Yours by Yotaash (Miantunnomue’s brother) received. I accompanied him to the Nanhiggonticks, and having got Canounicus and Miantunnomu with their council together, I acquainted them faithfully with the contents of your letter, both grievances and threatenings; and to demonstrate, I produced the copy of the league, (which Mr. Vane sent me,) and with breaking of a straw in two or three places, I showed them what they had done.

In sum their answer was, that they thought they should prove themselves honest and faithful, when Mr. Governour understood their answers; and that (although they would not contend with their friends) yet they could relate many particulars, wherein the English had broken (since these wars) their promises, etc.

First then, concerning the Pequt squaws, Canounicus answered, that he never saw any, but heard of some that came into these parts, and he bad carry them back to Mr. Governour, but since he never heard of them till I came, and now he would have the country searched for them. Miantunnomu answered, that he never heard of but six, and four he saw which were brought to him, at which he was angry, and asked why they did not carry them to me, that I might convey them home again. Then he bid the natives that brought them to carry them to me, who departing brought him word, that the squaws were lame, and they could not travel. Whereupon he sent me word, that I should send for them. This I must acknowledge, that this message I received from him, and sent him word, that we were but few here, and could not fetch them, nor convey them, and therefore desired him to send men with them, and to seek out the rest. Then, saith he, we were busy ten or twelve days together, as indeed they were in a strange kind of solemnity, wherein the sachims eat nothing but at night, and all the natives round about the country 489were feasted. In which time, saith he, I wished some to look to them, which notwithstanding, in this time, they scaped; and now he would employ men instantly to search all places for them, and within two or three days to convey them home. Besides he profest that he desired them not, and was sorry the governour should think he did. I objected, that he sent to beg one. He answered, that Sassamun, being sent by the governour with letters to Pequt, fell lame, and laying at his house, told him of a squaw he saw, which was a sachim’s daughter, who while he lived was his, Miantunnomue’s, great friend. He therefore desired, in kindness to his dead friend, to beg her, or redeem her.

Concerning his departure from the English, and leaving them without guides, he answered, first, that they had been faithful, many hundreds of them, (though they were solicited to the contrary,) that they stuck to the English in life or death, without which they were persuaded that Okace and the Mohiganeucks had proved false, (as he fears they will yet,) as also that they never had found a Pequt, and therefore, saith he, sure there was some cause. I desired to know it. He replied in these words, Chenock eiuse wetompatimucks? that is, Did ever friends deal so with friends? I urging wherein, he told me this tale: that his brother, Yotaash, had seized upon Puttaquppuunck Quame and twenty Pequts and three-score squaws, they killed three and bound the rest, watching them all night, and sending for the English, delivered them to them in the morning. Miantunnomu (who according to promise came by land with two hundred men, killing ten Pequts in their march) was desirous to see the great sachim, whom his brother had taken, being now in the English houses, but (saith he) I was thrust at with a pike many times, that I durst not come near the door. I objected, he was not known. He and others affirmed, he was, and asked, if they should have dealt so with Mr. Governour. I still denied, that he was known, etc. Upon this, he saith, all my company were disheartened, and they all and Cutshamoquene desired to be gone; and yet, saith he, two of my men (Wagonckwhut and Maunamoh) were their guides to Sesquankit from the river’s mouth.

Sir, I dare not stir coals, but I saw them to be much disregarded by many, which their ignorance imputed to all, and thence came the misprision, and blessed be the Lord, things were not worse.

I objected, they received Pequts and wampom without Mr. Governour’s consent. Caunounicus replied, that although he and Miantunnomu had paid many hundred fathom of wampom to their soldiers, as Mr. Governour did, yet he had not received one yard of beads nor a Pequt. Nor, saith Miantunnomu, did I but one small present from four women of Long Island, which 490were no Pequts, but of that isle, being afraid, desired to put themselves under my protection.

By the next I shall add something more of consequence, and which must cause our loving friends at Qunnihticut to be very watchful, as also, if you please, their grievances, which I have laboured already to answer, to preserve the English name; but now end abruptly with best salutes and earnest prayers for your peace with the God of peace and all men. So praying, I rest Your worship’s unfeigned