.MTAxNQ.NjcxMzg
45
sachem who was reputed a powow, or [unclear], (4) was accounted a wise man, and possibly might have such a kind of spirit about him as was upon Balaam who in 23 numbers 23, who said surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel, and so this man in effect said concerning the English in New England; therefore this old sachem thought it his best prudence for himself and posterity to make a firm peace with the English in his time, and submitted to them his lands and people as the records of Massachsettes in New England declare which peace and good correspondence be held and maintained all his life, and gave express commands to his sons especially to this Wannalancet, that he should inviobly keep and maintain amity and friendship with The English, and never engage with any other Indians in a war against them. (2) This sachem his successor was very careful always to observe and keep his fathers engagements and commands, that often spoken of it to The English declaring his purpose and resolution to continue so. The old sachem as I noted before was reputed a very wise and knowing man, and a powow. He would sometimes speak his apprehensions to his sons and people, of the growing greatness of The English in his land, and that if at anytime the Indians did war with them, it would but be in order to the destruction of The Indians (1). This present sachem follows his fathers steps in his love and fidelity to The English but moreover through The grace of Christ about 4 or 5 years since he did embrace the christian religion after some time of very serious consideration, and hearing God's word preached (3) See n.p.5. ch. (31?), and I have charity and faith to believe him to be an honest christian man, being one that in his conversation walks answerably to his knowledge. He prays in his family and is careful of keeping the Sabbath, loves to
(1) This old chief had the true gift of prophecy, unclear (2)" one much conversant with The Indians about Merrimack river, being Annsibbo, invited by some Sagamores or Sachems to a great dance, Passaconaway, The great Sachem of that past of the country, intending at that time to make his last and farewell speech to his children and people, that were them all gathered together, to whom he addressed himself!! (unclear) See Hubbard, 9, where the speech of Passaconaway is given.