Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

22 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1S86.
the material together with the hope that it will fill a gap in the annals
of western jNIassachusetts and vindicate Pynehon, without retleeting
upon the reputation or motives of the Connecticut leaders. As the
controversy is full of bitter personalities, that even outlived the lives
of the actors, it is simply the part of candor to say that the opinion
in New England two hundred and fifty years ago among the ablest
men was that a strong arm would do more in a day with the savage
than a year of loving-kindness and tender mercy. Mr. Pynehon did
not so believe, and hence the conflict between Springfield and Hart-
ford. He never designedly violated the Indian's notion of right and
wrong, but when he made a bargain with the Indians, he even,
suffered rather than break it, or allow it to be broken.
The question of securing corn for the towns after the Pequot
war came up at Hartford during the Feliruary session of 163H ; Mr.
Pynehon was not present. If each man had been allowed to trade
with the Indians at will, the price would naturally have been advanced.
The court, therefore, ordered that —
Noe man in tliis Kiver nor Agawam shall goe npp Eiver amonge the Indians
or at home tlieire houses to trade for Corne or make any Contract or bargaine
amonge them for oorne eitlier privately or publiquely uppon the paine of 5s. for
every huslndl tliat hee or tliey sliall soe trade.
At this court Agawam was assessed £8() lG.s. for the Pequot war
expenses, and Jehu Burr was appointed collector at Agawam. It is
not known why Mr. Pynehon remained away from the February meeting
of the General Court. He had a written contract with the Agawam
Indians to furnish him during the spring five hundred ])ushels of corn.
March 4 was the first day for the payment of an instalment of grain.
The Indians did not keep their word, and Mr. Pynehon went down
the river three days later, feeling very much concerned aliout it.
The court opened on the 8th of March. After some questions put
to Mr. Pynehon and Mr. Plumb (both members of the General
,l