MARSHPEE, JULY 19, 1834.

Mr. WM. APES,

_Sir_,--Perceiving by a notice in the "Barnstable Journal," of
last week, that you have appointed a Camp-meeting, to commence
on the 30th inst. and to be holden on the Parsonage, and in
the vicinity of the Meeting-house,

_This is to forbid the proceeding altogether_!

You have no pretence for such a measure; and if you persist
in your purpose to hold such Meeting, either near the
_Meeting-house_, or on _any part of the Parsonage allotment_,
you must consider yourself _responsible for the consequences_.

I am &c.

PHINEAS FISH.

Rev. WILLIAM APES.

Soon after this, the Selectmen, one of whom was a member of my
church, applied to Mr. Fish respecting holding the Camp-meeting on the
parsonage. The place selected could not have disturbed Mr. Fish, any
more than people passing in carriages in the main road. We had no
Meeting-house, our School-houses would not hold the people, and we had
no other means but to erect our tents and worship God in the open air.
A pious family of whites from Nantucket, came on the ground, and began
erecting their tent. Mr. Fish came there in person and ordered them
off. The man told him that he had his family there, and had no other
shelter for the night but his tent, which he should not remove, but
would do so the next day, if he found that he was trespassing on
any man's rights. But he added, if Mr. Fish turned him off, he would
publish his conduct to the world. Mr. Fish's interference to break
up our religious meeting, created much talk, and finally he wrote the
following letter to the Selectmen; after which we went on and had our
meeting, in a quiet, orderly and peaceful manner, and we believe it
was a season of grace, in which the Lord blessed us.

_To the Selectmen of Marshpee_.

On mature thought, and in compliance with your particular
request, I consent to your holding the Camp-meeting, which
is this day commenced, on the spot near the river, where the
first tent was erected. I consent, (I say,) on the following
conditions, viz: That you undertake that no damage come upon
the parsonage property, either wood land, or Meeting-house;
that no attempt be made to occupy the Meeting-house; that
there be no attempt on the Sabbath, or any other day, to
interrupt the customary worship at the Meeting-house, and,
_that peace, order, and quietude