Thomas Scott, in 1649, was
sentenced for some offence to learn "the chatachise," or be fined ten
shillings, and, after due consideration, paid the fine. Sometimes
offenders, with a refinement of cruelty, were obliged to "go and talk to
the elders." And if any youth made matrimonial overtures to a young
female without the consent of her parents, or, in their absence, of the
County Court, he was first fined and then imprisoned. A new etymology
for the word "courting."
An exhibition of this mingled influence was in the relation of the
ministers to the Indian wars. Roger Williams, even when banished and
powerless, could keep the peace with the natives. But when the brave
Miantonimo was to be dealt with for suspected treason, and the civil
authorities decided, that, though it was unsafe to set him at liberty,
they yet had no ground to put him to death, the matter being finally
referred to five "elders," Uncas was straightway authorized to slay him
in cold blood. The Pequots were first defeated and then exterminated,
and their heroic King Philip, a patriot according to his own standard,
was hunted like a wild beast, his body quartered and set on poles, his
head exposed as a trophy for twenty years on a gibbet in Plymouth, and
one of his hands sent to Boston: then the ministers returned thanks, and
one said that they had _prayed_ the bullet into Philip's heart.
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