Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-10-31
REPORT ON THE GEOLOGICAL
SURVEY,

ouhNEI.
To HIS ExcELLEN6Y RYLAYp FLETCHER,
Governor Of Vermont:
SIR: MY appointment by yourself to the
Office of State Qeologist of Vermont, imposes the
duty of an annual Report upon the progress of
the work.
In this early stage of the Survey, and consid-
ering the numerous facts on the Economical Ge-
ology OF the State presented by my predecess-
ors, especially by Professor ADAMS, have not
supposed that 1t would be expected OF me, that
! should go into any detail as To the economical,
or scientific part of the subject at this time
We have, indeed, collected numerous facts in
the course of ;he summer; bnt they are in too
crude and indigested a state as yet 10 be made
public. All | shall attempt, therefore, will be
to give the Government an idea Of the plan we
have adopted in the survey, and of the progress
made in the work (; referring, also, as the act
providing for the completion of the survey makes
it my duty, to the pecunary part OF the enter
prise.
The history of the Geological Survey Of Yer
mon, is a melancholy one. Since it has com.
menced, twelve years ago, no less than three
distinguished naturaiisis, who have had charge
OF 1t, have been called into eternity. And when
| find myself in advanced life and full Of infirm-
tiles, occupying their place, is i, superstition, or
- ~ ioooOhdOic dppIeUtnSl on, tndt makes me
sometimes feel that fonrth individual may have
the same summons before the survey is compile
ted.
great deal Of labor has been devoted to this
survey by my predecessors and their assistants
But from circumstances that imply no blame on
their part, or want Of watchfulness on the part
oil the State, little fruit remains. Prof ADAMS
had nearly completed the outdoor work, and
was almost ready to make final Report, but
the attempt to decpher his held-notes is so un.
satisfactory that it is easier and safer to- 90 over
the ground again although he has left impor-
tant help in the scientific part of the survey, by
his marks upon certain maps The same may
be said OF the other State Geologsts, SO far as
the rocks and their notebooks are concerned
though in Zoology and Botany, Prof THoMp-
SON has left important contributions.
1t dId seem, however, that the very extensive
collection of rocks and minerals made mainly, |
believe, by Prof ADAMS, must teach much of
the geological structure and economical value.
OF the Slate. But alas, TO give climax to the
list OF untoward circumstances the best and full
est OF these collections, that belonging to the
State, has mainly shared the fate OF its beaut-
ful Staie-House. Really, alter so many dis
heartening circumstances, 1t speaks loudly in
praise OF the energy and perseverance of the
Representatives of the Stale of Vermont, that
they have not altogether abandoned this survey,
with feeling that any further effort would he
fighting against Providence.
But these reverses have led me to enquire,
whether the work cannot be conducted in such
manner that the facts ascertained and the
specimens collected, shall be made secure to the
State, even though death continre his inroads
upon the labofers. This thought has had lead
ing influence in forming the plan for completing
the survey, which, after consulting with your
Excellency, have adopted and acted upon the
past summer.
l understand the survey 20 be limited to Ge-
ology and Mineralogy, excluding Zoology, Bot
any and Agricultural Chemistry, which were
formerly included.
suppose the following to be the leading OBJ
jects TO be kept in view in fhe prosecution of
the survey:
/. To gain such a knowledge of the charac-
ter, structure and position of the rocks as to en-
able US TO delineate them upon maps and Sec
tons, which can be used both scientifically and
economically.
.. cannot believe that the surface Geology
Of the State. which in Vermont is particularly
interesting, should be neglected for although
its chief utility consists in its scientific bearings,
yet It reveals such wonderful changes in the ear
ly history of the surface, that every intelligent
man will be anxious to know them.
3. To form collection of all the rocks and
minerals Of the State, for exhibition in the Geo
logical Room Of the new State House.
A. To obtain, for the same Room, smoothed
and polished specimens of all the rocks and min
erals in the State of economical value, so as to
bring before the visitor an exhibition of its min
eral wealth.
8. To obtain chemical analyses of all useful
rocks, minerals, marls, &c. not already analysed.
For although large number of such analyses
we're secured and published by Prof ADAMS,
| yet many others will doubtless be desirable.
In the organization of Geological Corps for
a survey, as well as in the plan of it, these OBJ
jects were kept in mind. 1t was distinctly un-
| derstood, that in consideration of my age and
infrmities, l must depend Chiefly upon younger
men to collect specimens and trace out the rocks
while should be expected to visit the most i'm
portan localities and the spots most difficult to
unravel. Accordingly, with the consent of your
Excellency, appointed ALBERT ID. HAGAR,
Esq, of Proc,orsvllle, and my eldest son, DR.
EDWARD HITHcocK, as Geological Assistants
and my youngest son, CHARLES HENRY HITcH.
COCK, as Chemist to the survey it being un-
| derstood that Mr. HAGAR should be employed
the whole of the time, while my sons were TO al.
ternate, so as to make their labor only equiva
lent to second assistant. The responsibility
of the whole work, of course, rests on me and
so confident am i of the ability and fidelity o
| my assistants that were to be taken away,
should have no fears but that the survey would
be carried through successfully by them. This
is one of the ways in which should hope to sc
cure to the State the results of the survey, ever
though premalurely suspended, as it 100 offer
has been.
Another mode of accomplishing the same OBJ
| ject lies in the plan which has been adopted in