Indian Nullification of the Unconstitutional Laws of Massachusetts Relative to the Marshpee Tribe: Or, the Pretended Riot ExplainedApess, William
History
Indian Nullification of the Unconstitutional Laws of Massachusetts Relative to the Marshpee Tribe: Or, the Pretended Riot Explained
Apess, William
Indians of North America -- Legal status, laws, etc.; Mashpee Indians -- Land tenure; Mashpee Indians -- Legal status, laws, etc.
It will be seen that little was done concerning our tribe, from
the session of the Court at Barnstable up to the meeting of the
Legislature, though the opposition to us had wealth, talent and power
in its ranks. Clergymen, lawyers, physicians, counsellors, Governor,
senators, and representatives were arrayed against us; and we
Marshpees account all who opposed our freedom, as tories, hostile
to the constitution, and the liberties of the country. This is our
sincere opinion of them, and it is to us a thing inexplicable that his
Excellency, the then Governor, should have seen fit to place himself
at their head.[8] We desire to thank our Maker that they found
themselves in the minority of the people, and fell in the esteem of
Christian and benevolent persons who heard of their conduct. We thank
the majority of the controllers of public affairs, that they had
more sense than to think of holding the rightful lords of the soil in
bondage any longer, for the gratification of selfish and unjust
men. Honorable is it to Massachusetts that there are enough good and
upright men in authority, to counteract the measures of those of a
different character, and remedy the evils they may occasion.
I shall now proceed to present to my brethren, an Indian's appeal to
them, and the laws framed by the Legislature for the oppression and
moral and political destruction of the Marshpees in by-gone days.
My comments thereupon will be omitted, because, should I say all
the subject suggests, it would swell my book to a bulk that would be
wearisome to the reader.
AN INDIAN'S APPEAL TO THE WHITE MEN OF MASSACHUSETTS.
As our brethren, the white men of Massachusetts, have recently
manifested much sympathy for the red men of the Cherokee
nation, who have suffered much from their white brethren;
as it is contended in this State, that our red brethren,
the Cherokees, should be an independent people, having the
privileges of the white men; we, the red men of the Marshpee
tribe, consider it a favorable time to speak. We are not free.
We wish to be so, as much as the red men of Georgia. How will
the white man of Massachusetts ask favor for the red men
of the South, while the poor Marshpee red men, his near
neighbors, sigh in bondage? Will not your white brothers of
Georgia tell you to look at home, and clear your own borders
of oppression, before you trouble them? Will you think of
this? What would be benevolence in Georgia, the red man thinks
would be so in Massachusetts. You plead for the Cherokees,
will you not raise your voice for the red man of Marshpee?
Our overseers are not kind; they speak, you hear them. When we
speak for ourselves, our voice is so feeble it is not heard.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account