volunteers, both English and Indians to go east; for the eastward Indians had done great spoil upon the English in those parts; giving him an account of the miseries and sufferings of the people there. Captain Church's spirits being affected, said, if he could do any service for his honour, the country, and their relief, he was ready and willing. He was asked how he would act? He said [that] he would take with him as many of his old soldiers as he could get, both English and Indians, &c. The gentlemen of Boston requested him to go to Rhodeisland government to ask their assistance. So giving him their letter, and about forty shillings in money, he took leave and went home to Bristol on a Saturday; and the next Monday morning he went over to Rhodeisland, and waited upon their Governour,† delivering the letter as ordered, [and] prayed his honour for a speedy answer, who said, they could not give an answer presently; so he waited on them till he had their answer. And when he had obtained it, he carried it to the Boston gentlemen, who desired him to raise what volunteers he could in Plymouth colony, and Rhodeisland government, and what was wanting they would make up out of theirs that were already out in the eastern parts.

The summer being far spent, Captain Church made what despatch he could, and raised about two hundred and fifty men, volunteers, and received his commission from Governour Hinkley which is as followeth, viz.:

* He settled at Bristol soon after Philip's war. See his life page xv.

We may infer from Judge Sewall's diary, in Holmes, I, 468, that one Clark was the Governour of Rhodeisland in 1686, on the arrival of Andross, who of course was displaced. But in May of this year, 1689, it was resumed, and all the general officers replaced. Ibid. 476. I have not even learned his baptismal name. A good history of Rhodeisland is a very desirable work.

Thomas Hinkley was born about the year 1632. I find no mention of him, until he assumed the government, or

"The Council of War of their Majesties' colony of New Plymouth in Newengland: To Major Benjamin Church, Commander in Chief.

Whereas the Kennebeck and eastern Indians with their confederates, have openly made war upon their Majesties' subjects of the province of Maine, Newhampshire, and of the Massachusetts colony, having committed many barbarous murders, spoils and rapines upon their persons and estates. And whereas there are some forces of soldiers, English and Indians, now raised and detached out of the several regiments and places within this colony of New Plymouth, to go forth to the assistance of our neighbours and friends, of the aforesaid provinces and colony of the Massachusetts, subjects of one and the same crown; and to join with their forces for the repelling and destruction of the common enemy. And whereas you Benjamin Church, are appointed to be Major, and commander in chief of all the forces, English and Indians, detached within this colony, for the service of their Majesties aforesaid. THESE are in their Majesties' name to authorize and require you to take into your care and conduct all the said forces, English and Indians, and diligently to attend that service, by leading and exercising of your inferiour officers and soldiers, commanding them to obey you as their chief commander; and to pursue, fight, take, kill, or destroy the said enemies, their aiders and abettors, by all the ways and means you can, as you shall have opportunity. And you are to observe and obey all such orders and instructions as from time to time you shall receive from the commissioners of the colonies, the council of war of this colony, or the Governour and council of the Massachusetts rather the presidency of Plymouth colony after the fall of Andross, the Caligula of Newengland, in 1689. He continued in this office until 1692, when Sir William Phips arrived, He died at Barnstable, in 1706, aged about 74 years. Morton, 208, Hutchinson, II, 141.

colony. In testimony whereof the publick seal of the said colony of New Plymouth is hereunto affixed. Dated in Plymouth, the sixth day of September, Anno Domini, 1689. Annoque Regni Regis et Regina Willielmi et Mariæ Angliæ, &c., Primo.*

THOMAS HINKLEY, President."

And now marching them all down to Boston, then received his further orders and instructions, which are as followeth.

"Boston, September 16th, 1689. To all Sheriffs, Marshals, Constables, and other officers, military and civil, in their Majesties' province of Maine.

Whereas pursuant to an agreement of the commissioners of the United Colonies, Major Benjamin Church is commissionated commander in chief over that part of their Majesties' forces, (levied for the present expedition against the common enemy) whose head quarters are appointed to be at Falmouth, in Casco bay. In their Majesties' names, you, and every of you, are required to be aiding and assisting to the said Major Church in his pursuit of the enemy, as any emergency shall require; and so impress boats or other vessels, carts, carriages, horses, oxen, provision and ammunition, and men for guides, &c., as you shall receive warrants from the said Commander in chief, or his Lieutenant so to do. You may not fail to do the same speedily and effectually, as you will answer your neglect and contempt of their Majesties' authority and service at your uttermost peril. Given under my hand and seal the day

* That is. And of the reign of the King and Queen, William and Mary of England, &c., the first.

and year above written. Annoque Regni Regis et Regina Williemi et Maria Primo.

By THOMAS DANFORTH,*

President of the province of Maine.”

"By the Governour and Council of Massachusetts: To Major Benjamin Church.

Whereas you are appointed and commissioned by the council of war, of the colony of New-Plymouth, commander in chief of the forces raised within the said colony, against the common Indian enemy, now ordered into the eastern parts to join with some of the forces of this colony; for the prosecution, repelling and subduing of the said enemy. It is therefore ordered that Captain Simon Willard, and Captain Nathaniel Hall, with the two companies of soldiers under their several commands, blonging to this colony, now in or about Casco bay, be, and are hereby put under you, as their commander in chief for this present expedition. And of the commissions severally given to either of them, they are ordered to observe and obey your orders and directions as their commander in chief until further order from the Governour and council, or the commissioners of the colonies. Dated in Boston the 17th day of September, Anno Domini, 1698. Annoque Regni

He was a

* This gentleman was born in England 1622. man of influence, which he employed to good account in the difficult days of Newengland. In 1679 he was elected deputy Governour, and the same year, the inhabitants of the province of Maine chose him their President. On the arrival of the tyrant, Andross, he was suspended from office. He died in 1699, aged 77 years. Nothing more honourable, perhaps, can be said of him, considering the age in which he lived, than, that he opposed with firmness the proceedings of those courts, which caused such a foul page in our history by their detestable prosecutions and persecutions for witchcraft. See Allen, Biog. 240.

Regis et Regina Wuilielmi et Mariæ, Angliæ, &c.,

Primo.

S. BRADSTREET, Gov.

Past in Council. Attest, Isaac Addington,* Secr."

“By the Commissioners of the Colonies of the Massachusetts, Plymouth and Connecticut, for managing the present war against the common enemy. Instructions for Major BENJAMIN CHURCH, Commander in Chief of the Plymouth forces, with others of the Massachusetts, put under his command.

In pursuance of the commission given you, for their Majesties' service in the present expedition against the common Indian enemy, their aiders and abettors; reposing confidence in your wisdom, prudence and fidelity in the trust committed to you for the honour of God, good of his people, and the security of the interest of Christ in his churches, expecting and praying that in your dependence upon him, you may be helped and assisted with all that grace and wisdom which is requisite for carrying you on with success in this difficult service; and though much is and must be left to your discretion, as providence and opportunity may present from time to time in places of attendance; yet the following instructions are commended unto your observation, and to be attended to so far as the state of matters with you in such a transaction will admit. You are with all possible speed to take care that the

* Mr. Addington was one of those who took a very active part in opposition to the tyrannical measures of Andross. On the accession of William and Mary he was appointed Secretary, which office he discharged with integrity for some time. It seems that in those days, as well as at the present, office seekers were not entirely unknown, but, "the emoluments of that office were small, compared with the duty, and so he was in less danger of a competitor." He belonged to the council for many years, and was respected as a justice of the peace for wisdom and industry. He died in 1714.