Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-05-25
The Geological survey ofthe state--A Mis-
cradle Failure.

cradle Failure.
We have received copy Of the Report Of the
Geological Survey of the State, made at the last,
and so far as we can understand it, as well as
the opinions of competent persons, il may be ge.
neraly considered as miserable an abortion as
ever put forth by any set Of men pretend
ing to a knowledge of science We mean to
show up this trashy report hereafter-in the mean
time readers will find pregnant remarks
in the following communic alton ritten by gentle
man who has spent many years in scientific pur
suits:
JAMES &. BENNETT, ESQ,
DEAR SIR: You doubt recollect the Ian guage
of one of our Poets that all promise poor datory
man, and you will see from what follows how truly
this saying is verified in relation To the great
promises that were made by the parties interested
in getting the Geological Survey under way. and vet
how poorly, how mperfectly they have been fulfilled
Will you believe il, sir, that there is of
millions of acres in the northern part of this State
that those learned gentlemen have put their
feet upon, nor do they intend IT, as il appears from
the printed reports now before me.
They have not explored the western part Of Lewis
nor the northern part of Herkimer and Hamilton
nor the southern parts of st Lawrence and Frank
lin nor the extreme west OF Essex countless making
area according 10 my estimation of more than two
millions of acres, and according to their state
ment, the surrounding districts, more rich in
minerals than any other portion of the state. These
gentlemen will NO doubt say, that the roads were
districts but will they let know where their
tents, their knapsacks their cheese, their dried beef
their biscuit, their poney with his hamper, their
rifles, their goneometers, and other phIlosOrh
instruments, by which, men of science and pa
trots, they might have rendered the State some SER
vice land immortalised themselves Thew would then
have explored district Of country, and ascertained
its mineral riches perhaps equalled in the world
on hos dearly these gentlemen do lore science,
country, reputation! They got with in sight of the
land of promise, but they heard of giants and were
10 anto hay fpncb eH IN ffar
minerals that were already known, which no doubt
surround the great nucleus of wealth in the centre,
where their silk stockings prevented them from ven
turing. Compare this course Of proceeding with
that of the Immortal Saussurc. Behold the unre-
hitting abours Of SsuSsure, his travelling hill
and valley, glen volcano and mountain, for the love
and promotion of natural science, and at last doubt
sacrificed his life in the cause, which certainly
did not wish our geologis.s 10 do. And among other
daring sons of science, why did they not take exam
pie from Deluc, Delamcr, Carpenter, Bach,
Roumer Humboldt Linncas, and others whose only
reward for traversng the wilderness, was what they
now have-immortai fame, but the reward our
biologists have received and are likely to receive,
for their ertensiUe fabours, and for their borrowed
arrangements is the Z" Almighty dollar" When |
say borrowed classification, mean disrespect for
our biologists could not better them. AS they were
formed by men distinguished in every branch of
natural history, might say natural science, there
fore anew nomenclaor would be, think, no i'm
provement.
That these gentlemen should be paid well by the
State, is no more than right. The people have
right 10 their services without Just saton,
and if they have not been justly dealt with, let them
have more but at the same time, want the work
done. We must have mines opened, recks blown to
pieces, streams turned from their courses, spec-
mems analysed, a cabinet formed and every thing
else done that a scientific corps, whose honor and
reputation identified with this great state, should
do. Independent Of the Almighty dollar that the
mines must produce, must recollect that in this
matter the eyes of scientific Europe are upon US
We must do something for fame, we cannot al
ways hold on to the dollar how do wish that
the inordinae love of the sordd dollar would abate
among the people. Ii men would only value il for
its and convenience, and not permit il TO lift
ignorance, presumption, and folly above virtue,
talents and learning would soon arrive at indv-
dual and natural scientific fame. No intellectual
man should regard any the better for his weight
Of dollars. But have depressed. The biologists,
however, deserve great credit in recommending the
repeal of that odious law Of the Revised Statutes.
which on certain contingencies makes the mines Of
this state. although private lands the property Of
the people Now take it that this law is not VALID
for the Revised Laws elsewhere state that all lands
held by the citizens &C this state, held in Ceiodi-
um, that is, under Gol and acknowledging no lord
or superior and Of course not the state except
in cases of escheat, when there is heir for in such
case, II is right that our property should revert 10
Society. Most respectfully, yours, sc.
WERNER.
Arlington House, May u, 1870.