The telescope. (Columbia, S.C.) 1815-1818, January 02, 1816, Image 1
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COLUMBIA, (8. C.) TUKtfDAY, JANUARY 2, 131G.4
mk.
[NO. 3.1
'in' ii .i in! m~*m
fUdMth iMlwihii IT* ; ' >:
HY tHOMAS W. tomiAIN,
h.:im:h o* mc?AHt)wi and miu Nviir i t nmurrtt orro*
VVrm# of fiulscriptiot i.? -TbrtieJIollnri per ?ni?im#'|?y
nhl? hi ?lr?wic<i,...N j?pci> to be discontinue^! but at
Uimirtoo of t|?? Editor, until iillnftarjjtw wcpa'.d.
iu?-vkkc&\ njf- fburlccit liiic*, Inserted
?li-i flr^t (Una I'or ecye'f?t)>ftve ccntn, tml Rut)' cent* f<*
? n'i'isti.jiH>r?t lincr^n i ami m the Mine prujwrt'ujn
fwrsen Jiiirt urn , ma inii m,i ? 1?
. ? a^JjiNTIFICv-' ....
? ? i . ? m I !? ???? * l> >lyX m?y&mm+m* i ? ? ? ? m
' ' v--. w'w.? < i .,i
Ah wo understand, that Mh IJliyckburftVine
?mi ial to the Legislature, pi^nosipg^ construct
.i Mnpvf the 8Vm of tfoutb-Caroliba, tys o*.
i iled aotno enquiry, > ? dfitenwU not isitp^iat(
..fiit to aire ii to'tho jn.;)lic,,: ,i Independently of
?<ur r.lonuu* victories in the Itttq war,' tlie ."cmw
uMjwut unliMicd extension lif oupxoihbicrco
.v d tlx? i n II u x of wcajth, find Jhht u spirit
i ^ u ;itifio c r(uirv i'j excited in tiur country,
Our siren acti'dred tminurlol Konoiit, jn th'o tlrKt
for independence ; their son* have not
? proved unworthy of their descent? thpy have
?.v?k??I unequal war, and (livy liavo completed.'
Ue turning to the; bwoni of society, to tlirir
homes, ami families, an?l Hterally enjoying the
?hade of their fljif trCCa and their vines, they
now cultivate the arts and sciences. The hi
[ bout s of the jlluHtrtmiH Kultou, otico deemed
the illusions of a visionary mind, have produced
? for us advantages t' at v.? would not now forego
. for million)* of dollar*. The people of the. -
United Ktutes feeling their importance, are
routed to active oxertionn t and in their lu! .ch,
are animated by a nobler sr.cal than Ids who
tuadn " the astonished Kuxhie hear the Baltic
roar." Canal*, road*, bridge*, extensive com
bination.; of machinery, nud agricultural int*i
provenient* are unerring proof* of national
prosperity.
MEMORIAL.
T<) the .Wi. t/f nif:*(trrx nf tfir Senate am! it'.<nr nf fir
I rticniulttyt* of t/uf Statu if .SWA-fVW/nu.
(Isat'smcn ? I propm-u to perform for you a
jrpMl ?vork. The public culls ttir a |{on<l map of
??ure'tate,atol it in much wanted. You fVe(|ueiit
ly fin*] that in tlio formation of your laws, mid
your local regulation*, such a limp would be
extremely useful to ytr.i, ns well in to our citi
zens in general. South-Carolina i-, th*? onlv
State, (Mb t ol' the Moii'itiins, that Ij:m nut a map.
onstructcd upon n Urge *.cale, and calculated
to answer all the topographical purposes of the
geographer, the historian, the legislator and (he
t talesman.
Tlii' map of a state might to l?e con fit r net ed
by order of the government, ami oudcjrJts im- 1
mediate inspection, since it requires; unremit
ted attention^ and considerable skill in science,
't ought to bo done in such a manner that alj
the data, and circumstances, respecting it niuy
meet the view of scientific men. In Prt^ncp,
io Knglaud, and in almost every country ol Ru
rope, no pains o? expenso Imve been spared lor
tins purpose j tho' most able mathematicians,
& astronomers, have been selected j and charnc
;-ter* of the highest rank haVo superintended
their operations. Independent of the great
utility, and importance ofsuchanmpto a state,
in its internal regulations, it render* tfiu state
. rcupectable in the ?ye>* of other nnfions, and in
useful to them in their intercourse with us, a?
itprwtyttib at one view, a variety of cirtuin
stantyMU' wjilch wTu?n v erlwlly explained, re
\?uir<^uwt^cntnlocution, and yet leave no
distinct impression oil the mind.
In order that a map may be well constructed,
the following circumstances must be attended
to. 'I'ftigposltiona of a number of noted point*
ntust he first astronomically determined, the
latitude* of then: all, true to a fraction of a min
f ute, and their longitude:!, uh nearly a* circuit: -
utances will adroit. Of these points. Jhere uw.
in South -Carolina, perhaps about fifty ^ - ^ JJj.
The scale and projection being once tyxed on,
theKo points properly disposed, uro to serve as
the bads of tlio map } nil foe principal roods iind
their heudings are then to bp determined by
M>lu(il mensuration, plotted upon a large scale,
f and ttsduced to the scale of the map, Many
joints ohtflv rivers will be marked in the course
ofthcse-itlne raries, but their meanders must be I
i different way. In the course of this I
survey it will Ins nccesiary to r\in the length
ami breadth of the statu many limes, perhaps
three or four thousand miles in all, but tfti-t lieu*
vy work may be facilitated by means of way
wiser# and perambulator*, fitted up so ns to
take hearings and distance* at. the same time,
in surveying the Islands that border this coast,
a vaiiety of niethodu may lie adopted) those in
general.' that are rccommcnded by M^eu/ie, in
his nautical survey of the British isles, a work
in \\l.,Hi he was three years employed by that
govern* ient will be preferred. Ilut whatever
may be ? general plan, a great number of difli*
cullies will occur in tie* execution of particular
{nits lit it, which a good matheinati
cian ate! particular a-tronoiner. can surmount.
A work of this kind ou^ht therefore to be com
tujtled to none but one who anticipates uticlt
difficulties, and who knows how to overcome
them. Tl:0 modifies proper for sui h a prison
are ski!!, patience and perseverance. "1 he ob
nervations ore to be principally mvle in the
nighf.? -l.uuar distance/, and 'Jupiter'.* ofonn*
for the longitude } and of star* for the latitu'J**,
? render .iltaost sleepless vigilance) indispensably
icctvfaj v. 'I'he ob?ei\ver must moreover Imj
furnished with good inttrumeiit*, without these
nil his ; ?. ill will avail but liftlo i by a in'can A'
t iany observations, lw? mav, with b?ul instru
ment ?, come near to the truth, but there willhe
an i'lttaunse wasto of time, & very little certainty
in the result. 'lliisTifato from experience) when
Intel e y.ent by Governor Alston, (?? assist in fix
. 1 ,e north western b v.tndary of Pur ?ht;*, I
ooulU procuro no inMruirenta foi* itioi'Idian nl- ,
titudcs, but a common sextant, an instrument
(hat will; Uut take tiic nun on laud, when l?i?
met*. alt. exceed* sixty degrees, and therefore
cftu bo of 110 use fur tliiH purpose, but in the win
ter months: I tliink that, with such instruments,
the principal point in dispute, was determined
true to a second. but it waa by a reiteration oT
observations, which 'sometimes employed us a
fortnight, in doing what, with better tncaiiH,
might imvo been done in a da v.
? - A man who propone* himself fur on employ,
njent, a national one especially, ought- to give
proof* of i lis fitncHH lor it.*1? I give mine. Twen
ty year# ainco, I was, in my native country,
ije<Mncd a goqd mathematician ? my trttfiniohials
l*om there have been tieenby dio worthy Pres
ident of vouf collect. I was seven vearn pro
fessor of tho collude of William ami Muvv in
Virginia, and it wan a part of my dn'y in }ha!
college, t<Pexan\iuo the county ?urveyor? of
that state, who, withoiiL nty certificate. cottld
not obtain a liuence,and f know that my talent*
In \i W professional way, arc still respected
tliefe j 1 was moreover surveyor of a district,
,1 have been tliree yOSun professor of the college
Of ?South-Carolina, where my labors have b<*cn
also useful to the youth of* llii-* stale, This I
believe no one prcsuipcs to doubt, w ho lies any
respect for truth. My connection v. itli th? col
lege !h now diMkoheH, and to the unequivocal
regret of everv student who loves mathematical
and philosophical learning ; thin their iu^enu
<itis testimonies in my favour folly e\ incc.
I have stated that I was sent by the late f iov
ernor Alston, to settle the disputed portion of
our northern boundary line ; busied an 1 then
was, with observations, I had but little time for
other work, yet at leisure intervals, I found
means to construct d'jjiap of 1 1 ? i r? moiintaiiiou*,
romantic and iutei&tio;; tract, for an extent
l)f nbotif. seventy mile*, which map is now in
your hall t it w as done under disadvantageous
I circumstances, yet, it is more accural ?? than
could have l>een expected. I have heard (iener
nl Pickens, who is intimate with every part of
that country emmnend it. In the year
the executive of the l.'nited States proposed to
have executed a national survey and chart of
our whole extensile coast from Main totieoryia.
The lecretarv of the treasury Albert Gallatin,
wrote i.i the 'lit. Uev. Disliop Madison on the
subject, who selerted me as one of the persons
proper to be employed ill that. work. I have
therefore u I the theory and all the praevve:
there is nothing wanting but the patrome/.e of
the Ktntc, and the encouragement of liberal and
culi?htcned patriots. 1 ?
A few mathematical instruments, of the l>e?t
kind, will bo. requisite, widen must be procured
from the northward, an tlrtrc Met not any amongst
?the college apparatus that can answw the, pur
pose J ;m iu li' ol'tcllccuoiu
n transit imBBFrcnt, a small achromatic tehp
dite, anil a low common i
ntV'ronlort, 4ro tho proper instruments j
Ifcbtymi to be adm it a zenith Hector or an
aKU Oiiomic^^iM^iinw if it. can lie prmMirufc
I propose that, after TTkivo used these
merits, in the contemplated survey of the tfUifiofjj
they Khali Sic deposited, in good'order, in tW
apparatus room of the college, where they will
wanted, and, indeed indispensably so, if'nr
tical astronomy should over be ciiltix there,
as, two telescopes excepted, there is .not, iri it.
a single instrument fit for astronomical punm- e.
It may be important that, if it should be (omul
found convenient for my purpose, I s!;;dl have
the inspection of all the. large surveys, and
line* o! boundary, or division, denositeil in the
public offices, and that the ofht'ers churned
with records, any way connected with the busi
ness, should permit me to peruse or copy them.
The plan, which T now have the honor of sub*
milling t'? the legislature of Month-Carolina, I
have lii'.d in contemplation for more than two
gvcais. !? originated in tin* follow intr circum
, hhiuto : When I was called to fill tlie mathc
matieal chair here, I could leai n, at rhe north
ward, very little respecting thi? state, save the
slight sketch of it given in Morse's (Urography.
Upon my arrival i was solicitous to obtain in
formation respecting the sfate and its subdivis
ions, but found that there was no good map of
them, and I heard- intelligent men frequently
express their regret that we had not, like all
our sister states, such n map as would afford
correct information.
The legislature of Carolina has done much to
introduce learning into their state ; their liberal
donations for this purpose, are appreciated by
the world t The fruit which their bounty has
encouraged, will soon appear ill abundance, and
indeed, is already, in many instance*, matured.
I'utoward circumstances may check its grhwth,
hut these will pass away. Die sciences will
rise superior to tho clouds that obscure them,
and tothp prejudices that may depress them ?
the idle opinion that they cannot lloilrish, in
perfection. near tho torrid /.one, will bo thrown
amongst tne heaps of figments visionary minds
have framed. A good map of a country is one
proof tjtat science is estimable there, for, with'
out (faience, hiu.1i a Map cannot be formed. As
tronomy n? in most cases, made subservient to
(feograjihy J ono of 1U primary objects is to
ascertain the true position of a point upon tho
surfaco of tho earth or of a ship at sen t and it
in only by the aid of Astronomy that this can
lie correctly done. 11/ tho ruuo and common
methods something resembling the. tmth may
lie produced, but itls not the truth, and may Ik*
widely different from it.
The. map ahalt be done upon a scale of five
miles toau'iti6frf its diagonal will be, of course,
near Ave feet, or about., four feet so oar a j In
that' space there will be room enough to note
all the important estate# In the totinTry. The
time necessary for the astronomical operation*,
t presumo to bo one ytkr at least, posifibl)
more ; n? tlicne operations depend upon tlic
atate or die weather, and upon incideitiul cir
cumstances, tho complete execution of the whole
plan may perhaps require two or three year*.
I It' Ihe'Ie/iislature confides thin work to me. I
shall, immediately procure instruments front the
northward, my operations shall tninme.nee, it)
the upper country, early in the spring of lHt(j,
and I glial! continue them constantly. t?|*oiitliu^
the winter along the tielibonrd, abd the sunnier
in the western district** 1 shall keep u faithful
and regular journal of all my transactions,
\\ h i f h journal shall he submitted, at the clone of
each year, to the oiecuti\e, and of couite.
through that medium, to die legislature, -by
which means they "ill Have a full view of th*u
progress of the work.
1 would Miggeat that, in ull such extensive
operationa, there ought to be one directing
head t that, lie should be at .liberty to pursue,
without coiuroul, ttich measure o,h he deems
correct, and to employ such persojis, tir.il such
only, as lie know ? t*? be competent,; that they
should act solely under his direction, and he
uided bv bin iti.? Unctions. Without thi<*. die
est devised system of operations tuny be mar
red, and, rendered Dilatory.
i ,'iave thus, (?entleincn, sketched an outline
of my plan, which I submit to your siiperior
wtidom : but I have omitted maiiv minor ?rt?
cIm, whiettt hIioiiIiI I be employed in your ser
vice, 1 inav at some future uuy, lay before you.
!t remains* forme to assure "you," that, if this
tusk is assigned to me, I will'ii^e all due dili
gence in the performance of it ; that it i.hall
exclusively occupy my time and attention, and
(hat it shall be (lone with as much economy n.*
is coiim: tent with its living done in the bcKt
manner.
South-Carolina, tlinu^h not ranking as one of
the lamest states of the I'ninii, is not less not
ed for its public spirit ; and its means of car
rying useful plans into ellect, are inferior to
none. This important state ought not, then,
to appear as a blank upon the atlas of the greut
est and the most enlightened republic that has
ever existed.
I am, (ientlemen, with great respect, your
obedient humble servant,
t.KOUGK MACKM UN.
b'rom tfii' Uici-mmul (!ow piter. ?f l)?c. 19.
W" received yesterdav the South -Carolina
(?ir/ittes for December J and 1*2. i'his last
ret titles an error in Mr. George lUa< kliurnV
M emoriul, to the l^isliii.ure for a Map of the
Stale. We will thank the Kditors of the <ia
/.ettefor the number containing that Memorial.
Mr. H.'h abilities arc well known in Virginia,
and wc should be happy to hear that those abili
ties are duly appreciated, uecfully employed,
nnd liberally remunerated in South-Carolina,
i i i i i i '
^:v iONCilt'KSS.
IN HfcK.lTlf.
Mnrty. lUcembfr 11. 1HI.V.
The bill from the house, *? making additional
appropriation;} to tlcfra the v\ pence* of Clio ar
my mid tuil'i (in during the lr,te war/* was twice
toad and referred t:? the c<j:v,?iiiteo.of finance.
7V?/,.w, f)r ly.l,
Mr. Barbour submitted tho following motion
f r consideration ; u /A'.-wi/w/, That a commit*
' f l o appointed whoie duty it hIiuII lie to en- ,
into the Justice and expediency of emend
ing relief to the officers and soldier* of Virginia,
of tin* Itewilulionary wart bpjA on the state and
continental establishments, to mom the faith of
tliv state win pledged beforffBpwuiHft'r bv Vir
ginia, of the land* northwest o'fctkfr river Ohio to
the Cnitcd states, and to whom, hi redemption of
that pledge, warrant* for their bounty in land
had been granted, but which from such transfer
cannot be carried into p fieri : and tluit^AlS 'jMiid
committee do also enquire into the uieatwfl$i<tf|
in their opinion will he best calculated to estab
lish on equitable principles the line of demnrk'
ation between the lauds reserved by' VtfClhia
northwest of tlto river Ohio, and those granted
the IJilited States; and that they ha\c have to
report by bill or otherwise."
The remainder of the day's Kitting was on
confidential bu*mev?.
ir. i n-r
The motion of Mr. Harbour, published in our
la*t, for appointing a comeiitiee to empire re
| sporting the claims to land* \et uns)fi*1ied. of
the Virginia Officers in ? ???? revolutionary war,
was taken up an I agreed to. ? Me<?r?. Harhoiir,
Morrow, king, Chace and Macon ar<- the com
mittee. _
A
Mr. Dana save not We ?' a? If should at the
next nit f i it 4 jircM'iit a Itili relative to eviilence
in cases of naturuli/atio'i. The bill muking ad
ditional appropriation* lor defraying the expell
ees of the army and militia during the war wan
read a third time and passed, tvith a verbal a
ntendmenf, which requires concurrence of the
House of Representatives.
HOI'S F. OF It I'.ritKSKN'TATI V 111.
Mtn'Uit,, lite. 18. '*
A humbcr of petitions, were presented and
referred to appropriate committees.
Mr. field ollered for consideration the follow
ing resolution : " /WlW, That the commit
tee on (he Judiciary be instructed to enquire as
to the official duties of the respective llistrict
?fudw* of the United States i whether the same
in certain districts have not been greatly in
creased since their Salaries were established by
law, arid whether the compensation nov allow
ed liy law be adequate to the duties enjoined
on the Judges." Mr. 0. remarked, in support
of this motion, that when the compensation of
the District Judges had been fixed, it was no
doubt adequate to the services, they then had to
performs nut it was notorious the duties had
increased III some districts in a four-fold degree.
Much had been (ho j&dfcaso of (ho buHineM&f
(ho District Judge imrlew-York stale, (hut
had Wen found necessary by Congress toilivl.lo
(he atato into two districta. The net for t. ?
purpose however continued a provision thkt.-s
caso (ho Judge of one of tho&e districts shot <
Ih: unable to attend to (ho dutieH of Ii'n ofih
(ho Judge of tho remaining district diould |x*"
form tho dutieH of bo(h. Now, (ho fact wo.,*
(hat tho Judgo of ono of those district* hud licet,
w holly unable to attend (o his judicial duties i
in consequence of which (he duties of (l::i( ?|)k?
(rict had devolved on tho Jfulge of the oilier,
lie wax by thit? circumstance obliged to travel
two thousand miles a year, at an expcnce w Iticii
nearly absorbed in necessary travelling cxiicii?
acs tfi': whole amount of his salary. Ah tliero
might Ifc other districts in the same situation, ho
had couched the motion in terms no general an
would cmbrace all. The resolution was agreed to.
Mr. Robertson, after adverting to the very la
borious duties at present devolving on the com
mittees of tjie house, and to the practice of gomo
of the ft* tale legislatures in tliin respect, which
greatly facilitated the prog k ?t* of public busi
ness, m6ved that the committco on tho rule*
of the* hOusc be instructed to enquire into (he
c\ped:i>ncy of. ^uthori'/.ing (he appointment of
(Merks to (he standing committees of the house."
Agreed tO^^
On mution offMr. Kaaton. (he (wo following
ifsulvetf.W?*^ \jogrced to, embracing objcr.? on,
which thehou o l ad acted, bv pawing a hi!! at
the laHMtjiiSiin, but which had not been actvd ??:?
in the JSeoite : " //i'Ho/w/, That the c'?:..ntiM'M-.
on pullmTiiiids be itiRtructed to enquire i! a v,
anil, ifrfriy, what, further provision* by bw
lire expedient to be made for ratilVin* ui:r ?;i
lirmed claims to land* in the Missouri !'? i
ritory.'' 'I. 44 That the eommitti'o on j m > io
?anda lie instructed to enquire' whether an v. and
wlint, alterations are necessary ia the -iri jwrthe
final adjustment of land titie.i in the st.it>' of
l-ouisiuna and territory of Missouri."
Mr. KaKton, also ollered f*?r c i toleration, a
resolution, the object of which" v..? to nt-point
a select committee t.) enquire ? . t'.e "Vpodion
ey of changing the mode of leaning the hci'd
mines in the Missouri territorv, in Mich manner
as to secure the lessees in the quiet enjoyment
of their leases, and to enable the government to
reVilizea revenue therefrom.
Mr. Yancey proposed *<? to amend the motion
as to refer the subject to the committee on pub
lic lands } when, oil motion of Mr. Ifobertsoiif
(who thought of including the Salt springs in
the enquiry) the resohe was ordered to lie on
the table. '
Additional military appropriations. On mo
tion of Mr. Lowndes, the house resolved itself
into a committee of the whole, Mr. Yancey in
the thair, on (he bill making additional appro
priations for defray inu thfi-oxponccs of tho army
and militia during the yearn 18 M and 181.1.
Mr. Lowndes explnineu briefly the object of
(ho bill. Tho ?!cric the present year'*
appropriations, arose irdm' the error inestiina
ting the exneuse at four millions only, barely
enough for the Ruppnrt of te?j (hoii>:.ind men,
when in fact for the principal pa*'t of the two
first quartern of the year more t'lan foiV ti oon
that nuiut>er ought* to. have been nro tided fir.
The deficiency of preceding veurs, it was well
known, was caused by the heavy pxjkhicph of
largo detachments of .Vlilitia uxreeding tl.e e-ti
uu.to which hitd been made, &?? ' V. I,. hand
ed to the ('hair, far thA inform., fi-m of the house,
the following letter from tho !\ h. aster of t!ui
Army to the Secretary of War, which wua
read's
Hilt? Protn tho l)c*t calculation* I have been pble (o>
make, the deficiency of appropr'at on* for the reguUte,
military establishment for tltaycar J81J, nmy be CMiitnv
led at 800,000 dollar*, namely, ,
On accoolfkef pay W* ' <515,000
On account of subilstcnrc of officers inch-!
.ngtholr private servants, / 8J.OOO
On account of retained ho<intle? torccru.tv, 100,000
8 800,000
Ami Tur the year 181 J, nt 1 ,700 //JO dollar*,
nmicl) ,
On art'oiiitlofjuy, 1,250,000
On ucr<.tm| of tin- solismtcjcc of officcri in
?-!mt 150,000
Oil aec. i.uViinvtnilMd bounties to rcrrtnt.i, doO.OMl
% 1,7'tyM
Forming an a<fjjrc^tr nrro.inffe for tli.*w
two years ?? 2rV>/,00(i ilnllart, v./.
On account ot |wv, 1 ,855,000
Oil account of tin* *uhsi**cnrr or officers, a?
iiiintii>nr.t, ? 211,00')
On account of ic';i.i;<-<1 !?otint.c?,
S 2.yi't,0/J
A fnrtlter <nm of .1,500,003 do I tar ?, i* al?-? ???! intatc!
to meet, in p.ir<, Ihc ?|f rl-? ihh of m.) ?. vol*
imtrcm ultil Indian w.trr .<??*. h? -r of.?rc callr I Hindu
*orv c? of the ( *11 ttfNl Sidit*, cX'.ius.vo, Imwi'vcr. of t )?<?
rlumtdf certain ?tutc* fin- cxj>eiid.t?i?*i npon the 8 mi
lain, wlnrli are not vol ?lnlv recognized on the |url of
?i.- 1 "? * It may l?oclfts-.rd js follow* > ?
i:rn, in
the United B'.ntc*.
On account of tuty,
On Account of tlvo unhii.Mfnre of ofliro
rliid.njf tlwir fmvrtto
On Account of fbragu of llio hor?!4 of ofll
cor?, only
O.i Account of the cloatltinjf of officer*" pri
v.ite iervanu>,
A.ooyo-H)
261,00>
60,000
no.ooo
ft 3, J r.K'i iO
To ffivr vott a wore romtenred virw of the proud,
slAtniKfits,' the following rcnpilidv. ion i* stihm.ttc I
(?*v of rcifiiliir troop*, l,8fi5,00()
I'.ty of rnditi.'i, fee. '
Muli i > 'ire of iTff'il >r troop*, '>*>'?
snh . ?teiM?S of initio*, fee- 9M,'M
' **** ?
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