As to the next proceeding recorded--the expedition of the English in 1635--we have only to remark, 1. That the demand of one thousand fathoms of wampum, with no justifiable nor even alleged reason for it, was an imposition and an insult. 2. The English should at least have taken time to see Sassacus himself, his subjects having no more authority than disposition to treat without him. 3. The English, with no apparent provocation, not only insulted but assaulted the Pequots, merely to see if they would "show fight;" and then burnt their towns and boats; not a hair of their own heads being meanwhile injured, and Sassacus himself being still absent. With such inducement, the chieftain began a war of extermination; and then indeed it became necessary that one of the two nations at issue should be completely disabled. No, civilized reader entertains a doubt as to the result which, under such an alternative, was most to be desired. But he may nevertheless have his opinion, respecting the moral propriety as well as the state policy of the measures which brought on that horrible necessity. Let the whole truth, then, be exposed. If it shall be found, (as we believe it must be,) that under the influence of strong and sincere though fatal excitement, a rashness of the civilized party was the ultimate cause of the ruin of the savage, let that injustice be acknowledged, though it should be with shame and with tears. Let it be atoned for, as far as it may be.--in the only way now possible--by the candid judgment of posterity and history, upon the merits and the misfortunes of both. CHAPTER XIV. The Pequot territory claimed by Uncas--His tribe, family, and early history--Services in the Pequot expedition rewarded by the English--Effect of their favor--His contest with Miantonomo, and result--Subsequent wars and quarrels with various tribes and chiefs--Assistance rendered him by the English--Complaints brought against him to them--His Christianity considered--His morality--Evidence of his fraud, falsehood, violence, tyranny, ambition--His services, and those of his tribe to the English--Manner in which he met the accusations made against him--Cunning and servility--His treatment of neighboring sachems--Various negotiations with the English--His death--Fate of his tribe.