History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog
History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog
History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
The Indians 29<br />
possible manner, until, after nearly two days from their<br />
arrival, they were sped on their way with the warmest thanks<br />
<strong>of</strong> both sovereign and people. Before their departure Massasoit,<br />
in a secret council with his pineses, charged Hobomok<br />
with a message to be delivered to Winslow during the journey.<br />
The sachem Corbitant, who had remained in close attendance<br />
on his chief, accompanied the messengers, and insisted on their<br />
spending that night at his home. He proved a genial host and<br />
a witty entertainer, who, more sensible than many white men,<br />
was highly pleased when any <strong>of</strong> his many jokes were "returned<br />
again upon him." His conversation with Winslow showed<br />
much intelligence and shrewdness. Inquiring the meaning<br />
<strong>of</strong> the "blessing" which Winslow asked on the food, he and<br />
his followers patiently received a long lecture on divine matters<br />
and religious observances, taking exception only to the<br />
seventh commandment. As to the moral theology and reason<br />
for asking the blessing, and giving thanks for the food after its<br />
consumption, the Indians, according to Winslow, "said they<br />
believed almost all the same things, and that the same power<br />
we called God, they called Kiehtan. " This pleasant scene is<br />
the last in which Corbitant appears. He probably continued to<br />
rule his tribe for a long term <strong>of</strong> years, and be friendly to the<br />
EngHsh; for if an enemy, he would have been occasionally<br />
criticised.<br />
The fifth night after leaving Plymouth the messengers<br />
spent with their native friends at Namasket, and the sixth<br />
night found them once more at home, weU but weary. Hampden's<br />
desire to "see the country" and its people had been<br />
gratified in an extraordinary manner. On the road Hobomok had<br />
astonished Winslow by delivering Massasoit's parting message.<br />
From The Pilgrim Republic.<br />
"Massasoit" was a title, signifying: "great chief." His<br />
proper name was Woosamequin, meaning, "Yellow Feather."<br />
He was the principal chief <strong>of</strong> the Wampanoags. He was introduced<br />
by Samoset an Indian who had been with white men who<br />
came to trade and fish along the coast <strong>of</strong> Maine, and was able<br />
to speak some broken English. It was this Indian who greeted<br />
the settlers at Plymouth with those memorable words:<br />
" Welcome, Englishmen. " Massasoit had no doubt met other<br />
English adventurers, before the coming <strong>of</strong> the Pilgrims. The<br />
white man may have been known to the Indians for a long<br />
period preceding the "Swarming <strong>of</strong> the English." Capt.<br />
Thomas Dermer visited Patuxet, (Plymouth), in May 1619,<br />
and he received kind treatment at the hands <strong>of</strong> Squanto, who<br />
probably knew the English to some extent. The Dutch had