William Wood Quotes
To enter into a serious discourse concerning the natural conditions of these Indians might procure admiration from the people of any civilized nations, in regard of their civility and good natures. If a tree may be judged by his fruit, and dispositions calculated by exterior actions, then may it be concluded that these Indians are of affable, courteous, and well-disposed natures, ready to communicate the best of their wealth to the mutual good of one another;… If it were possible to recount the courtesies they have showed the English since their first arrival in those parts, it would not only steady belief that they are a loving people, but also win the love of those that never saw them, and wipe off that needless fear that is too deeply rooted in the conceits of many who think them envious and of such rancorous and inhumane dispositions that they will one day make an end of their English inmates.
This was a 100 page pamphlet intended for the English audience. It extolled the new colonies which had gotten a bad reputation from some of the experiences of the Virginia colonists. The purpose was to persuade more English to become colonists. The initial response of the Indians to the Whites was helpful, peaceful and admirable. As there was more interaction there were incidents that triggered extreme military response by the Whites and relations deteriorated. Wood however, later in the pamphlet, makes a distinction that is lost on many who study the early colonies. The Indian tribes were as different from each other as European countries were. There were different languages, customs, values, and capabilities. Wood relates that there are other Indian tribes who would kill any outsider—white or Indian—for trivial reasons. In general, the Indians of New England and New York tended to be sophisticated by European standards and relatively peaceful and included the highly sophisticated Iroquois. While others tended to see the worst of the “savage heathens”, Wood looked at New England and the Indians with the positive attitude of a promoter.
William Wood, ?-1639, Early Colonial Author, New England's Prospect, 1634
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
While the Abenaki Indians were vicious warriors and committed many atrocities on their raids of upper NY State, they treated their prisoners extremely well.
Clinton was a founder of the society and considered an excellent historian. When giving this presentation he had documentation and academic references for each of the statements.
