If we reflect a moment upon the discoveries which, in the last four centuries, have been made in the physical constitution of the universe, by the means of these buildings, and of observers stationed in them, shall we doubt of their usefulness to every nation?
And while scarcely a year passes over our heads without bringing some new astronomical discovery to light, which we must fain receive at second hand from Europe, are we not cutting ourselves off from the means of returning light for light, while we have neither observatory nor observer upon our half of the globe, and the earth revolves in perpetual darkness to our unsearching eyes ?" It is humiliating to reflect that neither of these recommendations received an encouraging response from Congress.

The latter suggestion, indeed, excited the ridicule of many of the opposers of Mr.Adams, and "a light-house in the skies," became a term of reproach in their midst.

In this, however, it must be confessed, their ridicule was greatly at the expense of their intelligence, their public spirit, and their devotion to the highest interests of man.

There are few reflections more mortifying to an American citizen, than that while so large a portion of the resources of the national Government have been exhausted in prosecuting party measures, rewarding partisan services, and promoting sectional and personal schemes, little or nothing has been devoted to the encouragement of the arts and sciences, and the cultivation of those higher walks of human attainment which exalt and refine a people, and fit them for the purest and sweetest enjoyments of life.
It was during the first year of his administration, that the attention of Mr.Adams was called to a proposed Congress of all the Republics on the American Continent, to meet at Panama.

The objects designed to be accomplished by such a Congress have been variously stated.