, 1855-04-28
Congressional.

THEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF WASHINGTON
TERRITORY the Civil and Diploma
tic Bill was under consideration in the
House Of Representatives, Feb. goth, Mr..
Disney, chairman of the committee on Pub
lie Lands, offered the amendment relative
to the completion of the geographical re-
connoisance of Washington Territory,
to which we made alusion last week, and
making an appropriation therefor. The
following is the amendment, and the dis
cHssion had thereon:-
For the expenses incurred by DR.. John
Evans in geological explorations Of Ore
gon, Washington, &c. aud for the compile
tion Of those explorations in Washington
Territory and in Goose Bay, $23. $50, and
the Department of the Interior is hereby
authorised to have the report Of DR.. Evans
published under its direction, the expenses
to be paid ont Of any money in the treas
pry not otherwise appropriated"
Mr.. Houston. l object to going back
on the bill.
Mr.. Disney | hope the gentleman will
withdraw his objection.
The Chairman. II the gentleman from
Alabama, Mr.. Houston insists on his OBJ
lection the chair is Of opinion, that, under
the rule, the committee cannot go back.
Mr. Disney. l would suggest to the
chair that the clerk should not be allowed
10 read so rapidly.
Mr.. Houston. We are getting. on very
slowly with the bill. shall however, with
draw my objection to this amendment, but
will object to going back on any other
occasion.
Mr.. Disney. | am directed by The COM
mittee on Public Lands 10 offer that amend
ment; and send to the clerks desk pa
pers which, il the committee desire to hear
them read, will explain this matter.
[Cries Of "Neyer mind the papers,"
Mr. Disney. In order to save the time
Of the committee. will state, in general
terms, the facts connected with this. case.
Dr.. Evans was the regularly appointed ge-
ologist to make geological explorations in
the Territories of Oregon and Washington
He was subsequently instructed to join the
expedition conducted by Governor Stevens
who was exploring a route for railroad
to the Pacific. Congress, from some cause
or other, failed at the last session, to maxi
any appropriation for the purpose Of GOV
ering the additional expenses Of the expe
dition and the current expenses of DR.. Ev
ans. He continued his labors, and befor'
the Department Of the Interior conld caus'
udvices to reach him he had expended
some IS, 900 above the amount which haC
been appropriated That item is intended
to be covered by this appropriation, in con
forinity with the instructions given by th
Department Of the Interior. In acting q
geologist to the explorations Of Governo
Stevens, DR.. Evans incurred an expendi
ture Of IS, 600 or So, 900 in addition. Tha
sum is also intended to he covered by th
proposition which l have offered.
The Territorial Legislature Of Washing
ton have asked Congress to appropriate
additional sum of $4,000, in order TO Ell
able the exploration to be finished; an
this act Of the territorial Legislature is SUI
tanned by the papers which l have sent U
to the clerks desk, from the citizens {
San Francisco, and is also indorsed by th
delegates from Washington and Oregon
General facts are set forth in these paper
showing the Importance of the dscoverie
which they suppose will be made, in vie'
Of those which have already been made b
this reconnaissance DR.. Evans has alread
discovered coal beds, covering very col
siderable region Of this country; and tn
Importance Of the discovery of coal in tn
locality, which they hope and believe wi
be foundextensively, is evidenced by SO
itary fact, which will quote. 1t is sal
that even now the amount of coal cons
med by American steamers in the Pacil
ocean costs annually $3,00O,O 900. A va
proportion Of this amount Of cost w9a
be saved if coal should be found Id N
region. do not advert, as might, ID 4
the other advantages which would necess
rlly result from u discovery Of coal for Il
purpose Of manufacturing, and for all 9TH
purposes in which coal is 10 he applied.
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