An Armed English Sloop Patrolled the Sound Near Native Americans Settled in the Manor of Pelham in 1675

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On Friday I published to the Historic Pelham Blog a posting entitled "1675 Order by Governor's Council Directing John Pell to Take Daily Account of Indians on His Land". Not long after the Governor's Council issued its directive during King Philip's War, an armed sloop manned by E. Andross cruised portions of Long Island sound and visited the Native Americans living on John Pell's land in the Manor of Pelham to assess their intentions toward English settlers. Andross prepared a report of his excursion, the text of which appears below.

"A Letter to South'ton and Seatalcott.
[Warrants, Orders, Passes, iii, 133.]

Gent.

I yestarday recd yors of the 13th Instant, so long coming, (as the Indyan saith) by Reason of the wet Weather. I arrived here on the 9th Instant, late, and am sorry to heare that you (as well as the most Part of the Island) have been so alarm'd upon a false Report of our Indyans ill Intent against us, which I endeavour'd and hope is now rectified, and all Partyes well satisfied and quiet. Some Officers from all the Tounes on this side Seatalcott, and all the Sachems of Long Island and Neighbourhood on the Maine, having been here with mee since; And although I did hope you would not have been alarm'd, yet I writ to you on the 11th, which I hope came well to yor Hands, and satisfide you. The same Night I ordered and sett out a Sloope armed, to cruise in the Sound, and the next Morning went myselfe in my Pinnace as farre as Mr. Pells, to the Indyans there, and from thence to Flushing, and Home by Land, the better to settle people's Mindes. [Page 77 / Page 78]

I now send you a copy of a Proclamacon, relating to the said Matters, that it may be forthwith put in Execucon, both by you, and the neighbouring Tounes of Southold and Easthampton, to whom you are to send Copyes attested, and also to communicate this, not having Time to write to them, and unwilling to stay yor expresse Indian. Though I do not apprehend any Danger by the Indyans, yet there shall continue an armed Sloope to ply in the Sound that so, no ill Indyans may have Opportunityes to cross it at their Pleasure; which Sloope is intended to call at Southold and Easthampton, some Time the next Weeke. And if there should happen any Occasion, more Sloopes shall bee forthwith sent out, as the Matter may require, so that I hope none will have Cause to neglect their lawfull Occasions. Recommending you to bee vigilant, and that I may heare from you, upon all Occasions requiring it, I remaine,

Yor very loving ffriend,

E. ANDROSS.

New Yorke, Sept.
the 18th, 1675."

Source: Hough, Franklin B., ed., A Narrative of the Causes Which Led to Phlip's Indian War, 0f 1675 and 1676, By John Easton, of Rhode Island. With Other Documents Concerning This Even in the Office of the Secretary of State of New York. Prepared from the Originals, with an Introduction and Notes, pp. 77-78 (Albany, NY: J. Munsell 1858).

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