Letter from Chancellor F. A. P. Barnard to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; May 9, 1860

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Letter from Chancellor F. A. P. Barnard to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; May 9, 1860

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People

Bache, A. D. (Alexander Dallas), 1806-1867 Barnard, Frederick A. P. (Frederick Augustus Porter), 1809-1889 Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Stearns, William F.

Events

Weather and Natural Events--Total solar eclipses

Military Units

United States. Navy

Organizations

United States--Congress United States. Coast Survey Universities and colleges Universities and colleges--Mississippi. University of Mississippi

Occupations

Astronomers College Teachers Education Professionals

Places

Africa New York Sectors of Land--Canada. Cape Chidley Sectors of Land--Canada. Labrador Peninsula

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Univ. of Miss. May 9, 1860.

His Excy,

J. J. Pettus,

Dear Sir, You have perhaps noticed in the public prints, that an effort is making to send an astronomical expedition to Cape Chidley, the extreme northern extremity of Labrador, to observe the eclipse of the Sun of July 18 (prox,) which will be total at that point. Recent questions concerning the physical condition of the Sun, and con=cerning also the intra=Mercu=rial group of planets, give to this phenomenon a high de=gree of interest; and expedi=tions will be fitted out to

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observe it, at all accessible points of its totality, on this continent and in Africa.

It is hoped (and is, I think probable) that a resolution may pass Congress, permitting the use of a small steamer of the Navy or of the Coast Survey for the purpose. In the mean time the organization of a corps of astronomers is nearly perfected; and the friends of science in the large towns are proposing to find the means to charter a vessel, even should Congress fail to grant the permission sought.

I have been offered a place in this astronomical corps; and it is my ardent desire to join it; not only because of the interest I take in the phenomenon itself; but because the expedition will be one of world wide notor=iety, of which the results will form a part of the permanent history of astronomy, and will thus be a means of extending the reputation of the University of Mississippi.

I should have an occasion to address you on the subject if my acceptance of this offer (since the eclipse occurs in the vacation) were it not for the fact that the distance of Cape Chidley is so great as to render a start necessary (from New York) by the 25th of June. Our commence=ment occurs on the 28th. I am exceedingly unwilling to be absent at the commencement (and without the con=sent of a majority of the trustees, I cannot be) but it seems to me that there is more to be gained by my acceptance of the proposition, than lost by my absence at that occasion. All my business matters

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will be put into intelligible form before I leave; and the importance of my personal presence is rather ideal than real. The President of the Board, or the Senior Professor ^(Stearns)^ can preside at Commencement,

The invitation comes from Dr. Bache, Supt of the Coast Survey. Until the action of Congress takes place (which will be now as soon as it can be had) he wishes no public mention to be made of the organization of the corps. There will doubtless be very many of our scientific men, who ~~would~~will press forward to secure an opportunity of going, so soon as the expedition becomes a certainty.

I have written to Dr. Bache to count on me, with the reservation only that I must obtain the approval of the members of the Board. Will you have the goodness to give me your views on the subject, as early as convenient,

Very Respectfully
Your obt. Servt.,
F. A. P. Barnard,