4 
[ASSSSIBLT 
YoiiT committee in sustaining the position they assume in this re- 
port, are sustained by a communication of the Messrs. Wiley and Put- 
nam. They say, "judging from our own views of the matter, simply a& 
a business transaction, we should doubt if you could find any publishing 
house to undertake the publication, no charge being made for copy 
right." 
Your committee are informed by letter from Mr. George Endicott 
that he has, by request, had an interview with Messrs. Appletons, 
** with the same result," and states as his opi lion, '* I doubt if any 
publisher would undertake this under the circumstances, as the State 
has distributed a large edition, almost gratuitously, which would be a 
serious detriment to a pubhsher^s success." He adds, " I have no 
doubt, however, that an edition of 3 or 6,000 copies might be publish- 
ed by the State, and distributed among the people, at a price that 
would pay the cost. There has been a great excitement in this city, 
and I learn through the State generally, on the subject, and much dis- 
appointment that a larger number could not be had. I have known 
many sets of the first ten volumes sold at 40, 50 and 60 dollars." 
Your committee would add, that the large publishing house in this 
city of C. Van Benthuysen & Co. have been consulted, and they gave 
the following answer : 
''Albany, March 23 , 1846. 
" Sir — Your note of the 20th is at hand, asking us what price we 
would pay for the copyright of the Geological Survey of the State of 
New-York, now in course of publication, &c. &c. 
In reply, we would state, that it has not been our practice to 
publish works on our own account, with the exception of a very few 
cases. In the case of the Geological Survey, we would not incur the 
pecuniary responsibility of publishing so large a work, even if the 
copyright was furnished us gratuitously. 
" Respectfully yours, &c. 
" C. VAN BENTHUYSEN & Co." 
Other publishing houses have been consulted, with like results, none 
desiring to accept the copyright as a gift, and be compelled to publish 
the work. 
