On the Light-House System of the United States. 329 
so as to give greater 
asstrance to the navigator, that they will be always found in 
position, ; ; 
That light-vessels be painted and fitted with distinguishing 
marks by day to enable the mariner to know them without 
‘difficulty, 
That there be a uniformity in painting, marking, and distin- 
guishing beacons; and that no one b to change the 
color or distinguishing marks of any beacon, sea mark, or light- 
house, without authority from the proper office at Washington, 
and after ample notice shall have been given through the medium 
of the commercial papers of greatest circulation, and by placards 
distributed at the different crstom-houses, both at home and 
abroad, and among consuls and commercial agents of maritime 
Nations, ‘ 
That the buoys be made in size to subserve their proposed pur- 
pose, and that different shapes be employed for different channels, 
ngers, &c. : 
That competent professional men be required to make frequent 
inspections of the lights and other aids to navigation along the 
entire coast. enti : rv 
_ That supplies of all kinds undergo a most rigid test and scru- 
tiny by a professional person of high moral and social standing, 
before issuing them to light-keepers. : 
_ That light-keepers undergo an examination before being placed 
in charge of any light, and that they be instructed by a compe- 
tent person upon the detail of all the duties confided to them. 
That instructions, rules, and regulations, embracing every point 
of duty, be drawn up in clear, plain, and explicit terms, suited to 
the capacities of the persons for whose benefit they are prepared, 
and distributed to the light-keepers and others connected with 
> Service ; that the general rules and regulations be printed in 
large type, with conspicuous headings, and framed, so that the 
eepers. may always have access to them; and those more in de- 
tail to be well bound, and the keepers required to trausfer them 
to oan successors should they leave the ms ae Bes “es eaesinnerss 
hat frequent and rigid inspections of lights 
Ponce eudigaaaah men, and that they make regular 
returns to the head of the light-house department. 7 
Seconn Sznms, Vol. XIII, No. 39.—May 1852, 42 
