METEOROLOGY AND THE SIGNAL SERVICE. 389 
hundred and nine lives, and of the property of the value of four million one hun- 
dred and sixty thousand dollars; and that in eighteen hundred and sixty-eight 
one hundred and five vessels of the value of one million two hundred and seven 
thousand three hundred dollars were totally lost, and in eighteen hundred and 
sixty-nine, one hundred and twenty-six vessels of the value of one million four 
hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred dollars were totally lost; and 
whereas scientific observations have already shown that the course of storms in 
the United States is generally from west to east,.and made known their rate of 
progress, and the changes of the barometer which precede and accompany them ; 
and whereas a large proportion of the loss of life and property by marine disasters 
on the northern lakes might be avoided by timely notice to mariners of approach- 
ing storms ; therefore, 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 
America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War be authorized and re- 
quired to take the necessary meteorological observations at the military stations 
in the interior of the continent and on the northern lakes, and to give notice on 
the lakes and Atlantic coast, by means of the electric telegraph, of the approach 
and force of storms. 
Gen. Paine was strongly impressed with the importance of the subject, and 
requested an expression of views from the Surgeon General of the Army, Prof. 
Henry, Prof. Loomis, and from the Chief Signal Officer of the Army. The 
replies from these gentlemen were received and submitted to the House as 
follows : 
War DEPARTMENT, SURGEON GENERAL’S OFFICE, 
Washington, January 5, 187o. 
Sir: I have the honor to state, in reply to your note of the 3d instant, that 
meteorological observations of barometer, thermometer, hygrometer, clearness of 
sky, and direction and force of winds, are now taken at all permanent military 
posts in the interior of the continent, as well as those on the seaboard and lakes- 
If means of rapid telegraphic communication with the most important points on 
the lakes and Atlantic seaboard could be secured, it would be entirely practicable 
for medical officers of the army, stationed in the interior, to give notice of the 
approach and force of storms passing from the direction of their respective 
stations. 
I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant, 
J. K. Barnes, 
Surgeon General U. S. Army. 
General H. E. Paine, M. C., 
Flouse of Representatives. 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 
Washington, D. C., January 10, 1870. 
Dear Sir: Your letter asking my opinion of the practicability and merits of 
the proposition to establish, under the direction of the War Department, a system 
