Decennium luctuosum An history of remarkable occurrences, in the long war, which New-England hath…

ARTICLE. IV. A Flame Spreading, upon the best Endeavours to Quench it.

IT was hoped, the War would now come to an Immediate End; but the Great God, who Creates that Evil, had further Intentions to Chastise a Sinful People, by those who are not a People. The Government sent Capt. Greenleaf, to treat with the Indians at Penacook, who answered him with fair pretences and Promises of Amity. They procured an Interview, with some of the more Eastern Sagamores, who not only promised Friendship themselves, but also undertook to make our Enemies become our Friends. They sent unto the Soldiers, yet remaining at Pemaquid, for to keep their Post, Engaging to them that they should not want their Pay. But all this care, was defeated by Methods of Mischiefs, too deep for our present penetration. The Salvages, began to Renew their Hostilities, at Saco Falls, in ⟨p. 30⟩the Beginning of April, on a Lords day morning, some while before the Revolution. The Penacook Indians, were all this while peaceably Conversant at Quochecho; and so long as that Conversation continued, the Inhabitants were very Secure, of any Danger, not only from those Cut-throats, but also from their Brethren. Happy had it been for those Honest People, if their Fear, had made so much Hast, as my Pen ha's done, to call 'em Cut throats! For, the Penacookian joining with the Saconian Indians, hovered about Quochecho, where one Mesandowit, a Sagamore, being that Night kindly Entertained by Major Richard Waldein, horribly betrayed his kind Host, with the Neighbours into the hands of Murderers. Above an Hundred, some say Five Hundred of the Indians, about break of Day, having Surprised the Secure and Silent English, they particularly rushed into the Garrison of the Generous Major, which was by Sinon Mesandowit (for, bestowing a Heathen Name upon him, we'll now call him so,) opened for them, and having first barbarously Murdered the Old Gentleman, who was Equivalent unto Two and Twenty, they then Murdered Two and Twenty more, and Captived Nine and Twenty of the People; burned four or five of the best Houses, took much Plunder, and so drew off: but killed Mr. John Broughton in their drawing off: while Mr. John Emmerson, a worthy Preacher at Berwick, by declining to lodge at the Hospitable