Home Table of Contents Next Chapter The Tribes and the States W.
J. Sidis PISCATAQUA AND MASADCHU 29. Invasion of the Piscataqua.
Almost immediately after the formation of the Penacook
Federation came a new invasion from over the ocean, this time a
distinctly hostile one. This came from the New England Company,
a corporation chartered in England, claiming title to the coast
north of the Merrimac River, irrespective of existing
inhabitants, and which was determined to oust existing occupants
as intruders. In other words, it was deliberately going to the
Piscataqua region to make war on the inhabitants. The Pilgrims
were refugees, and England never recognized their government, so
they were more disposed towards peace, and more amenable to Red
instruction. But Gorges and Mason, the two chief directors of
the Plymouth Company, claimed to hold title from the English
crown, which claimed to own the Penacook country through
"discovery." This company had organized in England a complete
organization, in feudal style,