SECRETARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
Reading edition
1879-’80
BY
J. W. POWELL DIRECTOR
WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1881
Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of Ethnology,
Washington, D.C., July, 1880.
Prof. Spencer F. Baird,
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D.C.:
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the first annual report of the operations of the Bureau of Ethnology.
By act of Congress, an appropriation was made to continue researches in North American anthropology, the general direction of which was confided to yourself. As chief executive officer of the Smithsonian Institution, you entrusted to me the immediate control of the affairs of the Bureau. This report, with its appended papers, is designed to exhibit the methods and results of my administration of this trust.
If any measure of success has been attained, it is largely due to general instructions received from yourself and the advice you have ever patiently given me on all matters of importance.
I am indebted to my assistants, whose labors are delineated in the report, for their industry; hearty co-operation, and enthusiastic love of the science. Only through their zeal have your plans been executed.
Much assistance has been rendered the Bureau by a large body of scientific men engaged in the study of anthropology, some of whose names have been mentioned in the report and accompanying papers, and others will be put on record when the subject-matter of their writings is fully published.
I am, with respect, your obedient servant,
J. W. POWELL.