Huinplirej-s.] ^>^ [July IS, 



To Brevet Major-Gekeeal A. A. Humphreys, 



Chief of Engineers U. 8. Army. 



Sir — At a recent meeting of the American Philosophical Society it 

 was stated by one of the inembers that there remained on file in the En- 

 gineer Bureau, U. S. A., several reports of explorations in the Territories 

 of the United States, awaiting the necessary funds for publication. 



The Secretaries of the Society were thereupon directed to address you 

 on the importance of rendering the scientific parts of the reports, and 

 moi'e especially those relating to the geology of the regions traversed, ac- 

 cessible to the public, with as little delay as possible. 



The American Philosophical Society, ever mindful of the object of its 

 oi'ganization, " for promoting useful knowledge," feels particular solici- 

 tude in everything that concerns the great mineral resources of the in- 

 terior of the continent, called by President Grant the strong box of the 

 nation, and knowing that the geological explorations referred to have 

 been made by men eminent in science, and deserving of the confidence of 

 the community, is anxious that the results of their labor, acquired at 

 great cost to the government, shall not be superseded, or the wise cau- 

 tions contained therein rendered nugatory, by explorations conducted in 

 the interests of private speculations. 



The liberal appropriation granted by the last Congress to the geologi- 

 cal survey of Nevada and Utah under Clarence King, Esq., has caused 

 the Society to hope that an application for the means to publish the 

 scientific results already obtained, and now on file, may not be without 

 success. 



In conclusion, we would add that the present communication, as di- 

 rected by the Society, is intended for use, at such time and in such man- 

 ner as you may think most proper for carrying out the object desired, and 

 to aid you, so far as lies in the power of the Society, in rendering assist- 

 ance, as you have heretofore done, to the great scientific and industrial 

 interests of our country. 



Signed, Charles B. Trego, E. Otis Kendall, John L. Leconte, J, P. 

 Lesley, Secretaries American Philosophical Society. 



Office of the Chief of Engineers, 



Washington, D. C, July 8, 1869. 



Gentlemen — Your letter of the 26th ultimo, respecting the publication 

 of Eeports of Explorations, affords me great satisfaction, since it informs 

 me of the powerful aid of the American Philosophical Society in securing 

 authority to complete some of the chief objects of the explorations of our. 

 Territories by disseminating the information obtained as to their resources 

 and the means for their development. 



It gives me pleasure to state that the Secretary of War has sanctioned 

 the publication of the Report on Geology, by Dr. Hayden, in connection 

 with the exploration of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers, and that it 

 is now in the hands of the printer, and will soon be ready for distribution. 



The results of Mr. Clarence King's surveys in Utah and Nevada, will 

 be published as soon as they are prepared. Congress having made provi- 

 sion for it. The Report of Captain, now Brevet Brig. Gen. J. H. Simp- 

 son, has not been printed. It is hoped, however, that authority for the 

 publication of the scientific portions at least will be given, and to this 

 end your letter will afford valuable aid. 



There are no other reports of explorations on the files of this office. 



Cordially thanking the Society for its support, I have the honor to be, 

 very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



A. A. Humphreys, 

 Brig. Gen. and Chief Engineer. 



