History of the Ojebway Indians; with special reference to their conversion to Christianity

317 Pages·1861·14.319 MB·English

by  Peter Jones

lAMJKEWAfUTOMAll
(TME REV* EETER J'OJSTESj
HISTORY
pfc*
OF THE
OJEBWAY INDIANS;
WITH ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO THEIR
CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY.
REV. PETER JONES,
(kahkewaquonabt,)
INDIAN MISSIONARY.
WITH A BRIEF
MEMOIR OF THE WRITER;
AND
INTRODUCTORY NOTICE BY THE REV. G. OSBORN, D.D.,
SECRETARY OF THE WESLEYAN METHODIST
MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
LONDON:
A. W. BENNETT, 5, BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHOUT.
HOULSTON AND WRIGHT, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1861.

—
PREFACE.
Thename ofthe Rev. PeterJones will still be familiarto
manywho recollect his visit to this country in 1831, for
thepurpose ofurgingupon the Government theterritorial
rights ofhisfellow-countrymen. There isprobablyno one
who can speak with more authoritythan he, on thepast
state of the North American Indians, probably of the
Ojebwaynation, to whichhehimselfbelonged; and ofthe
amelioration oftheircondition consequenton their conver-
sionto Christianity. It mustever be a matter of regret
thathisgraphic and interesting narrativewas never com-
pletedbyhis own hand. To the lovers of philology, and
to all who take an interest in these remarkable people,
his briefaccount of the different languages in use among
the varioustribeswill possessgreat interest. The sketch
of his life is drawnup by his widow, withwhom he left
hismanyinterestingMSS.
Thepublisherhas thepleasure ofappending the follow-
ing letter from the Rev. G. Osborn, D.D., Secretary
oftheWe—sleyan MethodistMissionary Society:
"Sir, I have read withmuchinterestthe proof-sheets
youwerekind enough to sendme, of a posthumous work
by the late Rev. Peter Jones, formerly a missio—nary in
connexionwiththis Society, among theChippeway or, as
it is now written, Ojebway Indians, in Upper Canada.
;
IV PREFACE.
Mr. Joneswas aman of sterlingpiety,with much natural
good senseand shrewdness; andhad evidently takengreat
pains in the cultivation and improvement of his mind.
His appearancesin this country, on two successive visits,
afforded high and just gratification to immense numbers
of persons, who sawin him an undeniable proof, both of
the capacities of his countrymen, and of the power of
Christianity to reclaim and elevate those who were at
the utmostdistance from European civilization.
"Mr. Jones's researches into the antiquities, customs,
and language of his nation, will doubtless be duly appre-
ciatedbystudentsin philology and ethnology, &c.; while
the philanthropist will have his sympathies excited on
behalf of an aboriginal people struggling to maintain
themselves against those destructive forces which the
neighbourhood of the 'white man' appears to generate
wherever he goes. Butfor the influence of 'the glorious
Gospel of the blessed God,' the progress of then- decay
would have been more rapid, if indeed they would not
ere iioav have become extinct ; but we may hope that
underitsinfluence theymayyetbepreserved,andprosper.
—
The fatal 'fire-water' supplied, alas! by those who bear
—
theChristianname, appearstohavebeenregardedbyMr.
Jones as their worst foe, and his estimate is probably
correct.
"Thebookwould doubtless have been more complete,
had Mr. Joneslived topublish it himself; but as it is, it
well deserves a wide circulation, and a carefulreading
andwishingitmay obtainboth, I remain,sir,
"Yourstruly,
" G. Osborn."
INDEX.
PAGE.
Life of the Author 1
CHAPTER I.
General Introductory Remarks 25
CHAPTER II.
Ideas of their Origin 31
CHAPTER III.
Indian Localities 39
CHAPTER IV.
General Character 57
CHAPTERV.
Mode of Life 71
CHAPTER VI.
Courtship and Marriage 7S
CHAPTER VII.
Their Religion S3
CHAPTER VIII.
Religious Feasts and Sacrifices 94
CHAPTER IX.
Councils 105
VI CONTENTS.
PAGE.
CHAPTER X.
War Ill
CHAPTER XI.
Amusements, etc 134
CHAPTER XII.
Diseases 141
CHAPTER XIII.
Indian Names 156
CHAPTER XIV.
Connection with the Whites, and Evils Introduced 165
CHAPTER XV.
Whisky and the Indians 173
CHAPTER XVI.
The Indian Languages ITS
CHAPTER XVII.
Capacity of the Indians for receiving Instruction 191
CHAPTER XVIII.
Opinion of the Indians respecting the Sovereign and
People of Great Britain 207
CHAPTER XIX.
Indian Anecdotes 223
CHAPTERXX.
PresentState andFutureProspectsof the NorthAmerican
Indians 235
Appendix 247

LIST OF ILLTJSTBATIONS.
1. Portbait OPthe AuTHOB TofaceTitle-page.
2. Portrait of Natawash „ page 25
3. Portrait of Rippling Stream „ p. 57
4. Ancient Domestic Implements „ p. 73
5. Muncet Idols „ ~ p. S3
6. Pabookowaih „ p. 85
7. Nahneetis, Goddess of Health „ p. 25
8. Annual Presents to Nahneetis „ p. 97
9. Heathen Graves at Muncey Town „ p. 99
10. Weapons of War „ p. 131
11. Illustrations of different Games „ p. 135
12. Instruments used in Witchcraft, &c „ p. 145
13. Portrait of Mescocomon Chief „ p. 161
14. Mohawk Church at Grand RrvER „ p. 209
15. Captain Brant's House at Wellington „ p. 213
16. Chief's Medal; presented bt Government... „ p. 217
—
;
A BEIEF SKETCH
THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.
In the annals of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in
Canada, as in those of the church of God in general, we
constantlyfindnoble examples ofthe power of the Gospel
to rescue our fellowmen from the dominion oferror and
sin, andto make themwiseunto salvation throughfaithin
Jesus Christ. We record the holy lives and the happy
deathsofsuchmen;notforthepurposeofeulogisingthem
theyare nowalike unaffected byourpraise orour censure
—
butforthepurposeofmagnifyingthe name andthework
of ourblessed Lord andMaster, fromwhomallwise coun-
sels, allholydesires,allmoralexcellencesproceed. Inthose
beloved disciples ofChrist, thosewitnesses oftruth, we see
the grace ofGodand areglad. In theirhappyexperience
we find delightful proof that wisdom's ways are ways of
pleasantness, andallherpaths arepeace: in their upright
andusefuldeportmentwe see that good menarenotonly
—
blessed, but are made ablessing that astreesplanted by
rivers of water, they bring forth their fruit in season
and assured that God is no respecter of persons, that
what His grace does for one it can do for all, we areen-