The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-19

Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi Ihave another amend.
ment which propose in lieu OF the third section OF the
| bill II is as follows;
what IL known the geodeuc method under such regu.
atons be approved by the Secretary OF the Interior
public hand and that the said gsodssic survey shah be
followed by Typographical surveys congressimay from
time 70 time authorize and direct"
Mr.. DOUGLAS. | would merely express the hope
that this amendment will not prevail i say this not
WIN reference TO Its merits but because il being the in
production OF new system Of survey, 4 am afraid at
passage Of the bill in the House This is matter which
may be corrected hereafter II the present method OF sur
yey deficient and the plan proposed is better one but
am afraid, because II is system, and requires IN
veslgalon that Al this late period will defeat the bill
DAVIS q Mississippi should t Be very sorry
since gave notice of my intention, whenever the subject
Of The surveys in Oregon and California should up,
that would make this proposition. j am convinced that
made anywheyTe and never was there country where Il
is absolutely necessary as in Oregon and California
Both in reference to the broken and mountainous charac
tain ridges, and aordng the highest facilities for geo.
deca surveys, and because OF the wide districts OF
country entirely worthless, lying contiguous to plains
adoinngwe require the highest degree OF accuracy in
the surveys The present system s one which is wrong
in theory i full Of errors and Its errors do not COM
pensate each other, but constantly accumulate When
attempted 10 be applied 10 mineral country its errors
will increase with great rapidy and am convinced that
surveys made upon the old mode cannot be made many
degree reliable in either OF these countries.
believe also, that the mode which propose in such
country as that il the minute survey OF the small TRAN
gulaon is confined merely to the valleys which Will be
settled be done al less expense than the present sur
vey OF the whole country AS we advance TO the NORTH
OF the present mode OF observation Increase Be-
tween the doth and 4lst degree Of north latitude there
mile-and this because the system OF survey which we
is founded on the supposiiion that the earth s
plane instead ,aa Of beng phs,od nave no more h
Senate Ii is matter OF history that have adopted
this mode OF survey, from the fact that our hrs system
Of land surveys had TO be applied 10 fiat and heavily
wooded country where more scientific method could
not be. adopted. Mr. Ecot, man OF high science,
was well aware when this system was adopted, Of this
surveyed by this geodetc SYSTEM there might have been
presented here now as accurate map as that Of gar
sn will cost eSf s more ha M
the theory being uDsound which arise from the
practice can compensate for it,
this question, scarcely know how to avoid it. II we
adopt the old system OF surveying do not see how you
are to your steps Ii will be applied to Caor
State II there is any mode BY which the relative value
oil these methods of surveying can be decided by com
mttee or otherwise OF the Senate, | should be glad TO
have that course adopted have no wish TO have dis.
cussion In the Senate, but do feel that we should not
surrender this the first and only opportunity we have had
to adopt method which is true IN itself L can readily
and believe il should be extended 10 the Atlantic.
Thus present to the country map OF the United
States such as France now presents Of her domain
such Switzerland presents We are behind the ciyi
zaton of the nineteenth century, and It is time that we
Mr. HAMLiN. | feel exceedingly desirous that the
Senate shall give its favorable action upon this bill now
before u.s. and do not design express opinion upon
the amendment Of the senator from Mississippi or upon
that systems which the amendment proposes to establish
Ii may belt probably is-a accurate system than
the one which is desired. But have only for the
purpose OF affirming what has been said by The senator
from Illinois that the adoption Of this amendment will
lead TO lengthy discussion, aud that discussion to
posponement OF the bill or if adopted here, will lead to
discussion in the other branch of Congress which may
lead to its defeat there For that alone, hope the
Senate will not adopt il; and trust that we shall be
willing to vote upon this bill at this time feel ex.
emely anxious that the bill be adopted St shall feel
il my duty 10 its postponement, ii II leads to dis
cussion 1 hope the Senate will act now.
Mr.. GWlN. The vote ! shall give upon the amend.
ment Of the senator from Mississippi do not wish to
which is proposed am favorable TO that SYSTEM and
am very sorry that have not time TO digest that plan
and look into the matter more than we now can. L am
il should pass this session II we eneumber il with
amendments. we may lose il entirely hope that me
system will be ultimately adopted with regard 10 me whole
Pacific coast That is my present impression win wna
knowledge have Of the system, but do not want THIS
renee in the amendment proposed by The senator from
Mississippi. think the old system OF surveying ought
10 be broken up entirely satisfied that il Is not APP
pcable 10 the western coast In some oil the States al
this time-at least OF hemit 10 against the law 10
make an accurate survey. In country much broken
up as California with SO many long and steep slopes
aud especially when the lands will become very valuable
think the present mode entirely napplicable should
be very glad 10 the amendment Of The senator from
Mississippi prevail i think however, that the expense
OF this system would in the beginning be greater than
the other; but in a short time would be about The
same These surveys may be carried on with as much
rapidy as under the old system and think that IN her
condition, being born fulgrown, all the aids and I'M
in science be applied 10 The Pachc eoun.
Try think should be done, for the land can be sur
veyed rapidly under the geodec system oil Surveying
Mr. EWING Avery slight examination OF the subject
has impressed me favoraby with the mode OF surveying
suggested By the senator from Mississippi rise not io
say anything in relation TO the question. but merely
suggest TO The senator from Mississippi. provision
which will put il in the power OF the department 10 d.
rect the survey in that way H. upon examination and IN.
qury, il be found expedent II he will modify hii
amendment 10 that way, will vote for H.
| Mr. DAVIS, OF Mississippi will accept the modlh
i cation.
The amendment was read, modified, as follows:
preferable the surveys in said Territory shall be made al
what known the geodetc methcd, under such reg
usiions and upon such srms may be provided by the
Secretary Of the Interior other departments havns
charge q the surveys o. che public land, ana a sa.
veys, Congress may from time TO time authorize aud a.
rect IN. present mode Of running be adhered TO-
Mr. UNDERWOOD. wish 10 ascertain il il is no
imperative npon the Secretary 10 have the work performed
The PRESIDENT. Its 10 he done in this way by Oh,
Secretary IL in his opinion 1t is preferable. j