Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1842-11-26
THE DISTRIBUTION FUND-GEO.
LOGICAL SURVEY OF IOWA.

The accounting officers at w asninStOn
have adjusted the uccou.ts Of the States
and Territories under tho Distribution
act The whole amount 10 be divided,
exclusive Of the ten per centum TO the
States in which the land has been sold, is
G693,444,1a.
or this amount the SUN Of $1,86O,25
will be paid to Iowa; Of course. the APP.
plication Of this sum will devolve upon
the coming Legislature. To what object
will they apply il is question that now
arises. We have reflected somewhat
upon the matter and have come to the
conclusion that a thorough geological sur
reg IF the Territory, including the late
purchase, is Of the greatest Importance,
and would be a more permanent benefit
to the Territory than any other. We
would therefore recommend shat this sum
be expended for such a survey. The par.
,ial survey made by Owen under the d.
rection Of Congress has had most bene-
fetal effect to the Territory. both at home
and abroad. Before this survey, there
was but little known Of the immence
mineral resources of Iowa. Lead was
supposed to be the only mineral Of i'm
portance, but by means Of this survey,
iron, zinck &c, was found to exist in
abundance. This survey, too, was local
and confined to but very small portion
OF the Territory, while other parts are
equally as rich in mineral wealth. We
have no doubt but that thorough geolo-
gical survey would lead to the discovery
of salt and Goa! in sufficient quantities to
supply the whole Territory. Both coal
and salt springs have already been dis
covered in the neighborhood Of the Dss
, iMoincs and Skunk rivers, and it is said
that very large salt springs are to be
found ia the late. purchase. This article,
above all others, is Of the greatest impor-
lance 10 our citizens. Salt has been a
avier tax upon our farmers than any
other article, and the discovery OF u sutii.
Gent quantity to supply the Territory
would OF itself be worth double the ex-
pcnse incurred in making a geological
survey. There are, no doubt, immense
beds Of the best marble within the limits
Of the Territory, which such survey
would bring TO light. This would be Of
immense advantage to US In building, il
not for export. The discovery Of suffi
Gent quantity Of coal would have the
effect Of populating our large prairies.-
liz every State in which these surveys
. have been made the most beneficial ef
fects have resulted, and we have not Q
doubt but that the result in Iowa would
not only equal our expectations, bu
would surprise nine tentts of The com
munity.
II has been suggested to us that pro
per application o! this fund could be made
| by applying it to the purchase Of an ud
dition to the Territorial Library. Such
an application, it is true, would be bcne
fetal oae, bu, we consider i, as being bu
OF minor Importance to the one first sug
gestcd, and one which would not be u
universally beneficial.
The only difficulty in making geolc
gical survey would be the insutficienc,
Of the amount to be received by Iowa =
This however would be sufficient to com
J mence operations, and the Territorial
revenue now being collected might ais
be applied to this object, AID if necessary
a larger amount might be- raised in future
for TINS purpose. There are many way
in which, by proper economy, sufficien
sum might annually be saved to defral
the expenco Of prosecuting such survey
d There arc hundreds Of dollars expended
each year in the several counties in this
Territory, which benefits but few indi
viduals, and which BY economy might bs
saved and applied in this way. thereb,
carrying this important measure into er
feet, without increasing our present tax
We hope this subject will be reflected
upon by the members Of the Legislature
and that our brother editors will give W
their views in The matter.
4 IMPROVEMENT OF THE WESTERN RIv ERs
The Citizens Of Cincinnati have ap
pointed Committee Of correspondence
for.,hs purpose Of comforting with sim
/ liar committees in the several cities and
towns Of the West. and obtaining gen
eral expression Of the public sentiment
/ il regard e the improvement Of the west
ern waterss The citizens call upon the
different citiss and towns tossake upf Az
subject and express their wishes4 4 4
necessary that the coming session q u
] gress should be- furnished with s.
|tosthe immense aud growing q r.
these rivers, and this can only Be
q concerted action Of leAdiferel b =
land towns.