Memoir of Roger Williams, the Founder of the State of Rhode-IslandKnowles, James D. (James Davis)
History
Memoir of Roger Williams, the Founder of the State of Rhode-Island
Knowles, James D. (James Davis)
Rhode Island -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775; Williams, Roger, 1604?-1683
“First, that all the Nipmucks were, unquestionably, subject to the
Narraganset sachems, and, in a special manner to Mexham, the son of
Canonicus, and late husband to this old squaw sachem, now only
surviving. I have abundant and daily proof of it, as plain and clear
as that the inhabitants of Newbury or Ipswich, &c. are subject to
the government of the Massachusetts colony.
“2. I was called by his Majesty’s Commissioners to testify in a like
case between Philip and the Plymouth Indians, on the one party, and
the Narragansets on the other, and it pleased the committee to
declare, that the King had not given them any commission to alter
the Indians’ laws and customs, which they observed amongst
themselves: most of which, although they are, like themselves,
barbarous, yet in the case of their mournings, they are more,
humane, and it seems to be more inhumane in those that professed
subjection to this the very last year, under some kind of feigned
protection of the English, to be singing and dancing, drinking, &c.
while the rest were lamenting their sachems’ deaths.
“I abhor most of their customs; I know they are barbarous. I respect
not one party more than the other, but I desire to witness truth;
and as I desire to witness against oppression, so, also, against the
slighting of civil, yea, of barbarous order and government, as
respecting every shadow of God’s gracious appointments.
“This I humbly offer, as in the holy presence of God.
ROGER WILLIAMS.”
The following letter[341] gives us a view of some of the trials which
Mr. Williams suffered:
“For John Whipple, jun. these.
“Neighbor Whipple,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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