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, but the subject
was before the House, and ought to receive the attention due
to it.

Mr. Lucas of Plymouth, said (as far as we could hear him) that
the difficulty in the Marshpee tribe had been caused by an
itinerant preacher, who went there and urged them to declare
their independence. They proceeded to extremities, and the
Governor and Council sent a commissioner to examine the
affair, and he made a report to the Council, and until that
was heard, he hoped nothing would be heard from the Indians.
It ought first to come before the House. The petition
originated no doubt, from the itinerant preacher, who had been
pouring into their ears discontent until they had a riot, and
the rioters were prosecuted with the preacher among them,
and he was convicted and imprisoned. Whether any of the
petitioners were among those rioters or not, he did not know.

Mr. Allen of Pembroke, said he had not heard the gentleman
from Plymouth. It was not his wish to prevent the petitioners
being heard at a proper time, but he thought the House ought
to hear the other side, before any course was taken.

Mr. Robinson of Marblehead, hoped that the attempt would not
be persisted in, to withhold from these Indians the common
indulgence of having their petition read.