CHAIS ANCIENS DES INDIENS DES ÉTATS-UNIS

(Extrait de l'ouvrage intitulé : THE AMERICAN NATIOxNS, or outlines of their gênerai history, ancicnt and modem; etc. by C. S. Rafinesque, Philadelphia, 1836, first volume, pag. 122 et suiv,)

Having oblainecl,through the lateD"" Ward of Indiana, some ofthe original Wallam-Olum (painted records) of IheLinapi Iribe of Wapaham or White River, the Iranslalion will be givcn of the songs annexée! to each : wbich form a kind of connected annals of the nation. In the illustrations of Ihis history, will be figured the original glyphs or symbols (1), and the original songs, with aliterai translation word for word. This ^ill furnish a great addition to our knowledge of American graphies and philology; but hère the annals are chiefly interesting historically. I hâve translated, however, ail the historical and geographical names, so as to affordbetter due to the whole.

We knew by ail the writers who bave 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, etc.; but none had been published in the original form. This shall be the first attempt. Lederer saw 200 years ago in Carolina, wheels ofOO rays,recording events of 600 years. Humboldt bas mentioned the glyphical symbols of the Hurons on wood, seen by the Jesuits. Heckewelder saw the Olumapi or painted sticks of the Linapis, but didnot describe them; be merely translated some of their traditional taies : which agrée, in the main, with thèse historical songs; yet the songs appear mère

(1) The glvpbs or symbols, hère alluded lo, are aliogclher wanting in the original book of Sr Raftînesque, from which this was borrowetl.

abi'idgmenls of more ccpious annals, on Ihe bases of llie traditions. The Minniwas or Chipiwas, the Oltowas, the Sakis and Shawanis, etc., ail Linapi tribes, hâve such painted taies and annals, called Neobagun (maie tool] by the former. Tanner has figured some of thèse pictured songs or Neobagun^ in bis interesting Narrative. Loskiel has stated Ihatthe Linapis had complète généalogies, with symbols expressing the deeds of each king. Boatty in 1766 saw records 370 years old.

Ont of thèse materials and olhers kept by the Ozages, Cowetas, Tzulukis, Panis, etc., might be formed or resîored a pcculiar graphie system of North America, différent from the Mexican System; and probably once imported from Asia : where it may be compared with the graphie symbols of the Kuriles, Yakuts, Roriaks, etc., indicated by Humboldt, but '^hich 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 words or verses (since they must commonly be sung), we may acquire enough to lead on furlher enquiries. The most obvions peculiarity of this system, is that each symbol applies to a verse or many words; as if the ideas were amalgamated in the compound syslem : yet they may often beanalyzed, and the éléments ascertained or conjectured,by their répétition.

Thèse 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 their arrivai in America (2), written in 25, 16 and 20 symbols, altogether GO. They are very curious, but destitute of chronology. The second séries relates to America; it is comprised in 7 songs, 4of 16 verses of4words,and3of 20 verses of 3 words. It begins at the arrivai in America; and is continued without hardly any interruption till the arrivai 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 toa chronology of 96 générations, forming32 centuries, and reaching back to IGOOyears before our era. But the wholeis very

(1) I do not agrée wiih Ihe aulhor as to lliose ludians ever cotning from Asia; the original siock must be merely american.

(2) I suppose that niany of ihose tiibcs did nol conie to Amf rica, but left onc part of the continent for another, viz. ihe south for the norih.

meagre, a simple catalogue of riilers, w illi a few ilccds : yet it is equal lo tlie Mexican annals of llie same kind. A last song, which has neillior symbols nor words, consisting in a mère translation, ends tlle^Yhole, and includes some few original détails on the period from 1600 to 1820.

The orthography of Ihe Linapi names is reduced lo Ihe Spanish and French pronunciation^ except sh as in Englisli, ii as in French, îv as Iiou.

If any one is inclined to doubt this liistorical account, tlie concurrent testimonies of Loskiel and Heckewelder are my corroborant proofs. The words of Loskiel are thèse :

« The Delaware keep genea'ogies, ^yith the character of each » man, if wise, rich, renowned, or a mighty warrior. They use » kierogli/phs on wood, trees and stones, lo give caution, infor- » mation,communicateevents,achievemenls, keep records. Some » lime Ihe hero bas al bis feet, men, beads or weapons. They » bave also painlings onskins of deeds, bunls, feats, etc.