THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 135 



ing of Edward Robinson, D. D., John R. Bartlett, Professor W. 

 W. Turner, Samuel G. Morton, M. D., and Hon. George P. Marsh, 

 to report upon the same. At a subsequent meeting of the society, this 

 committee submitted the following report and resolutions, which were 

 unanimously accepted and adopted : 



REPORT. 



The committee of the American Ethnological Society, to which was 

 referred the communication of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, transmitting a manuscript work, entitled "Ancient Monuments 

 of the Mississippi Valley, comprising the results of Extensive Original 

 Surveys and Explorations" by E. G. Squier and E. H. Davis, beg leave 

 to report : 



That they have examined the work in question, and regard it not only 

 as a new and interesting, but as an eminently valuable a.ddition to our 

 stock of knowledge on a subject little understood, but in which is felt 

 a deep and constantly increasing interest, both in our country and 

 abroad. In their judgment, the work is worthy of the subject, and 

 highly creditable to the authors. Its chief features are, a scientific 

 arrangement, simplicity, and directness of statement, and legitimate 

 deduction from facts, while there is no attempt at mere speculation or 

 theory. If published, it will be an enduring monument to connect the 

 names of the investigators in honorable and lasting remembrance with 

 the great subject of American Archaeology. 



The existence and progress of these investigations were made known 

 to the society by correspondence early in the year 1846 ; and in June of 

 that year specimens of the relics recovered, accompanied by numerous 

 maps and plans of ancient earthworks and sectional views of the mounds 

 from which the remains were taken, were laid before the society by 

 Mr. Squier in person. These excited deep interest and surprise in all 

 who saw them ; and the society immediately took measures to encour- 

 age further investigation, and secure the publication, under its own 

 auspices, of the important results already obtained. A few months 

 later, the chairman of the present committee, being in Ohio, was en- 

 abled, through the kindness of Messrs. Squier and Davis, to visit several 

 of the more important monuments in the immediate vicinity of Chilli- 

 cothe, and, among these, " Mound City," so-called, from which very 

 many of the minor relics and specimens were procured. He was struck 

 with the accuracy of the plans and drawings, as well as of the accounts 

 which had been laid before the society, and bears full testimony to the 

 fidelity and integrity with which the process of investigation and deline- 

 ation has been conducted. 



During the last and present season the researches of these gentlemen 

 have been actively prosecuted and widely extended, and the above 

 W work, largely illustrated, comprising the results, has been prepared. 

 These results are so numerous and important, and consequently such 

 is the extent and magnitude of the work itself, as to put its publication 

 beyond any means which the society can command. Under these cir- 

 cumstances, your committee learn with pleasure that preliminary 

 arrangements have been made for its publication by the Smithsonian 



