Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1847-11-06
WEEKLY COMMERCIAL JOURNA
ROGERS & BLAcK,s sEMApnoRIc SIGNALS.

ROGERS & BLACKS sEMAPHoRIC SIGNALS.
we have frequently, first and last, within the last
three years, referred these valuable Signals and
the Book which treats upon their great general use;
and were it not that developments are constant
ly taking place illustrating their growing value by
their various applications we might be content to
let the subject rest: but cannot do Our early
production in favor of the system, (for such pro-
nounccd it to be) induces to cling to it until all
we said in its favor shall become estabishcd-and
that point will be attained, we think before another
three years expires.
Already have some of the Departments of Gov
crnmcnt taken the subject in hand and tested and
approved of it, as shown by the Circular from the
Honorable the Secretaries of the Treasury and the
Navy, the latter under date of Feb. 10, 1877; and
since then (ycry recently Signals have been fur
nishcd by direction Of that Department, to the United
States Naval School at Annapolis; and of their char
actcr there, and the System refer the Join
ed remarks of Commander Buchanan:
o. S. NaraL School,
annapolis, Nd, lIarch "a, 1917.
Dear Sir had the pleasure to receive, in De-
ccmbcr last, as present from you, your valuable
Tclcgraphic Dictionary and Scaman's Signal Book.
Although nave Delayed until this moment acknOw
lodging its receipt, have not neglected examining
thoroughly into its merits
think it DECIDEDLY the MOST VALUABLE
and PRACTICABLE WORK of the kind l have
seen. 1t is well calculated to communicate useful
information with great facility and ease.
Such book, introduced into the Mercantile Marine
generally, and copy placed board our mcn-of-
war, would be very desirable; it would enable us
frequently to convey during heavy weather, or
when ships are at too great distance to the
speaking trumpet,) valuable information to Mer-
chants and Ship masters.
With sincere hope your labors may meet with
success, am respectfully your ob't scrv't,
FRANKLIN BUCHANAN, Commander.
H. j. Rogers, Esq, Baltimore.
After the foregoing remarks and testimonials have
been properly reflected upon by those interested in
the subject, we have no hesitation in bcspcaking
favorable reception for the system by the War De-
partmcnt to cooperate not only with Itself at
tain points, but with the Navy; and would as proof
of its advantage, suppose that set of Signals had
been established at Vera Cruz and other other
places along the coast, for the purpose of commun
eating with vessels of in the oiing, what meal
culablc advantages would result in the saving of
vessels by keeping them at safe distance without
even the passage of boat between them and the
shorc-for even the purport of dispatches could be
thus officially transmitted, and many northcr be
"spoilcd of its prey
We take pleasure in giving place to the following
opinions as expressed by two distinguished officers
of the army:
Hid. QrS. Army Of Occupation,
Camp near Monterey, July IL, Io47.
Mcssrs. ROGERS x BLACK
GcnHemen--l have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter Of the 18th of April last, aud
of the accompanying copy of the second edition of
Tai. Siunnl Rock
Agrecably TO your request, placed the latter in
the hands of Brcvct Lieut. Colonel Mansfield the
acting Chief of Engineers in my command, for exam
nation and have the pleasure of enclosing here
with a communication from him on the subject.
regret to inform you that it will be mpracticable
to make the experiment of establishing line of Sig
mails between this point and my base OF operations
while my command remains as small as it is at pre-
sent. The country through which such line would
necessarily pass, is constantly besct by small par
tics of robbers and predatory bands, that it would
require larger force than have disposable for such
purposes, to protect the operators at each Signal sta
ton. Were this objection not in the way, however,
| feel satisfied that the establishment of such line
would be entirely practicable, and would prove to be
highly useful to us.
With every wish that your labors in the compile
ton of this highly useful invention, may be amply
rewarded
remain, gentlemen, with high respect
Your ob't serv't,
u. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U. S. Army.
Messrs. Rogers g. Black, Baltimore, Nd.
Camp U. s. Army, near lIonterey,}
June "a, 1917.
Major Gen. ZACHARY TAYLOR,
Commanding U. S. Army-Prcsent.
Sir have examined Rogers s. Blacks Soma
phoric Signal Book which you handed to me for that
purpose and am exceedingly well pleased with the
simplicity and ease with which useful and important
information be conveyed to a distance by the
and characters they have adopted. A person
of ordinary education and talent (and here lays its
~ Il.