APPENDIX. 437 



and to tlie eternul roar of its waters, inspire the spectator with 

 awe and admiration. 



In his Anecdotes of Painting, it is stated by Ilorace Walpole, 

 that "on the invention of fosses for boundaries, the common people 

 called them Ha Ha's! to express their surprise on finding a sud- 

 den and unperceived check to their walk," I believe the word is 

 yet used in this manner in England. It is certainly not a little 

 remarkable that the same word should be thus applied by one of 

 the most civilized and by one of the most barbai^ous people, to 

 objects which, although not the same, were yet calculated to excite 

 the admiration of the observer. 



Nothing can show more clearly how fallacious are those deduc- 

 tions of comparative etymology, v/hich are founded upon a few 

 words carefully gleaned here and there from languages having no 

 common origin, and which are used by people who have neither 

 connection nor intercourse. The common descent of two nations 

 can never be traced by the accidental consonance of a few sylla- 

 bles or words, and the attempt must lead us into the regions of 

 fancy. 



The Sioux language is probably one of the most barren which 

 is spoken by any of our aboriginal tribes. Colonel Leavenworth, 

 who made considerable proficiency in it, calculated, I believe, that 

 the number of words did not exceed one thousand. They use 

 more gestures in their conversation than any Indians I have seen, 

 and this is a necessary result of the poverty of their language. 



I am well aware, that the subject of this letter is not within the 

 ordinary sphere of official communications. But I rely for your 

 indulgence upon the interest which you have shown to procure 

 and disseminate a full knowledge of every subject connected Avith 

 the internal condition of our country. 



I am preparing a memoir upon the present state of the Indians, 

 agreeably to the intimation in my letter of September last, I 

 shall finish and transmit it to you as soon as my other duties will 

 permit. 



Very respectfull}^, sir, 



I have, &c,, 



LEWIS CASS, 

 Hon. John C. Calhoun, 



Secretary of War. 



