on Weights and Measures. IJJ 



weights and mpasures, should not be permitted to alter them ; 

 but, if he finds them to be incorrect, should return them to the 

 maker, to be properly sized and adjusted. All new weights and 

 measures will therefore in this manner undergo a double exami- 

 nation. Your committee are of opinion, that the powers given 

 to justices ot the peace by the acts of the 35 Geo. III. cap. 102, 

 and the 37 Geo. III. cap. 143, to search for and destroy defi- 

 cient weights, aiid to punish the persons in whose possession 

 they are found, should be extended, so as to give them the same 

 powers with regard to false or deficient measures. 



Your committee cannot conclude witliout stating the opinion 

 of Pro.fessor Playfair, with regard to the necessity of adhering 

 strictly to one simple and general vie\v in appointing the stand- 

 ards, without departing from it for the sake of accommodat- 

 ing individuals or particular classes of the community. The ad- 

 vantage of the public at large cannot be consulted, unless this 

 rule is rigorously observed. The simplicity and accuracy of the 

 system would be sacrificed by any partial exceptions; and it may 

 be considered as certain, that unless the rules are simple, and 

 the constructions independent of minuteness of division, an 

 opening will be left for fraud, and for all the perplexity in which 

 the standards of the country are at this moment involved. 



1. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that it 

 is necessary, in order effectually to ascertain and enforce uniform 

 weights and measures to be used for the future, that all former 

 statutes relating thereto should be repealed. 



2. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that 

 the distance between the two points in the gold studs in the 

 brap.s rod, described in the Report of the select committee of 

 1/58, and preserved in the custody of the clerk of this house, 

 ought to be the length called a yard ; and that one-third part 

 thereof should be a foot, and the r2th part of the foot one 

 inch. 



3. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that 

 the lengtli of a pendulum vibrating GO times in a minute of time, 

 m the latitude of London, has been ascertained to be 39-13047 

 inches, of which the standard yard contains 36. 



4. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that 

 a.11 measures of length whatsoever should be taken in parts, nuil- 

 tiples, or certain proportions of the said standard yard. 



5. Ijesolued, That it is the opinion of this committee, that a 

 cubic fooL of pure water at the temperature of 5f)f' has been 

 ascertained to weigh exactly 1000 ounces avoirdupois. 



6. Resolved, Tbat it is the opinion of this committee, that 

 all measures of capacity should be ascertained by the weight of 



Vol. 44. No. 197. Sf>/. 1814. M water 



