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Dec . 29th 1840

Dear Sir, You are doubtless aware of the difficulty of eliciting from Indians any correct information regarding their ancient religious customs and traditions. This difficulty arises partly, at least, from the following circumstances. First, they are known to but few among themselves. The mass of the people are entirely ignorant of them, not only of the youth & middle aged but even among the aged but few can be found instructed in the learning of the ancients.

Second, those who have the knowledge requisite have received this knowledge as a sacred deposit and would rather die than betray their trust, by making known this sacred knowledge in an improper manner or to persons not worthy to receive it.

Third, some of their ancient customs were not to be made known to any except sons designed for, and trained up for sacred offices, on pain of death, to be inflicted by the invisible powers above. This was especially the case with regard to every thing relating to the U lo sa ta. Such information , of course cannot be obtained in any tribe where there are no christians, nor from any individuals who are not experimentally convinced of the superior efficacy of the christian religion, that is, experimental christians.