A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

494
Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger Wintrhop, John

1637-09-09

For his much honoured Mr. Governour these
Much honoured Sir,

I was fearefull that those dead hands were no pleasing sight (otherwise then a remarkeable vengance had seazed vpon the first murtherer of the English, Wauphanck) yet I was willing to permit what I could not aproue, least if I had buried the present myselfe, I should haue incurd suspicion of pride and wronged my betters, in the natiues and others eyes: I haue alwaies showne dislike to such dismembring the dead and now the more, (according to your desire) in your name.

I was allso fearefull that mine owne hand (having no commission from my heart (which is not in mine hand but in the hand of its Maker, the Most High) to write you ought of mine owne returne in spiritualls) I say fearefull that mine owne might not be so gratefull and pleasing to you: but being calld vpon by your message and your loue, (your paper), I am emboldened.

Concerning the Pequts, the souldiers here related to me that Okace the Mohiganie Sachim had about 300 men with him on Pequt river, some 16 mile from the howse, which I belieue are most of them Pequts and their confederates the Wunnashowatuckoogs and their Inlanders (whome he charged vnder paine of death not to come to Canounicus) and with whome he hath made himselfe great. This man is but a litle Sachim, and hath not aboue 40 or 50 Mohiganeucks which as the English told me were all he could make.

It is generally confirmed that Thomas Stanton (as himselfe allso confest to me at my howse) was grossly cousend and deluded by one Wequashcuck (a Nayantaquit Sachim) who sheltred 4 Pequts Sachims and 60 Pequts at Long Iland where now they are, where peace was made with promise from the natiues not to permit one Pequt: yet Wequashcuck marrying Sasacous his mother hath thus deceaved you. This Wequashcuck was the man (to my knowledge) that sheltred Audsah, the murthrer of Mr. Oldham, and kept his head so long vpon his shoulders: yet to this man Thomas Stanton (as it appeares) did to much listen, slighting, I feare, to much the Nanhiggonsicks.

I find our Neighbours very eager to pursue these 4 Sachims and the 60 Pequts there. I presse them to patience till Mr. Governours mind be knowne, and Miantunnomu (to my knowledge) doth all he can to restreine them, or els long since they had bene there. They plead that Mr. Governour may please to accompanie, or send himselfe against them, but can not by any 495article in the leauge bind them to suffer so many of their enemies in a knot so neere them.

I presse them to humane consideracion of so much blood spilt, they answere if they haue the Sachims heads they will make the rest Nanhiggonsicks, and for the Long Ilanders themselues and Wequashcuck, they will not medle with them, because of the peace Mr. Stoughton made with them.

Concerning the ketles: Miantunnomu answeres, that he hath bene much wronged by the reports of enemies and false friends to whom some of vs (as he saith) haue hearkned before himselfe.

He saith he never knew of more then 2, one of which the English vsed at the howse, and the other as he heares is at the Fort still: he sayth he hath many of his owne, and in deede when I came first hiether I saw neere 10 or 12 which himselfe and Canounicus had.

He repaid me with a grievance about a Pequt canow which he desired might be ordred by your owne hearing, but it was denyed him: his plea seemes very faire: thus this brother Yoteash having taken the great Sachim (Puttaquappuonckquame who was kept in the pinnace aliue sometime) tooke his canow, which, sayth he, the English Captaines sitting all togeather were very willing vnto: this canow Mr. Stoughton afterwards brought about homeward: Miantunnomu and his brother claime it: twas denyed: he requested that it might be left at my howse till Mr. Governours mind was knowne. Capt. Stoughton would not yeald, but desired him to go along to me, but sayth he, I would not trust my selfe with him, seing he would not stand to Mr. Governours determination about the canow: I would not haue mencioned this least it might provoke Mr. Stoughton or any: but I know to whome I intimate it: and I haue prettie well appeased the matter allready.

He answeres all I can obiect to him with this: let Mr. Governour haue the hearing of it: I will rest in his word, and obiecting to him in the particular before divers, that the English complaine he was proud, he desired that I would present to Mr. Governour these particulars, that he had cause to mainteine his right, because, the Qunnihticut English equalld Okace and the Mohiganeucks with himselfe and his men.

Whereas sayth he these Mohiganeucks are but as a twig, we are as a great tree.

They fell to the English but last yeare, we haue bene euer friends etc.

Okace and his men had a hand in the death of all the English and fought against the Rivers mouth (at Qunnihticut) we never kild nor consented to the death of an English man.

496

When the Dutchmen and we fought with the Pequts the Mogianeucks ioyned against vs.

When Capt. Endicot came against the Pequts the Mohiganeucks receaved the Pequt women and children and kept them, while the men fought with him etc.

Okace brought presents to Canounicus, and Miantunnomu, yet at the same time kild 2 of his women treacherously.

They fell to the English this yeare in feare or other policie, and we, (sayth he) haue continued friendship and loue euer since they landed. Thus he pleaded etc., and yet proud and covetous and filthy they are etc. only I was willing to gratifie him in this, because as I know your owne heart studies peace, and their soules good, so your wisedome may make vse of it vnto others who happily take some more pleasure in warrs: The blessed God of Peace be pleased to giue you peace within, at home, and round about you abroad, So prayes Your worships vnfainedly respectiue

Roger Williams September 9, 1637

To Mrs. Wintrop, Mr. Deputie, Mr. Bellingham etc. all respectiue salutacions.

I haue at present returned Rich. Collicuts Pequt girle which Miantunnomu found out, and desired me to send home,2 with promise of further enquiring.

Endorsed: Mr. Williams, 7:9: 1637.

1.

Original not located; 4 Collections , vi. 207–210; N.C. , vi. 60–65.

2.

Cf. Roger Williams to Richard Collicott, September 12, 1637, immediately following.