The daily union., 1856-01-26
DEPARTMENT. NEWS.
iSrERlon DxrAHrMnAr.


Agr.e@asraI Dsisioa ef tAs PaisAt 09s-C The
following circular, directing attention the late severe
storm OF hail. and rain which has extended itself
large portion Of the Union, and asking for information
regard TO the handed to for publication by tho
Commissioner Of Patents. II viii be recoected that few
days sinee We called attention which had
been entered into between Professor Henry and Judge Mason
by which tho system OF meteorological observations hereto
fore conducted by the Smithsonian Institution would here
after be executed under the direction Of the Patent 0cs
and u only necessary to state that this circular issued
In accordance with the agreement above referred to
USlrKp STATES PATENT OrrrcK,
Washington, ID. c., Jan. "a, 1856.
DEAH SIN From accounts in the newspapers it would sp
pear that unprecedented storm OF snow see rain
CURED most of the tract OF country lying of the
Mississippi and perhaps beyond from the 4th TO the 9th Of
the present month"; In order 10 determine the limits
times OF commencement and ending direction smoan and
nature Of The precipitation of said Storm will you please
answer the following questions early convenient and
turn the same TO this Office by mail
Yours very respectfully,
@. MASON, Commissioner.
Face Of the hy the day previous to the of
the storm whether fair, partially wholly cloudy?
Direction and force OF tho wind the days preceding and
during the Storm
Hour OF commencement OF the storm.
Hour Of ending of the storm.
Amount in inches of snow seet, o rain.
Number Of days the ground covered with ice
since the storm.
TREASURY DepARTMEsr.
LigLhoass board Notice TO Marinsrs Jen-
kns of the house Board received IRON
the Office light house district San Francisco
itornia, that the light at the South Faallone
island (abont ~ miles broado the the
Of San Francisco bay) exhibited the frat time on the
night OF the let instant and that IL will be continued every
night from sunset to sunrise, until further notice. This
light Is revolving white light, showing prolonged flash
every minute throughout the entire horizon
The tower stands the highest peak Of the
South Faraones is built of brick seventeen feet in height
and urmounted by lantern and lighting apparatus of the
frat order OF Fresne The light elevated about 360 feet
above level and should be visible in favorable
state Of the atmosphere from height Of fifteen feet above
the water, at distance Of thirty statute twentysx
nautical miles. AT distances under favorable crcum
stances the light win not wholly disappear between the in
tarvals Of the greatest brightness. ~.
The latitude and longitude OF the light given by the
coast survey, are as follows:
Latitude 81 deg. Al min. A sec. N.
Longitude 22 deg. 80 min ls Sec W.
The magnetic bearings and distances statute miles ta
ken approximately from the chart of survey are as
follows:
Point Reyes y. % deg. 80 min. W. 20 miles.
Point Bonita N. So deg. E., ~ miles. ~~
Point San Pedro, 5. SO deg e., 20 miles.
rosr OFFICE DEPARTMENT
appointment Of Route Agent.-Reuben Catett, to run
between New Orleans and st. Francsvile, the steam
boat route in place of Joseph Vincent, resigned.
New Post OHses.-The following named post Offices
have been established and the following gentlemen appointed
postmasters: +. a, ..
New Brookville, Bad Axe county Wisconsin Abraham
East Lomira, Dodge county, wisconsin, Elijah Leigh,
postmaster.
Hks county anitoowoc county, Wisconsin Charles Kah
South Bend, Blue Earth county, Minnesota; Mathew
Thompson, postmaster.
Change Of sThe site Of the post Office at Spring VAL
ley, Fillmore county Minnesota has been changed Con-
dello wilkins appointed postmaster, in place of John NJ
Smith.