The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-04

different parts Of the United STATES Theis
opinions are expressed in the following resolu'
/ ton:
Resofred Az the sense of the American
Association for the advancement of science, that
the manner in which the coast survey OF the
! United States has been conducted by Professor
A. ID. Bache, and those associated with him, IS
: highly credtabIc TO American science, that IT
J promises great benefit to the commerce and
navigation of the country and it is eminently
entitled to the continued favor of Congress"
This association have since testified their I'M
diminished confidence in the superintendent OF
this work by electng him their president, the
highest position which can be occupied by
scientific man in our country.
When the rumor reached Europe that the
present organization OF the coast survey was
assailed, the venerable Humboldt and his COM
peer Of the French academy of sciences, Arago,
wrote to their friend and correspondent Pro-
fessor Schumacher of Altona expressing their
decided opinions of the manner in which the
survey was conducted, of the attainments of the
superintendent, and of the honor which our
country obtained abroad from the successful
prosecution of this great work.
No name stands before that Of Arago in the
science of the world and he speaks of the pos
sbe loss of Professor Baches service as "mis-
fortune which he desires to unite with all that
Europe has most distinguished in science, to
prevent"
"The officers of the American navy are Che
says proverbal for their gallantry; they know
perfectly well every part of the nautica'art
still ! shall not do them wrong by stating that
Professor Bache stands higher than they by a
hundred cubits in matters Of geodesy and phys
les OF the globe. will prove by various exam
pies how very useful it is even for the faithful
ness of results, that man should be superior to
the task entrusted to him."
| Baron Humboldt addressing Professor Schu-
| macher says:
"You know, better than do, in how high an
estimation the director of the work for the sur
vey OF the coast stands, not only among us, but
among all the most illustriousmen whom France
and England are interested in the study of &C.
ography and nautical astronomy. TO the most
solid knowledge of astronomy and mathematics
MIR. Bache unites in very eminent degree that
activity of mind and extent of views which rem
der work of practical utility profitable to the
science of the physics of the globe. In re-
| gion Of the globe where the direction Of oceanic
currents, the differences of temperature produced
by these currents, and by the upheaval of the
bottom and the direction Of the magnetic curves,
offer so important phenomena to the navigators,
such great work could not be placed in better
hands than those of Dr. Bache The govern
ment of the United States has acquired a new
right to our gratitude by protecting nobly that
which has arrested the attention of the hydro
graphers and astronomers of Europe l should
be glad to think that in a country where am
honored with so much good feeling, my feeble
testimony might contribute to cnliven the in
terest which is due to the excellent labors of Mr.
Bache"
Professor Schumacher, the learned astronomer
of Altoona, transmitting these letters, says:
"You will see, by the enclosed letters of our
common friends, M. Arago and the Baron de
Humboldt how anxious they are to know if the
great work you have undertaken will remain in
the hands to which the whole scientific world
would have entrusted it. Let me hope that the
fears they-entertain are only founded upon vague
rumors. Your country must be proud to call
you its own, and will repay youin gratitude what
you do for her scientific glory"
Was any testimony like this borne at home
and abroad to the results produced between
1919 and 1882, when the survey was under the
control of the Navy Department! Should moi
work which has won such approval, be no
only free from attack, but be fostered by all the
means at our disposal!
What is it likely that we shall gain by chang
ing an organization which has produced such re-
suits?
5. II is now generally understood that de-
tached nautical surveys cannot, ms such, be joined
together 50 as to form n continuous chart. Each
one supposes the earth to be plane, and though,
for short distances, the errors do not become APP
parent when grouping of the results is at
tempted, the spheroidal form of the earth inter-
poses an nsurmountable obstacle TO all accurate
joining. Hence, a continuous survey can only
be made by geodetic methods. The most accu-
rate mode of ascertaining distances between OBJ
jects, not in the same plane, is by the measure
ment of base line on q level piece of ground
and triangulating from it, connecting points
which, although ntervisble, are separated by
rough ground or by water The best mode of
representing the features of country is by n
Typographical survey, based upon triangulation
connecting remarkable points The only mode
of obtaining accurate results in photography, is
to connect the position on the water with fixed
points, accurately determined on the land. These
methods are the only ones admissible In the
present state of science, and these are practised
in our coast survey. Any other mode of sur
veying, on land or water, than these, would be
time ard money wasted If we cannot execute
the survey Of our coast in the best manner, we
should postpone it until means or science can be
found adequate to the execution
| The great survey of France, by Delambre,
Mechain, Blot, Arago, and their ilustrious, is
universally known as offering not only the
groundwork of one of the most accurate maps
which has ever been produced, but as connected
with the admirable system of measures and
weights adopted by the Republic, (l79l) The
Typographical details of that work yet remain
to be finally completed The photography
employs special corps of photographic engi-
necrs," under the direction of the Nestor of by
drographers, Beautemys Beaufre, whose clreer as
a photographer, commenced in the last century,
has never been interrupted by the calls ofoher
service. Neither he nor the members of his
corps are naval officers, properly so called.
The survey of Prussia owes its fame to the
illustrious astronomer, Besscl that of Russia,
to Strive that of Hanover, to Gauss; that OF
Denmark, to Schumacher; of Upper Italy, to
Carlini all civilians. In the Typographical de-
tails, corps organized for the purpose, or mill
tary corps of cognate duty, have been employed.
/ -. l.. L. q.