New York, July 16, 1836.

My Dear Sir—Judging from the announcement in the “Globe,” which reached me yesterday, I should conclude that the main difficulty was now at an end; and that your appointment to the station of corresponding secretary, in the intended South Sea expedition, must be regarded as a sure proof of the high favour in which you stand with our Executive. Nor has this favour been misplaced. If I know you well, (and our long acquaintance leads me to think that I have some claim to that privilege,) no one could have been selected, as the head of the scientific corps, better calculated to bring all things into full and efficient operation, and to direct them in such a way as must lead to ultimate success. A mere naval officer would never have answered for such a post. A mere civilian would have been equally unfit. An individual was required, who should be conversant with both elements, and in whom enlarged and liberal views should be found, not the result of information obtained from others, but the offspring of his own matured and manly intellect. I am glad to find that our Executive had the good sense and discrimination to select such an individual, and to scorn all the petty and disreputable influence, which sought to confer on another what, in honest fairness, was alone due to yourself. It would have been too bad, although, at the same time, but too much in accordance with the ordinary routine of life, for another to have reaped the harvest of praise, after your untiring labours had fostered so goodly a crop. Let me congratulate you, then, my friend, on this auspicious commencement, and, in so doing, express the earnest hope, that it may be an omen of final success, and of the honour that awaits yourself, your companions, and our common country.

I cannot but regard it as a singular coincidence, that the gallant frigate, which is to lead this first American voyage of discovery, and to enter on a path from which so much glory has accrued to our great maritime rival, should itself be a trophy wrested by our arms from the navy of that rival, and should thus be destined to carry to distant regions, not only our national name, but a memorial of our national prowess. Amid the sober realities of life, speculations such as these may be only calculated to excite a smile; but in a case like the present, into which much of romantic daring must necessarily enter, they may be indulged in with less danger of ridicule, and with something even of a beneficial effect. Indeed, the whole history of our species is only one tissue of singular coincidences, characterized by as singular results.

Apart from the concern which I naturally feel in whatever regards your reputation and welfare, I find myself strongly interested, on another account, in the intended expedition. It has long been a favourite theory of mine, that one of the early races which peopled our continent was identical with that from which have descended the inhabitants of the numerous islands in the South Pacific. The fabrics accompanying the dried human bodies, or natural mummies, (if they may be so called,) that have been found in the caverns of the west, strongly resemble the rude articles that are manufactured in the Sandwich and other islands of the Pacific, and point to a sameness of origin in the respective people who prepared them. The most striking proofs of this, however, if the theory be a correct one, will be found in a comparison of the languages of these islanders with one another, as well as with the remains of aboriginal tongues on our own continent; and it is these very proofs which the projected expedition will be able to furnish, if they are at all to be obtained. Let me suggest, therefore, that an individual well versed in comparative philology accompany you in your movements; one who shall prepare vocabularies of the most important words in the languages of the different islands at which you touch, and who shall be able to classify and arrange them. Comparative philology is as yet in its infancy with us; but in Europe it has already attained to a vigorous maturity, and accomplished the most interesting results. The great chain of the Indo-Germanic languages was first made known by it; vast gaps have been filled up by it in the early history of nations; and we may look forward with confidence to the most brilliant results, when its energies are brought to bear upon the languages of our own continent and the islands of the Pacific.

You and I have often indulged in speculations relative to the antiquity of America, and have regarded our North American Indians as comparatively late comers into the land. We have sometimes thought that, under all its integument of fable, there might still be lurking something of reality in Plato’s narrative of Atlantis. He obtained his information from the priests of Egypt, and recent antiquarian researches in that interesting land have led us strongly to believe that her educated race were not unacquainted with our continent. How strongly do the red and beardless people, of noble bearing and handsome costume, depicted at Luxore as driven to their ships by Sesostris, remind the modern observer, it is said, of the red and beardless race of American Indians represented on the monuments of New Spain, and wearing the same palm-formed diadem! And then, again, how identical is the head-dress of the Azteque priestess with the veil or calantica of the heads of Isis and the Sphinx! What light may not comparative philology one day throw on this most interesting subject! It has already shown us that the peculiar Mexican dialect resembles no recorded language but the ancient Oscan, of Italy; and antiquarians have informed us, that the people represented on the ruins of the stone city of Otolum, near Palenque, on our own continent, resemble in costume and receding foreheads the enslaved Oscans of the old Etrurian monuments. They have also proved a singular agreement between the cycles of the Etrurians and Mexicans, and between many of their symbols and numerical signs. On the other hand, the architecture of Etruria resembles that of Egypt, and the pyramids of Egypt reappear in the teocallis of Mexico. There is only wanting some connecting link to bind these remarkable analogies into one great whole, and that link is to be supplied by comparative philology. How honourable will it be to our national name, if the means by which she shall be enabled to arrive at this result be afforded her by our own countrymen!

I have taken, my dear sir, but one view of the results that may be expected to emanate from your intended enterprise. It is a view that would naturally be taken by one situated as I am. The other and more immediate advantages attendant upon your movements can easily be perceived by all, and require no comment from my pen.

That your efforts may be crowned with the richest success, is the earnest prayer of

Your sincere friend, CHARLES ANTHON.

J. N. Reynolds, Esq., Washington City.