Box 11, Folder 5: Correspondence January-April 1873

PROPOSALS FOR PUBLISHING BY SUBSCRIPTION THE National Annals of the First Century OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA From 1776 to 1876;

WITH AN INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNT OF THE DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT OF NORTH AMERICA.

With Maps and Embellishments.

TO BE EDITED BY JOHN B. DILLON, ESQ.

TO THE PUBLIC.

The growth and development of the United States, since the Declaration of Independence [handwritten: ^promulgated by some of the most eminent men of modern times,^] July 4, 1776, has been the wonder and admiration of the civilized World. After a sanguinary war of seven years' duration, peace was made, and its Independence acknowledged by Treaty with England, in 1783. Then the Union, consisting of the thirteen original States, with an area of 900,000 square miles, numbered about 3,000,000 souls, which has since increased in the ratio of about three per cent. per annum ; now (1872) numbering upwars of 40,000,000 free and independent Inhabitants, and ranking as one of the first powers of the Earth — being alike favored with liberal institutions, a fine climate and fruitful soil — while the mineral wealth

exceeds that of any other like extent on the face of the Globe; also, with harbors, rivers and lakes, which stand unrivalled in the Old, or other portions of the New World. It now contains an estimated Area of 3,500,000 square miles, being bounded by two Oceans, one on the east and one on the west,—having a coast line of about 3,000 miles on the Atlantic, and 1,600 miles on the Pacific Ocean and Straits of Juan de Fuca,—thus facing Europe on the east and Asia on the west, with TransContinental Lines of Railroad, finished and in rapid progress of construction.— This is but a brief review of the progress of the Great Republic during the first Century of its existence. ________ Conditions.

The work, if duly patronized, will be prepared and published in the most finished style as regards engravings, printing, paper, &c., and issued in twenty or twentyfour numbers, quarto size ; each number to contain the Annals of ten years, exclusive of a preliminary number relating to the Discovery of Settlement of North America, and a supplementary number to contain a full account of the Centennial Celebration of American Independence, to be held in the City of Philadelphia, in 1876.

[black and white illustration] The first number to appear in January 1873, and a number every two months thereafter until the work is completed.

Price, $1.00 a number, payable on delivery. The work, when complete, will be embraced in two large quarto volumes, and bound in various styles.

Philadelphia, May, 1872.

J. W. Foster Chicago, 22d March 73

Ansd Mar 29

My dear Sir:

In reply to your note of the 16th I would state that I should be happy to receive, long enough to figure and ascribe all the Copper implements that you can control. There is quite an interested manifested in these things among the Academicians, & the funds can be obtained for having them engraved in the best style. I have now figures of 8 plumb-bobs, & the same number of copper implements. The last I obtained was from S. S. Lyon from a mound in Greenup Co. Ky. & is different from anything here[pencil sketch] tofore observed by me. It is of native copper, 6i or more in dimensions, and the mound, according to my informant yielded "a barrel-full" or more of implements of this River.

I will cause the photograph of meteor iron to be placed in the Academy. I shall read J. Lawrence Smith's article with much pleasure.

My book will go to press this week. I trust the delays in stereotyping & correcting the plates have been tedious & vexatious.

Please give the enclosed note to your daughters.

Very Truly,

J. W. Foster

I. A. Lapham, LL. D. Milwaukee

PS. You may send any specimens to me by express care of the Academy, at my charge.

Ansd d Ap 14

Mineral Point Wisn March 22 - 1873

Hon. I. A. Lapham L. L. D.

My Dear Sir

I have noticed with pleasure that an act was passed at the last session of the Legislature, for a Geological Survey of the State. — I have not seen the law, and do not know its details, but I have understood that it authorizes the Governor to appoint the Chief Geologist, and on his recommendation, his assistants. I have also heard favorable mention made of your name as the person who might probably be selected as Chief Geologist.

In anticipation that you may receive this appointment I presume to suggest to you the name of my son (Moses Strong) as a suitable person to be appointed first assistant and to solicit from you a recommendation of him for that position, if the duty of making the recommendation should devolve upon you.

The tastes and special education of my son, fit him, I think to fill this positoin, with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of the Chief Geologist. He entered Yale College in 1863 and graduated in 1867 at the age of 21 and always maintained a respectable standing in his class. - He has two class-mates in Milwaukee — Mr. Flanders a young lawyer son of Walter P. Flanders and N. P. Hulst, metallurgist at the Iron Rolling Mills, Bayview — During his junior year my son selected