Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/71

Rh settlers, in all of which was the recognition of the rights of the Indians to the soil, and a satisfactory consideration rendered therefor, which speaks well for the just treatment accorded them by our ancestors. Gov. Winslow writing in 1676, says "I think I can clearly say, that before these present troubles (Philip's War) broke out, the English did not possess one foot of land in this Colony, but what was fairly obtained by honest purchase of the Indian proprietors. We first made a law that none should purchase or receive of gift, any land from the Indians, without the knowledge or allowance of our court, at a penalty of five pounds per acre. It was also provided that Mt. Hope, Pocasset and several other necks of the best lands in the Colony, should never be bought out of their hands."

He also writes still further: "Our neighbors at Rehoboth and Swansea, although they bought their lands fairly of this Philip and his father and brother, yet because of their vicinity, that they might not trespass upon the Indians, did, at their own cost, set up a very substantial fence quite across that great neck between the English and the Indians; and paid due damage if at any time any unruly horse or other beasts broke in and trespassed. The English agreed with Philip and his for a certain sum, yearly, to maintain the said fence and secure themselves. And if at any time they have brought complaint before us they have had justice impartial and speedily, so that our own people have frequently complained that we erred on the other hand in showing them over much favor."

It is true that the prices paid for lands and other commodities may seem ridiculously small, as when Roger Williams bought the island of Rhode Island for forty fathoms of white beads, the Swedes obtained the site of Christiana for a brass kettle, and New Haven was sold to the whites "for twelve coats of English cloth, twelve alchemy spoons, twelve hoes, twelve hatchets, twelve porringers, twenty-four knives, and twenty-four cases of French knives and spoons". But it must be remembered that a knife, a spoon or a hatchet