A man, by the name of Mr. John Hoar, had come from Massachusetts and was a delegate from my husband. He came bearing gifts and to seek my redemption on behalf of Joseph. Here was a display like I had never seen before. Mr. Hoar brought lots of food and trinkets, as well as tobacco and alcohol. He gave me a pound of tobacco and this I sold for nine shillings. The natives could not get their hands on that wretched product fast enough. My master would not take the delegation from Mr. Hoar but took the alcohol that was brought and drank it in it's entirety. This was the first time I'd seen a Native drunk, which is a bit surprising considering their nature. However, he proceeded to chase his squaw when she resisted his commands. Having an older squaw, he ran to her and occupied himself for the night. This caused quite a stir around the camp and I could not help but think of how all of that could have been avoided if only he knew some responsibility and self control. For Puritan society teaches both of these and Mr. Increase Mather states it this way: "Drink is in itself a good creature of God, and to be received with thankfulness, but the abuse of drink is from Satan; the wine is from God, but the Drunkard is from the Devil." Again, I am reminded of just how close these natives live to the Devil himself.
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