56 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



This to be done in order that the matter might come properly before 

 the two branches of the legislature. 



In conformity with these instructions Mr. Cotting began his sur- 

 vey March 21, 1836, at a place called Shell Bluff, on the Savannah 

 River, in Burke County, and continued his investigations until both 

 counties were completed. His results were published in the form of 

 a small octavo volume of 128 pages, bearing the date 1836. 



This laudable attempt on the part of Mr. Cotting and the citizens 

 of Burke and Richmond Counties was only partially successful. The 

 immediate result was the passage by the senate of the following reso- 

 lution, which was appro^•ed on the 7th of December, 1836 : 



The committee appointed on that portion of the governor's message which 

 relates to a geological survey of the State of Georgia say they have given the 

 same due consideration and asic leave to make the following report : 



That they feel sensible that this is a subject entitled to the most favorable 

 consideration of the legislature at this time, not only from the importance of 

 developing the resources of Georgia as they are connected with the arts, the 

 agricultural, the mining, and the manufacturing interests of this State, but 

 from the further consideration that she is bound to contribute her share with 

 those States who have engaged in a similar enterprise to the cause of science and 

 the diffusion of that information that can not but be useful to our sister States 

 and that of the whole country. Your committee believe that perhaps no State 

 of the Union is more interested in such an examination than Georgia; with a 

 most extensive territory, reaching from the marshes of the seacoast and pine 

 forests to the Appalachian Mountains, traversing a large extent of country of 

 every variety of location and soil, containing localities doubtless affording the 

 most important means of enriching and restoring her impoverished and barren 

 lands; a subject most intimately connected with the interests of agriculture, 

 whilst the arts and manufactures will find ample materials for their enterprise 

 and profit. Your conunittee believe that new articles of commerce will f)e de- 

 veloped for the employment and enriching our citizens. 



The extensive mining region of the western portion of our State, known, as 

 they are, to contain extensive and rich deposits of gold and other important 

 metals, furnish strong incentives to this undertaking. That our citizens may 

 not waste their resources in irregular and unscientific experiment much may be 

 done by the employment of one suitable and scientific individual, or more, who 

 shall furnish such facts and lay down such principles as will enable them to 

 direct their capital and enterprise with greater security against losses and disap- 

 pointments so well calculated to check the spirit of enterprise. 



Intimately connected with this subject is the great interests of internal im- 

 provement, whether by means of our navigable rivers or inlets or by means of 

 railroads. The streams of the State, with their extent and capabilities of navi- 

 gation, the ridges, mountains, and general (fertility) of the country, with its 

 capacity for agriculture and commerce, it is high time that Georgia, with all 

 her treasures, in money and resources, should, forgetting party bickering and 

 strife, make an effort to raise herself to that exalted station among her sister 

 States to which she is entitled by the extent and fertility of her territory, the 

 ample resources of commercial and agricultural enterprise, her favorable loca- 

 tion in reference to the other States, and the energy and intelligence of her citi- 

 zens. Your committee, therefore, beg leave to report the following resolutions. 



