Indian Nullification of the Unconstitutional Laws of Massachusetts Relative to the Marshpee Tribe | Page 9

from that
day to this. He is gone where his deeds done in the flesh will receive
their just reward; which I hope is a crown of blessedness and glory.
We did not find the Governor in Boston; but were advised to wait on
Mr. Armstrong, the Lieut. Governor. We showed him our petition and
resolutions, which he said, would avail us nothing, unless enforced. We
answered that they would be enforced, at the appointed time. He then
suggested that we might have been instigated to the measures in
question by some of our enemies; probably meaning some of our
unprincipled white neighbors. We replied that ill usage had been our
only instigation, and that no one had interfered in the matter. He
advised us to deliver our petition to the Secretary of State, to be
submitted to the Council at their next session; which we did.
This done, we called on one of the tribe who was engaged in the
coasting business, and had done much to teach the Indians, and to bring
them to a right knowledge of their degraded condition. He said that he
would willingly relinquish his business, and join in the efforts of his
brethren to shake off the yoke which galled them; and thereupon it was
resolved to hold a convention on the twenty-fifth of June, for the
purpose of organizing a new government. He desired to be there, and
his name is Daniel Amos.
I now set out for Essex, where my family was living, accompanied by
the blind preacher. I put my wife and little ones on board a small vessel,
bound for Boston, while I and my blind brother returned thither by land.
We all arrived safely, and soon after embarked for Barnstable, where
we arrived on the eighteenth of June, and landed at a spot about twelve
miles distant from the hospitable Indians. Here we found ourselves
breathing a new atmosphere. The people were very little prepossessed
in our favor, and we certainly owe them small thanks on the score of

hospitality. We succeeded in obtaining the shelter of an old stable for
two nights, by paying two dollars. We applied to one individual for
accommodations during that time, for one of our party who was sick,
but were refused. He said he had no room. If any white man should
come to Marshpee and ask hospitality for a night or two, I do not
believe that one of the whole tribe would turn him from his door,
savages though they be. Does not he better deserve the name who took
from us two dollars for sleeping in his stable? This usage made me
think that in this part of New England prejudice was strong against the
poor children of the woods, and that any aid we might receive must
come from the more hospitable Indians, among whom we arrived on
the twenty-first, and rested till the twenty-fifth. We regarded ourselves,
in some sort, as a tribe of Israelites suffering under the rod of despotic
Pharaohs; for thus far, our cries and remonstrances had been of no avail.
We were compelled to make our bricks without straw.
We now, in our synagogue, for the first time, concerted the form of a
government, suited to the spirit and capacity of free born sons of the
forest; after the pattern set us by our white brethren. There was but one
exception, viz. that all who dwelt in our precincts were to be held free
and equal, in truth, as well as in letter. Several officers, twelve in all,
were elected to give effect to this novelty of a government; the chief of
whom were Daniel Amos, President, and Israel Amos, Secretary.
Having thus organized ourselves, we gave notice to the former board of
overseers, and the public at large, of our intentions. This was the form
of our proclamation:
NOTICE.
_Marshpee Plantation, June 25th, 1833_.
Having heretofore been distressed, and degraded, and robbed daily, we
have taken measures to put a stop to these things.--And having made
choice of our own town officers to act instead of the whites, and having
acquainted the Governor of our affairs and resolutions, he has nothing
against our putting them in force.[1] And now we would say to our
white friends, we are wanting nothing but our rights betwixt man and
man. And now, rest assured that said resolutions will be enforced after

the first day of July, 1833. Done at the National Assembly of the
Marshpee Tribe, and by the authority of the same.
DANIEL AMOS, President.
ISRAEL AMOS, Secretary.
Hereupon the Missionary and agents and all who put faith in them,
combined together to work our destruction, as is well known to all men.
We then proceeded to discharge all the officers appointed by the
Governor