DISCOURSE

ON THE

RELIGION OF THE INDIAN TRIBES

OF

NORTH AMERICA:

DELIVERED BEFORE

THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY,

DECEMBER 20, 1819.

BY SAMUEL FARMAR JARVIS,

D. D. A. A. S.

Jusques dans leurs démarches les plus indifférentes on apperçoit des traces de la religion primitive; mais qui échapent à ceux, qui ne les étudient pas assez, par la raison qu'elles sont encore plus effacées par le défaut d'instruction, qu'altérées par le mélange d'un culte superstitieux, et par des traditions fabuleuses. CHARLEVOIX.

NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

DECEMBER 20th, 1819.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be presented to the Rev. SAMUEL F. JARVIS, D. D. for the Anniversary Discourse delivered by him this day, and that he be respectfully requested to furnish the Society with a copy for publication.

Resolved, That Doctor A. W. IVES, G. C. VERPLANCK, and M. C. PATERSON, Esqrs. be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Doctor JARVIS, with this resolution.

JOHN PINTARD,

Recording Secretary.

A

DISCOURSE

ON

THE RELIGION OF THE INDIAN TRIBES

OF

NORTH AMERICA.

Mr. President, and

Gentlemen of the Historical Society,

In surveying those portions of American history from which I might select a subject for the present occasion, it appeared to me, that the religion of the Indian tribes of North America, had not been viewed with that largeness of observation, which is the characteristic of enlightened philosophy. Various causes may be mentioned, which have hitherto conspired to prevent, or to impede, such an examination. In the first place, the horror, proceeding from the cruelties of their warfare, forbade the calmness of investigation. As long as they were formidable, curiosity was overpowered by terror; and there was neither leisure, nor inclination, to contemplate their character as a portion of the human family, while the glare of conflagration reddened the midnight sky, and the yells of the savage, mingling with the shrieks of butchered victims, rode, as portentous messengers, upon every gale. But that state of things has long ceased to exist. The white men of America have become too numerous, to fear any longer the effects of savage barbarity; and the tales, which once carried terror to the stoutest heart, are now scarcely heard beyond the precincts of the nursery. In the room of fear, should now arise a sentiment of pity. "The

red men are melting," to borrow the expressive metaphor of one of their most celebrated warriors,* "like snow before the sun;" and we should be anxious, before it is too late, to copy the evanescent features of their character, and perpetuate them on the page of history.

But when fear ceases, contempt is a natural consequence. The Indian, whose character was once so lofty and independent, is now seen begging at our doors for the price of his perdition; and, as our foot spurns the suppliant, we are apt to think, that nothing, connected with one so vile, can be worthy of our attention. But is it air to judge from so vitiated a specimen? When a race of men are mingled with others, who consider them as inferiors, they inevitably become so. Submission to contempt, is an acknowledgment of its justice. If, therefore, the Indian would avoid degradation, he must retire from the habitations of white men; and if we wish to see him in his original character, we must follow him to his native forests. There, surely, he is worthy of our attention. The lovers of the physical sciences, explore the woods of America, to cull her plants, and to investigate the habits of her animals. Shall not the lovers of the moral sciences, be equally ardent and industrious? Shall man, who stands at the summit of earthly creation, be forgotten, amid the general scrutiny?

The sources of prejudices which I have mentioned, influence the examination of every subject, connected with the Indian character: there are peculiar difficulties, with regard to that on which I have chosen to address

you.

The Indians themselves are not communicative in relation to their religion; and it requires a good deal of familiar, attentive, and, I may add, unsuspected observation, to obtain any knowledge respecting it. Hence, many who have been transiently resident among them, have very confidently pronounced, that they have no re

The noted Miami Chief Mishikinakwa, or Little Turtle, who contributed most to the defeat of St. Clair. See Volney's View of the soil and climate of the United States. Supplement, No. VI. Philad. 1804, p. 385.