11 



■endeavoring to secure a "permanent depot for charts and in- 

 struments." In this effort they were more successful. 



In a communication to the Secretary of the Navy, sub- 

 mitting estimates for the support of the Navy for the lol- 

 lowing year, the Board of Commissioners, in November, missioned re- 

 1841, strongly urged the establishment of an enlarged and tabiishment of a 

 permanent depot. "The Board," says their report, "are ep ° 

 fully convinced of the advantage of such an establishment, 

 properly constructed and judiciously located, and earnestly 

 recommend it to your favorable consideration. The prob- 

 able cost of a suitable site and buildings would not exceed 

 $50,000. If half this sum were appropriated, it could be 

 commenced the ensuing season with advantage, and be 

 completed in 1843." 



The Secretary of the Navy, Hon. Abel P. Upshur, warmly 

 indorsed the recommendation of the Board, and embodying Recommenda- 

 it in his annual report to President Harrison, it was brought endorsed by°the 

 before Congress in December, 1841. A bill was at once in- Na C vy. ary ° 

 troduced to establish a permanent depot, in accordance 

 with the recommendations of the Secretary of the Navy, 

 and of the Board of Commissioners, but it met with much 

 delay. The bill was accompanied by a report representing 

 the absolute necessity of such an establishment to the wel- 

 fare of the Navy, and the utter inadequacy of the depot then 

 in existence. 



"We are indebted to other nations," says the report, "for 

 the means which enable our ships to cross the ocean. The 

 present depot is entirely unsuited to the wants of the Navy 

 .or the protection of the instruments. A small observatory 

 is absolutely essential to the depot ; but, from defects in 

 the original construction of the building, a considerable 

 portion of the heavens is entirely obscured ; nor can these 

 defects be remedied, e^en were the building worthy of 

 alteration." (Eeport No. 449, H. R., 27th Cong., 2d sess.) 



Fortunately the bill was placed in the hands of Hon.^J*^"*^^- 

 Francis Mallory, of the House Naval Committee, whose manent Depot, 

 warm advocacy of the measure and persistent exertions in 

 its favor were finally rewarded by success. At the last 

 hour of the second session of the Twenty-seventh Congress 

 an act was passed authorizing the Secretary of the Navy 

 " to contract for the building of a suitable house for a depot 

 of charts and instruments of the Navy, on a plan not ex- 



