August 23rd, 1671
Current Map of Rhode Island
Team Members:
Tatum Lee and Shannon Chiras
Description: This letter, written in 1671, from an English Protestant colonist located in Rhode Island to English authorities. They address and express their concerns about King Philip breaking the peace agreement between the Wampanoag tribe and English settlers. This led the Rhode Island English colonists to question the Native Americans’ allyship.
A Copy of a Letter to Rhode Island
August 23 1671
No. 74
Right Wspll, and much honred
Wee need not give you an amount in all, Hiruless of the Avails wee have had this summer with the Indians, wee doubt not but you have taken some notise of their pride and misolenteis, and can in some measuers testifie with and for us that wee have extended great patience and tenderness towards them; beeing very unwilling efforts to shed their blood on to in broyle the Country, might it bee avoyded without dishon to god and our Nation, and hazard to our people; if hath pleased god to Excersise us with many changes of providence respecting this affairs, Sometimes the Contest truth run high between us and Phillip and then by our treaty at Tanton; wee did hope and expect the controversy had bine of an issue between us, and wee should redly have returned to our former friendship with him had hee bine faithfull to that agreement, and firmly in his carrages towards us; After wards refeusde are so at; for petiraelavityes misfiets of our well frequent for Song of young; Surmont but by the good providence of god that seems to Scatter and disapeare; and it returns to affair First [and as wee continue this proper Center:] Philip hath in many respects as wee concieve violated that agreement, in his not bringing in their arms according to articles; in his Endeavors by complaints and falsehoods to create trouble between us and our neighbor Collony, refurfring EverSince our treaty at Tanton to come to us, Altho wee have Several times sent to him, to nor other eynd but that jealousies might bee removed and are our peace Configured, And faith now lately Entertained and diverse of the Suttonat Indians that were and are our profesfed Enimise, and will attempt of nor fenders of peace; and is now a gathering a great Contourse of Indians from many parts, and is very high inSolent, and provoating in his speeches and carrages towards us: Our countell hath bine seriouse in the consideration of the matter as a thing of great import-ance, and doe conclude that god Calls us by favor to endure their reducement, yet in as much as all the English Collonys by the uncertaiyne events of warr may bee here in concerned the more remotely then our solvs; wee hold our solus obliged to give you an amount how matters stand, and are very desierouso to receive the benefit of your good advice respecting the premises; and if you shall consoive your Solvs engaged with us against a common enemy, as you have formerly very frendly and freely expressed your Solvs, it shall bee well accepted of us as neighly fridnes that wee shall chierfully repay if gods providence and your call invite use there unto, and that wee may have your advice more fully, and particularly both concerning our call to the Expedition, and most prudent way of management of it, wee have sent
To maybe upon you, who will moer particularly Enforme, concern-ing the time wee purpose to bee upon the expedition unles by your advice or Some Speaking providence of god wee should bee diverted; thus with our harty respects to your solus, and desier of your prayers to god for his guidance and succeeding of us here-in; wee take leave and remayne
gentlemen
Your assurred ffrends and neigbs
Image Citation:
Cady, John Hutchins. “A Map of the State of Rhode Island Showing Territorial Bounds for the Years 1659-1703.” Carter Roger Williams Initiative, www.findingrogerwilliams.com/maps/cady_interactive.