A T) V K R T T S I-: M I-: N T . 



IX 



" Wliatever raa}' be the intrinsic value of the remains of foinier times which are found in the United 

 States, it is necessary that they should at least be cori-ectly described, and that existing gross errors 

 should be corrected ; and I repeat my conviction tliat, though ardent, Messrs. Squier and Davis are 

 animated bv that thorough love of truth, which renders their researches worthy of entire confidence. 



'■ Late Ethnological researches have thrown such light on the History of Man, that it is unnecessary to 

 dwell on their general utiiitv. With respect to those which relate to the Indians of the United States, I 

 am ready to acknowledge, the field is comparatively barren, and tlie results hitherto attained neither 

 satisfactory nor refreshing. Still, witii proper caution, important information may be acquired, on what 

 man, insulated, and without intercourse with other nations, can, by his solitary efforts, accomplish. In 

 order, however, to attain tiiese results, considerations, foreign to the immediate object of this letter, are 

 required, which may hereafter be made the subject of another communication. 



" I have the lionoi' to be, ii:c. 



•' Albert G.kli.atin. 

 "Professor J. He.nrv, Seci-etarv Smithsonian Instituiion.' 



" At a regular meeting of the American Ethnological Society, held at the house of Hon. Albert 

 Gallatin, on the evening of the 4th of June, the President laid before the members a communication 

 from Professor J. He.n'rv, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution ; transmitting for the examination and 

 opinion of the Society, a MS. work on the Ancient Monuments of tlie Mississippi Valley. On motion, the 

 letter and accompanying MS. were referred to a committee, consisting of Edward Robixsox, D.D., John 

 R. Bartlett, Professor W. W. Tcrxer, Samiel G. Morton, M.D., and Hon. George P. Marsh, to 

 report upon the .same. At a subsequent meeting of this Society, the committee submitted the following 

 Report and Resolutions, which were unanimously accepted and adopted : — 



'•REPORT, 



"The Committee of the American Ethnological Society, to which was referred the communication of 

 the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, transmitting a manuscript work entitled • .Ixciext Monl'- 

 ments op the Mississippi Valley ; comprising the Results of Extensive Original Surrei/s iiml Explora- 

 tions, by E. G. Squier and E. H. Davis,' beg leave to report that— 



" They have e.xamined the work in question, and regard it not only as a new and interesting, but an 

 eminently valuable addition to our stock of knowledge on a subject little understood, but in which is felt 

 a deep and constantly increasing interest, both in our country and abroad. In their judgment the work 

 is worthy of the subject, and highly creditable to the authors. Its chief features are, a scientific arrange- 

 ment, simplicity and directness of statement, and legitimate deduction of facts, while there is no attempt 

 at mere speculation or theoiy. If published, it will be an enduring monument to connect the names of 

 the investigators in honorable and lasting remembrance with the great subject of American Archaeology. 



" The existence and progress of these investigations were made known to the Society by correspondence, 

 early in the year 184G ; and in June of that year, specimens of the relics recovered, accompanied bv nume- 

 rous maps and plans of ancient Earthworks and Sectional Views of the Mounds from which the remains 

 were taken, were laid before the Society by Mr. Squier in person. These excited deep interest and surprise 

 in all who saw them ; and the Society immediately took measures to encourage further investi"ation, and 

 secure the publication, under its own auspices, of the important results already obtained. A few months 

 later, the chairman of the present committee, being in Ohio, was enabled, through the kindness of Messrs. 

 Sqiuer and Davis, to visit several of the more important monuments in the immediate vicinity of Chiliicotiie ; 

 and among these ' Mound City,' so called, from which very many of the minor relics and specimens were 

 procured. He was struck with the accuracy of the plans and drawings as well as of the accounts which 

 had been laid before the Society ; and bears full testimony to the fidelity and integrity with which the 

 process of investigation and delineation has been conducted. 



" During the last and present season the researches of these gentlemen have been actively prosecuted 

 and widely extended, and the above work, largely illustrated, comprising the results, has been prepared. 

 These results are so numerous and important, and consequently such is the extent and magnitude of the 

 work itself, as to put its publication beyond any means which the Society can command. Under these 

 circumstances, your Committee learn with pleasure that preliminary airangements have been made for its 



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