GEOLOGICAL AND NATUK^Uj HISTORY SURVEYS. 369 



At its session of 1848-49 the general assembly had authorized a 

 corporation under the name of the " Cape Fear & Deep River Navi- 

 o-ation Co." to make said river navigable above Fayetteville, to and 

 above the coal fields in Chatham County, it being believed at that 

 time that there were extensive deposits of coal and iron in that 

 region, and there was naturally a strong desire on the part of the 

 corporation and the people owning lands in the region for a system- 

 atic sur^•ey of the area. For several years, too, considerable excite- 

 ment had prevailed in the western section of the State in connection 

 with mining interests, especially those relating to copper. 



At its session of 1850-.51 the general assembly of the State, acting 

 presumably under the recommendation of Governor JNIanly, passed 

 an act authorizing a geological, mineralogical, botanical, and agri- 

 cultural survey to be made. The following is a transcript of this 

 act: 



An act to provide for a geological and agricultural survey of the State. 



Section 1. Be it enacted hy the General Assembly of the State of North Caro- 

 lina, and it is herehi/ enacted hy the authority of the same, That the governor 

 shall, as soon as [iractical, select and appoint some suitable person to conduct, 

 under the ?:eneral supervision of himself and the literary board, a geological, 

 mineralogical, botanical, and agricultural survey of the State. 



Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the person so selected 

 and appointed to examine and survey each and every county of the State; to 

 ascertain the different geological formations of each county and section of the 

 State; the nature, character, and value of its minerals; the nature and character 

 of its soils and the best method of improving the same: the natiu'e and kind of 

 its productions and their position and relative value; its facilities for manufac- 

 tories; the extent and value of its water power; the character and value of its 

 botanical productions: the character and value of its timber; and all other facts 

 connected with the subjects of geology, mineralogy, botany, and agriculture 

 which may tend to a full de\elopment of the resources of our State; uud that the 

 said person so selected and appointed to conduct said survey shall be authorized 

 to employ such agents and assistants, to be approved of by the governor, as may 

 be necessary to enable him speedily and successfuly to accomplish the objects 

 couunitted to his charge; and he shall, from time to time, communicate to the 

 governor, to be by him communicated to the legislature, a report or reports, in 

 writing, setting forth fully the results of his survey, which reports shall be pub- 

 lished under the supervision of the governor and literary board. 



Sec. 3. Be it further enacted. That tlie expenditures incurred by .said survey 

 shall not exceed ,$5,000 per annum, to be paid by the public treasurer upon the 

 warrant of the governor, out of any moneys in the treasui-y not otherwise 

 appropriated. 



Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the person making 

 Buch survey to deliver lectures upon the subjects committed to his charge In 

 tlie villages through which he shall pass: Provided, That he shall not thereby 

 delay his other duties. 



Ratified January 24, 1851. 



