A88924:31
Decennium luctuosum An history of remarkable occurrences, in the long war, which New-England hath…
Decennium luctuosum An history of remarkable occurrences, in the long war, which New-England hath had with the Indian salvages, from the year, 1688. To the year 1698. Faithfully composed and improved. [One line of quotation in Latin]
printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1699
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
ARTICLE. I. The Occasion and Beginning of the WAR.
IF Diodorus Siculus had never given it as a great Rule of History, Historiae primum Studium, primariaque consideratio esse videtur, insoliti gravisque Casus principio causas investigare, Yet my Reader would have expected, that I should Begin the History of our War, with an History of the Occurrences and Occasions which did Begin the War. Now, Reader, I am at the very first fallen upon a Difficult Point; and I am in danger of pulling a War upon my self, by Endeavouring of thy Satisfaction. In Truth, I had rather be called a Coward, than undertake my self to Determine the Truth in this matter: but having Armed my self with some good Authority, for ⟨p. 15⟩it, I will Transcribe Two or Three Reports of the matter, now in my Hands, and Leave it unto thy own Determination.
One Account, I have now lying by me, Written by a Gentleman of Dover; in these Terms.
The Eastern Indians, and especially those of Saco, and Ammonoscoggin, pretend many Reasons, for the late Quarrel against the English, which began this long and bloody War. 1. Because the English refused to pay that yearly Tribute of Corn, agreed upon, in the Articles of Peace, formerly concluded with them, by the English Commissioners 2. Because they were Invaded in their Fishery, at Saco River, by certain Gentlemen, who stopped the Fish, from coming up the River, with their Nets, and Sains. This they were greatly Affronted at; saying, They thought (though the English had got away their Lands as they had, yet) the Fishery of the Rivers had been a privilege Reserved Entire unto themselves. 3.Because they were Abused by the English, in Suffering, if not Turning, their Cattle over to a certain Island to destroy their Corn. 4. But the Fourth, and Main, provocation was, The Granting, or Patenting of their Lands, to some English; at which they were greatly Enraged; threatening the Surveyor, to knock him on the Head, if he came to lay out any Lands there.