Signal Office. ā {Open every day., except Sunday., from 9 a.
m. to 3 p. m.) The Cliief Signal Oflicer of the Army, under
whose direction the national weather observations are made,
occupies two contiguous brick buildings on the JST. side of G-
St., W. of the War Department. The stranger in the city,
upon reaching the head of the street, cannot fail to notice
them by a variety of anemometers of divers sizes, and an-
emoscopes or vanes projecting above the roof. A number
of converging electric wires may be seen entering the build-
ing, some communicating with self-registering instruments
or connecting the telegrapliic department of the office with
the dififerent stations in all parts of the country through the
lines of the general telegraphic companies.
The entrance for visitors is by the door ISTo. 1719. They
ascend to the instrument room in tlie fourth story. The
cliief interest centres in the Instrument Room., where may be
examined the apparatus employed in the various meteoro-
logical observations. These instruments are of the most ap-
proved patterns, including the barometer, to show the atmos-
pheric pressure and to indicate the passage of storms ; the
thermometer, mercurial and spirit, for indicating the tem-
perature of the air ; the hygrometer, to show the humidity
of the air; one maximum and one minimum thermometer,
to indicate the higliest and lowest temperature; the anem-
ometer, for obtaining the velocity of the wind; the wind
vane, or anemoscope, for indicating tlie direction of the wind ;
and the rain gauge, for noting the rain-fall.
The roof of the building is "devoted to the instruments and
apparatus requiring open exposure to the weather, such as
rain-gauges, wind-vanes, and anemometers. A shelter also
projects from a window on the N"., designed with special
reference to the comparison of thermometers and other in-
struments in an equal temperature. In addition to these
instruments of common use, there is a complete set of self-
1S8 WAR DEPARTMENT.
recording and photographic meteorological instruments, ope-
rated by means of clock-work and electric batteries. There
are also two cases containing a "panorama of the clouds,"
illustrating the different kind of clouds, showing the trans-
formation of each type of clouds into its derivative. It also
shows meteoric effects, especially the localization of clouds
about the crest of peaks or on the summits of loftier moun-
tain ranges. There are also other instruments of general use,
though not part of meterological science. Among these are
a pentagraph, for transferring and reducing isobarometric
and isothermal curves from paper to zinc ; a self-registering
instrument for showing the rise and fall of rivers, and a
terrestrial globe.
In addition to the report of the meteoric condition of the
United States, the office also receives the height of the vari-
ous navigable rivers. Tlie data thus collected is published
throughout the country in tlie newspapers and at 4,491 post
offices, in synopses and probabilities and weatlier maps. Cau-
tionary signals are displayed at sea and lake ports for the ben-
efit of vessels. A line of telegi-aphic wires connects the life-
saving stations, by means of which cautionary signals are dis-
played along the coast, thus warning small craft in time to
seek shelter on the approach of a storm. In 1873 home re-
ports were received from 78 stations, from Maine to Texas,
and from the Atlantic to the Pacific ; also from 11 stations
in Canada and 3 in the West Indies.
All observations are made synchronously at the diflferent
stations at the exact hours of 7.35 a. m., 4.35 p. m., and 11.35
p. m., Washington time. All reports are received and results
distributed, except to post offices, over the lines of the prin-
cipal telegraphic companies.
The instruction of the army in military signaling and tele-
graphy, and for supplying it with the necessary apparatus,
previously conducted on an experimental basis, since 1870
has been prosecuted with a degree of success which promises
to materially simplify the difficulty of moving large bodies of
troops or fleets of vessels, and to constitute an essential ele-
ment of tactical operations, whether on the march or in bat-
tle. Signal schools of instruction have been established.
The successful and responsible organization of a military
signal corps has led to a further extension of the service to a
uniform course of instruction to apply to the army and navy
and marines.
On February 9, 1870, these satisfactory results in the orig-
inal duty contemplated for the signal corps were supplement-
ed by diverting the practiced skill of its officers and men into
a still wider field of operations.
WAR DEPARTMENT. 139
To meet the additional duty, the labor of the Signal Bureau
was distributed under two distinct heads. First, tlie Division
of Signals Proper^ to embrace tlie system of military signals
and telegraphy, and to have charge of tlie instruction of ofli-
cers and men of any branch of the service designated for tliat
duty. Second, the Division of Telegrams and Reports for the
Benefit of Commerce. Tlie organization of tliis new and novel
service, in accordance with general orders, was immediately
commenced by Col. Albert J. Myer, Brevet Brigadier General
and Cliief Signal Officer of the Army.
The stations are divided into two classes: First, stations of
observation and report, and to wliich all reports of observa-
tions elsewhere made are forwarded. Second, stations of re-
port alone, or those at which observations elsewhere made
are reported.
OnK'ov. 1, 1870, the preliminary arrangements having been
perfected at 7.35 a. m., the first systematized synchronous me-
teoric reports ever taken in the United States were read from
the instruments by tlie observer sergeants of the signal ser-
vice at 24 stations, and placed upon the telegraphic wires for
transmission. A f m-ther extension of the utility of tlie ser-
vice was made in Oct., 1871, after a series of satisfactory ex-
periments, by the display of cautionary signals at ports on the
Atlantic and the Gidf coast and the northern lakes. The
sphere of usefulness of this important service is annually
extended.
Secretaries of War. ā 1789, Henry Knox, Mass. ; 1795,
Tunothy Pickering, Mass. ; 1796, James McHeniy, Md. ;
1800, Samuel Dexter, Mass. ; 1801, Koger Griswold, Conn. ;
1801, Henry Dearborn, Mass. ; 1809, William Eustis, Mass. ;
1813, John Armstrong, I*^. Y. ; 1814, James Monroe, Va. ;
1815, W. H. Crawford,' Ga. ; 1817, J. C. Calhoun, S. C. ; 1825,
James Barbour, Va. ; 1828, P. B. Porter, K. Y. ; 1829, J. H.
Eaton, Tenn. ; 1831, Lewis Cass, Mich. ; 1837, Joel R. Poin-
sett, S. C. ; 1841, John Bell, Tenn. ; 1841, J. C. Spencer, N.
Y.; 1844, W. Wilkins, Penn. ; 1845, W. L. Marcy, IST. Y. ;
1849, G. W. Crawford, Ga. ; 1850, Gen. Winfield Scott, ad
in.. Army; 1850, C. M. Conrad, La. ; 1853, Jefferson Davis,
Miss.; 1857, J. B. Floyd, Va. ; 1860, J. Holt, Ky. ; 1861,
Simon Cameron, Penn.; 1862, E. M. Stanton, Ohio; 1867,
Gen. U. S. Grant, ad in.^ Armj^ ; 1868, Adj. Gen. L. Thomas,
ad in.. Army; 1868, J. M. Schofield, 111.; 1869, J. A. Raw-
lins, 111.; 1869, Gen. W.T. Sherman,^, t., Army; 1869, W.
W. Belknap, lo.
Prior to 1789, under an ordinance for ascertaining the pow-
ers and duties of the Secretary of War, that officer was charged
140 NAVY DEPARTMENT.
with the direct management of tlie military affairs of Con-
gress, required to report to Congress tlie condition of the
army and military stores and supplies, and to keep returns ;
to make all military estimates ; to direct the operations of
troops in the service, subject to the orders of Congress or the
committees of the States ; to appoint and remove at pleas.ure
all persons under him, being responsible to Congress for their
conduct. The office was created an executive department by
the act of Congress August 7, 1789, to be known as the De-
partment of War, and the chief officer as Secretary for the
Department of War. He was required to execute the orders
of the President of the United States, "agreeably to the
Constitution," in all matters respecting military or naval af-
fairs, to the granting of lands to persons entitled to the same
for military services rendered to the United States, and rela-
tive to Indian affairs. September 29, 1789, the military es-
tablishment of 1787 was adapted to the Constitution. Tlie
early powers of the Secretary of War, by subsequent enact-
ment, have been restricted to the exercise, under the direc-
tion of the President, of j urisdiction over the military service
only. The Secretary of War is ex officio a member of the
Cabinet.
KAVY DEPAKTMENT.
This department (open every day^ except Sunday^ from 9 a.
m. to 3 j9. m.) lies W. of the President's House, and was for-
merly designated the S W. Executive Building. This structure
will shortly be taken down, to make space for the new depart-
ment now being erected. The original building faced S. A
wing erected in 1864 now projects instead. Tiie Secretary''s
office is at tlie S. end of the corridor on the second floor. The
AdmiraVs office is at his residence, 1710 H st. ISTW. The N'a-
val Observatory, ISTavy-yard, and Marine Barracks will be
described under their appropriate heads. The Hydrographic
office^ NE. corner of 18th st. and ISTew York av. JSfW., occu-
pies a rented building called the "Octagon," the residence of
the President of the United States till the restoration of the
President's House after the occupation of the city in 1814.
The Hydrographic office was established in 1866, and is a
branch of the Bureau of Navigation. Its objects are the col-
lection of hydrographic information, preparation of sailing
directions, the collection of charts, the engraving and print-
NAVY DEPARTMENT. 141
ing of new ones, and the revision of old ; also the care of all
instruments except chronometers and compasses.
Nautical Almanac Office ā This branch of the Bureau of
Navigation occupies a rented building, ISTo. 807 2'M st. ISTW.
Was started at Cambridge, Mass., under an act of Congress,
1849'. In 1866 it was removed to Washington. The object
is the computation of astronomical table s"f or the use of the
ISTaval Observatory and N'avy. A set of tables is also printed
for the merchant service, giving longitude of Washington and
Greenwich. Under the act of 1850 the meridian of the Na-
val Observatory was adopted as the American meridian for
astronomical and that of Greenwich for nautical purposes.
The almanac is prepared three years in advance. There is a
fine astronomical library connected with the office.
Secretaries of the Navy. ā 1789, Henry Knox, Mass. ; 1794,
Timothy Pickering, Penn.; 1796, James McHenry,Md. ; 1798,
Benjamin Stoddert, Md. ; 1802, Kobert Smith, Md.; 1805,
Jacob Crowninshield, Mass.; 1809, Paul Hamilton, S. C;
1813, William Jones, Penn.; 1814, B. W. Crowninsliield,
Mass. ; 1818, Smith Thompson, N. Y. ; 1823, S. L. Southard,
N. J. ; 1829. John Branch, N. C. ; 1831, Levi Woodbury, N.
&. ; 1834, Mahlon Dickerson, N. J. ; 1838, J. K. Paulding, N".
Y.; 1841, G. E . Badger, N. C. ; 1841, A. P. Upshur, Va. ; 1844,
T. W. Gilmer, Va. ; 1844, J. Y. Mason, Va. ; 1845, George
Bancroft, Mass. ; 1846, John Y. Mason, Va. ; 1849, W. B.
Preston, Va. ; 1850, W. A. Graham, N. C. ; 1852, J. P. Ken-
nedy, Md. ; 1853, J. C. Dobbin, N. C. ; 1857, Isaac Toucey,
Conn. ; 1861, Gideon Welles, Conn.; 1869, A.E. Borie, Penn.;
1869, G. M. Kobeson, N. J.
The naval service, previously under the direction of the
Secretary of War, in April, 1798, w^as assigned to an execu-
tive department created for the purpose, and designated the
Department of the Navy, the chief officer of which w^as to be
called the Secretary of the Navy. His duties were to execute
the orders of the President of the United States in all matters
connected with the naval establishment of the United States.
During the same year the Marine Corps was organized, as an
adjunct to the naval establishment.
In 1862 the department was reorganized by the division of
its duties into eight bureaus, viz, Ordnance, Equipment and
Recruiting, Yards and Docks, Navigation, Medicine and Sur-
gery, Provisions and Clotliing, Steam Engineering, and Con-
struction and Repair.
The Secretary of the Navy is ex officio a member of the
Cabinet of the President of the United States.
142 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
DEPARTMENT OF THE IJ^TERIOR.
This important department {open every day^ except Smi-
day.from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.) occupies rooms on the N. cor-
ridor, main floor, of the vast structure known as the Patent
Office. The Secretary of the Interior is charged with the
administration of affairs relating to patents, public lands,
pensions, Indians, census, education, and the beneficiary-
asylums in the District of Columbia belonging to the Gov-
ernment. He is invested with the powers, prior to the act of
1873, exercised by tlie Secretary of State over tlie Territories
of the United States, and also has supervisory control over
the architect of the Capitol. Tlie office of tlie Secretary is
on the N". corridor, near the I^E. corner of the building. In
the Secretary's office are photographs of the Secretaries of
the Interior. In the Chief Clerlv's room, adjoining on the
E., are portraits of Thomas Ewing and Caleb B. Smith, for-
mer Secretaries, by Stanley.
For description of the building, see Patent Office.
Indian Office. ā There are frequently delegations of Indians
at the j^Tatioiial Capital, brouglit here in connection with
negotiations or business under treaties. The councils are
held in the office of the Secretary of the Interior or Commis-
sioner, in the IST. corridor. On these occasions tlie red sons
of the forest meet the representatives of the " Great Fatherf';^*
and negotiations are conducted in great form and ceremojjy,
only lacking the wild surroundings of the savage country.
Bureau of Education. ā {Open every day^ except Sunday^
from 9 a. m. to 3p). m.) ā The Bureau of Education occupies
a rented building on the NE. corner of G and .8th sts. ISTW.,
opposite the E. part of the N". fajade of the Patent Office.
There is a fine library of educational works, and other objects
of interest in'the building.
The fathers of the Republic recognized education as among
the leading elements of prosperity and success. It was not,
however, till long after the Constitution was established that
the Government gave the subject a national recognition. In
response to the growing sentiment in favor of public educa-
tion, in 1832 Congress passed an act giving, in connection
with a division of the proceeds of land sales, 12^ per cent, to
certain States for educational purposes. This was vetoed by
Jackson. In 1837 Congress authorized the deposit with the
different States, in proportion to their representation, of mil-
lions of the surplus funds in the Treasury for safe keeping
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 143
and repayment when required. The income of tliis in a
large number of the States was set apart for school purposes.
Suit)sequently the acts admitting Oregon and Minnesota and
other new States added to tlie 16tli the 36th section of land
in each towTiship for school purposes.
In 1862 followed the grants for colleges of agricultiu-e and
the mechanic arts. Taken in connection with previous acts of
liberality for the same purpose, the total of land grants in the
interest of education amounted to 78,576,794 acres. If ex-
tended to the eleven Territories when admitted to the Union,
the aggregate will reach the magnificent endowment of
79,566,794 acres, or 124,323 square miles. This area of terri-
tory is greater than that of the whole of the British Isles, and
over half the area of Imperial Germany or France. Or, valued
at the Government price of 81 25 per acre, makes a donation
of $99,458,492 50. All the nations in Christendom put to-
gether have not done so mucli for the education and future
happiness of their people. The idea of using the public do-
main for educational purposes is not modern. In 1823 it was
a subject of inquiry in the House of Representatives, the
proposition being to set apart a portion of this income to be
distributed for tlie promotion of education in the several
States. In 1824 a resolution was submitted in the same
House to the effect that all money received from tliese sales
ought to be appropriated exclusively for the support of com-
mon schools and tlie construction of roads and canals. In
1826 Mr. Dickinson in the Senate reported a similar resolu-
tion, but without success. Out of the aid later afforded sprung
the common-school system of the interior ll^W.
On March 2, 1867, 'Congress created a Department of Edu-
cation, for the purpose of collecting such statistics and facts
as show the condition and progress of education in the several
States and Territories, and of diffusing such information re-
specting the organization and management of schools and
school systems and methods of teaching as may aid the peojDle
of the United States in the establishment and maintenance
of efficient schools, and of otherwise promoting the cause
of education throughout the country. The management of
the department was intrusted to a Commissioner appointed
by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The Commissioner was required to report annually to Con-
gress the results of his investigations and labors, together
with a statement of such facts and recommendations as would
in his judgment subserve the purposes for which tlie depart-
ment was established. The next year Congress reduced the
department to a bureau, to be called the ''Office of Educa-
tion'," under the directions of tlie Secretary of the Interior.
144 DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR.
Survey of the Territories.ā Office NW. corner of Pennsyl-
vania av. and 11th st. NW., second floor, entrance outside, on
11th St. [opeyi every day^ except Sunday^ from 9 a. m. to 3 p.
m.) Hei'e will be found a complete and interesting collec-
tion of photographs of the wonders of the unknown West, by
W. H. Jaclvson, and taken during the various expeditions con-
ducted under tlie command and scientific direction of Dr. F.
V. Hayden and business management of Captain James Ste-
venson, his associate. The collection includes the Yellow-
stone region, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado, and 1,000 neg-
atives illustrative of Indians and Indian life. Also, sketches
by W. H. Holmes, and maps by J. T, Gardner. The United
States geological surveys of the Teriitories, Dr. F. V. Hayden
in charge, inaug-urated in 1867, under the Department of the
Interior, have been continued from year to year by annual
appropriations, and have constituted not only a most inter-
esting and valuable but important national undertaking.
These surveys have covered Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado,
New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah. The Great
Geyser basin and other wonders of the Yellowstone region,
and the sublime mountain area of Colorado, were first brought
within the range of geographical science by these expeditions.
The publications of these surveys are received with satisfac-
tion by scientific men and societies in America and Europe,
and embrace the following : 8vo : Reprint 1st, 2d, and 3d An-
nual Reports; 4th, Wyoming, 1870; 5th, Montana, 1871 ; 6th,
Montana, 1872, and Final Report of Nebraska. Miscellane-
ous: 1, Elevations; 2, Meteorology; 3, Handbook of Orni-
thology ā Coues; 4, Catalogue of Photographs ā Jackson; Flora
of Colorado ā Porter 8f Coidter. 4to : Extinct Vertebrate
Fauna, vol. 1 ā Leidy; Extinct Cretaceous Fauna, vol. 2 ā
Cope; Extinct Fauna of Wyoming, vol. 3 ā Cope; Extinct
Fauna of Colorado, vol. 4 ā Cope; Synopsis of Acridiclse, vol.
5 ā Thomas; Fossil Flora of the West, vol. 6 ā Newberry; Fos-
sil Flora ā Cretaceous, vol. 7 ā Lesquereux; Fossil Flora ā Ter-
tiary, vol. 8 ā Lesquereux; Fossil Invertebrata, vol. 9 ā Meek;
Sections, Profiles, &c., vol. 10 ā Hayden. Other volumes will
appear from time to time. These volumes contain a vast
amount of scientific material and practical information fresh
from the vast regions hitherto appropriately termed the un-
known West.
It is proposed next year to continue these surveys, by tak-Ā«
ing a belt immediately W. of that covered in 1873, and also
lying within Colorado.
Secretaries of the Interior. ā 1849, Thomas Ewing, Ohio ;
1850, Thos. M. T. McKennan, Penn. ; 1850, A. H. H. Stuart,
Va. ; 1853, Robert McCleUand, Mich. ; 1857, J. Thompson,
PATENT OFPTCE.
145
Miss.; 1861, C. B. Smith, Iiid. ; 1863, J. P. Usher, IncL ;
1865, James Harlan, lo. ; 1866, O. H. Browning, Ills. ; 1869,
J. D. Cox, Ohio ; 1871, Columbus Delano, Ohio.
The act of Mar. 3, 1849, created a home department, to be
called the Department of the Interior, the head of which was
to be called the Secretary of the Interior, to be appohited by
the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. This
officer was to hold by the same tenure and receive the same
salary as the secretaries of the other executive departments.
The various branches of the public service under the admin-
istration of the department have been given. The Secretary
of the Interior is ex officio a member of the Cabinet of the
President.
PATENT OFFICE.
The Patent Office occupies two squares, extending from
7th to 9th sts. W. and from F to G sts. IST., and is about equi-
distant from the Capitol and the President's House. It may
be reached fi-om either by the Metropolitan or F-st. horse rail-
way^ which may be taken on 17th st. just beyond the Presi-
PATENT OFFICE.
dent's House or the SE. extension of the Capitol. The
stranger should be certain to take a car for the Capitol on
10
146 PATENT OFFICE.
17th St. Other cars of the same line rim to Georgetown.
The 7th-st. horse cars pass it on the E. Tlie main entrance
is on F St., and fronts 8tli st. facino: S.
Description. ā This immense pile, situated on the reserva-
tion set apart in the old plan of the city for the liTational
Cliurcli or Mausoleum, is pure Grecian Doric, of massive pro-
^portions, and measures 410 ft. from E. to W. and 275 ft. from
N. to S., with an elevation of 75 ft., surmounted by an acro-
teria. The original structure, commenced in 1837 and finished
in 1842, was 270 ft. front on F st. and 70 ft. deep, and was
built of freestone from the Government quarries at Aquia
Creek. It was designed by W. P. Elliott (Elliott & Town,
engineers) and executed by Kobert Mills. The E. Wing was
authorized in 1849, and was commenced by Robert Mills, who
was succeeded in 1851 by Edward Clark, assistant to the arch-
itect of the Capitol, who completed the building in 1864. It
consists of tw^o wings, on the E. and W., and an intervening
building on the N., corresponding with the old structure on
the S., the whole forming on an interior quadrangle 265 ft.
by 135 ft. The E. Wing was occupied by the Secretary of
the Interior in 1853. The new portions of the building are
of Maryland marble on the exterior and granite* on the quad-
rangle. The first building is painted white to harmonize
with the extension. The edifice rests on a sub-base of gran-
ite, above which is a basement of the material of the super-
structure, after which rises the order, pierced with two stories
of windows, the wiiole surmounted b}^ an acroteria to cor-
respond with the earlier portion of the structure, of appro-
priate simplicity and dimensions. The exterior is entirely
without display. The absence of ornament about the win-
dows will be observed. A depression in the configuration of
the site of the building brings the sub-basement into view on
9th St. On 7th st. the level is on a line with the basement.
Between the streets and the building on the S., E ., and W. are.
small lawns and evergreens. The edifice has 4 fronts. In the
centre, facing 8th st. W"., is an imposing portico, approached
by a lofty flight of granite steps which abut against propor-
tionate blockings of the same material. 1'he portico rests on
a solid substruction of masonry, and is composed of two rows
of 8 Doric columns, fluted, 6 ft. in diameter and 32 ft. high,
and raised in sections and flanked by immense pilasters. It
is modeled after the Parthenon, or Temple of Minerva, at
Athens, and is of the same dimensions. A careful study of
its proportions must impress the beholder with its grandeur.
On the E. is a portico of a single row of 6 columns, and also
reached from the street by a grand flight of steps. On the
"" PATENT OrFICE. 147
N. is a portico of 8 columns in a single row. The steps here