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18th Century Science ALS

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18th Century Science ALS
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Very interesting autograph letter signed by Augustus Woodward, known primarily for his design of the city of Detroit and as Chief Justice of the Michigan Territory, but here as a remarkable 18-year-old scientific prodigy. From Philadelphia dated 16 June 1792, Woodward writes to a fellow student at Columbia College. In very small part, ''…the project of Mr. Churchman of sailing towards the North Pole in order to perfect a theory of the magnetical variation…Mr. Churchman…asserted that the observations of Cook and all the late navigators for discovery have tended to confirm his principles. The latitude to which he proposed to sail is 76 [degrees]…If he sails farther North will the position of the needle be inverted and the North end point South?…I was in company with him about two hours…His plan was once submitted to the American Philosophical Society…The other subject which I proposed touching upon is a novel and curious upstart in Science called Animal Magnetism. Philosophers declare it to be an unfounded chimera of fancy…others are as warm in defense of its principles and…as a cure for…the tooth-ache and the rheumatism…an extract of a letter from Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson late ambassador at the court of Versailles and at present federal Secretary of State…Speaking of Dr. Franklin, Mr. Jefferson writes as follows - 'About that time also the King of France gave him a signal testimony of respect by joining him with some of the most illustrious men of the nation to examine that ignis fatuus [Latin, foolish fire] of philosophy the Animal Magnetism of the maniac [Franz] Mesmer - the pretended effects of which had astonished all Paris’…'' Six pages measure 9'' x 14''. Near fine condition. Accompanied by complete transcript.