THAT my often speaking the same things, may not be gravaminous; I humbly offer my Sentiments about sending a Military Force against the Kennebeck Indians, in Writing.

IT is Resolved that the Government has [...]cient Reason to prose­cute the Eastern Indians for their Rebellion. But I am humbly of Opinion, that sufficient Enquiry has not bee [...] [...] made, Whether the Government has done all that is necessary on [...]r part, to prevent a Rupture.

AT the Conference of his Excellency with the Sachems, and Chief Men of the Eastern Indians, at George-Town on Arrowsick Island, August, 9. 1717. The Indians shewed a great Reluctancy against Erecting Forts higher up the River; and against the arrival of a Multitude of New Inhabitants; lest they should prove unable heartily to embrace them. They also desired the Running of a Line between the English, and them; and made some Proposals on their part, which were rejected: but no Proposals for fixing Boundaries, were offered to them.

WITHOUT doubt, Boundaries are necessary for the preservation of Honesty and Peace among those that border one upon another. This is evident from the Law made for the Renewing of them between Townships once in three Years time, successively; and the penalty of Five Pounds inflicted on those, who shall neglect their Duty herein.

[Page 2]THE Royal Charter gives a good Account of the Errand of English Christians into this New World, in the Words following; — ‘And to dispose of matters and things, whereby Our Subjects, Inhabi­tants of Our said Province, may be religiously, peaceably, and civilly, governed, protected, and defended; so as their good Life, and Or­derly Conversation, may Win the Indians, Natives of the Country, to the Knowledge and Obedience of the only True GOD, and Saviour of Mankind, and the Christian Faith: Which His Royal Majesty, Our Royal Grand-father, King Charles the First, in His said Letters Patents, Declared was His Royal Intention, and the adventurers free Profession, to be the principal End of the said [...].’

BY this Momentous clause in our Charter, the Government is Obli­ged, and excited, to doe what in them lyes, to Recover the Aboriginal Natives from their Heathenisme, and Antichristianisme.

OUR Blessed Saviour's Method of Conversion was, To Heal the Bodies of Men and Women, in order to His entire, and Eternal Salva­tion of them. This constrains me to think, that it is Necessary to state and settle plain and lasting Bounds between the English, and the Indians; that so the Natives may have a certain and establish'd Enjoyment of their O [...] Country: and that the English may have DEUS NOBISCUM Legibly embroidered in their Banners.

THE History of the War between the Israelites, and their Brethren the Benjamites, is very awfull. The Israelites had a vast Army: Four Hundred Thousand Fighting Men; the Benjamites had only Twenty Six Thousand, and Seven Hundred: And yet the Benjamites (the Flameable causes of the War) Slew Forty Thousand Men of the Israelites.

Omne prius tentandum est —

AND if, at last, we should be provoked to goe against our Neigh­bours, the Kennebeck Indians; 'twould be convenient for this Go­vernment first to sit down, and count the Cost. Many Thousands of Pounds have been already expended on this Controversy. If the War proceed, and be prospered; the English may, probably, drive [Page 3]the Indians from their ancient Habitation: Yet 'tis improbable the English should slay them, or take them Captives. In all likelihood, the Survivours will fly away to Cannada. And if a War should happen between Great Britain, and France; these Fugitives would solicit the Assistance of the French, in returning to their Country (which they are very fond of) though it should be never so much to the Loss and Damage of the English.

SO that I am humbly of Opinion, 'Twould be most Honourable, and most Profitable, for this Province, to perswade the Kennebeck Indians to be our Dependents and Friends, by Really convincing them, it is their True Interest so to be; as indeed it is.

WHICH is humbly submitted to his Excellency the Gover­nour, the Honourable Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled.