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Show 62 THOMAS] CONNECTICUT'S POLICY TOWARD THE INDIANS 613 At that time, it was the general opinion, that there were nineteen Indians, in that town, to one Englishman. There was a great body of them iu the center of the town. They had a large fort a little north of the plat on which the first meetiug-houso was erected. On tho east side of the river, on the upper branches of the Podunk, they were very numerous. There were also a great number in Hartford. Besides those on the west side of the river, there was a distinct tribe in East-Hartford. These were principally situated upon the Podunk, from the northern boundary of Hartford to its mouth, where it empties into Connecticut river. Totanimo, their first sachem with whom the English had any acquaintance, commanded two hundred bowmen. These were called the Podunk Indians. At Mattabesick, now Middletowu, was the great sachem Sowheag. His fort, or castle,was on the high ground, facing the river, and the adjacent country, on both sides of the river, was his sachemdom. This was extensive, comprehending the ancient boundaries of Weatherstield, then called Pyquaug, as well as Middletowu. Sequin was sagamore at Pyquaug, under Sowheag, when the English began their settlements. On the cast side of the river, in the tract since called Chatham, was a considerable clan, called the Wouguug Indians. At Machemoodus, now called East- Haddam, was a numerous tribe, famous for their pawaws, and worshipping of evil spirits. South of theso, in tho easternmost part of Lyme, were the western Nehan-ticks. These were confederate with the Poquots. South and east of them, from Connecticut river to the eastern boundary Hue of the colony, and north-east or north, to its northern boundary line, lay the Pequot and Moheagan country. This tract was nearly thirty miles square, including the counties of New-London, Windham, and the principal part of the county of Tolland. Historians have treated of the Pequots and Moheagans, as two distinct tribes, and have described the Pequot country as lying principally within the three towns of New-London, Grototi, and Stoniugtou. All the tract above this, as far north aud east as has been described, they have represented as the Moheagan country. Most of the towus iu this tract, if not all of them, hold their lauds by virtue of deeds from Uncas, or his successors, the Moheagan sachems. It is, however, much to be doubted, whether the Moheagans were a distinct nation from the Pequots. They appear to have been a part of the same nation, named from the place of their situation. . . . The Pequots were, by far, the most warlike nation in Connecticut, or even iu New- England. The tradition is, that they were, originally, an inland tribe, but, by their prowess, came down aud settled themselves, iu that fine country along tho seacoast, from Nehantick to Narraganset bay. . . . The chief scat of these Indians.was at New-London aud Groton. New-Londou was their principal harbor, and called Pequot harbor. They had another small harbor at the mouth of Mystio river. Their principal fort was on a commanding and most beautiful eminence, iu tho town of Grotou, a few miles south-easterly from fort Griswold. It commanded one of the finest prospects of the sound aud the adjacent country, which is to be found upon the coast. This was the royal fortress, where tho chief Bacheui had his residence. He had another fort near Mystic river, a few miles to the eastward of this, called Mystic fort. This was also erected upon a beautiful hill, or eminence, gradually descending towards the south aud south-east. . . . West of Connecticut river aud the towns upon it, there wore not only scattering families in almost every part, but, in several places, great bodies of' Inc.iaus At Simsbury and New-Hartford they were numerous; and upon those lino meadows, formed by the meanders of the little river, at Tunxis, now Farmiugton, and the lauds adjacent, was another very large clan. There was a small tribe at Guilford under the sachem squaw, or queen, of Menunkatuck. At Brauford and East-IIaveu there was another. They had a famous burying ground at East-Haven, which they visited and kept up, with much ceremony, for many years after the settlement ol New-Haven. |