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.
We would be the last to object to their receiving redress and
relief; and we doubt not they will obtain, at the hands of the
Legislature, all they ought to have. But who is the "_Marshpee
Deputation_," that is showing off to such advantage in the
city? It is William Apes, the convicted rioter, who was the
whole cause of the disgraceful sedition at Marshpee the last
summer; who is a hypocritical _missionary_, from a tribe in
Connecticut; whose acquaintance with the Marshpeeans is of
_less than a year's_ standing. And he is endeavoring to enlist
public sympathy in _his_ favor, _in advance_, by lecturing
in the Hall of Representatives, upon that pathetic and
soul-stiring theme, Indian degradation and oppression;
vilifying and abusing the irreproachable pastor of the
plantation, Mr. Fish; stigmatizing and calumniating the
Court and Jury who tried and convicted him, and flinging his
sarcasms and sneers upon the Attorney and Jury who indicted
him. And for _all this_, he is receiving the _applause_ of
an audience, who _must be_ ignorant of _his_ character; and
blinded by the pretences of this impostor. And as far as
that audience is composed of Legislators, their conduct, in
permitting Apes to enlist their passions and feelings in his
favor, pending a Legislative investigation of the subject, is
reprehensible.
But, there is no fear that the matter will not be set right.
That the investigation by the intelligent agent last summer,
(Mr. Fiske,) and the investigation now going on by a committee
of the Legislature, will show the true character of Apes, and
point out the real wants and grievances of the Indians; and
that the remedy will be applied, to the satisfaction of the
Indians and the discomfiture of that renegade impostor and
hypocritical interloper and disturber, Apes, there is little
doubt; that _such_ may be the result, is the sincere wish of