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

9.—A collection of Hymns for the use of Native Christians, in the Mohawk language. New York: D. Fanshaw. A. D. 1835. 147 p. 18mo.

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.

SECTION III.—SENECA.

11.—Diahsawahgwah Gayadoshah—Reading lessons. Boston: Crocker & Brewster. 1 vol. 42 p. 8vo. A. D. 1836.

The clear and neat type and white paper of this little volume, and the exact system of notation in which the Seneca tongue appears, denote the careful labors, in this branch, of Rev. A. Wright, who has been for many years a missionary of the American Board at the Buffalo Reservation, in Western New York. There is a vocabulary of 16 pages, of concrete terms and conversational forms, at its close, which adds to its practical and philosophical value.

12.—Ne Iaguhnigoagesgwathah—The mental Elevator. Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14. 8 pages each. Cattaraugus Reservation, Mission Press. A. D. 1846. 32 p.

13.—The Mental Elevator, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 8 pages 8vo. each.

This miscellany, being the first and only thing of the kind, which has, so far as is known, ever been attempted in a native tongue in America, was commenced by the Rev. A. Wright, missionary of the A. B. C. F. Missions among the Senecas of Western New York, at Buffalo Reservation, Nov. 30th, 1841, and continued, after the removal of the Band to Cattaraugus, in the same State, to the 31st December, 1846, which is the last number received. It embraces in 112 closely-printed pages, an amount of useful and instructive matter, which must be invaluable to those of the Senecas who can read. Besides biblical reading, and pieces of moral instruction, it embraces some matters relating to their government and business, obituary notices, statistics, &c. It appears from it that the total population of all the Senecas of New York, in 1845, was 2,630; in 1846, 2,720, denoting an increase of births over deaths in one year of 90 souls.