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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

Israel Stoughton to John Winthrop1
Stoughton, Israel Wintrhop, John

1637-07-06

To the Right Worshipfull The Gouernor in Massachusets These Present
Honored Sir,

My last bearing date about the end of June sent by the pinnace with the Captiues together with the former, may giue you intelligence of the most materiall passages to that day.

Since, we with our Company and Mr. Haynes and Mr. Ludlo and their Company haue beene together in pequid, and haue acted nothing but ordinary, our time haueing beene much spent in Councell etc: as various objects haue occasioned; winds, and weather, and some other things concurring to detayne vs from procecuting intentions.

In this time we are informed, and do gather out the Narragansets dealings with vs (I meane our state) not to be faire: but very prejudiciall in some points. Not faire: for they keepe not the articles they subscribed: for 1st they frequently receiue wampam of our Enemies without advising with vs which 442our enemies giue them to obtayne peace, etc. yea they utterly conceale it from vs, and evade things manifest. 2ly and whereas we had 10 men from them for guides, Spies etc., and expected their attendance, they for their owne ends with draw them at their pleasure. Yea the truth is they are so eagerly sett vpon their owne ends, to gett booty etc. and to augment their owne Kingdome etc., that vpon the matter they vse us as their stalking horse: and if god do not help vs to diuert the streame into an other Channell with wisedome and honesty (from which I would be loath to swerve) I feare our being here will not be to that purpose as was desired.

I cannot relate all their dealings. Ile giue you a tast in one principall. There sent a Squa-Sachem 2 daies since, (that is of long island, and hath 200 men) to desire peace with vs, declaring that shee nor hers haue never shed any English blood: and we find it true by all informations from pequids, from Mohiggens, from Narragansetts, and from myantonimo himself: only the pequids haue forst treasure from her by exaction. After this information, we sent her word Thus, That prouided what she affirmd was true, and that she and hers would submitt to the English, and do no harme to the English hereafter, Then the English should not hurt her: and so appointed her a time of meeting: for shee promised her utmost aid to compass Sasacous now resident in long Iland.

So we lookt vpon this as a great prouidence of God for good toward us, and as a leading case to bring in other Indians.

But now we find Myantonimo little pleasd hereat, and hath first sought to Compass her goods and subjects to himself: for she bringing 30 fadom of wampam as a present, 10 for Myanto: 10 for Cannonicus, and 10 for the English, to make way for a treaty of peace: Myantonimo takes all to himself, and tells her lett him alone for the English, (or the like) But when he sees this will not do: (God inclyning her hart to send directly to the English besides his desires) now he comes in person to vs (that before would not without sending for) to prejudice us against her etc. that we might fall foule with her, albeit he can shew in truth no cause. She by sicknes cannot come unto vs, but hath sent a Narraganset Sachem to effect her and our desires at Long Iland, shee being at this Narragansets house, and intending marriag with him, the which is not pleasing to the 2 great Sachems of Narra: for they affect not others greatnes. an other thing we find Myantonimo is growne into disaffection with one of his men (that is by nature a pecot)2 meerely for the respect the English haue giuen him, which he hath deserved; and he hath withdrawne him from us: 443and tis doubted his life wilbe betrayed. Lately Myant: sent a message to vs, to haue the pecot country, and corne diuided that they might haue their part etc: But we returnd this Ans: we are now in pursuing the Enimie: Let us first subdue him, and talke of that after wards: yea we told him his mynd was so much vpon the spoyle, that he too much neglegted the mayne worke. since, his company haue kild as they say 11 pecots, they brought one head to vs. Our Captiues say and we told it him playnely, That were it not for the English the Pecots would not yet feare the Narra: but would take their Country, and annoy him as much as ever. And when they submitt to the Narraganset they say it is meerly for the English sake, and because they conceiue that the way, and know no other meanes to procure the Englishs favour: So the Narra: do pil and pole them all that ever they haue, and giue the poore soules hope that the English will shew them mercy: and then they bring them to the Engl: and leaue vs the hangmans worke: in effect, yea expressly requiring it of vs: shewing anger and impatience that the delay it. All this is true in the Sachem we haue captive:

Such like matters as these haue putt vs to serious thoughts for redresse: and allbeit we are tender of offending them justly, and so of increasing enimies: yet we are loath to be as carelesse of your Honor and advantages, as they are carefull of theirs But would gladly obtayne the present end (namely these enimies to be subdud) with present honor (so farr as honesty allowes it) and future safety.

Which to effect we cannot declare all the meanes that we take (memory and oportunitie will not permit) yet this for a tast.

1 For the Narra: we leaue the pecots gifts (and booty etc.) to sleepe with them for the present, (because we will make no disturbance: only we take notis of what we can learne out because we conceiue that for gifts intended for peace especially, they may and ought to torn led to account about them in convenient time) and animate them to the worke of bringing under the open Enimie.

2 Then for the poor Pecots such as are inclynable to submission etc. we do torn diuulge this amongst them. 1st That they shall find the English as propence to mercy as the Narra: 2ly If any pecots desire mercy from the English they shall soonest obtayne by comming directly unto vs, which we purpose to make good as amply as we may to this Squa Sachem and hers, for example and incouragment to all the Rest. Thus much for the present.

I confesse we haue a service in hand full of difficulty to be well done: I feare our specially my owne weakenes will much hinder: Only we rely vpon the lords help and his and your favorable acceptance according to the talent 444we haue receiued not requiring more. And if you find defects (as I know you can do no other) you may please to supply it either by your aduice, or otherwise as you may see Cause. But if our God giue vs help to do more or less to your content Let his holy name haue all the honor now and Ever Amen: To whome I Leaue you and yours and all your waighty affaires desiring to be remembered to your self, the Deputy, Mr. Bellengam Mr. Nowell etc. I pray pardon all my abrupt and imperfect writing: for I profess my self a Child and altogether to learne in these State affaires, besides the distracted condition we are in doth greatly disable my disabilitie. Yours to be Commanded

Israel Stoughton Ca. July 6, 1637 3

One thing allmost forgott, the Narragansetts doings hath made Chicchomikin desire to returne home with his men: which we redily yeeld to: for the Heathen shall not say our dependence is on them. So we looke up to God. Chicchomikin will not so much as leaue an interpreter. The Narra: haue and do manifest emulation against the Mohiggen speciall helps in this service, and are like to do vs displeasure that way too:

Endorsed by Governor Winthrop:Stoughton about the Narra. bad dealinge.

1.

W. 1. 125.

2.

I.e., Wequash.

3.

A comparison of this letter with that of Roger Williams to Governor Winthrop, July 15, 1637, indicates clearly that Williams’s letter was a reply to inquiries made by Winthrop as a result of the information Stoughton here presents. Stoughton must, therefore, have written about July 6, in order to have made possible this interchange of correspondence.

Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger Wintrhop, John

1637-07-10

New Providence this 2nd 7nae July 10, 1637 Sir,

Concerning your prisoners taken at Block Hand I haue informed the Sachims of your care not to iniure them and desire to haue them cleared:2 accordingly Cutshamaquene (now come from pursuing Sasacous, who is fled Southerly farr out of reach) I say he hath receaved testimonie from the Sachims Princes that they are Nayantaquit men (Wepiteammocks men) and so all are Nanhiggonsick men: and so indeede Sir I had thought to send you 445word at this present, had not I receaved your letter, for it was continually affirmed to me for truth by all the Nanhiggonsick men occasionally being here.

Sir The last messenger that caried letters from you to Pequat, related to the Sachims at Nanhiggonsick, that you were displeased that the Captiues brought to the Bay lately, were taken by the English from the Nanhiggonsicks, as allso the spoile vpon them, which was given to the English Souldiers: I haue answered that I thinck it was not so, but I shall vnderstand the truth shortly: and therefore Sir be pleased in your next to intimate a word: that I may satisfie them, for though I would not feare a Jarr with them yet I would fend of from being fowle, and deale with them wisely as with wolues endewed with mens braines.

The last weeke is a battell fought betweene the hither Neepmucks and the further the Wunnashowatuckoogs etc. the Successe is not yet knowne: it will be of Consequence, for it is said they fortifie ioyning with scattered Pequts.

Sir The last day of the weeke Wequash the Pequt guide neere hand slue his Country man Sassawwaw a Pequt allso Miantunnomues speciall darling and a kind of Generall of his forces. There was yesterday some tumult about it because Wequash liues with Canounicus and Miantunnomu pursues the Revenge and Justice etc.

By the way although Wequash it may be haue treacherously allmost slaine him, yet I see the righteous hand of the most High Judge, thus: Sassawwaw turnd to the Nanhiggonsicks and againe pretends a returne to the Pequts, gets them forth the last yeare against the Nanhiggonsicks, and spying advantage, slue the chiefe Pequt Captain and whips of his head and so againe to the Nanhiggonsick: their treacheries exceede Machiavills etc.

Sir Capt. Stoughton left sick at my howse one Souldier, a Boston man Tho: Roberts, his master is absent, and Mr. Harding hath charge of him I haue sent to him etc. The man was neere death, through the Lords mercy my wife hath gott him vpon his legs, though very weake, only his hearing is quite gone and I should be glad to receaue any helpe for him in that great losse: So with my respectiue Salutacions to Mr. Deputie Mr. Bellingham yours and theirs and other loving friends, and my poore sighes to heaven to meete you there if not here below I rest Your Worships vnworthy yet vnfaigned

Roger Williams
1.

W. 2. 98; 4 Collections , VI. 197–198; N.C. , VI. 37–39.

2.

The Governor writes in his Journal (1. 225; also printed in D.J.W. ) under the date of July 5, 1637: “A pinnace, returning, took a canoe with four Indians near Block Island. We sent to Miantunnomoh to know what they were, and after we discharged all save one, who was a Pequod, whom we gave Mr. Cutting to carry into England.”