HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 93 



1861, Anderson and Clark.] 



Mr. Wheelock's second report as Commissioner of .statistics, rendered 

 December 1st, 1861, is very similar in scope and character to that of 1860, 

 with the added value of the U. S. census returns for 1860. 



ANDERSON AND CLARK. 



The second legislature also passed, March 10th, 1860, a concurrent resolu- 

 tion providing for " Commissioners" to report on the geology of the state, 

 and to submit a plan for a thorough geological survey of the state. The 

 commissioners appointed were Charles L. Anderson and Thomas Clark. 

 These gentlemen submitted separate reports under the date of January 25th, 

 1861, making an octavo pamphlet of twenty-six pages. It embraces a 

 chapter on the general geological features of Minnesota, and one on a plan 

 for a geological survey, by Mr. Anderson ; also one by Mr. Clark on some 

 general climatic, topographical and geological features of the north- 

 eastern portion of the state. Governor Ramsey discouraged the inaugura- 

 tion of a geological survey at that time, knowing that the cost is not only 

 always great, but always greater than was expected, and believing that the 

 actual material advantages to a state from such surveys are commonly 

 overrated.* He considered that the new state had a sufficient burden in the 

 establishment and support of its charitable and educational institutions, 

 but hoped that when the state had reached that point when she " could 

 expend fifty or a hundred thousand dollars in this one department ot 

 science," such a survey would be undertaken. He also recommended 

 the commencement of a collection of state minerals at the seat of govern- 

 ment, as an index to the extent of its mineral wealth and resources, which 

 would thus become a matter for investigation. 



Mr. Anderson's report summarizes briefly some ol the chapters of Dr. 

 Owen's report on Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, and closes with some 

 very pertinent remarks regarding the plan, object and cost ot a geological 

 survey. 



The objects of a geological survey may be stated very briefly, as follows : It consists in placing 

 before the people of the state, in the most available and intelligible form, all the information that 

 can be obtained in regard to the rocks, minerals and soils. Also to this might be added informa- 

 tion, especially of a practicallcharacter, in regard to the vegetables and animals peculiar to the 

 state. 



Message communicating to Hie House of Representatives the reports of Anderson and Clark. 



