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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 "Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Val- 

 ley, comprising the results of Extensive Original Surveys and ExjilorationSy" 

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



They have examined the work in question, and regard it not only as a new 

 and interesting, but as an eminently valuable addition to our stock of knowl- 

 edge 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 scientiiic arrangement, simplicity, and directness of statement, 

 and legitimate deduction from facts, while there is no attempt at mere specula- 

 tion or theory. 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 1846; and in June of that year 

 specimens of the relics recovered, accompanied by numerous 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 ex- 

 cited deep interest and surprise in all who saw them ; and the society imme- 

 diately took measures to encourage further investigation, and secure the publi- 

 cation, under its own auspices, of the important results already obtained. A 

 k\v months later, the chairman of the present committee, being in Ohio, was 

 enabled, through the kindness of Messrs. Squier and Davis, to visit several of 

 the more important monuments in the immediate vicinity of Chillicothe, 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 socie- 

 ty, 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 il- 

 lustrated, comprising the results, has been prepared. These results are so nu- 

 merous 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 pleas- 

 ure that preliminary arrangements have been made for its publication by the 

 Smithsonian Institution, among its "Contributions to Knowledge." It can only 

 be a matter of sincere gratification to this society to see that which it cannot 

 itself accomplish for the history and antiquities of our country, taken up and 

 carried out under such favorable auspices ; and they cannot but rejoice that an 

 opportunity is thus afforded to that noble institution of opening its high career 

 by fostering scientific researches into the interesting problenis connected with 

 the Ante-Columbian history and Aboriginal monuments of our own country. 



In view of these facts, your committee would recommend the adoption of the 

 following resolutions by the society : 



Resolved, That this society regard the researches of Messrs. Squier and 

 Davis as of very great importance in American Archceology, and as casting much 

 light upon our aboriginal antiquities, especially upon the character and habits 

 of the earliest races which had their seat in the Mississippi valley. 



