“This above is a true copy taken out of the record of the General Court, Book 2, page 64; as attests
Edward Rawson, Secretary.”
The praying Indians, confined to Deer Island, are the people with whom the above written agreements were made, wherein subjection and mutual protection are engaged; and these Indians, as is before declared, made discovery of what they knew of the plottings and conspiracy of the enemy, before the war began; also most readily and cheerfully joined with, and assisted the English in the war; as is before in part touched, and will more clearly appear in the sequel of this discourse; also they submitted themselves to the laws of God and the English government, and desiring themselves and children to be taught and instructed in the Christian religion; and have in all other points, so far as I know, (for the body of them,) kept and performed the articles of their covenant above expressed. When the General Court had read and considered this agreement, it had this effect (through God's grace) in some degree to abate the clamors of many men against these Indians.
1675. Before the General Court adjourned, which was not until the 28th of February, they had voted and concluded to raise an army of six hundred men, to be put under the conduct of Major Thomas Savage,[1] as Commander-in-chief; but the Major was not willing to undertake the charge, unless he might have some of the Christian Indians upon Deer Island to go with him for guides, &c.; for the Major, being an experienced soldier, well considered the great necessity of such helps in such an undertaking. The General Court consented to this reasonable motion of Major Savage, and accordingly ordered that one John Curtis, of Roxbury, (who was well acquainted with those Indians,) should go down to Deer Island and choose out
- ↑ For an account of this good officer and gentleman, see Farmer's Register, and Mr. James Savage's Notes to Winthrop's Journal.
Court, and, according to their former tender to the governor, desired to be received under our protection and government, upon the same terms that Pumham and Socononoco were; so, we causing them to understand the articles and all the ten commandments of God, and they freely assenting to all, they were solemnly received, and then presented the Court with twenty six fathom more of wampom; and the Court gave each of them a coat of two yd's. of cloth, and their dinner; and to them and their men, every of them, a cup of sack at their departure; so they took leave and went away." — History of New England, II. 156.
