, 1855-04-07
Geological Survey, &c.

| UcOIOSICUl survey, &c.
We are gratifed to learn by the arrival
of the last mail that the department of the
Interior has recommended congress to pass
an appropriation to defrny the expenses oI
DR.. John Evans Geological explorations
in Oregon and Washington territories, to
provide for their completion and the pub,
lication of his report.
From the report of the Commissioner oi
the General Land Office, portion of which
is annexed, VIC learn that in 1851, at the
earnest recommendation of Mr.. d. d. .Ow.
en-, then U. S GcologiSt for the north,
west, Dr. Evans was authorised to contin.
ue certain explorations in that region, and
extending towards the Pacific, and the ex.
pense was betrayed out of balance of an
appropriation then on hand, applicable to
that object. The result of these eXplora.
tions was so importanfand interesting, that
congress, on the 3D. of March, 1858, made
an appropriation to cover all previous cX,
pcnses of continuing them to the Pacific
At the same time, an appropriation was
asked of $3.50 to complete these explo.
rations, but owing TO some misunderstood
ing, congress only appropriated $4,000.
AT the earnest request of Gov. Stevens,
as We are informed, who was then about
departing. for Washington Territory, with
authority to explore route across the con
tinent, Dr. Evans was authorized to take
service under him until he reached the field
of his own labor--his expenses to be char
geable to the survey fund.
The commissioner now asks for $23, sol
Is, to complete the survey. His expenses
are partly for his services under the Land
Office, and partly as assistant to Gov. Ste
venS.
The following closing paragraphs from
the report Of the Commissioner, show the
estimation in which his labors are held by
the Department:
"From explanations made to me / am
satisfied that DR.. Evans has exercised thu
most rigid economy in making his explora
tionS, and much more has been done thai
was thought possible, with the means
placed at his disposal. His route has beer
over regions heretofore unvisitcd by {
white man, through trackless wildernessc.
and hostile savagcs, with only two assist
ants most Of the time.
The addition to science furnished by hi
labors, would far more than repay all thu
cost, and in addition he has brought t
light vast deposits Of semi-bituminous coal
which is almost invaluable to the steam
navigation and machinery Of those'rcgions
and Of vast advantage to the Government
as it will reduce the expense Of steam nav
igation by materially reducing the price o
the coal used, most if not oil of which hai
now to be brought from the Atlantic.
If these appropriations arc made, DR.
Evans proposes to complete his explora
tions this summer, and at once prepare hi
report for the press.
AS this report will vie, in interesting
matter, with any yet presented, it is res
] pectively suggested that congress author
ize the publication of it under the direction
of the department
/ therefore respectfully recommend tina
an appropriation be asked from congress
as follows: For expenses incurred 10y DR.
John Evans, in geological explorations o
Oregon, Washington, &C., and for III,
completion Of those explorations in Wash
ington Territory, and on Goose Bay, $25
5G0-and the Department Of the lnterio
is hereby authorised TO have the report o
DR.. Evans published under its direction
the expense to be paid out of any none!
in the treasury not otherwise appropriated
All Of which is respectfully submitted,
have the honor to be, &C., &c,
JOHN WILSON,
Commissioner.