The independent-reporter., 1910-05-19
INDIAN PAT.
RIOTS OF OLD
Mrs. Woods Paper Continued from
Last Week

dlc pSdCedDie, anu idW-dUlulnS IdlI0-
full wards of our State Joseph Nicho-
las, former Governor, has published
book of the traditions of the tribe
But it is their service to our country
that we wish to consider and we find
them in those early days brave, loyal
Patriots, taking their places by the
side of white men, in the ranks, pledg-
ed to the cause of independence. That
they were a factor to be considered in
the struggle is shown by the fact,
that agents, on both sides, We're sent
Emissaries were sent from King
George asking allegiance, and a letter
is in existence. written to the Passa-
maquoddy tribe, warning them against
the King and asking their aid if need
ed. Some fears being entertained as
to the loyalty of the Penobscots. active
measures were taken, when war was
declared, to make this an assured fact.
Capt. John Lane of Buxton was select
ed as an Ambassador to the tribe, and
in May 1775 a letter was received from
the Provincial Congress expressing the
feeling of common brotherhood, and
unity of purpose while condemning the
action of Capt, Goldthwait in the sur
render of Fort Pownal to the enemy.
With promises of goodwill and pro-
lection and letter to Joseph Warren,
a deputation to Congress of three In
dians under Chief Orono, the blue
eyed Indian, with Capt. Lane left Fort
Pownal on June 10. 1775. They arrived
in Cambridge two days after the Bun
ker Hill engagement. In their petition
to Congress, the story of their wrongs,
inflicted by the English, in encroach-
ing upon their land by cutting valu
able timber was told at length. The
injustice of the traders was also dwelt
upon and a plea was made that these
abuses might cease and future pro-
lection be assured. A request was
also preferred that Congress might
urnish supplies to them at reasonable
prices. At this time their claims for
possession of certain lands were re-
cognized and Washington as well as
Congress promised redress for any
evils they might suffer. Great honor
is due Capt. John Lane for his efforts
in securing and holding the interest
and fidelity of the Indians in these ear
ly days of the war. In accordance
with the request the Congress in July
1775 passed resolve to furnish goods
valued at three hundred pounds, TAX
ing in exchange skins and furS. In
the September following, the st. Johns
Indians made a compact with the Pc
uobscots, to unite in opposition to the
rule of the English whom they were
convinced we're depriying them of
land and liberty.
The names of five Indians appear
among those enlisted to serve under
Capt John Lane namely Soucier
Eneas, Sebattis, Metagom and Sewan-
ockett Three of these accompanied
the expedition of Arnold up the Ken
nebec in the autumn of 1775, in the po-
sition of guides Eneas and Sebattis
were also sent on secret mission into
Canada. During this expedition of
Arnold. which started out from Fort
Halifax with eleven hundred men
much suffering was endured from cold
and lack of supplies. Many turned
back, disheartened and even their
guides lost their way. But they were
still faithful and at last reached Cana
de early in November. 1t is known
that Sewanockett remained with the
Grmy until the attack upon Quebec
For this service and later in the Baga-
duce expedition he became a pension
er at the age of ninetytye. Andraw
Gilman, who had acted as an interpre-
ter for the Penobscots since their ap-
pearance before Congress in June
1775. was commissioned to act as
Lieutenant, the honorary title being
given him at that time. 1t was under
his command in the Bagaduce expedi-
tion that we find the Penobscots In
active service in the ranks as we'll as
serving as guard at the Penobscot
Sept. 1776, with him.
A pay roll is in existence which
bears the names of forty-one Indians
of the Penobscot tribe the most unique
paper of its kind, surely, in the his
tory of the Revolution. The diary
of a soldier records the death of two
of these loyal souls, while another
was taken prisoner. All this is of in
terest to all good citizens as a part
of our recorded history, but for us it
holds something deeper.
In that small neglected burial spot
on Indian island. where depressions
alone mark many of the graves were
laid to rest, the bodies of these brave
Indians, who by their loyalty and fidel
ity, served us SO we'll. Shall we still
leave them there apparently for
gotten in their long sleep, their names
only a matter of record upon the
page of Names history? Rather shall