Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-09-18
aprovs rely Of the resolutions and recommendatioks

nal remains of the West which entitled to any credit Yet
many mistakes have been discovered in it, and il is very
incomplete and degree TO be compared TO the extensive
researches of the gentlemen above mentioned What has
particularly recommended their abors TO their love
truth.
Such are the combined effects of the fondnes of the
velou of the illusions of the imagination OF creduy, thirst
of notoey and lack of discrimination that many specific
statements and in almost all the general accounts of our
Western antiquities which have seen, the most vague and
fabulous reports independent OF most groundless theories
and even agan imposons mixed with accounts
as render almost impossible even for the American reader
TO make the proper discrimination arrive at correct es
mate Of their extent character In Europe the late Mr.
Worn, most industrious man and very useful collector
of books attempted present OF antiquities
he had however, resided but short time in America and his
knowledge of the United States and especially of our abog
nal inhabitants derived only from his extensive reading
His production inserted in splendid French work
Mexican Antiquities, and but transcript OF one OF those
indiscrmnang American accounts to which have alluded
Whatever may be the intrinsic value OF the remains OF for
mer times which found in the United States, 1t is
sa that they should least be correctly described and that
existing gross should be corrected and repeat my
conviction that though ardent Messrs Squer and Davis
animated by that thorough love of truth which renders their
researches worthy of entire confidence.
Late chronological researches have thrown such light the
history OF that it is unnecessary to dwell on their
ea utility With respect to those which relate to the Indians
of the United States ready to acknowledge the field is
comparatively baen and the results hitherto attained neither
satisfactory refreshing. Snl with proper caution, i'm
portan information may be acquired, what man, insulated
ary efforts accomplish. In order however, attain these
results considerations foreign to the immediate object Of this
required, which may hereafter be made the subject
of another communication
have the honor to be- &c.
ALBERT GALLATIN.
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
AT regular meeting of the American chronological Society,
held the house Of Hon. ALBERT GALLAriN the evening
of the 4h Of June the President laid before the members
communication from Prof. HENRY Secretary of the Smith
sonian Institution, transmitting for the examination and OPT
MON of the Society MS. work the Ancient Aboriginal
Monuments Of the United States On notion the letter and
accompanying Ms referred committee consisting of
Edward Robinson L. D., John r. Bartlett Prof W. w.
Turner, Samuel G. Morton, D., and Hon. George P.
Marsh report upon the At subsequent meeting
ofthe Society this committee submitted the following report and
resolutions which unanimously accepted and adopted
REPORT.
The Committee of the Ehnoogica Society to which
referred the communication Of the Secretary of the Smhso
nian Institution, transmitting manuscript work entitled
"AMERIcAS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCHES ; Inquiry
into the Origin and Purposes Of the Aboriginal Monuments
and Remains of the Mississippi Vaey, comprising the Re
suits Of Ertensire Original Surveys and Erlorufions, by
E. q. Squier and +. II. Davis, beg leave to report
That they have examined the work question: and regard
not only and interesting, but eminenty valu
able addition to stock of knowledge subject little
interest," both country and abroad In their Judgment
the work is worthy Of the subject and highly credabe to the
writer Its chief features are scientific arrangement, SIM
pciy and drectness Of statement and legitimate deduction
from facts, while there is attempt at speculation
theory If published, it will be enduring monument
connect the 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 the
year 1886 and in June Of that specimens of the relics
recovered accompanied by maps and plans Of
eahwork and sectional views of the mounds from which
the remains taken, laid before the Society by Mr.
Squer person. These excited deep interest and surprise
in all who hem and the Society Immediately took mea-
encourage further investigation, and the pub
hcaon, under auspices Of the important results al
ready obtained few months later the chairman of the
present committee, being in Ohio, enabled, through the
kindness of Messrs Squer and Davis visit of the
more important monuments in the immediate vicinity of Chi
cothe and among these mound City," Called from
which very many of the minor relics and specimens were
procured He struck with the accuracy Of the plans and
drawings well of the accounts which had been laid
before the Society," and bears full testimony the fidelity and
integrity with which the process Of investigation and denea-
ton has been conducted
During the last and present the researches of these
gentlemen have been actively prosecuted and widely extend
ed and the above work, largely illustrated comprising the
results has been prepared by Mr. Squer These results
and important and consequently such is the
and magnitude Of the work ITSELF put its pubi-
cation beyond any means which the Society command
Under these circumstances, your committee learn with plea
that preliminary arrangements have been made for its
publication by the Smithsonian Institution among its Con-
butions knowledge" 1t only be matter of sincere
qualification this Society to that which il itself
accomplish the history and antiquities country taken
up and carried under such favorable auspices and they
but rejoice that opportunity thus afforded that
noble institution Of opening its high by fostering scien-
c research into the interesting problems connected with the
AnteC Columbian history and Aboriginal Of our
own country.
In of these facts your committee would recommend
the adoption Of the following resolutions by the Society
Resoed That this Society regard the researches Of Messrs
SQuie and Davis OF very great importance in American
Archaeology, and casting much light upon Aboriginal
Antiquities especially upon the character and habits of the
earliest which had their in the Mississippi Valley
Resolved That regard the work prepared upon this
subject by Mr.. Squier Of great general interest,"
and worthy be adopted for publication by the Smith
sonian Institution, both resting original researches and
aodng remarkable illustrations Of the history Of the Ame-
rcan continent.
Your committee would also append this report the ac-
companyng from Samuel G. Morton, MD, Of Phila-
depha, and Hon. George p Marsh, Of Vermont, both
bcrs Of this Society and joint members Of this committee
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
EDWARD ROBINSON,
JOHN r. BARTLETT,
W. w. TURNER,
New YoRK, JuSE, ls47. Committee.
New YoRK, JUSE 9, ls47.
have examined with much interest and attention the
nuscp drawings and ancient remains in the possession
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