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L. H. J.
Liber No. 52
June 14
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house their opinions of the proper measures to be taken to remedy
the evils arising therefrom.
Your committee having conferred with M.r Prigg and M.r Calder,
upon the subject of the variation of the compass, and how the
evils arising therefrom may be best remedied, are informed by those
gentlemen, that there is a west variation, of about two and an half
or three degrees; that this variation is now, and has been decreasing
ever since the first settlement of this province; but that the experi-
ments and observations they have hitherto made, do not sufficiently
authorize them to say at what rate it decreases. To adjust this, and
to know whether the decrease be regular, at different periods of
time, they are of opinion that it will be necessary to make many
experiments and observations, as well upon ancient, as upon late
surveys; and that, when by this, or any other means, the variation
of the variation (as it may be termed) or the rate in which the
variation decreases, can be pretty nearly settled, it may then be
proper, in order to prevent the evil complained of, to have a good
theodolite provided by each county, that a true meridian line be
taken and fixed in some convenient place, as near the court house
in each county as may be, by setting up three pillars of durable stone,
at convenient distances, in the plain of such meridian; and that some
person be appointed, to try the said instrument, by such meridian
line, and note down in a book, to be kept for that purpose, among
the records of each county, the variation of the said instrument from
such line, which variation so found shall be the standard of variation
for each County respectively; and thereafter such instrument to be
tried annually and whatever it shall be found to vary, from such first
trial, to be also noted down, in the same book, and be allowed in every
course to be run by such instrument, until the next trial, and a certifi-
cate thereof given by the person appointed to try such instrument,
to the surveyor of each County, respectively, and so from year to
year. Some such method as this, your committee are of opinion,
might be effectual to prevent the evils arising from the variation
hereafter; and it appears also to your committee to be very neces-
sary that something should be done to regulate former surveys;
but, as this would occasion a considerable change in the situation
of many surveys, and be attended with much difficulty, your com-
mittee beg leave to offer it as their opinion that it is most prudent
to refer the consideration of the whole to the next meeting of
assembly by which time it may be hoped that every gentleman will
have considered the matter with that attention which the nature and
importance of it require, and come prepared to determine finally,
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