Let the standard of measure, then, be a uniform cylindrical rod
of iron, of such length as, in latitude, in the level of the ocean,
and in a cellar, or other place, the temperature of which does not
vary through the year, shall perform its vibrations in small and
equal arcs, in one second of mean time.
A standard of invariable length being thus obtained, we may
proceed to identify, by that, the measures, weights and coins of the
United States; but here a doubt presents itself as to the extent of
the reformation meditated by the House of Representatives. The
experiment made by Congress in the year one thousand seven hundred
and eighty-six, by declaring that there should be one money of
account and payment through the United States, and that its parts and
multiples should be in a decimal ratio, has obtained such general
approbation, both at home and abroad, that nothing seems wanting but
the actual coinage, to banish the discordant pounds, shillings,
pence, and farthings of the different States, and to establish in
their stead the new denominations. Is it in contemplation with the
House of Representatives to extend a like improvement to our measures
and weights, and to arrange them also in a decimal ratio? The
facility which this would introduce into the vulgar arithmetic would,
unquestionably, be soon and sensibly felt by the whole mass of the
people, who would thereby be enabled to compute for themselves
whatever they should have occasion to buy, to sell, or to measure,
which the present complicated and difficult ratios place beyond their
computation for the most part.
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