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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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Text of the Agreement with the Sachems 1643 After the court, the governor, etc.,
sent for them, and they came to Boston at the say appointed, viz., the 22nd
of the 4th month (June), and a form of submission being drawn up, and they
being by Benedict Arnold, their neighbor, and interpreter, (who spake their
language readily,) made to understand every particular, in the presence of
divers of the elders and many others, they freely subscribed the submission,
as it here followeth verbatim. Being told that we did not receive them
in as confederates but as subjects, they answered, that they were so little
in respect of us, as they could expect no other. So they dined in the
same room with the governor, but at a table by themselves; and having much
countenance showed them all present, and being told that they and their men
should always welcome to the English, provided they brought a note from
Benedict Arnold, that we might know them from other Indians, and having some
small things bestowed upon them by the governor, they departed joyful and
well satisfied. We looked at it as a fruit of our prayers, and the
first fruit of our hopes, that the example would bring in others, and that the
Lord was by this means making a way to bring them to civility, and so to
conversion to the knowledge and embracing of the gospel in his due time.
Soon after their
departure, we took order that Miantunnomoh and the English in those parts
should have notice of their submission to us, that they might refrain from
doing them injury. Their Submission was as followeth. This writing is to
testify, That we Pumham, sachem of Shawomock, and Sacononoco, sachem of
Patuxet, etc., have, and by these presents do voluntarily and without any
constraint or persuasion, but of our own free motion, put ourselves, our
subjects, lands and estates under the government and jurisdiction of the
Massachusetts, to be governed and protected by them, according to their just
laws and orders, so far as we shall be made capable of understanding them:
and we do promise for ourselves and our subjects, and all our
posterity, to be true and faithful to the said government, and aiding to the
maintenance thereof to our best ability, and from time to time to give speedy
notice of any conspiracy, attempt, or evil intention of any which we shall
know or hear of, against the same: And we do promise to be willing,
from time to time, to be instructed in his knowledge and worship of God.
In witness whereof, etc.
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