What is said by Jefferson is of especial weight, on account of the personal merit of the writer, of his peculiar position, and of the matter-of-fact age in which he lived.] [Footnote k: See Appendix, D.] Although we have here traced the character of a primitive people, yet it cannot be doubted that another people, more civilized and more advanced in all respects, had preceded it in the same regions.
An obscure tradition which prevailed among the Indians to the north of the Atlantic informs us that these very tribes formerly dwelt on the west side of the Mississippi.

Along the banks of the Ohio, and throughout the central valley, there are frequently found, at this day, tumuli raised by the hands of men.

On exploring these heaps of earth to their centre, it is usual to meet with human bones, strange instruments, arms and utensils of all kinds, made of metal, or destined for purposes unknown to the present race.

The Indians of our time are unable to give any information relative to the history of this unknown people.

Neither did those who lived three hundred years ago, when America was first discovered, leave any accounts from which even an hypothesis could be formed.