THE

FIRST SETTLERS

OF NEW-ENGLAND:

OR,

CONQUEST OF THE PEQUODS,

NARRAGANSETS AND POKANOKETS.

AS RELATED BY

A MOTHER TO HER CHILDREN.

BY A LADY OF MASSACHUSETTS.

men Lydia Mania ( race bey

BOSTON

Child

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR,

BY

MUNROE AND FRANCIS.

1829.

INTRODUCTION.

I HAVE been induced to compile this brief narrative of the first settlement of New-England, with a view to exhibit the character of the native inhabitants in their courteous reception and treatment of our pilgrim fathers, unmixed with the civil and religious dissensions which then prevailed. It appeared to me that but little attention had been given to this portion of history, and that there had been a general misapprehension in reference to the conduct of the Indians, (from the vague and partial manner in which it is written,) in their intercourse and in the wars which ended in their entire discomfiture and subversion of their empire. It has also been my design to exhibit some of the most striking traits of Indian manners, and to prove, from the most authentic records, that the treatment they have met with from the usurpers of their soil has been, and continues to be, in direct

violation of the religious and civil institutions which we have heretofore so nobly defended, and by which we profess to be governed; thus subjecting ourselves to have the finger of scorn pointed at us, for having so grossly violated the principles which form the basis of our government. This crooked and narrow-minded policy, which we have adopted in reference to the Indians, will assuredly subject us to the calamitous reverses which have fallen on other nations, whose path to empire has been marked by the blood and ruin of their fellow-men.

I have also endeavoured to show, by familiar instances, that, by the indulgence of a disposition to tyrannize over the weak, we deprive ourselves of all those social and best affections, which were bestowed on us by the gracious Fountain of all good to promote the present and everlasting felicity of his creatures. I ardently hope that this unvarnished tale, which I have offered to view, will impress our youth with the conviction of their obligation to alleviate, as much as is in their power, the sufferings of the generous and interesting race of men whom we have so unjustly supplanted. I am moreover cheered by the hope, that men of talents and integrity, when they find that no hostile design was projected against the white men, until every pacific