Uncas, they solemnly denied it; only confessed that the Mowhauke being a great sachem, and their ancient friend, and being come to meet them, they sent about twenty fathom of Wampum for him to tread, as the manner of the Indians is. But Canonicus's son used this asseveration, "Englishman's God doth know that we do not stir up or hire the Mowhauks against Uncas." They also then promised that they would not meddle with Uncas, nor stir up any other against him, before they had paid all the tribute to the English that was behind; and then they would require satisfaction for all the wrongs Uncas had done them, and if the English would not see them satisfied, they would then consider what to do. But for what was behind, of what was due to the English, they desire to be borne with at this time, in regard their want of corn the last winter had made them lay out their Wampum for corn to the English, but the next spring they would provide part of it, and the rest so soon as they could, which was a fair answer, and according to equity accepted by the English. But still it appeared that this condescension was more out of fear than love, and that the old quarrel was not like easily to be forgotten and forgiven in the present age. Canonicus, the great sachem of the Narrhagansets, died the 4th of June, 1648,1 being a very old man, still leaving the hereditary quarrel entailed upon his successor. But Uncas was alive and well in the year 1680, and probably may live to see all his enemies buried before him.

It is here to be minded also, that although they were engaged to pay a yearly tribute to the English, upon the account of the forementioned rebellion, yet, after some years, they grew slack in the payment thereof, and, at the last, in a manner denied to do any thing that way, insomuch that the General Court of the Massachusetts, or else the Commissioners, sent Captain Atherton, of Dorchester, with twenty soldiers to demand it. When he came to the place, Pessacus, the chief sachem, put him off with dilatory answers awhile, not suffering him to come into his presence, while his followers were gathered into a great

A mistake; it was June 4, 1647. Sav. Win. ii. 308.-H. The Commissioners passed a resolution, Sept. 5, 1650, to send the force, and prepared the Instructions, "to be given to such Commanders and Soldiers as the Government of the Massachusetts shall think meet to send." See Hazard, ii. 151-2.—H.

assembly, consulting how to put them off, but the Captain,' not able with patience to wait any longer, carried his twenty soldiers to the door of the wigwam, where the Indians sat in consultation, and there leaving them, himself boldly entered in amongst them all, with his pistol in his hand, (as was said,) and taking hold of Pessacus's locks, drew him from the midst of his attendants, (some hundreds in number, and all armed,) telling him that he should go along with him, and if any of them stirred he would presently speed him. By this undaunted courage of Captain Atherton, Pessacus and all the other sachems were so affrighted, that they durst make no resistance, but presently paid down what was demanded, and so they were dismissed in safety.

Not long after, Ninicrite, another of their sachems, began to raise new troubles against the English amongst the Nianticks, but upon the sending Captain Davis' with a troop of horse into his quarters, he was struck with such a panic fear, that he scarce durst come to the speech of the English, till he was fully secured of his life, and then readily complied with their demands. Such was the terror of [the] English upon them in those times, till afterwards, by too much familiarity, they grew more emboldened, and ||adventured|| upon a war with them.

CHAP. LII.2

The Confederation of the United Colonies of New England; the grounds and reasons leading thereunto, with the Articles agreed upon, for that end.

WOE to him that is alone, saith Solomon. The people that came over to New England were necessitated to disperse themselves further, each from other, than they intended; yet finding that, in their first and weak beginnings, they might be exposed to danger by many enemies, and as well from the natives as any foreign nations, although that they saw they could not be accommodated within the bounds of one and the same Patent, yet judged it very expedient to be joined together in one common || ventured ||

Probably the "Serjeant John Davies" who was sent, with Atherton, to the aid of Uncas, in 1645, and the same person whom Hazard calls "Serjeant John Dames," who went on a mission to Pessacus the same year. See Hazard, ii. 28, 30.-H. LI in the MS.-н.

2

bond of unity and peace, by as firm engagement as might be on either side. They saw also, by daily experience from the beginning, that without some such obligation, seeds of jealousy and difference might easily be sown between them, either about their bounds or other occasions; wherein all discovered an unwillingness to be subordinate one to another, yet could not be able to stand alone by themselves, without engagement of mutual assistance. For this end, some of the wisest in each division had been contriving some means of unity and accord, by a kind of Confederation; and some had drawn up articles in that way in the year 1638,' which were left to further consideration till after time. In the year 16392 the said Confederation was earnestly prosecuted by Mr. Haines and Mr. Hooker, who tarried several weeks in the Bay to solicit the matter; by whose means the said treaty of Confederation was again renewed, and commended to the consideration of the General Court in the Massachusetts, who did not unwillingly accept thereof. Those of Connecticut were especially concerned to be solicitous about it, because they had some reason to expect trouble from the Dutch, who had lately received a new Governor,3 one that was more discreet and sober than the former,* and was very sensible and apprehensive of injury done to their people at Connecticut, and also very inquisitive how things stood between the Massachusetts and Connecticut; which made them the more ready to renew the former treaty, that the Dutch might not take notice of any breach or alienation between them. Yet, notwithstanding how seriously and strenuously this motion was driven on, by several occasions that interposed, it could not be brought to any desirable issue till afterwards, viz. in the year 1643, when Commissioners came from all the several Colonies to Boston, in the time of the General Courts there assembled. Mr. Fenwick also, of Saybrook Fort, joined with them in carrying on the treaty. The General Court of the Massachusetts chose as Commissioners for their Colony, Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Dudly, and Mr. Bradstreet, from among the magistrates; Mr. Hathorne, Mr. Gibbons, and Mr. Ting, from amongst the deputies.

1 See Sav. Win. i. 237, 284.-я. Van Twiller.-H.

Kieft.-H.

See Sav. Win. i. 299.-H.
I. e. in May.-н.

From Connecticut came Mr. Haines and Mr. Hopkins; from New Haven came Mr. Theophilus Eaton and Mr. Grigson; Mr. Winslow and Mr. Collier from Plymouth. These coming to consultation, encountered with many difficulties, before they could agree upon a good foundation wherein all might centre; but being all desirous of union and studious of peace, they readily yielded each to other, in such things as tended to the common good of the whole, so as after two or three meetings they lovingly accorded upon some Articles, which here follow, being allowed by the General Court of the Massachusetts, and signed by all the Commissioners, and sent also to be confirmed and ratified by the General Courts of the rest of the jurisdictions. Only Plymouth Commissioners having power to treat but not to determine, deferred the signing of them till they came home, &c., but soon after they were confirmed by their General Court also, as well as by all the rest.

Those of Sir Ferdinando Gorges's Province, beyond Pascataqua, were not received nor called into this confederation; because they ran a differing course from the rest, both in their ministry and their civil administrations. Nor indeed were they at that time furnished with inhabitants fit for such a purpose, for they had lately made Agamenticus (a poor village) a Corporation, and had made a mean person mayor|| thereof," and had also entertained a contentious person, and one under offence, for their minister.1

Articles of Confederation between the Plantations under the government of the Massachusetts, New Plymouth, Connecticut, [and] New Haven, in New England, with the Plantations in combination with them."

Whereas we all came into these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, namely, to advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the liberties of the Gospel in purity with peace; and whereas in our settling, (by the wise Providence of God,) we are further dispersed from the sea-coasts and rivers || major ||

"One Hull" says Winthrop.-H.

These "Articles," with some variations, are to be found in Sav. Win. ii. 101-6, and Hazard, ii. 1-6.-H.

than was at the first intended, so that we cannot, according to our desire, with convenience communicate in one government and jurisdiction; and whereas we live encompassed with people of several nations and strange languages, which hereafter may prove injurious to us and our posterity; and forasmuch as the natives have [formerly1] committed sundry insolencies and outrages upon several Plantations of the English, and have of late combined themselves against us; and seeing, by reason of the sad distractions in England, (which they have heard of, or by which they know,) we are hindered, both from the humble way of seeking advice, and reaping those comfortable fruits of protection, which at other times we might well expect; we therefore do conceive it our bounden duty, without delay, to enter into a present Consociation amongst ourselves, for mutual help and strength in all future concernments; that, as in nation and religion, so in other respects, we be and continue one, according to the tenor and true meaning of the ensuing Articles.

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1. Wherefore it is fully agreed and concluded, [by and3] between the parties and jurisdictions above named, and they jointly and severally do, by these presents, agree and conclude that they all be, and henceforth be called by the name of, The United Colonies of New England.

2. The said United Colonies, for themselves and their posterities, do jointly and severally hereby enter into a firm and perpetual league of friendship and amity, for offence and defence, mutual advice, and succor upon all just occasions, both for preserving and propagating the truths and liberties of the Gospel, and for their own mutual safety and welfare.

3. It is further agreed, that the Plantations which at present are, or hereafter shall be, settled within the limits of the Massachusetts, shall be forever under the government of the Massachusetts, and shall have peculiar jurisdiction amongst themselves, in all cases, as San§ entire body; and that Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven, shall each of them, in all respects, have like§ peculiar jurisdiction and government within their limits, and in

1

2 Supplied from Hazard and Winthrop.-H. Substituted for relation in the MS., on the authority of Hazard, Winthrop, and Common Sense.-H. 3 Supplied from Hazard, ii. 2.-H.