Bradford, who on the death of Carver had been appointed governor of the colony, shortly after the visit of Masassoit, sent two of the colonists, Winslow and Hopkins, with Squanto as their guide, to explore the country and confirm the league of amity. They found the country still almost depopulated; they passed through fine old corn-fields and meadows, but there were neither cattle nor inhabitants; heaps of bones lay where had dwelt and died the former inhabitants. They were kindly received by Masassoit, at his residence at Pokanoket, forty miles from Plymouth. The English having thus secured the friendship of Masassoit, other sachems sought their alliance also, and a powerful chief, who threatened them with hostilities, was compelled to sue for peace. In 1622, a colony of sixty persons, the “unruly company” already mentioned, having finally settled at Weymouth, the first colony in Boston harbour, were soon reduced to great want; and having excited the Indians by their injustice and violence, a plot was formed utterly to destroy them. The execution of this was, however, prevented by Masassoit, who being ill, and as was reported at the point of death, recovered in consequence of medicines administered by Winslow, who had been sent from Plymouth to visit him. In gratitude for this kind service, he revealed the plot of the Massachusetts Indians against the Weymouth colony; and governor Bradford sent out Standish with eight men, to apprise them of their danger, and to aid them in opposing it. The colony, saved by the intrepidity of Standish, was, after this, soon dispersed, some joining the people of Plymouth, and the rest returning to London. The victory of Standish was very decisive, and inspired the Indians with great terror. As a peace-offering they afterwards despatched a small boat, laden with presents, to the governor of Plymouth, but it was wrecked and three of its crew drowned, which still further impressed the minds of the savages. They recalled the prediction of one of their older chiefs, and declared that the God of the English was angry with them, and that the destruction of their nation was at hand. When the good pastor Robinson heard of this slaughter of the Indians, he wrote to his friends in great sorrow: “Oh how happy a thing it would have been if you had converted some before you killed any.” The settlement of Plymouth proving but a poor investment of capital to the London merchants, who had embarked in it as a mercantile speculation, was soon not only disregarded by them, but a trading vessel was sent out to their shore, the object of which was to compete with them in their trade with the Indians. On this, Winslow was sent over to London, to purchase for himself and seven others the entire shares of the London adventurers. The purchase was made, and six years’ monopoly of trade with the Indians freed the colony of its burdens.