Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-10-05


whole, to have it operate as reason for
proceeding in either method in preference
to the other. A desire to have the work
speeii!y accomplished, would cause a decl-
sion ia favor Of the former wish to make
the annual expense less considerable, would
be met by choosing the latter.
In proceeding to give some opinions
respecting the time necessary to execute
Typographical survey, and the expense OF
so dong, must first remark that, from the
nature of tho business, more uncertainty
must rest upon my opinions in this. than in
the former case. have bestowed much
reflection and considerable research on the
subject, and have not in every particular
relied wholly on my own judgment still it
is impossible for me, land think it would
be to any one, to speak with full confidence
on the subject in its whole extent. | will
aim, however, so to limit my estimates of
the extent of the work and the means for
its accomplishment IN 10 Mose limits, that
no very serious difference shall be found
between my results and those which the
actual trial shall produce.
The fist thing to be taken into the
account, is the kind and cost Of the instru-
nIents to be used. 1t is to be kept in view,
that they must be, all of them, the most
perfect possible of their kind.
The most costly instrument would be n
large 7Neodolite. 1t must be made with
express reference to the work in question,
and must be competent to mark truly, diff
ferences in angles as small as one second Of
degree. Considering its size and neces-
sary pecuiarities and perfection, fink it
unwise to estimate its cost at less Nm one
thousand dollars. Besides this, there will
be needed smaller instrument of The same
name and use, marking as small differences
as five or ten seconds of a degree, to serve
for preliminary examinations, IN order to
determine where 1t will be best to lay tr-
angles, place signals, &c. saving both time
and expense, from its greater por'abeness,
and risk of damage to the large instrument,
an amount far exceeding the cost Of the
smaller. This would cost about three
hundred and fifty dollars. A telescope
level for running base llne-lines Of veri
fcation, and some other purposes, at cost
with Its necessary appendages) of two
hundred dollars. In order to establish the
longitude OF some enc point with great
precision. a transit instrument, furnished
with proper support, would be indispen-
sable. This ought TO be, at the least four
or. four and a half feet in length; it would
be better still if it were sic feet long. The
cost would be, suppose, about six hundred
dollars. The instrument would be needfu
also in determining the base line. As q
necessary means for fixing one longitude
as named above, there would be wanted an
astronomical clock, costing three hundred
and fifty or four hundred dollars. There
ought to be procured also, TO aid 10 trans
ferring the longitude from one place to
another, TO time signals in certain cases
&c. at least three chronometers. The
cost Of the three would be, suppose, seven
hundred and fifty dollars. There must be
procured q standard scale, most accurately
compared with the most perfect standard
in London or Paris, having official certlfi-
Gates of such comparison, with proper
apparatus for transferring its graduation to
other instruments. Indeed. to insure all
confidence, it would be better to get one
from Paris, and another from London, and
have the two subjected to a rigid comparl.
son by the individual charged with the
survey. can speak with less confidence
Of the cost of these instruments, than in
the most Of the preceding cases. From
the best means of information within nv
reach. place the cost Of standards at five
hundred dollars. In addition to these
there would be needed instruments, for
actual measurement Of the base line, and
sundry other small articles which canno,
well be enumerated. All these, think
would not cost more than twelve hundred
and fifty dollars.
The estimate of instruments will there.
fore be as follows:
large Theodolite $1,000
Smaller do $50
Telescope level, &c. 2OC
Transit, a l2 feet in length, GOO
Astronomical clock $50
Chronometers 75C
Standard scales with means for
\ comparison SOC
Measuring apparatus. and sundry
small articles, say 1,25C
$1,000
At all events, ! cannot believe this estl>
, mate to be amlss in any point, so as tC
affect materially the total expenditure.
In the selection of suitable person tc
' execute the survey, and the deciding wha
, amount Of pay he is 10 receive, think M
regard should be had to the remuneration
often made TO persons who are employed
in different parts of the union, in surveying
lands, directing rail road and canal con
structons, or in any of the abors which
d, commonly are made to devolve on civI