190 | Mr. Kendal’s account of the Dighton rock. 
fore worthy of preservation, and important to be procured, you are en- 
tirely sensible. Whatever be its origin or signification, it belongs to 
the history ef America, and perhaps to that of the world. Tt may 
prove, as some have supposed it does, that Columbus was not the first 
navigator in this hemisphere ; it may prove, that the red inhabitants of 
this country were only the successors of a more cultivated people ; or 
it may prove, that those red inhabitants were more cultivated, than we 
have supposed them. It may help us to discover the origin of the 
population of America. ee ae 
But it will appear to some, from the obscurity, in which I have 
. described a great part of the inscription, as being involved, that its — | 
value, as a memorial of past times, is gone. The truth however is far 
otherwise. 
I confess myself but little aapitne, as to the prospect of interpret 
ing, in any minute manner, this inscription ; but, though such minute 
interpretation should not be accomplished, we may yet ascertain its 
general scope; and, what is more, we may ascertain the name and 
country of the people, from whom it came down to us. Several fig: 
ures, sufficient for exhibiting the character of the inscription, are still — 
plain. The character is so peculiar, that its parentage need only pres 
sent itself to be acknowledged. 
Lastly, I shall anticipate an objection to the removal, founded on 
any doubt of i its utility. Its removal will be useful, because it will 
thus be placed within the reach of frequent observation ; and error 
will be dissipated. It will be useful also, because, upon all calcula- 
tions of probability, it will best secure its pteservation. The rock and 
its inscription are but little valued in their own neighborhood. The 
_ attempts to find the money, of which it has been supposed to be de 
signed to ptiblish the concealment, have come to nothing, and. the rock 
is out of repute. It is robbed even of the veneration entertained bf 
