Words arc used to express the ideas which the mind has formed ; ideas must therefore exist, before the lan guage which expresses them is introduced. As ideas hold the first place, it is obvious that their number may increase in a proportion greater than that of the sounds which are already in use ; and that in a scarcity of vocal enunciation, the same word may be employed to express a variety of ideas. Hence it is, that in all languages not highly cultivated and copious, the words are 7roAt, or have many significations. The most ancient tongue with which we are acquainted, the Hebrew, is re markable for the various import of its words. The lan guage of every nation in the infancy of improvement, possesses a similar character ; it is figurative to a great degree, abounding in metaphor's and allusions. The speech of all the American tribes is of this description ; and its figurative character, united with the simplicity which pervades the savage life, renders it peculiarly ef fectual in the mouths of the orators, when they harangue in the councils of the nation to which they belong. It is, in this respect, not so much the language of a pecu liar people, as the language of man in a particular state of society.
As the nations of the American continent are small, and separated from one another by the circumstances of their condition, as well as by unextinguishable en mity, there are almost as many languages to be found in the New World as there are tribes. In every valley there is a different people and a different tongue. Whether these languages are referable to a common source, we have not information sufficient to determine. It is not to be questioned, however, that a considerable affinity may lie discovered among many of the dialects in the western hemisphere ; and hence the speech of some tribes has been pointed out as radical, and that of others as derived. The general opinion is, that the pri mary languages of North America are those of the Hu rons and Algonquins ; while in the central and southern regions, the Quichua, or speech of the Peruvians, the Bctoyan, the Jariian, and that of the Ca•ibs, hold a similar place. (Gumithr, ii. 19U. .1110:Wirt's Philosopin (pies, par Ullon, ii. 110.) But whatever affinity may subsist among the various dialects of the New World, it seldom happens, that the individuals belonging to dif ferent tribes are able to converse, unless by gestures and signs. In North America, these signs are peculiar, and are deserving of notice. When an inhabitant of Canada approaches a tribe, with whom he has no differ ences to adjust, and no inclination to quarrel, lie bears in his hand a large pipe, formed of clay or marble, adorned with feathers, and styled " the calumet of peace." It is the token of amity ; and whenever it is offered and accepted, all the injuries are supposed to be forgiven, and perfect harmony is established. A con
siderable part of Indian politeness consists in resenting 'the calumet. Among the North Americans, likewise, belts of wampum arc used, in order to express their purposes, and confirm their assertions. These belts are continually in their hands ; and as it is by means of them that they preserve the memory of events which arc past, and the articles of the treaties into which they have en tered, either with the Europeans or with one another, they may be considered as the written language of the North Americans, as well at the indication of their de sires and resolutions. They consist of shells, wrought into the form of beads, and of different colours, generally black and white. The shells arc perforated, and strung upon a thong ; and several of these thongs constitute a belt. Whenever the North Americans engage in any alliance, a belt of wampum is uniformly presented, and each of the parties holds one of its extremities; these extremities arc composed of the black beads ; and the white ones are placed in the middle, to signify, that the parties have no hatred or animosity towards one another.
Wampum," says Mr Long, " is of several colours, but the white and black are chiefly used : the former is made of the inside of the conque, or clam-shell ; the latter of the mussel : both are worked in the form of a long bead, and perforated, in order to be strung on leather, and made up in belts. These belts are for va rious purposes : When a council is held, they are given out with the speeches, and always proportioned, in the size and the number of rows of wampum which they con tain, to the idea which the Indians entertain of the im portance of the meeting : they frequently consist of both colours. Those given to Sir William Johnson were in several rows, black on each side, and white in the mid dle : the white, being placed in the centre, was to ex press peace, and that the path between them was fair and open. In the centre of the belt was the figure of a diamond, made of white wampum, which the Indians call the council fire. When Sir William Johnson held a treaty with the savages, he took the belt by one end, while the Indian chief held the other : if the chief had any thing to say, he moved his finger along the bite streak : if Sir William had any thing to commu nicate, he touched the diamond in the middle. These belts are also the records of former transactions ; and, being worked in particular forms, are easily decyphered by the Indians, and referred to in every treaty with the white people. When a string, or belt of wampum, is re turned, it is a proof that the proposed treaty is not ac epted, and that the negotiation is at an end."--Long's p. 15. See CANADA.