Miscellanies. 201 



to employ calcined dolomite, in the place of ordinary lime, and found 

 that it surpassed it, both as a material for ordinary mortar, and also 

 for a hydraulic cement. He obtained a good mortar with this last 

 material and calcined marl. 



16. Telegraphs. — The House of Representatives of the United 

 States, at their late session, Feb. 3, 1837, passed a resolve, 



"That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to report to 

 the House of Representatives, at its next session, upon the propriety 

 of establishing a system of telegraphs for the United States." 



In compliance with this resolution, the Secretary, the Hon. Levi 

 Woodbury, has issued a circular, with the view of obtaining infor- 

 mation in regard to " the propriety of establishing a system of tele- 

 graphs for the United States," and invites the collectors, commanders 

 of revenue cutters, and others, to furnish the Department of State 

 with their opinions upon the subject, especially by poinimg out the 

 manner, and the various particulars, in which the system may be 

 rendered most useful to the Government of the United States, and 

 the public generally. It would be desirable, to present a detailed 

 statement as to the proper points for the location, and distance of the 

 stations from each other, with general rules for the regulation of the 

 system, together with an opinion as to the propriety of connecting it 

 with any existing department of the Government, and some definite 

 idea of the rapidity with which intelligence could, ordinarily, and, 

 also, in urgent cases, be communicated between distant places. An 

 estimate of the probable expense of establishing and supporting tele- 

 graphs, upon the most approved system, for any given distance, du- 

 ring any specified period, is also desired. Information and opinions 

 are also asked as to the practicability of uniting with a system of 

 telegraphs for communication in clear weather and in the day time, 

 another for communication in fogs, by cannon or otherwise, and in 

 the night, by the same mode, or by rockets and fires, and returns are 

 asked by the first of October, 1S37. 



As the subject is one of high importance to national and individual 

 welfare, especially in a country of such vast extent and diversity of 

 interests and physical features as the United States, we trust that 

 the call of the House of Representatives and of the Hon. Secretary 

 will meet with prompt attention and full replies. 



Vol. XXXII.— No. 1. 26 



