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HOUSE DOCUMBNTa
(No. 2.)
Office of State GsoiiOGiflT, }
Detroit, Jem. 1st, 1839. )
Report of the State Geologist^ in relation to the itu-
provement of State Salt Springs*
T0 ihe HonorMe Legislature of Michigan :
lo compliaDce with your instructions, contained in the act
approved March 24, 1838, entitled ''An act for the improvement
ot the State Salt Springs,'' the undersigned respectfully submitsf
the followii^ report ;
Immediately after the passage of the act, in order to avail
myself of the most recent improvements upon the method of con-
ducting this important work, as well as with a view to adopt
such a course as would Iead» in the most economical manner, to
the results desired* I visited the orincipal salt wells of Ohio, Penn*
sylvania and Virginia; and aluiough I had carefully examined
many of them before, the numerous improvements which have
been made, more paiticularly at Kanawha, in Virginia, rendered
the examination, in a high degree, interesting and profitable*
Another object which influenced me in these examinations, wa$
the desire of comparing carefully, while the subject was still
fresh in my mind, the precise condition of our own springs, with
those similarly situated in the neighboring states. ^
The close analogy in situation, existing between the. springs in
the states enumerated and those in our own state, as set forth in
a former report, will be borne in mind, together with the neces-
«ty for adopting a similar method of improvement. The salt
springs of New i ork, it was there stated, are so very diflferently
mtuated, that a satisfactory comparison with them can scarcely be
instituted at this time, and anv attempt to improve the water oS
our own springs upon the plan there pursued, would, most as-
suredly, prove valueless ; but when water of sufficient strength
and purity, and in sufficient quantity, has been obtained, the poli-
cy of management adopted by the state of New York, may
readily be applied to our own state, and will undoubtedly be pre-
ferable to any other which could be devised.
The brine springs of our state, like those of Ohio, Pennsylvania
and Virginia, emanate from a rock which lies deep, being cover-
ed with a mass of rock and earthy matter, which, (in order to
procure salt water that can be economically used,) it is necessary
to penetrate. In tliis ro^spcct, they difier most essentially from
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40 HOUSE DOCUMENT&
those of New York, for in that state a simple earth excava-
lion has proved amply sufficient to ensure an abundant 8up)dy of
water of a superior quality. In the other states to which refer-
ence has been made» I am not aware that any spring has furnish-
ed water in quantity or strength sufficient for economical pur-
poses, by a simple earth excavation, nor has the water been very
materiafly improved by any work of that kind.
In those portions of the states last mentioned, where the geolo-
gical arrangement of the rocks is such as to admit of obtaining
salt water, the salt rock lies at a considerable depth, and is over-
layed by strata of sandstone, limestone, slate, d&Cn and through
fissures in these overlaying rocks the salt water, much diluted by
the influt of fresh water, originally rose to the surface. In order
to procure water of sufficient strength and purity, it has been
found indispensable to penetrate the overlaying rocks, as well as
a portion of the rock from which the salt water flows. The
depth to which it has been found necessaTy to sink, varies from
three hundred and fifty to one thousand feet, the deep borings for
the most part, furni.^hing water of a strength superior to the
more superficial ones. This variation in the depth to which it is
necessary to carry the borings, depends, chiefly, upon the incli-
nation of the salt rock, and by keeping in view the general incli-
nation of that rock, together' with the elevation of^the Country,
can be determined with nearly as much certainty before opera-
tions have been commenced, as after they ha vie been com-
pleted.
The appearance of a sah spring at the surface, rs, of itself, very
far from being evidence of the existence of water of value in the
rock below ; it is only a single link in the chain of facts, for in
very many instances water of considerable strength appears at
the surface where no permanent supply of sufficient strength and
purity to be of any practical value could be obtained by the most
complete borings, and some of the most valuable springs have
been brought to light by improvements, where, originally, no salt
water appeared upon the surface. A complete elucidation of this
subject does not properly come within the scope of the present
report, and allusion is made to the facts as they exist* simply vi^ith
a view of rendering the character of the improvements proposed
more intelligible than they would otherwise be.
Having called your attention to the close similarity which ex-
ists between the salines of our own and the states last mentioned,
you will be prepared to appreciate the necessity of adopting a
similar method of improvement. Your attention is more parti-
cularly called to this subject from the fact that many of our citi-
zens having been familiar with the condition of the salt sprinffs of
New York, and erroneously looking upon our own as similarly
situated, are unprepared to realize the different character of im-
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HOUSE DOCUMENTS. 41
IHrovemenU required. At the Onondaga springs, a simple shaft
has been found sufSdent to furnish an ample supply of water
l^ly <iharged with saline matter ; but improvements of this
character, simply, would be of no value at any of the springs I
have examined in Michigan, and I can safely say that no point
will ever be found in this slate, where improvements of that cha-
tet will, alone, lead to any practical results.
In commencing the improvements directed, it was d^med
desirable to select two points for operations, where, all circum-
stanced combined, rendered it most certain they would lead to a
flacoessful termination. Two places were selected rather than
one, from the slightly difierent circumstances under which the salt
tpridgs occur ; sT diflerence which would still leave the subject irl
doubt should the experiment result unfavorably at a single point.
As a matter of economy, it was considered desirable to pursue!
both these works at the same time, from the fact that the two
improvements can bb proportionably much more economically
conducted in concert than either of them alone. Feeling the im-
portance of settling the question fairly, these points were select-
ed with much care, and it is believed they are quite equal, if not
superior to any which could have been chosen in the state. The
pincipal fiiCts connected with this subject were laid before you
10 a former report, from which you will be enabled to draw con-
clusions as to the probability of eventual success ; but sinc^ the
date of that report, many facts have been elicited which wo!jld
serve to increase our confidence on that subject. The water of
these springs is quite equal in strength and purity to that of
any of the springs of the western states before noticed, as theV
originally existed ; the geological situation of the country is such
as to lead to favorable conclusions, and should there be a failure of
eventual success, it may safely be said it will depend upon causeit
which could not possibly have been calculated*
The slate salt lands on the Tittabawassa river, in Midland
coQoty, are peculiarly eligibly situated, being a few miles beloW
the head of navigation of that stream, and embracing the mouth
of Salt river. A re-examinalion of this saline district, showed
It to be more extensive than had been supposed, and it was in
consequence of this, in connection with the strength and purity
of its numerous springs, deemed a strong point for commencing
operations.
The time occupied in making these preliminary examinations
prevented the commencement of active operations at the point
selected until near the middle of June ; and separated as it is from
settlements, it became necessary, first, to make arrangements for
rendering those comfortable who should be engaged in the work.
A bouse was first erected and sufficient ground cleared from tim-
ber to prevent annovance from mosquitoes, since which a shaft
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42 HOUSE DOCUaiENTS.
has been commenced at a point aboat half a mile h^low ibff
mouth of Salt river, on the direct bank of the Tittabawaasf^ riv^»
Much difficulty was at first encountered in sinking the sbaTttftofi^
the presence of quicksand, but this was at length 8UfmouBtQ<l»
since which the work has progressed with as much rapidity a^
could have been anticipated.
As this shaft is commenced directly upon the bank of the river»
it was deemed advisable, in order to secure the workfl mo«i per-
fectly, as well as for other purposes, to erect a wharf, which was
accordingly done. It is proposed to sink this shaft, already com*
menced, to the rock, which may be estimated to lie at a deplbof
something over one hundred feet, and to secure it carefcilly frqefi
the influx of fresh water. Having accomplished this, the mh
rock which will probably be found, at this point to lie at a defitb
of between five and seven hundred feet, will be reached in tte
usual manner, and until this be fully accomplished, we cannol
hope to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion upon the sui)jecU
During a portion of the months of August, September and
October, this work was partially suspended in eonsequeaee. of
the sickness of those employed in carrying it forward.
Circumstances connected with my other state duties prevented
a re-cxamination of the state salines on Grand river until about
the middle of July, soon after which operations were commenced
at the point selected ; three miles below the village of Grand
Rapids apd upon the direct bank of the river : — But in conaeh
quence of ihc excessive heat of the season and the exposed oon^
dition of the men employed, nearly all those engaged upon the
work became, unfit for duly by sickness, and more than IWQ
months elapsed before I was enabled to renew the work- success^
fully, although other hands had been employed and sent on in the
mean time. They also became unfit for duty from a similar
cause.
A neat arid commodious house has been erected at this place,
a portion of the timber for a dock, to secure the works, pre-^
pared, and I have men, now, busily engaged in clearing groundo
and taking all the necessary preliminary steps for commencing a
^tiafu A steam engine has been procured and some of the man
chinery prepared for commencing work upon the shaft, and this
work would have been already commenced had the condition of
the appropriation warranted such a stop. The distance to the
rock being, at this point, comparatively short, llie expense of
sinking the shaft will not be great, but the amount of rock boring
required will not vary much from that at the Tittabawas3a
salines. I should also add that a conditional contract has been
made with a man of great practical experience in rock boring, at
the Kanawha salines, in Virginia, to take charge of that portion
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HOUSE DOCUMENTS. 48
€f the wafk in this^tate, and had the appropriation been 8tiflieiem»
fo would have commeDced work before this time.
in r^arrd to the importance of this point for the commencer
tneot ©f these improvements, it will probably be safficient to refer
you to my report of last year, on this subject, barely adding that
tbe exaoiioations of this year have added confidence to my hopet
of 'success, if the operations be continued to a final resolt.
Other points might have been selected where little doubt can
be entertained but salt water could be procured, and where opera-*
tioRB oould be conducted at a less expense, but at this st^ge it
was deemed of the utmost importance to select such springs only
as bid most fair, and snch as would, in the event of a faittire to
l^aiizB onr expectations, render it forever unnecessary to make'
fortker aUempis. Should the works already commenced prove
df value, it will, no doubt, be found for the interest of the state to
make similar improvements at other points, but, for the present^
those comnrieticed are amply sufficient.
It would hardly have been expected, from the small amount
appropriated for the improvement of our springs, tha*t very
nniob except to take the preparatory steps could have been ae-
compKsfaed, yet under ordinarj^ circumstances no more than this
amount would have been required. The sickness of the paaff
season has been such as to embarrass our operations very much,
aM this embarrassment was ihcreased in consequence of the drf-
fieiilty of supplying with fresh hands the places ot those who
became unfit for doty in consequence of sickness. Compelled to
Uwef for a time, until buildings could be erected, more exposed
diiln u^ual, much annoyed by mosquitoes, in connection with the
ektnemely hot weather, the men employed sickened and wei^e
ileariy all, for a length of time, unfitted for labor. Their places
were supplied with fresh hands as siKm as circumstances would
permit, and the work pressed forward with all posrfble despatch.
There has been expended at the works on Grand river, inclu-
ding the expense of erecting a house and the purcrhase of a steam
engine, the sum of one thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven
dotiars, fifty-two cents; and at the works on the Tiitabawassa
river the sum of two thousand one hundred and eighteen d«>llars,
sixly^seven cents, anwunting in total to three thousand eight hun-
dred and eighty-six dolhrs, nineteen cents, a schedule of which
disbursements, with the proper vouchers, will be duly laid before
yon.
It will be seen by this statement' that the expenditures have
exceeded the appropriation in the sum of $886 19. I had [pro-
ceeded with the utmost precaution in order to avoid a result of
this kind, but the increased expenses incident upon supplymgthe
phMes of those workmen rendered unfit for duty in consequence of
sickness, as well as unlocked for difficulties and expenses con-
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44 HOUSE DOCUMENTS.
Heeled with the transportation of proviaons, &C.9 rendeFod it im-
possible to make accurate estimates, for which reason, afier the
principal expenses had been incurred^ I was^ under the painful
necessity either of leaving the work at a season of the year most
favorable to conduct the operations, or to exceed the amount a|>-
propriated for that purpose. Had a different course been pursued*
the state would have been subjected to great loss and delay in the
progress of the works, which has thus far been avoided, and
notwithstanding the condition of the funds, I am still continuing
the work, though in a manner which will render the expeoaes
inconsiderable.
The commencement of a work of the character of that under
* consideration, necessarily involves the expenditure of an amount
for the erection of houses and work shops, for clearing grounds,
for machinery, for implements, &c., which must render the first
^penses much greater than those which will follow. In conse-
quence of the limited amount appropriated for that purpose, only
a portion of this has been accomplished, and the sum which will
be required for a successful continuance of the work, will, there-
fore, be considerably larger than would otherwise be necessary.
With a sufficient appropriation for the current year, we may
hope to be able to make such additional improvements in tlie
grounds as will be required, to erect work shops, &c., to complete
the shafts to the rock, and secure them from the influx of freah
water, and unless some unlooked for accident should occur, to sink
with the augur through four hundred feet of rock at each place,
making the sum total, as estimated, inclusive of earth excavation,
nine hundred and seventy feet. There will be required for this
purpose, under a system of rigid economy, the sum of $12,350,
which estimate will include the amount of #886 19 before stated
to have been advanced upon the work in progress.
In closing this subject, I cannot refrain from alluding to the pre-
sent slate of the salt spring lands. The fact that we have a grant
of seventy-two sections of land, located in different portions of the
state, much of which might be made available, yet producir^ no
revenue, is one which deserves attention. Situated as these lands
now are, they are subject to constant waste from the loss of timber
by intruders — a source of loss which is daily increasing. Some
portions of these lands, which will never under any contingency
be required for salt purposes, may be made available by lease,
at once, the only course which can be pursued in conformity
with the act conferring the grant, while the measures now in
progress will fully test the condition of the most marked springs,
and either lead to a result whicii will add much to the prosperity
of dur state, or teach us that some other method will be required
to render the large amount of salt lands held by the state of any
veal value.
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HOUSE DOCUMENTS. 4fr
It is deriraUe, tberer(H^ ifji order that the whole subjpct may
he phused in that situation ^hiefa vill prove most beneficial to the
«tmte, that the works noyr in progress be pursued to a final result
as speedily as possible, for until A be done, no decisive steps can
be taken with any other than ^ portion of the lands, and the in*
terest upon the amount which is thus Iving idle would soon make
a return of the amount .expended by Xp,e state in making the im«
provenients. With this view of the subject, laborious as is the
task of conducting these operations, in connexion with the other
eevere dutiea I an? called upon to perform, the task is made liffht
by the hope that in the end it may not fail to lead to results of uie
;no6t vital importance to the prosperity of our young state.
Ml ^4uch IS respeetfolly submitted.
DOUGLASS HOJJGHTON- %
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H0I7SE DOOOMKVTBi:
(No. 3.) '
State Treasnrei^'fe R^iport.
' , State Tbeasuber*s OitftoM, >
. / Detroit^ December Slsi, 1838. J^
Bm^ Pre^id^Ht (^ the SeTH^ of Michigan i
'Siit^«^In coilnpliance with the laws regutating^' Ae' dutititt t^
Tteafiurer$ I herewith present the folloif<riDg cAateiii€Mt»iirfthe bcK
ainess of ^is- department, for the year 1838, m: : •
Ist. A statement of the cisrrent cncpMsev, for gMSPA pufpo-
2nd. A statement of receipts, from all sources^ applied to- the
payment of the current expenses.
3rd. A quarterly account current with the genefal* ftmd.
4th. An account current with the sinking fund.
5th. An account current with the contingent fundr
6th. An account current with the penitentiary fund^
7th. Ad account current with the Ypsilanti and Teeumseh rail*
road company.
8th. An account current with the Allegan and Marshall rail^^
road company.
9th. A statement of the bank fund.
10th. An account current with the internal improvenoent fund;
11th. A summary statement of funds on hand, and to what ac^
count they stand due.
12th. A statement of moneys received on account of sales of
state stocks, and how applied.
13th. An estimate of expenses for the support of government
for the year 1839.
14th. An estimate of receipts applicable to the support of fpy^
vernment for year 1839,
The expenses of the state for general purposes, for the year
1838, amount to the sum of (168,485 09, to which add balance
due the Michigan state bank, on the first day of January last,
$15,067 92, makes the total expenses of the state for the year
1838, amount to the sum of 6183,553 01.
The receipts from all sources, applied to the payment of the
above, including 880,000 returned from the internal improvement
fund, amount to the sum of $171,999 77, leaving a deficit in the
receipts to meet current expenses, of 911,553 24, which has been
made up by an overdraft on the Michigan state bank, and to
which amount the state is indebted this day.
I deem it my duty to present another view of this branch of
the state expenditures, that the legislature may be made acquaint-
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BOVSft DOGlTMfiNI^ 4(1
^ wilb li^lTw Bm9 of thi» ilopartneot, m this retrpooti ^adfffof
yii$ tbe mewi of roaetiog the ooiHingency^ By dKlodkig the
•00,000 relumed firoiB tbe iotemal iiaprovQcnent fond, from: thd
feceiptSf which has been applied to meet the current expenses^^
bot whick doe9 not properly form a part of tbe ordinary reve-
pue-^ will be seen the actual aioouot received from aU other
«ource5y falls short of meetipg tbe<defi)ands on the treaskury foe tfaJB
tsmnch of t(M public eiper^tares, in the sum of •91»55d 24»
ivhich b^ been made up>* as before stated* by the 880,000 relumr-
«d frooi the imernai improvement fund, and by overdraftiOQ.tli&
Michigan state bank, for the balance^ The ordinary reosiptsof
the state, applic^le to the payment of its current expenses^ exH
<«9pt from direct taxqsv are limited ; and even iaclnding taxes, aye
At present inadequate to the support of gorernmeflit It with
tierefpre^ be highly nece$sary> that this departoient nay not > be
^lobarrassed for funds, that early measures should be adopted bf
Ibe legislature, to provide fpr this braneb of the .public service.
I submit stalemeats of the probable receipts and expenses for
lb& yeaf 1839>^tbe former is estin>aled nX 81 17,i>72, and tbq.lat*^
terat $124,778. Nixninalty^ ^ amount of estanated revenocv
iopli^diog taxes due for year9,l836 and 1837, and assessment&for
the ye«r 1838, is nearly sufficient to meet the estimated expensei
of the stiite ; but, as a large amount of the revenpe is to b^ deri«>
Ted, from taxes alope, aRd' as the tai:es, already due« are probably
from noiv^esident iandsi and as the.assessoieots for 1838 wtidhoot
PQ9chthe treasury, till <|uite late in the year, and perhaps be sub*-
jeof totbe same continger^oy tbe receipt of taxes lieretofore has been-
-•«^lel|iy in the colieouops.wd transmissions to thisoiiice^v^I would
respeGifully suggest in cH-der to obviatei the dificulty which thiip
department will laUnr under, for want of fund$» that temporarri
loans.be made/rom our baoks, for a bs^th of time suflfioieAi tW
enable the t^^xea already due and coming due, for 1888^ taba
made availahlet to the treasury. The colleclion of tbe amount
due from taxes,: for tb^ yeafs 183^ and 1^7, may be much fiioili^
taled, by so aqiendii^ the reviaed statuteau relating to the returv
qf delinquent taxqa to the Auditor General's office, and the issue)
of state stocks by the State Treasurer, that the taxes due previous
to the adoption of the revised codet* may be included ; by which
ineaas.th^^.tftfiteM^U, frotn the sale of its stock, in all probability,
be put in funds at a much earlier period, than by the ordinary
mode of collections and transmissions through the several county
treasuries ; public convenience will also be promoted, and the trea-
sury be made speedily replenished to the amount now due from
that source.
Including the balance on the first day of January, 1838, to the
credit of the internal improven;ent fund, amounting to 880,543 55,
the receipts from sale of state stocks and the five per cent on the
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4i HOUSE DOCUMENTS.
Unhed Stittet land sales, placed to the credit of that fund, amount
to the sam of $hi65^S9S 51 ; and tlie amount drawn from that
fund is tGVO^Sl 88, leaving an unexpended balance of $585r
086 68 this day.
There is a balands to the credit of the sinking fond of 980,562
45^ applicable to the payment of interest on state stocks issued for
the purpose of inletnal improvements.
Under the '< Act authorizing a loan of a sum not exceeding one
iiandred thousand dollars, for the benefit of the Ypsilanti and Te-
oumseh railroad company/' approved April 6, 1888, sitty thou-
sand dollars, out of funds arising from tho sale of state stocks,-
has been paid to said company, upon evidence filed in this office,-
that the securities required to be given had been perfected and
filed with the Auditor General;
Under the ** Act authorising a loan of one hundred thousand
dollars for the relief of the Allegan and Marshall railroad compa-
oy," approved April 6, 1888, the sum of sixty thousand dollar^