N. England yett saw, whatever some of you may think'; and lett me tell [you] though you send never soe many messages, not one in twenty that be soe perswaded." He repeats the advice he had formerly given, that Ninigret should be forthwith seized, and examined; that his Indians should be compelled to surrender their arms to the English; and that a like course should be pursued with respect to the Pequots. He believes the Mohawks and the Mohegans to be yet friendly to the English; but he will keep a strict eye' upon the latter. Oweneco had already delivered up what guns he had in his possession, and promised to bring half the arms of the tribe, next day: "he never stuck at it, but freely consented, the first motion." [lb. 13, 14.]

There is no record of the action of the Governor and Assistants, upon the information which had been received by them; but, from the subsequent proceedings, it appears that Capt. Wait Winthrop, Lieut. James Avery and others were commissioned to inquire into the reality of the suspected plot and to summon Ninigret before them for examination. The messengers sent by them to Ninigret, returned with an answer, "inviting [them] to come to him." The commissioners accordingly "made ready to goe to him," on the east side of Pawcatuck River; but as they were about setting out, (July 19th,) received a notice from Mr. John Crandall and Tobias Sanders, of Squamicut, that the goverment of Rhode Island "protested against any such eleagall or vnlawfull proseedings," and if there was aught alleged against Ninigret, "he shall be forth coming to answer before the goverment vnder whom his Majesty haue put him." Capt. Winthrop and his party, (thirteen in number,) disregarding this protest, crossed the river, and though "a company of fellows stood in the common roade, of which Wm. More was one & the Tinker another, with a club in his hand," &c., they were not forcibly opposed, but rode on their way, and obtained a conference with Ninigret. (Indians, Vol. I. 16, 20.) Their report of his examination is missing from the files. It appears, however, to have been so far satisfactory to the Magistrates, that no further action was had respecting the alleged plot, until the next session of the General Court.

The files contain several depositions, (taken in July,) with reference to this affair. Two of these, which throw some light upon the probable origin of the rumors, and the grounds of the apparent disaffection of Robin and his Pequots, are subjoined: (from Indians, I. 15.)

"The Deposition of [John Gallop]* Senior testifieth and [sayth that he] heard severall times both Robin Sin [amon and] Daniell, for discontent, express themselves that they must goe to the Mowhuks' country to live, for they had soe much trouble here that they was wearied out with it. Daniell, some time last week, sayd that this last business about the Indians was [one] of Unkas his tricks to bring the Pequits into trouble; therefore they must goe to another country. John Gallop.

• The words in brackets have been supplied as the probable reading; the original being somewhat defaced.

John Stanton sayth that hee has oftentimes heard of such like expressions as above writen, that has been frequently spoken amongst them. Nesomet some time last summer did say to mee, that they were now desperate, they did not now care wher they now went to live or where they died,-speaking about their being removed from Cowissattuck. John Stanton."

No. X. (pp. 137, 138.)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO ESTABLISH THE RHODE ISLAND BOUNDARY; JUNE, 1670.

The Commissioners appointed by the Gen. Court of Connecticut, May, 1670, were Dep. Gov. Leete, Secretary Allyn, Mr. James Richards, Capt. John Winthrop and Capt. Benj. Newbery; any three of whom were empowered to act, in the absence of the others. (Their instructions and powers may be seen at p. 135, ante.) The Rhode Island Commissioners were Capt. John Greene, Lieut. Joseph Torrey and Mr. Richard Baily.

The Commissioners met, by appointment, at New London, June 14th, 1670; and, at the request of those of R. Island, it was agreed that all communications between them should be made in writing. Accordingly, Messrs. Allyn, Richards and Winthrop* opened the business of the commission, by presenting the claims of Connecticut, in the following letter: [Col. Boundaries, 1. 62.]

New London, June 14th, 1670. Gent: Seeing you desire to have us make our demands of you in writing, to accommodate you therein and that you may know our demands, That which we shall begin wth is, to demand of your Colony that we may quietly and peaceably govern & improve all that part of his Maties Dominions granted to us by charter, dated April 23d, 1662, in the 14th year of his Reighn, which are thus abutted; on the east by Narrogancett River, commonly called Narrogancett Bay, where the sayd River falleth into the sea, & on the North by the lyne of y Massachusetts plantation, & on the south by the sea, & in longitude as the lyne of the Massachusetts Colony running from east to west, that is to say from the s Narrogancett Bay on the east to the Sowth sea on the west part, wth the Islands adjoyneing thereunto; part of which, some, under pretence of authority from your Colony, have disturbed some of ours in the possession & improvement thereof. J. A. J. R. J. W.

The R. Island Commissioners, (same date; Ibid. Doc. 54,) reply, "That if by the Narragansett River or Bay you intend that River which hath been owned by the agents of both Colonies to bee the Narragansett River mentioned in your grant, and weh by his matie

* Mr. Leete and Capt. Newbery took no part in the proceedings; and do not appear to have accompanied the other commissioners to New London.

gracious charter granted to vs is beyond all exception determined to bee the Narragansett River nominated as the eastern bownds of yoʻ Colony and the westerne bounds of ours, and expressly defined to bee the Narragansett River mentioned in your charter; then wee agree it shall forever soe bee and remaine. But if you meane any other, then wee desire you would plainly and clearly declare vnto us what River you intend, and wee shall returne you a positive answer."

The Conn. Comm'rs reply, that "by Narrogancett River, we mean that which was Narrogancett River when of Charter was granted, & knowne by that name then & more than thirty yeares before; and not any River new named since our Charter was granted." [Ibid. Doc. 62.]

Two more letters bring the R. Island Comm'rs to the declaration, in plain terms, that, in accordance with his Majesty's decision, they hold "Pacatuck alias Pawcatuck River" to be the Narragansett River mentioned in the Connecticut charter: [Ibid. Doc. 57.] And after the interchange of two more, the Conn. Comm's explain (what those of R. Island professed not before to have understood,) that by Narragansett River they mean "the River that runs down by Mr. Blackstone's and meets the salt water within three miles below the sayd Blackstone's house."

Several other letters passed between the Commissioners on the 15th, and two more, (after a personal interview and discussion,) on the morning of the 16th; without leading to any results or making any approach to an amicable adjustment of the controversy. The final communication of the R. Island Comm'rs closed with " an appeale unto his Mae for redress within his realme of England; and in the meane time and vntil his royall pleasure bee declared, wee shall in a faithfull discharge of the trust imposed in vs by his Sacred Mati, governe and rule the people inhabiting within our Colony, according to justice and equity, as for several years we have done." [Ibid. Doc. 65.]

"The evening after the Treaty was issued, this we read at George. Tong's house, in N. London :—

ties

Whereas we have been authorized by his Ma Colony of Conecticutt to treat wh the Gent" commissionated by the Gen. Court of Rohd Island &c, to make a full and finall accord of all matters relating to bownds &c. between them & us, we thought good publiquely to declare that we have attended the same according to our best skill, & yet findeing our indeavours ineffectuall for the attayneing of such an accommodation as we hoped for, we purpose, as God shall enable us, to proceed in the establishing of Goverment at Squamacuck & Narrogancett, constituting and appointing such necessary officers amongst them as may be requisitt for the peaceable and religious goverment of those sayd people, according to the commission we have received from his Matics General Court of Conecticut.

N. London, June 16, 1670."

J. A. J. R. J. W. [Rec. of Comm'rs; Ib. Doc. 62.]

The following day, the Commissioners published their Declaration, "that the people of Squamacuck being part of y Township of Stonington, are of right under the Goverment of this his Maties Colony of Conecticutt," and required their submission and obedience. The inhabitants of Stonington on the east side of Pawcatuck River were summoned to meet at Capt. Gookin's house; but "they not appearing the Declaration was publiquely and audibly read (by Sam" Cheesbrook, Marshall pro tempore,) on Capt. Gookin's land, in the audience of divers witnesses."

The night following, the Comm'rs were informed that John Frink, Benjamin Palmer and Thomas Bell, had been arrested by James Babcock, (by virtue of a warrant granted by Tobias Sanders, and under the authority of Rhode Island,) "for presuming to exercise authority in that jurisdiction; and that Frink had been sent to R. Island jail. Upon this, the Comm'rs caused Crandall and Babcock to be arrested by the Marshall;-and, after examination, took bonds for their appearance for trial, on the following Wednesday, at Stonington.

June 20th, the Comm'rs went to Wickford; where they published a Declaration of the right of Connecticut to the government of the Narragansett Country, by charter, and by the agreement of the inhabitants of Wickford, &c., in July, 1663; and caused the Charter to be publicly read.

Benjamin Palmer was sent (June 21,) to warn the people of Wickford next Pettaquamscot, to meet the Comm'rs at Capt. Hudson's house. On his way, Thomas Mumford and other R. Island people, met him, and took prisoners two men who accompanied him. These men were subsequently released, upon the demand of the Connecticut Comm'rs.

The same day, Mr. Torrey, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Barker and Mr. Caleb Carre came from R. 1. with a letter from the Governor and Council. John Frink came with them. The letter [Doc. 67,] requires the Comm'rs to withdraw their force and to leave to R. I. the peaceable government of the people within her jurisdiction, &c., and, in the event of their refusal, again threatens an appeal to the King "for redress from unlawful attempts," &c. To this the Connecticut Comm'rs reply, disowning any "illegal attempt and forcible intrusion" by themselves on the territory of R. Island. "We have been settleing goverment within our owne limitts & in our owne planta. tions, which we trust we shall make good. As for your resolution still to persist in the exercise of goverment whin our bounds, we desire it may be forborne, for doubtless the consequence thereof will prove very inconvenient." &c.

* *

The Comm'rs then proceeded to warn all persons to forbear the exercise of any powers by virtue of commission or authority derived from the government of R. Island; and appointed Capt. Edward Hutchinson, Capt. Wm. Hudson, Mr. Tho. Gold, and Mr. John Cole, Commissioners; and Samuel Eldred, Sen., and Henry Tippitt, Con

stables; authorizing Capt. Hudson to administer the oath to the other officers named.

The next day, (June 22d,) returning, by way of Pettaquamscott, the Commissioners declared the people of that plantation "to be circumscribed within the limits of our charter," and required their obedience to Connecticut; and, "This being done, returned to Mr. Stanton's."

June 23d, a similar proclamation to that made at Wickford was published at Stonington, and the commissioners and constables of that town were authorized to exercise their official powers on the east side Pawcatuck River.

Tobias Sanders and James Babcock, surrendering themselves, according to their bonds, the Commissioners took their recognizances, at £40 each, for their appearance at the N. London County Court, to answer for the offences wherewith they were severally charged.

No. XI.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH MASSACHUSETTS RESPECTING THE BOUNDARY

LINE; 1671-1673.

(1.) Letter from Massachusetts in reply to one from the General Court of Connecticut ;* June 6th, 1671. [Col. Boundaries, III. 2.] [The first part of the letter relates to proposed alterations of the articles of confederation of the United Colonies; (see p. 155; note,) then follows:-]

"And in reference to your intimation given concerning our south line & your grant made to Windsor Towne, wee are not sattisfied with the legality of yo' proceeds in case the lands you mention be whin our line, which hath (as you well know) been stated and actually set out many yeares since, and your Patent bounded vpon it; and where we have granted propriety, wee may not with good conscience be yea & nay; the proprietors hauing (as wee understand) laid out some allotments, and have their dependances therevpon and that the line may be more clearely knowne, wee have appointed a Committee to beginn where the artists formerly left off & markt for twenty miles or more westward. Wee shall order our

Committee for that affaire to give you notice of the time, that you may have an oppertunity if you please to send some of yours to accompany in that worke. W our best respects to you, remayne, Gent', Yo' very affectionate freinds & confœderates,

EDWARD RAWSON, Secret'y,

in the name & by the order of the Generall Court for the Massachusetts."

[Endorsed, "Received, June 12."]

* No copy of this letter from Connecticut is preserved.