The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-02
COMMUNICATION.


10 the Editor Of the Union:
Sm: In the National Intelligence q Saturday May
22d IS communication signed "SearsC Walker" upon
the subject Of the newly discovered planet Neptune
and the confirmation recently obtained from Europe, OF
The s.srtion made some tune sncs at the Nat9nal po
been frequently termed alande Missing STAR" in the
essaloeue Of the Htore Celeste Franeais." observed in
lMy. 1895, were identical. MIR. Walker appears very
anxious that the world should know that he Is. c.
WalkeD made that assertion, also the observations
Neptune, and reported them Lieutenant Maury, the
superintendent OF the institution in which he
gagged at the time as subordinate observer, together
with seven other gentlemen similarly employed. No
one am certain, can object that Mr. Walker should
claim all the merit to which he deems himself entitled
and no will deny that he is entitled to much credit
Tor this redlscovsry OF the planet Laandes catalogue
and no one am sure would have less objection to such
clam, or more freely admit it, than Lieutenant Nlaury
himself, whose reputation does require to be dressed
IN the borrowed plumagc of others
But Mr.. Walker refers to Lieut. Maury with an as,
perity as unjust he intends II to be severe; and
evidently considers himself aggreved by that gentle
man, because in the official announcements made by the
superintendent Of the Observatory due credit was not
given by name to Mr. s. c. Walker and it is to correct
the impression these references calculated to make
that have taken the liberty OF addressing you this COM
municatiOn.
Mr. Walker does not seem to understand exactly the
position of subordinate institution like the Observa
tory-essenaly military well as scientific its charac
darrangementsand to think that 1t Maury,
in these announcements approprates to himself personally
what Justly belonged to another; and to forget that in
them, he merely personaes the Observatory, which he
employees To judge from Mr.. Walkers letter. no one
would suppose that his observations all made with
instruments not his, and in the prosecution OF his duties
employee
The Observatory at Washington is young institution,
the first of the kind established in this country
under the auspices OF governments and 1t obtained its
Isence only after sumountng many obstacles and great
opposition. The government has been most fortunate,
and fortunate has been for the welfare and deve
opment Of the youthful institution ITSELF that has been
placed under the charge OF the present able and talented
superintendent Among the men OF science IN our coun
try, there are very many OF great ability and talents but
do not believe there is one other 50 well qualified in
every respect to fill the position held by Lieut. Maury
He has devoted himself with interchangeable zeal to the
eres and advancement of the Observatory determined to
geously with the similar and more ancient institutions OF
Europe. That his labor has not been vain the vol
,lme of Astronomical Observations ls45," recently
published amply testifes; and shows that this institu
on though scarcely than two years old has taken
its place among the scientific institutions OF the world,
with the front Of veteran rather than Of recruit
Lieut. Maury has set example to his assistants,
cordance with his mottc that "hard work is glor
ous That he has been willing to give all Cue credit to
his assistants, the volume OF reports above referred TO
evinces, where the work performed by each is specified
and every accredited to the by whom
twas madei but Lieut. Maury has been Jealous for the
reputation OF the Observatory and while he has made no
claim for himself independently of it. he has claimed for
it everything which he considered it entitled; and do
not conceive that any assistant can, with oPrety claim
exclusively for HIMSELF and independently OF the Obser
vaory those observations which made in, and for
and indeed might say, by the Observatory; for the
assistants in the prosecution of their duties, conceive,
much part of the Observatory the instruments
they use. A gentleman who appointed by the gov
eminent in charge OF highly scientific and important
work-one of the most ever undertaken by our gov
ernment-assered that assistants in national work
curing the combined labor of many persons, possessed
individual character whatever and refused to desg
nate OF acknowledge any individual labor would not
go SO far as this and am sure Lieut. Maury would be
most unwilling to rob any individual of the credit to
which he was entitled7much more to appropriate that
rrodf IN Cnff,c lopnr.
ments are-and are very properly son the name of the
Observatory and in speaking of the Observatory, it is
very natural that he should the neutral pronoun
sit" Mr. Walkers thoughts were less concentrated
upon himself he would that he has just ground Of
complaint and his claim to the discovery Of Neptune
In Laandes catalogue, might have been asserted with
quite much effect, and grace, had it contained
less egotism and more charity.
No one questions Mr.. Walkers ability an astrono
mer; but it would be well, and greatly conduce to the
perfection Of the results Of their labor, if astronomers
while searching to reveal the mysteries OF Heaven would
assist each other in harmonious cooperation and not
is too often the regard each other rivals, with
jealousy and distrust VEGA.