Having had formerly converse and famliarity with y^e Dutch, (as is before remembred,) they, seeing them seated here in a barren quarter, tould them of a river called by them y^e Fresh River, but now is known by y^e name of Conightecute-River, which they often co[=m]ended unto them for a fine place both for plantation and trade, and wished them to make use of it. But their hands being full otherwise, they let it pass. But afterwards ther coming a company of banishte Indeans into these parts, that were drivene out from thence by the potencie of y^e Pequents, which usurped upon them, and drive them from thence, they often sollisited them to goe thither, and they should have much trad, espetially if they would keep a house ther. And having now good store of comodities, and allso need to looke out wher they could advantage them selves to help them out of their great ingagments, they now begane to send that way to discover y^e same, and trade with y^e natives. They found it to be a fine place, but had no great store of trade; but y^e Indeans excused y^e same in regard of y^e season, and the fear y^e Indans were in of their enemise. So they tried diverce times, not with out profite, but saw y^e most certainty would be by keeping a house ther, to receive y^e trad when it came down out of y^e inland. These Indeans, not seeing them very forward to build ther, solisited them of y^e Massachusets in like sorte (for their end was to be restored to their countrie againe); but they in y^e Bay being but latly come, were not fitte for y^e same; but some of their cheefe made a motion to joyne w^th the partners here, to trad joyntly with them in y^t river, the which they were willing to imbrace, and so they should have builte, and put in equall stock togeather. A time of meeting was appointed at y^e Massachusets, and some of y^e cheefe here was appointed to treat with them, and went accordingly; but they cast many fears of deanger & loss and the like, which was perceived to be the maine obstacles, though they alledged they were not provided of trading goods. But those hear offered at presente to put in sufficiente for both, provided they would become ingaged for y^e halfe, and prepare against y^e nexte year. They conffessed more could not be offered, but thanked them, and tould them they had no mind to it. They then answered, they hoped it would be no offence unto [197] them, if them sellves wente on without them, if they saw it meete. They said ther was no reason they should; and thus this treaty broake of, and those here tooke conveniente time to made a begining ther; and were y^e first English that both discovered that place, and built in y^e same, though they were litle better then thrust out of it afterward as may appeare.