ADVERTISEMENT. 



IX 



"Whatever may be the intrinsic value of the remains of former times wliich are found in the United 

 States, it is necessary that they should at least be correct!)'' described, and that existing gross errors 

 should be corrected ; and I repeat my conviction that, though ardent, Messrs, Squier and Davis arc 

 animated by 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 utility. With I'espect to those which relate to tiie Indians of the United States, I 

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

 satisfactory nor refreshing. Still, with 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 these 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 honoi- to be, &c. 



" Albert Gallatin. 

 " Professor J. Henrv, Secretary Smithsonian Institution," 



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

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

 from Professor J. Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution ; transmitting for the examination and 

 opinion of the Societ}', a MS. work on the Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley. On motion, the 

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

 R. Bartlett, Professor W. W. Turner, Samuel 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 : — 



" R E P O R T. 



" 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 Monu- 

 ments OF the Mississippi Valley ; comprising the Results of Extensive Original Surveys and Explora- 

 tions, 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 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 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 nume- 

 rous maps and plans of ancient Earthworks and Sectional Views of the Mounds from which tlie 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 investigation, 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 Ohi(j, was enabled, through the kindness of Messrs. 

 Squier and Da\is, to visit several of the more important monuments in the immediate vicinity of Chillicothe ; 

 and among these ' Mound City,' so called, from which veiy 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 an-angements have been made for its 



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