The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South AmericaRafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
History
The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South America
Rafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
Indians; Indians -- Origin; Taino Indians; Taino language
11. But _Tadeskung_ was chief in the east at _Mahoning_ and bribed by the
_Yankwis_: there he was burnt in his house, and many of our people were
massacred at _Hickory_ (Lancaster) by the land robbers _Yankwis_.
12. Then we joined our friend _Lowi_ in war against the Yankwis; but they
were strong, and they took _Lowanaki_ (north land, Canada) from Lowi, and
came to us in _Talegawink_, when peace was made; and we called them big
knives _Kichikani_.
13. Then _Alimi_ (white-eyes) and _Gelelenund_ (buck killer) were chiefs,
and all the nations near us were allies under us as our grandchildren
again.(56)
14. When the eastern fires were set up, and began to resist Dolojo, they
said we should be another fire with them. But they killed our chiefs
_Unamiwi_ (turtling) and our brothers on the Muskingum. Then _Hopokan_
(strong pipe) of the Wolf tribe was made king, and he made war on the
_Kichikani Yankwis_, and become the ally of Dolojo who was then very
strong.
15. But the eastern fires were stronger, they did not take _Lowanaki_
(Canada) but become free from _Dolojo_. We went to _Wapahani_ (white
river) to be further from them; but they follow every where, and we made
war on them, till they sent _Makhiakho_ (black snake, General Wayne) who
made strong war.(57)
16. We made peace and settle limits. Our next king was _Hacking-Ponskan_
(hard walker) who was good and peaceful. He would not even join our
brothers Shawanis and Ottawas, nor Dolojo in the next war.
17. Yet after the last peace, the _Kichikani-Yankwis_ came in crowds all
around us, and they want also our lands of _Wapahani_. It was useless to
resist, because they are getting stronger by increasing united fires.
18. _Kithtilkund_ and _Lapanibi_ (white water) were the chiefs of our two
tribes, when we resolved to exchange our lands, and return at last beyond
the _Masispek_ (muddy water, Mississippi) near to our old country.(58)
19. We shall be near our foes the _Wakon_ (god of snakes, the Ozages) but
they are not worse than the _Yankwiakon_ (English snake), who want to
possess the whole big island.(59)
20. Shall we be free and happy there? at the new _Wapahani_ (western white
river). We want rest, and peace, and wisdom.
Such is one of the accounts of the transactions between this people and
the English, United States &c; of which Loskiel, Holm and Hekewelder have
furnished other fragments, and for which we have ample materials in the
colonial history and late records. But this offers some new views and
facts: which shall be partly compared and discussed in the notes; but more
properly examined and united in accordance with other narratives, in the
history of the North American nations and tribes. The 11 kings in about
220 years named in this fragment, indicate 107 altogether till 1820 and
later.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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