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11/ by maceration, both flesh and bones are assimilated to the mother dust. This is the reason why we find some skeletons in our grave yards to be more decayed in ten years than those of the mounds which we have evidence to believe were buried from one to five hundred years. After a bone is so well compacted in clay as to be defended from water, a solvent in which no animal organization can long be preserved, I know of no reason why it should not last from one to five thousand years. There can be no doubt but that the bones of the Hyena and other animals, farmed in the caves of England, were covered several feet with clay by the subsidence of Noah's flood and subsequently defended from every species of invasion, except scientific, by stalagmites. The cultivation of the Mounds in this country is opposed to the preservation of their contained bones, by rendering them greater receptacles of water.

I suspect that you will find less interest in reading this long letter than I did in writing it. Consequently you will not be apt to trouble me again if you have reason to anticipate another as long. Be this as it may - I must claim from you some indulgence for such of its imperfections, at least, as were occasioned by the hurry in which I was obliged to write it.

These Sheet John Howard Payne Esq. New York per favour of B.?? Winchester Esq.

I cannot predict what use, if any, I may ultimately make of the matter contained in this letter - your using it will not interfere with me, provided you will do, as I know you will, give me credit for it. If I can serve you any further you hae only to command me. The next time I will try to avoid delaying as long as I have in this instance.

I regret that it is not convenient for me to visit N.Y. immediately. The removal of the Indians affords an opportunity so favourable for procuring the crania of our southern tribes that I cannot think of neglecting it. Besides, while I am engaged in seeking their heads I will obtain some other interesting matter. Mr. Cadwalader is writing on the subject of our Indians - therefore as it would probably not interfere with you - it might be well to let him see this letter. But as you please about it. Yours truly, W. Byrd Powell