Pierson (A.)—Continued. in Translateing a Catichisme." The original title-page of the little book, printed in 1658-59, accordingly contains the words: "Examined, and approved by Thomas Stanton InterpreterGeneral to the United Colonies for the Indian Language, and by some others of the most able Interp[r]eters amongst us." In 1657, the Commissioners wrote to the Corporation in England as follows: "wee heare that Thomas Stanton is taken notice of and possibly recorded as a very able Interpretor for the Indian language which is certainly true, and that a sallarie of 50 lb. per annum is appointed for him in England which hee may take vp heer and charge vpon you this may bee a mistake but if true wee maruill att it; the Comissioners doe Imploy him as Interpretor betwixt themselues and the Indians in ciuill occations of the Colonies and doe afford him conuenient recompence for the same." At their meeting in September 1660, it was recorded that, "forasmuch as some of the Tribute is now seased; and the Rest brought in by the Indians themselues as it hath been for some yeares past the Comissioners thought a lesse sallary might bee a sufficient Recompense [to Mr. Stanton] for the yeare past and soe for the time to come; and therefore tendered him the sume of ten pounds for this yeare Intimateing to doe the like heerafter onely for his attending the Comissioners meetinges; and for other Services to allow him proportionable as hee shalbee Imployed which hee not accepting The Comissioners payed him his former sallary of thirty pounds; but declared they were not willing to bee att the like charge for the time to come; and therfore left it to him to doe as hee should see cause." For this reason, probably, his name does not appear in the records of the Commissioners for 1661; but in 1662 and 1663 he was again employed by them on several occasions. About the year 1658 he removed to Stoning. ton, where he resided until his death in 1678. Of this town he was elected representative in 1666. In 1667, and again in 1671, he was at Southampton on Long Island, where he was employed as Indian interpreter. In 1674 he was one of the founders of the first church in tonington, over which the Rev. James Noyes was ordained as minister. Mr. Stanton had nine children, of whom the two eldest, Thomas and John, were educated in carly life for the Indian work. The latter is mentioned as commander of the New England Indians in the expedition under Major-General Winthrop towards Canada in 1690, and again as an Indian interpreter at New London in 1699 and 1700. The only other copy of this edition known to be extant has a different title, as follows: Some Helps for the Indiaus; | Shewing them how to | Improve their Natural Reason, | to know the true God, and the Christian Religion. | 1 By leading them to see the Divine | Author Pierson (A.)—Continued. ity of the Scriptures. | 2. By the Scriptures, the Divine | truths necessary to Eternal salvation. | By | Abraham Peirson Pastor of the Church at Branford. | Examined and approved by that | Experienced Gentleman (in the In- | dian Language) Captain | John Scot. | Cambridge: | Printed for Samuel Green, 1658. Title within a border of fleur-de-lis-shaped ornaments verso blank 1 1. "To the Reader" (signed "A. P.") p. 3, title in Indian with interlinear English translation (being a repetition of the above as far as the word "Salvation") p. 4, text in Indian with interlinear English translation pp. 5-67, verso blank, sm. 8°. See the facsimile of the title-page. Copies seen: British Museum. This copy differs from the other only in the title leaf, which has been inserted in place of the original (cancelled) title. In other respects the two copies are of the same edition. The circumstances under which Pierson's catechism was prepared, "At the Motion, and published by the Order of the Commissioners of the United Colonies," and the fact that it was translated with the help of their official interpreter, Thomas Stanton, and was "examined and approved" by him, as also "by some others of the most able Inter, reters amongst us," are fully and explicitly set forth in the records and on the original title-page. With this certain knowledge the new title is at variance. Not only does it not mention the commissioners, who promoted and published the work, but it omits the name of Thomas Stanton, together with the reference to the other interpreters, and in their stead represents Captain John Scott as the sole examiner and approver of the book. It also characterises him as "that Experienced Gentleman (in the Indian Language)"—a statement which appears to have no confirmation, or even mention, in the records or elsewhere. Indeed, so little is known to the credit of "that mischievous adventurer." as he is termed by Dr. Trumbull, that it seems "highly probable that this title page was substituted by himself, or at his motion, and, prob. ably, after the restoration." The alteration of the imprint from "Printed by " to "Printed for" Samuel Green, was more likely to be made in England than in America. But little is known with certainty of John Scott's early career. According to one account, he was born of "very meane parentage" at a place called Ashford in Kent, probably about the year 1632, and whilst a boy was brought over by his mother into New England." From his own statements it appears that he was "an unlucky boy," who "would cutt ye souldiers girts of ther saddles yt were against ye King and such like tricks, soe yt some of them gott him transported to forraign parts, wher he was |