On Land Surveys in the United States. 139 



7th. The Deputies shall at stated tunes compare their Instruments 

 with the meridians established in their respective counties, and with 

 the standards of measure with which they may be furnished, and in 

 their surveys in addition to the usual remarks they are to be particular 

 in noting as accurately as possible, the exact position of every object of 

 interest in a Geological, Mineralogical, Botanical or Agricultural point 

 of view that may fall within the lines or tract to be surveyed, and they 

 shall furthermore make out a plan and report of the same, a copy of 

 which shall be forwarded to the Surveyor General and the expense 

 of the same defrayed by the state. In every plan or description of 

 a survey the bearings of the several lines are to be given with re- 

 ference to the established meridian, and on some part of the plan 

 shall be noted the variation of the magnetic needle, as last observed, 

 with the amount and mode of applying the proper correction to adapt 

 it, if possible, to the precise time of executing the survey. 



Were a system of the character above described to be instituted in 

 each state in the Union, the public would derive from it an incalcula- 

 ble benefit. The lines of surveys would be correctly established, the 

 limits of each separate tract of land would be defined with an accura- 

 cy and certainty which no other method could ensure ; most of the 

 numerous vexations and litigations arising out of disputed boundaries 

 would be avoided, and society would be saved the unpleasant feel- 

 ings and personal strifes, and heartburnings which such disputes in- 

 variably occasion, and (what is of equal if not greater importance,) 

 the resources of the country would be developed to an extent which 

 it is not easy to calculate. Within a very few years as correct a 

 topographical knowledge of the whole country would be obtained as 

 is now possessed of any of the older countries of Europe, and the 

 precise localities of the various valuable Mineralogical, Botanical, 

 and other natural productions would be given with a degree of pre- 

 cision of which no other country can boast, and surveying, as a most 

 useful and necessary branch of the sciences and the arts, would rise 

 to the rank to which, from its importance, it is justly entitled. 



As landed property is constantly increasing in value, greater ac- 

 curacy will be required in the execution of the surveys, and we can- 

 not in consequence too soon commence upon an improved system, 

 for the longer the change is delayed, the more firmly shall we be 

 established in error, and a reformation if effected will bring with it 

 but a portion of its benefits. 



