The American Nations Part 9

Notwithstanding that the European states or colonies, occupy or claim, nearly the whole of both Americas; yet there are many vast regions as yet unsettled by them, and where dwell or wander several free tribes, particularly in the Arctic wilds, in Oregon, California, Texas, the Missouri plains, New Mexico, Sinaloa, Tologalpa, in N. America-and in S.

America in the vast plains and deserts of the Oronoko, Maranon, Brazil, Chaco, Chili and Magellania. The most prominent of these modern tribes are the Uskis or Esquimaux, the Dinnis, the Chopunish, Dacotas or Sioux, Panis or Skeres, Washas or Ozages, Chactas, Tzulukis, Apaches or c.u.manches, Poyays or Musquitos &c. In South America, the Aruacs, Caribs, Omaguas, Maynas, Aymaras, Puris, Mbayas, Araucas, Talahets or Pampas &c. All divided into many lesser tribes and independent communities.

Instead of endeavoring to civilize them by fair means and deeds of peace, many continue to be exasperated by unfair dealings, greedy traders, intemperance, and above all by killing their game, and stealing their lands. Some missions are established from Groenland to Chili; but the intercourse of the majority is with traders, trappers, land-hunters or squatters, and the military of the frontiers: from whom they can imbibe no very favorable idea of their oppressors.

How is this to end? Is it really intended to grasp the whole continent, and make these fragments of nations, aliens on their own soil? or to annihilate them at last? Beware! men of bad faith, or greedy of landed wealth! There is a G.o.d in heaven, and he deals justly with nations as with men. He may find means to punish you, if you continue to violate the sacred laws of mankind. The desperate tribes, either become stronger by concentration, or acquired knowledge, may fall on you at last, like so many Goths and Vandals, Huns and Tartars, to revenge their wrongs, and desolate this land wrongly acquired. Or among you will arise Agrarian sects, that will deprive your children of this landed property so unjustly acquired and held.

Be wise and just in time, if cupidity does not blind you, imitate the happy policy of Mexico, Guatimala, Peru &c. that has admitted the natives to equality and citizenship. Do better still, allow them to form peculiar states and territories, preserving their languages and laws, and admit these states into your confederacies. Then you will be secure, and both live in peace, increasing and multiplying as time rolls on. There is land enough for all, and to spare. What need has a man of 1000 acres of land; while 100 can support a large family! in the cold climates, and 10 acres in the fruitful tropical climates, where thrive the banana and the sugar cane. If hunters require a large wilderness to sustain their mode of life, greedy worshippers of mammon wish for 10,000 acres to hold waste for speculation! or to fill with plantations of slaves and tenants, in order to become lords of future generations; but the real wise and active men, the props of society, are content with moderate, secure estates, which they may improve and beautify into smiling gardens.

The modern intercourse of the two hemispheres has been productive of much more misery, than mutual benefit. The Americans have received the European cattle without imparting to Europe, their equally useful Peruvian cattle; they have received the horse, and often adopted him as a friend, to become Tartars and Arabs by his help, so as to retaliate mischief on the cruel Spaniards. Some European fruits and grains have been received and cultivated: while all have been introduced into the colonies. Woolen cloth, blankets, iron and copper kettles, tools, trinkets, guns and gunpowder, with the liquid poisons of the still, have been spread by trade. These last with horses and guns, have been the chief deadly weapons of Europe against America.(14)

In return, Europe has received gold, silver and precious furs: pearls and diamonds, cochineel, annato, indigo, die woods, vicunia wool, cacao, vanilla, gum elastic and many other useful or medical articles. Maize, returning east whence it came; with tobacco, a loathsome weed of heathen growth and rites. Human knowledge has been increased, and trade greatly enlarged; the tame cavias, with turkeys and musky-ducks have been transmitted. Thus Europe has been the gainer, and was for a long while jealous of these treasures.(15)

Under the pious guise of hypocrisy, the heavenly religion of Jesus, was offered or forced upon many American nations, by the same men, who were behaving worse than heathens, worshipping gold and mammon with the earth itself, bathed in human blood and tears; introducing slavery and over toils; exulting in deeds of cruelty, revenge, wanton l.u.s.t, cupidity and avarice; with all the other anti-christian vices. If Mexico had ghastly idols and cruel rites; Hayti, Cuba, Bogota, Peru &c. had not; but peaceful, harmless worships: to which was subst.i.tuted the papal worships of other idols, saints and monks. The pure undefiled religion of love and peace to all mankind, was seldom introduced in America, even by the Jesuits-except by the heavenly Las-Casas, the friendly quakers, the humane moravians, and a few other christian missionaries. All the sects of christianity have now spread to America, and even some arisen there; nay, the Jews have reached this continent, with a few Mahometans, Hindus, Chinese, Budhists &c. Thus all the religions of the earth are now found in this hemisphere, by the tolerance and freedom of opinions lately proclaimed in many parts.

Great has been the influence of 3 or 4 ages, on the American tribes, that have been enslaved, or in frequent communication with the nations of Europe-not in religion alone; but in dress, manners, knowledge, civilization and pursuits. The alphabetical writing has been introduced among them, the Tzulukis have invented a syllabic alphabet; some arts, and the pastoral nomadic life have been adopted. In the boreal regions, the English and Russians employ the hunting tribes as providers of furs. In South America the native tribes are often skillful fishermen or traders.

Upon the whole, the late prospects of America are cheering. Many independent nations have sprung, which deem themselves Americans, and love their homes. A general spirit of tolerance and peace is spreading, the true religion of the heart better understood; and a disposition is evincing to render tardy justice to the oppressed tribes, and the poor slaves. Those who wish oppression and intolerance to be perpetuated, are not many in this continent, at present; they will be fewer still in half a century or the year 1892.

Thus, mankind lives in fluctuations of mind and manners. A few ages have been sufficient to produce these mighty changes. Meanwhile, nature although changing slower, is still at work on the soil of this hemisphere.

Since 1492 volcanoes have appeared and disappeared, the sea sh.o.r.es have receded, the lakes are falling, the streams are lessening, the mountains are crumbling, the swamps are draining: immense forests have been cut, and changed into ploughed fields, hills have been cut or ploughed, roads, causeways and ca.n.a.ls made, splendid cities have been built, with innumerable towns and villages. The deltas of the Mississippi and Magdalena have been cultivated, many mines dug for metals or coals. The face of the country has been quite changed in these new seats of civilization; in the regions of Apalacha from Canada to Louisiana, in Guyana, Brazil; but in the western regions from Mexico to Chili, agriculture has rather receded: they had at least as many towns and fields in ancient times.

Earthquakes and irruptions of the sea have caused sad changes in other parts, gulfs have been formed on the coast of c.u.mana, Callao twice sunken in volcanic tides, mountains and cities overthrown from Popayan to Chili: while the alluvial formations proceed along the streams and sh.o.r.es; their floods are perennials, increasing deltas and islands: Hurricanes scatter ruins and dismay over the Antilles, whirlwinds prostrate strips of forests. The spouting springs and earthy volcanoes eject water, mud, clay and marl, pitch and other substances. The water volcanoes drown valleys and cities, have ruined Guatimala, and desolated Quito. Mexico near a lake and often overflowed by it, is now distantly removed; the lake having been drained by nature and art jointly combined.(16)

These rapid sketches and views offer a connected picture of men and soil, in this hemisphere, during the ages past. The detailed local annals of the various nations, will enlarge the subject, and present the required outlines of the ancient and modern events of both.

After these general topics on American history, I had proposed to enter upon the peculiar annals of nations, beginning by Peru and Austral America; but wishing to give in this first volume something still more novel and striking, I have concluded to begin by the original unpublished annals of the Linapis, and the neglected traditions of the Haytians; who a.s.sert to have come into America, by the north west, and the second through the Atlantic Ocean. I hear besides that a French traveller D'Orbigny, is now publishing in Paris, his travels in Austral and Peruvian America, with 60 vocabularies of languages: where I may perhaps find additioned materials for the history of those regions.

CHAPTER V.

_Original Annals and Historical Traditions of the_ LINAPIS, _from the creation to the flood, pa.s.sage and settlements in America, as far as the Atlantic Ocean &c., till 1820 &c._

We have but few real American Annals, given in the original peculiar style. Those of Mexico, Guatimala, Apalacha, Hayti, Peru, &c., have all been translated by abridgements or paraphrases. Those of the _Ongwi_ by Cusick come nearest to the aboriginal form, using the usual personifications and animalizations of tribes, so common all over America and Asia; but so often misunderstood: having perplexed and disgusted the commentators or translators; who did not seize this form of style. Even in China, the primitive inhabitants often bear the names of beasts, _Lung_ dragons, _Chi_ birds, _Yao_ wolf, _Miao_ tygers. In India we find snakes, monkeys, lions &c. Early in Europe are dogs _Canari and Cynetes_, satyrs, lions &c., syrens, harpies, pegasus, centaurs, faunes, cyclops &c.(17)

In the Antilles the first inhabitants were called beasts or _Caracol_, turtles _Icota_, birds, opossums, seals, trees, stones, even gourds and fruits.-(Roman's Trad.) In Peru we find tygers, lions, giants, pygmies, snakes &c. In Mexico, birds, apes, snakes, tygers, giants &c. While throughout North America we find tribes of beavers, turtles, wolves, dogs, deer, birds. We must learn to appreciate this primitive form of speech and style, as allegorical names of men &c. It is very needful in order to understand the following narratives.

Having obtained, through the late Dr. Ward of Indiana, some of the original _Wallam-Olum_ (painted record) of the Linapi tribe of Wapahani or White River, the translation will be given of the songs annexed to each: which form a kind of connected annals of the nation. In the ill.u.s.trations of this history, will be figured the original glyphs or symbols, and the original songs, with a literal translation, word for word. This will furnish a great addition to our knowledge of American graphics and philology; but here the annals are chiefly interesting historically. I have translated, however, all the historical and geographical names, so as to afford a better clue to the whole.(18)

We knew by all the writers who have had friendly intercourse with the tribes of North America, that they did possess, and perhaps keep yet, historical and traditional records of events, by hieroglyphs or symbols, on wood, bark, skins, in stringed wampuns &c.; but none had been published in the original form. This shall be the first attempt. Lederer saw 200 years ago in Carolina, wheels of 60 rays, recording events of 60 years.

Humboldt has mentioned the glyphical symbols of the Hurons on wood, seen by the Jesuits. Heckwelder saw the _Olumapi_ or painted sticks of the Linapis; but did not describe them; he merely translated some of their traditional tales: which agree in the main, with these historical songs; yet the songs appear mere abridgments of more copious annals, or the bases of the traditions. The Ninniwas or Chipiwas, the Ottowas, the Sakis and Shawanis &c., all Linapi tribes, have such painted tales and annals, called _Neobagun_ (male tool) by the former. Tanner has figured some of these pictured songs or _Neobagun_, in his interesting Narrative. Loskiel has stated that the Linapis had complete genealogies, with symbols expressing the deeds of each king. Beatty in 1766 saw records 370 years old.

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 ill.u.s.trations. The symbols, when met alone, were inexplicable; but by obtaining the 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 a.n.a.lyzed, and the elements ascertained or conjectured, by their repet.i.tion.

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 dest.i.tute 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 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 p.r.o.nunciation, 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 G.o.d-creator.

3. And this G.o.d-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.

5. It was he who caused the sun, the moon and the stars.

6. And all these he caused to move well.

7. By his action, it blew hard, it cleared up, and the deep water ran off.

8. It looks bright, and islands stood there.-_Menak._

9. It was then, when again the _G.o.d-Creator_ made the makers or spirits.-_Manito-Manitoak._

10. And also the first beings _Owiniwak_, and also the angels _Angelatawiwak_, and also the souls _Chichankwak_, all them he made.(20)

11. And afterwards he made the man-being JIN-WIS, ancestor of the men.(21)

12. He gave him the first mother NETA-MIGAHO, mother of the first beings OWINI.(22)

13. And fishes he gave him, turtles he gave him, beasts he gave him, birds he gave him.

14. But there was a bad spirit _Makimani_, who caused the bad beings _Makowini_, black snakes _Nakowak_, and monsters or large reptiles _Amangamek_.

15. And caused also flies, and caused also gnats.

16. All the beings were then friends and stood there.

17. Thou being KIWIS, good G.o.d WUNAND (these are 2 G.o.ds) and the good makers or spirits were such.

18. With the Jins NIJINI, the first men, and the first mother, their wives, which were Fairies _Nantinewak_.(23)

19. The first food of the Jins and Fairies was a fat fruit _Gattamin_.