This paper attracted great attention in Europe.

It was reviewed by the Count de Circourt, whose interest in the subject was heightened by personal acquaintance with the author.

John C.Calhoun, acknowledging receipt of a copy of the Synopsis, said in striking phrase 'that he had long thought that the analogy of languages is destined to recover much of the lost history of nations just as geology has of the globe we inhabit.' In 1838, Congress having accepted the trust of John Smithson of L100,000, and pledged the faith of the United States for its purposes, Mr.Forsyth, the secretary of state, addressed Mr.Gallatin, at the request of the President, requesting his views as to its proper employment; but Mr.Gallatin does not appear to have answered the communication.

The programme of the Smithsonian Institution, inclosed to the board of regents in its first report, stated its object to be the increase and diffusion of knowledge, and bears marks of the general views which Mr.Gallatin had for many years urged on public attention.
The first of the Smithsonian "Contributions to Knowledge" was the memoir of Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, by Squier and Davis.
Before its publication was undertaken, however, it was submitted to the Ethnological Society.

Mr.Gallatin returned it, with the approval of the society, and some words of commendation of his own addressed to Professor Henry, the learned superintendent of the Smithsonian Institution.
The period of temporary political repose, which followed the peace of Vienna and the establishment of the balance of power by the allied sovereigns, was an era in human knowledge.