THE UNITED STATES NAVAL OBSERVATORY. 705 



of a National Observatory, furnished with suitable instruments and 

 apparatus for astronomical observation, and that the President should 

 cause such observations to be made as would determine the longitude 

 of the Capitol with the greatest practicable degree of exactness. 



But no steps were taken at that time to carry out the resolution, 

 and the subject was not again referred to till 1818. A third memorial 

 was then presented, soliciting not the erection of an observatory, but 

 simply that additional observations be made to test the accuracy of 

 results already obtained, in order to insure a correct determination of 

 our longitude from Greenwich. Nearly three years of tedious delay 

 were required before the requisite resolution was passed which in- 

 sured the modest commencement of what is destined to become one 

 of the great scientific institutions of the country, and, we trust, of the 

 civilized world. 



In 1821 Mr. Lambert, the original memorialist, was appointed by 

 the President "to make astronomical observations by lunar occupa- 

 tions of fixed stars, solar eclipses, or any approved method adapted to 

 ascertain the longitude of the Capitol from Greenwich." In 1823, 

 President Monroe submitted to Congress Mr. Lambert's final report, 

 in which he stated that by the diligent use of such instruments for 

 his work as the country afforded, by the employment of different 

 methods, and by the assistance of competent persons in various sec- 

 tions of the United States to test the accuracy of his work, he had 

 endeavored to fulfill his commission to the extent of his ability. He 

 gave, as the mean result, the longitude of the Capitol 76° 55' 30" 54 

 west from Greenwich. Thus the first step in the establishment of an 

 observatory was taken in determining the longitude of the Capitol ; 

 for, without such an institution furnished with suitable instruments 

 and apparatus, no accurate measarements of the positions of the 

 heavenly bodies could be made, and the computation of a nautical 

 almanac or astronomical ephemeris would be impossible. 



The next movement that was made toward the accomplishment of 

 the object was in 1825, when President Adams, in his first message, 

 urged upon Congress the establishment of a National University. 

 Connected with this, he earnestly recommended the erection of an as- 

 tronomical observatory, to watch the phenomena of the heavens, and 

 to give periodical publications of observations. The matter was re- 

 ferred to a select committee, who presented an elaborate report in 

 1826, accompanied by a bill to establish an observatory in the Dis- 

 trict of Columbia. Although the location, cost of the edifice, and the 

 expense of carrying it on, were freely discussed, no action was taken in 

 the matter ; and Mr. Adams's recommendation, though associated with 

 the progress of the nation, and independent of party or personal in- 

 terest, was allowed to lie unnoticed. 



But, after years of neglect and indifference on the part of Congress, 

 a few officers of the navv had the honor of taking the first direct ac- 

 vol. iv. — 45 



