.MTAxNg.NjcyNTk

the number 7 is written in the top left corner margin beeing the March preciding strike-through some agitations between the Government of Plimouth. and Philip sachem, of mount hope, concerning the murder of on John Sasamand, one of the Christian Indians, belonging to Massachusets But at that time he lived in Plimouth colony nearr Canton & was a ministor to some Chtian Indians strike-through thereabout. And Philip was vehemently suspected to be the conspirer of this murder, though executed by others, the story wereof is more particularly set downe by Mr. Mather & Mr. Wm Hubard in their Hystories of the warre, strike-through who have spared me the lauber [labor] to recite it in this place, only thus must I may note pertinent to my purpose that this strike-through John Sasamund was the first Chtian martyr of the Indians for tis evedens he suffered death upon the Arrouns of his Chtian & legion? & strike-through fidelity to the English. I say about this time the begining of Aprill Waban the prinipal Ruler of the praying indians living at Natick came to one of the magistrates on purpose & informed him that he had grounds to feare that Sachim Philip & other indians his confederates intended some mischeef shortly to the English & Christian indians. Again in May about one weekes before the warre began hee came againe & renewd the same: others also of the Chtian Indians did speake the same thing & that when the woods were growne thick with green trees then it was likely to appear earnestly defining that care might bee had & meanes used for precaution at last for preparation for such a thing; & a month after the warre began 1675 in the margin under a line About the 21 of June at the first going forth the English were only imployd as souldiers exepting only 3 indians for guids, went with capt prentice, viz one James & thomas quannapohutt allius Running marsh & one Zachary Abram who all behaved themselves valiant & faithfully; the English at first thought eagirly to chastize the insolant doings & murderous practises of the heathen But it was found another manner of thing then was expected. For our men could see no enimy to shoot at but yet feel their Bullets out of the thick Bushes where they lay in Ambushments, the enimy also - used their stratagem to apparell them selves from the wast upward with greene boughs, that our English men could not readily discerne them, strike-through or distinguish them from the natural bushes, this manner of fighting our men had

littel experience of and hence were under great disadvantages, 

The English wanted not courage or resolution, but could not discerne or find an enimy to fight with, yet were galled by strike-through the enimy. The counsill having advice herof from the comanders of the Army, Judged it very nessessary to arme & send forth some of the praying indians to assist our forces, herby not only to try their fidelity, but to deale the better with the enimy in, ^ our owne ways & method, strike-through according to the indian manner of fighting whom our indians were well skilled & had our counsill been practiced