Some while since you were pleased to desire me to signifie to the Sachims, the promise of the Block Ilanders to your selues, and therefore their exemption from all other Submission and Tribute. Their answere was that as they had left them to Mr. Governour formerly vpon Mr. Oldames death so haue they done since, and haue had no other dealing with them then for the getting of the head of Audsah the chiefe murtherer: as allso that they vnderstand the 100 fathom of beades to be yearely paid to Mr. Governour, in which respect they haue bene farr from desiring a bead from them, and doe acknowledge them to be wholy Mr. Governours Subiects.

Sir I heard that there is now at Pequat with the Monahiganeucks one William (Baker I thinck his name is) who was pursued, as is said, by the Eng­501lish of Qunnihticut for vncleanenes with an Indian Squaw, who is now with child by him. He hath there gotten another Squaw and lies close vnknowne to the English They say he came from a trading howse which Plymmouth men haue at Qunnihticut, and can speake much Indian: If it be he, when I lived at Plymmouth, I heard the Plymmouth men speake much of his evill Course that way with the Natiues.

The occasion that our neighbours know of him was this: Some 8 dayes since 6 Nanhiggonsick men were comming from Qunnihticut, and by the way fell vpon some Pequts who were rescued out of their hands by the Monahiganeucks, who allso bound those 6 Nanhiggonsicks many dayes togeather at Monahiganick (vpon Pequat river where this William was) and spoild them of their Coats and what els they had.

The Sachims and the men are greatly incensed, affirming that they can not but revenge this abuse offerd to their men; yet haue I got this promise that they will not doe ought without Mr. Governours advice.

Sir I haue long heard, and these 6 men affirme, that there are many of the scattered Pequts randevouzed with Okace the Monahiganic Sachim and Wequash the Pequt, who being employed as one of the guides to the English in their late Warrs, is growne rich and a Sachim with the Pequts: and hath 5 or 6 runnawayes. There are all the Runnawayes harboured (which vpon long and diligent inquirie) I am certaine and confident of, and can giue good assurance that there is not one amongst all the Nanhiggonsicks.

Mr. Stoughton hath bene long assured that Meiksah Canounicus eldest Sonn hath his Squaw, but having enquired it out I find she was never at the Nanhiggonsicks, but is married to one Meiksomp a Sachim of Nayantaquit, which being neerer to Pequt is more friendly to the Pequts: and where as I heare that Wequashcuck (who long sheltred Audsah and so grossly deluded Tho: Stanton in the late warrs) hath filled many baskets with beades from Pequts Sachims and 120 Pequts which he sheltreth now at Nayantaquit.

Okace the Monahiggon and Wequashcuck were lately at Long Iland, from whence some few dayes since Okace caried away 40 Pequts to Monahiganick and Wequashcuck 30 to Nayantaquit.

While I write, Miantunnomu is come to my howse and affirmeth the same: professing if I would advise him he would goe over to Mr. Governour to acquaint the Governour that Caunonicus and himselfe haue no hand in these passages. He askes me often if he may safely goe, and I assure him if he haue an honest heart he neede not feare any deceit or Treacherie amongst the English: So I thinck within a day or 2 he will be comming towards you.

He tells me what I had not heard that of those Pequts to whome at the 502first by my hand you were pleased to giue life, but 7 came to them of which 5 allso long since are gone to Monahiganick.

Sir I forget not your loving remembrance of me concerning Mr. Ludlowes debt: I yet know not where that Tobacco is: but desire if Mr. Cradocks Agent Mr. Jolly would accept it, that it may be delivered to him in part of some payments for which I haue made over my howse to Mr. Mayhew.

Sir your servant Repriue lodged here 2 nights, and Miantunnomu tells me that 5 dayes since he lay a night with him and is gone to Block Hand: He is very hopefully improoved since I first saw him: and am bold to wish that he might now take his last farewell of his friends, to whome you would be rather pleased to giue leaue to visit him at Boston, for you can not belieue how hard it is for him to escape much evill and especially vncleanenes while he is with them. The good Lord be pleased to blesse him to you, and to make you a blessing to him and many others. Torn runn headlong (without once hearing of it) into torn everlasting burnings. So prayes dayly Your Worships vnfaigned

This bearer, Miantunnomu, resolving to go on his visit, I am bold to request a word of advice from you concerning a proposition made by Caunounicus and himself to me some half year since. Caunounicus gave an island in this bay to Mr. Oldam, by name Chibachuwese, upon condition, as it should seem, that he would dwell there near unto them. The Lord (in whose hands all hearts are) turning their affections towards myself, they desired me to remove thither and dwell nearer to them. I have answered once and again, that for present I mind not to remove; but if I have it from them, I would give them satisfaction for it, and build a little house and put in some swine, as understanding the place to have store of fish and good feeding for swine. Of 503late I have heard, that Mr. Gibbons, upon occasion, motioned your desire and his own of putting some swine on some of these islands, which hath made me since more desire to obtain it, because I might thereby not only benefit myself, but also pleasure yourself whom I more desire to pleasure and honour. I spake of it now to this sachim, and he tells me, that because of the store of fish, Caunounicus desires that I would accept half, (it being spectaclewise, and between a mile or two in circuit, as I guess,) and he would reserve the other; but I think, if I go over, I shall obtain the whole. Your loving counsel, how far it may be inoffensive, because it was once (upon a condition not kept) Mr. Oldam’s.2 So, with respective salutes to your kind self and Mrs. Winthrop, I rest Your worship’s unfeigned, in all I may,