At the first station, 4,578 feet north of the monument, and also at the Parks Hill station, the dip of the magnetic needle was ascertained by a series of observations—­in the one case upon two and in the other upon three separate needles.  The horizontal declination was also ascertained at both these stations by a full set of observations upon six different needles.

The details of these and of all the astronomical observations alluded to will be prepared as soon as practicable for the use of the commission, should they be required.  To His Excellency Major-General Sir John Harvey, K.C.B., lieutenant-governor of the Province of New Brunswick, Major Graham acknowledges himself greatly indebted for having in the most obliging manner extended to him-every facility within his power for prosecuting the examinations.  From Mr. Connell, of Woodstock, a member of the colonial parliament, and from Lieutenant-Colonel Maclauchlan, the British land agent, very kind attentions were received.

Major Graham has also great pleasure in acknowledging his obligations to General Eustis, commandant of the Eastern Department; to Colonel Pierce, commanding the garrison at Houlton, and to his officers; and also to Major Ripley, of the Ordnance Department, commanding the arsenal at Augusta, for the prompt and obliging manner in which they supplied many articles useful to the prosecution of the labors of his party.

The transit instrument with which the meridian line was traced had been loaned to the commission by the Hon. William A. Duer, president of Columbia College, New York, and the commissioners feel bound to return their acknowledgments for the liberality with which the use of this astronomical instrument was granted at a time when it would have been difficult, and perhaps impossible, to have procured one as well suited to the object.

All which is respectfully submitted.

JAS. RENWICK,

JAMES D. GRAHAM,

A. TALCOTT,

Commissioners.

[Footnote 90:  Also see report No. 176, House of Representatives, Twenty-fifth Congress, third session.]

WASHINGTON, February 12, 1841.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit a report of the Secretary of State, containing the information asked for by the resolution of the Senate of the 5th instant, relative to the negroes taken on board the schooner Amistad.

M. VAN BUREN.

WASHINGTON, March 2, 1841.

To the House of Representatives: 

I transmit to the House of Representatives a report from the Attorney-General, with accompanying documents,[91] in compliance with the request contained in their resolution of the 23d of March last.

M. VAN BUREN.

[Footnote 91:  Opinions of the Attorneys-General of the United States from the commencement of the Government to March 1, 1841.]

WASHINGTON, March 2, 1841.