University of Virginia Library

“The peace of Ryswick was of short duration. In
May, 1702, war was proclaimed by England both against
France and Spain. The American colonies of both nations
took an active part. While the English colonies
were at war with the Spanish in the south, they had a
more formidable enemy to encounter in the French at
Canada. Notwithstanding the eastern Indians had
given a solemn assurance of their determination to remain
at peace with New-England, yet they soon commenced
hostilities, and the whole country from Casco to
Wells was devastated.”

“At an early period, the Baron Castine, a Frenchman,
had seated himself on the Penobscot, and opened a trade
with the natives. He was a nobleman of distinction, a
man of intrigue and enterprise; and had formed an alliance
with the savages in that part of the country, in order,
it is supposed, to break up the settlements of the
English in New England. To promote his designs, he
married and had living with him at one time, six Indian
wives. He had at the same time several Roman Catholic
priests, at his palace on the east side of the Penobscot,
in the present town of Castine. By the aid of
these priests, and the efforts of his own genius, he acquired
great influence over the natives, and not only
furnished them fire arms, but taught them their use;
and such was his success, that at the commencement of
Philip's war, the knowledge of gunpowder and fire arms
was universally extended among the savages in the northern
part of New-England. The Baron was considered
the most dangerous enemy of the English, and they at
various times attempted to capture him; but though his
fortress was taken and plundered, he escaped to the
wilderness.”