In view of the interesting information furnished to the Congress by M. JANSSEN on the hydrographic labors of France, past and present, and of the results as represented by the number of Government charts; it has appeared to myself--as having held the office of hydrographer to the Admiralty of Great Britain for many years--in which opinion I am supported by my colleagues, that I should place at the disposal of the Congress certain statistical facts bearing on the great interests of navigation and commerce, as illustrated by the number of marine charts, of sailing directions, and of nautical almanacs annually produced under the authority of the British Government, and of their distribution. I would wish to disclaim any comparison in this respect with the labors of other countries. From personal knowledge I am aware that all nations--with only one or two exceptions--are, and especially so in the last few years, diligent in the development of hydrography, and that a cordial interchange of the results unfettered by any conditions is steadily being pursued. With this preface I would lay before you the following statements, observing that the shores of the whole navigable parts of the globe are embraced in the series of Admiralty charts referred to: The number of copper chart plates in constant use is between 2,850 and 2,900. This number keeps up steadily. About 60 new plates are added every year. Average number of copper plates annually receiving correction amount to 2,700. Total number of charts annually printed for the daily use of the ships of Her Majesty's fleet in commission, and for sale to the general public, has for some years ranged between 180,000 and 230,000. The sale of Admiralty charts to the public through an authorized agent, both in London and at other commercial ports in the kingdom, has been for the last seven years as follows: 1877................................104,562 1878................................109,881 1879................................103,943 1880................................114,430 1881................................118,542 1882................................131,801 1883................................157,325 Of these numbers, about one-fifth have been purchased by the governments or agents of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey, and the United States. The appended list, which was furnished to me by the Admiralty Chart agent during the present year, gives the more precise particulars.