REPORT OK TIIK SKCKKTAKY. 28 



ponian Institution on tlic project of tlie International Archa'ological Commission 

 submitted to tiie (li]il()iii:itic representatives of the American Kepublies," I liave tiie 

 honor to say that n<> copy of tlie proceedings of that meeting has been laid before 

 me. I understand that a project was submitted at a previous meeting, and that 

 practically no action was taken at the last meeting alluded to. I have, in accordance 

 with the request of the Department, caused the accompanying memoranchun to be 

 prepared. I beg at the same time to refer you to my previous letter to the Depart- 

 lu'ut, of December 12. 



I am, etc., 



R. P. L.\NGLEY, Secretary. 

 Hon. .loM.v Hav, 



Seer eta nj of State, 1 1 a.s7/ ingfon. 



[IiK'losurt'.] 



MKMOHANDrM ('ONCERNIX(i THE PROPOSED COOPERATION AMONO THE AMERICAN REPUB- 

 LICS FOR THE PROMOTION OE ARCH.E,OI.()(i ICAL AND ETH NoI.OCiICA L RESEARCH. 



The Smithsonian Institution strongly favors international cooperation in the 

 furthering of scientific work. It initiated and is at present engaged in the interna- 

 tional exchange of scientific publications, having agencies throughout the world, 

 ])esides acting on behalf of the United States Government for the exchange of pul)lic 

 documents. It is also acting as the representative of the United States in the 

 compilation of the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature. 



There is especial force in such cooperation among the American Republics for the 

 promotion of archaeological and ethnological research, and, for that matter, among 

 all the countries upon the American continent and the adjacent islands, since the 

 problems, so far as they relate to the aboriginal poimlations, are not defined by 

 present political boundaries. British, Dutch, French, or other foreign possessions 

 on the American continent or in the West Indies could with advantage be included 

 in the project. 



This cooperation can be best furtliered in the first instance by the stimulation of 

 tlie organizations already in existence for these studies in the various countries. The 

 work is in almost all of the American countries carried on at present by the national 

 museums. In the United States it is carried on by the National Museum and the 

 Bureau of American Ethnology. Wherever such exist it is desirable that they should 

 have the opportunity of an exchange of views and the comparison of work to be 

 undertaken in order that the great problem, which can only be solved by coordina- 

 tion of research, shall be taken up with the greatest efficiency and economy. An 

 organization of the heads of museums and scientific government bureaus having to 

 do with archaeology or ethnology could be effected through the Bureau of American 

 Republics, an existing organization. 



To further stinmlate archaeological work each American Republic or other State 

 willing to adhere to the scheme might undertake to secure the passage of laws 

 declaring archaeological and historical objects of unusual interest reserved, and that 

 excavations thereon should be undertaken only by properly organized museums and 

 all waste of archaeological objects should be prevented. 



The director of the national museum in each country, the head of a bureau or 

 department devoted to the study of arclueology and ethnology, or, where there are 

 none such, some other official duly appointed, should, in executing the law for the 

 protection of antiquities, have a recording othcer who shoidd secure a list of all 

 (jV)jects taken from the ground. 



The passage of laws prohibiting the manufacture of spurious antiquities is also 

 desirable. Such laws, being national laws, would necessarily be executed by 

 national authorities, and each republic or other country or province would be 

 autonomous in this respect. 



