The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-21
THE UN ION.

fan to do They are, however, under the strongest
temptations to act Immediately; and, unless human
ture has been greatly changed in California by the dis
covery OF this new Ophir, take 1t for granted tina
there already very powerful interest there. and
New Mexico too, in favor of the immediate formation
State government. and the object of having their State
represented IN the other branch of Congress and IN the
Senate of the United States; the great object of estab
hshing governmental authority by their State con
sinlion the permanent good which will result to then
from being recognised OF the States of this Union
having the power regulate their own local affairs, Il
! form Their own consttuton--a these considerations
VIII combine TO influence them TO establish State gov
eminent as soon possible
At this point in his remarks, the honorable senator
yielded the floor al the quest of
Mr. YuLEE who moved that the Senate adjourn
Mr.. " however withdrew the motion at the request OF
| Mr.. ATHERTON, who submitted the following reso
luton; which lies over:
Resoired. That the resolution setting apart Thursday
each week Tor the consideration Of private bills be- and
Is hereby, rescinded
Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi. Mr. President, have a
small debt which wish to pay before the goes down
affecting the reputation of that distinguished scholar and
gentleman the superintendent of the National Observa-
tory am made to say, in the report of the lntegen-
GER OF this day, that he appropriation for the support
oil the Observatory last year was $l3S,00o" This is a
mistake OF 100000 | said S3S 1000, and find myself
so reported in the Union. Thirty. five thousand dollars
were Tor the Observatory and three thousand dollars for
the superintendent.
am also made to say that " the astronomical discover
les he observatory has made, refrain from auding
TO- ipr lear OF having to bring forward anew to the coun-
try the ridiculous mistake made by it." What did say
IN relation to that point was that knew Of astrono
mlca discovery which had been made by it," and then
added, forbear from alluding ludcrous mistake,
NC That mistake arose from the circums stance that,
owing to retracton in the glass producing the prsnac
DIVISION OF COLOR they supposed that the star under
observation was triped The refraction was mistaken
FOR the triplcity of the star This mistake was made
by the superintendent shortly after he entered upon the
duties OF his Office, and while he young in the
vice. II was mistake into which he led by an old
md rstp nn
should attach to the superintendent And will here
state explicitly that it is not my purpose 10 inure the
scientific reputation of this distinguished officer
would much rather add to than derac from the reputation
OF any man OF science, and especially Of Justly
distinguished as the superintendent of the National OBJ
Servaory.
have been informed of, and will take this opportunity
to mention, two important observations which have been
heard of before, but had forgotten The other shall
never forget 1t was observation upon point of the
orbit OF the planet Neptune By connecting that obser
vaon with the previous observation of Leande, l7ol
the whole orbit OF the planet was determined am also
informed that at National Observatory first dis
covered the fact that the Beas had, by sort of
volcanic eruption, separated into two parts, and consu
ted, subsequently, two new comets
But my whole purpose in addressing the Senate was to
correct The first great in the report and the rehec
hon which was made more pointed than | intended il
should be. With the explanation which have given,
will at the same time, say that the present supernend
ent OF the observatory not the point OF my attack
the point of attack being the observatory aaigned
against the coast survey take great pleasure in seeing
the progress OF science in any and all branches OF the
government, and in the national observatory well as
everywhere else, and am always ready not only to bear
testimony TO the high merits of its distinguished supen
'endent but to give him due credit for whatever dscov
cries he may make in the boundless fields of science and
for all the additions he may make the stock
OF knowledge
YuLEE, it was agreed to /; and
The Senate adjourned.