Editing Roger Williams (section)

===Pequot War and relations with Native Americans===

In the meantime, the [[Pequot War]] had broken out. Massachusetts Bay asked for Williams's help, which he gave despite his exile, and he became the Bay colony's eyes and ears, and also dissuaded the Narragansetts from joining with the [[Pequots]]. Instead, the Narragansetts allied themselves with the colonists and helped to defeat the Pequots in 1637–38.

Williams formed firm friendships and developed deep trust among the Native American tribes, especially the Narragansetts. He was able to keep the peace between the Native Americans and the [[Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations]] for nearly 40 years by his constant mediation and negotiation. He twice surrendered himself as a hostage to the Native Americans to guarantee the safe return of a great [[sachem]] from a summons to a court: Pessicus in 1645 and [[Metacom]] ("King Philip") in 1671. The Native Americans trusted Williams more than any other Colonist, and he proved trustworthy.

[[File:Roger Williams and Narragansetts.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|A mid-19th century depiction of Williams meeting with Narragansett leaders]]