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.
William Apes, Deacon Coombs, and Daniel Amos, are now in
Boston, where they are much caressed, by the good citizens,
and are styled the "_Marshpee Deputation_;" and we see in the
Boston papers notices that the "Marshpee Deputation will be
present at the Tremont Theatre, by invitation."[10] That the
Marshpee Deputation will address the public upon the subject
of their grievances, in the "_Representative Hall_," "in
Boylston Hall," &c. And we learn at their "_talk_," in the
Representative Hall, they drew a large audience, and that
audience was so indiscreet, (not to say indecorous or
riotous,) as to cheer and applaud Apes in his ribaldry,
misrepresentation and nonsense. Really, it looks to us, as
if there was much misunderstanding upon the subject of the
Marshpee difficulties. If there is any thing wrong we would
have it put right; but how does the case appear. At the time
of Apes' coming among them, they were quiet and peaceable, and
their condition, mentally, morally and pecuniarily improving.
At this time, and when this is the condition and situation of
the Indians, comes this intruder, this disturber, this
riotous and mischief-making Indian, from the Pequot tribe, in
Connecticut. He goes among the inhabitants of Marshpee, and
by all the arts of a talented, educated, wily, unprincipled
Indian, professing with all, to be an apostle of Christianity;
he stirs them up to sedition, riot, _treason_! Instigates them
to declare their independence of the laws of Massachusetts,
and to _arm themselves_ to defend it.
We need not follow, minutely, the transactions which rapidly
succeeded this state of things. We will merely remark that, in
that time of rebellion, prompt, efficient, but mild measures
were taken by the Executive, to quell the disturbances, and
restore good faith. An agent was sent by the Governor, to
inquire into the cause, and if possible, to remove it. That
agent found it to be his duty to arrest Apes, (that _pious_
interloper,) as a riotous and seditious person, and bind him
over for trial, at the Common Pleas Court. He was there tried;
and, in our opinion, never was there a fairer trial. He was
convicted; and, in our opinion, never was there a more just
conviction, or a milder sentence. After the performance of his
sentence, Apes is again at work stirring up new movements. And
having strung together a list of _imaginary_ grievances,
and false allegations, and affixed a great number of names,
without the knowledge or consent of many of the individuals,
he goes to the Legislature, with two of his ignorant, deluded
followers, pretending to be "_the Marshpee Deputation_," and
asks redress and relief.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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