Page:King Philip's war, and Witchcraft in New England (IA kingphilipswarwi00hutc).pdf/14

 In 1670 the Pokanoket or Philip's Indians were again suspected, on account of their frequently assembling together, repairing their guns, grinding their hatchets, and other preparations, and on account of insults offered to the English in different places, to be meditating a general war. The government of Plymouth in March sent messengers to the Indians to inquire into the reason of this behavior, and at the same time wrote to the officials in Massachusetts, acquainting them therewith. The governor and magistrates, always averse to an open breach, immediately dispatched their own messengers to Taunton, to prevent a war if possible, which Plymouth had intimated that they should be obliged to begin if they could not otherwise bring the Indians to reason.

They came to Taunton the 13th of April, where the governor and two other Plymouth gentlemen met them, and whilst they were in conference and examining witnesses concerning the behavior of the Indians, a message was received from Philip, signifying that he was at Three Mile River, and that he desired the governor to come thither to speak with him. The governor returned answer that he was at Taunton ready for a treaty, and expected Philip to come to him, promising security.

Philip refused to move until two of the governor's messengers offered to remain as hostages, and then he declined coming into the town and resolved to go only as far as the mill. with all his men in arms, desiring the governor to come to him there. This return was made to the governor, with the further intelligence that Philip was on the march with all his men in arms. He soon appeared at the mill. and placed sentinels round a hill near to it, but sent no message into the town. Some within the town were for attacking him, but the Massachusetts commissioners were afraid of the event, and would not consent to it. All agreed, however, that the governor should not condescend to go out to him.

At length the Massachusetts commissioners offered to go out