After European plagues decimated the population of the Wampanoags, Chief Massasoit was eager for an alliance that would help regain their prominence with neighboring tribes, especially the powerful Narragansetts. As for the Pilgrims, they longed to secure peace and security as soon as possible for the place that would be their home. On April 1, 1621, Massasoit and Governor Bradford signed a treaty.
The Wampanoags would do no harm to the Plymouth colonists, and if such a thing happened the offender would be delivered to Plymouth leaders for punishment.
If a colonist or Wampanoag stole something from the other party, the item would be returned.
The Wampanoags and colonists would defend each other against unjust attacks by other groups.
Massasoit would inform neighboring tribes of the treaty to help encourage peace with the colonists.
When the Wampanoags and colonists visited each other, they would leave their weapons behind.
Finally, the Pilgrims promised that England's King James would consider Massasoit a friend and ally.
This treaty may be at the center of what Americans call the “first Thanksgiving” – the harvest feast held at Plymouth colony with their Wampanoag neighbors. One of the Pilgrims’ activities during the feast was target shooting with their muskets. Soon after the loud musket cracks echoed over the land, Massasoit arrived with ninety men. Learning that there was no attack against the colony, he sent out a hunting party that quickly returned with five deer to add to the three-day feast.
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