Out of these materials and other kept by the Ozages, Cowetas, Tzulukis, Panis &c., might be formed or restored a peculiar graphic system of north America, different from the Mexican system; and probably once imported from Asia: where it may be compared with the graphic symbols of the Kuriles, Yakuts, Koriaks &c., indicated by Humboldt; but which are unknown to me. Meantime I shall give materials for such researches in my illustrations. The symbols, when met alone, were inexplicable; but by obtaining the [pg 124] words or verses, (since they must commonly be sung) we may acquire enough to lead on further enquiries. The most obvious peculiarity of this system, is that each symbol applies to a verse or many words; as if the ideas were amalgamated in the compound system: yet they may often be analyzed, and the elements ascertained or conjectured, by their repetition.
These historical songs of the Linapi, are known to but few individuals, and must be learned with much labor. Those obtained, consist of 3 ancient songs relating their traditions previous to arrival in America, written in 24, 16 and 20 symbols, altogether 60. They are very curious, but destitute of chronology. The second series relates to America, is comprised in 7 songs, 4 of 16 verses of 4 words, and 3 of 20 verses of 3 words. It begins at the arrival in America, and is continued without hardly any interruption till the arrival of the European colonists towards 1600. As 96 successive kings or chiefs are mentioned, except ten that are nameless: it is susceptible of being reduced to a chronology of 96 generations, forming 32 centuries, and reaching back to 1600 years before our era. But the whole is very meagre, a simple catalogue of rulers, with a few deeds: yet it is equal to the Mexican annals of the same kind. A last song, which has neither symbols nor words, consisting [pg 125] in a mere translation, ends the whole, and includes some few original details on the period from 1600 to 1820.[19]
The orthography of the Linapi names is reduced to the Spanish and French pronunciation, except SH as in English, U as in French, W as Hou.
If any one is inclined to doubt this historical account; the concurrent testimonies of Loskiel and Heckewelder are my corroborant proofs. The words of Loskiel are these.
“The Delawares keep genealogies, with the character of each man, if wise, rich, renowned, or a mighty warrior. They use hieroglyphs on wood, trees and stones, to give caution, information, communicate events, achievements, keep records. Some time the hero has at his feet, men, heads or weapons. They have also paintings on skins of deeds, hunts, feats &c.
1. Song.—The Creation &c.
1. At first there was nothing but sea-water on the top of the land. Aki.
2. There was much water, and much fog over the land, and there was also Kitani-towit, the God-creator.
3. And this God-creator was the first-being (Saye-wis), an eternal being, and invisible although every where.
4. It was he who caused much water, much land, much cloud, much heaven.