PREFACE. XXXV 



spondence with a large number of gentlemen in various parts of the Union, who 

 felt interested in them, or who had devoted attention to the same subject. All of 

 these have kindly rendered their services in cases where they could prove of 

 value, or have freely contributed the results of their own labors to complete the 

 design of the authors, in presenting as full and comprehensive a view of the 

 ancient monuments of our country, as private means and limited facilities would 

 allow. 



First among these, it will not be invidious to name James McBride, Esq., of 

 Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, whose valuable contributions constitute an impor- 

 tant feature in the memoir herewith presented. This gentleman, residing for a 

 long time in the centre of the fertile valley of the Great Miami river, amidst the 

 numerous evidences of ancient population with which that valley abounds, has 

 devoted a large proportion of his time to their attentive examination. Personally, 

 and with the assistance of J. W. Erwin, Esq., resident engineer on the Miami 

 canal, he has made numerous surveys of ancient enclosures and groups of works 

 in that valley, distinguished for their minute fidelity. He also, without however 

 resorting very extensively to direct excavations, has collected an interesting cabinet 

 of aboriginal relics. Anxious to contribute his share to whatever might elucidate 

 the subject of American ArchfBology, Mr. McBride, with a generous liberality, 

 placed in the hands of the authors his notes, plans, and drawings, without restric- 

 tion, to be used as they deemed proper. This tender was accepted in the same 

 spirit it was made, and the materials thus furnished have been freely used in the 

 succeeding pages, where they rank second to none in interest and value. 



Among the most zealous investigators in the field of American antiquarian 

 research, is Charles Whittlesey, Esq., of Cleveland, formerly Topographic 

 Engineer of Ohio. His surveys and observations, carried on for many years and 

 over a wide field, have been both numerous and accurate, and are among the most 

 valuable, in all respects, of any hitherto made. Although Mr. Whittlesey, in con- 

 junction with Joseph Sullivaivt, Esq., of Columbus, Ohio, originally contemplated 

 a joint work, in which the results of his investigations should be embodied, he has 

 nevertheless, with a liberality which will be not less appreciated by the public 

 than by the authors, contributed to this memoir about twenty plans of ancient 

 works, which, with the accompanying explanations and general observations, will 

 be found embodied in the following pages. Relating principally to the aboriginal 

 monuments of northern Ohio, (as do those of Mr. McBride to the remains of 

 western Ohio,) they contribute much to the interest and completeness of this 

 memoir. It is to be hoped the public may yet be put in possession of the entire 

 results of Mr. Whittlesey's labor, which could not fail of adding greatly to our 

 stock of knowledge on this interesting subject. 



