No. 253.
Mr. Fish
to General Scheck.
Department
of State,
Washington, October 3,
1874.
No. 616.]Sir: I herewith inclose a copy of a letter from the
Acting Secretary of the Navy, dated October 2, inclosing a copy of a letter
addressed to that Department by Kear-Admiral Charles H. Davis, United States
Navy, president of the Transit of Venus Commission, dated August 27, 1874,
in which Admiral Davis requests that application may be made in the proper
quarter, through this Department, to procure the free use of the
telegraph-lines from Melbourne to Port Darwin, in Australia, controlled by
the colonial government of South Australia, and between the ports of Batavia
and Banjuezangi, upon the island of Java, controlled by the authority of
that island, to assist the astronomical parties sent out by this Government
to observe the transit of Venus, in determining the difference in longitude
between the northern and southern stations, and in which the co-operation of
the astronomers of Australia and Java is requested.
It will be remembered that the Government of the United States has taken a
lively interest in the matter, and I will, therefore, thank you to make
application in the proper quarter that the request of Rear-Admiral Davis may
be granted if possible, and that the astronomers in Australia and Java maybe
apprised of this desire upon the part of the head of the commission to
co-operate with them in the work.
Owing to the shortness of time remaining, you will, if possible, cause the
necessary orders to be forwarded without delay, or cause the application to
be properly forwarded to the colonial authorities for their action if
necessary.
A like instruction has been forwarded to Mr. Gorham.
I am, &c.,
[Page 580]
[Inclosure in No. 616.]
Commodore Reynolds
to Mr. Fish.
Navy
Department,
Washington, October 2,
1874.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a
communication dated the 27th of August last, addressed to this
Department by Rear-Admiral C. H. Davis, president of the Transit of
Venus Commission,, on the subject of determining, by means of the
telegraph-lines, the difference of longitude between the northern and
southern states occupied for observing the transit, and asking the
co-operation of the governments controlling the lines, and the free use
of the lines in the undertaking.
Through inadvertence, action on the application of Rear-Admiral Davis has
been neglected until now; and i have to request that the Department of
State will take such steps, as early as possible, as will further the
wishes and purpose of the commodore.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM REYNOLDS,
Acting Secretary of
the Nary.
Hon. Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State.
[Subinclosure in No. 616.]
Commodore Davis to
Mr. Robeson.
United
States Naval Observatory,
August 27, 1874.
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department
that this commission, acting with its knowledge and approval, has made
arrangements for determining, by means of the telegraphic lines, the
difference in longitude between the northern and southern stations
occupied for observing the transit of Venus.
Since some of the lines are under the control of foreign governments, i
respectfully request that application may be made through the honorable
Secretary of State for the free use of these lines for the purpose
mentioned, at such time and in such manner as will best suit the
convenience of the authorities controlling them.
The lines in question are, first, the land-telegraph from Melbourne to
Port Darwin, in Australia, belonging to or controlled by the colonial
government of South Australia; and, secondly, the line in the island of
Java, between the ports of Batavia and Banjuezangi, controlled by the
government of the island.
I would also respectfully request that the authorities referred to may be
informed of the desire of the American commission that their astronomers
should be authorized to take part in the work, and to that end should
place themselves in direct communication with the American parties with
whom they can co-operate.
I respectfully suggest that the Java astronomers should communicate with
the chief of the American party at Nagasaki, and the astronomers of
Australia with the chief of the American party at Hobart Town, and with
the board which has already been appointed by the Department to convene
in Melbourne for the purpose of executing this important work.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
C. H. DAVIS,
Rear-Admiral Supt. Pres.
Com. Tr. of Venus.
Hon. George M. Robeson,
Secretary of the Navy.
