Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-05-04
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THURSDAY, MAY Q, 1850,

THURSDAY, MAY q, lo0U.
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, from the Committee on
Naval Affairs submitted the following report and Joint
luton concerning the American prime meridian
The Committee on Naval Affairs, to which referred
undr memorials protesting against the establishment Of an
Nautical Almanac, respectfully report:
That p the investigation of this subject they have had the
benefit of the views Of many of the scientific
men Of the country given in their correspondence with Lieut.
Chas H. Davis the superintendent OF the American Nautical
Almanac and furnished to the committee by the Secretary of
the Navy There great conflict OF sentiment among these
distinguished gentlemen but it is believed that positions
well established admit of dispute. These
first that in the present condition of navigation ncon
venence would be experienced by abandoning the Greenwich
and adopting the American prime meridian and second that
and perfection all astronomical and geographical operations
this continent The committee OF opinion that the
Inconvenience to navgators resulting from change of mer
dian has been greatly overrated and ii it necessary
determine whether this difficulty is of sufficient weight to
counterbance the advantages of change astronomy and
geography the committee would have hesitation in decid
ing favor of the American meridian But it believed that
all controversy may be avoided and all parties satisfied by
adopting the American meridian for astronomical and geo.
graphical purposes and calculating that portion Of the Nau
cal Almanac for the exclusive of naygators for
the meridian Of Greenwich. This policy entirely
letter Of date the ed October S49 from Prof. Enke
the editor of the Astronomical yNachicen No. $685. that
distinguished astronomer says:
with the annual publication of the Berlin Astronomical
Register for 1882 which is already prepared this Journal
changes back to its earlier form; the nautical data omit
ted, and again into hands The difficulty to
be set asde that the Berlin meridian, which must
tain the register does correspond with the meridian OF
the charts prevents mainly its with searng men,
that with justice, the ministry who direct the business hold
further connection OF the parts the nautical and the
Economical, as injudcious.''
In accordance with this example, which, far relates to
the establishment of national meridian for astronomical
poses believed be the policy Of every enlightened nation
the GLOBE the committee JOINT resolution effect
ing the result and they respectfully recommend its
sage by the House 1t however, intended by this
signify any thing beyond Difference TO the present
convenience and wishes of mercantile marne rendered
appropriate perhaps by the fact that the meridian OF Green
wich at this time generally used than any other 1t
not impossible that speedy change in the channels adopted
by the the Pacific and indeed in the commercial
empire of the world hereafter demand even for the
vgator central and convenient meridian. But this
will be properly subject for future investigation.
The committee have not deemed 1t necessary to do more
than give this brief of their conclusions nasmuch
the subject has been fully discussed in the interesting
respondsuce above mentioned which they REFER and which
they beg leave to append as part OF this report.
joint resolution concerning the American prime meridian.
Resolved 6ye Senate and House Of Representatives of the
United States .9megca Congress assembled That here
after the meridian OF the Observatory Washington shall be
adopted aud used the American meridian for all asronom
cal and geographical purposes and that such part Of the
putaos OF the Nautical Almanac may be designed for the
exclusive OF naygaors shall be adapted to the meridian
OF Greenwich.
The resolut on having been twice read Mr. STANTON
asked that il be put on its passage.
debate ensued between Messrs. STANTON, OF Ten
nessee, and McLANE, Of Maryland.
Mr. McLANE then moved that the joint resolution be
mtted Committee OF the Whole the state OF the Union,
and the bill ard report ordered to be printed.
The question was then on the motion Of Mr.. McLANE to
commit and print the join, resolution, and was agreed to-
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