The American Nations, Vol. I. / Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South America

by C. S. Rafinesque

Fragment on the history of the Linapis from about 1600 till 1820.

1. Alas, alas! we know now who they are, these Wapsinis (white people) who then came out of the sea, to rob us of our country. Starving wretches! with smiles they came; but soon became snaking foes.

2. The Wallamolum was written by Lekhibit (the writer) to record our glory. Shall I write another to record our fall? No! our foes have taken care to do it; but I speak to thee what they know not or conceal.

3. We have had many other kings since that unhappy time. They were 3 till the friendly Mikwon (Penn) came. Mattanikum (not horned, not strong),[52] when the Winakoli[53] came to Winaki. Nahumen (raccoon) when the Sinalwi (Dutch) came. And Ikwahon (fond of women) when the Yankwis (English) came, with Mikwon and his friends soon after.

4. They were all received and fed with corn; but no land was ever sold, we never [pg 142] sell any. They were all allowed to dwell with us, to build houses and plant corn, as our friends and allies. Because they were hungry, and thought children of Gishaki (the sun land) and not snakes nor children of snakes.[54]

5. And they were traders, bringing fine new tools, and weapons, and cloth, and beads, for which we exchanged skins and shells and corn. And we liked them, with their things, because we thought they were good, and made by the children of Gishaki.

6. But alas! they brought also fire guns and fire waters, which burned and killed. Also baubles and trinkets of no use; since we had better ones.

7. And after Mikwon, came the children of Dolojo-Sakima (King George) who said, more land, more land we must have, and no limit could be put to their steps and increase.

8. But in the north were the children of Lowi-Sakima, (King Louis), who were our good friends, allies of our allies, foes of our foes: yet Dolojo always wanted to war with them.

9. We had 3 kings after Mikwon came. Skalichi who was another Tamenend,[55] and Sasunam Wikwikhon (our uncle the builder), and Tatami (the beaver taker) who was killed by a Yankwako (English snake), and we vowed revenge.