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 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.