No. 9.

IN ASSEMBLY,

January 6, 1836.

REPORT

Of the Secretary of State in relation to a geological survey of the State.

STATE OF NEW-YORK, }

SECRETARY'S OFFICE.

Albany 6th January, 1836.

TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY.

SIR:

In pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly of the 18th of April last, I have the honor to present to the Legislature a report in relation to a geological survey of the State.

I am, very respectfully,

Your most ob't serv't,

(Assem. No. 9.]

1

JOHN A. DIX,

Secretary of State.

REPORT, &c.

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
SECRETARY'S OFFICE.

Albany, 6th January, 1836.

TO THE LEGISLATURE.

By a resolution of the Assembly, bearing date the 18th of April, 1835, the Secretary of State was "requested to report to the Legislature, at its next session, the most expedient method of obtaining a complete geological survey of the State, which shall furnish a scientific and perfect account of its rocks, soils and minerals, and of their localities; a list of all its mineralogical, botanical and zoological productions, and provide for procuring and preserving specimens of the same; together with an estimate of the expenses which may attend the prosecution of the design, and of the cost of publication of an edition of three thousand copies of the report, drawings, and geological map of its results."

In pursuance of the request contained in the foregoing resolution, the Secretary of State has the honor to present the following

REPORT:

In submitting to the Legislature a plan for the execution of the work contemplated by the resolution, he has not considered himself called on to enter into a detail of the advantages to be anticipated from its accomplishment, excepting so far as they may be incidentally discussed in delineating the plan referred to. Although the undertaking has not been authorized by law, the passage of the resolution presupposes the adoption, at a proper time, of the necessary legislative provision to that effect. His duty is, therefore, plainly limited to the suggestion of the measures best adapted to secure the objects of the survey; but in the performance of this duty, a reference to the importance of the various subjects of investigation will be indispensable.

In presenting to the Legislature such suggestions as occur to him, he will have frequent occasion to refer to opinions and statements of facts connected with the geological formations of this State and of other countries. In doing so, it is his intention to specify, in every case, the authority on which such statement or opinion is advanced; and for greater convenience, the authority will be named at the bottom of the page, on which the reference is made. This course seems proper, not only for the purpose of doing justice to the individuals themselves, by pointing to the sources, where their views are to be found in a more extended shape, but for the convenience of those who may be selected to execute the survey, should the Legislature direct its execution.

It is proper to state, that soon after the adjournment of the Legislature, the Secretary of State addressed a circular letter containing a copy of the resolution of the Assembly, to a large number of scientific gentlemen in different parts of the country, requesting the communication of their views in relation to the proposed survey. From seven of those gentlemen answers were received, containing many valuable suggestions. But as in most of the cases their answers were not designed for publication, he has been constrained to resist the desire which he felt to annex copies of them to this report; being unwilling, on the one hand, to communicate to the Legislature a part of them only, and feeling not at liberty, on the other hand, to make that disposition of the rest. Should the survey be authorized by the Legislature, these answers will be put into the hands of the gentlemen who shall be appointed to execute it, that they may have the benefit of such of the suggestions contained in them, as have not been adopted in this report.

At the end of the report will be found a list of publications, containing articles on the geology, mineralogy, zoology and botany of this State, with the (numbers of the volumes and the pages in which they occur. For this list, which has been of great service to him, the Secretary of State is indebted to a gentleman distinguished for scientific acquirements, who has devoted much attention to the subjects referred to.

The objects in contemplation of the proposed survey are economical, or such as relate to practical purposes; and scientific, or such as concern the interests of science.

That part of the survey, which proposes to furnish a scientific and perfect account of the rocks, soils and minerals of the State, embraces within its scope both the classes of objects referred to. A scientific and perfect account of our rocks, by explaining the nature of the substances of which they are composed, their distinguishing qualities, and the changes to which they are liable from the action of natural or artificial agents, will indicate the uses for which they are respectively fitted. A similar account of our soils may come strongly in aid of the agricultural experience of the State, and form, in combination with the latter, the basis of a system of husbandry adapted to all their varietics, and thus add in an eminent degree to their productiveness. In the same manner the mineral treasures of the State may become better known, their uses understood, and their value appreciated.

So far as it is proposed to furnish a list of the mineralogical, botanical and zoological productions of the State, and to preserve specimens of each, the objects in view are principally scientific, although in this case, as in the other, substances hitherto unobserved in this State, may, in the effort to make this list complete, be discovered and brought into profitable use. Nor ought it to be overlooked, that these specimens, properly arranged, where they shall be open to the inspection of all the citizens, and indicating at all times the objects to which their labor and capital may be advantageously applied, cannot be without some practical benefits.

Under whatever aspect the work may be regarded, it is certainly one of great importance; and, if it be executed in a manner corresponding with the magnitude of the design, it cannot fail to be, in a high degree, beneficial to the productive industry, and in an equal degree creditable to the liberal and enlightened character, of the State. In the practical utility of the work, however, lies the principal motive to undertake it. It deserves, therefore, to be considered in what manner it may be made to minister to the general wealth, and thus compensate for the large expenditure which will be necessarily involved in its execution. For this purpose, the various subjects of examination will be taken up in the order in which they are presented in the resolution, and some suggestions with regard to each will be made with a view to indicate, as far as practicable, the objects to be kept in view by those who may be chosen to execute the work. In attempting to discharge this duty, the Secretary of State cannot forbear to express his re