SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS. 



CIECULAR 



IN REFERE.NCE TO 



THE DEGREES OF RELATIONSHIP AMOiNG DIFFERENT NATIONS. 



In behalf of the Smithsonian Institution, I beg to commend to 

 attention the acQompanying letter and schedule of Mr. Lewis H. 

 Morgan, of Rochester, N. Y. This gentleman has been engaged, 

 for several years, in studying the ethnological peculiarities of the 

 Indians of the North American Continent ; and has discovered 

 among them a system of relationship, which he wishes to compare 

 with the systems of consanguinity existing among the natives of 

 other countries. 



From the annexed letter, it will be seen that General Cass has 

 given this interesting enquiry the official sanction of the Depart- 

 ment of State. 



The answers to the circulars may be addressed to the Smithso- 

 nian Institution, care of the Department of State ; and full credit 

 will bo given to all who furnish information bearing on this sub- 

 ject, when the results of these investigations are published. 

 I am, very respectfully. 



Your obedient servant, 



JOSEPH HENRY, 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, D. C, Jan. 20, 1860. 



To the Diplomatic agents and Consuls 



of the United States in foreign countries : 

 The accompanying circular and blank form have been prepared 

 by L. II. Morgan, Esq., of Rochester, New York, for the purpose 



