left them; having many passengers, which she was
to land in Virginia.
In the mean time, the body of them refreshed
themselves at J^lymouth; whilst some, [who were] most
fit, sought out a place for them. The little store of com
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532 Good News from New England, got. e. wimiow.
[growing maize] we had, was exceedingly wasted by tiie
unjust and dishonest walking of these strangers; who
though they would sometimes seem to help us in our
labour about our com ; yet spared not, day and night, to
steal the same— it being then eatable and pleasant to
[the] taste ; though green and unprofitable. And though
they received much kindness [from us; yet] set light
both by it and us ; not sparing to requite the love we
shewed them, with secret backbitings, revilings, &c.:
the Chief of them being forestalled [prepossessed hy
Thomas Weston] and made against us, before they
came ; as afterwards appeared.
Nevertheless, for their Master's sake, who formerly
had deserved well from us, we continued to do
them whatsoever good, or furtherance, we could:
attributing these things to the want of conscience and
discretion; expecting each day when GOD, in his
Providence, would disburden us of them; sorrowing
that their Overseers were not of more ability and
fitness for their places ; and much fearing what would
be the issue of such raw and unconscionable
[iU-co7isidered and wn/reasonahle] beginnings.
At length, their coasters [surveyors] returned;
having found, in their judgement, a place fit for [a]
Plantation, within the Bay of the Massachusets [ie.
Boston Bay], at a place called by the Indians
WichaguBCUsset [Wessagusset, now called Weymouth].
To which place, the body of them went, with all
convenient speed ; leaving still with us, such as were
sick and lame, by the (Governor's permission, though on
their parts undeserved : whom our Surgeon [Samuel
Fullke], by the help of GOD, recovered gratis
for them; and they fetched home, as occasion
served.
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They had not been long from us, ere the Indians
filled our ears with clamours against them ; for stealing
their com, and other abuses conceived by them. At
which we grieved the more ; because the same men \ihe
Boston Bay Indians], in mine own hearing, had been
earnest in persuading Captain Standish, before their
coming [ie. Weston's men], to solicit our Governor,
to send some of his men, to plant by them : alledging
many reasons, how it might be commodious for us.
But we knew no means to redress those abuses ; save
reproof, and advising them to better walking, as
occasion served.
In the end of August [1622], came other two ships
into our harbour [at Plymouth] : the one, as I take it,
was called the Discovery, Captain [Thomas] JoneS
having the command thereof ; the other was that ship of
Master Weston's, called the Spa/rrow^ which had now
made her voyage of fish [had a fvU ca/rgo of fish],
and was consorted with the other, being both bound for
Virginia. [This is a raistake. The Discovery was
returning from, Virginia to EnglaTid. Seepp. 392-394.]
Of Captain Jones, we furnished ourselves of such
provisions [for trading, t.e. heads &c.] as we most
needed, and he could best spare: who as he used us
kindly ; so [he] made us pay largely for the things we
had. And had not the Almighty, in his all-ordering
Providence, directed him to us; it would have gone
worse with us than ever it had been, or after waa For
as we had now but small store of com [maize] for the
year following ; so, for want of Supply [reinforcem^ent],
we were worn out [exhausted] of all manner of trucking
stuff [commodities for barter], not having [therefore]
any means left to help ourselves by trade: but, through
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534 Good News from New England, oor. e wiariow.
QOD's good mercy towards us, he had wherewith ; and
did supply our wants on that kind competently.
In the end of September, or beginning of October
[1622], Master Weston's bigger ship, called the Cha/riiy,
returned for England: and left their Colony [at
Wessagusset] sufficiently victualled; as some of most
credit amongst them reported. The lesser, called the
Swan, remained with his Colony, for their further hdp.
At which time, they de3ired to join in partnership
with us, to trade for com. To which our Governor
[William Bradford] and his Assistant [Isaac
Allerton] agreed, upon such equal conditions as were
drawn [up] and confirmed between them and u&
The chief places aimed at, were to the southward
of Cape Cod: and the more, because Tisqtjantum
(whose peace, before this time, was wrought with
Massassowat) undertook to discover unto us that
supposed, and still hoped for, passage within the shoals
[the Pollock Mp, <fec.].
Both Colonies being thus agreed, and their companies
fitted and joined together ; we resolved to set forward :
but were oft crossed in our purposes.
As first. Master Richard Greene (brother in law to
Master Weston; who from him had a. charge in the
oversight and government of his Colony) died suddenly
at our Plantation: to whom we gave burial befitting
his place, in the best manner we could. Afterward,
having further order to proceed by letter from [John
Sanders] their other Governor at the Massachusets :
twice Captain Standish set forth with them ; but [they]
were driven in again by cross and violent winds;
himself, the second time, being sick of a violent fever.
By reason whereof (our own wants being like[ly]
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Good News from New England. 535
to be now greater than formerly: partly because we
were enforced to neglect our com, and spend much time
in fortification ; but especially because such havock was
made of that little we had, through the unjust and
dishonest carriage [behaviour] of those people before
mentioned, at our first entertainment of them); our
Qovemor, in his own person, supplied the Captain's
place; and, in the month of November [1622], again
set forth, having Tisquantum for his interpreter and
pilot: who affirmed he had twice passed within the
shoals of Cape Cod, both with [the] English and [the]
French.
Nevertheless, they went so far with him, as the
Master of the ship [the Swcm] saw no hope of passage :
but being, as he thought, in danger, bare up; and,
according to Tisquantum's directions, made for a
harbour not far from them, at a place called
Manamoycke [CJiathcmi], Which they found; and
sounding it with their shallop, found the channel,
though but narrow and crooked: where, at length,
they harboured the ship. Here they perceived that
the tide set in and out, with more violence [than] at
some other place[s] more southerly: which they had
not seen, nor could discover, by reason of the violence
of the season, all the time of their abode there. Some
judged the entrance thereof might be beyond the
shoals : but there is no certainty thereof as yet known.
That night, the Governor, accompanied with others,
[and] having Tisquantum for his interpreter, went
ashore. At first, the inhabitants played least in sight
[ha/rcUy appeared], because none of our people had ever
been there before : but understanding the ends of their
[i.e. ov/r] coming ; at length, came to them : welcoming our
Governor according to their savage manner ; refreshing
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536 Good News front New England, got.
Ew Wiailow.
them very well with store of veniscm and other
victuals, which they brought them in great abundance;
promising to trade with them, with a seeming gladness
of the occasion. Yet their joy was mixed with much
jealousy, as appeared by their after practices. For,
at first, they were loath their dwellings should be
known; but when they saw our Governor's resolution
to stay on shore all night; they brought him to their
houses: having first conveyed all their stuff to a
remote place, not far from the same; which one of
our men, walking forth, occasionally \a4xv6LernJSl/^j\
espied; whereupon, on the sudden, neither it nor
them could be found And so, many times, upon
conceived occasions; they would be all gone, bag
and baggage.
But being afterwards, by Tisqantum's means, better
persuaded; they left their jealousy, and traded witii
them. Where they got eight hogsheads of com and
beans; though the people were but few. This gave
our Governor and the company good encouragement
TiSQTJANTUM was still confident in the passage ; and
the inhabitants affirmed. They had seen ships of good
burden pass within the shoals aforesaid. But here,
though they had determined to make a second assay : yet
GOD had otherways disposed, who struck Tisquantum
with sickness; insomuch as he there died. Which
crossed [eiopped] their southward trading : and the more,
because the Master's sufficiency was much doubted ; and
the season very tempestuous, and [in which it was]
not fit to go upon discovery, having no guide to
direct them.
From thence they departed ; and, the wind being fair
for the Massachusets [i,e. Boston Bay\ [they] went
thither ; and the rather, because the savages, upon our
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motion, had planted much com for us: which they
promised [to have ready] not long before that time.
When they came thither, they found a great sickness to
be amongst the Indians ; not unlike the plague, if not the
same. They renewed their complaints to our Governor,
against that other Plantation seated by them \at
We»8wgvtj68d\\ for their injurious walking. But indeed
the trade, both for furs and com, was overthrown in
that place: they \Weston'% inen] giving as much for
a quart of com, as we used to do for a beaver's skin.
So that little good could be there done.
From thence, they returned into the bottom of the
Bay of Cape Cod, to a place called Nauset [now called
Easthcmi]: where [Aspinet,] the Sachem used the
Governor very kindly; and where they bought eight
or ten hogsheads of com and beans.
Also at a place called Mattachiest [the cov/niry
between Bametable cmd Yarmovih harbov/rs : but here
the word probably mea/ns Cwrrmuiquid « Ba/mstahle
ha/rboiur. See jHige 474.]; where they had like kind
entertainment, and com also.
During the time of their trade in these places, there
were so great and violent storms, as the ship [the 8wam\
was much endangered ; and our shallop [was] cast away :
so that they had now no means to carry tiie com aboard
that they had bought ; the ship riding, by their report,
well near two leagues from the same [Le^froifn Easthmn] ;
her own boat being small, and so leaky (having no
Carpenter with them) as they durst scarce[ly] fetch
wood or water in her.
Hereupon the Governor caused the com to be made
in a round stack; and bought mats and cut sedge, to
cover it : and gave charge to the Indians, not to meddle
with it ; promising him that dwelt next to it a reward, if
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538 Good News from New England, got. b. wterfow.
he would keep vermin also from it ; which he undertook,
and [Aspinet] the Sachem promised to make good [to
Bee it was done].
In the mean time, according the Qovemor's request ;
the [same] Sachem sent men to seek the shallop : which
they found buried almost in sand at a high water
mark; having many things in her, but unserviceable
for the present. Whereof the Governor gave the Sachem
special charge, that it should not be further broken;
promising ere long to fetch both it and the corn:
assuring them, if neither were diminished, he would
take it as a sign of their honest and true friendship;
but if they were, they should certainly smart for their
unjust and dishonest dealing ; and, further, make good
whatsoever they had so taken.
So he did likewise at Mattachiest [? Bamstxible
harbour].
And took leave of them, being resolved to leave the
ship [the Stvan]; and take his journey home by land,
with our own company : sending word to the ship, that
they should take their first opportunity to go for
Plymouth ; where he determined, by the permission of
GOD, to meet them.
And having procured a guide, it being no less than
fifty miles to our Plantation [i.e. from Eaatham to
Plymouth, by Icmd], set forward : receiving all respect
that could be, from the Indians in his journey ; and
came safely home, though weary and surbated
[footsore].
Whither, some three days after, the ship also came.
The com being divided, which they had got; Master
Weston's Company went to their own Plantation [at
Wessagusset] : it being further agreed, that they should
return, with all convenient speed, and bring their
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Good News from New England. 539
Carpenter ; that they might fetch the rest of the com,
and save their shallop.
At their return, Captain Standish, being recovered
and in health, took another shallop, and went with
them to the com : which they found in safety, as they
[had] left it. Also they mended the other shallop ; and
got all their com aboard the ship [the 8vxin\,
This was in January [1623], as I take it It being
very cold and stormy; insomuch as, the harbour
\Easth(im ha/rb<mr] being none of the best, they were
constrained to cut both the shallops from the ship's
stem ; and so lost them both, a second time. But the
storm being over; and seeking out; they found them
both, not having received any great hurt.
Whilst they were at Nauset [Eastham] (having
occasion to lie on the shore ; laying their shallop in a
creek not far from them), an Indian came into the same,
and stole certain beads, scissors, and other trifles, out of
the same. Which when the Captain missed, he took
certain of his company with him, and went to [Aspinet]
the Sachem; telling him what had happened, and
requiring the same again ; or the party that stole them,
who was known to certain of the Indians: or else he
would revenge it on them before his departure. And
so took leave for that night, [it] being late: refusing
whatsoever kindness they offered.
On the morrow, [Aspinet] the Sachem came to their
randevous [enca/mpm&iit], accompanied with many men,
in a stately manner ; who saluted the Captain in this
wise. He thrust out his tongue [so] that one might see
the root thereof, and therewith licked his hand from the
wrist to the finger's end; withal bowing the knee,
striving to imitate the English gesture : being instructed
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540 Good News from New England, oor. e. winsum.
therein formerly by Tisquantum. His men did the
like : but in so rude and savage a manner as our men
could scarcePy] forbear to break \^fT(yai breaJdng] out in
open laughter.
After salutation, he delivered the beads and other
things to the Captain ; saying. He had much beaten the
party for doing it ; causing the women to make bread,
and [to] bring [it to] them, according to their desire;
seeming to be very sorry for the fact, but glad to be
reconciled.
So they departed, and came home in safety : where
the com was equally divided, as before.
After this, the Governor [William Beadfoed] went
to two other inland towns, with another company;
and bought com likevrise of them: the one is called
Namasket [MiddZeborough] ; the other, Manomet
[Sandnvich].
That from Namasket was brought home partly by
Indian women: but a great sickness arising amongst
them, our own men were inforced to fetch home the
rest.
That at Manomet, the Governor left in the Sachem's
custody. This town lleth from us south, well near
twenty miles; and stands upon a fresh [water] river
which runneth into the Bay of Nanohigganset [This is
am, error. The Manomet river runs irdo Manomet or
Buzzard's Bay; and not into Narraganaett Bay.];
and cannot be less than sixty miles from thence. It
will bear a boat of eight or ten tons to this place
[Sandwich], Hither the French, or Dutch, or both, use
[a/re accustomed] to come.
It is from hence to the Bay of Cape Cod [at Scueset
ha/rbowr] about eight miles : out of which Bay it floweth
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into a creek some six miles, almost direct towards the
town. The heads of the [Manomet] river, and [of] this
creek are not far distant
The river yieldeth, thus high [from the ocean], oysters,
mussels, clams, and other shell fish ; one in shape like a
bean, another like a clam: both good meat, and [in]
great abundance at all times. Besides, it aboundeth with
divers sorts of fresh fish, in their se€isons.
The Governor or Sachem of this place [Mcmomet]^
was called Canacum [or Cawnacome]: who had
formerly [viz, on ISth September 1621], as well as many
others, (yea, all with whom as yet we had to do)
acknowledged themselves the subjects of our Sovereign
Lord the King.
This Sachem used the Governor very kindly ; and,
it seemed, was of good respect and authority amongst
the Indiana
For whilst the Governor was there, within night,
in bitter weather, came two men from Manamoick
[Chatham] before spoken of; and having set aside
their bows and quivers; according to their manner,
sat down by the fire, and took a pipe of tobacco;
not using any words in that time: nor aoy others to
them ; but all remained silent, expecting when they
should speak.
At length, they looked towards Canacuh ; and one
of them made a short speech, and delivered a present to
him from his Sachem : which was a basket of tobacco,
and many beads; which the other received thankfully.
After which, he made a long speech to him; the
contents whereof were related to us by Hobbamock,
who then accompanied the Gk>vemor for his guide, to
be as foUoweth:
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542 Good News from New England, oov. el winaiow.
It happened that two of their men fell out, as they
were in game (for they use gaming as much as anywhere :
and will play away all, even their skin from their backs ;
yea, and for their wives' skins also, although it may be
they are many miles distant from them, as [I] myself have
seen), and growing to [a] great heat, the one killed the
other. The actor of this fact was a Powah [Potwni; = a
Medicine Man] ; one of special note amongst them, and
such a one as they could not well miss : yet another people,
greater than themselves, threatened them with war, if
they would not put him to death. The party offending
was in hold [prison] ; neither would their Sachem do
one way or another till their return : resting upon him
for advice and furtherance in so weighty a matter.
After this, there was silence a short time. At length,
men gave their judgement, What they thought best.
Amongst others, he asked Hobbamoce, What he
thought ?
Who answered, He was but a stranger to them : but
thought it was better that one should die than many ;
since he had deserved it, and the rest were innocent.
Whereupon, he [Canacum] passed the sentence of
death upon him.
Not long after, having no great quantity of com
left, Captain Standish went again with a shallop to
Mattachiest [Barnstable ha/rbour]: meeting also with
the like extremity of weather, both of wind snow and
frost ; insomuch as they were frozen in the harbour, the
first night they entered the same.
Here they [the iTidians] pretended their wonted love ;
and spared tibem a good quantity of com to confirm the
same. Strangers also came to this place, pretending to
see him and his company; whom they never saw
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before that time : but intending to join with the rest
to kill them, as after appeared.
But, being forced through extremity [of weather], to
. lodge in their houses [icngruximd], which they much
pressed ; QOD possessed the heart of the Captain with
[a] just jealousy \9fWB^jp/icixyv^\ giving strait command
that as one part of his company slept, the rest should
[keep ajwake; declaring some things to them
which he understood, whereof he could make no
good construction.
Some of the Indians, spying a fit opportunity, stole
some beads also from him, which he no sooner perceived,
having not above six men with him, [he] drew them
all from the boat ; and set them on their guard about
the Sachem's house, where most of the people were:
threatening to fall upon them without further delay,
if they would not forthwith restore them; signifying
to the Sachem especially, and so to them all, that
as he would not offer the least injury ; so he would
not receive any at their hands, which should escape
without punishment or due satisfaction.
Hereupon [, Itanouoh,] the Sachem bestirred himself
to find out the party ; which, when he had done, [he]
caused him to return them again to the shallop : and came
to the Captain, desiring him to search whether they were
not about the boat; who, suspecting their knavery, sent
one, who found them lying openly upon the boat's cuddy
Tet, to appease his anger, they brought com afresh to
trade : insomuch as he laded his shallop, and so departed.
This accident so daimted their courage, as they durst
not attempt anything against him. So that, through
the good mercy and Providence of QOD, they returned
in safety.
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At this place \Barri8UMe ha/rbcv/r], the Indians get
abundance of bass, both summer and winter : for it being
now February, they abounded with them.
In the beginning of March [1623], having refreshed
himself, he took a shallop, and went to Manomet
[/ to Scuaset harbour, which goes up westwoArd towa/rds
Manomet], to fetch home that which the Governor
had formerly bought [see page 540] : hoping also to
get more from them. But was deceived in his
expectation: not finding that entertainment he found
elsewhere, and [that] the Governor had there received.
The reason whereof, and of the treachery intended
in the place before spoken of, was not then known
unto us ; but [till] afterwards : wherein may be observed
the abundant mercies of GOD, working with his
Providence for our good.
Captain Standish (being now far from the boat, and
not above two or three of our men with him ; and as
many with the shallop) was not long at Canacum the
Sachem's house: but in came two of the Massachuset
[Boston Bay] men. , The chief of them was called
WiTUWAMAT a notable insulting villain: one who had
formerly imbrued his hands in the blood of English and
French, and had oft boasted of his own valour; and
derided their weakness, especially because, as he said,
they died crying, making sour faces, more like children
than men.
This villain took a dagger from about his neck, which
he had gotten of Master Weston's people, and presented
it to the Sachem ; and after made a long speech, in an
audacious manner, framing it in such sort .as the
Captain, though he be the best linguist \i,e, in the
India/n dialects] amongst us, could not gather anything
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ooT. R winaioir. Good News from New England. 545
from it The end \;pmrpose\ of it was afterward
discovered to be as foUoweth:
The Massacheoseucks had formerly concluded to
ruinate Master Weston's Colony; and thought
themselves, being about thirty or forty men, siax)ng
enough to execute the same: yet they durst not
attempt it till such time as they had gathered more
strength to themselves, to mi^e their party good
against us at Plymouth ; concluding tiiat if we
remained, (though they had no other arguments to use
against us), yet we would never leave the death of our
countrymen unrevenged; and therefore their safety
could not be, without the overthrow of both Plantation&
To this end, they had formerly solicited this Sachem,
as also tibe other called I[t]anough at Mattachiest, and
many others, to assist them: and now again came to
prosecute the same. And since there was so fair an
opportunity offered by the Captain's presence; they
thought bcMst to make sure [of] him and his company.
After this his message was delivered, his
entertainment [by the Sachem] much exceeded the
Captain's: insomuch as he [Miles Standish] scorned
at their behaviour; and told them of it. After which,
they would have persuaded him, because the weather
was cold, to have sent to the boat for the rest of his
company : but he would not, desiring, according to
[their] promise, that the com might be carried down,
and be would content the women for their labour;
which they did.
At the same time, there was a lusty Indian of
Paomet \FaTMif\ or Cape Cod, then present; who had
ever demeaned himself well towards us: being, in his
general carriage, very affable, courteous, and loving;