Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-12-29
AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONS
From the American Baptist Magazine.

AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONS.
From the American Baptist Magazine
Letter from Rev. J. M. Peck, 10 Rev. Mr..
Sharp, dated 81. Louis, dug. IS, 1918.
DEAR SIR,--In a letter to DR.. Baldwin
little time since, | promised additional
information respecting the heather of the
nest. believe then mentioned some
interesting interviews we held with some
of the " Yonktons,'' branch of the Sioux
nation. This band consisted of eight
men and one woman, who came to ST.
Louis with French trader from between
800 and 1000 miles up the Missouri. Our
acquaintance with them was highly inter-
|esting, and trust, left lasting impressions
on their minds 10 our favour The chief,
who was accompanied with his wife,
Whose name is Do-ta-hhan-gah, signify
ing Grand PGrtisan) and two others, used
to call at my house almost every day, and
partly by signs, and partly by few words
of their language ] had picked up, we
were able 10 converse on familiar subjects.
The day before they returned to their
country, they called to bid us farewell
and they did not refrain from tears when
they affectionately seized my hand, aud
pronounced, hoo kitch-oo-ak, " good bye, !"
which they repeated several times. These
Indians discovered more intelligence than
any of the savages [ have ever before
seen. They are large robust race Of
beings, rather above the common size. 1t
is obvious they understand our object into
this country as being entirely distinct from
that Of other whites, aud that we profess
ed an intimate acquaintance with Wau-
kun.da, or the Father of lite." The
interpreter told US that on their retura to
the nation they would sing or chant our
names every morning at sunrise, and re-
hearse over what we had told them. To
do any good amongst the Indians, know.
ledge Of their language must be acquired.
Nor is this SO mighty an effort as many
are ready to imagine. The French hunt
ers and others who visit those nations,
generally learn enough of their language
for common purposes 10 the course of one
winters hunt. These traders generally
take wives and spend six or eight months
every year amongst the Indians, while
they have wives and families residing in
ST. Louis. The most formidable barrier
in the way of Christiauizing the Indians,
is their rowing unsettled state. This is
particularly the case with those nations
that live on the north side of the Missou-
ri. Those on the south SIDE, and those
far up the Mississippi, and scattered
through the territory north of Illinois, have
many stationary villages. The language
Of the Sioux is sonorous and elevated, and
seems well adapted for oratory. Two Of
the chiefs, at the time of our council,
spoke with all the dignity and oratory for
which the Indians have been justly cele-
brated. Comparing vocabulary of the
Sioux (proRounced Soas) language with
that Of some Of the more eastern tribes, /
cannot find the least analogy in either
soand or Specification. Though some Of
the French understand and speak the
Sioux language, / cannot find single
American that knows it. For four years
have been making inquiries respecting
the Indians, particularly to find out the
difficulties that appear 10 the way of the