every person by lot half a pole in breadth, and three poles in length, for houses and gardens. Though most of the company were on board the ship on the Lord's day, December thirty-first; yet some of them kept Sabbath for the first time in their new house. Here therefore is fixed the æra of their settlement, which, in grateful remembrance of the Christian friends, whom they found at the last town they left in their native country, they called Plymouth. This was the foundation of the first English town, built in New England.

After the departure of the adventurers from the coast of England, a new patent, dated the third day of November, was granted by king James to the duke of Lenox, the marquises of Buckingham and Hamilton, the earls of Arundel and Warwick, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, with thirty-four associates, and their successors, styling them, The Council established at Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, ordering, and governing of NEW ENGLAND, in America. By this patent that part of the American territory, which lies between the fortieth and fortyeighth degree of north latitude in breadth, and in length by all the breadth aforesaid throughout the main-land from sea to sea,' was given to them in absolute property; the same authority and privileges, which had previously been given to the treasurer and company of Virginia, were now conferred on them; and they were equally empowered to exclude all from trading within the boundaries of their jurisdiction, and from fishing in the neighboring seas. This patent was the only civil basis of all the subsequent patents and plantations, which divided this country.'

"The Plymouth colonists on the 9th of Jan. 1621, proceeded to the erection of their projected town; which they built in two rows of houses for greater security. On the fourteenth their Common House, that had been built in December, took fire from a spark, that fell on its thatched roof, and was entirely consumed. On the seventeenth of February, they met for settling military orders, and having chosen Miles Standish for their captain, conferred on him the power pertaining to that office.

On the sixteenth of March an Indian came boldly alone, into the street of Plymouth, and surprised the inhabitants by calling out, "Welcome, Englishmen! Welcome, Englishmen !" He was their first visitant; his name was Samoset, a sagamore of the country, lying at the distance of about five days journey. Having conversed with the English fishermen, who had come to this coast, and learnt of them to speak broken English, he informed the Plymouth people, that the place, where they were seated, was called by the Indians Patuxet; that all the inhabitants died of an extra

* Holmes' American Annals.

ordinary plague, about four years since; and that there was neither man, woman, nor child, remaining. No natives therefore were dispossessed of this territory, to make room for the English, excepting by the providence of God previously to their arrival.

Samoset, treated with hospitality by these strangers, was disposed to preserve an intercourse with them; and, on his third visit, was accompanied by Squanto, one of the natives, who had been carried off by Hunt in 1614, and afterward lived in England. They informed the English, that Masassoit, the greatest king of the neighboring Indians, was near, with his brother and a number of his people; and within an hour he appeared on the top of a hill over against the English town, with a train of sixty men.

Mutual distrust prevented for some time any advances from either side. Squanto at length, being sent to Masassoit, brought back word, that the English should send one of their number to parley with him. Mr. Edward Winslow was accordingly sent. Two knives, and a copper chain, with a jewel in it, were sent to Masassoit at the same time; and to his brother a knife, and a jewel, 'with a pot of strong water,' a quantity of biscuit, and some butter, all which articles were gladly accepted. Mr. Winslow, the messenger, in a speech to Masassoit, signified, that king James saluted him with words of love and peace, and that the English governor desired to see him, and to truck with him, and to confirm a peace with him, as his next neighbor. The Indian king heard his speech with attention, and approbation. After partaking of the provision, which made part of the English present, and imparting the rest to his company, he looked on Mr. Winslow's sword and armor, with an intimation of his desire to buy it; but found him unwilling to part with it. At the close of the interview, Masassoit, leaving Mr. Winslow in the custody of his brother, went over the brook, which separated him from the English, with a train of twenty men, whose bows and arrows were left behind. He was met at the brook by captain Standish and Mr. Williamson, with six musketeers, who conducted him to a house then in building, where were placed a green rug, and three or four cushions. The governor now advanced, attended with a drum and trumpet, and a few musketeers. After mutual salutations, the governor called for refreshments, of which the Indian king partook himself, and imparted to his followers. A league of friendship was then agreed on; and it was inviolably observed above fifty years.

A great mortality, that commenced among the people soon after their arrival at Plymouth, swept off half of their number within the first three months, leaving scarcely fifty persons remaining.*

*"Tradition gives an affecting picture of the infant colony, during this critical and distressing period. The dead were buried on the bank, at a little distance from the

The first marriage in the colony was solemnized on the twelfth of May, between Mr. Edward Winslow, and Mrs. Susanna White. The first duel in New England was fought on the eighteenth of June, on a challenge at single combat, with sword and dagger, between two servants; both of whom were wounded. For this outrage they were sentenced by the whole company to the ignominious punishment of having the head and feet tied together, and of lying thus twenty-four hours, without meat or drink. After suffering, however, in that painful posture one hour, at their master's intercession, and their own humble request, with the promise of amendment, they were released by the governor.

Gov. Bradford, by advice of the company, sent Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins, with Squanto for their guide, to Masassoit, to explore the country; to confirm the league; to learn the situation and strength of their new friend; to carry some presents; to apologize for some supposed injuries; to regulate the intercourse between the English and the Indians; and to procure seed corn for the next planting season. They lodged the first night at Namasket. In some places, they found the country almost depopulated by the plague, which had desolated the neighborhood of Patuxet. They passed through fine old cornfields, and pasture grounds, that were destitute of cattle and of inhabitants. Skulls and bones appeared in many places where the Indians had dwelt. On their arrival at Pokanoket, the place of Masassoit's residence, forty miles from Plymouth, they were kindly welcomed by that Indian sovereign, who renewed his assurances of continuing the peace and friendship."

rock where the Fathers landed; and lest the Indians should take advantage of the weak and wretched state of the English, the graves were leveled and sown, for the purpose of concealment."

"The manner of reception and treatment of the envoys at the court of Masassoit is worthy of notice. When the king had taken them into his house, and seated them, he heard their message, and received their presents. He then put on a horseman's red coat, and a chain about his neck, (these having been among the presents), and 'was not a little proud to behold himself, and his men also to see their king so bravely attired.' Having given a friendly answer to the message, his men gathered around him; and, turning himself to them, he addressed them in a speech: 'Am not I Masassoit, commander of the country around you? Is not such a town mine, and the people of it? Will you not bring your skins to the English?' After this manner he named at least thirty places, to every one of which they gave an answer of consent and applause. At the close of his speech he lighted tobacco for the envoys, and proceeded to discourse about England, and the English king, wondering that he would live without a wife. He talked also of the Frenchmen, bidding the English not to suffer them to come to Narraganset, for it was king James' country, and he was king James' man. It now grew late, but victuals he offered none; for indeed he had not any, having but just returned home. The envoys therefore, finding no prospect of refreshment, but from sleep, desired to go to rest; yet they were disappointed even of repose. Hee laid us,' says the narrator, 'on the bed with himselfe and his wife, they at the one end and wee at the other, it being onely plankes laid a foot from the ground, and a thinne mat upon them. Two more of his chiefe men for want of roome pressed by and upon us; so that wee were worse wearie of our lodging then of our journey."" Purchas, v.

After the league with Masassoit, Corbitant, one of his petty sachems, becoming discontented, meditated to join the Narragansetts, who were inimical to the English; and he was now at Namasket, attempting to alienate the subjects of Masassoit from their king. Squanto and Hobomack, two faithful friends of the English, going at this time to Namasket, to make observation, were threatened with death by Corbitant, who seized and detained Squanto, but Hobomack made his escape. To counteract the hostile machinations of Corbitant, and to liberate Squanto, the governor, with the advice of the company, sent Miles Standish and fourteen men, with Hobomack for their guide, to Namasket. On their arrival, the Indians of Corbitant's faction fled. The design of the English expedition was explained to the natives of the place, with menaces of revenge, in case of insurrection against Masassoit, or of violence to any of his subjects.

This resolute enterprise struck such terror into the neighboring Indians, that their chiefs came in, and solicited the friendship of the English. On the thirteenth of September, nine sachems voluntarily came to Plymouth, and subscribed an instrument of submission to king James. It was peculiarly happy for the colony, that it had secured the friendship of Masassoit; for his influence was very extensive. He was reverenced and regarded by all the natives from the bay of Narragansett to that of Massachusetts. The submission of the nine sachems is ascribed to their mutual connection with this sovereign, as its primary cause. Other princes under him made also a similar submission, among whom are mentioned those of Pamet, Nauset, Cummaquid, and Namasket, with several others about the bays of Patuxet and Massachusetts."

In March, 1623, intelligence being received at Plymouth that Masassoit was sick, and apparently near death, and that a Dutch ship was driven ashore near his house, the governor sent Edward Winslow and John Hambden, to visit and assist him, and speak with the Dutch. They found Masassoit extremely ill; but by some cordials which Mr. Winslow administered, he recovered.

Gratefully impressed with the kind offices performed, Masassoit revealed a plot of the Massachusetts Indians, against Weston's people at Wessagusset, who, being a set of rude and profane fellows, had provoked the Indians, by stealing their corn, and other abuses. Being fearful that the English settlers at Plymouth might avenge their countrymen, it was determined to kill them also. Masassoit advised the English to kill the chief conspirators, as the only means of safety.

"The governor, on receiving this intelligence, which was con

* Homes' Annals.

Mr. Winslow, attending on Masassoit.

firmed by other evidences, ordered Standish to take with him as many men, as he should judge sufficient, and, if a plot should be discovered, to fall on the conspirators. Standish, with eight men, sailed to the Massachusetts, where the natives, suspecting his design, insulted and threatened him. Watching his opportunity, when four of them, Wittuwamet, Pecksuot, another Indian, and a youth of eighteen, brother of Wittuwamet, and about as many of his own men, were in the same room, he gave a signal to his men; the door was instantly shut; and, snatching the knife of Pecksuot from his neck, he killed him with it, after a violent struggle; his party killed Wittuwamet, and the other Indian; and hung the youth. Proceeding to another place, Standish killed an Indian, and afterward had a skirmish with a party of Indians, which he put to flight. Weston's men also killed two Indians. Standish, with that generosity, which characterizes true bravery, released the Indian women, without taking their beaver coats, or allowing the least incivility to he offered them. The English settlers now abandoned Wessagusset; and their plantation was thus broken up, within a year after its commencement. Standish, having supplied them with corn, and conducted them safely out of Massachusetts Bay in a small ship of their own, returned to Plymouth, bringing the head of Wittuwamet, which he set up on the fort. This sudden and unexpected execution so terrified the other natives, who had intended to join the Massachusetts in the conspiracy, that they forsook their houses, and fled to swamps and desert places, where they contracted diseases, which proved mortal to many of them;