The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-20

To the Editors Of the Union.

/ 10 fHS EuuWs " tne Union!
GENTLEMEN: On a recent visit to Fort Washington
my attention was less directed to the heavy cannon
strong walls, and extensive barracks designed for the
defence oil our nation than TO the exhaustess deposes
by Inc hand OF our Creator for illustrating His works and
rendering fruitful the industry OF the husbandman The
mari beds IN the immediate vicinity OF that military
station are alike rich for science and for wealth Some
ory Inherent kinds OF fossils have been obtained from
those BEDS furnishing important aid TO the researches of
the geoogst, not confnedto that deposte to
ny or our continent They render some important aid in
unloading the laws OF God and OF Divine economy as
nected with His boundless universe By such depostes,
and various others, Baron Cuve aided by thousands OF
DINERS following in his footsteps, ascerained that the
analogy extending through the created universe whether
under telescope microscopic view OF its parts,
so extensive, SO mnute and complete, to be able,
oy me tooth OF quadruped the scale of fish, TO de-
termlne the general structure OF the whole animal
However interesting this deposte may be TO the geolo
glst, is not less TO the farmer The rich fertlizng
properties and the exhaustless abundance OF fossil and
earthly matter in these mari beds, with its easy 10
the Potomac river probably present object OF prota
Bile enterprise in removing it, for increasing the fertility
OF the farm and encouraging the industry OF the farmer
New England.
In aid Of my rambes among the mari beds surrounding
Fort washington, came IN contact Immediately on my
currency everywhere, and in this serving my pur
poses far better than California gold dust the
purest mint drops-PoLrTENEss. The officers in COM
Jefferson @ Davis; both Of whom manifested much
than wllingness-an evident pleasure in aiding the
objects OF my visit was favored with the company
and the aid OF each in my examination of deren depos
es and received from each unsolicited offer to make
further collections for which some fifty men under their
command, in aid Of such an object will cheerfuly and
gladly 'obey orders" It hardly necessary TO observe
that instruments Of substantial knowledge procured from
such exhaustless depository by such agencies may
add greatly 70 the cause OF science at The same time af
foding proof that the munitions OF war may extend the
instruments and the blessings of peace.
can, however, best illustrate this subject by the
words Of the commandment himself and hence give the
following extract OF letter received from his hand;
Fort WASHINGTON, (Md,l October 8, 1919
inst with some specimens OF mneaiogy, and papers
relating to the promotion Of the oeducation la all
countries Of the world, which you have much heart
were placed in my hands by Lieut. Davis the day before
You do me no more than justice in posing that take
deep interest In any great scheme for the
OF scientific knowledge accurate Information and educa-
ton and you may he assured that IL will be my highest
pleasure as it has always BEEN to contribute all in my
power towards the promotion OF object useful
shall, your request and very cheerfuy endeavor to
furnish specimens OF the fossils, &c. which be found
y This neghboIhood to the collection which you say is
70 which wish every imaginable success. shall, in adj
d1n and at your furnish some also to the Ma
be successful in my researches
Very respectfully, your obedient servant and friend
josiah HoLBaooK, esq, Washington, d G.
am unwilling to omit. though in danger OF trespassng
upon your Kindness the mention OF curious incident at
Davis, while vigorously plying the pick for making
rather draugh upon the deposes found
in shell fossil rock, to the depth OF some five or six
inches several pieces OF wrought ron in the form OF
eye staple about seven inches long, broken about
inch from the eye two vets, two inches long and
onefourth Of inch in diameter with fouror five other
pieces, OF different shapes but evidently wrought by the
hammer and anvil but when, by whom, or for what
purpose will leave for others to determine for them
selves; and will only add that am most truly your
friend, JOSIAH H0LBR0OK.