90 BULLETIISr 109, UNITED STATES NATIOKAT^ MUSEUM. 



and the raap will be completed this year, and the map will be ready for the 

 engraver as early as November next. The geological map mentioned embraces 

 the entire lead region of the three States, and is about 30 by 40 inches. The 

 crevice map shows all the known workings of Iowa and Illinois, and the most 

 important part of those in Wisconsin, laid down on a large scale in red lines, on 

 a map about 3 by 5} feet. It is probable and indeed almost certain that the 

 Legislature of Wisconsin will order the engraving of one or both these maps 

 the present year, and should the Legislature of Iowa take no action in regard 

 to the matter, I propose to take some step by which the use of the engraving 

 can be secured to Iowa at some future time. 



In accordance with the plan of the survey indicated above, every one of the 

 300 copies of the Iowa geological report sent to foreign governments and 

 societies, as v/ell as to the State governments, is accompanied by a circular 

 stating that the work of the survey is in progress and that a second volum« 

 will soon be published, and that the State is desirous of securing European 

 works from their public libraries in exchange. 



I might here state that the ultimate plan of the survey contemplates a com- 

 plete exploration of the western half of the State, with carefully examined 

 sections of the valley of the Des Moines and of the Missouri, which will be 

 engraved in a similar manner to that given of the Mississippi Valley in the 

 first volume. Exnminations of the drift and alluvial materials of the surface 

 and the soils have been commenced and a large accumulation of facts relative 

 to the soils of the eastern half of the State collected. The discussion of this 

 subject in all its bearings can not be properly taken up until the western bnlf 

 of the State shall have been examined, when this department of the survey 

 will receive that attention which its importance demands. 



In making the preceding statement I have borne these facts in mind, and 

 aware of the necessity of economy, I have asked for the smallest sum that will 

 enable me to do the work proposed and to preserve the materials collected and 

 prepare them for a future report, and at the same time secure that priority for 

 the State of Iowa to which she is entitled by the publication, at a trifling ex- 

 pense of such matters as might otherwise be lost to us; and by this means 

 secure originality or the result of oi-lginal investigation for the future com- 

 plete report, the character of which I am very desirous should be kept up to 

 the standard of the preceding volumes. 



******* 



(Signed) James Hall. 



Nothing seems, however, to have come from this, but as late as 

 1865 Hall wrote Governor Grimes : 



I never understood that I was appointed by you for any specific time, but 

 to complete the survey, and j'our instructions to me were that I should make 

 volume 1 of such a character that another volume of similar size would con- 

 lain the entire result. This plan was adopted, and I felt that should there be 

 a disposition to resume the survey an opportunity would be given me to make 

 another volume as promised.* 



' It .nppears f\irther from correspondence tliat Hall was never fully reimbursed for 

 certain outlays which ho had felt justified in making, though sundry appeals were made (o 

 the Icfxislature to remedy the omission. In one instance a member mtide a distinct offer to 

 get a bill through, or, if unsuccessful in his attempt, to procure the passage of an act 

 that would enable Hall to sue for it in the county courts; this, however, on the following 

 extraordinary terms: "Namely, for one-half (the amount) if successful, or nothing if 

 not." The undertaking was deservedly unsuccessful, the member writin,!;; under date of 

 May 27, 1872: " I am sincerely ashamed of the conduct of the State in ignoring your 

 claim under the circumstances and done (sic) my very best to wipe out the stain." 



