Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-01-05
A New TRIuMrH OF MAuR1,s scrrner

"A NEW IRfsMPH OF MAURY's SCIENCE
We have had frequent occasions to notice the q,
traordinary results produced by scientific apaly
SIS w'tnin the last three or four years. yet few {
them have had more valuable practical resul,
Tor the welfare of mankind than the calculation
OF our distinguished countryman, Lieutenan
Maury. Some ofthese investigators have turne
their attention exclusively to the stars, and hav
ehriched astronomical catalogues by the addition
OF new planets whose uses time is still to develon
but Maury has devoted himself chiefly to thos
more inexact and tickle elements of modern pro
gress-the Winds, Tides and Currents. By accu
mulating reports from navigators in oil quarter
OF the globe, at all seasons of the year, and b,
their elaborate comparison, he has been enabled
slowly and cautiously to form theories which
| when, tested, have we believe ia almost ever,
instance proved entirely correct.
A striking Illustration is now before us. A
few weeks previous to the departure of the clip
per snip Sovereign of the Seas from New York to
J California, her captain addressed Lieutenant
Maury letter requesting copies of the 4th edi
ton ofhis Sailing Directions. The following was
Lieut. .'sreply:
NATIONAL OBSERVATORY,
Washington, July %, 1852.
SIR-lf you have not the charts aud old sailing
directions that accompany them, please call on
my agent, George Manning, No. lac Pearl street.
l am driving through the press the 4th ed
ton OF Sailing Directions. / hope to have the
chapter on the route to California out in time
tor the Sovereign of the Seas. If so will send
you them in sheets, and yours will be the first
| vessel TINT takes them.
Ii you get them stick to them, and have average
luck predict for you passage of not over one
hundred and three days.
Wishing you all the luck you can desire,
| am, very truly, &c.
NJ. +. MAURY.
Captain l.. Mckay,
Care of Messrs. Grinnell, Minturn & Co..
New York
L. S.--For fear the new directions should not
be out in time, do this Follow the old, third
edtion,) as they for doubling Cape Horn
After you get round, make much westing
where the degrees ARE short, as the winds will
conveniently allow, aiming to cross the parallel
OF 40 south, between 100 and 105, the parallel
OF 30 about 10. Don't fight head winds to do
this Cross the line near 120 der. west which
you will do, considering you have a clipper under
your feet on or before the 25th October You
will hardly get the northeast trades south of de-
grees north. Makes due north course through the
'doldrums, and whenyou getthe northeast trades,
run along through them with top mast studdine
sail full, OF conrse going farther west than the
winds drive you taking not to cross the paral-
lei OF 20 deg. north to tho east of 25 deg west
When you lose the northeast trades if you get
smart breeze, make eastward. But if you have
'horse latitude" weather make the best of your
way due north Until you yet good wind or find
yourself ia the variables, (westerly wintls,) be-
tween 35 aud 40 deg. Then stick Her away for
port.
The verfcation of this prediction is singular
The voyage comprised distance of seventeen
thousand miles. The directions were scruoulously
observed. Capt. Mckay crossed the equator
fourteen hours behind the time specified, ..but
did not err in accomplishing the whole passage
more than two hours beyond the time that had
been calculated by distinguished astronomer
at Washington y
These material contributions to the safety and
speed OF the worlds commerce should not only
secure the favorable notice of the press, but de-
serve, In an eminent degree, the highest rewards
that Government can bestow for useful scientific
research. Congress would honor itself by honor
ing Maury. We sincerely hope that our couil-
try will begin to share its rewards with literature
and science us we'll as with politics. Everett
Kennedy and Maury are eminent examples of
their practical utility in the worlds progress.
Bait. american.
CoNGREss.-In the Senate on Monday bill
TO revive portion of an act for the relief Of the
debated nearly the whole day. The Senate
before coming to any decision in the
matter
In the House, after the transaction of some
business, the appropriation bills
were taken up, in Committee of the Whole
After disposing of the naval and Invalid appro-
pration bills, the West Point Academy Appro-
tian hi II oil
Stephens OF Ca, Brown of Mississippi, and
Wilcox spoke on matters and things in general
During this debate the Cuba question was lugged
in, and Mr. Venable gave the conservative views
of Mr.. Calhoun on the subject, and supported
t,sem with his accustomed ability. He believes
with Mr.. Calhoun, ''Phat we must wait till the
fruit is ripe, and not stretch out hands after it
before it is ready to drop into our lap" Mr.
Polk having obtained the floor, the committee
rose, and The House then passed the naval and
invalid pension appropriation bills.
Mr. FckIin reported, from the Committee on
the District Of Columbia, n bill to suppress the
circulation of small notes in the District; which
was referred to the Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union, and made the special
oruei lor 1uosudy, tne I1tii luSl. Alter winch
the House adjourned.
The Washington correspondent of the Baltimore
American says Mr. King has resigned his seat Sena
tor to take effect immediately The Governor of Ala
bama WILL it is said appoint Benz. Fitzpatrick, Esq
ill the unexpired term.
IMMIGRATION FOR YEAR 1S52-The total number
OF arrivals at the port of New York from foreign count
tries during the 1852 adds hasa
052 asceraned to have been American citizens
turning home from travel abroad We table Civ
ing comparative view the immigration this port du