The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-08
The Discovery OF Ancient Ruins In Northern

luarlan that we might make while exploring, for
his purpose, the hitherto comparatively unknown
hasten TO give you and through you TO the world,
an account of the actual existence OF ancient ruins,
which, whether it regards their immense extent,
or the size and grandeur OF single structure, has
no equal on the face OF the globe; and compared
with which, the ruined temples and edltces OF
Mexico and Yucaian, discovered by Ste
pleas and other travellers, dwinde into the NEST
minor insienificance. And even the largest OF the
Egyptian pyramids, however vast, Is put a caiia
toy In comparison with the chief structure OF this
group of mighty ruins; and which has, and probably
ever will remain, enduring memento OF race
of men inhabtng this continent, long anterior t.
the time that divine revelation, or the book OF
Genesis, gives as The period OF the creation OF the
world. However starting the assertion may appear
to large majority of the christian world, there is
the most incon ertlble evidence exhibited In the
symbolic writings and inscriptions upon every part
Of these now dlapIdated monuments, of their
having existed from before, and during, and even
long after the general deluge, admitting such
event 10 have taken place. But the most interest
Ing, as well as satisfactory record as yet deci
phered from the hume rous hierogyphics that every
where abound, is a long and and minute account
Of the gradual approach of a savage and cruel
people from the north and east, making slow but
sure conquest OF the beautiful land, waging war
OF extermination, sparing 40 captive But OF this,
as well as their general history from remote an
tiquity, will give you, in series OF letters and as
fast as we can satisfactorily and correctly translate
It.. Will say, however, In addition 10 the fore
going, that the writings, we call them, are en-
tireIy. made up of pictures, symbols, or hero
glyphics requiring the most careful close, and la
borious attention, investigation, and comparison,
in order to trace both backward and forward from
certain period the connection that exists between
them: For, unlike any thing heretofore discovered
on this continent, indeed IN the whos world, we
here have presented to our view, as we now firmly
believe, the unbroken history OF people that ex-
isted not only for great length of time since the
buIIGlnQ of the EpVofIan Pyramids. hut cOteYn-
poraIy. with them, and what Is more wonderful
still, TAR back, and yet still farther. into the
mazes OF antiquity For net only, DO we find
the characters so common to all the runs
OF Central America, but tracing them back,
without as yet knowing precisely their import, we
reach, by progressive though receding steps, Pc
Rod when they were identical with, and purely
the Egyptian hieroglyphic, easily deciphered and
Rod. We find these, ALSO taking their rise or hav
ing their origin in other characters or symbols, as
far removed from the more common Egyptian
hierogy phcs as are the characters the last in use
by this highly intelligent but extinct race, and yet
as clearly connected, as Is the now written though
gradually changed language OF the last ten centu-
res.
Permit me here to make single depression.
You recollect the strong belief | entertained and
expressed 10 you, of the existence some where on
the American continent, il not totally 0bllterated
by the corrodipgs Of time, OF the wor Ike OF PEG.
pie, which, if a record could be obtained, would
Of which all history is silent. My predictions
were based upon the light obtained by the recent
examination OF the interior of a newly discovered
pyramid in lower Egypt, which for ages has re-
manned unknown, from having been completely
buried beneath the sands of the desert. There,
in one of its hidden recesses, upon a tablet
OF imperishabe stone, is the record OF the
existence OF a country beyond the most dis
by a numerous. happy aud highly intelligent
Pc ople, and from whom the mysteries of wri-
tirg by symbols, and knowledge of the arts and
sciences, had been obtained. And never was pre-
RIGA must be thar country beyond the eastern seas:
and though Its numerous and happy people are all
gone, and century after century of storm and sun
shine, earthquake and commissions, and the sPolla-
uoDs Of succeeding races OF barbarous men nave
passt d over il, yet all combined has not been able
to blot out the evidences OF their superior learning
and skill IN architectural science, as exhibited In
the hume rous and vastly magnificent structures,
scattered here and there over large part OF CEN
trail and northern America; and the veil OF obscure
~ that has been so long wfapt around these rehcs
OF an unknown people, seems about to be drawn
aside, and in the worlds history introduced,
OF which, though with all the accumulated learn.
ing of centuries, we know nothing But ! will
sle custe no further ~ relation 10 the existence,
much less the origin or final fate, of this nov
extinct people; but will leave il, to be brought out
by careful investigator of the records they theui-
selves have left, for the admiration and study of
us al of succeeding ages. ! will now endeavor
TO give you somewhat minute description OF the
location and vastness of these ruins though Ian
pueee as am capable OF using II, Is utterly made
quaie TO convey proper idea oil the same With
out dwelling for a moment upon the commonplace
incidents OF voyage at sea, We reached, on the
9Th OF May, the entrance 10 the gull ct California,
and IN five days more were AT anchor IN small
bay, the northeastern side Of the island gnacIo,
situate about thrty-five miles south of the north
ern extremity Of the gulf This island. hiiy miles
IN length, from north 10 south, aud from ten 10
twenty IN width, is one Of great beauty and fertl
~, Astounding IN nearly every production common
TO the northern limit Of the torrrd zone, and inha-
bl',d by a few INDECENT, halccivillzed and mixed
race Of the SpanIard, Indian and Negro. Duriag
a three days stay upon the island. cur crew en-
gagged IN taking in water and fruits, we made a
strol of several miles into the Interior with view
OF seeing wha, the people on the island have. from
time Inmemorial, called 1.-The City Of The Dead
World" by an easy ascent over beautiful coun-
try, covered with every possible variety OF forest
timber, with here and there the residence OF some
m s.isble Mexican halt breed, we reached the sum-
init II an elevated table OF land, extending to the
sou j and west IN one unbroken PLAN, save lev
stately forest rees, and piles Of stones innumera-
bic, end IN every form and position imaginable.
For The most part, however, the blocks are from
ten TO fourteen inches square, and from fifteen
H. ches TO five feet IN length, but many of them bro
ten IN numberless fragme nis, and lying In ridges
iiom three 10 fifteen feet high, and forming inclo-
surts Of every conceivable shape and size; but the
greater part about forty feet square, while some
were sixty, eighty, and even one hundred feet,
" iih ridges Of the same material crossing their
c. ptres at right angles. Near the centre of the
plain 10 an immense mound or pyramid OF loose
ste nee, two hundred feet square at lie base, and
iof'y feet high, having irregular crater or basL
In ITS top, fifteen feet deep. Surrounding this ny
ramid, one hundred and forty yards from its base,
in perfect circle, and at equal distances from each
other, are seven circular ridges OF these same ever
lasting loose and broken fragments OF stone, sIxiy
ards In circumference at their base on the inner
slde, with an average Of twenty feet IN height In
he centre at each IL a conlcal mound Ut the same
material. and about the same height, with one ex-
reption, and this Is the only instance where any
hing like perfect wall remains visible amid this
vest assenblsRe OF unmeaning ruins. Ia this is
ound solid column Of masonry, thirty six feet high,
tifty feet in circumference at the surface, OF an
accumulation OF stone about its base eight feet
lieh. that have, at some greatly remote period,
alb from its top. Aud here II stands, worn and
ufrowed by the elspse II centuries, without so
much picture or figure II any description, TO
ell the tale OF ts rse is glory OF its ruin. There
ian he but one opinion, however, In relation To- this
plain, end its singular remains. Covered, as II u,
= 18th a luxurant growth OF grass and howers. with
Greet trees ct great age, here and there inter-
perted. as often within the enclosures as without,