The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-03


some time, the doors were opened,
And the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CHANGE OF MERIDIAN.
MIR. STANTON, Of Tennessee, from the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs, to whom sundry memo
rails on the subject had been referred, reported
joint resolution, and asked that it be put upon its
passage.
II was read, to the effect That hereafter, the
| meridian at the Observatory in Washington shall
be adopted and used in America for astronomical
and geographical purposes, and that part of the
Nautical Almanac, exclusively for the use Of navi
cation, shall be adapted to the meridian of Green
witch.
Mr.. STANTON remarked that it was well known
to the House that very great excitement was pro-
duced among commercial men and ship owners of
the eastern cities, before the resolution of this and
the other branch Of Congress was adopted, during
the last session, 10 publish American Nautical
Almanac. The excitement from the propo
stion to change the meridian to Washington, the
usual one in by seafaring men being that Of
Greenwich. The bundle ofmemorals he had sent to
the desk contained the protest OF great many COM
mercial men against change of meridian. The
resolution which he had this morning reported was
a compromise, and met the appreciation of and
gave entire to the gentlemen who Ss pro
posed that there could be no opposition to the reso
luton from any quarter and he expressed the hope
that it would be put on its passage.
| r..
meridian would alter the American charts.
| Mr.. STANTON replied: Not in the least The
charts adapted to the English meridian and the
American meridian. 1t was indispensably neces-
| sary to have an American meridian.
Mr.. McLANE trusted that the gentleman would
not press his motion, the resolution contemplated
an entire revolution. From all parts of the cOun-
try, particularly from the cities Of New Orleans
and Boston, protests had been sent in against such
a radical change Ii seemed to him that the sub
ject of sufficient importance TO call for the
printing of the report that it might be laid before
the country before Congress act upon the resolu-
ton. He moved that the report be printed, and
that the resolution be referred 10 the Committee of
the Whole on the state of the Union.
Mr.. STANTON said that if he had supposed that
the resolution, in its present form, would have
elected any opposition dissatisfaction in any
quarter he should not have proposed to put it its
passage The resolution was submitted to the gen.
tleman from Massachusetts,, (Mr WINTHRop,)
who presented memorials from Boston against the
change, and he had approved of it. With regard
to the opposition, he MIR. 81 believed II was gen.
orally understood to come from quarter which
interested in pecuniary way. II was not
really matter of such importance to the CONNER
ca interests as TO the publishers Of charts and the
republishers of the English Nautical Almanac.
These individuals own the stereotype plates.
| Mr. McLANE replied that, so far as his own OBJ
lection went IL could not relate in the most remote
manner TO such a consideration that charged by
the gentleman. Ii was without foundation. IL the
| gentleman had looked at the memorials, he would
have found that they emanated from the great ship
owners of the country, gentlemen connected with
the shipping interests, from insurance companies,
and practical navigators. All he asked was that
the report be printed He did not want the gentle
man from Massachusetts, alone TO examine and ap-
prove of the resolution. He wished 10 afford an
opportunity 20 those representing the commercial
interests and all others 70 examine it.
Mr.. CARTER was understood TO inquire, whe-
ther IL designed 70 fir the meridian by reso-
lutioni
Mr.. STANTON replied Not exactly SO. Il lie 10
prepare the Nautical Almanac by resolution. IL
was true that the memorials come from shipowners
and insurance companies; and II was equally true
that the memorials are OF the same character, en-
trely, and printed in the same types and
| presses. They have a common origin, and this IL
well understood. He did not propose 10 open up
any question Of difficulty. He thought that gen
teTnen understood the question as well as they
ought, 30 not 10 require moments hesitation in
adopting the resolution. II settles difficulties. He
would not press the resolution. He was willing
| that il should be referred.
Mr.. CHANDLER made few remarks, but, ow-
ing TO the confusion in the hall, the reporter could
not hear him with sufficient distinctness TO note
them. He understood 70 be in favor Of the re-
solution.
Mr.. HOUSTON inquired whether the scientific
| gentlemen To whom the question submitted
bad not expressed their doubts az 10 the propriety
| Of change
Mr.. STANTON replied that some gentleman had
| given such opinion, bat many had decided in
| favor Of a change, and all concurred in establish
| ing the meridian Of Washington for astronomical
and geographical purposes.
| Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, was aware that
men of science differ this subject. II the ques.
ton be settled now, IL will be forever. IL ought "a
be referred, that an opportunity might be afforded
for examination.
Mr.. JONES moved 10 lay the resolution upon the
| table; but the motion did not prevail; and
The resolution referred 20 the. Committee Of
the whole ON the state Of the Union.
THE LATE TEXAS navy.
| Mr.. STANTON, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported bill authorizing the President Of
the United States 10 incorporate the officers Of the
late Texas navy into the navy Of the United States
and IL was referred 70 the Committee the Whole
on the state Of the Union.
RELUF or ssRISEs.
Mr.. WHITE, from the Committee on Naval Az
fairs, reported joint resolution for the relief o
marines who were detained on duty on foreign sta
tions, beyond the time Of their regular enlistment
(paying them, for the time OF their detention, one
/ fourth more additional Compensatory He asked
that the resolution be put on its passage, but,
On motion Of Mr.. JONES, IL was referred to IN,
Committee Of the Whole on the state Of the Union
FREE NAvIoArIoN or THE ST. LAWRENCE
MIR. BUEL, from the Committee on Foreign Az
fairs, 10 whom referred sundry petitions o
citizens Of the United States, residing in States ad
acen 10 the northern chain Of lakes; and also, tn,
memorial Of the Legislature Of the State Of Wis
cousin, praying Congress 10 adopt measures fo
securing 10 American commerce the right Of freely
navigating the ST. Lawrence; and also joint reso
utions Of the Legislature OF the State Of Michigan
relative 10 the same subject, reported the following
Joint resolution
Resolved, by the Senate and House Of Represenia
ivss Of ne United States of America IN Congrss as
ssusbled, That the free navigation Of the ST. Law
renee river, for commercial purposes, demands tn,
earnest attention Of the American Government
and that il IL highly desirable that IL be secured
American commerce AT an early day.
Mr. BUEL moved that the resolution be mad,
the special order of the day for the fourth TUESDAY
in June next. This was objected to- and he Their
moved that IL be referred 70 the Committee Of the
whole on the state OF the Union.
Mr. McLANE, OF Maryland, said that this sub
ject had been associated with the Canadian reel
procity bill. Last January the House re-referrec
10 the Committee on Commerce the bill in Commit
tee Of the Whole the state OF the Union relating
10 reciprocity with Canads in order 10 sssimilat.
Il with the bill then pending in the Senate In ODE
dencc 10 instructions, the Committee on Com
mercc proceed 70 obtain from the State Depart
ment the necessary information 10 aid them. Tn.
correspondence between the COMMITTEES on Com
rnerce and the Secretary Of State led 10 a CORE
,r,ondcvre hofwecn the Sc~rctarv If sfste nd IN,