The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-09
THE COAST SURVEY.

The indispensable importance of this great nation
al work IS too obvious 10 need comment Every civ
iized nation in the world has its coast al east care
fully surveyed, and lis different points and features
its rivers channels soundings capcs BAYS mountains
and besdands--ascertained with all the accuracy
rendered practicable by the condition of modern SCI
ence, and necessar, TO the wants Of modern COM
merce. No nation with any sea coast and least of
all with such amount Of sea coast as we have
can enjoy to the full extent its rca ad
time Of peace, or be suitably prepared for defence
in time OF war; without an accurate knowledge de-
rived. from careful scientific survey of lis coast
Some, even of the halfcvilized Asatic nations and
We believe all the Asalic nations that are under Eu-
ropean influence have discharged this obvious duty
Of sei-defence-we might say OF nationality British
India has expended upon scientific survey six times
all that has been expended for the purpose in this
country. Great Britain, and most OF the countries of
Continental Europe, have surveyed not only their
coasts but the whole surface Of the country so that
to ascertain the locality practicabilty Of for.
tress, railroad canal, any other work Of CON-
mercial enterprise national defence they have
none OF that heavy expense for experimental engi-
neering which IS such clog to enterprise Of this
KIND IN tins country, but can get al once by reference
10 the appropriate bureau in the metropolis all the
Information needed Now, il is humiIiating fact,
that IN this country we do not know with accu-
racy the longitude Of Philadelphia OF Boston, of New
York fact Of The seat Of Government itself hose
actual geographical position is believed 10 be very
considerable, different from what il is by law defined
to be.
Now, we have in this country condition of sci
highly favorable TO the full prosecution
Of this great work. We have scattered through the
country not only the West Point graduates and the
officers OF the armyand navy, who are generally gen.
uemen OF education, but large number OF mcn
highly educated and well pracriscd in engineering
thrown out Of employment by the dscoptinusnce of
the state works Of internal Improvement. We have,
too as was fully cvnced al the centennial cclebra.
ton Of the American Philosophical Society," an acu
Of iG, n
colleges entirely unprecedented in American annals
We have, also, two magnetic and three scientific OBJ
seryaorics either IN full and successful operation or
far advanced towards IT, We have, therefore, ready
hand the OF securing TO the work the results
OF the most accurate observations IN regard TO the
condition and movements Of the magnift ent force
without which in the present state Of science
would venture 10 determine any point by land or
sea- dependent IN any upon the DIP and inclination
OF the needle. We have the means Of asccrtaining
those nice astronomical observ ations which are so
necessary at every point Of scientific survey
We have, Is fully shown by the United
States Almanac Of this city and the American
Almanac OF Boston, compu'ers sbundantly qualified
TO digest and to render available these scientific OBJ
teryatous. Ard lastly, We have, in the appointment
Of our distinguished fcIlow-cnzcn Profess 1r Bache
to the super,nteDdcnce OF the coast survey, sure
guaranty thai the work will command the confidence
and cooperation Of scientific men throughout the
country. From mcsns Of information in our posses
the President by almost every at all distinguish
ed by science, as we'll as by nearly all the scientific
institutions in the United States. There is too good
ground for confidence IN the Of the work in
the personal character of Professor Bachc, in his
hizh scientific attainments, in his knowledge Of men
md nice DISCRIMINATION Of character, in his winning
address and skill in rendering various talent subscr
Went to common cause, in hi. truly American dis
position to aim IN all things al results, and ndom
table perseverance that spares labor in the
plishment OF that at which IL aims
We see no good reason, therefore, why this great
national work should not be rapidly and successfully
carried forward. No nation has such amount Of
coastng trade needing to be facilitated in is move
ments; 30 nation has such com rlcated system Of
concurrent and at the time independent
eighties, quiring the greatest possible accuracy in
the determination of State boundaries no nation has
such extent Of sea-coast TO defend IN time OF war
and will add our sincere conviction no nation has
the means Of making more accurate survey. We
know this will not accord with the opinions Of those
who are disposed to cry down American talent, and
more especially American science. The occasion OF
The centennial celebration Of the American Pbilo-
sophcal SOCIETY," TO which we have already referred,
revealed state Of science existing in this country
which astonisbed even its cut'votors. With such
men as Henry Patterson, Renwick, Potter, SillIman,
Draper and host Of others that might lie named IN
The higher walks OF science, ready to cooperate with
Government, in any suitable organization OF the sur
Veyi with such observers and computers in the coun
Wy os Walker, Kendall, Dowpes, Paine, Alexander,
Pierce and LOOMS; with the practical and prsctsed
TALENT, Coy food and hed,' q Borden, Blunt, Fer.
uson and Gedney with the ohservatoriss existing