INTRODUCTION. 11 
which is so pertinent to the subject that I here extract a few paragraphs 
bearing on the question: 
“ Beruw, February 6th, 1858.” 
“ Dear Str: I have often made the remark to you and to our people, 
that there is less known, both at home and abroad, of Indiana, her capa- 
bilities and resources, than of any state of the Union. Of the truth of this 
fact, 1am more and more convinced. I am daily brought in contact with 
men of intelligence who feel a great interest in obtaining information 
about our country, especially how money may be invested there, so as to 
bring the largest return. They wish to learn, what are the most desirable 
portions for manufactures and trade. 
Questions are often put to me about the mineral resources of Indiana, 
and thesurprise expressed thata state, so rich in that respect, has not taken 
pains to let its wealth be known to the world. A few have heard of the 
partial survey, and the report thereon, made by Mr. Owen, some years 
ago, but have not seen it—and I doubt whether you can find half a dozen 
copies in the state, or even one in the state-library. I could distribute 
hundreds of those reports, imperfect as they are, with great advantage to 
our state. 
I know the great interest you take, living as you do in the midst of the 
coal and iron region of the western world, in the development of the min- 
eral resources of Indianagand I cannot forbear urging upon you renewed 
exertions in this matter. Our statesmen, our literary men, our men of 
wealth may come to Europe and talk of the resources of the country, her 
mineral wealth, her capacities for improvement; but when the capitalist 
and intelligent mechanic desire to know, where they shall use their capital 
of money or mind, where they shall establish their manufactories or locate 
their mining operations, they wish to see the survey and report of the man 
of science, who can tell them where they may certainly find remuneration 
for their labor, and what it shall be. 
To develop the resources of a country, the combined action of capital 
and labor is required. Capital and labor are annually coming to our 
country from Europe; but much too large a proportion passes directly 
through our state and finds its home and employment in Wisconsin, I]li- 
nois, lowa and Missouri. If our state were better known, if its capacities 
‘were published abroad in a manner which could command the confidence 
of the capitalist and the emigrant, this would not be so. 
That we have mineral wealth, we know. Coal, iron, lead, zinc, building 
stone and slate, are found in abundance, and clays useful in the arts are 
extensively distributed. But in how great an abundance these may be 
