September 8th, 1671
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Marin Bluestein, Alison Goldblatt, and Tyler Miller
Description: This letter was written by Edward Rawson, who was the Secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He wrote this letter in 1671. It was most likely intended for someone in the English government regarding getting Metacom to sign a peace treaty as tensions increased, inevitably leading to King Philip’s War.
Honoured Sirs
Your of the 7th of this moneth we received the 8th a little before night in answer to ours of the 5th since the receipt of which we have let Phillip know; that you decline this propposition which we in ours acquainted you he made to us referring to the differiunis that haut happened between yourselves & him, and that you expected his appiarance the 13th day of this moneth at Plymouth adding that we would write a ffriendly letter to you to persuade to a just [word crossed out] pease with him. Given wee doe not understand how far he hath subjected himselfe to you, but the treatments you have given him & proceedings towards him do not render him such a subject as that if [illegible] of not a present answering to a sumons there should presently be a proceeding to hostility, & the sword once drawn & dipt in blood may make him as indipondint upon you as you art upon him; – And to be free with you our very loving ffriends & worthily respicted neighbors. [tear in page] bretherin, we doe not see so much in the matters aleaged by you against him that at [tear in page] sent wee can concur with you to look at ourselves so concerned in this asi as to engage [tear in page] with you against him as a Comon enemy, and we may not but tell you that you are [illegible] [tear in page]. In this matter to resolutions beyond what the Artickles of the Confederation will admitt & while this had been more generall Considerations & resolutions of & about the matters in difference and as yet hath been, the reason of the observation whereof remaynes to the English interest in these Colonies although the explicit bond of that confederation be at present loosened, therefore we doe earnestly desire you that you would consider and take up other counsels. then yours of the 23rd August to us doe import, nor can we think that your proposall to us by yours of the 7th Sept, of our appointing some from us to be present with you at the time of your Appointment for Phillip’s appiaraunc;, to be intelligeunces of the faire tryall you shall afford him doth answer that service you acknowledge ours. Commissionated by us did you in the treaty at Taunton; the readinis we manifested to serve you in this buisnes had you seen cause to have accepted it; did not offer to you so much as in propposition either plans or manner leaving all wholly to yourselves, We choosing to declyne all appearaunces of Imposing upon you, or pretending to any Superiority over you, nor can you think otherwise but that in all that wee have don~ in this busynis we have endeavoured the preservation of the peace of the country, & the keeping of your honor from any just impeachment; how can you imagine that wee shall be capa [tear in page] of giving Phillip advice to your expectations, whilst we are kept in [tear in page] darke consoerining the matters objected by you against him, & by him denyed [tear in page] not appearing^to us lay him under a rationall or legal correction we cannot [tear in page] say purpose is established by counsel and with good advice make warr. ~
Genᵗⁿ. you may believe us, we write not thus from any disposition that is in us to faile you in any Just necessity you may be put to of helpe from us, (we not knowing how soone wee may have neede of yours.) But considering the juncture of affaires in this day we doe not thinke it is for the comon and publick interest to put ourselves or be put into blood but upon an unavaoideable necessity, while necessity we understand not that you or ourselves have put upon us and we desire you to accept of these our lynes as [word crossed out] proceeding from us bearing to you that great respectfl honoeurable faithfullness we owe unto you our ancient Christian. friendly neighbors & brethren; praying on thy life God to grant you this & all other your affayres as may be most for his Glory the public quetood & your comforteable leave & remayne.
Boston the 8th September 1671.
Your faithfull friend & humble servant,
Edward Rawson Secretary
The name & by order of the counsel
Postscript
Since the writing here of Phillip hath given his answer to what we acquainted him with the last night upon the reciept of yours as about. The enclosed is a coppy of what he clearly expressed the [indecipherable] of we carried gainsay and therefore leave it with your serious. Consideration and carried not less then defied your complymunt as to the giving him assuraunce of a safe conduct & a coppy of the writing Consuyming his engagement to you:
Boston 9th September 1671. By like order Edward Rawson Secretary.”
Image Citation:
Boston, 1630 to 1675. birchlj.tumblr.com/post/8239238573.
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