PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGENTS. 119 



tliis Institution for ten years,, from every part of the United States, 

 that, as a general rule, all the meteorological phenomena advance from 

 west to east, and that the higher clouds always move eastwardly. We 

 are therefore, from abundant observation, as well as from theoretical 

 considerations, enabled to state with confidence that on a given day, 

 whatever may be the direction of the wind at the surface of the earth, 

 a balloon elevated sufficiently high, would be carried easterly by the 

 prevailing current in the upper or rather middle region of the atmos- 

 phere. 



I do not hesitate, therefore, to say, that provided a balloon can be 

 constructed of sufficient size, and of sufficient impermeability to gas, 

 in order that it may maintain a high elevation for a sufficient length 

 of time, it would be wafted across the Atlantic. I would not, however, 

 advise that the first experiment of this character be made across the 

 ocean, but that the feasibility of the project should be thoroughly 

 tested, and experience accumulated by voyages over the interior of our 

 continent. It is true that more eclat might be given to the enterprise, 

 and more interest excited in the public mind generally, by the imme- 

 diate attempt of a passage to Europe ; but I do not think the sober 

 sense of the more intelligent part of the community would be in favor 

 of this plan ; on the contrary, it would be considered a premature and 

 foolhardy risk of life. 



It is not in human sagacity to foresee., prior to experience, what sim- 

 ple occurrence', or what neglect in an arrangement, may interfere with 

 the result of an experiment ; and therefore I think it will be impossible 

 for you to secure the full confidence of those who are best able to ren- 

 der you assistance except by a practical demonstration, in the form of 

 successful voyages from some of the interior cities of the continent to the 

 seaboard. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



JOSEPH HENRY, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



T. S. C. Lowe, Esq., 



Philadelphia, Pa. 



The Board then adjourned sine die. 



