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Feb. 20, 1934

Since 1820, the State of Maine has acted as guardian for the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Tribes of Indians, totaling today around one thousand souls.  These two Indian Tribes are all that remain within the confines of the State of Maine of that former extensive and powerful confederacy, known to the historian of colonial days, and to local students of Indian lore, as the Eastern Indians.  Much of exceeding interest waits to be assembled and written concerning the Eastern Indians, but it is with the distinct tribes, the Passamaquoddy and the Penobscot, since 1820, that the present project undertaken by the Department of Health and Welfare deals.

During the 114 years of her jurisdiction over these two tribes, the State has built up in the performance of her obligations acquired in the separation of Maine from Massachusetts in 1820, certain policies, practices, and customs.  Yet, the evidence of these policies, of these practices, and of these customs through the years, lie buried in a mass of legislative, executive, and judicial state documentary records, both published, and in manuscript form.  To unearth, to compile, and finally, to reduce this knowledge to a concise, workable medium for both historical fact, present development, and future possibility with regard to Indian Affairs, is the
aim, or hope of the present project.

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