The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-12-08

ten or dozen more, via Rialeio and Cap
Horn, for Washington. Butto return.
seems that there were originally some th
ty or forty OF these statues, of variou
sizcs, and more orlesa elaboratelv carved
arranged in one place, in the form of
square. all looking inwards. The dimen
slons OF the square cannot now be ascer
tanned, but the few remaining figures an,
fragments show that the statement is cor
rect. 1t is singular fact, and anothe
evidence of the prevalence in America o
the doctrine Of the two reciprocal princi
Piles of nature, the active and passive
(male and female that these figures were
represented some as male and some as
female.
"I'he Indians of Honduras" says Her.
rera, "worshipped two images, male and
female, which they called the great father
and the great mother" and OF which, he
says, little further on, the sun and moon
were also representatives. | have heard
of other localities, similar to this, which
propose to VISIT and shall therefore not
repeat what is told me concerning them
must not, however, forget TO mention that
there has lately been discovered, in the
Province of Vera Faz, $50 miles N. E.
of Guatemala, buried in dense forest
and far from any settlements, ruined
city surprising Copan or Palenque in ex-
tent and magnificence, and displaying
degree of art to which none of the struc-
lures of Yucatan can lay claim. The
government of Guatemala sent commits
sion to examine it; but their Investigations
were soon interrupted by the civil COM
motions of the country, and they were
only able to bring away some rude plans
and imperfect drawings. shall 60 there
as soon as my duties will permit. learn
also Of other interesting monuments near
byin Honduras and San Salvador, which
no public mention has yet been made.
shall pay all attention | can to these, al.
though there is too much for one man to
hope to do well. But 'here goes," not
withstanding!"
THE INCA OF PERU.
Mr.. Bartlett then said that the Presi-
dent of the United States had kindly plac-
ed in his hands, TO be read to the American
chronological Society, the following inter-
esting letters which had been addressed
to him. The-firs was from Samuel G.
Arnold, ESQ.,, of Providence, q gentleman
who, in the course Of an extensive eXplo-
ration tour through South America, had
paid visit to Cuzco, the ancient capital
of the Incas Of Peru.
s-.--,.' '-.-- =" PROVIDENCE, May, 7, 1849.
To the President Of The United States:
SIR: In the course Of an extensive tour
through the interior of South America dur.
ing the past year | visited Cuzco. That
city, renowned as the capital of the Inca
Empire and the limit Of the conquests Of
Pizarro, is among the most interesting
places have seen in any part ofthe world.
The extreme difficulty of reaching it, ow-
ing to its distance from the coast and the
lofty chains of Andes intervening, ap-
pears to be the chief reason that this cell
ebrated city is so little known 10 our coun-
trymen. 1t abounds in stupendous mon
uments Of art, attesting civilization quite q
equal, if not superior to that Of the Aztecs J.
But amid these remains Of ancient days -
there exists aliving relic of the past, some q
short notice OF whom may throw light on y
the enclosed letter. :,
The venerable Doctor Don Justo Sa-
a canon of the Cathedral of
Cuzco, and now more than ninety years I
of age, claims to be lineral descendant /
in the seventh degree from !laana-Caipac, .
the last reigning Inca and father Of the i'll ;.
fated Atahualpa, burnt alive by the con-
querors in the plaza of Caxamorca. The !,
evidence of his claim appears to me to be :,
conclusive; so that in this man we see the )
ast of the royal race of Incas, as no 9TH |
srs of unmixed blood are known to exist. II
He is man of learning, and quite dis y
inguished in the history of his country,
,aving personally received the thanks Of =,
Bolivar at the close Of the war Of inde- /
,endence, for his services in the cause of
liberty. A clerical friend took me to the il
lid mans house. We found him reading a
rasso in his garden, q secluded spot Just lc
nder the walls of the great temple of the II
un, where his ancestors, as high priests
f the Sun and hereditary lords Of Peru, tt
nee olficiated at the altar in the grand b.
nposing worship of "the children Of the "
un." fl
He received US very affably, and show G
! me many matters of interest about his 10
ouse. He conversed more intelligently OF
an is usual with Peruvians ofthe interior hi
oncerning '.El grande Republica del in
Iorte," as they call the United States, and vi
Dpeared much interested in the slight bl
fetch of our political system which he re- re
tested me to give him. He had many Gu
,estions to ask-who was President, and he
no would be the next President! He is di
fine looking man, with physiognomy si
ute different from that ofthe Quicha In tn
ians, (the race peopling this part of Peru, St
aving high forehead, large, regular FRI
.atures, and an intelligent eye. A para be
tic stroke about two years ago deprived tM