Omaha and Ponka letters / by James Owen Dorsey.

  • Dorsey, James Owen, 1848-1895.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Omaha and Ponka letters / by James Owen Dorsey. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    t8ditan <fanajiu (G.). Stress seems to be laid on tbe extreme length of from it you stood. the visit. 76, 7, ewa<fa<fe-cti-ma, an unusual form of ewa(fa<fe-ma ctl, from ewa<fe. TRANSLATION. My friend, these Indians have requested me to deliver a message. My friend, I will tell the words to you in order to tell them to all of you. These Indians have heard a message concerning themselves. After considering the subject, my friend, they have found it difficult for them. In fact, as it is very difficult for them, they have authorized me to speak for them, and so I tell you. At the very beginning of the spring, my friend, you came to the Omaha settlement, and you remained throughout the summer. You fully understand the situation of the Omaha young men. You know everything that they have. As they are without horses (to give away) I have said that what you propose is difficult for them (to perform). The people here have not traveled in any direction among the other tribes, and it has been so all through the winter. Therefore the Indians petition you (not to come). The Omahas fear that if you come you will be full of anxiety, and that you will make them full of anxiety, even those Omahas whom you have as your kindred. So they hope and pray that you will not come. If it does not please you (to stay away from us) the Omahas do not prevent your coming; they merely say that as a sort of petition to you. The Indians here do not have three horses apiece; they have only those [two ?] horses (apiece) which they use in working. We Indians [remem¬ ber how it has been told about?] the Indians of the olden times; how they visited one another in consequence of their regarding themselves as related. When they visited one another, they exchanged food and whatever else they had. You will think of that. We do not consider that you will disregard what has been said by me. As we have no horses (to give away), I have told you just how we are situated. Recon¬ sider the decision which you have reached. Ie Word GIHAJI TO CORNELIUS RICKMAN. FEBRUARY, 1880. djubaqtci widaxe. An/ba<fe te iidanqti egan in/<fe ega11, very few I make to To-day the very good as I am as, you. glad ada11 wabag<£eze widaxe. Ki a^aqikihide kaDb<fegan. Wicti there- letter I make to And you take care I hope. I too fore you. of yourself egan aaqikihide. Ki udanqti manb^in/. so I take care of my- And very good I walk, self. Wina‘an-maji iD/tan 3 I have not heard now from you an/ba-waqube te cade gana. mysterious day the six that many. Ki edadan-ct*3cte lwimaxe And whatsoever I asked you about