488 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1904. 



But one report was issued, a pamphlet of IT pages, bearing the date 

 1859. It very briefly outlined the work accomplished, laying con- 

 siderable emphasis upon the presence of coal and other economic 

 products, including petroleum. George G. Shumard was assistant 

 geologist, W. P. Riddell, chemist, and A. lloessler, draftsman. 



In a letter to J. D. Dana, and by the latter printed in the American 

 Journal of Science for April, 1858, Professor Safford, then at Cumber- 

 land University, Lebanon, Tennessee, called attention to an important 

 safford on the anc ^ previously unrecognized unconformability existing 



BetweenThe Lower between the Lower and Upper Silurian formations in 

 and upper Silurian Tennessee, indicating, as he felt, the one-time presence 



Formations in °? *■ 



Tennessee, 1858-59. Q f an j s [ ana >sonie go to 90 miles in diameter in the 

 Upper Silurian and Devonian seas, and occupying a central position 

 with reference to the present limits of the State. This he regarded as 



age t<> the North, submitted them to "my friend Mr. Meek," returned to Texan, and 

 shortly after published a learned (?) article in winch he referred these beds to the 



Coal Measures, their true age. I am aware that he professes to he a friend of mine, 

 hut I can cry, "save me from such friends." lie says truly that I am or have heen 

 in trouble, but all of the trouble has been caused either by himself or his friends. 

 He spent some live or six weeks here hist winter during the session of the legislature, 

 and it is believed here that he used every endeavor to get either my position or that 

 of one of my assistants, either of whom are much better geologists than he. Gov- 

 ernor Runnels refused him the appointment solely on the ground of incompetency, 

 and insisted, for the same reason, that I should not give him the place of assistant. 

 He has been a politician ad his life and for many years edited a leading political 

 paper in this State. No one in this State believes him to be a geologist, although 

 for political reasons some profess to think so. I believe conscientiously that if the 

 geological survey of this State is abolished, it will be done through the maneuvering 

 of Dr. M.'s friends or himself. It would have been abolished last winter had the 

 legislature entertained the opinion that Dr. M. would be placed in charge of the 

 survey. The people throughout the State feel a great interest in the survey. But 

 the important work will assuredly cease with the next legislature if Houston makes 

 the change. I do not know what encouragement Gov. Houston has given Dr. M. 

 He (Houston) has removed everyone of Runnel's appointees, except myself, and 

 but for the interference of some of Houston's warmest admirers I should have shared 

 the same fate ere this. I have had indirect assurances from influential Houston 

 men that I am not to lie disturbed. It may he, however, that he would like to 

 remove me simply from his hatred to Runnels, and that he would like to shield 

 himself behind testimonials in Dr. M's favor from such men as Professors Henry, 

 Bache, and yourself. Or it may be that Dr. M. wishes the testimonials merely to 

 induce Houston to give him the place. < >f one thing 1 am quite certain, and that is, 

 any testimonials he may succeed in procuring will he employed to the injury of the 

 survey. * * * 



I am sorry that I have had to say unkind things of anyone, but in the matter of 

 the Texas survey the case requires it. I shall feel much obliged to you if you will 

 communicate the contents of this letter to Professor Henry, to whom lam under 

 many obligations for many favors. I shall strive to merit the good opinion that he 

 entertains of me. 



* •:;• * * * * 



B. F. Shumabd. 



