A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger JW

1638-09-10

For the right Worshipfull and his much honoured friend Mr. Governour of the Massachusetts these
At Narigansett the 10th of the 7th: early 1638 Much honoured Sir,

These Sachims with myself consulting the last Lords day as soone as I here arrived: I dispatched a letter to meete our Qunnihticut friends at Monahiggin: desiring a speedie word from Capt: Mason (according as he found the busines Easie or Difficult) to giue direction for the Course of the Narigansetts, either to Monahiggin or Pequt. With all the Messenger had charge to deale with Onkas, from vs all Caunounicus Miantunnomu etc. to be wise and faythfull to vs in what we should propose to him.

The Messenger returned the last night (and being a discreete man to obserue passages) he related that comming neere the towne viz. to wit Monahiggin he heard 6 guns, which perswaded him that English were come but drawing neerer he found they were the Guns which formerly the Pequts had got from the English. Entring the Court he found the House mingled full of Monahiggins and Pequts, who desired his newes, but he silent: They told him that they heard that the English were comming against them, and they had sent vp 2 chiefe men who found the English trayning: They were examined of 2 things viz: why they had lately let goe 2 of the murtherers at Nayantaquit whom they had bound and why they had seazed vpon all the Corne at Pequt, belonging to hiether Nayantaquit Pequts: so they were ymprisoned and bound: word whereof comming to Onkace 40 men were sent vp with their Bead girdles to redeeme them: The Messenger got Onkace private, who would not be drawne to yeald vp any of his Pequts, but alleadging that he had bought them with his money of the English (as the Nayantaquit Sachims said, for which purpose I am bold to inclose Mr. Heynes his answere) he said they found the English so false that the last night in a generall meeting they were resolved to fight it out, and for himselfe although the 58English bound him and killd him he would not yeald: He related that Mr. Heynes had given him a letter of Securitie to lye by him, in case that any English should iniure him, but in this pursuing his Pequts and binding his men he had throwen away his letter etc. Sir your wisedome (I know) catcheth at my request before I make it viz: that in case I am directed from our Friends of Qunnihticut, to send for aide, you would please to cause a readines at litle warning. I could make true Relacion of the brags of the chiefe of these wretches viz: that the Massachusett English did but gleane after the Qunnihticut men etc. in the wars: but I am confident you desire their good, with the safetie of your owne state: therefore I rest with a Description briefe of the Pequt Townes now againe vnder Okace and the Nayantaquit Sachims established: At Pequt Nayantaquit are vpward of 20 howses, vp the river at Mangunckakuck 8, vp still at Sauquonckackock 10, vp still at Paupattokshick 15, vp still at Tatuppequauog 20, 3 or 4 mile further with Onkace at his towne Monahiggin a great number mingled, which are all vnder Onkas, beside those at Qunnipiuck and others of Long Iland and Sasacous his Confederates. At Nayantaquit the hither vpwards of 20 howses all vnder the Nayantaquit Sachims, except 6 or 7 men vnto whome your Worship was pleased to giue life vpon Miantunnomues motion by my letter vpon their submission. these are still Miantunnomues Subiects, yet refusing to liue with him at Narigansett, he disclaimes them, in case according to promise they assist not in this busines. The most High graciously sanctifie all his holy pleasure to vs, prosper these our present Enterprises to his prayse, but especially against those Enemies (1 Pet. 2. 11.) Lusts which fight against our Soules: in him I desire to be Your Worships more and to Eternitie

Roger Williams
1.

W. 2. 110; 4 Collections , VI. 250–252; N.C. , VI. 117–119.