166 M. Baker—Surveys and Maps, District of Columbia. 
feet 5 inches, to be 87° 23’ 6’’.8. For the greater accuracy I measured 
this angle from different parts of the circle of a theodolite, made by 
Adams, going several times around the instrument and taking the mean 
as the correct angle. In one instance, however, I found a variation of 
nearly two minutes in the angular distance of the buildings; in others 
they would coincide for severa] observations. I thus ascertained my 
position and the point on the meridian line from which a line drawn at 
right angles due east would touch the south end of the Capitol with 
all the precision the instrument is capable of. Here I planted the obe- 
lisk, and measured from the center of it north 175 feet 8} inches, half 
the length of the building, for the point of intersection on the meridian 
drawn through the center of the President’s house by a west line from 
the center of the Capitol. It ison the south bank of Tyber creek and 
marked by the erection of a small pier, covered by a flat freestone, on 
which the lines are drawn. 
Iam, sir, very respectfully yours, 
Nicu’s Kine, 8S. C. W. - 
THe PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
(First endorsement. ) 
Nicholas King. 15 Ocr", 1804. 
Meridian line through the center of the President’s house. 
(Second endorsement. ) 
King, Nich’. ; Surveyor’s Orrice, Oct. 15, ’04. 
Rec® Oct. 15. 
To be filed in the office of State, as a record of the demarcation of the 
1st meridian of the U. 8. 
