ver," was related to me
at the same time by the same Indian. It is also briefly referred to by
Mr. Johnstone, in the communication in which mention is made of the
first tradition. Many other writers speak of a tradition current among
the Indians, of their having crossed the sea to arrive at their present
place of residence. I cannot help regarding it as a very strong
corroboration of this tradition, that all the American Indians call the
world--_i.e._ the place where they dwell--their ideas extend no
further--an "island." Does not the universality of this opinion prove
that they are from a common stock, and once--perhaps ages ago--had
demonstration of the fact that water flows between the continent upon
which they now dwell, and that from which the tradition supposes they
came?

The tradition entitled "The Alarm of the Great Sentinel," (Vol. 1, p.
61,) rests on the authority of Heckewelder, the well-known Moravian
missionary at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and may be found in "Transactions
of the American Philosophical Society." (Phila., 1819, Vol. 1, p. 206).
Much controversy has prevailed in America respecting the degree of
credit to be attached to this writer. None have pronounced him
dishonest, but several have accused him of having a very strong bias
towards the Indians, and of permitting his prejudices to colour his
elaborate accounts of their modes and manners. Two very able writers,
Mr. Duponceau, and Mr. Rawle, have come forward to vindicate him from
the charge of partiality, and I think have fully done so. The tradition
probably refers to an unsuccessful attempt at surprisal by their
enemies.

"The Mother of the World" is told briefly in Hearne's "Journey to the
Northern Ocean," p. 342. Hearne has been generally reckoned an accurate
reporter of what he heard and saw on that journey. His assertion that
the Indians have no religion is, however, totally untrue. Mackenzie also
refers to the same tradition, in his "General History of the Fur Trade,"
prefixed to his "Voyage to the Northern Ocean." (London, 1801, _quarto,_
cxviii). Mackenzie is a high authority in all that relates to the
Indians.

"The Fall of the Lenape" (Vol. 1, p. 87) is told by Mr. Heckewelder, in
the volume before referred to, page 36. It is undoubtedly an authentic
account of the overthrow of the Delawares by the Iroquois, aided by the
insidious counsels of the white people.

"The Marriage of the Snail and the Beaver" (Vol. 1, p. 103) is refer