Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3
1637-05-13
Miantunnommu with a great Traine arrived the same day that 411Anthony Dike departed hence with his sad tidings, and confirmeth with the most, the report of Anthony.
The Nanihiggonsicks are at present doubtfull of Realitie in all our promises: I haue alleadged the best Arguments I haue heard or could invent to perswade Realitie of purpose and speedie performance, as allso reasons of delay.
Miantunnummu and his best Councell here with him, haue requested me earnestly to make this proffer to you. The Pequts are scarce of provision and therefore (as vsually so now especially) they are in some numbers come downe to the sea side (and 2 Ilands by name Munnawtawkit and Manittuwond especially) to take sturgeon and other fish as allso to make new fields of Corne in case the English should destroy their fields at home.
Miantunnommu desires to goe himselfe with one Wequash the Pequt of whome I haue formerly writ here at present with him, in this pinnace here left by Anthony or any other that shall take him in at the Nanhiggonsick.
He will put in 40 or 50 or more as the vessell will stow.
He will put in Vitailes himselfe for his men. He will direct the Pinnace to the Places and in the Night land his men, despoile them of their Canowes, cut of the men he finds (the greatest number being women and children, which for the most of them he would cut of) as allso spoile their fields.
And this he proffers to doe without landing an English man with whome he will remaine aboord in English Cloths which he desires for himselfe.
John, a seaman aboord, calls the Iland Plum Iland and is very willing to goe on the designe and thincks as allso Miantunnommu doth, that if within 2 or 3 dayes they went forth they would be here againe within 4 or 5 or less.
Sir for my selfe I dare not advice: but if my thoughts be asked: I shall (with all due submission) say this.
It will at present wedge them in from any starting aside, vntill your forces shall follow.
If they speede it will weaken the Enemie and distresse them, being put by their hopes: as allso much enrage the Pequts for euer against them, a thing much desirable.
Beside the charge or danger of the English will be none vnles Miantunnommues Course Cloths and a large Coate for Wequash the Pequt guide a man of great vse. The most holy and only wise be pleased to smile vpon the face of the English that be his, (we haue all if euer Cause to examine our selues, our Errands and Worck) in the face of Jesus Christ:
While I write a Messenger is come to Miantunnommu from Neepemut reporting a farr greater slaughter then that Anthony brought word of and since the for
In case that Anthony or other seamen can not be gotten suddenly, here is one with vs willing to make vp a third man (to the other 2 left with the pinnace) to carrie the vessell, though I iudge Anthony himselfe the fittest.
Sir, Miantunnommu desird me to giue you a hint that the 6 fathom of Beades which he gaue for the slaying of Audsah be repaid him and sent now if it may be. his warrs keepe him bare. Your Wor
For any gratuities or tokens Caunonicus desires Sugar and Miantunnommu powder. My humble respects to all my lo
Sir, Miantunnommu is close in this his proiect, and therefore I thinck the messenger is sent only for the Beades: it is very convenient that Miantunnommues cloths and Wequash his Coate be sent by him.
W. 2. 96, 4
Collections
, vi. 189–191;
N.C.
, vi. 23–26.
The context of this letter shows it to have been written within the first two weeks of May, 1637. There is good reason to place the date as Saturday, May 13, rather than Saturday, May 6, since it was Winthrop, who was elected Governor on May 17, who endorsed the letter as having come from Williams. Had the letter been written on the earlier date, it would presumably have been delivered while Vane was Governor.