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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger JW

1638-02-28

For his much honoured and beloved Mr. Governour these
Providence 28th of the 12th 1637/38 Sir,

Some few dayes since I receaved letters from Mr. Hooker who had safely receaved your packet with thancks etc.

He intimated that according to Miantunnomues informacion by my selfe: Wm. Baker was hid at Monahigganick but they had made Okace and Wequash to bring him in, since which time (Seargeant Homes baling him) he is againe escaped.

16

He allso signified the desire of the Magistrates at Qunnticut that there the meeting should be:2 as allso that in the meane season they had charged the Monahiganeucks not to molest any natiues in their passage and travell etc. requiring the same of the Nanhiggonsicks towards the Monahiganeucks.

Accordingly I haue bene since at Nanhigonsick and find Miantunnomu willing to goe to Qunnticut by the time limited the end of the next month: only first he desired to know Mr. Governours mind: 2ndly in case his Father in Law, Caunounicus his brother, (whome I saw neere death with aboue a thoughsand men mourning and praying about him) in case he recover, otherwise it is vnlawfull for them (as they conceaue) to goe farr from home till toward mid sommer. 3rdly, he desires earnestly my Companie, as being not so confident of the English at Qunnticut who haue bene (I feare) to full of threatnings: 2ndly he can not be confident of Tho: Stantons faythfullnes in point of Interpretation These things make me much desire (as I have written back) that you would both please by some deputed to make my poore howse the Center where seemes to be the fairest offer of Convenience, and I hope no Question of wellcome.

Visiting Caunounicus lately recovered from the pits brinck this winter, he asked how Mr. Governour and the English did, requesting me to send him 2 words: 1st that he would be thanckfull to Mr. Governour for some sugar (for I had sent him mine owne in the depth of the winter and his sicknes) 2ndly he calld for his Sword which said he Mr. Governour did send me by you and others of the English, saying Mr. Governour protested he would not put vp his Sword, nor would he haue vs put vp ours, till the Pequt were subdued, and yet sayth he at Monahiganick there are neere 300, who haue bound and robd our men (euen of the very covering of their Secret Parts) as they haue past from Qunnticut hether: after much more to this purpose, I told him that Mr. Governour had promised him to sett all in order this Spring.

Sir I vnderstand that Okace the Monahigon hath Sasacous his sister to wife and one of the wiues of Sasacous his father Tattaopaine, and thats one reason beside his ambition and neerenes that he hath drawne all the scattered Pequts to himselfe and drawn much wealth from them: more I could trouble you with etc.

Caunounicus and Miantunnomu both desired that there might be a division made of these surviving Pequots (except the Sachims and murtherers) and let their share be at your owne Wisedome.

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I shall be humbly bold to present mine owne thoughts concerning a division and disposall of them: Since the most high delights in mercy, and great Revenge hath bene allready taken what if (the murtherers being executed) the rest be divided and dispersed, (according as their numbers shall arise and division be thought fit) to become subiect to your selues in the Bay and at Qunnticut which they will more easily doe in case they may be suffred to incorporate with the natiues in either places: as allso that, as once Edgar the Peaceable did with the Welsh in North Wales, a tribute of wolues heads be imposed on them etc. which (with submission) I conceaue an incomparable way to saue much Cattell aliue in the land.

Sir I hope shortly to send you good newes of great hopes the Lord hath sprung vp in mine Eye of many a poore Indian soule enquiring after God. I haue convinced hundreths at home and abroad that in point of Religion they are all wandring etc. I find what I could never heare before, that they haue plenty of Gods or divine powers: the Sunn, Moone, Fire, Water, Snow, Earth, the Deere, the Beare etc. are divine powers. I brought home lately from the Nanhiggonsicks the names of 38 of their Gods all they could remember and had I not with feare and caution withdrew they would haue fallen to worship O God (as they speake) one day in 7, but I hope the time is not long that some shall truely blesse the God of Heaven that euer they saw the face of English men. So waiting for your pleasure and advice to our neighbours concerning this intended meeting for the establishing of Peace through all the bowells of the Countrey and beseeching the most high to vouchsafe his peace and truth through all your Quarters, with my due respects to Mrs. Wintrop, Mr. Deputie Mr. Bellingham etc. I rest Your Worships in all true respect and affection

Roger Williams

Sir I heard no more as yet from Charlstowne men comming this way Mr. Coxall and Mr. Aspinwall haue sent to me about some of these parts, and in case for shelter for their wiues and children.

Endorsed by Governor Winthrop: Provisions to be sent by the Salem Bark to Mr. Williams and Mr. Throckmorton, Mr. Harlackenden knowes more.

1.

W. 2. 104; 4 Collections , VI. 223–226; N.C. , VI. 86–89.

2.

I.e., the meeting between the Narragansetts and the Mohegans which was the subject of a letter from Williams to Winthrop on January 10, 1637/38 (see pages 6–7, above).