Petition of Simon Porridge and Other Chappaquiddick Indians to the Governor and Council of Massachusetts

The Indians and People of Color who inhabit Chappaquiddick request that the Governor remove their guardians because they do not pay attention to their complaints about White people or proprietors who refuse to maintain divisional fences and are not penalized for neglecting to do so, per the Law of 1789 https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/actsResolves/1788/1788acts0035.pdf and a subsequent law enacted in 1790 https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/actsResolves/1790/1790acts0007.pdf. They ask that the Governor appoint some suitable person as their guardian to hear their complaints according to law and justice.  They wish for their wives and children to enjoy what they have been allotted in peace, because they are poor with little money to waste and are embarrassed.  If matters remain as they are, their land will be of little or no use to them and they will starve or rely upon charity. If they have justice under the law, they will be able to comfortably support themselves.