The New York herald., 1851-08-29

necessarily be attached to accurate kno Wedge of
all these particulars. The geography of a country
contains prophecy of the history Of that train Of
nations which, in turn, act heir parts stage
The mountains of Switze rland and Scotland fore.
told, ere mass creation, the history of Tell and
u Bruce. And here We are, in new world, world
of wonders. over whose surface is written these
cryptic prophecies of the overwhelming vista of
history that is to be; Where is the prophet who
are al prophets within the sphere of their know.
ledge, being made such by their knowledge. Let
the land and water Of our country De truly de-
lineated, and we may then forecast the future
OF our history. This forecasting should not
be in spirit Of vague wonder, but with an in
teiligent purpose to regulate and rightly act our
normal part in history The social aud political
prospects OF our country SO commingled with
geographical influences, that in the highest sense
it important to become familiar with the fe stures
Of our wide territory. This country is eminent for
its internal Improvement, and it is evident how
great would be the advantage of accurate surveys
in connection with this rapidly growing system.
How much accurate maps are needed, every one
must have felt who has travelled through the COM
considerable town should be so represented that
stranger can understand the network of highways
around it,. In the thousand ramidcations Of COM
mon social life the convenience and use of accurate
maps is felt. Millions OF miles are needle ssly
travelled for the want of proper maps.
Surveys Of the geographical features of all the
States in the Union, with the exception of Massa-
chusetts, and perhaps New Jersey are now, and
must ever remain, emnently needed until they sha
be actually made. 1t is evident that the time is
not distant when these will be emphatcally called
for by the combination of needs which require them
of every scientific or civilized nation. They sill
be made, and why not soon enough to give US the
benefit of these results! 1t is certain that if We
are among those nations alive t. the power and
benefits Of the sciences characerEing civilized So
ciety, the States Of this Union must, in turn, be
surveyed with that nice accuracy which geodesy
now demands and furnishes
We may, then, best enter at once on this labor,
SO that the benefits, we'll as the laoOr, may be
ours while those who follow u, may enjoy the bene
fits without the labor.
1t has seemed to me, in view of these and many
other considerable ms, which need not here be ad-
duced, that it is fully time for New York to under
take an accurate geographical survey of her whole
territory. With a population of three millions;
with wealth and resources making her not un-
worthy the name of Empire State with an enlight.
ened Legislature, which has ever nooly favored
science; with thousands of highly educated citizens,
who would fully appreciate the advantages OF ac-
curacy in its geography and topography; with
these and many other stmulants for doing its high
duty, it has seemed TO me very proper here to pro-
pose, in serious earnest, that beginning should be
made. To nearly every member OF this Association,
am con vin,ed, this subject need but be named to
ensure hearty appreciation In this Asso citation,
now convened in the capital Of the very State in
| question, see the most proper boty for actively
urging the claims Of this proposal on the govern
/ IN ent of New York. Here, if anywhere, is fair
and honest tribunal for the trial of this proposal,
and ore to whose verdict respectful attention will
surely be conceded. Permit me new to say, that
when science fairly urges Ter claims, in the spirit
/ Of honest true hearted devotion to her own high
ends she will ever find in our legislators ready
and liberal response. Let US speak out truly our
real wants, and we shall surely be heard. Tne idea
! which have conceived of what survey OF New
/ York sheuld be- is about the following:-Let base
| be measured in Western New York, and made the
starting line for system OF primary, secondary,
J ard tertiary irianSulation, extending towards
PENNSYLVANIA and New England. A connection
will be obtained in the Hu1son valley with the
coast survey triangulaton, giving the desired vei-
fcation. Plain tabling should extend first over
the ground around the cities and large villages, SO
as soon to furnish good maps of the same anj their
vicnties, throughout the State, excepting such
as are already covered by the c)ast survey opera
tions The work should then be extended so as TO
obtain the elements for complete county maps, to
be published in the general order OF population OF
counties, or per square mile. The hyorography OF
the interior lakes should also enter the scheme.
general state map would follow these In regard
whether their surveys should not be left to the ge
neral government, the data being furnished from
the State survey. In point OF accuracy ana style,
the work should not fall essentially below that OF
the coast survey, and hight, perhaps, well be as
simulated to the operations for SINGLE section of
the coast. These general hints seem sufficient on
this point The subject now submitted is one
which, trust, will command the cordial support OF
this Association; end it is impossible to check the
hope that, ere long, New York, like Massachusetts,,
will be able TO show fair presentment OF her mag
nifcent area. IL is not by chance, but by design,
that this matter is presented, with especial refer
ence to this State. Circumstances seem particu-
larly to point to il the State most needing such
q survey, and the best able to undertake. it.
Myself n native and earnest well'wisher OF
New York, though now owing frs, fealty to
all these States united, it will be CRATE
full imagination to fancy those pictures OF her
widely diversified and village dottei territory,
which would result from the proposed survey.
Flanked by the beautiful Hudson and the sublime
Niagara, with her pearl necklace of peaceful lAkes,
and her towering Adirondacks and Ca,skills, the
picture would ielight the artsi, interest the pni-
losopher. and instruct the statesman. With the
purpose Of givrg practical form and initial exist.
ence to the geog ra phical "Tyey Of New ok, and
to express what may fairly be presumed to De the
sincere desire of this Association, would no move
the following resolutions
Resolved, That the President Of this Association
be requested to appoint committee OF h5e mem
beIs, to prepare memorial, IN the name OF tnis
Association, to be addressed 70 the Governor and
Legislature OF New York, urging the speedy co n
mencement Of geographic al survey OF that state,
and presenting u matured project OF tha, kind OF
survey deemed most desirable, with a careful estl-
mate of its cost. This memorial to be presented, II
possible, before January next.
Resolved, That this eou mittee be reques, to
consider the general subject of state geogra phcal
surveys, and TO report thereon at the next annual
meeting.
ANAL. SIS OF SPECIMEN OF GLAZED sLATE-BY.J II.
SALISBURY, M ID.
The specimen analyzed was obtained rom Chat
ham, Columbia County, New York, aud was mis-
taken for anthracite eoal Often TINS rock is sent
Ia for analy sis under this erroneous idea IL
in derabe quantities Ia the HldsOn n ier and
Utica slates ana marcellus shoes 100 parts ftae
gisz,G slate, deprived of water, gave, OF
IAiborao,rus matter II 20 Fhosp6oro acid .... oO7
Carton.c acid ... trace Llne................. q
kllcic acid ....... 90 43 Magnesia ...... .... IL
Per oxide a iron . 1915 Potash ............. OSI
Alumnis ........... AS soda................ O6i
hiauganese trace Chlorine. ............. "a
SuiIhur. ........ trace sulphurc acid..... s.
Usually this ro5k docs not contain 50 large per
centsge Of ca bOuaceogs matter. la a IN yority Of
the specimens Nhish have examined for this par
pose, there was iouLd EOt 10 excscI per cent.