dren of Stephen Otis (Stephen and Nathaniel), were carried captives to Canada. Three other daughters of Richard were carried away, but were recaptured in Conway. Heard's garrison was saved. The door had been opened and the Indians were entering, when William Wentworth, who had been awakened by the barking of a dog, pushed them out, shut the door, and, falling on his back, held it until the people came to his assistance. Two bullets passed through the door, but both missed him. The elder Coffin's house was similarly captured, but, as the Indians had no particular enmity to him, they contented themselves with pillaging his house. Finding a bag of money, they forced him to scatter it by handsful, while they amused themselves by scrambling for it. His son had refused to receive the squaws on the previous evening, but the Indians, coming to his house, threatened to kill his father before his eyes unless he surrendered: to save his father's life he did so. These captives were placed in an empty dwelling, but in the confusion they escaped. Of Paine's garrison, in its connection with this attack, we know nothing: Gerrish's escaped.

"Five or six houses were burnt, as were the mills upon the lower falls. Twenty-three persons were killed, and twenty-nine carried away captive. Their names were preserved only in part. Of the killed were Major Waldron, Abraham Lee (his son-in-law), Robert Evans, Richard Otis, Stephen Otis, Hannah Otis, Joseph Dug, Joseph Duncan, Daniel Lunt, Joseph Saunders, Joseph Buss, William Buss, William Arin, William Horn, and the widow of Thomas Hanson; of the other eight we know nothing.

"Of the captured were Joseph Chase, Mrs. Lee (daughter of Major Waldron), the wife of Tobias Hanson, the wife of Richard Otis, Sarah Gerrish, Christine and three other daughters of Richard Otis, Nathaniel Otis, Stephen Otis, and John Church. We cannot find the names of the remaining seventeen."— Hist. Mem. No. 116, A. H. Q.

Letter from Richard Waldron, Jun., Esq.

PORTSMOUTH, 28th June, 1689; about 8 o'clock, morning. Just now came ashore here from Cocheca John Ham and his wife, who went hence last night homeward [with Mrs. Heard] (they living within a mile of Major Waldron) and about break of day going up the river in a canoe, they heard guns fired but notwithstanding proceeded to land at Major Waldron's landing place, by which time it began to be light, and they saw about

twenty Indians near Mr Coffin's garrison, shouting and shouting, as many more about Richard Otis's and Thomas Pain's, but saw their way to Major Waldron's, where they intended immediately to secure themselves; but coming to the gate and calling and knocking could receive no answer, yet saw a light in one of the chambers and one of them say (looking through a crack of the gate) that he saw sundry Indians within the garrison which supposed had murthered Major Waldron and his family, and thereupon they betook themselves to make an escape, which they did, and met one of Otis's sons who also escaped from his father's garrison informing that his father and the rest of the family were killed. Quickly after they set sundry houses on fire. This is all the account we have at present, which being given in a surprise, may admit of some alterations; but doubtless the most of those at or about Cocheca are destroyed.

The above account was related to me.

RICHARD WALDRON, Jr.

Accompanying the preceding was the following:

Major ROBERT PIKE.

PORTSMOUTH, 28th June, 1689.

Honoured Sir, — Herewith send you an account of the Indians surprising Cocheca this morning, which we pray you immediately to post away to the honourable the governor and Council in Boston, and forward our present assistance, wherein the whole country is immediately concerned.

We are, sir, your most humble servants

RICHARD MARTYN.
Wm VAUGHAN.

RICHARD WALDRON, jr.

THO. GRAFTON.

SAMUEL WENTWORTH.
BEN HULL.

To the Honourable Major Robert Pike at Salisbury. Haste, post haste.

It was received by Major Pike, who forwarded the papers immediately to the Governor at Boston, with the following addition :

Much Honoured.

SALISBURY, June 28, 1689, about noon.

After due respect these are only to give your honours the sad accounts of the last nights providence at Cocheca, as by the enclosed, the particulars whereof are awful.

The only wise God, who is the keeper that neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, is pleased to permit what is done. Possibly it may be either better or worse than this account renders it.

As soon as I get more intelligence, shall, God willing, speed it to your honors, praying your speedy order or advice in so solemn a case. I have despatched the intelligence to other towns, with advice to look to yourselves. Shall not be wanting to serve in what I may. Should have waited on your honours now, had I been well. Shall not now come except by you commanded till this bustle be abated. That the only wise God may direct all your weighty affairs is the prayer of your honours' most humble

servant.

ROBERT PIKE.

To the much honoured Syman Bradstreet, Esq. Govenour, and the Honoured Council now sitting at Boston, these present with all speed. Haste, post haste.

This paper is endorsed,

"Received about 12 at night, upon Friday the 28th June."

Gentlemen,-The sad account given by yourselves of the awful hand of God, in permitting the heathen to make such desolations upon Cocheca, and destruction of the inhabitants thereof, being forwarded by the hand of Major Robert Pike, arrived the last night about twelve o'clock: notice thereof was immediately despatched to our out towns, that so they may provide for their security and defence: and the narrative you give of the matter was laid before the whole Convention, this morning, who are concerned for you as friends and neighbors and look at the whole to be involved in this unhappy conjuncture and trouble given by the heathen, and are very ready to yield you all assistance as they may be capable, and do think it necessary that (if it be not done already) you would fall into some form or constitution for the exercise of government, so far as may be necessary for your safety, and convenience of your peace, and to intend such further acts as the present emergencies require-this Convention not thinking it meet, under their present circumstances, to exert any authority within your Province. Praying God to direct in all the arduous

affairs the poor people of this country have at present to engage in, and to rebuke all our enemies, desiring you would give us advice from time to time of the occurrences with you.

Gentlemen, your humble servant,

Per order of the Convention.

Dated as above said.

ISAAC ADDINGTON, Secr'y.

Voted by the Representatives in the affirmative.

Attest

EBENEZER PROUT, Clerk.

Consented to by the Governor and Council 29th June, 1689.

"Despatched upon Saturday the 29th of June '89, at 12 o'clock at noon."

Accompanying the above is the draft of a letter which we suppose was written by the Governor:

Gentlemen,- We have read yours informing Gods sever humbling hand suffering the enemy with so much violence and rage to destroy and lay waste before them on so sudden a surprisal. We must all say the Lord is righteous: we have sinned. It is not as you well know, in our power to direct in your matters authoritatively, but as friends, and under our [one] prince, are ready, to our utmost to yield our assistance in helping you with ammunition or anything in our power, men or moneys. It remains with yourselves to meet and consider your own circumstances and put yourselves in such a way (if not so at present) as may accomodate the present emergency in the best manner ye may, and then let us know what you desire and we shall serve you to our power.

Our present circumstances do not advantage us to impress men, or levy money, but must do as we can. God help us all to humble ourselves under Gods mighty hands.

Aid was immediately dispatched to Cochecho, though no further attack was then made.

From Capt. Gerrish's Garrison at Cochechae, 5th July, 1689. May it please your Honrs.

On Wensday evening Majr Appleton wth between 40 and 50 men (most of Ipswich) Arrived here accompaned with Major Pike and yesterday morning wth wt additional force we could make, marcht into the woods upon the track of the enemy abt 12 miles to make what Discovery they could, but returned in ye evening without any further Discovery Save ye dead body of one of the captive men they carried hence, nor since or last has any of the enemy been seen hereabout, the fear we shall not long be quiet but doubtless the main body are with drawn to a considerable distance.

We cannot but gratefully acknowledge yor honors Favour in taking such care for or relief and Assistance, & are bold heartily to pray the continuance of the same wth out wch we cannot possibly Subsist in or last wee humbly offerd or opinion of the necessity of a small pty of men whereby or people may be enabled to preserve their selves and cattle & the sd Souldiers ready upon any assault here or elsewhere to march to their assistance, wch wee are comonly too late for. Wee have obtained of Majr Appleton with his compa. (who wd not stay wth out him) to continue wth us at present (the rest being Volunteers wd be under no command & soe are all wth drawn) & must beg upon his removal another Supply else sd people will be utterly discourg'd & necessitated to quitt their Stations at last for or neighbrs hereabt can yield us noe assistance expecting daily. ye Enemies assault on ym, soe are standing on their own Guard. We beg pdon for this trouble & remain

Much Honrd, yor most humble Servts

WM VAUGHAN
RICHARD WALDRON

The preceding letter is in Waldron's handwriting.

The following was from Major Appleton, commander of the soldiers sent to the relief of the Cochecho:

Much Honrd.

COCHECHO 14th July, 1689.

I have yors of 11th Inst where in you are pleased to advise (upon my removall) to leave the imprest men here under the conduct of Lift Greenleaf: now you may please to know yt of Imprest men here are only 10 from Salem and 6 from Rowley wch with the 20 that came last make but 36 and Mr Greenleaf not being here know not his inclination to this affair & should I leave these 36 they are