SL ee 
i 
Miscellanies. 201 
to employ calcined dolomite, in the place of ordinary lime, and found 
that it surpassed it, both as a material for ordinary mortar, and also 
for a hydraulic cement. He. obtained a good mortar with this last 
material and calcined marl. 
16, Telegraphs.—The House of Representatives of the United 
States, at their Jate session, Feb. 3, 1837, passed a resolve, 
“That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to report to 
the House of Representatives, at its next session, upon the propriety 
of establishing a system of telegraphs for the United States.” 
In compliance with this resolution, the Secretary, the Hon. Levi 
Woodbury, has issued a circular, with the view of obtaining infor- 
mation in regard to “ the propriety of establishing a system of tele- 
graphs for the United States,” and invites the collectors, commanders 
of revenue cutters, and others, to furnish the Department of State 
with their opinions upon the subject, especially by pointing out the 
manner, and the various particulars, in which the system may be 
rendered most useful to the Government of the United States, and 
the public generally. It would be desirable, to present a detailed 
Statement as to the proper points for the location, and distance of the 
stations from each other, with general rules for the regulation of the 
system, together with an opinion as to the propriety of connecting it 
with any existing department of the Government, and some definite, 
idea of the rapidity with which intelligence could, ordinarily, and, 
also, in urgent cases, be communicated between distant places. An 
estimate of the probable expense of establishing and supporting tele- 
graphs, upon the most approved system, for any given distance, du- 
ring any specified period, is also desired. Information and opinions 
are also asked as to the practicability of uniting with a system of 
telegraphs for communication in clear weather and in the day time, 
another for communication in fogs, by cannon or otherwise, and in 
the night, by the same mode, or by rockets and fires, and returns are. 
asked by the first of October, 1837. 
As the subject is one of high importance to national and individual 
welfare, especially in a country of such vast extent and diversity of 
interests and physical features as the United States, we trust that 
the call of the House of Representatives and of the Hon. Secretary 
will meet with prompt attention and full replies. 
Vou. XX XII.—No. 1. 26 
