[PART II][98]
Containing the Calculations of Observations made by Major Long and Lieutenant Swift, on a tour from the Council Bluffs on the Missouri river, westward along the river Platte to its head waters in the Rocky Mountains,—thence southwardly to the head waters of the Arkansa and Canadian rivers,—and down said rivers to Belle Point, performed in 1820, under the command of Major S. H. Long, of the United States' Topographical Engineers.

Note.—The instruments used in making the following astronomical observations, were a portable sextant of 5 inches radius, graduated by the assistance of the vernier to 30˝, made by Cary, London, accompanied by a mercurial artificial horizon with a glass frame, and an excellent patent-lever watch, by Robert Roskell.

Camp on the river Platte, at the fording place of the Pawnee Indians, twenty-seven miles below the confluence of the North and South, or Padouca Forks.
June 20, 1820. Meridian altitude of sun's lower limb 72° 23´
Extent of horizon, (a level sheet of water) 700 yards.
Height of observer's eye above horizon 3½ feet.
Index error—4´ 15˝. Latitude deduced 40° 59´ 15˝ N.
Equal altitudes of Sun to find error of Watch.
Time from Noon, A.M. Time from Noon, P.M. Error of Watch.
June 20, 1820. 2h 32´ 26˝ 2h 32´ 34˝ 1´ 15˝ fast.
Mean time.
2  29  36  2  29  46 
Camp on the Platte, thirty-two miles below the point where it issues from the Rocky Mountains.
July 4, 1820. Meridian double altitude of star Antares, (ɑ. Scorpii) 48° 10´ 00˝
Index error—3´ 45˝. Latitude deduced 39° 57´ 40˝ N.
{xxxvii} Observations made on the River Platte, seven minutes of latitude south of the Camp of July 4th.
Equal altitudes of Sun to find error of watch, at noon.
Time from Noon, A.M. Time from Noon, P.M. Error of Watch.
July 5, 1820. 2h 30´ 19˝ 2h 21´ 17˝ 8´ 41˝ slow.
Mean time.
2  28  57  2  19  55 
2  27  30  2  18  22 
A mean of eight lunar distances from sun and times correspondent, to find the longitude. Latitude by account 39° 50´ 40˝ N. Assumed longitude 7h 01´ W.
Time per Watch, A.M. Distance of nearest limbs. Index error.
July 5, 1820. 7h 33´ 07˝ 56° 09´ 26˝ -4´

Daily variation of watch 1´ 41˝ losing.

Longitude deduced, 7h 01´ 23˝, or 105° 20´ 45˝ W. of Greenwich.

Camp at the base of the Rocky Mountains.
July 8, 1820. Meridian double altitude of Antares 49° 17´ 30˝
Index error —3´ 45˝. Latitude deduced 39  23  52  N.
July 9, 1820. Meridian double altitude of Antares 49  18  15 
Index error -3´ 45˝. Latitude deduced 39  23  29  N.
Mean latitude of the camp 39  23  40  N.

At our camp on Boiling-spring Creek, at the distance of about 25 miles from James's Peak, (the same designated by Pike as the highest peak,) trigonometrical observations were made for determining the height of the peak above the level of the adjacent country. A base of 1048½ feet was accurately measured, and angles taken at its extremities, to ascertain another side of the triangle, to serve as a base to determine the height of the mountain. The angles at the extremities of the primary base, corrected for the index error of sextant, were 104° 32´ 15˝ and 65° 28´ 45˝—and the extent of the secondary base as found by calculation, 133372.5 feet. The angles taken at the extremities of the secondary base, included between that line and the lines of vision, to an object distinctly visible at the summit of the peak, were 96° 21´ 15˝ and 81° 17´ 45˝, corrected as above. The angle of elevation of the top of the peak, observed at the extremity {xxxviii} of the secondary base, most remote from the peak, was 3° 41´ 15˝, corrected also for index error of sextant. The final result of these observations, gives for the height of the peak above the plain in which the observations were made, 8507½ feet.

In order to ascertain with precision, the angle of elevation of the summit of the peak, an artificial horizon of water was employed, and the double angle of elevation observed. The angle of elevation as it stands corrected for refraction, is 3° 39´ 26˝. The estimate as above gives the height of the peak above the true level of the place of observation, no correction having been made for the spherical figure of the earth.

Allowing the perpendicular fall of the river Platte, from the mountains to its mouth, to be on an average nineteen inches per mile, (which appears reasonable from the rapidity of its current compared with that of the Missouri,) the fall of the Missouri from the place where it receives the Platte to its mouth, to be 16 inches per mile, which agrees with the result from leveling at Engineer Cantonment—and that of the Mississippi from the mouth of the Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico to be 12 inches per mile, it would give for the height of the Platte at the base of the mountains, say at the place of the above observations, 3000 feet above the level of the ocean, and consequently the height of James's Peak would be 11507½ above the same level.

This mountain was clothed in snow for a considerable distance below its summit, when the exploring party visited it, in the middle of July, and at the same time they experienced excessive heat at its base.

Observations made on the Arkansa, at our camp, situated about twenty-five miles below the point where the river issues from the mountains.
Equal altitudes of Sun to find error of watch, at noon.
Time from Noon, A.M. Time from Noon, P.M. Error of Watch.
July 17, 1820. 3h 27´ 17˝ 3h 08´ 35˝ 15´ 03˝ slow.
Mean time.
3  25  58  3  07  15 
3  24  36  3  05  54 
July 17, 1820. Meridian double altitude of Antares 51° 28´
Index error 3´ 22˝. Latitude deduced 38  18  19  N.
A mean of eight lunar observations. Distance of nearest limbs of sun and moon for calculating the longitude.
Time per Watch, P.M. Distance of Sun and Moon. Index Error.
July 17, 1820. 3h 26´ 49˝ 84° 08´ 30˝ - 3´ 22˝

{xxxix} Assumed longitude 7h 01´ west. Allowance to be made for error and rate of time-piece, as before.

Longitude of Camp deduced, 7h 02´ 39˝, or 105° 39´ 45˝ W.

Camp on the Arkansa, two miles below the river St. Charles, or third fork of Pike.
July 19, 1820. Meridian double altitude of Antares 51° 36´ 00˝
Index error—3´ 22˝. Latitude deduced 38  14  18  N.
Camp on the Arkansa, at the place where the Exploring Party was divided into two detachments.
Equal altitudes of Sun to find error of watch, at midnight.
Time before Midnight Time after Midnight Error of Watch.
July 21, 1820. 8h 39´ 58˝ 8h 17´ 50˝ 17´ 19˝ slow.
Mean time.
8  38  38  8  16  30 
8  37  18  8  15  1 
A mean of eight lunar distances and times correspondent,—nearest limb of moon from star Spicæ Virginis.
Time per Watch P.M. Distance of Moon and Star. Index error.
July 21, 1820. 9h 40´ 54˝ 51° 45´ 47˝ - 3´ 30˝

Variation of watch 47˝ per 12 hours losing. Error of watch to be estimated. Longitude by account 6h 58´ W. Lat. determined by subsequent observations.

Longitude of Camp, 6h 55´ 05˝ or 103° 46´ 15˝ W. of Greenwich.

Equal altitudes of Sun to find error of watch, at noon.
Time from Noon, A.M. Time from Noon, P.M. Error of Watch.
July 22, 1820. 2h 58´ 21˝ 2h 34´ 09˝ 18´ 06˝ slow.
Mean time.
2  56  59  2  32  47 
2  55  36  2  31  23 
July 22, 1820. Meridian double altitude of Antares 51° 40´
Index error—3´ 30˝. Latitude deduced 38  12  22  N.
{xl} Camp on the Canadian River of August 6th.
Aug. 6, 1820. Meridian of altitude sun's lower limb 71° 52´
Extent of natural horizon, or sheet of water 82 yards.
Height of observer's eye above horizon 38 inches.
Index error of sextant - 3´
Latitude deduced 35° 16´ 19˝ N.
Camp on the Canadian River of August 22d.
Aug. 22, 1820. Meridian double altitude of moon's lower limb 72° 18´ 15˝
Index error—4´ 00˝. Latitude deduced 35  26  29  N.
Camp on the Canadian River of August 31st.
Equal altitudes of Sun to find error of watch, at noon.
Time from Noon, A.M. Time from Noon, P.M. Error of Watch.
Aug. 31, 1820 3h 27´ 43˝ 2h 23´ 40˝ 31´ 52½˝ slow.
Mean time.
3  26  21 2  22  18 
3  24  55  2  20  57 
Altitudes of Sun and times correspondent, to find the Latitude.
Times per Watch, A.M. Double altitudes of sun's upper limb. Index error.
Aug. 31, 1820. 10h 29´ 20˝ 121° 18´ 00˝ - 4´
Error and variation of watch to be allowed.
Lat. by account
34° 57´ N.
10  30  24  121  32  00 
10  32  05  121  52  30 
10  33  12  122  06  30 
10  34  13  122  17  30 
Mean 10h 31´ 51˝ 121° 49´ 18˝
Latitude of Camp deduced from the above 34° 57´ 35˝
A mean of seven Lunar distances, and times correspondent—nearest limbs of Sun and Moon.
Time per Watch, A.M. Distance of Sun and Moon. Index error.
Aug. 31, 1820. 7h 32´ 06˝ 77° 50´ 15˝ - 4´

{xli} Allowance to be made for error and variation of watch. Longitude by account, 6h 26´ W.

Longitude deduced, 6h 26´ 12˝, or 96° 33´ 00˝ W. of Greenwich.

Camp on the Canadian river, fifteen miles above its mouth.
Sept. 9, 1820. Meridian double altitude of sun's lower limb 120° 13´ 00˝
Index error - 4'. Lat. deduced 34  50  15  N.
Observations made on the Arkansa river, at Fort Smith, Belle Point, situated at the confluence of the Arkansa and Poteau rivers.
Sept. 14, 1820. Meridian double altitude of sun's lower limb 116° 22´ 00˝
Index error - 4´. Latitude deduced 34  51  07  N.
Sept. 15, 1820. Meridian double altitude of sun's lower limb 115  36  00 
Index error - 4´. Latitude deduced 34  51  00  N.
Sept. 16, 1820. Meridian double altitude of sun's lower limb 114  50  30 
Index error - 4´. Latitude deduced 34  50  35  N.
Mean latitude of Belle Point 34  50  54  N.
Equal altitudes of Sun to find error of watch, at noon.
Time from Noon, A.M. Time from Noon, P.M. Error of Watch.
Sept. 15, 1820. 3h 41´ 21˝ 3h 36´ 32˝ 2´ 47˝ fast.
Mean time.
3  38  35  3  33  46 
A mean of seven lunar distances and times correspondent—nearest limbs of Sun and Moon.
Time per Watch, P.M. Distance of Sun and Moon. Index error.
Sept. 15, 1820. 3h 55´ 46˝ 93° 59´ 30˝ - 4´

Allowance for error of watch as usual. Longitude by account, 6h 18´ west of Greenwich.

Longitude of Belle Point deduced from the foregoing data, 6h 17´ 24˝, or 94° 21´ 00˝ west of Greenwich.

{xlii} A TABLE OF LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE,

Embracing the deductions recorded in the foregoing account of Astronomical Observations and Calculations.
Places of Observation Latitude N Longitude W. from Greenwich Longitude W. from Washington City
Shippingsport, Ky 38° 15´ 23˝
Camp on Mississippi, June 8 38  26  09 
Mouth of Merameg river 38  23  39 
St. Louis, Missouri 38  36  18  90° 02´ 35˝ 13° 02´ 35˝
Camp on Missouri river, June 28 38  34  33 
Franklin, Missouri 38  57  09  92  57  05  15  57  05 
Fort Osage, Missouri 39  09  33 
Cow Island, Missouri river 39  25  05 
Camp on Missouri river, Aug. 31 39  49  01 
Fort Lisa, Missouri Fur Co.'s Establishment 41  24  13 
Engineer Cantonment 41  25  04  95  43  53  18  43  53 
Mouth of river Platte 41  03  13 
Mouth of Elk-horn, tributary to Platte 41  12  00 
Boyer river at commencement of High Lands 41  32  15 
Elk-horn river, near Pawnee Trace 41  26  07 
Village of Republican Pawnees 41  17  03 
Mouth of Missouri river 38  51  39  90  00  40  13  00  40 
Mouth of De Moyen river 40  21  48 
Mouth of Illinois river 38  58  23  90  18  00  13  18  00 
Cape Girardeau, Mississippi river 37  18  39  89  17  00  12  17  00 
Spanish Fort at Natchez 31  33  45 
Camp on the Platte, July 4 39  57  40 
Do. do. July 5 39  50  40  105  20  45  28  20  45 
Camp at the base of the Rocky Mountains, July 8 39  23  40 
1st Camp on Arkansa, July 17 38  18  19  105  39  45  28  39  45 
Camp on Arkansa, July 19 38  14  18 
Camp where Exploring Party separated 38  12  22  103  46  15  26  46  15 
Camp on Canadian river, Aug. 6 35  16  19 
Do. do. Aug. 22 35  26  29 
Do. do. Aug. 31 34  57  35  96  33  00  19  33  00 
Do. do. Sept. 9 34  50  15 
Belle Point, Arkansa Territory 34  50  54  94  21  00  17  21  00 

METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER
Preliminary Explanations

The observations on the modifications of the clouds were particularly detailed in the Journal by Mr. Say, who being often remote from the party on detached expeditions, the phases observed by him cannot always be considered as precisely corresponding with those that occurred where the observations noted in the remaining columns of the tables were made by Lieut. Graham. As they would occupy too much space, if introduced into the body of this work agreeably to the manuscript notes, it was judged proper to modify and condense them into the smallest possible space. With this view, the nomenclature of Messrs. Howard and Forster has been adopted, and is now inserted in the meteorological tables, under the indications of the following abbreviations, viz.

S - Stratus.
C - Cirrus.
Cs - Cirrostratus—the addition of a full point, thus Cs. shows that this cloud was almost or entirely universal; and a comma, thus, Cs, indicates its partial occurrence. The same observations also relate to the signs for the following clouds.
Cm - Cumulus.
Cml - Cirrocumulus.
Cms - Cumulostratus.
Cmc - Cumulocirrostratus.
Ns - Nimbus.

But as the particular varieties of appearance which these respective clouds exhibited, could not be indicated in the allotted columns of the tables, they are altogether omitted. The column headed with the word courses indicates the points of the heavens from which the clouds proceed; thus | C. | S.W. | shows the occurrence of the Cirrus form of clouds proceeding from the south-west.

The letter L. sometimes inserted in the column of remarks on the state of the weather, indicates lightning; T. thunder, and R. rain.

Observations, by means of the Cyanometer, on the colour of the atmosphere, were also made, three times each day, by Mr. Graham; but as the instrument became imperfect in consequence of the fading of its colours, from the necessary exposure to the action of light, they have been rejected.

No record was made of the humidity of the atmosphere, as the Hygrometer provided for the use of the Expedition, proved entirely useless.

Simultaneous meteorological observations were made at Germantown, near Philadelphia, by Mr. Reuben Haines; from which the average temperature of that place during several months has been deduced and inserted for the sake of comparison, in the following tables.

Observations on the state of the weather were regularly made during the whole term of the expedition, but being too voluminous to be inserted in the work, it was thought best to select those of an entire year and reject the remainder.

{xliv} Meteorological Register {xlv} for the Month of JUNE, 1819

Day of Month MORNING MID-DAY EVENING Mean Temp. Mean Temp. at Ger­man­town REMARKS BAROMETER MODIFICATIONS AND COURSES OF CLOUDS
Morn­ing Mid-Day Eve­ning
Tem­per­a­ture Wind Tem­per­a­ture Wind Tem­per­a­ture Wind Morn­ing Noon Eve­ning Clouds Courses Clouds Courses Clouds Courses
1 68 N.W. 76 N.N.W. 77 W. 73 — Windy during the day 29.40 29.26 29.32 Fair — Cs, Cms, — —
2 65 Calm 77 W.N.W. 75 N.W. 72 — 29.36 29.17 29.31
3 65 Calm 82 S.E. 80 S.S.E. 75 — 29.41 29.26 29.20
4 72 Calm 83 Sy. 81 S. 78 68 29.32 29.16 29.17
5 73 S. 85 S.E. 83 Sy. 80 — 29.25 29.10 29.18
6 73 Calm 85 S.E. 84 E.S.E. 80 79 29.29 29.15 29.16
7 79 S.W. 85 S.W. 84 Sy. 82 79 29.24 29.19 29.19
8 78 S.S.W. 83 S.S.W. 83 S. 81 — 29.20 29.15 29.16
9 75 S.W. 85 S.W. 80 W.S.W. 80 — 29.18 29.20 29.15
10 68 S.E. 83 E.S.E. 75 S.E. 75 71 29.28 29.21 29.20
11 64 S.S.E. 76 W.N.W. 72 N.W. 70 69 Thunder shower before daylight this morning 29.15 29.16 29.18
12 66 N.N.E. 73 N.N.W. 73 N.N.W. 70 69 29.36 29.27 29.28
13 68 Calm 78 S.S.E. 72 S.S.W. 72 — 29.40 29.26 29.20
14 72 S.E. by E. 81 S. by E. 80 S. 77 65 29.29 29.16 29.15
15 77 S. by E. 84 E. 75 S. 80 — Violent thunder gust commenced at 6 P.M. and continued till 7 29.21 29.22 29.23
16 72 S.E. 84 Calm 86 Calm 77 71 Sultry 29.26 29.21 29.18
17 80 Calm 87 Calm 86 Calm 84 76 Sultry 29.22 29.17 29.14
18 80 Calm 86 N.W. by N. 81 N.W. 82 79 Light breezes. Thermometer at 88½ at 11 o'clock, A.M. 29.16 29.13 29.14
19 69 N.E. by N. 74 N. by E. 73 N. by E. 72 78 Light breezes 29.29 29.27 29.14
20 66 W.S.W. 81 W. 80 Calm 75 68 Light breezes 29.35 29.22 29.20
21 70 S.W. 83 N.W. 83 N. by W. 78 71 Light breezes 29.21 29.16 29.11 —
22 70 E. by S. 83 E.N.E. 84 Calm 79 — Light breezes 29.22 29.19 29.13 Cs, — Cs. Cm, — Cs. —
23 72 Calm 82 E.S.E. 82 S. 78 — Light breezes 29.20 29.17 29.09 Fair — Cms. — Cms, —
24 71 Calm 84 Calm 86 S.W. 80 70 Light showers of rain in the afternoon 29.24 29.18 29.14 Fair — Ns, — Ns, —
25 75 Calm 85 N.E. 86 N. 82 69 Thermometer at 88 at 5 P.M. Light breezes. L. in evening 29.25 29.20 29.19 Fair — Cms, — Cm, Cml, —
26 77 N.W. 84 S. 87 W.N.W. 82 68 Light and variable breezes 29.25 29.15 29.15 Fair — Cms, Cs. — — —
27 70 N.W. by N. 84 N.N.E. 86 N.N.E. 80 73 Light breezes 29.29 29.09 29.10 — — — — — —
28 75 Calm 83 S. by W. 86 E. 81 76 Light breezes 29.15 29.08 29.06 Fair — Cml, — Fair —
29 71 Calm 88 N.W. 89 N.W. by W. 82 — Strong breezes 29.04 28.90 28.87 Cs. — Fair — Cml, W.
30 74 N.W. 81 W.N.W. 78 S.W. by S. 77 77 Strong gales of wind last night and also during this day 29.00 28.99 29.00 Fair — Cm. — Cm, Cm, —

{xlvi} Meteorological Register {xlvii} for the Month of JULY, 1819

Day of Month MORNING MID-DAY EVENING Mean Temp. Mean Temp. at Ger­man­town REMARKS BAROMETER MODIFICATIONS AND COURSES OF CLOUDS
Morn­ing Mid-Day Eve­ning
Tem­per­a­ture Wind Tem­per­a­ture Wind Tem­per­a­ture Wind Morn­ing Noon Eve­ning Clouds Courses Clouds Courses Clouds Courses
1 69 Calm 83 W.S.W. 83 Calm 78 — Fresh gales in middle of the day 29.09 29.00 29.00 Cms, — Cml, — Cs. —
2 71 Calm 74 W. by S. 80 N.E. by N. 75 — Fresh gales in middle of the day 29.16 29.18 29.18 Cs. — Cs. — Cs. —
3 67 N.N.W. 80 N.W. by N 78 N.E. by E. 75 70 Fresh and variable brs.—night fair 29.33 29.20 29.20 Cs, — Cs, — Cs, —
4 64 N.N.W. 81 E.S.E. 77 E.S.E. 74 70 Fresh breezes 29.39 29.20 29.20 Cm, S. Cm, & C, S. C, & Cs, —
5 65 S.E. by E. 80 E. by N. 79 E.N.E. 74 69 Light breezes 29.25 29.08 29.07 Cmc. — Cm, Cms, Cs, S.E. Ns, —
6 76 Calm 81 W.S.W. 84 E.N.E. 80 69 Freq. showers of R. during the day 29.07 29.05 29.06 Ns. — Ns, — Cms, —
7 72 E.N.E. 86 N.W. by W. 86 S.E. by E. 81 65 Hard shower this forenoon 29.12 29.00 29.02 Cms, & Cs, — Cs, & Cms, — Cm, & Cs, —
8 76 Calm 90 S.W. 88 E.N.E. 84 67 Light brs.—mackerel sky in even. 29.04 28.96 28.96 Cs, E. Cm. & Cs. — Cml, —
9 78 E.N.E. 83 S.W. by S. 85 S.W. 82 77 Hard shower this forenoon. L. in the evening 29.04 29.00 28.98 Cs. — Cs. Cms, — Ns, Cms, N.W.
10 80 W.S.W. 85 N.W. 79 Rained greater part of forenoon 28.99 29.05 Ns. — Cms. — Cs. —
11 71 N.E. 85 N.W. by N. 82 S.W. 79 80 Fresh breezes this afternoon, N.N.W. horizon red after twilight. Lightning. Storm of wind 29.18 29.10 29.04 Cs. S.W. Ns. — Ns. —
12 76 Calm 87 N.W. 81 N.W. by N. 81 79 Lightning in the evening 29.00 28.97 29.04 Ns, Cs, S.W. Cs. — Ns. N.
13 79 S. 85 W. 86 Calm 83 81 Thunder shower and heavy wind from from N.W. about 1 o'clock this morning—rain 1½ inches 29.07 29.00 29.03 Cs, Ns, NW., NE. Cms, Ns. S.W. Ns, Cs, E.
14 77 W.S.W. 81 N.E. 82 Calm 80 78 Thunder showers and heavy wind this morning about 1 o'clk. rain ½ inch—noon L. ¼ inch rain 29.03 29.13 29.13 Cs, — Ns. — Ns, N.N.E.
15 75 W.S.W. 84 W.N.W. 82 80 81 Very light breezes 29.22 29.21 29.23 S. — Cs, Cm, — Cs, —
16 69 W.N.W. 77 N.W. 76 N.N.W. 74 78 Very light breezes 29.27 29.27 29.25 C, Cs, W.N.W. Cms, — Cs, —
17 54 N.N.E. 73 S.S.E. 72 N.W. 66 73 Very light breezes. Stratus at night 29.34 29.31 29.31 Cms, — Cms. — Cs, —
18 54 N.W. 73 E. by N. 74 N.N.W. 67 70 Pleasant wea. Even. S. in N.E. 29.34 29.34 29.31 S. — Cs, — Cs. —
19 54 N.N.E. 75 E. 76 S.S.E. 68 72 Pleasant weather 29.34 29.34 29.34 Cmc. — Cs. — Cs. —
20 64 S.E. 80 W.N.W. 73 E. by S. 72 72 Light breezes 29.34 29.30 29.24 Cs. — Cm, Cs, — Cs. —
21 68 E. by S. 75 E. by S. 70 S.S.E. 71 72 Light breezes 29.21 29.15 29.15 Ns. — Ns, Cm, S.W. — —
22 70 E. 80 S. by W. 77 S.E. 75 75 Fresh breezes. T. storm in even. 29.06 28.97 28.97 Ns. S. Cms, Cml, — Ns S.W.
23 68 Calm 73 S.S.E. 75 Several showers of rain to-day. L. incessant in the evening 29.00 29.00 Ns. — Cs, Cml, N.W., S. Cm, Ns, S.S.W.
24 72 Calm 83 S.E. 82 N.E. 79 75 Fr. brs. T. storm with R. in even. 29.02 29.10 29.12 Cm, Cs, — Cms, Cs, N.N.W. Ns, —
25 72 N.W. by N. 83 N.N.E. 80 N. by W. 78 76 Fresh breezes. Light rain this morning. L. in the evening 29.16 29.17 29.16 Cms, N.N.W. Cm, N.N.W. C, N.W.
26 65 Calm 83 N. 72 W. 73 76 Fresh breezes 29.20 29.20 29.13 C, Cml, — Fair — Fair —
27 64 N.W. 84 S.S.E. 75 E.S.E. 74 76 Thick fog over the river this morn. 29.13 29.13 29.06 S. — Fair — Fair —
28 69 E. 86 S. by E. 84 N.E. 79 78 Strong breezes in the afternoon. Evening L. and shower at night 29.10 29.10 29.06 C, — Cms, — Cms, —
29 72 E.N.E. 88 S.W. by S. 80 S. 80 77 Strong breezes 29.12 29.06 29.03 C, N. Cs, C, — Cs, Cms, —
30 74 W.S.W. 89 E.S.E. 83 S.E. by E. 82 82 Moderate brs. Noon T. Even. L. 29.08 29.01 29.00 Ns. — Cms, Cml, S.W. Cms, Cs, —
31 72 N.E. by N. 86 N.N.W. 82 E. by N. 80 86 Moderate breezes 29.00 28.90 28.88 Ns — Cms. Cs N.E., S.W. — —

Remarkable Phenomena.—On the 7th, 170 miles from mouth of Missouri river at 9 o'clock, P.M. discovered a comet bearing nearly N.W. Observed its distance from North Star to be 49° 38´.—8th, 57 minutes past 8 P.M. observed distance of comet from North Star 48° 46´, bearing at same time N. 43°, W. Altitude 7°.

17th—Franklin, Missouri—Magnetic intensity 26 oscillations per minute. 28th—At our Camp—Magnetic intensity 25 oscillations per minute.

{xlviii} Meteorological Register {xlix} for the Month of AUGUST, 1819

Day of Month MORNING MID-DAY EVENING Mean Temp. Mean Temp. at Ger­man­town REMARKS BAROMETER MODIFICATIONS AND COURSES OF CLOUDS
Morn­ing Mid-Day Eve­ning
Tem­per­a­ture Wind Tem­per­a­ture Wind Tem­per­a­ture Wind Morn­ing Noon Eve­ning Clouds Courses Clouds Courses Clouds Courses
1 72 N.W. 85 N. 82 S.E. 79 88 Frequent showers of rain, ⅛ of an inch rain since yesterday morn. 28.87 28.77 28.74 Ns. N.E. Cml. N.E. Cs.
2 69 Calm 78 E. by S. 74 E. by S. 73 86 28.72 28.68 28.68 Ns. Ns. Ns.
3 68 82 S.W. 74 W. by S. 74 78 28.68 28.70 28.74 Ns. Ns. Ns.
4 73 S. 84 S. 78 W. 78 76 Frequent showers of rain, ½ an inch of rain since yesterday morning 28.79 28.77 28.77 Ns. E. Cm, C, Cs.
5 68 S.S.W. 86 W. 76 S.W. 76 75 Light sprinkles of rain 28.83 28.80 28.80
6 71 W. 88 W. 80 W. 79 75 Cloudy all day 28.86 28.85 Cs. Cs. Cs.
7 71 S.W. 84 W.S.W. 81 W.S.W. 78 79 Light sprinkles of rain last night and this afternoon 28.90 28.82 28.82 Ns. Cs. Cms.
8 71 Calm 84 N.E. 80 S.W. by S. 78 82 Sprinkles of rain this forenoon 28.82 28.74 28.74 Ns. Cs. Cms.
9 70 S.S.W. 88 Calm 84 Calm 80 80 Sultry 28.75 28.74 28.74 Cs, Cms, Fair Cm,
10 70 S.S.E. 88 S. 84 E.S.E. 80 82 Sultry. Light in S.E. this evening 28.80 28.80 28.80 Fair Cm. S.S.W. Fair
11 72 E.N.E. 90 S.S.E. 85 E.S.E. 82 79 Pleasant brs. L. in N. this 28.86 28.86 28.78 Fair Cm, S.S.W. C, Cs,
12 72 Calm 92 W. 85 E.N.E. 83 81 Fresh breezes. Lightning in N.W. 28.84 28.80 28.74 Cs. Cs, Cms, Cs,
13 75 Calm 91 S.W. 86 S.S.E. 84 82 Fresh breezes. Night meteors shooting to the north 28.77 28.70 28.70 Cm, Cs, Cm, Cm, Cs,
14 77 Calm 93 S. 87 S. 85 82 Fresh breezes. No dew 28.70 28.63 28.62
15 76 S.E. 92 S. 86 S.S.W. 84 79 Fresh breezes. No dew 28.62 28.60 28.57
16 76 Calm 90 Calm 87 N. 84 72 Light breezes. Shower of rain in the morn. No dew in the even. 28.57 28.63 28.64 Ns. N.W. Ns. Ns, Cs,
17 74 E.N.E. 90 N.E. 86 N.N.E. 83 79 Light breezes 28.66 28.66 28.66 Cs, Cs, Cml, S.W., N.E.
18 73 W.S.W. 86 Calm 81 E.N.E. 89 72 Light brs. noon. Rain in the E. 28.70 28.67 28.67 Cs, Cs, Cm, S.W., N.E. Ns. E.
19 74 Calm 83 E.N.E. 80 E.N.E. 79 74 28.74 28.74 28.74 Ns. Cms. N.E.
20 76 S.S.E. 85 E. 81 E. 80 76 28.80 28.75 28.68 Fair Cm, Cs, C.
21 68 Calm 84 W.N.W. 78 N.W. 76 77 Hard shower of rain from North—3/16 of an inch of rain 28.68 28.63 28.66 Ns. Ns.
22 61 N.W. 76 N.N.E. 68 N.N.W. 68 78 Windy 28.84 28.85 28.88
23 50 W. 72 Calm 67 N.W. 63 70 29.18 28.85 28.85 Cs.
24 54 S.S.E. 73 S.S.E. 70 S.S.E. 65 66 Windy 28.85 28.77 28.77 Cs.
25 60 S.E. 83 S.S.E. S.S.E. 62 Strong gale of wind during the day 28.83 28.65 28.65 C, C, E. C, E.
26 68 S. 86 S.S.E. 80 S.S.E. 78 Strong gale of wind. Evening, rain 28.72 28.66 28.63 Cs, Cs, Cm, S.W. Ns.
27 71 E. 70 N. 69 N. 70 64 Strong gale of wind. Morn. rain 28.63 28.75 28.75 Ns. N.W. Cs, Cm, W., N.W.
28 50 N.W. 79 N.W. 66 E.N.E. 65 65 Strong gale of wind 28.94 28.78 28.79 Fair Cs.
29 50 N.N.E. 75 E.S.E. 70 Fresh breezes 29.00 28.84
30 50 E.S.E. 84 S.S.W. 71 S.W. 68 69 Fresh breezes 28.97 28.67 28.54
31 62 S. 93 W.S.W. 84 S.W. 79 71 Windy 28.57 28.44 28.45 Cs, Fair Fair

Remarkable Phenomena.—On the evening of the 2d, when the moon was about 8° above the horizon, brilliant rays of light appeared very distinctly to proceed from a point 5° or 6° to the north of the moon. Same phenomenon on the evening of the 3d.

Fort Osage, August 4th, magnetic intensity 26½.

Fall of rain on the 26th instant 3-16ths of an inch—27th ½ an inch.

{l} Meteorological Register {li} for the Month of SEPTEMBER, 1819

Day of Month MORNING MID-DAY EVENING Mean Temp. Mean Temp. at Ger­man­town REMARKS BAROMETER MODIFICATIONS AND COURSES OF CLOUDS
Morn­ing Mid-Day Eve­ning
Tem­per­a­ture Wind Tem­per­a­ture Wind Tem­per­a­ture Wind Morn­ing Noon Eve­ning Clouds Courses Clouds Courses Clouds Courses
1 75 N.W. 92 S.S.E. 88 S.W. 85 75 Windy 28.45 28.40 28.40 C, — C, Cm, — Cs, —
2 75 N.W. 88 E.S.E. 74 Calm 79 78 Light breezes. Lightning in S.W. at midnight 28.41 29.20 29.20 Fair — Fair — Fair —
3 63 S.S.E. 90 S.W. 78 S.W. 77 80 Hard thunder shower from W.S.W. this afternoon, lightning in N.W. in the evening 28.70 28.47 28.47 C, Cs, S.W., W. Cs. N.W. Ns. S.W.
4 76 S.W. 90 S.S.E. 82 S.S.E. 82 78 Some rain last night 28.47 28.47 28.47 C, S.W. Fair — Cs, W.
5 71 N.N.W. 70 N.N.W. 71 N.N.W. 70 79 Rain and lightning last night, and a shower at noon 28.63 28.58 28.58 Cs. Cml, W., N.W. Ns. S.E. Ns. S.
6 66 S.E. 84 N.W. 72 N.W. 74 79 Thunder storm from S.E. last night, and another from N.W. this afternoon, and during part of the night, with rain, and some hail in the night 28.58 28.50 28.50 Cs. Cml, N.W., S. Cs, — Ns. —
7 70 N.W. 85 E.S.E. 78 N.N.W. 77 80 Violent thunder storm from N.N.W. with a little hail this afternoon 28.50 28.44 28.44 Ns, — Cm. — Ns. —
8 65 N.E. 85 E.S.E. 76 E.S.E. 75 80 28.56 29.60 29.60 Fair — Fair — Cs, —
9 65 E.S.E. 92 S.E. 75 S.E. 74 77 Thunder in the W. and some appearance of rain this afternoon—evening lightning in the N. 28.65 28.55 28.55 C, Cm, — C, Cm, — Ns, —
10 70 Calm 87 S.S.E. 80 S.E. 79 70 28.68 28.68 28.68 Fair — Cm, — Cm.Cs, —
11 72 Calm 77 S. 76 S.E. 75 65 Frequent light sprinkles of rain to-day, rain in the morning 28.66 28.66 28.63 Ns. — Ns. — Ns. —
12 74 S.S.E. 82 S. 76 Calm 77 68 28.63 28.64 28.64 Ns. — Ns. — Fair —
13 62 N. 74 N.N.W. 67 N.N.W. 67 62 Very windy and squally all day 28.76 28.84 28.84 Ns. — Cs. — Fair —
14 50 W. 69 E.N.E. 60 E.N.E. 59 59 Cool breezes. S. from river at night 29.10 28.92 28.86 Fair — Cm, — Fair —
15 50 S.W. 74 S.S.W. 68 S.S.W. 64 64 Remarkably clear sky all this day 28.92 28.70 28.68 Fair — Fair — Fair —
16 56 N.E. 78 S. 71 S. 68 65 Remarkably clear sky all this day 28.75 28.64 28.65 Fair — Fair — Fair —
17 55 S. 85 E.N.E. 78 E.N.E. 72 65 Remarkably clear sky all this day 28.75 28.60 28.60 Fair — Fair — Fair —
18 58 Calm 90 S.E. 75 S.E. 74 66 28.60 28.50 28.50 Fair — Cs, N.W. Fair —
19 56 N.N.W. 84 S.E. 72 S.E. 70 66 28.70 28.68 28.68 Fair — Fair — Fair —
20 58 S.E. 70 S.E. 69 S.S.W. 65 60 Night S. from the river and nimbus in N.W. horizon 28.80 28.70 28.70 S, Ns, — S, Cml, — S. —
21 56 E.S.E. 80 E.S.E. 74 S.E. 70 56 Fresh gales of wind 28.70 28.54 28.54 S, Cs, — Cs, N.W. Cs, —
22 60 E.S.E. 76 S.E. 72 Calm 69 62 Atmosphere thick and smoky 28.56 28.46 28.56 C, C, — Cs, — Cs, N.W.
23 54 N. 64 N.N.W. 58 N.W. 58 68 Windy 28.66 28.66 28.66 Cs, N.W. Cs, N.W. Fair —
24 41 N. 64 N. 55 Calm 53 68 Windy 28.78 28.57 28.57 Fair — Fair — S, —
25 34 Calm 70 Calm 59 Calm 54 66 Frost last night 28.80 28.54 28.54 Fair — Fair — Fair —
26 45 S.E. 82 S.E. 71 S.E. 66 62 Atmosphere very smoky, occasioned by the neighbouring prairies being on fire 28.50 28.37 28.37 Fair — Fair — Fair —
27 54 Calm 80 S.E. 67 S.E. 67 61 28.37 28.43 28.43 Fair — Fair — Fair —
28 54 E.S.E. 77 S.E. 70 S.E. 67 60 28.70 28.64 28.64 Fair — Fair — Fair —
29 54 E.S.E. 85 S.E. 80 S.E. 73 60 28.65 28.50 28.50 — — — — — —
30 62 Calm 86 N.W. 73 N.W. 73 66 28.50 28.54 28.50 Cs, — Fair — Cs, N.W.