Literature of the Indian Languages / A Bibliographical Catalogue of Books, Translations of the Scriptures, and Other Publications in the Indian Tongues of the United States, With Brief Critical Notes

by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft

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 “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.