William Bradford: “Welcome to Plymouth colony, Samoset!”
Samoset: “It is good to see you again. I brought a friend with me. I’m sure you will be interested in meeting him.”
Squanto: “Hello, my name is Squanto. I am from the Patuxet tribe; I lived here in this very place many years ago.”
William Bradford: “You speak English too! Where do you live? How did you learn to speak English?”
Squanto: “I have
been living just southwest of here for the past six months with Chief Massasoit’s
tribe. When
I was a boy, I was captured by slave traders and taken to England, where I
learned to speak English.
Then I returned to my tribe and was captured again. That time I was sold to
some monks in Spain.
5.
They treated me well and taught me about the Christian faith. When they released
me I returned
again, but I found that my whole tribe had died mysteriously.”
John Carver: “You are welcome here anytime, Squanto. Our home is your home.”
Samoset: “Squanto
and I would like you to meet Chief Massasoit. He does not speak English, but
we can
translate for you. Most of the Indian tribes do not trust the white man, there
is much fighting and
many people have been killed. If you can talk together and understand one
another, maybe you can
live in peace. He does not know your God, but he is a good man.”
John Carver: “Yes, please introduce us to Chief Massasoit. We will be happy to talk with him.”
(A few days later Samoset & Squanto returns with Chief Massasoit)
Samoset: “We would
like you to meet Chief Massasoit. He has brought these gifts for you and would
like to
welcome you to this land.”
Chief Massasoit: (He bows and gives gifts to Edward Winslow. Samoset interprets for him.)
Edward Winslow: “On
behalf of the people of Plymouth Colony, we want to welcome you, Chief Massasoit.
Please
accept our gifts of friendship to you and your tribe.”
Narrator: With Samoset
as interpreter, Chief Massasoit met with Edward Winslow, the Pilgrim representative.
With some fanfare, gift-giving and speeches, Massasoit made a forty-year peace
treaty with the Pilgrims guaranteeing mutual assistance and aid. Most of the
Indian tribes would not accept foreigners as friends.
Good and bad things happened during their first year in Plymouth. The Mayflower
finally left for England on April 21. Governor Carver died and was replaced
by William Bradford. The building and the planting continued. Squanto showed
them how to plant, fish, hunt and make clothing. Edward Winslow, whose wife
died, married Susanna White, who had also lost her husband. While life was
difficult and strenuous, the Pilgrims were full of thanksgiving to God for
all that He had done for them..
(It is October, 1621)
William Bradford: “I
want to proclaim a day of public thanksgiving to God to be held later this
month. Let’s invite
Squanto and Chief Massasoit’s tribe to join us. It will be a day of
celebration for all that the Lord has given to us.”
Susanna White: “That
is a great idea. We can make lots of delicious food, maybe even some cornmeal
pudding and
fruit pies like the Indian women taught us.”
6.
William Brewster: “We will try to get some extra deer and turkeys, although
we are still not very good hunters. Squanto
tried to teach me how to sneak up on wild game, but I am always so clumsy
and make too much
noise. I usually scare away the animals before I get a chance to shoot at
them.”
Susanna White: “I hope that the Indian women bring some of that delicious maple syrup and popcorn too.
Dr. Samuel Fuller: “Can
we plan some athletic events? I am amazed at how fast they can run. Wouldn’t
it be fun to
challenge them to a race? We could play lots of different games. They could
teach us some of their
games too.”
William Brewster: “The
Indians have been so helpful, especially Squanto. He has taught us to plant,
fish, hunt and make
clothing. We should thank them for all of their help with a celebration.”
John Robinson: “Yes,
it would be good to thank them, but more important to thank God for sending
them to us.
Squanto was a special gift from God to help us survive in our new land. We
might have all died
without his help this winter.”
William Bradford: “All
that we have is from God. God is so loving and so great. He must be praised.
We can show our
Indian friends how we thank Almighty God for His great love and care for us.
Maybe someday they
will come to trust in Him too.”
Narrator Chief Massasoit
was invited to the first Thanksgiving. He showed up a day early with 90 Indians!
They brought with them 5 dressed deer, more than 12 fat, wild turkeys, and
eight different types of vegetables. Between the meals, they played athletic
games and held contests of various skills. The celebration went so well, it
was extended for another 3 days.
The following announcement was made by Governor William Bradford two years
later in 1623.