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various revolutions and states of society, have long been 

 subjects of investigation, and to assist in tracing this 

 mysterious people from their present degraded condi- 

 tion up, through days of glory, to their origin, is a duty 

 that belongs to the department of American history and 

 antiquities. Fortunately for our infant Institution this 

 department is well composed and well organized. An 

 association of individuals devoted to historical re- 

 searches, with enlightened liberality, joined the Insti- 

 tution upon its formation, and transferred to it their 

 books, and the valuable records of their transactions. 

 They have since continued their labors under the au- 

 spices of this association, and from the industry and 

 intelligence which have hitherto marked their investi- 

 gations, there is reason to calculate upon results emi- 

 nently useful to the public and honorable to the Insti- 

 tution. These investigations will be essentially aided 

 by the historical researches now making by a very able 

 and distinguished American writer, (if I am rightly in- 

 formed,) into the records of our sister republic of Mex- 

 ico. That portion of this continent was inhabited by 

 an agricultural and civilized race at the period of its 

 conquest by Cortez, and there exists some painted me- 

 morials that would seem to indicate their early immi- 

 gration and settlement. The followers of the Spanish 

 conqueror, and especially the Catholic clergy, who were 

 indefatigable in their efforts to spread the light of Chris- 

 tianity throughout that country, had great opportunities 

 of becoming acquainted with the traditionary lore of 

 this simple people, and have doubtless left valuable re- 

 cords behind them. That the southern portion of Mex- 

 ico, at least, was inhabited by a still superior race long 

 prior to the conquest, is sufficiently shown by the ruins 



