Nautical Almanac Office,

Washington, D.C. March 11th. 1884.

My Dear Marsh:

The Printing Resolution was all right as to quarto form
but its action was strictly limited to the four memoirs accompa-
nying your report. Therefore except as a precedent it is good for
nothing for another year.

The proof reading of the Annual Report must be looked out
for. You had better get Captain Brian to send you the proofs or
if he can do it let him send them to me and I will send them to
you.

I suppose the Printing Resolution is still on the
Speakers table where it will remain unacted upon unless some one
calls it up. I do not know whether it has to go to the Printing
Committee but my impression is that the House can take it up at any
time. I think therefore you had better write either to Mr. Hewitt
Mr. Kasson or somebody who you know will take an interest in it
ask him to look after it. I would speak to Mr. Hewitt myself but
for two reasons. One is that I have got him to take charge of the
Observatory matter and do not want to bother him myself about
other things. The other is that he seems so dreadfully worn out

Washington, D.C. April 29th, 1884.

My Dear Marsh:

Our Printing Resolution went through the House yesterday with flying colors no objection whatever being made to it. So you can now start work as soon as you please.

The form, type, leading etc., of the volume of Memoirs must be carefully considered. I suppose, however we shall do best by following Volume I as closely as possible in these matters.

Professor O.C.Marsh,

New Haven,

Conn.

Nautical Almanac Office, Navy Department,

Washington, D.C. June 23rd. 1884.

My Dear Marsh;

As I wrote you about the intentions of the sub-committee respecting the Coast Survey, I must now advise you that they seem to have been changed. Instead of making any provision for a change of department, a joint commission of three Senators and three Members is to consider the organization of the Signal Office, Geological Survey, Coast Survey and Hydrographic Office. I hope this will give a chance for all the scientific men who are interested to be heard on the question. The bill also contains the following item;

Naval Observatory.

To enable the President to appoint a scientific commission, composed of scientific men, to inquire into the organization work, expenses, and reconstruction of the Naval Observatory, and to report to Congress the best system for its future management, seven hundred dollars, to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy.

This commission was arranged between Lyman and Secretary Chandler, and although the National Academy is not mentioned you

W

will no doubt have a controlling voice in suggesting names. Chan-
dler I know is perfectly honest in the matter, and only desires to
see the right thing done.

I leave for Cambridge tomorrow morning to attend commence-
ment Wednesday. Shall probably go by steamboat from New York but
may return by rail if I could thus see you in New Haven. How
will this be? A note addressed Cambridge, Mass. will be looked
out for.

Yours very truly,
S. Newcom

Professor O.C.Marsh,
New Haven,

Conn.