The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-06-17
(Extracts continued.)

(EXtracts continued)
Tn the summer of 1875, the New England
Colonies became much alarmed by the move
ments of the Indians, and the intelligence Of
their purpose to assault some Of the English
plantations. 1t was soon manifest that war
was inevitable. The conflict which in after
times, was known as Philips war," had al
ready commenced, and was about to extend
its ravages into this Colony. Indication of
the near approach of danger were so strong
as to cast deep gloom over the new settle
ments. But the danger was to be met, and
there were " stout hearts" at hand fitted
for the emergency. A large military force
was raised in the Colony, and sundry tortlfi-
cations we're ordered to be built and manned,
Other measures too, were adopted to meet
the crisis, and give protection to the frontier
settlements.
A Council of War had been established,
and was almost in daily session except during
the sessions of the General Assembly. On
the sixth of August, 1875, the Council order
ed one hundred dragons to be raised in the
county Of Hartford X and /" that all persons
be duly prepared and provided with arms
and ammunition, and that they assemble on
Monday next, by sun an hour high, at the
Westinghouse in their respective planta-
TONS" there to attend " to such other direc-
lions as shall be given them by their COM
manders."
On the thirtieth of the same month Major,
Treat, who had been appointed commander
of the forces, was directed to march to West
field and Northampton, to intercept the In
dians. He proceeded as faras Windsor,whcn
being informed that one Christopher Grow,
while travelling between Hartford and Sims
bury, had been assaulted and shot at by four
| Indians, eight being in company, he halted,
and upon advising the Council of this occur
renee, he was ordered to leave thirty Of his
men. and advance with the rest on the expo
dition. But, on the next day, the Council
having received intelligence Of other indca-
tons OF hostility on the part of the Indians {;
that one John Colt had been shot at, and an
other party of Indians been discovered Turk
inc near the north meadow in Hartford,on the
preceding night, the Council ordered the re-
turn of Major Treat, with his forces, forthwith
to Hartford.
A few days afterwards, the Council direct
ed that night watch be kept in every plan
taLion, all soldiers from sixteen to seventy
years of age being required to attend their
course of watch, and that onc-fourth part Of
the military force ofeach town be under arms
crery dag, by turns, to gurad their respective
plantations
1t was also ordered, that, during these COM
motions with the Indians, all persons, having
occasion to work in the fields, should work in
companies; and where the fields lay at dis
lance of half q mile from town such compan-
les should consist Of not less than six persons
with their arms and ammunition well fitted for
service.
For the prevention of danger to travellers,
the town Of Windsor was required to send,
each other day, four men " to clear the roads
to Sinsbury." Other towns were required to
perform a similar service on their main roads
leading from town to town.
The Indians who had been in the service
fthe Colony having returned to Hartford
from one Of their expeditions, the Council or
dered, as a recompensc for their services that
there be given to each Mohegan dc0at and to
,, each Wabaquassuck Indian, ga Pdyre Of Jree-
; cheS."
On the twenty-scventh of September, the
Council came to an agreement with the In
dians of Pennington, Hartford, Wcthersfeld
" to continue in friendship with the English
to espouse their cause, and to discover and
destroy their enemies -: the Council stipulat-
ing to pay them two yards CT cloth for every
head Of an enemy killed by them, and four
yards Of cloth for every captive they should
deliver alive. This compact was afterwards
renewed and confirmed by all the Indians re.
siding within the county Of Hartford, and was
: reduced to writing. The treaty was to con
tnue during the war, and 10 guarantee its
fulhllment the Indians were required to give
: hostages
: The Indians who were known to be en-.
gagged in the warfare against the English, ii
addition to powerful tribes under the imme
diate control of Philip, in Rhode Island, and
+ other places in that vicinity, consisted Of
: tribes scattered through the central parts o.
Massachusetts, and extending up the valley o.
the Connecticut river in that Colony. Some
of the Pequots in this Colony, as we'll as por
S lions of tribes residing in the county of Fair
1t subsequently, $50 men were raised in the Colo
@ cr yvlio ca Won ,rn,a 0f Sin,