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195 13
The Indians and jews agree, I believe, in asserting that as their ancestors were not engaged in building the tower of Babel, therefore their language was not affected at that
time but continued the same.
According to Maimonedes all the forty eight cities of the priests and Levites were cities of refuge: so among the Indians the habitation of every priest was a refuge to the
man slayer;
Both among the Indians & jews, if I mistake not, cities of refuge were free for strangers, and captives as well as for any of the tribe who should visit them. Among the jews, I think, the winter months were holy, and so, with the Cherokees are December and January With the jews espousals were considered a sufficient foundation for affinity Josephus vol. 1. p. 497. So also among the Creek Indians when a father has promised his
daughter in marriage, the promisee becomes to all intents his son in law.
In a comparison of Indian with jewish customs respecting warfare, mourning, religious feasts &c. we find a very astonishing resemblance, and cannot well believe that they
have been taught any of these things by the whites.
Among the Creek Indians when a person dies, the eyes are closed as among the jews by the nearest relative, the body is washed all over with water of purification; and after the burial, a priest cleanses the house, taking out everything, making new fire - sprinkling it with the water of purification, and then cleansing it with the smoke of cedar boughs. All the relatives who were in the house being unclean, are purified by drinking and washing with the above water, bathing, i.e. plunging seven times, putting on entirely clean clothes &c &c. and still continue in their uncleanness seven days, purifying themselves, if pr?llent? nightly?, on the third day & on the seventh day. All the Indians, as far as I know, almost exactly imitate the jews in mourning, - speaking the relative name of the deceased, adding a note of sorrow & repeating it as long as they can hold their breath, & then after a moments pause go through the name again & again. Also in their appearance they can s?ly be distinguished from the jews. They dishevel their hair?, & sometimes tear their flesh, let their clothes go unnoticed, neglect all care of their hands, face &c & if widows bereaved of husbands, remain single for four months & then the deceased husbands brother may take her &c otherwise she remains being single &c.