Native Relations
Roger Williams to John Winthrop concerning relations with Indigenous Peoples and the religious policies of King Charles I
6 July 1640
6 July 1640
This letter was written by Roger Williams, the founder of Providence, Rhode Island, to John Winthrop, governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Williams was writing to update Winthrop on relations between two neighboring communities of Indigenous Peoples. Both were technically allies of the English, but were then at war with one another. The letter reveals Williams’ attempts to act as a peacemaker between the communities.
Uncas, the sachem (or chief) of the Mohicans had captured three members of the Narragansett community, and five other native ‘friends’ of the community. Under Williams’ suggestion, Miantonomi of the Narragansett went to negotiate the release of the captives. Complex relationships between Settlers and Indigenous Peoples were a significant feature of early colonial life. Three years before this letter was written, Williams had persuaded the Narragansett to support the English settlers of Massachusetts Bay in their war against the Pequot. This was despite the fact that Williams had been exiled from Massachusetts due to his liberal religious views. He had established the settlement of Providence after this, but clearly remained on good enough terms with Winthrop to act on his behalf in talks with Indigenous Peoples.
Relationships between Indigenous communities were equally complicated. Both the Mohicans and Narragansett were allied to the English. However, the settlers allowed these communities to continue fighting one another, and frequently played different groups off against one another. In 1643, Williams would even allow Uncas to execute Miantonomi, who had been decisively defeated in battle. Indigenous leaders were aware of these diplomatic games, and played them as well. For example, Indigenous communities played the English off against the French. In this letter, Williams notes that Uncas was suspicious of the envoy from the Narragansett, fearing that he was being led into a trap.
Both Williams and Winthrop maintained cordial relations with Indigenous Peoples for the duration of their lives. Williams in particular maintained peace between Indigenous Peoples and Rhode Island settlers for almost forty years, even using himself as a hostage when necessary. For his part, Winthrop was civil and diplomatic towards neighboring communities. However, like many settlers he believed that much of the land they had ‘discovered’ was empty and free to take, and ultimately felt that the rights of ‘more advanced’ people were greater than those of others. Ultimately, both the Narragansetts and Rhode Island would come to be seen as dangerous and heretical enemies of other New England colonies. While the latter would survive the threat from fellow settlers, the former, like many Indigenous Peoples to come, would suffer the erosion of their lands and come close to destruction by war.
Uncas, the sachem (or chief) of the Mohicans had captured three members of the Narragansett community, and five other native ‘friends’ of the community. Under Williams’ suggestion, Miantonomi of the Narragansett went to negotiate the release of the captives. Complex relationships between Settlers and Indigenous Peoples were a significant feature of early colonial life. Three years before this letter was written, Williams had persuaded the Narragansett to support the English settlers of Massachusetts Bay in their war against the Pequot. This was despite the fact that Williams had been exiled from Massachusetts due to his liberal religious views. He had established the settlement of Providence after this, but clearly remained on good enough terms with Winthrop to act on his behalf in talks with Indigenous Peoples.
Relationships between Indigenous communities were equally complicated. Both the Mohicans and Narragansett were allied to the English. However, the settlers allowed these communities to continue fighting one another, and frequently played different groups off against one another. In 1643, Williams would even allow Uncas to execute Miantonomi, who had been decisively defeated in battle. Indigenous leaders were aware of these diplomatic games, and played them as well. For example, Indigenous communities played the English off against the French. In this letter, Williams notes that Uncas was suspicious of the envoy from the Narragansett, fearing that he was being led into a trap.
Both Williams and Winthrop maintained cordial relations with Indigenous Peoples for the duration of their lives. Williams in particular maintained peace between Indigenous Peoples and Rhode Island settlers for almost forty years, even using himself as a hostage when necessary. For his part, Winthrop was civil and diplomatic towards neighboring communities. However, like many settlers he believed that much of the land they had ‘discovered’ was empty and free to take, and ultimately felt that the rights of ‘more advanced’ people were greater than those of others. Ultimately, both the Narragansetts and Rhode Island would come to be seen as dangerous and heretical enemies of other New England colonies. While the latter would survive the threat from fellow settlers, the former, like many Indigenous Peoples to come, would suffer the erosion of their lands and come close to destruction by war.