The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-04-09
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ANCIENT INSCRIPTIONS OF THE WEST
GRAVE CREEK MOUND.
As we are about to celebrate the first settlement
of the whites in Ohio, it may not be without inte-
rest to glance at the antiquities of that people who
long preceded the whites. The valley of the Ohio
is remarkable for the vast number of its antiquities
In every form of fertilization, monument, altar,
tomb, the Ohio valley strewed with the memorials
of an ancient people. The Miami and Scoto Val
leys are peculiarly rich in them. Cincinnati itself
was the site of ancient Notifications; and Fort An
Gent, as it now stands on the Miami, is gigantic
work The surface of section through the para
pet, where the road passes out is nearly four hun
bred square feet! When such parapet is contin-
ued for miles, the reader may imagine with what
labor that work made Circleville, Chillicothe,
and Marietta all stood on the sites of ancient towns
defended by great Notifications.
At Grave Creek, below Wheeling, is one of the
most interesting localities for these antiquities
Tumu and parapets mark the site OF some import
ant place; but among them the Great Mound rises
the special monument of the place. 1t is SO feet
in perpendicular height $40 feet in circumference
at the base and So feet in diameter at the top Its
solid contents calculated at 175000 cubic feet.
The interior of this mound contained a finished
chamber and stone Nth unkno,un inscription
This inscription has recently become the subject of
a most elaborate discussion before the American
chronological Society, at New York, in consequence
of denial by Mr.. E. G. Squier, of the authenticity
or rather existence, ofthat inscription.
Before we notice the proceedings of the Ethno-
logical Society, should here state that the whole
In 1888, Mr.. Tomlinson, then proprietor of the
Grave Greek Mound, employed laborers to open the
mound, and give it thorough investigation. TWAS
always supposed that the mound contained the
grave or monument of some great person. In the
interior was found chamber, which had originally
been lined or ceiled with wood. Some remains of
the same gene al character with those in other
mounds were found. stone also discovered,
on which was an inscription.
This inscription has found no interpreter. An
account of these proceedings, with a drawing of
the stone and copy of the inscription prepar-
ed by Mr.. Tomnson for the Cincinnati Chronicle
and published in that paper. This account was au-
thentic, and has remained unimpeached. The
statements in regard to his inscription had been
laid before the publicly DR.. Townshend, of Wheel
ing; Dr.. Clemens, Mr.. A. B. Tomlinson, pro-
teresting memoir by Schoolcraft; and in Europe
was discussed by Sir j. Z. Alexander, be-
fore the Geographical Society of London; by Pro-
lessor Ralin, of Copenhagen, and by Mr.. Jourard,
before the Institute of Bellies Lettres and Inscrp-
lions at Paris. We cam therefore, that this in
scrption is one of extraordinary interest. In this
work on the aboriginal Monuments of the Missis-
sppi Valley" Mr.. Z. G. Squier had considered this
inscription an imposition upon very insufficient rea-
sons. At recent meeting of the american
chronological Society,"" DR.. Wells De Hass, of
Western Virginia, made demonstration on the
subject, which proved entirely satisfactory to the
whole Society.
One part of it was not wholly creditabe to the
late DR.. Morton's investigation. DR.. Clemens had
particulars
for Morton's work "Cronia Americana;' ~ but Nor
ton omitted this part of the account, because, he
said it did not relate to crdnioogy and he was skep
teal on mound inscriptions. We fear that several of
our genealogical and chronological inuuirers espe-
ciay those who have recently treated of the Origin
OF Races, have been equally inaccurate. A deci-
phered inscription upon one of the monuments of
America might have put an extnguisher upon some
OF the theories derived from eranid, some of the
recently discovered fossils have upon geological
theories OF development.
The discussion before the chronological Society
was full of interest 1t resulted in an acknowledge
ment by Mr.. Squier that he was mistaken The
conclusion is given in the ". Y Herald
DIR. DE Hass discussed with great force and clear
ness every point at issue. He touched the subject
in all its bearings, clearly showing that he had in
vestigated it in every particular. He supported
his position by letters from many of the most dis
tnguished citizens of Northwestern Virginia His
mass of material, under the head of Evidence is
perfectly overwhelming on all points affecting the
credbilty Of the inscription Much of this he could
not read for want of time. His own paper occu-
pied about two hours in delivery
Having concluded, MIR. Squier rose and addressed
the meeting. He stated, in few words that he
had relied upon DR.. Morton as careful and dstin-
gulshed investigator of American Archaeology He
dlscaimed any personal feeling upon the subject
lie wished the facts in the case, and now that Dr.
De Hass had with great and industry collected
these facts he was happy to receive them and will
ing to say that the point clearly established by
Dr. De Hass that DR.. Clemens did communicate to
Dr. Morton an account of the inscription stone
found at Grave Greek. He would like some addi
tlonai facts about the identical discovery and closs
by moving a vote of thanks to DR.. De Hass for MI,
paper Just read. s,.957a
ne was IN possession of full facts about the disdE$%
cry, which he had not been able to read for x6
OF tlme: he would simply read an extract Fl
alhdavit OF MIR. A. b. Tomnson, who fouh ILL.,
taDiet. Having read this portion of Mr.. TomfH3SnH
a1hdavlt, with the simple remark that he had alum
cant additional evidence on that head he submitted
the question to the Society The response was gen
era that the whole question had been fully and sat
lslactorly settled The vote of thanks was then put
and unanimously carried.
The inscription on the Grave Creek stone, and
Others like it, will we fear be interpreted
The unknown who settled this continent from
Asia, who whether the same race found here by
Europeans or not, must have brought with them
some remains of civiza ion; who here built cities
ana lortresses; who fought great battles; whose
bones the plough turns up amidst the green fields:
VINO, after mighty struggle, have persisted from
theif ancient paces,-this race, we fear will live
only in history
There was formerly large and curious bird,
winch Is now extinct, and single specimen of
Which remains in the British Museum. The time,
perhaps, is not far distant when the Museums will
contain all that remains of the Indian. The de-
scrpton OF the writer and the portrait of the pain
ter may give posterty some idea of his appearance
and character; but the reality will be gone From
cVlllzed point of vew this is not to be regretted
i put we should remember that there were whole
-: ui nations pound up IN this lost history. 1t
furnishes mint to ourselves, that our history our
early records should be written with the point of
diamond, and engraved in lead. This must be done,
IN the language of living literature When Taci-
Jus wrote, these ancient nations of America were
alive and vigorous; but now they are dead and he
lives in immortal history Cincinnati Gazette.
Berlin paper asserts that the French Govern
mens wli avail itself of the opportunity of the i'm
pending Paris Conference to have the question of
political refugees settled by the European Powers.
Austria, 1T is said has been sounded on the subject
out mas declined to give her sanction to the de-