MA Council Secretary Edward Rawson to Major Brian Pendleton and Major Richard Waldron

Item

Title

MA Council Secretary Edward Rawson to Major Brian Pendleton and Major Richard Waldron

Author

Brian Pendleton (Major)

Richard Waldron (Major)

Recipient

Edward Rawson (MA Council Secretary)

Date

9 March 1677

Description

As Abenaki warriors continue to decimate English towns in Maine and New Hampshire, Massachusetts Council Secretary Edward Rawson reluctantly opens the door for peace negotiations Rawson advises Majors Brian Pendleton and Richard Waldon that the council has received a peace overture from the Kennebec Sagamore Squando. The officers are ordered to in “the name of the Governor & Councill promise them a Safe Conduct coming & returning hither in way of treaty whether any thing Concluded or no as Mog [a Kennebec sachem] formerly Had.” This measure is taken to prevent inexperienced colonial officers from agreeing to Wabanaki demands without consent from Boston. Despite these peace overtures, the English remain suspicious of the Wabanakis. Rawson advises Pendleton and Waldron to “be upon your watch & guard for your own security.”

Transcription

Major Walden & Major Pendleton from your selves sever by all Letters we have receivd Information of Squando & the other Indians east their Desire further to treat the English of ysse parts for a more firm peace & that Major Shapleigh & C. Champernoon are Desired to Advance in that matter as most acceptable to the Indians, if themselves or any other persons Judged Sutable by your selves for such an occasion be obtayned to treat them they may In the name of the Governor & Councill promise them a Safe Conduct coming & returning hither in way of treaty whether any thing Concluded or no as Mog formerly Had if otherwise they may take the Indians Demands, of which our selves here may Consider & give Answer. In the Meantime advising as the Spring Cometh on to be upon your watch & guard for your own security — not els but Remaine Srs
your freind & servant
Edwd Rawson Secret By ordr of the Council

Century

17th Century

Decade material covers

1670s

Subject

Brian Pendleton (Major)

Richard Waldron (Major)

Edward Rawson (MA Council Secretary)

Nicholas Shapleigh (Major)

Squando (Kennebec Sachem)

Kennebec Indians

Wabanaki Indians

Boston

Type

Letter

Is Part Of

James Phinney Baxter, ed., Documentary History of the State of Maine, vol. 6 (Portland: Maine Historical Society, 1900), 200-201

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Rights

Public Domain

War

King Philip's War

Point of Arrival

Boston, MA

Item sets

King Philip's War