Indian Nullification of the Unconstitutional Laws of Massachusetts Relative to the Marshpee Tribe: Or, the Pretended Riot Explained — John Shaqi
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.
You think the men you give us do us good, and that all is
right. Brothers, you are deceived; they do us no good. We
do them good. They like the place where you have put them.
Brothers, our fathers of this State meet soon to make laws;
will you help us to enable them to hear the voice of the red
man?
_Marshpee, Dec. 19, 1833_.
This appeal was published in several of the public prints, in order to
make our dissatisfaction manifest.
The next extract is from the Boston Advocate, and shows what
opposition was made to the reading of our petition in the House of
Representatives. The article says all that can be said for itself.[9]
PETITION OF THE MARSHPEE TRIBE OF INDIANS.
Yesterday morning, in the House, Mr. Cushing of Dorchester,
presented the petition of the Proprietors and inhabitants of
the Marshpee Plantation, signed by 79 males and 92 females on
the plantation, and in behalf of 79 males and 37 females, who
are absent from the plantation, and say they will not return
to live under the present laws, in all 287: praying for the
privilege to manage their own property; for the abolition of
the overseership, that they may be incorporated as the town of
Marshpee, with the right to make municipal regulations; that
one or more Magistrates may be appointed among them; and for a
repeal of the existing laws relating to their tribe, with the
exception of the law preventing their selling their lands,
which they pray may be retained; and for a redress of
grievances.
[The Memorial sets forth in detail, the complaints of the
tribe, and was drawn up among themselves, without assistance.
It is represented here by Deacon Coombs, Daniel Amos, and
William Apes, all of them well informed Indians, who
are deputed by the tribe, and were present in the House
yesterday.]
Mr. Cushing moved that the petition be read and referred to a
special Committee, to be joined by the Senate.
Mr. Swift of Nantucket, said there was a statement to be
made from the Governor and Council, on the subject of the
difficulties with the Indians, and he hoped the petition would
be laid on the table without being read.
Mr. Allen of Pembroke, hoped the motion to read the petition
would not prevail. We should have in a few days a statement
from the Governor and Council, and he hoped nothing would be
done until that was received, to prejudice the House.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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