their measuring instruments as well as the variations of the
magnetic needle, would save, in the future, to the citizens of
our several counties, much needless litigation and expense, and
our surveyors much labor and perplexity,

The great difficulties that have been experienced heretofore
in the practical work of surveyors in tracing old lines, and
in which not only the surveyors, but the community at large,
is deeply interested, are entitled to our serious considera-
tion, to see whether there cannot be devised some method by
which this difficulty shall be much abated, if not in the pro-
gress of time wholly removed.

It will be admitted by almost all practical surveyors, that
much the larger portion of these difficulties arise from the
angles of the survey referring to the magnetic meridian,
which is constantly changing its place, and not in a constant
ratio, rendering it difficult, if not in many cases impossible,
to know what variation of the needle should be allowed.

Eminent mathematicians of our country are almost uni-
formly of one mind, that surveys should return the angle of
a true meridian instead of a magnetical one, which would
give a constant angle instead of a variable one,

To make this effective will require an Act, of the Legisla-
ture, and much care and deliberation are necessary in framing
a law that will carry out the objects intended in such a way
as that the citizens at large may be benefited by it.

We believe with proper care it may in time be accomplish-
ed.

The law to be efficient and accomplish the objects desired
should, in our opinion, embrace the following provisions :

1st. The erection, at the county seat of each county, of an ac-
curate and substantial meridian line to be protected by law
from mutilation or disturbance of any kind.

2nd. The preservation in the Clerk's office of each county
of an accurate standard of measurement, by which surveyors'
chains shall be, by the provisions of the law, regularly tested.

3d. A provision in the law making it the duty of every
surveyor, under a penalty, to attest his compass by the county
meridian line, and to return with the certificate of survey in
each case a true statement of the variation of his compass
from the true meridian at the time of making the survey, and
to deposit a copy of the same with the county clerk.

4th. To require the latitude and longitude, reckoning from
Washington, of each meridian to be inscribed upon the pil-
lar or stone upon which the meridian line is established.

This subject having never been regulated by statutory
enactment, your Committee have hesitated to make report of
any law which would be binding in its operations upon every
county of the State. We have, therefore, framed a bill em-
bracing the features above enumerated, but leaving the adop-