ON THE CODEX POINSETT

By Mr. H. PHI LLIP3 j»^

About the year 1826 the Hon. Joël R. Poinsett, United States Minister to the Republic of Mexico, returned from bis mission bringing with him a collection of over 2600 objects of Aztec an* tiquities. Thèse collections lie presented to the American Philosophical Society, in whose ownership they still remain. In 1877 the Society not being possessed of a fîreproof building, and fearing for the safety of this valuable collection, deposited tem-^ porarily in the hall ofthe Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia, a building of safe construction. In ISSO, I prepared a

paper describing the collection of American Archaîlogy to be found throiighout the United States, and among the answers that I received from the circular of information that I had sent eut, was one from the Curator's Academy, giving some détail of the collection, and among thèse objects were some manuscripts. I was at that time a Curator of the A. P. S. and promptly took measures to reclaim thèse manuscripts. I examined them carefuUy and found that several of them were on antique Maguey paper, of undoubted antiquity, and presenting every proof of authenticity. After additional examination and study I came to the conclusion being led thereto mainly by my recollection of a little ligure like a rabbit at the bottom of one of thèse sheets, of the work of Lorenzana on Mexican Antiquities, and turning to it I find that I was correct. The manuscript that I had redeemed for the Society was a portion of the tribute roll of the Mexicans twho paid tribute to Montezuma. On two leaves of the manuscript was the enumeration to which I referred and the remaining four leaves of folio size seemed to refer to calendar calculations. On the leaves referring to the tribute roll were found many familiar figures, and well known Mexican hieroglyphics, the inscriptions being in Aztec and the translations in Spanish. I consulted with in relation to this precious find and came to the conclusion that it was of great value, and hâve asked the Society to cause it to be printed in colors in facsimilé of the original, which however, will not be ready for distribution for a year or two. This will be a valuable addition to the few Mexican manuscripts no w known toexist, and to which we hâve, in honor of the gênerons donor to the Society, given the name of The Codex Poinsett.