New-York daily tribune., 1856-02-27
MR.. SCHOOLCRAFT ON THE LEGEND OF
HIAWATHA.
,1. VIZ. afTA.N \. n. hnn.

n ne Editor Of The N Y. Tibme
SIR: Nothing is more varied than the Indian
slature of this continent, viewed over large areas
Almost every tribe has some popularity in its names,
either in their photographed elements, accents or
mode Of pronunciation or ntonaton and this is more
Observable in comparisons between tribes Of remote
chronological groups, while the leading ideas
are nearly uniform. These changes often arise,
not 70 much from differences of grammatical
principles from the different attributes or character
sces of the objects described Thus the terms Aba
i.ca, in Choctaw; 0wsynoo, in Irquois; 4onido, in
Algonquin; and Wacandab, in Dacotah, mean pre-
csely the same great Deity, 10 whom the
creation of the world is sscnbed. SO also in
their mythology, the names Hiawaths, Tarengavagon,
Nanabosho, Mioabo, QuetIalcoatl, &C., designate
the same benign agent, called by one OF the tribes
Atanocan and the Holder of the Heavens, whom the
Deity sent down to teach the tribes the knowledge
suitable to their condition, and to remedy some defects
Of its surface, and clear Il Of great monsters of the
land and water In their oral wigwan lore they are
never done telling of the powers and adventures of
this neurological parsonage, who is invulnerabe,
always has magic to 60 where it is bid, and
can perform most miraculous exploits. have some
times thought this myth bore certain resemblance to
the Avstar, and mock gods of India who, with pro-
fssed powers Of the Deity so about playing al sorts
Of low tricks.
Whoever wishes 10 see fuller notice of this prime
aboriginal character referred to Algic Researches,
tyol p. 50 and l34,) where he appears under his
Algonquin cognOmen of MsnaboShO, as the friend OF
man, and the author of arts and improvements and to
vol. 3, p. 3l4, where under the name Of Hiswstha,
be performs the same functions for the lroquois.
Sst found this legend in the Chippewa wigwams Of
fAse Superior in 1924 and published it in 1889 in
Agic Researches together with the whimsical adyen-
tures Of other aboriginal boasts Of story-craf con-
nected with his mundane mission, vide VOL p. l3t to
I74; Psup Pukeewis ID. p. 900; The two Zeebi, vol
., 81; 0sseo ib., p. l5Oi Kwssind, p. lGO lsgoo
p. ass, &c.
This myth Of a dvinely y-susta;ned instructor and
friend of The Indian tribes of this continent old
nns and the more their traditions mined the
,nn,e universal II seems to be. The Wysndots told
n 10 I,e Jeune at Hockelags NOW MontTeaD about
the hegnning of the seventeenth Century. Charlie
yous N I72o, refers to it Letter). IL was told to
Conrad Wiser in l744 timer. Mag David Casc,
Tuscsrora in his curious history of the SIX Nations
puhhshed at Lewiston, n. Y, in 1928, Nide ina
Hist vol s. pp S3l represents the Cantons as oelng
led and always under the special protection Of TINS
divine messenger. The Wyandot Chief Orowahento,
s,ld me the story at Detroit in 1887 tPdr Men:
ry little research, indeed, is required TO show that
IN general myth Is old as the history Of the iro-
has On returning 10 New-York from the West, III
A. / found q version Of the myth among the lro-
have wanting indeed in the various adventures OF
oi esut ern hero, but affirming the same theory and
+ exceeetng the wide prevalence of the myth.
ply traditions otter cousin not only evil
Pr@ecteo be early affnities and rnigratons of the
neenoy mish the very best proofs OF their inteec-
derived iron Id mental character. As such, L have
per a2asJs presented them. II has only been mat
,se 70 me that this oral lore of the wig waIns
.keel earefalty collected, eas st'Tsstea "