whom he was taken, took it so to heart against Uncas, as they intended to make war upon him, and the Narragansets sent wampum to them to encourage them; accordingly in August, 1648, they were gathered together from divers parts, about a thousand Indians, and three hundred or more having guns and other ammunition. The magistrates of Hartford hearing thereof, sent three horsemen to them, (one being very expert in the Indian language,) to know their intent, and to tell them, that if they made war upon Uncas, the English must defend him. The Indian sachem entertained the messengers courteously, and having heard their message, after some time of deliberation gave them this answer, viz. they knew the English to be a wise and warlike people, and intended not to fall out with them, and therefore would at present desist, and take further time to consider of the

matter.

And God had so disposed that at the same time, they had intelligence of a defeat given to some of their confederates, by other Indians, which called them to their aid; also the Narraganset failed to send all the wampum he had promised, so as by the concurrence of all these accidents,the English were freed from war at that time, which might have proved very dangerous to them all, especially to their friends at Connecticut.

But the Narragansets being behind with their tribute, the commissioners being met at Plymouth in the month of September following, ordered four men to be sent to them, with an interpreter, with instructions how to treat with them, both concerning their hiring other Indians to war upon Uncas, and also about the tribute of wampum that was behind. Capt. Atherton, with Capt. Pritchard, undertook the service, and going to Mr. Williams, they procured the sachems to be sent for, but they hearing that many horsemen were come to take them, shift for themselves. Pessacus fled to Rhode Island, but soon after they were by Mr. Williams his means delivered of their fear, and came to the messengers, as they were desired, and being demanded about hiring the Mohawks against Uncas, they solemnly denied it; only confessed that the

Mohawk being a great sachem, and their ancient friend and being come to meet them, they sent about twenty fathom of wampum for him to tread, as the manner of the Indians is. But Canonicus' son used this asseveration, "Englishman's God doth know that we do not stir up or hire the Mohawks against Uncas." They also then promised that they would not meddle with Uncas, nor stir up any other against him, before they had paid all the tribute to the English that was behind; and then they would require satisfaction for all the wrongs Uncas had done them, and if the English would not see them satisfied, they would then consider what to do. But for what was behind, of what was due to the English, they desire to be borne with at this time, in regard their want of corn the last winter had made them lay out their wampum for corn to the English, but the next spring they would provide part of it, and the rest so soon as they could, which was a fair answer, and according to equity accepted by the English. But still it appeared that this condescension was more out of fear than love, and that the old quarrel was not like easily to be forgotten and forgiven in the present age. Canonicus, the great sachem of the Narragansets, died the 4th of June, 1648, being a very old man, still leaving the hereditary quarrel entailed upon his successour. But Uncas was alive and well in the year 1680, and probably may live to see all his enemies buried before him.

It is here to be minded also, that although they were engaged to pay a yearly tribute to the English, upon the account of the forementioned rebellion, yet after some years they grew slack in the payment thereof, and at the last in a manner denied to do any thing that way, insomuch that the general court of the Massachusetts, or else the commissioners, sent Capt. Atherton, of Dorchester, with twenty soldiers to demand it. When he came to the place, Pessacus, the chief sachem, put him off with dilatory answers awhile, not suffering him to come into his presence; while his followers were gathered into a great assembly, consulting how to put them off, but the captain,

not able with patience to wait any longer, carried his twenty soldiers to the door of the wigwam, where the Indians sat in consultation, and there leaving them, himself boldly entered in amongst them all, with his pistol in his hand, (as was said,) and taking hold of Pessacus his locks, drew him from the midst of his attendants, (some hundreds in number, and all armed,) telling him that he should go along with him, and if any of them stirred he would presently speed him. By this undaunted courage of Capt. Atherton, Pessacus and all the other sachems were so affrighted, that they durst make no resistance; but presently paid down what was demanded, and so they were dismissed in safety.

Not long after, Ninicrite, another of their sachems, began to raise new troubles against the English amongst the Nianticks, but upon the sending Capt. Davis with a troop of horse into his quarters, he was struck with such a panick fear, that he scarce durst come to the speech of the English, till he was fully secured of his life, and then, readily complied with their demands. Such was the terrour of the English upon them in those times, till afterwards, by too much familiarity, they grew more emboldened, and ventured upon a war with them.

CHAP. LII.

The Confederation of the United Colonies of New England; the grounds and reasons leading thereunto, with the articles agreed upon, for that end.

WOE to him that is alone, saith Solomon. The people that came over to New England were necessitated to disperse themselves further, each from other, than they intended; yet finding that in their first and weak beginnings, they might be exposed to danger by many enemies, and as well from the natives as any foreign nations, although that they saw they could not be accommodated within the bounds of one and the same patent, yet judg ed it very expedient to be joined together in one common bond of unity and peace, by as firm engagement, as

might be on either side. They saw also, by daily experience from the beginning, that without some such obligation, seeds of jealousy and difference might easily be sown between them, either about their bounds or other occasions; wherein all discovered an unwillingness to be subordinate one to another, yet could not be able to stand alone by themselves, without engagement of mutual assistance. For this end, some of the wisest in each division had been contriving some means of unity and accord, by a kind of confederation; and some had drawn up articles in that way in the year 1638, which were left to further consideration till after time. In the year 1639, the said confederation was earnestly prosecuted by Mr. Haines and Mr. Hooker, who tarried several weeks in the Bay to solicit the matter; by whose means the said treaty of confederation was again renewed, and commended to the consideration of the general court in the Massachusetts, who did not unwillingly accept thereof. Those of Connectiout were especially concerned to be solicitous about it, because they had some reason to expect trouble from the Dutch, who had lately received a new governour, one that was more discreet and sober than the former, and was very sensible and apprehensive of injury done to their people at Connecticut, and also very inquisitive how things stood between the Massachusetts and Connecticut; which made them the more ready to renew the former treaty, that the Dutch might not take notice of any breach or alienation between them. Yet notwithstanding how seriously and strenuously this motion was driven on, by several occasions that interposed, it could not be brought to any desirable issue till afterwards, viz. in the year 1643, when commissioners came from all the several colonies to Boston, in the time of the general court there assembled. Mr. Fenwick also, of Saybrook fort, joined with them in carrying on the treaty. The general court of the Massachusetts chose as commissioners for their colony, Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Dudly, and Mr. Bradstreet, from among the magistrates; Mr. Hathorne, Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Ting, from amongst the deputies.

From Connecticut, came Mr. Haines and Mr. Hopkins; from New Haven, came Mr. Theophilus Eaton and Mr. Grigson; Mr. Winslow and Mr. Collier from Plymouth. These coming to consultation, encountered with many difficulties, before they could agree upon a good foundation wherein all might center; but being all desirous of union and studious of peace, they readily yielded each to other, in such things as tended to the common good of the whole, so as after two or three meetings they lovingly accorded upon some articles, which here follow, being allowed by the general court of the Massachusetts, and signed by all the commissioners, and sent also to be confirmed and ratified by the general courts of the rest of the jurisdictions. Only Plymouth commissioners having power to treat but not to determine, deferred the signing of them till they came home, &c. but soon after they were confirmed by their general court also, as well as by all the rest.

Those of Sir Ferdinando Gorges' province, beyond Pascataqua, were not received nor called into this confederation; because they ran a differing course from the rest, both in their ministry and their civil administrations. Nor indeed were they at that time furnished with inhabitants,fit for such a purpose, for they had lately made Agamenticus (a poor village) a corporation, and had made a mean person major thereof, and had also entertained a contentious person, and one under offence, for their minister.

Articles of Confederation between the plantations under the government of the Massachusetts, New Plymouth, Connecticut, New Haven, in New England, with the plantations in combination with them.

Whereas, we all came into these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, namely, to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity with peace; and whereas in our settling, (by the wise providence of God,) we are further dispersed from the sea coast and rivers, than was at the first intended, so that we cannot accord