New English Canaan
Thomas Morton
1637
New English Canaan
Printed for Charles Greene, and are sold in Pauls Church-yard
South London
1637
Transcribed from a facsimile in Early English Books Online
CHAP. XI.
Of the maintaining of their Reputation.
REputation is such a thing, that it keepes many
men in awe, even amongst Civilized nations, and
is very much stood upon: it is (as one hath very well
noted) the awe of great men and of Kings, and since I
have observed it, to be maintained amongst Salvage
people, I cannot chuse but give an instance thereof in
this treatise, to confirme the common receaved opi-
nion thereof.
The Sachem or Sagamore of Sagus made choise,
(when hee came to mans estate) of a Lady of noble dis-
cent, Daughter to Papasiquineo: the Sachem or Saga-
more of the territories neare Merrimack River a man
of the best note and estimation in all those parts (and
as my Countryman Mr. Wood declares in his prospect)
a great Nigromancer, this Lady the younge Sachem
with the consent and good liking of her father marries,
and takes for his wife. Great entertainement, hee and
his receaved in those parts at her fathers hands, where
they weare fested in the best manner that might be ex-
pected, according to the Custome of their nation, with
reveling, and such other solemnities as is usuall amongst
them. The solemnity being ended, Papasiquineo
causes a selected number of his men to waite upon his
Daughter home: into those parts that did properly be-
long to her Lord, and husband, where the attendants
had entertainment by the Sachem of Sagus and his
Countrymen: the solemnity being ended, the atten-
dants were gratified.
Not long after the new married Lady had a great
desire to see her father, and her native country, from
whence shee came, her Lord willing to pleasure her, and
not deny her request (amongst them) thought to be
reasonable commanded a selected number of his owne
men to conduct his Lady to her Father; wherwith great
respect they brought her: and having feasted there a
while, returned to their owne country againe, leaving
the Lady to continue there at her owne pleasure, a-
mongst her friends, and old acquaintance: where shee
passed away the time for a while: and in the end desired
to returne to her Lord againe. Her father the old Papa-
siquineo having notice of her intent, sent some of his
men on ambassage to the younge Sachem, his sonne in
law, to let him understand that his daughter was not
willing, to absent her selfe from his company any lon-
ger; and therfore (as the messengers had in charge) desi-
red the younge Lord to send a convoy for her but hee
standing upon tearmes of honor, and the maintaining of
his reputatiĆ, returnd to his father in law this answere
that when she departed from him, hee caused his men
to waite upon her to her fathers territories, as it did
become him: but now shee had an intent to returne, it
did become her father, to send her back with a convoy
of his own people: and that it stood not with his reputa-
tion to make himself or his men so servile, to fetch her
againe. The old Sachem Papasiquineo having this mes-
sage returned, was inraged? to think that his young son
in law did not esteeme him at a higher rate, then to ca-
pitulate with him about the matter, and returne him this
sharpe reply; that his daughters bloud, and birth deser-
ved no more respect; then to be so slighted, and there-
fore if he would have her company, hee were best to
send or come for her.
The younge Sachem not willing to under value
himselfe, and being a man of a stout spirit, did not stick
to say, that hee should either send her, by his owne
Convey, or keepe her; for hee was not determined to
stoope so lowe.
So much these two Sachems stood upon tearme
of reputation with each other, the one would not sen
her, and the other would not send for her, least it should
be any diminishing of honor on his part, that shoul
seeme to comply, that the Lady (when I came ou
of the Country) remained still with her father; whic
is a thinge worth the noting, that Salvage peopl
should seeke to maintaine their reputation so muc
as they doe.
Positive descriptive word used for Native Americans.
Neutral descriptive word used for Native Americans.
Negative descriptive word used for Native Americans.
References to Native words or terminology.
References to Native religion.
References to colonial religion.
Gendered language or references to gender.
References to colonists/English ideas.
References to nature.