No™ 20.] 91 



and five or six are sent herewith, to show the general character of 

 these works. A singular coincidence has made it unnecessary to say 

 much upon the subject. But ten days since, and after these drawings 

 were prepared, Mr. E. G. Squier passed though our city, for the 

 express purpose of surveying these mounds and enclosures under the 

 auspices of the New- York Historical Society. When it is remem- 

 bered that Mr, S, is one of the authors of the work on the Ancient 

 Monuments of the Mississippi valley, &c., published by the Smithsonian 

 Institute, we may rest satisfied that the long neglected subject wsil 

 be thoroughly explored; and we may also expect that a new interest 

 will be awakened throughout the State, in the subject of our abori- 

 ginal remains. 



It is only necessary to add, with reference to these drawings, that 

 the first of them, the Palisade Fortification of which a ground plan 

 is given, is a Seneca work. The bastions indicate that it was made 

 with the aid of the English or French. This work was destroyed 

 by General Sullivan in 1779, during his destructive inroad into the 

 Seneca country. The stub of the palisade at the gate or opening 

 was still above ground at the end of the trench. It was preserved 

 by the writer when he made the survey, and accompanies the other 

 specimens. The remaining drawings are of works which reach 

 beyond the Iroquois period, and testify to the ancient occupation of 

 a race, whose name vve know not : neither know we the era of 

 their departure. But this report is increasing beyond its intended^ 

 as well as its proper limits, and must be abruptly concluded. 

 All which is respectfully submitted. 



L. H. MORGAN,, 



RocHJBSTER, November 13, 1849. 



