A key into the language of America, or, An help to the language of the natives in that part of America called New-England together with briefe observations of the customes, manners and worships, &c. of the aforesaid natives, in peace and warre, in life and death : on all which are added spirituall observations, generall and particular, by the authour ... / by Roger Williams ...

CHAP. XXVI. Of Debts and Trusting. (Book 26)

Noónat.	I have not money enough
Noonamautuck∣quàwhe.	Trust me.
Kunnoonamaútuck quaush.	I will owe it you.

Obs. They are very desirous to come into debt, but then he that trusts them, must su∣staine a twofold losse:

First, of his Commoditie.

Secondly, of his custome as I have found by deare experience: Some are ingenuous, plaine hearted and honest; but the most ne∣ver pay unlesse a man follow them to their severall abodes, townes and houses, as I my selfe have been forc'd to doe, which hardship and travells it ha•…•… yet pleased God to swee∣ten with some experiences and some little gaine of Language.

Non•…•…mautuckquahé ginath.	Debts.
Nosaumautackqua∣whe.	I am much in debt.
Pitch nippáutowin.	I will bring it you.
Chenock n•…•…quombeg	When
cuppauútiin n•…•…teaù∣guash.	Will you bring mee my money?
Kunnaumpatous,	I will pay you.
Kukke•…•…skwhush.
Keéskwhim teaug mésin.	Pay me my money.
Tawhitch p•…•…yáuyean	Why doe you come?
Nn•…•…dgecom.	I come for debts.
Machêt•…•….	A poore man.

Nummácheke.	I am a poore man.
Mesh nummaúch∣nem.	I have been ficke.
Nowemacaûnash nit∣teaùquash.	I was faine to spend my money in my sicknesse.

Obs. This is a common, and as (they think) most satisfying answer, that they have been sick: for in those times they give largely to the Priests, who then sometimes heales them by conjurations; and also they keepe open house for all to come to helpe to pray with them, unto whom also they give mo∣ney.

Mat noteaûgo.	I have no money.
Kekineash nippê∣tunck.	Looke here in my bag.
Nummâche maúga∣nash.	I have already paid.
Mat coanaumwaû∣mis.	You have not kept your word.
Kunnampatôwin keénowwin.	You must pay it.
Mach•…•…ge wuttama∣ûntam.	He minds it not.
Machàge wuttamma∣untammôock.	They take no care about paying.
Michéme notamma∣ûntam.	I doe alwayes mind it.

Mat nickowêmen naûkocks.

I cannot sleep in the night for it.

Generall Observations of their debts.

It is an universall Disease of folly in men to desire to enter into not onely necessary, but unnecessary and tormenting debts, contrary to the command of the only wise God: Owe •…•…o thing to any man, but that you love each other.

More particular:

I have heard ingenuous Indians say, In debts, they could not sleepe. How far worse are such English then, Who love in debts to keepe?

If debts of pounds cause restlesse nights In trade with man and man, How hard's that heart that millions owes To God, and yet sleepe can?

Debts paid, sleep's sweet, sins paid, death's sweet, Death's night then's turn'd to light; Who dies in sinnes unpaid, that soule His light's eternall night.