Portion of the Annual Message of Governor Miller, Delivered before the Senate and House of Representatives of Minnesota, in joint convention, on Wednesday, January 4th, 1865.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
In compliance with an act passed by the last legislature, I appointed Dr. Augustus H. Hanchette State Geologist, who accepted the appointment, but magnanimously declined any compensation for his services.
The sum set apart for geological explorations was insufficient to justify a general examination of the extensive mineral regions embraced within the limits of the State.
Only a portion of the land on the north shore of Lake Superior has been visited for that purpose, and the accompanying reports of the State Geologist, and of his assistant, Thomas Clark, Esq., confirm the belief previously entertained of the great mineral deposits to be found there, and demonstrate the policy of their early development. Rich beds of copper and iron ore, and slate of good quality have been discovered, as well within a few miles of the lake shore as further in the interior, and the projected line of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad passes through a part of this mineral district. Wood and lime-stone are abundant, and will furnish facilities for the manufacture of iron; and the construction of the railroad to the Mississippi river will render certain a combination of capital for that project.
It is estimated that the railroads and other iron fixtures for the railroads now projected or in process of construction in this State will cost at present rates twenty millions of dollars, and if the manufacture of these articles can be effected in the State, the expenditure of several millions of dollars would be saved to the railroad companies, while our agricultural and other interests would be vastly benefitted in connection with these operations.
It is believed that a coal field of considerable extent exists on the waters of the Upper Cottonwood and an association of our citizens in now engaged in solving the problem.
The parties interested are sanguine of a satisfactory result. Should coal be found in abundance, the State would be incalculably benefitted thereby, and those individuals who have spent so much time and money in the enterprise, will have rendered a significant service.
The comparatively limited examination thus far made of the mineral region in Minnesota should be succeeded by a thorough scientific investigation under the direction of the State authorities, but as the expense will amount to several thousand dollars, it will be for you to determine whether the financial condition of the Treasury will justify immediate action in the premises.
The progress of events will very soon require the establishment of a port of entry at the head of Lake Superior, and I respectfully recommend that you memorialize Congress for a suitable appropriation to secure the necessary survey and improvement of the harbor.