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Grant to Gorges.

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were to the important consequences which were about to follow from such an act. The governor, with the assistants and freemen of the company, it is true, were empowered to make all laws not repugnant to those of England; but the power of imposing fines, imprisonment or other lawful correction, is expressly given in the manner of other corporations of the realm; and the general circumstances of the settlement, and the practice of the times, can leave us no doubt that this body politic was viewed rather as a trading company, residing within the kingdom, than what it very soon became, a foreign government exercising all the essentials of sovereignty over its subjects."*

In 1623, Dec. 30, the council of New England "for and in respect of the good and special service done by Ferdinando Gorges, knight, to the plantation from the first attempt thereof, and also for many other causes hereunto moving, and likewife for and in consideration of the payment of one hundred and sixty pounds L. M. into the hands of our treasurer by Robert Gorges, son of the said Ferdinando Gorges, granted and confirmed unto the said Robert Gorges, his heirs and assigns forever, all that part of the main land in New England, aforesaid, commonly called or known by the name of Messahuset lying on the N. E. of the bay called Massachusetts, together with all the coasts and shores along the sea for ten English miles, in a

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Massasoit visits the settlement.

straightline towards the N. E. and 30 English miles into the mainland through all the breadth aforesaid, with all the islands within three miles of the main, excepting such as have been granted to others."*

On the 16th of March, (1621) the inhabitants at Plymouth were alarmed at seeing a sturdy Indian walk into their settlement, and passing by "the houses, go directly where the people were collected. He saluted them in broken English, and bid them welcome. He was affable, told them 'his dwelling was five days travel from thence, that he was a sagamore or prince. He understood the geography of the country, gave an account of the different tribes, their sagamores and number of men. He had been acquainted with the English, who had taken fish at Monhigan, and knew the names of their captains. He was naked, ex. cepting a leather belt about his waist, with a fringe a span wide. He had a bow and two arrows; was tall and straight, his hair long behind, and short before. They kindly entertained him and gave him a horseman's coat. He tarried all night, and informed them that the place where they were, was Patuxet, and that about four years before, all the inhabitants had died; that not a man, woman, or child survived. He received, on going away, a knife, a bracelet and ring, and promised in a few days to return again. He returned according to promise and brought five others with him. They sung and danced, and were very friendly and familiar.

* HAZARD.

Interview and treaty with him.

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The 22d of March, their first visitant, Samoset, came again and brought Squanto,, or Tisquantum, with him, who had been carried away by Hunt, and sold in Spain, whence he got to London, and thence to America. He, by this event, escaped the universal mortality of his tribe at Patuxet. Three others accompanied them, and gave information that Massasoit was near. He soon appeared on the top of a hill with 60 men. Mr. Edward Winslow was sent to treat with him, carrying to the king two knives and a copper chain, with a jewel in it; to Quadequina, his brother, a knife, a jewel for his ear, "a pot of strong water," some biscuit and butter. After their acceptance of the presents, and saluting them with love and peace, and receiving them as allies, they were desired to. visit the governor; when the king, with 20 attendants, proceeded to the governor, leaving their bows and arrows, Mr. Winslow remaining with the rest, as a hostage; the English keeping six or seven of them. Capt. Standish and Mr. William. son, with half a dozen soldiers, met the king at the brook, and conducted him and his train to the governor, who met them at a house appointed, with drum and trumpet sounding, and other mili. tary parade. A green rug, and three or four cushions, were spread for the company. The governor kissed the king's hand, and the king his, and both sat down. "Strong water" was then given the king, "who drank a great draught, that made him sweat. all the while after." Victuals, was then set before

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Death of Governor Carver.

them. When Massasoit, one of the most powerful sagamores of the neighbouring Indians, entered into a formal and very friendly treaty, wherein they agreed to avoid injuries on both sides, to punish offenders, to restore stolen goods, to assist each other in all justifiable wars, to promote peace among their neighbours, &c. Massasoit and his successors for fifty years, inviolably observed this treaty. The English are much indebted to this chief for his friendship, and his memory will ever be respected in New England. Massasoit returned, but Squanto continued at Plymouth, and was extremely useful as their interpreter, and their pilot to different parts of the coast. He taught them how to cultivate Indian corn, and where to take fish.

The Narragansets, disliking the conduct of Massasoit, declared war against him, which occasioned much confusion and fighting among the Indians. The Plymouth colony interposed in favour of Massasoit, their good ally, and terminated the dispute to the terror of their enemies. Even Canonicus himself, the terrific sachem of the Narragansets, sued for peace.

In April of this year George Carver, while engaged in labour, with the rest of the settlers, was seized with a pain in his head, which shortly after deprived him of his senses, and, in a few days, of his life, to the great grief of these afflicted people. He was buried with all the honours in their power to bestow,

His Character.

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Of this gentleman the following character is given by his biographer. "He was a man of great prudence, integrity, and firmness of mind. He had a good estate in England which he left in the emigration to Holland and America. He was one of the foremost in action, and bore a large share of sufferings in the service of the colony, who confi.. ded in him as their friend and father. Piety, humility, and benevolence, were eminent traits in his character; and it is particularly remarked that in the time of general sickness, which befel the colony, and with which he was affected, after he had himself recovered, he was assiduous in attending the sick, and performing the most humiliating services for them, without any distinction of per-sons or characters."*

He was succeeded by William Bradford, then in the thirty-third year of his age, a man of "wis-dom, piety, fortitude, and goodness of heart,” and on these accounts much respected and beloved by the people. Isaac Allerton was chosen his assistant in the administration of government.. One of the first official acts of Governor. Bradford was to send an embassy to Massasoit. His objects. were to explore the country, to carry presents, and. confirm the league with that chief; to survey Situation and strength, to establish a friendly in(tercourse, and to procure seed corn for the next

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