The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-04-10

bout seventy-six yeurs old, testifyeth up
on his engagement that when he was
one of the magistrates Of the Massachn-
setts colony, he was one of the persons
that made pence with Canonicus and
Meantinony in the colony's behalf with
all the Narragansett Indians, and by order
from the authority of the Massachusetts
little before they made war with the
pequod Indians. Not long after, this de-
ponent went from Boston to find plan
tation to settle upon, came to Acquid-
nick, now called Rhode-Island. where
Was sachem called Wonnumetonomey,
and this deponen! went to buy the Island
of him; but his answer was that Cononi-
and Meantinomy were the chief sachems,
and he could not sell the land, whereup-
on this deponcnt with some others went
from Aquidnick Island into the Nara
gansett to the said sachems, Cononicus
and Meantinomy and bought the Island
Of them, they having as / understood
the chief command both Of the Narraga-
sctt and Aquidnick Island, and farther
saith not. Taken upon engagement in
Newport on Rhode-IsIand the 9th day
of September 1877 before p. Sanford
Assistant.
The above is a true copy Of the origi-
nal, placed to record, examined by me
February III, 1905.
WESTON CLARKE, RECORDER.
Narragansett ls. June. 1856. Ut. vul."
ROGER WILLIAMS DEPOSITION.
Testify as in the presence ofthe Allmak-
ing e. all seeing God that about fifty years
since, ! coming into the Narraganset coun-
try, l found great contest between three
sachems, two Ito wit, Cononicus and Me-
antinomy,) were against Ousamuquin on
Plymouth side, was forced to travel be-
tween them three, to pacify, to satisiio
all their, and their dependents, spirits Of
my honest intentions to live peaceably
by them. testifying it was the general
and cnnstant declaration that Conono-
Gus his father had three sons, whereof
Cononicus was the Here, and his young
gest brothers son Meuntimoy because
Of his YOUTH was his Marshal and Exc
cutioner and did nothing without his un-
Gle Cononicus consent. And therfore
declare to posterity TINT were it not for
the favor that God gave me with Conon-
icus, none of these parts. no. not Rhode
Island had been purchased or obtained
for l never got any thing out Of Conon-
icus but by gift. also profess that be-
ing inquisitve Of what root tho title or
denomination Nahiganset should come,
l heard thai Nahiganset was so named
from little Island between Puttisguom-
scut and Musquomacuk on the sea and
fresh water side. 1 went OH purpose to
sec il. and about the place called sugar
loafhill, I saw it, and was within pole
of it, but could not learn why it was call
ed Nahigansct. Ihad learnt that the
Massachusetts was called SO from the
blue hills, n little Island thereabout: and
Cononicus father and anchestors living
in those southern parts transferred and
brought their authority and name into
those northern parts all along by the sea
side MS appears by the great destruction
ofwood all along near the sea side : and
l desire posterity to see tho gracious
hand Of the Most High Tin whose hands
all is hearts) that when the hearts Of my
countrymen and friends and brethren
failed me, his infinite wisdom and mer-
rits stirred up the barbarous heart Of Co.
nonicus to love me as his son to his last
gasp, by which means I had not only
Meansinomy and all the Cowesit sachems
my friends, but Ousamaquin also who
because Of my great friendship with hini
at Plymouth and the authority Of Conon-
icus consented freely (being also well
gratifed by me) to the Governor Win
thrope's and my enjoyment of Prudence
yea of Providence itself and all the
other lands ] procured Of Cononicus