The Iroquois tribes had acquired the highest reputation in war and diplomacy, of all the Indian tribes of North America. At the time of the discovery, they were in the ascendant, and were rapidly consolidating their power under a system of confederacy, which had some striking traits resembling our own. Their language, viewed in its several dialects, was not so soft and flowing as that of their former rivals, the Algonquins or Adirondacks; but impressed the listener by its masculine and sonorous tone. It imparted a beauty to their geographical terminology, and helped to spread the fame of their deeds over Europe.
Translations into this groupe of languages, were commenced at an early period. A part of the Service of the English Church was executed under the late Bishop Stewart of Canada, during the reign of Queen Anne. Sixteen separate works, all of modern date, however, have been received, of which, nine are in the Mohawk dialect, one in the Oneida, and six in the Seneca. Nothing has been received or is known to exist in the Onondaga, Cayuga, or Tuscarora. Ziesberger’s Dictionary of the Onondaga in MSS., is known to be deposited in the library of the American Philosophical Society, at Philadelphia.
No. 1.—Nene Karighyoston, Tsinihorighhoten ne Saint John. The Gospel according to St. John. New York: D. Fanshaw, for the American Bible Society. 1 vol. 18mo. 116 pages. A. D. 1818.
In this early version, the Greek word “Logos,” and the Hebrew “Yehovah,” are engrafted on the Mohawk dialect. The version is attributed to Norton, a Mohawk Chief. The translation is accompanied with the parallel English passages.
2.—Ne Kaorihwadegenhti. The Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ according to St. Luke. New York: McElrath, Bangs & Herbert, for the Young Men’s Bible Society, Methodist Church. 1 vol. 109 pages, 12mo. A. D. 1833.
This translation is by A. Hill; corrected by J. A. Wilkes, Jr., Grand River, C. W. This translation, like the preceding, contains the English and Mohawk in parallel passages, and like that, is thus rendered a valuable element in the study of language.
3.—Ne Ne Jinihodiyeren. The Acts of the Apostles, in the Mohawk language. New York: Howe & Bates, for the Young Men’s (Methodist) Auxiliary Bible Society. 1 vol. 12mo. 120 pages. A. D. 1835. Translated by H. A. Hill, with corrections by William Hess and John A. Wilkes, Jr. It is accompanied by a translation of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans, in 56 pages, by the same translator and revisors.
4.—The Gospel according to St. Mark. New York: McElrath & Bangs, for the New York District Bible Society. 1 vol. 239 pages, 12mo. A. D. 1829.
Of this translation, there exist earlier copies. It is from the pen of the noted Chief, Captain Joseph Brant, called Tarenyawagon, by his people. He employs the word Niyoh, for the Supreme Being. He gives the English and Mohawk in opposite pages. The volume terminates with a collection of sentences from the Scriptures, which are designed for practical instruction. These are curious and valuable exemplifications of the power of the two languages. In point of brevity and conciseness, the English exceeds the Mohawk, as 25 to 38, (vide p. 192, et seq.) The mind of that Chief would appear to have been well indoctrinated in leading Scriptural truths, and exhibits no little power of appropriate selection in these passages. If he became a savage in battle, and exhibited the peculiar subtlety, cruelty, and power of Indian deception while on the war path, he had the power to sink into a philosophic calm, in his study. This translation is indeed, a better apology for the alleged cruelty of his life, than the rather labored vindication in the volumes of his ardent biographer, the late Colonel W. L. Stone.
5.—The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians, in the Mohawk language. New York: Howe & Bates, for the Young Men’s Bible Society. 1 vol. 18 double pages, 12mo., with the Epistle to the Ephesians, 18 double pages, 12mo. A. D. 1835. Translated by H. A. Hill, with corrections by William Hess and J. A. Wilkes, Jr.
6.—The Epistles of Paul