Report of a Geological Reconnoissance Made in 1835
Item #61142
FEATHERSTONHAUGH, G[eorge] W. Report of a Geological Reconnoissance Made in 1835, from the Seat of Government, by the Way of Green Bay and the Wisconsin Territory, to the Coteau de Prairie, an Elevated Ridge Dividing the Missouri from the St. Peter's River. Washington: Printed by Gales and Seaton, 1836. 1st ed. 168 pp. Four plates. Original cloth. Lacks map, wear to spine ends and corners, bookplate removed, very light scattered foxing, else very good. Sabin 23963. Presentation inscripton on front endpaper, "General Scott with the Comps. of the Author." George William Featherstonhaugh was an English-born and trained geologist who was appointed the first US government geologist in 1834. He was to examine the land between the Missouri and the Red Rivers for mineral resources. This volume reports on his explorations from Green Bay, Wisconsin, up the Fox River to the Wisconsin River, downstream to Prairie du Chien to the Mississippi. In 1837, Featherstonhaugh was sent to attend the Cherokee National Council at Red Clay, Tennessee, at the beginning of what was to become the Cherokee Removal or "Trail of Tears." There he sent secret memoranda to General Winfield Scott about Evan Jones, a Baptist missionary living among the Cherokee that he feared would foment unrest.
Price: $400.00