I will first begine (saith he) w^th that place from whence _Squanto_, or _Tisquantem_, was taken away; w^ch in Cap: _Smiths mape_ is called _Plimoth_: and I would that Plimoth had y^e like comodities. I would that the first plantation might hear be seated, if ther come to the number of 50. persons, or upward. Otherwise at Charlton, because ther y^e savages are lese to be feared. The _Pocanawkits_, which live to y^e _west_ of _Plimoth_, bear an inveterate malice to y^e English, and are of more streingth then all y^e savags from thence to Penobscote. Their desire of revenge was occasioned by an English man, who having many of them on bord, made a great slaughter with their murderers & smale shot, when as (they say) they offered no injurie on their parts. Whether they were English or no, it may be douted; yet they beleeve they were, for y^e Frenche have so possest them; for which cause _Squanto_ ca[=n]ot deney but they would have kiled me when I was at _Namasket_, had he not entreated hard for me. The soyle of y^e borders of [59] this great bay, may be compared to most of y^e plantations which I have seene in Virginia. The land is of diverce sorts; for _Patuxite_ is a hardy but strong soyle, _Nawsel & Saughtughtett_ are for y^e most part a blakish & deep mould, much like that wher groweth y^e best Tobaco in Virginia. In y^e botume of y^t great bay is store of Codd & basse, or mulett, &c. But above all he comends _Pacanawkite_ for y^e richest soyle, and much open ground fitt for English graine, &c. _Massachussets_ is about 9. leagues from _Plimoth_, & situate in y^e mids betweene both, is full of ilands & peninsules very fertill for y^e most parte. With sundrie shuch relations which I forbear to transcribe, being now better knowne then they were to him. He was taken prisoner by y^e Indeans at _Manamoiak_ (a place not farr from hence, now well knowne). He gave them what they demanded for his liberty, but when they had gott what they desired, they kept him still & indevored to kill his men; but he was freed by seasing on some of them, and kept them bound till they gave him a cannows load of corne. Of which, see Purch: lib. 9. fol. 1778. But this was An^o: 1619.