Box 3, Folder 2: Typewritten Letters, 1836-1839

[color illustration-Plan of the Canal Termination on Portsmouth Point]

Chapter X. 1836. [299]

--305- 1836.

Cincinnati June 1st, 1836.

Mr. I.A. Lapham,

Dear Sir:

I duly received your letter on the subject of the geological survey of our state and yesterday the report. It is an able and satisfactory document.

I hope the state will do credit to itself by making a liberal appropriation.

Please write me on the subject and say how I can aid the good cause. ***

I send names of fossils sent by you as given by Prof. Troost. He appears very cautious not to name too hastily.

How is the Hist.Soc.progressing? My respectful compliments to Judge Tappan.

Very respectfully yours friend, R. Buchanan.

Cincinnati. 12 mo.30th, 1835.

Respected Friend:

Thee will recollect perhaps that I left Columbus the day the legislature convened and did not see the governor's message until I arrived at this place.

I scarcely need tell thee that I was much pleased with his recommendation of a geological survey of the state; and I have no doubt that the project is at least equally if not more gratifying to thy feelings than mine.

But it will require more persons than ourselves to be pleased with this enterprise, however important it may be to the interests of the state in order to procure its accomplishment. x x

-306. 1836 [300]

I can not but hope that an enlightened legislature, appreciating as I think it must the immense value of such a survey*** will make an appropriation and authorize the governor to appoint some suitable person to commence the survey the ensuing spring.***

Respectfully thine,

W. Hance, M.D. I.A. Lapham

Marietta O. Jany 11th, 1836.

Mr. Lapham,

Dear Sir,

In answer to your enquiry as to whom amongst our geologists would be most competent, I answer without hesitation Mr. E. Hitchcock of Massachusetts.

But in the mean while a reconnaissance of the state might be made by two persons well skilled in mineralogy, geology, and engineering, botany, etc. preparatory to the report by the head geologist. It would save much time and labour; for this purpose I should recommend Mr. Riddell and yourself, as every way fitted for the service.***

Very respectfully your obt. S.P. Hildreth

Colombus Jany 12, 1836.

Dear Brother,

Not having heard from you since we parted at home it is easy to imagine with how much pleasure I rec'd your letter of the 8th inst.***

In compliance with your request I snatch a few moments from my other public engagements to tell you, 1st. that Father bought nothing but good news from home, and he carried the same

-307. 1835. [301]

from here in the shape of $100.*** All's well at home. 2nd. Hannah progresses as well with her studies as could be expected, is very industrious, endeavors to learn as much as she can, appears to be well enough pleased with her situation except that she feels rather lonesome at times for the want of Lorana and Amelia to play with, etc. etc.

3rd. I must beg to be excused from answering your third query, "what are the legislators doing?" You are no doubt aware that you include 108 persons in this question and to describe with accuracy what each one is doing would be a truly Herculean task.***

4th. As to the probability of the reorganization of the Board of Canal Commissioners; here I have another difficult question. All is uncertainty.***

5th. There is great probability that the present legislature will authorize the borrowing of money to complete the Miami canal; the idea suggested by [Mr. Forrel]? that it can be done without creating any additional tax on the *dear people* appears to take very well with the Democrats:

Your allusion to my being at the head of navigation must have reference to the present state of our roads and the numerous conventions being held at present in this city; for the depth of this mud is such that traveling through it may well be compared to a species of navigation, and I know no other reason why Columbus should be considered the head of this kind of navigation, then the fact that delegates to the convention are all traveling to this point.

The great Democratic convention (which was compared to a meeting of the people rather than of representatives) adjourned

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On Saturday. To day we have a Temperance convention and tomorrow a "Convention of Professional Teachers." By the way why do you not get yourself appointed delegate to some of out conventions as to make us a visit? I would like very much to have you and Nancy spend a week with me.***

I have been endeavoring to induce the legislature to comply with the suggestion in the Governor's message in relation to a geological survey of the state and have written the greater part of a report which was submitted to the House of Representatives by Mr. Creed, also an essay on geology which is appended to it; but Judge T. who as you may suppose has much influence in this legislature thinks it improper to go into the measure for this important reason: Mr. R. of Cincinnati does not know the difference between sandstone and graywackle; I.e. according to his (the Judge) notions of these two words, and therefore the state ought not to make a geological survey.***

Your map and the estimate of the Mad River feeder came safely to hand.

D. Laphan Esq.

Very affectionately,

Your brother, Increase.

Columbus. Jan'y 27th, 1836.

Dear Brother:--

A bill has been reported and has made some progress towards becoming a law authorizing the extension of the Miami Canal, and if the bill does pass the Mad River feeder will be made, and if in the opinion of the Board of Canal Commissioners it is expedient, the said feeder will be made navigable.*** It seems to me the best place to purchase land is where the railroad will cross the feeder. Had we not better sell the farm and