Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-03-01
INDIANS DON'T
WANT TO VOTE

United States.
These three men, Governor William j.
Neptune and Sabattus Laler of the
Passamaquoddjes and Joseph Gabriel OF
the Penobscots called on Governor Mil
liken and laid before him their protest
in writing against a bill now before
Congress that would make citizeds Of
the Red Men. The aborigines brought
with them the following petition:
Hon. Carl E. Milliker.
Governor of the State of Maine
Ills Excellency:
Eve the undersigned members of the
humbly beg of the State Of Maine to use
her influence against making Indians
citizens of the United States. for the
following reasons: We are wards OF the
State of Maine, we want the Passama-
auoddy Tribe to remain as relic Of the
State. Once. We received kind advice
from Hon. James Blaine. president Of
the Indian Defence Association Of
Washington. He advised US to stay In
the wigwam. BY so doing the Govern
ment will always help US. We are sat-
isfied with our lot as Indians. The
'Passamaquoddy Tribe is always loyal to
America.
I'm the Revolutionary War the Pas
samaquoddy Tribe gave her whole
strength for the cause. We fought
under Col. John Allan. In his speech
when Massachusetts, Congress voted for
thanks Col. Allan said in part: These
Indians who have been in the service Of
the United States shall be taken care
Of in a fatherly way. by the United
States. and they shall enjoy every right
and privilege
I'm the Civil war we raised a COM
! pany of Il men. and in the World war.
We raised a company Of 81 men out of
our male population of 100.
| "Please nse your kind influence. if
the law be already passed. let us be
! exempt from it,
The petition bears the signatures Of 81
Passamaquoddy Indians.
! Governor Milliken received the petit
tion and after a long conference. he
promised them that on his next visit to
Washington he would take the petition
with him and also take the matter uo
| personally with those chiefly concerned
| in the Nations Capital.
In addition to the petition. the In
dian visitors brought with them a let
ter 1916 years old in which assurance
| was given that the rights of the 1r-
dians would be looked after. This let
ter, written In 1884 on heavy paper and
in good ink, has been treasured in the
| convent at Old Town for many years.
Because Of the language used, the
colonial date Of writing and the prom
ises given, it is of more than ordinary
| interest. 1t reads:
Boston. February %. 1884.
Eastern Indian Department
OF the United States Of America
ITO the Chiefs. Captains & Young
men OF the several Tribes of Indians IN
the Eastern Department of the United
States. settled at Passamaquoddy and
Vicinity.
brothers
With Pleasure do I now take my pen.
to Lett you know Of what has passed..
since I see you; what may be Expected.
/, and to Inquire If your health and well
fare.
= II salute you with heart of Aztec.
non. wishing you. your Weomen & Chill
dren, Health, Peace. Comfort, and pros
perity.
brothers
I have Transmitted to Congress. the
Great Council Of this Nation. your last
Speech. as well as what passed in our
several Conferences, when last at Pas
samaquoddy:-
They received it with Glad Hearts
and expect every Hour an Answer,
which will be delivered you Farley III
the Spring.
ALSO the Great Council Of the Mas
sachusetts, and all your Brothers West
ward. has Love and Regard for YOU.
"They feel the affection of Brothers.
desires & Wishes nothing but your We'll
fare that you may Enjoy all your Rights
and Privileges in as full and ample q
manner as any of your Brothers Citi-
zens Of the United States: and are de-
termined to see Justice done in your
Claims. as far as is Consistent with
their Power and Authority.
Brothers
The dispute which appears among
several Persons at Passamaquoddy, re-
specting the Lines between the United
States and Nova Scotia,-I have to ac-
quaint you that 1t is not the Intention
Of the Chief Rulers Of America to Claim
any property which is not properly au-
thenticated, nor does it appear the Rui-
ers Of Great Britain desires otherways
than to have it ammacably settled.
1T is Intended on our part to have
Commissioners for the purpose of set
Ting those things Farley in the Spring
Therefore you have my advice and
directions to pursue your Hunts on the
Several Streams as usual. without Civ
ing yourseIfs any Trouble.
Take no Notice Of what may be said
to you Respecting these Matters, by
Persons which may come among you.
not authorized by both Nations for the
purpose. but wait Quiet and Peaceable,
minding only your several Employ
ments for the support Of your Familys,
until the Commissioners Empowered
by the United States and Great Britain
arrives on the Spot to ascertain the
proper boundaries.
brothers
Nothing shall be wanting on my part,
a~na...>