iv ASTRONOMICAL EXPEDITION. 



U. S. N. ASTRONOMICAL EXPEDITION, 



Washington, July 8, 1854. 



SIR : I have the honor to lay before you the first part of the results of the U. S. N. Astro- 

 nomical Expedition directed by Congress, August 3, 1848. The other volumes will be pre- 

 sented as rapidly as the computations can be completed. 



Should Congress be pleased to direct the printing of the Eeport and Observations, as the 

 latter can only be arranged for quarto pages, I would most respectfully suggest the propriety 

 of printing the volumes of a uniform size. To secure faithful copies of the maps and illustra- 

 tions, it is particularly desirable that the Department have supervisory control over their exe- 

 cution ; and I beg leave to suggest that such recommendation be made to the honorable House 

 of ^Representatives, where the Expedition was originated. 



Kespectfully submitted. 



J. M. GrILLISS, Superintendent. 



Hon. J. C. DOBBIN, 



Secretary of the Navy. 



