Historical and mythological traditions of the Algonquins.

  • Ephraim George Squier
Date:
[1849]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Historical and mythological traditions of the Algonquins. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    precision. They also add the character of their forefathers: such an one was a wise and intelligent counsellor; a renowned warrior, or rich man, etc. But though they are indifferent about the history of former times, and ignorant of the art of reading and writing, yet their ancestors were well aware that they stood in need of something to enable them to convey their ideas to a distant nation, or preserve the memory of remarkable events. To this end they invented something like hieroglyphics, and also strings and belts of wampum, etc.”'* I have alluded to the general identity of the mythological traditions here re¬ corded, with those which are known to have been, and which are still current among the nations of the Algonquin stock. The same may be observed of the traditions which are of a historical char¬ acter, and particularly that which relates to the contest with the people denomi¬ nated the Tallegwi. The name of this people is still perpetuated in the word Alleghany, the original significance of which is more apparent, when it is written in an unabbreviated form, Tallegwi-henna, or Tallegwi-hanna, literally “ River of the Tallegwi.” It was applied to the Ohio, (the present name is Iroquois, and literally rendered by the French La Belle Riviere,) and is still retained as the designation of its northern or principal tributary. The traditionary contest between the Lenape and the Tallegwi is given by Heckewelder, and is adduced in further illustration of the general concurrence above mentioned. The details vary in some points, but I am inclined to give the first position to the tradition as presented in the Walum- olum ; it being altogether the most simple and consistent. It must be observed, that Mr. Heckewelder’s diffuse account is much condensed in the following quotations, and that part which refers to the wars with the Cherokees, etc., is entirely omitted:— “ The Lenni-Lenape (according to the tra¬ ditions handed down to them from their ances¬ tors) resided many hundred years ago, in a very distant country, in the western part of the American continent. For some reason which I do not find accounted for, they determined on migrating to the eastward, and accordingly set * United Brethren in America, p. 24. out together in a body. After a very long jour¬ ney, and many nights’ encampment, (‘ nights’ encampment ’ is a halt of a year in a placei) they at length arrived on the Namaesi-Sipu,* where they fell in with the Mengwi, (Iroquois,) who had likewise emigrated from a distant country, and had struck upon this river higher up. Their object was the same with that of the Delawares ; they were proceeding to the eastward, until they should find a country that pleased them. The spies which the Le¬ nape had sent forward for the purpose of re- connoitering, had long before their arrival discovered that the country east of the Missis¬ sippi was inhabited by a very powerful nation, who had many large towns built on the great rivers flowing through the land. These people (as I was told) called themselves Tallegwi or Talligewi. Col. John Gibson, however, a gen¬ tleman who has a thorough knowledge of the Indians, and speaks several of their languages, is often of opinion that they were called Al- “ Many wonderful things are told of this famous people. They are said to have been remarkably tall and stout, and there are tra¬ ditions that there were giants among them. It is related, that they had built to themselves regular fortifications or entrenchments, from whence they would sally out, but were gene¬ rally repulsed. * * * When the Lenape ar¬ rived on the banks of the Mississippi, they sent a message to the Alligewi, to request permis¬ sion to settle themselves in their neighborhood. This was refused them; but they obtained leave to pass through the country, and seek a settlement further to the eastward. They ac¬ cordingly commenced passing the Mississippi, when the Alligewi discovering their great num¬ bers became alarmed, and made a furious at¬ tack upon those who had crossed. Fired at their treachery, the Lenape consulted on what was to be done ; whether to retreat, or try their strength against their oppressors. While this was going on the Mengwi, who had contented themselves with looking on from a distance, offered to join the Lenape, upon condition that they should be entitled to a share of the coun¬ try, in case the combination was successful. Their proposal was accepted, and the con¬ federates were able, after many severe conflicts, to drive the Alligewi down the Mississippi river. The conquerors divided the country be¬ tween themselves ; the Mengwi selecting the lands in the vicinity of the Great Lakes, and on their tributary streams, while the Lenape * This differs from the foregoing record, and is undoubtedly incorrect. It is difficult to derive Mississippi from Namaesi-Sipu, which is made up of Namaes, a fish, and Sipu, river. The ety¬ mology is clearly Messu, Messi, or Michi, signify¬ ing great, or as Mr. Gallatin suggests, the ichole, and Sipu, river.
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