Hamilton Fish to Hamilton Fish, October 3, 1874

No. 253. Mr. Fish to General Scheck.

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.,