The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-23

subject of general interest and not of less inn
Portance to the South and West than To the North
should the amount proposed in the bill be reduced to
that suggested by the gentleman from Virginia the
lirst effect would be to dispense with tho assis-
| tans to the superinten .eni and then the
country would lose much of whot had been
acquired at the public expense and secondly the
loss oil portion Of the survey of the Delaware and
The Chesapeake bay, which had yet been compet-
ed The vessels, too provided for this service the
horses and the wagons, and all that sort of pher
naa, would have 10 be sold, at great sacrifice, be-
cause they would be entirely useless for any other
purpose. And when the survey shall have been re-
sumed, they would have to seek for the talent which
had been dispersed. New vessels, etc. would have
to be purchased, for the purpose of carrying the
| survey Tor which they would be obliged 10 give a
pr &C lar disproporuonate to that for which those
now in the service could be sold. With reference to
The ability OF Mr. Hassler, the superintendent, he
said that more thorough and beautiful result of SCI
enthc iebors had never, perhaps, been produced IN
me held or In the room Of the engrayer Harbors,
lnets shoals, rivers and the dangers TO navigation,
from the shores Of the Atlantic TO the Gulf stream;
mad been exhibited and much in relation to this sur
vey brought to light by this gentleman which had
heretofore been unknown Therefore, in his opn-
ION, 1t would not be economical had been contend
ed, TO reduce this item in the bill
Mr.. e. J. lNGERSOLL said that he agreed with
the gentleman from Illinois, (Mr. Reynolds,) that if
we have not officers in our army and navy compe-
tent To carry on this survey, it was time that we
should have them. AS Mr.. Hassler was old, and
could not live long, they should certainly make some
provision in the event OF that gentemans death; for
he mr. ID deemed his services of the greatest value
iii should be the pleasure of the House to vote
down the amendment of the gentleman from Virgil
MIA, Slr. Gilmcr) and if he should be afforded an
opportunity, he would move a proyiso for the
ployment Of officers in our army and navy in our
coast survey. And he could show that, by this
rangement, $4,000 would be saved to the Govern
ment.
Mr.. MALLORY contended that the survey ought
10 change hands, and he gave several instances OF the
arrogance and ignorance OF Mr. Hassler, -" the high
priest OF philosophy tn Calico, this Nestor
Ferdinand Rudolph liassler, for such was his name"
lie did not think that Mr. Hassler entitled to all
the praises which gentlemen had bestowed upon him.
The work was not properly organized and although
Mr. llassler might have the eye of hawk, he knew
not how to dispose Of his force as to produce the
best practical and most useful results
The hour of two having arrived, all debate ceased
and
Mr.. GILMER modified his amendmeut-to strike
out fifty thousand dollars for the survey and insert
ten thousand dollars
And the question having been taken by teers, the
result was-yeas 80, nays 63.
motion was then made to strike out the entire
clause in relation to the survey of the coast and the
question was decided in the Acknowledgements 70,
nays64.
Several amendments were moved, and rejected.
and two or three Of very little importance agreed to-
Oh HotlOil OF MI. FlLLMOKE, the committee
rose aud reported the BILL amended, to the House
The evious question moved and seconded,
and the House concurrcd in several of the amend
ments Of the committec-that striking out the appro
priation Of $4,000 for the coast survey being re-
served for separate vote.
The question being stated on concurrng in this
amendment
Mr. WISE called for the yeas and nays which
were ordered, and being takeu, resulted-yeas ! H.
nays 81.
So the appropriation for the survey of he coast
stricken out
The bill was then read third time and passed.
several Executive communications were laid be-
lore the House one of which letter from the
Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting the report
oil Professor +. II. Hassler, superintendent of the
coast survey, IN relation to the construction of q
standard of weights and measures
On motion of Mr.. w. w. IRWIN
Reso'pd, That the Secretary Of War be and he is
hereby directed as soon convenient, TO communal
cate 10 the House of representatives, the report Of
Captain George w. Hughes, If the United States
Corps Of Typographical Engineers of his lato re-
connosance and survey Of the Ohio river.
Mr.. MERIWETHER sui mittei the following
resolution, which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the ec committee on the coast
survey inquire into the propriety of dispen.ing with
the typographical survey of the same, of limiting the
number of persons (lnclujing the superintendent
engaged thercin) and of employing officers Of the
Navy in the
The House then adjourned.