Message from the Governor of Pennsylvania, Transmitting the Reports of the Joint Commissioners, and of Col. Graham, U.S. Engineers, in Relation to the ... States of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland
(
This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Annual Report of Brevet Lieut.-Col. J. D. Graham on the Improvement of the Harbors
(This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)
This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. This text refers to the Bibliobazaar edition.
Graham James Duncan was an army officer. He was commissioned major, Corps of Topographical Engineers and was the astronomer of the surveying party that fixed the boundary between the United States and the Republic of Texas.
Background
James Duncan Graham was the grandson of John Graham, who came from Scotland in 1736 and settled in Virginia, and the son of Dr. William and Mary Campbell Graham.
Dr. Graham served in the 2d Virginia Regiment in the Revolutionary War, and each of his four sons who grew to maturity found his career as an officer in the United States Army and was breveted for distinguished service. James was born on April 1, 1799, in Prince William County, Virginia.
Education
James graduated from West Point in 1817. He was a constant student, not only of his own profession, but in art, science, and letters.
Career
After his graduation of West Point, Graham was assigned to the 1st Artillery. From 1819 to 1821, he served as the first assistant to Maj. Stephen H. Long on his expedition to the Rocky Mountains. This determined his career; his particular interest thenceforth was in topographical engineering.
For several years, he was assigned to topographical duty and on July 7, 1838, was commissioned major, Corps of Topographical Engineers.
In 1839, he was the astronomer of the surveying party that fixed the boundary between the United States and the Republic of Texas.
In the steps leading toward a settlement of the controversy over the northern boundary of Maine he was detailed commissioner for the survey and exploration of the boundary (1840 - 43) and later, served as principal astronomer and head of the scientific corps on the part of the United States for the joint demarcation of the United States and the British provinces.
In this arduous service (1843 - 47), he showed exceptional ability, in recognition of which he was breveted lieutenant-colonel. He was then detailed to direct the resurvey of Mason and Dixon’s line.
In 1850-51, as the principal astronomer and head of the scientific corps, he surveyed part of the Mexican border.
For ten years, beginning with 1854, he had duty on the Great Lakes, and for most of that time, he was the superintending engineer of harbor improvements.
During the period of this duty, after most careful scientific observations covering several years, he discovered the existence of a lunar tide on the Great Lakes (1858 - 59).
He was promoted lieutenant-colonel, Topographical Engineers, on August 6, 1861, was given the same rank in the Corps of Engineers two years later when the two corps were combined and was promoted colonel, Corps of Engineers, on June 1, 1863.
His last duty was that of the superintending engineer of sea-walls in Boston Harbor, having charge of the repair of harbor works from Maine to the Chesapeake.
He met his death in consequence of exposure in a severe storm on the coast of Massachusetts while inspecting a seawall which had just been completed under his direction.
(This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)
Connections
Graham was twice married: on July 6, 1828, to Charlotte Hustler Meade, sister of Gen. George Gordon Meade; and later to Frances Wickham of Richmond, Virginia.