Instructions to Major Richard Waldron
Item
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Title
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Instructions to Major Richard Waldron
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Recipient
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MA Council
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Date
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29 January 1677
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Description
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In late January 1677, The Massachusetts Council orders Major Richard Waldron to raise 200 men for an attack on the Kennebec Wabanaki village of Norridgewock. The Council orders Waldron to “endeavor wth all silence & secresy to surprise them in their quarters.” If attacking Norridgewock is untenable, the Council dictates that he “save & rescue the English prisoners. If you should fade in this designe you shall assay by all meanes in your power to disturb & destroy the enemy, unless you shall have such overtures from them, & may give some competent assurance that an honorable & safe peace may be concluded wth them.” The Englishmen would find Norridgewock abandoned, and much like Waldron’s betrayal in September 1676, the raid galvanized Wabanaki resistance.
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Transcription
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Instructions 29 Jany 1677
[154] Instructions for Major Rich. Walderne
you shal repaire to Black point wth the 60 souldiers under Capt frost that you are authorized by ye Council to raise in Dover Portsmouth & yorkshire, by the 8 of this febr. where you are to take under your command the other forces from Boston & Salem under the corn and of Capt: Hunting & Leiftenant Fiske & other sen officers, from whence wth all expedition wth the advice of your Comanders & mr W shall aduance towards the enemy at Kinnebeck or elswhere, & according to the proposed designe, endeavor wth all silence & secresy to surprise them in their quarters, wherein if it please God to succeed you, you shall to your utmost endeavor to save & rescue the English prisoners. If you should fade in this designe you shall assay by all meanes in your power to disturb & destroy the enemy, unless you shall have such overtures from them, & may give some competent assurance that an honorable & safe peace may be concluded wth them, wherin you must avoid [155] all trifling & delayes & with all possible speed making a dispatch of this affaire not trusting them without first delivery of all the Captiues & Vessels in their hands. If you shall in conclusion, find it necessary to leave a garrison in Kinebeek wee must leave it to your discretion. you shall use utmost expedition as winds & other advantages will permit least ye season be lost and Charges accrue without profitt. praying god to be with you — 29 Jan 1677
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Century
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17th Century
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Decade material covers
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1670s
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Subject
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Richard Waldron (Major)
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Thomas Fiske (Lieutenant)
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Kennebec Indians
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Wabanaki Indians
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Norridgewock
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Kennebec
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Black Point
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Dover
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Yorkshire
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Type
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Letter
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War
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King Philip's War
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Point of Departure
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Cochecho, NH
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Point of Arrival
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Boston, MA
