The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-02-06
JOHN PITMAN, !
OWEN MASON, . j Commit
CHRISTIE. RHODES, tee.
JOSEPH N. MAURAN.
REPORT

OfMe Committee to rhom the foregoing
petition ,eas rfterred.
The Committee to whom has been refer
red the memorial of "a Committee from
the Rhode Island Society for the encour-
agcment Of Domestic Industry" have ex-
amined with much satisfaction the memo
rial referred 10 them, aud are deeply i'm
pressed with the importance OF an Acricul-
tural and Geological survey of the State.
The subject is presented to the Legislature
by Society, which has done much for tie
improvement Of our State in the science of
agriculture, and in tho competition for ex-
ccllenca in domestic fabrics. Their more
extended view into the mineral reasure es of
the State is deserving of great praise, and
the liberal appropriation made by the So.
ciety to mid in this labor for the general
good, considering their limited funds, is
evidence Of the sincerity Of purpose with
which they would lead in the developcment
of our physical resources.
The projcc, of Geological survey Of
our Statr, is commended to us in many and
various points of view. AS an auxiliary 10
Agriculture, 10 ascertaining with precision
the NATURE and variety of our soils, il can-
not but confer present as well ns lasting
benefit, to the landed interest of this State.
The yenrly produce Of our soil falls far
short Of the consumption Of our present
population, aud from a disregard Of our
own resources, compcls us to i've tributary
Ia the more genial and more fertile soils of
the Wes,.-Much Of our population are
employed in various manufactures, and are
Cpneenueuflv anI ,,,u
agricultural point of view, producing peo-
pie. Any devclopement in science, which
could increase the amount of production,
and diminish the import Of the necessary
means of living, would add to the general
stock of wealth., and increase the comfort,
happiness aud Independence Of our citizens.
Mature has been bouniiful To us in the
distribution Of her favors. Our waterfalls
are the means of wealth in the cmploymon,
of labor. Large portions Of our soil are
fruitful and generous ia the harvest, aud re.
ward the husbandman for his toll with un-
bounded muni'iccncc. Other PORTIONS seen,
hard and unyieldiny; but the science o
Geology would developcits hidden treasures
bring into practical use It's peculiar and val
nable properties, aud add tn the genern
ploym of labor, aud new motives of at.
tachment to the soil, to which we cling will
the recoileetions and the endcurments ol
childhood
The hidden treasures of our State, in
mineral wealth, present a further induce.
ment fr such survey. We are annually
called npon To pay an immense tribute Ia
Pennsylvania aud to Nova Scotia, for the
anthracite coal of the one, aud for the bt-
n'iuous coal of the other. Large supplies
of these Goals are indispensable to the pros
ccuton of our manufactures, and they alsu
form, at the present moment, sn indispell-
sable addition to the comfort Of the domcs-
tic fi:eside. Already has individual enter
prize, uuniJed by science, partially devel-
oped some of the mineral treasures which
lie emb9welled within our small, but rich
and fruitful territory, and these deyelopc-
ments give assurance of rich supplies vet
hidden aud b"rried beyond research. To
theology rs a science we must look for fur
ther researches, nnd without her Ii ,ht, the
labor aud energies Of whole peopIe NAV
be misapplied.
These imperfect remarks, hastily thrown
together, are by no means intended n. MI,
examination of the able and elaborate re-
pori Of Mr, Wbipple that task We mus,
leave till another dny, unless in the mean
time ne should be anticipated by IN nblcr pen.
o.. II the failure If Newspaper once
a week. he such an spnoyance tn subscri-