ISO CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



of the ablest philosophers and experimenters of France, 

 Sweden, and England. The names of Bossut, of Lagher- 

 jelm, and of Beaufoy, are vouchers for the truth of this 

 assertion. The labor of the last named author, in which it 

 appears that his wife was a frequent participator, was truly 

 Herculean; and the splendid publication and gratuitous 

 distribution by their son of the thirty years' scientific 

 labors of his parents, is a method of building u monument 

 as novel and touching as it is liberal and affectionate; 

 while the monument itself is more honorable, perhaps, 

 than any which the pencils, burins and chisels 'of Britain 

 have ever produced. 



4. If from the public defence, both military and naval, we. 

 pass to the public revenues, especially to that part which is 

 derived from the sale of the public domain, we readily find 

 ample reason to sustain a call for scientific investigations. 



The agricultural value, the geological structure, the min- 

 eral resources, the botanical productions, the supplies of 

 water for manufacturing purposes, the true geographical 

 position, and the force and present direction of terrestrial 

 magnetism in the regions where the public lands are situ- 

 ated, are circumstances to be attentively examined in pros- 

 ecuting a survey of those lands. 



The analytical chemist will decide the value, for mining 

 purposes, of those regions, which the geologist and miner- 

 alogist shall have explored; while the engineer will note 

 whatever advantages and facilities may be offered for inter- 

 nal communications. 



The formation of a geological and mineralbgical collec- 

 tion, would result, of course, from the surveys and exami- 

 nations contemplated in the foregoing remarks. And none, 

 surely, can doubt the ability of our country to furnish 

 collections which may stand in competition with the richest 

 and most celebrated in Europe. Though it is true that 

 mineralogical exploration, the art of mining, and the chem- 

 ical analysis of minerals, are almost in their infancy amongst 

 us, and though it will be remembered, that even geological 

 inquiries in this country have not surpassed the time of a 

 single human life, since the father* of American geology is 

 still among the living; and though, as a natural conse- 

 quence, we yet know comparatively little respecting the 

 treasures of our mountains, and forests, and prairies^ still, 



* William Maclure, Esq., author of "Geology of the United States," 

 resident in the city of Mexico ; April, 1838. [Since deceased, 1844.] 



