Letter from Maine Governor Israel Washburn Jr. to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; January 22, 1861

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Letter from Maine Governor Israel Washburn Jr. to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; January 22, 1861

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People

HALL, JOSEPH B.Marshall, T. H.Morrill, Lot M.Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Pike, F. A. (Frederick Augustus), 1817-1886 Washburn, Israel, Jr.

Organizations

Maine--Department of State Maine--Executive Department Maine--Legislature Mississippi--Legislature Mississippi--Legislature. Senate United States--Congress United States--Congress. House United States--Congress. Senate United States--Department of State

Occupations

Educational Profession--Teachers Educational Status--Scholars Legislators Scientists

Places

Maine Maine--Kennebec County. Augusta Mississippi--Kemper County

Page 1

[Seal]

State of Maine.

Executive Department,
Augusta, Jan. 22, 1861,.

Sir:

In obedience to an Order of the Legislature of this State: I transmit herewith a copy of a Resolve passed by that body March 20, 1860, " in relation to an uniform decimal system of weights, measures and currencies," with the request that the same may be laid before your Legislature.

I have the honor to. be
Your obedient servant,

Israel Washburn Jr

His Excellency,
John J. Pettus
Governor of Mississippi
Kemper Co.
Miss

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State of Maine.

RESOLVES in relation to an uniform decimal system of weights, measures and currencies.

Whereas, There now exists throughout the civilized world divers unequal, incongruous and inconvenient systems of weights, measures and currencies, without a proper basis or any uniform ratio of divisions and multiples—thus subjecting the scholar, the teacher, and the man of business to numerous and needless perplexities in computation and in trade, and making it a most difficult task to determine the absolute or the comparative value of many coins, quantities and admeasurements now in use;

And whereas, A reform in regard to these inequalities and irregularities is demanded by the highest interests of education and commerce, therefore,

Resolved, That our senators and representatives in congress be requested to use their influence to have that body consider the proposed subject and establish an uniform decimal system of weights, measures and currencies—fixing their standards or units of each measure, with their sub-divisions or multiples, in the most concise and simple manner—and that the more effectually to promote this desirable reform, an international commission be recommended for the purpose of producing an uniform system of metrology throughout the commercial world.

And whereas, Any great reform of this kind can be successfully completed only by the aid of scientific men; and whereas, it is necessary for the end in view to bring to requisition the greatest ability and ingenuity to be found in the nation, therefore,

Resolved, That congress be recommended to offer a worthy premium to any citizen of the United States, who shall devise the best system of decimal weights, measures and currencies—the question of merit to be decided by the Commission to which the whole subject shall be entrusted.

Resolved, That the secretary of state be instructed to forward printed copies of these resolves to our senators and representatives in congress.

IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, March 20, 1860.—Read and passed.
F. A. PIKE, Speaker.

IN SENATE, March 20, 1860.—Read and passed.
T. H. MARSHALL, President.

March 20, 1860.—Approved.
LOT M. MORRILL.

STATE OF MAINE.

OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE,
Augusta, January 22, 1861.

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original deposited in this office.
JOSEPH B. HALL, Secretary of State.

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Resolutions from Maine in relation to the establishment of uniform weights currencies &c.