302 DAVKNI'ORT ACADKMV OK NA'ILJKAI, SCIKNCES. 



My book on "Prehistoric America" has been adapted, without my 

 sanction or knowledge, by Mr. Dall, and my views on certain points 

 have often been altered. I have always entertained very great doubts 

 on the ascendants of the actual red men. The Mound-builders were 

 certainly more advanced in civilization, and, till yet, nothing shows 

 how their actual degradation and nomadic habits came on the Indians, 

 if they really descended from the first. 



In case your Academy elects corresponding members, I shall be 

 happy to be one of them, and to forward you all the papers I may 

 jniblish. Believe me, dear sir. 



Yours very faithfully, 



Nadaili.ac. 



From Dr. J). G. Brinto.v, Professorof Archuology and Kthiioloi^y, Academy of 

 Natural Sciences, Pliiladelpliia; Author of "-Mvt/is of the New IVorld,'^ etc. 



Philadelphia, Pa., April 4, 1885. 

 Chas. E. Putnam, Esq., — 



Dear Sir: Accept my thanks for a copy of your rejoinder to Mr. 

 Henshaw's criticisms. From my first reading of his article I considered 

 it a paper not composed in the true spirit of science, and out of place 

 in the publications of the Bureau. 



Very respectfully yours, 



D. G. Brinton. 



Philadelphia, June 19, 1885. 

 Mr. C. E. Putnam, — 



Dear Sir: I have no objection to your making use of my letter. 

 Of course, I do not pretend to offer an opinion on the authenticity of 

 the objects in question — the readiness to do so in others, without per- 

 sonal examination and investigation, being precisely what I condemn 

 in the article published by the Bureau. 



Yours truly, 



D. G. Brinton. 



From Prof. Alexander Winchell, Professorof Geology and Botany, Univer- 

 sity of Michigan; Author of '■''Preadamiles,^'' '•'■Sketches of Creation" etc. 



Ann Arhor, Mich., Ai)ril 8, 1885. 

 Mr. Charles E. Putnam, President Davenport Academy of Natural 



Sciences, — 



My Dear Sir: I have received your "Vindication of F21ephant Pipes 

 and Inscribed Tablets." I am very glad to get it, for I was not 

 aware that you could make so strong a case, so complete and entire a 

 vindication. I fear there has been some hasty dogmatizing at Wash- 

 ington. It looks as if the authorities had been too willing to impugn 

 the honesty or the sagacity of your Society. 



As to the subject-matter of the controversy on Mound-builders, I am 



