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PROCEEDINGS OF 
pend upon it, that if time is suffered to exercise its never-failing influence on our 
noble Institution, it will rise, in perhaps less than half a century, to an equality 
with the most admired institutions of the same kind in Europe ; but if economy is 
lost sight of, it will experience the fate of other great undertakings which have 
failed from want of a due regard to this principle. I hope I shall be pardoned this 
involuntary effusion, for which I am well convinced, nothing but the perhaps ex¬ 
cessive zeal which I feel for the permanency of our great Institution can afford an 
excuse. Old age, perhaps, may also afford an apology. 
I am, respectfully, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
PETER S. DU PONCEAU. 
CIRCULAR. 
The Department of American History and Antiquities of the National Insti¬ 
tution for the Promotion of Science, established at the seat of the General Govern¬ 
ment, respectfully invites public attention to its objects. These are “ to discover, 
procure, and preserve, whatever may relate to the Civil, Literary, and Ecclesiasti¬ 
cal History of America in general, and of the United States in particular.” In 
conceiving and attempting to execute so comprehensive a plan, the Institution anti¬ 
cipates the approval of the friends of literature and science, and the cooperation of 
all who feel particular interest in subjects connected with American History. The 
topics embraced by the plan are so various, that almost every individual of liberal 
studies is competent to promote, in some manner or degree, its successful ope¬ 
ration. 
A full enumeration of the topics, in relation to which contributions are desired, 
would lead to details of inconvenient length, and is made unnecessary by the ex¬ 
tensive range of the general plan. The most important may be included under the 
following heads: 
1. Facts relating to the discovery and settlement of America, to the Colonial 
and Revolutionary history of the North American Colonies, and Biographical 
notices of persons connected with such discovery, settlement, or history. 
2. Biographical notices of persons distinguished in the Aboriginal history of 
America, or distinguished in the history of the United States, as Ministers of the 
Gospel, Politicians, Lawyers, Physicians, Mechanics, &c. 
3. Facts illustrating the History, Manners, Customs, Language, and Traditions 
of the Indian tribes, and manners of the early Settlers. 
4. Indian names of Towns, Villages, Rivers, Islands, Bays, and other remark, 
able places and objects. 
5. Statistics of Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures, and Population. 
6. Topographical sketches of Cities, Towns, Villages, and their vicinities, with 
Statistical details concerning them. 
7. Roads, Canals, Bridges, &c. 
8. Religious, Benevolent, Scientific, and Literary Institutions and Associations. 
9. Colleges', Schools, and all Institutions for promoting Education- 
