OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, 



Washington, D. C., February 13, 1874. 



SIR: Lieut. George M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers, has sent to this office a 

 report embodying the results from the astronomical observations made at Cheyenne, 

 Wyoming Territory, and Colorado Springs, Colorado Territory. 



As this report contains information of value to officers engaged upon explorations, 

 surveys, and reconnaissances in the western country, I have respectfully to recommend 

 that it be printed at the Government Printing-Office, and that five hundred copies be 

 furnished on requisition from this office. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



A. A. HUMPHREYS, 

 Brigadier- General and Chief of Engineers. 

 Hon. W. W. BELKNAP, 



Secretary of War. 



Approved by the Secretary of War, February 14, 1874. 



H. T. CROSBY, Chief Clerk 



UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, 



GEOGRAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS 



WEST OF THE IOOTH MERIDIAN, 



Washington, D. C., February g, 1874. 



SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith a report embodying the results from 

 the astronomical observations made at Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, and Colorado 

 Springs, Colorado Territory. They are typical stations for the years 1872 and 1873, 

 although not selected because of probable errors that are a minimum. 



Attention is invited to the methods employed and the order of sequence in 

 reporting the results. 



Uniformity of plan seems to be a matter of so great importance in the prosecu- 

 tion of astronomical work in the western interior that the one now in use is submitted 

 for consideration as a step at least in this direction. 



Minor features of the methods are still to be perfected ; yet the errors of star- 

 places, from observation, and those known as instrumental, have now become reduced 

 to such small and nearly equable values, that it seems desirable that some general and 

 uniform plan should be adopted for the report at least, if not for the manner of con- 

 ducting the observations. 



The present one is submitted with extreme diffidence, and will probably demand 

 certain changes in the light of future experience. 



At Colorado Springs a heavy stone monument and observing-pier, with meridian- 

 marks, have been established. 



