RG I-C-2: General records. Communications to the Academy – Unbound

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Historical Note

In February 1781, the Academy published a call for papers from the “ingenious in every profession” for consideration and discussion by its members and for possible publication in the Memoirs. Over the many years, members and non-members alike would send communications to be published initially in Memoirs and later in Proceedings. The earliest concern observations of the natural world, especially of meteorological phenomena, though also include concepts in mathematics, discussion of antiquities, and medical treatments. All such correspondence was initially the responsibility of the Corresponding Secretary, one of the original officers of the Academy. Though various forms of review were instituted, generally the Corresponding Secretary would announce the receipt of the communication, and it may be transferred to a committee for review upon a vote.

Beginning sometime in the late 1800s, incoming communications were pasted into bound scrapbooks. However some of these remained disparate, held among other records of the academy. A portion remained in Secretaries’ possession and returned to the Academy eventually. During the first years of the Academy’s Archives Initiative, archivists assembled communications from various locations within the larger archival collection to form this collection.

Scope and Content

The materials described as Communications consist of a broad subject range of correspondence and articles submitted to the Academy for consideration, discussion, and possible publication. This series contains these communications, most in the form of handwritten letters or signed documents. Note: Academy serial publications are available through JSTOR: http://www.jstor.org.

Volume

3 document cases (1.5 linear feet)

Arrangement

The communications have been arranged alphabetically by author; in cases where author is unknown, documents are filed at the end of the series, in alphabetical order by title. Each entry notes the author’s date of election to the Academy, and for articles published by the Academy, the citation to its location in the Academy’s Memoirs or Proceedings.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, date]. Series I-C-2: Communications. Unbound, 1767-1931. Archives, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Languages

English

Subjects

Agriculture
Astronomy
Botany
Geology
Geomagnetism
Inventions
Letter books
Meteorology
Natural history
Public health

ITEM LIST

Box 1

Folder 1

Copy of Sermon preached Aug. 24, 1808 at Sandwich before the scholars & by the request of the Trustees of the Academy in that place, [1808 or later]; [Sandwich, MA].

Preaches “the duty of teaching children out of the sacred Scripture & conversing with them on religious subjects”, ends with prayer.
Note: Given at Sandwich Academy.

Creator: [Allyn, John, 1767-1833]; elected 1808

Folder 2

Description of the Hydrometer and the use of it.

Provides detailed dimensions and composition of an instrument used to measure the ratio of the density of “spirit or any liquid lighter than water” to the density of water. Further provides the instructions for use. Contemporary handwriting in pencil notes the communication requires a figure for illustration.
Note: Possibly the work of one of two Samuel Blodgets: Blodget, Samuel, 1724-1807; or Blodget, Samuel, 1757-1814.

Creator: Blodget, Samuel

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Folder 3

Letter from William Cranch Bond to John Pickering, 1842 May 24; Cambridge, MA.

Encloses the magnetic and meteorological observations of J. Melville Gillis, at his request. Comments that their own magnetic observations have been recorded every ‘term day’ for a year while meteorological observations with “the new Standard Barometer” continue.

Creator: Bond, William Cranch, 1789-1859; elected 1835

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Folder 4

Letter from [J. Ingersoll Bowditch], [after 1833].

Two tables with explanation, one by a factor of five years and one, deduced from the first, by a factor of one, giving the number of white persons in the US, per the 1830 census. Speculates as to life expectancy.

Creator: [Bowditch, Jonathan Ingersoll, 1806-1889]; elected 1834

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Folder 5

Letter from [Nathaniel] Bowditch to [Edward] Everett, 1815 December 25; Boston.

Solves a mathematical problem noted as the “Mr. Croswell’s question” posed in [Thomas] Leyburn’s edition of The Ladies Diary, vol. 4, p 344.

Creator: [Bowditch, Nathaniel, 1773-1838]; elected 1799

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Folder 6

Application of Napier’s rules for solving the cases of right-angled spherical trigonometry to several cases of oblique-angled spherical trigonometry.

Points “out a small alteration in the expression of [Napier’s] rules so that they may include the solutions of most of the cases of oblique-angled Spherical Trigonometry, in a more simple manner…”.

Creator: Bowditch, Nathaniel, 1773-1838; elected 1799

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Folder 7

Letter from [Nathaniel] Bowditch, 1814 August 26.

Responds to Mr. Brosius’s “Observation on Proposition 44th of Vince’s spherical trigonometry”. Suggests the simpler solution by means of the perpendicular; gives examples.
Note: Possibly a reference to Samuel Vince’s Treatise on Plane and Spherical Trigonometry (1800).

Creator: [Bowditch, Nathaniel, 1773-1838]; elected 1799

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Folder 8

[Sea Serpents, 1810, #4] addressed to John Quincy Adams, 1804 May 22; Wiscasset.

Presents accounts which he has collected on sightings of a sea serpent in Penobscot Bay by Abraham Cummings, Alexander McLean, George Little, and Elezar Crabtree.

Creator: Bradford, Alden, 1765-1843

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Folder 9

[Sea Serpents, 1810, #2], Letter from Alden Bradford to William Emerson, 1810 October 25; Wiscasset.

Explains interest in sighting of sea serpents in Penobscot Bay; at request, notes enclosures supplying anew statements of sightings. Copy of Capt. Elezar Crabtree’s statement on sighting a Sea Serpent in Penobscot Bay.

Creator: Bradford, Alden, 1765-1843

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Folder 10

Letter from Charles Brooks to John Pickering, 1841 June 9; Place de L’Odeon, 5, Paris.

Details Paris’s new artesian wells, including their operation and history of construction.

Creator: Brooks, Charles

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Folder 11

On the Method of discovering the roots of a Cubic Equation by means of the division of its last term.

Explains how to solve an equation with only one unknown term. Includes examples.

Creator: [Brosius, F. X. (Francis Xavier)]

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Folder 12

Observation on Proposition 44th of Vince’s spherical trigonometry.

Offers an improvement, expanding the application of Vince’s proposition to all possible cases.
Note: Possibly a reference to Samuel Vince’s Treatise on Plane and Spherical Trigonometry (1800).

Creator: [Brosius, F. X. (Francis Xavier)]

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Folder 13

Letter from Marshall Conant, 1846 February 17; Framingham, MA.

Describes the ‘solar index’, an instrument that attaches to the surveyor’s compass showing variation of the magnetic from the true meridian. Details the construction, instructs on use, and provides a diagram.

Creator: Conant, Marshall, 1801-1873

Folder 14

A practical essay on raising apple trees, and making cider, 1789 July 23; Frome school, Sommerset, England.

Describes how to grow apple trees, detailing the proper preparation of the soil, and care for both seedlings and saplings. Further describes procedures of transplantation, grafting and pruning, and harvesting. Provides steps to press juice and make cider thereof, with particular care to the apparatus. Annotations include a list of the best varietals for cider, the economics of raising trees to sell and different types of fermentation.

Creator: Crocker, A. (Abraham)

Folder 15

Arithmetical solution of the Diophantine problem for dividing a given number, consisting of two given square numbers, into two other square numbers addressed to Thomas L. Winthrop, 1824 August 10; Mr. Bates’s, Hawkins’ Street, Boston.

Offers a solution of a noted problem of Diophantus. Croswell notes he is sending it to Winthrop to present to the Academy as they were classmates at college.

Creator: Croswell, William, 1760-1834

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Folder 16

Letter from [William] Croswell.

Gives rules and examples abridging computations: 1.) To find the Squares of a Number whose highest figures are between 40 and 60 2.) To find the Products of Numbers whose highest figures are between 40 and 60.

Creator: [Croswell, William, 1760-1834]

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Folder 17

Letter from William Croswell to John Davis, Tuesday Evening; Boston.

Presents two tables of the varieties in the first and second varieties of Oblique spheres. Notes he is sending it to Winthrop to present to the Academy on account of a former acquaintance.

Creator: Croswell, William, 1760-1834

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Folder 18

Letter from August Dauber, 1895 January 7; Bochum, Germany.

Theorizes that positive electricity is composed of oxygen and negative electricity is composed of nitrogen, contrary to the theories of Professor Crookes of the Royal Society in London. Asks the Academy to make their own investigations and encloses a copy of an essay noted as Essay III. which states the effect of nitrogen in chemical and electrical reactions.
Note: The essay marked ‘Abschrift’ or ‘copy’ has a red pencil notation of ‘III.’

Creator: Dauber, August
Language: German

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Folder 19

Letter from John Davis to John Adams, 1807 November 10; Boston.

Forwards a new copy of the inscription on Dighton Rock made by Mr. Kendal. Describes how Mr. Kendal made the original watercolor copy from which this oil copy was made.

Creator: Davis, John, 1761-1847; elected 1792

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Folder 20

Letter from John Davis to Samuel Webber, 1809 August 8; Boston.

Uses various accounts of Native cultures recorded by such as Champlain and Le Hontan to reason meanings of the figures that appear on Dighton Rock; notes Washington had commented to Dr. Lathrop that he had seen such inscriptions elsewhere in his opinion to have been done by Native Americans.

Creator: Davis, John, 1761-1847; elected 1792

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Folder 21

Letter from John Davis to John Warren, 1811 May 28; Boston.

Reports on the effectiveness of Sentellaria in treatment of rabies.

Creator: Davis, John, 1761-1847; elected 1792

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Folder 22

Letter from John Davis to Nathaniel Hall, 1830 August 11; Boston.

Describes a shark caught on New England Coast in 1793, identified by the author as Squalus Cornubicus, or a Porbeagle. Includes illustration in pencil.

Creator: Davis, John, 1761-1847; elected 1792

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Folder 23

Thoughts on smoky houses, [before 1786 August 23].

Details effect of smoky houses on health. Offers criticisms of chimney designs and proposes improvements so as to smoke less. Contemporary note in pencil, “Differs from Count Rumford as to the threat of chimnies. Not be Published”.

Creator: [Deane, Samuel, 1733-1814]; Charter Member, 1780

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Folder 24

Remarks on the construction of the common scale beam, with a description of the new gold standard beam, 1801 August 10.

Note: Includes cross-hatching in pencil over descriptions of gold standard beam and addendum.

Creator: Dearborn, Benjamin, 1754-1838; elected 1794

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Folder 25

Letter from Benjamin Dearborn, [ca. 1801].

Revises gold standard beam of the author’s invention. Addendum notes one further design of a common scale beam. Further includes illustration of gold standard beam.

Creator: Dearborn, Benjamin, 1754-1838; elected 1794

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Folder 26

Letter from Benjamin Dearborn, 1801 May 26; Boston.

Describes a beam of his design done at the request of George Burroughs for weighing gold, constructed on the, “principles…of extreme accuracy, and Freedom of Oscillation, to the exclusion of Lateral Vibrations and other impediment.” Mentions possibility of a patent and presents it to the Academy for their inspection. Contemporary note that letter was committed to Mr. Webber, Dr. Prince, and Mr. Bowditch.

Creator: Dearborn, Benjamin, 1754-1838; elected 1794

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Folder 27

Letter from Jean Baptiste Joseph Delambre.

Opines that Bowditch’s mathematical method is superior.

Creator: Delambre, J. B. J. (Jean Baptiste Joseph), 1749-1822; elected 1822, FHM
Language: French

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Folder 28

An account of some of the mineral productions of the state of New York, with specimens of each addressed to E. Pearson, 1799 September 2; Albany, NY.

In the care of Rev. Mr. Kirkland, transmits transactions of the Society as promised. Also takes the opportunity to send to the Academy mineral specimens described therein. Remarks on the value of natural history collections.
Note: Benjamin DeWitt (1774-1819) was elected to the Academy in 1800. John Thornton Kirkland (1770-1840; elected 1799) and Samuel Kirkland (1741-1808; elected 1790) were both alive, fellows, and clergy members at this time. John Thornton Kirkland’s affiliation at the time of election was in Boston, MA; Samuel Kirkland’s affiliation at the time of election was in Oneida, NY.

Creator: Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Arts, and Manufactures

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Folder 29

Observations on the Manufacture of Potash.

Describes the various defects in potash and how to rid potash of its impurities which cause them. Marked No. 13.
Note: Incomplete.

Creator: Dexter, Aaron, 1750-1829; elected 1784

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Folder 30

Letter from Edward St. John Fairman, 1904 April 28; Florence, Italy.

Poems on various topics; addressed to various public figures (Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, Queen Victoria, etc.); includes copies of acknowledgments from previous recipients. Postscript notes his intention to print and sell approximately 2,000 copies of his poems.

Creator: Fairman, Edward St. John

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Folder 31

Letter from Peres Fobes to Benjamin Dearborn, 1796 July 19; Raynham, MA.

Apologizes for forgetting to address previous letter to Dearborn. Encloses a copy of his description of the “state of new arts and manufactures which have been introduced into the Southern Counties.” Focuses on the manufacture of tin and iron.

Creator: Fobes, Peres, 1742-1812; Charter Member, 1780

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Folder 32

The description and Use of an Orrery of a new Construction.

Presents and describes an orrery of his own invention.

Creator: Fobes, Peres, 1742-1812; Charter Member, 1780

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Folder 33

Letter from Walter Folger; Nantucket, [MA].

Gives a method of determining longitude at sea by the lunar method, accounting for altitude, meant to be simple. Explains the use and application of the author’s new method.

Creator: Folger, Walter, 1765-1849

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Folder 34

Dissertation on the Dangers to which Incautious Divers are Exposed &c., [1809 March 6].

Recounts the accidents of divers who “incautiously go down in the Diving Bell”, in particular of Mr. Spalding and his nephew. Also summarizes an account of Cornelius Drebell [sic] written by a Mr. Boyle. Concludes with recommendations on diving safely.
Note: ‘Mr. Spalding’ is Cornelius Spalding (1738-1783). Cornelius Drebbel was the inventor of a navigable submarine.

Creator: Fothergill, A. (Anthony), 1732?-1813

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Folder 35

Memoir on the Origin & Formation of Ice-islands, and their Dangerous Effects in Navigation, pointing out a certain and easy method of timely forewarning seamen of their approach even in the darkest night, 1806 October 18.

Describes ice islands, where they are found, their formation, and theorizes effects on environment; details cautionary measures for navigating waters with ice islands.

Creator: Fothergill, A. (Anthony), 1732?-1813

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Folder 36

Essay on the Art of Aerostation, with a View Towards Rendering Aerial Voyages not only more Useful & Interesting to the Community but More Safe to Aeronauts, [1809 March 6].

Defends and describes the use of air balloons; offers advice on safely flying air balloons. Postscript describes the nighttime ascent of M. Garnier up to 8,000 leagues.

Creator: Fothergill, A. (Anthony), 1732?-1813

Folder 37

Animadversions on the Dangerous Practice of Sleeping on the Damp Ground and of Exposure to the Night Air, Particularly where the Animal Powers are Diminished, [1809 March 6].

Warns of the effect on health of various practices including sleeping on the ground, drinking iced liquids, and underdressing, & etc, providing the scientific reason for why it is dangerous.

Creator: Fothergill, A. (Anthony), 1732?-1813

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Folder 38

Letter from [J. Melville Gillis], [ca. 1842]; [Washington, DC].

Twelve charts record monthly means of meteorological observations recorded at the “Observatory at Washington City” for 1841. Two graphs record magnetic observations for October 19th-25th.

Creator: [Gillis, James Melville (1811-1865); elected 1861, Associate Fellow]

Folder 39

Mineralogical Observations: Made in the Environs of Boston, in the years 1807 & 1808 addressed to [John Davis], [1808 or later].

Defines terms before providing descriptions of a series of minerals, their uses, and where they may be found. Occasionally uses a nomenclature created by the author. Notes in conclusion a lack of metals and that a description of Massachusetts agrees with a now-unknown place ancient Greeks and Romans procured stones.
Note: Related “Tabular View…” aggregate minerals correspond to those here. Furthermore, The General Repository and Review, Vol. 2, published by William Hilliary (1812) report of this communication notes an accompanying Tabular View and the misspelling of garnet as ‘Garnat’ there. However there are slight differences in the handwriting.

Creator: Godon, Silvain, 1774-1840; elected 1808

Folder 40

Letter from Giles Gridley, 1809 May 30; Boston.

For the consideration of the Rumford Premium, presents and describes six figures of a fireplace designed by the author. Includes dated copies of endorsements; also a dated copy of mention in the Salem Gazette.

Creator: Gridley, Giles

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Folder 41

Letter from George Walter Hael to Josiah Parsons Cooke, 1891; Continental Hotel, 20th St and Broadway, New York.

Presents facts arguing how, like on the moon, different formations on Earth are explained by meteors. In conclusion alludes to influence of meteors on “industrial and moral phases”.

Creator: Hael, George Walter

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Folder 42

The Destroyer of All Separate and Dying Faiths and the Inviter of All People in the Unity of the Lifegiving Faith.

Presents a text by an anonymous author on the Eastern Orthodox faith and an impending apocalypse.
Note: Four-page introduction by Hapgood is in English.

Creator: Hapgood, Isabel Florence, 1850-1928
Language: English, Russian (pre-orthographic reform Cyrillic)

Folder 43

An Inquiry into the Phisical [sic] Influence of Education on Health, Beauty, and Disposition, 1790 May 14; Providence, RI.

Argues a relationship between mind and body. Further posits that the means to make a child healthy, intelligent and good may be used to make them beautiful and engaging, if beauty is defined as a combination of such traits. Provides six points of induction to illustrate point.

Creator: Hitchcock, Enos, 1745-1803

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Folder 44

Letter from Abiel Holmes, 1813 November 10; Cambridge, MA.

Explains a new method of inscribing on stone and marble, involving nitric acid, described to the author by his Hebrew instructor, Isaiah Ben Houseman. Presents such an inscription on marble including a copy of the Dighton rock from sources listed and of the Pheonician alphabet. Notes the history and use of printing from stone.

Creator: Holmes, Abiel, 1763-1837; elected 1803

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Folder 45

Remarks on the Discovery of the Application of Inhalation of Vapour of Sulphuric Ether, 1847 February 27; Boston.

Describes the composition of ether, how to prepare and administer it, and the effect on the body. Details his communication with W. G. Morton on his discoveries, and responsibility for the surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in which ether was administered. Concludes with applications to animals.
Note: First claim of Dr. Jackson in the eventual “Ether Controversy”. Printed day before read at Stated Meeting in the Boston Daily Advertiser, March 1, 1847, “the following paper addressed by Dr. Jackson to the Academy”.

Creator: Jackson, Charles T. (Charles Thomas), 1805-1880; elected 1837

Folder 46

Letter from Edme-Sébastien Jeaurat, 1783 May 19; Royal Observatory of Paris.

Observations on the transit of Mercury, passing over the sun on 1782 November 12.

Creator: Jeaurat, Edme-Sébastien, 1724-1803; elected 1783
Language: French

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Folder 47

Letter from George Washington Keely to Joseph Lovering, 1866 July 9; Waterville, ME.

Gives two demonstrations on the Parallelogram of forces, using postulates of ‘de Cauchy’ from “Exercises de Mathematiques”; includes illustration. Note it was written from earlier copy of June 25, 1866.

Creator: Keely, George Washington

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Folder 48

Letter from Edward Augustus Kendal to John Davis, 1807 October 29; Hallowell, ME.

Records observations of the Dighton writing-rock in Taunton River.

Creator: Kendal, Edward Augustus, 1776?-1842

Box 2

Folder 1

Letter from Joseph-Jerome le Francais de Lalande, 1781 November 30; Paris.

Records observations from five cities in Europe during the Eclipse of 1778.

Creator: Lalande, Joseph Jérôme Le Français de, 1732-1807; elected 1781, FHM
Language: French

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Folder 2

Letter from Increase Allen Lapham to Jacob Bigelow, 1861 June 26; Milwaukee, WI.

Describes the construction of Levi Burnell’s anemograph, an instrument which records the direction and velocity of wind, of which three are in existence; notes the possibilities for research.

Creator: Lapham, Increase Allen, 1811-1875

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Folder 3

An account of the effects of lightning on the house of Jonathan Mason, Esqr in Boston addressed to Joseph Willard.

Recounts the manner in which lightning went through the home on May 23, with some meteorological comment.

Creator: Lathrop, John, 1740-1816; elected 1790

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Folder 4

Letter from Dudley Leavitt to Edward Everett, 1828 March 1; Meredith, NH.

Details methodology of finding the second equation of the mean to the true time of the moon’s first and last quarters; includes table.

Creator: Leavitt, Dudley, 1772-1851

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Folder 5

New Tables used in calculating the times of the moon’s first and last quarter, according to the method of calculating the time of new and full moon, 1835 September 1; Meredith, NH.

Details methodology of finding the second equation of the mean to the true time of the moon’s first and last quarters; includes updated table.

Creator: Leavitt, Dudley, 1772-1851

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Folder 6

Bekanntmachung einer neuen Integralformel, 1893 November 12; Debrecen, Hungary.

Announces a new integral formula.

Creator: Lesska, Franz
Language: German

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Folder 7

Letter from Isaac Mansfield to Kirkland, August 18; Billerica, MA.

Encloses tables of amount of £s at compound interest at the rate of 1, 2, 3 (& projected to be continued so far as 10) per cent per annum with explanation; notes usefulness for annuities, pensions, and leases.
Note: Tables are signed Philomath, the younger.

Creator: [Mansfield, Isaac, 1750-1826]

Folder 8

Letter from Isaac Mansfield to Joseph Willard, 1784 January; Exeter, MA.

Encloses description of a dial designed to show time by the sun, the planets and the moon. Includes instruction for use, tables, and illustration.

Creator: [Mansfield, Isaac, 1750-1826]

Folder 9

Methods of pointing out the Stars and Planets convenient to those who have not the Advantage of better Helps, [ca. 1784 September]; [Exeter, NH].

Describes a method using any simple plane to find particular stars and planets; includes illustrations and a “Table of the Aspect of the Sun with the Planets, for the Year 1784”.

Creator: [Mansfield, Isaac, 1750-1826]

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Folders 10-11

Letter from Matthew Fontaine Maury to Secretary of the Academy, 1848 March 8; Observatory, Washington.

Encloses copy of Urbain Le Verrier’s “reply to the opinions of Professor Peirce with regard to the planet Neptune,” which he sends because Prof. Pierce’s opinions have become part of the Proceedings. Le Verrier Replies to the remarks of Mr. Pierce on the observations of the Satellite of Neptune made by Mr. Lassel. Notes an established error in calculations referring to Neptune; claims there is a new theoretical error regarding Uranus; details both errors, with special attention to that which regards Uranus.
Note: “Prof. Peirce” is likely Benjamin Peirce (1809-1880; elected 1834)

Creator: Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873; Le Verrier, U.-J. (Urbain J.), 1811-1877

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Folder 12

Letter from R. Newman to John Quincy Adams.

On his view of the solar system.

Creator: [Newman, Robert, 1770-1843]

Folder 13

Letter from [Elisha Paddock] to [Ezra Stiles], [1767 August].

Drawing of a portion of Dighton Writing Rock.
Note: Note on enclosure provides history of document.

Creator: [Paddock, Elisha]

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Folder 14

A table of the longitude and altitude of the nonagesimal degree, in 42° 23' 28" of North latitude, 1829 June 6; Boston.

The ellipticity of the earth, being assumed to be 1/300th, and the obliquity of the Ecliptic 23° 27' 40"; table is for every minute of the right ascension of the meridian.

Creator: Paine, Robert Treat, 1803-1885; elected 1830

Folder 15

Astronomical Problem addressed to Bowditch, 1786 November.

“Having the times when a circum-polar star passed the thread of a telescope, above and below the pole, to determine the azimuth of the telescope, & the times when the star passed the meridian”.

Creator: Parsons, Theophilus, 1750-1813; elected 1781

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Folder 16

Description of 4 Fishes, 1794 September 19; Kittery.

Describes the physical characteristics and anatomy of the fish, how they differ from similar fish, and where they are found.
Note: Incomplete, pages 5-11 only.

Creator: Peck, William Dandridge, 1763-1822; elected 1793

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Folder 17

A Table of the Areas of Circles of one Inch thickness, and of any number of Inches and Tenths Diameter from 1 to 40 inches, in Wine-Gallons addressed to Joseph Willard, 1786 January; Haven.

Encloses a table of the areas of circles with explanation to find the measure in wine gallons for any cylinder of a given length and diameter, up to 40 inches.
Note: A ‘wine gallon’ is 231 cubic inches, and equal to the modern US gallon.

Creator: Philomath

Folder 18

Letter from Charles Pickering, 1849 October 2.

Notes how ancient Egyptians calculated time. Includes illustration and citations.

Creator: Pickering, Charles, 1805-1878; elected 1845

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Folder 19

Migration of the Aztecks [sic]addressed to [Edward Everett], [ca. 1827 January 28]; [Mexico].

Note: Consists almost entirely of pictograms. Presented by J. R. Poinsett.

Related documents: RG I-B-1 Volume 4, p. 62

Folder 20

Communications on Sundry Subjects, [1797].

Collects essays on astronomy and physics such as on gravity, an orrery of the author’s construction, conduits for conveying water, theories, and observations on the tides, particularly in the Bay of Fundy.

Creator: Pope, Joseph, 1746-1826; elected 1788

Folder 21

Letter from [Joseph Pope], [1797].

Copies of essays on astronomy and physics such as on gravity, an orrery of the author’s construction, conduits for conveying water, theories, and observations on the tides, particularly in the Bay of Fundy.
Note: Two essays seem to be missing, as penciled numbers in upper left hand corner are missing 1 and 7.

Creator: [Pope, Joseph, 1746-1826]; elected 1788

Folder 22

Letter from John Prince to Joseph Willard.

Describes simplifications in air-pump, conceived when replicating ‘Mr. Smeaton’s improved design.'

Creator: Prince, John, 1751-1836

Folder 23

History of the fever which prevailed in the town of Boston, in the summer and fall of the year 1798, [ca. 1798].

Traces the progression of a fever through Boston, describes symptoms and offers several theories as to a cause. Also includes reports on a dissection and meteorological commentary.

Creator: Rand, Isaac, 1743-1822

Folder 24

Notes and observations on several papers pertaining to mycology in scientific Periodicals, [1844 or later].

Includes 1. On Montagne’s Organographic & Physiologic Sketch of the Class Fungi… 2. On M.M. Tulane’s Research & Monography… 3. On the Observations, etc of two species of Oriygens… 4. On Levselle’s Memoir of Genus Sclerotrium.

Creator: Russell, John Lewis, 1808-1873; elected 1842

Folder 25

Plan of the Ruins of an ancient Town or fortified Camp near the Confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers addressed to James Bowdoin, 1787 March 27; Boston.

Creator: Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820; elected 1788

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Folder 26

Extract of letter from David Sewall to Robert Treat Paine.

Extract details observations made at Portsmouth, NH and other locations of a lunar eclipse in January 1758.

Creator: Sewall, David, 1735-1825

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Folder 27

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [1/18].

1791 January 18 - 1791 May 17.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 28

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [2/18].

1794 May 19 - 1794 August 18.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 29

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [3/18].

1794 August 18 - 1794 November 5.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 30

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [4/18].

1794 November 6 - 1795 May 22.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 31

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [5/18].

1795 May 22 - 1795 August 12.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 32

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [6/18].

1795 August 12 - 1795 November 8.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 33

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [7/18].

1795 November 9 - 1796 May 16.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 34

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [8/18].

1796 May 16 - 1796 August 20.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 35

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [9/18].

1796 August 20 - 1796 November 4.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 36

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [10/18].

1796 November 4 - 1797 January 23.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 37

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [11/18].

1796 November 7 - 1798 January 28.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

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Folder 38

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [12/18].

1797 January 24 - 1797 May 22.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 39

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [13/18].

1797 May 28 - 1797 August 21.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 40

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [14/18].

1797 August 21 - 1797 November 7.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

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Folder 41

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [15/18].

1798 January 29 - 1798 May 17.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 42

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [16/18].

1798 August 20 - 1798 November 13.

Creator: [Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804]; Charter Member, 1780

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Folder 43

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [17/18].

1798 November 14 -1799 January 21.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

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Folder 44

The Variation of the magnetic needle, observed at Cambridge [18/18].

1799 January 21 - 1799 August 18.

Creator: Sewall, Stephen, 1734-1804; Charter Member, 1780

Folder 45

Note to accompany “An Extract Concerning the Antidote for Arsenious Acid”, ca. 1858.

Describes the “circumstances under which this paper has been presented to the Academy”.

Creator: Sharswood, William, 1836-1905

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Folder 46

Bill of Mortality for Portsmouth, New Hampshire, [1801-1809] addressed to John Adams, 1809 April 14; Portsmouth, NH.

Encloses printed mortality tables for Portsmouth, NH, 1801-1809.

Note: Includes multiple copies.

Creator: Spalding, Lyman, 1775-1821

Box 3

Folder 1

[Fragmentary drawing of Dighton Writing Rock - A], [1767 July 15].

Creator: [Stiles, Ezra, 1727-1795]; elected 1781

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Folder 2

[Fragmentary drawing of Dighton Writing Rock - B], [1767 July 15].

Creator: [Stiles, Ezra, 1727-1795]; elected 1781

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Folder 3

An Account of two inscriptions upon Rocks in Kent and Washington in the western part of the state of Connecticut addressed to James Bowdoin, [ca. 1790 July].

Describes the situation and inscriptions of two rocks in Connecticut; theorizes as to their origins with much general linguistic discussion; includes a map of Kent and three illustrated transcriptions.

Note: Later note that it was admitted to a Committee on 1806 Nov 20.

Creator: Stiles, Ezra, 1727-1795; elected 1781

Folder 4

[Literary Antiquity] A Letter to the Honorable Sir William Jones Bart, Chief Justice of India; and President of the Philosophical and Literary Society Instituted At Calcutta, Bengal addressed to William James Bart, 1794 January 18; Yale College.

Speculates on whether or not the Jewish community in Cochin possessed a copy of the Pentateuch; includes history and discussion of Hebrew.

Creator: Stiles, Ezra, 1727-1795; elected 1781

Folder 5

Letter from Hiram Strait, 1832 December 10; South Stephentown, NY.

Describes a plan of the “construction and motion of wing[s]” for humans; Includes diagrams; records opinions from three men regarding aeronautics.

Creator: Strait, Hiram (1812-1885)

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Folder 6

Description of a machine called a Rotamotor for the purpose of a person’s moving himself on a railway or other road.
Note: Includes illustrations.

Creator: [Swett, Samuel, 1782-1866]; elected 1813

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Folder 7

Letter from Elisha Sylvester to [John] Lathrop, 1811 March 30; Turner, [MA].

Describes lightning strike on May 28, “in the home of Capt John Daggett”; writes on printed circular of Academy requesting communications on lightning, dated 1807 May 26.
Note: Possibly addressed to John Lathrop (1740-1816; elected 1790) or Joseph Lathrop (1731-1820; elected 1792).

Creator: Sylvester, Elisha

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Folder 8

An Essay on the Tide in the Hemisphere opposite to the Moon.

Proposes that Isaac Newton’s theory of tides, as solely the result of water’s gravitation to the sun, does not explain tide behavior fully; further proposes viewing the tide as a wave, caused by the gravitational pull of the earth. Includes illustrations.

Creator: [Tenney, Samuel, 1748-1816]; elected 1791

Folder 9

Observations upon the natural production of iron ores, with a description of smelting furnaces & some account of the iron manufacture in the County of Plymouth, 1804 May 10; Plymouth, [MA].

Describes the situation and production of mines and foundries including briefly those on Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Elizabeth; provides detailed description of smelting; concludes with a history of the life of Robert Orr of Plymouth County.
Note: Contemporary note in pencil: “Published in Collection of Historical Society”.

Creator: Thacher, James, 1754-1844; elected 1803

Folder 10

Letter from [Daniel] Treadwell, [ca. 1860].

In light of the “great calamity which recently fell upon Lawrence”, recounts and critiques experiments done on the strength of cast iron, pointing out contradictions in the rules and tables used by builders.
Note: Pasted preface notes its presentation at an Academy Meeting. Likely refers to the Pemberton Mill Collapse (1860) in Lawrence, MA.

Creator: [Treadwell, Daniel, 1791-1872]; elected 1823

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Folder 11

Dissertation on the extirpation of glandulous tumors of the Neck and Face, together with a few cases, wherein is ascertained the successful treatment of some, by Medicines, [ca. 1793].

Describes circumstances, treatment, and surgery for cases of those with tumors in the face and neck; some reference to goiters.
Note: Translation of “Memoire et observations sur l’extirpation des tumeurs du col et de la face”.

Creator: Valentin, Louis, 1758-1829; elected 1794, FHM

Folder 12

Memoire et observations sur l’extirpation des tumeurs du col et de la face, 1793 February 6.

Describes circumstances, treatment, and surgery for cases of those with tumors in the face and neck; some reference to goiters.
Note: Translation available.

Creator: Valentin, Louis, 1758-1829; elected 1794, FHM
Language: French

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Folder 13

Observations upon Magnetic-needle, from 1792 to 1793 addressed to Joseph Willard, 1793 January 28; Boston.

Readings of the magnetic needle from 7:00AM to 5:00PM each day, January 13,1792 to January 29, 1793.

Creator: Vinall, John, 1736-1823

Folder 14

An Essay to explain the Story of Phaeton, 1806; New Haven, CT.

Recounts the myth of Phaeton; explores origins of the myth given by Horace, Ovid, and Pliny, concluding the evidence supports it to be due to a comet; however ultimately agrees with Orosius the myth is most likely the result of a volcano explosion during the time of the Plagues of Egypt.

Creator: Webster, Noah, 1758-1843; elected 1799

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Folder 15

Letter from [Noah] Webster, ca. 1794.

Describes observations on dew which lead him to conclude dew evaporates and condenses.
Note: Incomplete, comprising pages 100-103 of what is printed in Memoirs.

Creator: [Webster, Noah, 1758-1843]; elected 1799

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Folder 16

[Sea Serpents, 1810, #3], 1810 August 22; Portland, [MA].

Responds to request to, “make inquiry of Capt. Crabtree, respecting the sea monster…”; provides an account of a sea monster about 60 feet long spotted in sight of Mount Desert, seemingly attracted by the smell of dinner.

Creator: Weeks, Lemuel

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Folder 17

His Verses [with that in them which is] for those kindest hearted addressed to The Boston Globe, 1899 November 18; Berkeley, CA.

Poems: “Words that Have Come Down Out of the Sun”, “To Join the Order of Armeageddon”, “The Flag in Which is Held Man’s Hope”, “The Kingdom to Come”, and “Meditations on Mortality”. Various topics with notes of the poet; introduction includes “Press Notices of Another Work” and “Publisher’s Note” - which states the offer will copy out his work on request.
Note: Forwarded from the Boston Globe to the Academy in Nov 25, 1899 letter.

Creator: Welcker, Adair, 1858-1926

Folder 18

Observations of the Transit of Mercury over the Sun’s Disc, November 5th, 1789, made at Cambridge; [Cambridge, MA].

Describes method of observation; gives method for determining Mercury’s semi-diameter, latitude and time of “eliptick [sic] conjunction”.
Note: Incomplete, pages 1-4 and 9-16. Published in full in Memoirs.

Creator: Willard, Joseph, 1738-1804; Charter Member, 1780

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Folder 19

Experimental Evidence to Show the Disturbance of a Magnetic Field by Sound Waves addressed to Sturgis Bigelow, 1919 May 14.

Describes experiments on the effect of sound waves on magnetic fields, aspects of which were previously tested with Mr. Benson as a means to detect submarines.

Creator: Williams, Francis H. (Francis Henry), 1852-1936; elected 1902

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Folder 20

An Experimental Study of Some Magnetic Fields, 1931 June 15.

Details experiments designed to show impact of sound waves on magnetic fields, producing an electric current; includes 3 sheets of diagrams; includes transmittal note.

Creator: Williams, Francis H. (Francis Henry), 1852-1936; elected 1902

Folder 21

Reconstruction of Languages, [ca. 1888].

Advocates reformation of grammar and spelling in languages for ease of non-native speakers and children.

Creator: Williams, Henry W. (Henry Willard), 1821-1895; elected 1866

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Folder 22

Illustrations, [1788].

Copies inscriptions on Dighton rock; includes original and reduced versions.

Creator: [Winthrop, James, 1752-1821]; Charter Member, 1780

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Folder 23

Letter from [James Winthrop].

Counters objections given by ‘Mr. B’. Specifically objects to Mr. B wanting to use the general term ‘Hyperbola’ instead of the more specific term chosen.

Creator: [Winthrop, James, 1752-1821]; Charter Member, 1780

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Folder 24

A Method of Finding Areas, 1792 March 20; Canaan, CT.

At the request of Ezra Stiles, details the method by which a given area can be found arithmetically. Includes illustrations and examples.

Creator: Wright, Elizur, 1762-1845

Folder 25

[Essays: 1.) Of the Pendulum 2.) Query concerning the Tide].

Describes the construction of a pendulum, with illustration. Poses question and answers in the affirmative as to whether tides on the opposite side of the earth to the moon are also affected by the moon’s gravitational pull.

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Folder 26

[Essays: 1.) Observations upon the Horizontal Windmill 2.) Description of a Machine for threshing Grain 3.) On Polar and Equatorial Gravity].

Presumes the criticisms of Mr. Smeaton on the Horizontal Windmill were made before improvements described and illustrated. Describes and illustrates the means by which a machine threshes grain. Contradicts the idea that the difference between the polar and equatorial gravity is due to the poles being nearer to the center of the earth.

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Folder 27

[Footnote referencing works of La Lande and La Place].

Cites La Lande and La Place as sources used for measure of ellipticity in “observed lengths of pendulums in different latitudes”.

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Folder 28

[Observations of an Eclipse], [after June 1806].

Comments on the collected observations made at Falmouth, Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, Salem, and Rutland of an eclipse.
Note: Incomplete, pages 5-8 only.

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Folder 29

[Illustration].
Note: Illustration may be of ‘sundogs’.

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Folder 30

[Observations on the banks of the James River], [after 1785].

Compares observations on the James River with those read in the Memoirs regarding the Jerk River.
Note: Title taken from docketing on back.

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Folder 31

Of the parallelogram of forces.

Proof.

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Folder 32

[Replies of G. P. Bond to interrogatories], 1859.

Discusses “mean solar time, or apparent solar time”; inserts responses after prepared questions.
Note: Title taken from docketing in back.

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Folder 33

Tabular View of the Substances which constitute the Mineral Soil of the Environs of Boston.

Into two separate groups, organizes simple and aggregate minerals, with further classification in each.
Note: Aggregate minerals correspond to those in Godon Silvain’s “Mineralogical Observations: Made in the Environs of Boston, in the years 1807 & 1808”. Furthermore, The General Repository and Review, Vol. 2, published by William Hilliary (1812) report of the communication notes an accompanying Tabular View and the misspelling of garnet as ‘Garnat’ there.

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Folder 34

Explanation of Dighton Rock.

Posits the inscription on Dighton Rock represents peace treaty. Bases explanation on the similarity to the Hebrew alphabet used by Phoenicians; includes table of comparison and enhanced illustration.
Note: Appears to reference reduced scale copy by Winthrop, as published in memoirs. Numbers in explanation correspond to those of Winthrop’s drawing of the inscription on Dighton Rock.

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