University of Virginia Library

PREFACE.

The following volumes are not offered to the public
as being in any degree an historical narrative, or a
relation of real events. Real characters and real events
are, however, alluded to; and this course, if not
strictly necessary, was found very convenient in the
execution of the author's design, which was to illustrate
not the history, but the character of the times.

The antiquarian reader will perceive that some liberties
have been taken with the received accounts of Sir
Philip (or Sir Christopher) Gardiner; and a slight
variation has been allowed in the chronology of the
Pequod war.

The first settlers of New-England were not illiterate,
but learned and industrious men. They seem to have
understood the importance of their station. The Massachusetts
colony, and some of the other establishments
sparsely scattered on the coast, were illuminated
spots, clear and bright lights, set on the borders of a
dark and turbulent wilderness. Those who have not
paid much attention to the history or character of these
early settlements, if they choose to turn their attention

to this interesting subject, will be surprised to find how
clear, copious, and authentic are the accounts which
our ancestors left behind them. The only merit claimed
by the present writer, is that of a patient investigation
of all the materials that could be obtained. A full
delineation of these times was not even attempted;
but the main solicitude has been, to exclude every
thing decidedly inconsistent with them.

The Indians of North America are, perhaps, the
only race of men of whom it may be said, that though
conquered, they were never enslaved. They could not
submit, and live. When made captives, they courted
death, and exulted in torture. These traits of their
character will be viewed by an impartial observer, in
a light very different from that in which they were
regarded by our ancestors. In our histories, it was
perhaps natural that they should be represented as
“surly dogs,” who preferred to die rather than live,
from no other motives than a stupid or malignant obstinacy.
Their own historians or poets, if they had such,
would as naturally, and with more justice, have extolled
their high-souled courage and patriotism.

The writer is aware that it may be thought that the
character of Magawisca has no prototype among the
aborigines of this country. Without citing Pocohontas,
or any other individual, as authority, it may be sufficient
to remark, that in such delineations, we are confined
not to the actual, but the possible.

The liberal philanthropist will not be offended by a
representation which supposes that the elements of
virtue and intellect are not withheld from any branch
of the human family; and the enlightened and accurate
observer of human nature, will admit that the
difference of character among the various races of the
earth, arises mainly from difference of condition.

These volumes are so far from being intended as a
substitute for genuine history, that the ambition of the
writer would be fully gratified if, by this work, any
of our young countrymen should be stimulated to
investigate the early history of their native land.