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.
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 “pebo̱in,” 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 pebo̱in 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.
45.—Ottawa Prayer Book: Ottawa Anamie Misinaigan. Detroit: 1
vol. 18mo. p. 293. A. D. 1842. Printed by Eugene T. Smith, for the
Catholic Church.
A translation of prayers, prepared by the Rev. Frederick Baraga.
46.—Katolik Anamie Misinaigan. Third edition of the preceding, corrected
and augmented. Detroit: A. D. 1846.
47.—Ottawa Anamie Misinaigan. First edition of this work printed at
Detroit, A. D. 1832, by George L. Whitney.
48.—The New Testament, in the Ottawa language. Shawnee Baptist
Mission Press. John G. Pratt, printer. A. D. 1841. Translated by
Jonathan Meeker, and revised and compared with the Greek, by Rev.
Francis Barker, A. M. 1 vol. 12mo. pages 125 and 98.
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.
52.—Jesus Obimadisuoin Ajonda Aking. The Life of Jesus while on
earth. Paris, (France:) A. D. 1837. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 211.
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.
It appears from a note at the end, to have been intended as preparatory
to the reading of the Jesus Obimadisiwin, No. 52.
55.—Child’s Book. Detroit: Bagg & Harmon, A. D. 1845, 8 pages,
18mo.
It contains the same elementary matter exactly as No. 54, compressed
in a smaller type and page, with two additional reading articles. In other
respects it is a re-print of the Buffalo Amisinaigon ewan.
56.—The Gospel according to Matthew, and the Acts of the Apostles.
Louisville, (Ky.) William C. Buck, printer. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 240.
This translation is by Jonathan Lykins. It is printed in the consonantal
system of notation, which has been prepared by Mr. Meeker.
57.—Potewatemi Nememissinoikan. A. M. D. G., Saint Louis. 1
vol. 12mo. 62 pages. W. J. Mullin, printer. A. D. 1844. A Pottawattomie
Prayer Book.
58.—Potawatome Nkumwinin. Shawnee Baptist Mission. J. Meeker,
printer. A. D. 1835. 1 vol. 84 pages, small 8vo.
59.—Potewatome Missinoikan Catechisme. Pottawattomie Book of
Catechism. Cincinnati: Stereotyped by Monfort & Conahans, for the
Catholic Church. No date. (Received 23d December, 1844.)
60.—Potewatemi Nememissinoikun. Baltimore: John Murphy, for the
Catholic Church. A. D. 1848. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 160.
61.—Pottawattomie Spelling Book. Shawnee Mission. J. Meeker,
printer. A. D. 1834, 32 pages, 12mo.
62.—Pewani Ipi Potewatemi Missinoikan. Catholic Elementary Book
for Pottawattomies. Baltimore: John Murphy. A. D. 1846.
63.—The Assembly’s Shorter Catechism. 1 vol. 18mo. 34 pages. No
imprint or date.
This is one of the earliest translations made into our Indian languages,
and is understood to have been done prior to the American Revolution,
while this tribe dwelt at Stockbridge, Mass., on the Housatonic River.
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.
[This people occupy the country on the head-waters of the River Saguenay,
on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, below Quebec, reaching
to the Labrador coast. They are a part of the great Algonquin family so
celebrated in the history of Canada.]
64.—Aiamieu Kukuetshimitun Missinaigan. Prayer and Question
(Catechism) Book. Quebec: 53 pages, 12mo. A. D. 1848.
This work is published with the approbation of the Bishop of Quebec,
in the dialect of the Montagnais. “Ella est un des debris,” observes the
Bishop, in a note transmitting it, “ainsi que cette des Sauteux, de la grande
nation du Algonquins, si celebre dans l’histoire du Canada.” The dialect
differs but little from the forms of words now used by the nations of this
stock in the north-western quarters of the United States. The use of the
letter l, for the sound of n, as heard with our tribes, marks the chief peculiarity
in sound.
65.—The History of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Shawanoe
Baptist Mission. J. Meeker. A. D. 1837. 1 vol. 12mo. 221 pages.
This is a version from the Delaware, of Rev. David Zeisberger’s compend
of the Four Gospels, published in 1806. It is an attempt to express the
Indian sounds by a consonantal system of notation peculiar to Mr. Meeker.
66.—Lenapie Wawipoetakse ave Apwatuk. First Lessons in the
Delaware. J. Meeker. Baptist Shawanoe Mission. 1 vol. 18mo. 48
pages. A. D. 1834.
67.—Lenapee Spelling Book. Shawnee Mission. J. Meeker, for the
Baptist Society. A. D. 1834. 24 pages, 18mo.
68.—The Gospel of St. Matthew. Shawanoe Baptist Mission, Ind.
Ter. J. Meeker, printer. A. D. 1836. 1 vol. 18mo. p. 64, with 16
pages of hymns added, by Johnston Lykins.
This translation has been compared with the Greek text, by J. A.
Chute, M. D.
69.—Shawnee Speller and Reader. Siwinowe Eawekitake. By Johnston
Lykins. Shawanoe Mission. J. Meeker, printer. A. D. 1834. 1
vol. 18mo. 54 pages.
This is executed in the Meekerian system of notation. “The consonants
are not pronounced aloud, but have precisely the same sound as in
reading English.”—Editor. The word “Siwinowe,” the equivalent for
“Shawanoe,” may serve as an example of the two systems. It has not
perhaps, occurred to the author, that when the new system has been
learned by the pupils, there will be no other books to be read in it,
except those which he or others may publish, in accordance with this
very artificial and unpronounceable key; and that to the learner, the whole
body of English instruction, science and learning must be a dead letter.
70.—Pratt’s edition of the preceding. A. D. 1838. 24 pages.
This is a summary or condensed form of Mr. Lykins’ First Spelling
Book. Both are printed in the consonantal system.
71.—Kagakimzouiasis Weje Wo’ banakiah. Catechism in the Abanaki
language. Quebec: Frechette & Co., for the Catholic Church. 1 vol.
44 pages, 12mo. A. D. 1832.
A translation of the Christian Catechism of the diocese of Quebec,
into the language of the Abanakis, who are seated at the village of St.
Francis, in the district of Three Rivers. The Abanaki nation inhabit a
wide district of country situated on the south of the river St. Lawrence,
between the St. John’s of New Brunswick, and the River Richlieu,
Canada.