George Bancroft, History of the Colonization of the United States, Vol. 1, 17th edition.

[424] discontents against the English; and that, in contempt

Chap. X.} 1643.

of a league, he had plunged into a useless and bloody war,—could not perceive in his career any claims to mercy. He seemed to merit death; yet not at the hands of the settlers. Uncas received <*>is captive, and, conveying the helpless victim beyond the limits of the jurisdiction of Connecticut, put him to death.¹ So perished Miantonomoh, the friend of the exiles from Massachusetts, the faithful benefactor of the fathers of Rhode Island.

The tribe of Miantonomoh burned to avenge the execution of their chief; but they feared a conflict with the English, whose alliance they vainly solicited, and who persevered in protecting the Mohegans. The Narragansetts were at last compelled to submit in sullenness to a peace, of which the terms were alike hateful to their independence, their prosperity, and their love of revenge.²

While the commissioners, thus unreservedly and without appeal, controlled the relation of the native tribes, the spirit of independence was still further displayed by a direct negotiation and a solemn treaty of peace with the governor of Acadia.³

Content with the security which the confederacy afforded, the people of Connecticut desired no guaranty for their independence from the government of England; taking care only, by a regular purchase, to

1644

obtain a title to the soil from the assigns of the earl

1646.