p of sending an embassy to the
Taranteens met with general favor among his councillors. All agreed
that war with the ferocious savages was, if possible, to be avoided
under any circumstances, but especially now when the English must
appear to the natives to be stained with the crime of a dastardly
breach of faith and murder unparalleled in atrocity. The conduct of
Winthrop in returning a bold defiance to their threats, was also
approved, (for in treating with them, an exhibition of a want of
confidence would be considered a confession of weakness, and only
serve to precipitate the calamity to be avoided,) but it complicated
the difficulty, if that were possible, and embarrassed any attempt at
reconciliation. The Taranteens were felt to occupy a position of great
advantage, and likely to attract the sympathy of the Indians
generally, and even to unite tribes before hostile to one another
against the perfidious Owanux. To the Taranteens no blame could be
attached. They had been guilty of no breach of faith; they had acted
like brave and honorable men. Even after the outrage upon them they
had respected their wild code of honor, nor would commence
hostilities, until like the snake, whose warning rattles they sent,
they had apprised the enemy of their intention. But the challenge had
been given and accepted, and a state of war initiated. Soon might
their war-parties be expected to fill the forests, cutting off
stragglers and attacking any bodies of men which they should deem
inferior in strength to their own. Hence the danger of traveling in
the woods, and especially of attempting to penetrate into that remote
region, the habitation of the hostile tribe, was greatly increased.
Where was the man daring enough to encounter the peril unless
supported by a military force, which would give the embassy more the
appearance of a foray than of a tender of peace? Such an armed band
would only invite attack. Besides it was inconvenient, and indeed of
the highest detriment to the colony, to take off so many able-bodied
men as would be necessary for the purpose, from the cultivation of the
fields, and those other industrial pursuits upon which the existence
of the colonists depended, even though they should all return safe to
their homes--a result by no means to be expected.

When, therefore, Winthrop suggested Sir Christopher Gardiner as a
proper person, from his familiarity with the habits of the natives,
and his knowledge of their l