N00179:170
A relation of the troubles which have happened in New-England, by reason of the…A relation of the troubles which have hapned in New-England, by reason of the…
A relation of the troubles which have happened in New-England, by reason of the Indians there. From the year 1614 to the year 1675. : Wherein the frequent conspiracies of the Indians to cut off the English, and the wonderful providence of God, in disappointing their devices, is declared. : Together with an historical discourse concerning the prevalency of prayer; showing that New Englands late deliverance from the rage of the heathen is an eminent answer of prayer. / By Increase Mather teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Nine lines of quotations]A relation of the troubles which have hapned in New-England, by reason of the Indians there. From the year 1614 to the year 1675. : Wherein the frequent conspiracyes of the Indians to cutt off the English, and the wonderfull providence of God, in disappointing their devices, is declared. : Together with an historical discourse concerning the prevalency of prayer; shewing that New Englands late deliverance from the rage of the heathen is an eminent answer of prayer. / By Increase Mather teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Nine lines of quotations]
printed by John Foster, 1677
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.
Had the Narragansets been overcome by these Arguments, it would have occasioned far greater Trouble and hazard to all the English Colonies, newly settled in this Land; But therefore God in mercy to his people prevented it. Commissioners were then sent from Boston into the Narragansett Country, to endeavour that those Indians might be kept from Compliance with the enemy. There is one who having a little enquired into these things, doth Relate that the old Kanonicus did dissuade the Pequots from war, advising rather to deliver up the murderers. They made believe as if they would do so, and when a Band of Soldiers was sent into the Pequot Country for that end, they bid them stay a while, and the murderers should be brought to them, and certain Indians conversing with our Soldiers, did very much observe the Armour which was upon them▪ and would point where they should hit them with their Arrows, notwithstanding. In fine, when a great Body of Indians appeared on an Hill not far off, those that were with the Soldiers went over to them, when they all came together they gave a scornful shout, and so ran all away, making their boast to others, how they had delu•ed the English; So that Canonicus his advise to the Pequots took no effect. After which the Narragansett, were not only prevailed with to decline joining with the enemy, but (as is intimated in the above written Narrative) they pretended they would fight for the English; albeit when it came to in good earnest, they proved themselves Cowards doing little against the enemies, except by unmanly insultations when they saw them in misery: For whereas it was customary with the Pequots, when they had overcome their enemies insultingly to triumph, saying, O brave Pequots! The Narragansets seeing them wounded or consuming to death in their burning wigwams, would taunt ⟨p. 53⟩at them and vaunt over them▪ saying, O brave Pequots! O brave Pequots! The more of a divine hand is there to be taken notice of in overcoming the Pequots by a small number of English and Indians. Also the Pequots were more furnished with Arms then before times they had been; since the Dutchmen had sold some Guns to them; and besides their bows and arrows they had an abundance of small hatchets, and Mohawgs▪ hammers made of stone, yet God would not suffer them to find their hands.