Page:Archæologia Americana—volume 2, 1836.djvu/581



To the Hon. Thomas L. Winthrop,

President of the American Antiquarian Society, 

''Boston, Massachusetts. ''

Copan, June 19th, 1835.

Desirous of comparing the antiquities of the Central continent, and considering myself as somewhat experienced in such inquiries, I arrived here in April last, and have dedicated particular attention to examine every vestige and fact connected with the history and existing remains of this ruined city.

Many may smile at our ideas of the word antiquity, when informed that this place has only fallen to ruin since the Spanish conquest in 1530; but the victors were so careless of every thing except gain, and so dispersed and tyrannized over the wretched aborigines, that even the memory of this place was almost obliterated; though its extent and former civilization are evidenced by the colossal mounts of stones, both in their natural state and squared; obelisks, some standing and some fallen; tables and large blocks of carved stone; busts, and various fragments of sculpture and earthenware.

Now that the rulers of these regions have a direct and affectionate interest in their fame and history, we dedicate ourselves to its study, and endeavour to rescue from the destroying course of time, whatever of facts or monuments remain. The government of Central America intends publishing, in Castilian, a long report I have drawn up with relation to the ruins and history of this place, with various plans, views, and copies of figures and inscriptions; I therefore at present confine myself to a few remarks.

The Indian human race of America, I must assert, to be the most ancient on the globe. However the white race, led by a foolish vanity, may assume to be the progenitor of the human family, it is probable that at a very recent epoch it has issued from the regions of the Caucasus, inundating Europe, extending itself over America, and with the energy of its youth and