60 HISTORICAL SKETCH

the geological survey be discovered, and as far as conveniently may be,
to indicate also, by reference to marginal notes or otherwise, their several
natures, qualities and values, and for this purpose the geologist of the
state shall keep him regularly advised of all important discoveries which
he may make, and the material facts in relation thereto; and the said engi-
neer shall report to the Legislature at the commencement of every session
the progress he shall have made during the preceding year in the work
assigned to him.

Sec. 6. And be it enacted, That for the purpose of facilitating and ex-
pediting the completion of the said map and geological survey of the state,
the Governor and Council be and they are hereby authorized to allow and
pay the accounts of said officers, for necessary contingent expenses,
other than personal; so far as they may deem said accounts just, equitable
and proper, to an amount not exceeding one thousand dollars in any one
year.

Sec. 7. And be it enacted, That the officers to be appointed under and by
virtue of this act, shall be subject to the orders of the Executive of the
state, to make any surveys for. canals, rail roads, or other works of internal
improvement which the Legislature at any time direct to be made; Pro-
vided nevertheless, That this act shall expire at the termination of the next
session of the General Assembly, unless the same shall be re-enacted by the
next Legislature of this state.

During the first year of the survey the Topographical Engineer
was hindered from carrying on his work upon the map of the state
by the section of the bill which rendered it necessary for him to
execute " a survey for canals, railroads or other works of internal
improvement which the Legislature may at any time direct to be
made, " he having been ordered to co-operate immediately after his
appointment with an engineer from Virginia and commissioners from
Delaware in the location of a canal on the Atlantic borders of Wor-
cester county. He however succeeded in perfecting a plan for exten-
sive co-operation with Mr. Hassler, the Chief of the U. S. Coast and
Geodetic Survey, in the conduct of the topographic survey of Mary-
land. " The object of the Topographical Engineer, " as stated in an
historical sketch prepared by Ducatel in 1839, " was to obtain the
superintendence of Mr. Hassler in order to secure a guarantee of
accuracy in the measurement of base lines and the determination of
main points for future operations. He was by this arrangement, too,
to be put in possession of tried instruments; and the work of course
is to be completed with more despatch and at less expense than if left