McIntosh, John - Origin of the North American Indians: with a Faithful Description of their Manners and Customs - 1843

Scarce description of the North American tribes

McIntosh, John
Origin of the North American Indians: with a Faithful Description of their Manners and Customs, Both Civil and Military, their Religions, Languages, Dress, and Ornaments
New York: Nafish & Cornish, 1843 [first US edition]

12mo (19.5x12.5 cm); xxxv - [39] - 345 pages. Illustrated with 6 hand colored plates (complete). Hardcover bound in publisher's brown cloth, with gold vignette of Indians and wigwam on spine and front cover.

Book condition: Only fair. Spine head and tail with loss, boards scuffed and corners bumped. A few sections slightly off, but holding. Foxing and smudging throughout.

The first section of the book goes to some lengths to trace the origins of American tribes to Biblical ancestors: The Indians should claim the Scythians as their progenitors, and Magog as the founder of their nation (Siberians). This work discusses various tribes including the Logan, Mohawks, Seminoles, Mohegans, Delawares, Ottawas, Pontiac, Californians, Creeks, Cherokees, and Shawanees, plus noted individuals. Of special interest are transcriptions of 18 speeches by prominent chiefs, including Red Jacket, Farmer's Brother, Corn Planter, Tecumseh, Black Thunder, Metea, Keewatagoushkum, Black Hawk, Onondagas and Cayugas, Canassatiego, and Gachradodow. First U.S. edition, revised and expanded from the Canadian edition.