PREFACE.



matter of
curiosity o
not, when
themselves
throw any



course, remain for ever hidden from the
f mankind. - The RED MEN, it is true, had
first visited by Europeans, any history of
, either written or traditional, which could
light on their national affairs. With regard



to oral tradition,
the first men to
worthy of notice
recitals are multi
mitted down to
writing, we must



which consists of recitals made by
their children, of whatever happened
L during their lifetime, so that these
iplied in every generation, and trans-
posterity, without the assistance of
candidly acknowledge that the Indians



were found to be miserably destitute, even of this
errant vehicle of knowledge. Hence, amidst the clouds
which envelop the history of this ill-fated race, we are
furnished by themselves with nothing but uncertainty.
We shall not then, venture to affirm, on their testimony,
either what is true or what is false, or seek for certainty
among such uncertain authorities. On the contrary, our
witnesses are of the most unimpeachable character,
while the testimony of travellers of undoubted veracity,
and missionaries no less distinguished for their learning
than religious zeal, who dwelt for many years in the
north-eastern regions of Asia, and among the Indian
tribes of North America, shall form our principal guides
in this inquiry.
  In the absence, therefore, of written or traditional
history, however erroneous the latter may frequently
prove, but neither of which the Indians possessed, it
seems to us, that there cannot be a more rational way
of arriving, with any degree of accuracy and certainty,
at the original source, whence, in the remoteness of



Unie,



those



numerous and



powerful



tribes



K



first



mil-



-