Note 179 — Chapter XI
Reading edition
This deed is as follows: (Backus, vol. i. pp. 180–1.)
“The 24th of the first month, called March, in the year (so commonly called) 1637–8, Memorandum, that we, Canonicus and Miantinomo, the two chief sachems of the Narraganset, by virtue of our general command of this bay, as also the particular subjecting of the dead sachems of Aquetneck and Kitackamuckqut, themselves and lands unto us, have sold to Mr. Coddington and his friends united unto him, the great island of Aquetneck, lying hence eastward in this bay, as also the marsh or grass upon Canonicut, and the rest of the islands in this bay (excepting Chibachuwesa [Prudence] formerly sold to Mr. Winthrop, the now Governor of the Massachusetts, and Mr. Williams, of Providence) also the grass upon the rivers and bounds about Kitackamackqut, and from thence to Paupusquatch, for the full payment of forty fathoms of white beads, to be equally divided between us; in witness whereof, we have here subscribed. Item, that by giving, by Miantinomo’s hands, ten coats and twenty hoes to the present inhabitants, they shall remove themselves from off the island before next winter.
“Witness our hands,
“The mark (†) of CANONICUS.
“The mark (‡) of MIANTINOMO.
“In presence of
“The mark (X) of Yotaash,
“Roger Williams,
“Randall Holden,
“The mark (‡) of Assotemuit,
“The mark (∥) of Mihammoh, Canonicus his son.
“Memorandum, that Ousamequin freely consents, that Mr. William Coddington and his friends united unto him, shall make use of any grass or trees on the main land on Pawakasick side, and all my men, to the said Mr. Coddington, and English, his friends united to him, having received of Mr. Coddington five fathoms of wampum, as gratuity for himself and the rest.
“The mark (X) of OUSAMEQUIN.
Witness, { Roger Williams,
{ Randall Holden.
“Dated the 6th of the fifth month, 1638.”