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1630 - 1649 |
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Rumors
of Treachery on the Part of Miantonomo
News from Connecticut of Hostile Indian Alliance
Cutahamekin, Passaconaway, and Miantonomo are disarmed
Two
Sachems Desire to be Received Under Massachusetts Government Text
of the Agreement with the Sachems War
Between Uncas and Miantonomo Indian
War Against Uncas Prevented Mrs.
Hutchinson and her Family Killed by Indians Near Manhattan Pumham asks aid against the Narragansetts Peace arranged between the Mohegans and Narragansetts Uncas remonstrated
with for Attacking at Pequot River Rev. John Eliot's Methods of Instructing Indians Connecticut Paugaussett Indians
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Two Sachems desire to be received under
Massachusetts Government 1643 But before this, Gorton and his company (12 in number) sent a writing
to our court of four sheets of paper, full of reproaches against our
magistrates, elders and churches, of familistical and absurd opinions, and
therein they justified their purchase of the sachem's land, and professed to
maintain it to the death. They sent us word also after, (as Benedict
Arnold reported to us,) that if we sent men against them, they were ready to
meet us, being assured of victory from God, etc. Whereupon the court
sent two of the deputies to speak with them, to see whether they would own
that writing which was subscribed by them all. When they came, they
with much difficulty came to find out Gorton and two or three more of them,
and upon conference they did own and justify the said writing. They
spake also with the two sachems, as they had commission, and giving them to
understand upon what terms they must be received under us, they found them
very pliable to all, and opening to them the ten commandments, they received
this answer, which I have set down as the commissioners took it in writing
from their mouths. 1. Quest. Whether they would worship
the true God that made heaven and earth, and not blaspheme him? Ans.
We desire to speak reverently of Englishman's God and not to speak evil
of him, because we see the Englishman's God doth better for them than other
Gods do for others. 2. That they should not swear falsely.
Ans. We never knew what swearing an oath was. 3. Not to do any unnecessary work on the
Lord's day within the gates of proper towns. Ans. It is a small
thing for us to rest on that day, for we have not much to do any day, and
therefore we will forbear on that day. 4. To honor his parents and superiors.
ans. It is our custom so to do, for inferiors to be subject to
superiors, for if we complain to the governor of the Massachusetts that we
have wrong, if they tell us we lie, we shall willingly bear it. 5. Not to kill any man but upon just cause
and just authority. Ans. It is good, and we desire to do so. 6. 7. Not to commit fornication, adultery,
bestiality, etc. Ans. Though fornification and adultery be
committed among us, yet we allow it not, but judge it evil, so the same we
judge of stealing. 8. For lying, they say that it is an evil,
and shall not allow it. 9. Whether you will suffer your children to
read God's word, that they may have knowledge of the true God and to worship
him in his own way? Ans. As opportunity serveth by the English
coming amongst us, we desire to learn their manners.
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