TO HIS EXCELLENCY SILAS WRIGHT, 
Governor of Ihe Slate of New-York. 
SIR. 
The present volume, the completion of which is in a great measure due to 
your special indulgence (in granting a prolongation of the time originally 
stipulated), contains a general account of the soils of the State, their 
composition and distribution, and their relations to the underlying forma¬ 
tions. Although the work thus far has been the result of much labor, still 
I can but barely hope that its execution may meet your approbation, and 
subserve the purpose for which the Survey was ordered by the Legislature 
of New-York. 
Your obedient servant, 
Ai.bany, December 30, 184(5 
E. EMMONS. 
