The Great Invention

We have seen that from early childhood Sequoyah evinced
an inventive talent and that he became an expert silversmith,
but the crowning work of his life was his invention of the Cherokee
syllabic alphabet, the simplest, most complete, and the
most perfect in the long history of mankind. I realize that this
is a sweeping statement, nevertheless it is true in every respect.
If it should be supposed that this alphabet was but the
product of genius, unaccompanied by study, toil, and self denial,
there could not be a greater mistake.
The germ, or underlying principles, involved in its production
no doubt engaged the profound thoughts of Sequoyah for
years before he gave himself entirely over to working out its
details.

As might be expected, there are various reasons assigned as
to the causes which led Sequoyah to enter upon years of labor to
produce his alphabet. Some ascribe it to a taunting remark
made by some of his companions, when, around the camp fire,
Sequoyah casually stated that he could invent an alphabet equal
to that of the white man. The party was discussing some written
pages of a letter that had been found on a white captive prisoner,
which they called "speaking leaves."

Stung by the incredulous taunts of his companions, it is
claimed that then and there Sequoyah registered a secret vow to
make good his statement. It is also said that in the troubles of
the Cherokees with the white settlers, when the latter began
encroaching on the territory of the Indians, it became a much
debated question as to the source of the superiority of the white
man over the Indian. Sequoyah in early life was a hunter and
trader in furs, but met with an accident which made him a
cripple for life. He was naturally of a contemplative disposition
and had an inventive turn of mind. His physical affliction gave
him more time for thought and reflection, and he came to the
conclusion that the ability of the white man to read and write
and thus transmit his thoughts, not only to the present, but
future generations, was the mainspring of the superiority of the
white man.

Excerpt  from the book: The Chickasaw Nation: A Short Sketch of a Noble People
 By James Henry Malone 1922



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