USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time : including a brief historical account of the first discoveries and settlement of the country, Vol. II > Part 24
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Upon the recommendation of the State Agricultural Society, the Legislature, on the 15th of March, 1860, passed an act appointing Dr. William Kitchell to complete the geological survey of the State.
February 25th, 1863, Dr. Kitchell dying without having com- pleted the survey of the State, it was ordered continued and completed by Prof. George H. Cook, of Rutgers College, under the direction and patronage of the State Agricultural Society.
The survey of the State was for a time suspended, but was again revived by the State at the request of the above-named Society, to be completed within four years, at an expense not to exceed twenty thousand dollars in addition to the cost of publi- cation ; and the appointment of George H. Cook as State Geologist was confirmed, with power to employ such assistants as he might think necessary for the proper prosecution of the survey. At the same time a Board of Managers from each Con- gressional District was appointed, consisting of the following : Joel Parker, President; Managers, Daniel Potter, of Cumber- land ; Andrew K. Hay, of Camden, in the First District ; William Parry, of Burlington, and John A. Roebling, of Mercer, in the Second District; Israel R. Cornell, of Somerset, Henry Aitken, of Union, in the Third District ; Abraham S. Hewitt, of Passaic, Andrew B. Cobb, of Morris, in the Fourth District ; William M. Force, of Essex, J. R. Wortendyke, of Hudson, in the Fifth District-with power to fill any vacancies that may occur in their Board.
April Ist, 1869, an act was passed for the purpose of continu- ing the annual appropriation of five thousand dollars, made in 1864, for a period of four years longer.
Professor Cook entered immediately upon the prosecution of his duties, and has added much valuable information to the geology of our State. Professor John C. Smock was appointed Assistant Geologist ; Edwin H. Bogardus, Chemist; Edward A. Bowser and George W. Howell, Civil Engineers.
Professor Cook's report upon the iron ores which abound ex- tensively in the northern parts of our State, is of immense value to the State. The report upon soils and fertilizers is also very valuable, and will add much to agriculture; in fact, the pro-
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gress of the survey continually shows new fields in which the fostering care of the State can profitably be employed, to aid individual effort in developing our mineral, manufacturing, and agricultural wealth, which is second to no State in the Union.
The vast improvement in the agricultural resources of New Jersey, and its advantages for profitable development, so far, has been mainly by enriching the land already cleared, and till- ing and cultivating it more thoroughly. The marked success which has attended this is a warrant for bringing the still un- cleared lands into cultivation. There are now about a million of acres of such lands in Southern New Jersey, which can be successfully brought into farms. Vineland, with its seven thou- sand inhabitants, Hammonton, Egg Harbor City, Bricksburg, Manchester, and many smaller settlements, are on the grounds that only ten or fifteen years ago were uncleared ; and now they have become self-supporting-raising good crops of corn, wheat, clover, potatoes, and other staple crops, and fruits in abundance, both for family and market purposes.
. Experience shows that this light land can be cheaply and easily cleared. It needs fertilizing for the first crop, but this is compensated by the cheaper tillage, warmer soil, and fewer de- lays from either extremely wet or dry weather. The mildness . and salubrity of the climate, too, are attractive to those who have experienced the rigors of a Northern winter.
Immense deposits of peat are found in all parts, and the rail- roads give ready access to the marl-beds. No better fertilizers than these can be found for supplementing the stores of the barn-yard ; and there is no cheaper or more lasting fertilizer than the green-sand marl, which exists in inexhaustible quantities.
These uncleared lands constitute the largest body of undevel- oped wealth in the State, and they offer a most inviting field for those who wish to get cheap farms and homes for themselves, and at the same time to retain the advantages which come from proximity to the great business centres of the country. Wild lands can be got at from five to twenty-five dollars an acre, ac- cording to its nearness to roads, railroads, and settlements. The wood upon it is, in many cases, worth all the land costs.
The report shows one hundred and sixty-one separate mines
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of magnetic iron ore, at which mining operations have been undertaken in their examination or further development, being an increase of forty-six during the past three years.
These mines are principally located in Hunterdon, Warren, Morris, Sussex, Passaic, and Somerset counties. The product of the iron mines of the State for the year ending December 31st, 1872, may be approximately set down at six hundred thou- sand tons, valued at about three million dollars. In 1867 the product of the iron mines was estimated at two hundred and seventy five thousand tons. In 1864 the estimate was two hun- dred and twenty-six thousand tons; so there has been a large increase in the product of our iron mines since that date. Dr. Kitchell said, in 1855, that our iron mines might yield one hun- dred thousand tons for that year, being one-sixth of their pre- sent working.
The hematite ores of the State, as far as have been worked, are limited to a few localities on the Delaware River. The zinc mines yielded about twenty-two thousand tons of ore during the year 1871.
During the season of 1871, specimens of so-called silver ore had been extensively circulated at Hackettstown and in the neighboring villages of Warren and Sussex counties, the local- ities whence they came being kept secret. A single lump of what was said to be silver ore, was obtained from the ridges on the east side of the Jenny Jump Mountains, and was analyzed and found to be an ore of arsenic. The specimen yielded 15.60 per cent. of sulphur, and 29.80 per cent. of arsenic. Mineral- ogically, it is arsenopyrite or mispickel, with probably some lölingite, but the specimen was too small to determine the latter with certainty.
About three miles north of Stewartsville, in Warren County, the soil contains a considerable proportion of mica, indicating the existence of this mineral in the underlying rocks of the valley. Another so-called mica mine was opened during the year 1871, on Scott's Mountain, about one mile north of the village of Broadway, in Warren County.
The northern part of the State continues to furnish a large amount of lime for agricultural purposes.
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Professor Cook, in his report for 1876, says: "The Geo- logical Survey of New Jersey has, from its first organization, had for its work a much wider field than belongs to the science of geology. It has taken notice of our natural and indigenous products, mineral and vegetable, and besides describing them, has pointed out their uses and economical applications. In this way, it has been an important agent in helping forward that extraordinary development of our population and wealth which has been going on for the past few years."
Of the exhibit at the Centennial, he speaks as follows : "The specimens were arranged in eight cases, two on each space, standing with their backs together, and with high tablets between for the exhibition of the maps of the Survey. The effort was made to show full and correct specimens of the results of the Survey in all its departments.
" A catalogue of the exhibit was prepared and printed, which gave name and short description of four hundred and twenty- six specimens from the various geological formations of the State ; sixty-eight specimens of choice and beautiful minerals ; thirty-six specimens of building-stone, roofing-slate, flag-stone, limes, cements, etc. ; two hundred and fifty-seven specimens of iron ore ; twenty specimens of zinc ore; six specimens of cop- per ore ; twenty-six specimens of potters' clay and glass sands ; ten specimens of baryta, manganese, and other useful natural products ; twenty-two specimens of iron and zinc from New Jersey ores ; twenty or more specimens of fire-brick, pottery, alum, glass, etc., from State products; a collection of charac- teristic fossils from all the geological formations; twenty-four maps; a model of the zinc mine and vein at Franklin Furnace, and the publications of the Geological Survey in an octavo volume.
"At the close of the Centennial Exhibition, the specimens and cases were returned to Trenton, and are now arranged for permanent exhibition in the Museum of the Geological Survey."
In his Catalogue to the Centennial Exhibit, Professor Cook says :
"The yield of the iron mines has had a steady increase for many years past, and in 1873 no less than six hundred and sixty-
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five thousand six hundred and fifty-two tons of iron ore were mined. The depression in the business of the country has les- sened the demand for ore, but about four hundred thousand tons have been mined the past year. The rich mines of zinc continue to yield an abundant supply of ore of the finest quality. Seventeen thousand five hundred tons were mined in 1873, and not far from ten thousand in 1875.
"The clay for fire-bricks, pottery, and other uses, is worked . to the great advantage of our manufacturers, and the demand for it is very large. The aggregate annual value of this product, in its raw state, is estimated at one million dollars, and the manufactured articles from it at an equal sum additional. The green-sand marl dug for use on the farm lands amounts annually to from one hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred thousand tons; and the lime burned for agricultural use cannot be ascer- tained accurately, but it is several hundred thousand bushels.
" The increase in the wealth of the State, is seen in the valua- tion of its real estate and personal property, which was, in 1850, $200,000,000 ; in 1860, $467,000,000 ; 1870, $940,976,064.
"The geological structure and formation of a country, fur- nishes a key to its stores of mineral and agricultural wealth ; directs the course which its roads and railroads must take; shows its lines of natural drainage ; its sources of water supply and water power, and provides the locations best adapted for the healthful residences of man."
On the Ist of November, 1784, the Congress of the United States met at Trenton. All the States were represented except Maryland.
The representatives from New Jersey, were Hons. William Churchill Houston and John Beatty. Richard Henry Lee, who was said to be the gentleman who originally made the motion in Congress for declaring the States of America independent, in the year 1776, was chosen President. The Hons. Samuel Dick and Charles Stewart, members of this State, arrived next day after the assembling.
The Marquis de Lafayette arrived here from the South on Thursday the Ioth of December, 1784, and visted the Congress of the United States, then in session, on the 11th.
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The following proceedings were had in that body: "The Committee to whom was referred a letter of the 6th, from the Marquis de Lafayette, report that in the opinion of the Committee, the merit and services of the Marquis render it proper that such an opportunity of taking leave of Congress be afforded him as may strongly manifest their esteem and regard for him ; whereupon,
"Resolved, That a Committee, to consist of one member from each State, be appointed to receive the Marquis, and in the name of Congress, to take leave of him; that they be in- structed to assure him that Congress continue to entertain the same high sense of his abilities and zeal to promote the welfare of America, both here and in Europe, which they have fre- quently expressed and manifested on former occasions, and which the recent marks of his attention to their commercial and other interests have perfectly confirmed; that as his uniform and unceasing attachment to this country has resembled that of a patriotic citizen, the United States regard him with particular affection, and will not cease to feel an interest in whatever may concern his honor and prosperity, and that their best and kindest wishes will always attend him.
"Resolved, That a letter be written to his most Christian Majesty, to be signed by his Excellency the President, expressive of the high sense which the United States, in Congress assem- bled, entertain of the zeal, talents, and meritorious services of the Marquis de Lafayette, and recommending him to the favor and patronage of his Majesty.
"December 13th, 1784."
Mr. Jay, Chairman of the Committee, reported that on the 11th instant, they received the Marquis in the Congress chamber, and took leave of him, agreeably to the instructions given.them on that subject ; that they communicated to him the purport of the resolutions of the 9th, and that he thereupon made the fol- ing answer:
"Sir : While it pleases the United States in Congress so kindly to receive me, I want words to express the feelings of a heart which delights in their present situation, and the bestowed marks of their esteem.
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"Since I joined the standard of liberty to this wished-for hour of my personal congratulations, I have seen such glorious deeds performed, and virtues displayed by the sons of America, that in the instant of my first concern for them, I had antici- pated but a part of the love and regard which devote me to this rising empire.
" During our Revolution, sir, I obtained an unlimited indul- gence and confidence, which I am equally proud and happy to acknowledge. It dates with the time when, an inexperienced youth, I could only claim my respected friends' paternal adop- tion. It has been most benevolently continued throughout every circumstance of the cabinet and the field ; and in personal friendships, I have often found a support against public difficul- ties. While on this solemn occasion, I mention my obligations to Congress, the States, the people at large, permit me also to remember the dear military companions, to whose fidelity their . country is so much indebted.
" Having felt both for the timely aid of my country and for the part she, with a beloved King, acted in the cause of man- kind, I enjoy an alliance so well riveted by mutual affection, by interest, and even local situation-recollection insures it-futu- rity does but enlarge the prospect, and the private intercourse will every day increase, which independent and advantagecus trade cherishes in proportion as it is well understood.
" In unbounded wishes to America, sir, I am happy to observe the prevailing disposition of the people to strengthen the con- federation, preserve public faith, regulate trade, and in a proper guard over continental magazines and frontier posts-in a gene- ral system of militia, in foreseeing attention to the navy-to insure every kind of safety. May this immense temple of free- dom ever stand a lesson to oppression, an example to the op- pressed, a sanctuary for the rights of mankind, and may these happy United States attain that complete splendor and pros- perity which will illustrate the blessings of their General Govern- ment, and, for ages to come, rejoice the departed souls of its founders.
"However unwilling to trespass on your time, I must yet present you with the grateful thanks for the late favors of Con-
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gress ; and never can they oblige me so much as when they put it in my power, in every part of the world, to the latest day of my life to gratify the attachment which will ever rank me among the most zealous and respected servants of the United States."
On the same day that he was received by the Congress of the United States, in the city of Trenton, he was also received by the Legislature of the State, then in session in the same city, and presented with the following address :
" To the Honorable the Marquis Lafayette :
"Sir: We, the representatives of the citizens of New Jersey, convened in Council and Assembly, cheerfully embrace the op- portunity which your present visit to this State affords, of paying you that public mark of respect which is justly due to your dis- tinguished merit.
" With pleasure we recollect that, actuated by a love of liberty and a sacred regard for the rights of mankind, you left your native country, and all the endearments of domestic life, and voluntarily engaged in the hazardous cause of America, in her late contest with Great Britain ; and we acknowledge with grati- tude that the signal services which you have rendered this State, and the other States in Union, have greatly contributed to the complete establishment of that freedom and independence which they now enjoy.
"Your unremitted endeavors to support our national credit and character, and your generous efforts to promote our trade and commerce, afford us the strongest evidences of your attach- ment to this country, and for the interests of our Federal Re- public. Permit us, sir, to conclude with expressing our fervent wishes for your welfare and prosperity, and with assuring you that the citizens of New Jersey will ever retain an exalted sense of your disinterested friendship and important services.
"Council Chamber, December 11th, 1784, by order of the Council.
WIL. LIVINGSTON, President.
" House of Assembly, December 11th, 1784, by order of the
House. BENJAMIN VAN CLEVE, Speaker."
To which the Marquis made the following answer :
"Sir : In the friendship and esteem of the State of New Jersey, so kindly expressed by your Excellency, the Council and Assem-
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bly, I feel myself the more flattered, as I have had numerous occasions to admire the spirit and patriotism of her citizens, to which, in trying emergencies, our cause has been so signally indebted.
"It was my fortunate lot, sir, to have been admitted among . you in support of the great contest-it shall ever be my happi- ness, in zealous endeavors for the good of these States, to indulge the sentiments of my love and gratitude ; and while the blessings of this revolution, so nobly purchased, will be eternally secured in the united strength and wisdom of this Federal Republic, my heart feels deeply interested in the warmest wishes for the par- ticular welfare of the State of New Jersey.
"Highly sensible of my obligations to your Excellency, the honorable Council and Assembly of New Jersey, I beg leave to present you and them with most grateful acknowledgements, and the affectionate assurances of my respect.
"LAFAYETTE.
" His Excellency the Governor, the Honorable the Council and Assembly of the State of New Jersey."
The New Jersey Gazette, under date of January 3d, 1785, under its items of news from New York, contains the following :
"Last Tuesday evening arrived in this city, from Trenton, on their way to France, the Marquis de Lafayette, with his young, but very interesting companion and fellow-traveller, Monsieur de Caraman, a Knight of Malta, and captain of dra- goons, and Monsieur de Grandchain, of the beautiful frigate La Nymphe, now in our harbor. Since the 4th of last August the two former gentlemen have travelled upwards of eighteen hun- dred miles; viewed almost every remarkable military spot; twice visited our great Cincinnatus, the matchless Washington, and assisted at the Indian treaty at Fort Schuyler. Wherever they have passed they have been received with that warmth of friendship, that energy, and gratitude, and affection which ever will be due by the true citizens of these States to that excellent young nobleman, whose military services in our cause, whose great exertions, weight, and influence has been so sensibly felt during the most critical period of our late arduous conflict. May the winds safely waft over to his native country this new citizen
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of ours ; may Heaven long preserve a life which promises to be so eminently useful to both countries, are the earnest wishes and prayers of the CITIZENS OF NEW YORK."
In the year 1824 Lafayette again visited this country, and in September of that year he again visited the Capital of the State, upon which occasion the arch erected by the citizens of Trenton was again set up, at the gates of the Capitol, to grace his recep- tion when on his way to the Assembly room, where he was ad- dressed by Robert McNeely., Esq., the Mayor of the city, and exchanged congratulations with the citizens.
General Lafayette arrived with his son, George Washington Lafayette, and M. La Vassuer, at Staten Island, from the ship Cadmus, from Havre, August 15, 1824; September 22, 1824, he arrived in New Jersey.
The 22d, at nine o'clock in the morning, he left New York and crossed the Hudson. He was taken to the steamboat wharf in an elegant coach drawn by four cream-colored horses, escorted by the military, accompanied by the Mayor, Corporation, Presi- dent of the Cincinnati, and a vast concourse of citizens, where he took an affectionate leave of the citizens of New York, and as he crossed the river a salute from the artillery was fired.
On his landing at Paulus Hook* the General was received by the Governor and staff of the State, when after an address from the Governor, on his entering the State, a procession was formed, escorted by a body of light-horse, under Colonel Ward, and a large body of citizens on horseback and in carriages, and all proceeded to Newark.
The General alighted at Bergen and received the congratula- tions of the inhabitants. He was there presented with a gold- headed walking stick made of the wood of an apple-tree in that village, under which General Washington, himself and suite, dined during the Revolutionary War.
The cavalcade reached Newark about one o'clock, where the light infantry of the Second Division of New Jersey, under Major-General Doughty, and commanded by Brigadier-General Darcy, paraded. A splendid bower was erected on the common,
* Jersey City.
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with a civic arch in the centre, to which the General was con- ducted, where he was received by the Committee of Arrange- ments, and was introduced to a large number of citizens, who thronged the place to welcome the nation's guest. The town was crowded with thousands of spectators from the adjacent country, the display of the military was fine, and the decorations of this beautiful town on the occasion were in the finest style of taste and elegance.
As he entered the town, he was received with a salute of artil- lery and the plaudits of the people who thronged the streets and crowded the footways. He was welcomed in an able address by Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen.
At Elizabethtown he was received with military honors, and the congratulations of the civil authority and people. Here an elegant dinner was provided for him, at which were present the Governor and suite, and a large number of citizens. A hand- some arch, on the main street, was erected for his reception, elegantly decorated with flowers, evergreens, and appropriate inscriptions. The town was thronged with spectators, and the General was hailed as he passed along the main street by the plaudits of the people, and with every token of joy and glad- ness. At Elizabethtown he spent the night, and was introduced to a large number of citizens, who called upon him to pay their respects and bid him welcome to New Jersey.
Leaving Elizabethtown for New Brunswick, he passed through Rahway and Woodbridge, and at each place received the con- gratulations of the inhabitants.
In the vicinity of New Brunswick he was met by a deputation from the corporation and a military escort to conduct him to that place. The bells commenced ringing as he approached the town, and a procession was formed, agreeably to previous arrangement, which conducted him through the principal streets of the city to the court-house, where he received the congratulations of the civil authority and the citizens, after which he was escorted to Follet's Hotel, and partook of an excellent dinner provided for the occasion, in company with a large number of citizens. In the evening the ladies were intro- duced to the General at Follet's.
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On the 25th General Lafayette left New Brunswick for Princeton. He was met at Kingston by the Committee of Arrangements, and the Princeton cavalry and infantry. A pro- cession of the Common Council, citizens and military conducted him through the main street to the centre gate of the campus of the College, where the military received the General and suite as they passed the campus. He was thence conducted by the Committee of Arrangements to an elegant temple erected in front of the college. As the General entered the centre gate
of the campus, the President of the College, with the Faculty, Trustees, Professors of the Theological Seminary, and students came out of the College and temple-the students facing in- wards, and the President, Faculty, and Professors passed through to meet the General at the temple, where the President, after an appropriate address, presented him with the diploma made out in the year 1790, signed by the late Dr. Witherspoon, then President, and the Trustees of the College at that date. Rich- ard Stockton, Esq., made the address of welcome.
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