Woodstock: An historical sketchBowen, Clarence Winthrop
History
Woodstock: An historical sketch
Bowen, Clarence Winthrop
Woodstock (Conn. : Town) -- History
"We being at Wabquissit, at the sagamore's wigwam, divers of the
principal people that were at home came to us, with whom we spent a
good part of the night in prayer, singing psalms, and exhortations.
There was a person among them, who, sitting mute a great space, at
last spake to this effect: That he was agent for Unkas, Sachem of
Mohegan, who challenged right to, and dominion over, this people of
Wabquissit. And said he, Unkas is not well pleased that the English
should pass over Mohegan River to call his Indians to pray to God.
Upon which speech Mr. Eliot first answered, that it was his work to
call upon all men everywhere, as he had opportunity, especially the
Indians, to repent and embrace the gospel; but he did not meddle
with civil right or jurisdiction. When he had done speaking, then I
declared to him, and desired him to inform Unkas what I said, that
Wabquissit was within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and that
the government of that people did belong to them; and that they do
look upon themselves concerned to promote the good of all people
within their limits, especially if they embraced Christianity. Yet
it was not hereby intended to abridge the Indian sachems of their
just and ancient right over the Indians, in respect of paying
tribute or any other dues. But the main design of the English was
to bring them to the good knowledge of God in Christ Jesus; and to
suppress among them those sins of drunkenness, idolatry, powowing
or witchcraft, whoredom, murder, and like sins. As for the English,
they had taken no tribute from them, nor taxed them with any thing
of the kind.
"Upon the 16th day of September[19] being at Wabquissit, as soon
as the people were come together, Mr. Eliot first prayed, and then
preached to them, in their own language, out of Mat. vi., 33:
_First seek the kingdom of heaven and the righteousness thereof,
and all these things shall be added unto you._ Their teacher,
Sampson, first reading and setting the cxix. Ps., 1st part, which
was sung. The exercise was concluded with prayer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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