508 BULLETIN 109, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



requires the examination of men of science to bring before the country and 

 make Icnown its value and usefulness to capitalists, who would be induced to 

 engage in fitting it for commerce, thereby creating new sources of wealth. It 

 is well known that Virginia affords, perhaps, the most extensive mines of iron 

 of any other country of the same extent, aiid fine specimens also of gold, lead, 

 copper, plaster of paris, gypsum, and inexhaustible mines of bituminous coal, 

 besides many valuable earths which constitute the finest manures, as will more 

 fully appear from the inspection of a comumuicatiou herewith placed before 

 you, having been received from a gentleman of much scientific knowledge and 

 reputation. 



No action appears to have been taken during this session, but dur- 

 ing that of 1834-35 memorials were received from Morgan, Freder- 

 ick, and Shenandoah Counties praying for such a survey. These 

 were referred to a select committee, which made an exhaustive re- 

 port * and presented the bill, a transcript of which is given below : 



A bill to authorize a zoological reconnoissance of the State, with a view to the chemical 

 conipositiou of ifs soils, minerals, and mineral waters. 



Be it enacted by the general assemhly, That, as soon after the passage of 

 this act as it may be convenient, it shall be the duty of the board of public 

 works to appoint a suitable person to make a geological reconnoissance of the 

 State, with a view to the general geological features of our territory and to 

 the chemical composition of its soils, minerals, and mineral waters, and to 

 report to the next general assembly a plan for the prosecution of a geological 

 survey of tlie State, together with such facts as may have come to his knowledge 

 during the progress of said reconnoissauce, illustrative of any advantages likely 

 to accrue from a more complete examination. 



Be it further enacted. That the said board of public works shall have author ■ 

 Jty, provided they should deem it expedient, to employ a topographical engineer 

 to aid the geologist to be employed in the reconnoissance aforesaid. 



Be it fvrther enacted, That the said board of public works shall have author- 

 ity to allow to the geologist and topographical engineer who may be employed 

 under the provisions of this act such compensation as they may deem reasonable 

 for each to be paid out of any unexpended moneys in the treasury: Provided. 

 That such compensation shall not exceed in the aggregate the sum of $3,000. 



This act shall commerice and be in force from the passing thereof. 



This bill, after some discussion and incidental modification, was 

 made a law March G, 1835. The following is the text of the bill as 

 it finally passed: 



1. Be it enacted by the general as.srmbly, That as soon after the passage of 

 this act as may be convenient it shall be the duty of the board of public works 

 to fippoint a suitable person to make a geological reconnoissance of the State, 

 with a view to the general geological features of our territory, and to the 

 chemical composition of its soils, minerals, and mineral waters, and to report 

 to the next general assembly a plan for the prosecution of a geological survey 

 of the State, together with such facts as may have come to his knowledge 

 daring the progress of said reconnoissance, illustrative of any advantages likely 

 to accrue from a more complete examination. 



' Given in detail in The Virginias of November, 1882, p. 167. 



