Report on the Geological aigaay of Connecticut. 153 
a duty to give it as my decided conviction, that the iron and copper 
mines of the State constitute a legitimate object for the investment 
of capital ; and that if the enterprise of opening these resources is 
committed to persons of integrity and skill, it must prove eminently 
. Femunerative in its result, both to those immediately interested and 
to the population generally. For it is most obvious, that the work- 
ing of rich mines will not only react in a favorable manner on the 
agricultural interest, by advancing the price of farming produce, but 
will also promote the public prosperity by leading to the free circu- 
lation of capital, the improvement of roads, and to habits of increased 
industry in the people. 
“The advantages possessed by the State in respect to stabirials 
for architecture, decoration and porcelain,—for flagging, quicklime 
and cements,—if on the whole better known and admitted than those 
connected with her metallic resources, are still far from being appre- 
ciated to their full extent. This report it is hoped will make it evi- 
dent, that they are not only bestowed upon us with a liberal hand, 
but that they have their value greatly enhanced by the topographical 
features and geographical position .of our territory. The Sound 
affords a navigation secure almost as a river along the whole face of 
our southern boundary, while the Connecticut flows like a canal 
across the center of the State, and smaller streams and harbors 
cleave and indent the coast. Large and growing maritime cities 
must still continue to depend upon us for the supply of much of their 
most valued architectural materials; and in the improvement of 
harbors and the construction of fortifications, we are doubtless«des- 
tined to contribute as largely as heretofore. To an agricultural 
people, the possession of so many quarries under such circumstances, 
is peculiarly favorable ; surpassing perhaps in direct advantages to 
them, the existence of mines. For the working of these, together 
with the smelting of ores, are arts of slow and difficult acquisition, 
requiring in many instances the investment of an immense capital, 
which, in the fluctuating successes that often attend such operations, 
must sometimes remain unproductive for an entire generation. But 
the working of a stone quarry is little more than a branch of agri- 
culture. A farmer, supplying himself with a few additional instru- 
ments and materials, may work his ledges as well as his soil, accord- 
ing as one or the other rewards him best for his labor ; or he may 
manage both, without prejudice to either. His labor in each case, 
is alike conducted in the broad light and fresh air of open day. 
Vou. XXXIII.—No. 1. 
