After his arrest, he expressed some contrition, and admitted he had gone too far.  The ultimate understanding appears to be with the Indians, that they will offer no further resistance, but wait patiently for a redress of grievances, until the meeting of the Legislature, when they confidently expect to have their guardianship removed.  As an evidence of their peaceable disposition, “President” Amos, at the request of Mr. Fiske, gave up the key of the Meeting-house, for Rev Mr. Fish to occupy the pulpit, and asked as a favor, that the Indians might occupy it half the time.  The result of the mission of Mr. Fiske, is therefore very favorable, and if a similar course is pursued hereafter, there will be no further difficulty with the tribe.  They should be treated with all possible lenity and kindness, for the honor of the Commonwealth.

The Indians would not consent to see Mr. Fiske at first, because they did not like to meet their enemies off their own ground, and I presume they would not have consented to do so to this day.  As to the Counsellor’s meeting us alone, it was the especial direction of the Governor that he should hear the parties separately, because, supposing the government to be oppressive, it seemed to him that the Indians would be afraid to speak plainly in presence of their masters, or proffer their complaints.  The Indians wished to do nothing in a corner; but rather to proceed with an open and manly spirit, that should show that they were unjustly accounted abject and willing slaves.  As to my opinion of the powers of the Governor, I have already admitted that I was in error; for I am not a man skilled in legal subtleties.  My reason for pressing our claims so strongly was, to make the way easy for my brethren, till something could be done for them.  The Indians were requested to give up their own Meeting-house to a gentleman who did not come at their request, and to gather other people into it to suit his convenience.  The Indians asked for their own house for only half the time, and even this was denied them.  The law not bearing out their petition, they could only obtain it by force, and, finding this to be the case, they forbore.

The question is, how can a man do good among a people who do not respect him or desire his presence, and who refuse to hear him preach?  Yet Harvard College has forced such an one on the Marshpees against their will, right or wrong.

I heard a white lady observe, that Mr. Fish was not a preacher for every one; as though he was not fit to preach to any but us poor ignorant Indians.  Nevertheless, if any people need a talented, enterprising preacher, we are the very ones.  Some may suppose Mr. Fish to be a Unitarian.  He was, when he was first settled at Marshpee; but his opinions underwent a change soon after, and he became what is commonly called an orthordox Congregationalist.  In order to be a good one, he ought to make one more change—­a change of inclination, to force himself on poor Indians.  One who has such an inclination cannot be a good member of any sect, or an honor to it.  Such a person can be no ornament to any ecclesiastical body.  I would not have it inferred from this that a breath of reproach is in my mind, or in those of my brethren against any denomination of Christians.  We love all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity.