own the said letters, and by whose advice they had so proceeded, to persuade them also rather to sit still and be quiet, than to take counsel from evil men, such as they had banished from them. Canonicus would hardly admit of any speech with any of their messengers, unless it were some few froward expressions, but referred them to Pessacus, who came about four hours after, and carrying them into an ordinary wigwam, discoursed with them a long time about the business; his answers were witty and full to the question, and in conclusion told them, they would presently go to war upon Uncas, but not after the manner which Miantonimo did, with a great army, but by sending out small parties to catch his men, and prevent them from getting their livelihood; and did make small attempts that way, but saw it was in vain to begin a war afresh with the Mohegans, so long as the English stood engaged to defend them, and therefore turned all their contrivance how to cut off the English throughout the country, insomuch that the next year, the United Colonies were so far satisfied with the reality of their intentions, that they were fully resolved to fall upon them first, and had called several companies together for that end, who had their officers assigned them, and commissions drawn, and ammunition and provision prepared to send along with them, and forty or fifty men were sent before to secure Uncas his fort, and others came from Connecticut, for that end, so as when it came to the pinch, that the Narragansets perceived the English were in good earnest, their hearts failed them, and they were so alarmed with the terrour of the English soldiers, (the conquest of the Pequots being yet fresh in their minds,) that they sent down their messengers, and one or more of their chief sachems came along with them, to sue for peace, and brought along with them the sachem's son for hostage, and engaged to pay a tribute, and yielded also to pay the charges which the English had been at in making their preparations for the war; for they happened to come down to Boston just as their soldiers were ready to march out against them, as not

being willing to run any more hazard; which occasioned the country to turn the fast, appointed to be kept September 4, into a day of thanksgiving. The commissioners being then met at Boston to take care for the managing the war with the Narragansets, as is aforesaid, put out a declaration of the grounds of their proceedings, which here follows:

A Declaration of former passages and proceedings betwixt the English and the Narragansets, with their confederates, wherein the grounds and justice of the ensuing war are opened and cleared.

Published by order of the commissioners for the United Colonies, at Boston, the 11 of the sixth month, 1645.

The most considerable part of the English colonies profess they came into these parts of the world with desire to advance the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy his precious ordinances with peace, and (to his praise they confess) he hath not failed their expectation hitherto, they have found safety, warmth and refreshing under his wing, to the satisfaction of their souls. But they know, and have considered that their Lord and Master is king of righteousness and peace; that he gives answerable laws, and casts his subjects into such a mould and frame, that (in their weak measure) they may hold forth his virtues in their course and carriage, not only with the nations of Europe, but with the barbarous natives of this wilderness. And accordingly, both in their treaties and converse, they have had an awful respect to divine rules, endeavouring to walk uprightly and inoffensively, and in the midst of many injuries and insolencies to exercise much patience and long suffering towards them.

The Pequots grew to an excess of violence and outrage, and proudly turned aside from all ways of justice and peace before the sword was drawn, or any hostile attempts made against them. During those wars, and after the Pequots were subdued, the English colonies were careful to continue and establish peace with the rest of the

Indians, both for the present and for posterity, as by sev eral treaties with the Narraganset and Mohegan sagamores may appear; which treaties for a while were in some good measure duly observed by all the Indians, but of late the Narragansets, and especially the Nianticks, their confederates, have many ways injuriously broken and violated the same, by entertaining and keeping amongst them, not only many of the Pequot nation, but such of them as have had their hands in the blood and murther of the English, seizing and possessing at least a part of the Pequot's country, which by right of conquest justly appertains to the English; by alluring or harbouring and withholding several Pequot captives fled from the English, and making proud and insolent returns when they were redemanded; and more lately, the English had many strong and concurrent Indian testimonies from Long Island, Uncoway, Hartford, Kennebeck, and other parts, of Miantonimo's ambitious designs, travelling through all the plantations of the neighbouring Indians, and by promises and gifts labouring to make himself their universal sagamore or governour, persuading and engaging them at once to cut off the whole body of the English in these parts; which treacherous plots were confirmed by the Indians' general preparations, messages, insolencies and outrages against the English and such Indians as were subjects or friends to them, so that the English colonies, to their great charge and damage, were forced to arm, to keep strong watch day and night, and some of them to travel with convoys from one plantation to another; and when Miantonimo, in his circular travel, was questioned at New Haven concerning these things, instead of other and better satisfaction he threatened to cut off any Indian's head that should lay such a charge upon him to his face.

The commissioners by the premises observed Miantonimo's proud and treacherous disposition, yet thought not fit to proceed against him in that respect, till they had collected more legal and convincing proof. But while these things were under deliberation, Miantonimo was

brought prisoner by Uncas to Hartford, and the case being opened and cleared as followeth, he craved the commissioners' advice how to proceed with him.

It appeared that in a treaty, made with the English at Massachusetts, anno 1637, Miantonimo engaged himself not to fight with any of the Indians, and particularly not to invade Uncas without the English consent; and after, in a tripartite agreement, made and concluded at Hartford, between Miantonimo and Uncas, with reference to the English, anno 1638, in which one of the articles runs, That though either of the said Indian sagamores should receive injury from the other, yet neither of them shall make or begin war, until they had appealed to the English, and till their grievances were first heard and determined, and if either of them should refuse, the English might assist against and compel the refusing and obstinate party.

Notwithstanding which, Miantonimo and his confederates have both secretly and openly plotted and practised against the life of Uncas, not at all acquainting the English or advising with them, but more especially of late, since the forementioned plots and designs were in hand.

First, a Pequot Indian, one of Uncas his subjects in the spring, 1643, aiming at Uncas' life, shot him with an arrow through the arm, and presently fled to the Narragansets or their confederates, boasting in the Indian plantations that he had killed Uncas; but when it was known Uncas (though wounded) was alive, the Pequot (taught as was supposed) changed his note, affirming that Uncas had cut through his own arm with a flint, and had hired him to say he had shot and killed him.

Miantonimo, being sent for by the governour of the Massachusetts upon another occasion, brought this Pequot with him, and would have covered him with the former disguise; but when the English, out of his own mouth, found him guilty, and would have sent him to Uncas his sagamore, Miantonimo earnestly desired he might not be taken out of his hands, promising he would send him safe to Uncas to be examined and punished.

But fearing (as it seems) his own treachery would be discovered, within a day or two, he stopped the Pequot's mouth, by cutting off his head; but at parting he told the governour in discontent, that he would come no more to Boston.

After this, some attempts were made, (as is reported,) to take away Uncas' life by poison and by sorcery; these failing, some of Sequasson's company (an Indian sagamore relied unto, and an intimate confederate with Miantonimo,) shot at Uncas with an arrow or two, as he was going down Connecticut river. Uncas, according to the forementioned treaty, 1638, complained, and the English by mediation sought to make peace; but Sequasson, expressing his dependence on Miantonimo, refused, and chose war. They fought, and Uncas had the victory.

Lastly, without any provocation from Uncas, (unless the disappointment of former plots provoked,) and* suddenly without denouncing war, came upon the Mohegans with 900 or 1000 men, when Uncas had not half so many to defend himself. Uncas, before the battle, told Miantonimo that he had many ways sought his life, and for the sparing of blood, offered by a single combat betwixt themselves to end the quarrel, but Miantonimo, presum ing upon his number of men, would have nothing but a battle. The issue fell contrary to expectation; his men were routed, divers of considerable note slain, and himself taken prisoner.

These things being duly weighed, the commissioners judged that Uncas could not be safe while Miantonimo lived, wherefore they thought he might justly put such a treacherous and blood thirsty enemy to death, but advised him to do it in his own jurisdiction, without torture or cruelty. And Uncas having hitherunto shewed himself a friend to the English, and in this and former outrages (according to the treaty) craving their advice, if the Narragansets or their confederates should for his just execution unjustly assault him, the commissioners for the col onies promised to assist and protect him.