Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-02
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
.. 5. WEIGHTS, MEASURES. AND BALANCES.

Upon late visit to the Office of Weights and
Measures, Of which Professor ALEXANDER ID.
BAcHE is the Superintendent, variety of items Of
information were obtained which may prove inte-
resting to our readers. In the year 1885 the Sen
ate passed resolution authorizing the construction
of standards of weights and measures for the GUS
tom-houses of the Union in 1886 the Treasury
Department was directed by Congress 10 have a
set of these standards made for the several States
of the Union, and in 1888 the construction Of
standard balances was ordered by the same autho-
rity. This work was originally under the direc-
ton of EDWARD I. HAssLER, Esq, who, previous
TO his decease in l643, had made considerable pro-
gress. Since that time the work has been under
The superintendent Of Professor BAcHE, Superin-
tendent of the Coast Survey, but under the execu-
ton of JOSEPH SAxToN, Esq.
The object to be attained by the distribution of
the above standards to the States and the custom
houses of the United States is complete uniform
ity of weights, measures, and balances. In accom-
pshing this end, it is expected that copies OF the
original standards will be distributed by the State
authorities to the counties of each State, and by the
counties to the towns and parishes. We cannot.
hope TO give our readers an idea of the exquisite
mechanism and high finish which distinguish the
original standards we can only say that no stranger
ought to visit Washington without making brief
visit to the establishment where they are manufac
tuYed. The material Of which they are made
is brass, composed of an alloy Of three parts Of
copper and one of zinc. The county standards are
expected TO be made Of the same material, while
those for the towns are to be made of iron instead
of brass.
On questioning Mr.. SAxToN with regard to the
origin and legal enactments OF the standards of
weights and measures, he gave us the following
information
The actual standard of length is brass scale,
eghty-two inches long, prepared for the survey OF
the coast Of the United States by Troughton, Of
London, and now in the office of weights and
measures.
The units of capacty-measure are the gallon for
liquid and the bushei for dry measure.
The standard Of weight is the troy pound, CO.
pied by Captain Kater in 1927 from the imperial
troy pound employed by the United States Mint,
and now preserved in that establishment.
complete set of standards of weights and mea-
sures supplied by the Government consists of,
first, set of weights from one pound avoirdupois
TO fifty pounds, and troy pound secondly, set
OF weights from one ounce troy to one ten-thou-
sandih of an ounce; thirdly, yard measure
fourthly, set of liquid measures, consisting OF the
gallon and its parts, down to the halt pint, inclusive
and, filthy, one half-bushel measure. ~.-.
The States which have already been supplied
with these standards are as follows: Maine, Mas
sachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Caro-
lima, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky,
Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. The States OF
New Hampshire, Tennessee, louisiana Indiana,
and Mississippi, are only partly supplied, and or,
ders have been veceived by Professor BAcHE to
prepare standards for Florida, Texas, Iowa, and
Wisconsin.
With regard to the balances, we are informed
that complete sets have already been forwarded to
the States of Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, New
York, Massachusetts, Delaware, and South Carroll.
ma, and that seventeen additional sets are now ready
to De delivered to the first seventeen States that viii
inform the Government of their readiness TO cree
them. When these States are prepared to receive
the balances, suitable persons will be sent to Sc
them up and explain their construction and use
and Professor BAcHE considers it desirable thai
gentlemen connected with learned institutions
should have charge of the above standards.
In this connexion it may not be out of place &c
mention the fact that complete set Of the above
standards are to be presented to the Government
Of France. at the suggestion, we believe, of NJ
VATTEAARE.