The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-09
Fow tie fila Calf
Coast Survey and Light
PVT forufa

-
Congress has beea called TO N
IL is one ofthe utmost impor lN'i1tl f7fff
ests of California, and il far M ~ Flr4
to her. IL partakes OF al
national and world wide in its
extent Of the coast, the immen.
perry upon the ocean, in The shiL
Win which they are freghled, that
ahoa' along our borders, bound in or
ports and, more than all the rest, the n,
nsss whose safety is dependent upon Gle
certain navigation of our harbors and The o
auloihihg, makes IT especially so
IL IL well known that the entire coasf oS Cali
mas, u.'il the recent survey last summer by
Japan MrArthur, Of the Ewing been vsrv III
aehhite'y understood That survey h.s made
known TO the public partially, and VII 6,iIv 49,,
published with the accompanying M" ~ 49, Y
the nature or the coast, its appearance iand,n.Ls
roadsteads, depth OF water, and general anr..r
ance, for almost the entire distance bet iii.
port and Astoria on the Columbia river. But thnt
y, =, not enough. The whole coust between this and
Panama requires thorough survey, especially
that part extending from the southern point Of
Captain McArthurs survey to the boundary line
beyond San Diego. The old charts, covering this
portion OF our coast, are very imperfect, and il is
quite wonderful that so few accidents to shipping
these waters within the three last years.
Perhaps much Of this safety thus far has been
dependent IN measure upon the generally bold
nature of our shores. We know of instances
where the safety or ships and their crews was at
tributable alone to that fact-the towering noun
'ains, dimly seen, giving notice Of danger before
any shailowness of water indicated very close
proximity to land. But this almost entire free
dom from shipwreck and loss Of life heretofore.
cannot be calculated upon with any certainty for
the future, unless the proper guards of life and
property be put in requisltion. There is not a
lighthouse on the coast We believe that some
steps have been taken towards erecting one on
Point Conception, but If so, its progress has been
trifing. The bill referred to, seems to glance at
the main points OF the whole question, and will
undoubtedly, II passed. tend the great and per-
manent good of this State, and ali the interests
connected with its present and prospective BUSH
ness. 1 'sflha
The bill contempIates the appropriation Of
$loOOOO for the construction Of lighthouses fog
signals, buoys, &C., at certain points. and an
equal amount for the further survey OF the coast
The latter point is of equal importance with the
former. Most, if not all, of the charts now in
possession OF ship-musters, not to be depended
upon On some OF them islands are laid down
which do not exist; others, which are in exis.
tence are not laid down at ALI and in some in
stances where they given, they are half a de-
gree out of place. their real position differing in
certain parts at least thirty miles from their site
by latitude and longitude on the chart. Every
one can answer for himself how dangerous would
be confidence in such guides, and how necessary
it is that good survey and good charts should be
had as soon as possible. ~
Happily, we have upon the coast a sufficient
corps OF survey, under active and Conscientious
ofhcers, who are entitled to the gratitude Of the
public and of the Government for what thew have
already done. If the right kind of bill pass Con-
gress, with ample appropriations and specifca-
tons, we have every reason to believe that the du-
ties thus devolving upon the Superintendent Of the
Coast Survey, and those under his direction, will
not only be faithfully performed, but also with
despatch, and in manner very much conducinc
TO the interests OF navigation and commerce. The
world has an interest in this matter Eastern
Asia as well as Western Europe, the great South
ern continent OF islands, South America--al have
deep interest in this matter and therefore apart
from CALIFORNIA; particular claim. Congress-
should act AZ upon great national question.
There ID not upon the shores of the whole con-
hnent so great distance any where else with a
few harbors as that which stretches from the
mouth Of the Columbia river to Lower California.
Along this coast the business by means Of sail
and steamships is immense, and constantly in
creasing. 1t will not be long ere steam lines from
China will be established, in common with count
less others, which new sources Of business will
call for and bring forth. Congress should, there
fore, delay action upon this subject not moment
beyond the time actually necessary to fairly un-
dersand It's merits, and so to frame the bill If it's
present form needs amendment, that il shall meet
the question in detail and in full and at once Sc
cure an early commencement ofthe ne;e ssary pre-
liminary operations here.
LIGHTHoUsEs.-Wec cannot but be pleased with
our remark referred to in the communication be-
low; not that 1t may have nuriously affected the
party engaged in ting very important duties of sur
veying-for that, OF course, was not intended
put because Il has brought before the public, so
far, very interesting and reliable account of their
progress at Point Conception. Our remark was
tased entirely upon what we noticed last july
while passing that point where the lighthouse is
to be erected, and we were not aware that the
party were 80 recently on the ground, or had
n tnfn 4
initio series OF observations and calculations We
have no fears that the Coast Survey will be badly
or negligently done. Our opinions respecting the
officers attached to that branch of the United
States service have been freely expressed before.
All that is needed is liberal action by Congress.
and the work will be efficiently and speedily done.
SAN FaANcrsco, Nov. 20, 1850
Messrs. EDIroRs have just had my attention
called to an editorial in yesterdays paper. upon
"The Lighthouse Bill, and, as some of the re-
marks affect the party under my charge, would
respectfully call your attention TO them.
You say, we believe that some steps have
been taken towards erecting one "a lighthouse on
Point Conceptions; but, if so, it's progress. has
been triAing." feel convinced that The above
was written without knowledge OF the facts as
the operations Of the party have not yet been
made public, and by a law Of the Treasury De-
partment cannot be, unless authorized by il.
In June last we arrived here under orders 10
make survey the harbor San Francisco and
its approaches, with, however, discretionary pow
err to act as would be most advantageou to the
commerce Of the Pacific, should the scanty ap-
preparation passed by Congress be inadequate for
survey Of this hnrbor. That this was really the
case few figures will convince you. To bring
the party out here equipped for active operations
paying their transportation from the States,
their salaries and subsistence for fourteen moNths,
hire Of cook, hands, and means of transportation
for the same time, and all the contingencies of a
field Darty-the erkrdrdrduffu fnrish annropr,At;oc
Of $4,000 was allowed Such being the case, il
was determined to proceed to Point Conception,
the position Of which was VIGOROUSLY in error in
longitude, and, by an elaborate series OF observa-
tons, fix il with precision For this purpose the
party had the best Instruments that have ever
been this coast. All that is expected or requif-
ed from land party has been accomplished salts
factorily the observations ran through three
months, and included large number Of moon
culminations and OSCILLATIONS for longitude, tran
sits Of stars for time, mcrometer differences of
the zenith distances of north and south stars for
latitude, observations with the theodOlite MAGNET