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The National Academy of Sciences’ Committee on Quartz Plates Used in Saccharimeters for Sugar Determinations, 1887
[The following narrative is taken from Frederick W. True’s Semi-centennial history of the National Academy of Sciences, A History of the First Half-Century of the National Academy of Sciences 1863-1913, pp. 308-309.]
After the polariscope method had been used for some years by the Government in determining the saccharine strength of sugars on which customs duties were levied, the Treasury Department appealed to the Academy to test certain quartz plates used in the saccharimeters. The following letter was addressed to the Academy by the Secretary of the Treasury, C.S. Fairchild:
“Washington, D.C., June 17, 1887.
“Gentlemen: Certain questions connected with the classification of imported sugars are now under consideration by this Department. It becomes necessary that three standard quartz plates used by appraisers in determining the saccharine strength of sugars whereby its classification for duty is made, be tested with a view to ascertain their exact measurement, angle, and ray. I will thank you to inform me if the necessary test can be made by your Academy, and, if so, upon receipt of your reply, the plates will be forwarded to such address as you may indicate.
“Secretary.”[Rep. Nat. Acad. Sci. for 1887, p. 37.]
The President appointed as a committee, Arthur W. Wright, Edward S. Dana and Charles S. Hastings, requesting them not only to examine the plates but “to bring out the scientific principles involved, as a basis for future work.” Three plates were received for examination from the Treasury Department in June, 1887, and three more in September of the same year. The report of the committee, which was submitted on December 29, 1887, contains, in addition to a technical statement regarding the methods pursued, and the quality and value of each plate examined, a brief summary of the principles on which the saccharimeter is based.[For the full report and correspondence, see Rep. Nat. Acad. Sci. for 1887, pp. 37-45.] 
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