New-York tribune., 1874-01-02
THE HAYDEN EXPEDITION.
REVIEW BY DIR. F. ". HAYDEN.

or THE SURVEY - ANIMALS AND PLANIS VI
FORMER AGES AT TIL. WEST.
To the EditOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: As a supplement to the valuable and instruc-
tive letters of Professor Whitney published in THE
TRIBUNE during the expedition of 1873, it is believed
that brief and authentic history of the survey to
which the letters relate will prove of interest.
The organization now known all over the country
the United States Geological Survey of the Terri
tories began ITS existence in the Spring OF 1907,
under the following circumstances: AT the close OF
the session Of Congress for that year, bill was
passed through the efforts of the Hon. r. w hitch
cock. setting apart the unexpended balance ot the
appropriation for legislative expenses OF the Ierrl-
tOry-wheh remained when Nebraska was admitted
a State-for the purpose of procuring geological
survey of the State. The amount was $1,000, and
the writer received the appointment OF Chief
Geoogist under this act. The Summer of 1861 was
occupied in making an examination of the State of
Nebraska preliminary report was made which
was published in the Annual Report of the Commits
sioner of the General Land Office during the Winter
following A final report of the survey was after
ward printed in octave by Congress. with geo.
logical map and IL beautifully engraved plates of
fossils.
In the Spring of 1868 struggle beganfor the con-
tinuance of the survey. Through the efforts of the
Hon. II. l.. Paine, then member from Wisconsin,
into Wyoming Territory. and at the close Of the
season a second preliminary report was prepared
and published. The struggle of the Survey for a
continued existence at this time was extreme. 1t
seemed impossible to secure the attention of the
Appropriation Committee of the House. every effort
cor that purpose being unsuccessful. and the enter
prise which had been kept alive with di1culty,
seemed about TO perish in the session of 1862 During
the Winter the writer made the acquaintance
aud enlisted the friendship of Gen. John A. Logan,
then an influential member of the House, who took
deep interest in the success of the
survey; and during the closing hours of the ses-
sion of Congress in the Spring of 1869, made an
unsuccessful attempt to add clause to the Sun
dry Civil bill appropriating $4,000 for continuing the
work About o'clock one morning he made another
attempt and introduced the following bill, written
with his own hand " For the continuation of the
Geological survey of the Territories of the United
States 10y Prof. Hayden, $4,000; to be expended
under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior"
This time the bill passed the House, and soon after
became a law and this act may be regarded as
having preserved in It's present form an enterprise
which has done much and will continue to do much
toward developing the resources of the great West
Since that time the survey has moved steadily on
ward with comparatively little difficulty, increasing
in power and influence from year to year; and when
the appropriations for its continuation have come
before Congress, not a word cf objection has been
made by any one.
In the Summer of 1862 the survey having been
placed under the supervision of the Secretary of the
Interior he directed that the work be extended into
the Territories of Colorado and New-Mexco A
rapid examination of PORTIONS of these two Terrific
Iics was made that season. and i'll the following
Winter 5000 copies of the third annual report were
printed by order of Congress- SO great was the de-
Inand for this report that the entire edition was
hausted in about three weeks. second edition,
consisting of the first. second. and third annual re-
ports in one volume, was ordered last Winter, and
was issued by the Public Printer during the past
Summer
In the Spring of 1870 Congress increased the ap
propraton to $4,000. and the Secretary of the In
terror directed that the field of exploration be
tinued in Wyoming Territory. more careful sur
Vey was made that season. and in the following
Winter report prepared and published, COM
prsing over 400 pages octave all original matter
In the Spring of 1871, the appropriation was in |
creased to $4,000. and the survey was extended to
the wonderful country about the sources of the |
Yellowstone, and portions of Montana. During the |
following Winter a report was prepared describing |
the gcysers and other wonders of that interesting
region. So great was the interest excited among |
the people of our country by the publication and
distribution of this report that Congress was in
duced to set apart district about the of the
Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. comprising 3,575
square miles as a National Park. for the purpose of
protecting by law these remarkable freaksof nature,
for the perpetual enjoyment and instruction of the
people. This wise act has already received the un- |
qualified appreciation of the entire civilized world, |
and in this respect our country Will for |
ever remain without rival. There is no |
other portion of the globe where In an |
equal area are crowded such variety of unique |
wonders. The report contains $40 pages octave OF |
printed matter, four MAPS two plates of objects OF
y,tural history with about seventy woOdcut illus
trations. A map was prepared showing the bound |
aries and dimensions of the Park, and several charts
of the principal Geyser Basins, fixing the location of
about 500 Of the springs, among them at least %
geysers of the first magnitude any one OF which |
would cast into the shade any other III the known |
world The magnitude of the scale on which these |
wonderful phenomena are exhibited In this Park is
not even now appreciated and not until the proper
efforts are made for rendering the Park accessible TO
the travelling public will its value and Importance
be fully understood.
The exploration of this region excited equal In |
eres in all parts of Europe. and within four months
from the time the report was issued by the Public
Printer the principal portions of 1t were translated
into German by the distinguished geographer DIR.
A,mstus Peterman of Gotha The maps and Illus |
,ratons were reengraved; extracts from the report
we're prioted in every language of Europe, 90 that
This remarkable region became at once an object OF
,b. highest interest to every civilized nation IN the
,yord Letters are continually received at the office
&C tho snryey from the most eminent scientific men
I'D travellers Of foreign countries, making inquiries
g. rauard 10 the accessibility to our National Park,
"a there is no doubt that in few years the tide of
,,ve, will set in that direction as 1t does now to