“ 1st. That the American race differs essentially from all others, not excepting the Mongolian
; nor do the feeble analogies of language, and the more obvious ones in civil and
religious institutions and the arts, denote anything beyond casual or colonial communication
with the Asiatic nations ; and even those analogies may perhaps be Accounted
for, as Humboldt has suggested, in the mere coincidence arising from similar wants
and impulses'in nations inhabiting similar latitudes.
“ 2d. That the American nations, excepting the polar tribes, are of one race and one species,
but of two v great families, which resemble each other in physical, but differ in
intellectual character.
“ 3d. That the cranial remains discovered in the mounds from Peru to Wisconsin, belong
to the same race, and probably to the Toltecan family.”
The publication of a work of such costly character, and necessarily
addressed to a very limited number of readers, was a hold undertaking
for a man of restricted means. It was published by himself
at the risk of considerable pecuniary loss. The original subscription
list fell short of paying the expense, but I am happy to say that the
subsequent sale of copies liquidated the deficit. The reception of
the book by the learned was all he' could have desired. Everywhere
it received the warmest commendations. The following extract from
a notice in the London Medico-Chirurgical Review for October 1840,
will show the tone of the British scientific q>ress :
“ Dr. Morton’s method and illustrations in eliciting the elements of his magnificent
Craniography,.are admirably concise, -without being the less instructively comprehensive.
His work constitutes, and will ever be highly appreciated as constituting an exquisite
treasury of facts, well adapted, in all respects, to establish permanent organic principles
in the natural history of man.”
“ Here we finish our account of Dr. Morton’s American Cranioscopy ; and by its extent
and copiousness, our article will show how highly we have appreciated his classical production.
We have studied his views with attention, and examined his doctrines with fairness
; and with perfect sincerity in rising from a task which has afforded unusual gratification,
we rejoice in ranking his ‘ Crania Americana’ in the highest class of transatlantic
literature, foreseeing distinctly that the book will ensure for its author the well-earned
meed of a Caucasian reputation.”
From among the warmly eulogistic letters received from distinguished
savons, I select hut one, that of Baron Humboldt, who is
himself a high authority on American subjects.
“ Monsieur,—Les liens intimes d’intérêt et d’affection qui m’attachent, Monsieur, depuis
un démi-siècle à l’hemisphbre que vous habitez et dont j’ai la vanité de me croire oitoyen,
ont ajouté à l’impression que m’ont fait presque à la fois votre grand ouvrage de physiol
o g i e philosophique et l’admirable histoire de la conquête du Mexique par M. William
Prescott. Voilà de ces travaux qui étendent, par des moyens très-differens, la sphère de
nos connaissances et de nos vues, et ajoutent à la gloire nationale. Je ne puis vous exprimer
assez vivemêïit, Monsieur, la p r o f o n d e reconnaissance que je vous dois. Américain bien
plus que Sibérien d’après la couleur de mes opinions, je suis, à mon grand age, singulièrement
flatté de l’intérêt qu’on me conserve encore de l’autre coté de la grand vallée atlantique
sur laquelle la vapeur a presque jeté un pont. Les richesses craniologiques que vous avez
été assez heureux de réunir, ont trouvé eu vous un digne interprète. Votre ouvrage, Monsieur,
est également remarquable par la profondeur des vues anatomiques, par le détail
numérique des rapports de conformation organique, par l’absence des rêverieB poétiques
qui sont les mythes de la Physiologie moderne, par les généralités dont votre “ Introductory
Essay” abonde. Rédigeant dans ce moment le plus important de mes ouvrages qui sera
publié sous le titre imprudent de Kosmos, je saurai profiter de tants d’excellents apperçus
sur la destribution des races humaines qui se trouvent épars dans votre beau volume. Que
de sacrifices pécuniares n’avez vous pas dû faire, pour atteindre une si grande perfection
artistique et produire un ouvrage qui rivalise avec tout ce que l’on a fait de plus beau en
Angleterre et en France.
“ Agréez, je vous supplie, Monsieur, l’hommage renouvellé de la haute consideration
avec laquelle j ’ai l’honneur d’être,
“ Monsieur, votre très-humble et très-obeissant serviteur,
“ Alexandre Humboldt.
“ à Berlin, ce 17 Janvier, 1844.”
The eminent success of this work determined definitely its author’s
ulterior scientific career, From this time forward he devoted his
powers almost exclusively to Ethnology. He sought in every direction
for the materials for his investigation, when circumstances led
to his acquaintance with Mr. George R. Grliddon, whose contributions
opened to him a new field of research, and gave him an unexpected
triumph. Mr. Gr. first visited this country in 1837, being sent out by
Mehemet Ali to obtain information, purchase machinery, &e., in reference
to the promotion of the cotton-culture in Egypt. Morton,
who never lost the opportunity of securing an useful correspondent,
sought his acquaintance, hut failing to meet him personally, wrote
him at Hew York under date of Mov. 2d, 1837, inquiring his precise
address, and soliciting permission to visit him in reference to business.
Illness preventing this visit, he wrote again, Mov. 7th. The
following extract is interesting, as displaying his mode of procedure
in such cases, as well as the state of his opinions, at the date in
question :—
“ You "will observe by the annexed Prospectus that I am engaged in a work of considerable
novelty, and which, as regards the typography and illustrations at least, is designed to
be equal to a jiy publication hitherto issued in this country. You may be surprised that I
should address you on the subject, but a moment’s explanation may suffice to convey my
views and wishes. The prefatory chapter will embrace a view of the varieties of the Human
Race, embracing, among other topics, some remarks on the ancient Egyptians. The posL
tion I have always assumed is, that the present Copts are not the remains of the ancient
Egyptians, and in order more fully to make my comparisons, it is very important that I
should get a few heads of Egyptian mummies from Thebes, &c. I do not care to have them
entirely perfect specimens of embalming, but perfect in the bony structure, and with the
hair preserved, if possible. It has occurred to me that, as you will reside at Cairo, and
with your perfect knowledge of affairs in Egypt, you would have it in your power to employ
a confidential and well-qualified person for this trust, who would save you all personal
trouble ; and if twenty-five or thirty skulls, or even half that number can be obtained,
(and I am assured by persons who have been there that no obstacles need be feared, but
of this you know best,) I am ready to defray every expense, and to advance the money, or
any part of it now, or to arrange for payment, both as to expenses and commissions, at
any time or in any way you may designate. With the Egyptian heads, I should be very