The Messrs. Sampsons, four in number, were called, and testified as follows, That on the first day of July, between eight and nine, A.M. they were carting wood from the Marshpee plantation, that they were hailed by Wm. Apes, and forbidden by him to take any wood away until a settlement with the overseers should have been had; that the said Apes threatened them that he would call his men if they persisted, who would “cut up a shine with them,"[4] (the Sampsons.) They all agreed, however, that no unchristian temper was manifested, and no indecorous language used.  They admitted that they had no fear for their personal safety, and that no harm was done to any of the persons concerned, save unloading their teams, and ordering them to depart.

Now if I had taken any neighbors’ wood without his leave, and he had thrown it out of my cart, and told me to go away, and had given me no farther molestation, I should think I had gotten off very easily.  If a poor Indian wishes to get into a jail or penitentiary, that is just the course I would advise him to pursue.  I leave it to the reader to say who were the persons aggrieved and injured, and that had the right to complain of trespass.

It was thought proper, by those who had the power so to do, to bind me over to appear and take my trial before the Court of Common Pleas, at the next session, in the sum of two hundred dollars, and sureties for the like amount were also required.  Compliance was not difficult.  I had only to send for Lemuel Ewer, Esq. of South Sandwich, who had, in former times, been the treasurer of the tribe, knew their wrongs, and was their friend.  It was well for me that there was one man who knew on which side the right lay, and had the courage to support it, for I verily believe that no other person would have dared to become my bondsman.  I owe Mr. Ewer the justice further to say that he has done much to advance the interests of the Marshpee tribe, by giving information respecting them to the Legislative body, for which we cannot easily show our gratitude.

The Cotueters now waxed exceedingly wroth at what Mr. Ewer had done.  Truth had been shot into their hearts, and if I should say that they bellowed like mad bulls, and spouted like whales, gored mortally by the harpoon, I do not think the figure of speech would be too strong.  Mr. Crocker, the contractor or agent, for our wood, felt himself especially aggrieved that I had gotten bail, and was let loose upon the plantation, to hinder him in his business.  His life, he thought, would be in danger.  There was a great deal of loose talk and a pretty considerable uproar.

While I was waiting for Mr. Ewer, to bail me, I had some conversation with the Hon. J.J.  Fiske, who expressed himself concerned about the Indians, and thought that something ought to be done.  I said to him that my object was to get them righted, and allowed that I might possibly have gone too fast and far.  In this I am now satisfied that I was mistaken.  I believe that neither I nor any of my brethren went fast enough.  I think there is no white man, Christian or Infidel, who would have shown half so much forbearance as we did in the like circumstances.  Mr. Fiske said he would do all he could for me, and I have no doubt that he did so.  It was very proper in him to endeavor to quiet the whites.  The Indians were already quiet, and had no disposition to be otherwise.