Dr. Dearie's Surrejoinder to Prof. Hitchcock. 



401 



was, that when the footmarks first attracted my attention I wrote 

 certain letters, but failing to produce a confirmation of my un- 

 wavering belief, the real truth was only obvious when I had con- 

 structed accurate models of the impressions. 



Mr. H. lays great stress upon the five years of labor bestowed 

 upon the investigation of footmarks. This is true, but it was a 

 labor that most men would willingly endure when backed by 

 the patronage of Massachusetts. He was adequately compen- 

 sated from her treasury, and his expensive work was published 

 by her liberality. Mr. H. declares that I never made explora- 

 tions until the publication of his Final Report. I will now take 

 the like freedom, and assert the belief that he has not done so 

 since, except in a limited degree, and although he has published 

 several papers upon this subject, he is greatly indebted to other 

 sources for his materials. 



8. It is strictly true, that when I wrote my first letter to Mr. 

 H. I had no knowledge that fossil tracks were known, but I 

 wrote in a general sense, that while the discovery was in my 

 own hands I was aware of the fact. I did indeed quote from 

 memory, but had the circumstance been subjected to reflection, 

 most certainly I never should have committed what I now per- 



m 



ceive to be, in the strictest sense, an error. 



And now finally, in closing this unpleasant controversy, I as- 

 sure Mr. H. of my willingness to meet him in the same spirit of 

 conciliation he has offered to me. Whatever may be the merits 

 of our discussion, whatever may be the conclusions to which an 

 impartial public may come, still the unexplored field of discovery 

 is ample for us both, and for all others that may choose to enter 

 it. Even now I have before me a new development of these 

 marvellous footsteps, on a scale so stupendous and sublime, as to 

 be well calculated to extinguish the jealousies and selfishness 

 which are among the great infirmities of humanity. 



Greenfield, Sept. 24th, 1844. 





