Narrative of the Troubles with the Indians in New England, Postscript on the Narragansett Indians
A Postscript.
COncerning the Narrhagansets, this is further to be added here, that Mr. Thomas Stanton, and his son Robert, who have a long time lived amongst them, and best acquainted with their language and manners of any in New-England, doe affirm that to their knowledge, the Narrhaganset Sachems before the late troubles had two thousand fighting men under them, and nine hundred arms, yet are they at this day so broken and scattered, that there is none of them left on that side of the Country, unless some few▪ not exceeding seventy in number, that have sheltered themselves under the Inhabitants of Road-Island, as a Merchant of that place worthy of credit, lately affirmed to the Writer hereof. It is considerable by what degrees they have been consumed & destroyed.
The first week in April last, viz. 1676. Canonchet their chief Sachem, having with this people been driven out of his own Country, by the sword of the English the winter before; breathed stil nothing but rage and cruelty against them, bearing himself upon his great numbers: yet as appeared in the issue himself and they that escaped with him, were not so much preserved from the present calamity that befell the rest in their Fort, as reserved to another and more ignominious death. For all the whole Body of the Indians to the westward trusting under the shadow of that aspiring Bramble; he took a kind of care of them upon himself: wherefore foreseeing so many hundreds could not well subsist without Planting, he propounded it in his Councell, that all the West Plantations upon Connecticut River, taken from the English, should this last Summer be planted with Indian-Corn: which was indeed in it self a very prudent consideration: To that end he resolved to venture himself with but thirty men, (the rest declining it) to fetch seed-corn from Seaconk, the next town to Mount-hope; leaving a Body of men, not fewer then fifteen hundred to follow him, or meet him about Seaconk the week after. This Adventure brought him into the snare, from whence he could not escape: For Capt. George Denison of Stonington, and Capt. Avery of New London, having raised forty seven English, the most part Volunteers, with eighty Indians, twenty of which were Narrhagansets belonging to Ninegret; commanded by one called Catapazet. The rest Pequods under Casasinnamon, …nd Mohegins under Oneco, Son to Vncas, being now abroad upon their third Expedition, which they began March, the twenty seventh, 1676. and ended on the tenth of April following. They met with a stout Indian of the Enemies, whom they presently slew, and two old Squaws, that confessed Nanunttenoo, alias Canunchat, (those chief Sachems usually changing their names at every great dance, and by that name of Nanunttenoo was he then known,) was not far of; which welcome New put new Life into the wearied Souldiers, that had travelled hard many dayes, and met with no Booty till now; especially, when it was confirmed by Intelligence the same instant, brought in by their Scouts, that they met with new Tracks which brought them in view of some Wigwams not far from Patucket, by some called Blackstones River, in one of which the said Sachem was at that moment divertizing himself, with the recital of Captain Pierces slaughter, surprized by his men a few dayes before, but the Alarm of the English at that time heard by himself, put by that discourse, apalled with the suddenness thereof, as if he had been informed by secret Item from Heaven, that now his own turn was come: so as having but seven men about him, he sent up two of them to the top of the Hill, to see what the matter was, but they affrighted with the near approach of the English, at that time with great speed mounting over a fair Champagna on the other side of the Hill, ran by, as if they wanted time to tell what they saw; presently he sent a third, who did the like; then sending two more on the same Errand, one of these last either indued with more Gourage, or a better S…se of his duty, informed him in great hast that all the English Army was upon him; whereupon, having no time to consult, and but little to Attempt an escape, and no means to defend himself; he began to dodge with his pursuers, running round the Hill on the contrary side; but as he was running so hastily by, Catapazat with twenty of his Followers, and a few of the English, lightest of foot, ghessed by the swiftness of his motion, that he fled as if an Enemy, which made them immediately take the Chase after him, as for their lives; he that was the swifter pursuer, put him so hard to it, that he cast off first his Blanket, then his silver la…'d Coat, (given him at Boston as a pledge of their friendship, upon the renewal of his League in October before,) and Bolt of Peag, which made Catapazat conclude it was the right bird, which made them pursue as cage…ly as the other fled; so as they forced him to take the water, through which as he over hastily plunged, his foot slipping upon a stone, it made him fall into the water so deep, as it wetted his Gun, upon which Accident, he confessed soon after, that his heart and his bowels turned with… him, so as he became like a …otten stick, void of strength; insomuch, as one Monopoide a P…quod, swiftest of foot, laid hold of him within … Rod of the River side, without his making any resistance; Though he was a very proper man, of goodly feature and great Courage of mind, as well as strength of body; one of the first English that came up with him, was Robert S…nton▪ a young man that scarce had reached the twenty second year of his Age, yet adventu…ing to ask him a question, or two, to whom this many Sachem looking with a little neglect upon his youthful face, replyed in broken English; you much Child, no understand matters of War; let your brother, or your chief come, him I will Answer, and was as good as his word; Acting herein, as if by a Pythagorean …, some old Roman Ghost had possessed the body of this Western Pagan: And like Attilius Regulus, he would not accept of his own Life, when it was tendred him, up on that (in his account) low Condition of Complyance with the English, refusing to send an old Counsellour of his to … any motion that way, saying, he knew the Indians would not yielld; but more probably he was not willing they should, choosing rather to sucrifice his own, and his peoples loves to his private … of Revenge, than timely to provide for his own, and their safety, by … the Counsels of a Peace, so necessary for the general good of all; He continuing in the same his obsti…ate Resolution, was ca…ryed soon after to Stonington, where he was shot to death, by some of his own quality, …. the young Sachem of the Mohegins, and two of the Pequod… of like quality. This was the Confusion of a damned wretch, that had often opned his mouth to blaspheme the Name of the living God and these that make profession thereof. He was told at large of his breath of Faith, and how he boasted he would not deliver up a Wampanoog, or the paring of a Wampanoogs naile, that He would burn the English alive in their houses, to which he replyed, others were as forward for the War as himself; and that he desired to hear no more thereof. And when he was told his Sentence was to dye, he said, he liked it well, that he should dy before his heart was soft, or had spoken any thing unworthy of himself. He told the English before they put him to death, that the killing him, would not end the War; but it was a considerable step thereunto, nor did it live much longer after his death, at least, not in those parts; For after Sudbury fight, when the Sun of their hopes was at its highest. April the eighteenth following, it wisibly declined, till it set in a night of obscure and utter darkness upon them all, as is to be feared.
The Inhabitants of New-London, Norwich, and Stonington, appr…hensive hensive of their danger by reason of the near bordering of the …, and upon other prudent considerations, voluntarily lifted themselves under some able Gentlemen, and Resolute Souldiers amongst themselves, Major Palmes, Captain George Denison, Captain Avery, with whom, or under whom, within the compass of the year, 1676. they made ten or more, several Expeditions, in all which, at those several times they killed and took two hundred and thirty nine of the Enemy, by the help and assistance of the Pequods, Mobegins, and a few friendly Narrhagansets. Besides thirty taken in the long march homeward, after the Fort fight, December the nineteenth, 1675. and besides sixteen Captived in the second Expedition, not reckoned within the compass of the said Number: together with fifty Guns; and spoyling the Enemy of seven …shels of Corn.
In Ianuary they went again in pursuit, and took five men and a Boy.
Certain Nipnets intended to have sheltred themselves under Unc as; but he perceiving it would be distastful to the English, soon shab'd them off; so as they were in the beginning of the Winter brought into Boston, many of them by Peter Ephr…im, & Andrew Pityme, with their Fellows.
In all which Exploits, neither they, nor any of their Follow…es sustained any loss by the Sword of the Enemy, or sickness: As is expresly declared by the Reverend Minister of Stonington, Mr. Iames Noyce, which is a matter very Admirable to consider, engaging all that were any way concerned in such signal Testimonics of Divine Favour, to be ready to pay their Vaws to the most High, who alone teacheth the hand: of his people to war; and their fingers to fight.
But the greatest …low given to the Narrhagansets was by Connecticut Forces under Major Talcot, Iuly the second, as is related, part, l. page 97.
Amongst the rest of the Prisoners then taken, was a young sprightly Fellow, seized by the Mohegins; who desired of the English Commanders that he might be delivered into their hands, that they might put him to death, more …jorum; sacrifice him to their Cruel Genius of Revenge, in which bruitish and div…lish passion they are most of all delighted: The English though not delighted in blood, yet at this time were not unwilling to gratifie their humour, lest by a denyal, they might disoblige their Indian friends, of whom they lately made so much use: Partly also that they might have an ocular demonstration of the Salvage, barbarous Cruelty of these Heathen: And indeed, of all the Enimies that have been the Subjects of the precedent discourse; This Villain did most deserve to become an Object of Iustice and Severity: For he boldly told them, that he had with his Gun dispatched nineteen English, and that he had charged it for the twentieth; but not meeting with any of ours, and unwilling to loose a fair shot, he had let fly at a Mohegin and kill'd him; with which, having made up his number, he told them … was fully satisfied. But as is usually said, Iustice Vindictive hath iro…ands, though leaden feet: This cruel Monster is fallen into their power, that will repay him seven fold: In the first place therefore, making a great Circle, they placed him in the middle, that all their Eyes might at the sametime, be pleased with utmost Revenge upon him; They first cut one of his Fingers round in the joynt at the Trunck of his hand, with a sharpknife, and then brake it off, as men use to do with a slaughtered Beast, before they uncase him; then they cut off another & another, till they had dismembred one hand of all its digits, the blood sometimes spirting … in streams a yard from his hand, which barbarous and unheard of Cruelty, the English were not able to bear, it forcing Tears from their Eyes; yet did not the Sufferer ever relent, or shew any sign of Anguish: For being asked by some of his Tormentors, how he liked the War? he might have replyed, as the Scotch Gentleman did after the loss of a Battle, that being asked how he liked the match sc. with our Prince of Wales, (which ther was the occasion of the quarrel) made Answer, he liked the match well …ough, but no whit liked the manner of the wooing written by such Lines of blood; but this unsensible and hard hearte… Monster Answered, he liked it very well, and found it as sweet, as English men did their Sugar. In this frame he continued, till his Executioners had dealt with the Toes of his feet, as they had done with the Fingers of his hands; All the while making him dance round the Circle, and sing, till he had wearied both himself and them: At last they brake the bones of his Legs, after which he was forced to sit down, which 'tis said he silently did, till they had knockt out his brains. Instances of this nature should be Incentive unto us, to bless the Father of Lights, who hath called us out from the dark places of the Earth, full of the Habitations of Cruelty. When the Day-spring from on high shall visit those that sit in this Region of darkness, another Spirit will be poured upon them, and …hen the feet of them that bring the glad Tydings of Gospel Salvation will appear more beautiful to them than at present they seem to do. And when these Mountains of Prey shall become the holy Mountain of the Lord, they shall either hurt, nor destroy, nor exercise Cruelty therein.
Moreover, in the beginning of April, 1677. Certain Intelligence came from Pascataqua; That some strange Indians had fallen upon Major Waiderns Indians, and destroyed several of them.
It is also informed, that the Indians of Kennibeck have lately surprized five or six of the Souldiers by an Ambush, as they were about to have buryed some of the bodies of their Friends, slain in those parts before the last Winter: And that they had the last week done the like mischief to such a number of the inhabitants of Black-point, which is a solemn Presage of another Storm like to fall upon those Eastern parts, unless God prevent, this Summer ensuing.
For the further satisfaction of the Reader concerning the perfidiousness and falssness of our Enemies, and the Iustice of our Cause, we shall close this Narrative with the Articles which Philip Sachem of Paukamaket, or Mount-hope; subscribed in the year, 1671.
WE PHILIP and my Council and my Subjects, do Acknowledge ourselves subject to his MAIESTY the King of England, and the Government. of N-Plimouth, and to their Laws.
2ly. I am willing and do promise to pay unto the Government of Plymouth, one hundred pounds in such things as I have: but I would intreat the favour that I might have three years to pay it in, forasmuch as I cannot do it at present,
3dly. I do promise to send unto the Governour, or whom he shall appoint, five Wolves heads, if I can get them: or as many as I can procure, until they come to five Wolves yearly.
4ly. If any difference fall between the English and my self, and People, then I do promise to repair to the Governour of Plymouth, to rectifie the difference amongst us.
5ly. I do promise not to make war with any, but with the Governours approbation of Plimouth.
6ly. I promise not to dispose of any of the Lands that I have at present, but by the approbation of the Governour of Plymonth.
For the true performance of the premises of the said Sachem, Philip of Paukamakett, do hereby bind my self, and such of my Councel, as are present, our selves, our Heirs, our Successors, faithfully, and to promise, in Witness thereof, we have hereunto subscribed our hands; the Day and Year above Written; In the Presence of the Court and divers of the Magistrates & other Gentlemen of the Massachusets; & Connecticut.
The mark P of Philip
the Sachem of Pankamakett.
The mark [of Vncompaen.
The mark [of Wo…okom.
The mark 7 of Somkame.
FINIS.
Soli Deo gloria.