CHAP. III. in a judicial way; and to convene the inhabitants 1636. in a general court if it should be necessary.

This signal exercise of authority has been, in some degree, justified by the principle, solemnly asserted by the general court of Massachussetts, that the oath of fidelity to the commonwealth was binding, although the person should no longer reside within its limits. However true this principle may be in itself, to a certain extent, it seems scarcely to warrant the inference which was in this instance drawn from it.

There were other difficulties attending the title of the settlers. The Dutch at Manhadoes, or New York, claimed a right to the river which they asserted themselves to have first discovered, and to which they had given the name of Fresh river. In addition to this hostile title, lord Say and Seal, and lord Brooke, with some others, contemplating at one time a retreat in the new world from the despotism with which England was threatened, had made choice of Connecticut river for that purpose; and had built a fort at its mouth which they had named Saybrooke.* The emigrants from

* Mr. Trumbull states this fort to have been erected by mr. Winthrop, who was dispatched for the purpose by lord Say and Seal, lord Brooke, and others, the grantees from the Plymouth company, and who fortunately took possession of the mouth of Connecticut river, just in time to prevent its being seized by the Dutch, who had detached a vessel from Manhadoes for that purpose.

Massachussetts, however, kept possession; and CHAP. III. proceeded to clear and cultivate the country. 1636. They purchased the rights of lord Say and Seal and lord Brooke, and their partners; and the Dutch, being too feeble to go to war, gradually receded from Connecticut river. Disclaiming the authority of Massachussetts, the emigrants entered into a voluntary association for the establishment of a government for themselves, which, in its frame, was like those adopted in the first instance throughout New England. The most material point of variance between their constitution and that of Massachussetts was, that they did not deprive of the right of freemen those who were not members of the church.*

the Piquods.

These new establishments gave great and just alarm to the Piquods, a very powerful tribe war with of Indians, situated on the south of the Massachussetts. They clearly foresaw their own ruin in this extension of the English settlements; and the disposition excited by this apprehension soon displayed itself in private murders, and various other acts of hostility. With a

All the powers of government, for nearly three years, seem to have been in the magistrates, of whom two were appointed in each town. These gave all orders, and directed all the affairs of the plantation. The freemen appear to have had no voice in making the laws, or in any part of the government, except in some instances of In these instances comgeneral and uncommon concern.

mittees were sent from the several towns. During this term it seems that juries were not employed in any case.

CHAP. III. policy suggested by a strong sense of danger, 1636. they sought a reconciliation with the Narrag

hansetts, their ancient enemies and rivals in power. They requested these people to forget their long cherished animosities, and to co-operate cordially with them against a common enemy, whose continuing encroachments threatened to overwhelm both with one common destruction. They marked to them the rapid progress of the English settlements, and urged, with great reason, that although a present friendship subsisted between them and the new comers, yet all in their turn must be dispossessed of their country, and they could hope from that friendship no other good than the wretched privilege of being last devoured.

These judicious representations of the Piquods could not efface from the bosoms of the Narraghansetts that deep rooted enmity, which neighbours, not accustomed to consider themselves as possessing one common interest, and not bound together by ligaments of sufficient strength to prevent reciprocal acts of hostility, so often feel for each other. Dreading still less the power of a foreign nation, than that of men with whom they had been in the habits of contending, they not only refused to join the Piquods, but communicated their proposition to the government of Massachussetts, with which they formed an alliance against that tribe. Open war being now resolved on by both parties,

captain Underhill was sent to the relief of fort CHAP. III. Saybrooke, which had been besieged by the 1636. enemy; and the three colonies, Massachussetts, Plymouth and Connecticut agreed to march with united forces the next year, into the country of the Piquods in order to effect their entire destruction. Connecticut being most exposed to the enemy, the troops of that colony were first in motion. Those of Massachussetts were detained by the controversy concerning the covenant of works, and of grace, which had insinuated itself into all the transactions of that colony. Their little army when collected found itself_1637. divided by this metaphysical point, and the stronger party believing that the blessing of God could not be expected to crown with success the arms of such unhallowed men, as they deemed their opponents in faith on this question, refused to march until their small band was purified, by introducing in the place of the unclean others whose tenets were unexceptionable.

In the mean time the troops of Connecticut being joined by a body of friendly Indians, and re-enforced by a small detachment from Saybrooke, determined to march against the enemy. The Piquods had taken two positions which they had surrounded with palisadoes, and resolved to defend. In one of them was Sassacus himself, their chief sachem, and the other was on a rising ground surrounded by a swamp, near the head of Mystic river. Against the fort

CHAP. IIL Commanded by Sassacus, the first attack was 1637. intended to be made; but some of the troops

becoming lame, and all very much fatigued with the march, the original plan was changed, and it was determined to attack fort Mystic, which was eight miles nearer than that commanded by Sassacus. By an Indian they obtained the information that the enemy, deceived by the movement of their vessels from Saybrooke to Narraghansetts, believed the expedition to have been abandoned; and were celebrating in perfect security, on a large quantity of bass they had taken, the supposed evacuation of their country. About day break, while in deep and secure sleep, they were approached by the English, and the surprise would have been complete had they not been alarmed by the barking of a dog. The war whoop was immediately raised, and they flew, undismayed, to such arms as they possessed. The English rushed on to the attack, and while some of them fired on the Indians through the palisadoes, others forced their way through the works, and set fire to their wigwams which were covered with reeds. The confusion soon became universal, and almost the whole party were either killed or taken.

Soon after this action, the troops from Massachussetts arrived, and it was resolved to pursue their victory. Several skirmishes took place which terminated unfavourably for the Piquods; and, in a short time, another total defeat was