Last and worst of all, his only son, a boy of nine years of age, whom we have already noticed as among the English captives, was sold as a slave and shipped to Burmuda. It should be stated, however, that this unfortunate measure was not taken without some scruples. The Plymouth Court were so much perplexed upon the occasion, as to conclude upon applying to the clergymen of the Colony for advice. Mr. Cotton was of opinion that "the children of notorious traitors, rebels, and murderers, especially such as have been principal leaders and actors in such horrid villainies, might be involved, in the guilt of their parents, and might, _salva republica,_ be adjudged _to death._" Dr. Increase Mather compared the child to Hadad, whose father was killed by Joab; and he intimates, that if Hadad himself had not escaped, David would have taken measures to prevent his molesting the next generation. It is gratifying to know, that the course he recommended was postponed, even to the ignominious and mortifying one we have mentioned. Such was the impression which had been universally forced upon the Colonists by the terrible spirit of Philip. And never was a civilized or an uncivilized enemy more generally or more justly feared. How much greater his success might have been, had circumstances favored, instead of opposing him, it is fortunately impossible for us to estimate. It is confessed, however, that had even the Narraghansetts joined him during the first summer of the war,--as nothing but the abrupt commencement of it prevented them from doing,--the whole country, from the Piscataqua to the Sound, must have been over-swept and desolated. But as it was, Philip did and endured enough to immortalize him as a warrior, a statesman, and we may add, as a high-minded and noble patriot. Whatever might be the prejudice against him in the days of terror produced by his prowess, there are both the magnanimity and the calmness in these times, to do him the justice he deserves. He fought and fell,--miserably, indeed, but gloriously,--the avenger of his own household, the worshipper of his own gods, the guardian of his own honor, a martyr for the soil which was his birth-place, and for the proud liberty which was his birth-right. CHAPTER IX. The Narraghansett tribe; territory and power--Chief Sachems at the date of the English settlements in New England--Canonicus associates with himself Miantonomo, his nephew--Their treatment of Roger Williams in 1634--Hostility to the Plymouth Colony--Invited by the Pequots to fight the English--Treaty negotiated at Boston, in 1636, by Miantonomo--War with the Pequots and result of it--Subsequent hostility between Miantonomo and Uncas--Sequassen--Battle of the Sachem's-Plain--Capture of Miantonomo--Sentence of the English commissioners upon him--Execution of it.