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History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

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1744-1747.] COL. JOHN STODDARD, 169<br />

will stay or return aga<strong>in</strong>. * * * It is a great pity lie<br />

should not be at the conference." He was present at the<br />

meet<strong>in</strong>g, either return<strong>in</strong>g after his visit home or else reconsider<strong>in</strong>g<br />

his <strong>in</strong>tention <strong>of</strong> leav<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

" He had also an extensive acqua<strong>in</strong>tance with the neighbor<strong>in</strong>g colo-<br />

nies and the neighbor<strong>in</strong>g nations on the cont<strong>in</strong>ent. He had far greater<br />

knowledge than any other person <strong>in</strong> the land, <strong>of</strong> the several nations <strong>of</strong><br />

Indians <strong>in</strong> these western parts <strong>of</strong> America, their tempers, manners,<br />

and the proper way <strong>of</strong> treat<strong>in</strong>g them ; and was more extensively<br />

known by them than any other person <strong>in</strong> this country." ^<br />

Consequently he was <strong>of</strong>tener entrusted by government<br />

<strong>in</strong> the difficult and arduous task <strong>of</strong> negotiat<strong>in</strong>g with the<br />

Indian tribes and contiguous colonies.<br />

While the third Freucli and Indian War,<br />

He Believes <strong>in</strong> Treat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the Indians commenc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 1744, was <strong>in</strong> progress, he<br />

was <strong>in</strong>trusted with the defense <strong>of</strong> the<br />

frontier, and had much to do with the measures adopted<br />

for conciliat<strong>in</strong>g the New York tribes. His sentiments regard<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the method <strong>of</strong> treat<strong>in</strong>g the Indians are expressed<br />

<strong>in</strong> a letter to Gov. Shirley, dated May 13, 1747. " The In-<br />

dians," he .says, "are <strong>of</strong> such a humor that if we deal<br />

justly and k<strong>in</strong>dly by them, they will put their lives <strong>in</strong>to<br />

our hands, but if we deal deceitfully with them, that will<br />

soon raise an abhorrence <strong>of</strong> us. " ^<br />

A Misunderstand<strong>in</strong>g Between tlic soldicrs recruited especially<br />

with Dwight. for the expedition to Canada and those<br />

employed for home defense, there arose<br />

some jealous}" <strong>of</strong> feel<strong>in</strong>g, and Col. Stoddard seems to have<br />

felt somewhat annoyed at the want <strong>of</strong> courtesy shown<br />

towards him. Many soldiers were recruited <strong>in</strong> Western<br />

<strong>Massachusetts</strong> for the expedition to Canada <strong>in</strong> 1740 and<br />

1747. They were under the command <strong>of</strong> Col. Joseph<br />

Dwight <strong>of</strong> Brookfield, and when the scheme <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>vasion<br />

was abandoned, some <strong>of</strong> them were employed <strong>in</strong> guard<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the frontiers. The follow<strong>in</strong>g extract <strong>from</strong> a letter <strong>of</strong> Col.<br />

Stoddard to Gov. Shirley, dated <strong>Northampton</strong>, April 22,<br />

1747, shows one occasion <strong>of</strong> misunderstand<strong>in</strong>g, and Stoddard's<br />

compla<strong>in</strong>t about it : —<br />

1 Funeral Sermon <strong>of</strong> Prest. Edwards, at the death <strong>of</strong> Col. Stoddard.<br />

2 Judd MSS.

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