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

1653.] ESTABLISHING THE PLANTATION. 9
and i^rowess displayed by the pale face soldiers in that campaign.
Memory yet recalled to them the terrible punishment
meted ont to that nation for its cruelty and treachery.
Yet all their own relations with the white men thus far had
been amicable and peaceful. They found a speedy market
for such articles as they had to sell, were readily admitted
to the English settlements and were everywhere treated
justly and fairly. Their land, of which they made scant
use, and which was really of little value to them, was honorably
purchased. In fact the establishment of the new
settlement at Northampton did not dispossess the Indian
owners of any thing held sacred by them. None of their
cherished landmarks were removed, nor were they deprived
of anything which they especially valued. No Indiali village
then existed within the limits of the town. There were
here no burial places, hallowed by the mournful sentiments
with which all nations and tribes invest the last resting
places of their dead. On the meadow, at suitable intervals
they raised a little corn. The river was valued mainly for
the quantity of fish its waters yielded, and the forests were
important only in proportion to the amount of game they
secreted.
The Indians of In Wcstem Massachuss^^s the Indians paid
Western
chusetts.
Massa- yearly tribute to the Mohawks, Avho resided
.' ,/ '
beyond the Hudson river. They were the
most easterly tribe of the great Iriquois family. Few permanent
Indian settlements were found in Massachusetts
west of Connecticut river. That section of country, as
well as what is now comprised within the limits of the state
"of Vermont, formed the Beaver hunting grounds of the
Iriquois. The valley, north of the Connecticut line was
occupied by several tribes or remnants of tribes, none powerful
in themselves, and acting little in unison. The Nipmucks
or Nipnets of central Massachusetts, seem to have
held some sort of sway over these river tribes, while they
in turn owed fealty to the more powerful Pequods, Wampanoags
and Narragansetts.
Springfield was purchased of the Agawams, Westfield of
the Waranoaks, Northampton and Hadley of the Nonotucks,
Deerfield of the Pocunitucks, and Northfield of the
Squakeags.