The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-01-31

pom them before dno nter tne scttiingl
New Plymouth. Manisses. as well es
part. IL not all. the possessions Of the
on Long Island, fell q
rey to his victorious army and navy;
nd in their war in 1852, he extended his
onqucst ten miles eastward of Pawca-
uck River.
In 1896, Sas,acus was invaded by the
orces ofthc United Colonies, which,with
he aid of the Mohegans and the Nara
cxtirpated the Pequot nation.
The government ofthe Narragansetts
was Monarchical. The people were sub
ect to their high Sachems, Cannonnicas
and Miantannamo as has been already
and paid them contributions.
They were also subject to petty Sachems.
sometimes called Sagimores who acted
as their protectors,and to whom they con-
tributed by way ofgifts. The Sagimores.
acted as petty Magistrates dispensing
Justice within their own jurisdictions.
Tho government of the Sachems was mild;
and whatever was unpopular was rarely
enforced. Punishment was inflicted by
a Sachem, who beat, or whipt. or put to
death with his own hands, sometimes for
great offences, private executioner was
sent by the Snchem, to attack the delin-
qusnt unawares, and cut of, and bring
his head. especially when they feared mu-
tiny by public execution.
Nearly all barbarous nations, az well
az those that are civilized, have some no.
ton Of God and of Religion. The Mar
ragansetts believe that their great God
COOtdntou,oif resided in the South West,
where their souls go after death. From
the s. West they believe they first receiv-
cd the seed of their corn, and beans, as
the bounty oftheir God Cowtanforpit.
When they lost child or near friend. or
me. with any extraordinary affection they
thought they had offended .heir God. who
being angry, had thus afflicted them by
way of punishment; and when they were
successful in any undertaking. they re-
turned thanks TO their God for the same.
After the return Of peace. as after a plen-
tifal harvest, or any other great public
blessing; and alacays once in the year and
that in the fall or winter, they made a
great3feast or thanksgiving. acknowledge
! ing the goodness Of CosotantoscsOit. their
Great God. and soliciting continuance
Of his bounties and protection. They
believed tho soul existed after ds"ti. unc
| went to their God in the South West
That their great and good men and WON
en-, would be admitted to the Throne o
CowtantoDDit, where they would continue
to enjoy sensual pleasures and that with
i out end; but the souls Of murderers
thieves,& liars wandered abroad restless
and miserable. They had great faith il
the power Of their Priests who often ex
torsed from the sick, great sums. some
times even to the ruin of their families
believingt through their agency to appeas,
Co'otantsso,oit, and induce him, to restor,
them to health. or 1t least to receive thei
souls into the realms of Bliss, in tn,
South West.
j Marriage dover was generally given t.
r the maids father and mother. by the hus
band and if he was poor his friends ant
neighbors made contribution for that pur
pose. Marriage was solemnized by tin
consent of the parties and their parent
publicly in the presence of many wit
nesses. Fornication was considered n,
sin in single persons. but adultery wa
i considered heinous in either party il
| which case the party wfongcd Nigh
: claim and have divorce, or the husban
, might take personal satisfaction on tn
!, wrong doer. before witness, by beatin
E and wounding, and if the delinquent die
q Of his wounds, his death was not reven,
D ed. Those Indians were very prolifi,
but for want of tender treatment, suite
BILE nourishment. and skill in sickness