Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-03-15

measures in the several states .,
Union. These, he finds, with l;t,,. 'h'
riation, the same in all tho state' s'r
ing Lesn originally copied from '' = nav
iish standards; with the exec, - Eng
those of Louisiana, which r. 'O" Y
French original. These latte. Is u
ever, are, ny local Legislation. Quo; "eS'
way to the standards Of the elder la
rican states 20 that verv e'.. AMT
gre Of uniformity exists throuaIu's.
The whole Republic. S"Oa
Proceeding to the third and !,
head, the Secretary Of State en,er,a :"
some doubts how far Congress, ' o''
constitutiunally. exercise the no, ~
introducing an entire new svs, %e'
neurology: Lie rather incIines 10 u 81
opinion that the authority is limi,sd va a.
the regulating and the .frine WIN. . =
ready exists. This doubt he co"s,.
nances by a suggestion Of the i,uu r.
ticability of establishing any uni I,s
system, except by the concurrenc. u
the state governments, whose inams,s
he regards AS indispensable to give =
feet to any law Of the Congress on 4.
subject.
He inculcates, moreover, the ut;r,v
of procrasfination in the final ADMIT!
of any new system. The basis Of fly
French neurology, he admits, is ,us
cienlIy perfect, its elementary ertsa
sion being invariable, and comprebr%
ing whatever IS susceptible of mensun.
ton by man. But its permanent =.
Establishment. even in France, be "
CARDS as doubtful. The scientific M,
of that nation, to whose labors the 6,
cretary pays the just tribute Of I,onors.
bic applause, continue the pursuit d
their object with undated Zeal; and
thuse of Great Britain are equally a,
dent in their efforts to attain this eres
Under the new order 4
things in Spain, The attention of tn
Cortes has been attracted to the sT.
ject. The Secretary of State deems il
advisable. therefore, with the avovsd
intention Of securing the greatest Dos.
sible scope for the uniformity Of|
weights and measures, that the ExecuI'
tive of the United States should be au /
to invite INSTRUMENTATION
with the governments of these tire.
powers as the means of promoting th{
universal adoption of common stal !
dard; not with the design of formg
any treaty stipulation concerning
but that the principles being oncel
greed upon by all, each may give e6a
20 the same standard, by a law of ID /
own legislature. Yet, If the Congra (
should conclude that it is expedienIb
AXE immediate steps for the accom- (
,lishment Of a more perfect uniform
y of weights and measures within tLd
United States, the Secretary propose
hat, without innovation, the act o
Congress should embrace the following
objects:
81. To declare what are the weight
md measures to which the laws of th|
United States refer, as the legal
W Fights and Measures of the Union.
SO. To procure positive standards
# brass, copper, or such other mater
lis as may be deemed advisable: Of tho ]
ard, bushel, wine and beer gallons,
roy and avoirdupois weights; to b
deposited in such public Office, at lhd
eat Of government, as may be thought
most suitable.
"s. To furnish the Executive au
horities Of every state and territOT
With exact duplicates of the nationa
standards deposited at the seat OF g. /
90. To require, under suitable r
,al sanctions, that the weights am
used at all the custom. houses
Ind land surveys, and post Offices, and
by all officers under the au.
hority Of the United States, in the
,xecutioa Of their LAYS, should be con.
or mable to the national standards.
"5. TO declare it penal to make Of
O use, with intent to defraud, any,
her weights and measures than su''
10 shall be conformabIe to the star
Iards."
In coincidence with this course
procedure, the Secretary suggests FS
desirable that there should be procurea
xact copies Of tho standard measures
u the c.chequer of Great Britain
4 <>,,s, ,uokoS, thno 0uIateOs e.