Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-12-24
THE AvTIQUARIASs IN MEXICO.

y
Charnay and Le PIongeon seeking
Permission to Export Their Discov-
ies---Thc History or Chac. Al0I.
The CORES pondent of the New York
World says: AS the discoveries of "thc
rival antiquarians" New York has sent
to Mexico must interest your fellow citi-
zens, desire to say that nj this mo-
ment Gharnay and lie Plongeon are
both awaiting the decision of congress
as to the removal Of antiquities from
the country, both being confident they
will be permitted to export two-thirds
of whatever they may discover or ex-
cavate. M. Chanay has brought from
the buried capital of Toltects some fos-
sils over which naturalists are pulling
their brains, and recently curious
statute which he unearthed reached
this city Senores Mendoza and Jesus
Sanchez, directors of the Museo Ma
cional, have to-day commenced the
study of the latter. DIR. lie Plongeon
does not propose making further exca-
vations just now He and his accom-
plished wife intend deyoting their
lives to the study of the hieroglyphs Of
the Yucatan monuments. Igavc up
several recently to the examination Of
mural drawing which Mrs. lie Plongeon
has copied from the ruins Of the tenn
Piles and palaces in Chichen-Itza, Pal
enque and Uxmn. need not attempt
any description of them, because the
copies sent to the Smithsonian insti-
tute of Washington and the Archmolo-
gical society Of Worcester, Mass, will
soon be published.
Dir. and Mrs. lie Plongeon affirm that
they have already dcciphercd sulli-
cent number of thc Yucatan hero
glyphs to enable them to read perfect
ly the entire history of Chac-Mol, the
warrior king Of the Chichen-Itzans.
They pointed ont to me in these copies
Of the mural designs the mother Of
Chac-Mol, the warrior king Of the Chi
chon-Itzans. They pointed out to me
IN these copies Of mural designs the
mother Of Chac-hol, noble looking
dame, and his sister, who became his
wife. In IL word, his history from
youth To the grave wns, according to
DR.. and Mrs. lie Plongeon's theory,
chroniclcd on the walls Of the palace Of
Chichen-ltzn md in the bas-relicfs on
the tomb, or, mausoloum erected in his
honor by his widow and his three Sons.
DIR. lie Plongcon; who has devoted
nine years Of his life to the study Of
Yueatecan antiquities and expended
over $20, 1000 feels deeply aggrioycd by
the manner in which the Mexican gov
eminent took possession Of the statue
Of Chac-Mol, refusing him the slight
est remuneration for his labor He re-
marked your correspondent in u |
serious comic manner. wrhis govern
mont has graeiously permitted me 10
make u east Of Chac-Mol, provided |
do not innrc or mutilate the statue |
Think Of the years toiled ia Yucatan
.-of the dangers we incurred from In
dams and wild beasts; fancy, if you
can, what We suffered from heat, hun
ger and fatigue, and you Gun but nd
NIT that tho privilege granted me is IL
bitter irony. Az DR.. lie Plongeon wish
es To be guaranteed against further
spoliation, and also generously desires
To pave the way for other scientists, lie
has presented the following petition to
congress-
81 nsk. First Tint tho government |
Of the Mexican republic will allow me
tho scientific investigation Of monn-
mcnts III the peninsula of Yucntan
provided my investigation he made
without injury To those monuments.
"Sccond-That may be permitted
TO search for inscriptions relative TO
the history Of the people who inhabit-
ed Iucatan, and take paper or plaster
moulds Of them, or make photographs
and export said moulds, impressions
md photographs to the Z. s., or other
countries where they may be studied.
"rhird That If during said nvost-
cations there should bc found, sepnmt-
cd from the monuments, interesting
objects whose preservation il considered
necessary for the better study of his.
tory, thoy mny he disposed ofaecording
10 the laws existing OH the subject III
the Mexican republic and the civil
eodo Of Yncatnn.
"Fourth--fhat all these concessions
made 10 me shall ho considered also
made tommy others archwoogis commits
stoned hy scientific societies that are
recognized hy the United States.
"Fifth--That If the explorations, in.
ycstigntions and studies have 10 be-
made IN istrictsinhabiiel Ivy the In
dinns Of Chan Santa Cruz or visited hy
them, and whore, consequently, the
lives Of investigators will be endnnger-
ed, the commanders Of the nearest
military posts shall receive orders 10
protect as FIR rs possible the liyoof said
explorers