India Christiana. A discourse, delivered unto the Commissioners, for the Propagation of the Gospel…

As to their Civil Government, the Indians in Dukes County, (as well as in other Places) are wholly under the English; But because their State does yet somewhat differ from that of their English Neighbours, there are several Laws made by the General Court of this Province, with a particular regard to the Indian Inhabitants of the same: And there are some English Justices especially Commissionated to take care of the Indians Inhabiting the several Counties of it: and these are directed to Nominate and Appoint several Officers among the Indians themselves, to assist under their regulation, in the Government of that People.

As to their Civil Government, the Indians in Dukes County, (as well as in other Places) are wholly under the English; But because their State does yet somewhat differ from that of their English Neighbours, there are several Laws made by the General Court of this Province, with a particular regard to the Indian Inhabitants of the same: And there are some English Justices especially Commissionated to take care of the Indians Inhabiting the several Counties of it: and these are directed to Nomainate and Appoint several Officers among the Indians themselves, to assist under their regulation, in the Government of that People.

There are yet but few Indians on Martha's. Vineyard that have Houses of the English fashion, tho' the number of these is of late increased; but in respect of their Apparel, they are generally Clothed as the English are, & they by degrees learn the English way of Husbandry: Several of them have good Teams of Oxen, with which they Plough and Cart, for themselves & Neighbours, as the English do. Many of them have also Horses, Cows, Sheep & Swine. They have also among them some that have learned Trades; as at Martha's-Vineyard there are several Weavers, One or two House-Carpenters, One Wheel-wright, who is so good a Work-man, as to be frequently employed by his English Neighbours. There are several Tailors, & one if not more Shoe-makers, and one Black smith, who not only took his Trade himself, but also made his Bellows, & other Tools; and one Cooper, viz. William Charles, who is a good Workman. And tho' some of these may not be so accurate as our English Trades-men, yet this shows that as the Indians are capable of Learning such Callings as English Men follow; so they begin to come to it.