This groupe is established, provisionally, on a geographical principle, which considers in one family, all the tribes who formerly lived in the southern latitudes of the Appalachian range. It has not escaped notice, that there may be reasons for such a classification, on philological grounds. No one can have given attention to the subject without perceiving marked resemblances and affiliations, in the southern groupe of languages, such as exist between the Choctaw and the Chickesaw, and with more remoteness between the latter and the great Muscogee, or Creek family. Points of harmony in the principles of utterance, exist between all these tribes, even where coincidences in their vocabularies are reduced to but a few instances.
But it is clear that no classification, on philological principles, can be successfully attempted until we possess comparatively full and reliable vocabularies and grammars of all the tribes, cognate and diverse. When such a classification is established, it is apprehended it must rest, as a basis, on the Muscogee. The ancient confederacy of this type, had, in addition to the Muscogees, or Muscogulges proper, the Hitchitees and Coosadies. Events in their history, threw in the elements of the Utchees and the Natchez, both diverse tribes, and who cannot now comprehend the national language, without an interpreter.[A] The Apalaches, found by De Soto, were, if judged by the names which the narrator of his expedition employs, Muscogees. The Alabamas, who speak the Muscogee with some peculiarities, appear to have been of the Coosada branch. The Seminoles of modern days, are pure Creeks.[A] The Appalachicolas are of the same stock, without peculiarities. The Mobilians were pure Choctaw. The only really anomalous elements in this wide-spread groupe, are the Natchez and the Utchees, among the Creeks proper, and the Catawbas, with their congeners, the Yamasees, of South Carolina. If the latter be not found to have their analogies with the leading Muscogee stock, they occupied country at an early day at least, in the southern seaboard portions of the State, where some of the geographical names of the Muscogee language are still found. Philological researches are probably destined to discover in the Natchez and Utchees, membra disjecta of the Toltecan groupe, and thus to establish a historical link between the ancient Mexican and American, or United States Indians.
[A] Vide Marshall, 2d chief of the Creeks, March, 1848, War Office.
Of the Cherokees, their fixed geographical position in the hills and alpine valleys of the mountains; their compactness and permanency, their peaceful policy with respect to the southern Indians generally, and their language itself, appear to afford elements of a classification, of which the original members, like those of the Iroquois, whom they resemble in their original Totemic organization, the descent of the chieftaincy in the female line, and some small coincidences of language, must be sought far west, or south-west from the Mississippi.
The whole number of works received in the languages and dialects of this mixed groupe, is forty-five; of which, twenty are in the Cherokee, and printed in the Cherokee character; nineteen in the Choctaw; and four in the Creek. Translations, vocabularies, and historical or illustrative information respecting the Natchez, Utchees, and Catawbas, are of vital importance to the establishment of this groupe.
SECTION I.—CHEROKEE.
BOOKS AND TRANSLATIONS IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE CHEROKEES.
72.—The Gospel of St. John, in the Cherokee. 1 vol. 18mo. 101 p. Park Hill, Arkansas Mission Press, John Candy, printer. 2d edition, A. D. 1841.
This Gospel is printed in the Cherokee character, under the supervision of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The name of the translator is not given.
73.—The Gospel of Matthew, in the Cherokee. 1 vol. 18mo. 120 p. Park Hill, Arkansas Mission Press, John Candy, printer. 3d edition, A. D. 1840. Also 2d edition A. D. 1832.
Printed in the Cherokee character, under the same authority as the preceding. Name of the translator not given.
74.—Doctrines and Discipline. 1 vol. 18mo. 45 p. Park Hill, Arkansas Mission Press, John Candy, printer, A. D. 1842.
This tract in the Cherokee has been prepared under the preceding auspices.
75.—Cherokee Primer. 1 vol. 18mo. 24 p. Park Hill, Arkansas Mission Press, A. D. 1840, J. Candy, printer. Also edition of 1846.
Under the same auspices. This is a child’s first book, and begins with the Cherokee syllabical alphabet in 85 characters, followed with spelling lessons, with cuts, and easy reading lessons illustrated in the same manner; also the numerals, and a short catechism.
76.—The Epistles of John, in the Cherokee. 1 vol. 18mo. 20 pages. Park Hill, Arkansas Mission Press, J. Candy, printer, A. D. 1840. Cherokee character.
Authority same as the preceding. To aid, apparently, the pupil, in forming a just conception of the event of the Crucifixion, a print thereof is added, with a serpent round about the foot of the Cross, and a city (Jerusalem?) in the back ground. This symbolical mode of teaching, is not observed in any other of the American Board’s scripture translations.
77.—Evils of Intoxicating Liquor, and the Remedy. 1 vol. 18mo. p. 59. Park Hill, Arkansas Mission Press, J. Candy, printer, A. D. 1842, 1844.
In this volume, three separate tracts, in the Cherokee character, on the use of intoxicating drinks, are bound together, in the usual Cherokee type, to match with the Gospels.
78.—Cherokee Hymns. 1 vol. 18mo. 67 pages. Cherokee character. Park Hill, Arkansas Mission Press, A. B. C. F. M., A. D. 1844. J. Candy, printer. Seventh edition. Also, fifth edition, 1833.
These hymns are translated from several sources, and adapted to the ordinary metres.
79.—Cherokee Almanac, for 1846. 1 vol. 12mo. 36 pages. Cherokee character. Missionary Press, A. B. C. F. M., Park Hill, Arkansas. J. Candy & John F. Wheeler, printers.
This is a useful and appropriate tract, and besides the usual astronomical calculations, has notices of some of the features and working of the new Cherokee Government, terms of Courts, &c.
80.—The Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to John. 1 vol. 18mo. p. 101. Park Hill, Ark. Miss. Press, A. B. C. F. M., John F. Wheeler, printer. A. D. 1838.
This translation into the Cherokee character is by the Rev. S. A. Worcester and Mr. Elias Boudinot, the latter an educated Cherokee.
81.—Poor Sarah. 1 vol. 18mo. 18 p. Cherokee character. A. D. 1843. Missionary Press, Arkansas. Also, edition of 1833. From the latter, this translation appears to be by Mr. E. Boudinot.
82.—Select Passages from the Holy Scriptures. 1 vol. 18mo. p. 24. Cherokee character. No imprint.
83.—The Acts of the Apostles. 1 vol. 18mo. p. 127. New Echota: John F. Wheeler and John Candy, printers. Printed for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, A. D. 1833.
This translation is by the Rev. Samuel A. Worcester and Mr. Elias Boudinot.
84. Cherokee Almanac for 1840, p. 24. Park Hill, Arkansas.
85.””for 1846, p. 36. Union,”
86.””for 1847, p. 36. Park Hill,”
These Almanacs are expressed, chiefly, in the Cherokee character, while they denote its further adaptation to the language of astronomy, and give some facts of value in the local history and progress of this tribe; as such, they are, with No. 80, valuable elements of information.
87.—Scriptures in Cherokee. Various Gospels, &c. 1 vol. 18mo. 483 pages. Park Hill, Arkansas Mission Press, A. B. C. F. M., A. D. 1844.
This is a substantially bound volume, consisting of the Gospels, Acts, Epistles of Paul to Timothy, and select passages of Scripture, Hymns, &c., forming a kind of Scripture miscellany of much value.
88.—Cherokee Primer, edition of 1846. 4 copies. 1 vol. 18mo. 24 pages. Park Hill, Arkansas.
The progress of primary education, among this people, may be inferred from this tract.
89.—Temperance Tracts and Miscellanies. 1 vol. 18mo. 116 pages. Park Hill Mission Press. A. D. 1844.
This volume consists of four separate tracts, bound together.
90.—Dairyman’s Daughter and Rob the Sailor. 1 vol. 18mo. p. 67. Park Hill Mission Press, Arkansas, A. B. C. F. M., A. D. 1847. Candy and Archer, printers.
Two popular religious tracts are here presented in the Cherokee language, in their own alphabetical character. The translators’ names are not given.
91.—Sermon by the Rev. A. Dickinson. 1 vol. 18mo. p. 24. Cherokee character. No imprint.
92.—Cherokee Singing Book. 1 vol. 4to. 86 pages. Boston: A. P. Kendrick, printer, for A. B. C. F. M., A. D. 1846.
SECTION II.
BOOKS AND TRACTS IN THE CHOCTAW.
93.—The Four Gospels in Choctaw. Boston. 1 vol. large 12mo. 410 pages. Crocker & Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. M., A. D. 1845. Second edition.
These Gospels are separately printed and paged, but bound up together, and form a handsome volume. They are regarded by the best educated Choctaws, as a faithful rendition of the original into that tongue.
94.—Chahta Holisso, it im Anumpuli, or the Choctaw Reader for the use of native schools. Union: Printed for the A. B. C. F. M., by John F. Wheeler. A. D. 1836. 123 pages.
There is a table of contents added, in English and Indian, to direct the pupil to the leading passages.
95.—Constitution and Laws of the Choctaw Nation. Park Hill, Cherokee Nation, John Candy, printer. A. D. 1840.
This volume consists of two pamphlets of 36 and 40 pages respectively, giving the matter in both languages.
96.—Chahta uba Isht Taloa Holisso, or Choctaw Hymn Book. Third edition, revised. Boston: 1 vol. 12mo. p. 175. A. D. 1844. Press of T. R. Marvin. Published for the A. B. C. F. M.
97.—General Rules of the United Societies of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Park Hill: J. Candy. 1841. 24 pages.
98.—Triumphant Death of Pious Children. Boston: 1 vol. 12mo. p. 72. Crocker & Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. M.
A few hymns are added at the close of these simple and pertinent narratives.
99.—Chahta Holisso. Third edition, revised. Boston: Crocker & Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. M., 1 vol. 12mo. p. 72.
100.—Family Education and Government. A Discourse in the Choctaw language, by J. S. Williams. Boston: A. D. 1835. Crocker & Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. M., p. 48. With a brief synopsis of the discourse at its close, from which the importance of its subjects may be judged of.
101.—Choctaw Arithmetic. Chahta Na-Holhtina. Boston: 1 vol. 12mo. p. 72. Crocker & Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. M., A. D. 1835.
102.—The Child’s Book on Creation, or Ulla I Holisso, &c. 1 vol. 12mo. Park Hill, Cherokee Nation. Mission Press: Candy & Wheeler. A. D. 1845. Second edition.
Fourteen separate tracts are bound up in this volume, making 159 pages of matter, which is drawn from the sermons and writings of Edwards, Nevins, and other distinguished divines of past and modern times.
103.—Ulla I Katikisma, or Child’s Catechism. Boston: 1 vol. 12mo. 16 pages. A. D. 1835. Crocker & Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. M. Second edition, revised.
104.—Holisso Holitopa. Scripture Lessons. Utica, N. Y: 1 vol. 12mo. p. 151. Press of William Williams. A. D. 1831.
This volume is inscribed on the blank page, in front, “Sabbath School Book,” and bears the marks of having been much used by scholars.
105.—The History of Joseph and his Brethren, in Choctaw. Utica, N. Y. Press of W. Williams. A. D. 1831. 48 pages, 12mo.
The translation of this little volume is due to Joseph Dakes, a native Choctaw interpreter, with the revision of John Pitchlyn, who appends, in a certificate, his judgment of its faithfulness to the original, and probable value to his people.
106.—Chahta Holisso A Tukla, or the Second Chahta Book. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 144.
This volume contains translations of portions of the Scriptures, biographical notices of Henry Obokiah and Catherine Brown, a catechism and dissertations on religious subjects. It was printed at Cincinnati in 1827, by Morgan, Dodge & Fisher. The translator’s name is withheld.
107.—The Acts of the Apostles. Boston: 1 vol. 12mo. p. 165. Crocker & Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. M., A. D. 1839.
This volume is accompanied by evidences of that carefulness and desire to create exact impressions in the use of language, which are deemed of much value. It closes with a list of Scripture proper names, as pronounced by the ancients and by Choctaws; a table of words of unusual use in the Choctaw, as Apostle, Baptise, Blaspheme, &c., together with a few English words, for which no equivalents could be found, as Angel, Synagogue, Temple, &c., and a detailed table of contents.
108.—Chahta Ikhan anchi, or the Choctaw Instructor. Utica, N. Y: William Williams. A. D. 1831. 1 vol. 12mo. p. 155. By a missionary.
This volume contains a brief summary of Old Testament History and Biography, with practical reflections. It acknowledges the aid and services of Isaac Watson, a native interpreter.
109.—Chahta Holisso. Boston: 1 vol. 12mo. 108 pages. Crocker & Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. M., A. D. 1830.
This is a Spelling Book, apparently the second attempt of that kind, with the Choctaw, and carries the pupil from monosyllables, into easy reading lessons. It ends with a transmutation of the English names of the months into Anglo-Choctaw, as Macha for March, Eplil for April, Me for May, Chum for June, Chuli for July, Akus for August, &c.
110.—Choctaw Spelling Book of 1827. Second edition, revised. Cincinnati: Printed by Morgan, Dodge & Fisher.
111.—The Epistle of James, Chemis I Holisso Hake. Park Hill Mission Press. John Candy. A. D. 1843. 42 pages, 18mo.
To this Epistle, is appended the first three Chapters of Revelations.
112.—Chani I Holisso Ummona Hoke. The Epistles of John. Park Hill Mission Press. 27 pages, 18mo. A. D. 1841.
SECTION III.
BOOKS AND TRANSLATIONS IN THE CREEK OR MUSCOGEE.
113.—The Muskoke Spelling Book. Park Hill, Cherokee Nation. Mission Press. E. Archer, printer. A. D. 1847. 36 pages, 18mo. Prepared by Rev. P. Harrison and D. P. Aspberry.
114.—Nakchokv Esyvhiketv. Muskoke Hymns, collected and revised by Rev. R. M. Loughridge. Park Hill, Mission Press. John Candy, printer. A. D. 1843. 1 vol. 18mo. p. 45.
To these hymns, the Ten Commandments and Lord’s Prayer, are added.
115.—The Muskoke Hymns of 1847, prepared and revised by Rev. P. Harrison and D. P. Aspberry, native missionaries. 1 vol. 18mo. 101 p.
These are the hymns of Loughridge, of 1835, in a revised and improved form.
116.—A Short Sermon: Also, Hymns in the Muskoke or Creek language, by the Rev. John Fleming. Boston: Crocker & Brewster, for the A. B. C. F. M., 1 vol. 18mo. 35 pages. A. D. 1835.
