1621. March 22. League with Masassoit. Gov. Carver dies. mutual salutations, the governor called for refreshments, of which the Indian king partook himself, and imparted to his followers. A league of friendship was then agreed on; and it was inviolably observed above 50 years.1 On the following day, the English concluded their military orders, with some laws adapted to their present state. They also confirmed Mr. Carver as their governor the succeeding year; but he died soon after, to the great regret of the colony. He was a man of singular piety, humility and condescension; and possessed a considerable estate, the greatest part of which he expended in promoting the interests of the infant colony, over which he W. Brad- presided. presided. Soon after his death, Mr. William Bradford was chosen governor, and Mr. Isaac Allerton his assistant; and, by renewed elections, they were continued in office several years.2 ford chosen governor. First marriage at Plymouth. Duel. A great mortality, that commenced among the people soon after their arrival at Plymouth, swept off half of their number within the first three months, leaving scarcely 50 persons remaining.3 The first marriage in the colony was solemnized on the 12th of May, between Mr. Edward Winslow, and Mrs. Susanna White. The first duel in New England was fought on the 18th of 1 Mourt's Relation, Purchas, v. lib. x. c. 4. p. 1850, and Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. viii. 230. Morton, 1621; Prince, 1621; Hazard, Coll. i. 146; Neal, N. Eng. i. c. 3; in all which places the articles of this league are preserved. This league was kept inviolate until king Philip's war, 1675. Masassoit gave them all the adjacent lands. The New Plymouth Associates, " 'by the favour of the Almighty, began the colony in New England (there being then no other within the said continent), at a place called by the Natives Apaum, alias Patuxet; but by the English, New Plimouth. All which lands being void of inhabitan's, we the said John Carver, William Bradford, Edward Winslow, William Brewster, Isaac Allerton, and the rest of our Associates entering into a League of Peace with Massasoit, since called Woosamequin, Prince or Sachem of those parts: He the said Massasoit freely gave them all the lands adjacent, to them and their heirs forever." Preface to Plymouth Laws, "declaring the warrantable grounds and proceedings of the Government of New Plimouth." 2 Morton and Prince, 1621. The broad sword of governor Carver is preserved in the cabinet of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 3 Morton, 50. Prince, 189. Hubbard. Tradition gives an affecting picture of the infant colony, during this critical and distressing period. The dead were buried on the bank, at a little distance from the rock where the fathers landed; and, lest the Indians should take advantage of the weak and wretched state of the English, the graves were levelled, and sown for the purpose of concealment. This information I received at Plymouth from the late Hon. Ephraim Spooner, a respectable inhabitant of that town, and deacon of the church, who accompanied me to the spot where those first interments were made. Human bones have been washed out of the bank, within the memory of the present generation. Deacon Spooner, then upwards of seventy years of age, had his information from Mr. Thomas Faunce, who was a ruling elder in the first church in Plymouth, and was well acquainted with several of the first settlers. Elder Faunce knew the rock, on which they first landed; and, hearing that it was covered in the erection of a wharf, was so affected, that he wept. His tears perhaps saved it from oblivion. He died 27th of Feb. 1746, aged 99 years. June, on a challenge at single combat with sword and dagger, 1621. between two servants; both of whom were wounded. For this outrage they were sentenced by the whole company to the ignominious punishment of having the head and feet tied together, and of lying thus 24 hours, without meat or drink. After suffering, however, in that painful posture one hour, at their master's intercession and their own humble request, with the promise of amendment, they were released by the governor.1 ; Governor Bradford, by advice of the company, sent Edward July 2. Winslow and Stephen Hopkins, with Squanto for their guide, to E. Winslow and S Hop Masassoit, to explore the country; to confirm the league; to kins visit learn the situation and strength of their new friend; to carry Masassoit. some presents; to apologize for some supposed injuries; to regulate the intercourse between the English and the Indians and to procure seed corn for the next planting season. They lodged the first night at Namasket.2 In some places, they found the country almost depopulated by the plague, which had desolated the neighbourhood of Patuxet. They passed through fine old corn fields, and pasture grounds, that were destitute of cattle and of inhabitants. Skulls and bones appeared in many places where the Indians had dwelt. On their arrival at Pokanoket,3 the place of Masassoit's residence, 40 miles from Plymouth, they were kindly welcomed by that Indian sovereign, who renewed his assurances of continuing the peace and friendship.* 1 Prince, 1621, from governor Bradford's Register. 2 Namasket was a town under Masassoit. It was that part of Middleborough, which the English afterward first planted. Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. iii. 148. 3 Pokanoket was a general name for the northern shore of Narraganset Bay, between Providence and Taunton rivers, comprehending the present townships of Bristol, Warren, and Barrington, in the State of Rhode Island, and Swanzey in Massachusetts. The principal seats of Masassoit were at Sowams and Kikemuit. The former is a neck of land formed by the confluence of Barrington and Palmer's rivers; the latter is Mount Hope. Belknap, Biog. ii. 221. Callender, Cent. Disc. 30, 31. 4 Purchas, b. 10. c. 4, Mourt's Relation. Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. viii. 232— 237. Hubbard, New Eng. c. 12. Morton, 69. Prince, 1621. Belknap, Biog. ii. Art. BRADFORD. The manner of reception and treatment of the envoys at the court of Masassoit is worthy of notice. When the king had taken them into his house, and seated them, he heard their message, and received their presents. He then put on a horseman's red coat, and a chain about his neck, these having been among the presents, and "was not a little proud to behold himself, and his men also to see their king so bravely attired." Having given a friendly answer to the message, his men gathered around him; and, turning himself to them, he addressed them in a speech: "Am not I, Masassoit, commander of the country around you? Is not such a town mine, and the people of it? Will you not bring your skins to the English?" After this manner he named at least thirty places, to every one of which they gave an answer of consent and applause. At the close of his speech he lighted tobacco for the envoys, and proceeded to discourse about England, and the English king, wondering that he would live without a wife. He talked also of the Frenchmen, bidding the English not to suffer them to come to Narraganset, for it was king James' country, and he was king James' man. It now grew late, "but victuals he VOL. I. 22 1621. dish to Namasket. 1 After the league with Masassoit, Corbitant, one of his petty sachems, becoming discontented, meditated to join the NarraganExpedition sets, who were inimical to the English; and he was now at of M. Stan- Namasket, attempting to alienate the subjects of Masassoit from their king. Squanto and Hobomack, two faithful friends of the English, going at this time to Namasket to make observation, were threatened with death by Corbitant, who seized and detained Squanto, but Hobomack made his escape. To counteract the hostile machinations of Corbitant, and to liberate Squanto, the governor, with the advice of the company, sent Miles Standish and 14 men, with Hobomack for their guide, to Namasket. On their arrival, the Indians of Corbitant's faction fled. The design of the English expedition was explained to the natives of the place, with menaces of revenge, in case of insurrection against Masassoit, or of violence to any of his subjects.1 Aug. 14. chems. This resolute enterprise struck such terror into the neighbouring Indians, that their chiefs came in, and solicited the friendship of the English. On the 13th of September, nine Sachems Sept. 13. Submission voluntarily came to Plymouth, and subscribed an instrument of of nine sa- submission to king James. It was peculiarly happy for the colony, that it had secured the friendship of Masassoit; for his influence was very extensive. He was reverenced and regarded by all the natives from the bay of Narraganset to that of Massachusetts. The submission of the nine sachems is ascribed to their mutual connexion with this sovereign, as its primary cause. Other princes under him made also a similar submission, among offered none; for indeed he had not any," having but just returned home. The 1 Morton, and Prince, A. D. 1621. 2 Hubbard, c. 9. Prince, 1621; Belknap, Biog. ii. 223; Hazard, Coll. i. 147; where are their names: "Ohquamehud, Cawnacome, Obbatinnua, Nattawahunt, Caunbatant, Chikkatabak, Quadaquina, Huttamoiden, and Apannow." Indian names are variously written. Obbatinnua, or Obbatinowat, was one of the Massachusetts sachems, whose residence was on or near the peninsula of Shawmut [Boston]. Chikkatabok, or Chicketawbut, or Chickatabot, was the sagamore of Naponset, whose name will repeatedly occur in the annals of Massachusetts. These Massachusetts sachems were not entirely independent, but acknowledged a degree of subjection to Masassoit. Caunbatant, or Corbitant, was the petty sachem of Masassoit, who had recently been plotting against the English. His residence was at Mattapayst, a neck of land in the township of Swanzey. Mr. Winslow, who had frequent conferences with him at his wigwam and elsewhere, represents him as a hollow-hearted friend to the Plymouth planters, a notable politician, yet full of merry jests and squibs, and never better pleased than when the like are returned again upon him." Quadaquina was the brother of Masassoit. Morton, 67; Note of Judge Davis. whom are mentioned those of Pamet, Nauset, Cummaquid, and 1621. Namasket, with several others about the bays of Patuxet and Massachusetts.1 setts ex The colonists judging it expedient to send to the Massachu- The Bay of setts, to discover the Bay, see the country, make peace, and Massachutrade with the natives; the governor chose ten men, who, ac- plored. companied by Squanto and two other Indians, sailed in the shallop, upon that enterprise, on the 18th of September. Arriving the next day at the bottom of the bay, they landed under a cliff, Sept. 19. and were kindly received by Obbatinua, the sachem, who had subscribed the submission at Plymouth a few days before. He renewed his submission, on receiving their promise of assistance against the Tarratines, and the squaw sachem of Massachusetts, who were his enemies. Having explored the bay, and collected some beaver, they returned to Plymouth.2 new settlers On the 11th of November, Robert Cushman arrived at Ply- Nov. 11. mouth in a ship from England, with 35 persons, destined to Arrival of remain in the colony. By this arrival the Plymouth colonists with a char received a charter, procured for them by the adventurers in ter. London, who had been originally concerned with them in the enterprise; and they now acknowledged the extraordinary blessing of heaven, in directing their course into this part of the country, where they had happily obtained permission to possess and enjoy the territory under the authority of the president and council for the affairs of New England. The ship, with a freight of beaver skins, clapboards, and other articles, collectively estimated at nearly £500, sailed on the 13th of December; but, drawing near the English coast, was seized by the French, Ship taken carried to France, and robbed of all that was valuable. The on its repeople at length obtained a release for themselves and their ship, French. and in February arrived at London. On the departure of this ship from Plymouth, the governor and his assistant disposed the people, who had come over for residence, into several families; and restricted the settlers to half allowance of provisions, which were estimated to be scarcely sufficient, at that reduced rate, for six months.3 turn by the The treasurer and company of Virginia at length adopted a Virginia. measure, which had a favourable influence towards the settlement of their colony. They offered territory to those who should either emigrate to it themselves, or engage the transportation of others. Upon such conditions, fifty patents were granted during 1 Prince, 1621. Hubbard, c. 9. Belknap, Art. BRADFORD. 2 Morton, and Prince, 1621. Belknap, ii. 224. The "cliff" under which they landed, is supposed to be Copp's Hill in Boston. 3 Prince, 1621, from Mourt, Bradford's MS. History, and Purchas. Smith, Virg. 334.-Judge Davis, from gov. Bradford's Register, has made additions from 1 Jan. to 25 March, Morton, 63-66. 1621. the year; before the close of which, 21 ships, employing more than 400 sailors, bringing over 1300 men, women, and children, arrived at Virginia.1 for a coun Virginia Sir Francis Wyat, appointed governor of Virginia, arrived constitution there in October, with nine sail of ships, and nearly 700 people." cil and gen- He now brought an ordinance and constitution of the treasurer, eral assem- council, and company in England, for settling the government of bly. that colony in a governor, a council of state, as his assistants, and a general assembly. This ordinance" is no less remarkable for the wisdom of its provisions, than for being the principal step in the progress of freedom." It ordained, that two burgesses should be chosen for the assembly, by every town, hundred, or particular plantation. All matters were to be decided by the majority of voices in the assembly, reserving to the governor a negative on the whole; but no law or ordinance, though approved by the three branches of the legislature, was to be of force, until ratified by the general court of the company in England, and returned under its seal; no order of the general court, on the other hand, was to bind the colony, until assented to by the assembly.3 Thus, at the expiration of 14 years from the settlement of the colony, its constitution became fixed; and the colonists are from this time to be considered, not merely as servants of a commercial company, dependent on the will and orders of their superior, but as freemen and citizens.4 Instructions ernor and council. With the Virginian constitution Wyat brought a body of into the gov- structions to the governor for the time being, and the council of state, recommending primarily to them, "to take into their special regard the service of Almighty God, and the observance of his divine laws; and that the people should be trained up in true religion and virtue;" commanding them, in the next place, to keep the people in due obedience to the king; to provide for the equal administration of justice according to the forms and constitution of England; to prevent all corruption, tending to the 1 Smith, Virginia, 140, 141. "This yeere also there was much suing for patents for plantations, who promised to transport such great multitudes of people. There was much disputing concerning those divisions, as though the whole land beene too little for them: six and twentie obtained their desires, but as yet [1626] not past six hath sent thither a man." Ib. In the number of 50 patents, in the text, I follow Chalmers, who was, when he wrote his Political Annals, and so late as 1824, in the Plantation Office in London. 2 Purchas, v. 1783. They sailed from England in July. Chalmers, b. 1. 56. 3 Stith, Virginia, Appendix, No. xv; and Hazard, Coll. i. 131-133; where the ordinance for settling the government is inserted. Beverly, b. 1. c. 3. Purchas, v. 1783. Stith, 194-196. Chalmers, b. 1. c. 3. Jefferson, Virginia, Qu. 23. The governor is always inserted in the old commissions, as a part and the head of the Council of State. The two branches of the government (council and assembly) are called in the Ordinance," two supreme councils in Virginia." 4 Robertson, Hist. America, b. 9. |