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To Mr Thomas Henchman of Chelmsford
" I Numphow & John a Lire wee send the messenger to " to you against (wepoiset) with this answer, we cannot " com home againe wee got towards the french wee go " where wannalansit is, the reason is wee went away " from our home, wee had helpe from the councill " but that did not do us good, but wee had wrong by " English 2ly the reason is wee wee went away from the " English for when there was any harme don in Chelmsford " they laid it to us & said wee did it, but wee know our " selves wee never did harm to the English but wee " go away peaceably & quietly. 3dly as for the Iland " wee say there is no safty for us, Because many English " bee not good & may bee they come to us & kill us, as in " the other case. Wee are Sorry for what wee leave " behind, But wee are Sorry the English have driven us from our " praying to God & from our teacher. wee did begin to understand " a little of praying to God. wee thank Humbly the Council " wee remember our Love to Mr Henchman & James Richardson
The mark of John Lyne} their Rulers The mark of > Namphow}
This is a true coppy of their letter word for word wherin may bee sene that crossed out they had reason as well as feare that put them upon that motion: This letter was brought backe by the messenger sent after them an indian name wepocositt that was servant to william fletcher of chelmsford whom Leiftanant Henchman procured to goe after them.
About twenty three days after this the greatest part of the wamesit indians (being put to great straits for want of food)
Returned backe to their wigwams, wherof Leiftenant Henchman forthwith informed the Council at Boston and they gave him order to encourage & cherish them, and also appointed a commtee viz Major Gookin, major willard & mr John Eliot to ride up to Chelmford to incourage & settel them & to persuade the English at Chelmsford to bee more friendly to them also to take care for nescesary supply of provision for them, moreover the same comittee were appointed to visit the Nashoba xtian christian Indians that now lived at Concord and to endevoR to quiet & compose the minds of the English there, touching the Indians.