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Antonio Del Rio
Description of the Ruins of an Ancient City...
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Palenque Chronology | Zarahemla Research Foundation | Cumorah Revisited
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Josiah Conder Modern Traveller Vol. 26: Mexico & Guatemala London: 1830 |
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[ 157 ]
[ 158 ] within sight of the remains of what had once been a superb city, six leagues in circumference. The solidity of its edifices, the stateliness of its palaces, and the magnificence of its public works, were not surpassed by the vastness of its extent: temples, altars, sculptures, and monumental stones, bear testimony to its vast antiquity." The hieroglyphics and emblems found here r are represented by the learned historian as bearing so strong a resemblance to those of the Egyptians, that he is strongly inclined to ascribe them to a colony of that nation! The marvellous report brought back by the first discoverers having reached the ears of the Spanish Government, a royal mandate was issued in May 1786, directing a further examination of these ruins; and Captain Don Antonio del Rio was appointed by the Captain-general of Guatimala, to carry the mandate into execution. Being provided with a corps of Indian pioneers, he proceeded to the spot; but he had first to open a road to the "Palencian city," and a fortnight was occupied with felling and firing the timber with which the ruins were inaccessibly surrounded. Having succeeded by this means in obtaining not only a clear path, but a wholesome atmosphere for his further operations, he set to work on the Casas de Piedras, as the ruins are called; and ultimately, he says in his Report, "there remained neither a window nor a doorway blocked up, a partition that was not thrown down, nor a room, corridor, court, or tower, unexplored, nor a subterranean passage in which excavations were not effected from two to three yards in depth." The original manuscript document in which Don Antonio gives an account of his proceedings, was brought to light not many years ago, in an examination of the public archives of the [ 159 ] city of Guatemala. It has since been made public in the shape of an English translation, together with the learned commentary of Doctor Paul Felix Cabrera, of New Guatimala, who is still more confident than his fellow-citizen as to their Egyptian origin ("Description nf the Ruins of an Ancient City, discovered near Palenqae, in the Kingdom of Guatemala" &c. 4to. London, 1822). Don Antonio's description of the site is as follows. "From Palenque, the last town northward in the province of Ciudad Real de Chiapa, taking a south-westerly direction, and ascending a ridge of high land that divides the kingdom of Guatimala from Yucatan or Campeche, at the distance of two leagues is the little river Micol, whose waters flowing in a westerly direction, unite with the great river Tulija, which bends its course towards the province of Tabasco. Having passed the Micol, the ascent begins; and at half a league from thence, the traveller crosses a little stream called Otolum, discharging its waters into the before-mentioned current. From this point, heaps of ruins are discovered, which render the road very difficult for another half league, when you gain the height on which the Stone Houses are situated, being fourteen in number, some more dilapidated than others, but still having many of their apartments perfectly discernible. "A rectangular area, three hundred yards in breadth by four hundred and fifty in length, presents a plain at the base of the highest mountain forming the ridge; and in the centre is situated the largest of these structures which has as yet been discovered. It stands on a mound twenty yards high, and is surrounded by the other edifices, namely, five to the northward, four to the southward, one to the south-west, [ 160 ] and three to the eastward. In all directions, the fragments of other fallen buildings are to be seen extending along the mountain, that stretches east and west, about three or four leagues either way; so that the whole range of this ruined town may be computed to extend between seven and eight leagues. But its breadth is by no means equal to its length, being little more than half a league wide at the point where the ruins terminate, which is towards the river Micol, that winds round the base of the mountain, whence descend small streams that wash the foundation of the ruins on their banks ; so that, were it not for the thick umbrageous foliage of the trees, they would present to the view so many beautiful serpentine rivulets." The rivers abound with turtle and the smaller shellfish, and running to the east, north, and west, afford the utmost facility to inland traffic. An abundance of wild fruit-trees, the sapote, the plantain, the aguacate, the camote, and the cassava, indicate what the soil would yield under proper cultivation. Under the largest building there runs a "subterranean aqueduct, built of stone, of great solidity." The description given of the Casas de piedras is vague and confused, and has the further disadvantage of appearing in a very indifferent translation; but, in the absence of a more accurate account, it may not be unacceptable to the reader. "The interior of the large building is in a style of architecture strongly resembling the Gothic; and, from its rude and massive construction, promises great durability. The entrance is on the eastern side, by a portico or corridor thirty-six yards (varas) in length and three in breadth, supported by plain rectangular pillars, without either bases or pedestals, upon which there are square smooth stones of more than a foot in [ 161 ] thickness, forming an architrave; while on the exterior superficies are shields of a species of stucco; and over these stones, there is another plain rectangular block, five feet long and six broad, extending over two of the pillars. Medallions or compartments in stucco, containing different devices of the same material, appear as decorations to the chambers; and it is presumable from the vestiges of the heads which can still be traced, that they were the busts of a series of kings or lords to whom the natives were subject. Between the medallions there is a range of windows like niches, passing from one end of the wall to the other: some of them are square, some in the form of a Greek cross, being about two feet high and eight inches deep. Beyond the corridor there is a square court, entered by a flight of seven steps. The north side is entirely in ruins, but sufficient traces remain to shew that it once had a chamber and corridor similar to those on the eastern side, and which continued entirely along the several angles. The south side has four small chambers, with no other ornament than one or two little windows like those already described. The western side is correspondent to its opposite in all respects but in the variety of expression of the figures in stucco: these are much more rude and ridiculous than the others, and can be attributed only to the most uncultivated Indian capacity. The device is a sort of grotesque mask with a crown and long beard like that of a goat, under which are two Greek crosses, one within the other. "Proceeding in the same direction, there is another court, similar in length to the last, but not so broad, having a passage round it that communicated with the opposite side: in this passage there are two chambers like those above mentioned, and an interior gallery, [ 162 ] looking on one side upon the court-yard, and commanding on the other a view of the open country. In this part of the edifice, some pillars yet remain, on which are relievos apparently representing the sacrifice of some wretched Indian, the destined victim of a sanguinary religion. "Returning by the south side, the tower presents itself to notice : its height is sixteen yards; and to the four existing stories of the building (There are only three floors in the subjoined etching) was perhaps added a fifth with a cupola. These stories diminish in size, and are without ornament. The tower has a well-imitated artificial entrance * * * Behind the four chambers already mentioned, there are two others of larger dimensions, very well ornamented in the rude Indian style, and which appear to have been used as oratories. Beyond these oratories, and extending from north to south, are two apartments, each twenty-seven yards long by little more than three broad; they contain nothing worthy of notice, excepting a stone of an elliptical form, embedded in the wall, about a yard above the pavement, the height of which is one yard and a quarter, and the breadth one yard. Below this stone, is a plain, rectangular block, more than two yards long by one yard four inches broad, and seven inches thick, placed upon four feet in form of a table, with a figure in bas-relief, in the attitude of supporting it. Characters or symbols adorn the edges of the table. At the extremity of this apartment, and on a level with the pavement, there is an aperture like a hatchway, two yards long and more than one broad, leading to a subterranean passage by a flight of steps, which, at a regular distance, forms flats or landings, each having its [ 163 ] respective doorway ornamented in front. Other openings lead to this subterranean avenue. On reaching the second door, artificial light became necessary to the descent into this gloomy abode, which was by a very gentle declivity. It has a turning at right angles; and at the end of the side-passage, there is another door, communicating with a chamber sixty-four yards long, and almost as large as those before described. Beyond this room there is still another, similar in every respect, and having light admitted into it by some windows commanding a corridor (How this consists with its subterraneous position, we cannot explain: there is probably some error) fronting the south, and leading to the exterior of the edifice. Neither bas-reliefs nor any other embellishments were found in these places, nor did they present to notice any object, except some plain stones, two yards and a half long by one yard and a quarter broad, arranged horizontally upon four square stands of masonry, rising about half a yard above the ground. These I consider to have been receptacles for sleeping. Here all the doors terminated. "On an eminence to the south is another edifice, of about forty yards in height, forming a parallelogram, and resembling the first in the style of its architecture. It has square pillars, an exterior gallery, and a saloon twenty yards long by three and a half broad, embellished with stucco medio-reliefs, representing female figures with children in their arms, all of the natural size : these figures are without heads. In the inner wall of the gallery, on each side of the door leading into the saloon, are three stones, three yards in height and upwards of one in breadth, [ 164 ] covered with hieroglyphics in bas-relief. The whole of this gallery and saloon are paved. "Leaving this structure, and passing by the ruins of many others, which were probably accessory to the principal edifice, the declivity conducts to an open space, whereby the approach to another house in a southerly direction is rendered practicable * * * Eastward of this structure are three small eminences forming a triangle, upon each of which is a square building, eighteen yards long by eleven broad, of the same architecture as the former, but having, along thin roofings, several superstructures about three yards high, resembling turrets, covered with ornaments and devices in stucco. In the interior of the first of these three mansions, at the end of a gallery almost entirely dilapidated, is a saloon having a small chamber at each extremity. In the centre of the saloon is an oratory, rather more than three yards square, presenting on each side of the entrance a perpendicular stone, whereon is portrayed the image of a man in bas-relief. The outward decoration is confined to a sort of moulding, finished with small stucco bricks, on which are bas-reliefs. The pavement of the oratory is quite smooth, and eight inches thick. On perforating it in order to make an excavation, I found, about half a yard deep, a small round earthen vessel, about a foot in diameter, fitted horizontally with a mixture of lime to another of the same quality and dimensions. The digging being continued, a quarter of a yard beneath we discovered a circular stone of rather larger diameter than the first articles; and on removing this, a cylindrical cavity presented itself, about a foot wide and the third of a foot deep, con-taining a flint lance (lance-head?), two small conical [ 165 ] pyramids with the figure of a heart in dark crystallised stone, (known by the name of challa,) and two small earthen jars with covers, containing small stones and a ball of vermilion." The two other edifices are of similar architecture, divided internally in the same manner; and here also, the Don states, were found, by excavating under what he calls the oratories, a flint lance or lance-head, two conical pyramids with the representation of a heart, and two earthen jars. On digging in other parts, they found small pieces of challa "in the shape of lancets or razor-blades," and a number of small bones and teeth, which, together with specimens of the masonry, and representations of the principal bas-reliefs, were forwarded by Don Antonio to the commandant-general, in order to be transmitted to Europe. Among the seventeen plates which accompany the English translation, there is but one that exhibits any of the edifices. In this is represented a square building with two receding stories, which has apparently been carried higher. This we presume to be the tower referred to. There are square windows within arched niches, rudely cut; and between each story, a sort of frieze or ledge runs round the building. Branches of trees appear to have forced their way through the walls. The other plates contain representations of the bas-reliefs. These consist chiefly of figures in varied dresses and attitudes, and with different accompaniments, but all more or less decorously clothed, with caps or helmets adorned with flowers, pearls, and sundry nondescript ornaments. Necklaces and strings of pearls are a conspicuous decoration of most of the figures. But the most striking peculiarity in these representations is, the physiognomy of the [ 166 ] countenances, which is of one strongly marked character, though the individuals differ. A prodigious development of feature, especially of that which would be called the nose, but which in these personages comes nearer to a beak, is common to all of them; in almost all, the chin recedes not less remarkably than the proboscis protrudes; while some of the visages have the additional recommendation of being fearfully under-hung. This is especially the case with an old priest in a cap and apron, who holds an infant in his arms, doubtless with no very good purpose. In one of the plates, a figure whom we take to be a deity, is seated on a curious sort of throne, with one leg brought up into the lap, and the other depending, very much after the fashion of some of the Hindoo celestials, who prefer very odd and uncomfortable postures. This personage is very significantly pointing upwards with the fore-finger of the left hand, while the middle finger of the right is brought to rest emphatically upon the thumb, like a person talking with his fingers. The throne is ornamented with an enormous head and claw of an animal on each side of it; and perched on these heads are two undefined imp-like forms, with something resembling a flame proceeding from their forehead. In the next plate, a medallion of inferior execution represents a personage adorned with ear-rings, necklace, and bracelets, but no clothing except round the waist, seated a la Turque on a two-headed monster, and receiving a present from a full-dressed figure in a kneeling attitude. A smaller medallion, in the rudest style, represents a tree with a serpent twining round the trunk, and a bird perched on a branch hard by; and another presents a naked youth kneeling, and looking into the open jaws of a monstrous head, while another pair of tusks are [ 167 ] protruding at his back. It is observable, that none of the figures have a martial character, nor have they any weapon at all resembling a sword. But what the strange instruments are which they hold, or what they are engaged in, and what is the import of the strange hieroglyphics flourished round the largest drawing, we are unable to tell. * All the figures are beardless. The protruding under-lip is so much out of nature, that it suggests the idea of an artificial extension; and one might imagine that these personages set the fashion of wearing the botoque. One of the figures has, suspended from the neck, a very pretty ornament, which seems meant for an image of the sun. Other drawings are referred to in the Report, though they did not find their way with the MS. __________ * Doctor Paul Felix Cabrera, however, with an ingenuity and penetration truly marvellous, finds out the whole history of America in these rude representations, and tells us who the personages are, as readily as if they had all been his patients. The principal figure, it seems, is no other than Votan, great-grandson of Noah, who was the first man sent by God to America "to divide and portion out these Indian lands." He was not only a great prince, but an historical writer; and an account of his birth, parentage, and adventures, drawn up by himself, fell into the hands of the bishop of Chiapa, Don Francesco Nunez de la Vega, author of the "Diocesan Constitutions," printed at Rome in 1702, who was led to withhold it from the public only by his religious scruples, "on account of the mischievous use the Indians made of their histories in their superstition of nagualism" or demonology. It is much to be regretted, as the Doctor very sapiently observes, "that the place is unknown where these precious documents of history were deposited." But a still more lamentable loss to the world has been sustained in the destruction, by the hands of the same orthodox but over-zealous prelate, of certain large earthen vases containing figures in stone of the ancient Indian Pagans, which the unerring testimony of tradition ascribed to the same worthy American patriarch, and which consequently must have been the most ancient pottery now to be met with. [ 168 ] to the publisher, representing serpents, lizards, statues of men with palms in their hands, others beating drums and dancing, &c. &c. According to the testimony of a monk of Merida, who gave the account to Captain Del Rio, about twenty leagues south of that city are found the remains of similar edifices, the largest of which is in good preservation. Eight leagues to the northward of Merida are ruined walls of other stone-houses, which increase in number in an easterly direction. At Mani on the Rio de los Lagartos, is "a very ancient palace," resembling that at Palenque, which was for some time inhabited by the Franciscans while their convent was building: in the centre of the principal area stands a conical pillar or pyramid of stones. On the road from Merida to Bacalar occur many other buildings. These are evidently the pyramidal edifices which struck the Spanish conquerors with so much surprise on their first landing in the peninsula of Yucatan, and which they compared to Moorish mosques. There can be no doubt of their sepulchral character, although they may have answered, like other ancient monuments, the double purpose of temples and tombs. The province of Chiapa would thus seem to have received its aboriginal population from the same source as the peninsula of Yucatan; and if the language spoken by the Indians should prove to be the Maya, (a point which we must look to some future traveller to ascertain,) there will be no room for hesitation in referring these monuments of ancient civilisation to a race distinct from the Aztec, and bearing more affinity to the Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca. The Cyclopean masonry of the Cholulan builders, differs scarcely, less specifically from the architecture of Mitla and Palenque, than the temples of Nubia from the pyramids of Gheeza. |
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"Ruins of Palenque" London Literary Gazette Nos. 769 & 770 London, Oct. 15 & 22, 1831 (no author listed) |
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[ 665-67 ]
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.
April 26, 1831.
SIR, -- I am desirous of communicating to the literary world, through your universally circulated
Gazette, some idea of these antiquities, which rescue ancient America from a charge of barbarism.
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[ 683 ]
ARTS AND SCIENCES.
In our last Gazette we gave some interesting details on the ruins of Palenque -- a city situated to the north-west
of the village of Santo Domingo, in the state of Chiapa, and in the ancient kingdom of Guatemala -- which details
were transmitted to us by Lieutenant-Colonel Galindo, governor of the adjoining province. We find, that we were
wrong in stating that this place was utterly unknown to European geography. It appears that, its far back as 1787,
Captain Antonio del Rio addressed a report to the King of Spain on the existence of these ruins, in the country then
designated by the name of Casas de Piedras; and in this report some of the facts are mentioned which are contained
in our correspondent's notice, more particularly the very remarkable occurrence of bas-reliefs representing the
adoration of the emblem of Christianity, and which are exhibited in Del Rio's work, subsequently translated and
published in this country. Baron de Humboldt had, with his ordinary sagacity, observed, that the half-civilised
people met with in 1537 by the conqueror Queseda, were clothed in cotton garments, and had the most intimate
relations with the people of Japan. Our correspondent's description bears out this notion: he mentions females
dressed in tippets and wrappers, worked like a plaid, and the ends also finely wrought. Since that period, in
comparing the cycle of the days of the Mayscus or Mayas, (the inhabitants of these uplands) with that of the
Japanese, M. de Paravey (Origine unique dei Chiffrei et des Lettres de tous les Peuples) found the same
significations in each (evidently astronomical) for the same numbers. Colonel Galindo is decidedly of opinion
that the Maya language was derived from these people, whose antiquity must have dated to a period anterior to
the foundation of Mexico, and their civilisation have surpassed that of the Peruvians. In fact, Palenque is,
in its historical importance, the Thebes of America.
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"Central America" American Quarterly Review Volume XI No. 21 Philadelphia, Mar. 1832 (no author listed) |
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1. -- Guatimala, or the United Provinces of Central America, in 1827-28; being Sketches and Memorandums made
during a twelve month's residence in that Republic. By Henry Dunn. 1818 8vo. pp. 318.
The subject [of Thompson's] which next engages our attention, is that of antiquities, touching which we will offer a few particulars, such as our limited space permits. On a former occasion, we observed, that all America, both North and South, abounded with aarchaelogical remains, and we made particular allusion to Central America [American Quarterly, Sept. 1831 -- p. 152]. Very few portions of the New World have been so satisfactorily examined as New Spain, a denomination, which as was said before, included Guatemala. The learned researches of Hunboldt have brought us acquainted with a prodigious number of remarkable objects in Mexico, and it is to be regretted that no more of his time was devoted to the examination of the region of Guatemala; for though the connexion of the two countries was always, even before the conquest, very intimate, yet of the one we know much; while of the other we still remain exceedingly ignorant. We know enough of the civilized nations who inhabited this continent anterior to the Spanish conquest, to inflame curiosity, and to make us also deeply deplore the exuberance of fanatical folly, which impelled the Spaniards to destroy all the annals, and records, and monuments of the Americans, on which they could lay their Vandal hands. Some of these, however, were indestructible, and others, fortunately, escaped the fury of Bishop Zumaraga, a monk, the Spanish Omar -- who undertook the annihilation of whatever related to the worship, antiquities, and history of America. At a later period, the Chevalier Boturini, a Milanese, inspired with an ardent desire of investigating the antiquities, and anxious to preserve what might have survived the flame of religious persecution, visited this country, and collected invaluable materials. The student who reads the catalogue of the Chevalier's "Museo Indiano," printed at the end of his admirable work, will deplore the jaundiced and suspicious policy of Spain, which, on an idle imagination, flung this philospher in irons, and deprived the world of the fruits of his labour. He was subsequently released, and declared innocent, but he never recovered his property. Humboldt relates, that these valuable relics were preserved with so little care, "that there scarcely exisst at present an eighth part of the hieroglyphical manuscripts taken from the Italian traveller." It is impossible to contemplate so serious a loss without emotions of poignant regret. From the native authors alone, could sufficient light be expected, to clear up the obscurity which invested the history of the New World... The great question concerning the [origin] of the population of America, which has now nearly ceased to agitate the learned world, it is observed, is not properly the province of history; and it is a remarkable fact, that in every corner of the earth, and and at every period of time, have been found people who regarded themselves as autochthones. Obscure aboriginal traditions of the New World, constantly point back to a remote original from the Old; and though the respective languages supply feeble traces of ancient communication, yet the connexion is convincingly illustrated by the cosmogonies, the monumnets, the hieroglyphics, and institutions, of the Americans and the Asiatics. It is singular that no historical fact or tradition connects the natives of South America with those north of the isthumus of Panama, and the annals of the Mexican empire ascend to the sixth century of the Christian era; yet their respective political and religious histories are fraught with extraordinary coincidences. Men with beards, and clearer complexions than any American nation, suddenly made their appearance, their places of birth unknown, bearing the titles of priests, legislators, and friends of peace and the arts, and created miraculous changes in the policy of these different people. Quetzalcoatl, Bochica, and Manco Capac, are the sacred titled borme by these venerated and mysterious beings, and whose history is intermixed with miracles, religious fictions, and allegories... The great Cholulan manument had originally an altar on its top, dedicated to Quetxalcoatl, whom we have already mentioned. He was the Saturn of Anahuaac or Mexico, and his reign formed the Golden Age of that country. He is said to have governed the Mexicans during twenty happy years, at the expiration of which he disappeared, having previously assured them he would return and renew their felicity. It was the posterity of this saint, says Humboldt, whom the unhappy Montezuma thought he recognized in the soldiers of Cortez. "We know by our books," said he in his first interview with the Spanish General, "that myself and those who inhabit this country are not natives, but strangers who came from a great distance. We know, also, that the chief who led our ancestors hither, returned for a certain time to his primitive country, and thence came back to those who were here established. He found them married to the women of the land, having a numerous posterity, and living in cities which they had built. Our ancestors hearkened not to their ancient masters, and he returned alone...." The present inquiry opens too extensive a field for our limits, and in consequence, does not permit us even to allude to various antique dilapidations and vestiges of ancient cities, which stud the whole region of New Spain; we shall therefore be constrained to restrict our attention to the remains of an ancient city, called by the Spaniards El Palenque, concerning which numerous authors have spoken; but which is found more minutely described in the curious "Report" (penes nos) of Don Antonio del Rio [This "Report" was published in London, 1822, in quatro; and is entitled "Description of the Ruins..."] Remesal relates, that anciently some nations emigrated from the region of Nicaragua, and squatted in the province of Chiapa [Hist. de la Privincia de Chiapa y Gauatemala, fol. p. 264]. Juarros quotes from Nunez de la Vega, who was bishop of Chiapa at the end of the 17th century, in whose "Diocesan Constitutions" are preserved some curious particulars connected with Votan, who makes so distinguished a figure in the mythological history of Guatemala. The bishop mentions, that among those ancient calendats and historical documents, which fell into his hands, he finds the names of twenty founders of families, as Ninus or Mox, Ygh, Votan, Ghanan, &c. &c. Among these, Votan is decidedly the most extraordinary personage, and a separate book, written by Votan himself, giving his autobiography, is noticed. In the preface to his "Constiturions," Vega says, that Votan is the third Gentile placed in the Calendars; he wrote a historical tract in the Indian idiom, in which he gives an account of the places and nations he had visited, and that up to that time there remained in Teopixca some of his descendants. Votan says of himself, that he beheld the mighty wall or edifice, (meaning the tower of Babel,) which, by command of Noah, his grandfather, was built from earth to heaven; and that God appointed him to visit America, and divide the land; and that at Babel a different language was given to every nation. [Boturini, Idea, &c. p. 114. See, also, Juar. 208. and Cabrera, in Del Rio, p. 30]. Humboldt notices these ancient traditions of the aboriginals in Guatemala, and is particularly struck with the analogy between the name of Votan and the Scandinavian Wodan or Odin [Humb. Res. v. i. p. 173]. But who this Votan is, whether a real or emblematic personage; or whether he came from Scandinavia, from Egypt, or from Tripoli, is equally difficult to determine. One fact, however, is incontrovertible, namely, that Guatemala was inhabited at an exceedingly remote period by polished nations, who, according to Juarros and others, appear to have had some connexion with Egypt, as the sumptuous cities of Culhuacan and Tula, vestiges of which remain near Palenque and Ocisingo, abundantly demonstrate. It is evident, says the same author, that Culhuacan once rivaled in magnificance the most celebrated capitals of the old world. Stately temples, in which many hieroglyphics, symbols, devices, and mythological traces, have resisted the effects of time; portions of supurb palaces still remain; and an aqueduct of sufficient dimensions for a man to walk upright in, yet exists almost entire [Domingo Juarros, Historia de la Ciudad de Guatemala (2 vols., Guatemala, 1808-'18), English edition entitled "A Statistical and Commercial History of the Kingdom of Guatemala," London: 1823, p. 209]. The same author, speaking of the vestiges of Palenque, says, it was, doubtless,the capital of an empire whose history no longer exists. This metropolis, he continues, like another Herculaneum, not indeed overwhelmed by the torrent of another Vesuvius, but concealed for ages in the midst of a vast desert, remained unknown till the middle of the eighteenth century, when some Spaniards, having penetrated the dreary solitude, found themselves, to their great astonishment, within sight of the remains of what had been a supurb city, of six leagues of circumference; the solidity of its edifices, the stateliness of its palaces, and the magnificence of its public works, were not surpassed in importance by its vast extent; temples, altars, deities, scupltures, and monumental stones, bear testimony to its great antiquity. The hieroglyphics, symbols, and emblems, bear such a resemblance to those of Egypt, as to encourage the supposition that a colony of that nation may have founded the city of Palenque, or Culhuacan.... In consequence of this discovery, Captain Antonio Del Rio was ordered by the Spanish government to proceed thither, and make another examination of these ruins, the result of which was given in the "Report" of that officer, submitted in the following year. The translator of the Report informs us, that the original MS. was deposited among the archives of the city of New Guatemala, where it might have lain in oblivion forever, had not the political revolution in that country brought it to light. In obedience to his instructions, Captain Del Rio repaired to the spot, where he arrived on the 3d of May, 1787, and on the 5th, proceeded to the site of the ruined city, there called Cases de piedras, (stone houses.) The first essay was accomplished by great difficulties; a dense fog impeded their operations, by which also the main building, surrounded by copse wood, and huge trees in full foliage, and interwoven, was concealed from view. This compelled the party to return, and an order was issued, requiring two hundred Indians, well furnished with implements; by the aid of whom, and by felling, firing, and excavating, there soon remained neither a window nor a door-way blocked up, a partition that was not thrown down, nor a room, corridor, court, tower, nor subterranean passage, in which excavations were not effected from two to three yards in depth. From Palenque, the last town northward in Chiapa in a southwesterly direction, on a ridge that divides Guatemala from Yucatan or Campeachy, at the distance of six miles, is the little river Micol, about half a league beyond which the ruins are discovered, which obstruct the road for another half league, after which the height is gained whereupon the "stone houses" are situated, firteen in number, some more dilapidated than others, but still having many of their appartments perfectly discernible. A rectangular area, nine hundred feet in breadth, by thirteen hundred feet long, presents a plain at the base of the highest mountain of the rudge, and in the centre is the largest of these structures, standing on a mound sixty feet high, and surrounded by other edifices; namely, five to the northward, four to the southward, one to the south-east, and three to the eastward. In all directions the fragments of other fallen buildings are to be seen; the whole range of the ruins being computed to extend from twenty to twenty-five miles, though the breadth is comparatively small. From a similarity in the choice of situations, as well as in a subterranean stone aqueduct, very solid and durable, which passes under the largest building, Del Rio thinks there is some ground for hazarding a conjecture that the Romans may have visited these regions, and that the natives may have imbibed, during their stay, an idea of the arts. The eligible locality, the fertility of the soil, and the abundance of every thing necessary to comfort and tranquility; the quantity of fish found in the numerous navigable streams, and the laborious workmanship of their buildings, constructed without the use of iron or other metals, justify the belief that they lived peaceably, and enjoyed truer felicity than is now to be found in the concentrated luxeries of modern cities. There is reason to believe that they kept up an intercourse with their neighbours, and that their chief commerce was carried on with the kingdom of Yucatan. This is inferred from the uniformity and resemblance in their respective buildings, and from other monuments and vestiges, which plainly show that the two nations differed in a very slight degree; in proof of which the author cites the description given him by Thomas de Soza, a Franciscan friar, of various ruins near Merida in Yucatan, which clearly prove the identity of the people of that kingdom and the ancient Palencians. The interior architecture of the large building, strongly resembles the Gothic. The entrance is on the east side, by a portico or corridor one hundred and eight feet in length, by nine feet broad, supported by plain rectangular pillars, without bases or pedestals, upon which there are square smooth stones more than a foot thick, forming an architrave, while on the exterior superficies are species of stucco shields; and over the stones, another plain retangular block, five feet long and six broad, estending over two of the pillars. Medallions, or compartments in stucco, containing different devices, of the same material, decorate the chambers; and it is presumed, from vestiges of heads which can still be traced, that they were busts of a series of kings. Beyond this corridor there is a square court, entered by a flight of seven steps: the north side is entirely in ruins, but sufficient traces remain to show that it once had a chamber and corridor similar to those on the east side. The south side has four small chambers with no other ornament except two small windows, like those described. The western side corresponds to its opposite in all respects, except that the expressions of the figures are more rude and ridiculous. These fantastic and whimiscal forms were probably delineations of some of their deities. Proceeding in the same direction, there is another court similar in length to the last, but not so broad, having a passage round it that communicated with the opposite side; in this passage are two chambers, and an interior gallery, looking on one side upon the court yard, and commanding on the other a view of the open country. Here some pillars remain, on which are relievos, which apparently represent a mournful subject, perhaps the sacrifice of some wretched Indian, the devoted [sic - destined?] victim of a sanguinary religion. On the south side, the tower rises before the view; its height is near fifty feet, and to the four existing stories of the building, was perhaps added a fifth with a cupola, which, it is probable, it once possessed: although these piles diminish in size and are without ornament, yet their design is singular and ingenious. The tower has a well imitated artificial entrance, as was proved by making a horizontal excavation of about ten feet, which could not be carried further, as the stones and earth slipped down in large quantities from the pressure of the solid body in the centre. This proved to be an interior tower, quite plain, with windows fronting the former, and giving light to the steps which ascend to its summit. Behind the four chambers already mentioned, there are two others of larger dimensions, and ornamented in the rude Indian style. Among the embellishments are some enamelled stuccos; the Grecian heads represent sacred objects, to which they addressed their devotions and made their offerings, as the attitude of the statues placed on the sides denoted. Beyond these chambers or oratories, and extending from north to south, are two apartments, each upwards of eighty feet in length, by about ten broad; in which was found nothing worthy of notice, except an elliptical stone three feet above the pavement, the height of which was near four feet, and the breadth three. Below the elliptical stone above described, there is a plain rectangular block, six or seven feet long, by three feet and seven inches thick, placed upon four feet, in form of a table, with a figure in bas-relief in the attitude of supporting it. Various characters or symbols adorn the edges of the table, which, from their frequent occurrence, must once have had a determinate meaning. At the extremity of the last mentioned apartment, and on a level with the pavement, there is an aperture like a hatchway, six feet long and more than three broad, leading to a subterranean passage by a flight of steps, which, at a regular distance, forms flats or landings, each having its respective door-way. There were various entrances to this subterranean avenue, some of which were entirely blocked up by rubbish. On gaining the second door, artificial light became necessary to continue the descent into this gloomy abode, which was by a very gentle declivity. It has a turning at right angles, and at the end of the side passage there is another door, communicating with a chamber upwareds of two hundred feet long; beyond which is another, leading to the exterior of the edifice. Nothing of consequence appeared here excepting some plain stones, seven and a half feet long, by three or four broad, arranged horizontally upon four square stands of masonry, rising about a foot and a half above the ground. Thesewere probably receptacles for sleeping, as the large stones were partitioned off in the form of alcoves. Here all the doors and separations terminated, and as nothing but stones and earth were discovered by digging, the investigation was transferred to one of the buildings, situated on an eminence to the south, about one hundred and twenty feet in height. This edifice forming a parallelogram, resembled the first in its architecture. It has square pillars, an exterior gallery, and a saloon sixty feet long, by more than ten broad, embellished with a frontispiece, on which are described female figures as large as life, with children in their arms. These representations, however, are without heads; and there were other whimsical designs, which ornamented the corners of the house, Leaving this structure, and passing by the ruins of many others, which, perhaps, are only accessoroes to this principal edifice, the declivity conducts to a little valley, whereby the approach to another house in this direction (southerly) is practicable. To the eastward of this structure are three small eminences, forming a triangle, upon each of which is a square building, fifty-four long by thirty-three broad, of the same architecture as the former, but having, along their roofings, several superstructures about nine feet high, resembling turrets, covered with different ornaments and devices in stucco. In the interior of the first of these three mansions, at the end of a gallery almost entirely dilapidated, is a saloon, having a small chamber at each extremity, while in the centre of the saloon stands an oratory, about ten feet square, presenting on each side of the entrance, a perpendicular stone, whereon is portrayed the image of a man in bas-relief. The entire front of the oratory was found occupied by three stones joined together, on which were allegorical representations. The outward decoration was confined to a sort of moulding, finished with small stucco bricks, on which are bas-reliefs; the pavement of the oratory was quite smooth, and eight inches thick, which it was necessary to perforate in order to make an excavation. About a foot and a half beneath the pavement, was found a small round earthen vessel, a foot in diameter, fitted horizontally, with a mixture of lime, to another of the same kind: these were removed, and the digging being continued, at nine inches beneath was discovered a circular stone, and on removing ot, a cylindrical cavity presented itself, about a foot wide, and four inches deep, containing a flint lance, two small conical pyramids with the figure of a heart, in dark crystallized stone, very common in this country, and called challa. There were also two small earthen jars or ewers with covers, containing small stones, and a ball of vermilion. This depository was in centre of the oratory, and in each of the inner angles is a similar cavity, where other jars were buried. Del Rio says, that the subjects represented by the bas-reliefs, conveyed to his mind an idea, that it was here the natives venerated, as sacred objects, the remains of their heroes' and he is further of opinion, that the conclusion to be drawn from some of these structures, must be, that the ancient inhabitants lived in extreme darkness. In digging in various parts of the ground, a few articles were discovered, among which was an earthen vase broken in pieces, which contained small pieces of challa, in the shape of lancets, or thin blades of razors; and an earthen pot containing a number of small bones, grinders (molares,) and other teeth. The original MS. of this curious work appears to have fallen into the publisher's hands in a multilated condition, which will account for the incongruities between the text and the accompanying plates. These are seventeen in number, and one of them represents the tower described above. The rest of the plates present a variety of figures in peculiar attitudes, and surrounded by, and decorated with, numberless outre ornaments; among all which there does not appear to be any thing like martial implements. It is impossible to give a minute account of all the plates; but there is one physiognomical phenomenon pervading all the human figures, which must not be omitted: this is, a marvellous development of the nasal organ, and an unnatural protrusion of the nether lip. One of the pictoral representations of this volume was made use of by Mr. Humboldt, to show the extraordinary linements of the face, which, it is said, are unlike those of any nation now existing, or that have been hitherto found in the sculptured representations of antiquity. When we reflect upon the advancement recently made in oriental literature, and the stupendous discovery of the sacred language of Egypt that burst so unexpectedly upon the learned world, we cannot but lament the strange apathy which prevails at present, in regard to the monuments of the New World... No country or people has escaped the attention of those who employed their wits in the grand question of the American population. Some even contended that America was peopled from the Old World before the deluge, because we have accounts of giants in the New World, who, according to Holy Writ, were an antediluvan race. The Grecians, the Romans, the Spaniards, the Irish, the Courlanders, and the Russians; the Egyptians, Carthagenians, and Numidians; the Israelites, the Canaanites, the Assyrians, the Phoenicians, the Persians, the Tartars, the East Indians, the Chinese, and the Japanese, have been respectively brought forward to support different hypotheses ir systems. Even Plato's famous isle of Atlantis was resorted to, to furnish materials for the primitive population of this continent [Clavigero's Hist. of Mexico, vol ii. p. 204]. The indefinite antiquity of the Americans, however, has been inferred, with sufficient probability, from several considerations. First, they were found destitute of many arts and inventions, among which may be noted the use of wax and oil for light, necessities very ancient in the Old World, and which, when once discovered, are never forgotten. Second -- they had traditions of the creation of the world -- of the mother of mankind falling from a state of happy innocence -- of a deluge, and the escape of a single family on a raft -- of the building of Babel, the confusion of tongues, and dispersion of nations: but here tradition failed, and they had no farther knowledge of the momentous events which afterwards happened in Africa, Asia, and Europe. And, last, they had retained no knowledge of the people of the Old World, nor had the latter any account of the passage of the former to the New World. This last consideration, which is given by Clavigero [Hist. of Mexico. -- Dissert. 1. On the population of America, v. ii. p. 200], appears in part inaccurate; because both the people of Mexico, as well as those of the province of Chiapa, had preserved dim and shadowy records of some distant people who had once been among them; and from the letter of Cortez to Charles the Fifth, it would seem that the arrival of the Spaniards was not altogether unexpected by the subjects of Montezuma. These reflections would naturally lead us to the examination of the work of Doctor Paul Felix Cabrera, accompanying the "Report" of Del Rio, in which the monuments found by the latter are attempted to be analysed and compared with those of Egypt and other countries, and a "Grand Solution" is confidently given of the historical problem of the original population; but this would occupy more time than we, and more patience than our readers, would be willing to bestow. Besides, the "Grand Solution" has been received with portentous indifference, an indifference, however, which, whether it spring from the coldness with which great truths are at first universally greeted, or from the manifest futility of the "Solution" itself, we are unable to muster sufficient resilution to reprehend. In addition to the information concerning the mysterious Votan, taken from Nunez de la Vega, Cabrera gives some curious notices from Son Ramon Ordonez de Aguiar, a native of Cuidad Real, whom he calls a man of extraordinary genius, and who, it appears, was employed in composing an "Historia del Cielo y de la Tierra." The memoir of Votan, in the possession of Don Ramon, was written in ordinary characters in the Tzendal language, and, it is pretended, was copied from the original in hieroglyphics. At the top of the first leaf of this extraordinary historical MS., we are told, the two continents are painted in different colours, in two small squares, placed parallel to each other in the angles; the one representing Europe, Asia, and Africa is marked with two large SS, upon the upper arms of two bars drawn from the opposite angles of each square, forming the point of union in the centre; that which indicates America, has two SS placed horizontally on the bars. When speaking of the places he had visited on the old continent, Votan marks them on the margin of each chapter, with an upright S, and those of America with an horizontal S. Between these squares stands the title of the history, viz. -- "Proof that I am Culebra," (a snake,) which title is most lucidly proved in the body of his work, by another assertion, viz. "that he is Culebra because he is Chivim." Now this is very laconic speech, and at first sight appears quite inconclusive; but Doctor Paul Felix Cabrera, with infinite erudition and astuteness, explains it much to his own satisfaction; and triumphantly concludes, (risum teneatis amici?) that the mystical expression "I am Culebra because I am Chivim," is exactly equivalent to "I am a Hivite, native of Tripoli in Syria!" We must now conclude. Those who regard this subject naso adunco, will already be wearied; while others, whose curiosity is excited, may turn to the "Grand Solution." We have nothing to add, except that we should be happy to see a translation of Votan's mystical tract. This is an age in which the most obstinate hieroglyphics yield to patient and ingenious scrutiny; and a true interpretation of the figurative style of this book might lead to odd results. The progress of knowledge, and rapid march of discovery, are such, that we are prepared for any thing. Within a few years past, a conspicuous individual found out the real "Solution" of the Apocalypse, of which, he declared publicly, he was willing to take his corporal oath. In regard to Cabrera, were he alive, he doubtless would be willing to take an oath also; as it is, he has left on record his affirmation, and the proofs of his "Solution." God firbid that we should question the oath or affirmation of any man breathing, however obscure, wild, or perfectly ridiculous his assertions may appear! |
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"Discovery of Ancient Ruins in Central America," Evening and Morning Star Volume I No. 9 Independence, Feb. 1833 (William W. Phelps?) |
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[71-72]
A late number of the London Literary Gazette, contains a letter from Lieut. Col. Galindo, at Peten, in Central America,
giving some idea of those antiquities which rescue ancient America from the charge of barbarism. These ruins extend for
more than twenty miles, and must anciently have embraced a city and its suburbs. The principal edifice is supposed to
have been a palace, formed of two rows of galleries, eight feet wide, separated by walls a yard thick; the height of
the walls to the eaves is nine feet, and thence three yards more to the top. The stones of which all the edifices are
built, are about eighteen inches long, nine broad and two thick, cemented by morter. The front of the palace contained
five lofty and wide doors. Numerous statues of stone are scattered about. In another building, which Col. G. calls
the study, are numerous full length figures, of about six feet high, some of them holding naked infants on their right
arms, and not in the manner of the modern Indian woman, who always set their children astride on their hips. A place
of religious worship and a prison, complete the list of buildings enumerated by Col. G.
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"American Antiquities" The Knickerbocker Volume II No. 5 New York, Nov. 1833 (no author listed) |
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AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES It is now some four or five years, since a brief article went the rounds of the papers, stating that the ruins of an extensive city had been discovered in the interior of Mexico, which had been surrounded with a wall of vast circumference, and of regular hewn stone masonry. In the precincts of this American Babylon in ruins, were towers, temples, columns, arches, and massive fallen fragments of every form and size of dwellings, streets choked up with rubbish, and all the memorials of a city of great former populousness and splendor, of an architecture more resembling Greek and Roman remains, than those of the Incas, or Mexican princes. The silence of Spanish antiquarians and topographical writers upon a subject of such absorbing interest, caused the report to be doubted. Recent researches have, however, removed all uncertainty upon the subject, and the following memoir, read before the Lyceum of this city by Dr. Akerly, embraces all the details hitherto known upon the subject. The memoir consists of letters and the dedication of a work on the subject from Dr. Corroy, one of the most enterprising antiquarians engaged in investigating these extraordinary remains. The locality of the ruins is as follows: The nearest maritime town is that from which the captain sailed. It is called Laguria, or Isle of Carmine, laid down on the charts as Laguira de Terminos, in latitude 18 degrees 33 minutes north, longitude 19 degrees 49 minutes west from Washington. It is called by the Mexicans and the natives 'The Holy City,' and is 150 miles west of Laguira, in the interior. Laguira is near Campeachy, and within the political limits of Mexico. It would appear, however, says the Evening Post, from the letter of another correspondent of Dr. Akerly, that there is still a large field of antiquities in Central America unexplored by scientific research. The forests to the east and west of Palenque, are full of the gigantic ruins of a race now vanished and forgotten, who possessed a degree of civilization greater than that of any aboriginal nation at the time of the Spanish conquest, and perhaps a written language, and the only records of whose existence are the ruins of their vast edifices, their bas-reliefs, their statues, and their inscriptions in an unknown character and dialect. THREE VISITS TO THE RUINS OF PALENQUE. Letters describing three journeys to the ruins, dedicated to Dr. by Samuel Ackerly, a citizen of the United States of North America, a member of the Lyceum of Natural History in the city of New-York, &c., &c., &c., written by his associate member, and affectionate friend. F. C.State of Tabasco, in the Mexican Federation, in the year 1833. DEDICATION Dear Doctor,These historical letters, although very imperfect, are the result of much labor and fatigue, attended with heavy expense. You will not find in them any elegance of style, but only a faithful description. The Ruins being in the interior, it has been impossible for me to reside on the spot, according to my original plan; and to avoid repetition, you will find my reasons in the course of my letters both for your own information and for that of the public. It was quite impossible for me to treat of the first expeditions that were made for the conquest of Mexico, and I have therefore left that subject to professed historians, and have confined myself chiefly to the attempt to give an idea of Tabasco, my adopted country, where I have now resided nearly twenty-six years. I have endeavored to give a brief description of the fertile territory of the state, which is absolutely unknown to literary men, naturalists, and intelligent writers; and also very imperfectly known to geographers, and even to the authors of the best gazetteers; it seems indeed as if God and man had abandoned it to eternal oblivion. Some of my friends have requested me to write the history of this region. But, my dear doctor, I am deficient in the qualifications of an historian. But you will perhaps ask, since I find myself unable to give the history of a territory inhabited for little more than three centuries, how I can venture to write a history of the ruins, masses and piles of stones, whose antiquity reaches back more than four thousand years. To this I answer, first, as before said, I am deficient in the qualifications of an historian; second, that it is very difficult to obtain the necessary documents and materials; third, that not a single historian, geographer, or other wruter has treated or written of Tabasco, except of Juan Grijaloa's entrance into it, and of its conquest by Herman Cortes, which took place on the 25th March, 1519, and very superficially even of these facts. Now it is indisputable that the title deeds in my possession of my own farm, from the original documents preserved in the archives of Mexico, dated in the year 1613, carry us back 220 years from the year 1833, and throw some faint light on the ancient city, called by the conquerors 'De Nuestra Senora de la Victoria,' (our Lady of Victory( which became the first capital of this ancient province, now the state of Tabasco, and the scene of the victory of Herman Cortes. But my materials are not sufficient; on the contrary, they only throw deeper obscurity over my investigations into the history of Tabasco; so that I have prepared nothing, and have by no means all that is requisite to form the cement of the work. On the other hand, I have in a complete state, Three Journeys or Excursions to the Ruins; I have a Manuscript History of them; I have examined with particular attention their remains, their edifices, their subterreanean apartments, and inscriptions, and above all, the enormus tablets of written characters, and as Botarini calls them the songs. I have examined the gigantic figures, and whatever else time has spared; and have compared them all with the drawings in my possession, particularly with the plan of the principle palace, which the artist, Mr. Juan Frederic Waldeck, executed on the basis of one in my possession, and corrected by his personal observation; in addition, I have in my possession many other materials; as for instance, idols which I have compared with others found in different spots, but which plainly appear to have belonged to the same people; lastly, I have the information which Don SAverio Clavigero gives of the Italian (Milanese) traveller Don Lorenzo Botarino Benadani, as also the modern, valuable, and instructive German work which I shall quote. With these materials, I have no doubt of being able to prove that the enigmatical ruins known by the name Palenque, or the Stone Houses, are those of a city once inhabited by the Toltecan, or Toltequan nation, built as is supposed, 4600 years ago; that it was known by the name of Huchuetlapallan, and Tiapallan; that it was abandoned by its inhabitants from about the year 544 after Christ, and that from this epoch to the present year 1833, we have 1289 years, which long space of time accounts sufficiently for our now finding no entire palace or edifices, but only fragments and ruins. At the request of the Society of Geography at Paris, of which I have the honor to be a regular member, I have prepared an account of the basso-relievoes of the adoration of the cross, and an exact description of the river Michol, improperly called Micol, all which will appear in my third excursion. By means of the materials to which I have referred, I hope, dear doctor, to make it plainly appear that the true origin of our mysterious ruins is now discovered; and if this should not be proved, or should be at all questionable, the hope at least will remain to me, that antiquarians and linguists of talent, like Messrs. Rifaud and Bail of France, or others of other nations, may make a voyage hither for the express object of visiting these ruins, and may decipher the characters which are still intelligible, establish a true hypothesis, and remove all ignorance respecting the origin of these prodigious remains. But what I have promised in this respect I shall attempt in the account of my third excursion; and this I ought to finish as soon as possible, since the whole seems threatened with speedy and utter ruin. Although it is my wish, dear doctor, not to enlarge in this dedication, a fault which is always wearisome to the curious reader, yet I cannot omit to state, that from the time I first thought of publishing my investigations, my determination was absolutely to avoid politics; but reasons affecting my character and my honor compel me to touch on that subject which I will endeavor, however, satisfactorily to explain. I remain your very affectionate friend and servant. FRANCISCO CORRY. Tabasco, 1833. Correspondence with Dr. Francisco Corroy, of Tabasco, in Central America, on the Ruins of Palenque. Read before the New-York Lyceum of Natural History, September 23, 1833. By Samuel Ackerley, M.D. A corresponding member of this Society, resident in Tabasco, one of the States in the confederacy of Mexico, has been many years engaged in the investigation of a subject of deep interest to the learned world. Though not connected with the immediate objects of the Lyceum of Natural History, yet the writer of this communication is induced to offer it to the Society, as it will make known to the members the labors of one of their foreign associates. The subject to which the attention of the Society is now invited belongs to the Antiquities of America, in the central parts of which have been discovered the ruins of an immense city, overgrown by a dense forest of huge trees; on the clearing away of which, large edifices have been brought to light. together with temples and palaces built of hewn stone. Though in a state of great dilapidation, the rubbish has been cleared away from some of them, and their interior explored, exhibiting to the view of the astonished beholder evidences of a nation once existing there, highly skilled in the mechanic arts, and in a state of civilization far beyond any thing that we have been led to believe of the aborigines previous to the discovery of Columbus. The writer's attention has been drawn to this subject by a correspondence with Dr. Francisco Corroy, of Tabasco, who has been many years laboriously investigating these ruins, collecting information, making delineations of the penates, idols, and priapi found in that region, and the remarkable figures in relief upon the interior wall of these dilapidated temples and palaces. The outline of one of these palaces has been traced by Dr. Corroy, and be states it to be more extensive than the Tuileries of Paris. The information collected by him from personal observation and otherwise has been embodied in a series of letters addressed and dedicated to the writer hereof, and ample enough to make two volumes, which are intended for publication at some future time as he is still engaged in the same interesting researches. To most persons in this country an inquiry into this subject may be considered more curious than useful. And so it may be in relation to our immediate and pressing wants. But may not important results arise from the investigation of such a subject? Who can read or hear without astonishment the fact, that in the province of Chaipa in Central America, has been found a city in ruins, formerly constructed of stone, situated on an elevated plain, covered with an umbrageous forest, the growth of hundreds of years, beneath which are still found the mouldering fragments enveloped in the rubbish of their own destruction? This city has been ascertained to extend along the plain in one direction from seven to eight Spanish leagues, which are equal to about thirty English miles. The antiquities of a people inhabiting a city sixty or more miles in circumference, centuries since in a flourishing condition, on the continent of America, cannot fail, when better known and further investigated, to attract the attention of every reflecting mind. The name of this city, so ancient and of such astonishing magnitude, is unknown, though distinguished by writers, and the modern residents of the country, as the RUINS OF PALENQUE, which name is derived from a neighbouring Spanish settlement. Dr. P. F. Cabrera, of New Guatemala, the commentator on Captain Del Rio's account of these ruins, has endeavoured to prove that the ancient and true name of the city was Huchuettapallan. Professor Rafinesque, of Philadelphia, who has also made these ruins a subject of investigation, connected with his History of American nations, denominates the ruined city OTOLUM, a name still applied to a stream in the immediate neighbourhood. The reasons for adopting these names will be given in the course of this communication from the authors themselves. The ruins of this ancient city are beginning to attract the attention of the scavans of Europe, and the Geographical Society of Paris has offered a premium of four thousand francs, or eight hundred dollars, for the best account of them. The work of Dr. Corroy will probably merit the reward when made known and forwarded to the society. But he is not yet informed that such a reward has been offered, nor is it known to the society that he has written on the subject. In making this communication the writer has no other design than to call the attention of the American public to this interesting inquiry, by stating the substance of his correspondence with Dr. Corroy on these immense ruins, and information collected from other sources relating to the same subject. The friend and correspondent of the writer is a French physician. Long a resident and practitioner of medicine of Villa Hermosa, or Tabasco, on a river of that name about seventy-five miles from its embouchure in the Gulf of Mexico. Tabasco is also the name of one of the states in the confederacy of Mexico, lying south of Vera Cruz, and east of Guatemala. Dr. Corroy has been many years enthusiastically devoted to the investigation of the ruins of this ancient city, which is forty leagues in a south-westerly direction from Tabasco from whence he has made several excursions to explore them. A gentleman from New York, who has been at Tabasco and is acquainted with Dr. Corroy, states in a letter to the writer that 'the doctor is a worthy man and hospitality is his motto.' Dr. Corroy's correspondence was first commenced with our late learned and distinguished countryman and member of this society, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, whose papers, books, and manuscripts were bequeathed to the writer. Among them are numerous letters on the antiquities of North America, but none of them detail facts so surprising as those relating to the ruins near Palenque in Central America. The first letter to Dr. Mitchill, dated at Tabasco, 29th December, 1830, gives the information that Dr. Corroy was constantly engaged in making researches and collecting materials from these interesting ruins, preserving and delineating those worthy of such care; among which were numerous idols, and one of an unknown substance, upon which he set a high value. Dr. Corroy also states in this letter, that he had sent Dr. Mitchill, by the brig Eliza, of New-York, a fragment of a sculptured head from the ruins, in size two French feet by one and a half. Dr. Mitchill was requested to satisfy his own curiosity with this piece of antiquity, and then forward it to Mr. Jomard, member of the Geographical Society of Paris. The brig Eliza having been lost by shipwreck, together with her cargo, the sculptured head was never received. The second letter to Dr. Mitchill, was dated at Tabasco, 15th May 1831. This letter was accompanied by a small box, containing several idols of baked earth, the head of a snake, and a hollow cup or vase of the same materials, found in the neighborhood of Tabasco. These however are similar to those discovered among the ruins. The idols were four or five inches in height with two holes in the lower posterior part, forming a whistle, each one of a different sound or key. These remains of Indian antiquity were also requested to be forwarded to Mr. Jomard. They did not arrive in New-York until after the death of Dr. Mitchill, which caused a delay of their transmission to Paris, and which was subsequently effected by the writer hereof The third letter of Dr. Corroy is dated at Tabasco, 30th November, 1832, and is directed to Dr. Akerly, the writer, in consequence of his announcing the death of Dr. Mitchill, and proposing to continue the correspondence. In this letter Dr. Corroy says: 'I was at Palenque, on my third visit exploring these admirable ruins, when, on the 21st July, 1832, I received your letter of March last, on which account I have been unable to answer it until the present time. It is impossible to give you in one letter the details of things so surprising discovered in this ruined city. At present I can only inform you, that since September, 1819, to the end of October, 1832, I have been constantly engaged in collecting materials, and preparing a work for publication. The materials are copious, and will form two volumes, and I propose to put them in the form of letters written and dedicated to you, for which I ask your permission, and request your affirmative reply. I have a description of these ruins, which neither Don Antonio Del Rio, nor any other person has been able to give. The expenses of my voyages and explorations have cost me more than four thousand five hundred dollars. I possess, my dear doctor, many idols, some of them formed of baked earth, others of stone, and one of a material supposed to be a petrifaction of jasper, or of a species of marble, and also one of gold, but unfortunately for me, its value is only about four dollars." A fourth letter dated 8th January, 1833, is a duplicate of the preceding, adding that although born a Parisian, he has been so long a resident in Spanish America, and accustomed to speak and write in the Spanish language, that it is easier for him to do so in that, than in his native tongue. He is also anxious to know if Mr. Jomard has received the box of idols, and why he has not heard from him. This is already explained by the fact of Dr. Mitchill's death, and subsequent events delaying the transmission of them to Paris. A letter from Dr. Corroy, dated at Tabasco, January 24th, 1833, advises the writer of his continuing to pursue the pleasing subject of the investigation of the ruins. He also enclosed a communication in the Spanish language, on the subject of a native plant of Tabasco, known there by the name of the Bejuco (Lianne) Guaco, which is an antidote to the bite of venomous serpents. This essay on the Guaco the writer has caused to be translated, and will make it the subject of a separate communication. The plant or vine is the Eupatorium Guaco, which appears to be unknown to Dr. Corroy, who does not profess to be a botanist. The genus to which it belongs is in favor of its possessing remedial virtues, for there are three species of eupatorium in these United States of North America, all possessing medicinal qualities, viz: Eupatorium perfoliaatum, Thoroughwort; Eupatiteucrifolium, Wild Horehound; and Eupat. purpureum, Gravelroot. To these letters of inquiry as to the publication of his work in New-York, and the dedication of it to the writer, he was informed that upon consultation with the Messrs. Harpers and other publishers here, it was his and their opinion, that although it would, and must necessarily be a very interesting work, it must be illustrated with numerous plates, the engraving of which would be expensive, and the sale so limited as not to compensate him for his expenditures. Paris or London was therefore advised as the most likely place to succeed. This admission was made with regret, but justice required that this advice should be given to prevent a friend from running into a ruinous expense, without benefit to himself, or the scientific world. As to the dedication, he was advised to make it to some one that was known among the Scavans, and whose name would direct the attention of the public to this great work. The next letter from Dr. Corroy, dated Tabasco, May 5th, 1833, and directed to the writer, announces as follows: 'I had the honor, two days since, to receive your very agreeable letter, dated at New York, 15th May last, remitted to me by Mr. Eastman. I feel very sensibly his attention to my wishes in conveying my letter to you and in taking charge of the articles you sent with your reply, and I am much indebted to your goodness. A paragraph in one of the papers of New-York, announcing the substance of one of the letters from Dr. Corroy, elicited one from Mr. George Champley, dated at New-York, 20th April 1833, directed to the writer, in which he says: 'A few days ago, perusing a city paper, I saw a communication to your address, (which I know to be from a friend of mine in Tabasco,) respecting the 'Ruins of Palenque.' After mentioning the 'Idol of massive gold,' and other things connected with this (not) 'singular place,' (as there are other immense piles of ruins, which I am inclined to think my worthy friend Dr. Corroy has no knowledge of,) he states his having vases, &c. made from an unknown substance.' The whole of these articles I saw in Tabasco, in 1831-2, at the doctor's Sitio, when on my journey to the interior and the Pacific across the Andes. The unknown substance, mentioned in the foregoing letter, a specimen of which was sent by Mr. Champley to the writer, proved upon examination to be calcareous spar. The last letter received from Dr. Corroy, dated at Tabasco, 1st June, 1833, contains the following information. The bearer of this is an intimate friend of mine, Mr. J. N. Pieper, merchant of this place, whom I take the liberty of particularly recommending to your attention, &c. The preceding contains abstracts of the most interesting parts of Dr. Corroy's letters, written in French, from which we may infer he has made considerable discoveries and developments of these ancient ruins, in addition to those of Del Rio already published. Mr. Champley's letters state that there are other "immense piles of ruins" in that interesting country not known to Dr. Corroy. Some of these, however, are doubtless referred to by Del Rio as existing in Yucatan and other places not visited by him, and such as the Spaniards now designate as "casas piedras" or stone houses. At twenty leagues south of the city of Merida, in Yucatan, are a number of these stone edifices. Of them "one very large building has withstood the ravages of time, and still exists in good preservation; the natives gave it the name of Oxmutal. It stands on an eminence of twenty yards in height, and measures two hundred yards on each facade. The apartments, the exterior corridor, the pillars with figures in me dio relievo, and decorated with serpents, lizards, &c., formed in stucco, beside which are statues of men with palms in their hands in the act of beating drums and dancing, resembling in every respect those observable in the buildings of Palenque.' (Del Rio, page 7.) These and other similar ruins in Yucatan lie to the eastward of Palenque, and the other "immense piles of ruins," referred to by Mr. Champley, lie to the westward, as observed by him on his journey across the country to the Pacific ocean. These astonishing facts indicate the existence and extermination of a people who constructed and inhabited these stone buildings long before the discovery of Columbus, as the Spaniards at the time of the conquest of that part of the continent, found such of these stone edifices as were not in ruins inhabited by people who were not their builders, and to whom the nation that had erected and ornamented them, and the period of their construction, were unknown. The immense extent of these ruins and the casas piedras, (stone houses) scattered over the country in different directions, would lead to the belief, that at a remote period the country was inhabited by a populous nation, highly skilled in the arts which now afford us the only records whereby to ascertain their existence. The first account of these Ruins was published in London, in 1822, being an English translation of the report of Del Rio, together with the commentaries of Cabrera. Since that time the attention of the learned men of Europe has been directed to their further investigation, but Dr. Corroy, residing in the neighborhood of the Ruins, has probably made the greatest progress in these researches. 'Antonio Del Rio, Captain of Artillery, was sent, in consequence of an order from his Majesty Charles the Third, dated March 15th, 1786, by his Excellency Don Joseph Estacheria, Captain General of Guatemala, to examine the ruins of a city of very great extent and antiquity, the name of which was unknown, that was discovered in the vicinity of Palenque, district of Carmen, in the province of Chiapa, where he found magnificent edifices, temples, towers, aqueducts, statues, hieroglyphics, and unknown characters, that have withstood the ravages of time and the succession of ages, and of which he made many plans and drawings.' (Cabrera's Comment on Del Rio, p 36.) In consequence of this order, Captain Del Rio was sent with a large party of men armed with axes, billhooks and other implements, to remove the trees and shrubs with which the ruins were overgrown, and having cleared the ground and removed the rubbish, he penetrated the interior of these temples, towers, palaces, &c. and was the first to bring to light the aqueducts, statues, hieroglyphics, and the unknown characters and bas-reliefs upon the walls. The report of Captain Del Rio was accompanied by many drawings and representations of the curious and mysterious figures and writings discovered in the interior of these stone buildings. The policy of the Spanish government caused these interesting relies of antiquity to be concealed, and they probably would not have been given to the public, had not the revolution in Mexico brought them to light, and their subsequent publication in 1822, together with the remarks and comments of Dr. Paul Felix Cabrera of the city of New-Guatemala. Del Rio's report is short and defective, and many of the drawings and delineations referred to are wanting. A more perfect account of the Ruins of Palenque is a desideratum. For such, the Geographical Society of Paris has offered a premium of eight hundred dollars, and such an account will in all probability be found in the manuscript work of Dr. Francisco Corroy, corresponding member of the Lyceum. Cabrera endeavours to trace the origin of the people who were the constructors and inhabitants of these casas piedras, or stone houses, now in ruins; and even to fix the date of their arrival from Africa. He states his belief that they had their origin from the Carthagenians, (Del Rio, p. 95,) that the Carthagenians visited America before the Christian era, and "that the first colony sent to America by them was previous to the first Punic war," (p. 85,) between the Romans and Carthagenians, which commenced "in the four hundred and ninetieth year of Rome, and the two hundred and sixty-fifth year before Christ," (p. 84.) and that they established the kingdom of Amaguemecan, or Anahuac, at some period during the. first Punic war (p. 76.) This kingdom, however, was not of long continuance, and its ruin gave rise to that of Tula, or the Tultecas. 'The origin of the Tulteca nation, hitherto unknown, (says Cabrera, p. 75,) has now been proved; they were Chichimecas or Naquatlacas, like the others, but so much exceeding them in stature, that there were some of gigantic size among them; they obtained the name of Tultecas from excelling in manufacures and arts, particularly that of working in gold and silver:' Torquemada says the word Tultecas means 'excellent artist.' The name of their capital, now in ruins, near Palenque, is said by the same authority to have been Huehuetlapallan. This "is a compound name of two words, Huehue, old, and Tlapallan; and it seems the Tultecas prefixed the adjective to distinguish it from three other places which they founded in the districts of their new kingdom, to perpetuate their attachment to their ancient country, and their grief at b |