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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Roger Williams to John Winthrop1
Williams, Roger JW

1639-05-09

For his much honoured and beloved Mr. John Wintrop Governour of the Massachusets these
Sir,

I am requested by Caunounicus and Miantunnomu to present you with their loue and respect (which they allso desire may be remembred to all the English Sachims) as allso with this Expression of the Continuance of their loue vnto you viz. 30 fathom of Beades (10 from Caunounicus and 20 from Miantunnomu)2 and the basket a present from Miantunnomues wife to your deare Companion Mrs. Wintrop.

3 things they request me to desire of you.

First the Continuance of your ancient and constant friendship toward them and good opinion of their sincere affection to the English.

I obiected against this that I lately heard that 2 boates of English were cut of by Pequts and that Miantunnomu knew of the Act etc.

To this they answered that they haue not so much as heard of any miscarriage of the English this way of late and that 2 dayes since a Nariganset man came from Long Iland and brought no such tidings.

That they haue alwayes (and shall still) succoured the English in any such distresses: and that if but a single English man woman or childe be found in the woods by any of theirs, they should punish severely that man that should not safely conduct them and succour them etc.

2ndly That you would please to ratifie that promise made to them after the warrs viz: the free vse of the Pequt Countrey for their hunting etc.

3rdly That since there are many Pequt Sachims and Captaines surviving, 121many of whome haue bene Actuall murtherers of the English and (3 of them) which haue slaine some of their Sachims.

And that since the Agreement the last yeare at Qunnihticut with Mr. Heynes and the Magistrates you haue not yet pleased to come to Action.

And that the Pequts being many hundreths of them, may with these their Sachimstorn doe more mischiefe to vs and them.

They therefore request that you would please to write by them at present to Mr. Heynes, that so vpon your ioynt Agreement, they may themselues freely pursue those Pequt Princes and Captaines whome Mr. Heynes (who had the list of them from me the last yeare) shall name vnto them.

I obiected the report of great numbers of Pequts among themselues etc.

They answere, as formerly, that to cleare themselues from that, and to make it appeare how both the Monahiggins and the Nayantaquit men haue receaved the Pequts and their Presents (when they refused them) and so haue made presents to the English with the Pequt beades which themselues neuer did nor could: they will now fall vpon this Service and if the Monahiggins and Nayantaquit men will not ioyne with them in it, they will themselues pursue the Persons that shall be named to them wheresoeuer they find them although at Monahiggannick or Nayantaquit, without touching a Monahigganie or Nayantick man further then you shall please to advize them.

More they say, but I should be taedious and therefore with all due respect to your loving selfe Mrs. Wintrop Mr. Deputie etc. I rest Your Worships faythfull and vnfayned

Roger Williams Providence this 9th of the 3rd 1639

Caunounicus begs of you a little Sugar.

1.

W. 2. 113; 4 Collections , VI. 259–261; N.C. , VI. 133–135.

2.

Cf. Journal, I. 299, under date May 2, 1639 ; also printed in D.J.W. .