CORRESPONDENCE. 



The foregoing paijer upon "Elej^hant Pipes and Inscribed Tablets" 

 was widely distributed, and elicited an extensive correspondence. 

 Many of these letters, from well-known arch;^ologists and other noted 

 scientists in this country and Europe, on account of the important 

 ([uestions involved, possess great scientific value. Our limited space 

 will permit us to do no more than present some selections and extracts 

 from these valuable communications. Generally this is done with the 

 express consent of the writers. In a few instances, views favorable to 

 the [)ositions assumed by our Academy have been expressed by archae- 

 ologists entitled to speak with authority, who were unwilling to have 

 their names appear in this controversy. While we regret their undue 

 caution, we can do no otherwise than respect their wishes. In only 

 two or three instances have unfavorable responses been received, and, 

 in order that both sides may fairly be presented, these will be included. 

 Our correspondents are alone responsible for the statements contained 

 in their communications. 



From L)k. Hi ) win Hamilton Davis, Ant/tor of '■'■Ancient MonuDiciits." 



[In coniu-ctioii with tlie f;ict that the Bureau of Ethnoloijy, in its report under review, has 

 controverted statements and endeavored to reverse ded\Ktioiis made by Squicr and Davis in 

 their great work on "Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley," tlie followinsj; communica- 

 tion from one of its distmjjuished and venerable authors will lie read with iieculiar interest.] 



Nkw York, May 28th, 1885. 

 Chas. E. Putnam, E.stj. — 



Dear Sir: I have read with peculiar interest yoiu" masteriy vindica- 

 tion of the authenticity of the pipes and inscribed tablets in the Daven- 

 l)ort Museum. I consider it a triumphant refutation of the accusations 

 of Mr. Henshaw and the absurd theories of the Bureau of Ethnology 

 in the Smithsonian Institution. Please accept my thanks for your 

 good opinion and defense of the general views set forth in the "Ancient 

 Monuments." ..... 



One would naturally suppose that such an institution as the Smith- 

 sonian would take great care to guard the rei)utation of such works as 

 it stands CJod-father to by publishing them in its transactions; espe- 

 cially not to accept and jniblish captious, unjust, and even false criti- 



