Henry Rowe Schoolcraft

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Of the thirteen distinct generic families or groupes of Indians, reported to exist along the Oregon and California shores of the Pacific, by the ethnographer of Captain Wilkes’ Expedition, but a single specimen of translation has been received. It was, it appears, the Sa-aptins, and not the Flatheads of the Salish groupe, who applied for teachers, by performing a long journey to St. Louis. And the small elementary work, below noticed, is to be regarded as the first fruits of the mission established among them. ”

“ But it is clear that no classification, on philological principles, can be successfully attempted until we possess comparatively full and reliable vocabularies and grammars of all the tribes, cognate and diverse. When such a classification is established, it is apprehended it must rest, as a basis, on the Muscogee. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Events in their history, threw in the elements of the Utchees and the Natchez, both diverse tribes, and who cannot now comprehend the national language, without an interpreter. [A] The Apalaches, found by De Soto, were, if judged by the names which the narrator of his expedition employs, Muscogees. The Alabamas, who speak the Muscogee with some peculiarities, appear to have been of the Coosada branch. The Seminoles of modern days, are pure Creeks. [A] The Appalachicolas are of the same stock, without peculiarities. The Mobilians were pure Choctaw. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ They resemble the Missouri Indians; have horses, are good hunters, and make long excursions to the Rocky Mountains. They had, formerly, wars with the Shoshonees, Crows, and Blackfeet. They sent a deputation for missionaries, across the Rocky Mountains. The disposition of this tribe has been much eulogized by travellers. They are considered superior in intellect to the other Oregon tribes. ”

“ It has the following endorsement: “This translation was made by John Quinney and Capt. Hendrick, who received his (their) commission from General Washington. Little else has ever been translated into the Stockbridge language besides this.” The name of the tribes is written on the cover, “Muh hee kun ne ew,” being the plural of (to preserve the orthography of the endorsement,) “Muh hee kun,” denoting Mohegan people. It is a well characterized dialect of the sub-groupe of the Eastern Algonquins. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ BOOKS AND TRANSLATIONS IN THE CREEK OR MUSCOGEE. 113.—The Muskoke Spelling Book. Park Hill, Cherokee Nation. Mission Press. E. Archer, printer. A. D. 1847. 36 pages, 18mo. Prepared by Rev. P. Harrison and D. P. Aspberry.
114.—Nakchokv Esyvhiketv. Muskoke Hymns, collected and revised by Rev. R. M. Loughridge. Park Hill, Mission Press. John Candy, printer. A. D. 1843. 1 vol. 18mo. p. 45.
To these hymns, the Ten Commandments and Lord’s Prayer, are added.
115.—The Muskoke Hymns of 1847, prepared and revised by Rev. P. Harrison and D. P. Aspberry, native missionaries. 1 vol. 18mo. ”

“ Union: Printed for the A. B. C. F. M., by John F. Wheeler. A. D. 1836. 123 pages.
There is a table of contents added, in English and Indian, to direct the pupil to the leading passages.
95.—Constitution and Laws of the Choctaw Nation. Park Hill, Cherokee Nation, John Candy, printer. A. D. 1840.
This volume consists of two pamphlets of 36 and 40 pages respectively, giving the matter in both languages.
96.—Chahta uba Isht Taloa Holisso, or Choctaw Hymn Book. Third edition, revised. Boston: 1 vol. 12mo. p. 175. A. D. 1844. Press of T. R. Marvin. ”

“ This translation comprises but the Gospels of Matthew and John.
49.—Original and Select Hymns, in the Ottawa language, by Jonathan Meeker. Press of the American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. Shawnee, Ind. Ter. 1 vol. 18mo. 96 pages. A. D. 1845.
50.—Ottawa First Book. Prepared by Jonathan Meeker. J. G. Pratt, printer, Shawnee Mission. A. D. 1838. 24 pages, 18mo.
51.—Jesus Odijetawin. No imprint. 85 pages.
This is transmitted from the Rev. F. G. Bondwel, at Lake Puckaway, in the Menomonee country, on Fox River, Wisconsin. It is a Catechism which is given to Indian children attending school. ”

“ This is a compilation and translation, by Mr. Baraga, and has the approval of the Catholic Bishop of Detroit, Michigan, (Frederick Rese.)
53.—Anichinabek Amisinahikaniwa. The Indian Book. Detroit: Printed by George L. Whitney. A. D. 1830. 1 vol. 18mo. p. 106.
There is a vocabulary of 40 words, in French and Ottawa, at pages 104, 105. It bears the name of Dejean, missionary.
54.—Abinodjuag Omasindiganiwan. Buffalo: Press of Oliver G. Steel. A. D. 1837.
This pamphlet of 8 pages, 8mo., was transmitted by Rev. F. J. Van Den Broek, 1838. It embraces the usual matter of first lessons for children. ”

“ Park Hill Mission Press. John Candy. A. D. 1843. 42 pages, 18mo.
To this Epistle, is appended the first three Chapters of Revelations.
112.—Chani I Holisso Ummona Hoke. The Epistles of John. Park Hill Mission Press. 27 pages, 18mo. A. D. 1841. ”