INTRODUCTORY LETTER. 
To His Excellency, E. N. Conway, 
Governor of Arkansas: 
Sm—In conformity to an act approved 15th January, 1857, entitled “an 
act to provide for a geological survey of the State of Arkansas,” I had 
the honor of being appointed by you State Geologist of the State of 
Arkansas, which office I accepted with the proviso that I was to commence 
the geological survey of the state as early as my engagements in Ken- 
tucky permitted, say about the Ist of October, or as soon thereafter as 
possible, it being, however, expressly understood that my salary as Geolo- 
gist of the State of Arkansas, was not to commence until I entered upon 
the duties of that office, as will appear from the following letter of your 
Excellency, addressed to me on the 20th April, 1857: 
Executive OFEice, 
Litile Rock, Arks., 
20th April, 1857. 
Dr. D. D. Owen— 
Sir: [have appointed you State Geologist of the State of Arkansas, 
under the act of the 15th January, 1857, as shown by the enclosed com- 
mission, which will take effect from and after the Ist day of October, 1857; 
and your salary is to commence upon your qualification, on or before the 
15th October, 1857, that is, as soon as you shall enter upon your duties as 
State Geologist of Arkansas, under said law, and not before then. I hope 
by the first day of October, you will have completed your present engage- 
ments in the State of Kentucky, and that you will accept the commission 
which I send you upon the terms stated in it. 
As a measure of economy, as far as this state is concerned, I was pleased 
