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

property otn4ture, determined by some in
vention of art.
As the subject has occupied the attention
of scientific men and of governments Id al
past ages, it would have been extraordinary
il it had escaped the sagacity OF the wise
men who framed the Federal ConstItutio n.
The importance of It. 10 their estimation, IS
proved by their having introduced 1t among
the powers specifically delegated TO the
Congress; thus giving TO it the character OF
a necessary component element OF ma
tional legislation.
As early as the fifteenth Of January. 1893,
the Congress referred TO the formation OF a
plan for establishing uniformity in the cur
rency, weights, and measures, ofth United
States, to the Secretary OF State. Mr.. JET
ferson then held that situation; and his re-
port is brief, lucid, and valuable: But it was
followed by no decisive legislative act.
From 1890 until 1917, the topic bad been
occasionally adverted TO, with more or less
effect on the public mind: when. in the lat
ter year, the Senate of the United States re-
ferred the question again. in form, to the
Secretary of State. The subject. in this
manner. presented itself to Mr.. Adams at
his very entrance into the Department. 1t
was, consequently, to be investigated in the
intervals of various occupations: amidst ne.
aotiations with foreign Ministers, duties Of
the interior administration, and the routine
OF Office. The House Of Representatives
called upon him for statement concerning
Weights and Measures at later day; in
Dember, 1873.
Following the tenor Of the Resolution of
the House Of Representatives, the Secretary
OF State pursues the enquiry under three
heads:
!. The proceedings in foreign countries
for establishing uniformity in Weights and
Measures.
2. The Regulations and Standards for
Weights and Measures in the several States
of the Union.
iormity Of Weights and Measures as may
be proper to be adopted in The United
States.
Introductory to his examination, and in
reference to weights and measures them
selves, the Secretary considers the term Nh
yorm'ty as applicable either to uniformity
Of identity or uniformity of proportion;
meaning, by the former, system founded
on the principle of applying only one unit
OF weights to all VEGETABLE articles. and one
unit of measures OF capacity to all substan-
ces, thus measured, liquid or dry; and, by
the latter, system admitting more than one
unit of weights, and more than one of mea-
ssres Of capacity; but in which all the
weights and measures of capacity are ia a
uniform proportion with one another. Thus,
the present weights and measures of the
United States are, or were, as derived from
the original English models, founded upon
the uniformity OF proportion; whilst the new
French neurology is founded upon the uni.
formity of identity.
After tracing the theoretical history of
weights anc measures to their original sour
ces in the nature and the necessities of man.
connecting linear measure with individual
existence; superficial, capacious, itinerary
measures, and decimal arithmetic, with do
nestle society; weights and common STAN
dards with evil society; money, coins, and
all the elements Of uniform neurology, with
civil government and law; and. in corrobo.
ration OF this theory, adverting to tn.
weights, measures, and money, of the He.
brews and the Greeks, whom he views as
having sprung from the Egyptians; and of
the Romans, who derived their standards
from the Greeks; the Secretary of State
passes to the English and the French ,y.-
TENS; regarding them as the two. which, in
modern times, from the attention that has
been pai9 to them, scientifically and other
wise, merit the most particular scrutiny.
He demonstrates, from the early usage,
and laws of England, that an English penny,
called sterling round, and without any
clipping, weighed thirty.two wheat corns
IN the midst Of the ear; that twenty of these
pence made an ounce; and twelve ounces
one Found; that eight Of these pounds
made gallon of wine; and that eight gal.
Ions Of wine made Lendon bushel, the
same being the eighth part of q quarter:
That, thus the money weight was identical