The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-03-27


the Indians should deliver up the muir
derers, and make reparation fol- the in
juries which they had done. The Mar
ragansett sachems sent home Mf. Old
hams two boys, and made such salts
faction, and gave such assuras ces Of
their conduct, for the future, as the En-
glish accepted; but the other Indians
made no compensation. Captain Endi-
cot was therefore instructed TO pr oceed
to Block-Island, and put the men TO the
sword, and take possession oftbe Island.
The women and children were to be
spared. Thence he was to sail to the
Pequot country, and demand of the Pc
quots the murdnrers of captain Stone
aud Norton, a'ad Of the other English
men, who wire of their company. He
was also to, demand tbousand-fathom
Of wampum for damages, and number
of their chi ldren as hostages, until the
murderers should be delivered, and sat
isfaction made. Ifthey refused TO COM
sly with these terms, he was directed to
take it by force of arms. He had under
him captains John Underhill and Nath'l
Turner. They sailed from Boston on
the 25th Of August. When he arrived
at Block-Island, forty or fifty Indians
appeared on the shore and opposed his
landing; but his men soon landed, and
after little skirmisbing the Indians fled
to the woods. The Indians secreted
themselves in swamps, thickets, and
Businesses, where they could not be
found. There were two plantations on
the Island containing about sixty wig
vans, some of which were very large
and fair. The Indians had also about
two hundred acres Of corn. After the
English had spent two days on the Is
land, burning the wigwams, destroying
their corn, and staving their canoes,
they sailed for the Pequot country"
For the conduct of Canonnicus in re-
lation to Mr.. Oldham's murder, we hear
insert the note TO New England's me-
mortal.
"Mr. Oldham was murdered in Au-
gusi l636"-(here let us make correc-
ton; Endicot sailed from Boston, Au-
gust, %, 1886, on his expedition: and
Oldham was murdered the year BEFORE
ave found" says Gov. Winthrop,
"that all the sachems of the Narragan-
sets, except Canonicus and Miantonimo,
were the contrivers Of Mr.. Oldham's
death; and the reason was, that he went
to make peace, and to trade with the
Pequots last year." Lieutenant Edward
Gibbons and John Higginson, chaplain
at saybrook fort with Cu.samokin, the
sycamore of Massachusetts, were sent
to Canonicus ITO treat with him about
the murder of John Oldham" [Winth.
Journ. lO4.] They arriving, were en-
tertained royalty, with respect TO the In
dian manner. Boiled chesnuts is their
white bread, and because they would be
extraordinary in their feasting, they
strove for variety after the English man.
ner, boiled puddings made Of beaten
computing therein great score ofblack.
berries, somewhat like curran,s. They,
having thus nobly feasted them, after
ward gave them audience in a state
house, round, about fifty feet wide, made
of long poles stuck in the ground, like
your summer houses in England, and
covered round about, and on the top,
with mats, &c. Wond. Work. Prov. 1901
"They observed in the sachem much
state, great command over his men, and
marvellous wisdom in his answers; and
in the carriage ofthe whole treaty, clear
ing himself and his neighbors of the
murder. and Offering assistance for re-
vengo oft, yet upon very safe and wary
conditions" Winth. Journ. 104, ,l07.
THOMAS FAREWELL TO THE FAMILY