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Show 6 The astronomical campaign that has been proposed for the season of 1873 is a very extensive one, involving the determination of the astronomical co- ordinates of many main stations, and the erection of a permanent field or connecting observatory at Ogden, Utah. An enumeration of the points chosen, in their order of sequence, will be given. For astronomical party No. 2, William W. Marryatt, observer: 1st, completion of Green River Crossing, Wyo.; 2d, Winnemucca, Nev.: 3d, Virginia City, Nev.; 4th, Bozeman, near Fort Ellis, Mont.; 5tn, Snake River Station, near Fort Hall, Idaho; Cth, Kelton, Nev. There seems no certainty that this party will be able to occupy more than five stations. For astronomical party No. 3, Dr. F. Kainpff, observer: 1st, Georgetown; 2d, Hughes; 3d, Colorado Springs; 4th, Labran, near Canon City; 5th, Trinidad, all in Colorado. For astronomical party No. 4, Professor T. H. Safford, observer: 1st, Santa F6; 2d, Fort Union, both in N. Mex. For astronomical party No. 5, in charge of Professor H. B. Herr, observer, who, during the early part of the season, is to superintend the building of the observatory planned for Ogden, Utah, will, upon its completion, exchange siguals from this point, and connect with the observatory of the United States lake survey at Detroit, and with astronomical x> arty No, 1, J. H. Clark, observer, at Salt Lake City, which party, after the completion of the Ogden observations, will occupy the new observatory as the permanent connecting point for the survey. A free cession of land from the private owners has been made about the site selected for the observatory, which is situated on the southwest bank of the Weber River, and within 1,000 yards of the present junction depot of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads. Yery substantial stone monuments, that serve to mark the spot and for observing- piers, have beeu fabricated and set in advance of the occupancy of the stations. Special topographical surveys of the monument sites are now being made and observations conducted for the determination of each astronomical point relative to surrounding natural objects, so that it may be found for future reference in event of loss or injury to the monuments. It affords me pleasure, in connection with this portion of the report, to present to your notice the uniform kindness and courtesy manifested by the president, the priucipal Western manager, and the various operators of the Western Union Telegraph Company, aud also by the president of the Atlantic and Pacific and Deseret Telegraph Companies, who have afforded the free use of their wires. The services of several operators who afforded valuable assistance will receive more significant mention in the detailed reports. The free use of the observatory at Salt Lake City, with its instruments, was kindly afforded by Brigham Young, president of the Mormon Church, during the entire field- season of 1872, and has been again granted for the present season. The services of an observer during a part of the month of August, to receive telegraphic signals sent from Ogden, Utah, has been tendered by Maj. C. B. Comstock, in charge of the survey of the lakes. I desire again to acknowledge the material assistance which this survey has frequently received at the hands of Admiral B. F. Sands, Superintendent of the Naval Observatory at Washington, and from several of the other officers of the observatory. No trouble has been spared to render available all known valuable star catalogues, and arranging them into working lists for the several tations. New instruments are constantly added to this department, |