Historical collections : consisting of state papers, and other authentic documents ; intended as materials for an history of the United States of America
Hazard, Ebenezer, 1744-1817 | United Colonies of New England. Commissioners
;^*** rt* * 1 r **• Mk Ljhth i:^J^* t *> -& f^^R^ 4SF* i tJ* *fV< ?Othran| InteHitg of iPtitHimrglj Darlington Memorial Library TDar ' CJlagfl <\| &\V? Sank jrLi2> v.fc .;^: HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS; CONSISTING OF STATE PAPERS, AND OTHER AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS; INTENDED AS MATERIALS FOR AN HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA. By EBENEZER HAZARD, A. M. MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, HELD AT Phi- ladelphia, f u k. ±-K.n mot T-wn iiSEBiir. KNOWLEDGE; F H L L U W OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES* AND CORRESPONDENT MEMBER OF THE MASSA- CHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. VOLUME II. " Ingenium, Pietas, Artes, ac bellica Virtus, Hue Profugae venient, et Regna illuftria condenf, Et Domina his Virtus erit, et Fortuna Miniftra." PHILADELPHIA: Printed bt T. DOBSON, for the AUTHOR. M DCC XCIV. T 4 87 \ *Ay Diflrldl of Pennsylvania, to wit: Jl5e it remembered, that on the twenty-fourth day of March, in the eighteenth year of the Indepen. dence of the United States of America, Ebenezkr Hazard, of the faid Diftrift, hath depofited in this office, the title ofa book, the right whereof he claims, as Author, in the words following, to wit: " Historical Collections ; confiding of State Papers, and other authentic documents ; intended as materials for " an Hiftory of the United States of America. "By EBENEZER HAZARD, A. M. 5' member of the American Philofophical Society, held at Philadelphia, for promoting ufeful knowledge; fellow " of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences ; and correfpondent member of the Maflachufetts Hiftorica! " Society. "VOLUME II. " Ingenium, Pietas, Artes, ac bellica Virtus, " Hue Profugae venient, et Regna illuftria condent, " Et Domina his Virtus erit, et Fortuna miniftra." In conformity to the Aft of the Congrefs of the United States, entitled, " An Aft for the encouragement Learning, by lecuring the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of fuch Copies, du ring the times therein mentioned." SAMUEL CALDWELL, Clerk of the Diftrift of Pennsylvania. PREFACE. In a few years after the Englifh eftablifhed themfelves at Plymouth m New England, their fettlements became fo extenflve, and were fo diftant from each other, as to render their fituation very infecure. Surrounded by enemies, diffracted by internal divifions, and too far from their mother coun- try to receive feafonable afTiftance from her, they were led to confult their common fafety -, and for that purpofe the four principal colonies, (Maffachu- fetttr Plymouth, Connecticut, ana lNew sfc^i^j confederated in 1643. They gave to commiffioners, annually chofen, the management of fuch af- fairs as concerned the Union generally, while each retained its Sovereignty in other Refpecls. The Commiffioners held both ftated and occafional meetings, and kept regular Journals of their Proceedings, which have acqui- red the name of the Records of the United Colonies of New England : Al- though thefe contain much Information, and have been frequently referred to by Hiftorians, they have never yet appeared in Print ; and as the Com- piler was informed of but two Copies of them exifting in Manufcript, he thought it advifeable to make another, and accordingly tranferibed the whole, which is now fubmitted to the public Eye. The intelligent Reader will obferve in it fome Errors and Inaccuracies, but thefe are found in the Original. A 2 The iv PREFACE. The Faithfulnefs and Impartiality required in an Hiftorian have made it neceffary to continue the Record of fome Tranfadions, which, for the Ho- nor of Humanity, it were to be wiihed, had never taken place ; while, how- ever, he thus keeps alive the Remembrance of part Perfecutions, the Com- piler feels himfelf equally bound to remind the Reader that the intolerant Spirit which dictated them was not confined to New England : — it raged, at the fame time, in Europe ; and was adive in Virginia ; and even the un- happy Sufferers themfelves appear to have pofTefled fomething of it ; for al- though they had not the power to control the reigning Seel, yet their con- dud clearly evinces that they would not have tolerated a Religion againft which they fo frequently denounced the Judgments of God. In (hort it is not to be wondered at that fuch Severities were exercifed at a Time when the Rights of private judgment in Matters of Religion were but little underftood, and the Arm of civil Power was too generally allowed to be the Defender of the Faith. It is more furprizing that even American Hiftory fhould have furn-ifhed later Inftances of fimilar Trv^Wan^ ; and that notwithstanding the boafled Illumination of the prefent Day, the Laws which opprefs Diffenters are the Reproach of the greateft part of Europe. While, however, the Phi- lanthropift will lament that Bigotry fhould any where enflave the human Mind, he will with pleafure recoiled that the liberal Constitutions of the United States of America afford an Opportunity of efcaping from its Chains; and the Citizens of thefe States will glory in the example of Catholicifm which their country firft dared to exhibit to the World, and will rejoice in the profped of giving an Afylum to Millions of the OpprefTed. RECORDS O F T H E UNITED COLONIES O F N E WE N G L A N D ARTICLES of CONFEDERATION betweene the Plantations vnder the Gouernment of the Massachusetts the Plantacons vnder the Gouern- ment of New-Plymouth the Plantacons vnder the Gouernment of Con - nectacutt and the Gouernment of New-Haven with the Plantacons in Combinacon therewith. "HEREAS wee all came into thefe parts of America with one and the fame end and ayme namely to advaunce the Kingdome of our Lord Jefus Chrift and to enjoy the liberties of the Gofpell in puritie with peace And whereas in our fettleinge (by a wife Providence of God) we are further difperfed vpon the Sea Coafts and Riuers then was at firft intended, fo that we cannot according to our de- fire with convenience communicate in one Gouernment and Jurifdiccon : And where- as we live encempaffed with people of feuerall Nations and ftrang languages which hereafter may proue injurious to vs, or our pofteritie. And forafmuch as the Na- tiues have formerly committed fondry infolences and outrages vpon feueral Planta- cons of the Englifh and have of late combined themfelues againfl vs And feing by Vol.. II. A reafon [ » ] reafon of thofe fad Diftraccons in England which they have heard of, and by which they know we are hindred from that humble way of feekinge advife, or reapeing thofe comfortable fruits of protection which at other tymes we might well expefte Wee therefore doe conceiue it our bounden Dutye without delay to enter into a pre- fent Confotiation amongft our felues for mutuall help and ftrength in all our future concernements : That as in Nation and Religion fo in other Refpe&s we bee and continue one according to the tenor and true meaneing of the enfuing Articles : Wherefore it is fully agreed and concluded by and betweene the parties or Jurifdic- cons aboue named and they joyntly and feuerally doe by thefe prefents agree and conclude That they all bee and henceforth bee called by the Name of The United Colonies of New-England. II. The faid United Colonies for themfelues and their pofterities do joyntly and fe- uerally hereby enter into a firme and perpetuall league of Frendfhip and amytie for offence and defence mutuall advife and fuccour vpon all juft occations both for pre- ferueing and propagateing the truth and liberties of the Gofpell and for their owne mutuall fafety and wellfare. 3. It is further agreed That the Plantacons which at prefent are or hereafter fhal- be fettled within the limmetts of the Maffachufetts fhalbe forever vnder the Maffa- chufetts and fhall have peculiar Jurifdiccon among themfelues in all cafes as an en- tire Body and that Plymouth Connecktacutt and New Haven (hall eich of them haue like peculier Jurifdiccon and Gouernment within their limmetts and in referrence to the Plantacons which already are fetled or fhall hereafter be erected or fhall fettle within their limmetts refpeftiuely Prouided that no other Jurifdiccon fhall hereafter be taken in as a diftincT head or member of this Confederacon nor fhall any other Plan- tacon or Jurifdiccon in prefent being and not already in Combynacon or vnder the Jurifdiccon of any of thefe Confederats be received by any of them nor fhall any two of the Confederates joyne in one Jurifdiccon without confent of the reft which confent to be interpreted as is expreffed in the fixt Article enfuinge. 4. It is by thefe Confederats agreed that the charge of all juft warrs whether of- fenfiue or defenfiue upon what part or member of this Confederacon foeuer they fall, fhall both in men and provifions and all other Difburfements be borne by all the parts of this Confederacon in different proporcons according to their different abillitie in manner following, namely that the Commiflioners for eich Jurifdiccon from tyme to tyme as there fhalbe occation bring a true account and number of all the males in euery Plantacon or any way belonging to or under their feuerall Jurifdiccons of what quallyty or condicon foeuer they bee from fixteene yeares old to threefcore be- ing Inhabitants there And that according to the different numbers which from tyme to tyme fhalbe found in eich Jurifdiccon upon a true and juft account, the fervice of men and all charges of the warr be borne by the Poll : eich Jurifdiccon or Plan- tacon C 3 ] tacon being left to their owne juft courfe and cuftome of rating themfelues and peo- ple according to their different eftatcs with due refpccls to their quallites and ex emptions among themfelues though the Confederacon take no notice of any fuch priviledg : and that according to their differrent charge of eich Jurifdiccon and plan- tacon, the whole advantage of the warr (if it pleafe God to blefs their Endea- vours) whether it be in lands goods or perfons lhall be proportionably deuided among the faid Confederats. 5. It is further agreed That if any of thefe Jurifdiccons or any plantacon vnder or in combynacon with them be envaded by any enemie whomfoeuer vpon notice and requeft of any three majeftrats of that Jurifdiccon fo invaded the reft of the Confederates without any further meeting or expoftulacon fliall forthwith fend ayde to the Confederate in danger but in different proporcons ; namely the Maffachu- fetts an hundred men fufficiently armed and provided for fuch a fervice and jorney, and eich of the reft fourty flue fo armed and provided, or any leffe number, if leffe be required, according to this proporcon. But if fuch Confederate in danger may be fupplyed by their next Confederate,rnot exceeding the number hereby agreed, they may craue help there, and feeke no further for the prefent : the charge to be borne as in this Article is expreft : And at the returne to be victualled and fupply- ed with poder and fhott for their journey (if there bee neede) by that Jurifdiccon which employed or fent for them : But none of the Jurifdiccons to exceed thefe numbers till by a meeting of the Commiffioners for this Confederacon a greater ayd appeare necefiary. And this proporcon to continue till upon knowledge of greater numbers in eich Jurifdiccon which fhalbe brought to the next meeting fome other proporcon be ordered. A 2 6. It C 4 ] 6. It is alfo agreed that for the mannaging and concluding of all affaires proper and concerneing the whole Confederacon two Commiffioners fhalbe ehofen by and out of eich of thefe foure Jurifdiccons namely two for the Mattachufetts, two for Plymouth, two for Conneftacutt and two for New Haven being all in Church fel- lowfhip with us which {hall bring full power from their feuerall generall Courts re- fpeclively to heare examine weigh and determine all affaires of our warr or peace leagues ayds charges and numbers of men for warr divifion of fpoyles and whatfoe- ver is gotten by conqueft receiueing of more Confederals for plantacons into com- binacon with any of the Confederates and all thinges of like nature which are the proper concomitants or confequents of fuch a confederacon for amytie offence and .defence not intermeddleing with the gouernment of any of the Jurifdiccons which by the third Article is preferued entirely to themfelues. But if thefe eight Com- miffioners when they meete fhall not all agree yet it is concluded that any fix of the eight agreeing (hall have power to fettle and determine the bufinefs in queftion : But if fix do not agree that then fuch propoficons with their reafons fo farr as they have beene debated be fent and referred to 'the feure generall Courts vizt. the Mat- tachuutts Plymouth Cone&acutt and New Haven : And if at all the faid Generall Courts the bufineffe fo referred be concluded then to bee profecuted by the Confe- derates and all their members It is further agreed that thefe eight Comiffioners fhall meete once every yeare befides extraordinary meetings (according to the fift Article) to confider treate and conclude of all affaires belonging to this Confede- racon which meeting fhall euer be the firft Thurfday in September. And that the next meeting after the date of thefe prefents which fhalbe accounted the fecond meeting fhalbe at Boftone in the Maffachufetts the third at Hartford the fourth at New Ha- ven the fift at Plymouth the fixt and feaventh at Bofton And then Hartford New Haven and Plymouth and fo in courfe fucceffiuely, if in the meane tyme fome mid- dle place be not found out and agreed on which may be commodious for all the Ju- rifdiccons. 7. It is further agreed that at eich meeting of thefe eight Comiffioners whether ordinary or extraordinary they or fix of them agreeing as before may chofe their Pre- fident out of themfelues whofe office and worke fhalbe to take care and direct for order and a comely carrying on of all proceedings in the prefent meeting : but he fhalbe inverted with no fuch power or refpecl:, as by which he fhall hinder the pro- pounding or progreffe of any bufineffe or any way caft the Scales otherwife then in the precedent article is agreed. 8. It h alfo agreed that the Comiffioners for this Confederacon hereafter at their meetings whether ordinary or extraordinary as they may have Comiffion or opertuni- tie do endeavoure to frame and eftablifh agreements and orders in generall cafes of a civill nature wherein all the Plantacons are intereffed for preferving peace among themfelues [ 5 3 themfelues and preventing as much as may bee all occations of warr or diferrence with others, as about the free and fpeedy paffage of Juftice in every Jui-ifdiccon, to all the Confederats equally as to their owne, receiveing thofe that remoue from one plantacon to another without due certefycats ; how all the Jurildiccons may carry it towards the Indians, that they neither grow infolent nor be injured without due fatif- faccion, left warr break in vpon the Confederates through fuch mifcarryage. It is alfo agreed that if any fervant runn away from his mafler into any other of thefe confe- derated Jurifdiccons That in fuch Cafe vpon the Certyficate of one Majeftrate in the Jurifdiccon out of which the faid fervant fled or vpon other due proofe, the faid fer- vant lhalbe deliuered either to his Mafter or any other that purfues and brings fuch Certificate or proofe. And that vpon the efcape of any prifoner whatfoever or fugi- tiue for any criminall caufe, whether breakeing prifon or getting from the officer or otherwife efcapeing vpon the certificate of two Majeftrats of the Jurifdiccon out of which the efcape is made, that he was a prifoner or fuch an offender at the tyme of the efcape, The Majeftrates or fome of them of that Jurifdiccon where for the pre- fent the faid prifoner or fugitive abideth fhall forthwith graunt fuch a warrant as the cafe will beare for the apprehending of any fuch perfon, and the delivery of him into the hands of the officer or other perfon who purfues him. And if there be help re- quired for the fafe returneing of any fuch offendor, then it fhalbe graunted to him that craves the fame he paying the charges thereof. 9. And for that the juftcft warrs may be of dangerous confcqucnce efpetially to the fmaler plantacons in thefe vnited Colonies It is agreed that neither the Maffachufetts, Plymouth, Connectacutt nor New-Haven, nor any of the members of any of them fhall at any tyme hereafter begin undertake or engage themfelues or this Confederacon or any part thereof in any warr whatfoever (fudden exegents with the neceffary confe- quents thereof excepted) which are alfo to be moderated as much as the cafe will per- mit) without the confent and agreement of the forenamed eight Comiffioners or at leaft fix of them, as in the fixt Article is provided : And that no charge be required of any of the Confederats in cafe of a defenfiue warr till the faid Comiffioners haue mett and approued the juftice of the warr, and have a_greed vpon the fum of money to be levyed which fum is then to be payd by the feverall Confederates in proporcon accord- ing to the fourth Article. 10. That in extraordinary occations when meetings are fummoned by three Majeftrats of any Jurifdiccon, or two as in the fift Article If any of the Comiffioners come not due warneing being given or fent It is agreed that foure of the Comiffioners fhall have power to direct a warr which cannot be delayed and to fend for due proporcons of men out of eich Jurifdiccon, as well as fix might doe if all mett ; but not lefs then fix fhall determine the juftice of the warr or allow the demaunde or bills of charges or caufe any levies to be made for the fame. 11. It [ 6 ] ii. It is further agreed that if any of the Confederates fhall hereafter break any of thefe prefent Articles, or be any other wayes injurious to any one of thother Jurif- diccons, fuch breach of Agreement, or injurie fhalbe duly confidered and ordered by the Comiffioners for thother jurifdiccons, that both peace and this prefent Confedera- con may be entirely preferued without violation. 12. Laftly this perpetuall Confederacon and the feveral Articles and Agreements thereof being read and ferioufly confidered both by the Generall Court for the Maffa- chufetts, and by the Comiffioners for Plymouth Cone&acutt and New-Haven were fully allowed and confirmed by three of the forenamed Confederates namely the Mafla- chufetts Coneftacutt and New-Haven Onely the Comiffioners for Plymouth haveing no Comiffion to conclude, defired refpite till they might advife with their Generall Court, wherevpon it was agreed and concluded by the faid Court of the Maffachu- fetts and the Comiffioners for the other two Confederates That if Plymouth Confent, then the whole treaty as it Hands in thefe prefent articles is and {hall continue firme and liable without alteracon : But if Plymouth come not in, yet the other three Con- federates doe by thefe prefents confirme the whole Confederacon and all the Articles thereof : onely in September next when the fecond meeting of the Comiffioners is to be at Boftone, new confideracon may be taken of the fixt Article which concernes number of Comiffioners for meeting and concluding the affaires of this Confederacon to the fatisfaccon of the Court of the Maffachufetts, and the Comiffioners for thother two Confederates but the reft to ftand vnqucflioned. In tcflymony whereof the Ge- nerall Court of the Maffachufetts by their Secretary and the Comiffioners for Conefta- cutt and New-Haven haue fubferibed thefe prefente articles this xixth of the third month commonly called May Anno Domini 1643. At a Meeting of the Comiffioners for the Confederacon held at Bolton the feaventh of September. It appeareing that the Generall Court of New Plymouth and the fe- veral Townelhips thereof have read confidered and approoued thefe articles of Confe- deracon, as appeareth by Comiffion from their Generall Court beareingDate the xxixth of Auguft 1 643 to Mr. Edward Winflowe and Mr. Will. Collyer to ratifye and con- firme the fame on their behalf wee therefore the Comiffioners for the Mattachufetts Conecktacutt and New Haven doe alfo for our feueral Gouernments fubferibe vnto them. JOHN WINTHROP Governor of Maffachufetts THO. DUDLEY THEOPH. EATON GEO. FENWICK EDWA. HOPKINS THOMAS GREGSON. AT [ 7 ] AT a meeting of 'the CoMMissioNERsyor ^Vnited Colonies o/New- England holde?i at Bostone thefeaventh of September, 1643. THE Articles of Confederacon agreed at Boftone the xixth of May laft being now read Mr. Edward Winflow and Mr William Collyer Comiffioners for the Jurifdiccon of New Plymouth delivered in an Order of their Generall Court dated the xxixth of Auguft 1 643 by which it appeares that the faid Articles of the xixth of May weere read approued and confirmed by the faid Generall Court and by all their Towneffiips and they the faid Mr Winflow and Mr Collyer were both author- ized to ratifie them by their fubfcriptions and chofen and fent as Comiffioners for that Jurifdiccon with full power to treate and conclud in all matters concerneing warr and peace according to the tenor and true meaneing of the faid Articles of Confede- racon for this prefent meetinge. An order made by the Generall Court of the Maflachufetts was now alfo prefented and read dated the xxth of May 1643. By which it appeares That John Winthrop and Thomas Dudley Efqu'rs. were chofen Comiffioners for the Jurifdiccon of the Mattachufetts, and invefted with the like full power for this meeting. An order made by the Generall Court for Conneetacutt was prefented and read da- ted at Hartford the fift of July laft. By which it appeares Gcorg Fenwick Efqr. and Mr Edward Hopkins were chofen Comiffioners for that Jurifdiccon and inveft- ed with the like full power for this meeting. An order made by the Generall Court for the Jurifdiccon of New Haven was pre- fented and read dated the vith of July 1 643 by which it appeares that Mr Theophi- lus Eaton and Mr. Thomas Gregfon were chofen and fent as Comiffioners for that Jurifdiccon with the like full poner for this meeting. John Winthrop Efqr. was chofen Prefident for this meeting according to the vij Article in the Confederacon. Vpon a motion made by the Comiffioners for New Hauen Jurifdiccon. It was graunted and ordered That the Towne of Milford may be receiued into Combinacon and as a member of the Jurifdiccon of New Hauen, if New Hauen and Milford agree vpon the termes and condicons among themfelues The like liberty was alfo granted in regard of the Towne of Southampton. The Commiffioners were informed that Vncus Sagamore of the Munhegen Indians haueing in warr taken Miantinomy Sagamore of the Narrohiggunfets prifoner, had brought him to be kept at Hartford till he might receiue aduice from the Englifh how to proceed againft him for fondry treacherous attempts againft his life befides this [ 8 ] this laft fuddaine Invafion without denounceing warr, and when Vncus was unpro- vided to withftand the great force Miantinomo brought againft him : Whereupon the Comiffioners did ferioufly confider Miantinomos courfe and carriage, And though they knew and well remembred his ambitious defignes to make himfelf vniverfal Sa- gamore or Gouernor of all thefe parts, and his plotts to remoue whatfoeuer flood in his way, And though they haue had many concurrant and pregnant teftymonyes from the Indians in feueral parts of the Countrey, of his treacherous plotts by guifts to engage all the Indians at once to cutt off the whole Body of the Engliih in thefe parts which were further confirmed by the Indians Generall preparaccons, meffag.es, and fondry infolencies and outrages by them comitted againft the Englifh and fuch Indians as were fubjects or frends to the Englifh fo that all the Englifh Plantacons were to their great charge and Damnage forced to arme to keepe ftronge watches day and night, and fome of them to trauell with Convoyes from one plantation to ano- ther yet leaueing thefe confideracons which difconer the pride, treachery cruelty and malicious difpoficon of the mail ; and to the Englifh might haue beene fufficient pro- uocacons to a warr againft him : The Comiffioners weighed the caufe and paffages as they were clearely reprefented and fufficientlyeuedencedbetwixt Vncus andMyanty- nomo and it appeared that aTripartite agreement was made and concluded at Hartford betwixt Vncus and Myantinomo with fome referrences to the Englifh ; in which one of the Articles were, That though either of thefe Indian Sagamores fhould receive injuries from the other, yet they fhould not make warr one of them againft the other till they had firft complayncd, and that the Englifh had heard their greevances, and had declared and determyned what was juft and right betwixt them : And that if ei- ther of them fhould attempt againft the other without confulting with the Englifh, the Englifh might then affift againft the Invader : Notwithftandinge Myantinomo and his Confederats haue fondry wayes manefefted their enmity, and treacheroufly plot- ted and pra&ifed againft the life of Vncus. But efpecially of late fince they were pre- paring and ripening their plotts againft the Englifh firft a Pequin Indian one Vncus his fubjeels fhott Vncus with an arrow through the arme but aymeing at his life and prefently fled to the Nanohigganfets or their confederats proclaymeing in the Indian plantacons that he had killed Vncus: but when it was knowne Vncus was not dead though wounded, the Traytor was taught to fay that Vncus had cut through his owne arme with a flint, and had hyred the Pecdtt to fay hee had fhott and killed him. Myantinomo being fent for by the Gouernor of the Maffachufetts vpon ano- ther occation brought the Pecott with him : but when this difguife would not ferue, and that the Englifh out of his owne mouth found him guilty and would have fent him to Vncus his Sagamore to bee proceeded againft, Myantinomo defired he might not be taken out of his hands promifing he would fend himfelf to Vncus to be examined and punifhed but contrary to his promife, and feareing as it appeares his i owne [ 9 ] owne treachery might be difcouered he within a day or two cutt of the Peacotts hea.d that he might tell no tales. After this fome attempts were made to poyfon Vncus, and as is reported to take away his Life by Sorcery. That being difcouered fome of Sequaffbns company an Indian Sagomore allyed to, and an intimate confederate with Myantinomo, fliotr at Vncus as he was going down Conectacutt Riuer with a arow or two : Vncus according to the forefaid agreement complayneing to the Englifh thev fought to make peace betwixt Vncus and Sequaffon : but Sequaffon refufed and e::- preffing his dependance upon Myantinomo preferred warr before peace they fought and Vncus had the Victory. Thefe thinges being duely weighed and confidered the Comiffioners apparently fee that Vncus cannot be fafc while Myantenomo lives but that either by fecret trea- chery or open force his life wilbe ftill in danger. Wherefore they thinke he may juftly putt fuch a falfe and blood thirfly enemie to death, but in his owne Jurifdiccon not in the Englifh plantacons, And advifeing that in the manner of his death all mer- cy and moderacon be mewed, contrary to the practife of the Indians who exercife tor- tures and cruelty. And Vncus haueing hitherto fhewed himfelf a frend to the Englifh, and in this craueing their advice, if the Nanohigganfetts Indians or others mail vn- juflly affault Vncus for this execucon, vpon notice and and requeft the Englifh pro- mife to affifl and protect him, as farr as they may againft fuch vyolence. The Comiffioners do think it fitt to aduife euery generall Court that they would fee that every man may keepe by him a good gunn and fword one pound of pouder with foure pounds of fhott, with match or flints futable, to be ready vpon all occa- tions, and to be carefully viewed foure tymes a yeare at leafl. And that over and aboue this euery generall Court do fee that they keep a ftock of pouder fhott and match ever by them. And it is conceiued by the Comiffioners that one hundred pounds of pouder and foure hundred pounds of fhott with match futable at the leafl be prouided for every hundred men thorow all the the vnited Colonies of New Eng- land and that the Comiffioners at each meeting report bow the fetferall Jurifdiccons are furnifhed. Vol. II. B It L ™ J It is thought fitt and ordered that there be one and the fame meafure throughout all the Plantacons within thefe Vnited Colonies which is agreed to be Winchefter meafure, viz. eight gallons to the bufhel. It is judged meete by the Comiffioners that there be trayneings at leaft fix tymes euery yeare in each plantacon within this confederacon. The proporcons of men to be fent for by any of the Jurifdiccons in cafe of any prefent danger, vntill the Comiffioners may meete according to the fourth article in the Confederacon : is for the Maflachufetts one hundred and fifty men Plymouth thirty Conne&acutt thirty and New-Hauen twenty fiue and according to this propor- con are all numbers to be ordered in cafe of any warr that may fall out vntill the next meeting of the Comiffioners in September 1644. Whereas Complaints * haue beene made againft Samuell Gorton and his Compa- ny, and fome of them weighty and of great confequence, and whereas the faid Gor- ton and the reft haue beene formerly fent for, and now lately by the generall Court of the Maflachufetts with a fafe conduct both for their comeing and return, that they might giue anfwere and fatisfaccon wherein they haue donn wrong. If yet they fhall ftubbornely refufe The Comiffioners for the Vniied Colonies think fitt that the Majeftrats in the Maflachufetts proceed againft them according to what they ftiall fyndjuft: and the reft of the Jurifdiccons will approue and concurr in what ftialbe fo warrantably donn, as if their comiffioners had beene "prefent at the con- clufions prouided that this conclusion do not prejudice the Gouernment of Plymouth in any right they can juftly clayme vnto any traft or tracts of land befides that pof- fefled by the Englifh and Indians who haue fubmitted themfelues to the Gouernment of the Maflachufetts. In regard of the diuerfitie of ©xpreffions which are and may be ufed in the Com- miffions comeing from the feurall jurifdiccons which may occation difputs, It is thought fitt and ordered that this enfuing forme bee hereafter ufed by all the Confe- derates. AT * The Charge againft Samuel Gorton and his Company was " Upon much examination and ferious Confidera- tlon of your Writings with your Anfwers about them, we do charge you to be a blafphemaus Enemy of the true Religion of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and his holy Ordinances, and alfo of all civil authority among the People of God, and particularly in this Jurifdiftion." — Ma(T, Records, lib. A, Fo. 30*. [ u ] AT a generall Court holden at for the J ur If die con of the day of A and B were chofen Comiffioners for this Jurifdiccon for a full and compleat yeare as any occation or exigents may require and particulerly' for the next yearely meeting at the firlt Thurfday in September And were inueft- ed with full power and authoryty to treate of and conclude of all thinges according to the tenure and true meaneing of the Articles of Confederacon for the vnited Colonies of New England concluded at Bofton the xixth of May 1643. Vpon Informacon and complaynt made by Mr Eaton and Mr Gregfon to the Co- miffioners of fondry injuries and outrages they haue receiued from the Dutch and Sweads both at Delaware Bay and elfewhere the particulers with their proofes being duly confidered. It was agreed and ordered That a letter be written to the Sweadhh Gouernor expreffing the particulers and requireing fatisfattion which letter is to be vnderwritten by John Winthrop Ffq. Gouernor of the Maffachufetts and Prefident of the Comiffioners for the Vnited Colonies of New England. And whereas the Dutch Gouernor wrote to the Gouernor and generall Court of the Maffachufetts com- playneing againft Hartford as by his letter dated the xxth of July laft appeares vnto which Mr. Winthrop in part anfwered the fecond of Auguft referring to the generall Court for the Maffachufetts and to this meeting of the Comiffioners for a further and full anfwere, It was thought fitt that in that anfwere the wrongs donn both to Hartford and New Haven be expreffed requireing anfwere to the particulers that as wee will not wrong others, fo we may not defert our Confederates in any juft caufe. Thefe foregoing conclufions were fubferibed by the Comiffioners for the feverall Jurifdiccons the xxith of September 1643. JOHN WINTHROP Prefid. EDW. WINSLOW THO. DUDLEY Wm. COLLIER GEOR. FENWICK EDWA. HOPKINS THEOPH. EATON THO. GREGSON. AT a meeting of the Comiffioners for the Vnited Colonies at Bojlon the vij. Septem- ber, 1643. It was agreed that the Gouernment of the Maffachufets in the behalf of the vni- ted Colonies of New England giue Conoonacus and the Nanohiggunfets to vnder- B 2 ftaad [ I* ] {land that from tyme to tyrae we haue taken notice of the violacon of that league be- tweene the Maflachufets and themfelues (notwithftanding the manefeftacons of loue and integryty towards them by the Englifti) which they haue difcouered as by other wayes, fo lately by their concurrance with Myantenomo their Sachimin his mifchee- vous plotts to roote out the Body of the Englifh nation, purchafeing the ayde of all the Indians by Guifts threats and other allurements to their party (except a few vizt. Vncus and his men whom they have not fpared to invade notwithftanding a tri- partite Couenant to the contrary, betweene the Gouerment of Cone&acutt Myan- tenomo and Vncus Sagamore of the Mohegan vnder their hands and markes. But vn- derftanding how peacable Conanacus and Mafcus the late father of Myantenomo go- uerned that great people we rather afcribe thefe late tumults outbreakings and mali- tious plots to the rafh and ambitious fpirit of myantenomo then any affe&ed way of their owne. And therefore once more notwithftanding all thofe former vnworthy paflages fo well knowne vnto us, as a people inclineing to peace, and defireing their good we do in our owne names and in the behalf, and with the confent ofthevnited Colonies tender them peace and fuch louing correfpondency as hath formerly beene euer obferued on our parts vizt. the feuerall Gouernments of the Maflachufetts, Ply- mouth, Coneftacutt and New Hauen with all fuch as are in Combynacon and con- federacon with them both Englifti and Indians as Vncus Sagamore of the Mohe- gins and his people Woofamequine and his people Sacanocoe and his people Pum- ham and his people whofe peace and lawfull liberties wc may not fuffer to be vyolat- ed. And if the Nanohigganfetts be d.efireus of peace as formerly we fhalbe as care- full to preferue their peace and liberties from vyolacon : but (hall expecT: more fayth- full obferuance then we haue formerly found from Myantenomo in the time of his Gouernment requireing anfwere with as much expedicon as the waight of the cafe requireth. That [ '3 ] That aflbone as the Comiffioners for Conectacutt and New Hauen fhall returne in- to thofe parts that then Vncus be fent for to Hartford with forae confiderable num- ber of his bed and truftyeft men and that then he being made acquainted with the advice of the Comiffioners Myantenomo be deliuered vnto him that fo execucon may- be donn according to jurtice and prudence Vncus carrying him into the next part of his owne gouernment and there put him to death Provided that fome difcreet and faythfull perfons of the Englifh accompany them and fee the execucon for our more full fatisfaccon, and that the Englifh meddle not with the head or body at all : and this being fo donn that notice be giuen to all the Confederates by letters that fo the MafTachufetts gouernment may therevpon fend to Nanohiggunfett, and Ply- mouth may take due courfe with Woofamequin as after is aduifed. That Hartford furnifh Vncus with a competent flrength of Englifh to defend him againft any prefent fury or aflault of the Nanohiggunfetts or any other. That in cafe Vncus fliall refufe to execut juftice vpon Myantenomo, That then Myantenomo be fent by Sea to the MafTachufetts, there to be kept in fafe durance till the Comiffioners may confider further how to difpofe of him. That Plymouth labour by all due meanes to reftore Woofamequin to his full liber- ties in refpecl: of any Encroachments by the Nanohigganfetts or any other Natiues that fo the proprieties of the Indians may be preferued to themfelues and that no one Sagamore eneroach vpon the reft as of late : And that Woofamequin be reduc- ed to thofe former termes and agreements betweene Plymouth and him. JOHN WINTHROP prefident EDWARD WINSLOW THOMAS DUDLEY WILLIAM COLLIER GEORGE FENWICK EDWARD > HOPKINS THEOPHILUS EATON THOMAS GREGSON. At A meeting of the Comiffioners for the 'united Colonies in New England at Hartford the fift of September 1 644. The articles of Confederacon being read an order of the generall Court of the MafTachufetts dated May the xxixth 1644 was prefented and read whereby it appear- ed Mr. Symon Brodrtreete and Mr. William Hawthorne where chofen Comiffioners for one full and compleat yeare being inverted with full power and authority accord- ing to the tenor of the faid articles and an order made therevpon at a meeting at Bortone the viith of September 1643. Mr. [ H ] Mr. Edward Winflowe and Mr. John Browne, were in like manner chofen Comif doners for the Colony of New Plymouth as appeared by an order of their generall Court dated the fift of June 1644. Mr. Edward Hopkins and George Fenwicke Efq'r. were chofen Comiffioners for the Colony of Coneetacutt as appeared by an order of their generall Court dated the laft of July 1644. Mr. Theophilus Eaton and Mr. Thomas Gregfon were likewife chofen Comiffion- ers for the Colony of New Hauen as appeared by an order of their generall Court dated the xxvijth day of October 1643. Mr. Edward Hopkins was chofen Prefident for this meeting. The Comiffioners for the Maflachufetts moued that a due order might be attended in the fubfcriptions of the a£ts and determinacons of this and any future meetings of the Comiffioners for the vnited Colonies, and expreffed not onely their owne ap- prehenfions but the judgment of their generall Court That by the articles of Con- federacon the firft place did of Right belong to the Maflachufetts, as being firft nam- ed and fo thother Colonies in like order which being taken into confideracon, and the articles of confederacon read It appeared euidently to the Comiffioners that no fuch priuiledg had beene euer propounded graunted or pra&ifed by the Comiffion- ners for the Jurifdiccons in either of their former meetings and yet the firft fubfcrip- tion was made in the prefence of the generall Court of the Maflachufetts. And to prevent future inconuenience vpon this occation they thought fitt to declare that this Commiffion is free and may not receiue any thing, not exprefsly agreed in the arti- cles, as impofed by any generall Court, yet out of their refpe&s to the Gouernment of the Maflachufetts they did willingly graunt that their Comiffioners ffiould firft fubfcribe after the Prefident in this and all future meetings. And the Commiffioners for the other Colonies in fuch order as they are named in the articles viz. Plymouth, Coneetacutt and New Hauen. The Comiffioners being put in mind of the differrences betwixt the Narrohiggan- fets and Vncus and the former engagements of the Englifh to Vncus and his expedta- con of fuccors from them in regard of fome aflaults pretended to be made vpon him by the Narrohigganfetts, as alfo of a charge layd vpon Vncus by the Narrohiggan- fetts of takeing a ranfome or at leaft a part thereof for the life of their late Sachim who afterwards norwithftanding he put to death. It was conceiued requifite before a full confideracon could be taken of the faid differrences or any determinacon therevpon, that two meffengers lhould be fent to both the faid Sachims with the following Inftructions. Inflruccons for Thomas Stanton and Nathaniell Willett fent by the Comiffioners for the Vnited Colonies of New England to Pefficus Canoonacus and other the Sa- chims of theNarrohigganfetts Indians and Vncus Sagamore of theMohegan Indians. 1. You [ '5 ] i. You fhall informe the above raenconed Sagamores refpe&iuely That the Com- iffioners for all the EnglifhColoniesnamely the MaffachufettsNew Plymouth Coneeta- cutt and New Hauen who have full power and authoritie from all the faid jurifdic- cons to confider and conclude both of peace and warr, and by all jufl meanes, to prouide for the fafety and welfare of the Countrey are now mett together at Hartford. 2. That the faid Comiffioners haue heard that the Narrohigganfett Sagamores and their company do charge Vncus and the Mohegan Indians that an agreement was made for the Ranfome of the late Narrohigganfet Sachim and that Vncus hath re- ceived part of the faid ranfome which Vncus denyeth to have received vpon any fuch confideracon, and therefore hath hitherto refufed to returne the fame. 3. That diuers afts of hoftillity haue lately paffed betwixt theNarrohigganfets and the Mohegan Indians which are like to breake forth into an open warr to the diftur- bance of the publicke peace vnlefse fome feafonable courfe be taken to prevent it 4. That the Comiffioners have therefore fent you both to the Narrohigganfett and Mohegan Sagamores to let them know that if they pleafe either to come them- felves, or to fend any confiderable men of theirs to propound their feueral greevances whether concerneing the fore menconed ranfome or any other matter and to bring due proofe of their complaints. The Comiffioners without any partial refpect to either party will confider their differences, and give anfwerable aduice to them both to fettle peace and a neighbourly correfpondence with due fatisfaccon for inju- ries betwixt them. 5. That the Comiffioners hereby do promife and allure them, that they or their meffengers fhall have free liberty to come and returne and to treate and profecute their affaires in peace without moleftacon or any jufl greevance from the Englifh. And in the name of the Comiffioners you fhall require of both parties that during this treaty no afts of hoftillyty paffe either againft any of their feuerall plantacons, or of their people in their occations or Sagamores or Meffengers in their trauels. 6. If either of the parties put in excufes and feeme vnwilling to come, you may remember them of the treaty made and concluded at Hartford betwixt the Narrohig- gunfet Indians, and the Mohegans, by which they engaged themfelues, that vpon any differences or offences before they entered vpon warr, they would firft acquaint the Englifh with their greevances and receiue aduice and direftion from them. 7. But if notwithstanding they refufe to come or fend you fliall from the Comiffion- ers demaund from the refufeing party what their purpofe and refolucon is whether for peace or warr betwixt themfelves, and on what termes they fland with the Eng- lifh Colonies, whether they purpofe to hold and continue all former treaties and agreements made either with the Englifh of the Maffachufetts or the Englifh at Hartford, I V6 ] Hartford, orwhcther they account them all as broken and voyd that the Comiffion- crs may accordingly order their occations. " 8 You ©all endeavour particulerly and clearely to acquaint and open euery one of the former articles both of the Narrohigganfet and Mohegan Indtans, and you fliall take their anfwere in writing to eich particuler and when you have fo donn reade their anfwere in the feuerall parts of it to them that they may Underftand how you underftand their anfwere, and that we may know they owne it, and that there is no miftake. Hartford September 6th 1 644. YOUGHCO the Sachim of Munhanfett vpon long I Hand prefenting himfelf to the Comifnonei-s defired that in regard he was a Tributary to the Englifh and had hitherto obferved the articles of agreement, he might receiue from them a certyficate whereby his relacon to the Englifh might appeare and he preferved as much as might be from vnjuft greevances and vexacons (though the Colonies be no ways engaged to protect him) yet herevpon the following certificate was given him. 