Geological Survey L. S.
Beaver Bay Sunday Aug 7 1864
His Excellency Gov. S. Miller
Saint Paul Minn,
My dear Sir,
Our expedition left Minnesota Point on Tuesday the 2nd Inst. and although delayed to some extent by adverse winds and the illness of one of the force we have been able to minutely examine the different belts outcroping on the coast line as far down as Knife River. A number of mines in the incepient stages of opening, some of them three miles back from the coast have also rec. attention and from which we have been fortunate in securing mineralogical and geological specimens of value to the State Cabinet. I intend duplicating the specimens of Prof. Owens before leaving this department of the survey and adding others that may be observed for the same purpose. We miss very much the use of the Barometer as without it elevations cannot be ascertained without much trouble and additional expense. There is a Barometrical station kept by the Smithsonian Inst. at this point by which our instruments could be graduated and I have left instructions at Superior City that as may meet it if on our return which I really hope to do.
We leave for Pigeon River after mailing letters as the wind now is fair for that object and as a monthly mail only goes below this point I fear I shall not have the pleasure of addressing progress until I again reach here. I Remain Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
Aug. H. Hanchett