David Zeisberger's History of the Northern American Indians

Preface

The History of the Northern American Indians herewith made public by The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society appeared originally in the regular Quarterly publications of the Society for January and April, 1910. The unique in¬ terest and value presented in this manuscript of David Zeisberger is such that the members of the Publication Committee of the Society felt they could in no way better subserve the purpose of the Society than by producing this historical material for its patrons and the general public. Some two years ago the So¬ ciety learned of the vast and rich storehouse of original manu¬ scripts preserved by the Moravian Church at its national headquarters in Bethlehem, Pa. Visits by members of the Ohio Society to Bethlehem revealed the extent of the historical lore there on deposit. Concerning the records preserved in the Mo¬ ravian Library at Bethlehem, an article by Prof. Hulbert appeared in the Quarterly of The Ohio State Archaeological and His¬ torical Society for April, 1909, Volume XVIII, page 199. Much of the material in this library consists of the journals, diaries and records of the Moravian missionaries to the American In¬ dians, recounting their indefatigible and self-sacrificing labor among the copper-colored savages of Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Michigan, and even Canada. These recitals for thrilling romance, religious devotion and incomparable privation are sec¬ ond only to the Relations of the Jesuit Fathers.

Perhaps the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society never rendered a more valuable service, in its purpose to secure and preserve original historical data, than it has rendered in the present publication. The Zeisberger Indian History is more than a contribution at first hand to early Ohio chronicles; it not only throws new light upon the character and customs of the aborigines, but it imparts such an additional fund of knowledge to the period in question that it gives in no slight degree a new coloring to some phases of previously accepted history.

The Library authorities of the Moravian Church, at Bethii Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications.

lehem, generously granted permission to the Ohio Society to translate and publish, under agreed conditions, such portions of the Moravian Archives as might be selected. For this ines¬ timable privilege the officials of the Ohio Society hereby express their appreciation and gratitude. For the work of editing and annotating the translations the services of Prof. Archer B. Hulbert were secured. How successfully he has accomplished his task the notes following the text of the manuscript amply testify. The Society is also most fortunate in securing the services of the Rev. William Nathaniel Schwarze, Librarian of the Moravian Archives and Professor in the Moravian Theo¬ logical Seminary, as the translator of the manuscripts selected for publication.

E. O. Randall,

Secretary and Editor Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society.

April i, 1910.

DAVID ZEISBERGER'S HISTORY OF THE NORTHERN AMERICAN INDIANS.