April 6th, 1671
Team Members
Nicole Corbo, Nicole Giella, and Quinlan Treacy
Description:
On April 6th, 1671, Nathaniel Bacon sent a report about the native people to Governor Thomas Prence of Plymouth. This letter advises Prence on strategies for handling conflict in the community, amid growing tensions between the colonists and the Narragansetts. The letter recognizes and praises the settlers’ constancy to God.
Honored Sir,
We have received your letter wth your papers inclosed
in which you are pleased to inform us of the present state of
things in relatio to ye Indyans, for which we retourn you
thanks, having beene perplexed with variety of reports
for want of better intelligence we could have beene
glad if it had seemed meete to y selves, that the Treaty
had beene at Plimoth it seeming but reason that in
as much as ours went to them first; they should have
come to us now, wch would have beene lesse charge
and espetially more safe, and we are ready to think
if they had beene in any friendly frame they would
have yeilded to treate at Plimoth, and if not, we a
feare our condiscentio will work littell upon such ignoble
spirited men: but we doubt not but you saw better
reason for your determination, and therefore not meane
for us to dispute it. Sir as to your going your selfe
we are in a great stayte to think what may be best, though
we doubt not but it would stand in much stead as to the
Treaty if you were present, but besids its seeming to be
to som a condescendency to them, it seems to be too
great a hazard to their person to go so far fro’ home
& So neare into this country of so treacherous a people
that surely have not the fear of God amongst them &
if they intend mischeife , may seeme to have a tempta-
tion to take the opertunity to quench the light of our
Island[smudge] and therefore cannot be willing [rip in the page]
or the major who they So muchly, [smudge] the other gentlemen should go
wthout a sufficient guard and some scouts to take
good notice of theire actings for your timely informatio.
we have moved for some out of these parts to waite on you
but doubt for want of good horses and accoutroments this
will be a very small appearance on that accutt : Him we
will chose wth yours to the Bay, and the instruction
humbly conceiving that their insuficient carriages calls for better
security from them, then bare words and that it is better to
find them at theire homes then for them to find us at
ours. Sir we have late advice by one Turckish a seaman
fro’ Road Island that about a week since, some families
fro’ Narragansett fled thither for fear of ye Indyans their
who together with their warlike preparation threaten to kill
yr men first and then flay yr women alive and one of them yt
had heretofore lived wth yr English askt some of yr Englishmen [tear in page]
they come fro’ — theire owne country and wishs them to be gon else
they would flay them as they do cattell. And than an Indyan yt
lived on Ms. Krentons farme told the Squaw Sachem before ye
Governor that not wthstanding his fayre words to him; and hers and
Philips to you yett they intended to go on wth their plott gay of
yr English ^ wth and had proffered or or given se basketts of peage to ye Nara
gansett to help them but she denied it and he affirmed it. They watch
40 a night at ye Island the governor spoke of sending a courtier to
you but he not knowing when he shold come omitted it, and yt he won
dered he heard from fro’ yourselfe. and yt they made a proclamation no Indyan
should come on yr Island on payn of death but we suppose you hear
make certainty of things. This good Lord pardon wh might provoke
him to chastise us wth so contemptable an enemy and guide and prserv
and bless your worship wth the rest in this great affaire and wsh
our service presented we rest. Sir ye Servants
Tho Lomabar Nath Bacon
[SIDE]
Sir whether its not prudent to prepare for yr worst and therefore to have yr towns were
to be ready for a march on short warning for [smudge] whilst ours are in secrety and to take
great care about their coming as fro’ yre plane and whether in case your self yo not yield
to have a [smudge] guard at home of wch yre [smudge] we doubt not Laws will be mindful
and whether if revealed proclamation ye wi[smudge] shal look at all ye r’ not in and submitt with certainty
[crossed out] to be enemies, may not tend to divid them & sir we shall [smudge] ready to serve you on any
Intimacion. T.P.
[PAGE 2]
Mr.Bacon to-
Governor Prence 1671
April 6.
No. 57
This for the much honored
Tho Prence ___
Gov’nor
of Plimoth
Image Citation:
“Map of Colony.” History Central, www.historycentral.com/TheColonies/Mass1.html.