279 



My object is a diffusion of such knowledge as may be of practical 

 utility to our citizens, as well as to give to those who are seeking a home 

 in the West, some idea of the vast resources of our State ; for I feel 

 positive that no State in the Union holds out greater inducements to 

 the capitalist, or agriculturist, for an investment of their capital and la- 

 bor, with a prospect of speedy and rich returns, than does Michigan. 

 An early reply to the above, will much obhge 



Yours tnily, 



J. C. HOLMES, 



Sec^j Mich. State Agricultural Society. 



Detroit, May 27, 1854. 

 J. C. Holmes, Esq. : 



Dear Sir — In reply to your communication of the 25th inst., I 

 would state, tliat the Geological Reports to which you refer, constitute 

 part of the Annual Reports made to the Legislature, by the State Ge- 

 ologist, showing from time to time, the progi-ess and results of the Ge- 

 ological Survey of the State. So far as regards their correctness, there 

 is no occasion to suggest a change in any material point. It must, how- 

 ever, not be overlooked, that these reports constitute only parts of a 

 whole, it being barely intended to digest the scattered information con- 

 tained in them, and in the field notes, maps and sketches made by the 

 Geological corps, into the order and system necessary for a final report. 

 This intention was unfortunately defeated by the embarrassed condition 

 of the State finances, and the untimely death of Dr. Houghton, leaving 

 a large part of the work, particularly in the Upper Peninsula, incom- 

 plete. 



At an early day in the history of our State Agricultural Society, it 

 was my intention (acting upon your suggestion) to prepare a general 

 synopsis of the Geological and Mineralogical features of Michigan, for 

 publication in the " Transactions." Some memoranda were made with 

 that view, but finding the attempt called for more labor and time than 

 it was possible for me to devote to it, in order to bring the various de- 

 tails into adequate form, the task was abandoned. I regret that the 

 continued pressure of business impels me to forego this interesting la- 

 bor. 



