GEOLOGICAli AXD NATURAL HISTORY SURVEYS. IW 



Springs made under the direction of the department in connection with the sur. 

 reys amount to the additional sum of $33,906.93.* 



The geological surveys have abundantly developed the resources of the State 

 and exhibited the fact that in agricultural and mineral wealth and in all the 

 elements of true prosperity, Michigan possesses advantages excelled bj' no other 

 State in tlie Union. The embarrassed condition of the treasury admonishes us, 

 however, to avoid every expenditure not absolutely indispensable, and I submit 

 to your consideration wlietber the duties of this department are not now so far 

 completed as to leuder it expedient to bring them to a close after uuikinjr th** 

 necessary provision to preserve the information already obtained.' 



Some statements embraced in a communication from the late State 

 topograplier S. W. liiggins, dated January 7, 1846, and addressed 

 to the logishttiire, ought here to be cited : 



As, in consequence of the lamented death of Doctor Houghton, late State 

 geologist, some legislative action vvill be called for in relation to the future dis- 

 position of the State survey, and in the absence of the annual report from the 

 head of that depaUment, I have deemed it proiser to accompany this report [on 

 the sixth section lands] with some observations which may be important 

 ander present circumstances. 



Mr. Higgins then proceeds to state that Mr. Behx Hubbard "had 

 undertaken in part the preparation of the final report, for which 

 purpose all the field notes and other information collected during the 

 progress of the State survey were placed in his hands." 



Air. Pliggins refers to the fact that the period originally contem- 

 plated for the completion of the survey expired in 1843,^ since which 

 time, the State geologist, under a greatly reduced appropriation, has 

 continued actively at work, chiefly in the Upper Peninsula. He 

 repeats the statement respecting the completion of the field work in 

 the Lower Peninsula. He says: 



A large amount of engra^ings and lithographs for the final report are couj- 

 pleted and the v.hole, it is thought, can be tinislied within another year. Most 

 of these are in a style of art superior to anything of the kind ever executed in 

 this country.* 



* This statement may unintentionally convey a false impression. While the location of 

 the wells was directed l)y jjeolojjical considerations, the sinl^ing of them was a purely 

 Bechanical labor, wliich mlshl as well have been imposed on the attorney general or tUs 

 Bup'TiGtendont of public insti'tiction. Nor did the money expended on the wells advance 

 materially a l:nowIrdse of Michigan geology. This expense, instead of being coupled witb 

 geological expenditures, ought, so far as the State geologist's time devoted to well boring 

 Is conceruf'd, to be dodiictod from the aggregate expenses of the survey. The same is 

 true of expanses incurnd in making collections for the university in locating sixteenth 

 section lands and in running the boundary between Michigan and Wisconsin. 



' U would appear that the governor had pov%fer, if he svould, to appoint a successor to 

 Doctor Ilougliion. Had lie done this the machinery would not have fallen to pieces. 



• U appears to have expired Mar. 1, 1842, the last appropriation being available Mar. 

 1, 1841. The most obvious interpretation of the lav/ would make the last appropri.Ttion 

 available Mar. 1, 1840. 



< It is greatly to be regretted that these illustrations could not have been permitted to 

 tee the light. I came into the Stale but eight years after the date of this communica- 

 tion, but have never been able !o discover the place of deposit of these drawings and en 

 jrravings. I found the tradition in esisti nco as above stated; and I think tlie impression 

 prevails that this class of property was placed In the custody of the university, But 



