OUR ANCESTORS STORY

TO THE WHITE PEOPLE OF MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 19 1835

THE RED CHILDREN OF AMERICA ADDRESS THEMSELVES TO THE DECENDANTS OF THE PALE MEN WHO CAME ACROSS THE BIG WATERS TO SEEK AMONG THEM REFUGE FROM TYRANNY AND PERSECUTION.

WE SAY TO EACH AND EVERYONE THAT THE GREAT SPIRIT WHO IS THE FRIEND OF THE INDIAN AS WELL AS OF THE WHITE MAN, HAS RAISED UP AMONG YOU A BROTHER OF OUR OWN, AND HAS SENT HIM TO US THAT HE MIGHT SHOW US ALL THE SECRETS, CONGREVIENCES OF THE PALE FACEES TO DECEIVE AND DEFRAUD US. FOR THIS MANY OF OUR WHITE BRETHREN HATE HIM, AND REVILE HIM, AND SAY ALL MANNER OF EVIL OF HIM, FALSELY CALLING HIM AN IMPOSTOR. KNOW ALL MEN THAT OUR BROTHER APES IS NOT SUCH A MAN AS THEY SAY. WHITE MEN ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE IMPOSED ON US. AND WE SAY THAT WE LOVE OUR RED BROTHER, THE REV. WILLIAM APES WHO PREACHES TO US, AND HAVE ALL THE CONFIDENCE IN HIM THAT WE CAN PUT IN ANY MAN,KNOW HIM TO BE A DEVOUT CHRISTIAN, OF SOUND MIND, OF FIRM PURPOSE, AND WORTHY TO BE TRUSTED IN REASON OF HIS TRUTH. WE HAVE NEVER SEEN REASON TO THINK OTHERWISE.

WE SEND THIS TO THE WORLD IN LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP WITH ALL MEN AND ESPECIALLY WITH OUR BROTHER APES FOR WHO BENEFIT IT IS INTENDED.

SIGNED BY THE THREE SELECTMEN OF THE MASHPEE TRIBE, AT THE COUNCIL HOUSE IN MASHPEE.

ISRAEL AMOS

ISSAC COOMBS

EZRA ATTAQUIN

Submitted by Clan Mother Joan Avant