8 GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



the inhabitants of a district or not, and I cannot depart from this inex- 

 orable law for fear or favor. It is my earnest wish at all times to report 

 that which will be most pleasing to the people of the West, providing 

 there is any foundation for it in nature. When I cannot do so, I shall 

 wait for time to place me right in their estimation. 



To Dr. G. L. Miller, editor of the Omaha Herald, and Captain William 

 Wilcox and William Stephens, of the firm of Stephens & Wilcox, Omaha, 

 Colonel I. W. French, of Cheyenne, and Miers Fisher, of Denver, Colo- 

 rado, my entire party have been indebted, from time to time, for material 

 favors of great value. My thanks are also due to Hon. S. F. Nuckolls, of 

 Cheyenne, Dr. Hiram Latham, of Laramie City, J. W. Watson, of 

 Georgetown, D. C. Collier, of Central City, and J. M. Marshall, of 

 Black Hawk, Colorado. The gentlemen connected with the press of 

 the whole West, with very few exceptions, have always given me the 

 most hearty sympathy and assistance in all my labors, and to them I 

 extend my cordial thanks. 



I have thought it best to make these preliminary reports the vehicle 

 of much detailed matter which T believe to be useful, upon which I shall 

 hereafter base many generalizations, but which cannot be repeated in a 

 more elaborate final report. The object of these reports seems to me 

 to be to bring before the people at as early a date as possible immediate 

 practical results. I have also endeavored to render them as free from 

 technical language as possible consistent with scientific accuracy. By the 

 hundreds of thoughtful minds all over our country the essays of Leidy, 

 Cope, Lesquereux, Hodge, and Newberry will be read with deep interest. 

 If this report is not as complete as could be desired, I would respect- 

 fully direct your attention to the fact that the entire exploration has 

 been made and the report submitted to you in a little less than six 

 months from the date of the passage of the bill authorizing it. It is my 

 hope to be able to continue these reports from year to year, and to make 

 them more complete and more useful to science and to the country. 

 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



F. V. HAYDEN, 



United States Geologist. 

 Hon. Columbus Delano, 



Secretary of the Interior. 



