Major General Daniel Denison [to MA Governor John Leverett]
Item
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Title
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Major General Daniel Denison [to MA Governor John Leverett]
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Recipient
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John Leverett (MA Governor)
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Date
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17 June 1675
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Description
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Major General Daniel Denison reports to Massachusetts Governor John Leverett that he tried to raise men for the "designe of visiting the enemys head quarters" but had little success. Although the Wabanakis had not joined the war, both Denison and Governor Levrett assumed they will soon join the Indian "uprising" led by the Wampanoag sachem Metacom (King Philip). Denison's letter testifies to English paranoia about an Indian "uprising" across New England. He notes it is "hardly imaginable the pannick fear that is upon our upland plantations & scattered places [in Maine] deserting their habitations." Ironically, growing English mistrust actually pushed the Wabanaki peoples to side with King Philip in September 1675.
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Transcription
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Much Hon Sr
[48] you are not ignorant of my engagement to Major Pyke that he assisting Major Walderne upon that streight at Nechiwannick I would not taile him in case, wch you see by his letters he claimes & for the performance thereof (according to my Comission) I gaue orders in my Regiment for a force competent for what I intended, only proposing the designe of visiting the enemys head quarters but not to be attempted without further order, but doe see it I feare not forsable, the difficulty of getting men, is beyound my former beleife ; I am now aduancing to Major Pyke to Salisbury hoping I shall haue 50 Musquetiers to follow me, when I am there upon the place wee shall aduise how to dispose of any or all of the men, & except there be extream necessity I thinke shall be able to affoord them no more then the comfort of our presence for a while, our parts as Topsfield & Andouer, being affrighted with the sight (as they say) of Indians which I haue not time to examine till my returne; I thinke I had not troubled you with the last within which I remember viz that John Lines son of wamesit was amongst those very lately that assaulted the English about Piscatoy, It is hardly imaginable the pannick fear that is upon our upland plantations & scattered places deserting their habitations, which upon my returne I hope to remedy, I am sorry to heare the Newes from Hadley & Conetticut, The Almighty & merciful God, pitty & helpe us, in much hast I breake of
your humble seruant
Daniel Denison
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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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Daniel Denison (Major General)
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John Leverett (MA Governor)
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Robert Pike
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John Lines
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Wanalancet
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English settlers
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Wabanaki Indians
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Salisbury
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Topsfield
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Andover
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Piscataqua River
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Newichawannock Canal
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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 Arrival
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Boston, MA
