DELAWARE NUMERALS.
| According to the Swedish Vocabulary. | According to Zeisberger. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ciutte. | 1. | Ngutti. |
| 2. | Nissa. | 2. | Nischa. |
| 3. | Naha. | 3. | Nacha. |
| 4. | Nawo. | 4. | Newo. |
| 5. | Pareenach. | 5. | Palenach. |
| 6. | Ciuttas. | 6. | Guttasch. |
| 7. | Nissas. | 7. | Nischasch. |
| 8. | Haas. | 8. | Chasch. |
| 9. | Pæschun. | 9. | Peschkonk. |
| 10. | Thæræn. | 10. | Tellen. |
| 20. | Nissinacke. | 20. | Nishinachke. |
| 100. | Ciutabpach. | 100. | Nguttapachki. |
Now, there can be no doubt that these two sets of numerals belong to the same language, but I am astonished at seeing the same words written so differently by a Swede and a German, when there is so little difference in the powers of the alphabetical signs of their languages. I am particularly struck with some words that are written with R by the Swede and with L by the German author. In all Zeisberger’s Grammar I have not been able to find the letter R in one single Delaware word, neither is it to be found in any of the words of his Delaware spelling book. No doubt you can inform me of the reason of this difference.
A greater one is still to be found in the Algonkin numerals given by the Baron La Hontan, and those of the Delaware proper. I place them here again in opposition to each other.
| Algonkin numerals from La Hontan. | Delaware numerals from Zeisberger. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pegik. | 1. | Ngutti. |
| 2. | Ninch. | 2. | Nischa. |
| 3. | Nissoue. | 3. | Nacha. |
| 4. | Neou. | 4. | Newo. |
| 5. | Narau. | 5. | Palenach. |
| 6. | Ningoutouassou. | 6. | Guttasch. |
| 7. | Ninchouassou. | 7. | Nischasch. |
| 8. | Nissouassou. | 8. | Chasch. |
| 9. | Changassou. | 9. | Peschkonk. |
| 10. | Mitassou. | 10. | Tellen. |
There is certainly a family resemblance between some of these words, while in others no kind of similarity can be traced. As you believe that the Delawares and the Algonkins are the same people, I beg you will be so good as to point out to me the cause of the difference which I have observed.
I am, &c.
LETTER IX.
FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME.
Philadelphia, 13th June, 1816.
Dear Sir.—I take the liberty of submitting to you a few questions, which have occurred to me in perusing Mr. Zeisberger’s Grammar. I beg you will be so good as to answer them at your leisure.
I am, &c.