56 [Assembly 



REPORT ON THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF MINES, 



Proposed to be established under the auspices of the American Insti- 

 tute of JVew-York. Dr. C. T. Jackson, Director. 



From the rapid career in which our republic has attained its 

 present elevated rank in the scale of nations ; the unbounded re- 

 sources in agricultural and mineral wealth which lie dormant in 

 its vast domain ; the increasing demand for active young men, ef- 

 ficiently educated and capable of developing those resources by 

 means of an enlightened knowledge of agriculture — by the dis- 

 covery and successful working of quarries and mines — and by the 

 construction or opening of suitable thoroughfares for advantage- 

 ously conveying their products to a ready and profitable marketj 

 and, above all, from the unsurpassed growth, prospective in- 

 crease, and accessibility of this great emporium, the American 

 Institute has been sensibly impressed with the importance of es- 

 tablishing a " School of Mines," in which can be taught the arts 

 of practical and scientific agriculture, mining and civil engineer- 

 ing, where the sons of farmers, merchants, manufacturers, and 

 others may be properly educated and fitted for a calling respecta- 

 ble and useful to themselves and an honor to their country. 



Actuated by these patriotic motives, as well as by the desire 

 to encour^ige every effort that will tend to promote the true inte- 

 rests of our common country, the Institute cordially approves of 

 the plan contemplated by Dr. Charles T. Jackson of establishing 

 a School of Mines at the city of New-York, and confidently re- 

 commends this laudable enterprise as highly worthy of the con- 

 sideration and patronage of the public. 



Dr. Jackson proposes to commence such a school as soon as prac- 

 ticable, with two courses of popular lectures, one on Geology, Mi- 

 neralogy, Metallurgy and Mining, and the other on the Principles 

 of Chemistry, to be given on alternate evenings ; and also with the 

 opening of a laboratory in connection with a lecture room, in 

 which it is proposed to give specific instructions, at stated periods 

 in the day time, in the various branches appertaining to Agricul- 

 ture, Geology, Mineralogy, Jlnalytical and Applied Chemistry, Mi- 

 nings Civil Engineering and Mautical Astronomy, together with the 



