FOBTY-SIXTH CONGRESS, 1879-1881. 861 



Mr. Chairman, few of us fully realize the immense material there is 

 upon the western confines of our continent for the study of primitive 

 man. There are to be found the pueblos, mounds, and ruins, all tell- 

 ing of a race which once occupied portions of this continent. Many of 

 these antiquities have been removed to foreign countries as valuable 

 additions to their libraries and museums. Professor Baird, in the 

 letter to which I have referred, says: 



Collectors amply provided with means have been engaged for several years hi 

 securing objects from the modern tribes and in disinterring the contents of aboriginal 

 graves and mounds, the results being carried away almost in shiploads to foreign 

 museums. An immense collection from the coasts of California, Oregon, and Alaska 

 has recently been transmitted to a government museum hi Paris by an agent sent to 

 the United States for that purpose. Another French expedition will soon be under 

 way for the almost virgin archaeological fields of Arizona and New Mexico. 



Mr. Chairman, we will all agree with the distinguished Secretary 

 that this Government should retain and preserve the historical monu- 

 ments of our aborigines. Great services in this as well as in other 

 departments of learning have been rendered by Major Powell and his 

 associates. The small appropriation asked will enable them to make 

 still greater contributions to our history, contributions of great inter- 

 est to the present, but of untold value to coming generations. 



This, sir, is one of the many ways in which can be executed the will 

 of the generous founder of the Smithsonian Institution by which he 

 gave to our country the magnificent bequest for "the increase and 



diffusion of useful knowledge among mankind." 



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The Committee of the Whole resumed its session. 



The question was upon the amendment of Mr. Stevenson to amend 

 the clause in relation to ethnological researches among the North 

 American Indians by increasing the appropriation from $20,000 to 

 $40,000. 



Mr. J. H. BLOUNT. I have no doubt that this is a very interesting 

 subject, and I should have been very glad to have listened longer to 

 iny friend from Illinois [Mr. Stevenson]. I have only this to say, how- 

 ever: These investigations have been going on for a series of years 

 without authority of law, for ten years, and their expenses have to a 

 great extent been paid out of the appropriations for surveys, which I 

 regard as an improper diversion of that fund. Nevertheless, the 

 investigations have been in progress for a long time. 



There is no estimate at all for this purpose. There was a communi- 

 cation from the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution asking for an 

 appropriation, and the majority of the Committee on Appropriations 

 thought it best to fix the sum at $20,000, and they have so reported. 

 I hope my friend from Illinois and the Committee of the Whole will 

 be content with that sum, which is a larger amount than has ever here- 

 tofore been appropriated for this purpose. 



