The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-18
army, and the photography to officers of the

| W WHICH WOThS aHtCItnn com
merce aud navigation, it was believed, should b.
properly committed. Ii was also thought tina
officers Of the army and navy could not b.
brought To act tremendously together under thu
control Of either the War or Navy Department
This organization was the result of the ex
| perience OF the work up to that time Ii ha
proved emnently successful in its Operations
the rapldity OF It's progress, Us well as accuracy
and the magnitude of its results have command
ed the applause Of those most distinguished fo
scientific attainments in Europe and America
This department has from time to time, Il,
the work demanded, called for as many officer,
Of the army and navy rs could be spared from
their appropriate duties.
An application for an additional number O.
officers OF the army is now pending before tn,
War Department, and will, it is expected, recev,
u favorable considerations
When the recent war with Mexico was de
clared there were five officers of the corps o
Typographical Engineers and nine of the lin.
of the army employed in the coast survey.
The survey thus becomes an admirable schoo
of practice for such of the graduates of Yves
Point and the officers of the navy as had a pre-
objection for the science called into practice b,
the work, each being engaged in his appropriat,
sphere.
While the scientific character of the survey j.
such as to reflect lasting credit upon our country
it is also emnently practical in its results the
highest branches ofscientifc knowledge are mad,
subservient to the most useful purposes.
The economy of the work deserves common
datiOn. IL will be found that as much usefu
work is done, and as much advantage to the coun
| try and mankind obtained for the same amount
of expenditure, as in any other department of the
Government. In this respect the last seven
years have shown gain in economy Of one and
three-quarters to one over the expenditures be-
fore that time for the same work. This may be
ascribed to the enlargement of the scale on
which the work proceeds, which ulso greatly
tends to hasten its final completion.
The trigonometrical portion of this survey
now extends unbroken from Portland, in Maine,
to within fifty miles Of the Capes of the Chesa-
peake, and, with an interval of about one hun
dred miles, which is rapidly filing up to point
beyond Cape Hatteras.
1t has been commenced in South Carolina,
Georgia, and Florida; is complete in Alabama,
and nearly so in Mississippi; and has been com
menced in Louisiana and Texas The other
operations follow closely in their order and the
publication of the maps and charts keeps pace
with the teldwork. Nearly one-half of the coast
of the Atlantic and of the Gulf of Mexico has
been surveyed. Since our recent acquisitions of
territory on the Pacific, parties attached to the
survey have been actively employed on that coast
and have contributed important information to
this Department in regard to the proper sites for
lighthouses, and other aids to navigation.
A detailed report OF the progress of the work
will be submitted to Congress at an early period
of the session.
Miscellaneous
The necessary instructions in fulfllment Of
the provisions Of the 9Th section of the act Of
2Sth September last, have been issued for the
numbering and coloring of the buoys placed
''along the coast, or in bays, harbors sounds, or
channels"
Arrangements have been made for the manu-
facture aud delivery ut convenient point for
transportation, Of the bnoys intended to be
placed in the channel of Columbia river.
Measures have been taken promptly to exc
cute the design of Congress in providing for tlr
security Of life and property on the sea coast
VI talc life boats, with the usual fixtures, de-
signed for five points OF the coast Of Florida
aud three for the coast Of Texas Nave been con-
tractcd for. Like facilities, with the addition OF
mortars, shot-rockets, and slationhouScs, have
been authorized along the shores Of Long i
land, including station at Watch Hill, il Rhode
island
In pursuance of the directions Of Congress-
preparations are being made to test the use and
economy of the calcium light, detailed report
of which and also of the general condition of
tie lighthouse establishment, will be submitted
to Congress during the present session.
Engagements have been entered into for the
construction Of an iron screw-pile beacon upon
Romer Shoa, under the authority contained in
the act making appropriations for lighthouses.
&c.
The preliminary surveys as acquired by the
Sd and 18th sections of the lighthouse act of 2Sth
September last, have been directed with refer
ence to such new works rs were authorized BY
that act
The condition of the several marine hospitals
in course Of erection may be ascertained bv re-
ference to the annexed report Of the chief Of the
Typographical bureau and others. 1t is proper
to remark that the nsufficiency Of the last APP
preparation for the hospital at Natchez, has de-
layed the completion of that work. That the
seanen on the coast Of the Pacific may derive
immediate benefits from the hospital fund, means
have been taken for the conversion of Il building
at San Francisco, known as the Preside, into
hospital to be used until suitable structure
shall be erected for that purpose.
In addition to the several crstom.houses in
course of erection, Congress, at the last session.
made appropriations for additional ones at Bath
ana bangor, III Name at Nortolk, Virginia
Cincinnati, Ohio; St Louis, Missouri; and
San Francisco, California. Also, for sites for
marine hospitals at Evansville, Indiana, and
Vicksburg, Mississippi. The necessary steps for
the selection and procurement Of proper sites
for these cdifces have been taken by the De
partment The progress of those custom-hous-
es in course Of erection has been as rapid as
circumstances would allow. That at New Or
leans is of the greatest magnitude, and the spc-
cal attention of the Department has been
given to it, with view Of securing its compile
ton at an early date.
The incumbrance upon the site selected for
the customhouse at Charleston, South Carolina,
has been removed, and no further delay in the
erection of the binding is anticipated. That
at Savannah has progressed so far as to justify
the expectation that it will be ready for occupa-
ton by August next; provided the additional
appropriation submitted 10 Congress shall he
made at an early day.
Respectfully,
TITO. CORWIN,
Secretary Of the Treasury.