The very author* of the poetic lines just quoted, has himself remarked, after a detailed narrative of the transaction, "The English had originally determined, not to burn the fort; but, when they found themselves assailed from the week wams of an enemy, who could neither be met nor seen, they resorted to this, as a desperate and indispensable measure." And he adds a glowing eulogium on the exploit: "Few efforts, made by man, have been more strongly marked with wisdom in the projection, or with superior courage and conduct in the execution. Every step appears to have been directed by that spirit and prudence, which mankind have, with one voice, regarded with admiration and applause, in the statesman and the hero."

We may safely adopt the language of that venerable Father of the Providence Plantation,† and Apostle to the Indians, who called the hero of the Pequot War his "honored, dear, and ancient friend;" and said to him, "When the Lord drew the bow of the Pequot war against the country," "the Lord made yourself and others a blessed instrument of peace to all New England." And if the name of Mason was, on the one hand, a word of terror to the savages, aweing them into forbearance, there was good reason why, on the other hand, it should be cherished by every colonist throughout New England, as it was by Governor Wolcott of Connecticut; who, in his poetical account of the destruction of the Mystic Fort,

*The Rev. Dr. Dwight, in his Travels in New England and New York, Vol. III, Letter III, p. 18.

+ The Rev. Roger Williams, in his Letter to Major Mason, in the Mass. Hist. Coll., Vol. I, p. 277.

"Account of the Agency of the Hon. John Winthrop, in the Court of King Charles the Second, A. D. 1662," &c., contained in the Mass. Hist. Coll., Vol. IV, p. 277.

and the ruin of the Pequots, celebrates the praises of Captain Mason," whose name," says he,

"Whose name is never mention-ed by me,

Without a special note of dignity."

Not long after the termination of the war, the Captain was (March 8th, 1638,) appointed, and, until his death, he continued to be, the Major General* of all the forces of Connecticut. At the ceremonial of his elevation to his honorable rank, his staff of office was presented to him, at the request of the government, and in their name, by the venerated Hooker; who was so eminently fitted and qualified, by his patriarchal form, and sacred function, as well as his learning, piety, and eloquence, to solemnize the occasion, in a manner suited to the Puritan spirit of the times, at the inauguration of the people's Joshua, who was to lead the armies, and fight the battles of the Lord. And at various periods, for many years, he prosecuted their wars against "the heathen," with a remarkable success, associating with his name and exploits ideas of his having a supernatural protection and coöperation, being armed with both the shield and sword of the Irresistible.

Throughout his course, avoiding the acrimonious theological controversies of the day, in which most of his valiant compeers were unhappily involved, he was, preëminently, the man whom all delighted to honor.

For eighteen years, (1642 to 1660,)† he was chosen a magistrate; a commissioner to the Congress of the United Colonies, (1647, 1654 to 1657, and 1661 ;) Chief Judge of

*In the Records of the Court, Vol. I, p. 7, as quoted by Ellis, his appointment is that of "a public military officer."

+ Conn. State Records, according to MS. copy, furnished by the Hon. D. S. Boardman.

the County Court, (from 1664 to 1670;) and, for nine years, (1660 to 1669,) Deputy Governor.

In the settlement of the town of Saybrook, as early as the year 1637, he was one of the five principal planters; and he afterward (1647) resided there, and was chosen one of the two magistrates, to whom was confided the government of the town. Soon after his removal thither, "in the depth of winter, in a very tempestuous night, the fort at Saybrook was set on fire, and all the buildings within the palisado, with all the goods, &c., were burnt. down; Captain Mason, his wife, and children, hardly saved."

He was employed, also,† (1634,) in erecting fortifications for the defence of Boston. And among numerous other public duties which devolved upon him, one in which the General Court appointed the Honorable Samuel Wyllys to assist him at Saybrook, was "examining the suspicions there about witchcraft."

When the New Haven colony, from a combination of untoward circumstances, were led to think of removing (1651) to Delaware, they offered strong inducements to Mason, to unite with them as the chief manager of their enterprise. But the General Court of Connecticut refused their consent to his departure from the colony; and the design of the people of New Haven was abandoned.

In testimony of their appreciation of his services, and especially of his exploit at the Mystic River, the General

* Winthrop's Hist. of New Eng., an. 1647.

+ With Captains Underhill, Patrick, Trask, and Turner, and Lieutenants Feaks and Morris.

Hinman's Catalogue of Puritan Settlers of Conn., art. Hon. Samuel Wyllys.

Court, after the example of the ancient Greeks, who gave portions of land to their victorious heroes, bestowed (1641) upon their valiant Captain five hundred acres of the Pequot territory, and a tract, of equal extent, for distribution among his comrades. On a previous occasion, (1639,) the Court had granted to him £10, " for his good service against the Pequots, and otherwise."

The prominence and influence of Uncas, the Mohégan sachem, and devoted friend and ally of the colonists, led his enemies to meditate his death. It was resolved, therefore, by the Court, (1643,) to appoint a special committee, with authority to press men, if occasion should require it, for his protection.* This committee consisted of Deputy Governor Hopkins, Major General Mason, and Mr. William Whiting, whom the sachem regarded as his best friends.

In the reign of Charles the First of England, when the civil war arose, on account of the conflict between the claims of royal prerogative and parliamentary privilege, and the parliament appointed (1644) Sir Thomas Fairfax their "Chief General." he desired the services of his brave fellow-soldier and friend Mason, whom he had so favorably known in the Netherlands; and he wrote to him, asking his coöperation.† But Mason's feelings were now so entwined around the cause of the New England colonies, that his separation from them was impracticable.

During the Protectorate, Cromwell sent (1654) to New England Major Sedgwick and Captain Leverett, to reduce the Dutch; and Major Mason and Mr. Cullick were deputed by the General Court of Connecticut, to act in concert with them.

* Hinman's Catalogue, art. Governor Edward Hopkins.

+ Prince's Introd. to Mason's Brief Hist. of the Pequot War.

While Governor Winthrop was absent in England, on the business of the colony, for a renewal of their charter, at the time of the accession of King Charles the Second, on Deputy Governor Mason devolved the chief conduct of civil affairs. And when the charter was sanctioned by the royal authority, he was appointed, (1662,) by the King, "Deputy Governor," until an annual election could be had; and, at that election, his appointment was continued.

Governor Winthrop, after the important object of his mission had been happily secured, without delay forwarded the charter to the colony. The pulse of the whole community was immediately accelerated by the glad tidings. All hearts were filled with joy. The Court convened. A great concourse was assembled with them. The document was read aloud; and "one of the Court, probably Major Mason, held it out in his hand, and declared it to be theirs, and their successors' !"*

He was one of the nineteen petitioners to Charles II., who were selected to sign the document in the colony's behalf; and the King's grant contains, among their chosen names, that of JOHN MASON.†

The year after he had been elected Deputy Governor, he made over to the colony all lands which he had purchased from the Indians by the authority of the Court. Forty years after this period, the descendants of Mason claimed these lands, "in virtue of a deed given to him by Uncas," the Mohégan sachem, during the time (1659) when he acted as agent of the colony; and they repre

* Hinman's Catalogue, art. Governor John Winthrop.

+ Hinman's Letters from the English Kings and Queens, &c., to the Governors of Conn., pp. 174–188.

‡ Conn. Records, Vol. II, p. 135.