes, have provided but places of an Honourable Exile or Confinement, whither many deserving persons of better Education then Fortune, were sent to shift for themselves in a Forreign Land, without being further Troublesome to those nearer home, on whom they had their hopes and Dependance; yet it must not be denyed but that some of the Vndertakers were at vast Expences, casting their Bread upon these waters, where none of their Friends and Relations have as yet had opportunity to find it. The Reason of which is not hard to give, in Reference to all those Lands and Territories that lye to the Eastward of Pascataqua River. One man Cause hath been the multiplicity of Grants and Patents for the dividing of the said Tract of Land, for beside the strise that hath been occasioned by the Intricacy and indistinctness of their Liberties and Bounds, (enough to have maintained a greater number of Lawyers, then ever were the Inhabitants) If the Grantees had been supplyed with monyes proportionable to their writes and Controversies about their bounds and Ju…isdictions, which sometimes they have been ready to decide with their Swords, witness those fatal Names imposed on such Accounts upon some p…aces belonging to those parts, as Bloody point, Black and Blew point, and every considerable Parcel of Land being by Patent granted to several particular persons, hindred the erecting of Town-ships and Villages, which if it had been otherwise disposed of, might have been full of Towns, and well peopled, and thereby the Inhabitants had been able to have stood upon their Guard, and defended themselves against the common Enemy, whereas now they were but like scopae dissolutae, or like his Arrows that being bound up in one bundle could not be broken by an ordinary Force, but being loose, were easily snapt asunder, by any single hand. Another Reason might be, the imploying of such Agenis & Instruments as either wanted Skill or Fidelity to manage what they were betrusted with, which made many of the Adventurers long ago complain, that (in stead of Bills of Exchange & other Returns which they expected) they received nothng but large Inventoryes of the wants of their several Plantations, and the Servants sent over to improve them, which were all the Returns that many of them ever received for the large Summs of mony many disbursed for the carrying on their affairs
A third Reason may be the several Changes of Government the Inhabitants have passed under, which have occasioned not only much vexation, & Expences to such as were upon the place; but much discouragement to several others, who by the commodiousness of the Soyle, would willingly have chosen Station in those parts, had they seen any hope of a setled Government, ever like to have been obtained; which is not hard to demonstrate, by giving a little touch as we pass along, on the several changes of Government, the places forementioned have been moulded into, & the several Proprietours of, have claimed Interest in the Land. In the year 1624. A Patent was granted by the Councel of Pli…outh, the grand Proprietours, to Captain Mason for a large Tract of …and about Pascataqua, but it not being distinctly bounded, himself, with Sir Ferdinando Gorges obtayned a joynt Patent in the year 1629. for the Land betwixt Saga de-Hock East, & Naum Keag West, but that also interferring with the Bounds ganted before that time to sundry Gentlemen & Merchants that had obtamed a Patent from the South of Charles River to the Northward of Merrimack; Capt. Masons bounds were afterwards by Consent, (as is said) of his Agent or Agents, reduced to some Branches about Pascataqua River (who yet could not agree with those that acted in the Name of Shrewsbury men) but being wholly neglected by the pretended Proprietour or his Successours, (till of late dayes) was by the desire of the Inhabitants yielded up to the Massachusets Government, near twenty years since.
In the year 1630. A Patent was granted by the said Councel of Plimouth (signed by the Earl of Warwick, and Sir Ferdinand… Gorge…i, and sealed with the common Seal of the Councel aforesaid) to Iohn Dy, Thomas Impe, Grace Harding, and Iohn Roach of London, for a large Tract of Land on the South of Saga-de Hock forty mile square by the Sea side, and so up into the Country: Iohn Dy afore said, and his Partners took in another as Partner, and Associate with them, Mr. Richard Dummer of Newbury in New-England, in the year 1638. to whom they delivered the Oreginal Patent, with an order from them and in their Name, to take up the Land deseribed in the Patent, but, he being denyed opportunity to Effect it, as also a Ship formerly sent by the Patentees for that End, not accomplishing their desire, they not long after sold all their Interest in the said Patent, to one Mr. Rigby a Lancashire Gentleman, who made Mr. Cleaves his Agent to manage the business of his purchased Interest in the said Patent; To whom Mr. Dummer was ordered to deliver the Original Patent, which accordingly he did: what trouble was occasioned soon after between the said Mr. Cleaves and Mr. Vines Agent for Sir Ferdinando Gorges, is well known to the Inhabitants of the place, and need not be here mentioned; nor yet how the said Mr. Rigby came afterward to loose his Interest (at least with the Inhabitants) in the Patent.
In the year 1632. Sir Ferdinando Gorges not resting in the joynt Patent obtained for himself, and Capt. Mason, obtained a distinct Patent for himself, and got it confirmed by King Charles the first of blessed and famous memory, for all that large Tract of Land from Saga-de-hock to Pascataqua River, and so about an bundred miles up into the Country, by the Name of the Province of Maine. What benefit and Improvement was ever made thereof by his Agents, or Successours, is best known to themselves; But for the Inhabitants, who upon one account or another had been induced, either by any prec…dan…ous grant or liberty from himself, or his Agents, to take up any Land within the Bounds of the said Province; They finding much inconvenience and trouble for want of an orderly and setled Government, did at the last petition the general Court of the Massachusets to be taken under their Jurisdiction and Government (reserving the Liberties and Priviledges of their former purchases and Grants, as to Title, poss…ssion and propriety to themselves) which was granted them, though not only, and altogether upon the grounds on which it was desired by the Petitioners. Yet notwithstanding all this, were not things setled either to the comfort or content of the Inhabitants: for sometimes some demanded Right of Jurisdiction over them by virtue of Sir F…rdinando's Pa…ent, sometimes Comm…ssioners imployed by his Highne… the Duke of York, attempted to settle a Government amongst the people, sometimes they tryed what might be done by Agreement amongst themselves, but after their Returne for England, by one means or other, the Government relapsed again into the hands of the Massachusets, although a Supersedeas thereunto seems to have been put by an order from his Majesty this last year.
By these several Vic ssitudes and changes of Government, the flourishing of the said Province hath been much obstructed, which else might have been much advanced, and the Inhabitants been put into a Capacity to have secured themselves against the late Barbarous Incursions of the Indians; and possibly those Exorbitanci…s that many of the present Proprietours have run into, to the just provocation of the Indians, might thereby have been prevented, and so the mischief also which hath ensued, might thereby have been averted: For a well ordered Government would never have suffered those things that n…w were connived at, which if they had been timely lookt into bysuch as had absolute or positive and unquestioned power of Rule in their hands, would have been otherwise ordered, the present mischief that is come upon those places, might thereby have been, if not prevented, yet more easily redressed, then now is like to be.
As for the Tract of Land that lies Eastward beyond Kennibeck, betwixt that and Pemmaquid, it is said to have belonged to one Mr. Aldworth, and his Successours; who was Alderman of Bristol, and one that had a Patent thereof, and imployed some as his Agents, that did sometimes reside upon the place; And was lately setled in some order of Government by his Highness the Duke of Yorks Commissioners, by whom also was an Agreement made betwixt the Sagamores of the Indians in those parts, and the English, at a Court kept by their Appointment in Kennibeck, which if it had been observed, might in all probability have prevented in great measure the quarrel which is now fallen out betwixt the English and the said Indians: For upon some Jealousies of the Rising of those Indians about twelve or thirteen years since, it was agreed, that if any mischief should happen to be done by the English or Indians, one against another, though it were to the killing any person, neither side should right themselves, but complaint should be made to the Sagamores if the Indians did the wrong, and to the Court, if it were done by the English; Both which did promise satisfaction should be made, for the preventing any quarrel: The Names of the Sachems, as likewise of them that were in power at the Court, do stil remain upon publick Record. But matters of Government in those parts being since collapsed; no Authority more then what was meerly voluntary and perswasive being owned. Things are now brought to that miser…ble state, which follows next to be declared.
Ever since the first …ling of any English Plantation in those parts about Kennibeck for the space of above fifty years the Indians alwayes carryed it fair, and held good Correspondence with the English, until the News came of Philips Rebellion, and Rising against the Inhabita…s of Pli…th Colony in the End of Iune 1675. After which time, it was apprehended by such as had the Examination of the Indians about Kennibeck. That there was a general surmise amongst them, that they should be required to assist the said Philip, although they would not owne, that they were at all engaged in the Quarrel. The like Jealousie did appear in all the Indians that inhabited to the Eastward of Pascataqua, which plainly shews that there was a designe of a general Rising of the Indians against the English, all over the Country, (possibly as farr as Virginia, the Indians there making Insurrection the same year,) & that many if not most of them were willing it should succeed, although the Elder & wiser of them liked it not, fearing the Issue, as they had cause: But many of the young men about Casco Bay▪ and Amonoscoggan were certainly known to flock thither the last year, and did, sundry of them, come short home. Forherein they acted but like Salvages, as those in Virginia did, fifty year before, shewing themselves friendly and Courteous to their new neighbours, till they had an opportunity to do them mischief. So that notwithstanding many of the Inhabitants in the Eastern, as well as in the Western parts of the Country, that were wont to Trade with the Indians, were not willing to believe any such pu…pose amongst them, but were ready to think, some of the Ruder sort of the Engglish, by their imprudent & irregular acting…, had driven them into this Rebellion; yet is it too to evident, that the said Indians (who naturally delight in bloody & deceitful actions (did lay hold of any opportunity that might serve for a pretence to be put upon their barbarous practices. The Indians about Wammeset & Pascataqua, that had joyned with their Country men in their rising against the English the last winter, when they were pinched with hunger in the cold Winter following returned back to the English, & desired to make peace, & firmly engaged to continue their wonted Friendship; yea, some of them, as if they were really sorry for their murthers, & Cruelty, of their own voluntary motion came with the Prisoners they had taken, & resigned them up to the English; yet when their own Ends were Answered, & another opportunity was offered of doing further mischief of like nature: they presently returned to their former practice, as is well known of Simond & Andrew, that had killed some, & led others Captive in the last spring from Bradford & Haverhill, who came in the End of Iune to Mai… Walderns, bringing home English Prisoners with them, yet did the very same Indians within less then two Mo…s after j…yn… with the Amonoscogga… & Kennibeck Indians, in a commi…ing the sa… tragedie that were last acted in those parts; Yet was he & the other his Par…ner …uffered to escape, for want of suffcient guarding the Prison, where they were put, in order to further Tryal. But sero sapiunt Ph…yges; It is hoped that we shall after some few more Experiences of this nature, learn to be ware of this subtle Brood, and Generation of Vipers, ever since Enmity was put between the Seed of the woman & the Seed of the Serpent; It hath been the portion of her Seed in every Generation, & in every Nation to meet with the sad Effects of that Enmity; Nor can they ever expect to finde better dealing from any of the other sort, further then either fear of their power, or hope of benefit by their favour, may induce them to another disposition, as we the Inhabitants of New-England have found by this late, & sad Experience in Reference to these Pagans in the West amongst whom our Lot is cast, they proving, as one says of the M…hometans in the East, like a nest of Hornets, that if any one of them chance to be provoked, they will be all about his Ears that comes near them. But it is now time to begin with the particulars of the Tragedy it self, that the Reader account not the Prologue too long. It was on the 24th. of Iune 1675. when the first mischief was done by the Indians about Mount-Hope, before twenty dayes were over, the fire began to kindle in these the most remote & most Northerly bounds of the said Country, or two hundred & fifty miles distance, & upon this occasion; Iuly the 11th. 1675. A Letter was brought to Kennibeck from one Henry Sawyer an Inhabitant of Yorke, signifying the news of the Indians rising about Plimouth, & that a course was taken to disarm the indians along the shore. This rumour did so far awaken the Inhabitants of those parts that the very next day at a general meeting of the English at one Capt. Pattishals bouse, several offered themselves as Voluntiers, to go up the said River of Kennibeck, to make discovery of the Indians Fidelity, or else to fight them, if occasion were. The third day after, marching up the River to Quegeseck, they met with the Inhabitants of Ships Cot River, which is a River lying about twelve or fourteen miles to the North East of Kennibeck. Divers of the Indians thereabouts, by the peaswasions of one Mr. Walker, that used to trade with them, brought down an incon siderable par… of their Amunition, as a few Guns, a little Powder & Shot, with a few knives: About seven of the Kennibeck Indians, & five of those called Ammoscogging Indians, about Pegypscot, (a river more Southward toward Casco) made this shew of bringing in their Arms Capt. Lake, Capt. Pattishal, with Mr. Wiswal, in whose hands was setled a kind of military power for those parts, were sent for to examine the said Indians further, of whom upon Examination they saw Reason to suspect some, if not all, whereupon they sent Messengers the second time to the Ammoscogging Indians; & also a Letter to Mr. Walker, to send down their Arms and Amunition to them for their greater Security. After Mr. Wiswal was returned home, the five Ammoscogging Indians aforesid brought in their Guns, but with no good intent probably; for an Indian called Sowen, having an Axe in his hand, struck at one Hosea Ma…er a French man, but was … from doing him mischief, however the said Indian was presently bound and put into a Cellar. Some of the English that used to Trade with those Indians were ready to excuse the Indian, saying he was drunke, or that he was a distracted Fellow, but Mr. Wiswall with the other two examinants, lookt upon those as meer Excuses, and altogether groundless, for one of them to this day affirms, that he was as Rational and sensible as any of the rest.