Petition of the Chappaquiddick Indians to the Governor and Council of Massachusetts

Citing the Law of 1789  and subsequent act of 1790, the Indians and People of Color state that their presently appointed guardians have not performed their duties as required under the law.  The guardians neglected to see that the fence was erected and repaired, resulting in animals trespassing upon their lands and creating much damage.  When the Indians impound the animals and complain to the guardians, the guardians pay no attention to their grievances and order them to release the animals without rendering them any compensation.   In addition, the Guardians rented out a tract of Wood land for pasturage that was set off to the Indians, that was damaged by cattle and other animals. The Indians surveyed their land a found a certain tract enclosed and improved by other people. Several Indian families have suffered the expense of lawsuits, prosecutions and other hardships due to the guardians’ negligence and unfair practices of reassigning land to the family of the Indian guardian Johnson Peters.  The Indians want their three guardians removed and replaced with three who they name and trust.