The Ojibway Conquest, A Tale of the Northwest (signed) by COPWAY, George (KAH-GE-GA-GAH-BOWH) [1818 - 1869]  - 1850

New York: George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway, 1850. 1st. Hard Cover. Very Good. EARLY PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY COPWAY. First edition, 19cm x 11cm (7 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches), ix, (1), [11]-91pp.; Blue/green blind embossed cloth with gold gilt design elaborate on spine with title and author encircled with leaves, all gilt. (cover has little wear on corners and spine).  Plate of George Copway opposite title page and tissue covered.  Age toned pages, otherwise very good condition. A nice copy.Dedication page reads as follows: "The Short Sketch of the Bravery and Prowess of the Ojibway Nation, is most respectfully Dedicated to Col. T. L. McKinney, by his Friend, K". Verses of the battles through which the Ojibway Indians took control of the lands controlled by the Sioux around Lake Superior and east of the Mississippi River. Presentation copy lightly written in pencil "Presented to Mrs. Ward By her most obliged friend Kahgegagahbowh" and lower down under this: NY May 30 1850 No 97 (...)" An epic poem but with controversy. Julius Taylor Clark, a former Indian agent, later claimed (and probably did) to have written it. Apparently Clark gave the manuscript to Copway to publish on the understanding that Copway would use the money earned to promote the creation of an Indian territory west of the Mississippi. An early poetic narrative published by a Native American writer. Copway, wrote extensively about the history, culture, and traditions of his people. Field 363; Sabin 16718.