Featherstonhaugh, George W.; Geological Report of an Examination made in 1834 of The Elevated Country between the Missouri and Red Rivers. Washington, 1835. Octavo, pp. 97, large folded, handcolored profile. In original silk boards, light foxing to endsheets and text ,profile very clean with a few light spots on verso only, a very good copy.

An English geologist, farmer and businessman; Featherstonhaugh (1780-1866) lived and travelled extensively in the northern and western interior of America between 1806-1839 recording his geological observations. During this time he also maintained a very successful farm in New York State, and established one of the first railroads in America; the Albany & Hudson. As a scientist he also founded the short lived "Monthly American Journal of Geology and Natural Science". He lobbied for the establishment of an American Geological Survey and during this time made several surveys as the first appointed "United States Geologist". His first survey as an appointed geologist examined the "elevated country". $5,000. was appropriated by Congress and Featherstonhaugh was directed by Abert to proceed to the territory of Arkansas to survey the country and acquire accurate details on the "mineral and metallic resources of that territory" and the geology and topography of the regions around the Red, Arkansas and Canadian Rivers and Ozark Mountains. He was also directed to provide details suitable for a geological map of the regions traversed during his journey. It was the last set of instructions that Featherstonhaugh delighted in. He had planned for some time to sketch the geology of the region between the Atlantic Ocean and as far west as possible. This gave him the opportunity. The folded profile is the result. It is the first geological profile between the Red River at the Texas-Arkansas border and the east coast. Beginning at the Red River; Featherstonhaugh's profile crosses Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey to the coast. The twelve colors denote the geology observed, topographic features are noted as are mineral deposits. The profile is nearly 10 feet in length. It is usually missing from the work.