No. 124.J 
57 
employing a man for weighing food, milk and excrements, a hundred 
dollars at least, which, however, I do not mention as items for which I 
shall ask pay, nothing beyond the stated salary, excepting a small bill 
of chemicals. 
The printmg of the part relating to insects, I would have gone on 
with this winter, but only one form has been printed since December, 
the foreman having taken off my printer from my work. I design to 
get this part through the press early in the summer, though as the 
work stands, should the plates be colored, it may as well be delayed, 
or pass more slowly through the press. At any rate, the whole of 
the printing of my last volume will be finished before the plates can 
be colored. 
On the matter of pay, allow me to say that I ask merely that such 
a statement of facts shall be made as appears to yourselves right. I 
will finish my part ef the work as speedily as possible, pay or no pay. 
Yours truly, 
E. EMMONS. 
Columbus^ Ohio^ December. 12, 1850. 
Christopher Morgan, T. R. Beck, 
Commissioners on claims on the Geological Survey^ jV. F. 
Gentlemen — I should long since have written you but for the pro- 
tracted sickness of my wife, and constant attendance on her. On 
coming here a few days ago, I forgot to bring my papers relating to 
the Geological Survey of New-York. If it be not too late, you will 
oblige me by suspending your judgment, if it would be adverse to 
my claim, until I can refer to my papers. 
For the following reasons I think my claim ought to be allowed, 
viz : 
l«t. It is, I believe, in accordance with the spirit, and if my recol- 
lection serves me, with the letter of the law. 
2d. It is in accordance with the precedent in the case of Dr. J. E, 
Dekay. 
3d. It is, in a degree, in accordance with the cases of Dr. Emmons 
and Mr. HalK 
