Page:The History of the American Indians.djvu/27

 �Obfervations, and arguments^ in proof of the American Indians being defcended from the yews.

��A Number of particulars prefent themfelves in favour of a Jewifli defcent. But to form a true judgment, and draw a folid conclufion, the fol lowing arguments mufl not be partially feparated.- Let them be diftin<5tly confidered then unite them together, and view their force collectively.

ARGUMENT I.

As the Ifraelites were divided into TRIBES, and had chiefs over them, Ib the Indians divide themfelves : each tribe forms a little community within the nation And as the nation hath its particular fymbol, fo hath each tribe the badge from which it is denominated. The fachem of each tribe, is a neceflary party in conveyances and treaties, to which he affixes the mark of his tribe, as a corporation with us doth their public feal *. If we go from nation to nation^ among them, we mail not find one, who doth not lineally diftinguifh himfelf by his refpective family. The genealogical names which they affume, are derived, either from the names of thofe animals, whereof the cherubim are faid in revelation, to be compounded ; or from fuch crea tures as are moft familiar to them. They have the families of the eagle, panther, tyger, and buffalo ; the family of the bear, deer^ racoon^ tortoife* fnake^ fijh, and, likewife, of the wind. The laft, if not derived from the. appearance of the divine glory, as expreffed by the prophet Ezekiel, may

tribes, or families. The city of Athens was divided into ten parts, or tribes, and which the Greeks called Phule, a tribe. They named each of the heads that prefided over them, Archegos, Archiphulogos, &c. And writers inform us, that the Eaft-Indian pagans have to this day tribes, or calls ; and that each caft chufes a head to maintain its privileges, to promote a ftricl obfervance of their laws, and to take care that every thing be managed with proper order. The ancient heathens mimicked a great deal of the Jewifli ceremonial law.
 * Many of the ancient heathens followed the Jewifli cuftom of dividing themfelves into

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