Dr. Colman’s memoir of the troubles at the eastward in 1726-27 is in the Mass. Hist. Coll., vi. 108. (Cf. Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc., x. 324.)
The French were disconcerted by the treaty of 1727, as sundry papers in the N. Y. Col. Docs., vol. ix., show. They reiterate their complaints of the English encroachments on the Indians’ lands (p. 981); observe great changes in the Abenakis since they made peace with the English (p. 990); and the king of France tells the Canadians he does not see how the Indians could avoid making the treaty with the English (p. 995).[944]
The letters of caution, which Belcher was constantly writing (1731-1740) to Capt. Larrabee, in command at Fort George, Brunswick, indicate how unstable the peace was. (N. E. Hist. & Gen. Reg., Apr., 1865, p. 129.) The continued danger from French intrigue is also shown in Colman’s memoir, etc., in Mass. Hist. Coll., vi. 109, and in the repeated conferences of the next few years: Conference of his Excellency Governor Belcher with the chiefs of the Penobscot, Norridgewock, and Ameriscoggin tribes at Falmouth, July, 1732. Boston, reprinted at London. (Haven in Thomas, ii. p. 428; Carter-Brown, iii. 482; Harv. Coll. lib., 5325.33; Brinley, i. no. 435.)
A Conference held at Deerfield, the 27th of August [to Sept. 1], 1735, by his Excellency, Jonathan Belcher, and Ountaussoogoe and others, etc. [Boston, 1735]. (Brinley, i. no. 437.) This tract is reprinted in the Maine Hist. Coll., iv. 123.
LOVEWELL’S FIGHT.
From the map in Bouton and Kidder.
Conference with the Penobscots at the council chamber in Boston, June, 1736. (Mass. Archives, xxix. 317.)
The nine Penobscot chiefs who held this conference were lodged with one John Sale in Boston, who renders an account of his charges for twenty-four days’ entertainment of them, which is suggestive. He charges for three half-pints of wine, per day, each; for twelve pence worth of rum per day, each; for 120 gallons of cider; for damage done in breaking of sash doors, frames of glass, China bowl, double decanter, and sundry glasses and mugs; for two gross of pipes and tobacco; for candles all night; for showing them the rope-dancers; for washing 49 of their “greasy shirts;” and “for cleaning and whitewashing two rooms after them.” The following “memorandum” is attached: “They eat for the most part between 50 and 60 pounds of meat per day, beside milk, cheese, etc. The cider which they drank I sold for twelve shillings per quart. Besides, they had beer when they pleased. And as for meat, they had the best, as I was ordered.”
Conference with the Penobscots and Norridgewocks, June 28-July 6, 1738. (Mass. Archives, xxix. 336.)
Conference with the Penobscots at the council chamber in Boston, Aug. 25-Sept. 2, 1740. (Mass. Archives, xxix. 364.)