New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-04-30
COLONIZATION OF AMERICA
Interesting Proceedings OF the American
chronological Society.
IN ANTE-HISTORIC TIMES

can chronological Society. The Society was
founded by the late venerable Albert GALLATIN,
who, in the closing years Of his long and active
life, devoted himself wholly to those scientific
studies for which he had always entertained
-fondness bat which circumstances did not enable
him 70 prosecute. The organization vas effected
10 the Autumn Of 1912, and IT'S first officers were
Hon. Albert Gslatin, President Edward Robin
son. LII. D., and Henry r. 5choolcrsft, Esq, Vice
Presidents and John r. Bartlett, now Commits
sioner Of the Boundary between the United States
and Mexico, Corresponding Secretary. Among
its members were originally enrolled the late IA
rnented Henry Wheaton, VIM. h. Prescott, the
historian, John L. Stephens. Frederick Gather
wood Dr. Samuel G. Morton, Geo. P. Marsh,
present Minister TO Constantinople, and many
other gentlemen distinguished for their learning
and their abors. Among its foreign members
who have taken lively interest in its proceed
mgr, are Humboldt, Jomsrd, Bunsen, Rain, Won
Raumer, Lepsus, Balbi, Wilkinson, and large
array Of men equally distinguished in Europe
The regular meetings of the Society were held
monthly during the Autumn, Winter, and Spring,
at the residence Of Mr.. Gallatin, up TO the period
his DEATH and have since been continued at the
houses of its various resident members. These
meetings were distinguished above any similar
series ever held in America, not less by the mum
Der and high reputation OF the gentlemen whom
they brought together, than by the interesting
nature Of their proceedings. The correspondence
OF the Society reached to every portion OF the
globe and it was, and still is, no uncommon cir
cum:tance to have communications presented, on
the same evening from Europe, Africa, Asia and
the remotest parts of America, as well az from the
Pacific Islands. The objects of the Society were
defined at its organization, TO be the prosecu-
ton of inquiries into the origin progress, and char
Acterstics Of the various races OF nan especial
ly into "the origin and history OF the aboriginal
American nations, and the phenomena connected
Herewith the diversity OF languages the remains
Of ancient art and traces Of ancient civilization 10
Mexico, Central America and Peru the arts, SCI
| ences and mythology OF the American nations
| and the earth works and other monuments oil the
| Mississippi Valley"
I In the prosecution OF these purposes the Socle-
| ty has published two large octave volumes, con-
| tanning selections from the more valuable papers
which have been laid before it, and which consti.
| tute more important addition to the stock OF
materials on the subject OF American Archaeology
and Ethnology, than has ever before been sub
| milted 10 the public by any similar institution.
| The leading papers were from the hand OF Mr..
| Gallatin at whose expense both volumes were
printed. The first of these, "Notes on the Semi
| Civilized Nations Of Mexico, Yucatan, and Cen
trail America" and the second, embracing very
| complete Photographed Map Of North America,
on 1.-THE Vocabularies of the American Indians
have already passed into standards OF authority
upon these subjects, both in Europe and on this
Continent.
A regular meeting OF the Society was held on
Saturday, 5th inst, at the house OF Rev. Samuel
Osgood-Rev DR.. ROBINSON in the Chair Two
new members were elected, viz: Jacob b.
Moore, ESQ. Of California, and Chas. e. Norton
ESQ. of Cambridge, Mass. The proceedings were
| Of unusual interest.
| A paper on the Early Settlement OF America,
| by North. w estern Europeans, was read by Prof.
| VIM. w. Turner. 1t is from the pen Of DR.. ZEs-
TERMAsN, Of Lepsic The paper was submitted
In the original at previous meeting Of the Socie
ty, and referred to Prof TURNER for translation
1t is an ingenious and interesting essay on an I'M
portant historical point and We insert it entire,
together with the comments and criticisms upon
it, afterward read to the Society by Mr. E. g.
squIER Both papers are Of q more popular cast
than usual, and will be read with interest.
The Colonization Of America IN Ante- HIS
toric Times, by Northeastern Europe
ans. By DR. CHRISTIAN AUG. ADoLPH
ZEsTERMANN, Of LeiPsic.
PREFACE.
| In the following pages, venture to present
for the consideration Of Archeoogists and Ethno-
graphers some views respecting the COLOMBIA
| ton Of America in Ante Hntoric Times, by ma
| tives of the Northwest Of Europe, with the re-
| Quest that they may be subjected 10 thorough
| perhaDa the attention of scholars
will thus be drawn to subject which appears to
me of great Importance and perhaps they may
be stimulated TO the collection Of scientific mate
rails, by the use of which the question may be
brought nearer TO satisfactory solution. This is
the chief aim have in view in making public
the following treatise, the defects Of which are
sufficiently accounted for by the comparatively
limited extent OF the literary apparatus on which
| il 10 based, and are by no means unknown to my
self II, Notwithstanding, PROFOUND my views
with confidence, the reason lies In the power ex'
erted over us by belief in the correctness Of the
results Of our Investigations, and it will not, /
trust, be imputed TO presumption | shall con-
slider myself sufficiently rewarded, if men more
capable will bring the mooted question to de-
| cision. Science requires only that truth be pro-
NOTED who it is that promotes it, is a matter of
indifference. The AUTHOR.
The striking similarity that exists between the
| primitive earth-works burial places, and utensils
of North America and Northwestern Europe, long
ago gave rise to the conjecture that these objects
| owed their origin TO the same people Kefer-
| stein, guided by the trustworthy account thar
An Msrsson an Irish Chieftain, was driven in the
year 9s5 on the coast OF country In North Amer
| lea, which was then called HcltTd MaRRdLaad
advanced the opinion that these inhabitants Of
the American country, designated as white men,
| were lrish Celts, who. AZ is shows by the con
version Of Florida to Christianity before the ar
rival Of the lcelandic Missionaries had kept 10
q constant intercourse with EGrope. Although
We are not yet 90 far advanced in the calculation
Of this point as 10 be able TO specify the name of
the colonizing people, still the materials which go
TO prove 3 primitive colonization Of America from
the Northwest Of Europe, have lately been aug
mented TO such degree, that doubts Of the fact
are constantly Diminishing, and even the period