Petition by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for establishing geological surveys and published reports in Wisconsin

American Association for the Advancement of Science

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Wisconsin

Gentlemen

At the second meeting of "The American Association for the Advancement of Science," held at Cambridge, in August last, the following resolution reported by the Standing Committee, was unanimously adopted.

Resolved, that the American Association for the advancement of Science, cordially approves of the establishment of societies for the developement of the Geology and Natural History of the several states and that a committee be appointed to memorialize the State Governments which have had no Geological Surveys, or which have had them suspended, on the importance and necessity of establishing or resuming them.

In accordance with this resolution, the undersigned committee respectfully asks the attention of your honourable body to the object of the memorial.

The importance and necessity of Geological Surveys have long since been settled in the communities of the old continent; and in our own land whenever the great interests have seriously occupied the public mind, the utility of such explorations has been properly appreciated. In many of the States of the Union, partial surveys have been commenced - ammounting, in some to a mere reconnaissance of the prominent features of the formations, and in others to more elaborate investigation - Among the latter, New York has set an example of liberality, public spirit, and high appreciation of this useful work, worthy of all praise, and, in addition to the great local interests which have been developed as the fruits of her bounty, she has the proud satisfaction of having erected a scientific monument in the published reports which may well serve as a model for her sister States.

Massachusetts has done much, and the results have been given in valuable publications which do honour to that State; but there remain yet to be accomplished objects of large scientific interest, which, no doubt will be effected. In other States, the published reports may be considered as only preliminary to more extended and elaborate productions. In several of the States surveys have been completed, but the results have not yet been given to the public.

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In relation to the great agricultural interests of the country, the value of Geological investigation cannot be too highly estimated. The origin and formation of soils - their fixed and transient properties - their chemical and mechanical - their mineral constituents - the means of improving or of correcting their qualities - of adding to or reducing certain constituents - their adaptation to particular culture - all these are dependant on principles which Geology and its sciences point out.

In anticipation of having our land traversed in all directions by Rail Roads, such surveys are of lasting importance, and the choice of location ay often be influenced to the saving of large amounts of money, by the knowledge of the topographical geology of their proposed course.

To the Civil Engineer and Architect, the knowledge of practical Geology is all important, that they may adapt their plans and estimates to the condition of the country in which they are employed, and in the selection of materials present, which, from local circumstances may be most available, and in many cases more suitable than what may be brought from a distance. It is but recently that the new Houses of Parliament of Great Britain have been constructed of a stone which was selected by a Geological commission appointed for the purpose, as better adapted than what was in ordinary use. Our Capitol at Washington is a prominent and familiar example of the want of such knowledge and foresight in the selection of a perishable material for its construction. Egypt and Greece and Rome now enjoy the sympathy of other nations, from the grandeur of their architectural remains. Fortunately their great works were of durable materials, and instead of crumbling and unmeaning masses of decomposing matter, we have models presenting beauty and design and architectural elegance, as the memorials of perfected skill of a refined people who enjoyed all the luxuries of improved taste. In the grogress of the Mechanic Arts, a knowledge of Geology and Mineralogy contributes largely in furnishing constant materials for their various processes. In Europe, Mining is a special branch of education and with us the developement of our extensive mineral resources makes its study a matter of necessity, as the want of educated minors is seriously felt. Silver, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Zinc and other ores of the useful metals and valuable minerals exist in abundance in many parts of our land, but skill is essential to appreciate their covertibility to use, and to work them to advantage.

A bare allusion to the inestimable value of Iron ores is sufficient to bring to your minds the utility of Geological investigation for their discovery and development. A reference is scarcely neccessary to the commercial wealth of those sections of our land which are blessed with the presence of Coal, so essential in its application to the useful arts and to the domestic comforts of life. As a source of mineral wealth, its extent is incalculable. Scientific Geology has settled with so much precision the boundaries of its local position, that the errors of expending 10,000 or 20,000 pounds, as has happened in Great Britain, for a single experimental search without the aid of geology, will never again occur.

Artesian wells are becoming objects of interest in many sections of the Union, and without geological knowledge, their location is as much a matter of uncertainty as the search after coal.

In an educational point of view, Geology and natural Science are parts of true progress in knowledge, and are calculated to rouse a spirit of enquiry among our people, and to stimulate the young to investigate the phenomena of Nature, and their relations in the great economy of the Universe. The observation of their results requires so extensive an application of other departments of learning, that it may be, in fact, considered as embracing the whole circle of the positive sciences. In our higher Collegiate institutions, they are now considered branches of learning necessary to a liberal education. Surveys of the several States are of great value to them individually, in comparison with the small amount of expenditure required in effecting them - and as contributing to develope the geology and mineral resources of the whole country, are of immense importance. Nothing would contribute more to the advancement of Geology, than a complete geological map of the United States, but this cannot be effected without the co-operation of the individual States.

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The science of the Union is beginning to be represented. The high position of its representatives is acknowledged and respected in the older communities in the seats of learning which have long held supremacy in philosophical investigation. The scientific character of the several members of the Union is an object of anxious interest with all, and the Association which is here represented has been established to aid in bringing together and combining the labours of individuals who are widely scattered, into an institution that will represent the whole. The purpose of the Association being "the advancement of science," the committee represents its earnest hope in praying the State Governments who have suspended or imperfectly carried out their surveys, to renew them until fully completed, and such as have not yet engaged in them, to have them instituted.

In conclusion, the committee respectfully, but earnestly, recommends not only the establishment of surveys, but also the publication of reports with proper illustrations, as the intimate connection of the associated sciences is such, that plates of the fossils are essential to a proper understanding of the geologic results.

Trusting that your honourable body will appreciate this expression of the Association, here briefly given, we are, with great respect,

Your obediant servants,

Robert W. Gibbes, M.D. Columbia, S.C. E. Hitchcock, D.D. Pres't. of Amherst College, Mass. H.D. Rogers, State Geologist of Pennsylvania. L. Agassiz, Prof. of Geology, Lawrence Scientific School, Cambridge. B. Silliman, Prof. Chemistry and Geology, Yale College. S.G. Morton, M.D. Philadelphia. C.T. Jackson, M.D., U.S. Geologist, Boston. J.W. Mathews, Gov. of Mississippi. G. Troost, M.D. State Geologist of Tenn. W.B. Rogers, Prof. Nat. Philos. and Geology, University of Virginia. J. Hamilton Couper, Daren, Geo. T. Romeyn Beck, M.D. Prof. Mat. Med. Albany Med. College, N.Y. Jos. Delafield, Prest. Lyceum of Nat. History, New York. Lewis C. Beck, Prof. Chemistry, Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N.J. Joseph Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington