The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
ANCIENT CITY OF PALENaUE IN
MEXICO.
Waldeck's Expedition.

In the Foreign Quarterly review for Octo-
Der, 1886, we End the following article rela-
tive to the expedition of Mr. Waldeck to the
ruins Of Palenque, which formed the subject
Of Professor Mllingion's inquiries. Our at
tention being called to the subject, we have
come across several articles relating to Mexi-
can antiquities, which we may notice. The
article below is quite interesting. ltpresenis
Mr.. Waldeck in light which should com
mand for him the grateful esteem of the
Literary world. His zeal in the prosecution
Of his interesting researches was truly ar
dent; and who can but heartily sympathise
with him in the loss Of his papers and draw
ings, by the dishonorable act Of the Mexican
Government ? Professor MulIington's letter
will no doubt elicit further intelligence of Mr..
VS. proceedings. In the meantime the in
telligence below, though not late, will be in
teresting; as il comprises brief account Of
his researches in Mexico.
In the year 1922, Mr.. Waldcck engraved
in the line manner, from the drawings Of Capt.
del Rios, the seventeen plates for the work Of
that author, which was translated at London,
and published by H. Berthopd. A suspicion
arose in the mind Of Mr.. Waldeck that the
designs were Incorrect. and he felt strong
desire personally to ascertain the fact An
opportunity was offered, in 1925, BY his be-
ing appointed hydraulic engineer to the Hal
pujayhua Mining Company in Mexico. He
set out for Mexico in the month of March
Various circumstances rendered his stay but
a short one he left the mines at the expira-
ton of ten months. On his arrival in the
Mexican capital, he resolved to carry into
execution his original purpose-to give him
self up to the Mexican archaeology, and by
his studies, acquire the knowledge which
would enable him to visit with beneficial ef-
feet, the ruins Of Palenque. Being admitted
into the Museum Of Mexico, he copied there
all the curious manuscripts, as well as the
finest specimens Of sculpture, in stone, jasper,
and terra Gotta. The first collection consist
ed Of l60 waier-color drawings, relative 10
ancient and modern costume, usages, natural
history, and picturesque scenery, and contains
also hieroglyphic grammar, and copious
vocabulary Of the Azteque language A yalu-
able article ofthis collection is copy from an
original portrait of Montezuma, which was
painted by an Italian goldsmith, who accom-
panied Ferdinand Cortes.
g Mr.. Walkeck attempted, at Mexico. Ii
geographic publication, with an explanatory
text, of the rich and beautiful collection be-
longing to the University; but, the country
not being favorable either to the arts or the
study, the work which, besides, was very i'm
perfect in consequence Of the extreme diff.
Guilty of working the stones, did not succeed,
and was discontinued after the appearance Of
the fourth number.
"In 1882, the exertions of Viscount de
Chaptal, and the influence of Don Lucas
Alaman, then minister of Don Francisco de
Fagoaga, the chief Alcaide, and Of General
Moran, Mr.. Waldeck obtained sum suffi-
cient to enable him to make journey TO Pa
lanque. The subscription was to have
amounted to 10000 piastres but, when only
4f37 piastres were subscribed, he determin-
ed TO set out with what remained of that sum.
The purchasing Of arms aud provisions Of
all kinds for this long and difficult expedition,
and the conveyance OF his baggage and as
sistants, left him, on his arrival at Palenque,
only 5000 piastres, and, with this sum in
hand, he began to excavate the monuments,
and put the whole OF them in state to be
designed.
This labor lasted seven months. In the
course Of it, the revolution brought about by
Jah'h EtHua ha'iHS usiuiSo "oiS otuoiii'J
the subscription was put stop to, and M. de
Chaptal wrote to Mr.. Waldeck, that he mus,
not reckon upon any more help from Mexico
Mr.. Waldeck's assistants now refused to go
on, and he was obliged to dismiss them, after
having paid their wages, and a sum to
cover the expenses of their homewaId Jour
ney. Thus he was left alone and pennyless
among the ruins, but still too inten, upon his
enterprise to think for moment of giving it
up. Resolved to subsst by hunting, he re-
sumed his tolls but, at the expiration of two
years of fatigue and danger, when he had
made Il9 drawings, and an interesting col
lection Of reptiles, insects, and geological
preparations, famine compelled him TO aban-
don the superb antique monuments which he
had studied with so much delight.
Tho result Of his researches is, that the
destruction Of falenque was the consequence
Of a war with neighboring power, (Which
could be no other than Ehu-ha capital OF the
kingdom Of Tlepollan, that the city was taken