19 



the resolution of the board, was one on the remains of the ancient in- 

 habitants of the North American continent. It contains the result of 

 several years' labor in the survey and exploration of the mounds and earth- 

 \vorics of the Mississippi valley, and will furnish a highly interesting addi- 

 tion to the antiquities of our country, which could not have been given to 

 the world, but for the timely aid extended to it by this institution. The 

 memoir was referred to the American Ethnological Society, with a request 

 that a committee of its members might be appointed to examine and re- 

 port on its character, as to fitness for publication in the Smithsonian Con- 

 tributions to Knowledge. On the favorable report of this committee, and 

 on the rjsponsibility of the society, the memoir has been accepted for pub- 

 lication. The following correspondence will serve to giv^e an account of 

 the work, and to illustrate the manner in which it is proposed to submit the 

 papers which may be presented for publication to a commission of com- 

 petent judges. 



COPvRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE FOR PUBLICATtON OF THE 

 ETHNOLOGICAL 3IEM0IR OF MESSRS. SQUIER AND DAViS. 



From Messrs. Squier and Davis to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Chillicothe, 0., May 15, 1847. 



Dear Sir: It is proposed in the recognised plan of organization of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, of which you are the executive officer, to publish, 

 under the title of " Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge," such original 

 papers and memoirs " as shall constitute valuable additions to the sum of hu- 

 man knowledge." Under the belief that it falls legitimately within the scope 

 of the above plan, the undersigned herewith submit for acceptance and publi- 

 cation, subject to the prescribed rules of the institution, a MS. memoir, entitled 

 "Ancient Monuments OF the Mississippi Valley, comprising the results of 

 Extensive Original Surveys and Explorations: by E. G. Squier and E. H. Davis." 

 The extent of these investigations, and their general character, are sufficiently 

 indicated in the prefatory remarks to the volume. 



With high consideration, we are truly yours, 



E. GEO. SQUIER. 

 E. H. DAVIS. 



Joseph Henry, Esq., 



Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



From the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to the President of the Ameri- 

 can Ethnological Society. 



Washington, June 2, 1847. 



Dear Sir: I am authorized by the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution 

 to publish, in the numbers of the " Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge,''' 

 •any memoir which may be presented for this purpose, provided that, on carefji 



