n 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.

Mr. Cushing of Dorchester, was not aware that any objections
could be made to the reading of the petition, which he
considered as a matter of course; nor could he see how a
knowledge of the matter could prejudice the House. He presumed
the House would not take upon itself to refuse to hear the
petition of the humblest individual, and he did not fear that
they could not control their minds so far as to be ready to
give a fair hearing to the other side. The intimation that
some document was to come from another source, did not go at
all to show that the petition ought not to be read. Whether
the statement which gentlemen said was to be made, was in aid
or explanation of the petition did not appear, b