92 THE GEOLOGY OF MINNESOTA. 



[Wheelock, ilfc. 



their full development, was felt; and although no general survey was insti- 

 tuted, a law was passed ordering at once a reprint of portions of the geo- 

 logical report of Wisconsin,* by Prof. Daniels, for the years 1854 and 1858. 

 This was printed in 1860, and contained Dr. D. F. Weinland's " sketch of the 

 lead region," with notes on the evidences of iron ore, which closed with a 

 statement of the "objects of a geological and natural history survey," 

 embracing thirty-four pages, dated Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 27, 1857. It also 

 embraced a paper read before the American Geographical and Statistical 

 Society, in 1856, by Mr. A. S. Hewitt, on the " statistics and history of the 

 production of iron." 



JOSEPH A. WHEELOCK. 



[First Annual Report of the Commissioner of Statistics, or the year ending January 1st, I860.] 



The second legislature enacted, in February, 1860, a law establishing 

 a bureau of statistics, and creating a Commissioner of statistics. Mr. 

 Wheelock was appointed ; and such was his indefatigable industry and his 

 knowledge of the state, that on July 1st of the same year he rendered a 

 voluminous report " for the year ending January 1st, 1860." This was the 

 first official presentation of her natural capabilities on the part of the new 

 state of Minnesota; and it is not saying too much to assert that it has been 

 one of the most powerful instruments in recommending the state to eastern 

 capitalists and farmers, and in hastening, as well as directing, the almost 

 unprecedented growth that she has maintained from that time. This docu- 

 ment deals not with the discovery of new facts, or the description of new 

 regions, or the establishment ot new principles, but it is a forcible presenta- 

 tion, in easy grouping, of those known natural features and resources of the 

 state, in a harmonious and terse yet comprehensive review, which give the 

 state a commanding pre-eminence in the Union in point of agriculture, and 

 promise for it a corresponding position in respect of population, manufac- 

 tures, wealth and general intelligence. The statistics proper, presented by 

 the Commissioner, are preceded by an able essay on the geographical posi- 

 tion, physical geography, agricultural capabilities and climatology of the 

 state. Chapters are also added on the condition and progress of agriculture, 

 commerce, railroads, manufactures and public lands. 



"Minnesota was formely embraced in the territory of Wisconsin. 



