they were then managed; and notwithstanding the difficulties
under which they labored, their moral condition was improving.
There was not so much intemperance among them as formerly;
many of the tribe were shrewd, intelligent and respectable
men; and all that was necessary to raise up the entire mass
from their low estate, was the removal of those fetters
and restrictions which now bind them to the dust. Mr. Apes
described the cause and the extent of the disturbance
which took place last summer, and which resulted in his
imprisonment. The head and front of their offending was in
going into the woods, and unloading a cart, and causing it to
be sent away empty. The reason for that procedure was, that
they wished no more wood to be cut until an investigation of
their rights had been made. They used no violence; uttered no
oaths; made no throats; and took no weapons of defence. Every
thing was done quietly, but firmly. Mr. Apes wished to know
from whence the right to tax them without their consent, and
at pleasure, and subject them to the arbitrary control of a
Board of Overseers, was derived? He knew not himself; but he
feared it was from the color of their skin. He concluded by
making a forcible appeal to the justice and humanity of the
Legislature, and expressing his confidence that the prayer of
the memorialists would not be made in vain.

In several instances, the speakers made some dextrous and
pointed thrusts at the whites, for their treatment of the
sons of the forest since the time of the pilgrims, which were
received with applause by the audience. They were all careful
in their references to the conduct of the Overseers; they
wished to say as little about them as possible; but they