LITERATURE OF THE INDIAN LANGUAGES.
A collection of all translations into the Indian languages is being
made in the Indian Bureau of the War Office.
The ensuing notices of elementary and other books, denote the progress
which has been made in this department of inquiry. The list is
necessarily incomplete, from the short time that has been devoted to
the object. It is issued in this form to apprise translators who have,
or may enter this field of labor, of the works received, that they may
avoid sending duplicates; at the same time, that they are requested to
aid in completing the plan by transmitting, under cover in all cases,
to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, original or revised works, of
every kind, including grammars and vocabularies, which are not embraced
in this incipient catalogue.
The true history of the Indian tribes and their international
relations, must rest, as a basis, upon the light obtained from their
languages. To group and classify them into families on philosophical
principles, will be to restore these ancient relations. Their
traditions and historical affinities, so far as they reach, will
generally attest the truth of the facts denoted by language. In our
future policy, they should be removed or colonized in reference to this
relationship, and foreign groups not be co-mingled with the cognate
tribes.
The true object of investigating the languages, is thus perceived, and
it is hoped that its practical, and well as historical importance, will
be appreciated in ready responses from persons receiving these sheets.
H. R. S.
A
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CATALOGUE
OF
BOOKS, TRANSLATIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES,
AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS IN THE
INDIAN TONGUES
OF THE
UNITED STATES,
WITH
BRIEF CRITICAL NOTICES.
WASHINGTON:
C. ALEXANDER, PRINTER.
1849.
SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER I—IROQUOIS.
SEC. 1.—Mohawk, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
SEC. 2.—Oneida, No. 10.
SEC. 3.—Seneca, Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.
CHAPTER II—ALGONQUIN.
SEC. 1.—Chippewas, Nos. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,
27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40,
41, 42, 43, 44.
SEC. 2.—Ottawa, Nos. 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55.
SEC. 3.—Pottawattomie, Nos. 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62.
SEC. 4.—Mohegan, No. 63.
SEC. 5.—Montagnais, No. 64.
SEC. 6.—Delawares, Nos. 65, 66, 67.
SEC. 7.—Shawnees, Nos. 68, 69, 70.
SEC. 8.—Abanakis, No. 71.
CHAPTER III—APPALACHIAN.
SEC. 1.—Cherokee, Nos, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81,
82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92.
SEC. 2.—Choctaw, Nos. 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101,
102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112.
SEC. 3.—Creek, or Muscogee, Nos. 113, 114, 115, 116.
CHAPTER IV—DACOTA.
SEC. 1.—Sioux, Nos. 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124,
125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130.
SEC. 2.—Winnebago, No. 131.
SEC. 3.—Iowa, Nos. 132, 133, 134, 135, 136.
SEC. 4.—Otoe, No. 137.
SEC. 5.—Osage, No. 138.
CHAPTER V.—SA-APTINIC.
SEC. 1.—Nez Percie, or Sa-aptin, No. 139.
A BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CATALOGUE.
CHAPTER I.
BOOKS AND TRANSLATIONS IN THE SEVERAL DIALECTS OF THE IROQUOIS.
The Iroquois tribes had acquired the highest reputation in war and
diplomacy, of all the Indian tribes of North America. At the time
of the discovery, they were in the ascendant, and were rapidly
consolidating their power under a system of confederacy, which had
some striking traits resembling our own. Their language, viewed in its
several dialects, was not so soft and flowing as that of their former
rivals, the Algonquins or Adirondacks; but impressed the listener
by its masculine and sonorous tone. It imparted a beauty to their
geographical terminology, and helped to spread the fame of their deeds
over Europe.
Translations into this groupe of languages, were commenced at an early
period. A part of the Service of the English Church was executed
under the late Bishop Stewart of Canada, during the reign of Queen
Anne. Sixteen separate works, all of modern date, however, have been
received, of which, nine are in the Mohawk dialect, one in the Oneida,
and six in the Seneca. Nothing has been received or is known to exist
in the Onondaga, Cayuga, or Tuscarora. Ziesberger’s Dictionary of
the Onondaga in MSS., is known to be deposited in the library of the
American Philosophical Society, at Philadelphia.
SECTION I.—MOHAWK.
No. 1.—NENE KARIGHYOSTON, Tsinihorighhoten ne Saint John. The Gospel
according to St. John. New York: D. Fanshaw, for the American Bible
Society. 1 vol. 18mo. 116 pages. A. D. 1818.
In this early version, the Greek word “Logos,” and the Hebrew
“Yehovah,” are engrafted on the Mohawk dialect. The version is
attributed to Norton, a Mohawk Chief. The translation is accompanied
with the parallel English passages.
2.—Ne Kaorihwadegenhti. The Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
according to St. Luke. New York: McElrath, Bangs & Herbert, for the
Young Men’s Bible Society, Methodist Church. 1 vol. 109 pages, 12mo. A.
D. 1833.
This translation is by A. Hill; corrected by J. A. Wilkes, Jr., Grand
River, C. W. This translation, like the preceding, contains the English
and Mohawk in parallel passages, and like that, is thus rendered a
valuable element in the study of language.
3.—Ne Ne Jinihodiyeren. The Acts of the Apostles, in the Mohawk
language. New York: Howe & Bates, for the Young Men’s (Methodist)
Auxiliary Bible Society. 1 vol. 12mo. 120 pages. A. D. 1835. Translated
by H. A. Hill, with corrections by William Hess and John A. Wilkes,
Jr. It is accompanied by a translation of the Epistle of Paul to the
Romans, in 56 pages, by the same translator and revisors.
4.—The Gospel according to St. Mark. New York: McElrath & Bangs, for
the New York District Bible Society. 1 vol. 239 pages, 12mo. A. D. 1829.
Of this translation, there exist earlier copies. It is from the pen
of the noted Chief, Captain Joseph Brant, called Tarenyawagon, by his
people. He employs the word Niyoh, for the Supreme Being. He gives
the English and Mohawk in opposite pages. The volume terminates with
a collection of sentences from the Scriptures, which are designed for
practical instruction. These are curious and valuable exemplifications
of the power of the two languages. In point of brevity and conciseness,
the English exceeds the Mohawk, as 25 to 38, (vide p. 192, et seq.)
The mind of that Chief would appear to have been well indoctrinated in
leading Scriptural truths, and exhibits no little power of appropriate
selection in these passages. If he became a savage in battle, and
exhibited the peculiar subtlety, cruelty, and power of Indian deception
while on the war path, he had the power to sink into a philosophic
calm, in his study. This translation is indeed, a better apology for
the alleged cruelty of his life, than the rather labored vindication in
the volumes of his ardent biographer, the late Colonel W. L. Stone.
5.—The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians, in the Mohawk language. New
York: Howe & Bates, for the Young Men’s Bible Society. 1 vol. 18 double
pages, 12mo., with the Epistle to the Ephesians, 18 double pages, 12mo.
A. D. 1835. Translated by H. A. Hill, with corrections by William Hess
and J. A. Wilkes, Jr.
6.—THE EPISTLES OF PAUL, in Mohawk, namely: To the Phillipians, p. 17;
To the Colossians, p. 16; To the Thessalonians, p. 22; To Timothy,
p. 31; To Titus, p. 11; To Philemon, p. 7. These six Epistles of the
Apostle, which are comprehended in 104 12mo. pages, are the translation
of William Hess, an educated Mohawk, with corrections by J. A. Wilkes,
jun. New York: Howe & Bates, for the Young Men’s auxiliary Bible
Society, Method. Epis. Church, A. D. 1836.
7.—Ne Yeriwanontonthæ ne ne Wesleyan Methodists. Lynn, Mass: Newhall &
Hathorne. 12 p. 18mo. A. D. 1834.
This is a translation of the Catechism of the Wesleyan Methodists,
published at New York in 1836 by Waugh & Mason, at the Conference
Office, 200 Mulberry street.
8.—Catechism of the Wesleyan Methodists, for children of tender years.
New York: Waugh & Mason. 16 p. 18mo. A. D. 1836. Compiled and published
by order of the British Conference.
9.—A collection of Hymns for the use of Native Christians, in the
Mohawk language. New York: D. Fanshaw. A. D. 1835. 147 p. 18mo.
SECTION II.—ONEIDA.
10.—A Prayer Book, comprising the morning and evening service, and
other forms used in the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United
States. New York: Swords, Stanford & Co: D. Fanshaw, printer. A. D.
1837. 1 vol. 12mo. 168 pages.
This is a compilation made from several sources, by Rev. Solomon
Davis, missionary to the Oneidas, at Duck Creek, Wisconsin. It is not
without some inaccuracy that it is set forth as being in the language
of the Six Nations, nor can it be strictly asserted to be in the Oneida
dialect, although understood by that nation. The vocabularies that have
been taken denote very considerable differences in the languages of the
several Iroquois cantons, greater indeed, by far, than might have been
expected, when it is known that these tribes understand each other. The
question is one, rather of philology, than practical teaching, which we
are informed is sufficiently well advanced by the present work. It is
here arranged under the head of the Oneida dialect, from the known fact
that Mr. Davis labors, and has long labored with that people, and the
observed prevalence of the Oneida dialect, in portions of the work.
SECTION III.—SENECA.
11.—Diahsawahgwah Gayadoshah—Reading lessons. Boston: Crocker &
Brewster. 1 vol. 42 p. 8vo. A. D. 1836.
The clear and neat type and white paper of this little volume, and the
exact system of notation in which the Seneca tongue appears, denote
the careful labors, in this branch, of Rev. A. Wright, who has been
for many years a missionary of the American Board at the Buffalo
Reservation, in Western New York. There is a vocabulary of 16 pages, of
concrete terms and conversational forms, at its close, which adds to
its practical and philosophical value.
12.—Ne Iaguhnigoagesgwathah—The mental Elevator. Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14. 8
pages each. Cattaraugus Reservation, Mission Press. A. D. 1846. 32 p.
13.—The Mental Elevator, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14. 8 pages 8vo. each.
This miscellany, being the first and only thing of the kind, which has,
so far as is known, ever been attempted in a native tongue in America,
was commenced by the Rev. A. Wright, missionary of the A. B. C. F.
Missions among the Senecas of Western New York, at Buffalo Reservation,
Nov. 30th, 1841, and continued, after the removal of the Band to
Cattaraugus, in the same State, to the 31st December, 1846, which is
the last number received. It embraces in 112 closely-printed pages,
an amount of useful and instructive matter, which must be invaluable
to those of the Senecas who can read. Besides biblical reading, and
pieces of moral instruction, it embraces some matters relating to their
government and business, obituary notices, statistics, &c. It appears
from it that the total population of all the Senecas of New York, in
1845, was 2,630; in 1846, 2,720, denoting an increase of births over
deaths in one year of 90 souls.
14.—The Gospel according to St. Luke, translated into the Seneca
tongue. By T. S. Harris. New York: Printed for the American Bible
Society, D. Fanshaw. A. D. 1829. 1 vol. 18mo. 149 pages.
15.—Gaa nah shoh ne Deowaahsaonyohgwah Na wen ni yuh. Hymns in the
Seneca. Dosyowa, (Buffalo Creek,) Mission Press. 1 vol. 136 pages,
18mo. A. D. 1843. This translation is prefaced with Mr. Wright’s system
of writing the Seneca, and terminates with a descriptive index.
16.—Sheet Ordinances, Seneca Chiefs, 4th December, 1847.
CHAPTER II.
BOOKS AND TRANSLATIONS IN THE VARIOUS DIALECTS OF THE ALGONQUIN.
Of all the groupes of the Indian language in America, the various
dialects of this stock have furnished the most inviting and best
cultivated field for the translator and philologist. The French, during
their early and long occupancy of the Canadas, gave great prominence
to the various tribes speaking dialects of this groupe. In proportion
as the principles of the languages have been investigated, the circle
of the affinities of the Algonquins has been found to be extended
wider and wider. It is to be traced from the ancient Powhatanic tribes
of Virginia, northward and eastward along the Atlantic coast to, and
beyond the Gulf of St. Lawrence, reaching to, and beyond the utmost
limits of this stream at the source of the Mississippi, and descending
its eastern or left bank to the junction of the Ohio, and thence to the
Atlantic. From this great circle of occupation, embracing the present
area of sixteen of the States, the several branches of the Iroquois,
embracing the Wyandot and the Winnebago dialect of the Dacota, are the
only exceptions of modern date.
In the investigation of the dialects of this important groupe,
fifty-five printed works have been received, of which, twenty-eight
are in the Odjibwa or Chippewa dialect, ten in the Ottawa, seven in
the Pottowattomie, one in the Mohegan, one in the Montagnais, three
in the Delaware, three in the Shawanoe, and one in the Abenaki. More
than three-fourths of the whole number of the numerous tribes of this
stock, are thus far, unrepresented by translations of the Scriptures; a
species of evidence of the affinity of tribes which, as it is founded
upon a fixed and accurately divided standard, affords one of the best
general means of comparison. It is desirable, therefore, to collect all
that has been, or may be done in this branch of literature, not only
respecting the Algonquin groupes, but also in relation to each of the
other groupes of our Aboriginal languages.
SECTION I.—CHIPPEWA, OR ODJIBWA.
17.—The Gospel of John, in Chippewa. 1 vol. 12mo. 280 pages. London:
British and Foreign Bible Society, A. D. 1831.
In point of mechanical execution, and binding, this work is by far
the best volume of Indian translation, which has been sent among the
Sons of the Forest. It is the well-known translation of the brothers
John and Peter Jones, of the River Credit, Canada West, which has been
extensively used by our missionaries in the United States, as well as
the Canada Societies, and has the concurrence of various denominations,
as being a faithful version. It is a curious fact, that while learned
philologists are discussing the actual use, by the Indians, and
existence in the language, of the substantive verb, To Be, the native
missionaries should be in the constant use of various forms of the
Chippewa verb, I AU, alleged to be found among the Chippewas of Sault
Ste. Marie, in 1822, to denote, as is done in this volume, the various
senses of “is,” “was,” &c. The orthography of this word as here given,
as “Ahyah.”
18.—The First Book of Genesis. 1 vol. 12mo. 178 pages. Toronto: A. D.
1835.
This volume is printed by the Auxiliary Bible Society of Canada, at
the office of the Christian Guardian. J. H. Laurence, Printer. It is
the work of Rev. Peter Jones, the native missionary, and is deemed by
missionaries and teachers, who have devoted their attention to the
language, an authentic rendering of the entire fifty chapters of the
original. There is no attempt to exhibit a plan of orthography, or
to employ the English alphabet in a more fixed form than is known to
common writers and speakers. As the influence of the juxtaposition of
consonants to vowels, and their modifications from such contact, are
well known, there is little or no difficulty in arriving readily at
the sounds intended by the translator to be conveyed. The idiom of the
Mississagie form of the Chippewa, which is employed throughout this
translation, is perceptibly different from the more rigid and tense
form of the vowel sounds, as heard in the region of Lake Superior;
but the language is literally the same, and well understood by these
northern bands. “Munedoo,” the term for God, instead of Monedo, the
northern form of it, and other analogous words, present no difficulty
to a northern ear or eye; for whatever indeed be the form of
orthography used, the native reader will retain the mother sound of the
word, and attach precisely such value to the syllables actually used in
any given translation, as shall bring out the entire and complete sound
as known to him from childhood.
19.—THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW, IN CHIPPEWA. 1 vol. 12mo. 112 p.
Boston: Crocker & Brewster, A. B. C. F. Missions, A. D. 1839.
This is substantially a re-publication of the Gospel of Matthew,
which originally appeared at York, now Toronto, Canada West, under
the auspices of the Canada Auxiliary Bible Society. It is understood
to have been the work of the brothers Jones. In this re-publication,
the orthography has been adjusted to the system prepared by the late
Mr. Pickering, with a few modifications, rendering it in all respects,
conformable to the system uniformly adopted in the publications of the
American Board.
20.—THE GOSPEL OF LUKE, IN CHIPPEWA. 1 vol. 12mo. Boston: Crocker &
Brewster, for the Am. Bd. Com. for For. Missions, A. D. 1837.
This translation is the joint production of George Copway, a converted
and educated Chippewa, of the Mississagie tribe, of Canada West, and
Rev. Sherman Hall, of the Lapointe Mission, Lake Superior.
21.—The Gospel of John, in Chippewa. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 83. Boston:
Crocker and Brewster. Printed for the A. B. C. F. M., A. D. 1838.
This is the version of John and Peter Jones, No. 22, adapted to the
orthography of the American Board.
22.—THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 1 vol. 12mo. 105 p. Boston: Crocker &
Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. Missions, A. D. 1838.
These sheets emanate from the Lapointe Mission, Lake Superior, which is
under the superintendence and management of Rev. Sherman Hall, and is
the joint production of that Missionary and Mr. George Copway of the
Methodist Episcopal Mission of Canada.
23.—PICTURE DEFINING AND READING BOOK. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 123. Boston:
Crocker & Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. Missions, A. D. 1835.
Here is a translation of Mr. Gallaudet’s popular “Definer,” with
illustrations, in the Chippewa, which exhibits the pictorial mode of
teaching, in a successful manner. The arts of design may certainly be
employed, to a great extent, in elementary teaching to the natives.
There is no indication of the translator’s name, or the field of his
labors, which latter is only known to be in the great missionary area
of the Chippewas of the Northwest.
24.—GEOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS. Abinoji Aki Tibajimouin; literally, News,
or Information of the Earth, for children or youth. 1 vol. 12mo. p.
139. Boston: Crocker & Brewster, A. B. C. F. M.
This volume has all the attraction of news and novelty for the
natives, giving information about people and countries, manners and
customs, which were before totally unknown to them. It is taken
chiefly from the Peter Parley series. The system of orthography is
precisely that employed in No. 24, which varies, in some respects,
from the system of the A. Board, and is to be regarded as an attempt
of the translator, whose name is not given, to amend it. The forms
of Chippewa substantives ending in _ngk_, are provided for by a dash
under the final vowels, thus _a̱_ _e̱_ _i̱_ _o̱_ _u̱_. As this _ngk_,
or _ng_, the g full, is both the participial form of the verb, and the
ablative or prepositional form of the noun, denoting, in the latter
cases, on, in, or at, agreeably to its antecedent, the abbreviation
requires to be carefully noticed. At page 88, at the foot of a wood
cut giving the mode of travelling on sleds drawn by dogs, in Siberia
in the winter, if the vowel _i_ in the word “peb_o̱_in,” signifying
winter, should not be put in its full prepositional form in _ing_, or
the vowel dashed according to the translator’s system, the word Siberia
should certainly have its local ending in _ng_ or _ngk_; otherwise
the reading of Bemadiz _i̱_ peb_o̱_in ima Siberia, is literally, In
_travelling—winter—there_, (or _that_ place)—_Siberia_; and not, as
the language permits—Travelling in winter, there (or that place,) in
Siberia.
25.—A Chippewa Primer. 1 vol. 12mo. 84 p. Printed for the Board of
Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. New York: John Westall, 29
Ann street, A. D. 1844. Compiled by the Rev. Peter Dougherty. _1st and
2d editions._
Under the simple name of “Primer” this little work is one of much value
to the philologist, as well as being adapted to promote the advance
of the pupil. The Key to the spelling of the “Indian,” prefixed to
it, is more conformed to the ordinary standard of English orthœpy,
than is practised by the American Board, the vowels retaining, under
limitations, their natural _English_ sound.
26.—The First Initiatory Catechism, with the Ten Commandments and
Lord’s Prayer; by James Gall, translated into the Ojibwa language by
Rev. Peter Dougherty and D. Rodd. Printed for the Board of Foreign
Missions of the Presbyterian Church. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 69. New York: John
Westall, 11 Spruce street, A. D. 1847.
This translation exhibits the parallel passages of English and Indian.
27.—Ojibwa Spelling Book, designed for the use of Native learners.
Printed for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions,
by Crocker & Brewster, Boston. 1 vol. 12mo. 127 p., A. D. 1835, 2d Ed.
This elementary work contains a “Key to the Alphabet,” which is
adopted, essentially, from the system of Mr. Pickering.
28.—Omajibiigeuinun au John, or The Epistles of John in the
Ojibwa language. Translated and printed for the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Boston: Crocker & Brewster. 1 vol.
12mo. p. 130, A. D. 1840.
29.—Short Reading Lessons in the Ojibwa language. Translated by Rev.
P. Dougherty, and printed for the Board of Foreign Missions of the
Presbyterian Church. New York: John Westall & Co., 14 Spruce street, A.
D. 1847.
The parallel passages in English and Indian are preserved, thus making
it an element for the study of American philology.
30.—Easy Lessons of Scripture History in the Ojibwa language.
Translated by Rev. P. Dougherty and D. Rodd. Printed for the Board of
Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. New York: John Westall &
Co., A. D. 1847.
31.—The Chippewa Primer; compiled by Rev. P. Dougherty. Printed for
the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. 2d edition
enlarged. New York: John Westall & Co., printers, 14 Spruce street, A.
D. 1847, 1 vol. 12mo. p. 123.
This appears to be a judicious compilation, and evinces much
familiarity with the modes of thought and expression used by the
aborigines. The introduction of the word “holy” in the Chippewa term of
“Mah-no-tah-ho-ly-wun, ke te zhe no ka zo win” (hallowed be thy name,)
is a peculiarity of the version of the Lord’s Prayer, here introduced,
and while the object is appreciated, the propriety of the mode of
attaining it may be doubted. There are some Ottawa idioms which would
offer an objection to the work in high northern latitudes. The names
of the months and _days_ at page 120, must be deemed as quite local.
It seems desirable to make the record of this language as general and
comprehensive as possible, in all translations, and not to belittle its
phraseology unnecessarily, with localisms.
32.—The Morning and Evening Prayer of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
in the United States of America; together with a selection of hymns.
Printed for the diocese of Michigan. Detroit: Geiger & Christian. A. D.
1844. 1 vol. p. 59.
In this work, the translator, Mr. George Johnston, of Sault Ste Marie,
has used the English alphabet in its ordinary and natural manner, as
known to English readers. It embraces besides the daily morning and
evening services, the commandments, and a selection of hymns, and is
used at the Griswold Mission in Western Michigan.
33.—Nugamouinun Genungumouat Ijiu Anishinabeg Anumiajig.—[Songs
to be sung by praying Indians.] Printed for the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions, by Crocker & Brewster. Boston: 1
vol. 12mo. p. 52. A. D. 1835.
This is a re-print of some of the approved hymns translated by Peter
Jones, altering the orthography so as to conform to the American
Board’s system.
34.—Kizhemanito Muziniegun Tezhiwindumingin, &c., or Old Testament
Bible Stories. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 72. Boston: Crocker & Brewster. Printed
for the A. B. C. F. M., A. D. 1835.
A compilation of Scripture, containing the sacred story of the
Creation, the death of Abel, the Deluge, the Ark, the building of
Babel, the calling of Abraham, Destruction of Sodom, Daniel in the
lion’s den, and the story of Joseph in full. Some lessons in natural
history are added, and the whole illustrated with wood cuts.
35.—Ozageidiwin au Jesus. The Love of Jesus. Boston: Crocker &
Brewster. Printed for the A. B. C. F. Missions, A. D. 1840.
This tract, comprised in 21 pages, relates in the Chippewa tongue, the
story of the advent and vicarious sufferings and atonement of Jesus,
and is precisely such an element of christian knowledge, as should be
in the hands of every teacher in the wilderness.
36.—The First Initiatory Catechism, by James Gall, with the Ten
Commandments and Lord’s Prayer, by Rev. Peter Dougherty. Board of
Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. New York: John Westall. A.
D. 1844.
A considerable amount of Scripture knowledge is here put in the shape
of questions and answers, in 24 pages. This form is well adapted to
the instruction of the Indian mind, from the clearness and simplicity
which it may be made to assume. In the version of the Lord’s Prayer
in this school tract, the term “Gwatah-me-quan-dah-gwud,” is employed
to express “hallowed,” in its aboriginal form, and without the
introduction of “ho-ly,” to which we alluded in the notice of No. 31.
This publication is, however, three years older than the Chippewa
Primer, the latter being of the date of 1847, and the former, of 1844;
and the suggestion, like that of the use of the word “God,” in the
version of the Bible by John Eliot, may be considered as the result of
more knowledge, or at least, BOLDNESS in the use of the language.
37.—Ojibue Spelling Book. Third edition. Boston: Crocker & Brewster,
for the A. B. C. F. Missions. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 96. A. D. 1846.
This publication is well adapted to convey instruction to the Indian
mind, on a great variety of subjects in common life. As a vocabulary of
terms and phrases in daily use, it reveals a list of equivalents for
names and things.
38.—The Ten Commandments.
This is a broad sheet without imprint, but was transmitted with other
translations, August 11th, 1847, by Walter Lowry, Esq., Secretary of
the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church of the United
States, at New York.
39.—The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, translated
into the language of the Ojibua Indians. Otashki-Kikindiuin au
Kitogimaminan gaie Bemajiinung Jeeuskrist: ema Ojibue Inueuuning
Giezhtong. New York American Bible Society, A. D. 1844. 1 vol. 12mo.
643 pages.
This is a work of great labor and importance. It would have added much
to the interest with which it is regarded as a missionary triumph,
if some brief account had been prefixed to it, showing the various
laborers who have taken part in it, and the difficulties which have
been surmounted in transferring the more recondite and spiritual
portions of the Epistles and other passages, into a tongue which has
heretofore been employed only to call on fictitious Deities, or to
express objects and ideas, the farthest removed possible from holiness.
40.—Iu Pitabun gema gau Okikinoamaguz iuiniua igiu abinojiug. The Peep
of Day, or a series of the earliest Religious Instruction the infant
mind is capable of receiving. Boston: A. B. C. F. M., T. R. Marvin. A.
D. 1844. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 144.
41.—Ojibue Nugumouinun geaiouajin ijiu anishinabeg enumi iajig,
(Chippewa Songs for Christian Indians.) Boston: 1 vol. 12mo. p. 212. A.
D. 1844.
A judicious compilation of the Hymns of Peter Jones and other native
teachers, presented in the orthography of the American Board.
42.—Ojebway Nuhguhmonun. New York: Published by Lane & Tippett, for
the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, 200 Mulberry street. A. D.
1847. 1 vol. 18mo. 289 pages.
This re-print of the translations of approved hymns by Peter Jones, has
some additions, translated by Rev. James Evans and George Henry.
43.—_Principes de la Langue des Sauvages Appeles Sauteux._ _Quebec: de
l’imprimerie de Frechette and cie._ 1 vol. 12mo. 146 pages. A. D. 1839.
This is a Grammar of the Chippewa language, composed by the Rev. G.
A. Belcourt, a Catholic missionary, at Red River of the North, whose
object, as it is expressed by Bishop Archer, in the enclosure of his
letter of the 8th May, 1848, was “to facilitate the study of the
Sauteux language,” an end, which it is conceived, he has accomplished
in a manner useful to missionaries and teachers, and creditable to
himself.
44.—Anamihe-masinahigan. Kebekong, (Quebec.) 1 vol. 18mo. 209 pages. A.
D. 1839.
This is a translation into the Sauteux or Chippewa language, of
certain essential parts of the services, prayers, and hymns of the
Catholic Church, by the Rev. G. A. Belcourt, of Red River, Hudson’s Bay
Territory. It embraces—1. Customary prayers of the morning service, to
page 17. 2. The Catechism for children, used in the diocese of Quebec,
to page 106. 3. Prayers of the Mass, Confession, and the Communion, to
page 131. 4. Hymns and chaunts in use in the Quebec diocese.