

41 

 being in any way lire-proof. The valuable and constantly, Charts, plates, 



° * ^ books, &c, ex- 



mcreasing charts, books, plates, and archives are at theP * ' 1 t0 danger 



. from faro. 



Diercy ot an accident. 



Commerce is now commencing- to look upon and depend 

 upon this Office for its supplies ; it caunot afford, for the 

 want of a few thousands of dollars' expenditure for a fire- 

 proof building, to risk a loss which could not be replaced. 



For five years I have asked an appropriation for this 

 purpose, and estimated that, in accordance with my plan, 

 $90,000 would supply to the Government a safe and pro- 

 tected property, which, in ten years, would be worth double 

 that money. Sow the printing of this Office is carried on 

 in cellar rooms so damp and rotten that no private party 

 would think of using them ; and make-shift rooms have had 

 to be fitted up in the loft of a stable, for draftsmen and 

 stowage. 



This year, as heretofore, I ask again for a proper budding, 

 and that such should belong to the Government. I ask a 

 small sum to continue surveys, and, for carrying on the ordi- 

 nary work of the Office, the most limited amount that will 

 admit of any progress. 



For me, I would exert every nerve to place this Office, as 

 quickly as possible, on a footing with the foreign offices, and 

 know that, in the interest of our commerce, the compara- 

 tively small expenditure would be a good national invest- 

 ment. 



Our national pride, at least, should stand in the way of 

 our country paying for or receiving supplies of charts, &c, 

 required for our marine from a foreign power, when we have 

 an a.bility at least equal to theirs, to furnish them for our- 

 selves. 



I would suggest that a definite amount be asked for, to 

 be used at once, outside of the yearly estimates, viz : 



For a suitable building $90, 000 An amount 



_ . _ i -i asked for the pur- 



To continue the Pacific survey, complete and en- chase of a suit- 



, iiiT Ti-ii a ble building for 



grave the work already done, and to add, as the office. 



quickly as possible, to the issues of the Office 



for the benefit of commerce $35, 000 



I may add, that very soon I shall have completed the first 

 part o f the West Indies, and the third part of the West Coast of 

 Africa, and have now a volume of deep-sea soundings, which, 

 from the inadequate appropriation for the Navy Department 



