John Long's journal, 1768-1782Long, J. (John), Indian trader
History
John Long's journal, 1768-1782
Long, J. (John), Indian trader
Fur trade -- Canada; Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Languages; Ojibwa language
“_Keennerwind Ojemar woke, kee wabindan indenendum kee kee noneydone
Kitchee Mannitoo, ojey candan opin weene aighter ojey petoone nowwetting
guyack debarchemon kaygait nin oathty hapadgey nee woke keennerwind
equoy kee janis goyer metach nogome gudderbarchemon_ {68} _hunjyta O,
nishshishshin artawway winnin kaygait nee zargetoone artawway winnin
metach kakaygo arwayyor Matchee Mannitoo, guyyack neennerwind oathty
mornooch kee appay omar neegee_.”
“You chiefs, and others of the tribe whose eyes are open, I hope you
will give ear to the words of my mouth. The Master of Life has opened my
brain, and made my breath blow good words. My heart feels for you, your
wives, and children; and what I now speak proceeds from the root of my
friend’s sentiments, who owns this house, and who has told me that his
heart was opened to you on your arrival; but notwithstanding his
kindness, the bad spirit got possession of you, which made him very
unhappy, though he hoped the Master of Life would change your
dispositions, and make you good Indians, as you used to be.” To this
speech one of the chiefs made answer:
“_Kaygait Amik, kee aighter annaboycassey omar hapadgey; O,
nishshishshin kee debarchemon nogome neennerwind ojey stootewar
cockinnor nee doskeennerwaymug kee debwoye neecarnis hapadgey sannegat
neennerwind ha nishinnorbay kaygwotch annaboycassey ozome Scuttaywabo
ojey minniquy neennerwind angaymer Amik, shashyyea suggermarsh cockinnor
nogome mornooch toworch payshik muccuk Scuttaywabo ojey bockettynan
Cushshecance warbunk keejayp neennerwind ojey boossin;—haw, haw, haw._”
“It is true, Beaver, you have strong sense, it sweetens your words to
us, and we all understand you. We know, friend, your lips open with
truth. It is very hard for us Indians, who have not the sense of the
white people to know when we have had enough of the strong {69} fiery
water; but we hope the _Cat_ will throw off the film from his heart, as
ours are clear: we also hope he will open his heart once more, and give
us a small keg of the strong water, to drink to the health of our
brother and sister, whom we have sent to the far country, and to-morrow
at break of day we will depart.”
Mr. Shaw, by my advice, promised to comply with their request, on
condition of their being true to their engagements, and that they should
forbear even tasting the rum while they remained on the ground. This
determination I acquainted them with, and they retired to their huts,
leaving us in quiet possession of the fort.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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