another occasion,) met with no rebuke for this high irregularity and arbitrary action. To conclude this matter, those poor Indians about fifty-eight of them of all sorts, were sent down to Deer Island, there to pass into the furnace of affliction with their brethren and countrymen. But all their corn and other provision, sufficient to maintain them for six months, was lost at Concord; and all their other necessaries, except what the soldiers had plundered. And the poor Indians got very little or nothing of what they lost, but it was squandered away, lost by the removal of Mr. Hoare and other means, so that they were necessitated to live upon clams as the others did, with some little corn provided at the charge of the Honorable Corporation for the Indians, residing in London. Besides, Mr. Hoare lost all his building, and other cost, which he had provided for the entertainment and employment of those Indians; which was considerable.
1675, Feb'y 23d. About this time (the General Court then sitting), there were several motions and applications made to them touching the poor Christian Indians at Deer Island. Some would have them all destroyed; others, sent out of the country; but some there were of more moderation, alleging that those Indians and their ancestors had a covenant with the English about thirty years since, wherein mutual protection and subjection was agreed; and that it was expedient to search the records to see and consider that agreement, and whether those Indians had broken the same, or had deserved to be proceeded against in so harsh and severe a manner as some proposed; upon which motion the records were searched, and it was found upon record, as follows.
“At a General Court held at Boston in New England, the 7th of the first month, 16434.
Magistrates Present.
- John Winthrop, Esq'r., Gov'r.,
- John Endicot, Dept. Gov'r.,
- Thomas Dudley, Esq'r.,
- Richard Bolingham,
- John Winthrop, Jun'r., Esq'r.,
- Simon Bradstreet, Esq'r.,
- William Hibins, Esq'r.,
- Thomas Flint, Esq'r.,
- Samuel Symonds, Esq'r.,
- Increase Nowell, Esq'r., Sec.
Deputies Present.
- Mr. William Hilton,
- Mr. Howard,
- Mr. Samuel Dudley,
- Mr. Winsley,
- Mr. Lowell,
- Mr. Henry Short,
- Mr. Matthew Boyse,
- Mr. Edward Carleton,
