186 Prof. Lovering on the American Prime Meridian. 
These papers will serve to suggest the principal topics to which 
your attention is invited, and will, I hope, lead to a free commu- 
nication of your views and reflections. It is not impossible that 
the letters of the committee may be hereafter officially called for ; 
you are requested to state, therefore, whether you object to hav- 
ing your letter printed, and, if no objection is given, I shall feel 
authorized to make it public, if required. 
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, 
HARLES Henry Davis, 
Lieut. U.S. Navy, Sup’t Nautical Almanac. 
Prof. Joseru Loverine, University at Cambridge, Cambridge. 
List of the Committee on the Prime Meridian. 
Prof. A. D. Bacue, Sup’t U.S. Coast Surv’y.| Prof. Josern Lovertne, Cambridge 
Lieut. M. F. Maury, Sup’t Nat. Observat’y. Prof. Winu1 mytx, Bowdoin College 
Prof. F ARNARD, Univ. te of Ala. Prof, Josep Wintock, Shelby Coll. Ky 
Prof. Lewis R. Grippers, Charleston, S.C. | .Gro. W.C ry, St.James’s Coll, K 
Prof. Epwar Cou AY, Univ. of Prof. Cur.ry, Georg n Colleg 
SrerpHen ALEXANDER, Princeton Coll. Prof. J. 8. rn, Franklin Coll, Tenn 
Prof. Joun F. Frazer, Univ. of Penn. \Prof. James Pures, Univ. of N 
of. H. J. Anperson, New York. ‘Prof. Wu. H. C. Bartierr, West Point. 
Prof. O. M. Mircuett, Cincinnati. \Prof. Enenezer 8. Sveti, Amherst Coll. 
Prof. A. D, Srantey, Yale College. 'Prof. A.exis Caswet1, Brown University. 
Hon. Wm. Mironett, Nantucket. ‘Lieut. C.H. Davis, Sup’t Nauti’l Almanac.” 
In reply to this circular, I addressed the following remarks, in 
substance, to Lieut. C. H. Davis, the chairman of the sub-com- 
mittee of the Committee of the American Scientific Association 
on the American prime meridian. 
Engagements which could not be postponed have prevented 
me from giving a more prompt reply to the circular addressed to 
the committee of the American Scientific Association to whom 
Ing seems to me to compare in practical importance with this. 
he real question I have to consider is whether, after having 
continued to count our longitudes from Greenwich since we have 
