Box 10, Folder 4: Correspondence 1867

6. Any articles made by or relating to the Esquimaux, and the Fuegians or the Patagonians.

It is within the plan of the founder to make collections relating to the Archeology and Ethnology of other aboriginal races. The trustees are therefore desirous of obtaining crania, skeletons or parts of skeletons, weapons and implements of all kinds, pottery, or any other articles or aboriginal make, from any portion of the world, also drawings or casts of them which may serve to show the differences or resemblances between the various human races in their earliest stages of existence.

ROBERT C. WINTHROP. ASA GRAY. JEFFRIES WYMAN} Executive Committee.

[illustration?]

Dr. J. Wyman

Am? Jan. 17

Cambridge Jan. 10th, 1867

My Dear Sir,

At the suggestion of our mutual friend Prof. Gray I [take?] the liberty to sending you the accompanying circular the objects of which are sufficiently explained in the text.

My particular object was to inquire of you if you happened to know of any [illegible] in your neighborhood which might be obtained by purchase or otherwise, & if so if you would have the kindness to

Peabody Museum of American Archeology and Ethnology.

THROUGH the munificence of Mr. GEORGE PEABODY, of London, a Museum of American Archeology and Ethnology has been established in connection with Harvard College. In carrying out the wishes of the Founder, it is intended to bring together all objects illustrative of or bearing upon the origin, early history, manners and customs and progress toward civilization of the aboriginal races of North and South America. In furthering the objects of the above foundation, the undersigned, the Executive Committee in behalf of the Board of Trustees are desirous of obtaining any of the following articles:—

1. Implements of stone, such as axes, gouges, chisels, clubs, pestles, sinkers, tomahawks, mortars, arrow-heads, spear-heads, &c.

2. Articles of earthen-ware, such as vases, pots, pipes, bowls, or images of any kind.

3. Bows, arrows, quivers, spears, rattles, drums, shields, snowshoes, knives, lodges, medicine bags, tobacco pouches, cooking utensils, articles of dress, either of purely aboriginal make, or such as show the gradual contact of the savage and European races.

4. Mummies, skeletons or parts of skeletons of any of the North or South American races. Of the parts of skeletons, the skulls are always of great importance, and the long bones of the limbs, and the hip bones are of much value.

5. Antiquities in the form of images or other sculptures, or the casts of them, from Peru, Mexico, Chili [Chile], or Central America.

Dec. 8 1916 INV. 1811

Laurence [Lawrence?], Kas. [Kansas?] Jan'y 10th, 1867

I.A. Lapham

Dr Sir,

Yours of Dec. 25 was duly received. In answer would say that I do not know what has become of the notes of level made under my direction from Lone Rock to the north of the Lemonweir.

My [illegible] as to the [wall?] of those levels is that the average fall of the river between the points named was as near as maybe two feet to the mile of river channel at low water, and that at that stage of water the fall was unmark ably uniform throughout. But in time of flood it is well known to all residents that the water gorges at the Dells an account of the narrow channel so that in time of flood the use is much greater above than below the Dells.

When I first went to K. [Getz] there was a well known [mack?] at the head of the (little) Dells made by inserting a shingle in a crevice of the rocks at the surface of the water at the time of a great flood a few years previous to my going there. This was some 30 feet above low water—which the rise below the Dells was not to exceed 15 feet. These facts I gathered reliably when I first went there by having the high water marks printed out to me. I did not

afterward go into any minute examination of the matter but observed the fact the greater rise above the Dells than below.

Yours truly,

John G. [Vlier?]

Wisconsin Legislature Senate Chamber Madison 15th Jan. 1867

Hon. I.A. Lapham,

My Dear Sir,

In a Bill which passed the senate last evening, to authorize the Governor to appoint certain Commissioners to the Paris Exhibition to act with others, heretofore, appointed, I took the liberty of adding your name. You will not be obliged to go, except you desire to though I know from seasonal interviews that may of the Cities of the State, would be grateful to have you go, and thus give to the State the Credit of your large experience, and scientific knowledge as a representative at that exhibition. Hopefully you will