JiditoridI ( onniK'iif. 51 
"The I'ojist Survey \va^ authorized to do certain work for Statt^s. An 
appropriation was made for that ])urpose.'" 
It is well known that Congress authorizedthe Coast anddeodetic 
Survey, and made special appropriations for the purpose, to aid 
such States as had inaugurated either geological or topographical 
surveys. T^p to 1SS2 the following States had been aided in this 
way, viz. : Ohio. Indiana. Wisconsin. New Hampshire, Pennsyl- 
vania, Missouri, Kentucky. New Jersey, Connecticut, South 
Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, New York and Vermont, 
and more or less progress had been made in all of these States. 
Since then the number has V)een increased. 
Prof. Hilgai-d says. p. ]?>'!: 
■"Under tlie provisions of the last clause aiding States having topo- 
graphical or geological surveys, eleven States liave inaugurated sur- 
veys which are now in active jirosecution under direction of the Coast 
and (geodetic Survey." 
The specific work dam> w.is the furnishing of a series- of trig- 
onometric points connected with the grand s^'tsem or "gridiron" 
of triangulation extended over the country, t)y which accurate 
topographical and all eadaslral maps could be constructed as fast 
as wanteil. In some instances the Coast Survey had made pre- 
liminary topographical maps Cp. 41) like those of the United 
States Cieological Survey. l>ut the otticers did not consider them 
final. Such maps were made in North Carolina, and they were 
used as a basis for the geological maj) of that state pub- 
lisluul by Prof. Kerr. Such were made in the region between Wash- 
ington and South .Mountain, (p. -t2), and -in the interior ". /. <■,, 
in Maryland and A'irginia. whert^ twenty-two finished sheets had 
been executed. Indeed there was an umlerlying expectation that 
there would result tinally from the Coast and Geodetic Survey a 
complete topographical ma[) of the I'niled States. There vvtus hence 
a perfect system of national and state topographical sm-veys well 
organized and under its charge, progressing as fast as uecessarv. 
with ability to progress indefinitely fastei-. 
This was recognize(l by the National .Vcademy of Science in its 
n'commendations of 1S7S, and the organization of the United 
States (leological Survey was effected in lS7!t without faking this 
function away from the tieodetic Survey. Indeed the action of 
Congress left the Ceodetic Survey with all this duty on hand and 
in course of fullillmenl. und ilid //->/ jin it t,, the mir siirriii 
