Plymouth/Pokanoket Agreement

The writers of Mourt’s Relation describe in great detail the moment when Ousamequin (Massasoit) and his brother Quadequina arrived at New Plymouth with their entourages and “treated of peace.” The unknown authors describe how the English colonists ceremonially welcomed the sachem and negotiated the terms of the alliance. Seventeenth-century Wampanoag people understood alliances in terms of oral contracts accompanied by ritual gift-giving. Regular renewals kept the memory of the original treaty alive. If either party chose to end the treaty, it was invalid.

Since Ousamequin had no authority to make treaties in the name of any domain other than his own community of Pokanoket, the English would have to make individual agreements with various autonomous groups as they encountered them. Neither leader spoke the others’ language. Through interpreters, the English negotiated first with Ousemquin then with Quadquina. The English tradition of writing a treaty on paper had no place in the Wampanoag experience, and in fact, the original written treaty does not survive. The spirit of the alliance, however, is preserved in two, relatively contemporary colonial sources: Mourt’s Relation and Of Plymouth Plantation.

Transcription

Original Text

He [Massasoit/Ousamequin] came over the brook; and some twenty men following him, leaving all their bows and arrows behind them. We kept six or seven as hostages for our messenger¹; Captain Standish and master Williamson met the King at the brook, with half a dozen musketeers, they saluted him and he them...[and] conducted him to an house then in building, where we placed a green rug, and three or four cushions, then instantly came our Governor with Drum and Trumpet after him, and some few musketeers. After salutations, our Governor kissing his hand, the King kissed him, and so they sat down... Then they treated of Peace, which was;

1. That neither he nor any of his should injure or do hurt to any of our people.

2. And if any of his did hurt to any of ours, he should send the offender, that we might punish him.

3. That if any of our Tools were taken away when our people were at work, he should cause them to be restored, and if ours did any harm to any of his, we would do the like to them.

4. If any did unjustly war against him, we would aid him; If any did war against us, he should aid us.

5. He should send to his neighbor Confederates, to certify them of this, that they might not wrong us, but might be likewise comprised in the conditions of Peace.

6. That when their men came to us, they should leave their Bows and Arrows behind them, as we should do our Pieces when we came to them.

Lastly, that doing thus, King JAMES would esteem of him as his friend and ally.²

Modern Translation

Massasoit crossed the brook with 20 men, leaving their bows and arrows behind. Six or seven Wampanoag men stayed with us to ensure the safety of our messenger, Edward Winslow, who remained behind with some of Massasoit’s men. Captain Standish and Mr. Williamson met Massasoit at the stream. The English fired their muskets to honor Massasoit. In return, Massasoit greeted the Pilgrims. Then, Captain Standish led Massasoit to a house that was being built. They put a green rug on the ground with three or four cushions. Then, the Governor arrived with some militia men with muskets and others playing a drum and a trumpet. Our Governor greeted Massasoit by kissing his hand, and Massasoit kissed the Governor’s hand. They sat down and made a treaty. They agreed:

1. That neither Massasoit nor any of his people will hurt any of the Pilgrims.

2. And if one of Massasoit’s people hurt a Pilgrim, Massasoit should send that person to Plymouth for punishment.

3. That if any of the Pilgrims’ tools were stolen, Massasoit will have them returned. If a Pilgrim took something from a member of Massasoit’s community, Plymouth will have them returned.

4. If anyone unfairly attacked Massasoit’s community, then Plymouth will help him; and if anyone attacked Plymouth, Massasoit will help Plymouth.

5. Massasoit will tell the neighboring sachems about this alliance to ensure they do not attack Plymouth.

6. When Massasoit’s people visit Plymouth Colony, they will not bring their bows and arrows into the town. When the Pilgrims visit Massasoit’s people they will not bring weapons into their houses.

Finally, in agreeing to this alliance, King James would consider Massasoit an ally.³

• What does it mean to be an ally? Are only friends allies?
  
• How do the English treat Ousamequin (Massasoit) , Quadequina and their entourage when they arrive? What does this tell you about their relationship?
  
• What would you have experienced if you were a child in Plymouth when Ousamequin arrived? How would you describe what happened?
  
• Do you think Wampanoag children were able to go with Ousamequin? How might their description of the events be different?
  
• What was required for both sides to make this agreement?
  
• The terms of the alliance were published a year or so later in a pamphlet on the founding of Plymouth Colony. How might that change how you think about the terms of the alliance?
  
• Compare the terms of the agreement printed in Mourt’s Relation to those later published in William Bradford’s Of Plimoth Plantation. How are they different? What might those differences suggest about changing relationships over time?
  

• ¹ Colonist Edward Winslow remained behind with Quadequina and Massasoit’s other men.
• ²Mourt’s Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth ed. Dwight Heath (Bedford, MA: Applewood Books, 1963), 51), 56-57.
• ³ Ibid.