59 
The difficulties under which he labored, and the zeal with 
which he pursued his aim, may be inferred from the modest 
Preface to the volume containing his observations at this little 
observatory, which were not reduced and published until 
four years after their completion. It will be borne in mind 
that these observations of moon-culminating stars constituted 
but a part of his duties during all this period, — that the in- 
struments and charts of the office were to be cared for, the 
magnetical and meteorological observations assiduously pros- 
ecuted, and many official details to be attended to. [ore- 
over the amount of his astronomical work was understated 
by him in his report as above cited, inasmuch as his printed 
volume of observations gives the places of 1,248 fixed stars. 
Of these stars 6,823 transits are published, as also 865 tran- 
sits of the moon, 37 of planets, and 84 occultations. 
As this volume* is now rare, it may not be amiss for me 
to quote the greater portion of the Preface. 
“With but little experience in the manipulation of fixed 
instruments; without a book relating to the subject in any 
manner, except ‘ Pearson’s Introduction’ and ‘ Vince’s As- 
tronomy,’ or an acquaintance in the astronomical world from 
whom suitable advice could be obtained, literal compliance 
with the directions of the Department was the only course 
to be pursued at the commencement of the observations. 
Indeed, as I had never seen a volume of the annals of Euro- 
pean observatories, there could be no reason to suppose they 
did not embody every requisite to be complied with in re- 
cording observations ; and it was not until the latter part of 
1840 I became aware that the exact state of astronomical 
* Astronomical Observations made at the Naval Observatory, 
Washington, under orders of the Hon. Secretary of the Navy, dated 
August 13, 1838, by Lt. J. M. Gilliss, U.S. N. Printed by order of 
the Senate of the U. S., Washington, 1846. 
