National Republican., 1873-04-04
NAVAL OBSERVATORY.
WHY, WHEN AND HOW 1T WAS BUILT.

- AANNANAAa"M NtNaANAh W
Tho First MeridIan Of tho United
stntc--s,rusgio TO Obtain an Apprc-
rriatisu from Congress-The Historic
Site Of the Observatory Valuable Com-
pi,utiou fror, the Records Of Congress.
Professor J. z. Nourse, OF the United States
navy, acting under instructions from Rear Ad-
miral D. Y. Sands, the superintendent Of the
United States Naval Observatory, In this city,
has prepared a very readable memoir Of the
founding and progress OF that Institution, which
contains several interesting facts concerning the
earlier history Of the Observatory. The es-
Enlistment Of a National Observatory orig.
mated In the earliest movement for a nrst
meridian In the United States. The records
NJ Congress show that In the House, March o,
1919, Mr.. fltkin, Of Connecticut, as chairman Of
a select committee on q memorial from Mr.. Vim.
Lambert, OF Virginia. reported q resolution au-
thorizing the President Of the United States to
cause the longitude Of the city OF Washington
from the Greenwich Observatory to be ascer-
talned with the greatest degree OF accuracy
This report was tabled, but on the Esd Of the
following January II was referred to another
committee, which was discharged, II seems, at
It's own request in orler that the memorial might
be referred 10 the Secretary Of State, (Mr. Mon
roe,) who on the sd Of July, 1912, not only
expressed himself In nvor Of estab-
fishing nrst meridian, but advocated
IS the beat means Of accomplishing II the estab-
ushment Of a national observatory. ln January
n the next year committee, to which the mat
ter had then been referred, reported bill pro-
yiiing ior the erection Of au observatory at
Washington, which document was probably dc.
atroyed in the burning Of the records Of the Cap
itol In lsit. Nothing was again heard Of II until
1915, the condition Of the country and ts mill
tsry anaira absorbing the attention Of the
Housc,l when Mr. Lanbcrts original memorial
End its accompanying papers were again re-
feTrcd 10 another committee which, on the 18th
utTebruary, reported a favorable bill, but the
Executive took no steps under this resolution on
the ground that Il was agreed 10 "hy the House
VI Representatives alone"
In November, lsis, a third memorial from Mr..
Lambert, who seems to have been a pertina-
cious gentleman, was presented, simply asking
that additional observations be made to insure
"a correct determination Of our longitude from
Greenwich" 4 resolution meeting the requests
Of the memorial was finally passed March, 1871,
lent 10 carry out It's object. His last report gave
tho longitude Of the capital 10 degrees, 65 min
Sss SSs8 THIS IN sgstnsI
Congressional Library In December, 1874. These
long-delayed measures were the forerunners Of
the Observatory, the establishment OF which
President Ndains who always was y warm
adVOCate Ot the measurc) In his nrst message
strongly urged. This portion Of the message was
March IL, 1926, au elaborate report from Maj
G,n. Macomh, chief Of engineers, as Its own
with "a bill TO establish an observatory In thu
District of Coumpls.' somehow or other the
matter was then lost sight OF, yet Mr.. Adams
labor were not relaxed, but still more ytgor
ously renewed them In 1854, 1893, 1910 and isl2
From tune 10 time until lsii-I2 the subject WA
brought 10 public attention, but no definite ac
ton taken upon It, AT the last hour Of the ses
sion OF lsii-t2 bill passed the House withou
discussion authorizing the Secretary of IN,
Navy TO contract for the building Of q suliabi,
house for depot Of charts and instruments o
the navy on plan not exceeding in cost t25 oco
the sum o. tlo,ooo being appropriated for tn,
year, the President to locate the building on IN
appropriated public land.
FRICTION OF TBE OBSERVATORY.
On the 29d Of November, IsI1, Lleutenan
billlss reported to the Navy Department tn
adoption Of plan for an observatory, modlne
rs advised by distinguished gentlemen In Eu
rope and In the United States; he also reporte
the progress Of the erection Of the building 1
accordance with the plan.
In noticing this communication, the Secretar
uf the Navy said In hts next annual repor
1T Is proper to remark tina; this building
adapted IN form and structure not only for dt
pot OF charts and Instruments but for an astr'
nOmical observatory. II cannot but lie gratifl
ing to you to learn how great an interest hi
heen evinced by the learned societies and scei
tinc men OF Europe as well as at home upon u
establishment Of the institution by the Cover
ment,H
The law Of Congress directing its erection Al
thOrized the President Of the United States
locate Y on any public ground within the Di
trict OF Columbia not otherwise appronriate
AMI the site assigned by President Tyler was Il
reservation marked on the original plan Of Il
city, No. T. as Will presently be more fully show
II lies on the nOTts bank OF the Potomac, In Il
southwestern part Of the city; the north fro
being $40, the east ] ,lO5, and the west $50 feet
length: sFs. ait. ,,, , ro,,, ,0,,,o,,,, ,.n.. o.
and quarter mile, and south range OF eig
miles. II Is 26I feet from the north, $40 from d
east, 100 from the west and 800 from the sou
inelosure, the last bordering on the canal, b
nnh Nrh nah Ia ID A. -
foundation, with surface stratum Of dry, br
tie clay, through which water nlters almost
freely as through gravel"
ln addition 70 these statements by Lleutena
Gllliss, have found the following Interesting
formation as regards
THE SITE OF THE PRESENT OBSERVATORY,
The earliest trace on the records identlfyi
the lands now occupied is in connection with /
march OF General BlddOCk against Fort d
quesne In the colonial wars. 1t seems clear th
his troops landed and encanIPcd on tfis hill II
record Is this;
"April II, lI65. Four companies OF the Fort
fourth regiment, under Lieutenant (afterwar
Goyernor) Gage, and a detachment OF seam
from Alexandra, landed from the boats OF /
sea Horse aud the Nightingale and pitched TIT
dock arrived at Rock creek, and gave orders
transporting the stores; the troops marched frC
Rock creek TO Owens house, fifteen miles O
ward TO Frederick" \Rockville,)
hill. -
washington's letters show that he afterwa
dock at Frederick.
The late Colonel Peter Force, Of washingtc
50 well known for his historical collections,
peAtedly pointed out the large rock, which J
stands, IN the southern part Of the original n
CTyatiOn which the Observatory occupies, as
rock on which these landings were made. 7
northern channel Of the Potomac, IL Is W
known, was good here until our day-until Il
canseway for the Long bridge was made.
The second identification OF the locality Is
more direct interest and value.
In the ofilce OF the Commissioner OF Pub
bullilngs may he found the original "Plan
the Federal lity"-not then named Washingt
as presented by the nrst commissioners, /
Nd stuart, Daniel Carroll and Thomas JohnsC
appointed under the act Of Congress, July
100, TO lay out the city and take measures
the erection Of the Federal buildings.
On this manuscript plan, communicated
congress, December 10, 1871, the grounds
which the Observatory now stands are mark
as blank space with the number upon It.
the engraved plan, published by order VI @,
Washington by Thackara aud Valance, mi
delphiA, li92, the northern and central part
the square Is covered by the lines Of a pfopos
fort and barracks.
win me original manuscript plan are c,
nected two letters, the one bearing the au
graph OF George Washington, and dated MAJ
2, iT9I, the other, that Of John Adams, u
e. R:.u i'S,; SaSt., each letter TSaaesIns Taou
convey 10 the commissioners Of that date, q
lSyus Scott W. Thornton and A. White, and
% ,hGlr successors, H "all the streets, squares a
for the use OF the United states forever" The
appropriations or reservations were sold TO
United states by the original proprletors for 4
per acTe-t66B United States currency
SPACES for the streets being not counted. 7
proprietor ot space No. I, Mr.. Robert feter ga
one nail OF the area, and received from the co
missloners IN exchange for the other half 4
other parcel Of ground.
In General WAshingtOns letter reseryatl
No. Is thus described:
Fourth. The appropriation bounded on I
north by the south side Of north street, on I
east by the wSst side OF Twenty-thlrd STR
west, on the west by the east side OF Twenty n
river
Tue historical value Of the record lust cited
Increased by the fact that, at q date earlier
many years than the otiiClal occupancy Of {
square, u was proposed to make II the site Of
institution OF science, the proposal being by I
INST President and the commissioners 10 loca
here national university. At much later a
II was proposed by PTeslden: Adams as the 4
Of an observatory. OF the hTst Of these pOiI
the following IL on record
In President Washingtons letter to the co
nlissloners, January 2s, 1895, he names 10 III
his well-known offer TO donate certain shares
the Potomac company for the purposes OF a
tional university, adding: "lf the commission
have any agency In bringing the matter forwa
the information now give them IL In the pro
course In his letter 70 John Adams, NOyem
", lipt, aud In his speech to Congress, Janu
liPC, he had previously expressed like des